,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALEX&RA ,KOLLONTAI 

,TEXT 3 

,SPR+ WAS PEEP+ ?R\< ! W9D[ ( ,VASSILISSA'S ATTIC1 HI< UP UND] 
! RO(4 ,! W>M SUN PEEP$ 91 & ! SPR+ SKY1 ) ITS FLEECY CL\DS1 
:ITE1 DELICATE1 MELT+ AWAY4 ,NEXT DOOR WAS ! RO( ( :AT HAD BE5 A 
G5TLEMAN'S H\SE1 & N[ WAS US$ AS ! ,MO!RS' ,HOME4 ,BEH9D IT LAY A 
G>D52 ! BUDS W]E BEG9N+ TO SWELL4 ,SPR+1 BELOV$ SPR+ WAS LATE1 
BUT IT HAD COME AT LA/4  

 ,TODAY !RE WAS SPR+ 9 ,VASSILISSA'S HE>T 
ALSO4 ,IT HAD ALMO/ FROZ5 9 ! W9T]2 ALWAYS LONELY1 ALWAYS ALONE4 
,CON/ANT WORRIES1 /RUGGLES1 IRRITATIONS4 ,BUT TODAY WAS A HOLIDAY1 A REAL 
HOLIDAY4 ,!RE WAS A LETT] FROM H] LOV]1 FROM H] DE>E/ ,VOLODYA4 ,& 
:AT A LETT]6 ,IT WAS A LONG TIME S9CE %E HAD GOT A LETT] LIKE ?AT4  

0,DON'T TORTURE ME1 ,VASYA2 MY PATI5CE IS AT AN 5D4 ,H[ (T5 Y\'VE PROMIS$ TO COME TO ME = A VISIT6 ,BUT Y\ ALWAYS DISAPPO9T ME1 Y\ HURT ME1 Y\ TIRELESS TOMBOY ( M9E4 ,HAVE Y\ BE5 FI<T+ ) EV]YBODY AGA98 ,!RE W]E RUMORS AB\T Y\ EV5 AMONG ! COMRADES H]E4 ,!Y SAY Y\ EV5 GOT 9TO ! PAP]S4 ,BUT S9CE Y\ CAME \T ON TOP 9 ?IS BUS9ESS1 COME TO Y\R BELOV$ ,VOLODYA N[4 ,HE CAN H>DLY WAIT = Y\4 

0,Y\'LL SEE1 WE'LL LIVE LIKE F9E PEOPLE4 ,I HAVE A HORSE & A C[ ( MY [N1 & AN AUTOMOBILE ALWAYS AT MY DISPOSAL4 ,I HAVE S]VANTS1 SO ?AT Y\ WILL HAVE NO WORK TO DO 9 ! H\SE1 BUT CAN TAKE A GOOD RE/4 ,SPR+ IS AT ITS HEI<T H]E2 ! APPLE TREES >E 9 FULL BLOOM4 ,VASYA1 D>L+ TOMBOY - WE'VE NEV] SP5T A SPR+ TOGE!R4 ,BUT \R LIFE MU/ ALWAYS BE LIKE ! SPR+4 

0,ANYWAY1 ,I NE$ Y\ V]Y MU* JU/ N[4 ,I'M HAV+ TR\BLE ) ! ,P>TY ,COMMITTEE H]E4 ,!Y HAVE IT 9 = ME4 ,!Y CAN'T =GET ?AT ,I WAS ONCE AN AN>*I/4 ,IT />T$ ON ACC\NT ( ,SAVELYEV1 AS ,I WROTE Y\4 ,Y\'LL HAVE TO /RAI<T5 \T ?IS BUS9ESS4 ,I'M SICK ( ALL !SE M$DL]S4 ,!Y DON'T LET Y\ BREA!6 ,IT'S H>D = !M TO F9D ANY?+ AGA9/ ME4 ,I'M DO+ MY DUTY WELL4 ,BUT ALL ! SAME1 ,I NE$ Y\ V]Y MU* N[4 

