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

Автор книги: Алекс Лекер

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 3 страниц)

– Six weeks without wife, of course, a bit tough. But from another side you maybe find girls there.

– Okay, you always have to pin me up. How all what we discussed connected to the girls? Why do you think that I"m so sexually anxious?

– I meant who will wash your laundry during these six weeks?

–Oh, I see. You like a snake, always will find the way out. Hey, Leo, maybe you want to join to this project?

–Me?! And what I didn"t see there?

–Well, it's more fun together. And it's warm in Panama, same as in your Israel. In Canada 3 feet deep snow, and there you have sun and sea...

– And the girls in the bikini.

–Yes, girls. And what's wrong with that?! I"m not talking about boys. Ha-ha-ha.

–Thank you, Nikolay that you do not forget about your friends, but I feel better at home.

Two months later Grechko flew to Panama, strongly promising to Koifman be in touch and continue to communicate through e-mail.

6

A message from Nicholay came already on the second day.

"Leo greetings! Flew well, we have here +26C in the shade. The sun, palm trees, fruit etc. We are located from the sea approximately 40 km, I've already looked at the map. I'll go for a swim on the weekend. The people calling to Toronto ten times a day. I will call when understand how it works. Nikolay." Also to the message was attached a photo with an exotic flowerbed on the background of a mountain, covered with green weeds. Koifman smirked and wrote the answer: "Why you sent me a flowerbed? Did you get pictures of girls and price list? Leo. "

Next day Grechko actually called. His voice, saturated in Panama sun rays, sounded fresh and cheerful.

– Hey, Leo, is it you? Ha-ha-ha. Do you recognize old friends, or your ears have frozen there? Ha-ha-ha. You probably have -15C there?

–Nick?! – Koifman sincerely was delighted to hear his voice, – well, I didn"t expect. Yes, we only have minus 14C, so not so bad. And how are you there? Do not sweat?

–Here, the weather is just super! It was +23C in the morning – in a shade, and in general – the temperature very comfortable. The plant is located not far from the sea. Around 40 kilometers. The roads, however, are smashed into the smoke, and mostly no asphalt, just compacted clay. Well, I mean, if it is rain you can use just horses. Although if it"s a rain, why go to the sea? To the Panama Canal somewhere same 40 km. To Costa Rica about 280-300 km, so in some weekend I will drive there and stay overnight.

–OK, and how you settled there?

–Close to the plant they have a mini village. They placed about hundred mobile houses here, like a trailers. In each house can live for three people. As you enter, right in the center of the house, a common kitchen, a shower, a toilet and a washer / dryer. And there are three separate rooms. Everyone in the room has a bed, desk, internet, TV and a large walking closet. In general it is quite normal.

–So you do not live in the city?

–Yes. When it rains, how you will get to work? To the nearest small town somewhere 20-25 km. Sounds like close, but the roads simply awful. And about eight years ago they decided to build such a mini-town.

–Wait, I didn"t understand. Do you have a car?

–Car? From where? Why?

–And how are you going to go to the sea? Not to mention Costa Rica.

–Well, I don"t know. Probably it is possible to rent somehow..., – Nikolay answered uncertainly.

–So where are you going to take a car? You just said that to the nearest village 20-25 km and during the rain, almost impossible to drive. Especially it"s no guarantee that in the village they have car rental service.

–Well... H-mm, yes... Leo, what kind of asshole you are!

–In terms of?

–I called you in a good mood, and in 5 minutes the mood was spoiled. And everything was..., damn was so good!

–So, how I spoiled it?

–Whatever! Okay, I'll call you again tomorrow.

After hanging up, Koifman shrugged and looked out the window. It was snowing in Toronto. For the second consecutive day. From the window he saw his car, which stood under a twenty-centimeter snow "blanket" and thought sadly: "After work I need again to clean the car, then two hours be in traffic, in order to get home, and after that to remove the snow from the driveway... Hmm... Oh, maybe it would be better go to Panama! "

The next day, Grechko didn"t call and Leo sent him a short e-mail: "Where did you disappear? I'm worried!"

