Chapter 4 Hello, teacher (middle) the key to the safe

Yelena finally got rid of the lead of Varoja's dance steps. She danced several difficult dance moves one after another without emotion, as if she had returned to the fiery and passionate youth again... They are near the table.Valodya seated the lady in a gentlemanly manner and kissed her hand.Elena Sergeyevna was embarrassed, blushed like a little girl, and fanned herself with her handkerchief. Yelena: I haven't danced for a long time!This is an unforgettable waltz.It is often the case that in your life, the deepest feelings are often associated with the melody of a certain music.As soon as you hear it...

Lara: (sitting down at the table) This is called emotional associative memory. Yelena: Yes, yes.I look at you, listen to the music, and I remember when I was young and in love.How good it feels to be in love with someone!Sadly, my relationship didn't work out in the end.Lala: Why? Yelena: (laughs) My crush would rather pick a profitable marriage. Lala: You should have found yourself another one right away.This problem will not be solved. Yelena: Unfortunately, I am conservative on this point. Only Lala is the most loyal listener of Teacher Yelena's love memories, and Vega has long been impatient. He glanced at Volodya with a begging look, but he didn't get any instructions from Volodya's calm expression.So, Wei Jia had no choice but to muster up the courage to test it out...

Vetya: What, Yelena Sergeyevna, will our papers be judged tomorrow? Yelena: Yes, Vega. Wei Jia: Is it the committee to judge? Yelena: Well, as a rule, committee members are elected. Wei Jia: When will the scores be announced? Yelena: You can come to the school when the papers are graded tomorrow, and the results will come out after lunch. Wei Jia: I feel weak in my legs! Yelena: What's the matter, Vega?Didn't pass the exam again? Weijia: Oh, I don't know.Yelena Sergeyevna, it seems that I did not write anything on the paper this time. Yelena: Why, didn't you write it?

Weijia: Yes, nothing was written. Faced with Teacher Yelena's surprised expression, Vega lowered her head shyly and muttered the helpless answer above; Lala looked at Vega sympathetically and curled the corner of her mouth; Basha shrugged and walked behind Lala , watching teacher Yelena's reaction with her; only Valodia turned around gently and walked aside, as calm and detached as if he had nothing to do with this matter... pause. Yelena: But you got three points this school year, really three points. Wei Jia: That's me——Anyway, I can tell you the truth now, all the math tests were copied.

Yelena: Why... copied? Weijia: What!You don't understand how copying is going on?I also want to copy it today.But Marya Vasilyevna was staring at me so closely, she was staring at me... Excuse me, Yelena Sergeyevna, so I didn't copy any of them... There was no chance of turning back Well. Yelena: Vega, didn't I walk up to your desk several times during the exam? Wei Jia: You are here. Yelena: I also reminded you.Wei Jia: You reminded me. Yelena: What happened? Vega: It's useless. (sighs) Yelena: (stands up from the table, pauses) What happened?Didn't write a number?Didn't even answer a question?

Vega: No.Lara: (quietly) How many points will he get, Yelena Sergeyevna, two points? (Elena Sergeyevna is silent) Yelena: I don't know.pause. Valodya: (calmly) No two points.There are never two points in the graduation exam.This is an extraordinary event, am I right, Yelena Sergeyevna?Which hospital does your mother live in? Yelena: Mom?Lived in the 25th Hospital on Vasilievsky Prospekt.Valodya took out a pen to record. Lala: What if he didn't do any of the questions? Valoja: It's still a three-pointer.Lala: A blank paper too? Basha: Yelena Sergeyevna, please explain, you understand the situation.

Yelena: Basha, I don't know how the committee should score.I personally can't decide anything. Basha: Right.Well, the committee decided to score three points.They are not willing to ruin our school's 100% pass rate because of Wei Jia. Yelena: No, no, Basha, you are wrong.After the committee's brainstorming... Valoja: Please tell me the name of the attending doctor? Yelena: Whose?Ah...it seems to be Lavlov.Why are you asking this?No, Vega, you can't write nothing.Even the worst 2nd graders... Wei Jia: (happily) Then I am the worst!You don't know, do you?How successful I am in faking it.I have learned nothing in ten years!

