Opening Titles
While doing his two years compulsory military service, the central character of this film — Alexander Biryukov — shot and killed his commanding officer. He acted as he did because of sexual harassment. For his crime a court martial condemned him to death by firing squad. President Boris Yeltsin exercised his prerogative and commuted Alexander Biryukov's death sentence to one of life imprisonment.
Warden Marina Anatolyevna, bring me Biryukov's file please. Mother On the first day of the trial 1 heard that Sasha was
a dangerous criminal. I can't believe that. That's not how I brought him up.
He himself says that I'm against it.
^That's not how you taught me, Mama.'
'I don't know myself what came over me. How I did
it.'
xI'm not a dangerous criminal that needs to be
locked away for the rest of his life.'
When I got his last letter from the army, I wrote
back straight away. ^Sashenka, Grit your teeth.
Stick it out. You're nearly there. The two years
have almost passed. Stick it out!'
A few days later all this happened.
In court Sasha said that the lieutenant had been
trying to get him to sleep with him.
I heard that on the first day of the trial.
Sasha couldn't forgive that. I know his character.
This year he'll have his 26th birthday, here.
I haven't seen him for eight years.
I'm in my sixties now — what have I got to hope for?
THREE DAYS AND NEVER AGAIN
Son (singing) Who can compare with my Mathilda, flashing sparks from her black eyes...
Mother Mama! You brought me up properly. Don't blame
yourself. I don't know what came over me. Why I did
what I did.
What a bastard. Little swine.
Darling! My dear son' My own little one! Son Mama, mama,.. Mother Son... Son My mama... Mother Your heart told you. I've been waiting here for three days. Son! My handsome lad.
I prayed to God to see you and he heard. To help
you, love. Your eyes... Those dear eyes... Eyes... Son Don't get worked up, Mama.. Mother Where have I put my handkerchief, I don't know. That
lock of hair...
The warden's allowed us three days. From the first
the State Duma's ban come into force. Son Oh, Mama, Mama,,, Mother Can you take that hat off? Son You came on Friday? Mother I don't remember...
Friday probably. All the three rooms here were
occupied. There were loads of people.
All waiting. A rush.
Son But how did you manage the journey? Mother People helped son, they helped...
I brought you up from a tiny baby. All my hard work
and this difficult life in exchange. We've had it
tough, you and I. Oh, my darling. Son And how are you?
Mother As ever, I'm on
tablets, I'm getting old, son,getting old. Not
the woman I was. Son Don't get worked up...
Mother I often cry, especially when no one's at home. Son What's there to cry about, Mama.,,
Mother I can't help myself, Sasha... I cook a meal and
remember you; I do some baking and remember you. I
make jam, again I remember... Berries have come into
season now.,. I couldn't bring them.,, and there's
nothing here.
Son And nothing needed either... Mother So the tears just come.
Ail we say is "Let's have a glass and drink to your
health."
I asked God to keep you alive...
But I didn't expect that kind of sentence.
I thought 10 or 15 years, but not this.
Well, what's done is done. You're alive, thank God.
We'll have to see what happens.
It was a mistake, son. I can't believe it.
What came over you, Sasha. Can you explain to me?
Were you messing about, or was it the force of
circumstances?
In your last letter from the army you said that
someone was pestering you, wouldn't let you be. Son At that moment it was simply a fatal combination of
circumstances.
The way it turned out 1 killed him all the same.
I don't know — maybe it was fate?
I had the sub-machine gun slung over my shoulder. If
it had been on the table or stacked in the pyramid
as it should have been, maybe nothing would have
happened...
I'd just have thumped him and that would have been
that...
As it is, I simply don't understand...
I shot the second guy by accident, scared probably...
All I remember is the scream, a terrible scream...
I turned on the spot with the gun, and my finger was
on the trigger...
The lieutenant was in front of me, when I turned to
the other one, the lieutenant ran for the door...
Perhaps there really is something wrong with me.
Sometimes I start to really doubt.
