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			(The novel, a fragment) 

					To the kid who was afraid of all 
					And to which has nothing to lose now. 
					       			A.D. 


						The rifle solves all. 
								Mao Tszedun 

					 	In my opinion, so. 
								Winnie-the-Pooh 

			PART THE FIRST 

			   STAGNATION 

			1. THE PRIEST 

     — Go you to hell, a bough! — the priest has murmured and has woken up. 
     This time at sukkuba there were grey eyes, a cool skin, and it was 
Very-very gentle. And instead of lust radiated almost parent heat... 
However, that messengers of a devil are inventive, the priest never 
Doubted. 
     The priest was nishch and consequently is rather fair. He did not own any 
The property, except tridtsatipjatiletnego the worn out body, fragmentary clothes, 
The weapon rusting from year to year, the lop-sided hut, absolute belief — 
Underside of absolute unbelief — and the ways, which end — somewhere 
Outside of a life. However, the priest only deceived itself that at it 
There is a way. Actually it has settled in this damned city strongly and 
For a long time... 
     It is better not to think of such things. The priest considered, that not too 
The legible God has awarded with its inescapable loneliness, uncertain 
Melancholy and the restrained heart, impregnable for a destructive grief, and also 
Complaints of the trampled advantage. It has as a result turned out that se — the person 
Weak and the extremely timid; nedonoshennyj the prophet cultivating one only 
Weeds on tiny ogorodike feelings; the useless conductor which has got lost 
In crowd of ugly creatures; a stuffed animal on the guard of emptiness. Local ravens for a long time vyklevali to it 
Eyes. 
     ... Some minutes it sat, getting used to that in reality to it at all 
So it is good, as was in a dream. But a dream minul, and false mother (shape 
Present the priest at all did not remember) has escaped in a non-existence. It and 
Has thought: "non-existence" instead of "TSarstvija Heavenly" or, at the worst, 
"geenny fiery". The belief was not for it a natural shelter shy 
And ephemeral dushonki where that would direct at each small 
Accident, the next painful blow put by the validity. 
The belief that unique justification which the priest could was faster 
To think up to suffering. To own suffering and sufferings of all of the others. 
Painful thirst reminded of water; an unsatiable pain of heart — that 
There should be a medicine for all illnesses... 
      The priest was not for long tormented with that has half asleep burst 
Curse. To it it happened and to blaspheme, when does not remain 
Other exit. He believed, that to the God, as to any abrupt muzhik, 
To spit on that speak about him and even think. Besides, conscience at 
The priest was compliant. Otherwise he simply would not stretch in this city 
And weeks. 
     The morning cold was much more essential than silent pangs of conscience, 
Making the way under a cassock, as if insinuating palms of the whore. The priest chilly 
poezhilsja from dampness and sinful myslishek. Has then come nearer to a window, that 
To look, whether there will be today "twin". 
     Without approval of "twin" the priest did not dare for a long time any more 
To put out a nose from a hut. Unless will call on christening or burial service, 
But also in this case he tried to finish a ceremony faster... 
     To see "twin" a direct sight it is impossible. The priest fine 
Knew it and consequently was double up under a window, trying to catch peripheral sight 
Moving stain... "Twin" usually was to it in the form of a figure in a cassock and 
The strange headdress similar to a black hat without fields. 
     As the hut of the priest was hardly probable not last lived 
By kennel on northern suburb, from its unique window it was looked through 
Sad razmokshaja the road conducting for limits of a city. The priest has inertly yawned 
(It was hypotonic) and has seen a dark silhouette through a rain veil. 
     In a minute it became clear to it, what is it not its "twin", and the person 
From a flesh and blood. The dirty flesh, the poisoned blood. A rare bird. Now 
The few ventured to travel alone... 
     The priest has sat down and began to look very attentively. 
     The person has been equipped approximately the same as heroes of last films 
Genre "istern" which the priest saw in the childhood. Films acted in film 
Household videocameras, for the present it was possible to get elements of a food for 
Them, also the rewritten tens times extended on the cartridges, with 
preparshivejshim quality. But all the same each copy cost the whole 
Condition... In due course films became almost documentary and, in opinion 
The priest, sinned with excessive naturalism. However its opinion nobody 
Was interested. 
     ... The Priest has felt at once, that a stranger entering into a city, — not 
Any plundered in a wild zone and by miracle the escaped idiot-dealer. And 
Still he has understood, that henceforth in a city there was a new problem. As though them 
Was a little for last two weeks! 
     The person was self-assured and simultaneously ready to the worst. 
Dangerous fruit. The person out of the law, short of the law aspiration to survive 
At any cost. The priest has noted the physiognomy which has grown with a bristle, the blinked eyes and 
Sadly warped severe mouth; shapeless, but the strong canvas 
shmote, stitched by thick threads, and here and there and a rusty wire; boots with 
The soles which have been cut out from an automobile tyre cover; a cap with ear-flaps, in which 
The turned red star has grown; the hunting double-barrelled gun, two "makarovyh" 
On a belt and the god knows how much in other, less obvious places; the big 
Knife for meat cutting... 
     It is heavy to drag on itself so much iron. But it is better to drag it, than naked 
To lay in a coffin, — the priest would agree with it even. 

