Good night, Moscow…

(Etude)

Moscow day and Moscow night are two opposite parts of one whole, moreover – of one soul… Do you know Alyona, who is a cocky waitress in a famous central bar, noisy and full of alcohol spirits? Every night after coming home she is sitting on the windowsill, writing romantic poems and dreaming of distant journeys. Maybe you have met Katya, who works as a lawyer in one prestigious firm, wears strict costumes and deals with serious man. Twice a week she is singing on the stage of Italian restaurant…shining dress, bright spotlights, cheerful music and crazy dancing. Her friend, Anya, is a budding model – slim, attractive and simply charming! One happy day she started this career with very difficult schedule: TV shows, movies, ads, interviews…and only nighttime – free to study English philology and imagine herself teaching Oxford students, discussing Oscar Wilde or Shakespeare and reading John Keats by heart. Another Moscow hero is Misha – a well-known choreographer with limitless dancing fantasy – you will need more than ten fingers on your hands to count the styles he is excellent in! Dancing is his life…except the weekend nights, when he goes to the countryside with his family to observe the stars and distant mysterious planets, to catch some meteors or satellites crossing the deep winter sky.

His friend, Artem is a seafarer, spending long months on board of the vessel, travelling all over the world. Watchkeeping, port services, sudden inspections and paper work – all this is really exhausting, but it doesn’t push him to break promises. So, sailing somewhere nearby the USA coast he comes to the deck at night to call his girlfriend, because it is afternoon in Moscow… Sometimes he takes a few beautiful sunrise photos from the ocean horizon and sent her with the message “Good night, Moscow” as in Moscow it has already been nighttime. Some of the people described above, can see each other, time to time: like Alyona can see Anya going home from the latest fashion show out of her window. Their eyes met: “Good night” whispers Anya, the same meant Alyona, nodding. Like Misha, having a family dinner with his wife in one Italian restaurant, can listen to Katya and her velvet voice. Leaving the restaurant, he says: “Good night”, and she is singing like echo: “Good night, Moscow”. And then he receives a message from Artem: “Have watched your last dancing competition, that’s really inspiring! Good night!”. And writes an answer: “Thanks a lot, returning from wedding anniversary celebration Good night!”. Artem receives a message from his girl: “Love, Good night”. And birds above the city, like birds above the ocean, like birds above the mountains and fields are singing after Katya in her restaurants, with millions of voices: “Good night, good night, good night, Moscow…”

Bibliophile banquet

(Fantastic story)

Have you ever heard, dear friend, that every three years there comes the special time for Bolsover castle, occupied in Derbyshire? On the day of spring equinox the abandoned building awakes from its eternal sleep and gathers the best writers, publishers, book heroes and even readers all over the world. All the guests take part in verbal duels, exciting debates, masquerade ball and the best performance competition. Each participant has an opportunity to try his luck in literature quiz, showing his knowledge of modern and ancient books, quotes, biographies and so on. Finally, there is only one winner, who is chosen by the magic book… This book seems to be totally empty at the first glance, but all the questions of quiz as well as the name of winner magically appear on its pages and then – vanish a few minutes later. The winner gets the right to hold this banquet next time. Among other activities there was pen-running (when you have to catch the flying magic pen faster than others), speedy letter-writing, rhyme and calligraphy contests, “Guess the hero” game and even hide and seek.

From the outside this event looks like Walpurgis Night – noisy, emotional, magic, a little bit frightening and always very attractive. Could you guess, what’s a great luck in twenty-first century to visit such a party? Just imagine: a small conversation, two or three useful acquaintances, a sudden glimpse of inspiration… and that’s it – you are famous, respectful and rich! What’s more? And afterwards, it doesn’t matter what are you writing about or what kind of style is it – simply keep on producing the paper materials! Write about yourself, speak about political figures, create new-born genres, you can even publish a collection of gossips, just because THEY have told you: “Deal!”. Enjoy your life, your shining Porsche, your luxurious house and young pretty wife… because everyone who knows about bibliophile banquet can join it without any difficulties. That’s your chance, my friend! Oh, just one small thing I have forgotten, but I suppose that’s a mere trifle for your fame and talent.

So, the point is that this banquet is arranged only for those who are dead. Doesn’t matter for how long – even if you die today, you may join tonight. Very convenient, isn’t it? And please, do not bring any presents – this is not welcome as well as the tendency of being extremely fashionable, note – nobody cares. And leave all your documents at home, no IDs are needed. Regarding friends and relatives – no problem, but do not forget that they all should be dead. Already feeling slightly nervous? Take it easy! There is an old legend that the castle was built upon the cemetery, and since then there are screams, creaks and howls heard from inside and ghosts can be seen from time to time. Especially after the period when the last host of the castle left it, there are more and more horrible stories… Really creepy place, if you are walking nearby at about midnight on your own. And really magnificent during our regular costume party.

It was long ago, but we, modern people, decided to honor the dignified building as well as the memory of literature talents, great plots and generous benefactors. So, we found our Bibliophile society – the only organization, where you don’t pay money, but use your brain instead. Cash or credit cards are not valuable for us; only the knowledge, wisdom and talent are worthy. The entry fee is a scientific work, dedicated to one of the literature problems of your choice; it is presented and discussed during our annual round table conference. You are accepted only on case that your work has been approved by most of members. If not – there is second attempt, but it should take place not earlier than five years after. One more point – each member has to write and publish at least one article, one interview and one review during the year in order not to be excluded from the club. Once you are out – you will never join again.

The only exception is the masquerade ball held every three years. Everyone interested in this event is welcome, if he knows the day, time and password. The only chance to get the pass – is to answer the secret question (every time it is different), but you may also show all your poetic talent to the guardian and he will let you…

– Well, that’s enough. Your imagination is truly limitless! – A middle aged professor was surprised by the inventiveness of this young and naive blue-eyed girl standing at the gates of the castle. – Welcome to the Bibliophile banquet, dear lady.

The Nightingale

Go through the wind, against the rain,

Revive the Earth with magic voice!

A holy nightingale, absorbing pain…