Basha: Come on, don't you see Yelena Sergeyevna is sad?Why did I hide my gift until my birthday, the committee will give you three points, sit down. Yelena: Children, you are so insincere... Basha: On the contrary, we are very serious. Yelena: I can try my best... But unfortunately, Wei Jia also has to be mentally prepared... Wei Jia: (to Basha, in a soft voice) She still thinks there are too few wine glasses, and the price is too high. Basha: Yelena Sergeyevna, we have no doubts that you will help us.But what I want to say is... Vetya: Don't be angry, Yelena Sergeyevna.Pushkin is a zero egg, but he is still a genius.

Valodya: In his time people were different.Either you are General Gorgakov, serving the Tsar and the motherland by consolidating national defense; or you are Pushkin, serving the motherland by destroying the state apparatus. Weijia: We are now more like a Renaissance.A physics student can write lyric poetry, and vice versa. Basha: Vega, shut up!Classmates, let me say!Yelena Sergeyevna, you know it's not fair.For example, if I want to be a writer, I have to get 5 points in mathematics, which is ridiculous!I have studied Dostoyevsky since the eighth grade, my papers are sent to competitions, I have a certificate.And now, because of bad mathematics—forgive me, Yelena Sergeyevna, I have to lose perhaps my only chance.

Yelena: Are you studying Dostoevsky?At your age?I have no idea. Valoja: Dare to love!He was a future Dostoevsky expert, brought up by his family. Vega: Belinsky!A ray of light in the dark kingdom!Lara: You are the kingdom of darkness yourself.That's Dobrolyubov's article! Basha: Yelena Sergeyevna, I am studying the origin of evil. Yelena: Unbelievable!Basha, tell me. Volodya: Oh, Yelena Sergeyevna, it's going to be night. Wei Jia: No, go ahead, go ahead, don’t be shy. Basha: So, let us find out what is the origin of evil. Yelena: I don't know. Basha: If evil comes from God, then he is not perfect, and if evil does not come from God, then he is not omniscient.Yes or no?Then, going a step further, everyone knows that Dostoevsky did not reject God, but he did not accept the world created by God.Why?Because there are too many evils in the world.Why is there sin?Who is in charge?