Everyone says I'm not stupid, but the way life's
worked out, I'm the stupidest idiot-Here dreams really are dreams. There's no harm in them and no use either. Just a way of passing the time.
In prison, if I want to do something good, it's simply wasted. I'm absolutely helpless. To go back into society, as you say... With or without me that society will exist. If I die today or tomorrow. Society will remain anyway.
Mother I was a complete teetotaller for a whole year. Not a drop because of that dog.
I put out my own hand. Felt sorry for the dog. I was just crossing the road and I hear this whine. I look round. It's a white dog, quite clean. Been hit by a car. But there's no blood to be seen. Probably broke its back. I felt so sorry for it. So I went back. Everyone was going past and nobody bothered about it.
I decided to help. I should have come up to her from behind. And I stuck my hand out in front of her and said "Come on!" She upped and sank her teeth in me. I pulled my hand away and it was bitten right through just here. Well it's all healed now. I got her across the street anyway. She followed me over. Me dripping blood.
And I told her: "No, lass! I've helped you, now you'll have to fend for yourself. I'm off home to see to this arm."
I was in bed for a good two weeks. Finish smoking,
please Sasha, for me. Son Finished, finished.
Mother Sasha, you should take your boots off and lie down.
Close your eyes and relax a bit. Son How can I relax?
Mother See, there in the other corner... above you... the watching eye...
Son And she is the prison. In prison there's time to think...
I'm not freezing, not starving. Only freedom's lacking.
Mother Yes. Freedom's the main thing.
Son The main thing.
Mother The main thing is freedom, son. You're like a bird in a cage.
Son Caged birds die, but a man lives.
Mother I looked at the beauty round about when I was coming to you across the causeway and I cried. There's several rows of wire around the prison. You did badly to end up here, but thanks to you I've seen some new places. It's so beautiful here. This place reminds me somehow of where I was born. Forest, clear lakes. There should be mushrooms and berries here. Just like where I come from. Wooden houses. Wooden bridges, pavements and fences of wood-It all reminded me of my childhood. But it's very sad that you don't see that beauty, can't breathe it in...
As long as I live, I won't forget the attitude to me at the trial. With us, if the son's done something bad, it means his mother's bad too. They didn't even offer me a seat. I stood outside in the rain. I couldn't take it and told them: "That's it. I'm going home. Let me know the verdict by post..." I can understand that other mother... I understand fine, as a mother, that it might be even harder for her than for me... but that doesn't make it easier for me...
THE SECOND DAY
Mother Sasha, dear-Little horror. Where's he going? There, he's flying round in circles.
Got him. Kaputt. He's served his time. Oh Lord, Sasha, we're laughing, and I'm really not in the mood for laughter.
Son It's OK. There'll be time enough for you to cry... Mama, stop now, or you'll have me crying too.
Mother Are you going to cry too?
Son It's not pretty.
Mother What's that got to do with it. It's life. Pretty, not pretty. We're not doing it for the cinema, are we. It's the way life's taking us.
Son Calm down. Have a smoke.
Mother I never learned how. Nor how to drink. Your father would bring home some wine and say: "Do you want to try?" and I'd say "No, get on with it." I sometimes wonder — if your father had been alive, would you have done it?
Son Who knows what life would have been like, Mama. Life is what it is. Like it or not. There's nothing you can do about it. If you knew all the pitfalls you could avoid them. You can't foresee everything. Stop, will you... My eyes...
Mother My father foretold my fate. He was ill and I was
sitting alongside him and crying. The girls called me out to play and I kept sitting and crying. And he says: "Go and join your friends, Lyuba. There'll be plenty more tears." As if he knew. I had it from everyone. The tears I cried over my mother, and my husband... Life seemed to have sorted itself out... Just to live and enjoy life.
Warden Hello. Come in, Sit down.
Mother Here?
Warden That's right.
Mother What about the pass?
Warden You keep hold of it.
Mother 0 Lord. I'm all trembling.
