Алексей Аркадьевич Мухин
Stories of one night

Actress’s Diary

– Gukovskiy! Gukovskiy!

– Huh? – Pavel answered drawling, not understanding who might need him at this moment, when the material has not been ready yet, there are loads of documents on the table and the turned-on computer starts to annoy with the same type of icon.

“I should change it”, – a thought flashed through his mind.

– Go to the chief, – a voice materialized in the form of his colleague Sveta.

Pasha nodded. The edition office was already noisy. Everyone was running with papers, showing something to someone. Sveta, after passing him the chief’s request, sat down at her desk and began to call on her mobile phone, tinting lips with one hand.

“How can she manage to combine it all?” – Pasha thought.

The “asshole” (it’s the nickname of Alexander Pletnyov – a skinny blond tall guy who was constantly mocking at Pavel and making fun of him) was telling something to Natasha. Sensing that Pavel was looking at him, he turned around.

– What are you staring at, Celentano? Go, the chief calls you. What are you staring at, slow poke! – He drawled the last word.

Natasha, a busty brunette, laughed as always.

“What a beauty!” – Pavel thought.

He stood up, straightened his fashionable scarf and headed to the chief.

– Hey, Celentano, – the “asshole” called him. – Who are you, Gukovskiy – a Pole or a Jew?

– I am a Jewish Mason! – Pavel retorted.

– Sanya, why did you pick on the guy! – Sveta intervened.

– Oh, our protection has woken up!

– Well, that’s enough! – Sveta shrugged and stared at the monitor.

– He can not stand up for himself! – Alexander did not back off.

– Shall I pour some water over your head? – Pasha asked.

– Just try it!

– Okay, enough! – Pavel said.

He waved his hand and went into the chief editor’s office opposite. The door was closed, and he knocked softly.

– Gukovskiy, come in.

– How did you know it was me? – Pavel said, coming in.

– How, how… Only you come in like this – always guilty and very long.

After hearing the morality of how one should come into an office, Pavel thought, while looking at this, no longer young man: “Why are they all so alike? A bald spot on the head, certainly a white shirt, a tummy and short legs (well, they can’t do without them, do they?), piggy eyes, darting for you in search of some other disadvantages. Maybe, the chief editor is a nationality? Just look at Chinese – they all look alike!”

– In short, Gukovskiy, we need material from you! You are a social lion here.

You even have a nickname, which everybody envies – Celentano! In general, you need to write something about Yarskaya… Sorry, – his phone rang, and the chief editor picked it up.

A secretary entered the room and laid some documents on the table for him to sign. The editor pointed her at a chair, and started signing the documents.

– I said, about Yarskaya!

– Fuck you! – Pavel snapped after a pause.

The chief editor even stood up in surprise.

– How are you talking to me?!

The secretary, a young girl, graduate of the Faculty of Journalism, dyed blonde in a short skirt, who was sitting on a chair, got embarrassed and stared at Pavel, too.

– I will not write anything about Yarskaya!

– Fling mud at her gently, delicately.

– No!

– Pasha, do you want to get salary?.. That’s all, Lida, you may go, – he ordered to the secretary. She obediently left.

– Semyon Semyonovich, this woman will remain in the history of the Russian cinema. We won’t be here, and she will be remembered. She is a star, one of the rare ones. And there will never be the same one on the horizon.

– Pasha! Pasha! Pasha! You are talking about different things! It’s advertising for them! Yarskaya is a bright name. Now everyone is talking about her… Well, take an interview.

– She does not give interviews until the fall.

– I’ll fire you until the fall! – He said a quiet, measured voice. – Do you understand? – He stared at Pavel. – Take that act of yours when you poured water over Sanya’s head… Well, everyone is laughing at you. Everyone knows that you’re in love with Yarskaya as a boy despite your many years. Well, you should somehow… You offended your friend.

– Pletnyov is not my friend!

– Well… and to hell with him… And I…

– I will not write a single bad word about Yarskaya! – Pavel interrupted him.