Grechko called back at the end of the next day. His voice was again alert and confident.

–Leo, sorry, could not call in the morning. I figured out what's wrong with the car.

–I thought you were working, – Koifman joked roughly.

– You are a joker, señor.

–Sorry, didn"t want to offend. So what about the car?

–Then it turns out that in the morning and in the evening a bus arrives to the plant. This bus takes you to the village. About an hour drive.

–Wow! 25 km they are driving for an hour?!

–Well, there are dangerous roads, along the mountains, winding. In general, this is what they told me. Maybe 55 minutes. In short, in the village there is another bus, which travels about 15 km to the larger city. And there, in this town, they have cars for rent.

– So you'll rent the car for six weeks?

–Probably. Without a car you got nowhere. How am I going to get to the sea?

–Well, and to the girls, too. 25 km to the nearest village it is not fun.

– Well, yes, well... Not fun, and far. Who knew that plant will be so far from civilization?

– Did you think that a metallurgical plant will be built in the center of the city, and around fashion boutiques and fine food restaurants with girls?

–Well, not in the center of course... But at least... you know, kind of... within the city boarders. Same as we have in my city in Russia.

–This is why girls in your city do not have very smooth skin.

–You are right. No, not smooth skin at all... No question about it. Ecology was below water line.

–So, will you go with your new friend? I mean, with Francisco?

–Well, no...

–What?! I don"t understand. And how you will communicate without the Spanish? Nikolay, what wrong with you? Imagine, you are local auto dealer and sitting in some small Russian village "Little Diarrhea". You just half year out of prison and you are reading newspaper, section "dating for adults". Even you know that in your village a dozen not married women, and with each of them he has already met from five to seven times. Suddenly some birded dude comes in and mumbles something to him in English. He even doesn"t understand Spanish if an intelligent person will talks to him.

–Well... I'll figure it out.

–Something smells here. I thought that you would take one car for both... Ride to the sea, for girls...

–I thought the same way, but he even doesn"t want to live with me in the same house.

–Wow... Looks like he afraid that if you don"t find the girls, then you'll start harass him.

–Ha. It's funny. H-m-mm...

–Well, come on, open up! What happened?

–He settled with his Spanish speaking guys in the same house. They planned it before departure, bitches. I mean, they agreed to live together. And they will take one car for three. Bitches!

–Make sense. When they find girls they not supposed to translate...

–I understand!

–By the way, Nikolay, you know what, take Francisco to court.

–For what?

– For his disgusting behavior. Like you wanted to take to the court the previous employer. Ha-ha-ha.

–You know, this is not a bad idea.

–Are you serious? Or you fool? I'm joking.

–No, you didn"t understand. I'll sue you for constant harassment.

–Sorry, Nikolay. I'm sorry. Sometimes I lose my breaks.

–Last time you lose your breaks very often. But I'm already used to... In short, what should I do?

–Well, first of all I would talk with the men with whom you settled in the same trailer. You can paint it colorfully as you go for a drive on the sea, go for beer and girls to the village. Everyone still has a weak points, it is only necessary to find them. Your weak points: food and girls, and somebody loves sea and historical sights, some likes alcohol and marijuana, another gambling... By the way, I have a couple of friends who is crazy about sport, and they are much more interesting in tennis court than all of the above.

–Let"s say I found their weak points, and then what?

–And then bring them all to the common ground. I mean – if today they went with you to the girls, then tomorrow you will drink with them, and the day after you will play soccer. I understand that this is not exactly your style. You're used to only benefit yourself. But sometimes in life you have to compromise.

–Okay thank you. The idea is certainly interesting. I will check their weak points.

–Just do not mix it up with the erogenous ones, – sneered Koifman.

7

During the weekend it was a snow fall in Toronto. Not much, but not all roads have been properly plowed, which naturally affected the traffic. The drive from shop to home for Koifman took extra half an hour. Returning after shopping, Leo noted with irritation that the snow from the snowplow truck had blocked the parking lot in front of the house. Snow was cling to shovel and it took extra efforts to clean it up. Finally all snow was out of driveway. Sweaty and tired Leo came home. Taking his boots off, with frozen hands, he scratched his finger badly.

