“Running” is a play written by M. Bulgakov in 1926-1927. Many performances were created based on this play, which, unfortunately, were staged after the death of the author, because Stalin banned all rehearsals.

The first performance took place in 1957 at the Stalingrad Theater. But in 1970, the magnificent film “Running” was filmed by directors A. Alov and the plot concerns the time of the Civil War after the October Revolution, where those who remained fought desperately and fought with the Reds on the Crimean Isthmus.

“Running” is a play that, according to the author’s idea, consists of four acts and eight dreams. Why sleep? Because a dream is a dramatic convention that represents something unreal and implausible, which is very difficult to believe. Thus, the author himself expressed his attitude to what was happening in Russia at that time: everything was like a bad dream.

The fate of the Russian intelligentsia

Based on the memories of his second wife L. E. Belozerskaya about emigration, Bulgakov wrote his “Running”. An analysis of the biography of this woman shows that she then fled with her first husband to Constantinople, and then lived in Paris, Marseille and Berlin. The writer also used the memoirs of the white general Ya. A. Slashchev.

Mikhail Bulgakov dedicated “Running” to the fate of which he considered the best layer of Russia. She was forced to leave the country and live in exile. The writer tried to talk about the fact that the majority of emigrants wanted to live in Russia, but they had to find a consensus with the Bolsheviks and even refuse to fight them, but without compromising their moral principles. The classic even wrote a letter about this to Stalin himself. He wanted to show that he was superior to the whites and reds, but in the end he was considered an enemy White Guard. Therefore, the publication of “The White Guard” did not happen during the writer’s lifetime, just as “Running” did not see the stage. Bulgakov was able to stage the play “Days of the Turbins” only after a two-year ban, when he received a personal order from Stalin.

"Run". Bulgakov. Summary

So, October 1920. Northern Tavria. There is a battle between the Reds and the Whites. The young St. Petersburg intellectual Golubkov is hiding from stray bullets and grenades in the narthex of the monastery with Serafima Korzukhina, a lady from St. Petersburg. Together with him, she flees to Crimea to meet her husband there. Golubkov is perplexed as to why the Reds are in this area, since it was all in the hands of the Whites.

Then a detachment of Budyonny’s cavalrymen came into the monastery to check the people’s documents. Priests and monks prayed in front of the images; there were many other people in the church, among them the pregnant Baranbanchikova, who suddenly began having contractions. When the Reds left the monastery, they were followed by soldiers led by the white commander De Brizard and Lyuska, the marching wife of General Charnota. As it turned out later, General Charnota himself was hiding in the image of a pregnant lady, who, having heard his voices, could not express in words how happy he was. He hugged them all and began to tell how, instead of fake documents, his friend Barabanchikov, in a hurry, mixed everything up and slipped him the documents of his pregnant wife.

Now they all begin to discuss Charnota's escape plan. But it soon turns out that Seraphima has typhus, and Golubkov does not leave her side. Everyone is leaving.

Khludov

November 1920, Crimea. The headquarters of the White Guards is located in the station hall. The buffet became the command post of General Khludov. He constantly twitches and is clearly sick with something. Then Serafima’s husband, Korzukhin, a fellow minister of trade, appears and asks Khludov to help send trains with smuggled goods to Sevastopol. But he orders everything to be burned. Serafima, Golubkov and Krapilin, Charnota's messenger, appear. Serafima attacks Khludov, saying that he would only hang people, but she is immediately mistaken for a communist. Seeing her husband, Seraphima rushes to him, but he pretends that he does not know her, afraid of the general’s reaction.

In this episode, Bulgakov fills his “Run” with another tragedy. The summary continues with the fact that guard Krapilin, being in a wild trance from everything that is happening around him, also accuses Khludov of atrocities, and then, having come to his senses, kneels before him, but the general orders him to be hanged.

Arrest

Golubkov is interrogated by the counterintelligence chief Tikhy, who forces him to sign a document assuring that Serafima is a communist. Tikhiy and his partner want to make money by blackmailing her husband Korzukhin.

During the interrogation, Serafima sees Golubkov’s testimony, breaks out the office window and calls for help. At that time, Charnota’s cavalry was walking under the windows, who appeared with a revolver and freed Seraphima.

Meanwhile, Khludov has a conversation with the commander-in-chief, whom he hates for involving him in a senseless matter. After all the clarification, they part. Khludov has a mental disorder; he constantly sees the ghost of the fighter Krapilin, who was hanged by him. But then Golubkov enters, who is in a panic over Serafima’s arrest and wants the general to help free her. Khludov orders his adjutant, Yesaul Golovan, to bring Serafima to him and immediately adds that perhaps she has already been shot. He returns after a while and reports that she is with Charnota, who took her to Constantinople. Khludov is also expected on the ship. The ghost of a messenger periodically comes to him. Golubkov begs him to take him with him to find Seraphim.

