…in Japan. Though I wouldn’t refuse a trip their. It would be interesting.

   - Wow, that’s an idea! – acclaimed Mike. – Why not? After China we can go with the whole team to test ninjas and to invite them to filming. Lea, do you join?

   - Shaolin is soft, ninjas are hard. It’s an ancient question, which is better. It’s philosophy and culture. We argue each time we meet, without words.

   - And who wins? - asked Mike.

   - We meet very rarely, - smiled Lea.

 

     In Japan Mike found Kate to probe the situation. She preferred soft style too and had to compete with Japanese karate fighters in her new film as an American girl-friend a Chinese kung-fu teacher. Events started in the USA and developed in Japan, finally they were to leave for China and return back to America. Kate plunged into Japanese space and couldn’t think of anything else so their meeting with Ole was friendly but businesslike, no emotions, and no trace of feelings from their common film. Ole wasn’t disappointed because he was not in love with her and their sympathy was just inertia of acting.

    Kate knew nothing of ninjas and Mike decided to search for them on his own. Ole didn’t believe in his luck, because real ninjas didn’t like filming. A man could be recognized by his stature, pace and moves even in masking clothes and ninjas preferred security to fame. But he had a secret clue to their clan in the form of an e-mail address. He never met the girl, who taught him at distance, but he could ask her for help in case of necessity and he asked. He sent her his address and explained the situation. If she could help she would send someone or come herself.

   Kitty, that was her nick-name, answered with refusal to filming, as he expected, but invited him to a ninja qualification tournament as her disciple. They made acquaintance in the Internet through talks about Zen-Buddhism, she was surprised by his real personal experience and understanding of Japanese culture and as exclusion accepted him to her secret school. And now she gave him another rare chance in their clan.

    If he passed the exam he would be accepted as a relative, because ninjas usually trust only gens, and friendly ties usually lead to unions by marriage. It was not a strict rule, no one would force him to marry a Japanese, but if he didn’t do it personally, his descendants would be able to do it in any generation. It was a great honor for a non-Japanese and he would never miss the opportunity.

  Kitty came directly and openly to his hotel room at daytime without any masks. It was a gesture of trust to raise his spirits before the fights and he was grateful and very polite. Like a real Japanese. He suspected that she might be beautiful but the reality was just striking. She was a lotus flower in the bloom, polite and refined too. He had a temptation to ask if she was married but he didn’t dare, because it would sound European. Ninjas had to guess everything they needed and his inner voice said him she was free. But she was of higher rank as a teacher and any signs of sympathy would be inappropriate. He could only listen and obey.

  To relax him she smiled and joked but he felt inner distance and was not misled. She was not for him as a star in the sky. He could only watch her and enjoy her light. They went in a car to the outskirts of Tokyo and then by a helicopter to some island. There she gave him ninja clothes, a sword and explained the rules. All fights should be with real weapons but at distance to keep real combat reflexes. He should feel his rivals and win the fight in the parallel world, astral. If he really did, they would never approach him in reality and leave alone. Then she would fly back and take him away.

  The helicopter whirled up and he was left on the shore near the bamboo forest with his sword and his fate. Yes, it was the right method. His senses switched on to the full and he looked around like a scanner through the whole land. In his inner vision there were several black spots. They were alive and moving towards him. These were ninjas. And the game began. He ran to the forest, relaxed and as easy as wind. The spots reacted and changed direction. They saw him too and it was useless to hide. He made some swift strikes with the sword to feel it better as a continuation of his hand. It was perfect and alive.

  In ten minutes ninjas encircled him and he felt their close presence by skin. The first strike came from behind; he hardly reflected it and struck back. Then everything was so quick that couldn’t think anything over. Only reflexes worked and it was over in seconds. He didn’t feel any cuts on his body and several times felt the contact of his sword with other bodies. It was so realistic that he understood that he passed the exam and went back to the beach. At the sea he stopped and relaxed. His soul melted in the eternity and infinity of light and he thought that now Kitty was not a star but a Moon. Though still out of his reach.

   Her helicopter took him to a lonely castle yard, where he had to fight with a bamboo sword and real contact. Karate was possible too.  She didn’t leave him and stood at distance like a black bird, watching his moves. Soon the fighters appeared, black-clothed as usual, and silently pressed him to the edge of the castle wall. He stopped and met them on the safe ground. This time they fight lasted longer and neither side got decisive advantage.

  Then he suddenly stumbled and began to stagger like a wounded or a drunken man. Maybe, he was tired, may his felt sick and ninjas decided that it was the end and bravely attacked. But his bamboo sword as if without his will meet them with casual precise cuts and the tournament was over.

  - That’s the school of drunkard! – came closer Kitty. – Shaolin!

  - I thought you don’t use it, - relied Oleg.

  - We don’t, but you did. Who taught you?

  - Nobody. I just saw kung-fu films and imitated it myself, by intuition. It’s based on Chinese philosophy and I studied it as the source of Zen.

  - Great! I was not mistaken in you. Now it’s your turn to teach me. To pay the debt, - and she happily laughed. – You’ve passed the exam and as a Russian you can use any tradition you like.

  - I don’t want to be your teacher. That’s too official; I want to become your friend.

