Dream 1. Northern Tavria, October 1920
There is a conversation going on in the cell of the monastery church. The Budennovtsy just came and checked the documents. Golubkov, a young St. Petersburg intellectual, wonders where the Reds came from when the area is in the hands of the Whites. Barabanchikova, pregnant, lying right there, explains that the general, who was sent a dispatch that the Reds were in the rear, postponed the decoding. When asked where General Charnota's headquarters is, Barabanchikova does not give a direct answer. Serafima Korzukhina, a young St. Petersburg lady who is fleeing with Golubkov to Crimea to meet her husband, offers to call a midwife, but Madame refuses. The clatter of hooves and the voice of the white commander de Brizard are heard. Recognizing him, Barabanchikova throws off her rags and appears as General Charnota. He explains to de Brizard and his traveling wife Lyuska, who ran in, that his friend Barabanchikov in a hurry gave him documents not his own, but those of his pregnant wife. Charnota proposes an escape plan. Then Seraphima starts to have a fever - it’s typhus. Golubkov takes Serafima into the gig. Everyone is leaving.
Dream 2. Crimea, early November 1920
The station hall has been turned into the White headquarters. General Khludov is sitting where the buffet was. He is sick with something and is twitching. Korzukhin, comrade of the Minister of Trade, Serafima’s husband, asks to push wagons with valuable fur goods into Sevastopol. Khludov orders these trains to be burned. Korzukhin asks about the situation at the front. Khludov hisses that the Reds will be here tomorrow. Korzukhin promises to report everything to the commander-in-chief. A convoy appears, followed by the white commander-in-chief and Archbishop Africanus. Khludov informs the commander-in-chief that the Bolsheviks are in Crimea. African prays, but Khludov believes that God has abandoned the whites. The commander in chief leaves. Serafima runs in, followed by Golubkov and the messenger Charnota Krapilin. Serafima shouts that Khludov is not doing anything, but just hanging him. The staff whispers that she is a communist. Golubkov says that she is delirious, she has typhus. Khludov calls Korzukhin, but he, sensing a trap, renounces Seraphima. Serafima and Golubkov are taken away, and Krapilin, in oblivion, calls Khludov a world beast and talks about a war that Khludov does not know. He objects that he went to Chongar and was wounded there twice. Krapilin, waking up, begs for mercy, but Khludov orders him to be hanged for “starting well, ending badly.”
Dream 3. Crimea, early November 1920
The head of counterintelligence Tikhy, threatening with a deadly needle, forces Golubkov to show that Serafima Korzukhina is a member of the Communist Party and came for the purpose of propaganda. Having forced him to write a statement, Tikhy releases him. Counterintelligence officer Skunsky estimates that Korzukhin will give $10,000 to pay off the deal. Quiet shows that Skunsky’s share is 2000. Seraphim is brought in, she is in a fever. Quiet gives her his testimony. Charnota's cavalry marches outside the window with music. Serafima, having read the paper, breaks out the window glass with her elbow and calls Charnota for help. He runs in and defends Seraphim with a revolver.
Dream 4. Crimea, early November 1920
The Commander-in-Chief says that for a year now Khludov has been covering up his hatred of him. Khludov admits that he hates the commander in chief because he was drawn into this, that he cannot work knowing that everything is in vain. The commander in chief leaves. Khludov alone talks to the ghost, wants to crush him... Golubkov enters, he came to complain about the crime committed by Khludov. He turns around. Golubkov is in a panic. He came to tell the commander-in-chief about Seraphima’s arrest and wants to find out her fate. Khludov asks the captain to take her to the palace if she is not shot. Golubkov is horrified by these words. Khludov makes excuses before the ghost messenger and asks him to leave his soul. When Khludov asks who Serafima is to him, Golubkov replies that she is a random stranger, but he loves her. Khludov says that she was shot. Golubkov is furious, Khludov throws him a revolver and tells someone that his soul is in two. The captain comes in with a report that Seraphima is alive, but today Charnota fought her off with a weapon and took her to Constantinople. Khludov is expected on the ship. Golubkov asks to take him to Constantinople, Khludov is sick, speaks to the messenger, they leave. Dark.
Dream 5. Constantinople, summer 1921
Street of Constantinople. There is an advertisement for cockroach races. Charnota, drunk and gloomy, approaches the cash register of the cockroach race and wants to put it on credit, but Arthur, the “cockroach king,” refuses him. Charnota is sad and remembers Russia. He sells silver gazyri and a box of his toys for 2 lire 50 piastres, and bets all the money he receives on the favorite of the Janissary. People are gathering. Cockroaches living in a box “under the supervision of a professor” run with paper riders. Shout: “The Janissary is malfunctioning!” It turns out that Arthur gave the cockroach a drink. Everyone who bet on the Janissary rushes at Arthur, who calls the police. A beautiful prostitute encourages the Italians, who beat the English who bet on another cockroach. Dark.