–What a shit! – Koifman shouted with disappointment. Blood started to drop on the floor.

– Do you want a plaster? – wife asked him with compassion.

– No, I want to Panama, – he answered wearily and went swimming.

Grechko called on Tuesday morning.

– What about the car? – began Leo without an introduction.

– With the car... With the car – deep ass! – same short way answered Nikolay.

– Come on, talk to me!

–What to tell?! I talked to these men. First man is real alcoholic. This is the reason why he agreed go to Panama – just to drink without any control. His wife at home not allow him even glass of wine. We are fed three times a day for free, but alcohol is officially banned on the territory of the camp. Although almost everyone drinks. Somehow they found the way and from a neighboring village they are buying beer, wine and tequila. Another man, a new immigrant from Romania. He even doesn"t have citizenship yet. He grew in some Romanian small town and never visited Bucharest. He found here all sorts of parks, mountains... Kind of tourist... But he doesn"t interested to spend any money on the car. I certainly understand him. I was in his shoos fifteen years ago. And he is afraid that if something happens, he will be deported back to Romania. He even not a "chicken", he is a real coward.

–Be more careful with Romanians. He can easy steal something.

–No worries, he looks like a normal guy, just afraid of his own shadow. So, now the story. We took the bus on Saturday morning and hit the road. The road is absolutely awful – winding, broken, dusty... But in an hour we finally got there. We walked around about twenty minutes in order to explore this village and found the place where you can rent cars. The dealership almost museum. I mean, everything old and nobody there. There is an old "Chevrolet" since the last century and two barely alive "Fords". The owner, local Indian guy, maybe four feet tall if you will measure him with a hat and on skating. He know English almost the same as I know mechanical design. Well, we began to explain him with gestures what we want. We explained, he nodded, seems like understood. In general, he says, for the month it will cost us 600 bucks. We're were just speechless! I told him right away – you have Canadian prices! Only in Canada cars are the new, and you have piece of junk. Are you think that we are suckers? You think because we don"t know Spanish, you can rip us off! But he stands there, smiles and shrugs his shoulders. Do not like it, he says, go to a neighboring city. Only there the prices are the same. Well, Romanians immediately crawled into the bushes. Started to cry how it is difficult in Canada, and he doesn"t have a car, and his children are hungry at home, he is a new immigrant, oh, how hard! Oh I"m so poor!

–Well, what about alcoholic? Also hides in the bushes?

–Something like that. He said that he found somebody, who will bring him alcohol from the adjacent village for ten bucks a week. By the way, he bought four bottles of some suspicion tequila for nine bucks a bottle after arriving to Panama. I mean, close to airport. It looks like a Russian moonshine. I checked the wine here, you know, the prices are the same as in Toronto. In general, I bought two boxes of their "Corona" to taste it. And you know, surprise-surprise – beer is not bad. I relaxed yesterday so pleasantly... I drank two boxes at once. But you know, with such pleasure...

–Hey! I hope you know when to stop? Especially your next room partner can help you.

–Well, yes... What are you saying? I didn"t hear. Something with connection.

– I having sad, don"t drink too much alcoholic there. Your goal is higher.

–Yes, higher... Honestly, it's not like I saw it originally...

– And what about your friend Francisco?

– I event don"t want to talk about this condom! He became so important, kind of doing me a favor if talk to me. I asked him openly: Where are all these girls that you told me?

–And what he is saying?

–Never mind. He kind of got offended! Answer me through the teeth: ten years ago everything was different here. Trust me, I was surprised by myself.

–He is douchebag! I told you that all these Spanish men pathological crooks. I told you from the beginning that he is baboon! And you argued with me... Why should he cheat? Because!

–Yes, he told me...

– By the way, I think that he married five times because otherwise nobody agreed to have sex with him.

–Maybe... In general, you can"t save money, can"t travel around and... I mean, nothing exciting. A food is just nasty. My stomach started to hurt.

