Drunk (Chekhov)
Short summary
Russia, late 19th century. Manufacturer Frolov and his lawyer Almer were drinking in a restaurant after a ball. Both wore dress coats and white ties.
Frolov displayed his wealth and temper by breaking dishes when displeased with service. He summoned various restaurant characters for entertainment: an old engineer who carried out commissions, a young Tatar boy named Mustafa, a parasite who performed for money, and gypsy singers. As he drank more, Frolov confessed to Almer that he hated his wife of two years, suspecting she married him for money.
The evening descended into a wild orgy of drinking, singing, and foolish behavior. Frolov spent nearly a thousand rubles. As they left, Frolov, now completely drunk, bitterly remarked to his lawyer that none of his companions truly helped him despite his obvious problems.
"You are a well-educated, clever man, but you only laugh and drink with me... there's no help from any of you.... But if you were a friend to me, if you were an honest man, in reality you ought to have said to me: 'Ugh, you vile, hateful man!'"
At his doorstep, Frolov kissed Almer goodbye and expressed hope that someday a thunderstorm might strike him dead in the fields. He then staggered upstairs, supported by two footmen.
Detailed summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
Introduction to Frolov, Almer, and the restaurant setting
In a private room of a restaurant on the outskirts of town, a manufacturer named Frolov and his lawyer Almer were drinking after attending a ball. Both men were still dressed in formal attire with white ties and dress coats. They had ordered the room exclusively for themselves, with no other patrons allowed entry.
Initial dissatisfaction and confrontation with the waiters
The evening began with vodka and oysters. When a dignified waiter with a shaven upper lip and grey whiskers brought sauce for herring, Frolov became enraged at what he perceived as poor service. He twisted the tablecloth, causing dishes, candlesticks, and bottles to crash to the floor.
The waiters, accustomed to such outbursts, calmly cleaned up the mess. Frolov then demanded to see the engineer, an old man who once had been wealthy but now worked at the restaurant supervising staff. The engineer appeared, apologized profusely, and promised to fulfill Frolov's wishes immediately.
Entertainment at the restaurant and Frolovs growing melancholy
After the table was reset, Almer enjoyed various delicacies while Frolov drank only vodka with bread. The atmosphere grew somber as Frolov became increasingly melancholic. He complained that alcohol, unlike for others, brought him no joy but only anger and disturbing thoughts.
"One drinks and is none the merrier. The more I pour into myself, the more sober I become. Other people grow festive with vodka, but I suffer from anger, disgusting thoughts, sleeplessness."
An old gypsy woman appeared, asking if the gypsies could order tea and brandy. After Frolov agreed, a bald old man in a reefer jacket entered the room. Frolov introduced him as a parasite who had made his fortune by grunting like a pig. He mixed various alcoholic drinks with spices and gave it to the man, who drank it with pleasure.
Frolovs confession about hating his wife
After drinking champagne, Frolov became increasingly agitated about something troubling him deeply. He confided in Almer that he hated his wife, Marya Mihalovna, despite having married her for love just two years earlier. He had no explanation for this hatred but found her presence unbearable.
"I am a distrustful man. I don't believe in anyone, I suspect everybody. And the more friendly you are to me the greater my torment. I keep fancying I am being flattered for my money. I trust no one!"
Frolov explained that his troubles began when he started suspecting his wife had married him for his money. This suspicion, combined with her extravagant spending after their marriage, had poisoned his mind. He described himself as distrustful and difficult, unable to believe in anyone's sincerity.
Wild party with gypsies and excessive spending
Frolov called for Mustafa, a young Tatar boy in a dress coat and white gloves. When asked to explain how Tatars went from conquering Russians to serving them as waiters, the boy replied with his famous phrase about "the mutability of destiny," which amused Almer greatly.
The gypsies were then summoned, and a wild party ensued. In a frenzy typical of wealthy men, Frolov began behaving recklessly - ordering expensive food and champagne for the gypsies, breaking the electric light shade, and throwing bottles at mirrors and pictures. Despite his extravagance, he showed no enjoyment, acting with contempt and hatred.
"In the frenzy which sometimes takes possession of spoilt and very wealthy men, 'broad natures,' Frolov began to play the fool... and did it all apparently without the slightest enjoyment, scowling and shouting irritably."
Frolovs bitter return home and final reflections
By six in the morning, Frolov received a bill for nine hundred and twenty-five roubles. He paid without protest, remarking bitterly that being robbed was what he was rich for. As he and Almer left the restaurant, Frolov expressed his dread of returning home and lamented that he had no one to whom he could truly open his soul.
At the entrance to his house, Frolov kissed Almer and called himself a difficult, hateful man. He suggested that if Almer were truly his friend, he would condemn Frolov for his behavior rather than simply drinking with him. His only hope, he said, was that someday a thunderstorm might strike him dead in the fields. Two footmen then helped the drunken Frolov up the stairs to his home.
"The only hope is that, when I am in the country in the summer, I may go out into the fields and a storm come on and the thunder may strike me dead on the spot.... Goodbye."