Timmy Ong

N00699353
27th January 2020
Novel of Life I: The Cherry Orchard - Act 1

The windows are closed, and the morning light is glowing through, lighting the room known as
the nursery. There is a door that leads to Anya’s room. The atmosphere is still chilly, but it is
May and the cherry orchard is blooming. A maid, Dunyasha, enters with a lamp. A
businessman, Lopakhin, enters with a book.

He is thankful that the train has finally arrived, and asks what time it was. The maid says it is
almost 2am, and dawning. He wonders how late the train is this time, and guesses that it must
be at least two hours. He yawns and stretches, and has a thought: he says he was dumb,
because he purposedly came over to meet the arrivals at the station, but he sat in the house
and fell asleep. He says to Dunyasha hat she should have woken him up.

Dunyasha replies him that she thought he left. She then hears something, and remarks that the
arrivals must be here. Lokaphin listens too, and disagrees, saying that they have luggage to get.
He comments that Anya has been away for five years and there is no telling how she has
changed. He adds that she was a good person, very gentle and never caused a fuss.

He remembers that when he was about fifteen, his father worked in the store down by the
village, and he hit me so hard in the face that his nose started to bleed. They had to come up to
this place to deliver something, but his father was drunk. Liubov, who was a little thin and not
much older than he was at the time, took him into the nursery and washed off the blood. She
told him not to cry, and that he would live long enough to be married. “Poor boy,” she called him.
He makes a mental connection, saying that his father was poor, but not him now. He was all
dressed up with a brand-new suit and tan shoes, and has a silk purse made out of a sow’s ear.
He’s rich now, but if he thinks about it, he is still a poor boy from the country. He tries to read,
but realizes that he cannot figure out a word from it; it puts him to sleep.

Dunyasha remarks that the dogs were barking all night long, that they know their mistress is
coming home. Lopakhin tells her not to be silly, to which she expresses that she is shaking from
excitement and that she may faint. Lopakhin comments that she is getting too full of herself with
her attire and hairdo, and reminds her to remember who she is.

Yepikhodov, an accountant, enters with flowers. He says that the gardener sent them to over,
and tells Dunyasha to put them on the dining room table. Lopakhin tags on the command,
asking her to bring him a beer.

While Dunyasha was away, Yepikhodov comments that it is freezing, that the temperature must
be in the thirties, and the cherry blossoms are out already. He asks Lopakhin if he could
examine his squeaky new boots that he bought two days ago, and asks him if he knows what to
put on them to dampen the squeaking. Lopakhin tells him to shut up, that he was driving him
crazy.

Yepikhodov remarks that something awful happens to him everyday, like a habit; but he does
not complain, and just tries to keep smiling. When Dunyasha reenters with his beer, he says
that he is going, and bumps into a chair. He references the incident to the misfortune he just
mentioned, and seems proud of it.

After he leaves, Dunyasha tells Lopakhin that Yepikhodov proposed to her, but she does not
know what to make of it. She thinks he is nice and quiet, but she never understands what he
says. She likes him, and thinks his little misfortune is funny. She remarks that people around
town call him Double Trouble.

Lopakhin hears something, and remarks that the travelers have arrived! Dunyashs agrees, but
does not know what is going on with her; she feels funny and cold all over. Lopakhin confirms
that the travelers have really arrived, and that they should be at the door. He asks if Anya will
remember him.

There is the sound of two carriages outside the house, and Lopakhin and Dunyasha hurries out.
The sound becomes louder. Firs, the butler, crosses the room with significant help from his
cane, and heads for the door. He wears an old-fashioned butler’s livery and a top hat. He
murmurs something intelligible to himself.

The noise and bustle increases. “Here we are...this way,” a voice says. Liubov, the owner of the
estate, Anya, her 17-year-old daughter, and Carlotta, her governess, enter. They are all dressed
in traveling clothes. Varya, Liubov’s adopted daughter, comes in wearing an overcoat and a
handkerchief on her head. Gayev, Liubov’s brother, Pishchik, a neighbour, Lopakhin, and
Dunyasha enter with a bundle and an umbrella. Servants come in with the luggage.

Anya and Liubov reminisce the nursery. Varya says she is freezing, and mentions that they kept
Liubov’s white and lavender room exactly as she left it. Liubov reminisces the house some
more, and says that Varya has not changed at all, that she still looks like a nun. She also greets
and hugs Dunyasha.

Gayev says that the train was two hours late, and questions its efficiency. Carlotta says her dog
loves nuts. Pishchik does not believe it. Everyone then leaves, leaving only Anya and Dunyasha
in the room.

Dunyasha tells Anya that they have been up and waiting all night. Anya replies saying that she
has been up for four nights now, and did not sleep the whole trip. She was also freezing.
Dunyasha tells Anya that when she went away, it was winter and snowing, but it is now over.
Dunyasha remarks that Anya is back, and laughs and hugs her. She cannot wait to tell her what
happened while Anya was away.
Anya wearily asks “Now what?” Dunyasha told her that Yepikhodov proposed marriage to her
the day after Easter. Anya comments that it is all Dunyasha ever think about. She fixes her hair
and remarks that she has lost all her hairpins. Dunyasha continues about Yepikhodov, saying
she does not know what to do about him, and that he really, really loves her.