Warden What are you upsetting yourself for? Calm down.
Mother I can't. I haven't been able to calm down for six years.
Warden When new prisoners come to us we examine each case. I'm a lawyer by training, so I became interested in what was written here...
"In the officer of the watch's room Biryukov fired his sub-machine gun twice at the officer Ponamoryov who was resting on the camp-bed. In order to avoid detection Biryukov fired a shot through the open door into the head of the soldier Dzhurayev who was resting. After the shot the soldier fell on the floor. Following that Biryukov fired twice more..." A man doesn't fire just like that... These were people who meant something...
"After that Biryukov took his pistol and left the base. About two in the afternoon he was detained by the militia."
Mother I can't believe that Sasha is a dangerous criminal. What kind of criminal is he?
He can't drive. No education, no money, no friends, no relatives.
Where would he have made for? Why did he have the pistol in his pocket? At the trial they said that he wanted to take revenge on someone, that someone had treated him badly. And then do away with himself. That's why he needed the pistol.
Warden I carry out the law. Today he's here with us.
Mother Yes.
Warden The death sentence passed by the court is in
accordance with the character of the crime committed and the degree of public danger it represents. By Decree No 638 of the President of the Russian Federation from 26 June 1995 Biryukov has been reprieved, his sentence commuted to incarceration for life.
Mother Oh Lord... When I went in to Sasha, I asked him: "Why did they give you such a heavy sentence? They must have had a big file on you" He showed me with his hand, like that — over his head. I avoid everyone we know, don't call round. They all ask "Where's Sasha? What's with Sasha?"
The only thing I don't understand is the State Duma. He's my son. Whatever he's done I won't desert him. I never did understand why they give them those guns? Who are they guarding? Who wants to attack us? If they put sticks in their hands, they would beat each other with them. He's not that dangerous a criminal. If only they'd reduce the length of his sentence just a bit.
Warden I've got over 130 of them...
Mother I understand. To ask on behalf of all of them... They're all criminals... I understand...
Warden It's all right. We'll try to help.
Mother Thank you.
Warden All the best.
Mother Goodbye. 0 Lord...
Warden Down, down, down
Mother I haven't got the strength.
Mother In this country, if they start praising you, they praise you to the skies. But if a person goes astray, makes a mistake because he's young and hotheaded, they'll grind him into the dust. That always
the way with us.
I'm really afraid for you. Can you put up with it
all?
Son I'll try.
Mother Your nerves are the main thing.
It was monks that built this monastery. Son But I'm not a monk. Mother Let me finish. That's who you should learn patience
from. They took the decision for themselves.
Admittedly they didn't have barbed wire. When I was
travelling here it seemed to me it was the end of
the world.
Son The whole point is the barbed wire, Mama. Mother The end of the world. An endless road. Forest,
forest, the road, forest, the road. Two houses here,
five there. Not a soul to be seen. Yesterday I set
foot on the bridge and cried.
It was monks built this monastery. The work they
must have put in. And you should imagine you're a
monk.
Son There are no monks in hell, Mama. Mother It happens. They say that we sin through what we do
without knowing, but if he knows he might be more
sinful than us.
You just need to stock up on patience. Son It's all so strange. Mother Son! I brought you a track-suit bottom. You said
that the suit was a bit small for you. I bought it
at the bazaar. This chap came up the same size as
you and I measured it against him. Perhaps they'll
be small again. I stocked up on socks. I brought you
your grandfather's shirt. It's striped. Or is that
not allowed? Son What's that?
Mother A kind of patch? Yellow. Like an old pike gets
warts. 1 look and I'm amazed. Why does nature spoil people? A person lives, let them live. When the time comes let them die. Just so you stay looking human — as it is you turn into an ape.
Son I've begun to look terrible too.
Mother No. You're still my handsome boy.
Mother Looking at you — the eyebrows are mine, but why are they so black? I didn't have eyebrows like that. I never dyed them.
Son And I do, I suppose.
Mother The smell of the fish has brought a fly in. Look
what it's doing.