			2. THE JACK 

     For that he preferred deberts to other games and almost always won, 
It named the Jack, and it was pleasant to it. Shortly and without snivels. The 
He has forgotten for a long time a children's name. During a time of puberty it was simply 
"Number 4312" on potato plantations of the secretary general of Party of Revival 
Rudicha, has not run away yet therefrom, having killed the security guard, trying to arrange to the young 
To the virgin proktologicheskoe sounding. 
     Now of the past reminded only ugly brand — four figures, 
Burnt out on an outer side of the right forearm. It is good, what not on a forehead. 
The jack has saved a trade dress, but since then under any weather conditions carried clothes with 
Long sleeve. 
     It is surprising, that it remained is live in that short time interval, 
When studied to address with the weapon. In one perfect day it has surpassed 
In speed the majority of the guys without discrimination shooting in woods and on roads. 
He could hammer together and head group of free murderers, however was congenital 
The individualist. Besides, he instinctively understood: any society is 
Such gang in which you fuck someone, but someone necessarily fucks 
You. And it was not pleasant to it, when it fuck, if, of course, it were not 
Girls from a type institution "Hot sponges", yearned on the high-grade 
To the muzhik. 
     At memoirs on last similar adventure in Volchanske it 
Has felt languor in chreslah. As for a long time it was and as recently! For the Jack 
There was no time problem. It was in a happy semianimal 
Condition of eternally young predator. Hunting, satisfaction, a dream — this 
The vicious circle at all did not seem it vicious or boring. He lived as was, 
Not reflecting neither about difficult, nor about the simple. He was able to shoot without the uniform 
Thought gleam, that is why — faster other thought. When affairs developed 
Not in the best way, it without hesitation fell a muzzle in a dirt, at all not recollecting 
About a life and death that is why has not been strained and it was not compressed for fear... 
     It finished the majority of duels by the first shot. If came across 
So competent single, happened, that there was a firing. Sometimes 
There were no cartridges. Then the Jack started the ancient knife, on which 
The strange hooked cross and inscription "Krupp" has been beaten out. A knife 
Intended for meat cutting. The jack always used things strictly on 
To purpose. 
     However, from Volchanska it hardly was on the lam. It is necessary, what ill luck — 
shlepnul not the one whom it was possible, in a dairy bar "Light way"! 
Shot there was the sonny of the local governor, and a Jack for the first time with 
Surprise has learnt, that its own head even separated from a body, 
Costs whole ten thousand coins or one thousand automatic cartridges of calibre 7,62! 
     The round-up was such dense, that it inevitably would finish on kolu, if 
Not one married woman who has blazed to it with vicious passion. A jack 
Two days has stayed in a case standing in its bedroom, and has been compelled at night 
To listen to free erotic concerts. It was devilishly difficult 
Test!. 
     When the round-up has moved for city limits, the Jack has awarded the 
The rescuer by an illegitimate germ also it was washed off on a horse of her husband. On 
The next night a horse has shot down any wood hippar which spun 
Clothes from a horsehair, however the Jack not strongly on it has taken offence, therefore 
That for a long time did not eat some meat. The horse-flesh has appeared rigid, as a sole, and without a horsy 
It was necessary tugovato. 
     Troubles pursued the player. Even the weapon, with which it not 
Left, has played with it a bad joke. Fairly burdened by metal, it 
Hardly has not gone to a bottom, trying to cross the dirtied small river in made a hole 
To flat-bottomed boat, and in addition has had suffered much poisons. Should be, under the influence of chemistry 
Something has come in dream to a jack at the bottom of a whirlpool very bad. Since then he chose 
More reliable ways of a crossing. 
