- If I do it, I must interpret the plot from an American point of view, because in two years I’m going to become an American citizen.  

  - It’s already three after you came there?

  - Yes. It’s a whole eternity and I’m different now from the boy you knew. Or FSS knew me in the last years.

  - Why did you go away?

  - They tried to recruit me as a spy among religious activists, my own friends and when I refused pressed me to complete isolation. I had nothing to do here. So I went to the New World for new life.

  - That’s local FSS in your town. Changes go to province very slowly.

  - They remained the same commies as before the reforms, only changed slogans. Now fight for democracy, though in reality – for power.

  - You can show in our film your own motives for emigration. That’s another dimension of life, immigrants are part of reality there and they are all like you.

  - OK, we’ll make it. Search for Russian actors and call me when they are ready.

   He gathered the command very quickly because the film was financed by the state. Tumanov explain them that he didn’t like any propaganda, both American and Russian, and that the film must be personal as a life story of a man in a complex situation and not ideal circumstances. They got the point and started to work. During casting Tumanov realized that the actors shared his views on Russia and had their own American dreams, the most common – Hollywood. So the film turned out to be non-anti-American and he put his own name. Before final revision of the material he sent it to Nick and FBI friends for sanction as a diplomatic measure and they said no one objects.

   Kate came back from the Caucasus refreshed and happy. I was her first real adventure in life, though she said to Russians she had such experience before, or they wouldn’t take her. Yuriko was quiet and enigmatic. After the supper she confessed:

   - I have an idea. You could sell to mafia your sword, it costs one million dollars. I brought it with me. Say it is stolen from a Japanese museum and learn their ties.

   - Interesting. Who can need such an artifact? Only yakudzu allies; maybe, we must go to the Far East.

  A buyer turned up in Moscow, but “Eagle” followed his ties and came to a man, trading with Japan. Then came yakudzu themselves, they saw the photo of the sword and decided to get it from the first seller, killing all intermediaries, and appointing Tumanov a meeting in a very suspicious place. When he showed them the sword, they showed no money and tried to kill him. But he used it and their heads flied off the shoulders as cabbage.

   That night Yuriko in her manner changed in the bed Lucy.

                                   Hunters

 “Russian spy” sat between the two chairs, neither in America, nor in Russia it went on the air and the only audience was in the Internet. It turned out to be too psychological and was ahead of time. In both countries television preferred slogan ideas of national interests and cooperation of superpowers was still only a wish. But they all received the promised state money and did not complain. In Hollywood the film provoked criticism and hot discussions through the web under nicknames. Officially all cinema people avoided any marks or remarks and Olaf Tuman got the reputation of a risky man., though it only supported his first image of a mysterious newcomer. He probed the situation after his return to the USA and understood that some would start to avoid him and some on the contrary would become curious and make friends. That was natural, because you can’t be always good for all and sometimes you have to choose.

   Lulu invited him to India. She lived in a mantra-yoga ashram and said she was at last happy. Tumanov’s casting with Lucy was completed and he decided to relax in new surroundings so he accepted the invitation and went. For several years he practiced mahamantra himself and didn’t expect in India anything surprising and new.

  Krishnaits, or vaishnavs, were friendly and when he joined singing their sacred songs considered him to be one of them. It was not untrue but was not so either. It was a stage of his development and now his past, as it was for many Americans. Lulu was eager to spread the Vedic truth and her teacher after acquaintance with Tumanov suggested her to go to Russia as a missionary with him. Lulu studied Russian in India and could explain their main ideas.  She had a drive and he could translate the rest. Mantra-yoga was not in words but in mantras themselves, in the energy they give and there were enough translations of their books into Russian. After a week of sightseeing and common mantra singing Oleg and Lulu left for Moscow with the blessings of a Brahmin.

  - You needn’t be afraid of me, I need no sex. I’ve changed completely.

  - I was never afraid, you know. Maybe, you need not be afraid of me?

  - OK, let it be. But there should be no sex, remember.

  - That’s your problem, not mine.

  In Moscow Lulu went to local Krishnaits and plunged into intensive studies of Russian with their help. Simultaneously she began to preach and organize sessions of mantra meditation with new people. Besides Vedic knowledge she advertised everything Indian, from soap and dresses to music and cinema.

    Oleg believed in Lulu’s spiritual rebirth until one fine morning, when he discovered her in his bed instead of Lucy, who again went out for a minute and disappeared.

  - It isn’t sex, - smiled Lulu. – It is a baby. We are not allowed sex, even if married, but children are necessary as future Krishna’s devotees.

  - Really? Why than didn’t you tell it to me directly? Why do you use this trick?

  - It is Yuriko’s idea and a ninja technique. She was born the same way. Her mother was a ninja hunter and caught the best man, who would never give her a baby, if she warned. She married him only when her sister, his wife, was killed. I think you’ll marry Kate or Lucy and don’t plan any family life but with the child.

  - You are not a Buddhist, - mocked her Oleg.

  - Buddha is an incarnation of Krishna; Buddhist ideas for us are not prohibited.

  - I see. You accept all that is convenient for you personally. But what would your teacher say about a child?

  - I’m not going to show him. After Russia I’ll go to Japan and leave him in a ninja school as your hire. And he will return when he grows up, though I will frequently visit him or maybe even settle in Japan for several years. We’ll become relatives with Yuriko and I’ll get all the rights.

