Looking around at the fixtures, he noticed a copper towel rack that had what he thought of as some of the most exquisite looking bath towels draped over its extended arms. They just looked too good to use. Where he came from they would be considered national treasures. Knowing he did not want to leave his fingerprints on the fixtures or get the towels wet, Alexi had second thoughts about washing up and with his elbow punched the on/off switch for the lights on his way out.
Entering the dinning area he looked over and saw another room, which was a formal dinning room. Looking down at the table where Allison and Mikhail were seated, sat a large platter of pork ribs, which had a large bowl of potato salad sitting next to it.
“You make this that quick?”
“No, had it delivered from Westwinds Gourmet Food and Wines,” advised Allison as she poured glasses of punch. Alexi sat down at the seat that had been set for him.
“It’s a Yuppie shop, Alexi. You ought to get yuppies in Moscow, real good for business.”
“That is what I am here in America for, Mikhail.”
“Yuppies?”
“Business. I want you to come back to Russia and help me turn it into a free market economy.”
Mikhail looked at Alexi and then Allison. Looking back at his uncle, he could no longer make eye contact with him because Alexi was bent over sucking away the meat from one of the ribs.
“I can’t go back to Russia. I have too much invested here.”
“We sent you here, you owe us.”
Mikhail looked at his uncle knowing that yes, they had sent him and when he looked at Allison and found that she already had her attentions focused on him, he could read her mind. He knew that she was wondering if there were a reason other than the one Mikhail told her, which was that, he was in America on a trade mission. He did not lie to Allison, he was in America on a trade mission, trading in military installation secrets, stocks, real estate, whatever.
“We need you, Mikhail. The people do not know how free enterprise works.”
“Try having a product to sell first.”
“They are good people, Mikhail.”
“Allison and I will show you capitalism first. We will give a taste the way the masses here taste it. Now eat.” The three dug into their lunch with Alexi having a little difficulty at first conquering the ribs but the sauce had caught his fancy. He however managed to get down to the bottom of the bone, separating the meat from the fat.
Wintertime during the middle of the week was always the best time for taking visitors to Disneyland. While the park had limited hours, the fact that there were almost no lines made it easier to see more.
Having entered the park and paid three thirty-five dollar fees, Mikhail could not have picked a better day weather wise. With the temperature in the eighties, both he and Allison wore shorts. Alexi, not having packed with this in mind was stuck wearing a flannel shirt and corduroy pants.
Entering the park, they were met instantly by a host of the themed park’s characters, including Mickey himself. Alexi, while not foreign with all of American culture, really was not ready with this part of it.
“Why does that mouse have such big ears?” asked Alexi.
“He can’t believe what he was hearing when someone told him how much it costs to get in now.”
While Allison chuckled at Mikhail’s response, Alexi still found himself without an answer to his question. The threesome continued to meander into the park and started making their way down Main Street when Alexi again had a question.
“What does coming here, Mikhail, have to do with capitalism?”
“Everything. See the stores here along Main Street?”
Alexi took a gander. “Yes, I see, but what are you trying to prove?”
“People go into those stores to buy things, they spend money.”
“I know that.”
“I’m going to need to show you more before you understand.”
“Let’s go to the haunted house, Mikhail.” They moved in that direction to begin getting their money’s worth at Disneyland. The hours dragged on as the miles of pavement that had been beneath their feet must have added up to three or four miles when the day finally came to an end. Finishing their day with a ride on the Matterhorn, they moved back toward the entrance from where they had entered earlier during the day.
“So what does this have to do with capitalism, Mikhail?”
“You have any idea how much money we spent? We paid to get in, we had lunch, and Allison bought a couple of things. Did you have fun, Alexi, on the rides?”
“Yes, some were fun.”
“Well that’s the idea, Russia needs to make spending money fun. It’s like a game. Hell, right now those people have no motivation."
“But that is why I need you to come back, Mikhail, to help us.”
“Alexi, remember that ride we were on, Small World?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Well that’s what we live in, a small world. The motivations are the same. You have to get the people involved, they have to feel they have something at stake.”
“But I cannot do that. It may be a small world but it is a big job changing Russia into a free market economy. You must come back to Russia, Mikhail.”
“No, I am not going back to Russia, I have too much here.”
“It is your mother country. Help us.”
“I’m not going, Alexi, and you need some R and R from all this rejection. We’re leaving for Hawaii tomorrow.”
While not really wanting to see Hawaii, Alexi knew he would have to go just so he could give it one more shot. Maybe somewhere along the line he could find an Achilles Heel. As they moved toward the Mercedes, Alexi reflected on the day at Disneyland and he knew he wanted to take his kids there. That was the American economy, one bite and we got’cha.
Arriving in Honolulu, the tropical breezes were gentle enough to just make flags blow straight out and pant legs ruffle. Entering the terminal, the three travelers from Los Angeles moved toward the baggage area where there was already several people waiting around the carousel. Mikhail always had to stop to make at least one phone call and it was always to either check on a pending deal, a stock quote or a commodity price. Alexi realized that maybe Volitov was correct; Mikhail had certainly changed since Alexi had last seen him. He had now become a walking office with a cell phone and a palm pilot.