One thing that surprises me is that you haven't got
a good voice.
Son You're wrong. I have got a good voice. Mother You have?
Son And a good singing voice too?
Mother Can you sing?
Son Of course. Baritone.
Mother You're kidding...
Son Don't you remember me singing an aria at home: "Who
can compare with my Mathilda..."
Mother That's it. I'm going to wash my hands...
I've eaten my fill today...
The best thing to wash off the smell of fish is
plain soap and cold water.
You had a girl, didn't you? You went off to the army
without showing her to me. Did she write to you? Son Not for long.
Mother What happened between you, if it's not a secret? Son We're strangers.
Mother And that hurts you?
Son It always hurts.
Mother Oh, Sasha, Sasha. Won't you tell me who she is?
Son You don't know here. You've never even seen her.
Mother Her name was Natasha?
Son That's all in the past.
Mother What if you were to write to her?
Son What should I write? Who am I now?
Mother We're on our own till morning.
Where's my tea. That's your share. Give yourself a treat. Eat up, son. I'm eating and you're not.
Son I'll eat, Mama.
Mother You eat something. I'll fetch some salt for the onion.
THE THIRD AND FINAL DAY Mother While you were sleeping, I was lying here
remembering. You were that size when you were small.
Now look — head here, legs over there. Son Gulliver. Mother And that Gulliver is lying here. And I so want you
back home.
I'd get up in the morning, would wake you up, and as
always you'd say "Hang on, I'm not sleeping, I'll be
up in a minute."
And now you're up without any prompting from Mama.
How cold your hands are, Sasha, like your father's.
He always had cold hands
Son Stop it, will you... stop crying-Mother All right, I'll stop.
Son There's a whole day yet. Don't get worked up... Mother Mothers are supposed to. Little children — little
worries; big children — big worries. That's a
mother's lot.
Of course, I'd like everything to be all right. Not
everybody has this kind of bad luck.
It's our fate. Now we'll get a grip of ourselves,
begin to hope.
So long as you've got your health.
What are we going to do from now on, son?
This is our last day. Son The last... Mother Oh, Sasha, Sasha. We've remembered everyone between
us, the living and the dead...
Now you'll sit and chew it over.
And me at home. I'm sorry, forgive me.
Perhaps something will happen to get your case
moving.
Son Next year definitely. Mark my word. Mother If it was earlier, I wouldn't object.
Now my nose has started running. Maybe it's my
brains coming out. Son What are you on about? Mother I've no brains left. Everything's drying up.
Your whiskers are getting darker every day. I don't like beards and moustaches. They collect all the dirt.
Son 10 o'clock. We've got another hour.
What now? I'm still here. When I go off, they you
can cry.
Mother Not much time left-Son Dearest Mama...
Mother Your glasses are covered in tears already... Guard Hello. The visit's over. Mother Son! Dearest! Take care of yourself. I don't know when I'll see you again.
Son We will, we will see each other again...
Mother I told you. Be a smart lad. Behave yourself. Look after your health, walk, smoke less... Son All right, Mama.
Mother Write, if you need something, son.
Son Don't cry…
Mother When you go back... Don't you cry there either...
Guard Don't upset yourself like that, Ma.
Mother Sashenka! Don't you get depressed now, after I've gone. Smoke less. Eat well. 1 know you... When you came home on leave from the army you didn't eat for a week, hardly slept...
Guard Here's your pass. The receipt. Let's count the money...
Mother What' s there to count...
Guard 100, 120, 125...
Son That's it. Don't cry. Say hello to everyone.
Mother Everyone who knows you, I'll tell them all. Weil, dearest...
Guard Collect your things...
Son Go, go, go...
