Cabinet Minister's Wife

7/27/2019 Cabinet Minister's Wife

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Cabinet Minister's Wife

A play by Branislav Nusic

ACT I

Old sofa, two armchairs and a couple of chairs. Two doors: left and right and a window on the left. In the

middle of the room there is a table with an old torn pants.

1. Zivka, SavkaSavka (sitting by the table): What are you thinking about?

Zivka(standing behind the table, with a tailor meter around her neck and big sccissors in hand. Puts the

top of the scissors on her lips and looks in the pants) I'm looking, you know, how to avoid this outworn

piece.

Savka: You cannot avoid it, better put some other piece instead.

Zivka: Done. Anyway, these are going to last only from Friday to Saturday.

Savka: Ripping them, huh? You know how it is, (nek je iv i zdrav) let him tear them.

Zivka: Not that he is tearing the clothes, aunt, but he _____________. And I buy him new ones, and I am

fixing old ones, and in the end, nothing lasts more than twenty for hours.

Savka: Bad boy, very bad boy!

Zivka: (measuring and cutting) But it's not like we overrun with money! We are harly making ends meet.

Savka: Nice salary.

Zivka: Not really. When you deduct taxes, paying for the rent, buying wood, you get left with bare

hands. It's hard today to live only with salary, but he can't even do that. He does not mind about his

business and his house; instead he is carried away by the politics.

Savka: Well, yes.

Zivka: Yes, other people deal with politics, but still, they care about their lives as well. All those

commissions, assesments, and the meetings, and they still manage it somehow. But he just cannot do it.

This is not working, it will harm the party's reputation, that is not working, the opposition will argue!

And all of that all over again. And the girl, you see, we have not paid her for three months already, and

we haven't paid the rent for last month, and where are the utilities; and the milk, and the groceries

and... well, you know already!


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Savka: It's hard these days, it is...

Zivka: You still haven't got your coffee? Now, she is lazy; you have to tell her three times before she

does it. (Goes to the back door) Anka, what's with the coffee?

Anka: (from outside) It's coming!

Zivka: Oh, youth today. At least behave properly if someone pays you!

2. Zivka, Savka, AnkaAnka: (coming in with coffee and putting it on the table) Here you are!

Zivka: Do I have to beg you three times for one coffee?

Anka (rude) It's not like I was sitting on a sofa, I had things to do (walks away)

3. Zivka, SavkaZivka: There, you see? I feel like, God help me, pulling this scissors and ripping her head off! But what

am I going to do, I have to put up. I owe her for three months now, so I have to put up.

Savka: (drinks coffee out loud) Eh... that's the youth today.

Zivka: That is exactly why I called you, aunt Savka, so that I can ask you to lend us some money... Around

200 dinars.

Savka (surprised) Me? What makes you think I got that money?

Zivka: Well, the one that you have in your account.

Savka: Oh, no, do not count on that. I will not touch that money. I hardly collected it, for dark times, God

forbid...

Zivka: God, aunt Savka, you are acting as if we are not going to pay you back. We'll pay you interest as

well, and in three months you'll have your money back. Listen to me, I will make him get into some

board. Enough with the party! Djoka, Draga's husband built the entire house by being in the party, and

mine one is ruining it!

Savka: Are you sure?

Zivka: Aboutwhat?

Savka: That he will become memeber of the board?

Zivka: Are you doubting we will pay you back?

Savka: It's not that, but, you know, I wouldn't like to touch that money, so, I say, if he doesn't get into

the board...


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Zivka: Well, it does not have to be the board exactly, he can do something else. And if he can't do

anything alse, so you know, we'll borrow money somewhere else and give you back yours. So, you will

get yours anyway

Savka: Well, if it is only for three months...

Zivka: Not a day more!

4. Zivka, Savka, Raka, AnkaRaka: (high school student, goes inside without books and without hat, with torn clothes)

Anka (enters behind him with books and a hat in her hands)

Zivka: My son, have you been fighting again?

Raka: No, I did not.

Anka: Yes, he did!

Zivka: (talking to Savka) Look at him, like he has been in the war.

Anka: (leaves books on the table) And his hand is bleeding, too.

