Ghosts of Chernobyl
This excerpt is from pages 10-21 of Ghosts of Chernobyl, The scene that follows is Nina and her closest friend, Sara, entering the reactor control room for the first time in 2011. After we see a brief scene from 1986, where her father battles his boss on whether the test should be run or not.
NINA
(Offstage)
Just push harder!
SARA
(Offstage)
What do you think I’m doing?
(The door flies open. Sara and Nina walk in. The lights remain off. They are wearing protective masks.)
NINA
Damn, it’s dark in here.
SARA
Well, what do you expect?
NINA
Set up the lights over there.
(She does so and turns them on, lights up)
Much better.
SARA
Dusty.
NINA
Well, I guess the maid service didn’t come this month.
SARA
Ha, ha. Very funny.
(With a Geiger counter)
Readings are normal in this room.
(They remove their masks, taking in the room.)
Wow.
NINA
It’s weird.
(Beat)
Do you feel that?
SARA
What?
NINA
Nothing. It’s just….
(Beat, changing subject)
Where do we start?
SARA
(She finds the vodka bottle)
How about with a drink?
NINA
No thanks, I prefer my drink uncontaminated.
SARA
Really? I prefer mine on the rocks.
(Sharp look from Nina)
It’s a joke! Jeez. Check the desk. I’ll search around.
NINA
(Searches desk, finds a journal. Reads to herself)
“Journal of…
(Beat.)
Leonid Toptunov. Chief engineer of reactor 4. Ran out of Vodka today. This is going to be a bad day.”
(Another beat, softly.)
This isn’t it.
(She searches desk again.)
Where is it?
SARA
What was that?
NINA
I found a journal. Chief Engineer.
SARA
What’s the first account?
NINA
April 12th, 1986.
SARA
Incredible, so close to the accident. Any others?
NINA
No.
SARA
Well, this journal will work. We’ll be able to finally tell the world what actually happened here. What was said, what was done…. What was drunk! We will we know through this journal. Our years of work has led to this.
NINA
Don’t get too excited. We’re still not sure what else we’ll find.
SARA
What do you mean? We have your sources.
NINA
My mother and her stories aren’t always the most reliable.
SARA
She was friends with one of the engineers. How is she not reliable?
NINA
It’s just that –
SARA
Just nothing. She said there were journals. And now we have one. This is what we were looking for. Katie, we did it. All our work, and now we’re here. Why do you doubt this now?
NINA
I’m sorry Sara. It’s just that….
(As she walks to the desk, she stumbles, knees weaken.)
SARA
Hey, take it easy.
(Sara helps her sit.)
What’s going on with you?
NINA
It’s nothing, jet lag from the flight. I’m lightheaded.
SARA
I’m not talking about that. I mean you’ve been acting weird.
(Nina doesn’t respond)
You were quiet on the plane. You quiet on the cab ride to the airport. You were quiet the night before at dinner. This isn’t jet lag.
NINA
I’m sorry, I guess I’m nervous.
SARA
Those are just good nerves. Katie, this is what we wanted.
NINA
Now that I’m here, I’m not so sure.
SARA
When we were in class, learning about breaking the next big story, who always pushed me to dig deeper?
NINA
(Quietly)
Me.
SARA
And when an internship opened up at the best newspaper in the city—
NINA
(Cutting in.)
Second best.
SARA
Second best paper in the city. Who pushed me to apply?
NINA
Me. What’s your point, Sara?
SARA
(Sara walks over to Nina and slightly pushes her.)
Push.
(Nina gives a brief smile, but still doesn’t say anything.)
Huh. That always worked for me.
NINA
I’m sorry, Sara. It’s just that this isn’t like when we were in school. I don’t know how to explain it, it just feels bigger, more important.
(Sara taken aback.)
I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m saying. It’s just as important.
SARA
It’s okay.
(Beat)
Katie, I know it’s been hard, but I’m here for you. I always have.
(Changing direction, a bit playful)
Honestly, I don’t know how you’re feeling. I think I do, but I don’t. You have a chance to learn about where you came from. That’s something that I or my family can’t give you.
NINA
Sara…
SARA
(Leading on, playfully)
Your mom is from here. You’re from here. Family you may have had is from here. I’m just some American that —
NINA
Sara, you’re family. I was just born here. Beside my mom, you’re my only family.
SARA
(Cracking a smile)
I know. I was just testing you.
(Nina sighs)
But I’m serious. Look at the chance you have! Did you ever imagine that we would be here? In this place? I get the chance to write the next great story and you get the chance to learn about the country you were born in!
NINA
Keep your voice down, there are other groups here beside us.
SARA
To hell with them! I’m celebrating! Why aren’t you?
NINA
Okay! I will, just calm down.
SARA
I’m sorry, it’s just…it wouldn’t had happened without you. I would never have gotten the chance if I didn’t know someone who was connected to the accident, even if it was the tiniest connection.
NINA
Like I said, my mother and her stories.
SARA
And it didn't hurt that you speak a little Ukrainian either.
(Beat)
I’m going to take a look in the break room. Keep looking for more journals. Call me if you find anything.
