CHUBUKOV gives a hearty laugh and gestures behind him. CHUBUKOV But you forget, I arrived by horse and cart. I still have my picks and shovels loaded and available. We need but merely to fetch them. NATALYA And what of passersby? Will they not hear our efforts? CHUBUKOV Perhaps from a distance but at this… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 25

You should be grateful it was Chubukov and I who were here and not some other persons. Chubukov’s wise decision will keep your shame hidden. And worry not about poor Guess. We will hide his shame as well. NATALYA then reaches into her dress and removes a small piece of dried meat. She places it… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 26

CHUBUKOV throws down a PICKAXE, a SHOVEL, a HAMMER, and a box of NAILS. NATALYA Hammer and nails? But what purpose could we possibly have for such things? Surely you do not mean to erect a marker for the grave. CHUBUKOV I fear you have misunderstood my intentions from the outset. We are not the… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 28

She closes her eyes and turns away, and sets the shovel to the earth. As she begins to use her foot to push the shovel into the dirtCHUBUKOV Not there, my dear. Here, where the soil is freshly turned. A look of terror appears on NATALYA’s face. NATALYA You mean we are to bury himCHUBUKOV… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 29

CHUBUKOV, already holding the pickaxe, swings it into the dirt. He swiftly lifts and strikes, again and again. When satisfied, he picks up the shovel, and begins to dig, tossing the dirt in a wellformed mound. NATALYA steps back, but keeps watching. CHUBUKOV Even freshly moved, the ground is thick with rocks and roots, but… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 30

NATALYA runs blindly into a thickly wooded area, and CHUBUKOV pursues grimly, using his tools to knock plants and branches out of his way. CHUBUKOV loses sight of NATALYA for a moment, and in a panic glances around the woods. He sees nothing.

He holds his breath and tries to listen. At first there is nothing, but then, from off to the side, a subtle, distant wheeze. CHUBUKOV looks thoughtful, and then continues forward, past the sound of the breathing.

Shift focus to NATALYA, who is sitting behind a tree with both hands over her mouth. She stares forward in terror. Behind her, she can hear CHUBUKOV’s footsteps grow distant. She glances around the tree and sees nothing. She glances around the other side. She sees nothing. She removes her hands from her mouth and… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 33

Predictably, as she continues in this fashion, CHUBUKOV appears behind her, and slowly stalks toward her. When he is close enough, he swing the shovel, with one arm, and hits NATALYA in the head, knocking her down. He then tosses the shovel aside and stands over her with the pickaxe. NATALYA is stunned and bleeding.… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 34