0,I KISS Y\R BR[N EYES4 

0,Y\RS =EV]1 

0,VOLODYA40 

,VASSILISSA SAT BESIDE ! W9D[1 WAT*+ ! :ITE CL\DS 9 ! SKY1 & ?9K+4 ,H] EYES W]E SMIL+4 ,A GOOD LETT]6 ,VOLODYA LOV$ H]1 V]Y MU*4 ,& H[ %E LOV$ HIM6 ,%E LAID ! LETT] ON H] KNEES & /ROK$ IT AS IF IT W]E ,VOLODYA'S HEAD4 ,%E DIDN'T SEE ! BLUE SKY1 ! RO(1 ! CL\DS ,%E SAW ONLY H] H&SOME ,VOLODYA ) HIS MIS*IEV\SLY TW9KL+ EYES4 ,VASSILISSA LOV$ HIM1 LOV$ HIM SO1 ?AT IT HURT4 ,H[ HAD %E EV] LIV$ ?R\< ! 5TIRE W9T] )\T HIM8 ,%E HADN'T SE5 HIM = SEV5 MON?S4 ,& IT SEEM$ TO H] ?AT %E HAD LITTLE ?\<T ( HIM1 LITTLE LONG+ = HIM4 ,%E HAD NO TIME TO ?9K ( H] MAN1 OR TO YE>N = HIM4 ,H[ MU* TR\BLE & WORRY %E HAD HAD DUR+ ! W9T]6 ,! *ILD ( H] HE>T1 ! COMMUNITY H\SE1 WAS SAFE2 BUT %E HAD HAD TO QU>REL ) /UPID1 UNCOMPREH5D+1 UNCULTUR$ PEOPLE4 ,& %E HAD HIDD5 H] LOVE & LONG+ = ,VOLODYA 9 ! 9N]MO/ CORN] ( H] HE>T4 ,H] LOVE = HIM DWELT 9 H] HE>T1 UN*ANGEABLE4 ,?9K+ ( HIM1 ,VASSILISSA FELT ?AT HE WAS !RE1 9 H] HE>T4 ,A SWEET BURD51 %E ACTUALLY FELT ! WEI<T ( H] LOVE4 ,PROBABLY BECAUSE %E ALWAYS HAD TO BE WORRY+ AB\T HIM4 ,IF ONLY NO?+ HAPP5$ TO HIM4 ,HE DID NOT MA9TA9 DISCIPL9E4 ,! COMRADES W]E RI<T4 ,VASSILISSA KNEW IT4 ,!Y ACCUS$ HIM ( BE+ AN 0AN>*I/40 ,HE DIDN'T LIKE TO FOLL[ 9/RUCTIONS1 PREF]R$ TO DO ?+S 9 HIS [N WAY4 ,BUT HE MADE UP = ?IS ) HIS WORK4 

,?IS WAS :Y !Y LIV$ SEP>ATELY1 SO ?AT !Y W\LDN'T DI/URB EA* O!R2 = %E TOO WAS 9 H] WORK ) ALL H] HE>T & S\L4 ,BUT :5 ,VOLODYA WAS >\ND1 %E W\LD BE DRAWN TO HIM1 & H] WORK W\LD SUFF]4 

0,FIR/ \R WORK1 & !N \R LOVE1 DON'T Y\ ?9K SO1 ,VASYA8 SAID ,VLADIMIR1 & ,VASYA AGRE$4 ,!IR IDEAS W]E ! SAME4 ,& IT WAS SO WOND]FUL ?AT !Y W]E NOT M]ELY MAN & WIFE1 BUT COMRADES AS WELL4 ,N[1 AGA91 HE SUMMON$ H] TO HELP HIM LIKE A COMRADE1 TO OV]COME HIS DIFFICULTIES4 ,:AT SORT ( DIFFICULTIES8 ,VASSILISSA READ ! LETT] AGA94 

,A MI/ SEEM$ TO =M BE=E H] EYES4 ,IF IT WAS ON ACC\NT ( ,SAVELYEV1 IT W\LD BE A NA/Y AFFAIR4 ,?IS ,SAVELYEV WAS A SPECULATOR2 HE WAS CROOK$4 ,:Y DID ,VOLODYA HAVE ANY?+ TO DO ) HIM8 ,A MANAG]1 SU* AS ,VOLODYA WAS N[1 HAD TO BE AS BLAMELESS AS A SA9T1 HAD TO AVOID ALL ROGUES4 ,VOLODYA1 H[EV]1 WAS A TRU/+ S\L4 ,HE FELT SORRY = ,SAVELYEV1 /OOD UP = HIM4 ,/ILL1 NO ONE %\LD FEEL SORRY = SU* M51 :O W]E /EAL+ ! PROP]TY ( ! PEOPLE4 ,LET !M SUFF] ! P5ALTY = !IR MISDE$S4 

,BUT ,VOLODYA WAS K9DHE>T$2 & ! O!RS C\LD NOT UND]/& HIM4 ,!Y W\LD HAVE O!R EXPLANATIONS = ?IS FRI5D%IP4 ,VOLODYA HAD MANY 5EMIES1 = HE WAS HOT-HEAD$1 UNABLE TO CONTROL HIS TONGUE4 ,IF ONLY MATT]S W\LDN'T DEVELOP AS !Y HAD ?REE YE>S AGO4 ,IF ONLY NO ACTION W]E BR\<T AGA9/ HIM4 ,IT WAS EASY TO LOSE ONE'S REPUTATION4 ,A *>GE C\LD BE TRUMP$ UP AGA9/ ANYONE4 ,VASSILISSA'S EXP]I5CE HAD TAU<T H] ?AT4 ,HADN'T PEOPLE BE5 /IRR$ UP AGA9/ H] ALL W9T] LONG8 ,N[ IT WAS ,VOLODYA'S TURN4 

,%E W\LD HAVE TO GO TO HIM1 & HELP HIM4 ,%E HAD TO /& BY HIM1 SO ?AT HIS COMRADES !RE W\LD BE A%AM$ ( !MSELVES4 ,:AT WAS !RE TO ?9K 
AB\T8 ,%E W\LD GET READY & GO4 

