Act 1, Scenes 1, 2, and 3 Summary

This satirical Russian comedy tells the story of what happens when the Mayor and several other self-important officials of a small Russian town mistake a small-time con artist for an important government official. Hypocrisies are exposed and foolishnesses revealed as the officials offer increasingly extravagant gifts in order to placate and impress their visitor at the same time as the visitor becomes more reckless in his greed.

Scene 1 - The first act is set in a room in the Mayor's home. Several town officials have gathered for a meeting, including the Mayor, the Judge, the Warden of Charities, the Inspector of Schools, the Chief of Police, and the District Physician. The Mayor tells the others some unpleasant news - the town is to be visited by a government inspector. As the officials react with shock, the Mayor reads a...