–You would eat less there. You probably eat twice as usual.

–Why twice? Maybe a little bit... Anyway, nothing to do here... The first week maybe I ate too much, because it was unusual food. And now I mostly eat fruits. Just to shit properly.

–What going on at work? It is already the third week has gone. Have you done something?

–Yeah... Do some small stuff here and there. But you know, I have absolutely no mood. Francisco sent me to a kiln area for measurements. And near the smelting furnace, the heat is wild. I sweated in three minutes! A real sauna.

– Poor little Nikolay! You got sweat. I hope it was no wind draft there?

–What's so funny?! Yesterday I didn"t get sick, but tomorrow or after tomorrow I will. And the lungs inflammation not have been canceled yet. And you know, I have antibiotic allergy. If something happened, I can"t reach Canada.

8

Next time Nikolay phoned in about a week.

–Well, Mr. Grechko, tell me. How is Panama doing?

–What you want me to tell? I'll probably wait another two weeks, go back home, and then I'll quit. I'll start to look for a normal job in Toronto. I"m so tired.

–Oh boy... Have you already gave up in a four weeks?!

–Yes somehow everything is sour and bitter here. I hate this glowing sun! I'm probably allergic to this sun. Something happened to my body – it"s began to itch.

–May be it"s itchy because of women absence?

–Hm-m, I guess. Hmmm... I have one story to tell... Well, I went the other night in this adjacent village. There they have a bar and there's a kind of dancing. One guy from locals explained me how to get there from the bus stop. It is really not too far – about 10 minutes to walk. The village is small, maybe 10 thousand people. And I run out of beer, so I decided to combine these two businesses.

–Kind of – if I do not find the girls, so at least I'll warm up.

–Yes. If I don"t find a girl, then at least I'll buy a beer. I got there about 8 p.m., and the last bus to the plant goes at 10p.m.

–Well okay. You just got an hour and a half to find the girl, five minutes to get behind the barn for emotional sex, buy the beer and run back to the bus stop.

–Koifman, I immediately feel that I"m talking to project engineer. Everything calculated by the minute, as in the work schedule. Ha-ha-ha. In short, I came to this local "night club"...

–Are you went there alone?

–Of cause alone. You refused go with me.

–Oh yeah! Otherwise we would shake this village upside down. The population would increase in three times in this village...

–You better listen further. I tried to convince people, nobody agreed. One neighbor is already was drunk in the smoke. Romanian, in my opinion, even afraid go to the toilet. He probably believes that still leaves under communism regime and shaking.

–And what your Spanish speaking friends?

–They are morons! Not kidding. In the evenings they sit in their house, put drawings on the table, and something discuss in Spanish. From their conversation I just can pick up some international words, like: a conveyor belt, a bolt, and, more briefly, something related to the job. I thought they are "hot machos"...

–And they are cold engineers.

–Well yes. More legends about these Spanish machos. Now listen further... Well, came to the night club. Just for you to understand – the village club in Siberia in comparison with this barn, this is like a Kremlin Palace in comparison with your house. It's dark, noisy and dirty. Sits a dozen local machos. All small, like children. Leo, absolutely honestly, everybody with difficulties maximum can reach to my navel. Well, women, even lower! One foot lower than local machos and age can"t be determined at all. If I would meet her in Toronto I will be sure that she is twelve years old. Well, a maximum of thirteen. Okay, came already to this children garden. I sat down at the table, took a beer and smile to people around. They looked at me from the beginning with interest, and then got used to it. I sat for half an hour, sucked already two beers, but no one came up. Okay, I took a third beer. And time goes by. And beer cost five bucks! In an hour the bus departs. Literally, I"m running out of time. Not funny. Then it seemed to me that one of these "teenagers" looking at me and smiling. I winked at her and showed her a glass of beer. She kind of nods and smiles. Coming over. Well, I took her a beer and ask: Como estaz siniora?

–Wow. Sounds strong. Do you know Spanish?