Dream 6. Constantinople, summer 1921
Charnota quarrels with Lyusya, lies to her that the box and gazyri were stolen, she realizes that Charnota lost the money, and admits that she is a prostitute. She reproaches him that he, the general, defeated counterintelligence and was forced to flee the army, and now he is a beggar. Charnota objects: he saved Seraphim from death. Lyusya reproaches Seraphim for her inaction and goes into the house. Golubkov enters the yard and plays the organ. Charnota assures him that Serafima is alive and explains that she went to the panel. Seraphima arrives with a Greek laden with shopping. Golubkov and Charnota rush at him, he runs away. Golubkov tells Serafima about love, but she leaves saying that she will die alone. Lyusya, who has come out, wants to open the Greek package, but Charnota does not allow it. Lucy takes the hat and says that she is leaving for Paris. Khludov enters in civilian clothes - he has been demoted from the army. Golubkov explains that he found her, she left, and he will go to Paris to Korzukhin - he is obliged to help her. They will help him cross the border. He asks Khludov to take care of her, not to let her go to the panel, Khludov promises and gives 2 liras and a medallion. Charnota goes with Golubkov to Paris. They are going away. Dark.
Dream 7. Paris, autumn 1921
Golubkov asks Korzukhin for a $1,000 loan for Seraphima. Korzukhin doesn’t give it, he says that he has never been married and wants to marry his Russian secretary. Golubkov calls him a terrible soulless person and wants to leave, but Charnota comes, who says that he would sign up with the Bolsheviks to shoot him, and after shooting him, he would be discharged. Seeing the cards, he invites Korzukhin to play and sells him the Khludov medallion for 10 dollars. As a result, Charnota wins $20,000 and buys the medallion for $300. Korzukhin wants to return the money, and Lyusya comes running to his cry. Charnota is amazed, but does not betray her. Lyusya despises Korzukhin. She assures him that he himself lost the money and will not get it back. Everyone leaves. Lyusya quietly shouts out the window for Golubkov to take care of Seraphim, and for Charnot to buy some pants for himself. Dark.
Dream 8. Constantinople, autumn 1921
Khludov alone talks with the ghost of the messenger. He is suffering. Seraphima enters, tells him that he is ill, he is executed, and that he has released Golubkov. She is going to return to St. Petersburg. Khludov says that he will also return, and under his own name. Serafima is terrified; she thinks he will be shot. Khludov is happy about this. They are interrupted by a knock on the door. This is Charnota and Golubkov. Khludov and Charnota leave, Serafima and Golubkov confess their love to each other. Khludov and Charnota return. Charnota says that he will stay here, Khludov wants to return. Everyone dissuades him. He calls Charnota with him, but he refuses: he has no hatred for the Bolsheviks. He's leaving. Golubkov wants to return the medallion to Khludov, but he gives it to the couple and they leave. Khludov alone writes something, rejoices that the ghost has disappeared. He goes to the window and shoots himself in the head. Dark.
Option 2
The Budenovites come to check the monastery church, in which the St. Petersburg young privat-docent Golubkov and Serafima Korzukhina are hiding. The pregnant Barabanchikova is hiding with them. Golubkov intends to flee to Crimea, along with Korzukhina, who wants to meet her husband there. The white commander de Brizard appears, at the sight of whom Baranchikova throws off her rags and appears in the form of General Charnota. The Trinity leaves the monastery and goes to Crimea.
Meanwhile, the Crimean station has been turned into the headquarters of the white forces. Serafima’s husband, Korzukhin, serves as the Minister of Trade there. He asks General Khludov to push through a carriage with fur goods, but the general orders the cargo to be burned. Later, Golubkov, Seraphima and General Charnota’s messenger, Krapilin, appear. Serafima accuses Khludov of cruelty, for which the white staff accuse her of supporting the communists. Korzukhin renounces his wife, messenger Krapilin is hanged for unflattering statements about the activities of General Khludov.
Counterintelligence officer Tikhiy uses threats to force private assistant professor Golubkov to denounce Seraphima as a member of the Communist Party. The staff believe that the communist wife will disgrace Korzukhin and he will pay her off with thousands of dollars. During interrogation, Seraphim breaks out a window glass and asks General Charnot for help. He with a weapon recaptures Korzukhina from the White Guards.
