THE HARVEST

A Musical

On the eve of the German invasion, Russian students are about to graduate and begin their lives. Masha Bruskina dreams of making a name for herself and refuses to believe her friends when they repeat rumors of war.

IN THE BRUSKIN FLAT, ELENA is filling a vase with the flowers. HER easel and canvas stand nearby. As SHE begins painting the flower arrangement, MASHA rushes in, a bit breathless, still in HER coat and head scarf.

ELENA

Where were you all morning? Have you seen the garden - it’s covered—

MASHA

—with weeds, yes, I’ll take care of them.

ELENA

They can’t be weeds, they’re too beautiful.

MASHA

Beautiful? I’ll show you beautiful.

MASHA begins to remove HER head scarf but stops when ANTON enters.

ANTON

Now the reports say troops are massing on the Roumanian and Russian borders. Kirill’s called another meeting. Our plan is to set up a camp in the forest where we’ll be safe. Are you coming with me?

MASHA

No - Anton, don’t—Papa says you’ll have to leave if you don’t stop this. We graduate tomorrow - going to an anti-Communist meeting now could ruin both your lives!

ANTON

How about save our lives?

MASHA

Besides, I can’t. There’s someplace I have to be.

ANTON

What do you have to do that’s more important than this?

MASHA

I’m auditioning for the State Theatre.

ELENA

Masha!

MASHA

I signed up under a different name - I know you think it’s foolish, Anton, but I just need to - to feel I make a difference— so I’ll be remembered for something - that’s all. Look. (Pulling off HER head scarf ) It’s hair tint. “Moonlight Gold.” I traded Katya Rykova nail varnish to do it.

ANTON

You are such a hypocrite - going against the Party with your behavior and accusing us—

ELENA

Anton, go - go on -- be careful no one sees you—

ANTON leaves.

MASHA

Elena, stop him—

ELENA

No - listen - will you? The word is that they target Jews wherever they go. That’s what the Polish refugees say.

MASHA

Will you stop thinking of yourself as a Jew? We are all internationalists like everyone else. Look, I need you to help me. Can you fix my school identification papers? Can you change my name?

ELENA

Change your name? To what?

MASHA

“Aurora.” And my mother’s maiden name - “Bulgakova.” Here - I’ve written it down. “Bulgakova” is more Russian sounding—you know how patriotic they are at the Theatre.

ELENA

I’m not a fool, Masha.

MASHA

Alright - it doesn’t sound Jewish. Jews in Russia change their names all the time to get ahead - why shouldn’t I?

ELENA

(Setting to work) Where did you come up with “Aurora?”

MASHA

You remember - that’s the name of the princess in “Sleeping Beauty.” She danced in the arms of death but she lived. I need something to read for vocal practice - do you have a book? (Lifting a paper from the table.) “The Moonflower,’ by Volodya Scherbatsevich—”

ELENA

Masha!

MASHA

Can I read it - please? Sergei and Mama won’t be home from the market for hours.

ELENA

Oh, go ahead - you will anyway.

MASHA

“Where the moonflower blooms only stars can see

With a beauty that needs no light

Her scent alone might have captured me

As I fell in love with the night

It was there that Elena found me asleep

Where the moonflower’s spell held me fast

But Elena had eyes that beckoned the dawn

And drew me from slumber at last.”

ELENA

He’s so foolish to send them in the mail and sign his name to them.

MASHA

Don’t worry, you can just change “Elena” to “ Comrade Lenin” and he has nothing to worry about. “Elena had eyes that beckoned the dawn.” I wish someone would write a poem about me.

ELENA

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. I wonder if you’ll ever be satisfied.

MASHA applauds the rhyme and they both laugh.

Here you are, “Comrade Bulgakova.”

MASHA

You changed my nationality to Russian? Elena!

ELENA

You know how patriotic they are.

MASHA

Thank you! Thank you, my friend.

THEY embrace. SERGEI bursts in grasping a large envelope.

SERGEI

The post came, Lena - this is from your aunt and uncle in Zagreb, isn’t it?

ELENA nervously tears open the envelope and holds up a bit of yellow cloth. As she scans the letter, SHE emits a cry, letting the paper drop as if it pained her. SHE grabs her coat.

MASHA

Where are you going?

ELENA

To the meeting.

ELENA rushes out. MASHA lifts the letter and reads it as SERGEI retrieves the scrap of yellow cloth from the floor, holding it up so that the shape is seen clearly - a STAR OF DAVID. Lights fall.