American dream (Американская мечта)

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 100th 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