     Bridges and fords belonged for a long time to local gangster gangs. Approaches 
To them often were utykany long-term fire points. Ferrymen too 
Did not miss a case podoit the client. With the uncompromising managed simply — 
And more it was easier to hide there and then the ends in water... 
     Next time the Jack has preferred the ferry, but to pay to it it would not be desirable. 
Therefore four more have died of lead overdose, and the ferry, a dugout on 
And an old cow it have appeared to coast at its full order. There was an occasion 
To think, whether to be engaged in favourable business in sphere of services. However the Jack 
Has decided, that a settled life all the same not for it. And the cow has soon died, 
Not having sustained burdens of a way. 
     As a result now it stamped on shank's mare and dragged tired out 
Hallows in small town with the strange name "In". Such letters have escaped on 
The old roadside index which remained in one hundred steps behind. Judging 
On the sizes of the index, earlier, except these letters, there were also others. But the Jack 
Had nothing against: In so In. If only here were binge, gambling 
The house, not too lousy girls and old videocassettes in someone's chest. 
     Films (it is desirable sentimental melodramas) were small 
Weakness of the Jack about which very few people knew in this world and over which 
Precisely nobody would risk to laugh. In its road bag the relic laid, 
Stolen in a city the Barrel and turned just in case in three layers 
Cellophane, — a tape with the strange name "Silence of lambs". Safety 
Copies was almost improbable, the image — without failures and a torch, 
And to all — a good sound. 
     The jack has had time to look only dvadtsatiminutnyj a fragment. For the sake of it to it 
It was necessary to shoot the person. It not fluctuating would shoot still desjateryh, 
To learn, than there all has ended. He did not understand, that means the name 
Film, but knew precisely — he liked meat of lambs, and he liked silence. 
Similar, here it will find both that, and another. 
     However, there was one small hitch. Near the index the Jack has stopped 
And on a habit was lop-sided back. He has forgotten to learn, whether has something 
Against the lousy city of Ina its "twin". Self-confidence — quite good 
Quality, but only dead men, which completely were self-assured 
The jack for the short life saw enough. 
     So, he looked, trying on what not to focus a sight while on 
To edge of a field of vision there was no grey stain. It moved approximately 
In hundred steps behind the Jack and in general it was similar to its silhouette, only 
Without the person. "Twin" slid over road in regular intervals and rectilinearly. 
Around was peace and harmony. Kladbishchensky rest... 
     The jack has already started to be developed, when its "twin" has suddenly moved and 
Has turned to an unsteady shivering mirror. The jack could swear, that nearby 
With it one more has flown, another's "twin". Ugly, skrjuchennyj, but 
The fast... As death. 
     Bad, unnecessary meeting. And then its "twin" also has at all disappeared. 
     The jack has squeaked teeth. The worthless forecast. However, for a quiet life 
To count it was at least silly. 
     ... With a sceptical smile the Jack has rounded rusty razvaljuhu without wheels. 
He has noticed for a long time, that any little man observes of it from the nearest 
Huts, having hidden behind muddy glass. Ridiculous masking. But the Jack not 
Has given a sign, that has marked shadowing. Another's "twin" met on road, obviously 
Belonged not to this cowardly polecat. 
     Dangers yet were not — otherwise the Jack already would feel 
Habitual aching pain in a nape. Internal "alarm system" never it 
Brought. 
     It has started to clean off slowly from boots stuck dirt. It did it 
Honesty, though was tired to death. Many guys were bent in the unfamiliar 
City in the first put because, that could not move quickly enough. 
     Then the Jack has dared to unbutton trousers. During this procedure 
It was most vulnerable. But all rather, and the one who would try 
To use an opportunity, would make a fatal flaw. 

