CHAPTER 5. 5. A SPECIMEN OF NAIVETY

"Childhood establishes personality foundation, and I'm curious how you'd complete two phrases: 'Mama washed...' what? 'Be prepared...' what? And what's the correct answer about Komsomol members participating in the Winter Palace assault?"

"Mama washed the window frame. Always ready. Komsomol was founded a year after that Winter Palace assault the USSR believed in. Now I ask: list your relatives," she took her turn.

"Wife and son. Peripherally were two aunts with their children, but relations long discontinued and they've possibly died..." he mumbled thoughtfully, then continued:

"Please write on paper the USSR republics and USA states you know," he decided checking handwriting and transcription. If she'd grown up here then lived there, you can't hide an awl in a sack.

The paper sheet filled with excellent cursive Russian handwriting. Far more states were missing than republics. In her opinion, this should indicate local origins. He examined phonetic differences involving vowels, voiced consonants, "g" appearing instead of "h," and God knows what else. Before him stood someone more accustomed to America than average.

"How many times yearly, on average, do you sleep with other women?" she asked while he studied the paper.

"I don't cheat on my wife. Women wouldn't want sleeping with me because I snore loudly. I need a separate room," he replied, drawing a sad emoticon on paper.

"Who needs me?" he used his turn, lifting eyes from paper and aiming the pen at her like a pistol.

"I know you deceived me saying you work here. You're here supposedly on assignment to make contact with me. For whom are you recruiting me? Israel or America?" he hammered his questions.

"To answer that, with your permission, I'll close the door and show you this," she produced an envelope, rising from the table and closing the door.

"These are frames from a film shot just yesterday starring you. Recognize who you're captured with here? Your wife knows her, doesn't she? I played that role, and it was madly magnificent. I imagine the surprise and even indignation..." she played deliciously with her voice and continued quietly, sharply: