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Synopsis
Act I Scene One
It is morning in the household of
the tailor Shimele Soroker. His two apprentices, Motl and Kopl,
are hard at work readying an outfit for a fitting. They are both
in love with Beylke, Shimele's beautiful daughter.
Motl is concerned about Shimele's
prolonged conversations with the matchmaker Soloveytshik. Kopl
reassures him that their conversation is probably about the
rent. Motl is not convinced. In fact, he even suspects that
Solomon Fein, the landlord's highfalutin son, is having his suit
made by Shimele, also because of Beylke.
Motl notices Koltun, the
landlord's crass agent, pester Beylke in the street and becomes
annoyed. He urges Kopl to draw lots to determine who will get
Beylke. She walks in unexpectedly and pokes fun at their
childish game. She tells them that her father has a real lottery
ticket and that the drawing is today.
Eti-Meni, Shimele's wife, returns
from the market. She complains that Koltun has been bothering
her for the rent. Shimele enters in high spirits, checks his
watch and declares that they are still only working class "folk,
"Amkho," and sends everyone back to work.
Solomon Fein arrives for his
fitting and discovers that the rent has not been paid. He
becomes enraged and preaches on the morality of paying rent on
time, all the while eyeing beylke. Shimele assures Solomon that
the rent will be paid. Motl exclaims that there will come a day
when there will be no more landlords and no rents. Solomon
indignantly replies that until that day comes, rent must be
paid. He then exits.
Shimele sends Beylke to the bank.
Nineteen years ago Shimele acquired a lottery ticket and today
is the drawing. He knows he will win. Eti-Meni ridicules his
aspirations to become rich, but Shimele is adamant that he will
win. He had a dream about a tree with golden coins that grew in
the middle of their room.
Meanwhile, Koltun comes looking
for Beylke. Shimele is furious because Beylke is the "apple of
his eye," and he wants nothing further to do with a louse like
Koltun. Koltun then threatens to throw Shimele, his family and
his potatoes out of the apartment. Bu Kopl grabs Koltun by the
collar and pushes him out of the door.
Perl, the miller, excitedly rushes
in. She has heard that Soloveytshik is bringing money to the
tailor, and she wants to be paid first. Soloveytshik enteres and
tells Shimele about a great match he has in mind -- a great
"combination" -- a husband and an apartment! When Shimele
realizes that the "combination" includes Koltun, he calls Kopl
to throw the matchmaker out. At that exact moment, Beylke and
Motl return excited. Shimele has won he lottery -- the big
200,000. Everyone gathers to congratulate the tailor and offer
their services. Shimele's dream has come true; he is now a rich
man.
Act 1 Scene Two
Two weeks later, we find the
Soroker family trying to cope with their new social and
financial status. Beylke refuses to eat at the same table as
Koltun, who has taken it upon himself to educate the family
in ways aristocratic. Eti-Meni begs her daughter to eat, but
Beylke refuses. She cannot tolerate Koltun's presence, his
meddling, and his scheming. Eti-Meni suggests that she talk to
her father. Since he won the lottery, he seems to have lost his
head. He has become totally reliant upon Koltun.
Mendl, the servant, announces Motl
and Kopl. They have come to fit Shimele for a new coat. Motl has
hard rumors that Beylke has been matched with Solomon Fein, but
he hopes that they are unfounded. Beylke is glad to see them and
confesses that she is very unhappy. Koltun and Shimele greets
the apprentices and invites them to have a drink. Left alone
with Beylke, Koltun proceeds to pester her. She ignores him and
runs to her room.
Motl, Kopl and Shimele return.
Motl searches for Beylke. Shimele explains that Beylke is going
to be married soon. Koltun is indignant over Motl's interest in
Beylke, Shimele puts Koltun in his place and then tries on his
coat. To his chagrin, he discovers a big bulge in the back of
the coat and reprimands his apprentices for their poor
workmanship. Motl blames Kopl for the faulty cut, but Kopl
quickly saves the situation by remarking that at the measuring
two weeks ago, Shimele had a slight hump, but it is now gone.
Shimele, happy with his new straight back, invites them to come
back soon, and he bids them goodbye.
He calls Eti-Meni and tells her to
prepared a big meal for very important guests, Asher Fein and
his family, who are visiting this evening. Shimele then asks
Beylke to read some of the letters he has received from needy
people. Eti-Meni complains that he will squander his fortune on
other people, but Shimele reassures her that there is enough for
everyone. God gave it to him so that he can perform good deeds.