,BUT ! H\SE8 ,%E DIDN'T C>E4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ 
TO SALVAGE N[4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS GO+ TO RU9 ANYH[4 ,EV5 ?\< ,VASSILISSA HAD WON ! FI<T1 ! 
,F$OSSEYEVS W]E ! ACTUAL VICTORS4 ,IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE ANY?+4 ,VASSILISSA SI<$4 ,GO+ TO 
! W9D[1 %E LOOK$ D[N 9TO ! C\RT4 ,AS IF %E 
W]E BIDD+ ! H\SE F>EWELL4 ,%E /OOD !RE = 
A LONG TIME4 ,GRAVELY1 SADLY4 

,SUDD5LY IT /RUCK H]4 0,SOON ,I'LL SEE ,VOLODYA 
AGA960 ,H] *EEKS FLU%$1 H] HE>T BEAT ) JOY4 
,MY BELOV$1 MY DE>E/4 ,I'M COM+1 COM+ TO Y\4 
,MY ,VOLODYA4 

,VASSILISSA WAS SITT+ 9 ! COA*1 SLEEP+4 ,IT WAS 
H] SECOND DAY ( TRAVEL4 ,ANO!R TW5TY-F\R H\RS 
LAY AHEAD ( H]4 

,?IS TRIP WAS DIFF]5T FROM H] O!RS4 ,%E WAS 
PROVID$ ) EV]Y COM=T1 LIKE A BUR%UIKA4 ,VLADIMIR HAD S5T H] ! MONEY = ! TRIP1 7EV]Y?+ 
HAD TO BE PAID = N[ADAYS71 & HAD ASK$ ?AT %E 
GO 9 ! SLEEP+-C>4 ,BESIDES1 HE HAD S5T H] A 
PIECE ( CLO? = A SUIT4 ,A MANAG]'S LADY HAD TO BE 
WELL DRESS$4 ,VASSILISSA HAD TO LAU< :5 A COMRADE 
CAME FROM ,VLADIMIR ,IVANOVIT*1 ! DIRECTOR1 & 
BR\<T H] ! MONEY & ! CLO?4 ,HE PRAIS$ ! QUALITY LIKE A TRUE SALESMAN4 ,VASYA LAU<$ & TEAS$ ! ,COMRADE4 ,BUT HE SEEM$ (F5D$4 ,HE HAD NOT BE5 JOK+2 ! MAT]IAL REALLY WAS EXCELL5T4 ,VASYA SAID NO?+ MORE4 ,!SE NEW ,COMRADES1 ! ECONOMI/S1 W]E BEYOND H] COMPREH5SION4 

,= A LONG TIME ,VASYA TURRI$ ! CLO? OV] & OV]4 ,%E WAS NOT US$ TO ?9K+ ( CLO!S4 ,BUT IF ,VOLODYA WANT$ IT1 SO ?AT HIS WIFE W\LD NOT BE TOO CONSPICU\S - ALL RI<T4 ,%E W\LD HAVE A FA%IONABLE SUIT MADE1 SU* AS EV]YONE WAS WE>+4 

,%E W5T TO A FRI5D1 ! SEAM/RESS ,GRU%A1 & TOLD H] ! /ORY4 0,MAKE IT NICE & /YLI%1 ,GRU%A1 LIKE ! CLO!S O!RS WE>40 
,GRU%A PULL$ \T SOME FA%ION MAGAZ9ES ?AT A COMRADE HAD BR\<T H] FROM ,MOSC[ ! PREVI\S FALL4 ,%E HAD SEW$ ACCORD+ TO IT ALL W9T]1 TO ! SATISFACTION ( ALL4 

0,?AT'S F9E1 ,GRU%A4 ,Y\ SELECT SOME?+4 ,I DON'T UND]/& SU* ?+S4 ,IF IT'S NEAT & NOT TORN1 ,I'M SATISFI$4 ,I KN[ NO?+ AB\T ! /YLES40 

,MOI/5+ H] F+]-TIPS1 ,GRU%A SP5T SOME TIME 9 TURN+ OV] ! LEAVES ( ! MU*-US$ MAGAZ9E4 ,AT LA/ %E F\ND H] *OICE4 

0,!RE6 ,?IS'LL BE GOOD = Y\4 ,Y\ >E ?91 Y\ NE$ SOME?+ TO MAKE Y\ SEEM FULL]4 ,?IS IS JU/ ! ?+ = Y\4 ,A LITTLE FULLNESS 9 ! SIDES1 & PLEATS 9 FRONT1 !N Y\ WON'T LOOK SO FLAT4 ,I'LL FIX IT SO ?AT Y\R MAN WILL LIKE Y\40 

0,!N ?AT'S SETTL$40 

,!Y AGRE$ ON A PRICE1 & KISS$4 ,VASSILISSA W5T AWAY HAPPY4 ,IT WAS A GOOD ?+ !RE W]E DRESSMAK]S 9 ! WORLD4 ,%E W\LD NEV] HAVE BE5 ABLE TO MAKE A DRESS BY H]SELF4 ,VOLODYA1 H[EV]1 WAS A CONNOISSEUR ( WOM5'S CLO!S4 ,( C\RSE1 = 9 ,AM]ICA HE HAD BE5 EMPLOY$ 9 A FA%IONABLE WOM5'S WE> %OP4 ,& N[ HIS KN[L$GE WAS USEFUL TO HIM4 ,! ,R$ M]*ANTS MU/ KN[ SOME?+ ( WOM5'S CLO!S2 !Y W]E A =M ( M]*&ISE4 