  - We are friends from the time we met in the Internet. Japanese don’t teach Russians. Japan and Russia are not political allies and even don’t have any peace treaty after the war. We don’t seriously teach even Americans though they defend Japan from a possible aggression.

 - And what about Hollywood films about American ninjas?

 - It’s diplomatic gestures. Americans don’t have ninja intuition and without it a ninja is not a ninja. He is only a masked samurai. We are a mystic tradition and you got here only due to Zen.  Buddhism is open for everybody but white people don’t really understand it. Enlightenment must come first, combat secrets next. In American films about Eastern martial arts it’s vice verse.  Secrets come first only for Japanese in ninja clans. Now you belong to mine and you can know my name. I’m Yuriko.

  - But you invited me to a tournament as your disciple …

  - It was an experiment, as all my teaching, exclusion from the rules. My father permitted it at my request, because you taught me Zen.

 

 

                                        Yakudzu

 

   Next morning Yuriko came again, without invitation and warning. She knew he would be glad to spend with her another day and invited him for another round of adventures. 

  -  There is a third test for ninjas in Japan, though it is voluntary, because not quite legal, though laws in our country differ from American and Russian.

  - In the Soviet Union law prohibited democracy and market and now they are the basis of Constitution.

  - In Japan mafia is legal by law but it is illegal by nature so there must be a counterbalance. Ninjas do the job, when there is a hint from police.

  - I see. Yakudzu clans become impudent?

  - When they compete, they ere weaker. When they unite they become dangerous and don’t show proper respect to police and authorities. And we teach them a lesson.  

  - OK. When shall we start?

  -  They expect us at night. And we really like darkness. But you have different habits, as I feel.

  - Yes, take me right to the place.

  - They meet today in a hotel to discuss conditions and spheres of influence. What do you need?

  - A wig, a beard and moustaches with an old man’s clothes.

  - A rubber Japanese face too?

  - Especially if it resembles some yakudzu leader.

  - Possible. I’ll return in an hour.

 

    Oleg didn’t know Japanese and couldn’t imitate much. The idea was to approach the guards and to leave after the work unrecognized. Besides he took a gun with a silencer. It was not a Japanese style and passed the guarded corridor very quickly, shooting quietly everyone he met. In the room with yakudzu bosses he threw three gas grenades and put on a breather. Then took from the last guards their swords and cut all bosses their heads. Cameras in the corridor recorded his attack (and his face) and he had to hurry away. So he opened the window, threw a thin rope and glided to the ground. The rest was simpler and in an hour he was back.

    Yuriko stretched on the sofa like a cat and switched on TV.

   - I think they will show you soon on all channels. By the way you have deserved a prize. Try to guess. It’s a work of art but very useful in life.

   - I can’t guess your thoughts; you are still a riddle for me. I know nothing about you, even whether you are married.

   - Ha-ha-ha! - laughed Yuriko. – But I understand you very well and I know what you need. It’s not me as a girl-friend but a legal sword.

   - I didn’t plan to make you my girl-friend.

   - I know, but you asked, whether I am married and I know my impression on men. You are influenced too; I saw it in your eyes from the first meeting.

   - Well. You are right, but it’s pure esthetical feeling on my side. I enjoy beauty in all forms but I never grab it and draw to myself.

   - That’s good, because I wound never emigrate to America and you would never settle in Japan. We can be devoted friends but not a dull silly married couple, annoying each other with dull silly arguments about home trifles, like ordinary people. Your fate is different, you are a lonely warrior and I’m too.

   - Ha-ha-ha! You are going to stay alone?

   - I am not. I have some friends like you and relatives. I am busy with my duties and have no time for regrets about love, though frankly speaking you make me hesitate. But it’s only esthetical feeling on my part; just I love your style. So let us be reasonable and leave everything as it is.

   - Thank you for the sword and your frankness. It’s very important for me. Can I ask you for a favor as a compensation for refusal?

   - I didn’t refuse anything because you offered nothing. It was just an exchange of complements. And want do you need else?

   - I have a friend here in Japan, Kate, the actress from our common film. She studied kung-fu and is now engaged in a film, touching Japanese martial arts. Can you look after her here?

  - She is a baby?

  - You know what I mean. Show her the other side of the moon. She is curious and talented. I want her to develop.

  - Well, I was Kitty too, but that was just a game. Is she in love with you?

  - I don’t think so. It’s only mutual sympathy.

  - Like between us?

   - Maybe.

   - OK, I get the point. I’ll help her. Maybe, we will become friends too. I like your film and your love scenes there are very convincing. We have common tastes with her. I would play love with you too.

   - As an actress?

   - As a ninja.

   - What do you mean?

   - You’ll understand it later. Now come on to your girl-friend, I’m curious too.

 

   Kate was surprised but not for long. Yuriko was gentle and soft like water, tuning to her mood and they quickly found common interests not only in martial arts. They both loved cars and Yuriko promised to make her a helicopter pilot.

  - You may go now, - she waved to Oleg. - We want to have a girls’ entertainment.

  - OK, I must talk to Mike. He hoped to find ninjas in Japan and is now very disappointed. I’m afraid he’ll decide to go home.

 - He needs them for a film?

 - Certainly. He is not a fighter himself.

 - Well, I know a man, who can demonstrate the art, a Japanese actor, playing ninjas in Japanese films. He is the best you can find here and he’ll be glad to help.