Emigration

Summer 1921, Constantinople. Bulgakov does not end his play “Run” here. The summary further tells how, on one of the streets of Constantinople, a drunken and penniless Charnota wants to place a bet on credit in a cockroach race. Arthur Arturovich, nicknamed the Cockroach Tsar, refuses him. Charnota yearns for Russia; he sells toys and silver coins on the street. In the end, he bets everything on the main favorite, the cockroach Janissary. In the midst of the competition, it turns out that Arthur drugged the Janissary. A fight broke out.

Lusya and Charnota

Charnota returns home and quarrels with Lyusya because he lies to her that the box with toys and gassyrs was stolen from him. She understands that he lost the last thing in the race. Seraphima also lives with them. Lyuska admits to him that she is forced to engage in prostitution due to the fact that they no longer have anything to eat and have nothing to pay for the room. She reproaches him for destroying the counterintelligence headquarters, then running away from the army, and now they live in poverty far from Russia. Charnota constantly objected and made excuses by saying that he was saving Seraphim. And then suddenly Lucy announces that she is leaving with a French friend for Paris. Serafima, having heard this whole conversation, decides not to sit on anyone’s neck anymore, but also to go earn money for the panel.

On the same day, Charnota meets Golubkov on the street playing the organ. He is looking for Serafima, who has already found herself a Greek client and goes with him to the room. Charnota and Golubkov run in after them and drive the Greek away. Golubkov confesses his love to Serafima, but she refuses him because she does not want to ruin his life.

Here Khludov appears. He was demoted from the army, and now he is entrusted with looking after Seraphim. He gives Golubkov a medallion and two liras because he is going to Paris to ask for money from Korzukhin, who has a sick wife. Charnota decides to go with him.

Korzukhin

Autumn 1921, Paris. Golubkov appears on the threshold of Korzukhin’s apartment and asks to lend him a thousand dollars. But he insists that he has no wife and refuses to give money. In addition, he states that he wants to marry his secretary. Golubkov accuses him of callousness. However, Charnota intervenes here and, seeing Korzukhin’s cards on the table, invites him to play and places Khludov’s medallion. As a result, he wins 20 thousand dollars from Korzukhin and buys the medallion back from him for 300 dollars.

Korzukhin is drunk and beside himself with rage, he screams and demands the police. The climax comes. The secretary runs out of the room in response to the scream (she turned out to be Lyuska). She, realizing what’s going on and seeing Charnota, tells Korzukhin that they can’t get the money back, since it’s lost. In parting, she asks Golubkov to take care of Seraphim.

It should be noted that “Running” (Bulgakov’s work) tells about each hero with extraordinary touching and understanding.

Seraphim

In Constantinople, Khludov is still in a mental disorder and often communicates with the ghost of the messenger. Serafima enters and confesses to him that she is ready to accept Khludov’s offer and return with him to St. Petersburg. Khludov says that he will also return to Russia, even under his own name. Here the long-awaited and already rich Golubkov and Charnota appear. The latter understands that he no longer wants to fight the Bolsheviks and he has no hatred for them, so he stays and runs to the Cockroach King Arthur.

Denouement

Serafima and Khludov return to their homeland. Khludov remains alone in the room and, going to the window, shoots himself.

This is how Bulgakov ended his tragic play “Running”. Its summary is just a small part of all the events, so it is better to read the play in the original. And for a better understanding of all the events experienced by the Russian intelligentsia and the Russian people in general, it is advisable to watch this play, because plays are best watched, not read. However, if this is not possible, the excellent film “Running” (1970) will tell you everything better.

Michael Bulgakov

Eight dreams

Play in four acts

Immortality is a quiet, bright shore;

Our path is striving towards it.

Rest in peace, who finished his run!..

Zhukovsky

Characters

Seraphima Vladimirova Korzukhina is a young St. Petersburg lady.

SERGEY PAVLOVICH GOLUBKOV is the son of an idealistic professor from St. Petersburg.

Afrikan is the Archbishop of Simferopol and Karasu-Bazar, the archpastor of the eminent army, he is also the chemist Makhrov.

P a i s i - a monk.

Dirty and humen.

B aev - regiment commander in the Budyonny Cavalry.

Budenovets.

GRIGORY LUKYANOVICH CHARNOTA – Cossack by birth, cavalryman, major general in the White army.

Barabanchikova is a lady who exists exclusively in the imagination of General Charnota.

Lyuska is the traveling wife of General Charnota.

Krapilin - the messenger of Charnota, a man who died because of his eloquence.

D e Brizard is the commander of a hussar regiment among the Whites.

R oman V a l e r i a n o vi c h K l u d o v.

G o l o v a n - esaul, adjutant of Khludov.

C o m e n d a n t s t a n t i o n .

Beginners.

Nikolaevna is the wife of the station chief.

Olka is the daughter of the station chief, 4 years old.

P aramon Ilich Korzukhin is Seraphima’s husband.

T ikh i y – head of counterintelligence.

SKUNSKY, GURIN – employees in counterintelligence.

WHITE CHIEF COMMANDER.

L i ch i k o v k a s e.

Artur Arturovich is the cockroach king.

F i g u r e a n b o l e r s

Turchanka, loving mother.

P r o s t i t u t k a – k r a s a v i tsa.