Zivka: Oh, my! (takes his hand which is wrapped in a handkerchief) You idiot! (To Anka) Bring some

water to wash this. (Anka goes away) And he says he did not fight!

Raka: (stubbornly) I did not!

Zivka: Then what did you do?

Raka: We were protesting.

Zivka: What kind of protesting, so help me God?

Raka: Against the government.

Savka: And what do you have to do with the government, son?

Raka: Nothing, but I shouted: Down with the government!

Zivka: There you go, and then tell me I don't have to worry. For God's sake, what was your business tomess with protests?

Raka: But it wasn't just me, it was the whole world. There, they are still fighting on the Square, and the

Government had quit because one of the workers got killed and three of them are wounded.

Zivka: Oh my, oh my, oh my! He'll lose his head one day!


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Anka: (with washbowl and pitcher) Come with me to the kitchen so that I can wash your face

Raka: Why would I want to wash my face?

Zivka: Go there, and wash that hand. Don't you see that you look likeinterski egrt (pushes Raka and he

leaves with Anka)

5. Zivka, SavkaZivka: There, now you try dealing with him, when he comes home everyday like this.

Savka: Well, I have to go, I got some business to do. And I see that I'm interrupting you.

Zivka: So what about that thing?

Savka: What thing?

Zivka: Well, you remember, the loan?

Savka: Oh, that? Well, how can I tell you this: I'd like not to touch that money, but if it is a necessity...

Zivka: Oh, thank you so much dear Auntie, I will never forget this.

Savka: Do you want me to bring it in the evening?

Zivka: Yes, please, even today! Well, stop by... aunt Savka, don't you dare not to stop by. I can't, trust

me: If I could, I would have visit you. But don't pay any attention to that, just stop by whenever you can.

Either way you are alone, so stop by to have lunch with us sometimes; come as if this is your own home.

Savka: (at the door) So, I'll stop by in the evening. Goodbye. (goes away)

Zivka: Bye, aunt! (Comes back to the table and wraps up the pants)

6. Zivka, RakaRaka: (comes with a clean face and goes to the front door)

Zivka: And where do you think you're going?

Raka: Over there!

Zivka: Oh, you crazy boy, didn't you have enough? You have D in latin, D in religion and in math D! Youdo not care about that, but you care about protesting. And the fact that you are going to fail a year

nothing!

Raka: Well, my dad failed four years, so...

Zivka: Don't you look up to your father!


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Raka: (sarcastic) No, like I'm gonna look up to you!

Zivka: Oh my God, how did I get this idiot? Get out of my sight!

Raka: (goes out at the door at the same time when Ceda and Dara arrive)

7. Zivka, Ceda, DaraCeda: (comes in with his wife well dressed) Here we are. We got back just like we left.

Dara: We went for nothing.

Zivka: Why, haven't you found anyone at home?

Ceda: Listen to me, I am not going to take any of your advices anymore. Go to this Minister, visit that

Minister, go to another Minister...

Zivka: Well, my dear son in law, I do not need the upper class: you do.

Ceda: I know that, but how can you send us to Mrs. Petrovic when she wouldnt even let us in?

Dara: She was not at home.

Ceda: She was, wasnt she? The girl was inside for 10 minutes whispering before she got out telling us

that the lady is not at home.

Zivka: And is that my fault? I asked her over my godmother Draga and she told me: let them come. How

can I say no to Zivkas daughter? I havent seen her since she got married.

Ceda: I havent seen her since she got married, and on the other hand, she slams the door in front ofour noses And the one from yesterday she didnt see Mrs. Zivkas daughter since she got married as

well?

Dara: Dont be like that. She really was not at home, we saw her later on the carriage.

Zivka: There, you see! And it does not work that way. Sometimes you have to knock on the same door

five or six times. Also, you can see there are some protests outside, so who knows: maybe ministers got

confused by that.

Ceda: Well, if the ministers are confused, why do their wives have to be confused as well?

Zivka: Now, dont be like that. I know, Mrs. Nata told me. She said: its crisis, and my husband is a

minister, and nothing. He is peaceful, God kill him, acting as if there is no crisis, and me, poor girl,

confused like no one else is; salting my meal three times, pouring oil into my lamp, wearing reversed

socks and things like that. Id prefer, she told me, to have pneumonia rather than another minister crisis.

