DOOMSDAY

Dmitrii Emets

Translated from Russian

by

Jane H. Buckin !am

Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! (Revelation 8: !" %y&wife&and&'&are&sitting&in&the&kitchen&and&waiting&for& oomsday(&which&is&coming& in&)3&hours&and&))&minutes(&or&a&little&less&than&half&an&hour&before&midnight...&*his&time& we& are&not&talking &about&the&latest &predictions&of&cra+y&preachers(&whose&leaflets &we& found&in&the&mailbo,&a&few&years&ago&and&with&which&we&lined&the&dustbin&with&a&clear & conscience.&*his&process&and&its&term&of&completion&were&independently&established&and& mathematically&calculated&by&scientists(&predicted&by&astrologers&according&to&the&stars(& detected&by&biologists&in&the&blood&cell&of&a&calf(&and&e"en&representati"es&of&all&major & world&religions(&through&do+ens&of&prophecies&recorded&in&sacred&books&but&discarded(& acknowledge&that&we&are&all&li"ing&the&final&hours.&*hus(&there&is&no&doubt:&this&is&really & the&end&of&our&good&old(&not&ideal&but&accustomed&world-&.ot&two&hours&will&pass(&when(& punishing&us&for&our&sins(&the&di"ine&hand&will&rise&and&e"erything&will&"anish... %y&wife&.ina(&short(&pretty(&and&"ery&nimble(&sits&at&the&table&and&reads&the&/ook&of& 0e"elation(&occasionally&noting&with&a&pencil&in&the&margins&"ague&places(&which&she& intends & on & looking & up & in & the & biblical & dictionary. & 1he & reads & slowly( & time & and & again& distracted &by &all &sorts &of& insignificant &matters( & for &e,ample( &rinsing &a & teaspoon & with& boiling&water&or&changing&the&water&in&the&drinking&bowl&of&our&budgie&with&the&silly& name&of&!bortion.&23e&did&not&think&up&this&name(&it&was&gi"en&to&us&as&well.4& espite& the&pro,imity&of& oomsday(&my&wife&is&content:&the&apartment&is&tidy(&she&is&in&fine& feather(&has&make5up&on(&with&a&little&perfume&behind&her&ears(&e"en&managed&to&drop&in& on&her&ac6uainted&hairdresser&in&the&morning7&her&husband(&me&that&is(&is&also&washed(& well5groomed( & and & in & an & ironed & shirt & and & a & new & tie( & which & seems & to & me & especially& uncomfortable&because&'&ha"e&to&wear&it&at&home.&%y&wife&is&protected&by&the&armour&of& "irtue&on&all&sides(&and&the&reali+ation&of&ha"ing&completed&all&earthly&matters&fills&her& with & contentment( & and & she & waits & without & fear & until & the & angels & of & the & !pocalypse(& pronouncedly&numbered&by&her&in&the&margin(&sound&their&trumpets. 3e&sit&in&the&kitchen&and&keep&6uiet(&immersed&in&our&own&thoughts.&.e,t&to&the& cara"an&of&salads&on&the&table(&an&alarm&clock&stands&on&top&of&a&bottle&of&/anker&"odka& two5thirds&full.&#"ery&now&and&then(&'&inconspicuously&glance&at&it&and&it&seems&to&me& that&its&minute&hand&rushes&ahead&like&a&torpedo. 1uddenly&my&wife&tears&herself&away &from&the&book&and&two&distressing&wrinkles& appear&on&her&forehead.&83hat&do&you&think(&already&no&point&in&watering&the&flowers9:& she&asks&an,iously.
Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

83hy&not9&3ater&them-:&'&say(&knowing&that&otherwise(&the&issue&of&whether&there& was&any&need&to&water&the&flowers&will&torment&her&in&not&only&this&world&but&also&the& ne,t. 1he&takes&a&plastic&bottle&and&goes&around&watering.&'&grope&for&the&*;&remote&on&the& table. 8 o&you&think&it&works9:&my&wife&shouts&from&the&other&room. '&am&almost&not&surprised&how(&behind&a&wall&and&a&closed&door(&she&manages&not&to& lose&me&from&her&field&of&"ision&and&senses&me&reaching&for&the&remote&control(&putting&a& cup&of&tea&on&a&polished&surface&or(&say(&dipping&a&wet&spoon&into&the&sugar&bowl.&'& suspect&that&my&wife&has&some&unknown&abilities&not&yet&mastered. <owe"er(&this&time&she&is&wrong(&or&rather(&has&not&counted&the&degree&of&mania&of & the&*;&people.&=nlike&the&disbanded&dri"ers&of&public&transport(&the&*;&people&prefer&to& meet& oomsday&at&their&posts&and&go&to&the&bottom&in&full&sail&with&the&flag&on&the&main & mast. *he&first&channel&broadcasts&the&di"ine&ser"ice&of&the&>hurch&of&>hrist&the&1a"iour.& #,cept&for&the&#aster&ser"ice(&hardly&e"er&do&so&many&bishops&and&top&hierarchs&of&the& church&gather&in&one&place.&*he&usually&spacious&temple&is&now&so&crammed&that&there&is& e"en&no&place&for&an&apple&to&fall.&?nly&candles&are&burning(&and&their&smooth&oscillating & flicker&is&reflected&in&the&thin&metallic&coating&of&the&icons.&*he&camera&slowly&pans&to& serious(&stern(&but&peaceful&faces.&3e&hear&the&distinct(&slightly&trembling&"oice&of&the& @atriarch(&and&the&choristersA& deep&"oices(&humming&with&hidden&strength&like&organ& pipes(&joining&him(&81uddenly&the&Budge&will&come(&and&the&deeds&of&each&will&be&laid& bare7&but&at&midnight&let&us&cry&with&fear:&<oly(&<oly(&<oly&art&*hou(&?&Cod7&through&the& %other&of&Cod(&ha"e&mercy&on&us.:$ ' & switch & to & the & second & channel & and & hit & the & news. & .ews & from & around & the & world& alternates&with&each&other&with&fe"erish&haste:&magnetic&storms&in&the&atmosphere7&all& air&flights&ha"e&stopped7&heads&of&states&and&cabinets&of&ministers&in&a&body&proceed&to& their & allotted & underground & bunkers & 8to & coordinate: & from & there & 8the & actions & of & the& security&forces&and&to&take&all&measures&to&suppress&anarchy&and&disorder7:&plague&rages& in&>hina(&taking&away&hundreds&of&thousands&of&li"es&e"ery&minute7&a&third&of&all&animal & and&plant&species&in&!sia&%inor&ha"e&died7&the&chemical&composition&of&water&in&the& ocean&has&changed&and&fish&are&dying&in&leaps&and&bounds&but&the&le"el&of&the&ocean&is& increasing&rapidly&so&that&soon&!ustralia&and&?ceania&will&turn&up&below&sea&le"el&and& will&be&completely&flooded.&*he&same&fate&awaits&<olland(&Creat&/ritain(&and&a&number& of&other&islands&and&coastal&areas.&'n&many&points&of&the&globe(&new&mountain&ranges& ha"e & appeared & and & "olcanoes & ha"e & become & acti"e. & !stronomers & report & that & the& constellations&of&the&%ilky&3ay&ha"e&gone&out&one&by&one(&and&the&matter&constituting& them&is&collecting&into&a&single&cloud(&from&which&some&day(&perhaps(&other&stars&will&be& formed...
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&Drom&the&*roparia&to&the&<oly&*rinity&of&the&0ussian&?rthodo,&>hurch&prayer&book. Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

