pictures. When you see something you fancy, drop tickets into the proper slot and out will come a tray, metered to the tickets you have paid over. It is simple, and you may dine with great flexibility, grandly, upon pig’s feet with sour cabbage and herrings or modestly, on bread and cheese.”
“I shall certainly try the cabbage rolls,” said Wayness.
“In that case, follow me, and I will show you how it is done.'
The two brought their trays to a table, each with cabbage rolls, fried groats and beer. Lefaun said in a grumbling voice: “The time is early no one of consequence is here and so we must eat alone, as if by stealth.”
“I don t feel stealthy,“ said Wayness. “Are you frightened by solitude?'
'Of course not! I frequently eat alone! Also, I am one of a group known as the Running Wolves. Every year we go out to run across the steppe, ranging far into the wilds and the folk are surprised to see us coursing past. At sunset we sup on bread and bacon which is toasted robber-style from a tripod; then we lie down to sleep. I always look up at the stars and wonder how it is going up yonder in the far places.”
“Why not go to see for yourself?' suggested Wayness. 'Instead of coming every night to Lena’s.”
“I do not come here every night,” said Lefaun with dignity. “I often go to the Spasm, or to Mopo’s or the Convolvulus. In any case, why go elsewhere, since here is the focus of human intelligence?”
'So it may be,' said Wayness. She ate the cabbage rolls, which she found tolerable, and drank a pint of beer.
Patrons of the cafe began to arrive in force. Some were Lefaun s acquaintances and joined him at the table. Wayness was introduced to more folk than she could Remember: Fedor, who hypnotized birds; the sisters Euphrosyne and Eodoxia; Big Wuf and Little Wuf; Hortense who cast bells; Dagleg who spoke only what he called ‘Immanences’ and Marya, a sexual therapist who, according to Lefaun, had many interesting stories to tell. “If you need advice along these lines, I will call her over and you can ask whatever you like.'
'Not just now, “said Wayness. “What I don’t know are things I don’t want to know.”
“Hmf. I see.”
The bistro became full; all the tables were occupied. Wayness presently told Lefaun: “I have been listening carefully, but so far I have heard no conversion except that of people commenting upon their food.'
“The hour is early,” said Lefaun. “In due course there will be talk enough.” He nudged Wayness with his elbow. “For instance, take note of Alexei who stands yonder.” Wayness, turning her head, saw a portly young man with a round face, yellow hair cut short to a bristle and a short pointed beard.
“Alexei is unique,” said Lefaun. “He lives poetry, and thinks poetry, and dreams poetry, and presently he will recite poetry. But you will not understand him, since poetry, or so he claims, is such an intimate revelation that he uses terms intelligible only to himself.'
“I discovered that,” said Wayness. “I heard him speak a moment ago and could understand not a word.”
'Of course not. Alexei has created a language of a hundred and twelve thousand words controlled by an elaborate syntax. This tongue, so he claims, is sensitive and flexible, superbly adapted to the expression of metaphors and allusions. It is a pity that no one can enjoy it along with Alexei, but he refuses to translate a single word.'
Wayness said: 'It may be all for the best, especially if his poetry is bad.”
'Possibly so. He has been accused of both narcissism and ostentation, but he is never offended. It is the typical artist, so he declares, who is mad for acclaim and whose self-esteem depends upon adulation. Alexei sees himself as a lonely man, indifferent to both praise and censure.'
Wayness craned her neck. 'He is now playing the concertina and dancing a jig, all at the same time. What do you make of that?'
“It is just Alexei in one of his moods; it means nothing.' He called across the room. 'Hoy there, Lefaun! Where Have you been?”
'I am fresh down from Suzdal, and glad to be back.'
“Naturally! At Suzdal the intellectual climate is as stiff as the weather.”
“True. Their best and almost only resort is a place called Janinka's Bistro, where I had a strange experience.”
“Tell us about it, but first, would you like a glass of beer?'
“Certainly.”
“Perhaps Wayness will buy a flask for us both.”
'No, I think not.”
Lefaun gave a dismal groan. “I will go presently to make my own purchases — unless someone makes an offer. What of you, Lixman?”
“If you recall, it was you who made the proffer to me.”
“Yes, I remember now. What was it you were telling us about Suzdal?”
“While I sat at Janinka’s I met a woman who told me that I was accompanied everywhere by the spirit of my grandmother, who was anxious to help me. At the time I was playing at dice, and I said: “Very well, Grandmother, how shall I bet?” ‘She says to bet on the double three!’ came the answer. So I bet on the double three and won the stake, I looked around for another hint, but the lady was gone, and now I am unsure and nervous. I dare do nothing of which my grandmother might disapprove.”
“That is a curious state of affairs,' said Lefaun. “Wayness, what is your advice?'
'I should think that if your grandmother were tactful, she would allow you a few moments of privacy from time to time, especially if you brought the matter up in a respectful fashion.”
'I can suggest nothing better,' said Lefaun.
“I will give the matter thought,” said Lixman and went off across the room.
Lefaun rose to his feet. “It seems that I must buy beer, after all. Wayness, your flask is empty; what of you?'
Wayness shook her head. “The evening is getting on and I must leave Kiev early tomorrow I can find my own way back to the hotel.”
Lefaun’s mouth drooped open and his black eyebrows jerked high. “What of the information you wanted? And what of the twenty sols?”
Wayness forced herself to meet the darkling gaze. “I have been trying to tell you without using the words ‘swindler’ or ‘scoundrel’. At noon I would have had no qualms, but now I am dreary and apathetic; today I blurted out everything I knew to my uncle. A man named Julian Bohost was listening and the consequences may be tragic!”
“Now I understand Julian is the swindler and the scoundrel.'
'Agreed! But in this case I was referring to you.”
Again Lefaun was taken aback. “How so?”
'Because you tried to sell me information you could have had in two minutest'
'Hah! The indications were obvious enough. But facts are facts and guesses are guesses. For which will you pay out your money?'
“Neither! I found the information by myself.”
Lefaun seemed more puzzled than perturbed. “I am surprised that it took you so long to form an opinion.”
'I worked fast enough when I was able to use one of the information screens be the workroom. You could have done the same, except that you preferred to make a great mystery in order to swindle me to the tune of twenty sols.'
Lefaun, closing his eyes, reached up with both hands to pull the hat so far down over his head that it rested on his eyebrows and the tips of his ears. “Ay, ay, ay!” said Lefaun softly. “I am in disgrace, then.”
“Very much so.'
“Alas! I have prepared a little supper at my flat; I have simmered rose petals in essence of duck; I have wiped the dust from my best bottle of wine. All for your delectation. And now, you will not come?'
'Even for ten bottles of your best wine I would not have come. I lack confidence in 'Running Wolves' and curators as well.”
'A pity! But here is Tadiew Skander, my partner in vice. Tadiew, over here! Did you get the information?” “I did — but it cost more than we had estimated, since I had to deal with Old High-trousers himself.”
Wayness laughed. 'Well done, Tadiew! The timing was perfect; the delivery soft as silk, and the poor