Dara: Here I am listening to you, without taking my hat off. (goes into the room) Mother, did the tailor

come to bring my dress?


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Zivka: Not yet.

Dara: Im going to send Raka to call her again (she goes away)

8. Zivka, CedaCeda: (lights a cigarette) This does not work this way anymore.

Zivka: Well, it doesnt. But let me tell you, the upper class would not help you as well. There is no class

that can pay out your debts.

Ceda: Why are you always rubbing the debts in my face? I did not make them out of anger, but when a

man marries a woman with no dowry, and starts building a house

Zivka: We didnt make you marry her. You were the one telling that you love her.

Ceda: And you were the one telling that there are 12000 dinars of dowry.

Zivka: Well, there are.

Ceda: And where are they? Id love to see those 12000 dinars.

Zivka: You are going to get them from the insurance company.

Ceda: I will, but when you and my father in law die.

Zivka: Well, I guess you could wait by then.

Ceda: I could die by then.

Zivka: That wouldnt be much of damage.

Ceda: Well, for you it wouldnt. You could even inherit my insurance.

9. Zivka, Ceda, PeraPera: (coming in the room) Excuse me I knocked twice.

Zivka: Yes, come on in!

Pera: Is Mister at home?

Zivka: No

Pera: He is not in his office either.

Ceda: Are you a government official?

Pera: Yes, I am a clerk working for Mr. Popovic. I wanted to let him know that the cabinet has resigned. I

wanted to, you know, be the first one to tell him.


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Ceda: Is that certain?

Pera: It sure is! And it seems that Mr. Popovic knows that already since he did not come to the office.

Zivka: He did not come at all?

Pera: Well, he did come this morning, but somehow he left immediately, as soon as he heard that the

government quit.

Ceda: Well, that means he already knows!

Pera: He certainly does. However, I wanted to be the first one to tell him. Maybe he does not know, and

everyone says that ours are called to constitute new government.

Zivka: (pleasantly surprised): Ours?

Pera: Yes, ours, and I would like to tell him personally.

Ceda: And ours are?

Pera: Well, ours! Mr. Stevanovic has already gone to the court.

Zivka: Stevanovic?

Pera: I saw him with my own eyes.

Zivka: Oh my God, wouldnt that be good! Did you personally see Stevanovic when he went there?

Pera: I saw him!

Zivka: He went to the court?

Pera: Yes!

Zivka: Thank you sir, thank you so much for letting us know.

Pera: I am going to go to the square now; Ill walk there under the chestnut trees, and if I see anything

else, I will let you know. Im just asking you to, when Mr. Popovic comes, tell him that I was the first one

to come to tell him that ours will constitute the cabinet.

Ceda: Will do!

Pera: (to Mrs. Zivka looking at her with confidence) Please, madam, just tell him: Pera the Clerk from

administration department.

Zivka: I will, sir!

Pera: (already at the door) If there is anything interesting, you would have let me


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Ceda: Oh, I beg your pardon

Pera: You would have let me (goes away)

10.Zivka, CedaZivka: Come here, I have not hugged you since your wedding day (hugs him)

Ceda: But what are you so happy about?

Zivka: Look at that! Instead being happy, you are asking questions. Raka! Raka!

Ceda: Being happy for what?

Zivka: Ours! Did you hear what the man says? Ours!

Ceda: What man?

Zivka: Well, this one

Ceda: Pera the clerk from administration department. For him, the ours are everyone who constitutes

the cabinet. He is, certainly, telling that to everyone.

Zivka: But the man said, Stevanovic went to the court.

Ceda: So?

Zivka: So! You can prosper in your career, so can him

Ceda: Who?

Zivka: What do you mean who? Sima!

Ceda: My father in law is already head of the Ministry, what can he do more?

Zivka: What about State Council or President of the city? Well, let me tell you, if one wants, there are

plenty of things! (standing at the door) Raka! Raka!

Ceda: What do you need him for?

Zivka: To go and get me newspapers. I am dying of curiosity. Raka! Raka!

11.Zivka, Ceda, The Ministry BoyThe ministry boy: Good day, Mrs.