–From where? But in critical situations, I probably can speak Chinese. She started mumbling something in Spanish, and I with an intelligent look answer: "Si siniora, si." And she laughs loudly.

–So maybe she asked you: Nikolay, are you an idiot? And when you answered: "Si, Si" she laugh...

–I don"t care who asked and what. I would like come to my business as soon as possible, especially only 30 minutes left before the bus departure. Then she again told me something and went to the exit. Well, I understand that she kind of hints me. I quickly finished the beer and followed her. Well, we are going somewhere. Dark. Strange. She tells me something, and I just repeat "si-si seniora". And she laughs all the time. Well, I'm thinking to myself: "the bus has only 15 minutes to leave. So... If right now I'll run to the bus stop, and even during my way back I don"t get lost, then maybe I'll be in time. And on the other hand tomorrow it is Saturday, so if she leads me to her place, then I can easily spend the night with her". Finally we approached a crooked cabin from the wooden shields. She went inside, and I remained standing outside. She didn"t show to me that she invites me to come in. I'm waiting. It is already too late run to the bus stop. About ten minutes later the door opens and some aboriginal guys with little children came out. They saw me and told me something in Spanish, and after that they started to laugh, but not aggressively. I would say friendly.

–Of cause, not every day clowns from Canada performs acrobatic focus "si-si senior", – evil joked Leo.

– Anyway, I got completely confused. What exactly going on...They probably thought I was kind of potential groom? In short, I told them: "si, si senioras", and slowly started to move aside. After that just run away from this place.

–I got confused as well... Are they her parents? Or maybe she is a prostitute and they came to protect her from problematic client?

–This is what I"m talking about! I have no clue what it was, who against whom and didn"t understand at all what exactly happened. Whatever. It's cold at night, so I would not want to sleep on the street. In general, I went to a bus stop. I hoped maybe I'll catch a taxi to the factory. And then Leo, you will not believe – I got lucky! From liquor store one guy from our factory is coming out! I jumped on him, almost hugged. In general, I happily bought five boxes of beer and we went back to the factory.

–It"s hell of the story... Lucky you, so lucky. Say thanks to God for not be beaten. You could find much more problematic adventures on your ass.

–Absolutely. No doubts, it could be much more painful. They could get out a machete and check my guts.

–Okay, with hard emotional sex, I hope, you're done. And how at work?

– Oh boy. This Francisco picking on me, and honestly, I don"t even understand what he wants. He really got me... He yells on me like I"m a boy.

– Wow! I thought you're friends... He recommended you.

– He is a "condom"! Leo, just look... Two days ago he sent me again to the smelter for some measurement. And my leg this day was in real pain. I explained it to Francisco in details and said that I"m sorry, but today I can"t go.

–And the next day you already run after the girls without any hurt?

–Again?! Why do you start?! I'm telling you how it was. Well, what the hell am I going to do there, in this hell, especially with a broken leg? They even don"t have there any basic dust-cleaning system! Dust like a fog, and so hot... You will go there five-six times to take a measurement and your lungs will fall off.

–And how do the others work there?

–I somehow don"t care! They will work like this for five years, and in age 50 will move to the cemetery.

–Well, did you draw at least one drawing? I know, just for fun.

– If they give me something I will draw. Don"t start with your sarcasm!

– Listen, Nikolay, maybe you need to look for an emotional job?

–Stop to pin me up! Not funny already! I'm here so far from the family, from the children, under this killing sun, in this ecological hell...

–In which you refused to go.

– What do you want from me?! There are some dudes there who are doing nothing. Anyway, I'm tired of all this shit. And in my soul is somehow ugly, disgusting... In short, I'll come to Toronto and say that I will not go to Panama anymore. Ask them to find me something in the office.

–But you got this job just because you have to go to Panama.

–And here you go. I went once. And now let others to work hard here, who are younger... It has to be some turn. Or they thought that they are smart. I mean, smart-asses who seats in the offices!

–So you'll be fired immediately.

–Who knows? Or maybe not get fired. Well, if I get fired, then maybe it is for better. I'll find a normal job.

