Katya is still smiling at him when the door opens and a man steps into the bakery. He is old, dressed in military garb, in his late fifties or so, and swaggers into the bakery as if he is some revolutionary hero.

At first, neither Andrei nor Katya notice him, but they turn their heads slightly when they hear Kseniya scowl as the man approaches.

Kseniya: You again! *under her breath, looking at the man with daggers in her eyes*

Ardalion: Woman, I'm not here to bother you. Don't worry! You're always so worried. I'm just here to get a quick meal. I know your food is good, and I have the money. That's all I'm here for.

Ardalion is dressed in military clothing as if it was still the height of the 1920s. He looks tired but is trying to appear as proud as possible, and his combover is trying desperately to hide his balding scalp.

Katya: *looks alarmed as she hears his voice and turns her head sharply*

Ardalion sees her from the corner of his eye, but he doesn't react and only gives her a knowing smirk. He focuses back on Kseniya and tells her what he wants.

Kseniya takes his money and tells the employees what Ardalion wants, and she looks at him defensively and pensively as he continues to smirk and wait for his meal.

Andrei: There's that damned good-for-nothing! *under his breath, glaring intently at Ardalion*

Kseniya: *under her breath* Always waiting to be served hand and foot, aren't you?

Andrei: *observes, hoping Ardalion doesn't see them.*

Ardalion turns around and sees both of them, and he smiles at them.

Ardalion: Ah, Andrei Danilovich, wasn't it? Fancy seeing you again!

He totally ignores Katya, pretending not to know her at all.

Andrei: Damn it all! *under his breath* I don't remember you. You mistaken me for someone else.

Ardalion: It's nice to see a gloomy guy like you with a nice woman like that! I never knew you were married!

Andrei: *raises and gently tugs on Katya's arm* The lady and I are just leaving. Good day. We're not married! Katya, let's go.

Katya looks away, wondering if she can sneak away to the washroom, but is morbidly curious what will happen next. She looks at Andrei with reassuring eyes when she feels his arm on hers, and clings on to him.

Katya digs her fingers deep into his arm, indicating to him with her eyes that she is scared of this man, Ardalion.

Ardalion: Ah, Katya, is it? Sounds quite familiar, now that I think about it.

Andrei: As I said, we're leaving, sir. Good day. *grits teeth in simmering anger*

Ardalion laughs loudly and glares at Katya, looking at every detail.

Katya shivers--she doesn't even want to know what is going through Ardalion's head as he looks carefully at her.

Ardalion: Come to think of it, wasn't there a Katya in my life a long time ago? What happened to her again...?

His tone is mocking and sarcastic as he walks in front of Andrei and Katya, blocking them away from the entrance

Andrei: *notices her cringe in slight fright, growls at Ardalion* Let us go through, sir. Or do you want to throw you aside like the trash you are?

Ardalion holds up his hands.

Ardalion: Trash? Good sir! I have never insulted you. Why are you so aggressive?

Andrei: You're making the lady uneasy, and your mouth is too big. Let us through. *growls and glares fiercely*

Andrei wonders if Katya knows this man...

Katya looks ill as Ardalion lurches closer towards them.

Ardalion: Why am I making her uneasy? Maybe you're making her uneasy, assuming she's this weak damsel in distress when maybe, she just wants to socialize!

Ardalion laughs at Andrei.

Ardalion: you feel like some kind of hero or something?

Andrei: Hey, you! Let us alone! You're making her uneasy. No, I just know what we men are capable of doing. So let us through! The hell I'm some hero. Maybe you think you are? Judging from your get-up?

Ardalion: Oh no, I'm just a revolutionary! You know how loyal I am to the Party! If it wasn't for me, they wouldn't have won the Civil War!

Ardalion stands proudly, unaware of how foolish he looks as he stands there, thinking he's some kind of hero when he's nothing but a broken old man with no job who is on the Party's "list of suspicious people."

Katya: Leave us alone! I don't even know why you're talking to us! Like you said, you don't even know us...!

Ardalion looks at her and laughs. His eyes suddenly have this mad look to them, as if he's recalling something in the past that he's been thinking for a very long time.

Andrei: To hell with your revolution and civil war. *under his breath, shoves Ardalion aside roughly with one large hand* You heard the lady, let us alone! *growls*

Ardalion: Don't even know you? Haha! Yeah, that's true, we don't know each other! But I sure dislike how meek you are. I thought you would be stronger. Like the soldiers that so many young girls thought they could be during the Civil War, right? Lady? Are you sure this is a lady? *under his breath, sounding wheezy* I'm sure she's not a lady. She's something else. Something pretty rotten. Oh, but that's just something others have told me about! I don't know anything! But you might want to check if that lady of yours, Andrei, has a disease or two you don't know about.