Yelena: Who's in charge? Basha: We!God has given us freedom.Understand?free!He does not intend to make us slaves and force us to be good.We are not a mob, Yelena Sergeyevna!It gives us the freedom to choose, to choose between good and evil. Yelena: So why do people sometimes choose to be evil?Volodya: Because evil—Elena Sergeyevna, brings pleasure.And in this world, there are so few pleasant things. The young people surrounded Teacher Yelena, each using their "long and short weapons" to surround and suppress this thin and frail woman.Their theories were so unheard of, their arguments and arguments so detailed and sufficient, that dear teacher Yelena Sergeyevna seemed to be the object of their education... Yelena: What you said, we didn't dare to think about it back then.This is what astonishes me most about young people with modern education. Basha: Yelena Sergeyevna, that's natural too.The new generation should be better than the previous generation.The law of evolution!But just imagine, I have to lose my beloved career because of empty formalism, because I didn't get enough marks in mathematics, can I be willing!What does this have to do with my Dostoevsky, gentlemen?You must know that I can't be satisfied with the three points Weijia wants, I must be excellent. Yelena: Pasha, you didn't write anything, did you? Basha: (embarrassed) I... no, why?I kind of wrote a little bit, but... Wei Jia: (interrupting him) Interesting, why am I satisfied with three points?Of course, one has to have a bit of conscience, and I don't expect five points like some people, but I can get by with four points no matter what. Basha: Don't be a rascal, Veja!You still pray to God for three points, don't you, Yelena Sergeyevna?pause. Yelena: Wei Jia, you also want to take the literature department? Wei Jia: Me? !What are you talking about, Yelena Sergeyevna?I'm going to apply for that... Forestry College, there aren't many people taking the exam this year.I have loved the big forest since I was a child.Every summer I go to the countryside to see my grandma.Berries, mushrooms — Yelena Sergeyevna, what a wonderful world!When all my graduation exams are over, will you go with me?Are you going, huh?The distance is not too far. Yelena: Thank you, Vega, but my mother... Wei Jia: Thank you for what!Along the way, the hares were running, the birds were singing, and the church bell was ringing.The air is so fresh!All around, there are wild flowers everywhere. Yelena: No, no, thank you, after the exam... my mother won't be out of the hospital yet. Vega: When I woke up in the morning, fresh milk was delivered to the bed... Vega’s nagging had already made Valoja impatient. He shook the champagne in the crystal goblet, and then took a look at Teacher Yelena The expression on his face seemed to be an understatement... Volodya: Can we - Yelena Sergeyevna, finish the rest of the wine? (raises champagne glass) Yelena: You can't drink any more... Valodya: Only the bottom of the glass is left.Attention everyone!Raise your glass.For Yelena Sergeyevna! Yelena: Valodya, let me say a few words...Vitya, you...you... Wei Jia: (shakes hand) Use "you"!Use "you"!Can be called "you"! Basha: How about our drinking alliance?You can call us "you", Yelena Sergeyevna. Yelena: Thank you.You...you let me down, Vega, very disappointed.Basha too.But I hope everything will be alright for you in the end.You are going to go to university in autumn.It doesn't matter that some people can't go to college this year, what matters is that you should keep yourselves clean in all kinds of life situations.In any case, you must always keep in your heart the ideals we set up for you from the moment you entered school.Cheers to your future pure and courageous lives! The students couldn't help but put down their raised wine glasses. Wei Jia: Originally, it doesn’t matter whether it’s this year or next year... or ten years from now, what matters is being a human being!So true!Alas, I can't get into college, I have to go to technical school, let my mother scold me! Basha: You, dear, going to a technical school is a problem, so I can only join the army. Yelena: Children, what can I do?The world is not peaceful now... It is a man's duty to defend the motherland.It's always been like this. Wei Jia: Target the enemy's firepower!Go! Wei Jia suddenly jumped onto the chair, facing Teacher Yelena and his classmates, posing like a Red Army soldier charging in a movie, shouting.Everyone stayed there in amazement, their expressions somewhat unnatural.Teacher Yelena was no exception. She lowered her face slowly, unable to face Wei Jia's heroic posture.Wei Jia's waving arm touched the chandelier on the dining table. When he fixed his posture, the whole room was still, only the shaking shadow of the lamp flashed