  - I didn’t see her for a year, do you know why?

  - Ask her. She never tells us anything about her life. I can only guess.

   One day unexpectedly Nick called him to Moscow.

  - Your last film is a challenge to some hawks. They’ll hunt you when you return, though they are not sure you will. So be ready for surprises. Call me when flying, I’ll meet you in the airport and tell details.

   Similar news came from Popov. He was warned that “Jolly Roger” decided to kill both of them to revenge on the exposure. A killer was sent to Moscow to avoid noise in the USA and to shift the blame to FSS. He was he catch them at their meeting and to imitate their quarrel and mutual simultaneous killing.

  - Are we going to catch him?

  - Yes, he must confess his mission and motives.

  - And if he does not?

  - Twenty years in Siberia are enough for changing his mind.

  No one knew him in face, but general information was enough for the trap. Popov organized official presentation of the film in a Moscow privileged club, inviting everyone through the web, and after the meeting they went for a walk in night streets. No one followed but a girl as in Oleg’s film about LA.

 - Hey, Mr. Tumanov, wait a minute!

  She approached and asked for a phone number. And before he answered took out two guns and made simultaneous shots. They fell to the ground; she put the guns into their hands, dragged them into needed position and ran away. But not far, because some passersby suddenly beat her off the legs, clenched and drew to a car.

 - The rest is not your problem, - said Popov rising to his feet.

 - But I’m curious, - answered Tumanov taking off his coat and a bulletproof vest. I’m going back to America and they’ll hunt me there too.

 - As a victim you have the right to get all the information, I’ll bring you the reports.

 - I want to talk to her personally with a lie detector, in American style.

 - We have polygraphs too.

 - But I want to ask my questions and alone without witnesses.

 - OK. I’ll organize it. Will an hour or two suffice?

 - Yes, enough.

  The killer said to FSS nothing and they gave her to “Eagle” for an official interrogation.

 - You see, baby, I’m not a Russian security man and I’m going back to the States. And I can tell for your bosses there a story that you fell in love with me or got a large sum of money for saving my life. Your family won’t get anything for your feat and maybe they will even revenge on them in a very cruel manner they like. Do you have a little sister? She will be raped and cut to pieces.

 - Better think of your own friends, they may have problems because of you too.

 - The detector shows that you are really afraid for your sister. And that you don’t believe in my friends. I’m alone there as a Russian and no Americans will pay for me.

  - OK, - cried the girl. - I was to kill you for the films about “Jolly Roger”. Is it enough?

                              Back in the USSR

  Tumanov sent the record of the interrogation by a satellite to Nick and to FBI. The attack was also recorded by his camera. Nick said he must come and give evidence. He’ll get the official shelter by the witness protection program until the case is investigated and sent to the court.

  In the LA airport Nick introduced him to officials, responsible for his security, and they went to a secret flat to record his statement. Russians (officially militia) sent their material too and suggested a joint commission for the exchange of information. Americans asked for the killer to be judged in the USA, Russians refused and sentenced her to 5 years probation. But she was afraid to return and called her family to Russia. So the case was closed without any consequences for “Jolly Roger”, and Tumanov returned to his usual open life.

  - You see, we live in democracy and your record of interrogation must be proved in court by her free evidence. There in Moscow she was under psychological pressure and her statement may be considered forced. She preferred to disappear, because was really afraid of her bosses, and you can do the same. Either return “back to the USSR” as Beatles, or go to Mexico, Canada, Australia as usually Americans do.

  - Any alternatives?

  - CIA. But our chiefs don’t quarrel with politicians and we deal with international problems only outside the country. We could send you anywhere you like with another name and documents and not report to any one. Until all forget about you and you may return.

  - To Russia?

  - You can go there yourself and you are not by your nature a spy. Russians live also in Argentine.

  - And what would you do in my place?

  - Back to the USSR, - laughed Nick. – Your destiny is open success and your last film is more likely to be recognized in Russia than here. You can start criticizing America as an expert and Russians will applaud you. We have weak points too; if you are objective your friends here can understand it.

 - You mean “Jolly Roger”?

 - Hidden political unions and corruption exist everywhere. It’s natural for all states and cultures. In Japan mafia is legal and even pays taxes. In Russia the real power is FSS, earlier it was the Communist Party. We have secret societies. Life doesn’t stop because of them; people find ways to remain free and to use democracy to protect their interests. You wasn’t killed either. You made a film with FSS-man. That’s your way. I work in CIA. Lucy studies in Russia, because she doesn’t like my control. Her granddad invests money abroad. The world is not perfect and CIA as a realistic organization doesn’t fight against American politicians and they don’t fight against us. So if you decide to hide with our help, you are welcome.

 - Thanks. I appreciate your trust.

 - It’s not trust, we’ll check you up.

 - OK, check me up and let me go my own way.

 - Back to the USSR?

 - For some time and later I’ll return.

 - That’s reasonable. Come on to our center. It will take about two weeks.

   CIA was serious about everything it did and the examination was very thorough. He was a complex personality and they asked for additional two weeks. He answered tests, talked to various people on various subjects, undergone some devices measurement sixteen hours a day with short breaks. At last he was exhausted and tired. But they were as usual insistent and polite. After a month he said it was enough and he was going to leave. They laughed for the first time and explained they tested his patience. Everything was OK and he might go. Nick handed him a ticket to Moscow and took him to the airport.

