VANYA Speaking of the house, the storms have been getting much worse, Cassandra says it’s climate change and we’re all going to be dead in 10 years, but in any case, we need to get the roof repaired.

MASHA Oh, I’ve been meaning to tell you. I’ve decided to sell the house. I mean, I pour buckets of money into it, and I’m never here, and neither of you have money to put into the house, and Hootie Pie nicely offered to look at my expenses, and she pointed out I’m pouring all this money into this old house I hardly ever go to.

SONIA I can’t believe my ears. We grew up here. Our roots are here.

MASHA Well, let’s not be sentimental. I still make movies, but they don’t pay me as much as they used to.

VANYA Sonia, “Beware of Hootie Pie” wasn’t about the costumes, it was about selling the house.

SONIA Masha, this Hootie Pie is clouding your judgment. Don’t throw away the house we love, and we’ve lived in all our lives. And what about the cherry orchard?

MASHA What cherry orchard?

SONIA We have a large cluster of cherry trees, don’t you remember them from childhood?

MASHA Oh slightly, I guess. Aren’t there only 9 or 10 of them?

SONIA THEY ARE AN ORCHARD!

MASHA Lower your voice. They’re only trees.

VANYA Masha—so you’re going to sell the house and put us out on the street??

MASHA Oh nonsense, you can get an apartment.

SONIA But this is our home.

MASHA Goodness, such fuss. I shouldn’t have mentioned it now. Forget about it, let’s just go enjoy the costume party, all right? Spike! Hurry up! (to Vanya and Sonia) Do you wish to ride with us?

VANYA I think Sonia and I will take our own car.

MASHA Yes, that sounds fine. Look, stop looking so upset. Financially I have to be practical. Now let’s forget it for now, and go have a lovely time at this party, all right? (calls out) Spike, hurry up! I’m going to the car.

Masha exits. Vanya and Sonia look at one another.

Spike and Nina enter from the kitchen. Nina is dressed as Dopey. The costume is way too big for her, though she looks kind of adorable.

SPIKE What was Masha yelling about?

VANYA She’s waiting for you in the car.

SPIKE Oh, okay. (calling in direction of Masha) Coming!

Spike heads out to the driveway. Nina starts to follow him but crosses back to Vanya and Sonia.

NINA I feel so fortunate. You’re all so nice to me here. But can I ask something? How do you think I look?

VANYA I think you look wonderful.

NINA Really? Thank you. And Sonia, you look stunning. Your costume is much better than the Snow White one.