G r e k d o n j u a n.

Antoine Grischenko is Korzukhin’s lackey.

Monks, white staff officers, cavalry Cossacks and in the command of the reconnaissance, the Cossacks in the Burks, and English, French and Italian Seafarers, Turkish and others AL POLICE, BOYS, TURKIANS, GREEKS, ARMENIANS e and Greek heads in the windows, crowds in Constantinople.

The first dream takes place in Northern Tavria in October 1920. Dreams second, third and fourth - at the beginning of November 1920 in Crimea.

The fifth and sixth were in Constantinople in the summer of 1921.

The seventh - in Paris in the fall of 1921.

The eighth - in the fall of 1921 in Constantinople.

Act one

First dream

I dreamed of a monastery...

You can hear the choir of monks in the dungeon singing dully: “To St. Father Nicholas, pray to God for us...”

There is darkness, and then the inside of the monastery church appears, sparingly illuminated by candles stuck to the icons. An unfaithful flame tears out from the darkness the desk where candles are sold, a wide bench next to it, a window covered with bars, the chocolate face of a saint, faded wings of seraphim, golden crowns. Outside is a bleak October evening with rain and snow. On the bench, covered with a blanket, lies Barabanchikova. The chemist Makhrov, in a sheepskin coat, perched himself by the window and is still trying to see something in him... Seraphima, in a black fur coat, sits in the high abbot's chair.

Judging by her face, Seraphim is not feeling well.

At Seraphima’s feet on a bench, next to the suitcase, is Golubkov, a St. Petersburg-looking young man in a black coat and gloves.

G o l u b k o v (listening to singing). Do you hear, Serafima Vladimirovna? I realized they have a dungeon downstairs... In essence, how strange all this is! You know, at times it begins to seem to me that I am dreaming, honestly! For a month now, we have been running with you, Serafima Vladimirovna, through villages and cities, and the farther we go, the more incomprehensible it becomes... You see, now we have ended up in church! And you know, when all this chaos happened today, I missed St. Petersburg, by God! Suddenly I remembered so clearly the green lamp in the office...

S e r a f i m a. These sentiments are dangerous, Sergei Pavlovich. Beware of getting bored while wandering. Wouldn't it be better for you to stay?

G o l u b k o v. Oh no, no, this is irrevocable, and so be it! And then, you already know what brightens up my difficult path... Since we accidentally met in a heated vehicle under that lantern, remember... after all, a little time has passed, but meanwhile it seems to me that I I’ve known you for a long, long time! The thought of you makes this flight in the autumn darkness easier, and I will be proud and happy when I carry you to the Crimea and hand you over to your husband. And although I will be bored without you, I will rejoice in your joy.

Serafima silently puts her hand on Golubkov’s shoulder.

(Stroking her hand.) Excuse me, do you have a fever?

S e r a f i m a. No, nothing.

G o l u b k o v. That is, like nothing? It's hot, by God, it's hot!

S e r a f i m a. Nonsense, Sergei Pavlovich, it will pass...

Soft cannon strike. Barabanchikova stirred and moaned.

Listen, madame, you can't be left without help. One of us will make his way to the village, there will probably be a midwife there.

G o l u b k o v. I'm running away.

Barabanchikova silently grabs him by the hem of his coat.

S e r a f i m a. Why don't you want to, my dear?

B a r a b a n c h i k o v a (capriciously). No need.

Serafima and Golubkov are perplexed.

M akhrov (quietly, to Golubkov). A mysterious and very mysterious person!

G o l u b k o v (whispers). Do you think that...

M akhrov. I don’t think anything, but... it’s hard times, sir, you never know who you’ll meet on your way! Some strange lady is lying in the church...

The singing underground ceases.

P a i s i y (appears silently, black, scared). Documents, documents, honest gentlemen! (Blows out all the candles except one.)

Serafima, Golubkov and Makhrov take out documents. Barabanchikova sticks out her hand and places her passport on the blanket.

B a e v (enters, wearing a short fur coat, splashed with mud, excited. Behind Baev is Budenovets with a lantern). May the devil crush them, these monks! Ooh, nest! You, holy dad, where is the spiral staircase to the bell tower?

P a i s i y. Here, here, here...

B a e v (Budenovets). Look.

The Budenovets with a lantern disappears through the iron door.

(Paisia.) Was there a fire in the bell tower?

P a i s i y. What are you, what are you! What fire?

B a e v. The fire flickered! Well, if I find anything in the bell tower, I will put you and your gray-haired shaitan against the wall! You were waving white lanterns!

P a i s i y. God! What do you?

B a e v. And who are these? You said that there is not a single soul from outside the monastery!