–So you, what... When you will arrive, you will call to the HR department?

–No. I'll wait calmly for two weeks, and on the flight day I'll call and say that I'm sick. I didn"t have time to use all my benefits. My wife already used her part and in two weeks I just will finish all my part. And I don"t think that I get fired immediately. Big company, long stories...They will call me to discuss... And they have many procedures... And maybe they transfer me to another project in Toronto. OK, bye. I'll go to drink coffee. I'm tired today. I have arthritis on my wrists again. Difficult to hold mouse in the hand.

9

Grechko had many guests in a house. Nikolay gave a banquet in honor of his return. Koifman with his wife a little delayed, because got into a traffic jam. This turned out to be very useful, since Nikolay had already begun to tell to the guests about the scary working conditions in Panama. The absence of any safety standards, nor the professionalism of local people, etc. And if he wouldn"t have responsibility to the family, he would never have gone there. Someone jokingly asked: "What about local women? Are there any cute ones?"

– Ha, you never can say that they are women. They are so short – all up to my belt. So you can see only the top of the head. And guys, you will not believe, they are all so small, as a children. And I"m not a pedophile. Ha-ha-ha.

Finally Koifman appeared and all amicably sat down at the table. Glasses were full with wine. Someone even shouted: "For the return!" But Grechko vigorously stood up and solemnly raised his glass.

–Dear friends. I do not often say a toasts, but today I would like to say something short and important from the bottom of my heart.

I've been married more than twenty-five years... And every year I love my wife more and more. It's even scary to imagine how I'll love her when we will retire. These six weeks, which I spent without her, just prove me once again about my lucky choice. This choice I did many years ago without any doubts. I'm not just bored there, I just counted minutes...

–Ooo, – all the women breathed out at once and looked with envy at Nikolay's wife.

–And as soon as I saw her, I immediately understood... Whatever money they will paid there, I will not leave the house anymore. And it doesn"t matter that I'm probably to be fired, but... But I'll start looking for work here, next to the house, and next to my beautiful wife. For you my dear!

–Ooo, – all women exhaled again and looked at Nikolay's wife with moistened eyes. She blushed and modestly waved her hand.

After a dense dinner, before dessert, men with glasses of rum, which Grechko brought from Panama, gathered near the fireplace. In the distance, women helped the hostess to clean the table and arrange clean dishes. Nikolay, relaxed lying on the couch and talked about Panama in detail: exotic fruits, jungle, high mountains, sticking out of the morning mist, bloody sunsets and the beauty of the Panama Canal.

– Listen, Nikolay, if seriously... How are the local women?

– It's better for you not to know about this, – the host smiled graciously, – Some girls are so... Big ass, bronze skin, temperament... Oh, better even don"t recall. I'm not going to share details, but as the classic said: there are girls in Panamanian villages! It's like explaining the taste of strawberries to a person who has never eaten it. And in general, the people are very friendly, – Grechko looked timidly at Koifman.

Leo slowly sipped rum, without interfering with Nikolay"s press conference.

In the evening, returning home, Koifman's wife sternly looked at Leo and philosophically asked:

–Could you give up a well-paid job because of love?

–Yes, easily. I would be at home, love you, and you will work instead of me.

–What kind of person are you?! – Koifman's wife sniffed, – you are telling me about Nikolay all sorts of derogatory things... that he, kind of fool, weak designer and doesn"t understand what he's drafting... But look how he loves his wife! You'd better take an example from him!

– Well, I love you too. Or I suppose to walk around with big placate: "I love my wife!"

–Yah... You always with your jokes... I'm serious...

–Nikolay is a good fellow, of course. Otherwise we wouldn"t be friends. Honestly, his toast was well said. He probably was preparing it all these six weeks in Panama.

–Okay, drive the car careful. The snow has not really been removed. It is slippery.

Koifman took a napkin and with pleasure blew his nose.

And somewhere far away in sunny Panama, on the sunny beaches of the ocean, the short machos sat in luxurious bars, drank a bluish tequila and stroked big-ass girls on their bronze skin.