Текст книги "In search of the niche (СИ)"

Автор книги: Алекс Лекер

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–Therefore you are playing as after contusion. Okay, tell me, are you really broke your leg? Or this is part of your plan to be sick for a month?

–What are you talking about?! I did not plan anything! Don"t start! We went to the forest with my wife, I collected firewood, go back to the camping tent, and stones were slippery...

–Clear. Slipped, woke up – plaster.

–Well yes. Only this is an open fracture... Thanks God ambulance arrived on time, otherwise I would die.

–Well, what do the doctors say? When you back to work?

–Said that if everything is good, then in 10 weeks it will be possible to return.

– So, your colleagues in mechanical department told me that you'll be back in six weeks.

–Well, I did it on purpose. Otherwise they can remove me from the project. If they will hear that I'm left on a temporary disability, for a three months, then they will immediately take someone else.

–But anyway someone needs to work and meet the schedule. No one will wait for you for three months.

– That's exactly what I'm talking about. I'll call in six weeks and say that doctor took an X-ray and demanded another two weeks. In two weeks I will call again. And this way I could sit quietly on my temporary disability for 3 months. The insurance covers 75% of the average earnings, which is not so bad. Honestly, I need some time for rest. I'm so tired of all this pressing.

–You was under the pressure even less than two weeks. I thought you were rested enough over a three years. Or you expected this beautiful life will be forever?

–Why are you tease me all the time?! I told you everything as to friend, honestly, didn"t hide anything, and instead of compassion you...

–Sorry, I'm silent. What leg did you break? I hope this is not a right leg?

–No. Luckily. I broke the left one. I mean, I can drive a car.

–So what's the problem? After six weeks, go to work. No one will start push poor semi-disabled man.

–Why do I need this? I have already calculated everything: taking into account price of gasoline, amortization of the car, time in transit, etc., I will earn almost the same money in the end.

–OK, I got it. You want not to work for 3 months, but stay on the project.

–Yes. Eventually you got it.

– Hm-mm. It's certainly not my business, but all of it somehow stinks. Once you certainly can play this card, but the second time they will crack you down and you will be thrown out. I would do it.

–But I'll say – it's a doctor. I wanted to return, but doctor do not allow me.

–Brilliantly, as in the fifth grade. Only I wouldn"t play this game. Maybe one time you can do it, but no more. People not stupid.

Six weeks flew very fast. Nobody was taken to mechanical department. From time to time Grechko called Koifman and asked him to go to the mechanical department and tell people how hard he is living with a broken leg, how he takes morphine, does not sleep at night, but his heart with his colleagues. In parallel, he phoned his colleagues directly and told the same stories, but with much more details. At the same time he scolded "stubborn" doctors who did not allow him to return.

The day before the end of the glorious six weeks, Nilolay, as was planned, called to the head of the mechanical department and said that he needs two more weeks. Boss, who by that time barely coped with the accumulated volume of work and had already planned something for the missing designer, squeezed his teeth and told a neutral OK, and hung up with a big disappointment.

Two weeks later the situation was completely repeated, with the only one difference – the head of the department asked Grechko to send him an official e-mail, which he joyfully did.

At the end of the working day Nikolay"s boss came to Koifman"s office and without even saying "hello", exasperatedly asked:

–Nick Grechko, your friend, is he a "smart-ass", man with protection or just an idiot?

–What happened? I hope he didn"t solicit you or asked for the date? – Leo, who knew Mechanical Department Manager for many years from his previous job, tried to laugh it off.

–Leo, listen, I'm serious. A man is over fifty, and he behaves like a kid. What kind of games he is playing here?! He thinks that I do not understand that he wants to stay on temporary disability as maximum as possible? Or does he think that he's so clever and all the fools around?

–What can I say? I told him... And he just plays down. Oh, I feel so bad, oh I'm taking morphine, oh, doctors do not allow me...

– You understand, he is really weak designer, but he even doesn"t want to work. Anyway, if I understand correctly, your friend wants to sit at home for 3 months, until he will receive temporary disability.

–How do I know? I told him my humble opinion three times already, but he still cries how he feels bad.

–OK, don"t be offended, but I will take your friend off the project. Management will transfer him to another project, but I"m not interested in this guy at all.

