"An Indian writing verses in Russian? A bottomless bag of surprises. Not a bad rhyme he left, though. Wonderful India.” I said, and I felt pity for this poor foreigner. “Are we done?”
“Not yet. I would like you to work with us a couple of weeks. As you possibly know, we’re in the midst of the election campaign. Our party will be a success on this election, undisputed success, but we have a lot of ill-wishers.”
“I do not perform security functions.”
“No, no, we don’t need more security! We have our volunteer druzhinniki, and besides our sponsor-bank provides us with his security service when it’s required. We don't need any more guards.”
“Then what do you need?”
“Let’s say, we need an expert for analyzing the hazardous situations in our election campaign.”
“Sounds very sophisticated, though I have no experience in politics.”
“Can I make an objection? Everybody in this country got this kind of experience already. You would work personally with me.”
“May I ask your position in this party?”
“I am the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Leninists, the only proper Leninist party left in this country.”
The words Secretary General still have an electrifying effect on all Russians born and raised in former Soviet Union, just the same as the title czar had for our ancestors. That’s why I mused, “Secretary General, hell, what a mess I’m getting into again!”
The Secretary General continued, “Very soon our party will not only enter the Duma, but it’ll become a party in full power it deserves. All our people will rise, all the country will demand justice and punishment for traitors and Capitalist collaborators – you'll witness it in pair of weeks! The present occupational regime will collapse as a rotten tree!”
“Wow,” I thought “what a conviction! Was this poor Sergey of that sort? Why then he hanged himself?” Though I interrupted this pathos chant.
“Excuse me, I must warn you. I am not a Communist. I have rather contrary views.”
“I know that. But in your work it won’t be important. Maybe it’s even an advantage. And in a couple of weeks you may well become true and convinced Communist. And I can tell you sincerely, I would never have invited you for this job if I didn't hear of you from my friend, an ardent Communist, unfortunately departed.”