Later, Golubkov comes to Khludov with a complaint about Serafima’s arrest. The private assistant professor sees the general talking to the ghost of messenger Krapilin. Khludov asks the subordinate staff officer to deliver Korzukhina to headquarters if she has not yet been shot. The staff officer returns with the news that Charnota has recaptured Serafima and taken her to Constantinople. Khludov decides to pursue the fugitives, Golubkov asks to take him with him.
In Constantinople, a drunken Charnota tries to win a bet on a cockroach race. He sells his belongings and bets all his money on the favorite among the cockroaches. However, the poisoned cockroach loses the race and Charnota loses her savings. The general returns home, where Golubkov is waiting for him. He assures the St. Petersburg intellectual that Seraphima is alive, but works as a courtesan. At this time, Serafima returns, Golubkov confesses his love to her, but she rejects him. General Khludov arrives and reports that he has been demoted from the army. Charnota and Golubkov leave for Paris in search of Korzukhin.
In Paris, Golubkov finds Korzukhin and asks him to borrow money for Seraphima, but he refuses, citing the fact that he has never been married. Golubkov is furious and calls Korzukhin a rotten man. General Charnota comes and invites Korzukhin to play for money, and in the end he wins 20 thousand dollars from him. Golubkov and Charnota return to Constantinople to Khludov’s house. Here Serafima and Golubkov explain their feelings. Charnota decides to stay in Constantinople, as she no longer wants to fight the Bolsheviks. Khludov is left alone, he wants to return to Russia and continue the fight. The ghost of messenger Krapilin returns, they talk, after which the ghost disappears. Joyful Khludov goes to the window and shoots himself in the temple.
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There is a conversation going on in the cell of the monastery church. Budennovtsy just came and checked the documents. Golubkov, a young St. Petersburg intellectual, wonders where the Reds came from when the area is in the hands of the Whites. Barabanchikova, pregnant, lying right there, explains that the general, who was sent a dispatch that the Reds were in the rear, postponed the decoding. When asked where General Charnota’s headquarters is, Barabanchikova does not give a direct answer. Serafima Korzukhina, a young St. Petersburg lady who is fleeing with Golubkov to Crimea to meet her husband, offers to call a midwife, but Madame refuses. The clatter of hooves and the voice of the white commander de Brizard are heard. Recognizing him, Barabanchikova throws off her rags and appears as General Charnota. He explains to de Brizard and his traveling wife Lyuska, who ran in, that his friend Barabanchikov in a hurry gave him documents not his own, but those of his pregnant wife. Charnota proposes an escape plan. Then Seraphima starts to have a fever - it’s typhus. Golubkov takes Serafima into the gig. Everyone is leaving.
Dream 2. Crimea, early November 1920
The station hall was turned into the White headquarters. General Khludov is sitting where the buffet was. He is sick with something and is twitching. Korzukhin, comrade of the Minister of Trade, Serafima’s husband, asks to push wagons with valuable fur goods into Sevastopol. Khludov orders these trains to be burned. Korzukhin asks about the situation at the front. Khludov hisses that the Reds will be here tomorrow. Korzukhin promises to report everything to the commander-in-chief. A convoy appears, followed by the white commander-in-chief and Archbishop Africanus. Khludov informs the commander-in-chief that the Bolsheviks are in Crimea. African prays, but Khludov believes that God has abandoned the whites. The commander in chief leaves. Serafima runs in, followed by Golubkov and the messenger Charnota Krapilin. Serafima shouts that Khludov is not doing anything, but just hanging him. The staff whispers that she is a communist. Golubkov says that she is delirious, she has typhus. Khludov calls Korzukhin, but he, sensing a trap, renounces Seraphima. Serafima and Golubkov are taken away, and Krapilin, in oblivion, calls Khludov a world beast and talks about a war that Khludov does not know. He objects that he went to Chongar and was wounded there twice. Krapilin, waking up, begs for mercy, but Khludov orders him to be hanged for “starting well, ending badly.”
Dream 3. Crimea, early November 1920
The head of counterintelligence Tikhy, threatening with a deadly needle, forces Golubkov to show that Serafima Korzukhina is a member of the Communist Party and came for the purpose of propaganda. Having forced him to write a statement, Tikhy releases him. Counterintelligence officer Skunsky estimates that Korzukhin will give $10,000 to pay off the deal. Quiet shows that Skunsky's share is 2000. Seraphim is brought in, she is in a fever. Quiet gives her his testimony. Charnota's cavalry is walking outside the window with music. Seraphima, having read the paper, breaks out the window glass with her elbow and calls Charnota for help. He runs in and defends Seraphim with a revolver.
