Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
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eng:
rus:
It
took
me
a
long
time
and
most
of
the
world
to
learn
what
I
know
about
love
and
fate
and
the
choices
we
make,
but
the
heart
of
it
came
to
me
in
an
instant,
while
I
was
chained
to
a
wall
and
being
tortured.
I
realised,
somehow,
through
the
screaming
in
my
mind,
that
even
in
that
shackled,
bloody
helplessness,
I
was
still
free:
free
to
hate
the
men
who
were
torturing
me,
or
to
forgive
them.
It
doesn’t
sound
like
much,
I
know.
But
in
the
flinch
and
bite
of
the
chain,
when
it’s
all
you’ve
got,
that
freedom
is
a
universe
of
possibility.
And
the
choice
you
make,
between
hating
and
forgiving,
can
become
the
story
of
your
life.
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
time
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
world
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
learn
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
love
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
fate
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
choices
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
make,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
came
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
instant,
rus:
eng:
while
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
chained
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
wall
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
being
rus:
eng:
tortured.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
realised,
rus:
eng:
somehow,
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
screaming
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mind,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
shackled,
rus:
eng:
bloody
rus:
eng:
helplessness,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
still
rus:
eng:
free:
rus:
eng:
free
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
hate
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
torturing
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
forgive
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
doesn’t
rus:
eng:
sound
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
much,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
flinch
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bite
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
chain,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
you’ve
rus:
eng:
got,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
freedom
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
universe
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
possibility.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
choice
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
make,
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
hating
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
forgiving,
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
become
rus:
eng:
story
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
life.
rus:
In
my
case,
it’s
a
long
story,
and
a
crowded
one.
I
was
a
revolutionary
who
lost
his
ideals
in
heroin,
a
philosopher
who
lost
his
integrity
in
crime,
and
a
poet
who
lost
his
soul
in
a
maximum-security
prison.
When
I
escaped
from
that
prison,
over
the
front
wall,
between
two
gun-towers,
I
became
my
country’s
most
wanted
man.
Luck
ran
with
me
and
flew
with
me
across
the
world
to
India,
where
I
joined
the
Bombay
mafia.
I
worked
as
a
gunrunner,
a
smuggler,
and
a
counterfeiter.
I
was
chained
on
three
continents,
beaten,
stabbed,
and
starved.
I
went
to
war.
I
ran
into
the
enemy
guns.
And
I
survived,
while
other
men
around
me
died.
They
were
better
men
than
I
am,
most
of
them:
better
men
whose
lives
were
crunched
up
in
mistakes,
and
thrown
away
by
the
wrong
second
of
someone
else’s
hate,
or
love,
or
indifference.
And
I
buried
them,
too
many
of
those
men,
and
grieved
their
stories
and
their
lives
into
my
own.
eng:
In
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
case,
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
story,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
crowded
rus:
eng:
one.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
revolutionary
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
lost
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
ideals
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
heroin,
rus:
eng:
philosopher
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
lost
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
integrity
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
crime,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
poet
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
lost
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
soul
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
maximum-security
rus:
eng:
prison.
rus:
eng:
When
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
escaped
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
prison,
rus:
eng:
over
rus:
eng:
front
rus:
eng:
wall,
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
gun-towers,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
became
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
country’s
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
wanted
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
eng:
Luck
rus:
eng:
ran
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
flew
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
across
rus:
eng:
world
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
India,
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
mafia.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
worked
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
gunrunner,
rus:
eng:
smuggler,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
counterfeiter.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
chained
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
three
rus:
eng:
continents,
rus:
eng:
beaten,
rus:
eng:
stabbed,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
starved.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
went
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
war.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
ran
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
enemy
rus:
eng:
guns.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
survived,
rus:
eng:
while
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
died.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
better
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am,
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them:
rus:
eng:
better
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
whose
rus:
eng:
lives
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
crunched
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
mistakes,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
thrown
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
wrong
rus:
eng:
second
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
someone
rus:
eng:
else’s
rus:
eng:
hate,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
love,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
indifference.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
buried
rus:
eng:
them,
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
men,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
grieved
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
stories
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
lives
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
own.
rus:
But
my
story
doesn’t
begin
with
them,
or
with
the
mafia:
it
goes
back
to
that
first
day
in
Bombay.
Fate
put
me
in
the
game
there.
Luck
dealt
the
cards
that
led
me
to
Karla
Saaranen.
And
I
started
to
play
it
out,
that
hand,
from
the
first
moment
I
looked
into
her
green
eyes.
So
it
begins,
this
story,
like
everything
else—with
a
woman,
and
a
city,
and
a
little
bit
of
luck.
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
story
rus:
eng:
doesn’t
rus:
eng:
begin
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
them,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
mafia:
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
goes
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
day
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
Fate
rus:
eng:
put
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
game
rus:
eng:
there.
rus:
eng:
Luck
rus:
eng:
dealt
rus:
eng:
cards
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
led
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Karla
rus:
eng:
Saaranen.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
started
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
play
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
out,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
hand,
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
moment
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
green
rus:
eng:
eyes.
rus:
eng:
So
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
begins,
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
story,
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
everything
rus:
eng:
else—with
rus:
eng:
woman,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
city,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
bit
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
luck.
rus:
The
first
thing
I
noticed
about
Bombay,
on
that
first
day,
was
the
smell
of
the
different
air.
I
could
smell
it
before
I
saw
or
heard
anything
of
India,
even
as
I
walked
along
the
umbilical
corridor
that
connected
the
plane
to
the
airport.
I
was
excited
and
delighted
by
it,
in
that
first
Bombay
minute,
escaped
from
prison
and
new
to
the
wide
world,
but
I
didn’t
and
couldn’t
recognise
it.
I
know
now
that
it’s
the
sweet,
sweating
smell
of
hope,
which
is
the
opposite
of
hate;
and
it’s
the
sour,
stifled
smell
of
greed,
which
is
the
opposite
of
love.
It’s
the
smell
of
gods,
demons,
empires,
and
civilisations
in
resurrection
and
decay.
It’s
the
blue
skin-smell
of
the
sea,
no
matter
where
you
are
in
the
Island
City,
and
the
blood-metal
smell
of
machines.
It
smells
of
the
stir
and
sleep
and
waste
of
sixty
million
animals,
more
than
half
of
them
humans
and
rats.
It
smells
of
heartbreak,
and
the
struggle
to
live,
and
of
the
crucial
failures
and
loves
that
produce
our
courage.
It
smells
of
ten
thousand
restaurants,
five
thousand
temples,
shrines,
churches,
and
mosques,
and
of
a
hundred
bazaars
devoted
exclusively
to
perfumes,
spices,
incense,
and
freshly
cut
flowers.
Karla
once
called
it
the
worst
good
smell
in
the
world,
and
she
was
right,
of
course,
in
that
way
she
had
of
being
right
about
things.
But
whenever
I
return
to
Bombay,
now,
it’s
my
first
sense
of
the
city—that
smell,
above
all
things—that
welcomes
me
and
tells
me
I’ve
come
home.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
thing
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
noticed
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
Bombay,
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
day,
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
smell
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
different
rus:
eng:
air.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
could
rus:
eng:
smell
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
saw
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
heard
rus:
eng:
anything
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
India,
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
walked
rus:
eng:
along
rus:
eng:
umbilical
rus:
eng:
corridor
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
connected
rus:
eng:
plane
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
airport.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
excited
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
delighted
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
minute,
rus:
eng:
escaped
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
prison
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
wide
rus:
eng:
world,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
couldn’t
rus:
eng:
recognise
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
now
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
sweet,
rus:
eng:
sweating
rus:
eng:
smell
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hope,
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
opposite
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hate;
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
sour,
rus:
eng:
stifled
rus:
eng:
smell
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
greed,
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
opposite
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
love.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
smell
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
gods,
rus:
eng:
demons,
rus:
eng:
empires,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
civilisations
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
resurrection
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
decay.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
blue
rus:
eng:
skin-smell
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
sea,
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
matter
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Island
rus:
eng:
City,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
blood-metal
rus:
eng:
smell
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
machines.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
smells
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
stir
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sleep
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
waste
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
sixty
rus:
eng:
million
rus:
eng:
animals,
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
half
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
humans
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
rats.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
smells
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
heartbreak,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
struggle
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
live,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
crucial
rus:
eng:
failures
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
loves
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
produce
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
courage.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
smells
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
ten
rus:
eng:
thousand
rus:
eng:
restaurants,
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
thousand
rus:
eng:
temples,
rus:
eng:
shrines,
rus:
eng:
churches,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
mosques,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
bazaars
rus:
eng:
devoted
rus:
eng:
exclusively
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
perfumes,
rus:
eng:
spices,
rus:
eng:
incense,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
freshly
rus:
eng:
cut
rus:
eng:
flowers.
rus:
eng:
Karla
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
worst
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
smell
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
world,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
right,
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
course,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
being
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
things.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
whenever
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
return
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Bombay,
rus:
eng:
now,
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
sense
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
city—that
rus:
eng:
smell,
rus:
eng:
above
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
things—that
rus:
eng:
welcomes
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
tells
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
I’ve
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
home.
rus:
The
next
thing
I
noticed
was
the
heat.
I
stood
in
airport
queues,
not
five
minutes
from
the
conditioned
air
of
the
plane,
and
my
clothes
clung
to
sudden
sweat.
My
heart
thumped
under
the
command
of
the
new
climate.
Each
breath
was
an
angry
little
victory.
I
came
to
know
that
it
never
stops,
the
jungle
sweat,
because
the
heat
that
makes
it,
night
and
day,
is
a
wet
heat.
The
choking
humidity
makes
amphibians
of
us
all,
in
Bombay,
breathing
water
in
air;
you
learn
to
live
with
it,
and
you
learn
to
like
it,
or
you
leave.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
next
rus:
eng:
thing
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
noticed
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
heat.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
airport
rus:
eng:
queues,
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
minutes
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
conditioned
rus:
eng:
air
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
plane,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
clothes
rus:
eng:
clung
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
sudden
rus:
eng:
sweat.
rus:
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
thumped
rus:
eng:
under
rus:
eng:
command
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
climate.
rus:
eng:
Each
rus:
eng:
breath
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
angry
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
victory.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
came
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
stops,
rus:
eng:
jungle
rus:
eng:
sweat,
rus:
eng:
because
rus:
eng:
heat
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
makes
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
night
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
day,
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
wet
rus:
eng:
heat.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
choking
rus:
eng:
humidity
rus:
eng:
makes
rus:
eng:
amphibians
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
all,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay,
rus:
eng:
breathing
rus:
eng:
water
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
air;
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
learn
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
live
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
learn
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
leave.
rus:
Then
there
were
the
people.
Assamese,
Jats,
and
Punjabis;
people
from
Rajasthan,
Bengal,
and
Tamil
Nadu;
from
Pushkar,
Cochin,
and
Konarak;
warrior
caste,
Brahmin,
and
untouchable;
Hindu,
Muslim,
Christian,
Buddhist,
Parsee,
Jain,
Animist;
fair
skin
and
dark,
green
eyes
and
golden
brown
and
black;
every
different
face
and
form
of
that
extravagant
variety,
that
incomparable
beauty,
India.
eng:
Then
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
people.
rus:
eng:
Assamese,
rus:
eng:
Jats,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Punjabis;
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
Rajasthan,
rus:
eng:
Bengal,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Tamil
rus:
eng:
Nadu;
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
Pushkar,
rus:
eng:
Cochin,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Konarak;
rus:
eng:
warrior
rus:
eng:
caste,
rus:
eng:
Brahmin,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
untouchable;
rus:
eng:
Hindu,
rus:
eng:
Muslim,
rus:
eng:
Christian,
rus:
eng:
Buddhist,
rus:
eng:
Parsee,
rus:
eng:
Jain,
rus:
eng:
Animist;
rus:
eng:
fair
rus:
eng:
skin
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
dark,
rus:
eng:
green
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
golden
rus:
eng:
brown
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
black;
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
different
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
form
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
extravagant
rus:
eng:
variety,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
incomparable
rus:
eng:
beauty,
rus:
eng:
India.
rus:
All
the
Bombay
millions,
and
then
one
more.
The
two
best
friends
of
the
smuggler
are
the
mule
and
the
camel.
Mules
carry
contraband
across
a
border
control
for
a
smuggler.
Camels
are
unsuspecting
tourists
who
help
the
smuggler
to
get
across
the
border.
To
camouflage
themselves,
when
using
false
passports
and
identification
papers,
smugglers
insinuate
themselves
into
the
company
of
fellow
travellers—camels,
who’ll
carry
them
safely
and
unobtrusively
through
airport
or
border
controls
without
realising
it.
eng:
All
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
millions,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
more.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
smuggler
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
mule
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
camel.
rus:
eng:
Mules
rus:
eng:
carry
rus:
eng:
contraband
rus:
eng:
across
rus:
eng:
border
rus:
eng:
control
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
smuggler.
rus:
eng:
Camels
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
unsuspecting
rus:
eng:
tourists
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
help
rus:
eng:
smuggler
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
across
rus:
eng:
border.
rus:
eng:
To
rus:
eng:
camouflage
rus:
eng:
themselves,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
using
rus:
eng:
false
rus:
eng:
passports
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
identification
rus:
eng:
papers,
rus:
eng:
smugglers
rus:
eng:
insinuate
rus:
eng:
themselves
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
company
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
fellow
rus:
eng:
travellers—camels,
rus:
eng:
who’ll
rus:
eng:
carry
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
safely
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
unobtrusively
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
airport
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
border
rus:
eng:
controls
rus:
eng:
without
rus:
eng:
realising
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
I
didn’t
know
all
that
then.
I
learned
the
smuggling
arts
much
later,
years
later.
On
that
first
trip
to
India
I
was
just
working
on
instinct,
and
the
only
commodity
I
was
smuggling
was
my
self,
my
fragile
and
hunted
freedom.
I
was
using
a
false
New
Zealand
passport,
with
my
photograph
substituted
in
it
for
the
original.
I’d
done
the
work
myself,
and
it
wasn’t
a
perfect
job.
I
was
sure
it
would
pass
a
routine
examination,
but
I
knew
that
if
suspicions
were
aroused,
and
someone
checked
with
the
New
Zealand
High
Commission,
it
would
be
exposed
as
a
forgery
fairly
quickly.
On
the
journey
to
India
from
Auckland,
I’d
roamed
the
plane
in
search
of
the
right
group
of
New
Zealanders.
I
found
a
small
party
of
students
who
were
making
their
second
trip
to
the
sub-continent.
Urging
them
to
share
their
experience
and
travellers’
tips
with
me,
I
fostered
a
slender
acquaintance
with
them
that
brought
us
to
the
airport
controls
together.
The
various
Indian
officials
assumed
that
I
was
travelling
with
that
relaxed
and
guileless
group,
and
gave
me
no
more
than
a
cursory
check.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
then.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
learned
rus:
eng:
smuggling
rus:
eng:
arts
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
later,
rus:
eng:
years
rus:
eng:
later.
rus:
eng:
On
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
trip
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
working
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
instinct,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
commodity
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
smuggling
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
self,
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
fragile
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hunted
rus:
eng:
freedom.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
using
rus:
eng:
false
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealand
rus:
eng:
passport,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
photograph
rus:
eng:
substituted
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
original.
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
done
rus:
eng:
work
rus:
eng:
myself,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
wasn’t
rus:
eng:
perfect
rus:
eng:
job.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
sure
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
pass
rus:
eng:
routine
rus:
eng:
examination,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
knew
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
suspicions
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
aroused,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
someone
rus:
eng:
checked
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealand
rus:
eng:
High
rus:
eng:
Commission,
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
exposed
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
forgery
rus:
eng:
fairly
rus:
eng:
quickly.
rus:
eng:
On
rus:
eng:
journey
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
Auckland,
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
roamed
rus:
eng:
plane
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
search
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
group
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealanders.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
found
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
party
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
students
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
making
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
second
rus:
eng:
trip
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
sub-continent.
rus:
eng:
Urging
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
share
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
experience
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
travellers’
rus:
eng:
tips
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
fostered
rus:
eng:
slender
rus:
eng:
acquaintance
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
brought
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
airport
rus:
eng:
controls
rus:
eng:
together.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
various
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
officials
rus:
eng:
assumed
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
travelling
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
relaxed
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
guileless
rus:
eng:
group,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
gave
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
cursory
rus:
eng:
check.
rus:
I
pushed
through
alone
to
the
slap
and
sting
of
sunlight
outside
the
airport,
intoxicated
with
the
exhilaration
of
escape:
another
wall
scaled,
another
border
crossed,
another
day
and
night
to
run
and
hide.
I’d
escaped
from
prison
almost
two
years
before,
but
the
fact
of
the
fugitive
life
is
that
you
have
to
keep
on
escaping,
every
day
and
every
night.
And
while
not
completely
free,
never
completely
free,
there
was
hope
and
fearful
excitement
in
the
new:
a
new
passport,
a
new
country,
and
new
lines
of
excited
dread
on
my
young
face,
under
the
grey
eyes.
I
stood
there
on
the
trample
street,
beneath
the
baked
blue
bowl
of
Bombay
sky,
and
my
heart
was
as
clean
and
hungry
for
promises
as
a
monsoon
morning
in
the
gardens
of
Malabar.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
pushed
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
alone
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
slap
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sting
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
sunlight
rus:
eng:
outside
rus:
eng:
airport,
rus:
eng:
intoxicated
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
exhilaration
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
escape:
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
wall
rus:
eng:
scaled,
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
border
rus:
eng:
crossed,
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
day
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
night
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
run
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hide.
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
escaped
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
prison
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
years
rus:
eng:
before,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
fact
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
fugitive
rus:
eng:
life
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
keep
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
escaping,
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
day
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
night.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
while
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
completely
rus:
eng:
free,
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
completely
rus:
eng:
free,
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
hope
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
fearful
rus:
eng:
excitement
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
new:
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
passport,
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
country,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
lines
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
excited
rus:
eng:
dread
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
face,
rus:
eng:
under
rus:
eng:
grey
rus:
eng:
eyes.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
trample
rus:
eng:
street,
rus:
eng:
beneath
rus:
eng:
baked
rus:
eng:
blue
rus:
eng:
bowl
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
sky,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
clean
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hungry
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
promises
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
monsoon
rus:
eng:
morning
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
gardens
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Malabar.
rus:
‘Sir!
Sir!’
a
voice
called
from
behind
me.
eng:
‘Sir!
rus:
eng:
Sir!’
rus:
eng:
voice
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
A
hand
grabbed
at
my
arm.
I
stopped.
I
tensed
every
fighting
muscle,
and
bit
down
on
the
fear.
Don’t
run.
Don’t
panic.
I
turned.
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
grabbed
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
arm.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
stopped.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
tensed
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
fighting
rus:
eng:
muscle,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bit
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
fear.
rus:
eng:
Don’t
rus:
eng:
run.
rus:
eng:
Don’t
rus:
eng:
panic.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
turned.
rus:
A
small
man
stood
before
me,
dressed
in
a
grimy
brown
uniform,
and
carrying
my
guitar.
More
than
small,
he
was
a
tiny
man,
a
dwarf,
with
a
large
head,
and
the
startled
innocence
of
Down
syndrome
in
his
features.
He
thrust
the
guitar
at
me.
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
dressed
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
grimy
rus:
eng:
brown
rus:
eng:
uniform,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
carrying
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
guitar.
rus:
eng:
More
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
small,
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
tiny
rus:
eng:
man,
rus:
eng:
dwarf,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
large
rus:
eng:
head,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
startled
rus:
eng:
innocence
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Down
rus:
eng:
syndrome
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
features.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
thrust
rus:
eng:
guitar
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
‘Your
music,
sir.
You
are
losing
your
music,
isn’t
it?’
eng:
‘Your
rus:
eng:
music,
rus:
eng:
sir.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
losing
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
music,
rus:
eng:
isn’t
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
It
was
my
guitar.
I
realised
at
once
that
I
must’ve
forgotten
it
near
the
baggage
carousel.
I
couldn’t
guess
how
the
little
man
had
known
that
it
belonged
to
me.
When
I
smiled
my
relief
and
surprise,
the
man
grinned
back
at
me
with
that
perfect
sincerity
we
fear
and
call
simple-minded.
He
passed
the
guitar
to
me,
and
I
noticed
that
his
hands
were
webbed
like
the
feet
of
a
wading
bird.
I
pulled
a
few
notes
from
my
pocket
and
offered
them
to
him,
but
he
backed
away
awkwardly
on
his
thick
legs.
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
guitar.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
realised
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
must’ve
rus:
eng:
forgotten
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
near
rus:
eng:
baggage
rus:
eng:
carousel.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
couldn’t
rus:
eng:
guess
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
known
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
belonged
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
When
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
smiled
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
relief
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
surprise,
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
grinned
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
perfect
rus:
eng:
sincerity
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
fear
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
call
rus:
eng:
simple-minded.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
passed
rus:
eng:
guitar
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
noticed
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
webbed
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
feet
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
wading
rus:
eng:
bird.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
pulled
rus:
eng:
few
rus:
eng:
notes
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
pocket
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
offered
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
backed
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
awkwardly
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
thick
rus:
eng:
legs.
rus:
‘Not
money.
We
are
here
to
help
it,
sir.
Welcome
in
India,’
he
said,
and
trotted
away
into
the
forest
of
bodies
on
the
path.
eng:
‘Not
rus:
eng:
money.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
help
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
sir.
rus:
eng:
Welcome
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
India,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
trotted
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
forest
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bodies
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
path.
rus:
I
bought
a
ticket
to
the
city
with
the
Veterans’
Bus
Service,
manned
by
ex-servicemen
from
the
Indian
army.
I
watched
as
my
backpack
and
travel
bag
were
lifted
to
the
top
of
a
bus,
and
dumped
onto
a
pile
of
luggage
with
precise
and
nonchalant
violence,
and
decided
to
keep
the
guitar
in
my
hands.
I
took
a
place
on
the
bench
seat
at
the
back
of
the
bus,
and
was
joined
there
by
two
long-haired
travellers.
The
bus
filled
quickly
with
a
mix
of
Indians
and
foreigners,
most
of
them
young,
and
travelling
as
inexpensively
as
possible.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
bought
rus:
eng:
ticket
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
Veterans’
rus:
eng:
Bus
rus:
eng:
Service,
rus:
eng:
manned
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
ex-servicemen
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
army.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
watched
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
backpack
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
travel
rus:
eng:
bag
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
lifted
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
top
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bus,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
dumped
rus:
eng:
onto
rus:
eng:
pile
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
luggage
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
precise
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
nonchalant
rus:
eng:
violence,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
decided
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
keep
rus:
eng:
guitar
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
hands.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
bench
rus:
eng:
seat
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bus,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
long-haired
rus:
eng:
travellers.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
filled
rus:
eng:
quickly
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
mix
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Indians
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
foreigners,
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
young,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
travelling
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
inexpensively
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
possible.
rus:
When
the
bus
was
close
to
full,
the
driver
turned
in
his
seat,
scowled
at
us
menacingly,
spat
a
jet
of
vivid
red
betel
juice
through
the
open
doorway,
and
announced
our
imminent
departure.
eng:
When
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
close
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
full,
rus:
eng:
driver
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
seat,
rus:
eng:
scowled
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
menacingly,
rus:
eng:
spat
rus:
eng:
jet
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
vivid
rus:
eng:
red
rus:
eng:
betel
rus:
eng:
juice
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
open
rus:
eng:
doorway,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
announced
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
imminent
rus:
eng:
departure.
rus:
‘Thik
hain,
challo!’
eng:
‘Thik
rus:
eng:
hain,
rus:
eng:
challo!’
rus:
The
engine
roared,
gears
meshed
with
a
growl
and
thunk,
and
we
sped
off
at
alarming
speed
through
crowds
of
porters
and
pedestrians
who
limped,
sprang,
or
side-stepped
out
of
the
way
with
only
millimetres
to
spare.
Our
conductor,
riding
on
the
bottom
step
of
the
bus,
cursed
them
with
artful
animosity.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
engine
rus:
eng:
roared,
rus:
eng:
gears
rus:
eng:
meshed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
growl
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
thunk,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
sped
rus:
eng:
off
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
alarming
rus:
eng:
speed
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
crowds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
porters
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pedestrians
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
limped,
rus:
eng:
sprang,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
side-stepped
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
millimetres
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
spare.
rus:
eng:
Our
rus:
eng:
conductor,
rus:
eng:
riding
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
bottom
rus:
eng:
step
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bus,
rus:
eng:
cursed
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
artful
rus:
eng:
animosity.
rus:
The
journey
from
the
airport
to
the
city
began
on
a
wide,
modern
motorway,
lined
with
shrubs
and
trees.
It
was
much
like
the
neat,
pragmatic
landscape
that
surrounded
the
international
airport
in
my
home
city,
Melbourne.
The
familiarity
lulled
me
into
a
complacency
that
was
so
profoundly
shattered,
at
the
first
narrowing
of
the
road,
that
the
contrast
and
its
effect
seemed
calculated.
For
the
first
sight
of
the
slums,
as
the
many
lanes
of
the
motorway
became
one,
and
the
trees
disappeared,
clutched
at
my
heart
with
talons
of
shame.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
journey
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
airport
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
wide,
rus:
eng:
modern
rus:
eng:
motorway,
rus:
eng:
lined
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
shrubs
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
trees.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
neat,
rus:
eng:
pragmatic
rus:
eng:
landscape
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
surrounded
rus:
eng:
international
rus:
eng:
airport
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
home
rus:
eng:
city,
rus:
eng:
Melbourne.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
familiarity
rus:
eng:
lulled
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
complacency
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
profoundly
rus:
eng:
shattered,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
narrowing
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
road,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
contrast
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
its
rus:
eng:
effect
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
calculated.
rus:
eng:
For
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
sight
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
slums,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
lanes
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
motorway
rus:
eng:
became
rus:
eng:
one,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
trees
rus:
eng:
disappeared,
rus:
eng:
clutched
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
talons
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
shame.
rus:
Like
brown
and
black
dunes,
the
acres
of
slums
rolled
away
from
the
roadside,
and
met
the
horizon
with
dirty
heat-haze
mirages.
The
miserable
shelters
were
patched
together
from
rags,
scraps
of
plastic
and
paper,
reed
mats,
and
bamboo
sticks.
They
slumped
together,
attached
one
to
another,
and
with
narrow
lanes
winding
between
them.
Nothing
in
the
enormous
sprawl
of
it
rose
much
above
the
height
of
a
man.
eng:
Like
rus:
eng:
brown
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
black
rus:
eng:
dunes,
rus:
eng:
acres
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
rolled
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
roadside,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
met
rus:
eng:
horizon
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
dirty
rus:
eng:
heat-haze
rus:
eng:
mirages.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
miserable
rus:
eng:
shelters
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
patched
rus:
eng:
together
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
rags,
rus:
eng:
scraps
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
plastic
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
paper,
rus:
eng:
reed
rus:
eng:
mats,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bamboo
rus:
eng:
sticks.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
slumped
rus:
eng:
together,
rus:
eng:
attached
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
another,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
narrow
rus:
eng:
lanes
rus:
eng:
winding
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
eng:
Nothing
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
enormous
rus:
eng:
sprawl
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
rose
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
above
rus:
eng:
height
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
It
seemed
impossible
that
a
modern
airport,
full
of
prosperous
and
purposeful
travellers,
was
only
kilometres
away
from
those
crushed
and
cindered
dreams.
My
first
impression
was
that
some
catastrophe
had
taken
place,
and
that
the
slums
were
refugee
camps
for
the
shambling
survivors.
