Trafika Europe 13 - Russian Ballet

Two Stories

not interfere. Uncle Marik took his favorite nephew’s request to meet for a “serious tête-à-tête” as an important, lofty mission. To match the gravity of the occasion, he even put on a worn and faded tie from the period of perestroika and democratization. They met in the evening in the Café Hope, quiet and deserted, where they had previously gone to drink beer. The uncle ordered a mug for himself, but the boy refused. The boy told the story as drily as possible, not giving in to the urge to go into detail, but still, he was agitated, paling, and lowering his eyes. Uncle Marik knitted his eyebrows and even engaged in a bit of posturing. Understanding almost immediately who was the subject of their conversation, he permitted himself some clarifying questions: “How old is she?” “Is she Russian?” and for some reason even: “Does she smoke?” “Does this have any significance?” the boy asked. “Tremendous,” the uncle assured him, and ordered another beer. The boy proclaimed his desire to die with great conviction. But the uncle kept confirming it over and over: “You’ve already decided?” “Already.”

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