Dream 4. Crimea, early November 1920
The Commander-in-Chief says that for a year now Khludov has been covering up his hatred of him. Khludov admits that he hates the commander in chief because he was drawn into this, that he cannot work knowing that everything is in vain. The commander in chief leaves. Khludov alone talks to the ghost, wants to crush him... Golubkov enters, he came to complain about the crime committed by Khludov. He turns around. Golubkov is in a panic. He came to tell the commander-in-chief about Seraphima’s arrest and wants to find out her fate. Khludov asks the captain to take her to the palace if she is not shot. Golubkov is horrified by these words. Khludov makes excuses before the ghost messenger and asks him to leave his soul. When Khludov asks who Serafima is to him, Golubkov replies that she is a random stranger, but he loves her. Khludov says that she was shot. Golubkov is furious, Khludov throws him a revolver and tells someone that his soul is in two. The captain comes in with a report that Seraphima is alive, but today Charnota fought her off with a weapon and took her to Constantinople. Khludov is expected on the ship. Golubkov asks to take him to Constantinople, Khludov is sick, speaks to the messenger, they leave. Dark.
Dream 5. Constantinople, summer 1921
Street of Constantinople. There is an advertisement for cockroach races. Charnota, drunk and gloomy, approaches the cockroach racing cash register and wants to bet on credit, but Arthur, the “cockroach king,” refuses him. Charnota is sad and remembers Russia. He sells silver gazyri and a box of his toys for 2 lire 50 piastres, and bets all the money he receives on the favorite of the Janissary. People are gathering. Cockroaches living in a box "under the supervision of a professor" run with paper riders. Shout: “The Janissary is malfunctioning!” It turns out that Arthur gave the cockroach a drink. Everyone who bet on the Janissary rushes at Arthur, who calls the police. A beautiful prostitute encourages the Italians, who beat the English who bet on another cockroach. Dark.
Dream 6. Constantinople, summer 1921
Charnota quarrels with Lyusya, lies to her that the box and gasyri were stolen, she realizes that Charnota lost the money, and admits that she is a prostitute. She reproaches him that he, the general, defeated counterintelligence and was forced to flee the army, and now he is a beggar. Charnota objects: he saved Seraphim from death. Lyusya reproaches Seraphim for her inaction and goes into the house. Golubkov enters the yard and plays the organ. Charnota assures him that Serafima is alive and explains that she went to the panel. Seraphima arrives with a Greek laden with shopping. Golubkov and Charnota rush at him, he runs away. Golubkov tells Serafima about love, but she leaves saying that she will die alone. Lyusya, who has come out, wants to open the Greek’s package, but Charnot does not allow it. Lucy takes the hat and says that she is leaving for Paris. Khludov enters in civilian clothes - he has been demoted from the army. Golubkov explains that he found her, she left, and he will go to Paris to Korzukhin - he is obliged to help her. They will help him cross the border. He asks Khludov to take care of her, not to let her go to the panel, Khludov promises and gives 2 liras and a medallion. Charnota goes with Golubkov to Paris. They are going away. Dark.
Dream 7. Paris, autumn 1921
Golubkov asks Korzukhin for a $1,000 loan for Seraphima. Korzukhin won’t give it, he says that he has never been married and wants to marry his Russian secretary. Golubkov calls him a terrible soulless person and wants to leave, but Charnota comes, who says that he would sign up with the Bolsheviks to shoot him, and after shooting him, he would be discharged. Seeing the cards, he invites Korzukhin to play and sells him the Khludov medallion for 10 dollars. As a result, Charnota wins $20,000 and buys the medallion for $300. Korzukhin wants to return the money, and Lyusya comes running to his cry. Charnota is amazed, but does not betray her. Lyusya despises Korzukhin. She assures him that he himself lost the money and will not get it back. Everyone leaves. Lyusya quietly shouts out the window for Golubkov to take care of Seraphim, and for Charnot to buy some pants for himself. Dark.
Dream 8. Constantinople, autumn 1921
Khludov alone talks with the ghost of the messenger. He is suffering. Seraphima enters, tells him that he is ill, he is executed, and that he has released Golubkov. She is going to return to St. Petersburg. Khludov says that he will also return, and under his own name. Serafima is terrified; she thinks he will be shot. Khludov is happy about this. They are interrupted by a knock on the door. This is Charnota and Golubkov. Khludov and Charnota leave, Serafima and Golubkov confess their love to each other. Khludov and Charnota return. Charnota says that he will stay here, Khludov wants to return. Everyone dissuades him. He calls Charnota with him, but he refuses: he has no hatred for the Bolsheviks. He's leaving. Golubkov wants to return the medallion to Khludov, but he gives it to the couple and they leave. Khludov alone writes something, rejoices that the ghost has disappeared. He goes to the window and shoots himself in the head. Dark.
