*Seating the tired young man on a padded stool with battered legs, Andrei hovers like a mother hen, or perhaps more like a guarding wolf, over his new acolyte. His eyes remain fixed on Joel, tense with worry, and his broad, jetty brows are steepled with sympathy. In a caring gesture, he holds Joel by his shoulders with one hand, and waves a towel in front of Joel’s face,  in the vain attempt to give the young feller more air.*

Andrei: Ah, Yolenka- you put out too much the first time- what had you riled up? *rises slightly, straightening in a defensive pose, darts an accusative glare at Benediktas.* *To Benediktas* Ah, Benya! What’s your idea, hmm? Riling this poor boy up, being a bully! Ah, I know you too well, you devil! What do you have against poor Yolenka? Did he insult your mother, or something? *To Joel, softening his tone and voice and gently nudging his shoulder* Yolenka, what’s this bad blood between you and Benya, eh? 

Joel: *shakes head, and tries to regain his composure* I-I’m alright. There’s no bad blood. It’s just that I don’t want him poking his nose into stuff that doesn’t concern him. Anything that concerns Malka - that’s private between me and her, and I don’t appreciate a third party, a very nosy and assholish one at that, poking his nose in and mocking me about my supposed behavior. 

*shaking with anger* 

I think you’d better shut up. *at Benya* Y-you hear me? I won’t stand for you insulting me and Malka and our private t-t-t-ime together. 

Andrei: *glares and narrows his dark eyes, almost black, glittering with a sharp anger and demand at Benya* Explain yourself, Benya! *growls*

Benediktas: *Casts a defensive glance at Andrei, returns a cool, arrogant-seeming glare upon Joel* I meant no insult, Farber. Can’t take any conversation, can you? *sees Joel rise from his seat, but Andrei holds him back, to restrain him from exerting himself too much, Andrei levels a lingering glower upon Benediktas* All right, then! I’ll tell my wife to stop being concerned for neighbors’ welfare! And keep a mind, Farber, maybe you’ve got some pride you should check, too.  I’ll wash my hands of this affair from this moment on!

Andrei: Good! Let a man sort out his woman troubles on his own, it’s none of your business, if he doesn’t ask for your help, Benya! Now let him alone, or else, I’ll use you instead of the punching bag for exercise! 

Joel: *nods* Thank you, Andrei. Indeed. While I must admit Benya had a point, I would prefer to handle this myself. 

*narrows his eyes and pauses, and then relaxes*

I do love Malka. It’s true. I think I do love her the way a man loves a woman. But I don’t think I’m ready yet to take that step. I think I will in the future. But it terrified me, I’ll admit it. Perhaps it’s not manly to say it terrified me, but it made me sick, it made me sick when Benya told me what kind of coward I am. I’ll admit it! Right here, in the Lower East Side Fighting Club, that I am a coward. 

Everything comes at a cost, and I’ve yet to assess all of the costs associated with love. But I think one day, I’ll be ready to love Malka with all of my being. But for now, I’ll watch from a distance, until that day I can have the courage to break free of this self-imposed quarantine that I’ve been living in for the past 15 or so years.

*Joel pauses, his face suddenly unreadable and stoic*

Andrei: *jaw hangs open, and eyes widen in astonishment. Remains dumbfounded for several moments* *In Russian, he can’t think or speak in English* God! He’s more of a man than I gave credit for! F*ck!! *Andrei remains dumbfounded*

Benya: *eyes widen and mouth gapes open* What th- All right! So you DO have a heart, after all, Farber! But how long are you going to remain in this distance? Malka’s a pretty woman, and there are a lot of guys who’d court her and marry her, too. Don’t remain in the shadows, too long. I made that mistake, too! *his voice takes on a slight growl of contempt, but he curls a cruel smile ever slightly at the corner of his thin lips* 

Joel shoots a fierce, smug look at Benya.

Joel: Oh, you would know about that, wouldn’t you? *he crosses his arms* But I’m glad you’re out of the market now, now that you’re happily married. I want to let you know that I didn’t appreciate it a few years back when you were getting so close to Malka. I didn’t think she was a good match for you, and it seems like I was right. You’re too crude, too much of a prick for her. As am I, I suppose, so that’s why I’ve been working on myself these past few years. 

*licks his lips somewhat nervously and then looks fiercely at Andrei and then Ben again*

Benediktas: *eyes widen, and he lets every word of and glower wash over him like a brine of the sea. A furious tremor seizes him, and he grinds his teeth underneath his tightly pursed and scowling lips.* Amazing. Just amazing. I had no idea you were so perceptive, Farber. Yes… maybe I did hold an attraction for Ms. Spitzer back then… but as you see, I am happily married now. I suppose, in the twists of fate, I found a woman who bear my flaws, and helped me become a better man. 