,VASSILISSA WAS SITT+ AT ! W9D[ ( H] SLEEP+ COMP>TM5T4 ,%E WAS ALONE4 ,H] NEI<BOR1 A 0,NEP0 GIRL1 V]Y L\D1 DRESS$ 9 SILKS1 HEAVILY P]FUM$1 H] E>S WEI<$ D[N ) R+S1 HAD GONE 9TO ! NEXT COMP>TM5T1 :]E %E WAS LAU<+ L\DLY ) H] 0CAVALI]S40 

,%E HAD GIV5 ,VASSILISSA ! COLD %\LD]1 CURL+ H] LIPS CONTEMPTU\SLY4 0,BEG P>DON1 DE>1 BUT Y\'RE SITT+ ON MY %AWL4 ,Y\'LL CREASE IT40 ,OR1 0,WON'T Y\ GO \T 9TO ! CORRIDOR1 DE>1 :ILE ,I GET UNDRESS$ = ! NI<T80 ,AS IF %E1 ! P]FUM$ ,NEP-GIRL1 [N$ ! COMP>TM5T1 & HAD LET ,VASSILISSA 9 ONLY \T ( ! K9DNESS ( H] HE>T4 ,VASSILISSA DIDN'T LIKE ! ,NEP-GIRL'S CALL+ H] 0DE>40 ,BUT %E DIDN'T WANT TO />T A QU>REL4 ,LET H] GO TO ! DEVIL6 

,NI<T WAS FALL+4 ,BLUI% GRAY %AD[S COV]$ ! Y\NG FIELDS4 ,OV] ! DI/ANT PURPLI%-BLACK /RIP ( WOODS ! SUN HUNG LIKE A R$ BALL ( FIRE4 ,! ROOKS HAD RIS5 FROM ! FIELDS1 & W]E CIRCL+ 9 ! AIR4 ,! WIRES W]E RIS+ & FALL+ BETWE5 ! TELEGRAPH POLES4 

,) ! TWILI<T AN UNACC\NTABLE ANXIETY & LONG+ CREPT 9TO ,VASSILISSA'S HE>T4 ,NOT SADNESS1 BUT LONG+4 ,%E HAD PREP>$ = ! J\RNEY1 SETTL$ H] AFFAIRS4 ,& SUDD5LY EV]YBODY HAD BE5 SORRY TO SEE H] LEAVE4 ,P]HAPS %E W\LD NEV] RETURN4 

,! ,F$OSSEYEV WOMAN HAD COME TO H]1 HAD EMBRAC$ H]1 HAD WEPT & BEGG$ H] P>DON4 ,IT HAD BE5 PA9FUL4 ,9 H] 9MO/ HE>T ,VASSILISSA WAS NOT ANGRY ) ,F$OSSEYEVA2 BUT %E HAD NO RESPECT = H]1 AS %E WAS UNABLE TO RESPECT O!RS ( H] K9D4 

,VASSILISSA'S COMRADES HAD ACCOMPANI$ H] TO ! /ATION4 ,! *ILDR5 ( ! COMMUNITY H\SE HAD BR\<T PAP] FL[]S !Y HAD MADE !MSELVES4 ,& ,VASSILISSA REALIZ$ ?AT %E HAD NOT GIV5 H] /R5G? & 5]GY 9 VA94 ,! SE$ WAS S[N2 SOME?+ W\LD GR[4 

,:5 ! TRA9 BEGAN TO ROLL \T1 ! TE>S ROSE TO H] EYES4 ,!Y W]E WAV+ !IR CAPS4 ,SUDD5LY %E LOV$ !M ALL SO MU*4 ,IT WAS H>D TO LEAVE !M4 

,BUT H>DLY HAD ! CITY DROPP$ BEH9D H]1 H>DLY HAD ! WOOD$ /RIPS & SUBURBAN SETTLEM5TS BEGUN TO APPROA* H] & !N HA/5 AWAY1 AS IF !Y W]E RUNN+ A RACE1 ?AN ,VASSILISSA =GOT H] COMMUNITY H\SE1 ! JOYS & SORR[S ( ! W9T]4 ,SWIFT] ?AN ! TRA91 H] ?\<TS RU%$ F> AHEAD TO HIM = :OM %E LONG$4 

,:Y WAS ,VASSILISSA SO MELAN*OLY N[8 ,:5CE ! LONG+ ?AT HAD CREPT 9TO H] HE>T8 ,IT WAS AS IF A COLD VISE W]E GRIPP+ H] HE>T4 ,:AT WAS %E LONG+ =8 ,P]HAPS IT WAS BECAUSE ) ! COMMUNITY H\SE A PIECE ( H] LIFE HAD DROPP$ 9TO ! PA/1 NEV] TO RETURN1 HAD DISAPPE>$ LIKE ?OSE N>R[ FIELDS ?AT %ONE LIKE AMB] 9 ! SPR+ SUN4 