Retold
The Budenovites come to check the monastery church, in which the St. Petersburg young privat-docent Golubkov and Serafima Korzukhina are hiding. The pregnant Barabanchikova is hiding with them. Golubkov intends to flee to Crimea, along with Korzukhina, who wants to meet her husband there. The white commander de Brizard appears, at the sight of whom Baranchikova throws off her rags and appears in the form of General Charnota. The Trinity leaves the monastery and goes to Crimea.
Meanwhile, the Crimean station has been turned into the headquarters of the white forces. Serafima’s husband, Korzukhin, serves as the Minister of Trade there. He asks General Khludov to push through a carriage with fur goods, but the general orders the cargo to be burned. Later, Golubkov, Serafima and General Charnota’s messenger, Krapilin, appear. Serafima accuses Khludov of cruelty, for which the white staff accuse her of supporting the communists. Korzukhin renounces his wife, messenger Krapilin is hanged for unflattering statements about the activities of General Khludov.
Counterintelligence officer Tikhiy uses threats to force private assistant professor Golubkov to denounce Seraphima as a member of the Communist Party. The staff believe that the communist wife will disgrace Korzukhin and he will pay her off with thousands of dollars. During interrogation, Seraphim breaks out a window glass and asks General Charnot for help. He with a weapon recaptures Korzukhina from the White Guards.
Later, Golubkov comes to Khludov with a complaint about Serafima’s arrest. The private assistant professor sees the general talking to the ghost of messenger Krapilin. Khludov asks the subordinate staff officer to deliver Korzukhina to headquarters if she has not yet been shot. The staff officer returns with the news that Charnota has recaptured Serafima and taken her to Constantinople. Khludov decides to pursue the fugitives, Golubkov asks to take him with him.
In Constantinople, a drunken Charnota tries to win a bet on a cockroach race. He sells his belongings and bets all his money on the favorite among the cockroaches. However, the poisoned cockroach loses the race and Charnota loses her savings. The general returns home, where Golubkov is waiting for him. He assures the St. Petersburg intellectual that Seraphima is alive, but works as a courtesan. At this time, Serafima returns, Golubkov confesses his love to her, but she rejects him. General Khludov arrives and reports that he has been demoted from the army. Charnota and Golubkov leave for Paris in search of Korzukhin.
In Paris, Golubkov finds Korzukhin and asks him to borrow money for Seraphima, but he refuses, citing the fact that he has never been married. Golubkov is furious and calls Korzukhin a rotten man. General Charnota comes and invites Korzukhin to play for money, and in the end he wins 20 thousand dollars from him. Golubkov and Charnota return to Constantinople to Khludov’s house. Here Serafima and Golubkov explain their feelings. Charnota decides to stay in Constantinople, as she no longer wants to fight the Bolsheviks. Khludov is left alone, he wants to return to Russia and continue the fight. The ghost of messenger Krapilin returns, they talk, after which the ghost disappears. Joyful Khludov goes to the window and shoots himself in the temple.
First dream
Occurs in Northern Tavria in October 1920.
There is a conversation going on in the monastery cell. Budenovites recently came here and checked everyone’s documents. The young St. Petersburg intellectual Sergei Pavlovich Golubkov cannot understand where the Reds came from if the area is under the rule of the Whites. Pregnant Barabanchikova says that the general, who received a dispatch about the Reds in the rear, postponed decoding. They ask Barabanchikova where General Charnota’s headquarters is located, but she avoids answering. A young St. Petersburg woman, Serafima Vladimirovna Korzukhina, who fled to Crimea in the company of the intellectual Golubkov to meet her husband, offers to call a midwife for the pregnant madam, but she refuses.
The clatter of horse hooves and the voice of the white commander de Brizard are heard. Barabanchikova recognizes him and, throwing off her rags, turns into General Grigory Charnota. He explains to de Brizard and his traveling wife Lyuska that his comrade Barabanchikov was in a hurry, so instead of his documents he gave him the documents of his pregnant wife. General Charnota proposes an escape plan. But then Korzukhina’s temperature rises - she is sick with typhus. Golubkov leads Serafima into the gig. Everyone is leaving.
