CHAPTER 10. EVERYTHING TURNS YELLOW AROUND, SUMMER DEPARTS — WE’LL WEATHER THIS UNPLEASANTNESS

“Frankness for frankness, but what you’re about to hear stays here,” she began turning the water on.

“So at the next interrogation you’ll come in and kill me at the right moment so I don’t blab?” he joked.

“Nonsense. We don’t know what will happen at the next interrogation. Like you, I’m a reserve service member. And you’re right—I emigrated from the USSR as a teenager. I care about establishing peaceful cooperation between the former union countries and a global partnership between our nations. I’m also active in a public group called The Tower, where we try to steer the country toward peace and progress. If that fails, my task is to limit the madness as much as possible. I hope for your help. And I fully support your idea of moving from zero-sum to win-win-win outcomes—where ordinary people, elites, and the country all benefit. But this is our secret. Outside these walls, we’re just a family of careerists,” she said, putting a finger to her lips.

“Now it’s my turn—do you want me to bear your child?” she smiled.

“So things are that bad you want to leave at least a similar toy after me? No. I might die of cancer. I’m already weak and losing hair. My family’s already without a father—why make another single mother? And why do you want it?”

“I just asked. I’m curious,” she said evasively, then switched to a calmer topic. “You’re almost ready for the operation. If it doesn’t work the first time, the second will. We can now obtain stem cells from ordinary ones, and from them make you new blood—free of cancer. The main thing is your body doesn’t fight the new cells. You’ll be completely without immunity at first, so we’ll have to isolate you. Then your new blood will rebuild it. New hair will grow. Your body will renew itself like a woman’s does after giving birth.”

“The main thing now is not to get sick. Consider isolation training for the torture of solitude. Memorize something worthwhile to draw strength from later. For example, a Bible passage you can pray over endlessly. Each time it will be new, like a gulp of water for the thirsty. Try it. You’ll like it. When others suffer from boredom and loneliness, you’ll be full of strength and sweet communion.”