– Get out of here! You’re fired! Just sitting here, with no sensible material from you! Pathetic scribbler! Everybody writes! Everybody lies! And you’re of the decent ones, it’s even disgusting! The newspaper must be bought, and for this there must be something written in it… Try to enter a shop without money and take some sausage. And in a bid to pay, just say: “Oh, I have no money… You know, I did not write nasty things about Yarskaya and thus was not given salary…” So, when they give you your sausage, then we will not write nasty things! Is everything clear? Well, who I’m telling all this! So, either you quit or interview Yarskaya. If no – you’re fired! And without further talking!

The chief editor was shouting. He even turned red from screaming.

– You know… – Pavel made a pause. It was clear that he was going to say something that… – I wanted to tell you this long ago. You’re such an asshole! – Pavel said the last word with relish, focusing on each letter.

– What? – The chief editor’s eyes began to leave for the desired orbit. – I… am an asshole?! You… Get out of here!!! – He yelled with all his forces.

Pavel went out, banging the door especially loudly. He went into the office.

Sveta looked at him intently. Then she got up and came closer to appease her friend.

– Pasha, what’s up with you?.. I heard shouting even from here.

– I’m so sick and tired of everything! – Pavel took a seat. – Working your ass off here… I worked for him from the very beginning… I’ll leave, Sveta.

– Pasha, what? – She leaned closer to him, touched his hand.

– I… I… – He began to drive his hand from side to side. – I’m a pathetic scribbler, good-for-nothing!

– Well, come on! Do you really pay attention to it?

– He remembered everything: lack of private life, nickname Celentano, because I’m ugly, and not so charming, as he is…

Pavel blew out his cheeks and slowly let the air out. His eyes blinked under the glasses and began to fill with tears.

– I’m leaving.

He rubbed his eyes, already full of tears, and sighed.

Then he took his mobile phone and wallet out of the top drawer and left.

– Lena, where are you going? – Sergey asked, trying to stop her.

– Sergey, leave me alone! – Lena pulled down his arm and headed for the hallway.

– Lena, don’t leave! Lena, don’t leave! – He stood in the middle of the hallway repeating the same thing.

– Sergey, I don’t love you! You know that.

– You are so beautiful, you can not even imagine…

– I’m sick and tired of all of you!!! – She yelled with all her forces and cried. –

I’m still a person, and not just an actress. I’m not playing a role, I want to say something, and you just have to listen.

Sergey came over and hugged her.

– Sergey, I don’t want to live like this anymore. I’m leaving you! – She pushed him.

– For Cheburashka?

She looked at him angrily.

– Misha is from him, huh? Is it true? – Sergey stared into her eyes.

– Misha is from me, – she said quietly and walked out the door calmly.

– Elena Mikhailovna, where are you going? – Her guard Mikhail tried to stop her, watching his tearful boss leaving in a short slinky dress. And it will be evening soon.

A luxurious cloud of hair swinging at each step of hers rested on her shoulders.

Her gait was from the hip. Moreover, from such luxurious hips! She was as graceful as a swan floating on the river. Her facial features and blush were so good that it seemed that she used very expensive cosmetics, but in fact she did it very rarely and mainly for the shooting. The impression was the Lord has once again decided to create Eve, only her name was Elena Yarskaya.

Mikhail was nervously fingering the radio in his left hand and watched her. He felt when it was better to leave his boss alone, but at the same time he was supposed to know where she was.

– Misha, bunny, – she came to him.

– So, it’s Misha or bunny? – He asked, trying to cheer Elena. And he succeeded. A charming smile appeared through the tears.

– What a confidence smile you have!

He stood in front of her admiring the view. Taking a coat from her hands, he said quietly:

– Let me show you the way. Take your coat, it’s cold in the evening.

She nodded. Mikhail was her personal bodyguard and they became friends soon. He became her best friend in the pants, whom she could trust many things that her female friends would not understand because of their talkativeness and chronic natural curiosity. Mikhail often rescued her from various vicissitudes: rich annoying fans, love affairs and other troubles.

– Misha!..

He did not let her finish.

– Are you going to Cheburashka?

– No, I’m going to relax a bit… And I was not drinking! – She knew about his suspicions.

– Be careful, otherwise…

Now it was Elena’s turn not to let him finish.

– I remember it – “a good front crash”, – she voiced his bore argument somehow sadly.

– What? – Mikhail hesitated. – Not scary at all?

– Well, you’re threatening and threatening all the time, – Elena said, opening the door of the car.

She took her coat from the guard’s hands and threw it on the seat.

