The Gambler

Act one
Polina waits impatiently for Alexei. He is reluctant to tell her how he fared at the gambling table. The money he bet on Polina’s behalf at the roulette wheel is all gone.

Polina’s stepfather, the General, is waiting just as impatiently for news concerning the deteriorating health of the old Babulenka, a wealthy relative in Moscow. Her death would solve his money problems instantly. It would also finally enable him to marry Mademoiselle Blanche, with whom the General has been cavorting for some time in Roulettenburg. For the time being, he needs to borrow money from the Marquis, though he assures him the days of frail Babulenka are numbered.

The General remonstrates with Alexei, his children’s private tutor, concerning the gambling losses. Alexei reacts to the advice, that it would be better to achieve modest wealth by means of hard work and frugality, with disdain.

Alexei presses Polina to tell him why she needs money so urgently. He jealously suspects the Marquis’s involvement. Alexei is confident of winning at roulette as soon as he can play only for himself. With money, he believes, he would finally be of value to Polina. He admits to being obsessed with the idea of acting violently towards her out of love. At the same time, he declares a willingness to submit to her will. Polina challenges him: Would he kill for her? Alexei says he would. Nevertheless, the proof of loyalty Polina eventually demands seems nothing more than a childish prank. Alexei brazenly fawns over the wife of a baron, causing considerable uproar.

Act two
The General gives Alexei a dressing down following the incident with Baroness Wurmerhelm and dismisses him from his service. Alexei, though, will not be cowed. He retorts that the General should never have made amends with the Baron in Alexei’s absence, let alone apologise on his behalf. He therefore feels compelled to demand satisfaction from the baron. The General pleads with him not to provoke any further scandal.

Alexei learns from Mr Astley that the General, due to his lover Blanche’s dubious background, is determined to avoid a fuss. The Marquis endeavours to steer Alexei’s sympathies towards the General’s predicament. The last card up his sleeve is a letter he gives to Alexei from Polina, in which she orders him not to do anything else foolish. Despondent, Alexei wonders about the relationship between Polina and the Marquis.

While all await the news of her passing, Babulenka arrives in Roulettenburg in the best of health. Her miraculous recovery causes much consternation. She quickly exposes the concern for her wellbeing as nothing more than a pretence. Rather than leave her wealth to her mendacious heir, she would rather amuse herself in Roulettenburg and see the famous roulette table for herself. She chooses Alexei to be her companion.