NINA
Sure. Hey.
(Sara stops, Nina walks over and hugs her)
The push did work.
SARA
It always does.
NINA
Don’t forget this.
(Hands her dosimeter)
SARA
Thanks.
(Referencing journals)
Wouldn’t want to end up like those guys.
(She leaves)
NINA
(To herself)
Yeah… that would be a shame.
(Looking at the journal)
April, 19th 1986. A week before the experiment begins. I was doing some initial checks on the reactor before our shift started.
(Aleksandr walks in)
Everything looked normal on reactor 4. The only abnormal reading is that it was reading a bit hot. With the test coming up we need to make sure that all readings stay level, otherwise it could affect the test. However; I had good news for Aleksandr today…
(Leonid runs in with vodka)
LEONID
Good news!
ALEKSANDR
What is it?
LEONID
More vodka!
ALEKSANDR
Lenya, why did you buy more vodka?
LEONID
I was thinking ahead.
ALEKSANDR
About what?
LEONID
Well, next week we are running the test on our reactor. So, I will not be able to go get vodka and the following week is Mayday so I had to prepare in advance.
ALEKSANDR
Mayday is in two weeks, Lenya. Why buy so much vodka now?
LEONID
Because… I have to drink something until then.
(He gets himself a drink)
You want something?
ALEKSANDR
No, Lenya, I’m working.
LEONID
Working, always working.
ALEKSANDR
Do you know why the reactor is still running hot?
LEONID
No. Has it been like this all week?
ALEKSANDR
Yes.
LEONID
Something we should be worried about?
ALEKSANDR
Not yet. We need to keep an eye on the heat though. Also, keep an eye on the power output. Make sure it stays on a steady level, any drops and the core goes with it. And for the love of god, stop drinking!
LEONID
What? I’m celebrating.
ALEKSANDR
Celebrating what?
LEONID
Cosmonautics day.
ALEKSANDR
That was last week.
LEONID
The birth of your child?
ALEKSANDR
Also last week, Lenya! You have to stop drinking. We are running an important test next week and I can’t have you drunk while we are running it. You have a problem.
LEONID
I have no problem.
ALEKSANDR
Lenya, you have to stop. This is important. Please.
LEONID
Fine. But only for next week.
(ANATOLY enters)
ANATOLY
I must be mistaken; this is the control room and not the break room? Why all the talking?
ALEKSANDR
What can we help you with, Anatoly?
ANATOLY
What? No hello Anatoly? How are you, Anatoly?
(Eyeing LEONID)
How about a drink, Anatoly?
ALEKSANDR
Hello, Anatoly. How are you?
ANATOLY
I’m fine.
(To Leonid)
Are you drunk yet?
LEONID
Actually—
ALEKSANDR
He’s not. Now what do you want? Or are you here to condescend?
ANATOLY
I just wanted to check on my two favorite engineers.
LEONID
We are doing fine Anatoly.
ANATOLY
Does everything look in order for next week?
LEONID
It is fine. Now please, Aleksandr and I were talking about something private.
ANATOLY
Oh really? And what is that?
LEONID
Uh –
ALEKSANDR
(Looking toward Leonid)
The birth of my newborn.
ANATOLY
Congratulations, Aleksandr. You didn’t tell me you were a father.
LEONID
(Under his breath)
That is because we hate you.
ANATOLY
Excuse me?
ALEKSANDR
Yes, I am a father.
ANATOLY
What is the child’s name?
ALEKSANDR
Nina.
ANATOLY
Nina. Oh, what a beautiful name. I once dated a Nina in Kiev. She was such a stupid girl. But your Nina will not be like her, right?
ALEKSANDR
Hopefully.
ANATOLY
Now, when is the christening?
ALEKSANDR
April 25th.
ANATOLY
And should I expect an invitation?
ALEKSANDR
(A beat)
Of course.
ANATOLY
Good. I wish you gentlemen a good night.
(He starts to leave)
ALEKSANDR
Anatoly.
(Anatoly stops)
I wanted to talk to you about the core temperature. It has been running a bit hot. I was wondering if we could postpone the test until after Mayday if the core doesn’t change.
ANATOLY
Postpone?
ALEKSANDR
Yes, just until after Mayday.
ANATOLY
Aleksandr…. We cannot postpone this test. We are on a tight schedule. The rest of the country will be expecting us to run our test on time. We are the Chernobyl plant. There is pride in working here.
ALEKSANDR
I do not question our pride, I’m just worried about the core.
ANATOLY
The core? There is nothing wrong with the core.
ALEKSANDR
I’m not saying there’s a problem, I’m just saying –
ANATOLY
What are you saying? That you and your drunken friend cannot run this reactor? Is that what you’re saying? If you want, I can find two brand new workers to work at this station. Two workers that can run a reactor faster and more efficiently than you. It would be easy. It would be very easy to find new sober workers. Is that what you are saying, Aleksandr?
ALEKSANDR
No, sir.
ANATOLY
What are you saying then?
ALEKSANDR
The test will run as scheduled.