First dream, Northern Tavria, October 1920
In the monastery church, dimly lit by candles, there are several people. Golubkov, the son of a professor from St. Petersburg, takes Serafima Korzukhina to Crimea to visit her husband, a fellow minister of trade. A pregnant woman, Barabanchikov, lies on a bench, her head wrapped in a blanket. And the chemist Makhrov is sitting by the window. Barabanchikova often moans, but she categorically refuses Golubkov’s offer to run to the village for a midwife. Suddenly the Reds appear and check the monastery and the documents of everyone there.
After they leave, Barabanchikov begins to swear. She says that General Krapchikov received a dispatch that the Reds were in the rear, but instead of deciphering it, he sat down to play screw. Hearing the voice of the white commander de Brizard, Barabanchikov throws off his blanket and turns into General Charnota. He tells de Brizard and his traveling wife Lyuska that the entire headquarters was shot by the Reds, and he barely escaped. In the village, the teacher Barabanchikov gave him his documents by mistake, but his pregnant wife.
Makhrov also turns out not to be who he claimed to be, but African, Archbishop of Simferopol. The monks are very happy about his appearance, but when Charnota informs African that the white army is leaving for the Crimea, because... Budyonny is about to catch up with them, his Eminence without hesitation abandons the monks and runs along with Charnota. Golubkov persuades the whites to take them with them, but Serafima tries to refuse. She starts to feel feverish, Lyuska says it’s typhus. Seraphim is taken by force into a gig.

Second dream, Crimea, early November 1920
A large station, the hall is filled with white officers. There are field telephones everywhere, and staff maps with flags. The front headquarters has been standing here for three days. General Roman Valeryanovich Khludov, an emaciated, sick man, is trying rather harshly to solve the problem that an armored train cannot pass through. Khludov is not interested in details, he simply gives the order to arrest the commandant and hang the station chief if the problem is not solved in 15 minutes.
When Charnota arrives, Khludov orders him to go to Karpov Balka, he dimly leaves, faithful Lyuska follows him. Seraphima's husband, Korzukhin, appears. He wants to know about the fate of the workers arrested by Khludov in Simferopol. Esaul Golovan shows Korzukhin where the workers were hanged. Shocked, Korzukhin will ask for wagons with export fur goods to be allowed into Sevastopol. The general orders these trains to be driven into a dead end and set on fire. Korzukhin houndedly threatens to report everything to the commander-in-chief.
The Commander-in-Chief arrives, accompanied by Archbishop African. Khludov tells him that the Bolsheviks are in Crimea. Africa prays in fear, but Khludov rudely interrupts him and declares that God has long abandoned them. After the Commander-in-Chief leaves, Khludov opens the envelope given to him and orders him to close his headquarters and move to Sevastopol. The headquarters quickly empties, but then Serafima appears, and Golubkov and the messenger Krapilin try to hold her back. Serafima shouts to Khludov that he is a beast, all he does is hang people, but cannot stop the Reds. Golubkov begs Khludov not to listen to the poor woman, since she is sick. Khludov finds out her name and calls Korzukhin, but he immediately sensed a trap and renounced his wife. Seraphim and Golubkov are arrested, and Krapilin continues to accuse Khludov, calling him a jackal and a coward, and suddenly shudders, waking up. He says that he was in a state of oblivion and begs for mercy, but Khludov orders the messenger to be hanged.

Tretson, Crimea, early November 1920.
Tikhy, the head of counterintelligence, with threats forced Golubkov to say that Serafima Korzukhina was a communist, that she came to Sevastopol for propaganda and connections with the underground. Having released Golubkov, Tikhii calls Seraphima. She is very sick, but Quiet needs her confession to blackmail her husband. He sends his employee Skunsky to Korzukhin, expecting to receive ten thousand dollars from him, and promising Skunsky two thousand. Seraphima, when she read Golubkov’s testimony, rushed to the window, broke out the glass with her elbow and began screaming and calling for help to Charnota, whose cavalry was just passing by by. Blackness with a revolver in his hands freed Seraphim.

The fourth dream, Crimea, early November 1920
In the palace office, the Commander-in-Chief reprimands Korzukhina for an article published in his newspaper. It is written about the Commander-in-Chief in a mocking manner, and even comparing him with Alexander the Great looks insulting. Angry, Korzukhin decides to leave for Paris and quickly leaves. Khludov appears and again begins to talk disparagingly with the commander-in-chief, and after threatening arrest, he declares that a convoy is waiting for him in the lobby and threatens a scandal. The commander-in-chief understood that Khludov had been hiding his hatred of him for a long time. Khludov did not deny that he hates the commander-in-chief because it was he who involved everyone in this futile struggle.
Left alone, Khludov talks to himself. Golubkov appears; he came to the Commander-in-Chief in the hope of achieving justice. Seeing Khludov, Golubkov was confused. Khludov recognized the visitor, called the captain and ordered Seraphima to be taken to the palace if she had not already been shot. Golubkov became furious at these words and promised to kill Khludov if this was the case. Seeing the general talking to someone unknown, Golubkov declared that he was crazy. Khludov threw him a revolver, but Golubkov refused to shoot. Golovani enters and reports that Seraphima is alive, but Charnota has taken her to Constantinople. Golubkov tells Khludov that he is sailing with him to Constantinople.