Koiftman decided not to tell anything so "sick on his leg" man. Maybe management will not be able to find a person to replace, maybe another big project will start, or maybe the boss will change his mind... or maybe another miracle will happened.

Grechko continued to call every two weeks and sing the same song. However, in all subsequent times the boss was very kind to him and always wished him a speedy recovery. And in the mechanical department a new designer already started to work.

Pain, morphine intake and permission of the doctor ended for Nikolay exactly the day before the end of temporary disability, i.e. in three months sharp.

Grechko appeared at work with a wand and a mournful expression on his face. Putting five boxes in the fridge and turning on the computer, finally returned "disabled", began a leisurely round of all colleagues. Strongly lame he approached everyone, and slowly, in details began to tell how everything happened. How he slipped on the slippery stones and how did he hear the crunch that still hangs in his ears... How he was transported by ambulance, and how was he sure that he would not survive. How he recalled the children and the colleagues... Everybody expressed full compassion, asked additional questions, which he was even more than pleased to answer, recalling more and more details.

Having finished in his department, Grechko smoothly continued to visit other departments. At last, somewhere before lunch, he came to visit Koifman.

–Oh! Look at you... Almost a Jesus came from the sky. I thought you would not appear at all... You look good, lost weight...

–Ha, lost weight there. I scored another 7 kilos.

–It was a joke. I saw that you added to your superfluous 30 kg, another 10 kg. If I would in your place, I would begin to lose weight, because all this extra weight falls on your injured leg.

–Yes, you are right, but I'm not too limping. Tomorrow probably I will be without a stick.

–Well, have you already been given a job? – The owner of the office asked cautiously.

–Not yet. The head of the department is not in place, so I've talked to the people so far.

–There, at mechanical department, one more man was taken, – again from a far began Leo.

–Yes, I saw. Pleasant guy. By the way, he broke his leg three years ago. Do you know what happened?

At this time the telephone rang and Nikolay, waving goodbye, left the room. However, in ten minutes he returned without a stick and without a smile of happiness on his face.

–Listen Leo, I turned on the computer, but I have no access to the project's folders or drawings. And what I suppose to do? – he asked nervously without preamble.

– Check your internal mail, maybe some notification has been sent to you.

–Precisely, I completely forgot, – Grechko quickly went back.

Nikolay appeared at the end of the day and fell wearily into the chair across Koifman.

–You will not believe, I have not been on this project for over a month.

–What do you mean? – Leo pretended to be surprised.

–I mean exactly what I told, damn it! And no one even told me a word! And this boss, shit! After he threw me out of the project, I talked with him at least three times. What, it was so difficult to inform me?!

–But how you figure it out?

–He sent the message to the entire mechanical department that another man starts instead of me.

–Ah, is that one who broke his leg too? Kind of good guy.

–Yes, him.

– By the way, you started telling me that something funny happened to him...

– I don"t care what happened to him!

–Well, you have friends... And you shared the literature with them, discussed family problems, – Koifman put on a sympathetic grimace.

–I can understand everything, but without hesitation lie in your eyes! And this son of bitch, with his gentle talk: "Nick, do not worry, feel well... take your time". And he already threw me out!

–Yes, you right. Lie to people not fair, – Leo smiled wickedly. – You are honest with people, open your heart, and they are just waiting to return you a dirty trick. Anyway, I told you do not play your two weeks game. I understand that you upset, because not just you lie...

–What?! Was I deceiving someone?! You know that I felt bad!! Have you ever took a morphine?! The pain is such unbearable that at night you ready to climb on the walls. And he... nit, immediately threw me out, like a used napkin.

–Yeah... Not funny... And now what? What are your plans?

–I really didn"t understand. I went to the HR department. And there is a young girl, who is younger than my daughter, and so tenderly asks me: Nikolay, why you didn"t come to us in the morning?

–What did you answer?

–Well, I tell her that it was necessary to urgently help my colleagues, then I wanted to talk to my boss, maybe he'll change his mind... Whatever, I blew some fog on her.

–And you definitely told her a truth.

–You know what... Stop your jokes! Not funny at all!

–Sorry. But something I didn"t understand. Are you will be transferred to a new project or not?

