MASHA (into the phone) Hello? Who? Oh, Agnes. (whispers to Cassandra) It’s that woman about the house. (back to the phone) YOU GOT THE WRONG NUMBER, DON’T CALL HERE AGAIN! (hangs up)

CASSANDRA That’s exactly what I said earlier today.

MASHA We are clearly sharing some psychic connection. And I welcome it. (calls off-stage) Vanya, Sonia! Come in here please!

Vanya and Sonia enter, followed by Nina.

MASHA I am not selling the house. Hootie Pie is a manipulator and a liar, and she was wrong about the Snow White costume, and clearly all her other suggestions are wrong too. So in no way will I consider the suggestion she made that I sell the house.

SONIA What happened?

MASHA Cassandra is driving Spike to the bus, he’s out of my life, he’s running off with Hootie Pie.

SONIA Oh. I’m sorry.

MASHA Don’t be. I’m feeling very good . . . except for the fact I have such very bad taste in men. And I don’t know why I wanted to sell the house. Oh, I have less money than I used to. And I was going to turn down this film where they want me to play a grandmother, which I am not anxious to do. But I think I’ll take it for the money. It would pay the mortgage for like a year. You know, I don’t know why I didn’t think this earlier, but I don’t have a husband, I don’t have children . . . but the roots I do have are here, aren’t they? With you two.

Vanya and Sonia give Masha a hug. She hugs back. They hold it for a bit, then separate.

CASSANDRA Uh-oh. Lover boy’s coming down the stairs.

Spike comes down the stairs. He looks good, is carrying a small overnight bag. Everyone is kind of uncomfortable. Spike does not seem uncomfortable.

SPIKE (friendly, nice, as if nothing’s happened) Thank you all for a lovely weekend. I enjoyed meeting all of you.

SONIA Yes, it was lovely. We all had a great time. (she looks at everyone else, making a “is he crazy or what” face)

VANYA I’m sorry about my tirade. I didn’t mean to go ballistic.

SPIKE That’s okay. Always good to get things out. Thank you, Masha, it was great getting to know you.

MASHA Yes, lovely to meet you. You must send me photos of you and Hootie Pie cavorting in Aruba.

SPIKE Really?

MASHA Yes. I’ll put them on the refrigerator with all the coupons.

SPIKE So long, Nina.

NINA Goodbye, Spike.

CASSANDRA Come on, Spike-y. Let’s head to the bus.

SPIKE Spike.

Spike gives a little wave to them, and exits with Cassandra. A brief bit of silence.