 

  After Oleg left, the Yuriko led Kate to a dancing hall in a yakudzu restaurant. Their entertainment was fight with angry men, who were refused sex. They didn’t show their skill in the hall, but just went home and when the men caught them, taught them a lesson. One of them tried to revenge with a knife and with Yuriko’s help clumsily fell on it himself. The rest followed his fate.

   - That’s the dark side of the moon, Oleg asked to show you. Die, or kill.

   - You knew they would chase us.

   - Yes, it was a yakudzu restaurant. I led you their on purpose to show real Japan. Not them, but me, to make friends.

   And they embraced.

 

 

                                             FBI

 

    Ole’s cinema script had already twenty eight pages, including his Japanese adventures. The next was added by FBI. They called him and invited for a meeting to ask some questions about his sword.

   - Do you know that it very ancient?

   - And what? It’s a gift and a work of art.

   - Formally so, but Japanese never make such presents to ordinary actors.

   - It was a girl-friend. She didn’t need it and wanted me to remember her.

   - OK. But some Japanese won’t agree to it and will try to return it to Japan. If we learnt about it, they will learn too. Can you use it in case of necessity? Did the girl show you anything?

   - I can buy a gun, if you think it’s so dangerous.

   - Yes, that would be better. Swords in America aren’t as effective as in Japan. Guns are quicker.

   - Was it your only question?

   - No, we have a deal for you.

   - Well, deals in America are very effective.

   - Yes, they make life simpler.  We need a training cause of karate on DVD for teenagers, easy to use and popular.

   - I’m not yet popular.

   - You will, with our help.

   - And why me?

   - Do you think we believe in your story about the girl-friend?

   - And what’s wrong with it?

   - She can’t be as simple as she looks. She must know the problems you get with this sword. You have only two choices with it. Either to marry her and live in Japan or to send her the sword back.

   - Really? She didn’t explain it.

   - Girls are the same everywhere. They know what they want but never tell. But if she want you back, you must be very good from Japanese point of view. And we want to test you here before you leave or die.

   - OK. You explained everything so clearly that I can’t refuse.

    Tumanov after a year of training in a secret school in Soviet Russia, where Eastern martial arts were at first prohibited, studied karate and kung-fu himself, by books and films. So his self-training cause was realistic. They started from teens and continued to professionals. He called it the school of Hare and it was really new. The main idea was to move very quickly like a hare, to mix everything up and to strike, fleeing, in return.

   - It’s natural to be scared of a criminal and to run away. But he may run after you and catch you. So at this very moment you must meet him with an unexpected blow or kick. That’s the psychology of survival in modern society. Don’t be too brave and avoid problems as long as it’s possible.

   - It’s for ordinary people, professionals must accept the challenge.

   - Best professionals look ordinary and deceive the enemy.

   FBI was satisfied and promoted his DVD cause to police and civilian self-defense clubs.

   - Did you have problems in Russia and flee?

   - Perhaps.

   - And did you strike in return?

   - Not yet, but I shall.

   - How?

   - I’ll achieve success here and describe it in a book to hit them in the eye. And I’ll try to make a film, based on it as a script.

   - That’s interesting. But you can do it in another way too.

   - How?

   - We have some confidential information about a Russian spy. We can’t prove it but we know for sure, who he is. His exposure would be a scandal, damaging some reputations, so we want him to go away without noise and evidence that we know anything at all. You could scare him by some hints.

  - Why me?

  - He was your friend in the Institute. Nikolay Popov.

  - Really? Wow! It’s a pity. He was not a bad man at that time.

  - If he doesn’t go we have to report on him to CIA. And they would let him out. He even may be killed, if he resists or flees.

  The task was not difficult and in a day Popov was in Moscow. FBI let Tumanov go too and he decided to have a good rest in Japan.

 

 

                                      Girl-friends

 

  The plane touched the ground and in five minutes he was in the airport hall. Yuriko and Kate stood together and smiled. He approached and wanted to kiss them on the cheeks. But they both avoided:

   - Not here.

   - What not here?

   - What you want.

   - What do I want?

   - You know yourself.

   - I just wanted to greet you and you are flirting.

   - Yes, we are girls and it’s natural for us to flirt with a man, who tries to kiss us.

   - I didn’t know your sword is so ancient that I can’t use it outside Japan.

   - Oh, who told you that foolishness?

   - Experts.

   - They exaggerate. Times change and Japanese live in America with their swords and art. By the way I’m going to America too, with Kate as her bodyguard.

   - Fine. When do you go?

   - If you help to finish the film, very quickly.

   - And what’s the problem?

   - I have no inspiration for love scenes with my Chinese man, - complained Kate, - and to save the film they changed the story. We part like friends and I find an American boy, equal to him.

   - And how can I help you?

   - It’s you. Everything is already arranged and we are going to the studio. I promised you would agree.

   - Well. You are right; I see no reasons to refuse, but my non-American accent.

   - You won’t say a word. We’ll only kiss and make love.

   - Wow. That’s easy. I’ll pay you back for the cold meeting in the airport.

  - I just didn’t want you to discharge without cameras. I’m not sure your inspiration would last long. And fresh first cadres are always the best.

  - Why do you doubt my inspiration?