   I'm back in the U.S.S.R., - sang the chorus in the ear phones.

   You don't know how lucky you are boy, - the plane touched the ground.

   Back in the U.S.S.R., - he said the Lucy in the airport.

   Been away so long I hardly knew the place, - the taxi passed the streets.

   Gee it's good to be back home, - they entered the flat.

   Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case, - they went to the bedroom.

   Honey, disconnect the phone, - he stripped off her clothes.

   You don't know how lucky you are boy, - sang Lucy in the morning too.

  Yes, he was at home and she was too. At least for several months until he comes back, as Beatles came after their concert in Moscow.  Now he knew the layout in the USA and knew what to do. Lucy won’t spoil her father’s career and will return too. He was an American in Moscow and won’t surrender and give up his American dream.

   He phoned the boys from the capture group and asked for a serious training cause in their center on private terms. In return he promised a film about their work. They settled the question with FSS and he was enlisted in the center under the nickname “Bunny”. All the novices were in masks with nicknames and never saw any one without a mask too. It was very hard unlike his self-training cause but after five months he felt himself another man.

  - If you decide to work with us at any time you are welcome.

  - I have a problem in America and I’ll try your techniques on some fools, who want to kill me, if I return.

  - Ha-ha-ha, - laughed the whole team. - Show them the Russian style, maybe they’ll respect us more.

  “Russian style” was not only a metaphor but the name of the martial arts school, created in Russia for commandos and security services. And now he knew it too.

 Next day he phoned Colonel Mihailov and asked for a real American passport for another name. He was surprised but after several questions promised to help. In addition Oleg asked for the American killer’s address. That was already for the colonel not a surprise and in two hours he was drinking with her tea and listening to Beatles, he brought with himself.

  - I’m gong back to the USA to settle the problem with your bosses and I need a companion to show me the way.

  - You are crazy! – exclaimed the girl. – It’s 100% death.

  - No, it’s one million dollars for you or your family, if you die. You are nobody here and will always be. I know Russia better, that’s why I return.

  - You are crazy.

  - I am. But you were crazy too to come here as a killer. So we are matches.

  - Yes, I was. And I am now too, because I go. But I have two conditions - half of the money in advance to my sister. And …

  - And?

  - I wanted to kill you because I hate you.

  - Why?

  - Lennon was killed by his fan. And I’m your fan too. You haunt me even in sleep and I wanted to get rid of you and live in peace.

  - Oh. I see. You need to discharge your subconscious drives.

   She laughed:

  - You are too American. Be Russian. I just want to sleep with you and that’s my final hard rock price.

  - After the job or now?

  - Half of it in advance.

  Oleg got Emily another American passport and they flied to Canada. Then they bought a car, crossed the border, unrecognized and unremembered, and headed for New-York. Emmy was more useful than he expected. She found a black market arms seller and they got equipped. Then she showed him the location of their killers training center and they smashed it to pieces, exploding everything that could go to hell, including safes with documents, which disclosed for them the whole structure of the organization and its headquarters. Their hunt lasted for a whole month, none of the known politicians was killed but the rest was wiped out as if it never existed. There were no killers any more to revenge on them and they went to Canada in a car and back to the USSR by plane.

   The whole war was recorded by their cameras except themselves and they sent it from Canada by Internet to CIA and FBI with documents explaining the reasons. In Moscow he presented the originals to Mihailov and returned the passports.

  - Now we are again official Americans and go back home. The girl paid her debts so you may forget her.

   At night he paid her the remaining portion of sex or love and next morning both left USSR for America on different planes and to different cities, because hers was Miami.

   In Los-Angeles nobody paid him any attention, but in three day police called him to inform that the killer-girl returned to the USA and that she was to be judged in a US court. He explained that she already got the verdict in Russia and took his statement back. Without his evidence in court trial was impossible and they closed the case again.

   With Nick he met only on Lucy’s vacations and they didn’t even mention their previous talk. Mike asked nothing and Tumanov understood that he saw the “Jolly Roger” retribution files too. Maybe he was higher in grade than he though?

   After five years of life in the USA he became a US citizen. The film about his adventures in Moscow went only to the Internet too but was a real success. He bought a house in Miami like an ordinary American millionaire and went there for summer to have a good rest after the casting and … to meet Emily, as it was with Popov accidentally in the street.

     Again back in the USSR he was on a business trip. There he hired a studio and made a film about his war against “Jolly Roger” with Russian actors and a film about the capture group as he promised. His training in its center was described too. The film was represented as a fantasy thriller and no one either from CIA or FBI rebutted the version or asked him, who gave him the idea and material. Americans didn’t like corrupted politicians too and sooner or later they would finish with “Jolly Roger” themselves. Tumanov was a little bit ahead of time but America moved in the same direction, as well as Russia, and he was not any longer alien or alone there at all.

  As a foreign citizen he could even visit his homeland, the province town where he was born and lived the most complex part of his life, to see his class mates and other friends.

  Back in LA he met again Helen with her group of black musicians. They introduced him to other normal black. In his Moscow student youth he regularly listened to and recorded he Voice of America jazz hour. When he mentioned it to Helen she took him to black jazzmen and they quickly found the common language. It was a black club but blacks could bring with them white friends, if they were not racists. He was not because Russians never were and his first unfavorable impression in the night street, when he met Helen, was forgotten, but not Helen herself. They spent a night of love in her house as years ago and parted, sure that they would soon meet again.