TITLES
ON 1 JULY 1997, A NEW LAW CAME INTO FORCE IN THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION AS A RESULT OF WHICH THE MOTHER - LYUBOV BIRYUKOVA
- WILL PROBABLY NEVER AGAIN SEE HER SON - ALEXANDER
While doing his two years compulsory military service, the central character of this film — Alexander Biryukov — shot and killed his commanding officer. He acted as he did because of sexual harassment. For his crime a court martial condemned him to death by firing squad. President Boris Yeltsin exercised his prerogative and commuted Alexander Biryukov's death sentence to one of life imprisonment.
Warden Marina Anatolyevna, bring me Biryukov's file please. Mother On the first day of the trial 1 heard that Sasha was
a dangerous criminal. I can't believe that. That's not how I brought him up.
He himself says that I'm against it.
^That's not how you taught me, Mama.'
'I don't know myself what came over me. How I did
it.'
xI'm not a dangerous criminal that needs to be
locked away for the rest of his life.'
When I got his last letter from the army, I wrote
back straight away. ^Sashenka, Grit your teeth.
Stick it out. You're nearly there. The two years
have almost passed. Stick it out!'
A few days later all this happened.
In court Sasha said that the lieutenant had been
trying to get him to sleep with him.
I heard that on the first day of the trial.
Sasha couldn't forgive that. I know his character.
This year he'll have his 26th birthday, here.
I haven't seen him for eight years.
I'm in my sixties now — what have I got to hope for?
THREE DAYS AND NEVER AGAIN
Son (singing) Who can compare with my Mathilda, flashing sparks from her black eyes...
Mother Mama! You brought me up properly. Don't blame
yourself. I don't know what came over me. Why I did
what I did.
What a bastard. Little swine.
Darling! My dear son' My own little one! Son Mama, mama,.. Mother Son... Son My mama... Mother Your heart told you. I've been waiting here for three days. Son! My handsome lad.
I prayed to God to see you and he heard. To help
you, love. Your eyes... Those dear eyes... Eyes... Son Don't get worked up, Mama.. Mother Where have I put my handkerchief, I don't know. That
lock of hair...
The warden's allowed us three days. From the first
the State Duma's ban come into force. Son Oh, Mama, Mama,,, Mother Can you take that hat off? Son You came on Friday? Mother I don't remember...
Friday probably. All the three rooms here were
occupied. There were loads of people.
All waiting. A rush.
Son But how did you manage the journey? Mother People helped son, they helped...
I brought you up from a tiny baby. All my hard work
and this difficult life in exchange. We've had it
tough, you and I. Oh, my darling. Son And how are you?
Mother As ever, I'm on
tablets, I'm getting old, son,getting old. Not
the woman I was. Son Don't get worked up...
Mother I often cry, especially when no one's at home. Son What's there to cry about, Mama.,,
Mother I can't help myself, Sasha... I cook a meal and
remember you; I do some baking and remember you. I
make jam, again I remember... Berries have come into
season now.,. I couldn't bring them.,, and there's
nothing here.
Son And nothing needed either... Mother So the tears just come.
Ail we say is "Let's have a glass and drink to your
health."
I asked God to keep you alive...
But I didn't expect that kind of sentence.
I thought 10 or 15 years, but not this.
Well, what's done is done. You're alive, thank God.
We'll have to see what happens.
It was a mistake, son. I can't believe it.
What came over you, Sasha. Can you explain to me?
Were you messing about, or was it the force of
circumstances?
In your last letter from the army you said that
someone was pestering you, wouldn't let you be. Son At that moment it was simply a fatal combination of
circumstances.
The way it turned out 1 killed him all the same.
I don't know — maybe it was fate?
I had the sub-machine gun slung over my shoulder. If
it had been on the table or stacked in the pyramid
as it should have been, maybe nothing would have
happened...
I'd just have thumped him and that would have been
that...
As it is, I simply don't understand...
I shot the second guy by accident, scared probably...
All I remember is the scream, a terrible scream...
I turned on the spot with the gun, and my finger was
on the trigger...
The lieutenant was in front of me, when I turned to
the other one, the lieutenant ran for the door...
Perhaps there really is something wrong with me.
Sometimes I start to really doubt.