  - You have Lulu. She makes no secret of your relations and I’m not going to distract you long.

  - OK. As you like.

  - I like it, really. Don’t doubt either me, or you. Or the film may be spoiled.

 

  Love scenes were perfect and as long as spectators would watch it.

  - That’s not all, - smiled Kate after they finished. – I’ve got a surprise for you. We’ve arranged some other love scenes in the middle of the story, when we were in Japan, with another girl, Japanese. You’ll never guess who.

  - I don’t know Japanese actresses.

  - You do. It’s Yuriko’s debut.

  - Wow! – Oleg turned Yuriko. – It’s not a joke? You break your rules?

  - Only love scenes, as opening, then I’ll decide to continue or not. Kate insists, but I hesitate. The director said I have good chances too. I passed a casting; as a tourist guide in Tokyo I showed him the city and he made a short documentary film about our architecture, temples, culture and sights.

   So his hero got to Japan as a military man, studied their karate, met a Japanese girl, fell in love with her and after his return to the USA met an American girl and also fell in love.

   When the film was finished, Yuriko stole Oleg for a whole day and they flied on her helicopter to the mountains.

   - What did you feel, when you left you motherland?

   - I didn’t know whether I’ll come back and what waits me ahead.

   - I know it, but I feel sorrow. I love my country and I never planned to leave it, even for a month.  And I love my family too.

   - Then why do you go?

   - I want to see your world, to understand, why you prefer it to my. And we are girl-friends with Kate, I love her too. You know, I was afraid to kiss with you, but now I’m braver and it thrills me like a night fight. I mean my new life. It’s an unfamiliar dangerous world and I want to win again.

 

 

                                     The meaning of life

 

    After the casting Tumanov returned to his previous life without any changes. He lived at Helen’s, met her after her work in the night club, visited Lulu and taught Lucy Russian and karate. He could afford now anything he needed, but he had no habits to spend money and decided to save it for filming his script, already thirty two pages long. He was not sure others would like and accept it for production, because he wrote not a usual Hollywood dream, but the real story of his life. And he was still alien to this world in spite of success. His soul was different and he knew it better than anybody else.

  Lulu surprised him. She was gay as usual, when they met, but after making love became suddenly sad. 

  - What’s wrong?

  - Nothing. Everything is OK, but I feel empty. You know, I’m thinking of becoming a nun.

  - Sorry?

  - What’s the use of money and success, if you are not happy? I feel comfortable with you and with my job, but deep in the soul I know that it’s all passing and that my future is loneliness. I drink and entertain to forget it but it haunts my mind every night, when you go away and I stay alone.

  - I thought you are satisfied with your life. You are an American beauty and you are lucky enough not to complain.

  - Yes, from American point of view I’m fine. But is it so from your Russian?

  - You are not Russian and I also live not in Russia.

  - Still you are deep and it makes me think of life like Russian writers. I read them just out of curiosity, but after I met you I started thinking and remembering what they wrote. And I see no meaning of life as I live it now.   

  - Well, you might read something else on spiritual themes and search for some meaning there.

  - Do you read it?

  - I read in youth a lot on Zen, yoga, philosophy, world religions and I found what I wanted, so now I just live.

  - OK. I’ll try.

   Lucy had problems too. She was already sixteen and not a teenager by her mentality.

   - Why do you spend your time on me? You now earn enough to send all your old life to hell.

   - Your father helped me with my cinema career in the beginning and I promised him to help you. In two years you’ll be trained enough to continue on own both in Russian and in karate.

   - And you’ll leave me?

   - I don’t think about the future now, because I can’t know.

   - I’m already grown up and I want adult life.

   - What do you mean?

   - Love and sex.

   - Wow! Terrible! You are really naughty. Can’t you wait just for two years and concentrate on studies?

   - I can, but I don’t want, because I’ll miss my chance.

   - What chance?

   - If you don’t guess I’ll tell you in two years.

   - Well, I’ll wait.

   - Really? You won’t leave before I’m eighteen?

   - I’m not going to. For the meaning of life is not in success but in life itself. And you are a part of it so why should I give you up?

   - OK, I’ll wait too.

 

  The next to doubt her life was Helen. Time went on but nobody invited her anywhere, Mike forgot about her and club cinema acquaintances thought only of their own talents, ignoring the rest. One evening Helen put a bottle of wine on the table and suggested to drink to her death as a star. Ole smiled, switched on the music, went out to the center of the room and started to dance. It was the fire of kung-fu without strikes. Waves passed through his body like flames and burst to the sky and the whole of the invisible universe. Helen watched hardly breathing, surprised and amazed at the energy and harmony of each move. When the music and the dance finished, she whispered, wiping tears from her cheeks:

    - Why didn’t you show it before?  Can you teach me? I want …

    - Look into your self and find inner light. Then just let it shine.

 

 

                                            A dancer

 

    Kate and Yuriko came to the night club with Lulu. She promised an interesting show with Ole, but didn’t explain what exactly. Helen as a practical American didn’t let him just dance for her and forget as Russians do, she organized his debut in the club and Lulu invited all actors and musicians she knew. Mike with his cameras was there too to catch the fresh wind. And he informed Nick, who came with Lucy.

