- Samokhvalov: It's just that... it compromises you.
- Kalugina: I have had such a spotless reputation, it's about time I were compromised.
- Kalugina: Well, how's the cat?
- Novoseltsev: Better, she said.
- Kalugina: Just so she said, didn't she?
- Novoseltsev: Yes, she did.
- Kalugina: Such a wonderful cat! The best cat in the world, isn't she?
- Kalugina: You didn't do too well in grade school, did you?
- Novoseltsev: Let's leave my shady past alone.
- Kalugina: You said that I was tough!
- Novoseltsev: Oh, no! Soft!
- Kalugina: Inhuman!
- Novoseltsev: Very human!
- Kalugina: Heartless!
- Novoseltsev: Cardiac!
- Kalugina: Dry!
- Novoseltsev: Wet!
- Kalugina: What are you doing?
- Verochka: Uhm, I'm considering these boots, Lyudmila Prokofyevna. Do you like them?
- Kalugina: They are very flaunty, I would not buy them. And in your place, I would concentrate on my job, and shop for boots after work.
- [exits]
- Verochka: Meaning, good boots, I should take them.
- Shura: [collecting money] 50 copecks! 50 copecks! Masha V. had a baby!
- Novoseltsev: If someone else at this job dies or has a baby, I'll be left without lunch.
- Kalugina: So it turns out that everyone thinks that I'm a monster?
- Novoseltsev: Please, don't exaggerate! Not everyone... and not quite a monster...
- Kalugina: There's nothing to say, you are the perfect image of a modern man!
- Novoseltsev: Why are you insulting me?
- Samokhvalov: Try to woo her. Otherwise, if I mention your name again, she'll roar at me.
- Novoseltsev: How can I woo her if she's a roaring type?
- Novoseltsev: It was an ordinary morning, when our beauties of statistics had finished their make-up procedure and relapsed into a sweet poetic dream of summaries, numbers, reports, plans and calculations.
- Novoseltsev: Have some cocktail.
- Kalugina: I don't drink, Mr. Novoseltsev.
- Novoseltsev: Good. Neither do I.
- Kalugina: Then why did you bring it?
- Novoseltsev: To drink it. But... it was my mistake.
- Novoseltsev: You don't like my recitation, my singing and dancing, because you're cold fish, a dry personality!
- Kalugina: And what is this?
- Samokhvalov: A mobile.
- Kalugina: A mobile?
- Samokhvalov: It's very popular in Europe, you can find it in many houses there. An illusion of movement. The idea belongs to Alexander Calder from America. The 20th century is so full of high speeds. You come home and relax watching it.
- Samokhvalov: Lyudmila Prokofievna, I've an idea. What about making Novoseltsev head of the sector? So what he messed up with his report? It's just that he is made for something bigger. I know him. He is very talented.
- Kalugina: I can understand your sentiments: old friendship and so on, but we should judge people by their deeds.
- Novoseltsev: Do you like picking mushrooms?
- Kalugina: Picking what?
- Novoseltsev: Mushrooms. Brown cap boleti, orange-cap boleti, honey mushrooms...
- Kalugina: I'm indifferent to such things.
- Novoseltsev: My condolences. Picking mushrooms is the most wonderful thing in the world.
- Novoseltsev: And this is Shura. A pleasant woman, but, unfortunately, an activist. She was once recommended for welfare activity, and there is no stopping her since then.
- Samokhvalov: A souvenir from Switzerland. An eight-colored pen, for all kind of resolutions. Black, to refuse; red, to carry out the payment; green, the color of hope; blue, for reconsideration.
- Samokhvalov: Well, time changes us indeed. Do you remember how pretty she was...
- Novoseltsev: Anyway, you and I didn't get any younger, either. It's just that with women it's more... painful.
- Novoseltsev: It's... me again.
- Kalugina: I think we already said goodbye to each other.
- Novoseltsev: Right. But let's say hello again. Hello, Lyudmila Prokofievna.
- Kalugina: Good evening.
- Novoseltsev: And it's not only about money. I'm sick and tired of sitting at this desk. I'm made for something more. I can move mountains.
- Novoseltsev: Your car?
- Samokhvalov: Get in, buddy.
- Novoseltsev: Wow. A Volga?
- Samokhvalov: Kind of. Get in.
- Novoseltsev: A compact little flat. And what is this?
- Samokhvalov: A Philips, a stereo record player.
- Novoseltsev: Embedded?
- Samokhvalov: Plus two speakers.
- Novoseltsev: Too many people living in our city. Too many guests. Too many cars. Everyone is in a hurry. It's all crowds and queues. But I love my city all the same. It is my city. A wonderful city.
- Novoseltsev: Work is the most noble thing in the world. That's why people go to work. This is also the only reason why I go to work.
- Samokhvalov: I really want you as my friend to take this post, I mean, someone I could trust.
- Novoseltsev: I see. A new broom and so on, comes with his own team.
- Samokhvalov: And you're from my team.
- Novoseltsev: Sure. Though, a minute ago I was from no one's team.
- Samokhvalov: Tolya, Kalugina thinks you're a nobody.
- Novoseltsev: She's right. Be careful.
- Samokhvalov: The mask of irony is the province of the beaten.
- Kalugina: I need your advice.
- Verochka: You want some more personal data?
- Kalugina: Well, no... You know... I mean... what people wear nowadays?
- Verochka: What do you mean?
- Kalugina: I mean, what is fashionable?
- Verochka: Why you of all people... I'm sorry.
- Kalugina: It's all right. A relative of mine came from a little town, and she's interested.
- Verochka: I see.
- Verochka: A woman should have mystery about her. Your chin raised, your eyes lowered... here, all relaxed. Your shoulders pulled back. You move freely, from your hip. A springy relaxed style of a panther prepared for a leap. Men are just crazy about such women.
- Kalugina: Is it possible to master this kind of gait?
- Verochka: Even a hare can be taught to smoke. Nothing is impossible in this world...
- Kalugina: Stop bossing about here. I'm the one who is the administratrix around here.
- Novoseltsev: The boss.
- Kalugina: Whatever.
- Kalugina: I've turned into some scarecrow, while I'm only thirty-six.
- Novoseltsev: Thirty-six?
- Kalugina: Yes, I'm younger than you. And how old do I look?
- Novoseltsev: Eh... Thirty-five.
- Kalugina: You're lying again, Mr. Novoseltsev.