Читать книгу Good morning, come across… - Александр Шурлов - Страница 4

(Manhattan, New York. Aleksander walks along Times Square, then enters a cafe. He sits down at a table with a young couple).

auther Saramutin V.

Aleksander

Excuse me, do you mind if I join you? I will not disturb you.

Mike’s girl

No, no. Please, have a seat.

(after a few minutes the girl leaves, the waiter comes to the table and addresses Aleksander)

Waiter

Your menu, sir. Will you order something right now?

Aleksander

Bring me a cappuccino, please, and nothing else is needed. I will only coffee. Thank you.

Mike

Excuse me, where are you from? I’m curious if I’m thinking right. I don’t think you’re from the States.

Aleksander

Did you get it from my accent?

Mike

Yes. Yes, and from your appearance too. You don’t look like an American. It’s hard to explain why. Of course, many different people live in the States, but it can be seen that you are most likely from somewhere in Europe. You are very stylish and beautifully dressed. The coat on you is clearly not cheap. And you went into a cafe, where mostly only young people hang out, who do not have a lot of money in their pockets. It’s a bit strange. Conclusion: you most likely came from somewhere. So I was curious, where did it come from?

Aleksander

Yes, the coat is not cheap, but it is very old. It’s just that I very rarely wear it, and therefore there is no demolition for it. This is Pierre Cardin.

Mike

Wow, cool. Looks especially good with this muffler. It is beautiful. This is a classic.

Aleksander

I agree with you

Mike

So where are you from, sir?

Aleksander

I’m from Russia

Mike

Wow! It’s the other side of the planet! You have come to us really from afar.

Aleksander

Yes, I just arrived last night. And this morning, the first thing I decided to do was go to Manhattan, because I always dreamed of visiting here. I’ve been here many times – on different YouTube channels.

(both smiled)

Mike

And how do you like the real Manhattan?

Aleksander

Very cool! I love big cities. Each city is good in its own way, but exactly the city. Concrete, tall glass buildings, sun glare. I definitely like New York. Now there are many beautiful high-rise buildings in many countries of the world. But the flavor of New York is special. These narrow streets and skyscrapers are interspersed with buildings from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. This is great! I love big cities. The crowd that rushes not knowing where. You look at people and think: Lord, they all have their own problems. And how many people are here! It’s a nightmare.

Mike

Excuse me, what’s your name?

Aleksander

Aleksander

Mike

And I’m Mike. Aleksander is short for Alex?

Aleksander

No, no. Do you remember such a great Roman Emperor, Aleksander the Great?

Mike

Yes I remember. There was such one. There is a great movie about him. I really liked it.

Aleksander

Yes, yes, you young people are guided by films, and not by the knowledge of the school curriculum.

(both smiled again)

Aleksander

Alex is not quite Alexander. There is also a consonant name Alexei. In Europe and the States, it is more often this name that sounds like Alex. If you want to know my short name, then it is. My name is simply Sa-sha.

Mike

Aleksander, you speak with an accent, but quite well. Where did you learn the language?

Aleksander

I really got into learning the language just a year ago. Believe it or not, I managed to learn it a little. I speak not very well, but I speak. But it cost me a lot of time and effort, I did it every day. There have been many times in my life when I regretted not knowing English. And when I opened a business on Amazon, I decided that it was necessary to learn English. And then suddenly the host of the TV show “The Late Show with Craig Ferguson” invites me, and I can’t connect two words in English. And the translator will not convey the energy and intonation that I can convey.

Mike

Why would such a celebrity invite you?

Aleksander

Well, what if I win the “Best Children’s Writer of the Year” award?

Mike

Are you a writer?

Aleksander

Oh… Mike, I have many professions and all sorts of talents. Sorry for my lack of modesty. But I will tell you an important thing, modesty does not adorn a person. Because of false modesty, it often happens in life that a person, having world-class talent, remains in obscurity. So yes, I’m a writer, and not just a children’s writer.

Mike

Wow! Nice to meet a real writer. Recommend any of your books, I will buy it on Amazon and read it.

Aleksander

I advise you to buy the book “God’s Gift or Mistake”. But I warn you, this is not a fiction novel. This book is designed to make the reader think.

Mike

The name is very interesting and alluring. Why “God’s Gift or Mistake?” And what “God’s gift” does it say about?

Aleksander

About “God’s gift” to predict the future.

Mike

Seriously?

Aleksander

Yes

Mike

I thought they were all legends. Fiction.

Aleksander

And why do you think so?

Mike

Because the future does not exist. This is impossible. I believe in God, and therefore I also believe that a person creates his own future. He is the master of his own destiny.

Aleksander

Then why can I predict your future? For example, about your relationship with the girl who was here with you 5 minutes ago?

Mike

I don’t believe. You don’t know her or me. How can you know our future?

Aleksander

I can. But I’m afraid you won’t like it.

Mike

Something sad?

Aleksander

Not really. It’s just… I saw you with her for a couple of minutes. I think you’re in a relationship, judging by the way you kissed her. But, I’m sorry, you weren’t meant to be together. You probably don’t like what I’m saying now. But I don’t want and don’t like to lie. And the fact that you will not be together, there is nothing to worry about. You will definitely not remain in life without love and your beloved. I am 100% sure of this.

Mike

Well, we’ve been dating for three months now. And I like her.

Aleksander

I’m sorry, my friend, but you won’t be together for long. Your love will pass. You are completely different people.

Mike

Well, here you are again talking like that, well, how do you know this?

Aleksander

Fine. Fine. Well, then how do I know that you are an Aquarius, and she is a Scorpio, if I only saw you together five minutes ago?

Mike

You… And really, how do you know this?

Aleksander

You see, Mike, when you practice for many, many years the knowledge that is of little interest to ordinary people, and meet people who are very characteristic in their appearance and body structure for their astrological sign, then it is quite easy to understand. Many years of practice, and you are almost a magician. Although there is nothing magical here. Trust me. You know the multiplication table. So is this. Each sign of the zodiac, men and women, is characterized by certain features of appearance. You memorize and practice.

Mike

And what’s wrong with us?

Aleksander

Oh… what the nonsense! You didn’t understand correctly. Listen. Everything is fine with you. It’s just that you’re an Aquarius and she’s a Scorpio. That’s all. You are both interesting people. I didn’t say there was something wrong with you. You just don’t fit together. Understand? This is the only difference.

Mike

Not really. Why are we not suitable for each other? We feel good together. I have no problems with her. Absolutely.

Aleksander