    Ole didn’t have any choreography; his dance was always an improvisation, inspired by music. This time melody was different and the dance was different too. It was a sea of dream, and the waves moved slowly like magic spells in a fairy-tale, liberating imagination and soul from the sleep of illusions and raising it to the sky, where it floated on with clouds in the sunshine of joy. The audience was enchanted and fused in the contemplation of the flow of life, in the eternal moment of insight into one’s own tune of harmony and internal peace.

   It was unexpected, unusual and striking. Kate and Yuriko saw in the dance the basis of kung-fu, the school of Drunkard. Lulu just enjoyed, Mike wondered how to insert it into a film, Nick relaxed and rested, Lucy dreamed of God knows what. So it was a success and the audience burst with applause.  

    Next evening the dance went on the television and Helen, Ole’s manager and agent, signed several contracts for continuation. Tanya called him with congratulations and offered an advertising contract with Tom’s airlines company and free flights to any part of the world. Helen said he couldn’t stay at her home any longer, because newspapermen could find it out and it would be inconvenient. He must have an image of a mysterious man from the East. And like Lulu he must find a house, where other stars live.  He rented a small cottage and started a new life again.

    After recording several dances and an advertisement he flew to New-York with Kate to make acquaintance with her father and invest his money in some of his projects to try business life and earn enough money for his own film. Yuriko as her bodyguard went with them too. Her family also had some business and she studied the situation on American markets. Kate’s father said that the best way to earn is to do what you know best. Finally, they decided to register together a security firm, “Eagle”, providing bodyguards for stars, businessmen and politicians.

   This was Kate’s territory and she felt very sure and brave so when they were left alone with Ole in her room, she took him by the cheeks and kissed in the lips, then threw off her clothes and drew him to the bed.

 

 

                                           “Jolly Roger”

 

  Ole sent to Mike the first thirty four pages of the script about himself. The initial stage of his life in America was finished and he could sum up some results. Dancing and security firm was another stage to be described later. Mike responded immediately by phone:

  - Ok, I see there is no need for a script writer; you can do the job yourself. So I include the film in my list for the next year and I hope you’ll finish it. Think of the actors for the roles and we’ll start discussing the characters.

  Ole suggested the originals and Mike agreed to try. Even Lucy got her chance to express herself and find her place in life. They all gathered in his small city studio and exchanged their views and impressions after reading the first ready part of the story. Nick couldn’t play himself by the rules of his profession, prohibiting him to become public, and he wasn’t invited. Instead Mike offered an ordinary actor. Yuriko couldn’t play a ninja, but the rest was acceptable. For ninjas she promised Japanese actors. So the process began.

  Kate’s father recommended “Eagle” to his business partners and they got their first clients. Tom and Tanya helped too. Nick could work with them part-time as a consultant. It was not against the CIA rules; on the contrary, the Agency liked using unofficial channels for solving its problems and Nick made some useful hints, when they didn’t understand, what forces were behind some criminal threat.

    In the web Tumanov found information about “Jolly Roger”, a half-secret organization, uniting American politicians and businessmen, exposed by American journalists, but still existing and influencing important events. The secrecy of security services is reasonable, but why should politics hide their relations? If their activities are legal and honest, they have nothing to fear, but if they fear, there must be something illegal. Piratical flag as their symbol could mean only violence and robbery, and though their ties with mafia were not described, logic prompted their existence.

   Any modern security equipment, bought officially and half-officially for “Eagle”, wasn’t sufficient for the penetration to the organization headquarters and it could help, only if used as additional means. Tumanov took a lie detector and went in a rubber mask to one of their leaders. He told the guards that he wanted to sell some political information, recorded on a device, to their boss but only personally. They searched him for weapons and led to the cabinet. There he, quickly disarmed the guards, switched the detector to the politician and started asking questions. After the interrogation he destroyed all the records of his voice in the security system and went away. Now he knew for sure that they controlled and used mafia against political rivals and just for themselves. So the war began. He visited Mafiosi under various excuses and played the same trick and those, who were responsible for deaths, he just shot. Besides he collected interesting documents and electronic data from computers. Mafiosi under the gun opened safes or told codes and passwords, because they saw that he was very serious. On this basis he learned what to do next, and finally all major ties of “Jolly Roger” with mafia were cut. Then he copied and spread the materials, exposing corrupted politicians and criminal businessmen, to newspapers, FBI and CIA. I took several months to do the job but now he was not afraid of a counterstrike to “Eagle”, when it defended its clients from threats.

   The first part of the film was practically ready. It was called “A Russian in Los-Angeles” and Mike decided to dub it into Russian and sell on the Internet first of all to Russians, who were curious about America and wanted to immigrate or to cooperate in business and culture. English original was sold there too on the Internet and on DVD. Soon the money, spend on the film (some - Tumanov’s) was returned and they cast the second part, also for the web and DVD. Because for TV it was too Russian; ordinary Americans in mass wouldn’t understand it and politicians wouldn’t like the “Jolly Roger” plot.

    Lulu after the film decided to leave cinema and go to a Catholic monastery, but after two months there changed her mind and went to India to study mantra-yoga, Helen became a model for popular magazines and went on a US tour as a dancer with a rock group, Lucy finished school one year earlier and went to study to Russia, writing Oleg letters every month. And he was left with Kate and Yuriko, again two girl-friends as in the beginning of his immigration. First months he met only with Kate but one night, when she came out for a minute, Yuriko changed her in the bed and he noticed it only in the morning. She explained that she will leave him to Kate after she gets from him a baby and goes back to Japan, and that Lucy wants the same after she becomes eighteen. Lulu and Helen planned it later, after they solve their problems and see the world, when they return back to settle at home. Others were OK too. And the world turned on.