–God knows. They said that one guy from the marketing department needs designer for a week or two. And then looks like a big project begins in Brazil pretty soon. They still didn"t finish some financial details. And if it starts, then I'm sort of safe...

–And if it doesn"t start?

–Exactly! Well, what I can tell... I don"t know. I don"t know! I have some disgusting feelings on my heart, and feel awful... Okay, I'll go. I'm really tired from all these terrible developments...

4

Grechko was relocated in a new place and got access to another project. The project was small, or rather it was not a project, just conceptual design for a future project. The new manager sketched sketches, and Grechko simply redrawn them into three-dimensional models. He really liked a new job, in spite of high pace. But more important – he did a simple work, had no responsibility and nobody challenged his qualification. The new boss also approached him every 2-3 hours, though without any claims. Joint lunches in Koifman"s office became much shorter and lasted no more than half an hour. Nikolay, as usual, complained of health, fatigue, weather, children, wife, neighbors and his excess weight. However, he did not even try to go on a diet or work out in a fitness. Leo still teased him, but Grechko didn"t take any offense. Deep in his heart he was realizing that his friend was right. If Koifman had time, he explained to Nikolay the basic things, otherwise it was almost impossible properly to draw any equipment. Grechko just wanted to join the Brazilian project. There were rumors that if the project starts, then in half a year, about a third of the designers will have to move to Brazil for 2-3 years. And it will be a turn arounds: three weeks in Brazil and a week at home. The company paid all expenses, except food. For the food was given 2 thousand dollars in cash every month, and then you can spend these money as you want. If you want to eat three times a day in a restaurant – go ahead! And if you want you cook at home by yourself and save good bucks. Almost all prepared food by themselves and saved about fourteen-fifteen hundreds a month. Most important, it was not taxable money, which you can simply put into your pocket. Nikolay managed to make friends with people who already worked in Brazil on previous projects and with native Brazilians, who (like him) were former immigrants.

–I already dream of Brazil at nights, – Grechko dreamily rolled his eyes and broke into a smile. – I talked with different people and was told that the girls are very cheap there... And all are sexy, swarthy, with a solid big butt, with smooth skin, without cellulite... Just for 10 dollars, you can have sex with a beautiful hot mulatto... And for 15 bucks you can find the beauty queen.

–Are you so hungry?! I see saliva already dripping from your mouth. Don"t be over exited, otherwise you will clean-up in my office...

–And the people are hot there, – Grechko continued, ignoring Leo's comment, – for them sex it is a natural process, as a breakfast in the morning. A bottle of good wine cost maximum five bucks. The sun, the sea, exotic fruits... Oh, I just pray for this opportunity.

–How you will pay for the girls? You spouse almost every day checks the bank account.

–I already thought of everything. She doesn"t know how much everything cost there. I, for example, will spend $400 a month, and I'll tell her that everything in supermarket very expensive. To save money it is necessary to go to the farm market. And in the market, you have to pay in cash. I will take thousand bucks once a month. And how she will check how much I spent? I'll have a hotel from company, so everything seems to be going well. I can easy save $600 a month for girls.

– Nikolay, what wrong with you? You steal from the family budget $600 for 60 romantic contacts a month. I based on your rates – 10$ per romantic date. That means, total two times a day. Do you have enough health for this kind of activities?

–Well, $10 probably will be not enough. You still need to buy wine, fruit, condoms... so it easy could come to 20$. Overall once a day.

– Oh boy! So you, my dear friend, already thought of everything.

–Well, what wrong with this? You always have to keep different options in your head.

–You'd better think about what you're drawing... – Koifman chuckled sarcastically.

–One dude, Spanish speaking, said: If we will go there, then don"t worry. I'll tell you where to go, what to say and explain how it works...

–My dear friend, hard to believe that you will spend $400 a month for food. You eat five boxes of food only during the lunch... With your appetite it will cost you minimum $800. And it is hard to believe that this sexual event will costs less than $20. Today this type of service even in Ukraine will cost you more. Maybe somewhere in a remote village, in a dirty barn or cowshed. If you want my humble opinion – you will have enough money maximum for three romantic meetings a month.

–What kind of person are you?! Do I have a right even to dream?!