Zivka: (scared) Oh! Hello!

The ministry boy: I beg your pardon, I was sent by the Mister to get his hat.


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Zivka: Hat?

The ministry boy: Yes, hat

Zivka: (acting as if she does not believe) Well, hat?

The ministry boy: Yes!

Zivka: Oh, my legs are numb all of a sudden. Did Mister tell you to get him his hat?

The ministry boy: Yes, he did.

Ceda: (suddenly interested) And where is he?

Zivka: Really. Where is he?

The ministry boy: He is in the Ministry.

Zivka: And did he tell you why does he need his hat?

Ceda: There you go! Why would he tell this boy why does he need his hat?

Zivka: Oh, God, Im so confused. Where is Dara now? Raka! Raka!

Ceda: (at the door) Dara! Dara!

12.Zivka, Ministry Boy, Ceda, RakaRaka: (comes in) Why are you calling me?

Zivka: Did you buy the newspapers? Oh, yes, God help me, I have not even told you to. And where is

Dara?

Dara: (on the other door) I was in the kitchen.

Zivka: The hat, your father asks for a hat!

Dara: So, where is it?

Zivka: Last time, when there was reception at a Kings ball, I put it in the room over there, on the top of

the closet.

Raka: But I saw it in the dining room behind the fireplace.

Zivka: Well, for Gods sake, go there, find it!

Dara and Ceda (leave the room)

Zivka: (to the Ministry boy) And was the Mr. in the good mood when he looked for his hat?


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The Ministry Boy: No, he wasnt.

Zivka: Was he angry?

The Ministry Boy: He was not angry either

Dara (coming back) Its gone!

Ceda: (coming after Dara) We couldnt find it anywhere!

Zivka: How is that possible? (goes at the back door) Anka! Anka! (to everybody) Well, look for it, for

Gods sake!

Ceda: Oh my. Why are you so upset?

Zivka: Well, its always like that, when he wears his hat once a year. Who knows where is it!

13.Zivka, Ministry Boy, Ceda, Raka, AnkaAnka: How can I help you?

Zivka: Do you know, Anka, where is misters hat?

Anka: It was on the top of the closet, but this guy (points at Raka) took it down when he played with it

Zivka: God damn you!

Raka: Thats not true! I just took the box to make airplane and I left the hat.

Zivka: Where did you leave it, then?

Raka: I dont know!

Zivka: Oh, come on, look for it, look for it, it has to be found! (everybody goes around the house looking

for it)

14.Ceda, The Ministry BoyCeda: (to the boy) Are you in the ministry for a while now?

The Ministry Boy: Im there for a very long time, sir

Ceda: And to you, its a common thing when you change the government? Did you change a lot of

them?

The Ministry Boy: A lot! You cannot imagine to how many I watched the backs while they were leaving

Ceda: So, you have sixth sense for this? You know how to smell the situation?


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The Ministry Boy: (flattered) Well of course! I knew three days ago that this government will go

down.

Ceda: Well, dont say.

The Ministry Boy: Oh, trust me, I know that even ifI dont read the newspaper. As soon as I see that the

Minister is calling his treasury every moment, and as soon as I spot a lot of wrinkled papers in the bin by

the Ministers desk, I say to myself: he is getting ready!

Ceda: And what does it mean when someone sends you for a hat?

The Ministry Boy: It means that the Mr. is called to the Court and that job needs to be done quickly,

because it happened already that I bring hat to someone and he tells me: Its too late, you can take it

back

Ceda: (disturbed) So, thats what happened too? (goes quickly at the door) Bring that hat already!

15.Zivka, Dara, Ceda, Anka, The Ministry BoyZivka: (brings the hat and cleans it with the blouse sleeve)

Dara and Raka: (coming after her)

Zivka: Well, it had to be gone when he put it under sofa and filled it with nuts! Who would have thought

of looking under the sofa?

Ceda: (takes hat from Zivka, puts it in the Ministry boys hand and pushes him away) Go, go! The destiny

of this country is in your hands! Hurry, please, hurry!

16.Zivka, Dara, Ceda, AnkaZivka: (To Ceda) Do you know something?