Fifth dream, Constantinople, summer 1921
Hot stuffy street of Constantinople. A drunk Charnota sells rubber jumping toys, the trade is going badly. Charnota approaches the cash register where they place bets on cockroach races and asks the cashier to put it on credit. She sends Charnota to the owner Arthur, who refuses the credit. Charnota sells Arthur cheap silver gazyrs and a box of toys and bets everything on the Janissary cockroach. The race began, people gathered. And then someone shouted: “The Janissary is malfunctioning!” As it turned out, Arthur drank beer from a cockroach. The angry people rush at Arthur, who tries to run away and calls the police. A fight between the Italians and the British begins, knives are used. Charnota grabs her head at the cash register. The dream is falling apart.

Sixth dream, Constantinople, summer 1921
At home, Charnot tells Lyusa that the goods were stolen from him, but she understands that Charnot lost the money. There is nothing to eat in the house, Lucy got angry and started shouting that now she needs to go to the panel again to feed Blackness and Seraphima. She hears these words, promises to get money and leaves. Golubkov enters the yard, playing the barrel organ. I saw Charnota and was glad that I had finally found them. But when he found out where Seraphima had gone, Golubkov flew into a rage. The Greek who came with her hit him in the ear. Seraphima is very ashamed that she is a beggar, that Golubkov saw all this, and she runs away. Lucy also leaves Charnota, declaring that she is leaving for Paris. Khludov appears in civilian clothes; it was he who sheltered Golubkov in Constantinople. Golubkov asks Khludov to find Serafima and take care of her while he goes to Paris to Korzukhin and forces him to help his wife. Charnota will go along with Golubkov.

The Seventh Dream, Paris, autumn 1921
Golubkov tells Korzukhin about Seraphima’s plight, but he declares that he does not know her and has never been married. Then Golubkov will ask for a thousand dollars loan. Korzukhin responds by giving a lecture about how hard it is to get money to give it to strangers. Golubkov had already decided to leave, but then Charnota appeared in only his underpants. He offers to play Korzukhinui and places Khludov’s medallion at an extremely low price: $10. The game ended with Charnot winning the sum of twenty thousand dollars. He buys the medallion for 300 dollars and is about to leave. Korzukhin starts screaming and demanding the money back, and then Lyusya appears. Charnota does not show his surprise. Lyusya reassured Korzukhin, said that since he lost, nothing can be changed. At parting, Lyusya tells Golubkov through the window to take care of Seraphim, and Charnote wished to buy some pants for herself.

Vosmoyson, Constantinople, autumn 1921
In his room, Khludov talks to the ghost of the messenger, tells him that he will fulfill his obligation to the living, then... Seraphima enters and tries to find out who he is talking to. The woman tells Khludov that he is sick, but everything is in the past, he no longer needs to be executed for what he did. Serafima said that she thinks about Golubkov all the time, and regrets that she let him go to Paris. And then there was a knock on the door; it was Charnota and Golubkov who had returned. Serafima is very happy; she and Golubkov decide to return to Russia. Charnot decides that he will remain in Constantinople. And Khludov says that he would also like to return. Everyone is trying to dissuade him, saying that he will inevitably be shot. Charnot leaves, followed by the lovers. Khludov is left alone, writes a note, shows it to the ghost, and is glad that the messenger has disappeared. He approaches the window, shoots several times, and fires the last bullet into his head. Dark.

Please note that this is only a summary of the literary work “Running”. This summary omits many important points and quotes.

Dream 1. Northern Tavria, October 1920

The conversation takes place in the monastery cell. The Budenovites came and checked the documents. The young St. Petersburg intellectual Golubkov wonders where they came from if the entire area is in the hands of the whites. In the cell lies the pregnant Barabanchikova, who immediately explains that the general postponed the decryption after learning about the Reds in the rear. When she is asked a direct question about the location of General Charnota's headquarters, she answers evasively and ambiguously. Also participating in this conversation is Serafima Korzukhina, a young lady from St. Petersburg, who, together with Golubkov, runs to Crimea to meet her husband there. She offers to call a midwife for Barabanchikova, but she, hearing the clatter of hooves and the voice of de Brisard, the white commander, sheds her rags and reveals herself to be General Charnota.

He tells de Brizard and his camp wife Lyuska, who immediately appeared, that his friend Barabanchikov, instead of his documents, hastily slipped him the documents of his pregnant wife. Together they discuss the escape plan proposed by Charnota. But suddenly Seraphima has a fever, she is sick with typhus, Golubkov takes her away. Everyone is leaving.

Dream 2. Crimea, early November 1920

The White headquarters was located in the station hall. Where there used to be a buffet, General Khludov is sitting, who is clearly sick with something and is constantly twitching. Fellow Minister of Trade Korzukhin (Seraphima’s husband) asks Khludov to help push trains with valuable cargo to Sevastopol, but Khludov gives the order to burn them. He is annoyed and hisses that the Reds are close and will be here tomorrow. Korzukhin is going to report everything to the commander-in-chief. The convoy enters, followed by the commander-in-chief of the whites and Archbishop Africanus. After Khludov informs the commander in chief about the presence of the Bolsheviks in Crimea, African begins to pray, but Khludov no longer believes in God. The commander in chief leaves. Serafima, Golubkov and the messenger from Charnota Krapilin appear. Serafima is indignant that Khludov does not take any measures, but only hangs people. At headquarters they suspect that she is a communist, Golubkov, citing typhus, says that she is delirious, and Korzukhin renounces her, fearing Khludov’s anger. Serafima and Golubkov are taken away, and Krapilin, in a state of oblivion, calls Khludov a beast and says that he does not know the real war. Then, having come to his senses, he asks for mercy, but the offended Khludov orders him to be hanged.