  Lulu came back to Los-Angeles too and got a staring role in a new Mike’s film. Lucy was transferred at her request to distance learning and spend all free time in Hollywood, making acquaintance with actors, directors, script writers, produces. And after her granddad’s visit and his investment in new films got all the roles she wanted. She was more reserved and cold than Lulu but as a good karate fighter attracted attention of spectators and went up on the ladder of success. Oleg invited all his girls to have a rest at Miami and Yuriko came with two sons. There she noticed Emily, his housemaid, and suspiciously asked him:

  - Do you like her? She looks too happy for an ordinary maid.

  - Find it out yourself.

  - I will.

  And that night she changed Emily in the bed, when she went out for a minute to bring him some juice. This time he noticed the trick and pretended he did not. The times change but ninjas are the same.

                                      American dream

                                 (A Russian in Miami)

                                       The seventh girl

   Oleg Tumanov was not tired of his life or job, and Miami for him was not a resort but just a place where he found his love. He did not like and need entertainment and beautiful life outside his house did not interest him at all. He noticed neither Hollywood stars, nor financial magnates, living in the city of joy. He liked the sea and bought a yacht to loose himself in the vastness of blue infinity.

  Why did he love Emily? She was terrible and fascinated him with her deep strong emotions, he lacked himself. Strangely, thanks to her he realized that he loved other girls too, though before he just obeyed their desires and never took any initiative himself. He was to busy with surviving and had no time or mood for love. But now he achieved his American dream and relaxed, gave way to feelings, compressed in his soul for many hard years. He thought Emily would be jealous and didn’t tell her about his American love adventure. She also considered herself hard-hearted and would never share her luck with other woman, but Yuriko’s story about Oleg hidden life open her eyes to his soul and she understood that he belonged to his first American girls too.

  They all discussed the situation and agreed to put his interests ahead of their own and to leave him free unless he decides to marry one of them himself. Yuriko, the most mystic-minded of them, supposed that number six is not the best and for that reason final, there must be another girl, waiting for Oleg and her destiny in some unknown part of the world.

 At first they laughed at the idea but Oleg loved numbers and mathematics and might come to the same conclusion too. So they were on alert and attentively looked at any beauty, crossing Oleg’s way. And one day she really came.

  It occurred in the Bermuda Triangle. His yacht came across a boat with a girl. Her ship must have drowned and she must have been mentally deranged, because she didn’t talk and looked very frightened. So he thought when he took her out of the water, but at home he learned that there were no such reports. The girl was strange, though mystically beautiful, in some unfamiliar way. Her eyes were larger than usual, her nose and lips thinner, and she kept silence in spite of all their attempts to talk. She was scared and only sat on the sofa, drinking juice and eating fruits. They decided to leave her alone and ask her about everything later, when she comes to her senses. And when she came Oleg decided to do without police. She took a pen and a sheet of paper and drew him with swift easy movements of hand. Similarity was surprising and he smiled.

  - OK. That’s better. Can you draw something else?

  And she started making various drawing of what ever she saw in the house and outside it. They were unusual and beautiful like the girl herself and soon he gathered a whole collection. He made photos and sent them to an art expert to learn his opinion though he was sure she had undoubtedly a talent and must soon recover her mental health and explain who she was. The expert confirmed his vision and offered to release an album and sell it in his art shop. He asked the girl, could he sell her drawings and she nodded. Asked her name and she pointed to the sky.

  - Sky?

  She nodded again. As a pseudonym it sounded good and the problem for the time being was solved.

   Gradually she got accustomed to their house and after girls went away on their usual affairs (except Emily) she started helping her with home work. Soon she remembered her name. It was Russian – Olga, or Scandinavian by origin and was a female version of Oleg’s own name and also meant “holy” or “blessed” and “successful”. Oleg tried to speak to her in Russian but with the same result. Then she called herself Helga, which was the Scandinavian original of the name and her nationality for Oleg again became vague.” Maybe she just heard my name and associated it with herself?”

   Besides drawing she liked music and once in the city she saw an electric guitar in the shop window and by signs asked Oleg to buy it. To his surprise she could play it very well. Then she began singing without words, just voice alone. It sounded strange and beautiful and Oleg started to record her compositions and soon they had an album, which he released and offered for sale in the Internet.

  So she was a riddle to be solved and she occupied more his attention than all other themes. One day she did another strange thing – she came to him and sat on his knees. He didn’t move, afraid to frighten her and she kissed him in the lips. Crazy she was or not, he liked it and kissed her in return. Then she undressed and became his seventh girl.

  Her first words were “I love you!” after the sex. He asked her who she was and she said she was a refugee from a ship of another country. She needed an official status or they would send her back. To avoid it she wouldn’t tell about her origin and he should better not ask.  Her plan was to find a single man, who could marry her at least fictitiously and she would pay him after she makes a career in art.

  - Are you married, by the way?

  - I’m not, though I have a girl-friend.

  - Emily?

  - Yes.

  - She is beautiful and kind, I don’t want to break your relations but I need citizenship. Could you marry me and live with her? Is she jealous?

  - She is not, but your behavior doesn’t look fictitious.

  - I said “at least”. But if I find a good man, why not try seriously.

  - Well, you were a virgin and you chose me so quickly. You know about me practically nothing, why are you so decisive?

