The Before Short Story Series. Part 1. Иван Перепелятник
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I get it right, Bosch?’
‘Yes, as far as I remember.’
‘Yeah. And that is just what I do. I'll take your advice and go by shuttle. Thanks, Bosch.’
‘Anyway, I live there nearby. I can give you a lift to the hotel.’
‘Oh, come on, Bosch. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I don't want to be a burden.’
‘I wouldn't offer it if you were a burden.’ Bosch was looking at Elena with the same blank or perhaps a little bit stiff expression on his face.
‘I'd really appreciate it, Bosch.’
‘OK.’
Elena came up to the automated security and customs control desks, where she had to answer a number of standard questions:
‘What is the purpose of your visit to the United States of America?’
‘Tourism.’
‘Please give some details on the specific purpose of your visit.’
‘I am planning to visit a number of historical sites related to Edgar Poe’s life in Baltimore—this is my main goal. And, of course, my program includes a trip to Washington. I hope to see all the iconic sights in the capital, from the White House to the National Gallery of Arts.’
‘How long are you planning to stay in the U.S.?’
‘One week. I have a return ticket for Friday, end next week.’
The frame around the perimeter of the rack lit up green,
‘Welcome to the U.S. You may pass on.’
Elena noticed a tall black man in a silver jacket in the airport lounge.
‘I started worrying that you'd changed your mind, Bosch. You have such a remarkable appearance, it helps.’ Elena looked at the braids. ‘You are very tall. One can easily find you in such a crowd.’
‘Can we make it less formal. Eh?’
‘Good. I'm for it,’ Elena smiled. ‘Could we have lunch together? I'm a little hungry. And you?’
‘OK.’
‘Are you in no hurry now?’
‘There is time for lunch. Don’t you worry, Elena. If I was in a hurry, I wouldn't be here anymore.’
‘Great.’
‘So anyway, Bosch, may I ask you what you were doing in Spain?’
‘I have a factory near Madrid. Met with new leather suppliers. I had to check on the samples and see my managers.’
‘What's the leather for, Bosch?’
‘My company specializes in leather jackets.’
‘Wow, that's great! I see, your jacket is very cool!’
‘Well, at least, it’s different. It's important to me. To make my things different. And what do you do for a living?’
‘I am an accountant in a small manufacturing company. The factory does plastic windows, doors and the like.’
‘Sounds boring.’
‘I love my job, Bosch.’
‘It's important. I agree.’
‘How's your burger?’
‘Delicious, Elena. Thanks for asking.’
Sitting in a restaurant on the first floor of the airport, Elena and Bosch slowly continued with their lunch, moving on to desserts and coffee, paying no attention to a series of service announcements lost in the infinitely large international terminal of Dulles Airport. Everyone around was hurrying on business. Parents with restless children were obviously aiming at a resort vacation, judging by the bright shorts and the same cheerful shirts the whole family was wearing, which did not quite fit the beginning of the autumn season in any way. Formal business suits, whether of businessmen, lawyers, or maybe politicians, were supposed to emphasize their important social status and gave an unambiguous answer to everyone around—we are busy people, we should not be distracted by any trifles. A couple of young girls, carefree and not hiding fatigue, sailed towards the exit from the airport, seemingly after a long flight.
‘Are you ready, Bosch? Let's go to the hotel?’ Elena blushed.
Bosch looked at her:
‘Well, let's go.’
Bosch's personal capsule took passengers to downtown Baltimore via an underground highway in ten minutes. After walking around the city, the couple finally arrived at a hotel on the Patapsco River.
‘Will you come up?’ Elena asked without apparent embarrassment.
‘OK.’
The Bell
‘Hi! You are looking great, honey! Well? Tell me! I can’t wait to hear your story,’ entering the factory office, Susan began to question her friend straight from the doorstep.
‘I don't even know where to start, Sue’, smiling broadly, Elena handed her friend a small box wrapped in a stars-and-stripes paper.
‘What is it, dear?
‘A gift for you. A small souvenir from America.’
‘Wow! We love some surprises,’ Susan shook the box. ‘What is it there? Tell me!?’
‘Open it and have a look.’
‘Well, okay, then’, the friend started tearing up the package.
Having dealt with the box finally, Susan almost screamed.
‘Ah-ah!, isn’t it charming! Oh my God! What a beauty!’
‘Quiet, please! We’re going to be fired straight away!’ hushed her Elena.
‘Not both of us together! Someone has to do the job! Ah? That's it!’ reasonably objected Susan, carefully examining a small bell.
‘It's from the Washington Cathedral.’
‘Elly, thank you so much! It’s so beautiful! My collection will soon deserve a personal exhibition—“Bells from Cathedrals of the World”! Would you come?’
‘Well, of course. For sure. Just get me, Sue, dear.’
‘I got it that everything was fine with the cultural program’, Susan carefully put the bell down on the table. ‘Is there anything else you could tell me?’
‘I’d say so, you also need to use the services of this travel agency. Su-san, this is something unimaginable. I had never ever had such impressions from trips…’
‘Elena, Susan, good afternoon,’ greeting the ladies, a tall dark-skinned man dressed in a business suit and tie entered the office. ‘What’s the status of the report? Elena, I see you've had a good holiday. I am very happy for you. Now, as they say, recharged and back to work. The report for September will be ready, as I expect it, today.’
‘Good afternoon, Gustavo. Thanks. Yes, I am very happy with my holiday.’
‘I'm glad, Elena. Very good. What about the report? I’d like to have some more information, please.’
‘We plan to finish the work this week, Gustavo.’
‘I need a final version, not a draft, by Friday. Early next week, we report on the results to the council, so, ladies, I ask you not to let me down. Agreed?’
‘Of course, we will do everything by Thursday.’
‘Good. If there are any problems, I’ll be in touch. It is an important matter. So if…’
‘Got it, Gustavo. Thanks.’
‘Well, that's done! Back to work then!’
V-Tours
‘Good afternoon. Please come in. How can I help you?’
‘Hello. A friend recommended your agency to me,’ Susan handed the manager a