Emilie Hetland REVOLUTIONARY

Utdrag, S.82-83:

Old and New

Countess Panina's residence - with all the

grandeur representing the old Russia, the place

bears a striking resemblance to the Domontovich

residence. The countess is sitting down in her

best evening gown clutching her golden walking

cane, a servant is standing in the background.

Alexandra enters.

ALEXANDRA

Mrs. Panina...?

PANINA
Countess. I am a countess and you shall direct me accordingly. ALEXANDRA
These are different times... Countess.

PANINA

Indeed. Yet you've come to visit me in my cell. How

very kind of you.

ALEXANDRA

You call this a cell?

PANINA

Have a seat.

Alexandra looks at the servant.

ALEXANDRA

Why don't we all sit?

PANINA

Are you insane? Sit down, girl.

ALEXANDRA

I prefer standing. With my equals.

PANINA

You are a fool if you think they are more equal to you

than I am. Ask any of them if they know the difference

between a Parisian dress and an English one, ask them

if they've read Pushkin and Tolstoy, if they ever saw

the inside of a mansion like this, like you and I have

known our entire lives, before I took them in to serve

out of the kindness of my heart... Sit down!

Alexandra stays put.

PANINA

What do you want?

ALEXANDRA

A horse.

PANINA

A horse?!

ALEXANDRA

90 000 rubles. And the key to the safe.

PANINA

So direct. Such a demanding presence. Is that why you

were chosen? Or were you, like me, given the 'feminine'

ministry because you're just a woman?

ALEXANDRA

In the new Russia men and women are equal.

PANINA

You believe that?

ALEXANDRA

I do.

PANINA

The press is all over you.

ALEXANDRA

I wouldn't know, I don't concern myself with gossip.

PANINA

'It is plain that her revolutionary enthusiasm is

nothing but a gratification of her uncontrollable

sexual desire in men.' 'She seeks new forms of sexual

sadism' 'When Lenin speaks, Kollontai squeaks.'

ALEXANDRA

None of that's true.

PANINA

You're just a woman in politics, don't take it

personally.

ALEXANDRA

Give me the key and the money. And stop urging your

former employees not to work with me or break the

strike.

PANINA

It's absurd to invite servants to sit in armchairs at

meetings, you know.

ALEXANDRA

In my ministry everyone will be paid the same as me,

and everyone will be invited to sit in whatever chair

they like.

PANINA

You're trembling. What is it? Are you afraid of me?

ALEXANDRA

You're just an old woman. That's nothing to be afraid

of.

PANINA

You will become an old woman yourself one day.

Neglected and forgotten. How will it end? This bloodbath your comrades have started?

ALEXANDRA

We've pulled our troops out of the war.

PANINA

Civil war is still a war, mrs. Kollontai.

ALEXANDRA

The key and the money! Or do you want me to find you a

proper cell?

PANINA

That won't be necessary. My servant will fetch it for

you upstairs.

ALEXANDRA

I'll do it myself, thank you very much.

She's about to leave.

PANINA

Do you know where to look?

Alexandra stops. Panina snaps her fingers and the

servant accompanies Alexandra.

PANINA

Don't be naive, Kollontai. Your admirable convictions

of equality - they won't last.