Second dream
The White Guards made a headquarters from the station hall. In the place where there used to be a buffet, front commander Roman Valeryanovich Khludov now sits. He winces and twitches all the time. A friend of the Minister of Trade and the husband of the sick Seraphima, Paramon Ilyich Korzukhin, asks to transport wagons with valuable goods to Sevastopol. But Khludov gives the order to burn these cars. When asked by Korzukhin about the state of affairs at the front, Khludov becomes even more angry and says that the Reds will be here tomorrow. Korzukhin promises to report everything to the commander-in-chief, who soon arrives with Archbishop Africanus. Khludov reports to the main one that the Bolsheviks are in Crimea.
The archbishop prays, but Khludov believes that it is in vain. God, in his opinion, is not on the side of the whites. The commander in chief leaves. Korzukhina appears, followed by Golubkov and General Charnota's messenger Krapilin. Serafima accuses Khludov of inaction. The staff whispers, they consider Korzukhina a communist. Golubkov is sure that the woman is delirious because of typhus. Khludov calls Seraphima’s husband, but he senses a trap and renounces his wife. Golubkov and Korzukhina are taken away.
Krapilin, being in oblivion, says that Khludov is a world beast, accusing him of cowardice and the ability to only hang. Krapilin comes to his senses and begins to beg for mercy, but Khludov gives the order to take the messenger to the gallows. He, according to the general, started well, but ended badly.
Act two
Dream three
Occurs in early November 1920 in Crimea.
The head of counterintelligence, nicknamed Quiet, forces Golubkov to testify against Serafima. Quiet threatens a St. Petersburg intellectual with a deadly needle. Golubkov fearfully says that Serafima is a communist and came here for propaganda. After testifying, Golubkov is released.
Counterintelligence officer Skunsky informs Tikhoy that Korzukhin will pay $10,000 for the ransom. From this amount, the boss is ready to give Skunsky 2,000 greenbacks.
They bring in Korzukhina, who is burning with fever. Tikhy gives her Golubkov’s testimony to read. At this time, the cavalry of General Charnota passes outside the window. Serafima, having read the testimony, breaks the window and calls Charnota for help. He bursts into the room with a revolver and saves Korzukhina.
Dream Four
Occurs in early November 1920 in Crimea.
The commander-in-chief says that for a year Khludov has been masking his hatred of him. Roman Valeryanovich does not deny this, he really hates the commander in chief. Because of him, Khludov is involved in this disgusting and useless work.
The commander in chief leaves. Khludov is talking with a ghost. The intellectual Golubkov enters. He does not recognize Khludov, who is standing with his back to him, and talks about the crimes that he committed. Golubkov thinks he is reporting to the commander in chief. Khludov turns around. The intellectual panics, but still dares to talk about Korzukhina’s arrest and wants to know about her fate.
Khludov orders Seraphima to be brought to the palace if she has not yet been shot. Golubkov is horrified by such words. Khludov, looking down, begins to babble excuses to the ghost messenger and begs not to take his soul. Khludov asks Golubkov who Korzukhina is to him. Sergei Pavlovich admits that she is a casual acquaintance whom he loved with all his heart. Khludov reports that Serafima is dead. She was shot. Golubkov becomes furious at this news.
Khludov gives Golubkov a revolver and tells someone that his soul is in two. The captain comes in and reports that Serafima Korzukhina is alive. Today General Charnota took her to Constantinople. They are waiting for Khludov on the ship. Golubkov begs to go with him to Constantinople. Khludov is seriously ill, he speaks to the messenger, and they leave. Dark.
Act three
Dream five
On one of the streets of Constantinople there is a poster advertising cockroach races. The gloomy General Charnota approaches the cash desk where bets are accepted. Charnota wants to place a bet on credit, but the “cockroach king” Arthur refuses the request. The general becomes melancholy and nostalgic for Russia. He makes up his mind and sells silver gazyrs and a whole box of his toys. Then he returns to the cockroach race cash register, where he bets all the money on the favorite Janissary.
People gather for the spectacle. The cockroaches that live in the box under the supervision of the professor go out to race with paper riders. A cry is heard: “The Janissary is failing!” As it turned out, the “cockroach king” Arthur got the favorite drunk. Everyone who bet on the Janissary rushes at Arthur, and he is forced to call the police. A beautiful prostitute encourages the Italians, who did not bet on the Janissary. Dark.
Dream six
Occurs in the summer of 1921 in Constantinople.
General Charnota quarreled with Lyusya. She realizes that the general lost the money and opens his cards, saying that she is a prostitute. And Lyusya also reproaches Charnota for destroying counterintelligence and having to flee the army, and now leading the life of a beggar. Blackness objects, he saved Korzukhina from death. Lyusya accuses Seraphim of inaction, and then goes into the house.
