The Russia House Page #6

Yes.

Well, Niki was very insistent that I should

give you a call. How do you do?

How do you do?

I'll tell you why I'm calling.

I'm here in Moscow.

And Niki's sent you about a ton of tea.

Well, a couple of pounds.

I hope you like tea.

I was wondering

if we could arrange a handover.

- A handover?

- Do you ever escape for lunch?

Yes. Of course.

Well, how about today?

I'm at the Ukraine Hotel.

- That would be convenient.

- Good. Marvellous.

Well, I'll be outside from 1 2.30 on.

- How will I know you?

- Oh, listen, I'm easy to recognise.

I look like a large, unmade bed

with a shopping bag attached.

We're off.

Hi. Hello.

You're Katya, of course.

Yes. And you must be Mr Barley.

Yes, indeed. The same. Well done.

Well, er... where shall we go?

I brought your stuff from Niki,

but I'll carry it.

How did you recognise me, Mr Barley?

Well, Niki said you were Russia's answer

to the Venus de Milo.

That is ridiculous.

I was nearly arrested here

three years ago.

They said I was photographing

a military subject.

- And were you?

- No. A soldier and his girlfriend.

They asked me to take their picture.

Obviously I received the manuscript.

I will take you to where

we can have lunch.

If you do not mind, I will first buy shoes.

Shoes?

Today there is a shipment of shoes.

With perestroika, there is

even less available than before.

- Really? I thought things were improving.

- Everything is corrupt and incompetent.

Perhaps different people

are now stealing. I don't know.

Keep your voice down.

Complaining is our new human right.

Glasnost gives everyone

the right to complain and accuse,

but it doesn't make more shoes.

Tell me about your new Russian book.

Oh, yes. The book.

Well, my problem is that, er,

I don't know the author's real name,

let alone where he gets

all his information from.

Learned his craft and so forth. Hm?

Such personal questions

are not appropriate.

Some writers can only work in obscurity.

But you know publishing, hm?

If a fella's written about

the hill tribes of northern Burma,

well, you're entitled to know if he's

ever been further south than Minsk.

Especially if it's a really important book.

Which this one is.

Dynamite, in fact.

The author was inspired by certain

opinions of a British publisher

concerning world peace.

Do you think he'd like

to meet that publisher again?

It is not known. This can be established.

The publisher would like

to meet him again.

How long are you staying in Moscow,

please, Mr Barley?

Seven days,... Mrs Katya.

- Where do you live?

- With my children.

Your children? How many?

I have a boy and a girl.

They are eight and nine years old.

It is not relevant.

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