Getting closer to the carousel, Alexi noticed a man with a large head of dark brown hair and moustache and beard, which were perfectly groomed. The deep, dark tan gave the man a very distinguished look. Alexi had troubling figuring out why this man looked so familiar until the gentleman hugged Mikhail.
“Mikhail, how was the trip?”
“Mirnov!”
The distinguished looking man looked at Alexi and quickly drew him near when he threw his arms around him.
“Alexi! Alexi! How are you? Are you fine, tell me, are you fine?”
“The last I heard about you was that you were in the gulag archipelago.”
“I guess Hawaii is an archipelago,” interjected Mikhail.
“But how did you get here?”
“Alexi, I was in the camp for years, you know how it is, my brother. My son....”
Allison’s eyes were opened all the way even after the five hour flight when she heard those words and it set something off in her mind.
“You two are brothers?”
Both Mirnov and Alexi looked at Allison as if there was supposed to be something wrong with that.
“Yes,” answered Alexi, “Russians have relatives too.”
“Anyway, Alexi. Mikhail got me out. He made a deal with someone.”
“So how come you never got in touch with me? Orlina will be delighted to find out you are well.”
“I could not contact anyone in Russia, they would have come and gotten me if the KGB found out.” The men again hugged.
“You will like it here, Alexi. How long are you staying?”
“Just long enough to
talk Mikhail into returning to Russia with me to help me turn it into a market economy.”
“And I keep telling your brother that he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in Hawaii. That’s why I brought him here, to prove it.”
“Well then, let us get the bags and go. I have the car parked right outside.”
The foursome moved toward the carousel where the other passengers had already claimed most of the luggage. Finding theirs, they quickly made their exit from the terminal.
The beachfront condominium was paradise where the view from either of the two bedroom balconies provided a panoramic expose’ of the soft cresting Pacific. Both bedrooms served as master bedrooms with vanity areas, separate Jacuzzi baths and shower stalls and the area where furnishings could be placed would still provide enough romping room after the furnishings.
The first night in paradise had been a nice experience for Alexi, reminiscing with Mirnov, the brother that he hadn't seen in years. Both men were shocked when they discovered what had happened to each. Alexi never expected to see his brother running a holding company and being so embedded in the American economy, a direct contradiction to his youthful philosophy. Alexi recalled the shocked expression Mirnov had worn the night before when he disclosed to him that he was the new premier of Russia and that he was going to bring Russia a free market economy. Alexi had no idea what Mirnov meant when his brother suggested he get a golden parachute.
The first full day found Alexi out of his environment. Besides the warm weather, Alexi just sat on the beach while Mikhail and Allison snorkeled. His brother Mirnov found it hard to divide his attention between family and his girlfriend. Mirnov’s girlfriend really caught Alexi by surprise when he met her. Jocelyn was one year younger than Mikhail, Mirnov’s son.
The luau that night was going to be something that Alexi had never experienced so he wanted to go just for that reason. Besides, from what he had been told, it seemed like the perfect chance to try one more time to convince Mikhail to return to Russia. Maybe he could convince Mirnov to help him, although considering his brother’s good fortune in America, he started to have second thoughts about that snowball that Mikhail had mentioned.
The half moon still provided enough light off the ocean to set the stage for the evening. The luau was part of the social schedule of events put forth by the tenant’s association of the condominium and they spared no expense at having a good time. Mikhail told him that condominiums did more sharing than communism ever did, condo owners shared the upkeep for the common grounds and they shared the liability. The decorations from the streamers and torch holders to the kinds of foods that were going to be served showed that no expense was going to be spared. Of course there was the large pit dug in the sand where the pig would be cooked.
Alexi watched as the people socialized, talking and drinking, drinking and talking. Eavesdropping on some of the conversations, he was surprised to find the topics so varied. There were the couples discussing authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Somerset Maughm, Hemingway. He heard two men talking about the national deficit and how to deal with it. Hearing conversations like that always amazed Alexi since these people always thought they had an answer for everything yet quite often their own lives were a mess.
The evening ran smoothly, with Alexi enjoying the band that was brought in, and he even made an attempt to dance with Allison. Fancy footwork was not his strong suit but she was so gracious that he must have thanked her a million times. Returning to his table, he saw Mikhail alone, the time was ripe. Grabbing his Blue Hawaii off the table, a drink that he was getting addicted to and knew he wouldn’t find when he got back home, Alexi wanted to make certain that he blended in with the crowd.
“Mikhail!”
”Alexi, having a good time?”
“Yes, the pig was wonderful. And the fresh fruits...hhhmmmmm.”
“Well don’t be shy, Alexi, help yourself.”
“I will, but right now I want to talk to you.”
“No, Alexi, I thought you understood, I’m not going back to Russia.”
“Mikhail, Russia needs you. I need you.”