– Misha, I love you very much. I even named my son after you. You’re my best friend!

– Well, come here, I’ll kiss you, so be it.

Misha spread his hands. She laughed even harder, seeing her husband’s glance in the window, and with the tips of her lips touched lightly Mikhail’s cheeks.

– Bye, Misha.

– Call if you need me.

– Bye, – she said again and sharply took off.

Streets, lights of the big city were flashing by. She turned on the high beam.

During the first minutes she thought of nothing. Everything was left somewhere behind. It always seemed to her that problems stayed exactly where you lived. The whole area inhabited by you acquires your thoughts. You need only to go beyond it, and it becomes much easier for the soul, freedom overwhelms a tired heart.

She sighed, and then…

Pavel went out to breathe fresh spring air mixed with Moscow’s smell of cars, shimmering banners and an endless stream of people running somewhere. He was at piece. He did what he wanted: told the chief that he was an asshole.

“Lord, only two words, and it’s so easy on the soul! So calm! Only it’s not clear what will happen next. Ah, well, tomorrow will be tomorrow”.

He decided to have a walk. While walking, he tried to figure out where to go, and whether to go there at all. He ran across the road and he went to a café: decided to take a hot cappuccino there. It will be evening soon, and he felt cool, even though he was in a jeans suit. The café had Wi-Fi, and he asked for the network.

He went to “Rambler” and read: “…Elena Yarskaya crashed on the Abakumova Avenue. A child ran suddenly into the road, she wrenched away and crashed into a truck. Her…”

He ran out of the café, throwing some money for the cappuccino, and rushed to the accident site. It was very close, he had to run two blocks only. Pavel ran them without looking back, pushing people and running in front of cars. Soon he saw the accident site: a truck across the road, and what was left of Yarskaya’s car (BMW of the color of wet asphalt) – a pile of twisted iron now, and a crowd of people watching this horror. He ran closer. She was in the car. Her face, thick hair – everything was covered in blood. Pavel pushed through the crowd and tried to get to her. By the sounds she was making, he realized that she was still alive.

– Has anyone called an ambulance?! Has anyone called an ambulance?.. –

Pavel yelled with all his forces.

Everyone stood stone-still: a lean student in glasses, falling jeans and stupid blue sweater, a woman with four shopping bags in two hands, some bald hunk filming everything on his mobile phone, and a dozen of other passers-by.

– It’s Yarskaya! – Someone said in the crowd.

– So I film it because of Yarskaya, – the hunk explained calmly.

Pavel felt her pulse – she was still alive!

Remembering first aid techniques, as he recently got his driving license, Pavel gently pulled her out of the car, called an ambulance and the traffic police. According to the rules, she could not be taken away from the scene, but the same could be said about leaving her in this state on the roadway, especially knowing the “speed” of our ambulances. And he needed the first aid kit to help her. He took the liberty and moved her to a small café, which was across the road.

– That’s right, there, – the trucker, a heavyset man of short stature in a baseball cap and robe, supported him.

He stroked his mustache, took her over from Pavel’s hands and helped to carry her to the café.

– You bring her up, and I’ll wait here for the cops.

Pavel nodded and brought Elena in the café.

The waiter – the stronger one – intercepted Yarskaya and put her on the sofa.

Meanwhile, she slowly recovered, and now only moaned.

– Vasya, hang a sign “Closed” on the door. No big deal, they’ll drink elsewhere. We have something here!!! – The stronger one ordered to his slim colleague.

– Aye, understood! – An obedient boy rushed to perform the task.

– So, come on: cotton, alcohol, first aid kit, if any, – Pasha ordered.

– I’ll be back right now, – the waiter ran away.

While he was absent, Pasha took a damp cloth and wiped the blood from Lena’s forehead. Soon, the waiter returned with the first aid kit. Pasha treated the wound and gave her ammonia to smell.

Elena came to herself, sighing and moaning.

She opened her eyes.

– Oh, who are you? There’s a girl… and where am I?.. We have to go!..

She tried to get up.

– There is no need to go anywhere, – Pavel said calmly. – The girl’s all right.

How do you feel?

– What do you mean – no need?! – Elena started screaming and tried to get up again.

– Lie!

– I do not need to lie! – She rudely pushed his hand away. – We have to go and save the poor child! I go! Let me go immediately! – She attempted to get up again.

