Scene 1 introduces the play within a play, which takes place long ago in the country of Georgia (called by the Russian variant name, Grusinia in the play) and the characters within that world. First is the Governor, Georgi Abashvili, and his wife, Natella. It is Easter Sunday, and the couple is attending church with their baby son, Michael. The Singer paints the scene, saying, “For the first time on this Easter Sunday, the people see the heir./ Two doctors never leave the child, the noble child/Apple of the Governor’s eye” (36). The citizens cry out for help with various issues: high taxes they can’t pay, the discharge of an innocent family member, a starving child. Their pleas go unacknowledged as the wealthier citizens and their servants, doctors, and advisors coo over baby Michael. One of the people who makes a show of admiring Michael is the Fat Prince. He pretends to support the Governor and his wife, but time will prove that he has something else in mind.

As they go into the church, the protagonist of the play, a kitchen maid named Grusha, enters. She is carrying a goose to be prepared for the Governor’s family.