8Eike&pieces&of&clay&after&the&game...&@eople(&houses(&gala,ies(&e"erything&collapses& and&returns&to&the&bo,&so&that&something&new&can&be&moulded(:&'&think(&switching&the& *;&to&a&third&channel. ?n&the&third&channel&is&a&farewell&concert&F&a&cross&between&the&melody&of & #ong about Rabbits$&and&a&funeral&march.&1ingers(&actors(&and&artists(&one&more&famous&than& the&other&F&some&with&eyes&red&from&tears(&some&pompous&and&important&like&a&>hinese& idol&F&kiss&and&hug&each&other&with&the&usual&caution:&to&protect&their&make5up.&<ere& two&old&enemies&kiss(&affection&spreading&on&both&faces(&although&in&reality&each&is&ready& to&chop&off&any&toe&for&a&chance&to&annoy&her&ri"al. <owe"er(&now&the&music&is&already&playing.& i"as&and&courageous&di"os(&shrouded& knee5deep&in&white&theatrical&fog(&alone(&without&backups(&perform&their&best&songs&and& then&silently&lea"e&the&stage(&and(&guiding&them(&the&floodlight&goes&out&in&farewell&after&a& few&seconds... *hese&people(&who&e"en&look&theatrical&in&real&grief&and&who(&e"en&suffering(&manage& to&do&it&beautifully(&with&pained&and&languishing&smiles(&remembering&how&best&to&show& the&camera&lens&their&profile&or&full&face(&suddenly&seem&to&me&like&participants&in&a& stupid&ridiculous&farce(&and&'&turn&off&the&*;.&*he&moment&'&press&the&button(&'&am& thinking&that&'&ha"e&watched&*;&for&the&last&time&today. ' & utter &the&words&8for the last time: &aloud( &and&suddenly&a &sticky&feeling&of& fear& creeps&o"er&me&for&a&few&moments.&'t&seems&to&me&what&scares&me&is&not&that&trumpets& will&sound&and&horsemen&of&the&!pocalypse&in&fiery&amour&on&horses&breathing&sulphur& and&smoke&will&gallop&on&#arth(&but&precisely&this&8last&time.:&'s&it&possible&that&all&the& usual&e"eryday&things(&to&which&we&are&accustomed&and&which&we&grab&as&sa"ing&straws& will&ne"er&be&repeated9&*he&last&sandwich(&the&last&time&to&button&a&shirt(&the&last&time&to& wake&the&slumbering&waterfall(&flushing&the&toilet9 %y&wife&goes&into&the&kitchen&with&a&plastic&bottle&and&starts&filling&it&from&the&tap.& 1he&has&a&peculiarity:&she&cannot&stand&an&empty&"essel7&all&bottles&and&jars&at&home& must&be&either&thrown&out&or&filled.&1uddenly(&there&is&a&sharp&ring&at&the&door.&*he& bottle(&slipping&out&of&her&hand(&falls&dully&into&the&sink(&and&we&gi"e&a&start&at&the&same& time. 8Already%:&my&wife&breathes&out&in&fear. 8 o&you&think&an&angel&would&come&to&ask&whether&he&disturbs&us&with&his&trumpet9:& '&joke&tensely&and&go&to&open&the&door. %y&friend&from&the&institute&Guri&Haraiskii&stands&on&the&threshold&with&a&friend.&*his& is&the&first&time&'&see&his&girlfriend.&1he&is&tall(&slim(&has&a&beautiful&wide&mouth(&thick & blond&hair(&and&wild&eyes.&1ince&my&time&as&a&student(&'&ha"e&feared&women&with&such& eyes: & e"en & just & after & one & shot5glass( & they & tend & towards & aimless & arguments( & fits & of& hysteria(&and&the&sorting&out&of&relationships.&*his&couple&of&ad"enturers(&like&!lice&the&

& #ong about Rabbits& is &from &the &soundtrack &of &the&$I68 &1o"iet &>omedy & film & &he 'iamond Arm.&'t& became&"ery&popular&during&the&late&$I6Js. Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