  - I have no choice. And you saved me and were very attentive and kind. You didn’t send me to police and you appreciated my drawings and compositions, even started selling them. Who can be better for me? Why should I look for anyone else?

  - Marriage is a serious act. I didn’t think about it for many years.

  - I can sign a contract that I have no rights for your property. I need only status and protection. You can divorce me at any time.

  - Well, I might consider your request, if you tell everything about you. I can’t marry a riddle.

  - OK, do you promise not to tell anybody, even your girl?

  - I won’t.

  - I’m a Russian. And I have problems with FSS. They wanted me to become a spy and I escaped.

  - Oh. That’s interesting. I’m a Russian too and I had the same problems. If that is so serious, maybe, I’ll help you.

  - Why maybe? You must help me.

  - For a man to marry is a difficult decision.

  - It’ll be fictitious.

  - It is not fictitious even now and won’t be later. You’ve become my lover and said you love me. So you won’t agree to divorce as you say. You’ll try to save our relations and I’m not in love with you to risk such a fate. I don’t like arguments with women; it’s nerves. And I feel that you won’t let me go if I want.

  - I promise.

  - OK, talk to Emily, she must agree to it too. Try to persuade her and I’ll see what she’ll say.

         Olga approached Emily with her request and complains about life to raise her pity.

  - I’m not surprised. Girls hunt him here for his success and character, you are not original, but you are strange and I don’t quite understand you.

  - I can get success here too, I can sing in English.

  - OK, do it. In America people don’t believe words, they want results.

  Oleg wrote a verse in English about a lonely girl seeking for love, Olga recorded a song and Emily liked it.

  - OK. It’s your first exam, but not the last. I have several girl-friends and their opinion for me is more significant than Oleg’s. You can deceive a man by your big beautiful eyes but not other women.

   All the six gathered for a council and after some preliminary discussion decided to follow intuition and study Olga’s reactions. They put her in the center of the circle and started interrogation.

  - What’s your nationality? You don’t look American, - asked Kate.

  - Why, do I have an accent? Nobody told me about it.

  - I tell. Your accent is too perfect to be real. Americans are more casual and you are so accurate. I see that you try hard but sound unnatural. If I met you in the street I would think it but we found you in very strange circumstances. No ship drowned that day, where are you from? – added the CIA-man’s daughter.

  - You are keen, I’m a refugee from another country, but don’t ask me what exactly. They can send me back, if they know it.

  - If you don’t trust us, why should we trust you? – wondered Lulu.

  - I’m in a stiff situation and you are OK.

  - I think she is Russian and her name is real. I was the first thing she told, - smiled Emily.

  - You don’t trust Russians?

  - On the contrary. Oleg is a Russian too and if you are his compatriot it would be great for him. He was very lonely among Americans and a Russian friend would raise his spirits, - confessed Helen.

  - OK, I’m a Russian.

  - That’s better and it returns us to the second question. You speak English too good for a Russian, where did you study it?

  - My father lived for many years in America and he taught me from childhood. I’m too accurate because of my zodiac sign, I’m a Virgo, other Americans say I speak without any accent; I talked to them in Moscow.

     They laughed.

   - It’s not your accent but our intuition. We felt you were hiding something. Did you live in America too?

   - No, I was born when my father came back to marry my mother. She didn’t want to leave Russia and he stayed.

   - Well, that sounds true. But I don’t like daddy’s girls, - smiled threateningly Yuriko. – They can’t stand up for themselves. Can you fight?

  - My father taught me a little.

  - If you beat me, Oleg is your. OK?

  - You are Japanese. That’s not honest.

  - Then beat me, - stood up Lucy. – I’m not a professional fighter. Oleg taught me himself just for self-defense.

  -  I see I have no choice.

  - No, we are girls and we fight for a man, - she laughed. – It’s a joke. But I’m serious about a duel.

   Lucy attacked and Olga had to evade. She stepped back and back, blocking her strikes and making a circle in the room, and Lucy didn’t manage to hit her.

  - That’s good. Now it’s my turn, - rose Kate.

  This time Olga answered and it looked very convincing. She could fight and the girls smiled interested. For several minutes they exchanged blows and kicks and all decided that they were equal.

  - You father is very good, - smiled Yuriko. – You must love him deadly. Why did he let you go?

 - I must find my own way in life and my own man, like him.

 - And Oleg resembles him very much?

 - Yes. I’m not going to give him up.

 - So that marriage won’t be fictitious as you said in the beginning? You betrayed yourself.

 - I see that you don’t believe me and it’s no use denying. If we are rivals, I’ll fight to the end. 

 - Have you already slept together?

 - That’s none of your business.

 - Were you a virgin?

 - Perhaps.

  - I like her, - said Helen quietly. – We must explain her the rules.

  - What rules?

  - Oleg is not inclined to marriage and is free to love anyone he wants. If you sleep with him, it gives you no rights to control him. I sometimes sleep with him too. I can share him with you but I won’t give him up, as you said for yourself.

  - Oh, I didn’t know. I thought it was only Emily and I did not object. I need only status, citizenship.

  - Don’t lie to us and to yourself. You need him personally. I see it in your eyes. I’m a woman and I see you through.

  Olga sat in the armchair and closed her face with hands.

 - OK, you’ve done me. I see it was a mistake. He doesn’t need a wife. But I need real documents, can you help? I promise not to sleep with him, I only need some shelter. My father was very good, but I don’t want to return to him. I’m tied of my past life and I want to stay here.

