Sandro Barateli:
The vibration has damaged not only the frescos. There are cracks in the walls of the church. If it goes on this way, the church will collapse. By the way, the church stands on piles. We ask you to immediately stop laboratory experiments in the church and put up as soon as possible a new building for the research institute.
Varlam Aravidze:
You mean to say that you're against science and progress?
Sandro Barateli:
We're against the science that destroys ancient monuments.
Varlam Aravidze:
Doksopulo, what was that church directive about?
Doksopulo:
It's about a dilapidated church.
Mosse:
Who says it's dilapidated?
Doksopulo:
It's almost ruined.
Mosse:
Almost. You hear that? Almost!
Doksopulo:
The building is almost ruined, it's the nidus of infection. There're snakes and lizards breeding in its foundation. No one attends your church anymore. Long past are the times when people were being told that G-d created man. The fact that we all had descended from a monkey was concealed. That's why it's been decided to pull the church down and on that place...
Varlam Aravidze:
Wait, Doksopulo! Esteemed Doksopulo! The Church of the Mother of G-d is one of the greatest monuments of early Christianity. A cultural monument! Demolishing it means cutting off the life-giving roots that nourish and spiritually enrich our people. Then throw into fire the works of Rustaveli and Dante! Stop playing Bach, Beethoven, Verdi! Let's demolish the St. Peter Church, Notre Dame, Svetitskhoveli. Esteemed Varlam! Our church used to have some unique relics. Through centuries our ancestors had protected them up to this day. But they've been lost without a trace. Now the building is collapsing. But we...
Varlam Aravidze:
Doksopulo, give me the text of my directive on the laboratory. Look what's written here: "I deem appropriate the construction of a new building of the laboratory. However, in view of lack of funds, we should temporarily abstain from it." You see, we're concerned, too. But it seems we can't put it off any longer, you have convinced me. Doksopulo! Do you have a mother?
Doksopulo:
Yes.
Varlam Aravidze:
How old is she?
Doksopulo:
Very Old.
Varlam Aravidze:
Aren't you supposed to take care of her? The same goes for that church, the monument of the 6th century, our pride and our history. A son should never leave his sick mother without care. Remember it well. We should be grateful to these noble people for opening up our eyes, for telling us the truth. I give you my word that I won't spare any effort to solve this problem. And the experiments, as far as I know, are conducted at a minimal capacity. It will go on this way until the new building is erected.
Mosse:
If the high voltage installations work at a full capacity, not only the church, but the whole town will blow up.