I
learned,
months
later,
that
they
were
survivors,
of
course,
those
slum-dwellers:
the
catastrophes
that
had
driven
them
to
the
slums
from
their
villages
were
poverty,
famine,
and
bloodshed.
And
five
thousand
new
survivors
arrived
in
the
city
every
week,
week
after
week,
year
after
year.
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
impossible
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
modern
rus:
eng:
airport,
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
prosperous
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
purposeful
rus:
eng:
travellers,
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
kilometres
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
crushed
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
cindered
rus:
eng:
dreams.
rus:
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
impression
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
catastrophe
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
taken
rus:
eng:
place,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
refugee
rus:
eng:
camps
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
shambling
rus:
eng:
survivors.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
learned,
rus:
eng:
months
rus:
eng:
later,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
survivors,
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
course,
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
slum-dwellers:
rus:
eng:
catastrophes
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
driven
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
villages
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
poverty,
rus:
eng:
famine,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bloodshed.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
thousand
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
survivors
rus:
eng:
arrived
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
week,
rus:
eng:
week
rus:
eng:
after
rus:
eng:
week,
rus:
eng:
year
rus:
eng:
after
rus:
eng:
year.
rus:
As
the
kilometres
wound
past,
as
the
hundreds
of
people
in
those
slums
became
thousands,
and
tens
of
thousands,
my
spirit
writhed.
I
felt
defiled
by
my
own
health
and
the
money
in
my
pockets.
If
you
feel
it
at
all,
it’s
a
lacerating
guilt,
that
first
confrontation
with
the
wretched
of
the
earth.
I’d
robbed
banks,
and
dealt
drugs,
and
I’d
been
beaten
by
prison
warders
until
my
bones
broke.
I’d
been
stabbed,
and
I’d
stabbed
men
in
return.
I’d
escaped
from
a
hard
prison
full
of
hard
men,
the
hard
way—over
the
front
wall.
Still,
that
first
encounter
with
the
ragged
misery
of
the
slum,
heartbreak
all
the
way
to
the
horizon,
cut
into
my
eyes.
For
a
time,
I
ran
onto
the
knives.
eng:
As
rus:
eng:
kilometres
rus:
eng:
wound
rus:
eng:
past,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
hundreds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
became
rus:
eng:
thousands,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
tens
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
thousands,
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
spirit
rus:
eng:
writhed.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
felt
rus:
eng:
defiled
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
own
rus:
eng:
health
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
pockets.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
feel
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
all,
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
lacerating
rus:
eng:
guilt,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
confrontation
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
wretched
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
earth.
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
robbed
rus:
eng:
banks,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
dealt
rus:
eng:
drugs,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
beaten
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
prison
rus:
eng:
warders
rus:
eng:
until
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
bones
rus:
eng:
broke.
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
stabbed,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
stabbed
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
return.
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
escaped
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
hard
rus:
eng:
prison
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hard
rus:
eng:
men,
rus:
eng:
hard
rus:
eng:
way—over
rus:
eng:
front
rus:
eng:
wall.
rus:
eng:
Still,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
encounter
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
ragged
rus:
eng:
misery
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
slum,
rus:
eng:
heartbreak
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
horizon,
rus:
eng:
cut
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eyes.
rus:
eng:
For
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
ran
rus:
eng:
onto
rus:
eng:
knives.
rus:
Then
the
smoulders
of
shame
and
guilt
flamed
into
anger,
became
fist-tightening
rage
at
the
unfairness
of
it:
What
kind
of
a
government,
I
thought,
what
kind
of
a
system
allows
suffering
like
this?
eng:
Then
rus:
eng:
smoulders
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
shame
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
guilt
rus:
eng:
flamed
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
anger,
rus:
eng:
became
rus:
eng:
fist-tightening
rus:
eng:
rage
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
unfairness
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it:
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
government,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
thought,
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
system
rus:
eng:
allows
rus:
eng:
suffering
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
this?
rus:
But
the
slums
went
on,
kilometre
after
kilometre,
relieved
only
by
the
awful
contrast
of
the
thriving
businesses
and
crumbling,
moss-covered
apartment
buildings
of
the
comparatively
affluent.
The
slums
went
on,
and
their
sheer
ubiquity
wore
down
my
foreigner’s
pieties.
A
kind
of
wonder
possessed
me.
I
began
to
look
beyond
the
immensity
of
the
slum
societies,
and
to
see
the
people
who
lived
within
them.
A
woman
stooped
to
brush
forward
the
black
satin
psalm
of
her
hair.
Another
bathed
her
children
with
water
from
a
copper
dish.
A
man
led
three
goats
with
red
ribbons
tied
to
the
collars
at
their
throats.
Another
man
shaved
himself
at
a
cracked
mirror.
Children
played
everywhere.
Men
carried
water
in
buckets.
Men
made
repairs
to
one
of
the
huts.
And
everywhere
that
I
looked,
people
smiled
and
laughed.
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
went
rus:
eng:
on,
rus:
eng:
kilometre
rus:
eng:
after
rus:
eng:
kilometre,
rus:
eng:
relieved
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
awful
rus:
eng:
contrast
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
thriving
rus:
eng:
businesses
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
crumbling,
rus:
eng:
moss-covered
rus:
eng:
apartment
rus:
eng:
buildings
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
comparatively
rus:
eng:
affluent.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
went
rus:
eng:
on,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
sheer
rus:
eng:
ubiquity
rus:
eng:
wore
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
foreigner’s
rus:
eng:
pieties.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
wonder
rus:
eng:
possessed
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
beyond
rus:
eng:
immensity
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
slum
rus:
eng:
societies,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
lived
rus:
eng:
within
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
woman
rus:
eng:
stooped
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
brush
rus:
eng:
forward
rus:
eng:
black
rus:
eng:
satin
rus:
eng:
psalm
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
hair.
rus:
eng:
Another
rus:
eng:
bathed
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
children
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
water
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
copper
rus:
eng:
dish.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
led
rus:
eng:
three
rus:
eng:
goats
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
red
rus:
eng:
ribbons
rus:
eng:
tied
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
collars
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
throats.
rus:
eng:
Another
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
shaved
rus:
eng:
himself
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
cracked
rus:
eng:
mirror.
rus:
eng:
Children
rus:
eng:
played
rus:
eng:
everywhere.
rus:
eng:
Men
rus:
eng:
carried
rus:
eng:
water
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
buckets.
rus:
eng:
Men
rus:
eng:
made
rus:
eng:
repairs
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
huts.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
everywhere
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
looked,
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
smiled
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
laughed.
rus:
The
bus
stopped
in
a
stutter
of
traffic,
and
a
man
emerged
from
one
of
the
huts
near
my
window.
He
was
a
foreigner,
as
pale-skinned
as
any
of
the
new
arrivals
on
the
bus,
and
dressed
only
in
a
wrap-around
sheet
of
hibiscus-patterned
cotton.
He
stretched,
yawned,
and
scratched
unselfconsciously
at
his
naked
belly.
There
was
a
definitive,
bovine
placidity
in
his
face
and
posture.
I
found
myself
envying
that
contentment,
and
the
smiles
of
greeting
he
drew
from
a
group
of
people
who
walked
past
him
to
the
road.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
stopped
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
stutter
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
traffic,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
emerged
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
huts
rus:
eng:
near
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
window.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
foreigner,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
pale-skinned
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
arrivals
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
bus,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
dressed
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
wrap-around
rus:
eng:
sheet
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hibiscus-patterned
rus:
eng:
cotton.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
stretched,
rus:
eng:
yawned,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
scratched
rus:
eng:
unselfconsciously
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
naked
rus:
eng:
belly.
rus:
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
definitive,
rus:
eng:
bovine
rus:
eng:
placidity
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
posture.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
found
rus:
eng:
myself
rus:
eng:
envying
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
contentment,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smiles
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
greeting
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
drew
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
group
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
walked
rus:
eng:
past
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
road.
rus:
The
bus
jerked
into
motion
once
more,
and
I
lost
sight
of
the
man.
But
that
image
of
him
changed
everything
in
my
attitude
to
the
slums.
Seeing
him
there,
a
man
as
alien
to
the
place
as
I
was,
let
me
picture
myself
in
that
world.
What
had
seemed
unimaginably
strange
and
remote
from
my
experience
suddenly
became
possible,
and
comprehensible,
and,
finally,
fascinating.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
jerked
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
motion
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
more,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
lost
rus:
eng:
sight
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
image
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
changed
rus:
eng:
everything
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
attitude
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
slums.
rus:
eng:
Seeing
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
alien
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was,
rus:
eng:
let
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
picture
rus:
eng:
myself
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
world.
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
unimaginably
rus:
eng:
strange
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
remote
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
experience
rus:
eng:
suddenly
rus:
eng:
became
rus:
eng:
possible,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
comprehensible,
rus:
eng:
and,
rus:
eng:
finally,
rus:
eng:
fascinating.
rus:
I
looked
at
the
people,
then,
and
I
saw
how
busy
they
were—how
much
industry
and
energy
described
their
lives.
Occasional
sudden
glimpses
inside
the
huts
revealed
the
astonishing
cleanliness
of
that
poverty:
the
spotless
floors,
and
glistening
metal
pots
in
neat,
tapering
towers.
And
then,
last,
what
should’ve
been
first,
I
saw
how
beautiful
they
were:
the
women
wrapped
in
crimson,
blue,
and
gold;
the
women
walking
barefoot
through
the
tangled
shabbiness
of
the
slum
with
patient,
ethereal
grace;
the
white-toothed,
almond-eyed
handsomeness
of
the
men;
and
the
affectionate
camaraderie
of
the
fine-limbed
children,
older
ones
playing
with
younger
ones,
many
of
them
supporting
baby
brothers
and
sisters
on
their
slender
hips.
And
half
an
hour
after
the
bus
ride
began,
I
smiled
for
the
first
time.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
people,
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
saw
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
busy
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
were—how
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
industry
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
energy
rus:
eng:
described
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
lives.
rus:
eng:
Occasional
rus:
eng:
sudden
rus:
eng:
glimpses
rus:
eng:
inside
rus:
eng:
huts
rus:
eng:
revealed
rus:
eng:
astonishing
rus:
eng:
cleanliness
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
poverty:
rus:
eng:
spotless
rus:
eng:
floors,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
glistening
rus:
eng:
metal
rus:
eng:
pots
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
neat,
rus:
eng:
tapering
rus:
eng:
towers.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
last,
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
should’ve
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
first,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
saw
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
beautiful
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
were:
rus:
eng:
women
rus:
eng:
wrapped
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
crimson,
rus:
eng:
blue,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
gold;
rus:
eng:
women
rus:
eng:
walking
rus:
eng:
barefoot
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
tangled
rus:
eng:
shabbiness
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
slum
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
patient,
rus:
eng:
ethereal
rus:
eng:
grace;
rus:
eng:
white-toothed,
rus:
eng:
almond-eyed
rus:
eng:
handsomeness
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
men;
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
affectionate
rus:
eng:
camaraderie
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
fine-limbed
rus:
eng:
children,
rus:
eng:
older
rus:
eng:
ones
rus:
eng:
playing
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
younger
rus:
eng:
ones,
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
supporting
rus:
eng:
baby
rus:
eng:
brothers
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sisters
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
slender
rus:
eng:
hips.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
half
rus:
eng:
hour
rus:
eng:
after
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
ride
rus:
eng:
began,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
smiled
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
time.
rus:
‘It
ain’t
pretty,’
the
young
man
beside
me
said,
looking
at
the
scene
beyond
the
window.
He
was
Canadian,
the
maple
leaf
patch
on
his
jacket
declared:
tall
and
heavy-set,
with
pale
eyes,
and
shoulder-length
brown
hair.
His
companion
looked
like
a
shorter,
more
compact
version
of
himself;
they
even
wore
identical
stonewashed
jeans,
sandals,
and
soft,
calico
jackets.
eng:
‘It
rus:
eng:
ain’t
rus:
eng:
pretty,’
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
beside
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
scene
rus:
eng:
beyond
rus:
eng:
window.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
Canadian,
rus:
eng:
maple
rus:
eng:
leaf
rus:
eng:
patch
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
jacket
rus:
eng:
declared:
rus:
eng:
tall
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
heavy-set,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
pale
rus:
eng:
eyes,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
shoulder-length
rus:
eng:
brown
rus:
eng:
hair.
rus:
eng:
His
rus:
eng:
companion
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
shorter,
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
compact
rus:
eng:
version
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
himself;
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
wore
rus:
eng:
identical
rus:
eng:
stonewashed
rus:
eng:
jeans,
rus:
eng:
sandals,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
soft,
rus:
eng:
calico
rus:
eng:
jackets.
rus:
‘Come
again?’
eng:
‘Come
rus:
eng:
again?’
rus:
‘This
your
first
time?’
he
asked
in
reply.
I
nodded.
‘I
thought
so.
Don’t
worry.
From
here
on,
it
gets
a
little
better.
Not
so
many
slums
and
all.
But
it
ain’t
good
anywheres
in
Bombay.
This
here
is
the
crummiest
city
in
India,
y’can
take
my
word.’
eng:
‘This
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
time?’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
asked
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
reply.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
nodded.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
thought
rus:
eng:
so.
rus:
eng:
Don’t
rus:
eng:
worry.
rus:
eng:
From
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
on,
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
gets
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
better.
rus:
eng:
Not
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
all.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
ain’t
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
anywheres
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
crummiest
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
India,
rus:
eng:
y’can
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
word.’
rus:
‘You
got
that
right,’
the
shorter
man
agreed.
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
got
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
right,’
rus:
eng:
shorter
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
agreed.
rus:
‘But
from
here
on
in,
you
got
a
couple
nice
temples
and
some
big
British
buildings
that
are
okay—stone
lions
and
brass
street
lights
and
like
that.
But
this
ain’t
India.
The
real
India
is
up
near
the
Himalayas,
at
Manali,
or
at
the
holy
city
of
Varanasi,
or
down
the
coast,
at
Kerala.
You
gotta
get
outta
the
city
to
find
the
real
India.’
eng:
‘But
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
in,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
got
rus:
eng:
couple
rus:
eng:
nice
rus:
eng:
temples
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
big
rus:
eng:
British
rus:
eng:
buildings
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
okay—stone
rus:
eng:
lions
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
brass
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
lights
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
that.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
ain’t
rus:
eng:
India.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
real
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
near
rus:
eng:
Himalayas,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Manali,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
holy
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Varanasi,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
coast,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Kerala.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
gotta
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
outta
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
find
rus:
eng:
real
rus:
eng:
India.’
rus:
‘Where
are
you
guys
headed?’
eng:
‘Where
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
guys
rus:
eng:
headed?’
rus:
‘We’re
going
to
stay
at
an
ashram,’
his
friend
announced.
‘It’s
run
by
the
Rajneeshis,
at
Poona.
It’s
the
best
ashram
in
the
country.’
eng:
‘We’re
rus:
eng:
going
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
stay
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
ashram,’
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
friend
rus:
eng:
announced.
rus:
eng:
‘It’s
rus:
eng:
run
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
Rajneeshis,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Poona.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
ashram
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
country.’
rus:
Two
pairs
of
clear,
pale-blue
eyes
stared
at
me
with
the
vague,
almost
accusatory
censure
of
those
who’ve
convinced
themselves
that
they’ve
found
the
one
true
path.
eng:
Two
rus:
eng:
pairs
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
clear,
rus:
eng:
pale-blue
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
stared
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
vague,
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
accusatory
rus:
eng:
censure
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
who’ve
rus:
eng:
convinced
rus:
eng:
themselves
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
they’ve
rus:
eng:
found
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
true
rus:
eng:
path.
rus:
‘You
checkin’
in?’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
checkin’
rus:
eng:
in?’
rus:
‘Sorry?’
eng:
‘Sorry?’
rus:
‘You
checkin’
into
a
room,
or
you
passin’
on
through
Bombay
today?’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
checkin’
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
room,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
passin’
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
today?’
rus:
‘I
don’t
know,’
I
replied,
turning
to
look
through
the
window
once
more.
It
was
true:
I
didn’t
know
whether
I
wanted
to
stay
in
Bombay
for
a
while
or
continue
on
to
…
somewhere
else.
I
didn’t
know,
and
it
didn’t
matter
to
me.
Just
at
that
moment,
I
was
what
Karla
once
called
the
most
dangerous
and
fascinating
animal
in
the
world:
a
brave,
hard
man,
without
a
plan.
‘I
haven’t
really
got
any
plans.
But
I
think
I’ll
stay
in
Bombay
for
a
while.’
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
know,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
replied,
rus:
eng:
turning
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
window
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
more.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
true:
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
whether
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
wanted
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
stay
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
while
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
continue
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
somewhere
rus:
eng:
else.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
matter
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
Just
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
moment,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
Karla
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
dangerous
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
fascinating
rus:
eng:
animal
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
world:
rus:
eng:
brave,
rus:
eng:
hard
rus:
eng:
man,
rus:
eng:
without
rus:
eng:
plan.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
haven’t
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
got
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
plans.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
stay
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
while.’
rus:
‘Well,
we’re
stayin’
overnight,
and
catchin’
the
train
tomorrow.
If
you
want,
we
can
share
a
room.
It’s
a
lot
cheaper
with
three.’
eng:
‘Well,
rus:
eng:
we’re
rus:
eng:
stayin’
rus:
eng:
overnight,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
catchin’
rus:
eng:
train
rus:
eng:
tomorrow.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
want,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
share
rus:
eng:
room.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
cheaper
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
three.’
rus:
I
met
the
stare
in
his
guileless,
blue
eyes.
Maybe
it
would
be
better
to
share
a
room
at
first,
I
thought.
Their
genuine
documents
and
their
easy
smiles
would
smother
my
false
passport.
Maybe
it
would
be
safer.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
met
rus:
eng:
stare
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
guileless,
rus:
eng:
blue
rus:
eng:
eyes.
rus:
eng:
Maybe
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
better
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
share
rus:
eng:
room
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
first,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
thought.
rus:
eng:
Their
rus:
eng:
genuine
rus:
eng:
documents
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
easy
rus:
eng:
smiles
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
smother
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
false
rus:
eng:
passport.
rus:
eng:
Maybe
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
safer.
rus:
‘And
it’s
a
lot
safer,’
he
added.
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
safer,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
added.
rus:
‘Yeah,
right,’
his
friend
agreed.
eng:
‘Yeah,
rus:
eng:
right,’
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
friend
rus:
eng:
agreed.
rus:
‘Safer?’
I
asked,
assuming
a
nonchalance
I
didn’t
feel.
eng:
‘Safer?’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
asked,
rus:
eng:
assuming
rus:
eng:
nonchalance
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
feel.
rus:
The
bus
was
moving
more
slowly,
along
narrow
channels
of
three-
and
four-storey
buildings.
Traffic
churned
through
the
streets
with
wondrous
and
mysterious
efficiency—a
ballistic
dance
of
buses,
trucks,
bicycles,
cars,
ox-carts,
scooters,
and
people.
The
open
windows
of
our
battered
bus
gave
us
the
aromas
of
spices,
perfumes,
diesel
smoke,
and
the
manure
of
oxen,
in
a
steamy
but
not
unpleasant
mix,
and
voices
rose
up
everywhere
above
ripples
of
unfamiliar
music.
Every
corner
carried
gigantic
posters,
advertising
Indian
films.
The
supernatural
colours
of
the
posters
streamed
behind
the
tanned
face
of
the
tall
Canadian.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
moving
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
slowly,
rus:
eng:
along
rus:
eng:
narrow
rus:
eng:
channels
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
three-
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
four-storey
rus:
eng:
buildings.
rus:
eng:
Traffic
rus:
eng:
churned
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
streets
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
wondrous
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
mysterious
rus:
eng:
efficiency—a
rus:
eng:
ballistic
rus:
eng:
dance
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
buses,
rus:
eng:
trucks,
rus:
eng:
bicycles,
rus:
eng:
cars,
rus:
eng:
ox-carts,
rus:
eng:
scooters,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
people.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
open
rus:
eng:
windows
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
battered
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
gave
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
aromas
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
spices,
rus:
eng:
perfumes,
rus:
eng:
diesel
rus:
eng:
smoke,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
manure
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
oxen,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
steamy
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
unpleasant
rus:
eng:
mix,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
voices
rus:
eng:
rose
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
everywhere
rus:
eng:
above
rus:
eng:
ripples
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
unfamiliar
rus:
eng:
music.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
corner
rus:
eng:
carried
rus:
eng:
gigantic
rus:
eng:
posters,
rus:
eng:
advertising
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
films.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
supernatural
rus:
eng:
colours
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
posters
rus:
eng:
streamed
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
tanned
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
tall
rus:
eng:
Canadian.
rus:
‘Oh,
sure,
it’s
a
lot
safer.
This
is
Gotham
City,
man.
The
street
kids
here
have
more
ways
to
take
your
money
than
hell’s
casino.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
sure,
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
safer.
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Gotham
rus:
eng:
City,
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
kids
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
ways
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
hell’s
rus:
eng:
casino.’
rus:
‘It’s
a
city
thing,
man,’
the
short
one
explained.
‘All
cities
are
the
same.
It’s
not
just
here.
It’s
the
same
in
New
York,
or
Rio,
or
Paris.
They’re
all
dirty
and
they’re
all
crazy.
A
city
thing,
you
know
what
I’m
sayin’?
You
get
to
the
rest
of
India,
and
you’ll
love
it.
This
is
a
great
country,
but
the
cities
are
truly
fucked,
I
gotta
say.’
eng:
‘It’s
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
thing,
rus:
eng:
man,’
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
explained.
rus:
eng:
‘All
rus:
eng:
cities
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
same.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
same
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
York,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
Rio,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
Paris.
rus:
eng:
They’re
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
dirty
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
they’re
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
crazy.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
thing,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
sayin’?
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
rest
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
India,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
you’ll
rus:
eng:
love
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
country,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
cities
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
truly
rus:
eng:
fucked,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
gotta
rus:
eng:
say.’
rus:
‘And
the
goddamn
hotels
are
in
on
it,’
the
tall
one
added.
‘You
can
get
ripped
off
just
sittin’
in
your
hotel
room
and
smokin’
a
little
weed.
They
do
deals
with
the
cops
to
bust
you
and
take
all
your
money.
Safest
thing
is
to
stick
together
and
travel
in
groups,
take
my
word.’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
goddamn
rus:
eng:
hotels
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
it,’
rus:
eng:
tall
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
added.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
ripped
rus:
eng:
off
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
sittin’
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
room
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smokin’
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
weed.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
deals
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
cops
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
bust
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
money.
rus:
eng:
Safest
rus:
eng:
thing
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
stick
rus:
eng:
together
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
travel
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
groups,
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
word.’
rus:
‘And
get
outta
the
cities
as
fast
as
you
can,’
the
short
one
said.
‘Holy
shit!
D’you
see
that?’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
outta
rus:
eng:
cities
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
fast
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
can,’
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
said.
rus:
eng:
‘Holy
rus:
eng:
shit!
rus:
eng:
D’you
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
that?’
rus:
The
bus
had
turned
into
the
curve
of
a
wide
boulevard
that
was
edged
by
huge
stones,
tumble-rolled
into
the
turquoise
sea.
A
small
colony
of
black,
ragged
slum
huts
was
strewn
upon
those
rocks
like
the
wreckage
of
some
dark
and
primitive
ship.
The
huts
were
burning.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
curve
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
wide
rus:
eng:
boulevard
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
edged
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
huge
rus:
eng:
stones,
rus:
eng:
tumble-rolled
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
turquoise
rus:
eng:
sea.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
colony
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
black,
rus:
eng:
ragged
rus:
eng:
slum
rus:
eng:
huts
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
strewn
rus:
eng:
upon
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
rocks
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
wreckage
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
dark
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
primitive
rus:
eng:
ship.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
huts
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
burning.
rus:
‘God-damn!
Check
that
out!
That
guy’s
cookin’,
man!’
the
tall
Canadian
shouted,
pointing
to
a
man
who
ran
towards
the
sea
with
his
clothes
and
hair
on
fire.
The
man
slipped,
and
smashed
heavily
between
the
large
stones.
A
woman
and
a
child
reached
him
and
smothered
the
flames
with
their
hands
and
their
own
clothes.
Other
people
were
trying
to
contain
the
fires
in
their
huts,
or
simply
stood,
and
watched,
as
their
flimsy
homes
blazed.
‘D’you
see
that?
That
guy’s
gone,
I
tell
ya.’
eng:
‘God-damn!
rus:
eng:
Check
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
out!
rus:
eng:
That
rus:
eng:
guy’s
rus:
eng:
cookin’,
rus:
eng:
man!’
rus:
eng:
tall
rus:
eng:
Canadian
rus:
eng:
shouted,
rus:
eng:
pointing
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
ran
rus:
eng:
towards
rus:
eng:
sea
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
clothes
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hair
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
fire.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
slipped,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smashed
rus:
eng:
heavily
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
large
rus:
eng:
stones.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
woman
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
child
rus:
eng:
reached
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smothered
rus:
eng:
flames
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
own
rus:
eng:
clothes.
rus:
eng:
Other
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
trying
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
contain
rus:
eng:
fires
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
huts,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
simply
rus:
eng:
stood,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
watched,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
flimsy
rus:
eng:
homes
rus:
eng:
blazed.
rus:
eng:
‘D’you
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
that?
rus:
eng:
That
rus:
eng:
guy’s
rus:
eng:
gone,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
ya.’
rus:
‘Damn
right!’
the
short
one
gasped.
eng:
‘Damn
rus:
eng:
right!’
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
gasped.
rus:
The
bus
driver
slowed
with
other
traffic
to
look
at
the
fire,
but
then
revved
the
engine
and
drove
on.
None
of
the
cars
on
the
busy
road
stopped.
I
turned
to
look
through
the
rear
window
of
the
bus
until
the
charred
humps
of
the
huts
became
minute
specks,
and
the
brown
smoke
of
the
fires
was
just
a
whisper
of
ruin.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
driver
rus:
eng:
slowed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
traffic
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
fire,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
revved
rus:
eng:
engine
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
drove
rus:
eng:
on.
rus:
eng:
None
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
cars
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
busy
rus:
eng:
road
rus:
eng:
stopped.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
rear
rus:
eng:
window
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
until
rus:
eng:
charred
rus:
eng:
humps
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
huts
rus:
eng:
became
rus:
eng:
minute
rus:
eng:
specks,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
brown
rus:
eng:
smoke
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
fires
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
whisper
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
ruin.
rus:
At
the
end
of
the
long,
seaside
boulevard,
we
made
a
left
turn
into
a
wide
street
of
modern
buildings.
There
were
grand
hotels,
with
liveried
doormen
standing
beneath
coloured
awnings.
Near
them
were
exclusive
restaurants,
garlanded
with
courtyard
gardens.
Sunlight
flashed
on
the
polished
glass
and
brass
facades
of
airline
offices
and
other
businesses.
Street
stalls
sheltered
from
the
morning
sunlight
beneath
broad
umbrellas.
The
Indian
men
walking
there
were
dressed
in
hard
shoes
and
western
business
suits,
and
the
women
wore
expensive
silk.