Ceda: No, of course, but yes! The crisis the hat

Zivka: And you are still here? Why dont you go over there?

Ceda: Where?

Zivka: To the main square!

Ceda: Pera from administration department is already there!

Zivka: Well, how can you hold on and wait for someone else to bring you news! Give me my hat, I am

going by myself?

Ceda: Where?

Zivka: To the main square!


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Dara: Mom, please dont!

Raka: I will go as well (goes towards door)

Ceda: Ok, ok, Im coming

Zivka: (To Ceda) But, dont get stuck into mehana! Go everywhere, see everything, and if you hear

something, come right away! You know how are we here, burning to hear something!

Ceda: (taking his hat) Dont worry, Ill let you know! (goes away)

17.Zivka, DaraZivka: (sits on the sofa) Oh god, I cant even say it, but do you know what it means when he asks for his

hat?

Dara: No.

Zivka: They are calling him to the Court.

Dara: Father? Why is that?

Zivka: Why? Oh, you are stupid! Oh God, how come that none of my kids has any of my traits. Everyone

is stupid just like their father! (Imitates her)Why are they calling him? Well, they are not calling him to

nasauje kvokeYouve heard yourself: the government is now, and they need to form a new one.

Dara: Well, dont you think that?

Zivka: What do I think? Come on, tell me, what do I think?

Dara: Dont you think that father would be new minister?

Zivka: Oh it scares me to think something like that, but I do. Well, he looked for his hat. Dont you see

that I am holding all my fingers crossed? I pulled them so bad, I am afraid they will break, but thats at

least what I can do for my husband.

Dara: Oh, my god. Well, if that happened, then my Ceda could

Zivka: Yeah, like anybody cares about Ceda. I wish you listened to me

Dara: Listened to you about what?

Zivka: Well, you see If your father became a minister, you could have married very nicely as a

ministers daughter

Dara: (insulted) God, mom, why are you talking like that?

Zivka: Well, Im just saying.


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Dara: It is good as it is.

Zivka: It is good for you, but for him

Dara: Him?

Zivka: Well, of course. He has no education, he knows no languages, he cant build a career for himself,

so it doesnt suit you

Dara: He is good enough for me, and you dont have to like him at all. If I am satisfied, what is your

problem with that?

Zivka: Well, I know that about you. If someone touches him, its like he touched you in the eye.

Dara: Well, it is!

18.Zivka, dara, PeraPera: (coming in) Excuse me, I

Zivka: (jumps of the sofa) what is it, for Gods sakes? Is there anything new?

Pera: There is.

Zivka: Well, speak up!

Pera: I saw him.

Zivka: Who?

Pera: Him, the mister. I saw him, he want to the Court with a hat on his head.

Zivka: (excited) Are you sure?

Pera: Of course Im sure! I was looking at him just like I am looking at you now. I said hello to him.

Zivka: And he?

Pera: He said hello to me too.

Zivka: And you dont know why did he go to court?

Pera: Of course I know: all of our people are invited.

Zivka: And you think it could be done even today?

Pera: Not today; now! Who knows, maybe they even signed it.

Zivka: (to Dara) Cross your fingers, Dara! (to Pera) Is it possible that it is already signed?


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Pera: Im going to wait for them when they come out; Ill read it from their faces. But now I am begging

you to tell the mister that I was the first one who came to tell him that he was invited to Court. And I

will

Zivka: Yes, come as soon as you hear something.

Pera: I am Pera, the notary from administration department (goes away)

19. Zivka, DaraZivka: Dara, my child, I feel like crying. (crying) What about you? You dont feel anything?

Dara: Of course I do; I am so excited! Just let me tell you, I do not believe in this amount of luck.

Zivka: Listen, get dressed and then we will go to the main square to wait for them.

Dara: But, mother, this isnt how things are working!

Zivka: Well, yes, I see your point; because he is minister, there is no point for me to walk until there!

Dara: Not because of that, because of other people!

Zivka: But I am so impatient! I just cannot wait for the news! And where is now that husband of yours,

why isnt he coming? (looking through the window) He is in some mehana, not caring that we are dying

of nervousnes. (nervously walking around) Oh, should I turn into fly now to fly into the Court to hear

with my own ears how the King tells to my Sima: I called you, Mr. Sima, to offer you a place in the

ministry!