Andrei: Go to hell, you dog. *growls louder, baring his teeth* Leave her alone.

Ardalion: Now the owner of this bakery, she's a true lady. Not this one, though. *looks at Katya* She's nothing but a peasant!

Andrei: *rage raises in him* Shut your mouth if you want to live.

Ardalion: And a whore! *he seems to be drunk on rage now, clearly not in the right mind*

Other people in the bakery stare at Ardalion, realizing he's not in the right mind.

Kseniya: *at Ardalion* GET OUT. NOW! You are causing a lot of trouble here, sir. I don't stand for this kind of insanity here. You must leave, now, or I'll get someone to kick you out!

Andrei: *rages snaps in him. He throws a sound punch and cracks a hard fist across Ardalion's jaw*

Kseniya looks at Andrei with piercing eyes.

Kseniya: Good! Get this man out of my bakery, good sir!

Andrei: Get the hell out! *grabs him by the collar and tosses him like a rag doll*

Kseniya slams the door shut behind him.

Andrei *drags him out the steps, and then punches him again*

Kseniya: *breathes a sigh of relief* Thank you, sir. That was truly a nuisance to deal with. Sometimes we do get people who are not right in the head. I'm sorry about this.

Andrei: Don't you ever approach me or her again! *chases Ardalion by the scruff of his neck*

Andrei: *turns over and approaches Kseniya.* Sorry for that display. My apologies, ma'am. Katya...*turns to Katya* Let's go, Katya.

Kseniya: *at Andrei* Yes, I hope he never approaches us again. He is incredibly rude.

Kseniya purses her lips and looks at Andrei and Katya.

Kseniya: I hope the two of you are alright. I may give you two free meals to make up for that disturbance. I'm awfully sorry about that scoundrel. He's one of my worst enemies!

Katya: *heaving and sighing in the corner, a bit shaken*

Andrei: He's a devil, to be sure, Ma'am. We thank you for your kind offer, but unless Katya wants it, we'd be best be going.

Katya: Y-yes, let's go, Andrei. I don't want to see him or think about him...*nods at Andrei and Kseniya* It's fine, ma'am. Thank you for your offer.

Katya: Shall we go now, Andrei? *she looks sick*

Andrei: Good day to you, Ma'am. Thank you. *then to Katya, placing his arm over her by protective instinct* Let's go, Katya. *leads her outside*

Katya and Andrei are outside now.

Andrei: Devushka, you look sick. Are you all right?

Katya: That was terrifying. I didn't think he would say and do things like that...he's out of his mind. It's terrifying to see someone lose their sanity!

Katya looks like she's about to cry and swallows rather loudly.

Andrei: Hey... *quietly, as though to soothe her, noticing her apparent and intense distress* It's all right. He's gone. There are worse things to see. It's all right.

Katya: There are, definitely. I don't even know why I'm so shook by this...

Katya is determined not to reveal that she knows him, or that she's had 'history' with Ardalion.

Andrei: This really upset you. And he seems to have known you, the dog.

Andrei ponders for a moment....

Katya: *surprised* I'm not sure if he does. He might have just been so out of his mind that he just thought I was someone else... I'm quite sure I don't know him...

He wonders- did she know this man? Had he been someone who made an indelible mark in her past? How else would he have known her to accuse her? Is this why Katya looked at he, Andrei, with such suspicion? Just another many from the army waiting to prey on a girl?

Andrei: I see.

Katya: What do you mean?

Andrei: I wonder though...I wonder if this is why you're scared of me. Everytime you see an old wolf in a uniform, you're reminded of a man in the military like him...

Katya: *bristles* But I said, I don't think I know this man. How can you assume that I know or knew someone in the military like that, in that way?

Andrei: But you knew someone like him.... didn't you?

Katya: Someone like him? Maybe.

Andrei: I just know. I've seen that look of terror on women's faces before when they see men like him...

Her voice wavers. She is unconfident about her lies.

Andrei: or someone like me.... perhaps.

Katya: It's never affected me personally. It's fine. It's just that, I guess, some of my Father's friends were army men, and that's why I said I knew some men from the army before.

She plays with her hair nervously, hoping Andrei will change the subject.

Andrei: I see. They frightened you, didn't they? And you probably served some time in training too. I can tell by your fingers, you've handled firearms before. So you tasted that bitter life a bit, and no doubt you walked among the wolves, maybe even got bitten by one. It's all right. I see now why you don't trust me. Or why you were scared of me in the first place. It all makes sense now.