Everyone says I'm not stupid, but the way life's
worked out, I'm the stupidest idiot-Here dreams really are dreams. There's no harm in them and no use either. Just a way of passing the time.
In prison, if I want to do something good, it's simply wasted. I'm absolutely helpless. To go back into society, as you say... With or without me that society will exist. If I die today or tomorrow. Society will remain anyway.
Mother I was a complete teetotaller for a whole year. Not a drop because of that dog.
I put out my own hand. Felt sorry for the dog. I was just crossing the road and I hear this whine. I look round. It's a white dog, quite clean. Been hit by a car. But there's no blood to be seen. Probably broke its back. I felt so sorry for it. So I went back. Everyone was going past and nobody bothered about it.
I decided to help. I should have come up to her from behind. And I stuck my hand out in front of her and said "Come on!" She upped and sank her teeth in me. I pulled my hand away and it was bitten right through just here. Well it's all healed now. I got her across the street anyway. She followed me over. Me dripping blood.
And I told her: "No, lass! I've helped you, now you'll have to fend for yourself. I'm off home to see to this arm."
I was in bed for a good two weeks. Finish smoking,
please Sasha, for me. Son Finished, finished.
Mother Sasha, you should take your boots off and lie down.
Close your eyes and relax a bit. Son How can I relax?
Mother See, there in the other corner... above you... the watching eye...
Son And she is the prison. In prison there's time to think...
I'm not freezing, not starving. Only freedom's lacking.
Mother Yes. Freedom's the main thing.
Son The main thing.
Mother The main thing is freedom, son. You're like a bird in a cage.
Son Caged birds die, but a man lives.
Mother I looked at the beauty round about when I was coming to you across the causeway and I cried. There's several rows of wire around the prison. You did badly to end up here, but thanks to you I've seen some new places. It's so beautiful here. This place reminds me somehow of where I was born. Forest, clear lakes. There should be mushrooms and berries here. Just like where I come from. Wooden houses. Wooden bridges, pavements and fences of wood-It all reminded me of my childhood. But it's very sad that you don't see that beauty, can't breathe it in...
As long as I live, I won't forget the attitude to me at the trial. With us, if the son's done something bad, it means his mother's bad too. They didn't even offer me a seat. I stood outside in the rain. I couldn't take it and told them: "That's it. I'm going home. Let me know the verdict by post..." I can understand that other mother... I understand fine, as a mother, that it might be even harder for her than for me... but that doesn't make it easier for me...
THE SECOND DAY
Mother Sasha, dear-Little horror. Where's he going? There, he's flying round in circles.
Got him. Kaputt. He's served his time. Oh Lord, Sasha, we're laughing, and I'm really not in the mood for laughter.
Son It's OK. There'll be time enough for you to cry... Mama, stop now, or you'll have me crying too.
Mother Are you going to cry too?
Son It's not pretty.
Mother What's that got to do with it. It's life. Pretty, not pretty. We're not doing it for the cinema, are we. It's the way life's taking us.
Son Calm down. Have a smoke.
Mother I never learned how. Nor how to drink. Your father would bring home some wine and say: "Do you want to try?" and I'd say "No, get on with it." I sometimes wonder — if your father had been alive, would you have done it?
Son Who knows what life would have been like, Mama. Life is what it is. Like it or not. There's nothing you can do about it. If you knew all the pitfalls you could avoid them. You can't foresee everything. Stop, will you... My eyes...
Mother My father foretold my fate. He was ill and I was
sitting alongside him and crying. The girls called me out to play and I kept sitting and crying. And he says: "Go and join your friends, Lyuba. There'll be plenty more tears." As if he knew. I had it from everyone. The tears I cried over my mother, and my husband... Life seemed to have sorted itself out... Just to live and enjoy life.
Warden Hello. Come in, Sit down.
Mother Here?
Warden That's right.
Mother What about the pass?
Warden You keep hold of it.
Mother 0 Lord. I'm all trembling.
Warden What are you upsetting yourself for? Calm down.