And he, instead of saying Thank you, your majesty hell start to stutter. Oh, my, I am sure he will

stutter!

Dara: (angrily) Mom, please!

Zivka: Oh, my daughter, I dont care about anything else, but just to make Mrs. Dara get of the state

carriage, at least for 24 hours. She is glued to that carriage like a post stamp, and she thinks no one can

take her down. Well, youre going down, my son. As soon as in the afternoon and we will be on that

ministry carriage.

Dara: But, wait, mom, we should wait until

Zivka: In the end, I dont even care about Mrs. Dara. At least she is well-mannered, her father was the

headmaster of the Control service. But Mrs. Nata! Oh, damn the day when she became ministers wife!

Her mother rented apartments for single men, and she made beds for them

Dara: Mom, dont be like that. Even you can become ministers wife, you see.

Zivka: So what, there is a difference between Nata and me, isnt there? My mother did work in a military

sewing service, but she educated me well. I went to three grades of elementary school, and I could have


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gone to more, only if I wanted to! If I hadnt been like that, I wouldnt have married your father. He was

already an officer when he married me

Dara: Well, yes, but people say he had to marry you.

Zivka: Thats what your husband says. It would better be if he could hurry up to let us know what is

going on. But, of course, he is in mehana somewhere (she remembers) Wait where are the cards ?

You put them somewhere last night.

Dara: They are in the drawer.

Zivka: (she takes them out and starts shuffling) Let me see if the cards will tell me anything (puts them

on the table) The last time that Sima advanced in his career, cards told me the truth. What is this widow

doing between Sima and me? (counting) One, two, three, four, five, six, seven Voice house quick

money I know, thats what aunt Savka is going to bring me truth the bed! (starts to turn around

cards, facing them down)

Dara: Why are you covering yourself?

Zivka: Well, to see if I am going to be ministers wife?

Dara: Well, cover father than, because the question is whether he will be the minister

Zivka: Right! Ten heart great joy. God help me, daughter, if these cards are right

20.Zivka, Dara, AnkaAnka: (comes with a girl which brings a dress in her hands) The dressmaker sent you this dres

Zivka: Take it back, I cannot try it now.

Dara: Oh, why dont you try it?

Zivka: I am not going to. Bring it in the afternoon.

Dara: Oh, its just one moment.

Zivka: Bring her in the afternoon because I dont know what am I going to wear. If that happens, I will

wear silk blouse, and if it doesnt I will wear the one made of satin there you go

Little girl: What should I say to the miss?

Zivka: Tell her, if THAT happens, to I will wear silk blouse.

Dara: Dont tell anything to the miss; bring the dress in the afternoon.

Little girl: (leaves)

Anka: (goes after girl)


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21.Zivka, DaraZivka: Oh my, I have a twitch in my right eye

Dara: (next to the window) Ceda is coming.

Zivka: Is he running? Is he laughing? Is he waving with a flag? Ask him, ask him what happened.

Dara: He entered the yard.

Zivka: You know, he has to have good news! My eye did not twitch for nothing!

22.Zivka, Dara, CedaZivka: (as soon as Ceda walks into the door) Speak up!

Ceda: Wait a second

Zivka: Tell me right away, or I will faint!

Ceda: But wait, let me tell you how everything happened.

Zivka: Well, tell me!

Ceda: So, coming back here, I thought

Zivka: (puts her hands on his neck) Tell me: is he or isnt he? Is he, or isnt he, do you understand me?

Ceda: Wait! Here is what I thought. Dad should find me a loan with the class lottery, and that can be

enough instead of dawry. It will be enough for me to pay my debts, and after

Zivka: Dara, my daughter, tell to your husband: either he tells me or I will hit him with this chair!

Dara: Well, tell, for Gods sake!

Zivka: Yes or no?

Ceda: Yes!

Zivka: What?

Ceda: A minister.

Zivka: Who, who is minister?

Dara: Is it dad?

Ceda: Yes, he is!

Dara: (hugs him) My sweet Ceda!