across everyone's face... pause. Volodya: Yelena Sergeyevna, I have a suggestion for you.Can I have a minute of your time?Elena Sergeyevna and Volodya went into the kitchen. Wei Jia: The heavy artillery is going up.Look at the art of our diplomats. Basha: Dealing with idealists is the most troublesome, as I said earlier.They can sympathize with you, shed tears for you, but they can help—no way! Lala: (mockingly) Yeah, it seems like it's over.The lads are busy. Wei Jia: Why?where did you know Lala: Intuition.Weijia: Fuck you.You and Basha have the same virtue.No conviction! Lala: So what is your belief? Wei Jia: Me?I believe in Valoja.Believe we can succeed. Lala: (chuckles contemptuously) Basha, let's go! Wei Jia: Listen, originally... you had nothing to do, but you just came to meddle! Lala: Weijia, I'm just very curious. I might be able to study life through this. Wei Jia: (muttering something indistinctly) Why don't you study in your backyard!hey what are you two doingLala: Kiss and go.Elena Sergeyevna and Volodya were in the kitchen. Volodya: Yelena Sergeyevna, would you like to transfer your mother to Professor Popov's clinic for treatment? Valodya: Valodya! ...Professor Popov! ... my mother's ... world-renowned clinic! ...impossible. Volodya: Well, that’s right, Professor Popov treated my father, I ask him to tell you about it.I promise my dad would agree. The lights in the kitchen were particularly dim. Teacher Yelena sat on a rickety chair and looked up at her tall student; Valodia also stared at her sharply, as if what he said was not A suggestion is a command... pause. Yelena: Valodya!Is this appropriate?How can I thank you? Valodya: A trifle. Yelena: Wait, I can prepare for the exam with you, be a tutor, and help you revise.Are you going to a technical school? Valodya: Thank you, Yelena Sergeyevna, I am going to the Moscow Institute of International Relations. Yelena: Moscow Institute of International Relations? Valodya: Yes.Yelena: The test is too difficult, the test is too difficult, Valodya!It's a pity that I...but, you know, my aunt lives in Moscow.You have no place to stay. I can write to her and call her. You are welcome to live in her house during the exam. She is the only one in her house. Don’t be shy. She is very kind and kind. happy.I'm calling her today - now! Volodya: You are welcome, Yelena Sergeyevna.I have everything arranged in Moscow. Yelena: Then what else can I... help with? Volodya: How funny you are, Yelena Sergeyevna.Actually I don't need your help.It may seem strange, but I really don't have a problem for you to help solve. (sarcastically) At least, there's nothing I can't solve. Yelena: No, Valodya, that's not right.I will be miserable. Valodya: Well, well, well!If you must do something for me, perhaps, I would like to ask you to do something.To be honest, my classmates are asking for your help with something, and it has nothing to do with me.Who made us all—how should I put it, let's say, like brothers in school.Yelena: No problem!I am very happy!Anything goes!I listen. Valodya: (smiling) Really anything goes?You are not afraid of me taking it literally? ... Yelena Sergeyevna, my friends—a glorious, fine, kind people, don't you agree?Smart, talented, well-behaved, but we sometimes have to compromise...for example, lofty goals require us to temporarily modify the way we behave...you know?In this case, we must be measured from an all-inclusive perspective.If our behavior is despised by the world, then the real man, because he has a freer and wider perspective, will not make a fuss, will he?You, Yelena Sergeyevna, seem to us just such a person.So we decided to find you to relieve our suffering, firmly believe that you can understand us correctly and help us sincerely.Will you help us? Yelena: (nods) I'll do my best.I don't know yet...but there is no doubt...my dear teacher Yelena has to make a promise, because this is the principle of her life, and she must repay her kindness.And this is the only way she can satisfy her good student who has everything... Valoja: Thank you.Thank you, Yelena Sergeyevna! (Loudly) Yelena Sergeyevna has promised to help us, students. Shouts of astonishment and ecstasy sounded: "Why, it has been promised? Really? Yelena Sergeyevna! Long live Yelena Sergeyevna! Hey, you diplomat! Ulla!" Volodya Returning to the living room with teacher Yelena's promise, the children cheered with joy at the exciting news. The cheers led Teacher Yelena out of the kitchen. Before she understood what was going on, she was hugged by the excited Weijia.Yelena was hugged by Wei Jia and turned around in a big circle, and she could only laugh along with the joy of the students... Yelena: Don't thank me in a hurry, I don't know what it is yet. Basha: Why, I don’t know?Didn't Valodya