Driving along the Russian motorways is much better that along those of Kazakhstan. As you drive along the roads through the tick woods you have the impression that crowds of trees welcome you like people waving with green flags when they meet and see off the esteemed foreign guests. Particularly at night when the woods darken and the sky is covered with stars. The moon kept pace with the truck, now and then disappearing behind the thick branches of age- old fir-trees and pines. I shall never forget the wonderful moments of these moonlit nights.
Once when we made a stop to relieve ourselves I saw a fabulous landscape. The tall Siberian pine-trees appeared to be sleeping under the moon. The warbling of the nightingales resounded so loud and lonely in the forest... We smiled listening to the divine melody that a human being will never be bored with. These unearthly sounds purify the human"s spirit and soul. We long stood there listening to the song of the nightingale. Then we got on the truck and drove on.
By morning the clouds had grown dense and heavy drops of rain began to knock on the wind-screen. After some time the drizzling turned into a pouring rain. Quacking like a duck, the wiper worked rhythmically.
Peter drove with care trying to avoid the truck being skidded. We drove a long time. It was raining nonstop till morning.
In the morning we arrived at a residential area where officers of the State Auto Inspection stopped us. Ramazanov greased an officer"s palm, and they let us go.We were about to start when a Russian guy asked us to give him a lift to Gorelovo. Peter agreed and told him to get in. Rejoicing, he settled pressing us in the cab. The guy whose name was Igor turned out to be a cheerful fellow, and he told us many funny stories and jokes. We laughed and made friends very soon. He offered his assistance in selling our fruits and vegetables. He happened to have ties with well known authorities in the criminal world that were influential in all biggest business centers of Russia. He promised to give us a reliable shelter and protection at the market of the small town of Gorelovo.
- We can go straight to the market if you want- he said - I will acquaint you with a guy who will introduce you to Swede. That"s his nickname. He"s a big authority. He will give you a shelter. Swede has done time in Central Asian prison camps.
- Really? -said Ramazanov -I, too, served a term of imprisonment for hooliganism.
- Then you may rest assured that everything will be all right.
- Thank you, Igor, dear, I said.
- Don"t mention it - Igor said lighting a cigarette.
So we made our way straight to the market. When we arrived there Igor disappeared. We couldn"t wait till he came. At last he turned up with a man by the name of Gulakhmed. .
- I"m Azerbaijani - he said greeting us - we have no language barrier, so we will understand one another easily, and we just have to help one another. Let"s go to Swede.
Armed men of athletic build guarded Swede"s horde. The guard showed us to the boss"s residence.
Swede was in the warm massaging bath along with his masseurs. Wiping himself with the towel he came up to us in a bathrobe. He looked at us lighting a cigarette. Then he suddenly said addressing Ramazan:
- Chimpanzee, is that really you? I can"t believe my eyes. I haven"t seen you for ages. I"ll be damned!
Ramazanov and I exchanged glances. He was at a loss. Swede came and hugged him.
- Hey, you buds! This is my cellmate Chimpanzee. We used to do time in prison!
He led us to the sitting-room where tables were laid. We sat eating and drinking. Well, I thought, that"s human"s destiny. Imperceptibly I asked Ramazanov if he had really been Swede"s cellmate to which he answered:
- Al Kazim, you sit and keep mum. I am from prison camp. I know what to do.
We were speaking Uzbek so no one of those present understood us.
Then Swede, who was sitting next to Ramazanov, got up and raising the glass of cognac proposed a toast. We drank to our guys, i.e. to all those who were languishing in jail.
Now music began to play. A bard sang prison hits and cabaret songs. After the feast we got up and wanted to leave, but Swede did not let us go. He said we were his guests and he had to take care about us. There was a sauna, with chicks to any taste. He also said that the sitting-room was at our disposal and he wanted us to make ourselves at home.