Pavel forcibly sat her down on the sofa.

– Hold her! She’s in shock! – Pavel called the waiter.

The latter grabbed Yarskaya. His grip was actually strong. She immediately stopped and stared at the waiter, her eyes bulging. Meanwhile, Pasha opened a bottle with pure alcohol and poured it into a cup.

– Drink! – He gave it to Elena.

She drank and leaned back on the sofa, calming down. Pasha and the waiter stood aside looking at her, as if bewitched. Then they looked at each other.

– Alcohol is the best anti-shock remedy! – Pavel commented.

– Ah, – the waiter answered, looking admiringly at Pavel.

– What’s your name? – Pavel asked.

– Pasha.

– Namesake! Nice to meet you!

– And are you Celentano? – The waiter did not let him finish.

– Yes, Adriano, – Pasha remarked ironically and then added, – Okay, I’m sorry. Pasha, we need a hearty meal. Bring us something instead of the alcohol.

– Got it, – the waiter nodded.

– I’ll pay, – Pavel called after him.

– Everything on the house! – The waiter said, leaving to fulfill the order.

Pavel approached Yarskaya and sat opposite. He looked around the café. The place was pleasant in all respects. Twilight, dim light in beautiful chandeliers, paintings on the walls – all this created a situation of solitariness. However, wooden tables and white tablecloths on them looked very standard and somehow not in the Moscow style, without the pathos inherent to local restaurants. But the interior was extremely well matched.

– Well, how are you? – He leaned over Elena.

– Quite well! Everything happened so quickly: a truck, that girl, her mother, I was so confused…

She gestured strongly. It was evident that she was off her head.

– And then I…

Pavel handed her a glass of water. Lena drank it greedily.

– Do you happen to have a mirror and a comb?

– You are a real woman, – Pavel said admiringly.

She did not answer. Pavel even thought that she was tired of compliments. He got her everything she asked. While Elena was making her toilet, Pavel was afraid to disturb her with a gaze, then sat and stared at her.

Soon the table was set and they sat down to have dinner.

– We have such an unusual acquaintance! – She said with a smile, and took a deep breath.

– It’s okay. You’ll be calmer in a bit.

– Why so? – She asked briskly.

– I finished driving courses recently. There I attended lectures on first aid during accidents.

– Um, they turned out handy, you see.

– Yes, – Pavel said. – Let’s have a drink.

– Well, as I understand it, for the meeting? – She supported him, raising her glass.

They clinked glasses.

– And I know you. You are Celentano.

– Well, yeah, – Pavel remarked ironically. – Adriano.

– Well, what’s up? You are a charming man… And I did not introduce myself. I am Elena.

– I know who you are, – Pavel said delicately.

– Well, you still need to introduce yourself, don’t you? How are you here, a savior?

– Well, I… you know… problems somehow piled up, I went out for a walk, and then you… in such a situation. I read online that you crashed to death.

– Oh! Well, that’s something new about me! I already “was” a lesbian, slept with all the men of the Russian cinema. I have not been a zoophile yet.

She perked up a bit.

– Do you suffer a lot from the “yellow” press?

– Well, you know… it’s passable. There is, however, one journalist. He is really a representative of the oldest profession…

– And who is that?

Pavel expected to hear “Alexander Pletnyov”, but she shrugged. There was a pause.

– Well, and you? Where were you going?

– I, – she caught her breath, – was going from an unloved man to a beloved one. Wanted to tell him that I love him very much and that he should decide whom to be with. I don’t really like the role of a mistress.

– Yes, it’s not really pleasant. It involves love, but… – Pavel joined her.

– That’s right, there is a “but”. And it’s all about it. Everything should be in place. Beloved people should be together. It’s okay, – she said sadly.

– You know, Lena, until you meet the reciprocity… I had women. Only when I allowed them to be loved, I immediately became the best and the most wonderful

one. But then I had to sleep with them without love, and it’s immoral. And the far-fetched pleasure…

– In my opinion, Pasha, we are very proper ones, – Elena concluded, listening to his words. Pavel laughed.

– Many people said something like that to me.

– And I have not come to the place of my destination, – she again passed on sad notes.

– Well, I can give you a lift, – Pavel suggested.

