- This is immoral and unacceptable," he cut off the pop.
That's good. Well, I'm not being campaigned to join the IPF. Shall we add a pea to the spoon?
- That's not an argument. You'd agree - and go in slender rows to donate sperm. By the way, even the Bible says that you should be fruitful and multiply. I'm not talking about Song of Songs - that's where the open kamasutra is!
- Julia, if God does not give children, then there are serious reasons for that.
- Like what?
- When the Lord sees that a possible child in a family will be very sick or deeply disabled, He lets that child not be born. There are cases when mothers under the threat of losing a child prayed fervently to God, and the Lord revealed to them through the saints that their prayer is not suitable, because this child will be born a villain, murderer, sacrilege. If mothers did not retreat to satisfy their motherly selfishness at all costs, the Lord would allow the birth of such children, who would then become a disgrace and desecration of their family. Let us take the case of Decembrist Pestel, whom his mother begged when he was five years old and died of diphtheria. The Lord then showed her that her son would recover, but would end up on the gallows. That's what happened later. The mother repented later, but it was too late. God had already answered her prayers. That is why the prayer "Lord, not as I want, but as You want" is very important.
- Prayer, shu-shu, la-la-la... What about the other Decembrists? What about the other Decembrists? If God let Hitler's birth come, he might as well let a couple more scum come. After all, these kids can grow up better than their parents.
- Julia, nothing happens in the world without God's will. And He sends us trials. We have to be humble and bearable. Patience and prayer. And we will be rewarded for that.
- Yeah? Tell that to Decembrist Pestel's mother.
- We're here," the driver announced.
I jumped out of the car in a hurry. So I could get hit like that again!? You can't wait!
Father Paul also came out and now he looked at me with icy eyes.
- Julia, do you mind if we discuss it with you later?
- What the hell?
Rokin's plan was clear to me. To collect me, having in the car such here propaganda force, and on the way to give us to communicate - avost and I will be imbued with light spirit of religion. Yeah, from such an ass, you can only feel the love of money and power. But not to say it to his face? And I didn't want to remind the IPF that "I can see through you all..." either. So I had to argue about the first thing I saw. And why IVF?
I had a friend who wanted to make it. I came to church for a blessing, it's a serious thing. We have to get support from all sides. Or at least hear that IVF is a good thing. And the priest berated her on the first day. Almost the same arguments. And she is not ready yet, and everything is in God's hand, and the child can grow up to be a hell of a person, and it is necessary to pray, and in general - IVF is a third party interference in family relations, and this - is unacceptable! She then complained to her mother for an hour. And we used to give her motherwort and comfort together. She had IVF anyway, and now she was raising charming twins. But not to the church anymore, not with her foot.
- I suppose we didn't understand each other to the end," the greenish eyes sparkled with the marsh lights.
- Before the end, we understood each other with Father Alexei. With him everything was perfectly clear - I didn't remain in debt. - Would you like the same full clarification?
Pop had a great shot.
- Such an enlightenment, my daughter, we will all be honored sooner or later.
- So take your time. Aren't we going to be late for the lecture? Private Ivanov, I don't tolerate being late...
- Our conversation is not over yet, I hope?
- Hope dies last. And often - along with my host - I parried. - Rokin, will you walk me out?
Konstantin Sergeyevich took a deep breath and offered me a hand.
- Come on, Julia.
Cinema "Native Land" was popular in our city. As one of the best places for gay fights. But now it didn't have slim guys with plucked eyebrows and muscular bodybuilders. But there was a breakthrough in the cassocks. I had no idea there were so many in this town. Or is this a seminar on the region?
Anything can be.
But the cracks (2 pcs.) standing at the entrance did not remind. They were like the Terminator. Or Hold'emorda. A mountain of muscles, not burdened with intelligence. But they won't have any doubts. At least the Queen of England will show up here in front of all the regalia, and her papers will be checked.
So would I... tried, but Rokin took his ID out of his pocket, carelessly swung it in the air and said:
- It's with me.
Exactly three minutes later, at 7:00 p.m., the bell rang.
And the saints rushed to the auditorium. But now the hall would be clearly illuminated. I've set up closer to the exit, away from the stage. It's not much.
Rokin sat down next to me and got ready to listen.
Me, too. But alas. A man who wanted to be called the "Spanish padre" came to the stage and began to actively load the audience. I was hoping for something interesting, and the theme of the lecture was still the same exorcism. Only if last time we were told what it is and how important it is, now we are specifically dictated to prayers that can affect the nerves of any line.
The text in Latin was and still is not clear to me. I just couldn't and didn't want to understand or remember all those "omnis immundus spiritus", "omnis legio diabolica" and "Sanctus Dominus Deus". Then everything went in Russian, but I didn't give a damn about it either. I figured out how to properly banish demons.
You just have to stand in front of him and read the whole thing out. You can even do it without any power, just off the paper. By the end of the second hour, the poor spirit of hell will have promised anything to get away. Or - if he's strong, he'll get out and there'll only be a wet blot on the floor from the exorcist.