Do,&and&/asilio&the&>at&from&the&fairy&tale( 3&does&not&arouse&admiration&in&me&from&the& beginning. %y & first & urge & is & to & send & them & on & their & way & 6uickly( & but & ' & understand & that & it & is& impossible:&they&already&do&not&ha"e&time&to&get&home(&and&to&meet& oomsday&on&the& road&would&be&absurd.&*herefore(&whether&'&want&it&or&not(&'&will&ha"e&to&spend&my&last& hours&in&the&company&of&Guri&Haraiskii&and&his&girlfriend.&8/ut&then&all&together&we&wonAt& ha"e&time&to&be&scared(:&'&comfort&myself. 3e&ha"e&a&narrow&hallway.&%y&wife&looks&o"er&my&shoulder&and&breathes&into&my& ear.&'t&is&not&a&secret&to&me&that&she&does&not&like&Guri&because&he&is&too&unpredictable& and&eccentric(&and&in&addition&has&a&bad&influence&on&me.&<is&bad&influence&lies&in&the& fact&that&we&got&hammered&together&once&2not&counting&student&years4.&.e"ertheless(&no & matter & how & my & wife & treated & him( & Guri & did & not & notice & anything. & <is & nature & is & too& generous&for&this(&and&besides&he&has&a&deep&con"iction&that&he&is&just&difficult&not&to&like. Haraiskii&smiles&da++lingly&with&all&his&thirty5two&white&teeth&and&wa"es&of&his&charm& sweep&o"er&us.&*he&intuition&of&a&first5rate&likeable&fellow&tells&Haraiskii&that&the&first& thing&is&to&make&us&laugh(&and&then&the&laughter&will&reconcile&us&to&his&une,pected& appearance.&<e&e,erts&himself&slightly&and&it&is&as&if&the&bright&sun&bla+es&up&in&our&dark& hallway. & *he& doorframe &instantly & becomes& the& frame &of& a &ceremonial & portrait & called& Appearance of (u) *arais+ii, the common man. <a"ing&ascertained&that&we&ha"e&recei"ed&proper&pleasure&from&the&"ision&of&him(& Guri & unceremoniously & forces & his & way & into & the & apartment & and & starts & to & hug & me. & <is& moustache&smells&like&red&wine&and&tobacco&and&he&is&like&a&big(&shaggy(&friendly&dog. 8Gou(&@etruchio(4&really&arenAt&glad&to&see&your&friend&before& oomsday9&.inotchka(& my& darling( &let &me&kiss&your&hand- &3hatAs& your &perfume&F&stylish- &Gou&look&simply& mar"ellous(&but&then(&as&always...&Gou&ha"e&to&e,cuse&us&for&crashing.&Gou&do&see&how&it & is...&3e&suddenly&found&oursel"es&on&a&street&in&your&neighbourhood&and&nowhere&to& call...&'f&weAre &in&the&way(&you&just&say&it&and&weAll& lea"e&right&away...:&Guri&says&in&his& deep&"oice(&and&all&his&words&merge&into&a&single&friendly&note. 't&is&possible&not&to&lo"e&Haraiskii&from&afar(&when&he&is&absent(&but&when&he&is&near(& it&is&6uite&impossible&to&be&mad&at&him.&!lmost&immediately(&'&become&ashamed&of&my& initial&coolness(&and&'&say(&8?kay(&guys...&*his&is&silly-&Co&to&the&kitchen.&3eAll&eat(&drink(& and&on&the&whole...: ?n&HaraiskiiAs&face&appears&such&an&e,pression&of&gratitude&that&if&he&had&a&tail(&he& would & wag &it&for&sure.&3hile&we&go &along&the&hallway( &Guri(&already &feeling&6uite& at& home(&talks&incessantly(&simultaneously&guiding&the&mo"ements&of&his&companion&deftly. 8*his&is&fate(&my&brother(&canAt& run&away&from&it.&'f&it&must&be(&thereAs&no&escape...& !nyway( & did & you( & @etruchio( & e"er & think & that & 'Ad& come & to & you & unin"ited & to & welcome& oomsday9:
3

& *hese&two&are&a&couple&of&crooks(&swindlers&from & &he Adventures of ,uratino& 2$I364&by&1o"iet&writer& !leksey&.ikolae"ich&*olstoy&2$8835$I4K4. 4 &@etruchio&is&the&male&romantic&lead&of&1hakespeareAs&&he &aming of the #hrew&2c.&$KIJ5I44. Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

8!ctually(&'&had&a&premonition.&'f&it&is& oomsday(&then&weAll&ha"e&a&blast(:&'&say.&'&do& not&like&Haraiskii&calling&me&@etruchio.&'t&was&my&nickname&at&the&institute(&though&not& from&my&name&but&my&last&name(&@etrako".&.ow&'&cannot&stand&it. 'n&the&kitchen(&Guri&opens&a&package&and&with&a&broad&generous&gesture&puts&on&the& table&a&pork&roast(&red&and&black&ca"iar(&and&a&bottle&of&e,pensi"e&<ennessy&cognac. 8!&funny&thing-:&he&says.&8!lmost&all&stores&are&open.&3e&"isited&one&on&the&way&and& a&=krainian&salesgirl&stood&behind&the&counter&there.&'&took&all&this&and&as&a&joke&said&to& her( &L3ill & you & gi"e & them & away & without & pay9 & !lready & oomsday & after & all( & no & sense& wasting&the&brandy-A&1he&didnAt&understand&the&joke&and&got&upset.&LEies(A&she&shouted(& Lput&e"erything&back- & oomsday&or&not(&still&has&to&pay-A& !nd&kept&going.&3e&barely& calmed&her&down.&3e&paid(&took&the&purchases(&and&left&the&store.&!nd&what&do&you& think9&'&was&already&sitting&in&the&car&and&suddenly&reali+ed&that&she&had&short5changed& me&by&about&thirty&roubles-&3ell(&'&think(&attagirl-&1heAll&also&short5change&the&Eord&for& at&least&fi"e&roubles-: Haraiskii&talks&but&looks&at&me&watchfully.&'&know&him&well&enough&to&catch&some& secret&thought. 83hat&do&you&need9:&'&ask&him&a&few&minutes&later(&when &we&mo"e&away&to&the& window. <e&blushes&and&looks&back&at&his&girlfriend(&and&then(&looking&out&the&window&and& not&at&me(&begins&to&whisper(&8Eisten(&old&man(&hereAs&the&thing...&'&understand&that&itAs& incon"enient&and&absurd&to&ask...&but&help&me&out&one&last&time.&=nderstand&how&it&is& with&a&man...&>an&we&ha"e&a&look&in&your&bedroom&for&a&while(&about&twenty&minutes9: 83hy9:&'&do&not&understand&immediately. 83hy...&GouAre&not&a&kid.&1omething&like&this&happens&all&the&time.& irt&on&the&street(& hotels&closed(&and&we&already&canAt&reach&my&place...&'&wouldnAt&ask(&but&you&yourself& understand(&a&dead&end...: 83hat(&ha"e&you&gone&nuts9&-ow9:&'&ask. 83hat9:&Guri&is&surprised.&8Dor&the&last&time9: '&look&at&Haraiskii&and&see&sincere(&offended&bewilderment&on&his&face(&like&a&dog&that& cannot&understand&why&it&is&not&gi"en&the&uneaten&bone.&83hat&the&heck-:&'&say.&8Co-: Haraiskii&gratefully&s6uee+es&my&wrist&for&a&moment(&cautiously&glances&sideways&at& my & wife( & and & pulls & his & companion & after & him. & 1he & does & not & understand & but & goes& ne"ertheless. 8 o & you&need&something9: &%y&wife&takes&se"eral&pu++led&steps&after&them(&but& '& restrain&her. 8 onAt(&stay...&Eet&the&two&of&them&be&together.: 8'n&what&sense9:&%y&wife&does&not&understand. 8*he&literal&sense.&@eople&want&to&be&together...&for&the&last&time(:&'&e,plain. %y&wifeAs&face&falls.&1he&rushes&like&a&puma&to&the&bedroom&door(&but&'&catch&her&by& the&elbows&and&bring&her&into&the&kitchen.
Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