– Your dreams, like a high school student during puberty...

–You know what! Go to hell. You always spoil my mood, – Grechko waved his hand and left the office.

A week later, Grechko came to Koifman"s office with a smile of happiness on a bearded face. His perpendicular to the head ears, were glowing.

– What, you was transferred to the Brazilian project?

–Yes! I received a notification that in two weeks I'm starting. So Leo, I'll be sitting in another building. Are you going to miss me? Or maybe you will ask management to join this project?

–My sexual life not so problematic. I mean, why I would travel to Brazil?

–No one will go to Brazil from the first day. It could take half year or more, until people will be relocated.

–Whatever. And what about you? Are you going to learn Portuguese, have a diet – in order train your body to spend at least $500 a month... By the way, I heard people in Brasil don"t know English. How you'll negotiate with the girls?

–I have already downloaded audio guide for people who wants to learn Portuguese! I'll start tomorrow when I drive to work and back. You know, it's very convenient. Instead of listen to the empty news I'll learn one more language.

–I'm happy for you. It's very nice when an individual has a goal in life...

– Listen, Leo, I've talked to another designer, Francisco. He is also will join this project, because he is Spanish-speaking. He told me that he had already traveled to Brazil twice and every time came back with a new wife. Wow, like in the soap opera. Well done!

– Is he a Muslim?

–Of cause not. He divorced with previous and made sponsorship for the new one. A man approximately of our age, about 50. He divorced four times, now he is married for the fifth time. From each wife has a child. Well done!

–What exactly in his life you found so exciting? He pays alimony to all children and probably spouse support. All these families in Canada. Not sure how he handles his finances.

–Of cause he pays alimony. But the last wife is 25 years younger. He showed me the photo – she is a sex bomb! – Grechko rolled his eyes dreamily and fell silent, thinking about his lost opportunities. After that he had a deep sigh and slowly began to collect the lunch boxes. A wandering smile froze on his bearded face, and his protruding ears blushed.

– You know what, hmm... Do not worry. I mean, in half year maybe you will find a young woman, – Koifman felt sorry for this big fat man, who probably had a Shakespearian passions in the head.

–Life somehow passes not interesting. Everything is monotonous, gray, sluggish... Sex is not emotional anymore... Every day the same thing. If I wouldn"t have the dogs, I probably would have fallen into depression for a long time. We've been thinking about changing the old car, so the wife does not want to buy a new one, says there is no money... But if you'll buy from the second hand, then you can find such not funny adventures on your ass that it eventually will be even more expensive at the end. And I explained already hundreds times – there will never be any money. But she push back – let's pay the debts first. Well, but now... I"m finally transferring to another project, so maybe I'll convince her. And because I was hanged in the air, she even want to discuss...

– Well, your wife tells you the right thing. I also want a lot, like everybody, but we are adults! And I do not believe your new polygamy friend"s stories. If he did not learn how to fasten his pants at the age of 50, he obviously had something wrong with his head. The new wife just saw his Canadian passport, and when she will get all immigration documents, she will send him to the hell. Everything he earns, goes on the alimony. And the emotional sex he had with her before the sponsorship. And now, I'm almost sure, he just tells folk-tails. Well, do you believe that it is so cool for a 25-year-old beauty queen have sex with 50-year-old fat man?!

–What am I? I just told you what he told me.

– You have not seen yourself from the side.

–In general, if I don"t change my wife, then at least I'll buy a new car. – Nikolay again had a deep sadly sigh and slowly went from the office.

–To buy a car – you not supposed to be a smart. You better would have lost weight. Then maybe emotional sex will wake up, – loudly told Koifman, but Grechko did not hear him anymore.

5

Two weeks passed very quickly. During lunch, friends discussed the brands of cars, gasoline consumption, reliability, safety and other characteristics, which in such cases are discussed by men.

