Pushkin and Gogol

by Daniil Kharms (Thanks to SovLit.com)

GOGOL: (Falls onto stage from the wings and lies quietly.)

PUSHKIN: (Enters, stumbles over Gogol and falls.) The Devil! It seems I've stumbled over Gogol!

GOGOL: (Rises.) How disgusting! You can't even rest. (Walks, stumbles over Pushkin and falls.) It seems I've stumbled over Pushkin!

PUSHKIN: (Rising) Not a minute of peace! (Walks, stumbles over Gogol and falls.) The Devil! It seems I've stumbled over Gogol again!

GOGOL: (Rising) Always drunk! (Walks, stumbles over Pushkin and falls.) How disgusting! Again it's Pushkin!

PUSHKIN: (Rising) Hooliganism! Sheer hooliganism! (Walks, stumbles over Gogol and falls.) The Devil! Again it's Gogol!

GOGOL: (Rising) This is sheer mockery! (Walks, stumbles over Pushkin and falls.) Again it's Pushkin!

PUSHKIN: (Rising) The Devil! Really, the Devil! (Walks, stumbles over Gogol and falls.) Gogol!

GOGOL: (Rises.) Disgusting! (Walks, stumbles over Pushkin and falls.) Pushkin!

PUSHKIN: (Rising) The Devil! (Walks, stumbles over Gogol and falls off stage.) Gogol!

GOGOL: (Rising) Disgusting! (Exits.)

(From off stage is heard Gogol's voice: "Pushkin!")

CURTAIN