Golubkov enters the yard. General Charnota convinces the intellectual that Korzukhina is alive and has gone to the panel. Seraphima arrives with some Greek man who has a lot of shopping in his hands. Charnota and Golubkov rush at the foreigner, and he has to run away.
Sergei Pavlovich begins to tell Korzukhina about his feelings, but she turns around and leaves. In parting, she says that she prefers to die herself.
Lyusya wants to unwrap the package that the Greek left, but the general does not allow her to do so. The beauty takes the hat and says that she will leave for Paris. Khludov comes in in civilian clothes. He was demoted from the army. Golubkov claims that he will go to Paris to Serafima’s husband to help the woman. He is sure that they will definitely help him cross the border. Golubkov begs Khludov to take care of Serafima and not let her go to the panel. Khludov promises the intellectual to look after Seraphima and gives two lyres and a medallion. Charnota goes with Golubkov to Paris. Darkness.
Act four
Seventh dream
Occurs in the fall of 1921 in Paris.
Golubkov comes to Paris, finds Korzukhina’s husband and asks him for a thousand dollars for Seraphima. He refuses, motivating his action by the fact that he was not married to Seraphim, and is soon going to propose his hand and heart to his Russian secretary. Golubkov tells Korzukhin that he is a soulless person. Sergei Pavlovich is about to leave, but at that moment General Charnota comes in. He tells Korzukhin that he would gladly sign up with the Bolsheviks to shoot him.
Charnota sees the cards and invites Korzukhin to play. He sells Khludov's medallion to his rival for ten dollars. After the game, the general becomes the owner of $20,000. For 300 he buys the medallion back. Korzukhin wants to return all the lost money. He screams in frustration, and Lucy runs out at his roar. The general is shocked, but does not reveal that he knows the prostitute. Lucy despises Seraphima's husband. She believes that Korzukhin himself is to blame for the loss.
Everyone leaves. Lyusya leans out the window and quietly tells Golubkov to take care of Korzukhina, and for the general to finally buy himself new pants. Darkness.
The eighth and last dream
Occurs in the fall of 1921 in Constantinople.
Khludov is talking with the ghost of the messenger. Serafima Korzukhina comes in and proves to Khludov that he is very ill. She also repents that she let Golubkov go. Korzukhina is going to return to St. Petersburg. Khludov announces that he also wants to return there under his own name. Seraphima is horrified that if Khludov acts so imprudently, he will be killed immediately. But the general is happy with this result.
The conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door. Golubkov and Charnota arrived. Korzukhina and Sergei Pavlovich confess their love to each other. Charnota wants to stay here, and Khludov intends to return. He persuades Charnota to go with him, but he does not want to: the general treats the Bolsheviks normally and does not hate them. Golubkov wants to give Khludov the medallion, but he returns it to the couple, after which Korzukhina and Golubkov leave.
Dream 1. Northern Tavria, October 1920
The conversation takes place in the monastery cell. The Budenovites came and checked the documents. The young St. Petersburg intellectual Golubkov wonders where they came from if the entire area is in the hands of the whites. In the cell lies the pregnant Barabanchikova, who immediately explains that the general postponed the decryption after learning about the Reds in the rear. When she is asked a direct question about the location of General Charnota's headquarters, she answers evasively and ambiguously. Also participating in this conversation is Serafima Korzukhina, a young lady from St. Petersburg, who, together with Golubkov, runs to Crimea to meet her husband there. She offers to call a midwife for Barabanchikova, but she, hearing the clatter of hooves and the voice of de Brisard, the white commander, sheds her rags and reveals herself to be General Charnota.
He tells de Brizard and his camp wife Lyuska, who immediately appeared, that his friend Barabanchikov, instead of his documents, hastily slipped him the documents of his pregnant wife. Together they discuss the escape plan proposed by Charnota. But suddenly Seraphima has a fever, she is sick with typhus, Golubkov takes her away. Everyone is leaving.
