As the "The Darling" opens, Olga Semyonovna, also referred to as Olenka, sits with Kukin, the owner of an outdoor theater and a resident in the lodge Olga inherited from her father. Kukin complains every night of the rain, which drives patrons away from his theater; he also complains that no one appreciates the theater as art any more. Olga and Kukin marry, but it rains on their wedding day, and Kukin "retained an expression of despair." Once married, Olga works in the office of Kukin's theater and talks only of the rain and the indifference of people to the art of the theater. When Kukin goes to Moscow on business, around the time of Lent, Olga does not know what to do with herself. Kukin is detained in Moscow, but he sends word that he will be home by Easter. On the Sunday before Easter...