Dream 3. Crimea, early November 1920

Golubkov is interrogated by Tikhy, the head of counterintelligence, and on pain of death forces him to reveal that Serafima is a member of the Communist Party and came for the purpose of propaganda. Golubkov wrote a statement, he is taken away, and Tikhiy and his assistant Skunsky estimate how much they will get from Korzukhin, who wants to pay off. They bring Serafima, they show her Golubkov’s confession, she hears the sounds of Charnota’s approaching cavalry outside the window, breaks out the glass and calls for help. Charnota appears with a revolver in her hands and defends Seraphim.

Dream 4. Crimea, early November 1920

A serious conversation takes place between Khludov and the commander in chief. Khludov honestly admits that he hates the commander in chief because he involved him in this matter, which is obviously in vain and makes no sense. The commander-in-chief leaves, leaving him alone, and Khludov talks to the ghost and throws out all his anger. At this time, Golubkov comes to complain to the commander-in-chief about Khludov and talk about Seraphima’s arrest. Having unexpectedly met Khludov, Golubkov is in a panic, and Khludov orders the captain to deliver Seraphima to the palace if she has not already been shot. Golubkov is furious at these words and says that he loves Serafima, although she is just a casual acquaintance to him. Khludov continues to mock the young man’s feelings. The captain appears and reports that Seraphim was recaptured by Charnot with a weapon and taken with him to Constantinople. Khludov is also expected on the ship, he is sick, and continues to talk with the ghost of the messenger. Golubkov asks to go with him to Constantinople. Everyone leaves.

Dream 5. Constantinople, summer 1921

One of the streets of Constantinople. Having drunk Charnot, he tries to place a bet at the cockroach racing cash desk on credit, but the “cockroach king” Arthur refuses him. Charnota yearns for Russia, sells her silver gazyrs and a box of toys, and then bets everything on the favorite of the race, Janissary. People have gathered, cockroaches with paper riders are running. In the midst of the competition, it turns out that Arthur drugged the Janissary's favorite cockroach. Everyone who bet on him rushes to Arthur, and he calls the police for help. Dark.

Dream 6. Constantinople, summer 1921

There is a quarrel between Lyusya and Charnota. He lies that the box and gazyri were stolen from him, and she, knowing that he simply lost everything, admits that she is engaged in prostitution. Lyusya reproaches him that, having defeated counterintelligence, Charnota fled the army, and now they are forced to exist in poverty. He objects that he saved Seraphim from death. Golubkov appears in the courtyard, playing the organ. Charnota tells him that Seraphima is alive, but went to the panel. Serafima comes with some Greek, Golubkov and Charnota drive him away. Golubkov confesses his love to Serafima, but she leaves, not wanting to ruin his life. Lucy enters and announces that she is going to Paris. Khludov appears in civilian clothes; he has been demoted from the army. Golubkov decides to go to Paris to see Korzukhin, who is simply obliged to help Seraphima. He turns to Khludov and asks to take care of her until his return, he agrees to help and gives him 2 liras and his medallion for the journey. Charnota rides with Golubkov. The two of them leave. Dark.

Dream 7. Paris, autumn 1921

Golubkov asks Korzukhin to help Serafima and lend her $1,000. Korzukhin refuses to help, saying that he has never been married, but only plans to marry his secretary. Golubkov accuses him of callousness and soullessness. Charnota enters and invites Korzukhin to play cards for money. Before this, he sells him Khludov’s medallion, then plays, wins 20 thousand dollars from Korzukhin and buys the medallion back for 300 dollars. Korzukhin is outraged, and Lucy appears at his cry. Charnota is surprised, but doesn’t show it. Lyusya assures Korzukhin that the money cannot be returned, since he lost it himself. Golubkov and Charnota leave. At parting, Lyusya quietly asks Golubkov to take care of Seraphim.

Dream 8. Constantinople, autumn 1921

Dream 1. Northern Tavria, October 1920

There is a conversation going on in the cell of the monastery church. The Budennovtsy just came and checked the documents. Golubkov, a young St. Petersburg intellectual, wonders where the Reds came from when the area is in the hands of the Whites. Barabanchikova, pregnant, lying right there, explains that the general, who was sent a dispatch that the Reds were in the rear, postponed the decoding. When asked where General Charnota's headquarters is, Barabanchikova does not give a direct answer. Serafima Korzukhina, a young St. Petersburg lady who is fleeing with Golubkov to Crimea to meet her husband, offers to call a midwife, but Madame refuses. The clatter of hooves and the voice of the white commander de Brizard are heard. Recognizing him, Barabanchikova throws off her rags and appears as General Charnota. He explains to de Brizard and his traveling wife Lyuska, who ran in, that his friend Barabanchikov in a hurry gave him documents not his own, but those of his pregnant wife. Charnota proposes an escape plan. Then Seraphima starts to have a fever - it’s typhus. Golubkov takes Serafima into the gig. Everyone is leaving.