Katya lowers her head, ashamed that she's been keeping so much from Andrei. She grabs his arm for a second and leans against him.

Katya: Andrei, I'm sorry, but I lied. But I think you know that already. I know that man.

Andrei: *nods* Don't be. I've hidden a lot from you as well. Hidden things you shouldn't know. But if we're going to be friends, we might as well as get used to be honest with one another. I sensed you knew him, the way you looked at him with wide-eyed terror. I know that awful look all too well.

Katya: *cries a little bit* Yes, he did hurt me years ago, how did you know...? I just can't believe he's like this now, half insane, and still full of hate and having the same amount of swagger...it's terrible. He's always been so arrogant, always been like this...even when he's lost half his mind he's like this. I always felt so powerless before him, yet somewhat oddly charmed. It was as if I couldn't stop what he was going to try to do to me...*hangs her head* He's right, I was a liar, somewhat, because I told everyone that he had taken advantage of me, but in reality, perhaps I was just too easily influenced and not virtuous enough. *her face turns red in embarrassment* I mean, might as well be totally honest with you, right? I wonder what you will think now that you know this...

Andrei: So if you don't want to talk about it, we won't. Some things, we can't talk about again in our lives. Some things we can, when the time is right. But if you want to get out of your soul, go ahead and tell me. You might as well tell one wolf what another one did to you .

Katya: I've already told you everything. *gives him a wry smile* Just like Kuzma said, I'm too trusting at times...

They continue walking, Andrei listens, silent, stoic, fixing his eyes on the pavement below and ahead of of their steps.

Katya finds her hand brushing against Andrei's. She doesn't flinch.

Andrei: Virtue- to hell with it. Or whatever the hell people call it or make of it. So you got snared. Is it really your fault? Or his for snaring you? We men are really dogs if we can't stop ourselves if a woman tries to give herself up, or else is lured into the snare.

Katya sighs.

Andrei: I think nothing of it. Just that you have a lot of wounds to deal with. It's good you trusted me enough to confide this to me. Thank you, Katya.

Katya: It's no one's fault, but society's, right?

Her voice is suddenly small and weak, like a child's.

Andrei: It might be some of your fault you slipped down the hill, but it's his fault for sinking his teeth into you. Pardon my words, I'm a brute, I can't help talking like this.

Katya: I shouldn't have served, then, is that what you're saying? I *a bit hard now* should've just stayed in the factory?

Andrei: I didn't say that. You served with good intent.Or to escape the life of the factory. I said, you faltered, but it's his fault he dragged you down the well. But you managed to climb out, all in one piece. That's what matters, right? That's how we survive in this life.

Katya looks at him with a look that can only be described as interesting, and then touches his hand gently.

Katya: Thank you, Andrei. You've been really supportive. I didn't expect this, to be honest. We still barely know each other, but I feel we know each other more now.

Andrei: Slightly perks in surprise at her touching his hand. He looks down in more surprise and blinks several times*

Katya gets closer to him and hugs him tightly.

Andrei: You better know this about me,-I'm honest, and I will say the truth, even it's painful as hell. I can't lie. But....*What are you doing, devushka! *shocked at her hug*

Katya: I just want to be like this for a while. Is that okay?

Her voice is soft and calm.

Andrei: *stiffens in shock at her her tight hug, then relaxes awkwardly and tries to pat her back and shoulders* *tsks and relents with a submissive growl, very low and rumbling* You can be strange, devushka...

She relaxes and then after a few more moments, relaxes her arms around him and gives him a shy look.

Katya: I'm sorry, that was strange. I-I think I'll go home and get my sister now, so we can go to the party. It's already 7:30...It seems like we may not have much time to get your friend. Only if we can rush, right?

Andrei: *stands still with her, puzzled by this moment, but oddly pleased, like a man feeling Spring after a long winter*

Katya: Yes?

Andrei: No... don't apologize....*wants to hold her, as he likes the feeling of the embrace, but remember propriety in this urbane society and keeps reserve in place. He reaches out, almost wanting to touch her face but stops his hands before they bend past his elbows*

Andrei: Right. We should get our people. Get your sister and I'll get my friend. I guess he can dress up and my uniform will suffice?

Katya: Of course, that'd be great. I shall head home and try to get my sister to come. She can be awfully anti-social. See you in around 15 minutes, then! We will meet in front of this bakery then.

Andrei: The opposite of my friend- he's too social. See you then, devushka.

She leaves, giving him a final smile before she disappears down the street.