Anyway, I've yawned before, so I was afraid of a sprained jaw. And I certainly didn't write anything down. I could see in the hands of the neighbors in the row - who had notebooks, who had dictaphones. And I was flattened, dragged and swayed.
Shit! Why didn't I bring earplugs!?
We finally took a break. I immediately jumped out of the eeriely uncomfortable chair and reached full height. Baaaaaldej...
Then I bent back, made a bridge... I wanted a wheel, but I decided to limit myself to this little thing. And so the neighbors' eyes went to their ears.
- You, and you're also tearing up the saints," I pressed with my voice, point-blankly looking at the particularly insolent. Why? Has he seen any girls? Or, specifically, the girls with the skirt up their asses? So let him look at the pornography, not my bones.
- They don't tear," a quiet voice sounded above his ear. I turned sharply, and Father Paul finished his speech, "Sometimes life does not ask us ...
- And what - there were cases when life clarified your opinion before another pestilence? - I asked.
Stick it up so hard. But the pop made a gentle smile on his face.
- Julia, the break will last about 20 minutes. Would you give me some time to talk?
I shrugged my shoulders.
- Where do we talk?
- There's a little bar on the second floor here. There's nobody there right now. I suggest we sit there.
- No one's here?
- I meant outsiders.
I nodded. Father Paul picked me up under his arm, and we elegantly proceeded to the stairs.
All the time I wonder how they manage to walk beautifully in these robes? In my life I'll wear a long skirt, I'll step on it twice, in three places I'll get smeared, and how many nails I'll catch on the way... All mine will be.
It was quiet and peaceful on the second floor. We sat down at a small table.
- Can I get you something to drink?
- No. I still have to sit in your lecture, and you obviously haven't got any diapers...
<
br /> Father Pavel wince.
- Did I do something bad to you, Julia?
- You want some?
- No. Alive, healthy and willingly on our side, you're more useful to me.
Oops. Is this a game of honesty? Okay. Well, good for good.
- It's going to be too hard for me in your organization. You have half the business of religion.
- And what are we, without God?
- What are you, anyway?
- We are His servants.
- Or slaves?
- And our destinies are in God's hand...
- You see, I decided not to make a theological argument. I'll lose anyway. - You believe in the first place. And according to this, you've been building your whole life. And I don't know how to do that. No, you can't.
- They come to God in many different ways. You may not believe as much as we do, but still...
- To fight and seek, to find and hide, to give your life to cleanse the earth from all scum - and to die with a sense of unfulfilled duty, right?
- Why the unfulfilled?
- Because you don't outweigh everyone, I suddenly had fun. - The evil on your scale - and the cockroaches - are of the same order. No matter how much you fight, it's no use. That's it.
- This isn't an excuse to leave the house to chance and... cockroaches, is it?
- It's more of an excuse to... make a deal.
- With cockroaches?
- With vampires. Werewolves. Other paranorms.
Pope stared at me as if I had assumed the Virgin Mary had given birth to a neighbor.
- Julia is not a person. They're just not negotiable.
- Do I fit your definition of a person? In the Middle Ages, I would have been burned at the stake like a witch. But I'm alive. And I'm very happy about it.
- We've never been so limited. And who do you feel sorry for, anyway? The ones who made baby potions? Have abortions? Did you tear up graves? Killing people on their disgusting foodstuffs?
I turned my shoulders.
- The ones who were burned in Salem. Those who had been destroyed simply for their red hair, their green eyes, or because their husband had gone to the left of the shit and hysterics. I remember the interrogation reports. I've come across this. "God, I'm innocent, give me the strength not to stipulate other innocents..." These people I feel sorry for.
- There were only a few of them.
- Absolutely. Under torture, anyone confesses to anything! Enough about that! What exactly do you want from me now?
He obviously did not like the transition to the ass, but he did not resist.
- I would like to invite you as a consultant.
What I didn't expect, but this?!
The laughter came out of the mind.
I was genuinely laughing.
- Who and what can I advise? My field of knowledge is biology, and that is only a very small part of it. Do you even think I'm an idiot?
- Come on, Julia. Absolutely not. You just misunderstood me a little.
- How's that?
I was wondering. What do they want to hang on my ears this time?
- There's a lot you don't know, but you can feel it. And our psychics, the ones in this town, know a lot, but they often don't have the strength. I know you don't love them, but nobody asks you to love them. Or even respect them. If you don't fight, that's okay. You'll just be interested in working as a team.
I rubbed my forehead. It's tempting. But...
- No obligation? I wanna go, I wanna go, you go to hell?
- That's right.
- For free?
- Absolutely. If you want, we can even pay you extra for your counseling.
- Not yet. Although... no! For each consultation, I get one issue of the magazine from the previous ones. It's your choice. Is that okay?
- I agree.
It was said in such a hurry that I realized it was cheaper. I should've demanded three grand. But it's too late.
- No one can know about this. There's no publicity. No publicity at all. And I'm nowhere to be represented by your employee or to be seen by the police.
The father liked it less, but he nodded anyway.
- Well. Then let's try it. But if you violate any of my terms, the contract is broken.
- It's a deal.