- Chimpanzee, do you remember the way we steamed in the prison bath? I remember how you opened the elephant"s hernia and eviscerated him when he attacked me. The way he kicked the bucket! Then you were sent to the "Gagra" prison camp. I still keep the peg you gave me. Remember, I told you that I am not the ungrateful kind? The world is small, brother. It"s good that we have met.
-Yes - Ramazanov said
Wishing us a joyful night in the company of beautiful girls he left for his harem.
We didn"t sleep till morning enjoying the company of young girls. The next morning at breakfast Swede asked Ramazanov what his business line was. The latter explained. Swede said that it was not thief"s business. A thief should steal and pilfer. Then he told his footmen to bring some cabbages. They brought a briefcase. Swede opened it and, taking ten packs of hundred dollar banknotes, gave them to Ramazanov:
- Here you are. Ten pieces. It"s for saving my life then - Swede said calmly lighting a cigarette.
When we saw such a huge sum of money we nearly went mad.
- Thank you, Swede, - Ramazanov said packing the money.
After lunch when we were left alone Peter asked us to give him his share.
- Ramazanovgave him ten thousand dollars and said:
- Here it is. Leave your dilapidated truck to us and get out following your nose.
Peter took the money and looking around with caution hid it in his pocket. Then he said:
- But how can I get out of here? Your friend will not let me go like that.
- I have a wonderful idea - Ramazanov said in a whisper, winking slyly - We"ll go out for a walk, and vanish.
We looked at him as if he"d gone mad.
- What if we get caught, what shall we do then? - I asked alarmed
-Nothing venture nothing have, Al Kizim. If you don"t want to steal away, we will not keep you. You may stay here for the rest of your life! We"ll disappear before they take the money away from us. God forbid, they will ask for the query from the prison camp where I had served time. That would be the end. We have to go before too late.
- You are a terrible man - I said to Ramazanov to which he sneered like a beast of pray.
After dinner he asked Swede if we could take a walk in the wood. He said:
- All right, the guys will give you a ride on the jalopy.
Ramazanov rejected the guards, in fear:
- No, Swede, I want to stretch a leg with my mates.
- Well, as you wish... Go ahead, there are rats and swine around.
After lunch we went out into the street and walked on through the wood. On our way we came across a small Russian settlement called Gorelovo. We hurriedly parted with Peter there and then took a cab telling the driver to take us to the airport. The driver agreed and we started. We kept silent as if sitting on a volcano. When we were half way through Ramazanov gave the driver a hundred dollar banknote saying:
- Here you are, I want to pay you right off. I see you are not a well off man. You don"t have to give me the change.
The driver took the money thanking the generous client. Then, turning it round, looked at us in surprise.
- What"s this, guys? Are you kidding? Are you clowns or what? Me, I am a serious man. I have been a boxer for nine years.
He stopped the car on the side of the road.
- Why, aren"t they American dollars? - Ramazanov asked in confusion.
The driver got angry:
- Well, do you call this piece of paper American dollars? I will make an enema out of your banknote and stick it into your ass-hole.
- Why, what have I done to you? - Romazanov asked in surprise.
The driver flung with all his might the one hundred dollar bill in his face.
- There! Stick it in your asshole, you brute!
Ramazanov took the bill in his hand and examining it carefully turned pale. The bill was false. The other side of it was totally blank. He took out all the packs and examining them started vigorously tearing them off. All the dollars were false. Then Ramazanov cried out in despair like a savage:
- Ah-aa-a, them crooks! They have cheated us! Damn them, scoundrels!
I saw that the driver got out of the car in anger. Wishing to reassure him, I took the situation under control.
- No problem, I will pay - I said felling in my pockets. Then I took Russian rubles and paid him according to the meter. The driver took the money, and we went out of the car. The driver left at a high speed.
We were exhausted. We sat down on the grass but Ramazanov felt ill at ease, unable to sit long. He got up and started walking nervously to and fro on the side of the rod.