,%E BEGAN TO CRY4 ,S(TLY1 IMP]CEPTIBLY4 ,%E WIP$ AWAY H] TE>S1 & FELT RELIEV$1 AS IF ! COLD LITTLE LUMP ( YE>N+ ?AT HAD TORTUR$ H] HE>T HAD DISSIPAT$ TOGE!R ) ! TE>S ON ! SKIRT ( H] NEW DRESS4 

,! LI<TS W]E TURN$ ON 9 ! C>1 ! %ADES PULL$ D[N4 ,IT SUDD5LY BECAME COZY1 & H] LONEL9ESS DISAPPE>$4 

,VASSILISSA'S HE>T1 NOT H] M9D1 KNEW V]Y CLE>LY3 TWO MORE NI<TS & !N %E W\LD SEE ,VOLODYA1 W\LD SEE HIM1 EMBRACE HIM4 ,%E FELT HIS BURN+ LIPS & /RONG >MS1 HE>D HIS VOICE4 

,A SWEET LANGUOR ?ROBB$ ?R\< H] BODY1 H] EYES W]E LAU<+4 ,IF IT HADN'T BE5 = ! ,NEP-GIRL1 :O WAS FUSS+ BE=E ! MIRROR1 ,VASSILISSA W\LD HAVE SUNG ) JOY4 ,L\DLY1 AS ! BIRDS S+ ( SPR+4 

,! ,NEP-GIRL WAS GONE1 ! DOOR BANG$4 ,/UPID WOMAN6 ,CLOS+ H] EYES1 ,VASSILISSA ?\<T ( ,VLADIMIR1 H] LOV]4 ,DREAM+1 %E READ PAGE AFT] PAGE ( ! /ORY ( !IR LOVE4 ,!Y HAD BE5 9 LOVE = FIVE YE>S4 ,%E C\LD H>DLY BELIEVE IT - FIVE YE>S4 

,%E FELT AS IF !Y HAD MET ONLY YE/]DAY4 

,%E SETTL$ D[N MORE COM=TABLY 9 ! CORN] ( H] COMP>TM5T1 H] FEET DRAWN UP1 H] EYES CLOS$4 ,! G5TLE ROCK+ ( ! C> RELAX$ H] 5TIRE BODY4 ,H] ?\<TS1 H[EV]1 HURRI$ ON & ON4 

,! VOICE ( MEMORY4 ,:AT WAS IT LIKE8 ,!IR FIR/ MEET+8 

,IT WAS AT AN ASSEMBLY1 %ORTLY BE=E ! ,OCTOB] DAYS4 ,A TIME ( RE/LESSNESS4 ,!Y W]E ONLY A H&FUL ( ,BOL%EVIKI - BUT H[ !Y WORK$6 ,! ,M5%EVIKI W]E 9 P[]1 & ! NOISY ,SOCIAL ,REVOLUTION>IES4 ,! ,BOL%EVIKI W]E ATTACK$ FROM ALL SIDES1 PEOPLE ALMO/ US$ PHYSICAL VIOL5CE AGA9/ !M1 ! 0,G]MAN SPIES10 ! 0TRAITORS40 ,YET ! GR\P 9CREAS$ FROM DAY TO DAY4 ,!Y DID NOT KN[ !MSELVES EXACTLY :AT WAS TO BE1 BUT !Y KNEW ONE ?+3 !RE MU/ BE PEACE COME :AT MAY1 & ! 0PATRIOTS10 ! 0TRAITORS10 MU/ BE ?R[N \T ( ! ,SOVIETS4 ,?IS WAS C]TA91 & !Y F\<T4 ,OB/9ATELY1 >D5TLY1 UNCOMPROMIS+LY1 FULL ( FAI?4 ,AN UNSPOK5 RESOLVE %ONE 9 ! EYES ( ALL3 ,WE WILL DIE1 BUT NEV] COMPROMISE4 ,NO ONE ?\<T ( HIMSELF4 ,DID ANYONE CONSID] ! 9DIVIDUAL !N8 

,REMEMB]+ ?IS TIME1 ,VASSILISSA SAW NOT H]SELF1 BUT ONLY ! GR\P4 ,! ,SOCIAL-,REVOLUTION>Y & ,M5%EVIK PAP]S HAD PR9T$ SOME ITEMS AB\T H] - PURE FICTION1 LIES1 SL&]4 ,BUT LET !M REVILE H]4 ,IT C\LDN'T BE O!RWISE4 ,ANYWAY1 PEOPLE DIDN'T READ EV]Y?+ 9 ! PAP]S4 ,!Y SIMPLY BELIEV$ ?AT JU/ICE WAS ON ! SIDE ( ! ,P>TY1 ( ! ,BOL%EVIKI4 

0,HAVE Y\ NO PITY = Y\R MO!R8 ,Y\ RE DISGRAC+ ! 5TIRE FAMILY6 ,GETT+ MIX$ UP ) ! ,BOL%EVIKI6 ,Y\'RE SELL+ Y\R C\NTRY TO ! 5EMY60 WEPT ! OLD WOMAN4 

