The Before Short Story Series. Part 1

‘This is an example, Alexander.’

‘I can’t give you an answer now. You are asking an open question, which implies access to a serious database, hardware and all that, and the level of someone’s skills to do it. For how long do you want to stir up this story?’

‘One year.’

‘Ha! Just one!’

‘Well, yes.’

‘It‘ll be a six-digit figure. That’s for sure,’ Alexander looked at Antonio from under the peak of his cap, raising his head.

‘I think we can come to an agreement. When will you be ready to advise the details of your proposal, so that we can make all the arrangements?’

‘I’ll be back with the information within a week, Antonio.’

‘I am not planning to stay in Irkutsk for a long time. Can you clarify the information today?’

Alexander took the bottle and finished his coke:

‘Good. We’ll be in touch.’

Program

‘My program is based on social challenges important for our society. On those screaming points of pain that people are experiencing here, today and now. What do we care most about? What everyday problems and challenges do Londoners have to face? What can we, as lawmakers, do for society to solve long-overdue problems? Problems that for some reason were ignored by those who should sort them out, to whom the voters had delegated their voices. Why weren’t those voices heard? Why are the issues that determine the standard of living of our people ignored? Have they not found time for it among their endless spinning of political schemes, in which, of course, they are completely absorbed? This is in the root of the problem.

There is no need to invent anything or to think out flimsy suggestions of what has to be done. The whole program of actions is around us! You just need to look around carefully. You just have to talk to people! From us, the executors of your mandates, only one thing is required – to listen!

I’m asking questions!

Why isn’t there an entrance to the underground highway built in our area yet?!

Why is the renovation of Bolton Gardens, which has been going on for the second year, not yet completed?!

Why do our residents have to queue for two months to see a dentist, even if a surgery is necessary?

Why was the grocery closed, the one on the corner of Warwick Street, where social coupons were accepted,? Isn’t it there that another new business center is now under construction?

I do ask questions – why wouldn’t they listen!!’

The crowd cheered. Someone whistled and began to shout out:

‘That’s right, Robert! Right! But what can you do? What are you suggesting, Robert! What, Robert?’

‘I do hear you! And is this my answer. The first thing we need do is to make those whom we trust to represent our interests, to make them responsible for their words, responsible for what they promise! Elections pass and everything is quietly forgotten. The so-called representatives of the people change their masks so quickly, join some big parties, blurring into the vast oblivion, where they can no longer be seen, where they are only a small part of something big, so that we can no longer reach them. I wonder—is this the choice we make?!’

‘No! No! They’re parasites!’ voices echoed in the square.

‘Parasites, you say? I bet! They mimic. They are worse than parasites. We won’t confuse a cockroach with anything and we can just swat it with a slipper. But the representatives of our will chosen by us so skilfully take off their skins, merging with an army of their own kind as soon as they get what they want from us. They don’t remember their promises. They have one goal—to serve the interests of the party. And whom are the parties siding with?! I’m asking a question! Big business! That’s what’s important to them! They don’t want to think about our rotten teeth, about the collapsed paving stones in the park, about the need to develop transport infrastructure! They don’t want to pay the bills anymore! This is the way it is working now!’

‘And what makes you different? Are you better at all? It doesn’t look like your teeth are rotten!’ The crowd burst out laughing.

Robert was beaming. His right hand on his chest he continued:

‘That’s right! I managed to replace all my crowns before the price went up!’ again the wave of laughter rolled over. People were standing in front of the low podium where Robert was making a speech, and the crowd was getting bigger and bigger. The lunch time was the right choice.

‘I offer a simple solution. To act without any tricks and dodging. There will be no way for: I didn’t say that. Or: now this is not on my list of priorities. Or: it was in my previous life, no one will remember it now. This is how it usually happens. But here, the solution lies in the problem itself.