They
looked
purposeful
and
sober,
their
expressions
grave
as
they
bustled
to
and
from
the
large
office
buildings.
eng:
At
rus:
eng:
end
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
long,
rus:
eng:
seaside
rus:
eng:
boulevard,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
made
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
turn
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
wide
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
modern
rus:
eng:
buildings.
rus:
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
grand
rus:
eng:
hotels,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
liveried
rus:
eng:
doormen
rus:
eng:
standing
rus:
eng:
beneath
rus:
eng:
coloured
rus:
eng:
awnings.
rus:
eng:
Near
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
exclusive
rus:
eng:
restaurants,
rus:
eng:
garlanded
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
courtyard
rus:
eng:
gardens.
rus:
eng:
Sunlight
rus:
eng:
flashed
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
polished
rus:
eng:
glass
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
brass
rus:
eng:
facades
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
airline
rus:
eng:
offices
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
businesses.
rus:
eng:
Street
rus:
eng:
stalls
rus:
eng:
sheltered
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
morning
rus:
eng:
sunlight
rus:
eng:
beneath
rus:
eng:
broad
rus:
eng:
umbrellas.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
walking
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
dressed
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
hard
rus:
eng:
shoes
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
western
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
suits,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
women
rus:
eng:
wore
rus:
eng:
expensive
rus:
eng:
silk.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
purposeful
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sober,
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
expressions
rus:
eng:
grave
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
bustled
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
large
rus:
eng:
office
rus:
eng:
buildings.
rus:
The
contrast
between
the
familiar
and
the
exceptional
was
everywhere
around
me.
A
bullock
cart
was
drawn
up
beside
a
modern
sports
car
at
a
traffic
signal.
A
man
squatted
to
relieve
himself
behind
the
discreet
shelter
of
a
satellite
dish.
An
electric
forklift
truck
was
being
used
to
unload
goods
from
an
ancient
wooden
cart
with
wooden
wheels.
The
impression
was
of
a
plodding,
indefatigable,
and
distant
past
that
had
crashed
intact,
through
barriers
of
time,
into
its
own
future.
I
liked
it.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
contrast
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
familiar
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
exceptional
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
everywhere
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
bullock
rus:
eng:
cart
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
drawn
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
beside
rus:
eng:
modern
rus:
eng:
sports
rus:
eng:
car
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
traffic
rus:
eng:
signal.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
squatted
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
relieve
rus:
eng:
himself
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
discreet
rus:
eng:
shelter
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
satellite
rus:
eng:
dish.
rus:
eng:
An
rus:
eng:
electric
rus:
eng:
forklift
rus:
eng:
truck
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
being
rus:
eng:
used
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
unload
rus:
eng:
goods
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
ancient
rus:
eng:
wooden
rus:
eng:
cart
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
wooden
rus:
eng:
wheels.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
impression
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
plodding,
rus:
eng:
indefatigable,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
distant
rus:
eng:
past
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
crashed
rus:
eng:
intact,
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
barriers
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
its
rus:
eng:
own
rus:
eng:
future.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
liked
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
‘We’re
almost
there,’
my
companion
declared.
‘City
centre’s
just
a
few
blocks.
It’s
not
really
what
you’d
call
the
downtown
area.
It’s
just
the
tourist
beat
where
most
of
the
cheap
hotels
are.
The
last
stop.
It’s
called
Colaba.’
eng:
‘We’re
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
there,’
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
companion
rus:
eng:
declared.
rus:
eng:
‘City
rus:
eng:
centre’s
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
few
rus:
eng:
blocks.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
you’d
rus:
eng:
call
rus:
eng:
downtown
rus:
eng:
area.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
tourist
rus:
eng:
beat
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
hotels
rus:
eng:
are.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
last
rus:
eng:
stop.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
Colaba.’
rus:
The
two
young
men
took
their
passports
and
travellers’
cheques
from
their
pockets
and
pushed
them
down
the
fronts
of
their
trousers.
The
shorter
man
even
removed
his
watch,
and
it,
too,
joined
the
currency,
passport,
and
other
valuables
in
the
marsupial
pouch
of
his
underpants.
He
caught
my
eye,
and
smiled.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
passports
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
travellers’
rus:
eng:
cheques
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
pockets
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pushed
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
fronts
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
trousers.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
shorter
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
removed
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
watch,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
too,
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
currency,
rus:
eng:
passport,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
valuables
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
marsupial
rus:
eng:
pouch
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
underpants.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
caught
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eye,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smiled.
rus:
‘Hey’
he
grinned.
‘Can’t
be
too
careful!’
eng:
‘Hey’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
grinned.
rus:
eng:
‘Can’t
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
careful!’
rus:
I
stood
and
bumped
my
way
to
the
front.
When
the
bus
stopped
I
was
the
first
to
take
the
steps,
but
a
crowd
of
people
on
the
footpath
prevented
me
from
moving
down
to
the
street.
They
were
touts—street
operatives
for
the
various
hoteliers,
drug
dealers,
and
other
businessmen
of
the
city—and
they
shouted
at
us
in
broken
English
with
offers
of
cheap
hotel
rooms
and
bargains
to
be
had.
First
among
them
in
the
doorway
was
a
small
man
with
a
large,
almost
perfectly
round
head.
He
was
dressed
in
a
denim
shirt
and
blue
cotton
trousers.
He
shouted
for
silence
from
his
companions,
and
then
turned
to
me
with
the
widest
and
most
radiant
smile
I’d
ever
seen.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bumped
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
front.
rus:
eng:
When
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
stopped
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
steps,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
crowd
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
footpath
rus:
eng:
prevented
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
moving
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
street.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
touts—street
rus:
eng:
operatives
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
various
rus:
eng:
hoteliers,
rus:
eng:
drug
rus:
eng:
dealers,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
businessmen
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
city—and
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
shouted
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
broken
rus:
eng:
English
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
offers
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
rooms
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bargains
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
had.
rus:
eng:
First
rus:
eng:
among
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
doorway
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
large,
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
perfectly
rus:
eng:
round
rus:
eng:
head.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
dressed
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
denim
rus:
eng:
shirt
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
blue
rus:
eng:
cotton
rus:
eng:
trousers.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
shouted
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
silence
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
companions,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
widest
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
radiant
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
seen.
rus:
‘Good
mornings,
great
sirs!’
he
greeted
us.
‘Welcome
in
Bombay!
You
are
wanting
it
cheap
and
excellent
hotels,
isn’t
it?’
eng:
‘Good
rus:
eng:
mornings,
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
sirs!’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
greeted
rus:
eng:
us.
rus:
eng:
‘Welcome
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay!
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
wanting
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
excellent
rus:
eng:
hotels,
rus:
eng:
isn’t
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
He
stared
straight
into
my
eyes,
that
enormous
smile
not
wavering.
There
was
something
in
the
disk
of
his
smile—a
kind
of
mischievous
exuberance,
more
honest
and
more
excited
than
mere
happiness—that
pierced
me
to
the
heart.
It
was
the
work
of
a
second,
the
eye
contact
between
us.
It
was
just
long
enough
for
me
to
decide
to
trust
him—the
little
man
with
the
big
smile.
I
didn’t
know
it
then,
but
it
was
one
of
the
best
decisions
of
my
life.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
stared
rus:
eng:
straight
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eyes,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
enormous
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
wavering.
rus:
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
something
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
disk
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
smile—a
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
mischievous
rus:
eng:
exuberance,
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
honest
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
excited
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
mere
rus:
eng:
happiness—that
rus:
eng:
pierced
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
heart.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
work
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
second,
rus:
eng:
eye
rus:
eng:
contact
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
us.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
enough
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
decide
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
trust
rus:
eng:
him—the
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
big
rus:
eng:
smile.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
decisions
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
life.
rus:
A
number
of
the
passengers,
filing
off
the
bus,
began
beating
and
swatting
at
the
swarm
of
touts.
The
two
young
Canadians
made
their
way
through
the
crowd
unmolested,
smiling
broadly
and
equally
at
the
bustling
touts
and
the
agitated
tourists.
Watching
them
dodge
and
weave
through
the
crowd,
I
noticed
for
the
first
time
how
fit
and
healthy
and
handsome
they
were.
I
decided
there
and
then
to
accept
their
offer
to
share
the
cost
of
a
room.
In
their
company,
the
crime
of
my
escape
from
prison,
the
crime
of
my
existence
in
the
world,
was
invisible
and
inconceivable.
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
number
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
passengers,
rus:
eng:
filing
rus:
eng:
off
rus:
eng:
bus,
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
beating
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
swatting
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
swarm
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
touts.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
Canadians
rus:
eng:
made
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
crowd
rus:
eng:
unmolested,
rus:
eng:
smiling
rus:
eng:
broadly
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
equally
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
bustling
rus:
eng:
touts
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
agitated
rus:
eng:
tourists.
rus:
eng:
Watching
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
dodge
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
weave
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
crowd,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
noticed
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
time
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
fit
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
healthy
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
handsome
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
were.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
decided
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
accept
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
offer
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
share
rus:
eng:
cost
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
room.
rus:
eng:
In
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
company,
rus:
eng:
crime
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
escape
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
prison,
rus:
eng:
crime
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
existence
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
world,
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
invisible
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
inconceivable.
rus:
The
little
guide
grabbed
my
sleeve
to
lead
me
away
from
the
fractious
group,
and
toward
the
back
of
the
bus.
The
conductor
climbed
to
the
roof
with
simian
agility,
and
flung
my
backpack
and
travel
bag
into
my
arms.
Other
bags
began
tumbling
to
the
pavement
in
an
ominous
cadenza
of
creaks
and
crashes.
As
the
passengers
ran
to
stop
the
hard
rain
of
their
valuables,
the
guide
led
me
away
again,
to
a
quiet
spot
a
few
metres
from
the
bus.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
guide
rus:
eng:
grabbed
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
sleeve
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
lead
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
fractious
rus:
eng:
group,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
toward
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bus.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
conductor
rus:
eng:
climbed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
roof
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
simian
rus:
eng:
agility,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
flung
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
backpack
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
travel
rus:
eng:
bag
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
arms.
rus:
eng:
Other
rus:
eng:
bags
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
tumbling
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
pavement
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
ominous
rus:
eng:
cadenza
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
creaks
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
crashes.
rus:
eng:
As
rus:
eng:
passengers
rus:
eng:
ran
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
stop
rus:
eng:
hard
rus:
eng:
rain
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
valuables,
rus:
eng:
guide
rus:
eng:
led
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
again,
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
quiet
rus:
eng:
spot
rus:
eng:
few
rus:
eng:
metres
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
bus.
rus:
‘My
name
is
Prabaker,’
he
stated,
in
his
musically
accented
English.
‘What
is
your
good
name?’
eng:
‘My
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Prabaker,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
stated,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
musically
rus:
eng:
accented
rus:
eng:
English.
rus:
eng:
‘What
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
name?’
rus:
‘My
good
name
is
Lindsay,’
I
lied,
using
the
name
from
my
false
passport.
eng:
‘My
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
lied,
rus:
eng:
using
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
false
rus:
eng:
passport.
rus:
‘I
am
Bombay
guide.
Very
excellent
first
number
Bombay
guide,
I
am.
All
Bombay
I
know
it
very
well.
You
want
to
see
everything.
I
know
exactly
where
is
it
you
will
find
the
most
of
everything.
I
can
show
you
even
more
than
everything.’
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
guide.
rus:
eng:
Very
rus:
eng:
excellent
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
number
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
guide,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am.
rus:
eng:
All
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
well.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
everything.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
exactly
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
find
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
everything.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
show
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
everything.’
rus:
The
two
young
travellers
joined
us,
pursued
by
a
persistent
band
of
ragged
touts
and
guides.
Prabaker
shouted
at
his
unruly
colleagues,
and
they
retreated
a
few
paces,
staring
hungrily
at
our
collection
of
bags
and
packs.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
travellers
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
us,
rus:
eng:
pursued
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
persistent
rus:
eng:
band
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
ragged
rus:
eng:
touts
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
guides.
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
shouted
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
unruly
rus:
eng:
colleagues,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
retreated
rus:
eng:
few
rus:
eng:
paces,
rus:
eng:
staring
rus:
eng:
hungrily
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
collection
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bags
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
packs.
rus:
‘What
I
want
to
see
right
now,’
I
said,
‘is
a
clean,
cheap
hotel
room.’
eng:
‘What
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
now,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
‘is
rus:
eng:
clean,
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
room.’
rus:
‘Certainly,
sir!’
Prabaker
beamed.
‘I
can
take
you
to
a
cheap
hotel,
and
a
very
cheap
hotel,
and
a
too
much
cheap
hotel,
and
even
such
a
cheap
hotel
that
nobody
in
a
right
minds
is
ever
staying
there
also.’
eng:
‘Certainly,
rus:
eng:
sir!’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
beamed.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
hotel,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
hotel,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
hotel,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
such
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
nobody
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
minds
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
staying
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
also.’
rus:
‘Okay,
lead
on,
Prabaker.
Let’s
take
a
look.’
eng:
‘Okay,
rus:
eng:
lead
rus:
eng:
on,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
Let’s
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
look.’
rus:
‘Hey,
wait
a
minute,’
the
taller
of
the
two
young
men
interjected.
Are
you
gonna
pay
this
guy?
I
mean,
I
know
the
way
to
the
hotels.
No
offence
to
you,
buddy—I’m
sure
you’re
a
good
guide
and
all—but
we
don’t
need
you.’
eng:
‘Hey,
rus:
eng:
wait
rus:
eng:
minute,’
rus:
eng:
taller
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
interjected.
rus:
eng:
Are
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
gonna
rus:
eng:
pay
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
guy?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
mean,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
hotels.
rus:
eng:
No
rus:
eng:
offence
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
you,
rus:
eng:
buddy—I’m
rus:
eng:
sure
rus:
eng:
you’re
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
guide
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
all—but
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
need
rus:
eng:
you.’
rus:
I
looked
at
Prabaker.
His
large,
dark
brown
eyes
were
studying
my
face
with
open
amusement.
I’ve
never
known
a
man
who
had
less
hostility
in
him
than
Prabaker
Kharre:
he
was
incapable
of
raising
his
voice
or
his
hand
in
anger,
and
I
sensed
something
of
that
even
then,
in
the
first
minutes
with
him.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
His
rus:
eng:
large,
rus:
eng:
dark
rus:
eng:
brown
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
studying
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
open
rus:
eng:
amusement.
rus:
eng:
I’ve
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
known
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
less
rus:
eng:
hostility
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
Kharre:
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
incapable
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
raising
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
voice
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
anger,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
sensed
rus:
eng:
something
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
minutes
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
him.
rus:
‘Do
I
need
you,
Prabaker?’
I
asked
him,
my
expression
mock-serious.
eng:
‘Do
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
need
rus:
eng:
you,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker?’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
asked
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
expression
rus:
eng:
mock-serious.
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!’
he
cried
in
reply.
‘You
are
so
very
needing
me,
I
am
almost
crying
with
your
situation!
Only
God
knows
what
terrible
things
are
happening
to
you
without
my
good
self
to
guide
your
body
in
Bombay!’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
cried
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
reply.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
needing
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
crying
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
situation!
rus:
eng:
Only
rus:
eng:
God
rus:
eng:
knows
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
terrible
rus:
eng:
things
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
happening
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
without
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
self
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
guide
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
body
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay!’
rus:
‘I’ll
pay
him,’
I
told
my
companions.
They
shrugged,
and
lifted
their
packs.
‘Okay.
Let’s
go,
Prabaker.’
eng:
‘I’ll
rus:
eng:
pay
rus:
eng:
him,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
told
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
companions.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
shrugged,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
lifted
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
packs.
rus:
eng:
‘Okay.
rus:
eng:
Let’s
rus:
eng:
go,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.’
rus:
I
began
to
lift
my
pack,
but
Prabaker
grabbed
at
it
swiftly.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
lift
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
pack,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
grabbed
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
swiftly.
rus:
‘I
am
carrying
it
your
luggages,’
he
insisted
politely.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
carrying
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
luggages,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
insisted
rus:
eng:
politely.
rus:
‘No,
that’s
okay.
I’m
fine.’
eng:
‘No,
rus:
eng:
that’s
rus:
eng:
okay.
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
fine.’
rus:
The
huge
smile
faded
to
a
pleading
frown.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
huge
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
faded
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
pleading
rus:
eng:
frown.
rus:
‘Please,
sir.
It
is
my
job.
It
is
my
duty.
I
am
strong
in
my
backs.
No
problem.
You
will
see.’
eng:
‘Please,
rus:
eng:
sir.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
job.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
duty.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
strong
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
backs.
rus:
eng:
No
rus:
eng:
problem.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
see.’
rus:
All
my
instincts
revolted
at
the
idea.
eng:
All
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
instincts
rus:
eng:
revolted
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
idea.
rus:
‘No,
really
…’
eng:
‘No,
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
‘Please,
Mr.
Lindsay,
this
is
my
honour.
See
the
people.’
eng:
‘Please,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
honour.
rus:
eng:
See
rus:
eng:
people.’
rus:
Prabaker
gestured
with
his
upturned
palm
to
those
touts
and
guides
who’d
managed
to
secure
customers
from
among
the
tourists.
Each
one
of
them
seized
a
bag,
suitcase,
or
backpack
and
trudged
off,
leading
his
party
into
the
flak-traffic
with
brisk
determination.
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
gestured
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
upturned
rus:
eng:
palm
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
touts
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
guides
rus:
eng:
who’d
rus:
eng:
managed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
secure
rus:
eng:
customers
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
among
rus:
eng:
tourists.
rus:
eng:
Each
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
seized
rus:
eng:
bag,
rus:
eng:
suitcase,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
backpack
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
trudged
rus:
eng:
off,
rus:
eng:
leading
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
party
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
flak-traffic
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
brisk
rus:
eng:
determination.
rus:
‘Yeah,
well,
all
right
…’
I
muttered,
deferring
to
his
judgment.
It
was
just
the
first
of
countless
capitulations
that
would,
in
time,
come
to
define
our
relationship.
The
smile
stretched
his
round
face
once
more,
and
he
grappled
with
the
backpack,
working
the
straps
onto
his
shoulders
with
my
help.
The
pack
was
heavy,
forcing
him
to
thrust
his
neck
out,
lean
over,
and
launch
himself
forward
into
a
trundling
gait.
My
longer
steps
brought
me
up
level
with
him,
and
I
looked
into
his
straining
face.
I
felt
like
the
white
bwana,
reducing
him
to
my
beast
of
burden,
and
I
hated
it.
eng:
‘Yeah,
rus:
eng:
well,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
muttered,
rus:
eng:
deferring
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
judgment.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
countless
rus:
eng:
capitulations
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
would,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
define
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
relationship.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
stretched
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
round
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
more,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
grappled
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
backpack,
rus:
eng:
working
rus:
eng:
straps
rus:
eng:
onto
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
shoulders
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
help.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
pack
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
heavy,
rus:
eng:
forcing
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
thrust
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
neck
rus:
eng:
out,
rus:
eng:
lean
rus:
eng:
over,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
launch
rus:
eng:
himself
rus:
eng:
forward
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
trundling
rus:
eng:
gait.
rus:
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
longer
rus:
eng:
steps
rus:
eng:
brought
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
level
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
straining
rus:
eng:
face.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
felt
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
white
rus:
eng:
bwana,
rus:
eng:
reducing
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
beast
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
burden,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
hated
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
But
he
laughed,
that
small
Indian
man.
He
chattered
about
Bombay
and
the
sights
to
be
seen,
pointing
out
landmarks
as
we
walked.
He
spoke
with
deferential
amiability
to
the
two
Canadians.
He
smiled,
and
called
out
greetings
to
acquaintances
as
he
passed
them.
And
he
was
strong,
much
stronger
than
he
looked:
he
never
paused
or
faltered
in
his
step
throughout
the
fifteen-minute
journey
to
the
hotel.
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
laughed,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
chattered
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sights
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
seen,
rus:
eng:
pointing
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
landmarks
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
walked.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
spoke
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
deferential
rus:
eng:
amiability
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
Canadians.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
smiled,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
greetings
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
acquaintances
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
passed
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
strong,
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
stronger
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
looked:
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
paused
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
faltered
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
step
rus:
eng:
throughout
rus:
eng:
fifteen-minute
rus:
eng:
journey
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
hotel.
rus:
Four
steep
flights
in
a
dark
and
mossy
well
of
stairs,
at
the
rear
of
a
large,
sea-front
building,
brought
us
to
the
foyer
of
the
India
Guest
House.
Every
floor
on
the
way
up
had
carried
a
different
shield—Apsara
Hotel,
Star
of
Asia
Guest
House,
Seashore
Hotel—indicating
that
the
one
building
was
actually
four
separate
hotels,
each
one
of
them
occupying
a
single
floor,
and
having
its
own
staff,
services,
and
style.
eng:
Four
rus:
eng:
steep
rus:
eng:
flights
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
dark
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
mossy
rus:
eng:
well
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
stairs,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
rear
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
large,
rus:
eng:
sea-front
rus:
eng:
building,
rus:
eng:
brought
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
foyer
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
Guest
rus:
eng:
House.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
floor
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
carried
rus:
eng:
different
rus:
eng:
shield—Apsara
rus:
eng:
Hotel,
rus:
eng:
Star
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Asia
rus:
eng:
Guest
rus:
eng:
House,
rus:
eng:
Seashore
rus:
eng:
Hotel—indicating
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
building
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
actually
rus:
eng:
four
rus:
eng:
separate
rus:
eng:
hotels,
rus:
eng:
each
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
occupying
rus:
eng:
single
rus:
eng:
floor,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
having
rus:
eng:
its
rus:
eng:
own
rus:
eng:
staff,
rus:
eng:
services,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
style.
rus:
The
two
young
travellers,
Prabaker,
and
I
tumbled
into
the
small
foyer
with
our
bags
and
packs.
A
tall,
muscular
Indian,
wearing
a
dazzlingly
white
shirt
and
a
black
tie,
sat
behind
a
steel
desk
beside
the
hallway
that
led
to
the
guest
rooms.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
travellers,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
tumbled
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
foyer
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
bags
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
packs.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
tall,
rus:
eng:
muscular
rus:
eng:
Indian,
rus:
eng:
wearing
rus:
eng:
dazzlingly
rus:
eng:
white
rus:
eng:
shirt
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
black
rus:
eng:
tie,
rus:
eng:
sat
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
steel
rus:
eng:
desk
rus:
eng:
beside
rus:
eng:
hallway
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
led
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
guest
rus:
eng:
rooms.
rus:
‘Welcome,’
he
said,
a
small,
wary
smile
dimpling
his
cheeks.
‘Welcome,
young
gentlemen.’
eng:
‘Welcome,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
small,
rus:
eng:
wary
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
dimpling
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
cheeks.
rus:
eng:
‘Welcome,
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
gentlemen.’
rus:
‘What
a
dump,’
my
tall
companion
muttered,
looking
around
him
at
the
flaking
paint
and
laminated
wooden
partitions.
eng:
‘What
rus:
eng:
dump,’
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
tall
rus:
eng:
companion
rus:
eng:
muttered,
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
flaking
rus:
eng:
paint
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
laminated
rus:
eng:
wooden
rus:
eng:
partitions.
rus:
‘This
is
Mr.
Anand,’
Prabaker
interjected
quickly.
‘Best
manager
of
the
best
hotel
in
Colaba.’
eng:
‘This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Anand,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
interjected
rus:
eng:
quickly.
rus:
eng:
‘Best
rus:
eng:
manager
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Colaba.’
rus:
‘Shut
up,
Prabaker!’
Mr.
Anand
growled.
eng:
‘Shut
rus:
eng:
up,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker!’
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
growled.
rus:
Prabaker
smiled
the
wider.
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
smiled
rus:
eng:
wider.
rus:
‘See,
what
a
great
manager
is
this
Mr.
Anand?’
he
whispered,
grinning
at
me.
He
then
turned
his
smile
to
the
great
manager.
‘I
am
bringing
three
excellent
tourists
for
you,
Mr.
Anand.
Very
best
customers
for
the
very
best
hotel,
isn’t
it?’
eng:
‘See,
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
manager
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Anand?’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
whispered,
rus:
eng:
grinning
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
manager.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
bringing
rus:
eng:
three
rus:
eng:
excellent
rus:
eng:
tourists
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
you,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Anand.
rus:
eng:
Very
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
customers
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
hotel,
rus:
eng:
isn’t
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
‘I
told
you
to
shut
up!’
Anand
snapped.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
told
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
shut
rus:
eng:
up!’
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
snapped.
rus:
‘How
much?’
the
short
Canadian
asked.
eng:
‘How
rus:
eng:
much?’
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
Canadian
rus:
eng:
asked.
rus:
‘Please?’
Anand
muttered,
still
glowering
at
Prabaker.
eng:
‘Please?’
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
muttered,
rus:
eng:
still
rus:
eng:
glowering
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
‘Three
people,
one
room,
one
night,
how
much?’
eng:
‘Three
rus:
eng:
people,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
room,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
night,
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
much?’
rus:
‘One
hundred
twenty
rupees.’
eng:
‘One
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
twenty
rus:
eng:
rupees.’
rus:
‘What!’
the
shorter
one
exploded.
‘Are
you
kidding
me?’
eng:
‘What!’
rus:
eng:
shorter
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
exploded.
rus:
eng:
‘Are
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
kidding
rus:
eng:
me?’
rus:
‘That’s
too
much,’
his
friend
added.
‘C’mon,
we’re
outta
here.’
eng:
‘That’s
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
much,’
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
friend
rus:
eng:
added.
rus:
eng:
‘C’mon,
rus:
eng:
we’re
rus:
eng:
outta
rus:
eng:
here.’
rus:
‘No
problem,’
Anand
snapped.
‘You
can
go
to
somewhere
else.’
eng:
‘No
rus:
eng:
problem,’
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
snapped.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
somewhere
rus:
eng:
else.’
rus:
They
began
to
gather
their
bags,
but
Prabaker
stopped
them
with
an
anguished
cry.
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
gather
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
bags,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
stopped
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
anguished
rus:
eng:
cry.
rus:
‘No!
No!
This
is
the
very
most
beautiful
of
hotels.
Please,
just
see
it
the
room!
Please,
Mr.
Lindsay,
just
see
it
the
lovely
room!
Just
see
it
the
lovely
room!’
eng:
‘No!
rus:
eng:
No!
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
beautiful
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hotels.
rus:
eng:
Please,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
room!
rus:
eng:
Please,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
lovely
rus:
eng:
room!
rus:
eng:
Just
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
lovely
rus:
eng:
room!’
rus:
There
was
a
momentary
pause.
The
two
young
men
hesitated
in
the
doorway.
Anand
studied
his
hotel
register,
suddenly
fascinated
by
the
hand-written
entries.
Prabaker
clutched
at
my
sleeve.
I
felt
some
sympathy
for
the
street
guide,
and
I
admired
Anand’s
style.
He
wasn’t
going
to
plead
with
us,
or
persuade
us
to
take
the
room.
If
we
wanted
it,
we
took
it
on
his
terms.
When
he
looked
up
from
the
register,
he
met
my
eyes
with
a
frank
and
honest
stare,
one
confident
man
to
another.
I
began
to
like
him.
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
momentary
rus:
eng:
pause.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
hesitated
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
doorway.
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
studied
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
register,
rus:
eng:
suddenly
rus:
eng:
fascinated
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
hand-written
rus:
eng:
entries.
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
clutched
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
sleeve.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
felt
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
sympathy
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
guide,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
admired
rus:
eng:
Anand’s
rus:
eng:
style.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
wasn’t
rus:
eng:
going
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
plead
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
us,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
persuade
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
room.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
wanted
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
terms.
rus:
eng:
When
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
register,
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
met
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
frank
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
honest
rus:
eng:
stare,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
confident
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
another.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
him.
rus:
‘I’d
like
to
see
it,
the
lovely
room,’
I
said.
eng:
‘I’d
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
lovely
rus:
eng:
room,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
said.
rus:
‘Yes!’