,UNWILL+ TO LI/5 TO SU* REPRIM&S AT HOME ,VASSILISSA W5T TO LIVE ) ANO!R GIRL4 ,%E C\LD NOT SYMPA?IZE ) H] MO!R'S TE>S4 ,/RANG]S SEEM$ CLOS] TO H]4 ,ONLY ONE GOAL /OOD CLE>LY BE=E H]3 ! VICTORY ( ,BOL%EVISM4 ,%E SEEM$ TO BE URG$ ON BY SOME =CE4 ,IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO /OP4 ,?\< ?IS =CE MI<T HURL H] 9TO AN ABYSS %E W\LD GO ON NONE!LESS1 W\LD /RUGGLE4 ,%E W\LD FI<T4444 

,! CONTROV]SY BECAME MORE ACUTE1 ! AIR MORE 
SULTRY4 ,A /ORM WAS 9EVITABLE4 ,!RE WAS NEWS FROM ,PETROGRAD4 ,! RESOLUTIONS ( ! ,CONGRESS4 ,TROTZKY'S SPEE*ES4 ,! PROCLAMATIONS ( ! ,PETROGRAD ,SOVIETS4 

,!N !Y MET4 ,! ASSEMBLY WAS CR[D$1 ! HALL WAS PACK$4 ,PEOPLE W]E /&+ ON ! W9D[ SILLS1 SITT+ ON ! FLOOR 9 ! AISLES4 ,!RE WAS H>DLY ROOM TO BREA!4 ,:AT SORT ( MEET+ WAS IT8 ,VASSILISSA HAD =GOTT54 ,= ! FIR/ TIME A ,BOL%EVIK WAS ELECT$ *AIRMAN1 & ! COMMITTEE1 TOO1 CONSI/$ ( ,BOL%EVIKI & LEFT-W+ ,SOCIAL ,REVOLUTION>IES4 ,AMONG !M WAS AN ,AN>*I/1 AN ,9DEP5D5T1 KN[N 9 ! CITY AS 0! ,AM]ICAN0 - ,VLADIMIR4 

,IT WAS ! FIR/ TIME %E SAW HIM4 ,BUT %E HAD HE>D MU* ( HIM4 ,SOME W]E DELI<T$ ) HIM1 & SAID3 0,HE'S A REAL MAN4 ,HE KN[S H[ TO MAKE PEOPLE LI/5 TO HIM40 ,O!RS F\ND FAULT ) HIM4 0,A BRAGG>T40 ,BUT HE HAD ! UNION BAK]S & ! COMM]CIAL CL]KS BEH9D HIM4 ,HE HAD TO BE RECKON$ )4 ,! ,BOL%EVIKI W]E GLAD :5 HE SCOR$ AGA9/ ! ,M5%EVIKI1 & W]E ANGRY :5 HE SAID SOME?+ AGA9/ !M4 ,:AT 9 ! WORLD DID HE WANT8 

,! ,P>TY SECRET>Y C\LDN'T 5DURE HIM4 0,HE'S CRAZY1 WE'RE BETT] (F )\T SU* FRI5DS40 ,BUT ,/EPH5 ,ALEXEYEVIT*1 ! MO/ E/EEM$ ,BOL%EVIK ( ! CITY1 LAU<$ 9TO HIS GRAY BE>D AS HE SAID3 0,WAIT A BIT1 BE PATI5T4 ,HE WILL YET BECOME A SPL5DID ,BOL%EVIK4 ,HE'S ANXI\S TO FI<T4 ,JU/ WAIT UNTIL HE'S LO/ HIS ,AM]ICAN SPLE540 

,SO ,VASSILISSA HAD HE>D ( HIM2 BUT %E PAID NO ATT5TION TO HIM4 ,SO MANY PEOPLE W\LD POP UP )\T ANYONE'S KN[+ ! LEA/ ?+ AB\T !M4 ,IT DIDN'T PAY TO BO!R ) !M4 ,%E CAME LATE TO ! MEET+1 ALL \T ( BREA?4 ,%E HAD BE5 SPEAK+ AT ! 0BRICK-Y>D40 ,!RE W]E MEET+S EV]Y:]E2 IT HAD TO BE SO 9 ?OSE DAYS4 

,%E WAS AN ORATOR !N4 ,PEOPLE LIK$ TO LI/5 TO H]4 ,H] SPEAK+ WON G5]AL COMM5DATION BECAUSE %E WAS A WOMAN1 A WORK+-GIRL4 ,VASSILISSA SPOKE OBJECTIVELY1 WAS NEI!R WA/EFUL NOR SP>+ ) H] WORDS4 ,%E HAD MA/]$ ?IS MANN] ( SPEAK+1 T]SE1 BUT LUCID4 ,%E C\LD H>DLY MEET ALL ! DEM&S MADE ON H]4 