tell you? Valodya: I just laid the groundwork, Pasha, but Yelena Sergeyevna promised me.Yelena Sergeyevna, have you promised me? Yelena: Yes, but... Valoja: Watch your actions! pause. Lara: (smiling) Yelena Sergeyevna, do you keep the key to the safe? Yelena: Which safe?Lala: The safe for our exam papers. Yelena: Here I am, what's the matter? Lala: Can you give it to us for a while. Yelena: Why? Lara: (with a charming smile) How can I explain it to you? Pasha: (ambiguously) Yelena Sergeyevna!We all go to liberal arts colleges.As for the math test questions, we did it, but we didn't have time to finish it... Well, there were quite a few mistakes.The thing is, we all unfortunately need a five, except for Vega. Valodya: Sorry, I don't need it.I repeat, I don't have any problems.I'm just sorry for you guys. Lara: (very naively) Yelena Sergeyevna, can you lend us the key for a while?We will return it to you if we correct the mistake, huh? Vija: Aha!We have the right answer. (Takes out a stack of papers from his bosom) We... just need a... exchange. (pause) What's wrong?If you don't take the college entrance examination, it doesn't matter how much your grades are. Basha: The key to doing this is that no one knows, no one suffers.We take the humanities college entrance examination, so we won't crowd out any math genius.We don't compete with them. Volodya: If you, Yelena Sergeyevna, are afraid, we promise you strict secrecy. Vega: It's seamless.Don't doubt it!Basha: If there are more students who get five points, the leader will praise you. Faced with Weijia's completed test paper, Basha's seemingly reasonable explanation, and Lala's simple and straightforward request, Teacher Yelena was almost shocked. She seemed to gradually understand the real purpose of the four students today... … pause. Vega: Why are you looking at us like that? Yelena: (slowly) So, you came to my house to get the keys? Weijia: Yes...why? Basha: That's not the case! Lara: Not only... Volodya: Yelena Sergeyevna, of course we are celebrating your birthday! Yelena: But you still brought the test papers you wanted to cheat on! Lara: Oh, how do you say that, Yelena Sergeyevna!We came to you because we wanted to make friends with you.We really thought we could communicate with you!You will understand. Yelena: Despicable and shameless! Teacher Yelena finally struggled out from the siege of four students.She stood up, leaving the group of children behind.Her excited heart is constantly wrenching, and she may be blaming herself: Is this the student I cultivated?At the same time, four pairs of expectant and anxious eyes flickered behind her, and the four students seemed to feel the seriousness of the problem.But they are young people in the new era, they have faith, and they will not give up until they achieve their goals... Basha: (sorrowfully) Look, Yelena Sergeyevna, we expected that.Now you're going to tell us all that loud nonsense, and we're sick and tired of it. Yelena: No, Basha, that's not empty talk, I'm sorry you didn't understand. (Voice trembling, but she keeps herself under control) So, dear students, put away your presents and go out.The most I can do for you is - not report your behavior to the school.goodbye! pause. Volodya: (softly) Yelena Sergeyevna, you don't have to accuse us of moral indiscretion.We are not children, and we are well aware that our requests can easily be misinterpreted.So I declared it at the beginning, and you immediately agreed to help me.Many people—Elena Sergeyevna—are bound by the usual moral limitations . . . Yelena: I don't want to hear any more of your dialectics, Valodya.Please don't bother about my mother either. Valoja: I never thought that someone as smart as you would explain it this way... Yelena: The state will take care of my mother's illness.She will be taken to Popov's clinic without your help if the condition requires it. Valoja: I have no doubt that you believe that all members of society have theoretically equal rights to medical treatment.I don't think so anyway.Apart from that, I stated at the outset that I have no claim on you personally.I just do things for my friends, and I sympathize with gifted people whose personal life paths are always filled with obstacles that they themselves are always powerless to do. Yelena: No!True geniuses carve a path for themselves in life. Valoja: Excuse me, how to develop? ... Yelena Sergeyevna, how old are you?Teacher Yelena's stately lecture was interrupted by ruthless students. Valodya confronted his teacher, and for the first time he showed such disrespect in front of his dear teacher Yelena.This scene did not make the other children feel uncomfortable. Teacher Yelena could no longer find the previous enthusiasm on the indifferent faces.She turned her back on her