- [first lines]
- Prepodavatel: [after seeing a routine of figure skaters, the teachers hear a drum beating quietly and turn in its direction] Stop it immediately, an exam is in progress!
- [the drum keeps beating and everyone turns there again. The teacher walks there]
- Prepodavatel: Who beat the drum?
- [she looks up to see Lyudmila crying. It was her tears that beat the drum]
- Prepodavatel: Ah, so it's you again!
- Lyudmila: I dreamt so much, so much, but...!
- Prepodavatel: When will you finally understand art is merciless? We will enroll students again in autumn... well... erm... and then, well, perhaps... Lida!
- [Lida stands up]
- Prepodavatel: How long have you been skating?
- Lida: Since I was 8.