June 16th 2024
Leni
The leader of the Soviet Revolution felt that the bureaucrat in front of him had been sent out on behalf of someone much higher in the hierarchy, most probably that Putin the Younger who was detaining the power for so long. That name, so ghastly reported on the Western newspapers, described as the primary enemy of the whole humankind, did not scare him. The former communist thinker had never been impressed by symbols and perhaps it is the reason why he also undervalued spiritualism. For sure he had never been affected by the mesmerising power of the military parades organised to celebrate the czar’s birthday, nor by the impressive ceremonies of the Orthodox Church. Even his way to pose, dress and influence people all around him were so discrete, if not through his powerful public speeches and the effective content of his pamphlets. The latter actually influenced the majority of his followers because they did not go beyond the reading of the title. His political opponents and detractors were more likely to have deeply read and better understood his pamphlets. The red thinker was pleased that his trap was working, not just because of the delight of a possible successful plan, but even as a sort of official recognition of his skills as a cook. As an old man he was comforted that his mental capabilities had not degenerated, yet the more time he was spending in such a new modern world, the less he realised to be a revived mummy. He had reacquired the self consciousness of a living man, perhaps with an even more rounded character that his previous ego would have even allowed. He was also facing the chance to dethrone the last of his successors and restitute the Russian people to his own traditions and soul.
The art dealer soon joined the small party, alerted by one of the colleagues working in the hotel. In a few weeks he had managed to create quite a good network even among those who were more cautious to welcome a foreigner in their own inner circle. He politely introduced himself to the unknown bureaucrat sent out by the Kremlin and began to agree about the possible services provided by the hotel. The mysterious man behaved as if the hotel was free to decide whether to deliver one of their best cooks to some client who desired to be anonymous. The young Briton patiently maintained his role, although those negotiations sounded as artificial as the meat of an American fast food. The art dealer took advantage of the situation to suggest that one of their sommeliers would have also served at the table of the unknown client. He thus obtained that the former business consultant could have followed Lenin's mummy in the dragon’s lair. It was important that the trio stayed united, to more easily get access to an escape route. It could also have been possible that some of them should have distracted the bodyguards around Putin, if they really wanted to succeed in their proposition. The bureaucrat was however so delighted by the nice conversation of the young Briton that he suggested that even the concierge should have visited such an important client. After all, not just a sommelier, but even a sort of table mate was needed to make the dinner more enjoyable.
The former business consultant was somehow surprised that the bureaucrat had been so easily convinced, revealing her feelings through her facial expression. The unknown visitor, trained to read the minds of his interlocutors after having served the Kremlin for decades, understood the uncertainties of the young lady and concluded that she was scared at the idea of leaving the hotel for a secret location. “There is a car waiting for us. In less than one hour you shall know much more about your client. There is nothing that you should fear”, told the man to the whole party, although the soft tone of his voice was clearly addressed primarily to the woman who would have played the role of a sommelier. Like in a spy movie of the 1980s, a black limousine was waiting for Lenin, the former art dealer and business consultant. Only the flags ahd changed, but it was clearly an official vehicle of the government. It was quite comfortable inside, accommodating the four like in a sitting room. One of the two gorillas took the seat of the driver, the other one a place beside him. All of them knew they would have been directed to the Kremlin or some secondary residency of the Russian czar. For sure not the Kremlin, or the bureaucrat would have not mentioned an hour long travel. The mysterious man, who wore a grey suit to distinguish himself from the trolls, began to explain the reason for his mission, confirming the identity of their client: “Mr Putin is fascinated at the idea of tasting the authentic recipe created by his grandfather. He seldom openly reveals such enthusiasm. It is a true privilege for all of us”, concluded the Kremlin’s envoy.