Prabaker
laughed.
eng:
‘Yes!’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
laughed.
rus:
‘Okay,
here
we
go!’
the
Canadians
sighed,
smiling.
eng:
‘Okay,
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
go!’
rus:
eng:
Canadians
rus:
eng:
sighed,
rus:
eng:
smiling.
rus:
‘End
of
the
passage,’
Anand
smiled
in
return,
reaching
behind
him
to
take
the
room
key
from
a
rack
of
hooks.
He
tossed
the
key
and
its
heavy
brass
nameplate
across
the
desk
to
me.
‘Last
room
on
the
right,
my
friend.’
eng:
‘End
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
passage,’
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
smiled
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
return,
rus:
eng:
reaching
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
room
rus:
eng:
key
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
rack
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hooks.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
tossed
rus:
eng:
key
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
its
rus:
eng:
heavy
rus:
eng:
brass
rus:
eng:
nameplate
rus:
eng:
across
rus:
eng:
desk
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
‘Last
rus:
eng:
room
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
right,
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
friend.’
rus:
It
was
a
large
room,
with
three
single
beds
covered
by
sheets,
one
window
to
the
seaward
side,
and
a
row
of
windows
that
looked
down
upon
a
busy
street.
Each
of
the
walls
was
painted
in
a
different
shade
of
headache-green.
The
ceiling
was
laced
with
cracks.
Papery
scrolls
of
paint
dangled
from
the
corners.
The
cement
floor
sloped
downwards,
with
mysterious
lumps
and
irregular
undulations,
toward
the
street
windows.
Three
small
plywood
side-tables
and
a
battered
wooden
dressing
table
with
a
cracked
mirror
were
the
only
other
pieces
of
furniture.
Previous
occupants
had
left
evidence
of
their
tenure:
a
candle
melted
into
the
neck
of
a
Bailey’s
Irish
Cream
bottle;
a
calendar
print
of
a
Neapolitan
street
scene
taped
to
one
wall;
and
two
forlorn,
shrivelled
balloons
hanging
from
the
ceiling
fan.
It
was
the
kind
of
room
that
moved
people
to
write
their
names
and
other
messages
on
the
walls,
just
as
men
do
in
prison
cells.
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
large
rus:
eng:
room,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
three
rus:
eng:
single
rus:
eng:
beds
rus:
eng:
covered
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
sheets,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
window
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
seaward
rus:
eng:
side,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
row
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
windows
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
upon
rus:
eng:
busy
rus:
eng:
street.
rus:
eng:
Each
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
walls
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
painted
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
different
rus:
eng:
shade
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
headache-green.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
ceiling
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
laced
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
cracks.
rus:
eng:
Papery
rus:
eng:
scrolls
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
paint
rus:
eng:
dangled
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
corners.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
cement
rus:
eng:
floor
rus:
eng:
sloped
rus:
eng:
downwards,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
mysterious
rus:
eng:
lumps
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
irregular
rus:
eng:
undulations,
rus:
eng:
toward
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
windows.
rus:
eng:
Three
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
plywood
rus:
eng:
side-tables
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
battered
rus:
eng:
wooden
rus:
eng:
dressing
rus:
eng:
table
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
cracked
rus:
eng:
mirror
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
pieces
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
furniture.
rus:
eng:
Previous
rus:
eng:
occupants
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
evidence
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
tenure:
rus:
eng:
candle
rus:
eng:
melted
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
neck
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Bailey’s
rus:
eng:
Irish
rus:
eng:
Cream
rus:
eng:
bottle;
rus:
eng:
calendar
rus:
eng:
print
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Neapolitan
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
scene
rus:
eng:
taped
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
wall;
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
forlorn,
rus:
eng:
shrivelled
rus:
eng:
balloons
rus:
eng:
hanging
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
ceiling
rus:
eng:
fan.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
room
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
moved
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
write
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
names
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
messages
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
walls,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
prison
rus:
eng:
cells.
rus:
‘I’ll
take
it,’
I
decided.
eng:
‘I’ll
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
it,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
decided.
rus:
‘Yes!’
Prabaker
cried,
scurrying
away
at
once
toward
the
foyer.
eng:
‘Yes!’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
cried,
rus:
eng:
scurrying
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
toward
rus:
eng:
foyer.
rus:
My
companions
from
the
bus
looked
at
one
another
and
laughed.
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
companions
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
laughed.
rus:
‘I
can’t
be
bothered
arguin’
with
this
dude.
He’s
crazy.’
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
can’t
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
bothered
rus:
eng:
arguin’
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
dude.
rus:
eng:
He’s
rus:
eng:
crazy.’
rus:
‘I
hear
ya,’
the
shorter
one
chuckled.
He
bent
low
and
sniffed
at
the
sheets
before
sitting
down
gingerly
on
one
of
the
beds.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
hear
rus:
eng:
ya,’
rus:
eng:
shorter
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
chuckled.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
bent
rus:
eng:
low
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sniffed
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
sheets
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
sitting
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
gingerly
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
beds.
rus:
Prabaker
returned
with
Anand,
who
carried
the
heavy
hotel
register.
We
entered
our
details
into
the
book,
one
at
a
time,
while
Anand
checked
our
passports.
I
paid
for
a
week
in
advance.
Anand
gave
the
others
their
passports,
but
lingered
with
mine,
tapping
it
against
his
cheek
thoughtfully.
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
returned
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
Anand,
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
carried
rus:
eng:
heavy
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
register.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
entered
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
details
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
book,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
while
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
checked
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
passports.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
paid
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
week
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
advance.
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
gave
rus:
eng:
others
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
passports,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
lingered
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
mine,
rus:
eng:
tapping
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
against
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
cheek
rus:
eng:
thoughtfully.
rus:
‘New
Zealand?’
he
murmured.
eng:
‘New
rus:
eng:
Zealand?’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
murmured.
rus:
‘So?’
I
frowned,
wondering
if
he’d
seen
or
sensed
something.
I
was
Australia’s
most
wanted
man,
escaped
from
a
jail
term
of
twenty
years
for
armed
robberies,
and
a
hot
new
name
on
the
Interpol
fugitive
list.
What
does
he
want?
What
does
he
know?
eng:
‘So?’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
frowned,
rus:
eng:
wondering
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
he’d
rus:
eng:
seen
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
sensed
rus:
eng:
something.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
Australia’s
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
wanted
rus:
eng:
man,
rus:
eng:
escaped
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
jail
rus:
eng:
term
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
twenty
rus:
eng:
years
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
armed
rus:
eng:
robberies,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hot
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
Interpol
rus:
eng:
fugitive
rus:
eng:
list.
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
does
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
want?
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
does
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
know?
rus:
‘Hmmm.
Okay,
New
Zealand,
New
Zealand,
you
must
be
wanting
something
for
smoke,
some
lot
of
beer,
some
bottles
whisky,
change
money,
business
girls,
good
parties.
You
want
to
buy
something,
you
tell
me,
na?’
eng:
‘Hmmm.
rus:
eng:
Okay,
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealand,
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealand,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
must
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
wanting
rus:
eng:
something
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
smoke,
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
beer,
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
bottles
rus:
eng:
whisky,
rus:
eng:
change
rus:
eng:
money,
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
girls,
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
parties.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
buy
rus:
eng:
something,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
na?’
rus:
He
snapped
the
passport
back
into
my
hand
and
left
the
room,
glaring
malevolently
at
Prabaker.
The
guide
cringed
away
from
him
in
the
doorway,
cowering
and
smiling
happily
at
the
same
time.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
snapped
rus:
eng:
passport
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
room,
rus:
eng:
glaring
rus:
eng:
malevolently
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
guide
rus:
eng:
cringed
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
doorway,
rus:
eng:
cowering
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smiling
rus:
eng:
happily
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
same
rus:
eng:
time.
rus:
‘A
great
man.
A
great
manager,’
Prabaker
gushed,
when
Anand
was
gone.
eng:
‘A
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
manager,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
gushed,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
gone.
rus:
‘You
get
a
lot
of
New
Zealanders
here,
Prabaker?’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealanders
rus:
eng:
here,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker?’
rus:
‘Not
so
many,
Mr.
Lindsay.
Oh,
but
very
fine
fellows
they
are.
Laughing,
smoking,
drinking,
having
sexes
with
women,
all
in
the
night,
and
then
more
laughing,
smoking,
and
drinking.’
eng:
‘Not
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
many,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay.
rus:
eng:
Oh,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
fine
rus:
eng:
fellows
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
are.
rus:
eng:
Laughing,
rus:
eng:
smoking,
rus:
eng:
drinking,
rus:
eng:
having
rus:
eng:
sexes
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
women,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
night,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
laughing,
rus:
eng:
smoking,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
drinking.’
rus:
‘U-huh.
I
don’t
suppose
you’d
happen
to
know
where
I
could
get
some
hashish,
Prabaker?’
eng:
‘U-huh.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
suppose
rus:
eng:
you’d
rus:
eng:
happen
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
could
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
hashish,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker?’
rus:
‘Noooo
problem!
I
can
get
it
one
tola,
one
kilo,
ten
kilos,
even
I
know
where
it
is
a
full
warehouse
…’
eng:
‘Noooo
rus:
eng:
problem!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
tola,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
kilo,
rus:
eng:
ten
rus:
eng:
kilos,
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
warehouse
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
‘I
don’t
need
a
warehouse
full
of
hash.
I
just
want
enough
for
a
smoke.’
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
need
rus:
eng:
warehouse
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hash.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
enough
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
smoke.’
rus:
‘Just
it
happens
I
have
it
one
tola,
ten
grams,
the
best
Afghan
charras,
in
my
pocket.
You
want
to
buy?’
eng:
‘Just
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
happens
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
tola,
rus:
eng:
ten
rus:
eng:
grams,
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
Afghan
rus:
eng:
charras,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
pocket.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
buy?’
rus:
‘How
much?’
eng:
‘How
rus:
eng:
much?’
rus:
‘Two
hundred
rupees,’
he
suggested,
hopefully.
eng:
‘Two
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
rupees,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
suggested,
rus:
eng:
hopefully.
rus:
I
guessed
that
it
was
less
than
half
that
price.
But
two
hundred
rupees—about
twelve
dollars
American,
in
those
years—was
one-tenth
of
the
price
in
Australia.
I
tossed
a
packet
of
tobacco
and
cigarette
papers
to
him.
‘Okay.
Roll
up
a
joint
and
we’ll
try
it
out.
If
I
like
it,
I’ll
buy
it.’
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
guessed
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
less
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
half
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
price.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
rupees—about
rus:
eng:
twelve
rus:
eng:
dollars
rus:
eng:
American,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
years—was
rus:
eng:
one-tenth
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
price
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Australia.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
tossed
rus:
eng:
packet
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
tobacco
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
cigarette
rus:
eng:
papers
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
him.
rus:
eng:
‘Okay.
rus:
eng:
Roll
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
joint
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
we’ll
rus:
eng:
try
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
out.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
buy
rus:
eng:
it.’
rus:
My
two
roommates
were
stretched
out
on
their
parallel
beds.
They
looked
at
one
another
and
exchanged
similar
expressions,
raising
their
foreheads
in
sedimentary
wrinkles
and
pursing
their
lips
as
Prabaker
pulled
the
piece
of
hashish
from
his
pocket.
They
stared
with
fascination
and
dread
while
the
little
guide
knelt
to
make
the
joint
on
the
dusty
surface
of
the
dressing
table.
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
roommates
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
stretched
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
parallel
rus:
eng:
beds.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
exchanged
rus:
eng:
similar
rus:
eng:
expressions,
rus:
eng:
raising
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
foreheads
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
sedimentary
rus:
eng:
wrinkles
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pursing
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
lips
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
pulled
rus:
eng:
piece
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hashish
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
pocket.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
stared
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
fascination
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
dread
rus:
eng:
while
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
guide
rus:
eng:
knelt
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
joint
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
dusty
rus:
eng:
surface
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
dressing
rus:
eng:
table.
rus:
‘Are
you
sure
this
is
a
good
idea,
man?’
eng:
‘Are
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
sure
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
idea,
rus:
eng:
man?’
rus:
‘Yeah,
they
could
be
settin’
us
up
for
a
drug
bust
or
somethin’!’
eng:
‘Yeah,
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
could
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
settin’
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
drug
rus:
eng:
bust
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
somethin’!’
rus:
‘I
think
I
feel
okay
about
Prabaker.
I
don’t
think
we’ll
get
busted,’
I
replied,
unrolling
my
travel
blanket
and
spreading
it
out
on
the
bed
beneath
the
long
windows.
There
was
a
ledge
on
the
window
sill,
and
I
began
to
place
my
keepsakes,
trinkets,
and
lucky
charms
there—a
black
stone
given
to
me
by
a
child
in
New
Zealand,
a
petrified
snail
shell
one
friend
had
found,
and
a
bracelet
of
hawk’s
claws
made
by
another.
I
was
on
the
run.
I
had
no
home
and
no
country.
My
bags
were
filled
with
things
that
friends
had
given
me:
a
huge
first-aid
kit
that
they’d
pooled
their
money
to
buy
for
me,
drawings,
poems,
shells,
feathers.
Even
the
clothes
I
wore
and
the
boots
on
my
feet
were
gifts
that
friends
had
given
me.
Every
object
was
significant;
in
my
hunted
exile,
the
windowsill
had
become
my
home,
and
the
talismans
were
my
nation.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
feel
rus:
eng:
okay
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
we’ll
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
busted,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
replied,
rus:
eng:
unrolling
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
travel
rus:
eng:
blanket
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
spreading
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
bed
rus:
eng:
beneath
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
windows.
rus:
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
ledge
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
window
rus:
eng:
sill,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
keepsakes,
rus:
eng:
trinkets,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
lucky
rus:
eng:
charms
rus:
eng:
there—a
rus:
eng:
black
rus:
eng:
stone
rus:
eng:
given
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
child
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealand,
rus:
eng:
petrified
rus:
eng:
snail
rus:
eng:
shell
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
friend
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
found,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bracelet
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hawk’s
rus:
eng:
claws
rus:
eng:
made
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
another.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
run.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
home
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
country.
rus:
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
bags
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
filled
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
things
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
given
rus:
eng:
me:
rus:
eng:
huge
rus:
eng:
first-aid
rus:
eng:
kit
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
they’d
rus:
eng:
pooled
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
buy
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
drawings,
rus:
eng:
poems,
rus:
eng:
shells,
rus:
eng:
feathers.
rus:
eng:
Even
rus:
eng:
clothes
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
wore
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
boots
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
feet
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
gifts
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
given
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
object
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
significant;
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
hunted
rus:
eng:
exile,
rus:
eng:
windowsill
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
become
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
home,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
talismans
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
nation.
rus:
‘By
all
means,
guys,
if
you
don’t
feel
safe,
take
a
walk
or
wait
outside
for
a
while.
I’ll
come
and
get
you,
after
I
have
a
smoke.
It’s
just
that
I
promised
some
friends
of
mine
that
if
I
ever
got
to
India,
the
first
thing
I’d
do
is
smoke
some
hash,
and
think
of
them.
I
mean
to
keep
that
promise.
Besides,
the
manager
seemed
pretty
cool
about
it
to
me.
Is
there
any
problem
with
smoking
a
joint
here,
Prabaker?’
eng:
‘By
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
means,
rus:
eng:
guys,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
feel
rus:
eng:
safe,
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
walk
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
wait
rus:
eng:
outside
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
while.
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
you,
rus:
eng:
after
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
smoke.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
promised
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
mine
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
got
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
India,
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
thing
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
smoke
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
hash,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
mean
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
keep
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
promise.
rus:
eng:
Besides,
rus:
eng:
manager
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
pretty
rus:
eng:
cool
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
Is
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
problem
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
smoking
rus:
eng:
joint
rus:
eng:
here,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker?’
rus:
‘Smoking,
drinking,
dancing,
music,
sexy
business,
no
problem
here,’
Prabaker
assured
us,
grinning
happily
and
looking
up
momentarily
from
his
task.
‘Everything
is
allow
no
problem
here.
Except
the
fighting.
Fighting
is
not
good
manners
at
India
Guest
House.’
eng:
‘Smoking,
rus:
eng:
drinking,
rus:
eng:
dancing,
rus:
eng:
music,
rus:
eng:
sexy
rus:
eng:
business,
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
problem
rus:
eng:
here,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
assured
rus:
eng:
us,
rus:
eng:
grinning
rus:
eng:
happily
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
momentarily
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
task.
rus:
eng:
‘Everything
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
allow
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
problem
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
Except
rus:
eng:
fighting.
rus:
eng:
Fighting
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
manners
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
Guest
rus:
eng:
House.’
rus:
‘You
see?
No
problem.’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
see?
rus:
eng:
No
rus:
eng:
problem.’
rus:
‘And
dying,’
Prabaker
added,
with
a
thoughtful
wag
of
his
round
head.
‘Mr.
Anand
is
not
liking
it,
if
the
people
are
dying
here.’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
dying,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
added,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
thoughtful
rus:
eng:
wag
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
round
rus:
eng:
head.
rus:
eng:
‘Mr.
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
liking
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
dying
rus:
eng:
here.’
rus:
‘Say
what?
What
is
he
talking
about
dying?’
eng:
‘Say
rus:
eng:
what?
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
talking
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
dying?’
rus:
‘Is
he
fuckin’
serious?
Who
the
fuck
is
dyin’
here?
Jesus!’
eng:
‘Is
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
fuckin’
rus:
eng:
serious?
rus:
eng:
Who
rus:
eng:
fuck
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
dyin’
rus:
eng:
here?
rus:
eng:
Jesus!’
rus:
‘No
problem
dying,
baba,’
Prabaker
soothed,
offering
the
distraught
Canadians
his
neatly
rolled
joint.
The
taller
man
took
it,
and
puffed
it
alight.
‘Not
many
people
are
dying
here
in
India
Guest
House,
and
mostly
only
junkies,
you
know,
with
the
skinny
faces.
For
you
no
problem,
with
your
so
beautiful
big
fat
bodies.’
eng:
‘No
rus:
eng:
problem
rus:
eng:
dying,
rus:
eng:
baba,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
soothed,
rus:
eng:
offering
rus:
eng:
distraught
rus:
eng:
Canadians
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
neatly
rus:
eng:
rolled
rus:
eng:
joint.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
taller
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
puffed
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
alight.
rus:
eng:
‘Not
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
dying
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
Guest
rus:
eng:
House,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
mostly
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
junkies,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
know,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
skinny
rus:
eng:
faces.
rus:
eng:
For
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
problem,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
beautiful
rus:
eng:
big
rus:
eng:
fat
rus:
eng:
bodies.’
rus:
His
smile
was
disarmingly
charming
as
he
brought
the
joint
to
me.
When
I
returned
it
to
him,
he
puffed
at
it
with
obvious
pleasure,
and
passed
it
to
the
Canadians
once
more.
eng:
His
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
disarmingly
rus:
eng:
charming
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
brought
rus:
eng:
joint
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
When
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
returned
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
puffed
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
obvious
rus:
eng:
pleasure,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
passed
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Canadians
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
more.
rus:
‘Is
good
charras,
yes?’
eng:
‘Is
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
charras,
rus:
eng:
yes?’
rus:
‘It’s
real
good,’
the
taller
man
said.
His
smile
was
warm
and
generous—the
big,
open-hearted
smile
that
the
long
years
since
then
have
taught
me
to
associate
with
Canada
and
Canadians.
eng:
‘It’s
rus:
eng:
real
rus:
eng:
good,’
rus:
eng:
taller
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
said.
rus:
eng:
His
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
warm
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
generous—the
rus:
eng:
big,
rus:
eng:
open-hearted
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
years
rus:
eng:
since
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
taught
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
associate
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
Canada
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Canadians.
rus:
‘I’ll
take
it,’
I
said.
Prabaker
passed
it
to
me,
and
I
broke
the
ten-gram
lump
into
two
pieces,
throwing
one
half
to
one
of
my
roommates.
‘Here.
Something
for
the
train
ride
to
Poona
tomorrow.’
eng:
‘I’ll
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
it,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
said.
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
passed
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
broke
rus:
eng:
ten-gram
rus:
eng:
lump
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
pieces,
rus:
eng:
throwing
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
half
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
roommates.
rus:
eng:
‘Here.
rus:
eng:
Something
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
train
rus:
eng:
ride
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Poona
rus:
eng:
tomorrow.’
rus:
‘Thanks,
man,’
he
answered,
showing
the
piece
to
his
friend.
‘Say,
you’re
all
right.
Crazy,
but
all
right.’
eng:
‘Thanks,
rus:
eng:
man,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
answered,
rus:
eng:
showing
rus:
eng:
piece
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
friend.
rus:
eng:
‘Say,
rus:
eng:
you’re
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
right.
rus:
eng:
Crazy,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
right.’
rus:
I
pulled
a
bottle
of
whisky
from
my
pack
and
cracked
the
seal.
It
was
another
ritual,
another
promise
to
a
friend
in
New
Zealand,
a
girl
who’d
asked
me
to
have
a
drink
and
think
of
her
if
I
managed
to
smuggle
myself
safely
into
India
with
my
false
passport.
The
little
rituals—the
smoke
and
the
drink
of
whisky—were
important
to
me.
I
was
sure
that
I’d
lost
those
friends,
just
as
I’d
lost
my
family,
and
every
friend
I’d
ever
known,
when
I’d
escaped
from
prison.
I
was
sure,
somehow,
that
I
would
never
see
them
again.
I
was
alone
in
the
world,
with
no
hope
of
return,
and
my
whole
life
was
held
in
memories,
talismans,
and
pledges
of
love.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
pulled
rus:
eng:
bottle
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
whisky
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
pack
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
cracked
rus:
eng:
seal.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
ritual,
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
promise
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
friend
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealand,
rus:
eng:
girl
rus:
eng:
who’d
rus:
eng:
asked
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
drink
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
managed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
smuggle
rus:
eng:
myself
rus:
eng:
safely
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
false
rus:
eng:
passport.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
rituals—the
rus:
eng:
smoke
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
drink
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
whisky—were
rus:
eng:
important
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
sure
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
lost
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
friends,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
lost
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
family,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
friend
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
known,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
escaped
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
prison.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
sure,
rus:
eng:
somehow,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
again.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
alone
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
world,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
hope
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
return,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
life
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
held
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
memories,
rus:
eng:
talismans,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pledges
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
love.
rus:
I
was
about
to
take
a
sip
from
the
bottle,
but
an
impulse
made
me
offer
it
to
Prabaker
first.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
sip
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
bottle,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
impulse
rus:
eng:
made
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
offer
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
first.
rus:
‘Thank
you
too
much,
Mr.
Lindsay’
he
gushed,
his
eyes
wide
with
delight.
He
tipped
his
head
backward
and
poured
a
measure
of
whisky
into
his
mouth,
without
touching
the
bottle
to
his
lips.
‘Is
very
best,
first
number,
Johnnie
Walker.
Oh,
yes.’
eng:
‘Thank
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
much,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
gushed,
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
wide
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
delight.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
tipped
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
head
rus:
eng:
backward
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
poured
rus:
eng:
measure
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
whisky
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
mouth,
rus:
eng:
without
rus:
eng:
touching
rus:
eng:
bottle
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
lips.
rus:
eng:
‘Is
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
best,
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
number,
rus:
eng:
Johnnie
rus:
eng:
Walker.
rus:
eng:
Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes.’
rus:
‘Have
some
more,
if
you
like.’
eng:
‘Have
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
more,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
like.’
rus:
‘Just
a
teeny
pieces,
thank
you
so.’
He
drank
again,
glugging
the
liquor
down
in
throat-bulging
gulps.
He
paused,
licking
his
lips,
then
tipped
the
bottle
back
a
third
time.
‘Sorry,
aaah,
very
sorry.
Is
so
good
this
whisky,
it
is
making
a
bad
manners
on
me.’
eng:
‘Just
rus:
eng:
teeny
rus:
eng:
pieces,
rus:
eng:
thank
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
so.’
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
drank
rus:
eng:
again,
rus:
eng:
glugging
rus:
eng:
liquor
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
throat-bulging
rus:
eng:
gulps.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
paused,
rus:
eng:
licking
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
lips,
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
tipped
rus:
eng:
bottle
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
third
rus:
eng:
time.
rus:
eng:
‘Sorry,
rus:
eng:
aaah,
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
sorry.
rus:
eng:
Is
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
whisky,
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
making
rus:
eng:
bad
rus:
eng:
manners
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
me.’
rus:
‘Listen,
if
you
like
it
that
much,
you
can
keep
the
bottle.
I’ve
got
another
one.
I
bought
them
duty
free
on
the
plane.’
eng:
‘Listen,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
much,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
keep
rus:
eng:
bottle.
rus:
eng:
I’ve
rus:
eng:
got
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
one.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
bought
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
duty
rus:
eng:
free
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
plane.’
rus:
‘Oh,
thank
you
…’
he
answered,
but
his
smile
crumpled
into
a
stricken
expression.
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
thank
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
answered,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
crumpled
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
stricken
rus:
eng:
expression.
rus:
‘What’s
the
matter?
Don’t
you
want
it?’
eng:
‘What’s
rus:
eng:
matter?
rus:
eng:
Don’t
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
‘Yes,
yes,
Mr.
Lindsay,
very
yes.
But
if
I
knew
this
was
my
whisky
and
not
yours,
I
would
not
have
been
so
generous
with
my
good
self
in
the
drinking
it
up.’
eng:
‘Yes,
rus:
eng:
yes,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
yes.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
knew
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
whisky
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
yours,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
generous
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
self
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
drinking
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
up.’
rus:
The
young
Canadians
laughed.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
Canadians
rus:
eng:
laughed.
rus:
‘I
tell
you
what,
Prabaker.
I’ll
give
you
the
full
bottle,
to
keep,
and
we’ll
all
share
the
open
one.
How’s
that?
And
here’s
the
two
hundred
rupees
for
the
smoke.’
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
what,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
give
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
bottle,
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
keep,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
we’ll
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
share
rus:
eng:
open
rus:
eng:
one.
rus:
eng:
How’s
rus:
eng:
that?
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
here’s
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
rupees
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
smoke.’
rus:
The
smile
shone
anew,
and
he
swapped
the
open
bottle
for
the
full
one,
cradling
it
in
his
folded
arms
tenderly.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
shone
rus:
eng:
anew,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
swapped
rus:
eng:
open
rus:
eng:
bottle
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
one,
rus:
eng:
cradling
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
folded
rus:
eng:
arms
rus:
eng:
tenderly.
rus:
‘But
Mr.
Lindsay,
you
are
making
a
mistake.
I
say
that
this
very
best
charras
is
one
hundred
rupees,
not
two.’
eng:
‘But
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
making
rus:
eng:
mistake.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
say
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
charras
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
rupees,
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
two.’
rus:
‘U-huh.’
eng:
‘U-huh.’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes.
One
hundred
rupees
only,’
he
declared,
passing
one
of
the
notes
back
to
me
dismissively.
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes.
rus:
eng:
One
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
rupees
rus:
eng:
only,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
declared,
rus:
eng:
passing
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
notes
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
dismissively.
rus:
‘Okay.
Listen,
I’m
hungry,
Prabaker.
I
didn’t
eat
on
the
plane.
Do
you
think
you
could
show
me
to
a
good,
clean
restaurant?’
eng:
‘Okay.
rus:
eng:
Listen,
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
hungry,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
eat
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
plane.
rus:
eng:
Do
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
could
rus:
eng:
show
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
good,
rus:
eng:
clean
rus:
eng:
restaurant?’
rus:
‘Very
certainly,
Mr.