Dream 2. Crimea, early November 1920
The White headquarters was located in the station hall. Where there used to be a buffet, General Khludov is sitting, who is clearly sick with something and is constantly twitching. Fellow Minister of Trade Korzukhin (Seraphima’s husband) asks Khludov to help push trains with valuable cargo to Sevastopol, but Khludov gives the order to burn them. He is annoyed and hisses that the Reds are close and will be here tomorrow. Korzukhin is going to report everything to the commander-in-chief. The convoy enters, followed by the commander-in-chief of the whites and Archbishop Africanus. After Khludov informs the commander in chief about the presence of the Bolsheviks in Crimea, African begins to pray, but Khludov no longer believes in God. The commander in chief leaves. Serafima, Golubkov and the messenger from Charnota Krapilin appear. Serafima is indignant that Khludov does not take any measures, but only hangs people. At headquarters they suspect that she is a communist, Golubkov, citing typhus, says that she is delirious, and Korzukhin renounces her, fearing Khludov’s anger. Serafima and Golubkov are taken away, and Krapilin, in a state of oblivion, calls Khludov a beast and says that he does not know the real war. Then, having come to his senses, he asks for mercy, but the offended Khludov orders him to be hanged.
Dream 3. Crimea, early November 1920
Golubkov is interrogated by Tikhy, the head of counterintelligence, and on pain of death forces him to reveal that Serafima is a member of the Communist Party and came for the purpose of propaganda. Golubkov wrote a statement, he is taken away, and Tikhiy and his assistant Skunsky estimate how much they will get from Korzukhin, who wants to pay off. They bring Serafima, they show her Golubkov’s confession, she hears the sounds of Charnota’s approaching cavalry outside the window, breaks out the glass and calls for help. Charnota appears with a revolver in her hands and defends Seraphim.
Dream 4. Crimea, early November 1920
A serious conversation takes place between Khludov and the commander in chief. Khludov honestly admits that he hates the commander in chief because he involved him in this matter, which is obviously in vain and makes no sense. The commander-in-chief leaves, leaving him alone, and Khludov talks to the ghost and throws out all his anger. At this time, Golubkov comes to complain to the commander-in-chief about Khludov and talk about Seraphima’s arrest. Having unexpectedly met Khludov, Golubkov is in a panic, and Khludov orders the captain to deliver Seraphima to the palace if she has not already been shot. Golubkov is furious at these words and says that he loves Serafima, although she is just a casual acquaintance to him. Khludov continues to mock the young man’s feelings. The captain appears and reports that Seraphim was recaptured by Charnot with a weapon and taken with him to Constantinople. Khludov is also expected on the ship, he is sick, and continues to talk with the ghost of the messenger. Golubkov asks to go with him to Constantinople. Everyone leaves.
Dream 5. Constantinople, summer 1921
One of the streets of Constantinople. Having drunk Charnot, he tries to place a bet at the cockroach racing cash desk on credit, but the “cockroach king” Arthur refuses him. Charnota yearns for Russia, sells her silver gazyrs and a box of toys, and then bets everything on the favorite of the race, Janissary. People have gathered, cockroaches with paper riders are running. In the midst of the competition, it turns out that Arthur drugged the Janissary's favorite cockroach. Everyone who bet on him rushes to Arthur, and he calls the police for help. Dark.
Dream 6. Constantinople, summer 1921
There is a quarrel between Lyusya and Charnota. He lies that the box and gazyri were stolen from him, and she, knowing that he simply lost everything, admits that she is engaged in prostitution. Lyusya reproaches him that, having defeated counterintelligence, Charnota fled the army, and now they are forced to exist in poverty. He objects that he saved Seraphim from death. Golubkov appears in the courtyard, playing the organ. Charnota tells him that Seraphima is alive, but went to the panel. Serafima comes with some Greek, Golubkov and Charnota drive him away. Golubkov confesses his love to Serafima, but she leaves, not wanting to ruin his life. Lucy enters and announces that she is going to Paris. Khludov appears in civilian clothes; he has been demoted from the army. Golubkov decides to go to Paris to see Korzukhin, who is simply obliged to help Seraphima. He turns to Khludov and asks to take care of her until his return, he agrees to help and gives him 2 liras and his medallion for the journey. Charnota rides with Golubkov. The two of them leave. Dark.
Dream 7. Paris, autumn 1921
Golubkov asks Korzukhin to help Serafima and lend her $1,000. Korzukhin refuses to help, saying that he has never been married, but only plans to marry his secretary. Golubkov accuses him of callousness and soullessness. Charnota enters and invites Korzukhin to play cards for money. Before this, he sells him Khludov’s medallion, then plays, wins 20 thousand dollars from Korzukhin and buys the medallion back for 300 dollars. Korzukhin is outraged, and Lucy appears at his cry. Charnota is surprised, but doesn’t show it. Lyusya assures Korzukhin that the money cannot be returned, since he lost it himself. Golubkov and Charnota leave. At parting, Lyusya quietly asks Golubkov to take care of Seraphim.
Dream 8. Constantinople, autumn 1921