Meanwhile, Kuzma goes to the buffet area of the banquet hall and sees Katya and Andrei standing next to each other.

Kuzma approaches them and looks quite pleased to see two people he happens to know at the same time, before it dawns on him that Katya and Andrei may know each other. This comes as a surprise to him.

Andrei: Kuzka, why are you here? *turns around and accosts Kuzma, surprised but civilly welcoming*

Kuzma: Andrei Danilovich! Yekaterina Timofeevna! I did not know that both of you would be showing up at this party, and that you know one another! How great that both friends of mine happen to be friends of each other as well. I am here because I am one of the guests invited by our hosts, the Galkin siblings. Would you like to come and take your seats at our table? Or do you already have your own table to return to?

Kuzma gives a small flash of a smile to Katya, who returns it reluctantly.

Kuzma: I must say you look ravishing tonight, Yekaterina Timofeevna. Green really suits you.

Katya: T-thank you.

Andrei: So you know Ekaterina Timofeevna's supervisor, then, Kuzka? We could join you at your table- what do you think, Kat-I mean, *corrects himself with the formal name* Ekaterina Timofeevna?

Kuzma: Of course. *his eyes never stray from Katya although he is looking at Andrei at the same time* I actually introduced her to Comrade Galkin.

Katya: I think it'd be great if we joined Kuzma Ardalionovich at his table. *nods*

They arrive at Galkin's table. Kuzma takes a seat right next to Galkin, and Sonya is on the other side of Galkin.

Katya sits next to Kuzma, while Andrei is on the other side of Katya.

Andrei: I see. *follows them both to the table, where the Galkin siblings are seated, pouring drinks into fine glasses. Sonya lights a cigarette elegantly*

Kuzma: *at Katya* How are you today, Katya? *he uses her diminutive, not caring what others may think*

Katya: I'm fine. *in a polite tone* Thank you for inviting us to sit with you. It's a pleasure to meet with all of you tonight, Kuzma Ardalionovich, Comrade Galkin, and Sofia Lvovna.

Sonya smiles at Katya and nods, and then focuses on Andrei for a while before looking at Kuzma again.

Sonya: Shall we all formally introduce ourselves? I don't think we all know each other yet. Especially that gentleman over there. *she gives Andrei a sly grin*

Kuzma: Of course. We should do that. As all of you already know, I am Kuzma Ardalionovich Mayakov, a junior writer working under Comrade Galkin's guidance. Pleased to meet you all.

Andrei sits up straight, assessing the group before him. He instantly dislikes Sonya's sly and hungry look direct at him. He thinks Galkin is too hyper.

Galkin: As for myself, I am Aleksandr Lvovich Galkin, founder of the Writers' Union. Comrade Mayakov has shown himself to be quite a good writer in the last year he's been working with me, and he's introduced Comrade Luneva to me as well, who has surprised me with her dedication to her work, as she has never before done work like this before. She is quite the hard worker.

Sonya: *smiling at Andrei, sensing he is a bit miffed by her* I am Sofia Lvovna Galkina, Comrade Galkin's sister and playwright, as well as aspiring actress. It's nice to meet you all. I've heard all about Comrades Mayakov and Luneva's works. Quite great people they are.

Andrei: *nods* Ekaterina Timofeenva is fortunate to have secured a position within your union, Comrade Galkin.

Galkin nods.

Galkin: Quite so, it is fortunate we were able to meet somehow. She appeared just at the right time.

Kuzma: Andrei, will you be introducing yourself to Comrades Galkin and Galkina?

Andrei: *nods, watching Sonya out of the corner of his eyes suspiciously yet subtly*

Sonya watches him back, smiling slightly and touching her neckline suggestively.

Andrei: Forgive me. I am unaccustomed to events like this. *in military style of address* Novokshonov, Andrei, Danilovich. Polkovnik with the ****th Detachment. On medical furlough.

Sonya: So you are from the Army! How wonderful. You've served our nation well, haven't you. Are you a veteran of the Civil War?

Andrei: *eyes narrow at Sonya's display*

Her voice is nauseatingly sweet.

Andrei: *stiffens in grave soberness* Yes, you could say I served in the Civil War. And I serve this Nation now, you can say. *lips hardened into a straight line, eyes become cold and lightless.*

Katya notices the change and wonders what he has been hiding from her , about the Civil War.

Sonya: I see. What a hero! I'm flattered a hero of the Civil War has joined us at our humble table. My brother is planning to do a play about the Civil War, and he might want to get you to help him come up with some ideas, if you'd be interested.

Still as a stone, Andrei sits stiffly in his chair but his strong hands wring his napkin intensely, his hands also tremble, as though containing some great pressure of anger

Katya looks at him with concern and under the table, strokes his hand.

Andrei: I must, Sofia Lvovna, decline. *voice is still, hard, and brittle like poorly cooled hot iron* I can offer nothing really. What happened in the Civil War shouldn't be depicted on the stage.

Kuzma looks at him with curiosity, and wonders if something Sonya had said had really ticked him off.

Sonya: Ah, I see. *sounds disappointed* That's too bad, then. But you may be right. The Civil War was a complex issue, to say the very least. *sips her wine*

Galkin: *sensing the awkwardness* So, Comrade Novokshonov, it seems you know both Comrades Luneva and Mayakov. What a coincidence that is!