Mother I can't. I haven't been able to calm down for six years.
Warden When new prisoners come to us we examine each case. I'm a lawyer by training, so I became interested in what was written here...
"In the officer of the watch's room Biryukov fired his sub-machine gun twice at the officer Ponamoryov who was resting on the camp-bed. In order to avoid detection Biryukov fired a shot through the open door into the head of the soldier Dzhurayev who was resting. After the shot the soldier fell on the floor. Following that Biryukov fired twice more..." A man doesn't fire just like that... These were people who meant something...
"After that Biryukov took his pistol and left the base. About two in the afternoon he was detained by the militia."
Mother I can't believe that Sasha is a dangerous criminal. What kind of criminal is he?
He can't drive. No education, no money, no friends, no relatives.
Where would he have made for? Why did he have the pistol in his pocket? At the trial they said that he wanted to take revenge on someone, that someone had treated him badly. And then do away with himself. That's why he needed the pistol.
Warden I carry out the law. Today he's here with us.
Mother Yes.
Warden The death sentence passed by the court is in
accordance with the character of the crime committed and the degree of public danger it represents. By Decree No 638 of the President of the Russian Federation from 26 June 1995 Biryukov has been reprieved, his sentence commuted to incarceration for life.
Mother Oh Lord... When I went in to Sasha, I asked him: "Why did they give you such a heavy sentence? They must have had a big file on you" He showed me with his hand, like that — over his head. I avoid everyone we know, don't call round. They all ask "Where's Sasha? What's with Sasha?"
The only thing I don't understand is the State Duma. He's my son. Whatever he's done I won't desert him. I never did understand why they give them those guns? Who are they guarding? Who wants to attack us? If they put sticks in their hands, they would beat each other with them. He's not that dangerous a criminal. If only they'd reduce the length of his sentence just a bit.
Warden I've got over 130 of them...
Mother I understand. To ask on behalf of all of them... They're all criminals... I understand...
Warden It's all right. We'll try to help.
Mother Thank you.
Warden All the best.
Mother Goodbye. 0 Lord...
Warden Down, down, down
Mother I haven't got the strength.
Mother In this country, if they start praising you, they praise you to the skies. But if a person goes astray, makes a mistake because he's young and hotheaded, they'll grind him into the dust. That always
the way with us.
I'm really afraid for you. Can you put up with it
all?
Son I'll try.
Mother Your nerves are the main thing.
It was monks that built this monastery. Son But I'm not a monk. Mother Let me finish. That's who you should learn patience
from. They took the decision for themselves.
Admittedly they didn't have barbed wire. When I was
travelling here it seemed to me it was the end of
the world.
Son The whole point is the barbed wire, Mama. Mother The end of the world. An endless road. Forest,
forest, the road, forest, the road. Two houses here,
five there. Not a soul to be seen. Yesterday I set
foot on the bridge and cried.
It was monks built this monastery. The work they
must have put in. And you should imagine you're a
monk.
Son There are no monks in hell, Mama. Mother It happens. They say that we sin through what we do
without knowing, but if he knows he might be more
sinful than us.
You just need to stock up on patience. Son It's all so strange. Mother Son! I brought you a track-suit bottom. You said
that the suit was a bit small for you. I bought it
at the bazaar. This chap came up the same size as
you and I measured it against him. Perhaps they'll
be small again. I stocked up on socks. I brought you
your grandfather's shirt. It's striped. Or is that
not allowed? Son What's that?
Mother A kind of patch? Yellow. Like an old pike gets
warts. 1 look and I'm amazed. Why does nature spoil people? A person lives, let them live. When the time comes let them die. Just so you stay looking human — as it is you turn into an ape.
Son I've begun to look terrible too.
Mother No. You're still my handsome boy.
Mother Looking at you — the eyebrows are mine, but why are they so black? I didn't have eyebrows like that. I never dyed them.
Son And I do, I suppose.
Mother The smell of the fish has brought a fly in. Look
what it's doing.