–That it. We bought the car yesterday, – Grechko smiled happily, – even my wife agreed. Car as a pink dream! Subaru with four wheel drive. Super car. And then we got so lucky... They sell a one-year-old car, on which their chief accountant drove. We got discount 25%. And for Japanese cars one year it is nothing! In general, yesterday the deposit was given, and the remaining part was broken up into 48 payments. After a week we can take it. They only have to install winter tires for a slippery season. You know what kind of roads we have during the winter. I never felt safety. And now, the four wheel drive – another thing! By the way, we first came to another dealership. We sat and talked. Got a good price – almost 48 thousand after all taxes and fees. They even broke down 48 thousand for 60 interest-free monthly payments. Well, I just automatically pick up my calculator and multiplied 900 dollars for 60 payments... and got 54 thousand. OK. I told them – guys, it's probably typo. And they are smiling and saying: everything fine. You just sign here. In short, word for word, the supervisor came out with a mafia face and started threatening me...

–You?! You almost 6.5 feet tall with 150kg of weight...

– Yes threatened me. And my wife. They told me – if you are not sign right now, then we will call to all dealerships and no one will ever sell you anything.

–Wait, I did not understand. Even in Russia salesman do not behave like that. They wanted to deceive you at 6 thousand, got caught and instead of to say sorry, they push you?!

–Well, this is what I'm talking about! And you would have seen this salesman. He has thousand dollars shoes.

–And how you figured it out? You never bought a shoes for more than 80 dollars.

–I can see that it kind of in fashion, some high quality. Well, maybe for 950 dollars. He didn't show me the price tag. In short, barely escaped. Well, in the second shop everything was normal. We trade-in the old car for 12 thousand, and the new car costs 60 thousand. Deduct 12 thousand – so we paid total approximately 48 thousand.

–Wait. You had an old car in a serious accident...

–Well... But we repaired it.

–Why are you playing an idiot? Car after accident loose half of the price. You told me by yourself how you paid for the car history and refused to buy machine even with a huge discount. You probably did not tell them that your car was in an accident, this is why you got 12 thousand off. And afterthey checked this car in the database, and they gave you half price.

–What are you talking about?! I told you, a dude's shoes cost $1,000.

–So what? I mean, does he automatically become a crook if he has expensive shoes?

–Well, yes. And how can an honest man buy a shoes for $1,000?

–It's very logical. You have shoes for $ 80 and you openly stated that your car had a serious accident...

–Why do I have to scream about it on every corner? Let them to check. Whatever... I'll go.

The new project was in an adjacent building. After Grechko left, Leo sometimes visited him. Several people have already moved to Brazil to resolve organizational issues. It was necessary to rent a hotel with good security, as well as to find a new working space in which all engineering team from Canada will be settled. Grechko has already begun to prepare his wife, about potential relocation.

– What I didn"t see there, in this Brazil? – Nikolay told her as indifferently as possible, letting her know that he was not interested at all, – but if they push me, we have no choice... Now this is the only project, which company has... besides, from which I was removed because of a broken leg. You know how much debts we have. And you not really interested to find the work, so I'll have to suffer... far from home... M-yes. Well, okay, I"m not complaining, but if they tell me to go there, I'll go.

Thunder, as usual, stroked unpredictably. Via internal mail everybody received a short notice that the Brazilian project, unfortunately, is being closed. The company changed the owner and the new management, after reviewing the budget, came to conclusion that project will be canceled. Engineering company has to archive all drawings and documents in 3 days. All employees, working on the project, will be called to the central office for further transfer to other projects. Since there were no other projects, the people were very nervous. Everyone tried to pull any connection internally, began to look for work outside the company. But most people realized that pretty soon they will find themselves on the street.

Grechko stop-by in Koifman office the next day with an expression of world sorrow on his face.

–Well, did they call you to HR?

–Called already... Just returned.

–So how is it?

–Nothing. They have no job. They asked to take vacation days and use all overtime hours, which I accumulated till now.

–And what's next?

–I don"t know. I have four weeks of vacation and two weeks of time off, which I must use and then to contact HR department again. Well, they said that if something pops up, they will contact me right away.

–Well, and after 6 weeks what?

–I was told that if in 6 weeks nothing poping up, then they will sent me for the temporary unemployment for a two months. Well, and if then nothing will come over – welcome to the street.

–Oh poor Nikolay, who will caress your mulattoes there? And to whom do you give your unspent tenderness?

– I will give it to my dogs. And local machos and cavaliers will figure it out.

– And what about emotional sex? So you'll stay again on a starvation ration?