I admit, I’m pretty rank as they come, but my wife sure reformed me. It does make one wonder though… do you think Malka can withstand your flaws? Your coldness? You can be cruel, too, Farber. It takes a bully to know a bully, you see. I wonder if she can wait that long, and once you two REALLY get to know each other, she might not like what she sees?  

She better be as strong as my wife to stomach what you have, since we’re quite alike, aren’t we? Crude pricks, don’t you think?

Joel: *growls at Ben* I’ve thought about those things many, many times. They came to me at night, those thoughts, tearing away at my sanity and my hopes for the future. Don’t tell me something I don’t already know, Elkes. Yes, we are quite alike, aren’t we? And that’s probably why we clash so often, and why, perhaps, we were both drawn to Malka, and she to us. 

But I’d like to think I’m better to you, that I’ll have an easier time becoming a better man. Once I’ll fix my flaws, I’ll sweep Malka off her feet and I’ll make love to her. Yes. *fixes his eyes on Ben and Andrei* I said it! I’ll press my lips against hers and release this pent-up tension I’ve held for years and years and years. And if actually likes me that way too, she could release the tension I’ve created as well. 

That’s not…something everyone can do. At least well. *smirks at Ben* 

Benediktas: Don’t kid yourself- I don’t think she was ever drawn to me. Not many would be. Even Gerda took nearly a year before she could talk to me. I doubt if Malka would like you, since we’re alike! You’re really a loose basket, aren’t you, Farber? Never thought I’d see you, of all people, actually have a heart and bare it open before the whole Lower East Side like a deranged poet! You are crazy! You’re insane to think you can just waltz in and make love. But I won’t crush your dreams. I guess every man needs a dream. Also, I’m pretty certain how I sleep with my wife is my own damn business, and judging the fact she’s in her first month of expecting, I must have something to show for it, don’t I, now?

Andrei: *still dumbfounded* Shit! Yolenka! What a man you are! And fuck! Benya! A baby? My god, manhood is NOT lost here! How proud am I of you two, especially you, Yolenka!!! *grins madly and brightly*  

Joel: I don’t disappoint, Colonel. At least I hope I didn’t. And I’m sure I won’t in the future. I will make my “deranged poetic” ramblings a realty, mark my words, as long as Malka returns my feelings. And, Benya - be a little more consistent, won’t you? You were just yelling at me half an hour back about how I wasn’t honest about my feelings for Malka and how I was disappointing her, since she loved me, and now you say that she doesn’t love me and there’s no way I can know for sure that she loves me…? 

Clearly, you just want to heckle me. *punches Benya’s shoulder playfully* Things never change, do they? I remember what you said and did during my Bar Mitzvah, you twerp. 

Benya: I’d love to stay and argue more with you, Farber, but I’ve got responsibilities to tend to. But you heard me wrong- I meant be honest, but don’t be haughty, for fucks’ sakes. Maybe I twist and confuse things… I always like seeing your reaction, Farber. You claim to be so level-headed, but in reality, you’re nitroglycerin in a brittle glass vial, ready to shatter and explode. 

But! I have to go- I have to take my wife to the doctor’s! See how the baby is doing, you know! Good day to you both, and many thanks Colonel- you can come for the baby shower if you’re still here, we’d be happy to have you! *yanks his shirt back over his undershirt and buttons it quickly before he puts on his coat and leaves*

Andrei: Hah! Much happiness to you and your wife! Hope the baby is a strapping boy or pretty girl, eh! *waves farewell to Benya, as he parts* *turns to Joel* Hmm. Yolenka! I have a question?  

Joel: What would that be, Colonel? *brushes some dust off his clothes*

Andrei: What is a baby showing? I mean… *slowly pronouncing* Show-ER? What is it? Is it a baptism? Damn, that’s too early for that!

Joel: Yeah, something like that, where they announce the impending birth of a child. I guess he’ll organize it within the next few months. His wife isn’t that far along yet. I do think you’ll be able to come for it, right? *looks hopefully at Andrei*

Andrei: Another six months, eh? I doubt it! Damn it. I’d sure like to have to seen their baby, too. So how do you folks baptize your kids? Ah, that’s a question for another time! Let’s talk more on your fine woman, this Malushenka! She’s a real angel of a girl, isn’t she? *nudges Joel playfully on his shoulder and gives an earnest smile, almost youthful and innocent.*