Anya sees her room through the door, and comments that her room is as if she had never left.
“I’m back home!” she says. She adds that she will get up tomorrow and go for a walk in the
orchard, but she just wishes she could get some sleep, because she was so worried the whole
trip home that she did not sleep.

Dunyasha tells her that Petya Trofimov is at the estate, that he got there the day before
yesterday. Anya joyfully says “Petya!” Dunyasha adds that he is staying out in the barn. He said
that he did not want to bother anybody. She checks her watch and says that he told her to wake
him up but Varya said no and let him sleep.

Varya enters with a big bunch of keys attached to her belt. She asks Dunyasha to get coffee for
Liubov. Dunyasha remarks that she forgot, and goes out. Varya speaks to Anya. “You’re back.
Thank God! You’re home again!” she says, and embraces Anya. “My angel is home again! My
beautiful darling!” Anya replies saying Varya will not believe what she has been through. Varya
says she can imagine. Anya recounts, saying she left just before Easter, and that it was cold.
She also says that Carlotta never shut up the whole trip, that she kept doing her silly tricks. She
does not understand why Varya had to stick her with Carlotta.

Varya explains, saying Anya could not go all that way by herself, because she is only
seventeen!

Anya continues, saying when they got to Paris, it was cold and snowy, and her experience at
her mother’s fifth-floor apartment was not pleasant. She felt so sorry for her mother that she just
threw her arms around her and could not let go. Liubov was so glad to see Anya that she cried.
Now Varya is almost crying too.

Anya continues, saying that Liubov sold the villa in Menton, and the money was all spent. And
Anya spent everything that Varya gave her for the trip, but Liubov did not understand that, and
while they were at the train station, she ordered the most expensive items on the menu and
generously tipped the waiters a ruble each. Carlotta did the same, and Yasha, the valet who
Anya thinks is awful, expects the same treatment. She adds that Yasha came back with them.
Varya remarks that she saw the lazy good-for-nothing.

Anya next asks Varya if she got the interest paid. Varya asks back, “With what?” She added that
the place goes up for sale in August. Anya could only say “Oh, my God.”

Lopakhin sticks his head in the doorway, makes a mooing sound and then goes away. Varya
reacts saying “Oh, that man! I’d like to—” and shakes her fist. Anya hugs her and asks if he has
proposed. When Varya shakes her head no, Anya adds that Varya knows that he loves her. She
asks why don’t they sit down and be honest with each other, and what they are waiting for.
Varya replies saying that she does not think anything will ever come of it; that Lopakhin is
always so busy and he is just not interested. She says it is hard for her to meet him, but she
does not care anymore; it’s all just a dream.

She notices Anya’s new pin, and says “Oh, you’ve got a new pin, a little bee…” Anya says
Liubov got it for her. She then goes into her room and starts to giggle like a little girl. She says
that in Paris she went for a ride in a balloon. Varya says that her angel Anya is home again.

Dunyasha enters with a tray of coffee things, and starts setting them out on the table. Varya
talks to Anya while standing at the doorway of the other room. Varya tells Anya that she spends
the livelong day trying to keep the house going, and that she would rest easy when she sees
Anya married off to somebody rich. Then she thinks she will go away on her own, maybe to live
in a convent or just go traveling. She would spend all her time making visits to churches.

Anya asks to listen to the birds in the orchard, and then asks what time it is. Varya replies
saying it must be almost 3am, and that Anya should get some sleep.

Yasha enters affectedly with a suitcase and a lap robe. He asks if he may intrude. Dunyasha
could not recognize him for a moment; she comments that he got so different in Paris. Yasha in
turn asks who Dunyasha was. Dunyasha tells him that when he left, she was not as tall as she
is now. She says her full name and asks him “Don’t you remember me?”

Yasha remembers, and comments that she turned out cute. He looks around carefully and then
proceeds to grab and kiss her. She screams and drops a saucer. Yasha flees hurriedly.

Varya appears at the door, annoyed. She wants to know what has happened now. Dunyasha,
almost in tears, says she broke a saucer. Varya makes a sarcastic remark. Anya enters and
says that Liubov should know Petya is here. Varya replies saying she told them to let him sleep.
Anya recounts that their father died six years ago, and a month later their little brother, Grisha,
drowned. He was only seven. Liubov, their mother, could not accept the fact and therefore went
away and never looked back. She remarks that she understands how her mother feels. She
adds that Petya was Grisha’s tutor, that his presence might remind Liubov of the incident.

Firs, the butler, enters saying that Liubov will have her breakfast here. He asks if the coffee is
ready, and where the cream is. Dunyasha hurries off to get it. He mumbles to himself. Anyay
asks him what he was saying, and he joyfully remarks that he is happy his missus is home.