 - OK. That’s better, but you already know too much. We can’t let you go.

 - But you told me yourself. I didn’t ask your secrets.

 - We told you because we liked you and saw you could accept the rules. If you do, you can sleep with him on.

 - Repeat, please, the rules. I can misunderstand something and you can get offended.

 - I think a Russian wife for Oleg is natural and logical, - summed up Yuriko, - But in Japan we allow several wives and I want to be one of them.

 - Oh, that’s what you mean, - widely opened her eyes Olga, surprised but relaxing. – I see, you are all his wives.

  And she started to laugh as never laughed before. They relaxed and laughed too.

 - I never imagined such a situation. If I accept the rules, I become one of you?

 - As a Russian you may become the only official wife, in the documents you need, but in reality you will be the seventh.

 - Well, that’s funny and I have no choice.

 - We don’t have any too.

 - OK, I accept you conditions and can you convince Oleg to accept me officially?

 - If you have made love with him, he will.

- He is reluctant. Men don’t hurry to get married.

- That’s your business; we never force him to anything. Make him sure you deserve it and he won’t let you go.

- How can I deserve it?

- I tried to kill him, - laughed Emily, - and he got curious. But then I paid for it by a joined venture in a combat raid.

- That’s interesting, - relaxed Olga. – He wasn’t offended?

- No. He likes results and I was very good.

- I see, - Olga sank into herself, - I’ll remember it …

  Oleg had his own exam. His condition was an album of her songs in English and she agreed. They did it together in a week. So there was no reason to refuse any longer. He registered her in the immigration service as a refugee, witnesses all she described, and within a month they registered marriage at the City Hall.

   After the party when they were left alone, she didn’t go to bed and sat in the armchair.

  - Before we make love I must confess something, though it is against the rules.

  - What rules?

  - My father’s.

  - And who is your father?  I never asked because you were tied and nervous.

  - You can guess it by my last name.

  - Mahailova? Is he famous?

  - No. On the contrary, but you can guess.

 Oleg rubbed his head.

  - I knew only one Mihailov.

  - And he wasn’t your friend or business partner …

  - You mean …

  - Yes. I’m not going to deceive you, because I really love you.

  - FSS Colonel. That’s really unexpected.

  - Now, thanks to you, a general and a high rank chief. I’m not a spy officially, I didn’t sign anything, but my father thinks I am.

   - So you know everything about me from the beginning.

   - Sure. I saw all your films and fell in love with you. He guessed and offered me this trip. They want you to return to Russia after you are through with your American dream.

  - Through?

  - When people get their dreams they are either disappointed or start searching for something else.

  - I’m not disappointed and what shall I do in Russia?

  - I saw your files about “Jolly Roger”. My father liked it too. No one could do it but you. Your training in the commando center determined your style.

  - I am not a commando, it was just self-defense.

  - But it was effective and Emily was wonderful too. So I respected her from the start.

  - I have no such problems now and I don’t look for them myself.

  - That’s why I told you everything. I don’t want to involve you in trouble. I am just happy to be with you. I won’t drag you to Russia. I want to stay here and become a star. My mother is an actress and I choose her gens. My father will never interfere in my life here, because he loves me and I’m free to live as I want.

 - You can spoil his career.

 - No, they know everything and would just wait for some results. I was delivered here in a submarine. Our marriage is a great success from their point of view and out child would be the next.

 - Well, I know their habits. They can wait around a trap for years.

 - Do you forgive me? Can we now go to bed?

   She so loving and so sexy that Tumanov forgave Mihailov his attempt and his life went on as usual. He made no films for several months and now he returned to creativity by his verses for her songs. Life became intense and interesting again and he was happy in his dreamland with a young, beautiful and clever wife. He received all he was deprived in Russia and the funniest side of it was that FSS also paid its debt. They spoiled his life in Russia and he deprived them of their spy, perfect as he himself in his sphere, if she really decided to work.

  - Do you think we can make a film about your adventures in Miami? – asked Oleg his wife one day. – Will it damage your reputation for FSS?

  - I don’t mind. Are all your films based on your life?

  - Thompson’s - no, mine – yes.

  - OK. Do what you want.

                                      A rising star

   Tumanov’s new film “A Russian in Miami” became a real hit and even went on TV. A Russian girl-spy, loving an American ninja, was close American hearts and they were noticed by critics, journalists and their Miami neighbors. Olga quickly mastered her social duties and they were invited to the best houses of the city, making acquaintances and friends with the elite of business and art.

  Soon Olga bore a son, Alexander, and sent his photo to her mother.

  - My father gave up the career of a spy in America, when he fell in love with a cinema actress and she agreed to marry him. She couldn’t leave her profession and he couldn’t leave her, so they transferred him to internal services without loss of rank. So in my choice his gens work too. He will understand me and I think my mother can come here to see her grandson.

  - OK, let it be.

   Marina Mihailova turned out to be a very young-looking, polite and reserved woman. She spent all her time with Alex, sang him songs and walked with him on the beach. She told Oleg about Russian film production, which was in a crisis, because it lacked money and ideas. She looked disappointed with her life and was happy that her daughter was on the wave.

  - Success is not eternal, do your best now. God knows what will be in the future, but the son will be yours for ever. By the way your father decided to change his job to politics, to become a Governor, after your film, I suppose.