One thing that surprises me is that you haven't got
a good voice.
Son You're wrong. I have got a good voice. Mother You have?
Son And a good singing voice too?
Mother Can you sing?
Son Of course. Baritone.
Mother You're kidding...
Son Don't you remember me singing an aria at home: "Who
can compare with my Mathilda..."
Mother That's it. I'm going to wash my hands...
I've eaten my fill today...
The best thing to wash off the smell of fish is
plain soap and cold water.
You had a girl, didn't you? You went off to the army
without showing her to me. Did she write to you? Son Not for long.
Mother What happened between you, if it's not a secret? Son We're strangers.
Mother And that hurts you?
Son It always hurts.
Mother Oh, Sasha, Sasha. Won't you tell me who she is?
Son You don't know here. You've never even seen her.
Mother Her name was Natasha?
Son That's all in the past.
Mother What if you were to write to her?
Son What should I write? Who am I now?
Mother We're on our own till morning.
Where's my tea. That's your share. Give yourself a treat. Eat up, son. I'm eating and you're not.
Son I'll eat, Mama.
Mother You eat something. I'll fetch some salt for the onion.
THE THIRD AND FINAL DAY Mother While you were sleeping, I was lying here
remembering. You were that size when you were small.
Now look — head here, legs over there. Son Gulliver. Mother And that Gulliver is lying here. And I so want you
back home.
I'd get up in the morning, would wake you up, and as
always you'd say "Hang on, I'm not sleeping, I'll be
up in a minute."
And now you're up without any prompting from Mama.
How cold your hands are, Sasha, like your father's.
He always had cold hands
Son Stop it, will you... stop crying-Mother All right, I'll stop.
Son There's a whole day yet. Don't get worked up... Mother Mothers are supposed to. Little children — little
worries; big children — big worries. That's a
mother's lot.
Of course, I'd like everything to be all right. Not
everybody has this kind of bad luck.
It's our fate. Now we'll get a grip of ourselves,
begin to hope.
So long as you've got your health.
What are we going to do from now on, son?
This is our last day. Son The last... Mother Oh, Sasha, Sasha. We've remembered everyone between
us, the living and the dead...
Now you'll sit and chew it over.
And me at home. I'm sorry, forgive me.
Perhaps something will happen to get your case
moving.
Son Next year definitely. Mark my word. Mother If it was earlier, I wouldn't object.
Now my nose has started running. Maybe it's my
brains coming out. Son What are you on about? Mother I've no brains left. Everything's drying up.
Your whiskers are getting darker every day. I don't like beards and moustaches. They collect all the dirt.
Son 10 o'clock. We've got another hour.
What now? I'm still here. When I go off, they you
can cry.
Mother Not much time left-Son Dearest Mama...
Mother Your glasses are covered in tears already... Guard Hello. The visit's over. Mother Son! Dearest! Take care of yourself. I don't know when I'll see you again.
Son We will, we will see each other again...
Mother I told you. Be a smart lad. Behave yourself. Look after your health, walk, smoke less... Son All right, Mama.
Mother Write, if you need something, son.
Son Don't cry…
Mother When you go back... Don't you cry there either...
Guard Don't upset yourself like that, Ma.
Mother Sashenka! Don't you get depressed now, after I've gone. Smoke less. Eat well. 1 know you... When you came home on leave from the army you didn't eat for a week, hardly slept...
Guard Here's your pass. The receipt. Let's count the money...
Mother What' s there to count...
Guard 100, 120, 125...
Son That's it. Don't cry. Say hello to everyone.
Mother Everyone who knows you, I'll tell them all. Weil, dearest...
Guard Collect your things...
Son Go, go, go...
TITLES
ON 1 JULY 1997, A NEW LAW CAME INTO FORCE IN THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION AS A RESULT OF WHICH THE MOTHER - LYUBOV BIRYUKOVA
- WILL PROBABLY NEVER AGAIN SEE HER SON - ALEXANDER