Liubov, Gayev, Lopakhin, Pishchik enter. Gayev gestures as if he were making a billiard shot.
Liubov and Gayev talks about billiard. Then Gayev reminisces about the house, and remarks
that he is almost fifty-one. Lopakhin says time flies, but Gayev does not catch it and thinks he is
saying something else.
Anya says she is going to bed, and bids and kisses her mother and uncle good night. Gayev
remarks that she is getting to look like Liubov.
Varya says that it is almost 3am, and that the gentlemen should be leaving. Liubov remarks that
Varya is the same as ever. She hugs and kisses her, and tells her that they will be going after
she has her coffee. Firs puts a pillow beneath Liubov’s feet.

Varya goes to make sure all the luggage was unloaded. Liubov expresses her disbelief that she
is home. Lopakhin bids goodbye, saying that he has to leave for Harkov at 5am. Pishchik
mentions that Liubov’s Paris outfit makes him feel young again. Lopakhin says that Pishchik
thinks he is a money grubber, but it does not bother him because he remembers how his family
worked for her but she treated him differently, and did so much for him. He says that he loves
her like family. Pishchik mentions that his daughter, Dashenka, sends her regards.

Lopakhin explains that the estate will be up for sale at an auction because the mortgage
payments have not been kept up. The auction date is August 22nd, but he has a great idea. He
thinks that the estate is located strategically—fifteen miles from town, and a short drive away
from the train station—so if the old cherry orchard and the land down by the river can be cleared
out, the land could be subdivided, leased in plots to build vacation homes. He swears that it will
bring them 25,000 a year, or maybe more.

Gayev disbelieves him, and Liubov does not understand. Lopakhin explains that they will get at
least 2,500 per acre, and that if they start advertising now, they will be all leased out by fall. But
they have to start clearing the land right away. Liubov doubts his plans, and remark that the
cherry orchard is a famous landmark. Lokaphin says that it is only famous for its size, but it is
not commercially profitable. Gayev says that the cherry orchard is mentioned in the
encyclopedia.

Lopakhin checks his watch, summarizes the situation of the cherry orchard once more, and
asks them to make up their minds about his plans. Firs chips in, saying that back in the old
days, they used to make delicious cherry products, but Gayev shuts him up.

Pishchik asks about Paris, and if they ate frogs. Liubov says she ate crocodiles, which Pishchik
disbelieves. Lopakhin explains the shifting social trend of the countryside, and advocates for his
plans for the cherry orchard.

Varya and Yasha enters. Varya tells Liubov that a couple of telegrams came for her, and gives
them to her. Gayev remarks that the bookcase is 100 years old, and that he found out via a date
burned into the wood of the bottom drawer. He says they should have a birthday celebration for
that. He proceeds to express good deeds the bookcase has done for them. Liubov remarks that
Gayev is still the same as ever, to which Gayev becomes somewhat embarrassed.

Yasha gives Liubov a pillbox, asking if it is time for her pills. But Pishchik takes the pillbox,
dumps the contents into his hand, and swallows them with a swig of beer. Liubov is alarmed by
his actions, asking “Are you out of your mind?” Pishchik confirms that he has just taken all her
pills, and Lopakhin remarks what a glutton Pishchik is. Firs mumbles some more, and Yasha
says he is getting senile.

Carlotta enters wearing a white dress with a lorgnette on a chain. Lopakhin greets her and tries
to kiss her hand. Carlotta takes her hand away, saying that if she lets him kiss her hand, he will
want to kiss other body parts. Lopakhin remarks that it is not his lucky day, and asks Carlotta to
show them a trick. She refuses, and says she is going off to bed.

Lopakhin bids goodbye, but not before saying his plans for the cherry orchard again. Varya
angrily asks him to go. Gayev says that Lokaphin is going to marry Varya, and Varya asks him
not to talk nonsense. Pishchik asks for money, but does not get it.

Liubov finishes her coffee and wants to go to bed. Liubov and Gayev talk about the orchard, and
Petya Trofimov enters. Liubov embraces him and begins to weep softly. Gayev is embarrassed
and tells her “That’ll do, that’ll do…” They talk about how Trofimov has aged, and then Liubov
bids goodnight to go to bed. Pishchik asks for money once more, and gets the 240 rubles that
he asks for.

Liubov, Trofimov, Pishchik, and Firs exit. Gayev, Varya, and Yasha remain.

Gayev remarks that Liubov still thinks money grows on trees. Varya tells Yasha that his mother
came in from the country to see him, and she has been waiting. Yasha comments “Oh, for
God’s sake, can’t she leave me alone?” but eventually goes out.

Gayev and Varya talks about Liubov, and discuss plans to get money. Anya appears, and they
stop the discussion. Anya says she loves him, but questions his sayings regarding Liubov.
Gayev asks Anya to go to Yaroslavl to speak to her godmother, to get some funds to pay off the
mortgage. Anya thinks that her uncle is smart, and she feels happy.

Firs enters and reproachfully asks why Gayev is not in bed. Gayev bids Anya and Varya
goodnight and goes out, with Firs limping but following him. Varya talks to Anya about their
servants, about how they are bringing in guests and serving them beans, but Anya falls asleep.
She lifts Anya by the arms and leads her off to bed. Trofimov enters just in time to catch Anya
and Varya leaving. He is deeply moved, and says “My sunshine! My springtime!”