When I came out of the forest, I felt relieved. The sky here was starry. I remembered about the «Bucket», which someone calls «Big Dipper»

constellation. It always reminds me of a question mark. I couldn't find it for a long time. Here it is. Looking at this constellation, I began to cry, feeling the

pain of loss. But I understood that it was normal part of me, just another stage of transformation.

(c) Arthur Poghosyan. Opening speech at the «Pink Floyd» concert in Pompeii, Colosseum, March, 2016.

Contact-Manager #9

We meet each other at the entry to a restaurant. She had full black sophisticated silk dress, graceful makeup, little sandals. I spoke to her:

– You are just like future.

– Why?

– You cannot be recognized.

I opened a pack. Took for myself and gave to her, then lit our cigarettes. I suppose, I fell in love. At this Italian restaurant we tasted baked camembert in plum sauce, tagliatelle with mushrooms, apple strudel and Taiga sbiten’ to wash this meal down. Women who weren’t touched by pain don't attract me. I was sitting in front of her with a working day imprinted on my face, but I still kept the charm. Evening came. Under the canopy of the entrance, we were sheltering from the rain. After our first kiss, she asked:

– From now… Will you never forget me?

– What?

– Will you ever forget me?..

Autumn

I sat down in the alley in front of wholesale store, its size was as a stamping factory. I was advised in «Storytel» app for audiobooks listening, it occurred, it

needs a payment for subscribing… I deleted all the people who advised me

«Storytel». My great-uncle by father’s line always told me:

– Son, mark my words: whatever some people want money for, others will give it for free.

I answered:

– Great-uncle, why do you call me a son?

– I ask questions here, – answered great-uncle.

This vivid memory overwhelmed me into a dark stream of intense reflection, that’s why I didn’t notice an appearance of a woman in the alley. I glanced at her using the collar of an old coat as an invisibility suit. She was barefoot – this fact brought me into affective state. Elena Temnikova’s music started playing in my head. As the woman approached, I realized: the woman was naked. Only an old open windbreaker from the local «Second Hand» covered her solid tits. She sat down next to me closely. I thought I had to go.

– I’m sorry, I had to go.

The headphones in my ears ignored any objection from this naked woman to my (as it might seem to her) fast capitulation.

«Storytel» app played Tolstoy's book in a free weekly period. After about a hundred meters of escape from her, I turned around. The naked woman wasn't there, she left. Lucky I am. With a bit sense of sadness I thought, there were much younger and prettier girls who were interested in me before…

Walking through the autumn fallen leaves, I remembered the death of my great-uncle. And I thought I will most likely follow his example.

(c) Artur Poghosyan. The answer to the question about «Moscow cases» in the framework of the backstage of «Nevzorov’s Wednesdays» at the Helvetia Hotel,