My team and I,’ Robert turned and pointed towards the people standing to his left so that others could see them on the right, ‘have launched a website where, in the first place, every speech we give, everything I say or write is published in the form of articles. Then, a simple and clear list of tasks with specific deadlines is provided. This list of tasks is my program. This is what I promise as your representative to do for you. These steps that will make our life in our neighbourhood, in our area better. Obviously, I will not be able to renounce my promises, my obligations to you. My site is called RichardsonPromises.соm. I know what to do to fulfil each of the items and projects I have stated. But I need your support. I need your mandate! I need your voice! I know what we can do together that we couldn’t have achieved before. I ask you to visit the RichardsonPromises.com website and look at the list, roadmap, fixed for years to come. If you feel like me! If the problems on the to-do list on the website and talked about here today matter to you

as well—vote! Vote for me! I need your voice so that we can together solve the issues that are important to everyone. Vote! My name is Robert Richardson! I want to be your voice in the Parliament!’

Music started playing. Robert began waving to the people in the crowd. Some responded with cheers waving their hands. Robert was standing on the podium, wearing a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbow, no tie, black trousers and plain slightly shabby black shoes. As he was about to step down from the podium, he turned around, showing the website address embroidered in bright blue on his shirt RichardsonPromises.com. Next to the podium there were booklets with Robert’s election program, caps and T-shirts, pens and some other small souvenirs distributed on the racks.

Two men stood a little apart from the happening carefully watching what was going on.

‘Well, what are we supposed to do with this freak?’

‘Yeah. Well, yes. A good question. We have to rack our brains, look for what we can… how we can pin him down.’

‘The good question is, how he is going to do all the things that he screamed about here.’

‘Are you asking me or what? How do I know that. Maybe he’s not going to. Or maybe he knows how. The fuck will understand him. Some kind of a weasel.’

‘We have a problem here. I’ll tell you what.’

Precedent

‘Listen, Robert, why do we need all these buffoons here,’ Antonio wondered, looking at a noisy team of five consultants gathered in the kitchen in Robert’s house.

‘What do you think of it yourself?’

‘That’s money poured down the drain’.

‘First of all, yes, as you know, I am really amused by this whole story. I haven’t been so happy for a long time.’

‘I’m very happy for you. At least someone can be happy nowadays,’ Antonio finished his coffee and, put the cup on the saucer excessively loudly.

‘What’s wrong with you? What’s bothering you, my faithful associate?’ Robert smiled, putting his hand on Antonio’s shoulder. ‘Everything is going exactly according to the plan. We’re on schedule. We are geared-up to do the job. We have everything we need to win. Why are you so unhappy?’

‘I’m worried… worried about the confidentiality of the approach we take in our campaign…about what we rely on…’

‘This is what I say—we need expensive buffoons to provide us with an alibi. Don’t you think I was going to listen to their wise advice. To be fair, I have to admit that sometimes their crazy suggestions make sense. But in any case, we have a roadmap which we follow step by step. We understand clearly what to do and how to do it, what to say, what tune to use and in which circumstances. We know how to dress, what accents to make and the sequence to follow. We know which souvenirs to order. We even know what sort of cover rag has to be on the table, where my program will sit, and what colour this rag should be. We, Antonio, are now looking at the world as Newton looked at light through a glass prism. It’s not just a ray of light we see. We see all its components, the whole spectrum. We see what others don’t see. We know everything. Almost all of it. Of course, one shouldn’t be lost in a fit of obsession,’ Robert held up his index finger. ‘And those…people will serve as a screen for us. Everything will be fine. Don’t get nervous, Antonio. Maybe you need a day off? Go to see your folks in Perugia?’

‘Now? In the midst of a campaign! I don’t think it’s appropriate.’

‘Your twitching is also inappropriate.’

‘Listen, Robert, I’m also worried about our Russian friends.’

‘What’s wrong with them?’

‘They can put everything we do like a puzzle together, easy peasy.’

‘I think they’ve put everything together for some time already. What are you so worried about?’

Antonio looked at Robert confused:

‘And it doesn’t bother you that the Russians may know that we are using the analytical capabilities of the quantum system to plan an election campaign?’

‘D’you think they use the system themselves only to develop a plan for planting hydrangeas in their gardens? Or do you think that our Cabinet has not figured out how to use the AI in their work?’

‘I don’t know, Robert.’

‘I know. That’s why I’m sitting here with you, Antonio. I know, Robert paused for a moment, looking in the direction of the PR people. ‘I think you’ve heard about the forty-fifth President of America, Donald Trump?’

‘Of course I have!’ Antonio responded indignantly. ‘An odious guy.’