Dream 2. Crimea, early November 1920

The station hall has been turned into the White headquarters. General Khludov is sitting where the buffet was. He is sick with something and is twitching. Korzukhin, comrade of the Minister of Trade, Serafima’s husband, asks to push wagons with valuable fur goods into Sevastopol. Khludov orders these trains to be burned. Korzukhin asks about the situation at the front. Khludov hisses that the Reds will be here tomorrow. Korzukhin promises to report everything to the commander-in-chief. A convoy appears, followed by the white commander-in-chief and Archbishop Africanus. Khludov informs the commander-in-chief that the Bolsheviks are in Crimea. African prays, but Khludov believes that God has abandoned the whites. The commander in chief leaves. Serafima runs in, followed by Golubkov and the messenger Charnota Krapilin. Serafima shouts that Khludov is not doing anything, but just hanging him. The staff whispers that she is a communist. Golubkov says that she is delirious, she has typhus. Khludov calls Korzukhin, but he, sensing a trap, renounces Seraphima. Serafima and Golubkov are taken away, and Krapilin, in oblivion, calls Khludov a world beast and talks about a war that Khludov does not know. He objects that he went to Chongar and was wounded there twice. Krapilin, waking up, begs for mercy, but Khludov orders him to be hanged for “starting well, ending badly.”

Dream 3. Crimea, early November 1920

The head of counterintelligence Tikhy, threatening with a deadly needle, forces Golubkov to show that Serafima Korzukhina is a member of the Communist Party and came for the purpose of propaganda. Having forced him to write a statement, Tikhy releases him. Counterintelligence officer Skunsky estimates that Korzukhin will give $10,000 to pay off the deal. Quiet shows that Skunsky’s share is 2000. Seraphim is brought in, she is in a fever. Quiet gives her his testimony. Charnota's cavalry marches outside the window with music. Serafima, having read the paper, breaks out the window glass with her elbow and calls Charnota for help. He runs in and defends Seraphim with a revolver.

Dream 4. Crimea, early November 1920

The Commander-in-Chief says that for a year now Khludov has been covering up his hatred of him. Khludov admits that he hates the commander in chief because he was drawn into this, that he cannot work knowing that everything is in vain. The commander in chief leaves. Khludov alone talks to the ghost, wants to crush him... Golubkov enters, he came to complain about the crime committed by Khludov. He turns around. Golubkov is in a panic. He came to tell the commander-in-chief about Seraphima’s arrest and wants to find out her fate. Khludov asks the captain to take her to the palace if she is not shot. Golubkov is horrified by these words. Khludov makes excuses before the ghost messenger and asks him to leave his soul. When Khludov asks who Serafima is to him, Golubkov replies that she is a random stranger, but he loves her. Khludov says that she was shot. Golubkov is furious, Khludov throws him a revolver and tells someone that his soul is in two. The captain comes in with a report that Seraphima is alive, but today Charnota fought her off with a weapon and took her to Constantinople. Khludov is expected on the ship. Golubkov asks to take him to Constantinople, Khludov is sick, speaks to the messenger, they leave. Dark.

Dream 5. Constantinople, summer 1921

Street of Constantinople. There is an advertisement for cockroach races. Charnota, drunk and gloomy, approaches the cash register of the cockroach race and wants to put it on credit, but Arthur, the “cockroach king,” refuses him. Charnota is sad and remembers Russia. He sells silver gazyri and a box of his toys for 2 lire 50 piastres, and bets all the money he receives on the favorite of the Janissary. People are gathering. Cockroaches living in a box “under the supervision of a professor” run with paper riders. Shout: “The Janissary is malfunctioning!” It turns out that Arthur gave the cockroach a drink. Everyone who bet on the Janissary rushes at Arthur, who calls the police. A beautiful prostitute encourages the Italians, who beat the English who bet on another cockroach. Dark.

Dream 6. Constantinople, summer 1921

Charnota quarrels with Lyusya, lies to her that the box and gazyri were stolen, she realizes that Charnota lost the money, and admits that she is a prostitute. She reproaches him that he, the general, defeated counterintelligence and was forced to flee the army, and now he is a beggar. Charnota objects: he saved Seraphim from death. Lyusya reproaches Seraphim for her inaction and goes into the house. Golubkov enters the yard and plays the organ. Charnota assures him that Serafima is alive and explains that she went to the panel. Seraphima arrives with a Greek laden with shopping. Golubkov and Charnota rush at him, he runs away. Golubkov tells Serafima about love, but she leaves saying that she will die alone. Lyusya, who has come out, wants to open the Greek package, but Charnota does not allow it. Lucy takes the hat and says that she is leaving for Paris. Khludov enters in civilian clothes - he has been demoted from the army. Golubkov explains that he found her, she left, and he will go to Paris to Korzukhin - he is obliged to help her. They will help him cross the border. He asks Khludov to take care of her, not to let her go to the panel, Khludov promises and gives 2 liras and a medallion. Charnota goes with Golubkov to Paris. They are going away. Dark.