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Zivka: Kids, kids, hold me! (sits on a chair)

Ceda: So thats what I thought: dad should give me a 12000 dinars loan, and that can be a dawry. I will

pay off my debts and then, he can give me three classes.

Zivka: How are you talking? Dad this, dad that? Does anybody have a say in it?

Ceda: Well, other ministers do.

Zivka: What about me?

Ceda: What are you?

Zivka: You are asking me what am I? I am Mr. Minister wife! (starts laughing) Oh, I cant believe how

good it sounds! Dara, say it!

Dara: Say what?

Zivka: Well, call me what all of the world is going to call me from now on!

Dara: Mr. Ministers wife.

Zivka: (To Ceda) come on, you say it

Ceda: I will, but only if you call me Mr. Ministers son-in-law; just so I can hear, you know, the sound of

it.

Zivka: First of all, son-in-lawits nothing. Second of all, let me tell you, you dont look like one.

Ceda: Oh, well! And you look like one, right?

Zivka: (comes close to his face) Like what?

Ceda: (mumbling) Well, you know

Zivka: Come on, say it if you are not afraid!

Ceda: Well, well, you are speaking like a true Minister.

Zivka: Well, even if I am not Minister, I am Ministers wife, and sometimes that means even more.

Dara: Please, Ceda, mom! Dont fight! It doesnt suit a Ministers house.

Zivka: Well, of course it doesnt. But thats what you get when you have a husband unsuitable for a

ministers home.

23.Zivka, Dara, Ceda, RakaRaka: (goes in) Mom, have you heard the news? Dad has become a Minister.


18/19

Zivka: (kisses him on the forehead) Who told you that, my baby?

Raka: Other kids did, and they have already gave me a new nickname: Ministers piggy.

Zivka: Silly boys. You will not hang out with those hooligans anymore.

Raka: With who am I going to hang out then?

Zivka: With the children of English ambassador.

Raka: Oh, I dont care that they called me ministers piggy, but they even gave a nickname to my

mother.

Zivka: And do they know that your father is a minister?

Raka: They do, thats why they are calling me names!

Zivka: Youre going to write me down the name of those children, and we will deport them on the

countryside: the kids, the whole class and a teacher! There has to be an order in this country and they

will have to know whom can they call names, and whom cant!

Raka: Oh, mom, just so you know, I love the fact that dad is now Minister.

Zivka: Oh! Why is that?

Raka: Well, from now on, whenever he beats me, Ill just organize protest and shout: Down with the

government!

Zivka: Oh, shut up, you brat!

Raka: Down with the government!

Zivka: Get out of here; you cant even talk like a smart kid!

Raka: By the way, I havent told you: dad is coming!

Zivka: He is? Why arent you saying anything, you idiot, you are just babbling nonsense (confused) Kids,

kids, dont be on my way. You should stand behind me. Who would say: he left home this morning as a

regular man, and now he is coming back as a Minister? Oh, stand behind me!!!

24.Zivka, Dara, Ceda, Raka, PopovicPopovic: (coming in with a hat on his head)

Zivka: (hugging him) My minister!

Ceda and Dara: (kissing his hands) Congratulations!

Raka: (shouting) Down with the Government!


19/19

Zivka: (takes away a hat from Popovics hand and puts it on Rakas head really angrily) Get out of here

you spoiled brat! Damn you the day I gave birth to this kid!

Popovic: Ziva, hold it, for Gods sake!

25.Zivka, Dara, Ceda, Raka, Popovic, PeraPera: (comes in confused) Sorry, I I I just came to tell you that you have become a Minister.

Popovic: I know that, Mr. Pera.

Pera: I know that you do, but I wanted to be the first one to tell you.

Popovic: Thank you, thank you!

Zivka: Are you, Mr. Pera, going to the Ministry right now?

Pera: At your service, Mr. Ministers Wife.

Zivka: Order for me a carriage! I want it here exactly at four. Say its for the Ministers wife.

Popovic: Why do you need that?

Zivka: Oh, let me, please! I want to drive through the whole city three times, even if I die afterwards!

Tell them, Mr. Pera

Pera: I understand, Mr. Ministers wife. (goes out shouting) Pera, the notary, from administration

department!

CURTAIN

Cabinet Minister's Wife

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