Lindsay
sir!
I
know
such
excellent
restaurants,
with
such
a
wonder
of
foods,
you
will
be
making
yourself
sick
to
your
stomach
with
happiness.’
eng:
‘Very
rus:
eng:
certainly,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay
rus:
eng:
sir!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
such
rus:
eng:
excellent
rus:
eng:
restaurants,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
such
rus:
eng:
wonder
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
foods,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
making
rus:
eng:
yourself
rus:
eng:
sick
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
stomach
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
happiness.’
rus:
‘You
talked
me
into
it,’
I
said,
standing
and
gathering
up
my
passport
and
money.
‘You
guys
coming?’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
talked
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
it,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
standing
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
gathering
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
passport
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
money.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
guys
rus:
eng:
coming?’
rus:
‘What,
out
there?
You
gotta
be
kidding.’
eng:
‘What,
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
there?
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
gotta
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
kidding.’
rus:
‘Yeah,
maybe
later.
Like,
much
later.
But
we’ll
watch
your
stuff
here,
and
wait
for
you
to
come
back.’
eng:
‘Yeah,
rus:
eng:
maybe
rus:
eng:
later.
rus:
eng:
Like,
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
later.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
we’ll
rus:
eng:
watch
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
stuff
rus:
eng:
here,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
wait
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
back.’
rus:
‘Okay,
suit
yourselves.
I’ll
be
back
in
a
couple
of
hours.’
eng:
‘Okay,
rus:
eng:
suit
rus:
eng:
yourselves.
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
couple
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hours.’
rus:
Prabaker
bowed
and
fawned,
and
politely
took
his
leave.
I
joined
him,
but
just
as
I
was
about
to
close
the
door,
the
tall
young
man
spoke.
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
bowed
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
fawned,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
politely
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
leave.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
close
rus:
eng:
door,
rus:
eng:
tall
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
spoke.
rus:
‘Listen
…
take
it
easy
on
the
street,
huh?
I
mean,
you
don’t
know
what
it’s
like
here.
You
can’t
trust
no-one.
This
ain’t
the
village.
The
Indians
in
the
city
are
…
well,
just
be
careful,
is
all.
Okay?’
eng:
‘Listen
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
easy
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
street,
rus:
eng:
huh?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
mean,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
can’t
rus:
eng:
trust
rus:
eng:
no-one.
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
ain’t
rus:
eng:
village.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
Indians
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
well,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
careful,
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
all.
rus:
eng:
Okay?’
rus:
At
the
reception
desk,
Anand
put
my
passport,
travel
cheques,
and
the
bulk
of
my
cash
in
his
safe,
giving
me
a
detailed
receipt,
and
I
stepped
down
to
the
street
with
the
words
of
the
young
Canadian’s
warning
wheeling
and
turning
in
my
mind
like
gulls
above
a
spawning
tide.
eng:
At
rus:
eng:
reception
rus:
eng:
desk,
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
put
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
passport,
rus:
eng:
travel
rus:
eng:
cheques,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
bulk
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
cash
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
safe,
rus:
eng:
giving
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
detailed
rus:
eng:
receipt,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
stepped
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
words
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
Canadian’s
rus:
eng:
warning
rus:
eng:
wheeling
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
turning
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mind
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
gulls
rus:
eng:
above
rus:
eng:
spawning
rus:
eng:
tide.
rus:
Prabaker
had
taken
us
to
the
hotel
along
a
wide,
tree-lined,
and
relatively
empty
avenue
that
followed
a
curve
of
the
bay
from
the
tall,
stone
arch
of
the
Gateway
of
India
Monument.
The
street
at
the
front
of
the
building
was
crammed
with
people
and
vehicles,
however,
and
the
sound
of
voices,
car
horns,
and
commerce
was
like
a
storm
of
rain
on
wood
and
metal
roofs.
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
taken
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
along
rus:
eng:
wide,
rus:
eng:
tree-lined,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
relatively
rus:
eng:
empty
rus:
eng:
avenue
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
followed
rus:
eng:
curve
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bay
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
tall,
rus:
eng:
stone
rus:
eng:
arch
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Gateway
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
Monument.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
front
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
building
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
crammed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
vehicles,
rus:
eng:
however,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sound
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
voices,
rus:
eng:
car
rus:
eng:
horns,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
commerce
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
storm
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
rain
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
wood
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
metal
rus:
eng:
roofs.
rus:
Hundreds
of
people
walked
there,
or
stood
in
talking
groups.
Shops,
restaurants,
and
hotels
filled
the
street
side
by
side
along
its
entire
length.
Every
shop
or
restaurant
featured
a
smaller
sub-shop
attached
to
the
front
of
it.
Two
or
three
attendants,
seated
on
folding
stools,
manned
each
of
those
small
encroachments
on
the
footpath.
There
were
Africans,
Arabs,
Europeans,
and
Indians.
Languages
and
music
changed
with
every
step,
and
every
restaurant
spilled
a
different
scent
into
the
boiling
air.
eng:
Hundreds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
walked
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
talking
rus:
eng:
groups.
rus:
eng:
Shops,
rus:
eng:
restaurants,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hotels
rus:
eng:
filled
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
along
rus:
eng:
its
rus:
eng:
entire
rus:
eng:
length.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
shop
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
restaurant
rus:
eng:
featured
rus:
eng:
smaller
rus:
eng:
sub-shop
rus:
eng:
attached
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
front
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
Two
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
three
rus:
eng:
attendants,
rus:
eng:
seated
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
folding
rus:
eng:
stools,
rus:
eng:
manned
rus:
eng:
each
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
encroachments
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
footpath.
rus:
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
Africans,
rus:
eng:
Arabs,
rus:
eng:
Europeans,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Indians.
rus:
eng:
Languages
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
music
rus:
eng:
changed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
step,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
restaurant
rus:
eng:
spilled
rus:
eng:
different
rus:
eng:
scent
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
boiling
rus:
eng:
air.
rus:
Men
with
bullock
wagons
and
handcarts
wound
their
way
through
heavy
traffic
to
deliver
watermelons
and
sacks
of
rice,
soft
drinks
and
racks
of
clothes,
cigarettes
and
blocks
of
ice.
Money
was
everywhere:
it
was
a
centre
for
the
black-market
trade
in
currencies,
Prabaker
told
me,
and
thick
blocks
of
bank
notes
were
being
counted
and
changing
hands
openly.
There
were
beggars
and
jugglers
and
acrobats,
snake
charmers
and
musicians
and
astrologers,
palmists
and
pimps
and
pushers.
And
the
street
was
filthy.
Trash
tumbled
from
the
windows
above
without
warning,
and
garbage
was
heaped
in
piles
on
the
pavement
or
the
roadway,
where
fat,
fearless
rats
slithered
to
feast.
eng:
Men
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
bullock
rus:
eng:
wagons
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
handcarts
rus:
eng:
wound
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
heavy
rus:
eng:
traffic
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
deliver
rus:
eng:
watermelons
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sacks
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
rice,
rus:
eng:
soft
rus:
eng:
drinks
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
racks
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
clothes,
rus:
eng:
cigarettes
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
blocks
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
ice.
rus:
eng:
Money
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
everywhere:
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
centre
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
black-market
rus:
eng:
trade
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
currencies,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
told
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
thick
rus:
eng:
blocks
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bank
rus:
eng:
notes
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
being
rus:
eng:
counted
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
changing
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
openly.
rus:
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
beggars
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
jugglers
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
acrobats,
rus:
eng:
snake
rus:
eng:
charmers
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
musicians
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
astrologers,
rus:
eng:
palmists
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pimps
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pushers.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
filthy.
rus:
eng:
Trash
rus:
eng:
tumbled
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
windows
rus:
eng:
above
rus:
eng:
without
rus:
eng:
warning,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
garbage
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
heaped
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
piles
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
pavement
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
roadway,
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
fat,
rus:
eng:
fearless
rus:
eng:
rats
rus:
eng:
slithered
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
feast.
rus:
Most
prominent
on
the
street,
to
my
eyes,
were
the
many
crippled
and
diseased
beggars.
Every
kind
of
illness,
disability,
and
hardship
paraded
there,
stood
at
the
doorways
of
restaurants
and
shops,
or
approached
people
on
the
street
with
professionally
plaintive
cries.
Like
the
first
sight
of
the
slums
from
the
windows
of
the
bus,
that
glimpse
of
the
suffering
street
brought
a
hot
shame
to
my
healthy
face.
But
as
Prabaker
led
me
on
through
the
roistering
crowd,
he
drew
my
attention
to
other
images
of
those
beggars
that
softened
the
awful
caricature
presented
by
the
performance
of
their
piteousness.
One
group
of
beggars
sat
in
a
doorway,
playing
cards,
some
blind
men
and
their
friends
enjoyed
a
meal
of
fish
and
rice,
and
laughing
children
took
turns
to
ride
with
a
legless
man
on
his
little
trolley.
eng:
Most
rus:
eng:
prominent
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
street,
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eyes,
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
crippled
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
diseased
rus:
eng:
beggars.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
illness,
rus:
eng:
disability,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hardship
rus:
eng:
paraded
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
doorways
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
restaurants
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
shops,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
approached
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
professionally
rus:
eng:
plaintive
rus:
eng:
cries.
rus:
eng:
Like
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
sight
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
windows
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bus,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
glimpse
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
suffering
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
brought
rus:
eng:
hot
rus:
eng:
shame
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
healthy
rus:
eng:
face.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
led
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
roistering
rus:
eng:
crowd,
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
drew
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
attention
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
images
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
beggars
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
softened
rus:
eng:
awful
rus:
eng:
caricature
rus:
eng:
presented
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
performance
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
piteousness.
rus:
eng:
One
rus:
eng:
group
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
beggars
rus:
eng:
sat
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
doorway,
rus:
eng:
playing
rus:
eng:
cards,
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
blind
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
enjoyed
rus:
eng:
meal
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
fish
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
rice,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
laughing
rus:
eng:
children
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
turns
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
ride
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
legless
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
trolley.
rus:
Prabaker
was
stealing
sideways
glances
at
my
face
as
we
walked.
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
stealing
rus:
eng:
sideways
rus:
eng:
glances
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
walked.
rus:
‘How
are
you
liking
our
Bombay?’
eng:
‘How
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
liking
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
Bombay?’
rus:
‘I
love
it,’
I
answered,
and
it
was
true.
To
my
eyes,
the
city
was
beautiful.
It
was
wild
and
exciting.
Buildings
that
were
British
Raj-romantic
stood
side
to
side
with
modern,
mirrored
business
towers.
The
haphazard
slouch
of
neglected
tenements
crumbled
into
lavish
displays
of
market
vegetables
and
silks.
I
heard
music
from
every
shop
and
passing
taxi.
The
colours
were
vibrant.
The
fragrances
were
dizzyingly
delicious.
And
there
were
more
smiles
in
the
eyes
on
those
crowded
streets
than
in
any
other
place
I’d
ever
known.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
love
rus:
eng:
it,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
answered,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
true.
rus:
eng:
To
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eyes,
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
beautiful.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
wild
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
exciting.
rus:
eng:
Buildings
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
British
rus:
eng:
Raj-romantic
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
modern,
rus:
eng:
mirrored
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
towers.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
haphazard
rus:
eng:
slouch
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
neglected
rus:
eng:
tenements
rus:
eng:
crumbled
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
lavish
rus:
eng:
displays
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
market
rus:
eng:
vegetables
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
silks.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
heard
rus:
eng:
music
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
shop
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
passing
rus:
eng:
taxi.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
colours
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
vibrant.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
fragrances
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
dizzyingly
rus:
eng:
delicious.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
smiles
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
crowded
rus:
eng:
streets
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
known.
rus:
Above
all
else,
Bombay
was
free—exhilaratingly
free.
I
saw
that
liberated,
unconstrained
spirit
wherever
I
looked,
and
I
found
myself
responding
to
it
with
the
whole
of
my
heart.
Even
the
flare
of
shame
I’d
felt
when
I
first
saw
the
slums
and
the
street
beggars
dissolved
in
the
understanding
that
they
were
free,
those
men
and
women.
No-one
drove
the
beggars
from
the
streets.
No-one
banished
the
slum-dwellers.
Painful
as
their
lives
were,
they
were
free
to
live
them
in
the
same
gardens
and
avenues
as
the
rich
and
powerful.
They
were
free.
The
city
was
free.
I
loved
it.
eng:
Above
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
else,
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
free—exhilaratingly
rus:
eng:
free.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
saw
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
liberated,
rus:
eng:
unconstrained
rus:
eng:
spirit
rus:
eng:
wherever
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
looked,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
found
rus:
eng:
myself
rus:
eng:
responding
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
heart.
rus:
eng:
Even
rus:
eng:
flare
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
shame
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
felt
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
saw
rus:
eng:
slums
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
beggars
rus:
eng:
dissolved
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
understanding
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
free,
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
women.
rus:
eng:
No-one
rus:
eng:
drove
rus:
eng:
beggars
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
streets.
rus:
eng:
No-one
rus:
eng:
banished
rus:
eng:
slum-dwellers.
rus:
eng:
Painful
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
lives
rus:
eng:
were,
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
free
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
live
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
same
rus:
eng:
gardens
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
avenues
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
rich
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
powerful.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
free.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
free.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
loved
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
Yet
I
was
a
little
unnerved
by
the
density
of
purposes,
the
carnival
of
needs
and
greeds,
the
sheer
intensity
of
the
pleading
and
the
scheming
on
the
street.
I
spoke
none
of
the
languages
I
heard.
I
knew
nothing
of
the
cultures
there,
clothed
in
robes
and
saris
and
turbans.
It
was
as
if
I’d
found
myself
in
a
performance
of
some
extravagant,
complex
drama,
and
I
didn’t
have
a
script.
But
I
smiled,
and
smiling
was
easy,
no
matter
how
strange
and
disorienting
the
street
seemed
to
be.
I
was
a
fugitive.
I
was
a
wanted
man,
a
hunted
man,
with
a
price
on
my
head.
And
I
was
still
one
step
ahead
of
them.
I
was
free.
Every
day,
when
you’re
on
the
run,
is
the
whole
of
your
life.
Every
free
minute
is
a
short
story
with
a
happy
ending.
eng:
Yet
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
unnerved
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
density
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
purposes,
rus:
eng:
carnival
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
needs
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
greeds,
rus:
eng:
sheer
rus:
eng:
intensity
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
pleading
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
scheming
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
street.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
spoke
rus:
eng:
none
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
languages
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
heard.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
knew
rus:
eng:
nothing
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
cultures
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
clothed
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
robes
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
saris
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
turbans.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
found
rus:
eng:
myself
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
performance
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
extravagant,
rus:
eng:
complex
rus:
eng:
drama,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
script.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
smiled,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smiling
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
easy,
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
matter
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
strange
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
disorienting
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
be.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
fugitive.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
wanted
rus:
eng:
man,
rus:
eng:
hunted
rus:
eng:
man,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
price
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
head.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
still
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
step
rus:
eng:
ahead
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
free.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
day,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
you’re
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
run,
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
life.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
free
rus:
eng:
minute
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
story
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
happy
rus:
eng:
ending.
rus:
And
I
was
glad
of
Prabaker’s
company.
I
noticed
that
he
was
well
known
on
the
street,
that
he
was
greeted
frequently
and
with
considerable
warmth
by
a
wide
range
of
people.
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
glad
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Prabaker’s
rus:
eng:
company.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
noticed
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
well
rus:
eng:
known
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
street,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
greeted
rus:
eng:
frequently
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
considerable
rus:
eng:
warmth
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
wide
rus:
eng:
range
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
people.
rus:
‘You
must
be
hungry,
Mr.
Lindsay,’
Prabaker
observed.
‘You
are
a
happy
fellow,
don’t
mind
I’m
saying
it,
and
happy
always
has
it
the
good
appetites.’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
must
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
hungry,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
observed.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
happy
rus:
eng:
fellow,
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
mind
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
saying
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
happy
rus:
eng:
always
rus:
eng:
has
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
appetites.’
rus:
‘Well,
I’m
hungry
enough,
all
right.
Where
is
this
place
we’re
going
to,
anyway?
If
I’d
known
it
would
take
this
long
to
get
to
the
restaurant,
I
would’ve
brought
a
cut
lunch
with
me.’
eng:
‘Well,
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
hungry
rus:
eng:
enough,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
right.
rus:
eng:
Where
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
we’re
rus:
eng:
going
rus:
eng:
to,
rus:
eng:
anyway?
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
known
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
restaurant,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
would’ve
rus:
eng:
brought
rus:
eng:
cut
rus:
eng:
lunch
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
me.’
rus:
‘Just
a
little
bit
not
much
too
very
far,’
he
replied
cheerfully.
eng:
‘Just
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
bit
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
far,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
replied
rus:
eng:
cheerfully.
rus:
‘Okay
…’
eng:
‘Okay
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!
I
will
take
you
to
the
best
restaurant,
and
with
the
finest
Maharashtra
foods.
You
will
enjoy,
no
problem.
All
the
Bombay
guides
like
me
eat
their
foods
there.
This
place
is
so
good,
they
only
have
to
pay
the
police
half
of
usual
baksheesh
money.
So
good
they
are.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
restaurant,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
finest
rus:
eng:
Maharashtra
rus:
eng:
foods.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
enjoy,
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
problem.
rus:
eng:
All
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
guides
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
eat
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
foods
rus:
eng:
there.
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
good,
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
pay
rus:
eng:
police
rus:
eng:
half
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
usual
rus:
eng:
baksheesh
rus:
eng:
money.
rus:
eng:
So
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
are.’
rus:
‘Okay
…’
eng:
‘Okay
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!
But
first,
let
me
get
it
Indian
cigarette
for
you,
and
for
me
also.
Here,
we
stop
now.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
first,
rus:
eng:
let
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
cigarette
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
you,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
also.
rus:
eng:
Here,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
stop
rus:
eng:
now.’
rus:
He
led
me
to
a
street
stall
that
was
no
more
than
a
folding
card
table,
with
a
dozen
brands
of
cigarettes
arranged
in
a
cardboard
box.
On
the
table
there
was
a
large
brass
tray,
carrying
several
small
silver
dishes.
The
dishes
contained
shredded
coconut,
spices,
and
an
assortment
of
unidentifiable
pastes.
A
bucket
beside
the
card
table
was
filled
with
spear-shaped
leaves,
floating
in
water.
The
cigarette
seller
was
drying
the
leaves,
smearing
them
with
various
pastes,
filling
them
with
ground
dates,
coconut,
betel,
and
spices,
and
rolling
them
into
small
packages.
The
many
customers
crowded
around
his
stall
purchased
the
leaves
as
fast
as
his
dexterous
hands
could
fill
them.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
led
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
stall
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
folding
rus:
eng:
card
rus:
eng:
table,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
dozen
rus:
eng:
brands
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
cigarettes
rus:
eng:
arranged
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
cardboard
rus:
eng:
box.
rus:
eng:
On
rus:
eng:
table
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
large
rus:
eng:
brass
rus:
eng:
tray,
rus:
eng:
carrying
rus:
eng:
several
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
silver
rus:
eng:
dishes.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
dishes
rus:
eng:
contained
rus:
eng:
shredded
rus:
eng:
coconut,
rus:
eng:
spices,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
assortment
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
unidentifiable
rus:
eng:
pastes.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
bucket
rus:
eng:
beside
rus:
eng:
card
rus:
eng:
table
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
filled
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
spear-shaped
rus:
eng:
leaves,
rus:
eng:
floating
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
water.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
cigarette
rus:
eng:
seller
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
drying
rus:
eng:
leaves,
rus:
eng:
smearing
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
various
rus:
eng:
pastes,
rus:
eng:
filling
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
ground
rus:
eng:
dates,
rus:
eng:
coconut,
rus:
eng:
betel,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
spices,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
rolling
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
packages.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
customers
rus:
eng:
crowded
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
stall
rus:
eng:
purchased
rus:
eng:
leaves
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
fast
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
dexterous
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
could
rus:
eng:
fill
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
Prabaker
pressed
close
to
the
man,
waiting
for
a
chance
to
make
his
order.
Craning
my
neck
to
watch
him
through
the
thicket
of
customers,
I
moved
closer
toward
the
edge
of
the
footpath.
As
I
took
a
step
down
onto
the
road,
I
heard
an
urgent
shout.
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
pressed
rus:
eng:
close
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
man,
rus:
eng:
waiting
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
chance
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
order.
rus:
eng:
Craning
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
neck
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
watch
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
through
rus:
eng:
thicket
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
customers,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
moved
rus:
eng:
closer
rus:
eng:
toward
rus:
eng:
edge
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
footpath.
rus:
eng:
As
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
step
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
onto
rus:
eng:
road,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
heard
rus:
eng:
urgent
rus:
eng:
shout.
rus:
‘Look
out!’
eng:
‘Look
rus:
eng:
out!’
rus:
Two
hands
grasped
my
arm
at
the
elbow
and
jerked
me
back,
just
as
a
huge,
fast-moving,
double-decker
bus
swept
past.
The
bus
would’ve
killed
me
if
those
hands
hadn’t
halted
me
in
my
stride,
and
I
swung
round
to
face
my
saviour.
She
was
the
most
beautiful
woman
I’d
ever
seen.
She
was
slender,
with
black,
shoulder-length
hair,
and
pale
skin.
Although
she
wasn’t
tall,
her
square
shoulders
and
straight-backed
posture,
with
both
feet
planted
firmly
apart,
gave
her
a
quietly
determined
physical
presence.
She
was
wearing
silk
pants,
bound
tightly
at
the
ankles,
black
low-heeled
shoes,
a
loose
cotton
shirt,
and
a
large,
long
silk
shawl.
She
wore
the
shawl
backwards,
with
the
double-mane
of
the
liquid
fabric
twirling
and
fluttering
at
her
back.
All
her
clothes
were
in
different
shades
of
green.
eng:
Two
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
grasped
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
arm
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
elbow
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
jerked
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
back,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
huge,
rus:
eng:
fast-moving,
rus:
eng:
double-decker
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
swept
rus:
eng:
past.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
would’ve
rus:
eng:
killed
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
hadn’t
rus:
eng:
halted
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
stride,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
swung
rus:
eng:
round
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
saviour.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
beautiful
rus:
eng:
woman
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
seen.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
slender,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
black,
rus:
eng:
shoulder-length
rus:
eng:
hair,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pale
rus:
eng:
skin.
rus:
eng:
Although
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
wasn’t
rus:
eng:
tall,
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
square
rus:
eng:
shoulders
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
straight-backed
rus:
eng:
posture,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
both
rus:
eng:
feet
rus:
eng:
planted
rus:
eng:
firmly
rus:
eng:
apart,
rus:
eng:
gave
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
quietly
rus:
eng:
determined
rus:
eng:
physical
rus:
eng:
presence.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
wearing
rus:
eng:
silk
rus:
eng:
pants,
rus:
eng:
bound
rus:
eng:
tightly
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
ankles,
rus:
eng:
black
rus:
eng:
low-heeled
rus:
eng:
shoes,
rus:
eng:
loose
rus:
eng:
cotton
rus:
eng:
shirt,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
large,
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
silk
rus:
eng:
shawl.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
wore
rus:
eng:
shawl
rus:
eng:
backwards,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
double-mane
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
liquid
rus:
eng:
fabric
rus:
eng:
twirling
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
fluttering
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
back.
rus:
eng:
All
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
clothes
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
different
rus:
eng:
shades
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
green.
rus:
The
clue
to
everything
a
man
should
love
and
fear
in
her
was
there,
right
from
the
start,
in
the
ironic
smile
that
primed
and
swelled
the
archery
of
her
full
lips.
There
was
pride
in
that
smile,
and
confidence
in
the
set
of
her
fine
nose.
Without
understanding
why,
I
knew
beyond
question
that
a
lot
of
people
would
mistake
her
pride
for
arrogance,
and
confuse
her
confidence
with
impassivity.
I
didn’t
make
that
mistake.
My
eyes
were
lost,
swimming,
floating
free
in
the
shimmering
lagoon
of
her
steady,
even
stare.
Her
eyes
were
large
and
spectacularly
green.
It
was
the
green
that
trees
are,
in
vivid
dreams.
It
was
the
green
that
the
sea
would
be,
if
the
sea
were
perfect.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
clue
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
everything
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
should
rus:
eng:
love
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
fear
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
start,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
ironic
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
primed
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
swelled
rus:
eng:
archery
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
lips.
rus:
eng:
There
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
pride
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
smile,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
confidence
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
set
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
fine
rus:
eng:
nose.
rus:
eng:
Without
rus:
eng:
understanding
rus:
eng:
why,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
knew
rus:
eng:
beyond
rus:
eng:
question
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
mistake
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
pride
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
arrogance,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
confuse
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
confidence
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
impassivity.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
mistake.
rus:
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
lost,
rus:
eng:
swimming,
rus:
eng:
floating
rus:
eng:
free
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
shimmering
rus:
eng:
lagoon
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
steady,
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
stare.
rus:
eng:
Her
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
large
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
spectacularly
rus:
eng:
green.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
green
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
trees
rus:
eng:
are,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
vivid
rus:
eng:
dreams.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
green
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
sea
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
be,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
sea
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
perfect.
rus:
Her
hand
was
still
resting
in
the
curve
of
my
arm,
near
the
elbow.
The
touch
was
exactly
what
the
touch
of
a
lover’s
hand
should
be:
familiar,
yet
exciting
as
a
whispered
promise.
I
felt
an
almost
irresistible
urge
to
take
her
hand
and
place
it
flat
against
my
chest,
near
my
heart.
Maybe
I
should’ve
done
it.
I
know
now
that
she
would’ve
laughed,
if
I’d
done
it,
and
she
would’ve
liked
me
for
it.
But
strangers
that
we
were
then,
we
stood
for
five
long
seconds
and
held
the
stare,
while
all
the
parallel
worlds,
all
the
parallel
lives
that
might’ve
been,
and
never
would
be,
whirled
around
us.
Then
she
spoke.
eng:
Her
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
still
rus:
eng:
resting
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
curve
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
arm,
rus:
eng:
near
rus:
eng:
elbow.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
touch
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
exactly
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
touch
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
lover’s
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
should
rus:
eng:
be:
rus:
eng:
familiar,
rus:
eng:
yet
rus:
eng:
exciting
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
whispered
rus:
eng:
promise.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
felt
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
irresistible
rus:
eng:
urge
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
flat
rus:
eng:
against
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
chest,
rus:
eng:
near
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
heart.
rus:
eng:
Maybe
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
should’ve
rus:
eng:
done
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
now
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
would’ve
rus:
eng:
laughed,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
done
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
would’ve
rus:
eng:
liked
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
strangers
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
stood
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
seconds
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
held
rus:
eng:
stare,
rus:
eng:
while
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
parallel
rus:
eng:
worlds,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
parallel
rus:
eng:
lives
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
might’ve
rus:
eng:
been,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
be,
rus:
eng:
whirled
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
us.
rus:
eng:
Then
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
spoke.
rus:
‘That
was
close.
You’re
lucky.’
eng:
‘That
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
close.
rus:
eng:
You’re
rus:
eng:
lucky.’
rus:
‘Yes,’
I
smiled.
‘I
am.’
eng:
‘Yes,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
smiled.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
am.’
rus:
Her
hand
slowly
left
my
arm.
It
was
an
easy,
relaxed
gesture,
but
I
felt
the
detachment
from
her
as
sharply
as
if
I’d
been
roughly
woken
from
a
deep
and
happy
dream.
