Collaborators by John Hodge Read Free Book Online

It’s very good. I never doubted you. I knew you could do it. I love the way you capture the essence of the boy. His intelligence, his bravery – even as a child. It’s moving. When Stalin sees this – I’ll probably get a promotion.
    Bulgakov I’m very happy for you.
    Vladimir You keep writing. I’ll start casting.
    Bulgakov Casting? All we have is one scene –
    Vladimir Mikhail, we have a deadline. There is so much to do! Sets, costumes, rehearsals –
    Bulgakov Yes, but, normally, there’s a director involved.
    Vladimir There is a director involved.
    He opens his arms wide.
    Bulgakov says nothing.
    You don’t think I’m qualified? Go on, say it. Be as hurtful as you like.
    Bulgakov You’re a secret policeman.
    Vladimir Is that all I am to you? That’s how you think of me? Am I not allowed other qualities? Literary sensitivity, imagination, a willingness to explore ideas through sound and light, voice and motion? Stepan – do I not have literary sensitivity?
    Stepan says nothing. His expression does not change.
    You see? So it’s decided then. Genius, Bulgakov.
    Bulgakov You’re too kind.
    Vladimir No. I mean I’m a genius. For hiring you.
    Vladimir exits, followed by Stepan.
    Enter Stalin.
    He sits at the table, feeds in a sheet and starts typing.
    Bulgakov pulls on his coat.
    He crosses to the desk where Stalin is still typing.
    Stalin does not acknowledge Bulgakov until he has finished a passage and returned the roller.
    Stalin You’re late.
    Bulgakov I’m sorry.
    Stalin Actually, I was early. Truth is, I wanted to be early, I wanted to get started. All day, I’ve been so excited. Couldn’t think about anything else. So much more enjoyable than all that yackety-yak at the Politburo and Central Committee and God knows what else! When I was young, you know, I wrote poetry.
    Bulgakov Really?
    Stalin Yes. We Georgians, we’re all poets.
    Bulgakov I’d love to read it some day.
    Stalin If I thought for one moment that you really meant that – I’d make you read it! But my guess is you’d sooner be tortured in the Lubyanka. I know I would!
    Bulgakov forces a smile.
    Isn’t it wonderful to be creative?
    Bulgakov It is. Yes. To make something –
    Stalin – from nothing.
    He pours two glasses of vodka. They toast.
    To creativity.
    Stalin slams down his glass and spools out the sheet of paper. Adds it to a few pages of manuscript.
    So here’s where I am. I’ve written another scene in the seminary. Young Joseph is the outsider – poor kid, wrong side of the tracks – who becomes the leader of the rebellion against the oppressive brutality of the priests.
    Bulgakov So you want to prefigure the events of the revolution.
    Stalin Exactly.
    Bulgakov To illustrate your – young Joseph’s – precocity. His talent for organising.
    Stalin And inspiring.
    Bulgakov Of course. And inspiring.
    Enter two Actors with a sack of props and costumes.
    Stalin Those bastards! They educated me, but they couldn’t break me!
    He hands the manuscript to Bulgakov.
    Actor One You bastards! You can educate me but you can never break me!
    Exit Bulgakov and Stalin.
    Enter Vladimir and Stepan.
    Vladimir pulls up a chair and watches the actors.
    Stepan lurks behind him, impassive.
    Actor Two You dog! How dare you speak to me like that! You think we’ll let you get away with free thought! We’ll beat it out of you, I swear to God we will!
    Actor One Never!
    Actor Two beats Actor One.
    Actor Two There! Now spend some time in the punishment cell, you upstart proletarian! Son of cobbler!
    Actor One stands and pulls on a cassock.
    Actor One This young Dzughashvili – he’s a tough one.
    Actor Two Too tough. He combines righteous fury with piercing intellect.
    Actor One I’ve never met anything like him.
    Actor Two He’s been reading Marx and converting his fellow students.
    Actor One We’ll