81top-: & ' & say. & 83hy & the & silly & hypocrisy9 & GouAre & not & the & mother & superior & of & the& con"ent-: 8'&donAt&care&about&their&instincts(&but&this&is&our&apartment-:&%y&wife&is&seething. 8?urs &for the time being(:&'&correct&her(&8but&itAll&stop&being&ours&in&an&hour&and& twenty&minutes.&'n&fact(&the&whole&world&can&already&be&declared&public:&open&palaces( & museums(&and&treasuries(&allow&people&to&take&possession&of&0epin K& and&;rubel(6& gi"e& away&diamonds&and&the&Colden&>rown( M& let&each&console&himself&with&what&he&wants& after&all.: %y&wife&shoots&me&a&telltale&glance(&illustrating&clearly&to&me&what&she&thinks&of&me(& and&turns&away&to&the&sink.&'&feel&that&her&inward&peace&has&been&shattered(&the&minutes& remaining & till & oomsday & hopelessly & poisoned( & and & my & rating & in & her & eyes & has& immediately&fallen&a&thousand&points.&*he&consolation&to&me&is&that&all&this&is&no&longer& important&now(&because&in&the&renewed&world&where&we&will&find&oursel"es(&there&will&be& neither&women&nor&men(&and&e"erything(&absolutely&e"erything&will&be&different. !t&this&point(&'&notice&the&chessboard&on&the&windowsill&and&remember&that&'&ha"e& not & sol"ed & the & problem( & which & ' & chanced & upon & three & years & ago & in & an & old & yellowed& maga+ine.&>hess&problems(&their&composition&and&solution(&are&my&weakness.&'&can&keep& myself & busy & for & long & hours( & forgetting & e"erything( & as & if & disappearing & into & the & fifth& dimension.&'f&'&get&to&hea"en&in&the&other&world&and&am&able&to&choose&an&occupation&for& myself(&unlimited &in &time&at &that( &then &' &shall&ask(&instead&of&singing&in &a&chorus &of& angels(&to&be&gi"en&a&thick&stack&of&chess&problems&and&be&left&alone&for&about&a&thousand& years... '&take&the&board&and&set&up&the&pieces&from&memory.&*he&problem&is&to&checkmate&in & four&mo"es.&*he&6uestion&tormenting&me&for&a&long&time&is&F&does&it&distinguish&itself&by& special&architectural&beauty&or&not&ha"ing&a&solution&at&all9&.e,t&to&the&problem&in&the& maga+ine&was&also&a&small&photo&of&its&author(&a&certain&;.&Norshuno"ich&F&a&narrow& elderly&face(&a&thin&mouth(&and&a&high&forehead&with&high&temples(&like&that&of&an&old& clown&photographed&in&a&colourful&cone&hat&F&who&was&probably&a&sarcastic&person.&!nd& the&problem&itself(&outwardly&simple&and&with&few&pieces(&was&built&with&a&certain&subtle& mockery.&@lease&e,cuse&me&for&being&worthless(&but&would&you&care9 ?ne&day(&unable&to&control&myself(&'&phoned&this&maga+ine(&but&it&turned&out&that&it & no&longer&e,ists&and&nothing&is&known&about&the&man&who&made&up&this&problem&forty5 two&years&ago. .ow(&setting&up&the&pieces(&'&forget&e"erything.&Haraiskii&and&his&girlfriend(&fe"erishly& stri"ing&to&drink&from&the&cup&of&pleasure&for&the&last&time(&my&wife(&demonstrati"ely&and&
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&'lya&#firmo"ich&0epin&2$8445$I3J4(&0ussian&realist&painter(&the&most&renowned&0ussian&artist&of&the&$I th& century. 6 &%ikhal&!leksandro"ich&;rubel&2$8K65$I$J4(&0ussian&painter&of&the&1ymbolist&mo"ement. M &!lso&known&as&%onomakhAs&crown(&this&early&$4 th&century&gold&filigree&skullcap(&elaborately&ornamented(& is&the&symbol&of&0ussian&aristocracy.&Eegend&has&it&that&it&was&presented&by&the&/y+antine&#mperor&to& ;aldimir&%onomakh&2$JK3&F&$$)K4(&a&Crand&@rince&of&Nie"an&0us.&<owe"er(&historical&e"idences&show& that&it&is&only&a&legend. Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