,:5 %E CAME TO ! MEET+ %E W5T DIRECTLY TO ! PLAT=M4 ,IT HAD BE5 ANN\NC$ ?AT %E W\LD SPEAK4 ,COMRADE ,YUROT*K9 - HE WAS DEAD N[1 KILL$ AT ! FRONT - PULL$ H] SLEEVE4 0,WE'VE WON6 ,! ,BOL%EVIKI WON \T 9 ! ELECTION ( ! *AIRMAN4 ,TWO LEFT-W+ ,SOCIAL ,REVOLUTION>IES1 & ! ,AM]ICAN BESIDES4 ,HE'S ALMO/ A ,BOL%EVIK N[4 ,HE'S GO-+ TO SPEAK 9 A M9UTE40 

,VASSILISSA GLANC$ AT ! ,AM]ICAN1 & SOME?+ AB\T HIM SURPRIS$ H]4 ,SO ?AT IS H[ AN ,AN>*I/ LOOKS6 ,%E W\LD HAVE ?\<T HIM A G5TLEMAN4 ,HE WORE A /IFF COLL> & A TIE1 & HIS HAIR WAS P>T$4 ,A H&SOME FELL[4 ,LONG EYE-LA%ES4 ,HIS TURN WAS JU/ COM+4 ,HE /EPP$ =W>D1 CLE>$ HIS ?ROAT1 & HELD HIS H& BE=E HIS M\?4 ,LIKE A G5TLEMAN1 %E ?\<T1 & C\LD NOT HELP LAU<+4 

,HIS VOICE WAS PLEASANT1 5GAG+4 ,HE SPOKE = G LONG TIME1 FREQU5TLY MAK+ HIS AUDI5CE LAU<4 ,VASYA LAU<$1 TOO4 ,HE WAS A SM>T FELL[1 AFT] ALL1 ! ,AN>*I/4 ,VASYA APPLAUD$4 ,:5 HE RETURN$ TO ! SPEAK]S' TABLE1 HE ACCID5TALLY BUMP$ AGA9/ ,VASYA4 ,:5 HE TURN$ TO APOLOGIZE ,VASYA BLU%$4 ,&1 EMB>RASS$ AT BLU%+1 %E COLOR$ EV5 MORE4 ,IT WAS ANNOY+4 ,BUT ! ,AN>*I/ DIDN'T NOTICE IT4 
,HE SAT D[N1 LEAN$ BACK C>ELESSLY 9 HIS *AIR1 & SMOK$ A CIG>ETTE4 

,! *AIRMAN TURN$ TO HIM1 PO9T$ TO ! CIG>ETTE4 0,WE'RE NOT ACCU/OM$ TO SMOK+ H]E40 ,%RUGG+ HIS %\LD]S1 ,VLADIMIR CONT9U$ TO SMOKE4 0,I WANT TO SMOKE1 & ,I WILL4 ,Y\R RULES DON'T APPLY TO ME40 ,HE TOOK A FEW MORE :IFFS1 &1 SEE+ ?AT ! *AIRMAN WAS BUSY ) SOME?+ ELSE1 ?REW ! CIG>ETTE AWAY4 

,VASYA HAD =GOTT5 NO?+ ( ALL ?IS4 ,LAT] %E HAD TEAS$ ,VLADIMIR AB\T IT4 ,BUT AT ?AT TIME HE HAD NOT YET NOTIC$ H]4 ,HE BECAME AW>E ( H] ONLY :5 %E BEGAN TO SPEAK4 

,%E SPOKE V]Y WELL ?AT EV5+2 & ?\< HE WAS BEH9D H] %E FELT ! ,AM]ICAN'S EYES ON H]4 ,%E DELIB]ATELY LAUD$ ! ,BOL%EVIKI AS OPPOS$ TO ! ,M5%EVIKI1 ! ,SOCIAL ,REVOLUTION>IES1 & ! ,AN>*I/S1 AL?\< %E DIDN'T EV5 KN[ !N :AT ! ,AN>*I/S W]E4 ,%E WANT$ TO /RIKE ! ,AM]ICAN2 HE ACT$ TOO MU* LIKE A G5TLEMAN4 

,VASYA REMEMB]$ H[ H] HAIR CAME UNDONE AS %E SPOKE4 ,AT ?AT TIME %E HAD BEAUTIFUL LONG HAIR1 :I* %E BRAID$ & W\ND AB\T H] HEAD4 ,%E WAS SPEAK+ ) ALL H] HE>T1 PASSIONATELY1 & ! P9S FELL \T ( H] HAIR4 ,IT WAS UNPLEASANT1 H] HAIR WAS 9 H] WAY1 %E TOSS$ IT BACK4 ,%E DIDN'T KN[ ?AT H] HAIR HAD CA/ A SPELL OV] ,VLADIMIR4 

0,I DIDN'T SEE Y\ :ILE Y\ W]E SPEAK+4 ,BUT :5 Y\R HAIR FELL OV] Y\R %\LD]S ,I SAW CLE>LY ?AT Y\ W]E NO ORATOR1 BUT ,VASYA1 MY TOMBOY6 ,A WOMAN6 ,& SU* A FUNNY ONE4 ,%E WAS EMB>RASS$1 BUT HELD H] GR\ND4 ,%E WAV$ H] >MS1 & ABUS$ ! ,AN>*I/S1 !N H] HAIR CAME UNDONE1 CURLY LITTLE SNAKES W]E COIL$ ON H] BACK LIKE ?READS ( GOLD4 ,!N1 ,VASYUK1 ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ,I W\LD HAVE TO KN[ Y\40 