students in frustration... pause. Yelena: Can you tell me frankly that if Maria Vasilyevna had the key, would you go to her house in the same way and ask her for the key?Or is it just me because you guys have... disrespect to me? ... Vetya: We respect you, Yelena Sergeyevna, we even love you. Pasha: If Maria Vasilyevna had the key, the problem would be easy.Maria Vasilyevna is our class teacher, and she may be as concerned about the test scores and enrollment rates in the class as we are.We can talk to Maria Vasilyevna. Yelena: Are you going to the dean's house too? Vetya: What's the matter, isn't Vera Ivanovna human?Her son is also going to college. Basha: What's the difference, Yelena Sergeyevna?All of us have the same purpose and mission, to get good grades. Yelena: Surely you won't be rejected? Valodya: Without a doubt. Yelena: Then you're out of luck with me. Valodya: (not sure if he is joking or serious) It depends on the point of view.The advantage is on our side, Yelena Sergeyevna.You live alone, the problem is simple.We talk to you, without witnesses, all night long. Yelena: Don't count on that. Valodya: Why?I think there will be no more guests at this time, and we have also told the family that we may not go home tonight. Yelena: You guys stay and watch me? Valoja: We wish to bid you a friendly farewell.pause. Yelena: Listen, you are not afraid that I will report you to the school tomorrow? Valodya: You won't. Yelena: Why? Valodya: Because you will give us the key. Yelena: What if I don't give it? Valodya: We will convince you. Yelena: Are you sure? Valodya: Or force you to give us the key. Yelena: (suppressing anger) Get the hell out of here now! Valodia is still facing his teacher across the dining table. His tall and burly body is in great contrast to the thin and thin teacher Yelena on the opposite side of the table. It is not difficult for us to see a trace of excitement and pride on his face, as if The drama has just begun... Volodya: (seriously) Yelena Sergeyevna, we're not going anywhere.You refused them, Yelena Sergeyevna, perhaps by forcing them to commit crimes. Yelena: Me? !crime?You are crazy!What bad things can you do? Wei Jia: We do all kinds of evil. Yelena: Well, Vega, don't play tricks on me, you don't know how, to be honest.Look, maybe, you guys are kidding me?Ah, Basha?It can't be true.What absurdity, gentlemen! ... It's like having a nightmare, I can hardly breathe... Lala, why don't you say anything?Don't make such stupid jokes, boys, it's not good... Veja is embarrassingly performing his "do all evil". pause. Volodya: We're not kidding, Yelena Sergeyevna. pause. Yelena: Sorry. Valodya: What, we just stand like this?Time is passing by every minute and every second, and we are standing. (Approaches Yelena Sergeyevna with a smile, and holds out her hand.) Give me the key, Yelena Sergeyevna, and part as friends. Yelena: Go away!It's not too late to go now!Don't you understand? Valodya: We're not going anywhere. pause. Yelena: Well, then, I'll go. Basha: I'm sorry, Yelena Sergeyevna, but we cannot let you go.Yelena Sergeyevna rushed to the door, but Vetya and Pasha blocked her. Yelena: What?Want to use violence? ! Valodya: (softly) We didn't want to. Yelena: I... I'll call the police. (Picks up the phone) What's the number? Weijia: (mechanically) 02. Volodya: Please don't do that, Yelena Sergeyevna. (looks at Weijia) Well, why... call the police? ... Yelena Sergeyevna dialed the number. Vega: Oh, don't do that!Not necessary, Yelena Sergeyevna. (pulls off the phone cord) I did!well! pause. The torn telephone line was still held in Weijia's trembling hands, the phone was smashed to the ground, and Basha opened his arms to block the way.Yelena couldn't accept the scene in front of her. We can clearly find "disappointment" from the moisture in her eyes... Yelena: You know, I thought this scene was only in horror movies...God please don't let me actually encounter it.You just kept saying that you were my friend. (Pause) I advise you to think about it and leave.It's not too late! Yelena went into the kitchen and closed the door.The students panicked a little.Valodya was concentrating on something.Lara began to put on her coat. Vega: Where are you going, Lara? Lala: Go home and find my mother. Wei Jia: What do you want to leave?What shall we do then? Lala: I don't know. (Sneeringly) I thought your boss wouldn't be so stupid. Vega: Wait...Valodya! Lala: What are you waiting for!I advise you to go too.Excuse me, tell her, say we've woken up, let's go from here. Wei Jia: That is to say, I can only score two points, huh? Lala: Two points is better than two years in prison. (to Basha) Let's go! Basha: Possibly, really not worth it? ...sometimes it's wise to stop... Valodya: (softly) Get out!You all go away!