I
leaned
toward
her,
looking
behind
her
to
the
left
and
then
to
the
right.
eng:
Her
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
slowly
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
arm.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
easy,
rus:
eng:
relaxed
rus:
eng:
gesture,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
felt
rus:
eng:
detachment
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
sharply
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
roughly
rus:
eng:
woken
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
deep
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
happy
rus:
eng:
dream.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
leaned
rus:
eng:
toward
rus:
eng:
her,
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
right.
rus:
‘What
is
it?’
she
asked.
eng:
‘What
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
asked.
rus:
‘I’m
looking
for
your
wings.
You
are
my
guardian
angel,
aren’t
you?’
eng:
‘I’m
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
wings.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
guardian
rus:
eng:
angel,
rus:
eng:
aren’t
rus:
eng:
you?’
rus:
‘I’m
afraid
not,’
she
replied,
her
cheeks
dimpling
with
a
wry
smile.
‘There’s
too
much
of
the
devil
in
me
for
that.’
eng:
‘I’m
rus:
eng:
afraid
rus:
eng:
not,’
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
replied,
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
cheeks
rus:
eng:
dimpling
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
wry
rus:
eng:
smile.
rus:
eng:
‘There’s
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
devil
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
that.’
rus:
‘Just
how
much
devil,’
I
grinned,
‘are
we
talking
about
here?’
eng:
‘Just
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
devil,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
grinned,
rus:
eng:
‘are
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
talking
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
here?’
rus:
Some
people
were
standing
in
a
group,
on
the
far
side
of
the
stall.
One
of
them—a
handsome,
athletic
man
in
his
mid-twenties—stepped
to
the
road
and
called
to
her.
‘Karla!
Come
on,
yaar!
eng:
Some
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
standing
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
group,
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
far
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
stall.
rus:
eng:
One
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
them—a
rus:
eng:
handsome,
rus:
eng:
athletic
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
mid-twenties—stepped
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
road
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
her.
rus:
eng:
‘Karla!
rus:
eng:
Come
rus:
eng:
on,
rus:
eng:
yaar!
rus:
She
turned
and
waved
to
him,
then
held
out
her
hand
to
shake
mine
with
a
grip
that
was
firm,
but
emotionally
indeterminable.
Her
smile
was
just
as
ambiguous.
She
might’ve
liked
me,
or
she
might’ve
just
been
happy
to
say
goodbye.
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
waved
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
held
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
shake
rus:
eng:
mine
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
grip
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
firm,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
emotionally
rus:
eng:
indeterminable.
rus:
eng:
Her
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
ambiguous.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
might’ve
rus:
eng:
liked
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
might’ve
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
happy
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
say
rus:
eng:
goodbye.
rus:
‘You
still
haven’t
answered
my
question,’
I
said,
as
her
hand
slipped
from
mine.
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
still
rus:
eng:
haven’t
rus:
eng:
answered
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
question,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
slipped
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
mine.
rus:
‘How
much
devil
have
I
got
in
me?’
she
answered
me,
the
half-smile
teasing
her
lips.
‘That’s
a
very
personal
question.
Come
to
think
of
it,
that
might
just
be
the
most
personal
question
anyone
ever
asked
me.
But,
hey,
if
you
come
to
Leopold’s,
some
time,
you
could
find
out.’
eng:
‘How
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
devil
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
got
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
me?’
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
answered
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
half-smile
rus:
eng:
teasing
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
lips.
rus:
eng:
‘That’s
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
personal
rus:
eng:
question.
rus:
eng:
Come
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
might
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
personal
rus:
eng:
question
rus:
eng:
anyone
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
asked
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
But,
rus:
eng:
hey,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Leopold’s,
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
could
rus:
eng:
find
rus:
eng:
out.’
rus:
Her
friends
had
moved
to
our
side
of
the
little
stand,
and
she
left
me
to
join
them.
They
were
all
Indians,
all
young,
and
dressed
in
the
clean,
fashionably
western
clothes
of
the
middle
class.
They
laughed
often
and
leaned
against
one
another
familiarly,
but
no-one
touched
Karla.
She
seemed
to
project
an
aura
that
was
attractive
and
inviolable
at
the
same
time.
I
moved
closer,
pretending
to
be
intrigued
by
the
cigarette
seller’s
work
with
his
leaves
and
pastes.
I
listened
as
she
spoke
to
them,
but
I
couldn’t
understand
the
language.
Her
voice,
in
that
language
and
in
that
conversation,
was
surprisingly
deep
and
sonorous;
the
hairs
on
my
arms
tingled
in
response
to
the
sound
of
it.
And
I
suppose
that,
too,
should’ve
been
a
warning.
The
voice,
Afghan
matchmakers
say,
is
more
than
half
of
love.
But
I
didn’t
know
that
then,
and
my
heart
rushed
in,
where
even
matchmakers
might’ve
feared
to
tread.
eng:
Her
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
moved
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
stand,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
join
rus:
eng:
them.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
Indians,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
young,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
dressed
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
clean,
rus:
eng:
fashionably
rus:
eng:
western
rus:
eng:
clothes
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
middle
rus:
eng:
class.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
laughed
rus:
eng:
often
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
leaned
rus:
eng:
against
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
familiarly,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
no-one
rus:
eng:
touched
rus:
eng:
Karla.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
project
rus:
eng:
aura
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
attractive
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
inviolable
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
same
rus:
eng:
time.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
moved
rus:
eng:
closer,
rus:
eng:
pretending
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
intrigued
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
cigarette
rus:
eng:
seller’s
rus:
eng:
work
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
leaves
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pastes.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
listened
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
spoke
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
them,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
couldn’t
rus:
eng:
understand
rus:
eng:
language.
rus:
eng:
Her
rus:
eng:
voice,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
language
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
conversation,
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
surprisingly
rus:
eng:
deep
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
sonorous;
rus:
eng:
hairs
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
arms
rus:
eng:
tingled
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
response
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
sound
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
suppose
rus:
eng:
that,
rus:
eng:
too,
rus:
eng:
should’ve
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
warning.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
voice,
rus:
eng:
Afghan
rus:
eng:
matchmakers
rus:
eng:
say,
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
half
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
love.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
rushed
rus:
eng:
in,
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
matchmakers
rus:
eng:
might’ve
rus:
eng:
feared
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
tread.
rus:
‘See,
Mr.
Lindsay,
I
bought
it
just
two
cigarettes
for
us,’
Prabaker
said,
rejoining
me
and
offering
one
of
the
cigarettes
with
a
flourish.
‘This
is
India,
country
of
the
poor
fellows.
No
need
for
buying
whole
packet
of
cigarettes
here.
Just
one
cigarette,
you
can
buy
only.
And
no
need
for
buying
it
any
matches.’
eng:
‘See,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
bought
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
cigarettes
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
us,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
rejoining
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
offering
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
cigarettes
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
flourish.
rus:
eng:
‘This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
India,
rus:
eng:
country
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
poor
rus:
eng:
fellows.
rus:
eng:
No
rus:
eng:
need
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
buying
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
packet
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
cigarettes
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
Just
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
cigarette,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
buy
rus:
eng:
only.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
need
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
buying
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
matches.’
rus:
He
leaned
forward
and
took
up
a
length
of
smouldering
hemp
rope
that
was
hanging
from
a
hook
on
the
telegraph
pole,
next
to
the
cigarette
stall.
Prabaker
blew
the
ash
from
the
end
of
it,
exposing
a
little
orange
ember
of
fire,
which
he
used
to
puff
his
cigarette
alight.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
leaned
rus:
eng:
forward
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
length
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
smouldering
rus:
eng:
hemp
rus:
eng:
rope
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
hanging
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
hook
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
telegraph
rus:
eng:
pole,
rus:
eng:
next
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
cigarette
rus:
eng:
stall.
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
blew
rus:
eng:
ash
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
end
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
exposing
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
orange
rus:
eng:
ember
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
fire,
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
used
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
puff
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
cigarette
rus:
eng:
alight.
rus:
‘What
is
he
making?
What
are
they
chewing
in
those
leaves?’
eng:
‘What
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
making?
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
chewing
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
leaves?’
rus:
‘Is
called
paan.
A
most
very
excellent
taste
and
chewing
it
is.
Everyone
in
Bombay
is
chewing
and
spitting,
chewing
and
more
spitting,
no
problem,
day
and
night
also.
Very
good
for
health
it
is,
plenty
of
chewing
and
full
spitting.
You
want
to
try
it?
I
will
get
it
for
you
some.’
eng:
‘Is
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
paan.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
excellent
rus:
eng:
taste
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
chewing
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is.
rus:
eng:
Everyone
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
chewing
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
spitting,
rus:
eng:
chewing
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
spitting,
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
problem,
rus:
eng:
day
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
night
rus:
eng:
also.
rus:
eng:
Very
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
health
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is,
rus:
eng:
plenty
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
chewing
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
spitting.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
try
rus:
eng:
it?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
some.’
rus:
I
nodded
and
let
him
make
the
order,
not
so
much
for
the
new
experience
of
the
paan
as
for
the
excuse
it
offered
to
stand
there
longer,
and
look
at
Karla.
She
was
so
relaxed
and
at
home,
so
much
a
part
of
the
street
and
its
inscrutable
lore.
What
I
found
bewildering,
all
around
me,
seemed
to
be
mundane
for
her.
I
was
reminded
of
the
foreigner
in
the
slum—the
man
I’d
seen
from
the
window
of
the
bus.
Like
him,
she
seemed
calm
and
content
in
Bombay.
She
seemed
to
belong.
I
envied
her
the
warmth
and
acceptance
she
drew
from
those
around
her.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
nodded
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
let
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
order,
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
experience
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
paan
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
excuse
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
offered
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
stand
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
longer,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Karla.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
relaxed
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
home,
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
part
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
its
rus:
eng:
inscrutable
rus:
eng:
lore.
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
found
rus:
eng:
bewildering,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
mundane
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
her.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
reminded
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
foreigner
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
slum—the
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
seen
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
window
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
bus.
rus:
eng:
Like
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
calm
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
content
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
belong.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
envied
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
warmth
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
acceptance
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
drew
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
her.
rus:
But
more
than
that,
my
eyes
were
drawn
to
her
perfect
loveliness.
I
looked
at
her,
a
stranger,
and
every
other
breath
strained
to
force
its
way
from
my
chest.
A
clamp
like
a
tightening
fist
seized
my
heart.
A
voice
in
my
blood
said
yes,
yes,
yes
…
The
ancient
Sanskrit
legends
speak
of
a
destined
love,
a
karmic
connection
between
souls
that
are
fated
to
meet
and
collide
and
enrapture
one
another.
The
legends
say
that
the
loved
one
is
instantly
recognised
because
she’s
loved
in
every
gesture,
every
expression
of
thought,
every
movement,
every
sound,
and
every
mood
that
prays
in
her
eyes.
The
legends
say
that
we
know
her
by
her
wings—the
wings
that
only
we
can
see—and
because
wanting
her
kills
every
other
desire
of
love.
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
that,
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
drawn
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
perfect
rus:
eng:
loveliness.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
her,
rus:
eng:
stranger,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
breath
rus:
eng:
strained
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
force
rus:
eng:
its
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
chest.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
clamp
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
tightening
rus:
eng:
fist
rus:
eng:
seized
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
heart.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
voice
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
blood
rus:
eng:
said
rus:
eng:
yes,
rus:
eng:
yes,
rus:
eng:
yes
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
ancient
rus:
eng:
Sanskrit
rus:
eng:
legends
rus:
eng:
speak
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
destined
rus:
eng:
love,
rus:
eng:
karmic
rus:
eng:
connection
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
souls
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
fated
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
meet
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
collide
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
enrapture
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
another.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
legends
rus:
eng:
say
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
loved
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
instantly
rus:
eng:
recognised
rus:
eng:
because
rus:
eng:
she’s
rus:
eng:
loved
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
gesture,
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
expression
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
thought,
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
movement,
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
sound,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
mood
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
prays
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
eyes.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
legends
rus:
eng:
say
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
wings—the
rus:
eng:
wings
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
see—and
rus:
eng:
because
rus:
eng:
wanting
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
kills
rus:
eng:
every
rus:
eng:
other
rus:
eng:
desire
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
love.
rus:
The
same
legends
also
carry
warnings
that
such
fated
love
may,
sometimes,
be
the
possession
and
the
obsession
of
one,
and
only
one,
of
the
two
souls
twinned
by
destiny.
But
wisdom,
in
one
sense,
is
the
opposite
of
love.
Love
survives
in
us
precisely
because
it
isn’t
wise.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
same
rus:
eng:
legends
rus:
eng:
also
rus:
eng:
carry
rus:
eng:
warnings
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
such
rus:
eng:
fated
rus:
eng:
love
rus:
eng:
may,
rus:
eng:
sometimes,
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
possession
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
obsession
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
one,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
one,
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
souls
rus:
eng:
twinned
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
destiny.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
wisdom,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
sense,
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
opposite
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
love.
rus:
eng:
Love
rus:
eng:
survives
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
precisely
rus:
eng:
because
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
isn’t
rus:
eng:
wise.
rus:
Ah,
you
look
that
girl,’
Prabaker
observed,
returning
with
the
paan
and
following
the
direction
of
my
gaze.
‘You
think
she
is
beautiful,
na?
Her
name
is
Karla.’
eng:
Ah,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
girl,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
observed,
rus:
eng:
returning
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
paan
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
following
rus:
eng:
direction
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
gaze.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
beautiful,
rus:
eng:
na?
rus:
eng:
Her
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Karla.’
rus:
‘You
know
her?’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
her?’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!
Karla
is
everybody
knows,’
he
replied,
in
a
stage
whisper
so
loud
that
I
feared
she
might
hear.
‘You
want
to
meet
her?’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!
rus:
eng:
Karla
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
everybody
rus:
eng:
knows,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
replied,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
stage
rus:
eng:
whisper
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
loud
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
feared
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
might
rus:
eng:
hear.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
meet
rus:
eng:
her?’
rus:
‘Meet
her?’
eng:
‘Meet
rus:
eng:
her?’
rus:
‘If
you
want
it,
I
will
speak
to
her.
You
want
her
to
be
your
friend?’
eng:
‘If
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
speak
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
her.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
friend?’
rus:
‘What?’
eng:
‘What?’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!
Karla
is
my
friend,
and
she
will
be
your
friend
also,
I
think
so.
Maybe
you
will
make
a
lot
of
money
for
your
very
good
self,
in
business
with
Karla.
Maybe
you
will
become
such
good
and
closely
friends
that
you
will
have
it
a
lot
of
sexes
together,
and
make
a
full
enjoyment
of
your
bodies.
I
am
sure
you
will
have
a
friendly
pleasure.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!
rus:
eng:
Karla
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
friend,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
friend
rus:
eng:
also,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
so.
rus:
eng:
Maybe
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
self,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
Karla.
rus:
eng:
Maybe
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
become
rus:
eng:
such
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
closely
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
sexes
rus:
eng:
together,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
full
rus:
eng:
enjoyment
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
bodies.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
sure
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
friendly
rus:
eng:
pleasure.’
rus:
He
was
actually
rubbing
his
hands
together.
The
red
juices
of
the
paan
stained
the
teeth
and
lips
of
his
smile.
I
had
to
grasp
at
his
arm
to
stop
him
from
approaching
her,
there,
in
the
group
of
her
friends.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
actually
rus:
eng:
rubbing
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
together.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
red
rus:
eng:
juices
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
paan
rus:
eng:
stained
rus:
eng:
teeth
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
lips
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
smile.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
grasp
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
arm
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
stop
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
approaching
rus:
eng:
her,
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
group
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
friends.
rus:
‘No!
Stop!
For
Christ’s
sake,
keep
your
voice
down,
Prabaker.
If
I
want
to
speak
to
her,
I’ll
do
it
myself.’
eng:
‘No!
rus:
eng:
Stop!
rus:
eng:
For
rus:
eng:
Christ’s
rus:
eng:
sake,
rus:
eng:
keep
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
voice
rus:
eng:
down,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
speak
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
her,
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
myself.’
rus:
‘Oh,
I
am
understand,’
he
said,
looking
abashed.
‘It
is
what
foreigners
are
calling
foreplay,
isn’t
it?’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
understand,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
abashed.
rus:
eng:
‘It
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
foreigners
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
calling
rus:
eng:
foreplay,
rus:
eng:
isn’t
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
‘No!
Foreplay
is
…
never
mind
what
foreplay
is!’
eng:
‘No!
rus:
eng:
Foreplay
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
mind
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
foreplay
rus:
eng:
is!’
rus:
‘Oh,
good!
I
never
mind
about
the
foreplays,
Mr.
Lindsay.
I
am
an
Indian
fellow,
and
we
Indian
fellows,
we
don’t
worry
about
the
foreplayings.
We
go
straight
to
the
bumping
and
jumping.
Oh
yes!’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
good!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
mind
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
foreplays,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
fellow,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
fellows,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
worry
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
foreplayings.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
straight
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
bumping
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
jumping.
rus:
eng:
Oh
rus:
eng:
yes!’
rus:
He
was
holding
an
imaginary
woman
in
his
hands
and
thrusting
his
narrow
hips
at
her,
smiling
that
red-juiced
smile
all
the
while.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
holding
rus:
eng:
imaginary
rus:
eng:
woman
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
hands
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
thrusting
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
narrow
rus:
eng:
hips
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
her,
rus:
eng:
smiling
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
red-juiced
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
while.
rus:
‘Will
you
stop
that!’
I
snapped,
looking
up
to
see
if
Karla
and
her
friends
were
watching
him.
eng:
‘Will
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
stop
rus:
eng:
that!’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
snapped,
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
Karla
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
watching
rus:
eng:
him.
rus:
‘Okay
Mr.
Lindsay,’
he
sighed,
slowing
his
rhythmic
thrusts
until
they
stopped
altogether.
‘But,
I
can
still
make
a
good
offer
of
your
friendship
to
the
Miss
Karla,
if
you
like?’
eng:
‘Okay
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
sighed,
rus:
eng:
slowing
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
rhythmic
rus:
eng:
thrusts
rus:
eng:
until
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
stopped
rus:
eng:
altogether.
rus:
eng:
‘But,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
still
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
offer
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
friendship
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Miss
rus:
eng:
Karla,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
like?’
rus:
‘No!
I
mean—no,
thank
you.
I
don’t
want
to
proposition
her.
I
…
Oh
God,
what’s
the
use.
Just
tell
me
…
the
man
who’s
talking
now—what
language
is
he
speaking?’
eng:
‘No!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
mean—no,
rus:
eng:
thank
rus:
eng:
you.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
proposition
rus:
eng:
her.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
Oh
rus:
eng:
God,
rus:
eng:
what’s
rus:
eng:
use.
rus:
eng:
Just
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
who’s
rus:
eng:
talking
rus:
eng:
now—what
rus:
eng:
language
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
speaking?’
rus:
‘He
is
speaking
Hindi
language,
Mr.
Lindsay.
You
wait
one
minute,
I
will
tell
you
what
is
it
he
is
saying.’
eng:
‘He
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
speaking
rus:
eng:
Hindi
rus:
eng:
language,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
wait
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
minute,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
saying.’
rus:
He
moved
to
the
far
side
of
the
stall
and
joined
her
group
quite
unself-consciously,
leaning
in
to
listen.
No-one
paid
any
attention
to
him.
He
nodded,
laughed
with
the
others,
and
returned
after
a
few
minutes.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
moved
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
far
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
stall
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
group
rus:
eng:
quite
rus:
eng:
unself-consciously,
rus:
eng:
leaning
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
listen.
rus:
eng:
No-one
rus:
eng:
paid
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
attention
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
him.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
nodded,
rus:
eng:
laughed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
others,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
returned
rus:
eng:
after
rus:
eng:
few
rus:
eng:
minutes.
rus:
‘He
is
telling
it
one
very
funny
story,
about
an
inspector
of
Bombay
Police,
a
very
great
powerful
fellow
in
this
area.
That
inspector
did
lock
up
a
very
clever
fellow
in
his
jail,
but
the
clever
fellow,
he
did
convince
the
inspector
to
let
him
out
again,
because
he
told
the
inspector
he
had
some
gold
and
jewels.
Not
only
that,
but
when
he
was
free,
the
clever
fellow
sold
the
inspector
some
of
the
gold
and
some
jewels.
But
they
were
not
really
gold
and
not
really
jewels.
They
were
the
imitations,
and
very
cheaply
not
the
really
things.
And
the
worst
mischief,
the
clever
fellow
lived
in
the
inspector’s
house
for
one
week
before
he
sold
the
not-really
jewels.
And
there
is
a
big
rumour
that
the
clever
fellow
had
sexy
business
with
that
inspector’s
wife.
Now
the
inspector
is
crazy,
and
so
much
angry,
that
everybody
is
running
when
they
see
him.’
eng:
‘He
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
telling
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
funny
rus:
eng:
story,
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
inspector
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
Police,
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
powerful
rus:
eng:
fellow
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
area.
rus:
eng:
That
rus:
eng:
inspector
rus:
eng:
did
rus:
eng:
lock
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
clever
rus:
eng:
fellow
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
jail,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
clever
rus:
eng:
fellow,
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
did
rus:
eng:
convince
rus:
eng:
inspector
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
let
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
again,
rus:
eng:
because
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
told
rus:
eng:
inspector
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
gold
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
jewels.
rus:
eng:
Not
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
that,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
free,
rus:
eng:
clever
rus:
eng:
fellow
rus:
eng:
sold
rus:
eng:
inspector
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
gold
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
jewels.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
gold
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
jewels.
rus:
eng:
They
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
imitations,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
cheaply
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
things.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
worst
rus:
eng:
mischief,
rus:
eng:
clever
rus:
eng:
fellow
rus:
eng:
lived
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
inspector’s
rus:
eng:
house
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
week
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
sold
rus:
eng:
not-really
rus:
eng:
jewels.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
big
rus:
eng:
rumour
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
clever
rus:
eng:
fellow
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
sexy
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
inspector’s
rus:
eng:
wife.
rus:
eng:
Now
rus:
eng:
inspector
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
crazy,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
angry,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
everybody
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
running
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
him.’
rus:
‘How
do
you
know
her?
Does
she
live
here?’
eng:
‘How
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
her?
rus:
eng:
Does
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
live
rus:
eng:
here?’
rus:
‘Know
who,
Mr.
Lindsay—that
inspector’s
wife?’
eng:
‘Know
rus:
eng:
who,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay—that
rus:
eng:
inspector’s
rus:
eng:
wife?’
rus:
‘No,
of
course
not!
I
mean
the
girl—Karla.’
eng:
‘No,
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
course
rus:
eng:
not!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
mean
rus:
eng:
girl—Karla.’
rus:
‘You
know,’
he
mused,
frowning
hard
for
the
first
time,
‘there
are
a
lots
of
girls
in
this
Bombay.
We
are
only
five
minutes
from
your
hotel.
In
this
five
minutes,
we
have
seen
it
hundreds
of
girls.
In
five
minutes
more,
there
is
more
hundreds
of
girls.
Every
five
minutes,
more
hundreds
of
girls.
And
after
a
little
of
walking,
we
will
see
hundreds,
and
hundreds,
and
hundreds,
and
hundreds
—’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
know,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
mused,
rus:
eng:
frowning
rus:
eng:
hard
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
‘there
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
lots
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
girls
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
minutes
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
hotel.
rus:
eng:
In
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
minutes,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
seen
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
hundreds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
girls.
rus:
eng:
In
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
minutes
rus:
eng:
more,
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
hundreds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
girls.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
minutes,
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
hundreds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
girls.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
after
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
walking,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
hundreds,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hundreds,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hundreds,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
hundreds
rus:
eng:
—’
rus:
‘Oh,
hundreds
of
girls,
great!’
I
interrupted
sarcastically,
my
voice
much
louder
than
I’d
intended
it
to
be.
I
glanced
around.
Several
people
were
staring
at
me
with
undisguised
contempt.
I
continued,
in
a
hushed
tone.
‘I
don’t
want
to
know
about
hundreds
of
girls,
Prabaker.
I’m
just
…
curious
…
about
…
about
that
girl,
okay?’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
hundreds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
girls,
rus:
eng:
great!’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
interrupted
rus:
eng:
sarcastically,
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
voice
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
louder
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
intended
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
be.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
glanced
rus:
eng:
around.
rus:
eng:
Several
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
staring
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
undisguised
rus:
eng:
contempt.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
continued,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
hushed
rus:
eng:
tone.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
hundreds
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
girls,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker.
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
curious
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
girl,
rus:
eng:
okay?’
rus:
‘Okay
Mr.
Lindsay,
I
will
be
telling
you
everything.
Karla—she
is
a
famous
businessman
in
Bombay.
Very
long
she
is
here.
I
think
five
years
maybe.
She
has
one
small
house,
not
far.
Everybody
knows
the
Karla.’
eng:
‘Okay
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
telling
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
everything.
rus:
eng:
Karla—she
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
famous
rus:
eng:
businessman
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
Very
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
five
rus:
eng:
years
rus:
eng:
maybe.
rus:
eng:
She
rus:
eng:
has
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
house,
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
far.
rus:
eng:
Everybody
rus:
eng:
knows
rus:
eng:
Karla.’
rus:
‘Where
is
she
from?’
eng:
‘Where
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
from?’
rus:
‘I
think,
German,
or
something
like
that.’
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
think,
rus:
eng:
German,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
something
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
that.’
rus:
‘But
she
sounded
American.’
eng:
‘But
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
sounded
rus:
eng:
American.’
rus:
‘Yes,
is
sounding,
but
she
is
from
German,
or
like
to
the
German.
And
now,
anyway,
is
almost
very
Indian.
You
want
to
eat
your
foods
now?’
eng:
‘Yes,
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
sounding,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
German,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
German.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
now,
rus:
eng:
anyway,
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
Indian.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
eat
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
foods
rus:
eng:
now?’
rus:
‘Yeah,
just
a
minute.’
eng:
‘Yeah,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
minute.’
rus:
The
group
of
young
friends
called
out
their
goodbyes
to
others
near
the
paan
stand,
and
walked
off
into
the
mill
and
swirl
of
the
crowd.
Karla
joined
them,
walking
away
with
her
head
held
high
in
that
curiously
straight-backed,
almost
defiant
posture.
I
watched
her
until
she
was
swallowed
by
the
people-tide
of
the
crowds,
but
she
never
looked
back.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
group
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
young
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
goodbyes
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
others
rus:
eng:
near
rus:
eng:
paan
rus:
eng:
stand,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
walked
rus:
eng:
off
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
mill
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
swirl
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
crowd.
rus:
eng:
Karla
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
them,
rus:
eng:
walking
rus:
eng:
away
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
head
rus:
eng:
held
rus:
eng:
high
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
curiously
rus:
eng:
straight-backed,
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
defiant
rus:
eng:
posture.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
watched
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
until
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
swallowed
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
people-tide
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
crowds,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
looked
rus:
eng:
back.
rus:
‘Do
you
know
a
place
called
Leopold’s?’
I
asked
Prabaker
as
he
joined
me,
and
we
started
to
walk
once
more.
eng:
‘Do
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
Leopold’s?’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
asked
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
joined
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
started
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
walk
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
more.
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!
Wonderful
and
lovely
place
it
is,
Leopold’s
Beer
Bar.
Full
of
the
most
wonderful,
lovely
peoples,
the
very,
very
fine
and
lovely
people.
All
kind
of
foreigners
you
can
find
there,
all
making
good
business.