,VLADIMIR TOLD H] ?AT LAT]1 AFT] !Y HAD FALL5 9 LOVE4 ,BUT %E DIDN'T KN[ IT AT ! MEET+4 ,AFT] H] SPEE* WAS F9I%$ %E BEGAN TO BRAID H] HAIR4 ,YUROT*K9 PICK$ UP ! HAIR-P9S = H]4 

0,?ANK Y\1 ,COMRADE40 

,IT WAS V]Y EMB>RASS+2 EV]YONE WAS />+ AT H]4 ,%E WAS AFRAID TO LOOK AT ! ,AM]ICAN4 ,HE HAD SURELY NOTIC$1 & HAD HIS [N OP9ION ( H]4 ,SOME?+ OR O!R ANNOY$ H]2 %E WAS ANGRY AT ! ,AM]ICAN4 ,BUT :Y DID %E BO!R AB\T HIM8 

,! MEET+ WAS OV]4 ,EV]YBODY WAS GO+ AWAY4 ,! ,AM]ICAN /OOD BE=E H]4 

0,MAY ,I 9TRODUCE MYSELF80 ,HE TOLD H] HIS NAME & EXPLA9$ :O HE WAS4 ,HE PRESS$ H] H&2 PRAIS$ H] SPEE*4 ,& AGA9 ,VASYA FLU%$4 ,!Y BEGAN TO TALK1 TO >GUE4 ,%E WAS = ! ,BOL%EVIKI1 HE 9 FAVOR ( ! ,AN>*I/S4 ,GO+ ) ! CR[D1 !Y REA*$ ! /REET4 ,IT WAS A RA9Y & W9DY NI<T4 

,A CAB BELONG+ TO ! ,P>TY WAS WAIT+4 ,! ,AM]ICAN SUGGE/$ ?AT HE TAKE ,VASYA HOME4 ,%E AGRE$1 & !Y CLIMB$ 9TO ! CAB4 ,IT WAS D>K 9 !RE1 & ! CAB WAS N>R[4 ,!Y SAT CLOSE TOGE!R4 ,! HORSE %I$1 & SPLA%$ 9 ! MUD-PUDDLES ) ITS HO(S4 

,VASSILISSA & ,VLADIMIR /OPP$ DISPUT+1 SAT !RE QUIET & SIL5T4 ,BO? GRAVE & YET HAPPY4 

,!Y TALK$ AB\T TRIFLES1 AB\T ! RA91 AB\T ! MEET+ ?AT W\LD TAKE PLACE ! NEXT DAY 9 ! SOAP WORKS1 AB\T ! ASSEMBLY AT ,P>TY ,HEADQU>T]S4 ,BUT !IR HE>TS W]E FULL ( GLADNESS4 

,!Y W]E AT ,VASYA'S H\SE1 & BID EA* O!R GOOD-NI<T4 ,BO? W]E SORRY ?AT !Y HAD TO P>T SO SOON1 BUT NEI!R SAID SO4 

0,>E Y\ SURE Y\R FEET DIDN'T GET WET80 ,VLADIMIR ASK$ ANXI\SLY4 

0,MY FEET80 ,VASYA WAS AMAZ$1 BUT HAPPY AB\T SOME?+4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME 9 H] LIFE SOMEONE HAD ?\<T ( H]1 HAD BE5 CONC]N$ AB\T H]4 ,& ,VASYA LAU<$1 H] REGUL> :ITE TEE? %9+4 ,VLADIMIR W\LD HAVE LIK$ TO TAKE H] 9TO HIS >MS !N1 TO KISS ?OSE MOI/1 :ITE1 REGUL> TEE?4 

,! DOOR OP5$2 ! WAT*MAN LET ,VASYA 9TO ! H\SE4 

0,GOOD-BYE UNTIL TOMORR[1 AT HEADQU>T]S4 ,DON'T =GET4 ,! MEET+ OP5S AT TWO %>P4 ,WE DO ?+S 9 ! ,AM]ICAN WAY40 

,VLADIMIR RAIS$ HIS S(T HAT1 & TOOK HIS LEAVE ) A PR(\ND B[4 ,VASYA TURN$ 9 ! DOORWAY AS IF %E W]E EXPECT+ SOME?+ MORE4 

,! DOOR BANG$1 ,VASYA WAS ALONE 9 ! D>K LITTLE 
C\RT4 ,& SUDD5LY ! HAPPY MOOD WAS GONE4 ,H] 
HE>T WAS UNEASY1 SICK ) LONG+4 ,SOME?+ 
GRIEV$ H]2 SOME?+ HURT H]4 

,%E SEEM$ SO SMALL TO H]SELF4 ,SO USELESS4 

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,M>* #d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b -- ,ADD$4 

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