loudly&banging&the&dishes(&and&our&whole&dying&world&F&e"erything&suddenly&mo"es&onto& a&second&plane&and&fades&like&the&silhouettes&on&an&old&photo. '&suddenly&ha"e&the&confidence&that&the&problem&will&definitely&be&sol"ed&and&become& a&certain&epitomi+ing&feature&of&my&e,istence.&1o(&to&work-&'&lean&towards&the&board&and& massage&my&temples.&'n&the&majority&of&cases(&'&began&to&sol"e&the&problem&most&likely& with&an&attack&of&the&knight&or&the&rook(&but&now&'&bra"ely&mo"e&a&far&pawn(&seemingly& insecure&and&completely&hopeless.&!fter&the&pawn(&'&mo"e&the&rook(&cutting&off&the&top&of& the&field&for&the&black&king.&1uddenly&e"erything&becomes&clear...&#nlightened(&'&begin&to& mo"e&the&pieces&6uickly(&arranging&them&around&the&black&king.&<e(&helplessly&lifting&the& skirt&of&his&long&robe(&rushes&around&the&board(&but&all&is&in&"ain(&there&is&no&escape.& >heckmate-&!&joyful&e,clamation&is&already&about&to&escape&me(&but&suddenly&'&reali+e& that&'&ha"e&checkmated&in&fi"e&mo"es&instead&of&four.&'t&means&'&ha"e&again&suffered&a& defeat&and&the&mordant&;.&Norshuno"ich&has&again&the&upper&hand.&8!h(&you&cheat-:&'& think.&8 oesnAt&matter(&'All&see&you&soon&myself.: '&am&already&packing&up&the&pieces&when&Haraiskii&and&his&girlfriend&appear&from&the& room.&/oth&are&confused&and&unhappy(&and&'&surmise&that&they&spoiled&their&last&time& with&the&rush&and&the&ner"ous&tension.& %y&wife&also&senses&it&and&feels&a&little&better.&83ell(&now...&EetAs&ha"e&a&bite...:&she& says&wearily. Guri&and&his&girlfriend&sit&down&at&the&table&and&are&silent.&3e&are&also&silent.&#ach&of & us&understands&that&the&most&important&moment&in&the&history&of&mankind&has&begun& and&is&just&about&to&deli"er&the&concluding&period(&but&we&are&at&a&loss&and&do&not&know& what&to&say&and&what&to&think&at&this&moment. 1ince&it&is&already&impossible&to&change&anything(&my&wife&generously&decides&on& reconciliation. & ' & am & surprised( & because & ' & know & what & it & costs & her. & 8EetAs & at & least & get& ac6uainted-&?ne&canAt&meet& oomsday& with&a&person&without&knowing&his&name(:&she& says(&addressing&HaraiskiiAs&companion.&8'Am&.ina.: *he & companion & smiles & tensely. & Dor & some & reason & she & does & not & want & to & introduce& herself&but&it&would&be&impolite&to&remain&silent&and&she&says(&8!nd&'Am&!nya.: 81o&thatAs&your&name-&Gou&didnAt&tell&me-:&Haraiskii&is&nai"ely&surprised.&*he&nai"e& surprise&does&not&pre"ent&him &from &wielding&a&spoon&and&loading&a&plate&of&?li"ier& salad8&for&himself. 83hat & do & you& mean( & she& didnAt & tell & you9: & %y & wife & is& thunderstruck. & 8!renAt& you& friends9: 83hy&not&friends9:&Guri&was&offended.&8!bout&an&hour&and&a&half&already.&.ot&long(& but&itAll&pass &for&a&first&anni"ersary(&especially&as&there&wonAt&be&a& second&one.&'snAt&it& symbolic&that&'&found&the&girl&of&my&destiny&precisely&on& oomsday9:

&!&traditional&salad&in&0ussian&cuisine(&also&known&as&0ussian&salad&in&other&parts&of&the&world(&it&was & in"ented & by & Eucien & ?li"ier & 2$8385834 & in & the & $86Js & when & he & was & the & chef & of & the & <ermitage( & one & of& %oscowAs&most&famous&restaurants. Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