‘Well, then you probably know that he was accused of being actively assisted by Russian special services during his election campaign. Besides, they say that it was for the first time during his campaign that extensive database analytics of social networks was applied at large-scale.

Based on a deep analysis of user profile information, adjustments were made to the campaign. What’s the result? The results of the investigation indicated that all the allegations were unfounded. No facts have been discovered, nothing has been confirmed. That’s it, Antonio.’

‘Well, you’re not Trump yet, Robert.’

‘That’s right,’ he smiled. ‘But only for now. Listen, you and I are in a business where, all is fair in love and war, as they say. The way things used to be, the way they are now, or tens of thousands of years ago—nothing has changed. Human nature is the same as well as the possibilities of manipulation are. The only question is, which side of the barrier you will settle in—on the receiving side, or you have something to say. That’s it with the moment of reflection, enough, my friend. We are sprinting towards the deadline, and the outcome is close. Leave all your doubts aside!’

Robert slapped the assistant on the knee:

‘I want you to go to see your family for a couple of days. Get some rest. And don’t worry about the campaign. If we act in a competent and an intelligent way, everything will be according to the plan. Do you understand?’

‘All right, Robert. Point taken.’

‘Well done! Go home and get ready. And remember, we have obligations to the people!’ Getting up from the sofa and heading to the consultants in the kitchen, Robert winked at Antonio.

Uncle Chuck

‘Katerina’s birthday is next week. She’s already invited me. Are you coming?’ Bella asked her friend as she walked out of the school door.

‘I don’t know yet. She didn’t tell me anything,’ Vera was trying hard to put on her backpack. ‘Let me help you,’ Bella said, eager to help. ‘That’s it. Is that your mom standing there or what?’

‘Yes! Mom! Mom!’—the girls ran to the exit from the school grounds.

After hugging her daughter, the mother greeted Bella:

‘Hello, Bella. And who’s meeting you?’

‘Nobody, Mrs. Mennor. I’m on my own.’

‘Well, what d’you mean? Are you going home alone?’

‘I live very close from here. Round the corner and that’s it.’

‘Let’s take you home, Bella.’

‘No, Mrs. Mennor, thank you. Dad tells me to drive in other people’s cars.’

‘Your dad is right, of course. Well, you do know me.’

‘No, I’m on my own. Thanks.’

‘Are you sure? Vera and myself are ready to give you a lift home together.’

‘Well, I’ll do it myself. Bye, Vera. See you tomorrow. Goodbye, Mrs. Mennor.’

When she nearly made it home, Bella recalled that Dad had asked her to buy some bread for dinner and stopped by the store. There she took her time walking through different departments, looking at beautiful dresses, shoes and accessories at first, and then, going up to the second floor, where household goods were displayed, she chose a birthday gift for Katerina, which she could ask her mother to buy later. Having decided on the choice of a gift for a friend, Bella again went down to the first floor, where she decided to study cosmetics and perfumes on display.

One of the shop attendants approached the girname = "note"

‘Hello. Can I help you with anything? Where’s your mom?’

‘Hello. I came here for bread.’

‘Ah, I see. So you go to that department over there, darling,’ the attendant pointed to the other side of the store.

‘Yes, thank you. I know.’

‘Well, that’s fine. I’ll buy some bread and go home if everyone is so worried,’ Bella thought.

‘Bella, is it you? Bella Chapska?’ a guy in a grey tracksuit and a cap caught up with her on the street when she was already approaching home.

Bella looked at the guy and walked on.

‘Bella, where are you going? Don’t you recognize me or what? I’m Uncle Chuck. Your dad’s cousin. Dad asked me to meet you and keep an eye on you while he’s busy. Look,’ Uncle handed

Bella a communicator with a video message recorded by dad: Chuck, hi. Could you meet Bella today and look after her for a couple of hours while I’m at work sorting things out. I have to stay a little longer today. Help me out, my friend, would you!».

Bella looked at Uncle Chuck again:

‘I don’t remember you,’ she said uncertainly.

‘Well, you remember your dad,’ Uncle Chuck smiled. Bella nodded in affirmative. ‘Well, that’s great then. Give me your hand and let’s go. We’ll wait for Dad at my place. I live not far from here.’

Uncle Chuck called a capsule to make sure not to miss Dad and in 15 minutes they were already at his house in the living room.