The present belongs to an anthology of stories in
which Chejov tries to show to his fellow citizens the small dramas of the daily
life; the sordidness and sadness in those who live, in order to remove them of
his habitual mediocrity, and leads them to creating a society better than that
of his epoch. Mr. Kistunov was receiving punctually the clients and petitioners
of Banco, although he was suffering from drop, nervous problems, and it had,
consequently, a terribly gaunt appearance. One day, he attends to the
soliciting one that, flatterer and pitifully, presents to him the complaint of
which his husband, Mr. Schukin, having been convalescent for 5 months of an
illness, without any reason it was dismissed of his work as collegiate adviser,
in addition to was deducted a certain quantity of money of his debts.And he complains about his defenselessness and grief.
Kistunov takes the form and, on having read it, rapidly he realizes that that
step does not correspond to be realized before the Bank; and he asks Mrs.
Schukina, to go to the medical military corresponding institution. She tells to
him, that she has already gone to several institutions, fruitlessly; and it
shows him the medical certificate of his husband; believing necessary the
justification of the illness. The whole situation seems absurd to Kistunov, and
the fact that she does not understand. This way, there happen endless
situations of reasonings, employees'' change (he tolerates little the situation
and requests that they replace it in the exhausting task), that try to clarify
the misunderstanding without being understood, in the middle of declarations of
vulnerability on the part of Mrs., and the exasperation of the same ones.
Kistunov decides to intervene finally in the discussion (derivative in fight),
with an employee.
He cannot make to throw the woman for fear of the
discredit opposite to all the clients if she was raising the voice to complain.
He tries to explain again what difference to a bank deprived of a medical
military institution; but, it is useless, she keeps on claiming the payment of
the retained, and being reaffirmed in his victim''s role. Kistunov feels
discomforts. Distressed, he explains again once again, until it stops, and
distressed, admits aloud that it cannot already keep on doing it. It turns the
employees'' exchange, and the annoyance of Kistunov on having listened to the
discussions from his office. Meanwhile, there happen the endless obstinacy,
threats and complaints of the lady. without supporting it more, and after a
last fruitless attempt of explanation, he asks him finally how much is what
they owe him; it extracts his portfolio and the money extends him, asking him
to go away immediately.With the sweetened visage, Mrs. keeps the money, and
question if it is possible that they restore his husband in his position.
Conquered by the anxiety and the nerves, Kistunov leaves; the rest of the
employees take a few tranquilizers and recapture his rhythm of habitual work.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Schukina was remaining in the entry of the Bank, waiting for
the return of Kistunov. And it returned to another day …