'&barely&restrain&myself&from&reminding&Haraiskii&that&he&had&also&found&the&girl&of& his&destiny&on&many&other&days(&and&e"ery&time&soon&disco"ered&that&it&was&a&false&start. & 8@erhaps(:&'&think(&8!nya&is&really&the&girl&of&his&life(&not&because&sheAs&the&one&for&him(& but&because&he&simply&doesnAt&ha"e&time&to&be&disillusioned.: 3e & unseal & the & brandy & and & drink & the & first & toast & to & rende+"ous. & *he & <ennessy & is& indeed&good(&which&is&not&surprising&since&a&bottle&costs&as&much&as&'&earn&in&a&fortnight. 83here&did&you&meet9&!t&a&club9:&'&ask(&knowing&that&Guri&likes&to&go&to&nightclubs& from&time&to&time. 83hy&at&a&club9:&Haraiskii&says(&turning&away&from&the&salad&with&regret.&81imply&on& the&street-&'&was&coming&to&you(&got&to&the&traffic&light(&and&here&saw&a&girl&kissing&a&cat.&!& cat & so & wet( & shorthair( & a & tail & like & a & rope. & ' & got & out & of & the & car & and & said( &L*ake & you& somewhere9& onAt&want&to&intrude(&but&such&an&occasion&after&all...&.asty&to&be&alone&at& such&a&time.A&*hatAs&how&we&met.&'&just&didnAt&ask&her&name...:& ?n & my & wifeAs& face & momentarily & flashes & the & fastidious & wonder & of & a & calm( & self5 respecting&woman&who&does&not&befriend&or&kiss&homeless&cats&on&the&street(&cats&that& may&be&full&of&ringworms.&Drom&my&wifeAs&point&of&"iew(&e,actly&such&unbalanced(&wacky& broads&as&!nya(&who&indulge&in&debauchery&in&the&homes&of&strangers&with&someone& they&just&met&and&kiss&wormy&cats(&forgetting&to&feed&them&at&the&same&time(&are&to&blame& for&our&world&dying. 8'&myself&donAt&know&why&'&kissed&it(&but&it&had&such&a&lonely&look...:&!nya&says(&as&if& not&fully&understanding&herself. 8@oor&thing...&Gou&at&least&fed&it9:&my&wife&asks&compassionately. !nya&either&does&not&hear&her&or&rather&pretends&not&to&hear(&looking&somewhere& o"er&our&heads&at&the&dark&window.&1he&is&indifferent&to&my&wife&and&me.&1he&does&not & want&to&justify&herself&to&anybody(&does&not&want&to&change(&wants&to&remain&as&she&is. & runken&shouts&and&deafening&bangs&can&be&heard&from&the&street.&3e&think&at&first&that& these & are & shots( & but & from & the & bright & lights & flying & up & understand & that & they & are& firecrackers. 1uddenly&!nya&turns&to&me&and&asks(&8'n&your&opinion(&what&is&a&soul9: *his&6uestion&is&so&une,pected&that&'&am&a&little&lost(&but&answer&all&the&same(&8=h... & 3ell(&how&to&tell&you...&thereAre&different&definitions&of&the&soul...&?ne&of&them&says&that& thereAs&no&soul&at&all(&but&conducti"ity&of&ner"e&impulses&in&the&cerebral&corte,&e,ists.: 8/ut&what&do&you&personally&think9:&!nya&tries&to&find&out. '&honestly&think&about&it&and&say(&8'&think&that&the&soul&is&what&we&are&minus&the& physiology.: 8'tAs & impossible & to & subtract & the & physiology & from & me(: & Haraiskii & protests. & 8'f & itAs& subtracted(&less&than&+ero&of&me&remain&and&less&than&+ero&isnAt&a&real&number.: 8*he & main & thing & here & isnAt & physiology(: & ' & say. & 8' & recently & read & in & a & maga+ine & a& con"ersation & with & a & priest. & <e & contended & that & our & biggest & sin( & for & which & we & are & punished(&is&ingratitude&and&the&inability&to&lo"e.&3e&were&unable&to&appreciate&what& was&granted&us.:
Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

8/ut&what&were&we&granted9&.othing-:&%y&wife&is&suddenly&angry.&83e&li"ed(&bustled& about(&spun&around(&kept&irritation&to&oursel"es(&and&blamed&each&other&for&something(& thatAs&essentially&all.&Ci"e&us&fi"e&more&li"es(&e"erything&will&be&the&same...: HaraiskiiAs&hand&free+es&halfway&to&the&goblet.&'&literally&see&the&thoughts&seething& and&foaming&in&his&brain(&stri"ing&to&bubble&out&like&sparkling&champagne&through&the& aperture&of&a&mouth.&8.ow&thereAll&be&a&monologue(:&'&surmise&and&am&not&mistaken. 8!nd&indeed&youAre&right&about&the&fi"e&li"es-&Ci"e&us&at&least&thirty5three&paradises(& all&the&same&we&will&grumble(:&Haraiskii&e,claims(&showing&off&slightly.&81o(&the&whole& point & here & isnAt & in & the & outside & world & but & in & oursel"es. & *ogether & with & the & apple & of& knowledge&of&good&and&e"il(&we&ate&the&worm&of&discontent&gnawing&us.&@ithecanthropi& li"ed&in&ca"es&and&grumbled(&L3hat&a&life-&*he&glacier&crawls(&the&chiefAs&a&fool(&and&the& mammoth&is&tough.A& 1ome&thousands&of&years&passed(&the&mammoths&became&e,tinct(& people&started&to&li"e&in&cities&and&all&the&same(&to&them&this&or&that&is&wrong:&the&*atars& play&tricks(&the&teeth&hurt(&the&wifeAs&a&shrew(&the&kids&are&ungrateful(&the&roofAs&leaking...& !nother&fi"e&hundred&years(&and&here&we&sit&in&apartments&with&running&water(&fly&in& airplanes(&and&still&weAre&dissatisfied&and&miserable.&*he&Eord&is&probably&tired&of&our& eternal & grumbling- &L%ust & kill & them(A& thinks & the & Eord( &Lso & that & they & wonAt & suffer.& ?therwise(&how&uni"ersal&am&'(&and&then&soon&'All &ac6uire&an&inferiority&comple,.A:&<e& pauses & and( & satisfied & with & his & speech( & chases & with & his & fork & after & an & elusi"e & piece & of& herring. 8Dinished&philosophi+ing9:&'&ask.&8*hen&pour&the&brandy-: Haraiskii&laughs(&pours&the&cognac(&and&we&drink&to&the&ladies(&and&then&immediately(& almost&without&a&pause(&to&e"erything&good&we&had&in&life.&*he&cognac&co"ers&the&mouth & and&the&throat&with&a&pleasant&tart&"iscosity(&and&almost&immediately&spreads&a&pleasant& soothing&warmth&through&the&body.&'&begin&to&think&that&our&final&hour&will&not&pass&by& so&badly&when&!nya&suddenly(&without&any&reason(&begins&to&laugh&hysterically.&%y&first& impression&was&correct:&she&should&not&drink.&Haraiskii&hugs&!nyaAs&shoulders&and&starts& to&rock&her&gently(&soothing&her.&<owe"er(&!nya&breaks&loose&and&shouts&at&Haraiskii&an& offensi"e&and&sharp(&81wine-&Cet&away-:&Guri&releases&her&and&mo"es&away(&though&not& offended&but&rather&pu++led(&like&a&big&good5natured&dog&kicked&for&no&reason&at&all. !nya&is&raging(&getting&more&and&more&wound&up.&1he&screams&insults(&stomps&her& feet(&jumps&up&and&wants&to&run&somewhere(&but&suddenly&falls&on&a&chair&and&starts& crying.&!ll&three&of&us&awkwardly&calm&her&and&gi"e&her&a&drink&of&water(&but&her&teeth& knock&against&the&glass&and&the&water&splashes&onto&the&floor. *en&minutes&later(&!nya&finally&6uiets&down.&1he&is&no&longer&laughing&or&crying(&but& sits(&lack5lustre&and&bent(&like&a&s6uee+ed&lemon.&1he&lights&up&a&cigarette(&and&ha"ing& searched&unsuccessfully&for&an&ashtray(&shakes&the&ashes&off&right&onto&the&oilcloth.&%y& wife&fidgets&in&the&chair(&and&'&literally&feel&how&she&is&suffering.&*he&ashes&burn&her& immortal&soul&together&with&the&oilcloth.

Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

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Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

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like&to&take&a&run&with&a&powerful&motorcycle&on&the&empty(&smooth&highway(&straight&as& an&arrow.: 8Ge5ah... & a & motorcycle & is & good(: & ' & say & absent5mindedly. & *o & me & the & words& 8motorcycle:&and&8car:&mean&nothing&more&than&8a&self5mo"ing&"ehicle.:&'f&you&ha"e& ne"er&learned&to&ride&or&dri"e&one(&then&now&there&is&already&no&point.&1ince&the&time&'& fell&off&my&bike&in&tenth&grade&and&shifted&the&meniscus&at&the&same&time(&'&ha"e&a"oided& all&wheels&by&walking&not&less&than&fi"e&metres&around&them. *he&con"ersation&is&strained.&3e&finish&drinking&the&cognac&and&begin&to&wander& aimlessly&around&the&apartment.&%y&wife&goes&into&the&bedroom&and&fe"erishly&searches& for&something&in&bo,es7&'&hear&something&similar&to&beads&spilling&on&the&floor.&Haraiskii & tries&to&call&someone(&but&the&line&is&busy&for&some&reason.&<e&dials&the&same&number&ten & times&with&the&same&result. 83hat&blockhead&can&talk&at&such&a&moment9-&!re&these&asses&at&the&phone&e,change& disconnected9: & he & says & angrily & and & goes & into & the & bedroom & too. & %y & wife & asks & him& something&and&he&replies. !nya&and&'&find&oursel"es&at&the&table&and&she&begins&to&eat&black&ca"iar&straight&with& a&finger.&!fter&thinking&for&a&bit(&'&follow&her&e,ample.&*he&taste&of&the&black&ca"iar & reminds&me&of&something&'&do&not&like(&but&'&cannot&figure&out&what&e,actly&and&eat&just& to&remember.&1oon&the&jar&is&empty. 83eAre& right&not&to&waste&good&stuff-:&!nya&says.&1he&puts&a&hand&on&my&shoulder(& turns(&and&looks&me&straight&in&the&eyes.&*he&candlelight&is&reflected&in&her&pupils&and& makes&her&look&like&a&beautiful(&passionate(&and&hysterical&witch.&<er&face&is&so&close&that & '&can&feel&her&breath(&smelling&of&brandy&and&ca"iar. 8%aybe&we&can&play&chess9:&'&ask.&8%y&first&mo"e:&knight&b$&F&c3.: I !nya&remo"es&her&hand&from&my&shoulder(&laughs(&and&mo"es&away.&8'&like&you(:&she& says.&8GouAre&not&like&that one-: 8*his&is&the&first&compliment&'A"e&been&gi"en&in&my&life(:&'&say. 1oon&we&all&gather&in&the&kitchen&again.&3e&can&hear&the&neighbour&with&a&disability& swearing&at&his&grandmother&on&the&other&side&of&the&panel&wall&of&our&home.&Crandma& calmly&listens&and&clatters&the&pots(&she&is&used&to&it.&*hen&the&swearing(&ha"ing&reached& the & ma,imum & tension(& suddenly & stops( &and & a &rollicking( & well5known( &and & rather & sad& 0ussian&song&is&heard.&*he&neighbourAs&"oice&is&cracked(&destroyed&by&drink(&but&he&has& an&ear.&Haraiskii(&after&listening&for&some&time(&starts&to&sing&along.&*he&neighbour&hears& this & and( & pleased & with & the & support( & sings & louder. & ! & strong & male & thread & of & mutual& understanding&stretches&out&to&both&sides&of&the&wall. 3hen&the&song&ends(&Haraiskii&in"ites&his&new&friend&o"er&to&drink&with&us&and&the& friend&sort&of&agrees7&but&'&e,plain&to&Guri&that&although&the&apartments&are&ne,t&to&each & other(&the&disabled&person&actually&li"es&in&the&neighbouring&entrance(&and&on&top&of&that&
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we&are&on&the&fourteenth&floor(&the&ele"ator&does&not&work(&it&is&dark&in&the&stairwell(&and& the&neighbour&is&drunk&as&a&skunk. Guri&contemplates&and&shouts&through&the&wall&so&that&the&neighbour&will&not&come& o"er(&but&it&turns&out&that&he&has&already&taken&a&lantern&and(&wasting&no&time(&is&on&his& way&to&us.&Haraiskii&intends&to&meet&him(&but&hesitates.&8<eAll&come&himself(:&he&says. 8Gou&bastard-:&!nya&comments. Haraiskii&and&'&go&out&onto&the&balcony&in&the&chilly&autumn&night.&*he&dark(&unlit(& massi"e&homes&around&us&are&reminiscent&of&half5rock(&half5theatrical&scenery.&!lthough& the&half&bitten5off&moon&is&still&"isible&in&the&sky(&the&stars&are&kind&of&a&muddle.&1ome&of& them&are&already&gone7&others&ha"e&crawled&together&a&little&to&the&central&part&of&the&sky(& like&sheep&bunch&up&in&a&flock&on&hearing&the&call&of&the&shepherd.&'&only&now&reali+e&the & scope & of & what & is & happening & and & ' & become & terrified. & 't & is & one & thing & to & know & about& oomsday&as&a&kind&of&impending&threat(&but&6uite&another&to&see&the&seemingly&eternal & stars&disappear. 8't&seems&not&only&our&world&will&get&it.&*he&Eord&has&undertaken&a&big&cleaning&of& the&uni"erse(:&Haraiskii&remarks.&<e&says&this&in&his&usual&declarati"e&fashion.&1peaking(& he&seems&to&be&listening&to&himself(&as&if&he&is&both&the&actor&and&a&spectator&e"aluating& this&actorAs&play. '&painfully&caught&my&foot&on&something.&'t&is&an&old&sled(&which&'&would&ha"e&thrown& out&long&ago&if&not&for&my&wife.&'&take&the&sled&and&want&to&drop&it&from&the&balcony(&but& for&some&reason&'&become&uneasy(&as&if&'&am&committing&treason(&and&'&put&it&down& again. 8'&still&donAt&understand&the&reason&to&obliterate&our&world(:&'&utter.&8'f&you&want&to& build&a&new&one(&build(&but&why&wipe&out&this&one9: 83hat&if&itAs&getting&boring9&<ow&long&can&you&busy&yourself&with&a&game9:&Haraiskii& asks. 8'f&itAs&getting&boring(&then&entrust&it&to&someone&or&let&someone&ha"e&a&go&at&it.&Eet & the&last&people&be&the&first&at&the&same&time(&and&all&history&of&the&earth&will&start&anew(& but&in&a&more&complete&loop.&Eike&toy&train&tracks&going&in&a&ring&and&interfering&with&no& one(:&'&suggest.& %y& theory&appears&"ague&to&me(&but&'&feel&that&there&is&something&in &it.&' &try & to& de"elop & it & further & but & get & confused & by & the & 6uestion & of & whether & our & earlier & memory& should&be&preser"ed&for&each&new&loop(&or&whether&all&of&mankind(&for&e,ample&$J&or&)J& billion( & should & lea"e & like & spare & players & and & only & let & a & part & out & on & the & field& simultaneously(&say(&)&or&3&billion. Guri&listens&to&me&indulgently&and&e"en&seems&to&smile(&but&smiles&not&because&it&is& funny&to&him(&but&because&he&should&do&something&with&his&facial&muscles.&8*hen&it& would&be&a&mockery(:&he&declares.&8#"erything&must&ha"e&a&beginning&and&an&end.&*he& fact&that&thereAs&already&a&beginning&demonstrates&that&there&should&also&be&an &end(& otherwise&it&turns&out&as&an&endless&tedious&series.:
Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets

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3e&smoke(&leaning&our&elbows&on&the&wet&railing&of&the&balcony(&and&then(&finished(& throw&down&the&cigarette&butts&red&as&charcoal.&%ine&falls&straight&down&and&6uickly& e,tinguishes(&but&HaraiskiiAs&rotates&in&an&arc&and&scatters&sparks&absurdly. 8?kay(&letAs&go&to&the&women&before&they&start&a&bo,ing&fight...:&'&announce&and&we& return&to&the&kitchen. *o & our & surprise( & my & wife & and & !nya & are & sitting & peacefully & side & by & side & and( & their& foreheads&almost&touching(&con"ersing&6uietly&about&something.&/oth&fall&silent&upon& our&appearance(&as&if&the&con"ersation&was&not&for&our&ears.&3e&sit&down&beside&them. 81oon&e"erything&will&end...:&my&wife&says.&1he&puts&her&head&on&my&shoulder&and& closes&her&eyes.&<er&closed&eyelids&6ui"er&slightly(&and&'&see&a&streak&of&ink&on&her&right & cheek&by&the&eye. '&look&at&the&alarm&clock&standing&on&the&table(&the&hands&of&which&mo"e&ine"itably & closer&to&the&fatal&mark(&and&suddenly&reali+e&that&we&ha"e&only&ten&minutes&left.&*he&last& ten & minutes &to & accomplish( & think( & or & utter & something & really & important & that & we & ha"e& postponed & our & whole & life & due & to & minor & and & bustling & affairs. & /ut & what & this & really important&is&'&do&not&know. %y&entire&life&F&not&passionate&and&not&cold(&not&sinful&and&not&righteous&F&the&usual(& the & most & ordinary & life & floats & past & in & front & of & me. & ' & cannot & remember & any & serious& transgressions(&e"erything&was&so5so.&3orse&than&that(&'&cannot&remember&any&great& achie"ements(&any&feats(&or&any&special&sacrifice.&?b"iously(&now&we&must&repent&our& sins(&using&the&last&opportunity(&but&my&main&sin&is&my&inability&to&take&decisi"e(&clear(& and & beautiful & actions( & and & ' & do & not & want & to & repent & this. & ' & also & do & not & e,perience& particular&remorse(&only&a&gnawing&discontent&with&myself(&and&the&wish&that&e"erything& would&soon&end. '&do&not&know&what&the&others&are&thinking(&probably&each&about&himself.&?ur&souls& are & fro+en & in & anticipation & of & the & leap & from & the & physical & shell( & and & their & small( & still& immature&wings&tremble. 8*he & neighbour & hasnAt & come( & got & lost & somewhere & along & the & way(: & my & wife & says& sympathetically. 8<e& is &sleeping&somewhere&on &the&stairs(&an &empty&bottle &under&his&head(: & !nya& declares. 3hen & one & minute & remains & and & anticipation & becomes & the & most & painful( & Haraiskii& suddenly&gets&up&and&solemnly&stretches&slightly&trembling&hands&to&us.&Dor&se"eral&long& seconds&he&stands&so&still(&and&we&sit&and&look&at&him. 1uddenly&understanding&e"erything(&we&also&get&up(&join&hands&firmly(&and&s6uee+e& them&with&all&our&strength&in&order&not&to&be&lost&in&eternity.&%aybe&we&are&not&all&angels(& but&it&is&better&not&to&separate&us. $$:)). & #"erything & happens & instantly( & without & fear & or & pain... & 3e & do & not & hear & the& trumpet(&but&the&world&suddenly&collapses&e,actly&like&a&chessboard(&and&all&the&pieces& are&put&away&in&the&bo,.
Jane H. Buckingham 2014 jhbuckingham@yahoo.ca https://twitter.com/translator_frog http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3463868. mitrii_!leksandro"ich_#mets