 

 

 

 

                                     American dream

                              (An American in Moscow)

 

                                             Lucy

 

    Lucy disappeared in Moscow without trace and Nick phoned Tumanov for advice. Oleg thought she was kidnapped:

  - I think she is alive. And we’ll hear soon of money for her life.

  - Can you go to Moscow and find out everything there? If we have to pay, we need an intermediary. You are still her official bodyguard. Do you have problems in Russia?

  -I have some, but I’ll go.

 

   In Moscow Tumanov and Lucy’s grandfather, Dick Mellow, met with the detective, investigating the case, in his office. He disappointedly informed that there was no news and introduced them to Colonel Michailov:

   -Federal Security Service, - he showed his documents. – The case maybe political because she is a foreign citizen, so we switched in too.

   - This is her bodyguard, Oleg Tumanov, a Russian citizen. If they demand money, he’ll go with it to take her away himself.

   - OK.  We shall inform you of everything and we must discuss with Mr. Tumanov details for better coordination in possible extreme situations. Do you need any weapons?

   - Certainly, and some devices.

   - You are not going to pay?

   - They may try to kill her even if they get the money and me as a witness too.

   - They’ll search you for it.

   - I need an explosive with an automatic detonator to switch on, if I’m killed, to scare them and prevent searching.

   - An interesting idea but that’s not our method.

   - I’m a Russian too, but I learnt something abroad. It will work.

   - Well, if you sign the paper that you take all responsibility for your possible death on yourself, I’ll arrange it.

   - Fine. I’ll sign it. And I need a sensitive mic, a camera, a gas grenade and a breather.

   - Oh, it sounds serious, - laughed Michailov.  - And I like it more. We use them too. Did you learn it abroad, or you were a professional in Russia?

   - Here I studied only karate, at a private school.

   - I see. Do you have real experience of such operations?

   - I have a private security firm and we have to deal with various problems.

   - Oh, that’s fine. I prefer professionals. Amateurs maybe killed. We’ll work together. I’ll show you our team, though they will be in masks. Do you object?

   - No. I’d like to see what they can do. Some joint training may be useful.

   - We want to check up you too, before we permit such risk.

 

   The boys in the masks played kidnappers and they went through the whole situation with an explosive and gas attack. Tumanov played well and they were satisfied.

   - We thought you are just an actor.

   - Did you see my films?

   - Oh, no. We were just informed that you are a star like the girl and they may take you a prisoner too. And ask for an additional payment.

   - Possible, if I go unarmed.

 

  At last the kidnappers called to Dick Mellow’s office and demanded one million dollars. He agreed and they appointed a meeting. He described Tumanov as his secretary and promised that he will be alone. The place was out of Moscow on the 100^th kilometer to the south.

  In two hours Oleg was there in a car with all the required equipment and the money. Another car was waiting for him on the roadside with two men in masks.

   - Show the money.

   - Show the girl.

   The kidnapper gave him a phone, the voice was Lucy’s, so she was alive. Tumanov showed the money in the bag.

  - Come on, I only exchange it for the girl, personally.

  - Well, as you like. But we must search you.

  - Better not. I have an explosive on my body and it will go off, if I drop the detonator.  – And he opened the coat to demonstrate.

  - Are you crazy?

  - I’m a Muslim terrorist, hired by her relatives. Better don’t argue with me. I don’t like it. If I do the job, CIA will let out of prison my friends. You have no choice; if you try to escape I’ll drop it myself. So come on quickly.

  They phoned their boss, described the situation and received orders to agree and lead him to Lucy. She was in a hundred meters in the forest, tied to a tree. The men stood at distance and, when he was undoing the ropes, took out guns.

  - Leave the bag there and go away.

  - OK. It’s yours.

   He went with Lucy from the money to the road. Kidnappers moved aside to let them go, but when they were again at distance tried to shoot. Tumanov shot a moment quicker and it was finished. In several minutes the capture group was there and the detective took their phones to see, who the boss was. Soon he was found and arrested. And the story went on TV with Tumanov’s material from the camera. Parting with the professionals, engaged in the operation, he presented them his films on DVD and they invited him to their group, as a joke, but really suggested him to open an affiliate of his security firm in Moscow for foreigners, who usually don’t trust Russians. Lucy asked it too, because she didn’t feel here safe any more, and her grandfather gave for the project his money.

   In a week Lucy was going to celebrate her birthday, the eighteenth, and she invited Kate and Yuriko. After the party at night Kate left the bed for a minute and in the morning Oleg again discovered that it was not her. This time he made love with Lucy.

   - It’s my birthday present and I warned you about my intentions long ago. You did not object.

   - It’s no use arguing. It’s your decision, but what about your father? I’m not sure he would approve it.

   - I won’t tell. I’m an American in Moscow and no one can control me here at all.

   - I’m an American here too. Otherwise no one would help me with my business or let me a chance to interfere in the events.

