Аннотация: The Story of how Alex became the Chairman of the regional election Commission
The Story of how Alex became the Chairman of the regional election Commission
The demonstration in support of the regime (and against the opposition) ended. It was necessary to go much, to shout much and to wave posters much.
Alex came home and fell asleep.
He see a dreams that the crisis ended well for the regime.
The opposition was accused of terrorism. And as figures of opposition planned to attack metro stations, at their capture it was necessary to use weapon (they resisted - at one of them later in the house in a wardrobe the rifle was found). Generally, there was nobody to judge.
Dissatisfied emigrated.
Loyals remained.
As all citizens hung up two posters with photos of the leader of the regime, and Alex on combination of circumstances hung up four posters, him was given a special trust.
He was appointed senior assistant junior functionary and began to make a career.
The metro stopped working (due to opposition plans), there was almost no water in the taps and electricity in the sockets. The money lost any value. The means of payment were food packages and various other useful goods.
But all this did not disturb Alex. He transferred his skills of polite attitude to a pizza customers to new employers and gradually began to climb the hierarchical ladder.
Time went. Alex married the attractive girl, moved to the closed settlement for functionaries where there were always both water, and electricity and where there was no crime.
Every month, the four times removed nephew of the three times removed uncle of the cousin of the leader of the regime gave Alex an envelope with a solid amount of money in foreign currency.
It would seem that all is well?
Of course, it was not bad - at least, personally for Alex.
However, the situation was contradictory.
Needs gradually changed. There was a wish to live not just in the closed settlement with water and electricity, but in the mansion on the ocean coast with the private beach and the mooring for the yacht. Such mansion cost quite much. There was not enough money to buy a such mansion.
Was born and grew son. But it was not possible to arrange him in the most prestigious University.Some problems with admission to the University.
Unexpectedly went to jail the brother of Alex. Supposedly he either bought something, or sold something. It appeared, he at the same time deceived someone.
Suddenly Alex's parents got sick, and places in a profile clinic were planned for the year ahead.
The wife demanded to employ servants, said that she is tired. And it - again money.
We must pay tribute to the four times removed nephew of the three times removed uncle of the cousin of the leader of the regime. He could always inspire Alex with cheerfulness and hope.
Example would be the Alex's sad field inspection of the mansions on the ocean coast. After inspection Alex about the lack of money reflects. Suddenly a car with "that" nephew stops next to Alex. "Everything will be fine!"- the nephew says.
Or Alex the next time (without results) will talk about inclusion in prestigious higher education institution of the son - and along the corridor there is "that" nephew: "Do not worry! We will settle everything!"
Or Alex will visit the brother in places of confinement, will go out on the way back of the car to eat at roadside restaurant. And at restaurant "that" nephew sits: "We will solve everything! Don't be sad!"
In general, the regime after twenty years of postponing elections decided to embellish a little himself and to hold elections.
All this rigmarole without water and electricity, without the subway and without gasoline, without normal money and goods in stores tired to all residents, of course. In principle, Alex - don't care, but he is also tired. He thinks: "These elections? With what result they will come to end?".
The elections are closer. And Alex is appointed Chairman of one of the regional election commissions.
Elections were held, votes were counted. In general, there is no one to vote for except the representatives of the ruling regime. Filters of all sorts. Cunnings and electoral tricks.
But turned out the damaged ballots - 99 percent.
This does not affect the election results. But why elections? - For beauty. And what a beauty with 99 percent of the spoiled ballots?
Vote-counting is a heavy process. Alex went out for a second to wash his face with water.
And in the corridor "the very" nephew. Takes Alex to an empty room and locks the door:
- I, dear Alex, do not want to be distracted by trifles. My main task in life for this month is to help you. I want to please you: all issues have been resolved positively. Your son is admitted to a prestigious University, and parents are placed for treatment in the best hospital. Your brother is pardoned (you will meet him tomorrow). And I couldn't to know the news about your financial problems any longer. Here's a suitcase full of money (shows under the table. There is a suitcase). I give this money (as a gift) to you. At the same time I made arrangements with the seller of that estate which was pleasant to you. And with servants who were pleasant to your wife".
He told Alex all this, took out a handkerchief and wipes his eyes with a handkerchief.
- Thank you! Thank you! - Alex shouted. - But why are you wiping your eyes?
- I'm crying!
- Why are you crying?
- My uncle is bothering me, pestering me with his problem. And besides, I was driving around city and saw some scoundrel throw himself under of Your wife's car. A muddy situation. But your wife can get to prison instead of your brother....
Alex grew cold. Does not know how to react to this information. It seems, there are so much joyful news. But again - some problem. Now - with participation of the wife.
Alex is silent.
The nephew wipes tears.
It is necessary to leave, elections to finish. But how to get out? The door's locked. And man - cries.
Finally, Alex asks the nephew out of politeness:
- What does your uncle want from you?
- He asked me to give you a paper to sign. But I'm a delicate man. I can't do that.
- What a paper for sign?
The nephew takes out a few sheets of paper and puts them in front of Alex.
Alex looks.
It turns out this is the Protocol on the results of elections. There, in this protocol, all the necessary figures stand. Of course, there are no 99 percent of spoiled ballots.
Alex looked at this "Protocol" and says to nephew:
- As a part of my election Commission six more members. They know what the results are, and they're waiting for me. I have to sign the Protocol in their presence.
- You, dear Alex, do not worry. The first member of the electoral Commission had a headache and had to go home for health reasons. The second just quit without explanation. The third received a phone call: a dog bit someone from his parents very strongly. The police, the hospital and so on. He also left. The fourth ran in school to son. There's some kind of gunfight. Stinky case. The fifth - a municipal accident at home. The sixth somewhere summoned. He almost had a fight with someone seven years ago. Now the judicial case opened. And if now, right now, does not come on a call, then there will be the judicial case not the one, and - two.
In general, none of the members of your election Commission is waiting for you now.
The nephew told all this and began to cry again. He wipes his tears again with her handkerchief.
Alex shrugged his shoulders and thinks:
"What is the right thing to do? Or first the seal put, and then sign? Or first sign the Protocol, and then put the seal?"
Thought, took out his seal and is going to set the seal on the Protocol.
And in this moment he has awakened.
Looks at the window. A morning came. Alex walked over to the tap. No water. Looked at the socket. The indicator on the charger is not lit. There is no electricity.
Looked at the smartphone screen. Still some a charge is. But a real situation is - no twenty years passed.
It is necessary to go to work - to deliver pizza.
Alex began to get ready for work.
March 24, 2019 21:24
Translation from Russian into English: March 25, 2019 00:27.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Рассказ о том, как Алекс стал председателем региональной избирательной комиссии".