Daniel Charms, 31 Plays, #24

(Warren Ellis/Ivan Rodriguez)

Sleep teases a man

Markov takes off his boots, sighs, and lies down on the sofa.

He wants to sleep, but as soon as he closes his eyes, sleep leaves him. Markov opens his eyes and reaches for a book, but sleep conquers him again, and halfway to the book he lies down and closes his eyes again. But as soon as he closes his eyes, sleep leaves him again, and his consciousness gets so clear that he was able to solve algebra equations with two unknowns.

Markov's suffering went on, and he didn't know what to do: sleep or stay awake? Finally, tormented, hating himself and his room, Markov puts his coat and hat on, takes his walking stick, and goes out onto the street. Fresh air gets Markov happy and relaxed, and he feels like going back to his room.

Right after he enters the room, he feels pleasantly tired and sleepy. But as soon as he lies on the sofa and closes his eyes, - sleep momentarily evaporates.

Fuelled with fury, Markov jumps off the sofa, and without his hat and coat, runs toward Tavricheskiy Garden.