Chapter 1
I abruptly got out of bed and immediately sat down, thoughtful. Today. A very gray, but somehow typically autumn warm, thoughtful day. After washing my face and looking at myself in the mirror, I did not notice any signs of fatigue, short sleep or a difficult night that had haunted me lately. And yet, on the contrary, eyes looked at me in which one could easily see the whole range of emotions. Dark green bottomless lakes, indicating some strangeness of their owner. Deciding to have breakfast without thinking about anything, I swallowed the leftover rice and chicken, diluting it with unsweetened tea and a single candy. I’ll have to buy it today. No, tomorrow. I’ll definitely buy it, but tomorrow. I looked out the window and saw neighboring balconies. There, on the seventh floor, lived an old woman. I didn’t see her often in the yard. For as long as I can remember, maybe a couple of times. She always hung the same bed linen to dry, one set. Single set. Next to her, in an apartment with wooden windows (actually cheap stylized plastic), lived an artist. He often painted a couple of blocks away. His paintings sometimes stood on the windowsill. The artist was married. At least three years ago it was like that. I didn’t go to exhibitions and wasn’t interested in the cultural life of the city, but I saw a couple of canvases. Talented, in my opinion. Not without style, but not of the highest standard. Although I won’t undertake to evaluate it, I still didn’t go to the exhibitions. The artist’s curtains are simple, white. Not like his neighbor on the floor above. There is both purple and sea green. Sometimes I even calculated how many days the new curtains would last. I saw the neighbor herself a couple of times. I bought cheese, a couple of apples, and liqueur at the store. I worked...Either at the post office, or in the library. In my opinion, the kitchen and living room overlooked me, I saw her in the window. No, the curtains will clearly be more interesting.
On the 8th floor, a little to the left of me lived a young family. Their balcony was new, they often hung laundry there, and sometimes drank tea. The whole family. Husband, wife, and two daughters. One of them often noticed me, and for some reason smiled. This is probably a happy family, they have a car, maybe a dacha. But they were unlucky with their neighbor. Mikhalych, the old guide, lived through the wall, above the old woman. A good guy, but a drinker. Horrible. I often bought various items from him. Lots of items. Clock, table set, old pioneer album. Happy children, sea, sand. I loved looking at photos like this. The past did not become the present for me. That’s what makes it wonderful. Mikhalych, of course, drank everything away. Sometimes he was rowdy and scared the girls. The police came. After 15 days, a new one. He also knocked on the wall if there was too much interference. Although I haven’t seen him for the last week. Maybe he went back to the village to visit his brother. And if so, then it will last for a long time.
To the right of Mikhalych lived a student. Beautiful student. I often sat on the window and listened to music. She seemed to live alone, I saw her a couple of times in the park nearby when I was walking. The eyes are dark blue, sad. But beautiful. Students often live here. Old people like Mikhalych rent apartments to them. The prices are low and convenient. I’ve been renting for ten years myself, so I’ve managed to study my neighbors a little.
I got distracted for a while. It’s already 10, so it’s time to get ready. It’s not that I really like buying clothes, but I wanted to have different looks. I remember in some old film the main character changed his clothes, and at the same time he changed. I looked and decided to become the same myself. Here you go.
I had to put my favorite sweatshirt away, that wasn’t the case. I put on a work jacket, a little shabby, that will do. Pants with a lot of pockets, a hat. Even though it’s autumn outside, it’s still not very cold without a jacket. And why carry around too much? In the corner stood my briefcase - a friend, brother and witness to all my deeds. Old, nasty, but strong. And today he is entrusted with an important mission. He rummaged through his pockets and checked everything. I replayed it in my head. The main thing is a mobile phone, all the records are there. The mobile phone was found in my pocket.
I sat down on the chair, soft but already dented, and thought. Often, before some difficult tasks, I sat in this chair. It’s always like this before important matters. You sit there as if nothing happened. And all the worries that came before are forgotten. And the new ones are still very far away. The world seems to be on pause and so are you. Dark clouds further obscured not only the sky, but also my balcony.
It’s time. I’ll put on my glasses. I don’t really like to wear them, and there’s no sun outside, but now they will come in handy. The briefcase is a little heavy, but it’s okay, you won’t get used to it. Came out. He turned and looked at his old door. How many secrets do these ordinary metal doors hide? No, in appearance, of course, everything is orderly, like everyone else, well, a door and a door. But inside... There are more serious dramas there than in those TV series.
The entrance is damp and dark as always. There have been no light bulbs here for a long time, and everyone is used to it. I personally bought a pair and left. The street was greeted with silence. It’s always like that in this area. And life goes on, and there is no life. Identical houses. In some places, balconies have not been updated since the 90s. And in some places there are people. Ordinary area, typical, working, sleeping. Our house did not stand out from the rest: an ordinary 9-story building, the grayness of which was diluted by colorful duvet covers, sheets, pants, and T-shirts. Sometimes it’s sunny.
It’s unusual to wear glasses. Nobody cares about me. But it’s unusual. Passed the second entrance, the first, a supermarket. A typical one was unfinished, on one floor, with long galleries inside. Once upon a time they wanted to build a hospital here. They didn’t. The premises were rented out. It didn’t work out either. Now there is a small market, the prices seem to be nothing, not even close. Comfortable. Walking around the corner past him, he headed diagonally between neighboring houses, it was faster. We had two stops, but now the one next is better. I didn’t take the player, when I walked without music, thoughts gradually appeared in my head, filling not only my head, but everything around me. Walking along a narrow path near the kindergarten, I barely missed a stroller, and then its owner.
The stop was located in a small area so that several minibuses could pick up sufferers at once and take them to unknown distances. I needed route 310. Standing at a bus stop, you always involuntarily look at people. Whether it works or not, I tried to guess who was who. Here is a man, with a briefcase, in a suit. Modern glasses, shoes, wallet. Clerk, office, ordinary. Maybe the car is being repaired, but rather saving money. Shoes are expensive. Next to him is a woman, about 40 years old. At home, I think. Probably to Gorgaz, there are two stops here, he thinks, for 5 minutes. Good luck to her, then. The old Izh, smoothly, slowly, like a gentleman who knows his worth, pulled up to the stop. There were few people on the minibus. Starved of life, dreaming, serious and not so serious. Here is a woman with a cake, apparently it’s her birthday, she’s happy. Nothing, and I’m not going empty-handed.
I got up a block away from the place, I’d rather walk. For the first time during the entire trip, I took out my cell phone because I needed to check the address and schedule. The clock showed 11:56. Great, that means he’ll arrive in 15 minutes. Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if in 5. Okay, in any case, I have a decent supply.
Looking back at the next gray area and crossing the road, I buttoned my jacket tighter and went to the place.
