Читать книгу A Man from the Future. 1856 - Евгений Платонов - Страница 14

A week ago – it was December 10th – something happened that for a moment gave Dmitry hope again. An email arrived from a certain Anna Vladimirovna Korshunova, director of a private historical center called “Chronos.”

“Dear Dmitry Sergeevich!” she wrote. “We know about your education and your interest in medieval history. We have an opening for a research associate to work on a project about the history of the Crusades. Would you be able to come in for an interview?”

*This can’t be,* Dmitry thought, reading the letter. *How do they know about me? And what kind of center is this?*

He found the “Chronos” website online – a solid organization that conducted historical research for museums and private collectors. The salary, judging by their job postings, was even higher than what he made now.

What if I try? he thought. What if fate is giving me one last chance?

The next day he went to the interview. The center was located in a beautiful building in the city center, the offices were tastefully decorated, and reproductions of medieval miniatures hung on the walls. Anna Vladimirovna turned out to be an elegant woman in her mid-forties, a doctor of historical sciences and former employee of the Hermitage.

“We know about your thesis,” she said. “Professor Krylov spoke very highly of you. He showed me your work while he was still alive.”

“How do you know Professor Krylov?” Dmitry asked, surprised.

“We were colleagues, worked together on a project. He said you were one of his most talented students. It’s a shame you left graduate school.”

Talented students, Dmitry thought. So not everything was lost. So those years studying history weren’t for nothing.

“What kind of project do you have?” he asked.

“We’re preparing a large exhibition on the history of the Crusades,” Anna Vladimirovna explained. “We need research, translations of primary sources, catalog writing. It’s interesting, creative work.”

Creative work, Dmitry repeated dreamily to himself. The thing I’ve dreamed about my whole life.

The interview went beautifully. Dmitry talked about his research, answered all the questions, even quoted several passages from medieval chronicles from memory.

“You’re a good fit for us,” Anna Vladimirovna said at the end. “We’re ready to offer you the job. Think about it and give us an answer by Monday.”

By Monday, Dmitry repeated. That’s December 17th, a week away. Could it really work out?

He left the center elated. For the first time in many years, he had real hope. Work in his field, a decent salary, the opportunity to do what interested him.

I’ll call Monday and accept, he decided. Finally my life will change for the better.