  -  That’s interesting and reasonable. With a US daughter he will easier attract investments. In such circumstances we could visit Russia.

  - You can visit us any way. There are no problems.

  - Some his colleges might misunderstand Olga’s role in the film. But we will come if he accepts a deal.

  - I’ll tell him all you suggest.

  - If he goes to Stavropol, my birth town, and cleans local security services of the fools, who spoiled my life there, he sees personally his grandson.

  - You left Russia because of them?

  - I might be successful there too, as a poet, for example, or a fantasy writer. But they left me no choice.

  - Well, I think it’s possible. I can influence his decisions and I promise that he will accept it.

      In a month they were in Stavropol, the motherland of Andropov and Gorbachov, two heads of state, and many other influential Russian politicians.

  - Do you know why Stavropol politicians changed the fate of Russia and of the whole world? –Tumanov asked General Mihailov.

  - No, but I wondered. It can’t be pure coincidence.

  - The secret is Stavropol’s horoscope; it’s very similar to the horoscope of the United States. Stavropol was founded in 1777, a year after, and Pluto stands in the same sign, Capricorn, which gives effectiveness in secret affairs. Andropov became the chief security man and Gorbachov followed him, deceiving all dogmatists. Stavropol is Scorpio, the 22nd of October by the old style; it’s a sign of secrecy too. So you are in the right place for the start of your real career.

  - That’s why you chose America for the continuation of your creativity? Yes, I feel at home there. Gorbachev’s mutual understanding with Americans ended the Cold War and made possible such people like me.

  - Well, that’s interesting, no one told me about it before.

  - FSS thinks it knows everything, but it’s an illusion.

  - Now I know it and I’m still in FSS. Ha-ha-ha! It’s a joke. I’ve made a stake on my daughter and lost the game so according to our unwritten code of morals I must leave.

  - Never thought they have morals.

  - I have and that’s enough. Your three enemies in Stavropol department interfered not only in your life, after accurate examination I fired them. They moved to private business security.

  - To dance on their bones I’ll make a film about it.

  - On the next elections I hope to become a Governor. To win popularity I’m going to clear the town of all I can. People are tired of corruption and abuses and want a strong hand.

  - Good luck! I’m going back in a week but Olga can stay here a month or two. Miami Governor invited me to his elections support team and I decided to join.

  - Really? Fine! And what do you have to do?

  - Advertise him on TV like a new brand of cheese. Show all how he is delicious and useful for health. He pays for it very good but I’ll do it for fun and return support. He has many friends.

  - Do you go to politics too?

  - Oh, no. I just want to be protected from other politicians, if they don’t like my films or something else.  

                                     UFO

  -  Can you really write fantasy? – was the first Olga’s question after her return to Miami.

   - I have a short fantastic story in Russian.

   - Let’s make a fantasy film.

   - OK. We must try something new.

   Tumanov had his own view on aliens and UFOs, he was sure they were completely human and were our relatives by gens, coming from common ancient civilizations, where reasonable life appeared and developed to modern forms. So if you know men, the other side of the moon, you can understand extraterrestrials too. He had a long break in film production and now speeded it up. The film about a Vega girl in love with an Earth space scout went on TV and had unexpected results. Nick phoned him with congratulations and said some UFO specialists want to talk to Tumanov.

  They came to Miami by a private plane and invited him for a flight to the Bermuda Triangle.

  - Do you believe in disappearances of planes here?

  - I’m afraid it is exaggerated.

  - You are right, but we received a message from a UFO, inviting us for an experiment today in the noon. And we want you to describe it in your next film.

  - OK, if there will be anything to describe.

  - The massage was real, so there is a chance.

   They were far in the sea when exactly at noon they saw six fire balls on all sides of the plane, approaching and forming an octahedron. Then they emitted rays of light, connecting each other, and all devices on the plane went off, engines too, but the aircraft continued to fly as if in weightlessness. In about ten minute the balls disappeared and everything switched on.

  - We could register them only by simple cameras, electronics didn’t work, and you saw them yourself.

  - Why did you choose me?

  - We received the message immediately after your film on TV and they said they are from Vega. How did you know it? We don’t believe in coincidence.

  - Me too. I studied space by extrasensory perception many years ago in Russia, when I practiced Agni-yoga, Roerich’s space teaching. And I felt that the nearest developed civilization is on Vega planets. That’s why I chose it for my fantasy.

 - We supposed something like that. Though we thought it is intuition.

   - Creative intuition maybe extrasensory if the writer has undergone spiritual training.

   - You did?

   - Yes, for about twenty years.

   - OK. That explains it. And can we feel space like you?

   - After twenty years, perhaps. But there is no guarantee.

   Nick after the experiment changed profession too. He moved from CIA to some secret space research organization and from Los-Angeles to Miami to study the Bermuda Triangle.

  - Why do think it was here? What’s so special about it? - asked he Tumanov.

  - I think it was a joke; they just mock American sensationalism and fantasies. And no one would believe after all these lies it was true. So it’s just secrecy.

  - And what can we do about it now?

  - Nothing but a fantasy film. They don’t want any official contacts with Earth because its authorities are not ready. And other people don’t decide anything.

  - And what’s wrong with the authorities?

  - Oh, I don’t want to criticize. It’s none of my business. I’m only a fantasy writer. I studied it seriously in Russia and had only problems with security services. I don’t want any repetition.

  - OK. We’ll discuss it later.