“Look around you, Alexi, look around. You don’t think I’m going to give this up for a two bedroom flat overlooking the Volga, do you?”
“You must help me, Mikhail, the workers aren’t being paid, and we are producing nothing. There will be violence in the streets.”
The young spy turned entrepreneur felt for his uncle’s plight. He knew the man was well meaning but to try to change an entire economy where people had come to expect food, a shelter, and some vodka in return for showing up at antiquated factories would be impossible. These people had no motivation and he wasn’t so sure that they wanted any. They were not aware of the finer things in life so they had no desire for them.
“Alexi, it is futile.”
“Then the answer is still no?”
“Yes, the answer is no.”
“But mother Russia.”
“Look around, Alexi, you’re asking me to give this all up. They don’t have luaus in Russia. And where can I get a beach front condo like I have in California?”
“Have you no loyalty, Mother Russia sent you here?”
“Yeah, well they made an error in judgment, didn’t they?”
“Please, Mikhail, please help me...help the people.”
Always having a warm spot for Alexi, Mikhail found it difficult to tell him no. He knew what he would be getting into by going back to his homeland, he was smart enough to realize that the odds were almost insurmountable. With all the strikes he had seen taking place in Russia over the past several months on television, Mikhail refused to count out the idea of another revolution. That was out of the question since he still had to go to his first Mardi Gras. That was on his list of musts.
“Alexi, it is too cold for me. I could never get use to it again. I will help you by trying to draw up a program for you.”
“We need you. You must be there to lead, to see for yourself.”
“I think I need another drink, Alexi.” Mikhail headed off to the open bar, leaving his uncle to muse about his dilemma. Mikhail’s adamant tone told the premier that the youthful spy had made a decision that he considered final. Going home without him meant coming up with another plan to turn the economy around, make it count on market forces. Maybe there were other people who could help, maybe he needed to return to Moscow and review the computer printout again.
Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Alexi turned and found himself looking at his brother Mirnov. He could sense that his brother had made the adjustment to western culture with his flower print shirt and shorts and sandals offset with a drink in hand that had an umbrella rising from the glass. He knew that Mirnov felt like he was in paradise.
“So you like, Alexi?”
“It is fun, Mirnov, but it is not why I have come here.” Mirnov was approached by an absolutely beautiful brunette in her early thirties with just the most sensational figure whose sumptuous tan was exposed by the small two-piece bathing suit that she chose to run around in. She quickly moved between the two men and kissed Mirnov.
“Later, Mirnie?”
“You bet, hon’.” The young woman flashed a smile as warm as the evening and moved on, leaving Alexi with a look of disbelief on his face.
“Who was that?”
“Annette, my girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend? She’s just about old enough to be Mikhail’s sister.”
“She’s a year younger.”
Alexi found himself with no choice but to close his eyes and try to make himself believe this whole thing was a dream. Opening his eyes, he found himself in the same world that he was hoping would not be there when he returned.
“Mirnov, could we go someplace and talk, somewhere where we could be alone?”
“Come, a walk along the beach is always nice at this time.” The two men walked down to the beach where there were but a few people walking, giving them plenty of room to keep their conversation private.
“What has happened to Mikhail?”
“What’s happened to him? Nothing’s happened to him, Alexi, he’s living the American dream.”
“But he came here as a Russian spy.”
“Yeah, strange things happen, don’t they?”
“You have changed too. You run around with these young people...and your hair, you color your hair, do you not?”
“So what’s so wrong about wanting to look young?”
“It’s unnatural. The people in Russia look their age.”
“You’re kidding, they can’t all be a hundred and twelve because that’s how old they look?”
“Mirnov, this is no time to joke. Mother Russia is in serious trouble. We need help.”
“What do you need?”
“I need Mikhail to come back with me to Russia, to help lead us to a market economy.”
“He can’t do that, Alexi. He’s got several big deals pending.”
Distraught with futility from his efforts, Alexi would have liked to pull the hair out of his head but he needed every strand in place to brave the cold when he returned to Russia.
“What has happened to you, Mirnov, when we were young we had such ideas about Russia? You cared about the worker.”
“So let them work, who’s stopping them?”
Alexi finally came to the conclusion that the effort would go unrewarded. Suddenly a Blue Hawaii or Mai Tai sounded real good and he had no problem leading his brother to the open bar where Mikhail was gulping down a drink so fast that he probably couldn’t tell anyone what just went down his esophagus. Sitting on the bar in front of the entrepreneur were two cellular phones.
“Call Bill at Diamond Freight tomorrow, Mirnie, and start making arrangements for the shipment of one hundred Porsches to the Phillipines. I just got a great buy from Leland in Toronto on the stuff and called the trade minister in Manila.” Alexi found himself impressed with Mikhail, knowing that there was something in this behavior that was inherently good for society. While understanding that he would not be able to change his nephew’s mind, he knew Mikhail was the man that Russia needed. Alexi got his Mai Tai and decided to just enjoy his remaining time on the islands; Mikhail would have to be dealt with later.
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