Soloveytshik, the matchmaker,
excitedly rushes in. He has just been at the Fein's home and
Usher Fein insisted that the Sorokers visit his home first.
Shimele and Eti-Meni put on their finery and depart for the
Feins.
Act II Scene One
The same day in the early evening,
Perl the miller has come to deliver bread. She sees Beylke with
a compress on her head and asks why. Beylke asks Perl what she
would have done if her parents forced a husband on her. Perl
tells her that she had no say in her own marriage. In spite of
this, she had a very good life with her husband.
Kopl and Motl arrive to visit
Beylke. Mendl informs them that since she will be writing her
wedding contract that evening, and she cannot be disturbed. Motl
bribes Mendl. Beylke overhearing the squabble, orders Mendl to
leave. She tells the boys that she cannot tolerate the situation
any longer. Motl and Kopl understand her predicament and offer
to help her run away from home. She accepts their offer, just as
her parents arrive home from the Feins. Beylke asks the boys to
come back later and instructs them to leave through the kitchen.
Not knowing where the kitchen is, Motel and Kopl hide in
Eti-Meni's bedroom.
Eti-Meni enters her bedroom to
remove her had and comes out with the two apprentices. Simele
tells them that they are, of course, always welcome. However,
tonight he is very busy because he is going to make a deal that
will turn Kasrilevke upside down -- a real "combination" The
boys leave.
Mendl informs them that Beylke is
not feeling well. Soloveytshik worries that she will spoil his
"combination." The Feins arrive. They demand to see "the
daughter" to make sure she doesn't have horns. While Shimele
gets Beylke, Usher Fein, Solomon, Koltun and Soloveytshik scheme
to heat Shimele out of his money. Shimele returns with Beylke,
who apologizes for not feeling well. Solomon makes romantic
overtures. Angred by Solomon's duplicity, Beylke reminds him of
the time when he lectured them n the virtue of paying rent and
then stormed out of the room. Madame Fein is indignant. "Who
does she think she is!" Eti-Meni assures her that Beilke knows
who she is. She has not forgotten the hard times -- when Koltun
forced them to pay rent whether they had the money or not. Asher
Fein asks Shimele how he plans to collect the rent when he
becomes the landlord.
Shimele is caught by surprise.
Koltun was supposed to have explained that the apartment would
be rented to poor people who would pay rent only if and when
they could afford it.
Goldenthaler, the bank teller,
arrives. He announces that there was a mistake in the drawing
and that Shimele's ticket did not win after all. It was
discovered that Shimele's ticket is missing a zero. Shimele is
beside himself. The Feins leave. Solomon asks Koltun to start
collecting their rent again. Shimele tries to stop everyone to
no avail. Mendl rushes in to announce that Beylke has run away
from home. Soloveytshik is crushed. His whole "combination" had
gone down the drain. Shimele's dream is shattered.
Act II Scene Two
Later that same evening Beylke,
Motl and Kopl discuss what to do. Beylke wants to go to her
aunt, but Motl is worried about her traveling alone. Motl
doesn't know what to do. Kopl goes to get a carriage. Alone with
Motl, Beylke remarks that her old home is well-maintained. She
concludes that Kopl must have been keeping house. A dejected
Motl resolves that if that is so -- that if she loves Kopl --
then he no longer wants to live. Beylke, happy that Motl has
finally confessed his love for her, tells him that she ran away
from home because of him. Kopl returns to find Beylke and Motl
kissing. He is disappointed but relieved -- no more drawing
lots.
Shimele, Eti-Meni and Soloveytshik
enter. Beylke apologizes for running away, but she explains that
she had no other choice. The lottery money made her whole life
miserable. Soloveytshik tells her that she doesn't have to worry
anymore. The lottery money is gone. Motl and Kopl are happy.
Shimele asks if they will accept him as their boss again. They
reply that they would be honored to have him back. Shimele now
realizes that Beylke has chosen Motl to become her husband, but
she informs Motl that she is a poor bride now. Motl exclaims
that for him, Beylke is the greatest treasure. Shimele is glad
to rejoin the working class. He had a taste of the "good life"
and discovered that hit wasn't that "good" after all. He is more
than happy to return to the life of dreams and hopes.
-- synopsis by Rina Elisha. |