– Yes, Brazil now out of agenda... Well, what can I say? Without emotional sex is certainly bad, but you can live. But I can"t live on my previous salary... With all our debts...

–Well, you know... do not bury yourself alive. Start looking around, 6 weeks probably will be enough to find something. I wouldn"t wait for the next project.

–Yeah, you right. By the way, Francisco promised that maybe he will help me with Panama project. This job in another company. If they will call me, I will quit. In any case, Panama even better than Brazil. No crime, good climate...

–Well, but girls are more expensive.

–You right. But, it is in the tourist zone. Of cause it will be more expensive. And Francisco already worked in this place about ten years ago and knows all the "hot" places. There, literally 30-40 kilometers from the big city, and prices for the girls fall in three-four times, – Grechko smiled with a carnivorous smile.

–OK. I understand you. But why Francisco need these girls? His last wife is much younger. If he wants to run after prostitutes, why he again got married? Moreover, he already had four children from the previous four wives.

–Maybe he liked her very much, got overexcited, he didn"t use his brain... People like us can"t understand these Spaniards. They live in soap operas... Or love till diarrhea, jealous till heart attack, or killing each other. Nothing in between. The people are too hot ... Today I fell in love and ready to sacrifice my live for her, and tomorrow I went to another girl with bigger butt. Okay, I'll go. I was paid for today already, so keep in the loop.

– Okay, be in touch.

Leo called to Nikolay about twice a week. Company still had no work. Grechko was slowly searching, with hope that at least something will come to his firm. He told to Koifman different stories, how recruiters invited him for a thousand kilometers from home, how they try to convince him to be a general labour and so on. They exchanged news about the family, discussed the events in their former homeland, advised to each other what movie to watch and what book to read. Six weeks flew by unnoticed and Nikolay received from the office an official package of documents, where he was notified that he was temporarily laid off. One week changed on another week, and the new work didn"t appear. Finally Grechko was permanently laid off and went to receive unemployment. Nikolay obviously was sad and began nervous. And despite the fact that sometimes recruiters called him, but he was never called on an interview.

Once he called Koifman and without an introduction asked:

–Listen, Leo, somebody advised me to file lawsuit against my employer.

–For what? Unless it's a secret.

– They, you know, they were very disgraceful to me.

–In what sense? Because they fired you?

–Yes.

–And what? Disgraceful, this is not a reason to sue the company. Did they break the law?

– I don"t know. Maybe. But let the lawyer to figure it out.

–Are you going to pay him?

–I know they work on commission. I have nothing to lose. If I get it – fine. If not – then not.

– It's not even a matter of compensation, which you still not going to get. Firstly, after you file a suit with the firm, you will not return here anymore. Secondly, you will be asked for recommendations. They will call here and HR will recommend you as a man who is suing everyone.

–And why you are saying "everyone"?

–Who will go to investigate?

–That means not to sue? Just swallow all this shit and forget. Forget that they wiped off their feet on you!

–What are you talking about? What feet, what court!? With whom you talked? Who heat you up?! The company has no job, and almost 400 people were laid off. And your new adviser, is he at least once tried to sue the company?

– I do not know... I didn"t ask. Why you're boiling? I just called for consultation.

–I understand that you lost girls opportunity, but the firm has nothing to do with it. OK, bye. I still have a lot of work to do.

They continue to call to each other twice a week. Koifman tried to support his unlucky friend as he could. He sent his resume to several acquaintances, made several recommendations and so on. However, the employment issue did not move.

Once, Grechko called Koifman and almost shouted:

–Leo, you will not believe, I just went after an interview for the Panama project!

–Wow! Congratulations. And how did you get there?

–How, how? Francisco helped, as promised. Who needs me? In spite of your criticism, I did not lose contact with him. I called him two or three times a month.

–Wow! What a great news! When do you start?

– From next Monday. I have already signed everything. Francisco vouched for me.

–Well done, well done. And when are you going to Panama?

–They told me after two or three months. They have a different drafting program. It will be necessary to receive the training, to get familiar with the project, and some little things. But they have different arrangement for a business trips. I mean, different schedule, not as we had. They have six weeks in Panama and two weeks at home. Well, two weeks is not bad – like mini vacation.