I nodded. But I didn't shake the hand that I held out. Fire me. It's one thing to make contact through clothes. The second is a handshake. It's already more dangerous. Mieczysław told me how vampires can subjugate humans through touch - even after a few days. Body contact with the body, looking into each other's eyes... Pop sparkled with his eyes, but he did not shake his right.
- Well, you have my number, if you need anything, call me, I summed it up. - You have a nice day.
- I'll call you, Julia. And this is for you - an advance on cooperation.
There was a pack of magazines on the table.
- I won't take it," I said sharply.
Pop looked at me with a soft smile. We get it. I didn't want to be obliged. He understands, but he won't push it.
- Take your photocopies and bring me the originals. To Mikhailovsky Monastery.
I nodded.
- It's a deal. You have a good day.
- Goodbye, Julia.
And I went outside. To bump into Rokin there.
How delicious the autumn evening air seemed to me. It's so amazing.
And how nice the street is making noise.
- Julia! That's just rude!
I rolled my eyes. Rokin was determined to take me back to my lecture. I had to turn around and answer.
- Why are you being rude? Your lectures are voluntary. I want to listen, I want to eat. And now I'm going home to eat heavily.
Rokin looked at me with a crooked look. I wanted him to say, "Don't chase a cheap one, pop..."
- You haven't even heard...
- Konstantin Sergeyevich, did it ever occur to you that I'm not up to it!? - I couldn't stand it. - I don't want to heroically save the world from all kinds of evil. It's just that I don't want to!!! If he hasn't disappeared before me, he's not going to disappear with me. In fact, I have more important things to do. I have an institute, a family... Again, I want to find a normal guy, get married, have a baby... it would be nice to have a post-graduate course... How do all your monsters fit in!? No way! That's right! There's nothing they can do in my life! - I wanted to add "You too," but I held back with a heroic effort of will. - Have a nice day!
It was two steps to the stop. It was one jump to the bus. And I fell apart in the back seat with great pleasure.
I want to go home!
To the broth!!!
Oh, yeah. And we also have to stop by, get photocopied from the magazines. And the originals are to be returned to the owner today. I don't think so. And not much like...
* * *
They wouldn't let me relax at home for long. All I could do was swim, change and have dinner when my phone rang.
Nadya called.
- Julek, you ready?
- To what?
- You promised! Mieczysław has Dosja performing at the club! And you said that we would go together...
I didn't think about it. Maybe...
It's like Nadia read her thoughts on the phone.
- Yulka, whatever you swear, if you refuse, I'll put a vampire on you! I'll... I'll stop talking to you! I'll rip your head off!
I rolled my eyes.
- Nadia, come pick me up, huh? What time does this shit start?
- At 11:00 p.m.
- What!? And now how many!? It's not even ten yet! And you're already ringing!
- Yulka - there was metal in my friend's voice - I'll pick you up in ten minutes. And if you're not dressed by then, I'll drag you like this. Okay?
And the girlfriend slammed her pipe against the lever.
Bastards.
I slammed a pipe, too, and went to the room to pick out my clothes.
It didn't take long to choose. I bet Dosya's gonna be
in his golden style. That's why I need to keep it simple. I can't beat a singer in sequins. But in elegance, it's easy.
That's why the blue and white set was removed from the cabinet. A short blue stocking-stocking dress tightened me from the neck to the middle of my thigh. For some reason, all the things I was offered were with a short skirt. That's it. No exceptions.
I pulled up my dress and looked in the mirror. Yeah. If I had at least a gram of fat, it would be better. And so the dress tightened my bones very pitifully, exposing my rib arches and collarbones to the public. Dog joy, what can I say?
I dug up a jewelry box with silver earrings and a turquoise ring. It's already my own personal jewelry. And I don't care if Mieczyslaw calls my rings "miserable shaving." There's a king, too!
On top of the dress was a white jacket with blue trim. Simple and tasteful. And bright. With a sky blue, deep and rich color. Absolutely not an autumn outfit.
Under the dress fits perfectly netted tights and blue high-heeled shoes.
Nadia caught me in the bathroom, passionately grinding my left eye. A friend herself... gods, gods, gods...
The attire was dressed in a dress that looked remotely like fish scales. The synthetic fabric shone and shimmered, tightening it like a second skin. But if I could afford it - still a walking skeleton, Nadia, with her round ass and wide bone, looked not too aesthetically pleasing. Oh, okay... Who's in a nightclub looking at what?
- Wait another five minutes," I mumbled, "and began to paint my eyelashes. It's disgusting. Somehow any mascara, even with a super curl, couldn't bend my eyelashes. It was a frank puncture. Okay, fine. Excess makeup was gently removed with cotton swabs, cell phone was thrown into my purse - and we started to taxi.
I mean, they'd start. But there was a phone call.
- Yes!? - I wasn't happy to yell at the tube.
- Where are you now, Fluffy?
Mieczysław's voice instantly removed all aggression. In fact, it could have been patented as a headache and irritation drug. Five minutes of listening - and the most frigid infection will rush to perform marital duty.
- At home! What is it?
- It's not a big deal, Fluffy. I just wanted to ask you not to be late.
- I won't be late. So what?
- Tell me, what pile of papers did you bring home today?
Ring of Madness Page 144
