BORIS. You carry the bluff to the bitter end, do you? Well, we’ll see.
[He mixes the powder and pours the wine and hands one glass to ALEXIS.]
ALEXIS. To your easy death, brother.
[He lifts the glass and drinks.]
BORIS. Ah! So you’re a brave man after all! [He lifts the glass and pauses.] What if I were to leave you now, eh?
ALEXIS. My men have orders to seize you the moment you leave the room.
BORIS. In that case! [He lifts the glass.] To your final redemption, brother!
ALEXIS. Sit down! [BORIS sits down.]
BORIS. Have we long to wait?
ALEXIS. Perhaps five minutes. It’s a Chinese concoction. They call it the draught of final oblivion. I believe it to be painless. I’m told that one becomes numb. Do you find yourself becoming drowsy?