                                                 FSS

 

   Federal Security Service was curious. Colonel Mihailov had a question to Tumanov about his life in the USA and he had to answer it or go back and wait until he become an American citizen. Tumanov preferred to meet the challenge and to stay.

  - Who told you that Nikolay Popov was a spy?

  - It was an unofficial hint.

  - Who’s?

  - I made a self-defense course on DVD for police professional and FBI and some of them advised me to advise him to go, to avoid a scandal and damage to some reputations. They couldn’t prove he was a spy but thought so, I don’t know why.

  - Is it all?

  - Yes, I have nothing to add.

  - Did they try to recruit you?

  - No.

  - And CIA?

  - No.

  - Do you have any roof for your security business, I mean unofficial support?

  - It a question of money there and competence.

  - Who taught you martial arts?

  - Karate books and Hollywood films.

  - Where you started we know it was not a secret for us even then. We did not interfere in private karate schools because we knew that the prohibition would be canceled, because it was silly.

  - The times change.

  - Yes, we are now different. If you have any problems, just call me. We are interested in Russian success abroad, especially in Hollywood. Maybe, you’ll help other Russians too and your film will one day appear on our TV. At least in the Internet there is no censorship or control at all. What is not prohibited is allowed. I really like your films but someone here doubts you and now their time hasn’t yet come.

   - I know it and I don’t count on Russian TV now. I work for those who don’t doubt anything without good reasons and give people like me a chance.

  - I see. It’s logical and we have no objections. Good luck to you in America, I won’t bother you without reasons again.

  Shaking hands before leaving, he added:

  - If you’ll decide to make a film about antiterrorist operations in Russia, we can help with material. That’s a common problem and such a film would spoil your reputation in Hollywood. Just call me and I’ll introduce you to some useful people, who will be really interesting both for you and for spectators. Good buy.

  - Good bye.

 

  That sounded good but next day he met Nikolay Popov in the street. Accidentally he was passing by and recognized him. But Tumanov didn’t believe in coincidence and understood that FSS wanted something else. Popov invited him to a café for a cup of coffee (Like Nick) and casually hinted that he left “the former work” and looked for something else. Obviously, he was aiming at “Eagle” but Oleg didn’t mention it and played fool, pretending not to understand his desire and hint. For foreigners he was compromised and FBI wouldn’t like it. But FSS wouldn’t like refusal and he had to find a way out. He didn’t think much when I dawned on him to offer Nikolay a role in cinema, playing a Russian spy, i.e. himself. That would be a real change of profession and no risk of getting access to some private secrets of clients. Popov was surprised by his idea but agreed.

   FSS didn’t try to recruit him or to punish for his refusal to cooperate many years ago. Either the times really changed, or Moscow FSS differed from provincial, but they really didn’t bother him again and he relaxed. There was no need to hurry back to the USA and he decided to stay in Moscow longer, for three reasons – “Eagle”, Lucy and curiosity. His student life in Moscow was very interesting and even happy, because he was then young and full vital forces and ideas. He began to study here Zen and Indian philosophy, here he wrote his first verse and decided to become a poet, here he studied karate. All his real life began here and now he only continued what he started then. Without poetical vision he would never write a cinema script, and without karate he would never become a ninja, so he made a turn of a spiral and now began his life in Russia anew. He was curious about new Moscow and felt that he wasn’t alien to Russia as several years ago. It was also a chance and he wasn’t going to miss it.

 

 

                                              Friends

 

   He called all his old Moscow friends and invited them to celebrate his return. Kate left for New-York and the hostess of the party was Lucy. She wanted to make as much acquaintances in Russia as possible to practice the language and to establish useful ties for her future business. His friends were the best choice and she organized the meeting and entertainment on a luxe level. Her grandfather turned out to be richer than Oleg thought and she was a socialite woman too. For diplomatic reasons Popov was included in the list and he did his best, telling interesting stories about his life in America as a try-out for the film.

  None of his friends became famous or rich but all found what they wanted at the start or told so to save face. They didn’t know about his Hollywood career and he presented all with his films on disks. At first nobody believed, but after he appeared on the screen they laughed and drank to his health. Internet for them was also terra incognita and he explained its opportunities by his site. Finally, they agreed to communicate there and to open his fan club for Russia.

  - I could live here all my life, - said Lucy, when they went away. - They don’t compete and envy. I can relax with them and be myself.

  - It’s Moscow intelligentsia. It’s not all Russia and they don’t decide anything outside their circle, though they understand art and philosophy and we can make a film for them too.

  - Maybe with them. Their stories are original and can serve the basis. Can we record them next time?

  - They won’t repeat them.

  - It’s a pity. Such a chance for all to become famous… Why didn’t you record them this time?

  - Record? It was just a meeting of old friends, who would record such things? They wouldn’t feel natural before a microphone and camera.

  - You are right; they would become stiff and clumsy. So it was the only chance.

  - Are you are trying to hint at something? 

  - Yes. I put cameras here and recorded everything for my film about your life. But I can share material with you, if you don’t scold me too much. And for your friends you are not to blame. It’s just am American girl’s curiosity. What can they do to me? Sue in the court? That’s not their style. They are intelligentsia. And besides I can go to the USA.

  - I must tell them and ask their opinion.

  - Well, go ahead. I’m not afraid. It was a social party and I was a chronicler.