Sexy
business,
and
drugs
business,
and
money
business,
and
black-market
business,
and
naughty
pictures,
and
smuggler
business,
and
passport
business,
and
—’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!
rus:
eng:
Wonderful
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
lovely
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is,
rus:
eng:
Leopold’s
rus:
eng:
Beer
rus:
eng:
Bar.
rus:
eng:
Full
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
wonderful,
rus:
eng:
lovely
rus:
eng:
peoples,
rus:
eng:
very,
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
fine
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
lovely
rus:
eng:
people.
rus:
eng:
All
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
foreigners
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
find
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
making
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
business.
rus:
eng:
Sexy
rus:
eng:
business,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
drugs
rus:
eng:
business,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
business,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
black-market
rus:
eng:
business,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
naughty
rus:
eng:
pictures,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smuggler
rus:
eng:
business,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
passport
rus:
eng:
business,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
—’
rus:
‘Okay,
Prabaker,
I
get
it.’
eng:
‘Okay,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
it.’
rus:
‘You
want
to
go
there?’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
there?’
rus:
‘No.
Maybe
later.’
I
stopped
walking,
and
Prabaker
stopped
beside
me.
‘Listen,
what
do
your
friends
call
you?
I
mean,
what’s
your
name
for
short,
instead
of
Prabaker?’
eng:
‘No.
rus:
eng:
Maybe
rus:
eng:
later.’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
stopped
rus:
eng:
walking,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
stopped
rus:
eng:
beside
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
‘Listen,
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
friends
rus:
eng:
call
rus:
eng:
you?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
mean,
rus:
eng:
what’s
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
short,
rus:
eng:
instead
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Prabaker?’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes,
short
name
I
am
having
also.
My
short
name
is
Prabu.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes,
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
having
rus:
eng:
also.
rus:
eng:
My
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Prabu.’
rus:
‘Prabu
…
Hike
it.’
eng:
‘Prabu
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
Hike
rus:
eng:
it.’
rus:
‘It’s
meaning
the
Son
of
Light,
or
like
to
that.
Is
good
name,
yes?’
eng:
‘It’s
rus:
eng:
meaning
rus:
eng:
Son
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Light,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
that.
rus:
eng:
Is
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
yes?’
rus:
‘Is
good
name,
yes.’
eng:
‘Is
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
yes.’
rus:
‘And
your
good
name,
Mr.
Lindsay,
it
is
really
not
so
good,
if
you
don’t
mind
I’m
telling
your
face.
I
don’t
like
it
this
long
and
kind
of
a
squeaky
name,
for
Indian
people
speaking.’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lindsay,
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
good,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
mind
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
telling
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
face.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
kind
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
squeaky
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
speaking.’
rus:
‘Oh,
you
don’t?’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
don’t?’
rus:
‘Sorry
to
say
it,
no.
I
don’t.
Not
at
all.
Not
a
bit.
Not
even
a
teensy
or
a
weensy
—’
eng:
‘Sorry
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
say
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
no.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
don’t.
rus:
eng:
Not
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
all.
rus:
eng:
Not
rus:
eng:
bit.
rus:
eng:
Not
rus:
eng:
even
rus:
eng:
teensy
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
weensy
rus:
eng:
—’
rus:
‘Well,’
I
smiled,
‘I’m
afraid
there’s
not
a
lot
I
can
do
about
it.’
eng:
‘Well,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
smiled,
rus:
eng:
‘I’m
rus:
eng:
afraid
rus:
eng:
there’s
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
lot
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
it.’
rus:
‘I’m
thinking
that
a
short
name—Lin—is
much
better,’
he
suggested.
‘If
you’re
not
having
objections,
I
will
call
you
Lin.’
eng:
‘I’m
rus:
eng:
thinking
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
short
rus:
eng:
name—Lin—is
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
better,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
suggested.
rus:
eng:
‘If
rus:
eng:
you’re
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
having
rus:
eng:
objections,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
call
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
Lin.’
rus:
It
was
as
good
a
name
as
any,
and
no
more
or
less
false
than
the
dozen
others
I’d
assumed
since
the
escape.
In
fact,
in
recent
months
I’d
found
myself
reacting
with
a
quirky
fatalism
to
the
new
names
I
was
forced
to
adopt,
in
one
place
or
another,
and
to
the
new
names
that
others
gave
me.
Lin.
It
was
a
diminutive
I
never
could’ve
invented
for
myself.
But
it
sounded
right,
which
is
to
say
that
I
heard
the
voodoo
echo
of
something
ordained,
fated:
a
name
that
instantly
belonged
to
me,
as
surely
as
the
lost,
secret
name
with
which
I
was
born,
and
under
which
I’d
been
sentenced
to
twenty
years
in
prison.
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
any,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
less
rus:
eng:
false
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
dozen
rus:
eng:
others
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
assumed
rus:
eng:
since
rus:
eng:
escape.
rus:
eng:
In
rus:
eng:
fact,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
recent
rus:
eng:
months
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
found
rus:
eng:
myself
rus:
eng:
reacting
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
quirky
rus:
eng:
fatalism
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
names
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
forced
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
adopt,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
place
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
another,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
names
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
others
rus:
eng:
gave
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
Lin.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
diminutive
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
could’ve
rus:
eng:
invented
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
myself.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
sounded
rus:
eng:
right,
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
say
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
heard
rus:
eng:
voodoo
rus:
eng:
echo
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
something
rus:
eng:
ordained,
rus:
eng:
fated:
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
instantly
rus:
eng:
belonged
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
surely
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
lost,
rus:
eng:
secret
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
born,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
under
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
been
rus:
eng:
sentenced
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
twenty
rus:
eng:
years
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
prison.
rus:
I
peered
down
into
Prabaker’s
round
face
and
his
large,
dark,
mischievous
eyes,
and
I
nodded,
smiled,
and
accepted
the
name.
I
couldn’t
know,
then,
that
the
little
Bombay
street
guide
had
given
me
a
name
thousands
of
people,
from
Colaba
to
Kandahar,
from
Kinshasa
to
Berlin,
would
come
to
know
me
by.
Fate
needs
accomplices,
and
the
stones
in
destiny’s
walls
are
mortared
with
small
and
heedless
complicities
such
as
those.
I
look
back,
now,
and
I
know
that
the
naming
moment,
which
seemed
so
insignificant
then,
which
seemed
to
demand
no
more
than
an
arbitrary
and
superstitious
yes
or
no,
was
in
fact
a
pivotal
moment
in
my
life.
The
role
I
played
under
that
name,
and
the
character
I
became—Linbaba—was
more
real,
and
true
to
my
nature,
than
anyone
or
anything
that
I
ever
was
before
it.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
peered
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
Prabaker’s
rus:
eng:
round
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
large,
rus:
eng:
dark,
rus:
eng:
mischievous
rus:
eng:
eyes,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
nodded,
rus:
eng:
smiled,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
accepted
rus:
eng:
name.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
couldn’t
rus:
eng:
know,
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
guide
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
given
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
thousands
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
people,
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
Colaba
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Kandahar,
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
Kinshasa
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Berlin,
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
by.
rus:
eng:
Fate
rus:
eng:
needs
rus:
eng:
accomplices,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
stones
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
destiny’s
rus:
eng:
walls
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
mortared
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
heedless
rus:
eng:
complicities
rus:
eng:
such
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
those.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
back,
rus:
eng:
now,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
naming
rus:
eng:
moment,
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
insignificant
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
which
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
demand
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
arbitrary
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
superstitious
rus:
eng:
yes
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
no,
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
fact
rus:
eng:
pivotal
rus:
eng:
moment
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
life.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
role
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
played
rus:
eng:
under
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
character
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
became—Linbaba—was
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
real,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
true
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
nature,
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
anyone
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
anything
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
ever
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
‘Yes,
okay,
Lin
will
do.’
eng:
‘Yes,
rus:
eng:
okay,
rus:
eng:
Lin
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
do.’
rus:
‘Very
good!
I
am
too
happy
that
you
like
it,
this
name.
And
like
my
name
is
meaning
Son
of
Light
in
Hindi
language,
your
name,
Lin,
has
it
also
a
very
fine
and
so
lucky
meaning.’
eng:
‘Very
rus:
eng:
good!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
happy
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
name.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
meaning
rus:
eng:
Son
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Light
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Hindi
rus:
eng:
language,
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
Lin,
rus:
eng:
has
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
also
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
fine
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
lucky
rus:
eng:
meaning.’
rus:
‘Yeah?
What
does
Lin
mean
in
Hindi?’
eng:
‘Yeah?
rus:
eng:
What
rus:
eng:
does
rus:
eng:
Lin
rus:
eng:
mean
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Hindi?’
rus:
‘It’s
meaning
Penis!’
he
explained,
with
a
delight
that
he
expected
me
to
share.
eng:
‘It’s
rus:
eng:
meaning
rus:
eng:
Penis!’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
explained,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
delight
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
expected
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
share.
rus:
‘Oh,
great.
That’s
just
…
great.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
great.
rus:
eng:
That’s
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
great.’
rus:
‘Yes
very
great,
very
lucky.
It
is
not
exactly
meaning
this,
but
it
is
sounding
like
ling,
or
lingam,
and
that
is
meaning
penis.’
eng:
‘Yes
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
great,
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
lucky.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
exactly
rus:
eng:
meaning
rus:
eng:
this,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
sounding
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
ling,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
lingam,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
meaning
rus:
eng:
penis.’
rus:
‘Come
off
it,
man,’
I
protested,
beginning
to
walk
once
more.
‘How
can
I
go
around
calling
myself
Mr.
Penis?
Are
you
kidding
me?
I
can
see
it
now—Oh,
hello,
pleased
to
meet
you,
my
name
is
Penis.
No
way.
Forget
it.
I
think
we’ll
stick
to
Lindsay.’
eng:
‘Come
rus:
eng:
off
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
man,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
protested,
rus:
eng:
beginning
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
walk
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
more.
rus:
eng:
‘How
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
calling
rus:
eng:
myself
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Penis?
rus:
eng:
Are
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
kidding
rus:
eng:
me?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
now—Oh,
rus:
eng:
hello,
rus:
eng:
pleased
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
meet
rus:
eng:
you,
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Penis.
rus:
eng:
No
rus:
eng:
way.
rus:
eng:
Forget
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
we’ll
rus:
eng:
stick
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Lindsay.’
rus:
‘No!
No!
Lin,
really
I’m
telling
you,
this
is
a
fine
name,
a
very
power
name,
a
very
lucky,
a
too
lucky
name!
The
people
will
love
this
name,
when
they
hear
it.
Come,
I
will
show
you.
I
want
to
leave
it
this
bottle
of
whisky
you
gave
to
me,
leave
it
with
my
friend,
Mr.
Sanjay.
Here,
just
here
in
this
shop.
Just
you
see
how
he
likes
it
your
name.’
eng:
‘No!
rus:
eng:
No!
rus:
eng:
Lin,
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
telling
rus:
eng:
you,
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
fine
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
power
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
lucky,
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
lucky
rus:
eng:
name!
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
love
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
hear
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
Come,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
show
rus:
eng:
you.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
leave
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
bottle
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
whisky
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
gave
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
leave
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
friend,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Sanjay.
rus:
eng:
Here,
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
here
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
shop.
rus:
eng:
Just
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
likes
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
name.’
rus:
A
few
more
paces
along
the
busy
street
brought
us
to
a
small
shop
with
a
hand-painted
sign
over
the
open
door:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
few
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
paces
rus:
eng:
along
rus:
eng:
busy
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
brought
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
small
rus:
eng:
shop
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
hand-painted
rus:
eng:
sign
rus:
eng:
over
rus:
eng:
open
rus:
eng:
door:
rus:
RADIO
SICK
eng:
RADIO
rus:
eng:
SICK
rus:
Electric
Repair
Enterprises
eng:
Electric
rus:
eng:
Repair
rus:
eng:
Enterprises
rus:
Electrical
Sales
and
Repairs,
Sanjay
Deshpande
Proprietor
eng:
Electrical
rus:
eng:
Sales
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Repairs,
rus:
eng:
Sanjay
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
Proprietor
rus:
Sanjay
Deshpande
was
a
heavy-set
man
in
his
fifties
with
a
halo
of
grey-white
hair,
and
white,
bushy
eyebrows.
He
sat
behind
a
solid
wooden
counter,
surrounded
by
bomb-blast
radios,
eviscerated
cassette
players,
and
boxes
of
parts.
Prabaker
greeted
him,
chattering
in
rapid
Hindi,
and
passed
the
bottle
of
whisky
over
the
counter.
Mr.
Deshpande
slapped
a
meaty
hand
on
it,
without
looking
at
it,
and
slid
it
out
of
sight
on
his
side
of
the
counter.
He
took
a
sheaf
of
rupee
notes
from
his
shirt
pocket,
peeled
off
a
number,
and
passed
them
across
with
his
palm
turned
downward.
Prabaker
took
the
money
and
slipped
it
into
his
pocket
with
a
movement
as
swift
and
fluid
as
the
tentacle-grab
of
a
squid.
He
finished
talking,
at
last,
and
beckoned
me
forward.
eng:
Sanjay
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
heavy-set
rus:
eng:
man
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
fifties
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
halo
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
grey-white
rus:
eng:
hair,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
white,
rus:
eng:
bushy
rus:
eng:
eyebrows.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
sat
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
solid
rus:
eng:
wooden
rus:
eng:
counter,
rus:
eng:
surrounded
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
bomb-blast
rus:
eng:
radios,
rus:
eng:
eviscerated
rus:
eng:
cassette
rus:
eng:
players,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
boxes
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
parts.
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
greeted
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
chattering
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
rapid
rus:
eng:
Hindi,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
passed
rus:
eng:
bottle
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
whisky
rus:
eng:
over
rus:
eng:
counter.
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
slapped
rus:
eng:
meaty
rus:
eng:
hand
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
without
rus:
eng:
looking
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
slid
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
sight
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
counter.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
sheaf
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
rupee
rus:
eng:
notes
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
shirt
rus:
eng:
pocket,
rus:
eng:
peeled
rus:
eng:
off
rus:
eng:
number,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
passed
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
across
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
palm
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
downward.
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
slipped
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
pocket
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
movement
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
swift
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
fluid
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
tentacle-grab
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
squid.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
finished
rus:
eng:
talking,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
last,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
beckoned
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
forward.
rus:
‘This
is
my
very
good
friend,’
he
informed
Mr.
Deshpande,
patting
me
on
the
arm.
‘He
is
from
New
Zealand.’
eng:
‘This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
friend,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
informed
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande,
rus:
eng:
patting
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
arm.
rus:
eng:
‘He
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
New
rus:
eng:
Zealand.’
rus:
Mr.
Deshpande
grunted.
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
grunted.
rus:
‘He
is
just
today
coming
in
Bombay.
India
Guest
House,
he
is
staying.’
eng:
‘He
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
today
rus:
eng:
coming
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
Guest
rus:
eng:
House,
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
staying.’
rus:
Mr.
Deshpande
grunted
again.
He
studied
me
with
a
vaguely
hostile
curiosity.
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
grunted
rus:
eng:
again.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
studied
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
vaguely
rus:
eng:
hostile
rus:
eng:
curiosity.
rus:
‘His
name
is
Lin.
Mr.
Linbaba,’
Prabaker
said.
eng:
‘His
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Lin.
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Linbaba,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
said.
rus:
‘What’s
his
name?’
Mr.
Deshpande
asked.
eng:
‘What’s
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
name?’
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
asked.
rus:
‘Lin,’
Prabaker
grinned.
‘His
name
is
Linbaba.’
eng:
‘Lin,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
grinned.
rus:
eng:
‘His
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
Linbaba.’
rus:
Mr.
Deshpande
raised
his
impressive
eyebrows
in
a
surprised
smile.
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
raised
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
impressive
rus:
eng:
eyebrows
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
surprised
rus:
eng:
smile.
rus:
‘Linbaba?’
eng:
‘Linbaba?’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!’
Prabaker
enthused.
‘Lin.
Lin.
Very
fine
fellow,
he
is
also.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
enthused.
rus:
eng:
‘Lin.
rus:
eng:
Lin.
rus:
eng:
Very
rus:
eng:
fine
rus:
eng:
fellow,
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
also.’
rus:
Mr.
Deshpande
extended
his
hand,
and
I
shook
it.
We
greeted
one
another,
and
then
Prabaker
began
to
tug
at
my
sleeve,
pulling
me
towards
the
doorway.
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
extended
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
hand,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
shook
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
greeted
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
another,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
tug
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
sleeve,
rus:
eng:
pulling
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
towards
rus:
eng:
doorway.
rus:
‘Linbaba!’
Mr.
Deshpande
called
out,
as
we
were
about
to
step
into
the
street.
‘Welcome
in
Bombay.
You
have
any
Walkman
or
camera
or
any
ghetto-blasting
machine
for
selling,
you
come
to
me,
Sanjay
Deshpande,
at
Radio
Sick.
I
am
giving
best
prices.’
eng:
‘Linbaba!’
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande
rus:
eng:
called
rus:
eng:
out,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
step
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
street.
rus:
eng:
‘Welcome
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
Walkman
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
camera
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
ghetto-blasting
rus:
eng:
machine
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
selling,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
Sanjay
rus:
eng:
Deshpande,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
Radio
rus:
eng:
Sick.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
giving
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
prices.’
rus:
I
nodded,
and
we
left
the
shop.
Prabaker
dragged
me
a
few
paces
further
along
the
street,
and
then
stopped.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
nodded,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
shop.
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
dragged
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
few
rus:
eng:
paces
rus:
eng:
further
rus:
eng:
along
rus:
eng:
street,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
stopped.
rus:
‘You
see,
Mr.
Lin?
You
see
how
he
likes
it
your
name?’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
see,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Lin?
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
likes
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
name?’
rus:
‘I
guess
so,’
I
muttered,
bewildered
as
much
by
his
enthusiasm
as
by
the
brief
exchange
with
Mr.
Deshpande.
When
I
got
to
know
him
well
enough,
when
I
began
to
cherish
his
friendship,
I
discovered
that
Prabaker
believed
with
the
whole
of
his
heart
that
his
smile
made
a
difference,
in
people’s
hearts
and
in
the
world.
He
was
right,
of
course,
but
it
took
me
a
long
time
to
understand
that
truth,
and
to
accept
it.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
guess
rus:
eng:
so,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
muttered,
rus:
eng:
bewildered
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
enthusiasm
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
brief
rus:
eng:
exchange
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Deshpande.
rus:
eng:
When
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
got
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
well
rus:
eng:
enough,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
cherish
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
friendship,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
discovered
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
believed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
made
rus:
eng:
difference,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
people’s
rus:
eng:
hearts
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
world.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
right,
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
course,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
took
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
long
rus:
eng:
time
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
understand
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
truth,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
accept
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
‘What’s
the
baba
part,
at
the
end
of
the
name?
Lin,
I
can
understand.
But
what’s
the
Linbaba
bit
all
about?’
eng:
‘What’s
rus:
eng:
baba
rus:
eng:
part,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
end
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
name?
rus:
eng:
Lin,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
understand.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
what’s
rus:
eng:
Linbaba
rus:
eng:
bit
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
about?’
rus:
‘Baba
is
just
a
respecting
name,’
Prabaker
grinned.
‘If
we
put
baba
up
on
the
back
of
your
name,
or
on
the
name
of
anybody
special,
it
is
like
meaning
the
respect
we
give
it
to
a
teacher,
or
a
holy
persons,
or
a
very
old,
old,
old
—’
eng:
‘Baba
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
respecting
rus:
eng:
name,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
grinned.
rus:
eng:
‘If
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
put
rus:
eng:
baba
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
name,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
name
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
anybody
rus:
eng:
special,
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
meaning
rus:
eng:
respect
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
give
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
teacher,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
holy
rus:
eng:
persons,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
old,
rus:
eng:
old,
rus:
eng:
old
rus:
eng:
—’
rus:
‘I
get
it,
I
get
it,
but
it
doesn’t
make
me
any
more
comfortable
with
it,
Prabu,
I
gotta
tell
ya.
This
whole
penis
thing
…
I
don’t
know.’
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
doesn’t
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
comfortable
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
Prabu,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
gotta
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
ya.
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
penis
rus:
eng:
thing
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
know.’
rus:
‘But
you
did
see,
Mr.
Sanjay
Deshpande!
You
did
see
how
he
liked
it
your
name!
Look,
see
how
the
people
love
this
name.
You
see
now,
you
look,
I
will
tell
it
to
everybody!
Linbaba!
Linbaba!
Linbaba!’
eng:
‘But
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
did
rus:
eng:
see,
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Sanjay
rus:
eng:
Deshpande!
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
did
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
liked
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
name!
rus:
eng:
Look,
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
love
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
name.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
now,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
look,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
everybody!
rus:
eng:
Linbaba!
rus:
eng:
Linbaba!
rus:
eng:
Linbaba!’
rus:
He
was
speaking
in
a
shout,
addressing
strangers
as
they
passed
us
on
the
street.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
speaking
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
shout,
rus:
eng:
addressing
rus:
eng:
strangers
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
passed
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
street.
rus:
‘All
right,
Prabu,
all
right.
I
take
your
word
for
it.
Calm
down.’
It
was
my
turn
to
tug
at
his
sleeve,
and
move
him
along
the
street.
‘I
thought
you
wanted
to
drink
the
whisky?’
eng:
‘All
rus:
eng:
right,
rus:
eng:
Prabu,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
right.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
word
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
Calm
rus:
eng:
down.’
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
turn
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
tug
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
sleeve,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
move
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
along
rus:
eng:
street.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
thought
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
wanted
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
drink
rus:
eng:
whisky?’
rus:
‘Ah,
yes,’
he
sighed,
‘was
wanting
it,
and
was
already
drinking
it
in
my
mind
also.
But
now,
Linbaba,
with
this
money
from
selling
your
good
present
to
Mr.
Sanjay,
I
can
buy
two
bottles
of
very
bad
and
nicely
cheap
Indian
whisky,
to
enjoy,
and
plenty
of
money
left
for
one
nice
new
shirt,
red
colour,
one
tola
of
good
charras,
tickets
for
enjoying
air
condition
Hindi
picture,
and
two
days
of
foods.
But
wait,
Linbaba,
you
are
not
eating
it
your
paan.
You
must
put
it
now
in
the
side
of
your
mouth
and
chew
it,
before
it
is
getting
stale
and
not
good
for
taste.’
eng:
‘Ah,
rus:
eng:
yes,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
sighed,
rus:
eng:
‘was
rus:
eng:
wanting
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
already
rus:
eng:
drinking
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mind
rus:
eng:
also.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
now,
rus:
eng:
Linbaba,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
selling
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
present
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Mr.
rus:
eng:
Sanjay,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
buy
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
bottles
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
bad
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
nicely
rus:
eng:
cheap
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
whisky,
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
enjoy,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
plenty
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
money
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
nice
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
shirt,
rus:
eng:
red
rus:
eng:
colour,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
tola
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
charras,
rus:
eng:
tickets
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
enjoying
rus:
eng:
air
rus:
eng:
condition
rus:
eng:
Hindi
rus:
eng:
picture,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
days
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
foods.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
wait,
rus:
eng:
Linbaba,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
eating
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
paan.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
must
rus:
eng:
put
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
now
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
mouth
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
chew
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
getting
rus:
eng:
stale
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
taste.’
rus:
‘Okay
how
do
I
do
it?
Like
this?’
eng:
‘Okay
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
it?
rus:
eng:
Like
rus:
eng:
this?’
rus:
I
put
the
leaf-wrapped
parcel,
almost
the
size
of
a
matchbox,
into
the
side
of
my
mouth
between
the
cheek
and
the
teeth,
as
I’d
seen
the
others
do.
Within
seconds,
a
suffusion
of
aromatic
sweetnesses
possessed
my
mouth.
The
taste
was
sharp
and
luscious—honeyed
and
subtly
piquant
at
the
same
time.
The
leaf
wrapping
began
to
dissolve,
and
the
solid,
crunchy
nibbles
of
shaved
betel
nut,
date,
and
coconut
swirled
in
the
sweet
juices.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
put
rus:
eng:
leaf-wrapped
rus:
eng:
parcel,
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
size
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
matchbox,
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mouth
rus:
eng:
between
rus:
eng:
cheek
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
teeth,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
seen
rus:
eng:
others
rus:
eng:
do.
rus:
eng:
Within
rus:
eng:
seconds,
rus:
eng:
suffusion
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
aromatic
rus:
eng:
sweetnesses
rus:
eng:
possessed
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mouth.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
taste
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
sharp
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
luscious—honeyed
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
subtly
rus:
eng:
piquant
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
same
rus:
eng:
time.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
leaf
rus:
eng:
wrapping
rus:
eng:
began
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
dissolve,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
solid,
rus:
eng:
crunchy
rus:
eng:
nibbles
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
shaved
rus:
eng:
betel
rus:
eng:
nut,
rus:
eng:
date,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
coconut
rus:
eng:
swirled
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
sweet
rus:
eng:
juices.
rus:
‘You
must
spit
it
out
some
paan
now,’
Prabaker
said,
staring
at
my
grinding
jaws
with
earnest
concentration.
‘You
make
like
this,
see?
Spit
him
out
like
this.’
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
must
rus:
eng:
spit
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
paan
rus:
eng:
now,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
staring
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
grinding
rus:
eng:
jaws
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
earnest
rus:
eng:
concentration.
rus:
eng:
‘You
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
this,
rus:
eng:
see?
rus:
eng:
Spit
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
this.’
rus:
He
spat
out
a
squirt
of
red
juice
that
landed
on
the
road,
a
metre
away,
and
formed
a
palm-sized
blotch.
It
was
a
precise,
expert
procedure.
Not
a
speck
of
the
juice
remained
on
his
lips.
With
his
enthusiastic
encouragement,
I
tried
to
imitate
him,
but
the
mouthful
of
crimson
liquid
bubbled
out
of
my
mouth,
left
a
trail
of
slobber
on
my
chin
and
the
front
of
my
shirt,
and
landed
with
an
audible
splat
on
my
right
boot.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
spat
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
squirt
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
red
rus:
eng:
juice
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
landed
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
road,
rus:
eng:
metre
rus:
eng:
away,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
formed
rus:
eng:
palm-sized
rus:
eng:
blotch.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
precise,
rus:
eng:
expert
rus:
eng:
procedure.
rus:
eng:
Not
rus:
eng:
speck
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
juice
rus:
eng:
remained
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
lips.
rus:
eng:
With
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
enthusiastic
rus:
eng:
encouragement,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
tried
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
imitate
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
mouthful
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
crimson
rus:
eng:
liquid
rus:
eng:
bubbled
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mouth,
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
trail
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
slobber
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
chin
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
front
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
shirt,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
landed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
audible
rus:
eng:
splat
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
boot.
rus:
‘No
problem
this
shirt,’
Prabaker
frowned,
pulling
a
handkerchief
from
his
pocket,
and
smearing
the
blood-red
fluid
deeper
into
my
shirtfront
with
vigorously
ineffective
rubbing.
‘No
problem
your
boots
also.
I
will
wipe
him
just
like
this,
see?
I
must
ask
it
now,
do
you
like
the
swimming?’
eng:
‘No
rus:
eng:
problem
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
shirt,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
frowned,
rus:
eng:
pulling
rus:
eng:
handkerchief
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
pocket,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
smearing
rus:
eng:
blood-red
rus:
eng:
fluid
rus:
eng:
deeper
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
shirtfront
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
vigorously
rus:
eng:
ineffective
rus:
eng:
rubbing.
rus:
eng:
‘No
rus:
eng:
problem
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
boots
rus:
eng:
also.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
wipe
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
this,
rus:
eng:
see?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
must
rus:
eng:
ask
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
now,
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
swimming?’
rus:
‘Swimming?’