Dream 7. Paris, autumn 1921

Golubkov asks Korzukhin for a $1,000 loan for Seraphima. Korzukhin doesn’t give it, he says that he has never been married and wants to marry his Russian secretary. Golubkov calls him a terrible soulless person and wants to leave, but Charnota comes, who says that he would sign up with the Bolsheviks to shoot him, and after shooting him, he would be discharged. Seeing the cards, he invites Korzukhin to play and sells him the Khludov medallion for 10 dollars. As a result, Charnota wins $20,000 and buys the medallion for $300. Korzukhin wants to return the money, and Lyusya comes running to his cry. Charnota is amazed, but does not betray her. Lyusya despises Korzukhin. She assures him that he himself lost the money and will not get it back. Everyone leaves. Lyusya quietly shouts out the window for Golubkov to take care of Seraphim, and for Charnot to buy some pants for himself. Dark.

Dream 8. Constantinople, autumn 1921

Khludov alone talks with the ghost of the messenger. He is suffering. Seraphima enters, tells him that he is ill, he is executed, and that he has released Golubkov. She is going to return to St. Petersburg. Khludov says that he will also return, and under his own name. Serafima is terrified; she thinks he will be shot. Khludov is happy about this. They are interrupted by a knock on the door. This is Charnota and Golubkov. Khludov and Charnota leave, Serafima and Golubkov confess their love to each other. Khludov and Charnota return. Charnota says that he will stay here, Khludov wants to return. Everyone dissuades him. He calls Charnota with him, but he refuses: he has no hatred for the Bolsheviks. He's leaving. Golubkov wants to return the medallion to Khludov, but he gives it to the couple and they leave. Khludov alone writes something, rejoices that the ghost has disappeared. He goes to the window and shoots himself in the head. Dark.

Option 2

The Budenovites come to check the monastery church, in which the St. Petersburg young privat-docent Golubkov and Serafima Korzukhina are hiding. The pregnant Barabanchikova is hiding with them. Golubkov intends to flee to Crimea, along with Korzukhina, who wants to meet her husband there. The white commander de Brizard appears, at the sight of whom Baranchikova throws off her rags and appears in the form of General Charnota. The Trinity leaves the monastery and goes to Crimea.

Meanwhile, the Crimean station has been turned into the headquarters of the white forces. Serafima’s husband, Korzukhin, serves as the Minister of Trade there. He asks General Khludov to push through a carriage with fur goods, but the general orders the cargo to be burned. Later, Golubkov, Seraphima and General Charnota’s messenger, Krapilin, appear. Serafima accuses Khludov of cruelty, for which the white staff accuse her of supporting the communists. Korzukhin renounces his wife, messenger Krapilin is hanged for unflattering statements about the activities of General Khludov.

Counterintelligence officer Tikhiy uses threats to force private assistant professor Golubkov to denounce Serafima as a member of the Communist Party. The staff believe that the communist wife will disgrace Korzukhin and he will pay her off with thousands of dollars. During interrogation, Seraphim breaks out a window glass and asks General Charnot for help. He with a weapon recaptures Korzukhina from the White Guards.

Later, Golubkov comes to Khludov with a complaint about Serafima’s arrest. The private assistant professor sees the general talking to the ghost of messenger Krapilin. Khludov asks the subordinate staff officer to deliver Korzukhina to headquarters if she has not yet been shot. The staff officer returns with the news that Charnota has recaptured Serafima and taken her to Constantinople. Khludov decides to pursue the fugitives, Golubkov asks to take him with him.

In Constantinople, a drunken Charnota tries to win a bet on a cockroach race. He sells his belongings and bets all his money on the favorite among the cockroaches. However, the poisoned cockroach loses the race and Charnota loses her savings. The general returns home, where Golubkov is waiting for him. He assures the St. Petersburg intellectual that Seraphima is alive, but works as a courtesan. At this time, Serafima returns, Golubkov confesses his love to her, but she rejects him. General Khludov arrives and reports that he has been demoted from the army. Charnota and Golubkov leave for Paris in search of Korzukhin.

In Paris, Golubkov finds Korzukhin and asks him to borrow money for Seraphima, but he refuses, citing the fact that he has never been married. Golubkov is furious and calls Korzukhin a rotten man. General Charnota comes and invites Korzukhin to play for money, and in the end he wins 20 thousand dollars from him. Golubkov and Charnota return to Constantinople to Khludov’s house. Here Serafima and Golubkov explain their feelings. Charnota decides to stay in Constantinople, as she no longer wants to fight the Bolsheviks. Khludov is left alone, he wants to return to Russia and continue the fight. The ghost of messenger Krapilin returns, they talk, after which the ghost disappears. Joyful Khludov goes to the window and shoots himself in the temple.

Essay on literature on the topic: Summary of Bulgakov's Run

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