Like a red-hot metal touching his hand, Andrei feels Katya's concerned gesture and perks up in surprise. He looks at her puzzled, still scowling hard with an eerie calmness but softening his face enough to silently show thanks.

Katya gives him a small smile. Kuzma catches it and feels the hot sting of jealousy.

Kuzma: *to himself* She's never smiled at me like that. But him! She's only known him for a while, and how? Why?

Andrei: *still caught in recollection of the mention of the Civil War, still distracted* *rouses when Galkin talks* Yes, I have the honor of meeting both Comrades Luneva and Mayakov, Comrade Galkin. They seem to have advanced under your guidance in your union.

Galkin: Thank you! They have already been great workers before they joined, however. I have only brought out their potential.

Andrei: Very much like a training officer- he brings out what he knew the men had in them all along. *nods and drinks the wine dryly, Andrei remains sober and hard-faced*

Galkin: I must advise you as well, that we have a dancing hall next to this room that is accessible over there. *gestures with his hand* If you are interested, we can go now that we have finished with our food. I suppose you may already know who you will be dancing with? *he gives all of them a sly smile*

Kuzma looks at Katya almost demandingly and approaches her, although she is already beside Andrei.

Andrei: *nods, remains silent and stony-faced. He jerks back an inch with Katya so close to his side* *glances over at Kuzma, notices his dour glare*

Andrei: Dance? I can't dance very well.

Kuzma: Katya, do you want to dance with me, then?

His tone is fast and demanding, as well as impatient.

Katya looks at Andrei for a split second and turns back to Kuzma. She looks like she's deep in thought.

Andrei: *shoots a sharp glower at Kuzma and his tone, as though to reproach him for his tone towards Katya*

Kuzma shots a look back at Andrei, confused as to why the older man is acting like this. He feels even more jealous now, convinced that Andrei is stealing Katya away from him.

Katya: I accept, Kuzma Ardalionovich.

She sounds meek and a bit confused at the entire situation.

They are in the dancing room now, and Kuzma and Katya come closer to one another.

Andrei wants to reach out and ask her to dance, but his memory resurfaced, and he needs to cool off. He's struggled with his condition before, and it erupted right there. He must arrest it. But he regrets not being more genteel to dance with her.

Andrei remains standing stiffly by the wall, nursing a tonic and gin.

Meanwhile, Lera and Liza are also in the dance room.

Liza looks at her sister dancing with Kuzma awkwardly, and laughs a bit.

Liza then sees Andrei off by himself and decides to talk to him.

Liza: Hey, I thought you would be dancing with my sister.

Andrei: *still hardened, trying to remain calm* What? *dazed slightly*

Liza: I thought you were going to dance with her.

Andrei: *glances over his should, turns around and faces Liza, like man emerging from a sleep* Well, she is dancing with Kuzka- I mean, Kuzma Ardalionovich. He is better at this daintier art than I am. *tsks*

Liza snorts.

Liza: Doesn't really seem like it. But I guess, both of you seem to be pretty obsessed with her. *lowers her voice* Why?

Andrei: Obsessed? What do you mean? I happen to know your sister and I'd like to be her friend. Is that illegal now, too?

Liza: Never mind, then. But I wouldn't be surprised if that Kuzma Ardalionovich started to kiss her right now. Ugh, I hate this romance shit so much. Why do I keep on having to see it?

Andrei: Hey. *voice is quiet yet reproachful* Tsk! No one asked to look at it. Let your sister live her life and you lives yours, rebnok...

Liza: You dislike Sonya too?

Andrei: *under his breath* Maybe he's better for her....*intently watches them dance, his gaze riveted on them*

Liza: I noticed that you didn't. Me and Lera were watching you interact with the Galkins.

Andrei: Who? Her? That tartish actress? Bah! *tsks and grunts in disdain*

Liza: It seems like you already really dislike her, even after only one conversation!

Andrei: Well, she is like a cat, clever, mean, and sly. I don't like her. Why are you talking with me? I thought you were set against me. Where is Lechka? Damn fool always running off during parties.

Liza: I don't know where he went. He was with me when I came in here, though.

Lera: *elegantly glides through the hall and finds Andrei and Liza* Ah, Yelizateva Timofeevna, you abandoned me.

Liza: Hey, you were getting boring for a while. I had something to ask Dron, for some time.

Lera: Dron, you're not with your pensive loon? What happened? did she spirit away?

Andrei: Both of you, stop calling me that!

Liza: Dron is too busy focusing on my sister dancing with the man in the white suit. He's love sick and won't stop staring at them. He's probably dying of jealousy right now. *her tone is hilariously flat*

Andrei: *whips head and glares at her* Enough of that, rebnok. *grits teeth grumpily* I'm simply watching herself enjoy the evening. I'm bored and hate parties. What would you have me do, then?

Liza: Well, I hate parties too. You caught me there. I've got nothing to say in response.

Lera: Come, come! What glum little owls my godmother's made me watch over! Surely, Dron, you can find someone to talk? Come along, Yelizateva, let's entertain our out of place Scythian here.

Andrei: *growls in refusal*