  - After I make a film you can discuss it as much as you like. But outside the film I would rather not discuss it at all.

  - Are you afraid of something?

  - Oh, no. I just know that it’s useless. Politicians don’t think of anything but their interests. Aliens are not subordinate to them and have different views on life so they will not agree.

  - OK. I see what you mean. Perhaps, you are right.

  - If I was not they would contact authorities long ago.

  Soon Tumanov made the planned film “Bermuda experiment” and Nick with ufologists left him alone.

   Mihailov won the elections with a good percent and Olga told Miami Governor’s wife that her father was his analog in Russia. She was greatly surprised and next day Miami Governor, Harry Lane, invited them both for a business lunch in a restaurant.

  - I want to send an official offer to your father to exchange visits.

  - I’m sure he will accept it.

   And he did. Their status in Miami again changed, now it was politics and business. Many people thought of money from Russian investments but were afraid of local plutocracy and bureaucracy. Mahailov with his US daughter produced quite different impression and his past work in security services only proved his decisiveness. Finally, investors risked Stavropol and both Governors got additional political support.

   Tumanov didn’t want to spend time on business and politics but when Marina informed him that FSS forgave him the story with the stolen spy-girl and that Mihailov restored his influence in the Service, he relaxed. The less you have enemies the better.

   Nick got interested in Olga’s father too.

  - After the Cold War finished, security services lost their significance and unlimited financial resources. Now people there only waste their time. The most clever change profession, others look for problems to become useful again or just invent or create them.

  - And what about terrorism? – asked Tumanov.

  - It’s provoked by politicians. If we would leave them alone, they would leave us alone too.

  - Maybe. That’s why aliens don’t contact them. If they sell earthlings their technology, they will get competitors in space. And trade is the only reason for such contacts. They don’t need any exchange of information, because they pick it up from our TV, radio, computers, Internet, telephones – anything that emits any waves.

  - Really? It sounds logical, but how do you know?

  - I changed profession too. I was a space scout in Russian space intelligence.

  - In FSS?

  - No, it was quite different service. FSS doesn’t know about it. Otherwise they would try to control it and spoil everything by their stereotypes.

  - Why did you change profession? Wasn’t it interesting?

  - It was, for many years. But then I got tired and understood that aliens won’t help us with our problems, we must solve them ourselves.

                                 Destroyer

   Next day Nick came again and raised the same topic.

  - Perhaps, we are behind Russians in space research. And some serious people in our country are alarmed. I have some questions from them or a telephone number for you to communicate without me. And he gave a sheet of paper with figures.

  - I won’t call. I’m now only a fantasy writer. And I see no reasons for alarm – Russians have no real results but information. And I’ll reproduce it in fantasy films if they get cash.

  - Oh, I see. It costs money.

  - Only if you can use it. They in Russia can’t, but I’ve found the way. And I need no sanction because no one takes it seriously. It’s just entertainment and fun.

  - OK. I must explain you. This is the US President in person. – And he again offered the number.

  - He is curious?

  - It’s a question of national security. Do you know that UFOs used weapons against us?

  - Only in return to demonstrate their feeling of justice. NATO should not attack them first.

  - Well, you are informed.

  - Oh, it’s not a secret source, I found it in the Internet, - and he laughed, taking the paper. – If it’s really the President, I’ll talk to him just out of curiosity.

  The President invited him for a personal meeting in three days, when he would come unofficially to Miami to have a rest at his villa. The main question was about alien weapons. Could they sell them to Russians, Americans or Chinese? The answer was negative and they turned to alien psychology and culture. That was closer to reality because Tumanov assimilated their principles into his own behavior.

  - You see, I’m an alien too, both for Russia and America. I survive and achieve success by their methods, especially Magellanian.

  - And what’s their essence?

  - You have a fantastic serial “Destroyer” about a ninja, killing criminals at the requests of the President.

  - I’ve read it. But was he a ninja?

  - It’s hidden in the name of his martial art – Sinanju.

  - Wow! I would never guess. And how did you find it out?

  - I know a lot about ninjas and I noticed it very quickly.

  - Interesting. And what does it all have to do with aliens?

  - Magellanians, inhabitants of Large Magellanic Cloud, are ninjas by their psychology; though to noiseless swords they prefer modern noiseless weapons, for example, lasers.

  - So your ninja films reflect space customs too?

  - Certainly, I’m an alien more than a ninja and I play in my films myself.

  - What do you mean?

  - I can work for you as a destroyer.

  - Ha-ha-ha! You are joking.

  - Yes, if you don’t need it.

  - OK, OK. You are a funny man and a good actor. You can convincingly play a ninja even with me. I nearly believed it.

  - You enemies can believe it too.

  - You can frighten to death anyone?

  - Yes, without a problem, if he is a criminal.

  - Well, that’s useful I also like jokes. And sometimes they prevent real troubles. If I need it, I’ll call you.

  - Without intermediaries.

  - OK.

  And he called. He didn’t mention their ninja talk but told him about a billionaire, who made his money by narcotic and illegal arms trade. He interfered in politics, buying or killing anyone on his way, with other people’s hands so that nothing could be proved. Them they discussed modern cinema and parted.

  That night drugs and arms billionaire was cruelly killed by some maniac. He cut off not only his head but also his ears, hands and feet. In the document, found in his safe, all his billions were donated to state hosp… Продолжение »