– We’ll sort it out, – Elena waved a hand.

She called the waiter and asked:

– Pasha, do you have the Internet?

– Will do.

Soon he appeared with a laptop. They got on the Internet. The whole network flashed with the news that Elena Yarskaya crashed in a car accident: “A famous actress is dead! A terrible accident took place on the Abakumova Avenue”.

– Yeah, – she pushed away the laptop and thoughtfully bit her finger.

– I can call… tell them that you are alive, – Pavel suggested.

– No!!! Dead, then dead!!! – She replied sharply and even rude.

– Um, – Pavel started from a sudden rise in her voice.

– I’m sorry, – she apologized.

Pavel nodded.

She leaned back on the sofa again and stared thoughtfully out the window.

– Eat something, – Pasha suggested some time later.

– Yeah, let’s eat. We should ask the waiters not to rat me out. Let’s say that you have taken me to the hospital yourself.

She was silent for a long time and then suddenly said:

– Pasha, I have desires that I have wanted to fulfill for a long time. And now there is a unique situation – everyone thinks that I’m dead. Will you help me?

– With pleasure, – he disappeared in his own smile.

Not far from the café there was a parking lot. Pavel always left there his car – a brand new Volvo which he was able to buy immediately after the courses. They drove out of the parking lot and headed towards the ring road. A long road went right all the time. Cars were becoming scarce. Basically, at this time of the day people were going in the opposite direction – to the city.

They passed the last neighborhood and were outside the city.

– I said good-bye to him in a bad way. It’s about my husband, – Elena began her story. – I can tell you this, – she involuntarily smiled and became thoughtful. –

We met long ago, during my first shoot. He is my first director.

Pavel looked at her and then back at the road.

– The first film role. I was in the wild delight. The first director – and crazy about me! I was happy! Then, receiving the first flowers, I realized that he was in love with me. Then – more. He’s older than me and always seemed so experienced.

And I am so naive, I always thought that everything would be endured and there would be love, I consoled myself with the thoughts that one loves, and the second one

allows to be loved. But then I wanted to love. I don’t know when I would have time for everything. Anyway, time is needed for relations, and with my employment…

Sergey became very jealous. Thank God, at least he did not raise a hand to me. Pasha, I just wanted to call on him and thank him. I have not told it to him for such a long time. And now, when I’m dead, – she giggled.

– Don’t tell me such things! What’s up?! – Pavel was indignant.

– Well, I’m sorry.

– I… – Pavel started gesticulating. – Well, it’s nothing!

While she spoke, an elite settlement inhabited by new Russian movie, TV stars and other celebrities appeared on the horizon.

– Where shall I go? There? – Pavel asked.

– Yes, Pasha. The second house. Park there, on the left.

A beautiful three-story red brick building barely peeked from behind a tall fence. There was a massive gate with two cameras and two searchlights illuminating the road. Pavel came closer and stopped.

– I’ll go with you, it’s already late, – Pavel turned on the light in the cabin.

She became thoughtful.

– I suppose, yes, – and she got out of the car decidedly.

Approaching the gate, they called. Nobody answered, only a ringtone sounded.

Lena and Pavel looked at each other. Then Lena tried to open the gate. She managed to do it. The gate was opened. She carefully looked inside.

– Pasha, let’s go, – she whispered softly.

An asphalt path illuminated by the searchlights led from the fence to the house.

Around it there was a green lawn with an automatic grass-watering system. But in the house, with about twenty people inside, there was absolute silence.

– Pasha, something has happened here, – Elena whispered again.

Looking back, they went to the house along the asphalt path.

– Let me go first, I’m still a man, – Pavel said quietly and went forward.

He opened the door quietly, and they went inside. TV was on, loudly reporting on the death of Elena Yarskaya, lights were turned on in the hall. They walked up and froze.

– Who’s there? – A voice asked.

– Sergey, it’s me, – she came out of hiding.

– Lena! But you…

A short-cut, black-and-gray-haired man of about forty-five stood looking at his wife. He was wearing faded jeans and a dark blue sweater.

– What’s the matter with you? – She came closer and touched his face, seeing the marks of beatings on it.

– You’re alive! The main thing is that you’re alive! – He hugged his wife and noticed Pavel.

– Who are you? – Sergey asked.