			*    *    *

     The priest saw from the window as the newcomer has pulled out the device and 
Has urinated directly on old "Mercedes" of a witch... 

			3. THE LOOSE WOMAN 

     Maria has woken up in disgusting mood. The mood was 
Mean, weather — is even more mean, and about an institution "Mlyn" where it was necessary to it 
To go on job in the afternoon, and to speak there is nothing. There for it waited 
Pimply farmers and gemorroidalnye old men to whom will not help and 
The adhered pencil. Happened, the truth, that in "Mlyn" will come somebody 
From guys of the Chief or president's bodyguards, but those have got used 
All to receive for nothing. So, she will earn at the best a gonorrhea. In 
The worst it was possible to obtain a bullet between an eye. Simply so. For laughter. 
     Rasklad was usual, and it was time to get used to it already. Maria fairly 
Tried, but left badly. However, couple of weeks there was one more back 
The reason for discomfort. Same awful, as vypotroshennoe and decapitated 
Body of the old whore from "Cockerel" (a head have found later — it was nasazhena 
On a church cross, and a liver it has appeared in a pan with a liked borsch 
The chairman of town council). However, with whores the such happened. It 
There was a professional risk. That you will not tell about banker Trjahlise or "soloist" 
Trunk. 
     All knew, that the Trunk was the person of the Chief always working in 
The single. "Was", because from it remained only most 
The outstanding part of its body inserted into a mouth to the banker, welded alive. 
Maria saw all it is the eyes — it was among those whom have invited 
For an identification. Not the banker, of course, and the Trunk... 
     Her hand by itself has dived under a bed behind a bottle of apple home-made beer. It 
There was a primitive swill which a butt beat on a head, but relieved on 
Time from all problems. Considerably. The cord was the best means only, but 
The cord is that it is possible to postpone and for tomorrow, and on the day after tomorrow. 
     It has made three big drinks. The head has hooted, as if the cracked 
Church bell. In ten minutes, having recollected golenkogo and mladencheski 
The pink banker with a blood-stained dummy in a mouth, Maria already could smile. 
The human flesh really was either ugly, or ridiculous. Whence 
Then lust undertook?. 
     She has yawned, widely having opened a mouth, and has kicked with a foot of a hungry dog. A dog 
Looked at it a hostile glance. "Will sometime gobble up me", — has thought 
Maria indifferently also has begun to consider in five-100-th time pictures on 
Walls. 
     In the faded photos which have been cut out from old magazines, were 
Well-groomed ladies in the evening dresses covered with jewelry, as it 
Dog — lishajami, the smooth-skinned girls advertising house sun decks, and 
The obviously well brought up men in tuxedos and with dazzling grins. 
Documentary fairy tale. A magic dream which somewhere and for someone was 
Daily occurrence. 
     Maria felt so as if has started in a fresh wound prisolennyj 
Finger... And after all it was still beautiful. Bags under eyes and ranka on a lip — 
It is reparable. It was more difficult with tattoos on an inside of hips. 
Tattoos remained for memory of one clever man, at the same time deprived Maria 
Virginities when to it was only twelve years. On either side of it 
Secret aperture two laying eights — mathematical flaunted 
Infinity symbols. One with plus, another with a minus. 
     Maria really had a huge range. Despite the big 
Quantity of clients among which any rabble prevailed, to it to these 
Time this business was pleasant. The breast, instantly was especially sensitive 
Reacting to caress. On a neck still was not a uniform wrinkle. A sight 
With povolokoj would excite even a stupid animal. In the inheritance from mother Maria 
Has received a healthy, equal, white teeth and dense, slightly a curly hair 
Colours of the grown dull copper. Thin fingers terminated in the firm sharp 
The nails capable not only gently to tickle, but also roughly to scratch. And a skin 
Maria it was fresh and young, as though it beams of the drying up summer did not concern 
The sun and dank air of winter. And though set of geeks left 
Painful hems and traces of burns on its body, twice in her life happened 
Nights for the sake of which it was necessary to live. 
     For the first time the milksop, almost the boy who has amazed has got to it bezborodyj 
Its instinct of the great lover. In second time it was fifty years' 
The veteran with huge experience and refined, precisely devil. Both saw in Maria 
Not simply female with three more or less hard apertures. The boy 
Has concerned it as to a wonderful gift of destiny. Desire has woken him 
Imagination. And she has drunk to the bottom its youth... "Devil", appears, 
Knew, that last time in a life makes love. It killed its tenderness. 
It thawed, while the skin did not become transparent and all heat has not expired outside... It 
Gave it pleasure and not dissipated love with generosity of the doomed. It 
There was its will to the world — fleeting, as if human existence. But 
Not such fleeting as he believed. Maria carried ashes of that night in the 
Heart. 
     The boy have finished off in firing the next evening, and 
"Devil-tempter" have caught and have hung up in the morning... In the first days after those 
Death it seemed to it, that from it have taken out microscopic pruzhinki, 
Fastening muscles and skeleton bones. Then she did not live any more, and flew, as if 
Slops in a ditch, — not because it would be desirable, that is why, that 
There is a bias... 
     It has made two more big drinks. It is not necessary to get drunk before 
In the afternoon, and still... Idea of that it is possible to live and not to drink, 
Has arisen obviously not in the city of Ine, and in any other place. Possibly, there, 
Where the photos decorating walls of its poor bedroom have been made. 