  - Explain it to them your self. They will forgive you, because it’s American style. But I’m not sure they will come to you again or relax, if they come.

  - It’s like TV show “Candid Camera”, people don’t get offended but laugh.

   Tumanov laughed:

  - You can persuade in anything like a politician at the elections.

  And she was right. When she called all his friends again, inviting to a show with their participation and demonstrated the film, they only laughed. So an American in Moscow taught a good lesson to Russians, including Oleg himself. They not only forgave her but started to love. And his promise to Popov was partly carried out. Because his stories showed that he was very informed and was in the center of events among important people, so FSS should be satisfied. His mission could be only political, because he got no secrets and as a start it was enough. Later he could continue without Oleg. Maybe, so they planned, sending him to Oleg in the street, though without a CIA-man’s daughter their plan would take much longer time or might fail.

   None of Oleg’s girls ever told him of marriage. If Kate wanted, she could marry him a year ago, bur she didn’t. Lucy followed her example and only played the role of hostess for the friends, staying with him for nights. Officially she rented a flat of her own and for everybody she was just his friend. Her own friends got acquainted with Oleg as her boy-friend only when she came with him to a students’ party. His films on disks were a key to all Moscow circles, including the youth. Lucy soon achieved privileged position by this method and even won the University beauty contest. Her Russian in Russia improved speedily and she got here much more friends than in the USA.

   The circle of life brought Oleg back to student society as the knight of the queen. In his own student youth he had more success with books than with girls and now he had revenge on fate. With Lucy he was twenty years younger and all his friends thought she had good influence on him and introduced her to their friends too. When they became too numerous she stopped presenting film disks and stared to sell them through the network she created by her reason, charm, will and luck. An American never forgets about money and Lucy found a new market for her goods. Like her granddad for his cars.

 

 

                                             Allies

 

  Lucy’s adventures in Russia inspired Tumanov to start a new cinema script - “An American in Moscow”, he wrote seven pages and sent it by e-mail to Mike, who answered OK and sent it to his usual team. They discussed the project and flied to Moscow to switch in.  For Lucy the happy end was outlined but others wanted to have their share in the success. Kate was an American too and Moscow allured her as a challenge. Tumanov’s part in the adventures was described from an American point of view so he was treated as an American by his style. She wanted to become the third.

  Kate learnt from Oleg all phone numbers and began her campaign. She called Mahailov and invited him to a restaurant. He couldn’t refuse and they spent a very pleasant evening, talking about terrorists and Russian-American cooperation in all possible spheres of international life. She explained that her father was an influential Wall Street businessman and had serious ties in Washington. She was not afraid of contacts with a FSS officer, because no one would believe she became a spy. So she was ready for the film, he suggested to Tumanov, and could persuade him to join.

  Mahailov reported to his chiefs and the question was settled on the highest possible level. Kate received half-secret files about the Caucasus terrorist groups and got acquainted with Russian commandos (in masks). They were preparing for preventive operations and took Kate and Yuriko to their training center and then with their cameras to the operation itself. The girls got bulletproof vests, submachine guns and entered two commands, which attacked a terrorist base in mountains from different angles, very convenient for casting each other and the whole scene in a panoramic stereo way. Certainly they were not in the first rows, but participated on equal terms with men.

   Next day Yuriko took a helicopter and they went higher to shoot pink mountain peaks at the dawn. Not alone but with its regular pilot just to be on the safe side. All the material was transmitted by a satellite to Mike in Moscow. Lucy and Oleg in the meanwhile played themselves as described in the script.

 

      One day Popov came to Tumanov with his memoirs of a Russian spy in America.

   - Yes, now it's official. I was an intelligence officer and now I'm retired and change profession. Thanks to you and your allies in FBI I was not caught and I describe here the reasons in detail. It was politics. I investigated “Jolly Roger” and its plans for Russia. Many Americans doubt its legal nature and they hesitated about me too. I had more contacts with American politicians than ordinary Russians and FBI suspected me of collecting information but really I was a representative of “Jolly Roger” in Russia as its member and my sponsors would not allow any scandal.

  - Is it so influential?

  - It was. The times change in America too. New politicians don’t openly quarrel with the old but search for new ways. There is no ideological conflict between America and Russia any longer and drastic measures in international politics are not as necessary as earlier. Internal politics depend on the whole world situation too. Now we can become allies and my book ends in positive expectations.

  - Do you think it’s good for Hollywood?

  - No, it’s too early for such themes. I hope to find Russian actors but they don’t know America as you do and need a guide.

  - If I make such a film my career in Hollywood may finish.

  - But you’ve made a film about “Jolly Roger”.

  - About mafia and corruption, not pure politics. That’s acceptable and even such description restricted my film to Internet and DVD. No one prohibits it but it won’t go on TV as the rest.

  - It may be televised in Russia and you may return home completely.

  - I have achieved success in America and I was not a spy, why should I ruin everything and flee? I have friends there, who expect continuation and I’m not going to betray them.

  - I see. You are right. Your success in Hollywood is beneficial for us too, because you prove that Russians can be useful.  But can you play a role in my project? Just yourself, when you helped me to survive.

  - That’s easier. Here in Russia I can have a compromise to promote my own films.

  - Well, and you can use a pseudonym f… Продолжение »