– Sergey, I have not introduced you two. This is my savior.

– And how did it happen?.. – He wanted to say that she was considered dead.

But she did not let him finish.

– Well, then it must be so.

– They searched for your diary, Lena. By the way, they showed me your photo, too, – Sergey turned to Pavel. – Soon is April 4 – presidential elections. Yes, yes, Cheburashka can fail.

– Beasts! – Elena sighed and lowered her head. – Sergey, do not tell anyone that I came. Okay?

Pavel understood that they needed to talk and he – to leave them alone. He went outside and got in the car.

– Sergey, I would like to say thank you for everything you have done for me…

– Well, wait, – he tried to hug her.

– Don’t interrupt me, – Elena snapped. – Thank you for what you have done for me. We will never meet again.

Sergey watched her, not looking away. She turned and left. Sergey was left alone. He did not want to run after her, realizing that it was useless. Anyway, he got a lot: five years of her life, joint life with him. And now he was standing in an empty hallway and listened to the sound of her footsteps – of the woman he loved, who was going away forever and who would never return. Once in the car, Elena did not say anything for a long time. Pavel was silent and waited for an order.

– Go, – she said.

– Where to? – Pavel asked.

– Straight.

He started. They drove back to the city. Elena still did not say anything – only told him where to go further. Pavel thought that it did not become easier for her after that visit.

– Take me, for example, – he said cheerfully. – Today I told my boss that he is an asshole!

Lena looked at him in surprise.

– And my mood is wonderful! And you say goodbye in such a sad way! There is in fact a sacred female commandment: “Do not be sad, otherwise your breasts will be bad”.

His joke succeeded. Elena smiled and rejuvenated.

– How so? Did you get sick and tired of him?

– Ah, – Pavel shrugged. – An asshole is an asshole. You just endure it, and then fly over the handle… But in general, it became easier. And after that I went for a walk.

– Oh, I see. And what are you now?

– I’ll find another job.

– Be sure to find it. Everything will be fine.

They were silent for some time.

Soon Pavel started to realize, where they came; the area seemed very familiar to him.

– Novo-Ogaryovo? – He asked.

– Yes, it is. Cheburashka lives here.

– Residence of the President, cool! And is he a loved one?

– Well, – Elena began to gesticulate. – It just happened so, – she added with humor. – We met at a reception in honor of the anniversary of something. We talked

for a long time, then fled from everybody to the balcony, and drank champagne.

Three minutes – and I fell in love. I was looking at him, with my mouth open, and he continued to say something. Then he admitted that it was the same thing with him. I have never loved so, and it came late to me, I was already married. And then he walked me home through the night Moscow. It turned out that in order to see how people live he often walks around the city by himself. We searched the most unusual places of the capital. Still, we have an amazing city. Then we started dating, and Misha appeared – the best man in the whole world. But… he’s married, and then he has another love – politics… Yesterday I was going to tell him to dare to something: whether abandon his wife and politics and stay with me, or…

Elena sighed. Then she grinned.

– You know, I wanted to tell him that he is an asshole! I was so angry. I can’t stay with Sergey, I don’t love him, it all became unbearable… Let’s go?

– Elena Mikhailovna, who will let us in? Maybe you have a right to entry, but not me – of that I’m sure.

– Pasha, don’t be a chicken! It’s Russia. Here, there is a hole in each fence! –

She said cheerfully.

– What, in this too?

Pavel stared at Lena with surprised eyes. She said nothing – just smiled.

Approaching a long white fence, beyond which there was the residence, Lena took off her shoes, threw one of them over the fence, then the second one.

– Follow me! – She commanded. Pavel shook his head, but obeyed.

The guard was interested in flown items, so they climbed through a secret passage and entered the territory of the residence. They found themselves in front of a huge oak tree in the park – and stood there with their legs apart and their hands behind the back.

– Elena Mikhailovna! – Chief of the guard was screaming at her, surrounded by his subordinates. – There, there is a door! And above it, there is a doorbell!

– Boys, –she began playfully, turning to them. – Pavel and I were walking past the residence. I was in a good mood. There was nobody in the street, and I allowed myself a weakness – tossed up a shoe, and it accidentally flew over the fence. So I decided to climb in, but I would not climb in one shoe, like a fool. That’s why I threw the second one.