			4. "VU!" 

     The suburb reminded the Jack parodontoznuju a jaw, and grown into the earth 
At home — a rotten unsteady teeth. If all small town such, is necessary 
To look for something it is better... 
     Having left a biped rat behind watching it, he has soon come across 
On another. Unlike the first this did not hide, and joyfully smiled 
To the sobbing sky. The smile feeble-minded was so wide, that rain 
Drops got to it to a mouth. In the best way to get drunk was to drink up only directly 
From a pool. 
     It sat directly on the earth, propping up a back the tumbled down pay phone. 
At it were mladencheski clear eyes and — strange business — absolutely dry 
Head in scabs. The little fool has not reacted to approach of the stranger in any way. 
     At the sight of so perfect rest of the Jack almost for the first time in a life 
Has visited horrible feeling — it has doubted own existence. And 
All because, that any unaided moron was not frightened of it and, similar, 
At all has not noticed... 
     The jack knew two ways of struggle against discomfort. The first — elimination 
The reasons. The second — removal from the reason on possible bolshee distance. 
     — What aim arrivals of the patriarch in In? — The little fool has suddenly asked, 
Yawning. 
     The jack did not know a word "patriarch" and has solved, what is it a new curse. 
By the way, he always preferred the first way of struggle against discomfort. It already 
It was pulled was behind a pistol to shoot down the foolish, but then 
Has thought, that it would be necessary to look round at first. To the local Chief can not 
To like shooting at so early o'clock. The local Chief, maybe, 
Likes to sleep late. And the jack respected local Chiefs — until then, 
While behind them there were strong guys with shot-guns. 

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