The Idol: читать начало книги онлайн

Tomov. It’s him! He looks so real.

Mancev. What’s the matter?

Anna. (reading). «On the photo: an adventurous conqueror of the forbidding Devil’s Fang mountain-climber Victor Mancev».

Tomov. Vityok, can I shake your brave hand?

Mancev. Why is there me only?

Vasil. Don’t get upset, we don’t mind at all.

Mancev. But why?!

Anna. Oh, there is an urgent message here.

Tomov. What’s that?

Anna. Don’t tear up the newspaper!

Mancev. Anna, read aloud.

Anna. (reading). «Avalanche in Mountains».

Tomov. Hey, everybody get silent!

Anna. (reading). «Last night the dwellers of the local villages heard a threatening rumble…» We heard nothing didn’t we, Vasil?

Tomov. You were sleeping like gophers in their holes.

Anna. Hey, you!

Mancev. Anna, go on!

Anna. «A mighty avalanche fell down at midnight sharp. At that moment a radio connection with a group of mountaineers climbing up the Devil’s Fang broke».

Tomov. The guys are totally screwed up!

Vasil. Don’t croak!

Anna. Spit three times and knock at a piece of wood right away!

Tomov. Well, if it helps them… Vasil, where is your head to knock at?

Anna. «By morning several rescue brigades headed for the mountains. However, the group of climbers have not been found yet. Their traces are lost».

Levan. No wonder they are lost! The devil is going to break his neck there. Believe me or not?

Mancev. That’ s why it is called the Devil’s Fang.

Tomov. This peak won’t have mercy on anyone. And it won’t let anyone back.

Anna. But we have gone through. Haven’t you forgotten?

Tomov. It’s by a fluke. Blind luck. I wouldn’t take such a risk for the second time. (Singing). «Hey, apple, where are you rolling? Should you get to the Devil’s Fang you won’t roll back»!

Anna. Vasil, Vitya, just tell him! Is there a hope?

Vasil. Just a slight one.