I
asked,
swallowing
the
little
paan
mixture
that
was
still
in
my
mouth.
eng:
‘Swimming?’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
asked,
rus:
eng:
swallowing
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
paan
rus:
eng:
mixture
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
still
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mouth.
rus:
‘Oh,
yes.
Swimming.
I
will
take
you
to
Chowpatty
beach,
so
nice
beach
it
is,
and
there
you
can
practise
chewing
and
spitting
and
chewing
and
more
spitting
the
paan,
but
without
so
many
of
all
your
clothes
only,
for
a
good
saving
on
your
laundry.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes.
rus:
eng:
Swimming.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Chowpatty
rus:
eng:
beach,
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
nice
rus:
eng:
beach
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
practise
rus:
eng:
chewing
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
spitting
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
chewing
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
spitting
rus:
eng:
paan,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
without
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
many
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
clothes
rus:
eng:
only,
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
saving
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
laundry.’
rus:
‘Listen,
about
that—going
around
the
city—you
work
as
a
guide,
right?’
eng:
‘Listen,
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
that—going
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
city—you
rus:
eng:
work
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
guide,
rus:
eng:
right?’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes.
Very
best
Bombay
guide,
and
guiding
all
India
also.’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes.
rus:
eng:
Very
rus:
eng:
best
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
guide,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
guiding
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
also.’
rus:
‘How
much
do
you
charge
per
day?’
eng:
‘How
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
charge
rus:
eng:
per
rus:
eng:
day?’
rus:
He
glanced
at
me,
his
cheeks
appled
in
the
impish
grin
I
was
learning
to
recognise
as
the
clever
under-side
of
his
broad
and
gentle
smile.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
glanced
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
cheeks
rus:
eng:
appled
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
impish
rus:
eng:
grin
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
learning
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
recognise
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
clever
rus:
eng:
under-side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
broad
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
gentle
rus:
eng:
smile.
rus:
‘I
charge
hundred
rupees
all
day’
he
said.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
charge
rus:
eng:
hundred
rus:
eng:
rupees
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
day’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
said.
rus:
‘Okay
…’
eng:
‘Okay
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
‘And
tourists
buy
it
the
lunch.’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
tourists
rus:
eng:
buy
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
lunch.’
rus:
‘Sure.’
eng:
‘Sure.’
rus:
‘And
taxi
also,
tourists
pay.’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
taxi
rus:
eng:
also,
rus:
eng:
tourists
rus:
eng:
pay.’
rus:
‘Of
course.’
eng:
‘Of
rus:
eng:
course.’
rus:
‘And
Bombay
bus
tickets,
all
they
pay.’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
Bombay
rus:
eng:
bus
rus:
eng:
tickets,
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
pay.’
rus:
‘Yeah.’
eng:
‘Yeah.’
rus:
‘And
chai,
if
we
drink
it
on
a
hot
afternoon,
for
refreshing
our
good
selves.’
eng:
‘And
rus:
eng:
chai,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
drink
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
hot
rus:
eng:
afternoon,
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
refreshing
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
selves.’
rus:
‘U-huh
—’
eng:
‘U-huh
rus:
eng:
—’
rus:
And
sexy
girls,
if
we
go
there,
on
a
cool
night,
if
we
are
feeling
a
big
needy
swelling
in
our
—’
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
sexy
rus:
eng:
girls,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
cool
rus:
eng:
night,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
feeling
rus:
eng:
big
rus:
eng:
needy
rus:
eng:
swelling
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
—’
rus:
‘Yeah,
okay,
okay.
Listen,
I’ll
pay
you
for
the
whole
week.
I
want
you
to
show
me
Bombay,
teach
me
a
bit
about
the
city.
If
it
works
out
okay,
there’ll
be
a
bonus
for
you
at
the
end
of
the
week.
How
does
that
sound?’
eng:
‘Yeah,
rus:
eng:
okay,
rus:
eng:
okay.
rus:
eng:
Listen,
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
pay
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
week.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
show
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
Bombay,
rus:
eng:
teach
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
bit
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
city.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
works
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
okay,
rus:
eng:
there’ll
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
bonus
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
end
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
week.
rus:
eng:
How
rus:
eng:
does
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
sound?’
rus:
The
smile
sparked
his
eyes,
but
his
voice
was
surprisingly
sombre
as
he
replied.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
sparked
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
eyes,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
voice
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
surprisingly
rus:
eng:
sombre
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
replied.
rus:
‘This
is
your
good
decision,
Linbaba.
Your
very
good
decision.’
eng:
‘This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
decision,
rus:
eng:
Linbaba.
rus:
eng:
Your
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
decision.’
rus:
‘Well,’
I
laughed,
‘we’ll
see.
And
I
want
you
to
teach
me
some
Hindi
words,
okay?’
eng:
‘Well,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
laughed,
rus:
eng:
‘we’ll
rus:
eng:
see.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
teach
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
Hindi
rus:
eng:
words,
rus:
eng:
okay?’
rus:
‘Oh,
yes!
I
can
teach
everything!
Ha
means
yes,
and
nahin
means
no,
and
pani
means
water,
and
khanna
means
foods,
and
—’
eng:
‘Oh,
rus:
eng:
yes!
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
can
rus:
eng:
teach
rus:
eng:
everything!
rus:
eng:
Ha
rus:
eng:
means
rus:
eng:
yes,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
nahin
rus:
eng:
means
rus:
eng:
no,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pani
rus:
eng:
means
rus:
eng:
water,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
khanna
rus:
eng:
means
rus:
eng:
foods,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
—’
rus:
‘Okay
okay,
we
don’t
have
to
learn
it
all
at
once.
Is
this
the
restaurant?
Good,
I’m
starved.’
eng:
‘Okay
rus:
eng:
okay,
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
have
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
learn
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
once.
rus:
eng:
Is
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
restaurant?
rus:
eng:
Good,
rus:
eng:
I’m
rus:
eng:
starved.’
rus:
I
was
about
to
enter
the
dark
and
unprepossessing
restaurant
when
he
stopped
me,
his
expression
suddenly
grave.
He
frowned,
and
swallowed
hard,
as
if
he
was
unsure
how
to
begin.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
enter
rus:
eng:
dark
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
unprepossessing
rus:
eng:
restaurant
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
stopped
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
expression
rus:
eng:
suddenly
rus:
eng:
grave.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
frowned,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
swallowed
rus:
eng:
hard,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
unsure
rus:
eng:
how
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
begin.
rus:
‘Before
we
are
eating
this
good
foods,’
he
said,
at
last,
‘before
we
…
before
we
make
any
business
also,
something
there
is,
I
must
tell
it
to
you.’
eng:
‘Before
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
eating
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
foods,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
said,
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
last,
rus:
eng:
‘before
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
any
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
also,
rus:
eng:
something
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
is,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
must
rus:
eng:
tell
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
you.’
rus:
‘O-kay
…’
eng:
‘O-kay
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
His
manner
was
so
dejected
that
I
felt
a
twinge
of
apprehension.
eng:
His
rus:
eng:
manner
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
dejected
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
felt
rus:
eng:
twinge
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
apprehension.
rus:
‘Well,
now
I
am
telling
…
that
tola
charras,
the
one
I
was
selling
to
you
in
hotel
…’
eng:
‘Well,
rus:
eng:
now
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
telling
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
tola
rus:
eng:
charras,
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
selling
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
…’
rus:
‘Yes?’
eng:
‘Yes?’
rus:
‘Well
…
that
was
the
business
price.
The
really
price—the
friendship
price—is
only
fifty
rupees
for
one
tola
Afghani
charras.’
He
lifted
his
arms,
and
then
let
them
slap
down
at
his
thighs.
‘I
charged
it
fifty
rupees
too
much.’
eng:
‘Well
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
price.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
really
rus:
eng:
price—the
rus:
eng:
friendship
rus:
eng:
price—is
rus:
eng:
only
rus:
eng:
fifty
rus:
eng:
rupees
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
tola
rus:
eng:
Afghani
rus:
eng:
charras.’
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
lifted
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
arms,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
let
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
slap
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
thighs.
rus:
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
charged
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
fifty
rus:
eng:
rupees
rus:
eng:
too
rus:
eng:
much.’
rus:
‘I
see,’
I
answered
quietly.
The
matter
was
so
trivial,
from
my
point
of
view,
that
I
was
tempted
to
laugh
out
loud.
It
was
obviously
important
to
him,
however,
and
I
suspected
that
he
wasn’t
often
moved
to
make
such
admissions.
In
fact,
as
he
told
me
much
later,
Prabaker
had
just
then
decided
to
like
me,
and
for
him
that
meant
he
was
bound
to
a
scrupulous
and
literal
honesty
in
everything
he
said
or
did.
It
was
at
once
his
most
endearing
and
most
irritating
quality,
that
he
always
told
me
the
whole
of
the
truth.
eng:
‘I
rus:
eng:
see,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
answered
rus:
eng:
quietly.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
matter
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
trivial,
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
point
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
view,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
tempted
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
laugh
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
loud.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
obviously
rus:
eng:
important
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
however,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
suspected
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
wasn’t
rus:
eng:
often
rus:
eng:
moved
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
such
rus:
eng:
admissions.
rus:
eng:
In
rus:
eng:
fact,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
told
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
much
rus:
eng:
later,
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
decided
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
meant
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
bound
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
scrupulous
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
literal
rus:
eng:
honesty
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
everything
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
said
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
did.
rus:
eng:
It
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
at
rus:
eng:
once
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
endearing
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
most
rus:
eng:
irritating
rus:
eng:
quality,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
always
rus:
eng:
told
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
whole
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
truth.
rus:
‘So
…
what
do
you
want
to
do
about
it?’
eng:
‘So
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
want
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
‘My
suggestion,’
he
said
seriously,
‘we
smoke
it
that
business
price
charras
very
fast,
until
finish
that
one,
then
I
will
buy
new
one
for
us.
After
from
now,
it
will
be
everything
friendship
prices,
for
you
and
for
me
also.
This
is
a
no
problem
policy,
isn’t
it?’
eng:
‘My
rus:
eng:
suggestion,’
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
said
rus:
eng:
seriously,
rus:
eng:
‘we
rus:
eng:
smoke
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
price
rus:
eng:
charras
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
fast,
rus:
eng:
until
rus:
eng:
finish
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
one,
rus:
eng:
then
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
buy
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
one
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
us.
rus:
eng:
After
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
now,
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
be
rus:
eng:
everything
rus:
eng:
friendship
rus:
eng:
prices,
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
also.
rus:
eng:
This
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
no
rus:
eng:
problem
rus:
eng:
policy,
rus:
eng:
isn’t
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
I
laughed,
and
he
laughed
with
me.
I
threw
my
arm
around
his
shoulder
and
led
him
into
the
steamy,
ambrosial
activity
of
the
busy
restaurant.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
laughed,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
laughed
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
threw
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
arm
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
shoulder
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
led
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
steamy,
rus:
eng:
ambrosial
rus:
eng:
activity
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
busy
rus:
eng:
restaurant.
rus:
‘Lin,
I
think
I
am
your
very
good
friend,’
Prabaker
decided,
grinning
happily.
‘We
are
the
lucky
fellows,
isn’t
it?’
eng:
‘Lin,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
think
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
am
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
very
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
friend,’
rus:
eng:
Prabaker
rus:
eng:
decided,
rus:
eng:
grinning
rus:
eng:
happily.
rus:
eng:
‘We
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
lucky
rus:
eng:
fellows,
rus:
eng:
isn’t
rus:
eng:
it?’
rus:
‘Maybe
it
is,’
I
replied.
‘Maybe
it
is.’
eng:
‘Maybe
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is,’
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
replied.
rus:
eng:
‘Maybe
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
is.’
rus:
Hours
later,
I
lay
back
in
a
comfortable
darkness,
under
the
sound-strobe
of
a
ceaselessly
revolving
ceiling
fan.
I
was
tired,
but
I
couldn’t
sleep.
Beneath
my
windows
the
street
that
had
writhed
and
toiled
in
daylight
was
silent,
subdued
by
a
night-sultriness,
moist
with
stars.
Astounding
and
puzzling
images
from
the
city
tumbled
and
turned
in
my
mind
like
leaves
on
a
wave
of
wind,
and
my
blood
so
thrilled
with
hope
and
possibility
that
I
couldn’t
suppress
a
smile,
lying
there
in
the
dark.
No-one,
in
the
world
I’d
left
behind
me,
knew
where
I
was.
No-one,
in
the
new
world
of
Bombay,
knew
who
I
was.
In
that
moment,
in
those
shadows,
I
was
almost
safe.
eng:
Hours
rus:
eng:
later,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
lay
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
comfortable
rus:
eng:
darkness,
rus:
eng:
under
rus:
eng:
sound-strobe
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
ceaselessly
rus:
eng:
revolving
rus:
eng:
ceiling
rus:
eng:
fan.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
tired,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
couldn’t
rus:
eng:
sleep.
rus:
eng:
Beneath
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
windows
rus:
eng:
street
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
writhed
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
toiled
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
daylight
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
silent,
rus:
eng:
subdued
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
night-sultriness,
rus:
eng:
moist
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
stars.
rus:
eng:
Astounding
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
puzzling
rus:
eng:
images
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
tumbled
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
mind
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
leaves
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
wave
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
wind,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
blood
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
thrilled
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
hope
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
possibility
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
couldn’t
rus:
eng:
suppress
rus:
eng:
smile,
rus:
eng:
lying
rus:
eng:
there
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
dark.
rus:
eng:
No-one,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
world
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
left
rus:
eng:
behind
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
knew
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was.
rus:
eng:
No-one,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
new
rus:
eng:
world
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Bombay,
rus:
eng:
knew
rus:
eng:
who
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was.
rus:
eng:
In
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
moment,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
shadows,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
almost
rus:
eng:
safe.
rus:
I
thought
of
Prabaker,
and
his
promise
to
return
early
in
the
morning
to
begin
my
tours
of
the
city.
Will
he
come?
I
wondered.
Or
will
I
see
him
somewhere
later
in
the
day,
walking
with
another
newly
arrived
tourist’?
I
decided,
with
the
faint,
impersonal
callousness
of
the
lonely,
that
if
he
were
as
good
as
his
word,
and
turned
up
in
the
morning,
I
would
begin
to
like
him.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
thought
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
Prabaker,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
promise
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
return
rus:
eng:
early
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
morning
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
begin
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
tours
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
city.
rus:
eng:
Will
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
come?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
wondered.
rus:
eng:
Or
rus:
eng:
will
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
somewhere
rus:
eng:
later
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
day,
rus:
eng:
walking
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
another
rus:
eng:
newly
rus:
eng:
arrived
rus:
eng:
tourist’?
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
decided,
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
faint,
rus:
eng:
impersonal
rus:
eng:
callousness
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
lonely,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
word,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
turned
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
morning,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
begin
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
him.
rus:
I
thought
of
the
woman,
Karla,
again
and
again,
surprised
that
her
composed,
unsmiling
face
intruded
so
often.
If
you
go
to
Leopold’s,
some
time,
maybe
you’ll
find
out.
That
was
the
last
thing
she’d
said
to
me.
I
didn’t
know
if
it
was
an
invitation,
a
challenge,
or
a
warning.
Whatever
it
was,
I
meant
to
take
her
up
on
it.
I
meant
to
go
there,
and
look
for
her.
But
not
yet.
Not
until
I’d
learned
a
little
more
about
the
city
she
seemed
to
know
so
well.
I’ll
give
it
a
week,
I
thought.
A
week
in
the
city
…
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
thought
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
woman,
rus:
eng:
Karla,
rus:
eng:
again
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
again,
rus:
eng:
surprised
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
composed,
rus:
eng:
unsmiling
rus:
eng:
face
rus:
eng:
intruded
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
often.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
Leopold’s,
rus:
eng:
some
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
maybe
rus:
eng:
you’ll
rus:
eng:
find
rus:
eng:
out.
rus:
eng:
That
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
last
rus:
eng:
thing
rus:
eng:
she’d
rus:
eng:
said
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
me.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
invitation,
rus:
eng:
challenge,
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
warning.
rus:
eng:
Whatever
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
was,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
meant
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
take
rus:
eng:
her
rus:
eng:
up
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
it.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
meant
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
look
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
her.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
yet.
rus:
eng:
Not
rus:
eng:
until
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
learned
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
she
rus:
eng:
seemed
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
well.
rus:
eng:
I’ll
rus:
eng:
give
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
week,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
thought.
rus:
eng:
A
rus:
eng:
week
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
city
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
And
beyond
those
reflections,
as
always,
in
fixed
orbits
around
the
cold
sphere
of
my
solitude,
were
thoughts
of
my
family
and
my
friends.
Endless.
Unreachable.
Every
night
was
twisted
around
the
unquenchable
longing
of
what
my
freedom
had
cost
me,
and
all
that
was
lost.
Every
night
was
pierced
by
the
spike
of
shame
for
what
my
freedom
continued
to
cost
them,
the
loved
ones
I
was
sure
I
would
never
see
again.
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
beyond
rus:
eng:
those
rus:
eng:
reflections,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
always,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
fixed
rus:
eng:
orbits
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
cold
rus:
eng:
sphere
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
solitude,
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
thoughts
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
family
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
friends.
rus:
eng:
Endless.
rus:
eng:
Unreachable.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
night
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
twisted
rus:
eng:
around
rus:
eng:
unquenchable
rus:
eng:
longing
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
freedom
rus:
eng:
had
rus:
eng:
cost
rus:
eng:
me,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
lost.
rus:
eng:
Every
rus:
eng:
night
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
pierced
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
spike
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
shame
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
what
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
freedom
rus:
eng:
continued
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
cost
rus:
eng:
them,
rus:
eng:
loved
rus:
eng:
ones
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
sure
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
would
rus:
eng:
never
rus:
eng:
see
rus:
eng:
again.
rus:
‘We
could’a
beat
him
down,
you
know,’
the
tall
Canadian
said
from
his
dark
corner
on
the
far
side
of
the
room,
his
sudden
voice
in
the
whirring
silence
sounding
like
stones
thrown
on
a
metal
roof.
‘We
could’a
beat
that
manager
down
on
the
price
of
this
room.
It’s
costin’
us
six
bucks
for
the
day.
We
could’a
beat
him
down
to
four.
It’s
not
a
lotta
money,
but
it’s
the
way
they
do
things
here.
You
gotta
beat
these
guys
down,
and
barter
for
everything.
We’re
leavin’
tomorrow
for
Delhi,
but
you’re
stayin’
here.
We
talked
about
it
before,
when
you
were
out,
and
we’re
kinda
worried
about
you.
You
gotta
beat
‘em
down,
man.
If
you
don’t
learn
that,
if
you
don’t
start
thinkin’
like
that,
they’re
gonna
fuck
you
over,
these
people.
The
Indians
in
the
cities
are
real
mercenary,
man.
It’s
a
great
country,
don’t
get
me
wrong.
That’s
why
we
come
back
here.
But
they’re
different
than
us.
They’re
…
hell,
they
just
expect
it,
that’s
all.
You
gotta
beat
‘em
down.’
eng:
‘We
rus:
eng:
could’a
rus:
eng:
beat
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
down,
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
know,’
rus:
eng:
tall
rus:
eng:
Canadian
rus:
eng:
said
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
dark
rus:
eng:
corner
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
far
rus:
eng:
side
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
room,
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
sudden
rus:
eng:
voice
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
whirring
rus:
eng:
silence
rus:
eng:
sounding
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
stones
rus:
eng:
thrown
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
metal
rus:
eng:
roof.
rus:
eng:
‘We
rus:
eng:
could’a
rus:
eng:
beat
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
manager
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
price
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
this
rus:
eng:
room.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
costin’
rus:
eng:
us
rus:
eng:
six
rus:
eng:
bucks
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
day.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
could’a
rus:
eng:
beat
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
down
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
four.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
not
rus:
eng:
lotta
rus:
eng:
money,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
do
rus:
eng:
things
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
gotta
rus:
eng:
beat
rus:
eng:
these
rus:
eng:
guys
rus:
eng:
down,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
barter
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
everything.
rus:
eng:
We’re
rus:
eng:
leavin’
rus:
eng:
tomorrow
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
Delhi,
rus:
eng:
but
rus:
eng:
you’re
rus:
eng:
stayin’
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
talked
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
it
rus:
eng:
before,
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
were
rus:
eng:
out,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
we’re
rus:
eng:
kinda
rus:
eng:
worried
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
you.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
gotta
rus:
eng:
beat
rus:
eng:
‘em
rus:
eng:
down,
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
eng:
If
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
learn
rus:
eng:
that,
rus:
eng:
if
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
start
rus:
eng:
thinkin’
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
that,
rus:
eng:
they’re
rus:
eng:
gonna
rus:
eng:
fuck
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
over,
rus:
eng:
these
rus:
eng:
people.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
Indians
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
cities
rus:
eng:
are
rus:
eng:
real
rus:
eng:
mercenary,
rus:
eng:
man.
rus:
eng:
It’s
rus:
eng:
great
rus:
eng:
country,
rus:
eng:
don’t
rus:
eng:
get
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
wrong.
rus:
eng:
That’s
rus:
eng:
why
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
come
rus:
eng:
back
rus:
eng:
here.
rus:
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
they’re
rus:
eng:
different
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
us.
rus:
eng:
They’re
rus:
eng:
…
rus:
eng:
hell,
rus:
eng:
they
rus:
eng:
just
rus:
eng:
expect
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
that’s
rus:
eng:
all.
rus:
eng:
You
rus:
eng:
gotta
rus:
eng:
beat
rus:
eng:
‘em
rus:
eng:
down.’
rus:
He
was
right
about
the
price
of
the
room,
of
course.
We
could’ve
saved
a
dollar
or
two
per
day.
And
haggling
is
the
economical
thing
to
do.
Most
of
the
time,
it’s
the
shrewd
and
amiable
way
to
conduct
your
business
in
India.
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
right
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
price
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
room,
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
course.
rus:
eng:
We
rus:
eng:
could’ve
rus:
eng:
saved
rus:
eng:
dollar
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
per
rus:
eng:
day.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
haggling
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
economical
rus:
eng:
thing
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
do.
rus:
eng:
Most
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
time,
rus:
eng:
it’s
rus:
eng:
shrewd
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
amiable
rus:
eng:
way
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
conduct
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
business
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
India.
rus:
But
he
was
wrong,
too.
The
manager,
Anand,
and
I
became
good
friends,
in
the
years
that
followed.
The
fact
that
I
trusted
him
on
sight
and
didn’t
haggle,
on
that
first
day,
that
I
didn’t
try
to
make
a
buck
out
of
him,
that
I
worked
on
an
instinct
that
respected
him
and
was
prepared
to
like
him,
endeared
me
to
him.
He
told
me
so,
more
than
once.
He
knew,
as
we
did,
that
six
of
our
dollars
wasn’t
an
extravagant
price
for
three
foreign
men
to
pay.
The
owners
of
the
hotel
received
four
dollars
per
day
per
room.
That
was
their
base
line.
The
dollar
or
two
above
that
minimum
was
all
Anand
and
his
staff
of
three
room
boys
shared
as
their
daily
wage.
The
little
victories
haggled
from
him
by
foreign
tourists
cost
Anand
his
daily
bread,
and
cost
them
the
chance
to
know
him
as
a
friend.
eng:
But
rus:
eng:
he
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
wrong,
rus:
eng:
too.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
manager,
rus:
eng:
Anand,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
became
rus:
eng:
good
rus:
eng:
friends,
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
years
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
followed.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
fact
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
trusted
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
sight
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
haggle,
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
day,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
try
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
make
rus:
eng:
buck
rus:
eng:
out
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
worked
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
instinct
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
respected
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
prepared
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
like
rus:
eng:
him,
rus:
eng:
endeared
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
him.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
told
rus:
eng:
me
rus:
eng:
so,
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
once.
rus:
eng:
He
rus:
eng:
knew,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
we
rus:
eng:
did,
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
six
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
our
rus:
eng:
dollars
rus:
eng:
wasn’t
rus:
eng:
extravagant
rus:
eng:
price
rus:
eng:
for
rus:
eng:
three
rus:
eng:
foreign
rus:
eng:
men
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
pay.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
owners
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
hotel
rus:
eng:
received
rus:
eng:
four
rus:
eng:
dollars
rus:
eng:
per
rus:
eng:
day
rus:
eng:
per
rus:
eng:
room.
rus:
eng:
That
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
base
rus:
eng:
line.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
dollar
rus:
eng:
or
rus:
eng:
two
rus:
eng:
above
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
minimum
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
all
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
staff
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
three
rus:
eng:
room
rus:
eng:
boys
rus:
eng:
shared
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
their
rus:
eng:
daily
rus:
eng:
wage.
rus:
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
little
rus:
eng:
victories
rus:
eng:
haggled
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
by
rus:
eng:
foreign
rus:
eng:
tourists
rus:
eng:
cost
rus:
eng:
Anand
rus:
eng:
his
rus:
eng:
daily
rus:
eng:
bread,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
cost
rus:
eng:
them
rus:
eng:
chance
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
him
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
friend.
rus:
The
simple
and
astonishing
truth
about
India
and
Indian
people
is
that
when
you
go
there,
and
deal
with
them,
your
heart
always
guides
you
more
wisely
than
your
head.
There’s
nowhere
else
in
the
world
where
that’s
quite
so
true.
eng:
The
rus:
eng:
simple
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
astonishing
rus:
eng:
truth
rus:
eng:
about
rus:
eng:
India
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
Indian
rus:
eng:
people
rus:
eng:
is
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
when
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
go
rus:
eng:
there,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
deal
rus:
eng:
with
rus:
eng:
them,
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
always
rus:
eng:
guides
rus:
eng:
you
rus:
eng:
more
rus:
eng:
wisely
rus:
eng:
than
rus:
eng:
your
rus:
eng:
head.
rus:
eng:
There’s
rus:
eng:
nowhere
rus:
eng:
else
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
world
rus:
eng:
where
rus:
eng:
that’s
rus:
eng:
quite
rus:
eng:
so
rus:
eng:
true.
rus:
I
didn’t
know
that
then,
as
I
closed
my
eyes
in
the
dark
and
breathing
silence
on
that
first
night
in
Bombay.
I
was
running
on
instinct,
and
pushing
my
luck.
I
didn’t
know
that
I’d
already
given
my
heart
to
the
woman,
and
the
city.
And
knowing
none
of
it,
I
fell,
before
the
smile
faded
from
my
lips,
into
a
dreamless,
gentle
sleep.
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
then,
rus:
eng:
as
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
closed
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
eyes
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
dark
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
breathing
rus:
eng:
silence
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
first
rus:
eng:
night
rus:
eng:
in
rus:
eng:
Bombay.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
was
rus:
eng:
running
rus:
eng:
on
rus:
eng:
instinct,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
pushing
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
luck.
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
didn’t
rus:
eng:
know
rus:
eng:
that
rus:
eng:
I’d
rus:
eng:
already
rus:
eng:
given
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
heart
rus:
eng:
to
rus:
eng:
woman,
rus:
eng:
and
rus:
eng:
city.
rus:
eng:
And
rus:
eng:
knowing
rus:
eng:
none
rus:
eng:
of
rus:
eng:
it,
rus:
eng:
I
rus:
eng:
fell,
rus:
eng:
before
rus:
eng:
smile
rus:
eng:
faded
rus:
eng:
from
rus:
eng:
my
rus:
eng:
lips,
rus:
eng:
into
rus:
eng:
dreamless,
rus:
eng:
gentle
rus:
eng:
sleep.
rus:
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