Vasenka

Vasenka is the primary setting for all the poems in the collection. It is a fictional city, located in an unidentified country. At the start of the collection, Vasenka is invaded by soldiers. The occupying forces alter the townspeople's normal lives, and flood the streets with fear and violence.

Central Square

Central Square is located in Vasenka, and is the site of several public killings. At the start of Act One, Sonya and Alfonso put on a puppet show in the square despite the recent outlaw of all gatherings. The Sergeant arrives in the middle of the show, commanding the people to disperse. Petya refuses and spits on the Sergeant. Infuriated, the Sergeant shoots Petya. For days after his death, Petya's body lies in the middle of the square. Sonya and Alfonso wrap their bodies around his, and the townspeople form a series of circles around them. Eventually...