# “如果蘇聯領導人真的願意拋棄階級斗爭觀念，那麼他們是否繼續稱他們的指導思想為‘馬克思主義’，也就無關緊要了，這已是一個在別樣的社會里實行的別樣的‘馬克思主義’，這個別樣的社會則是我們大家都能認可的社會。”

　　 —（USA）小傑克.F.馬特洛克《蘇聯解體親歷記》

　　 1986年3月

　　 羅曼諾夫坐在壁爐房間里享受著溫暖，他翻看格羅斯曼的《生活與命運》，烏拉帕拉與特雷古波娃坐在旁邊。

　　 只有書頁翻動的聲音。

　　 “你一點都不知道，是嗎？”烏拉帕拉說。

　　 “什麼？”

　　 “生活不適合弱者。”

　　 “我不明白為什麼不能。”

　　 “因為如果你在這個世界上沒有生存的力量，你可能根本就不用費心去做。”

　　 “我不明白你的意思。”

　　 “世界不屬於強者。”

　　 “你肯定不是在鼓吹暴力嗎？”羅曼諾夫合上書放在一邊盯著她說：“你怎麼了？”

　　 “我不想要暴力。永遠不想要。但是有人想要。這是他們的世界。我們不能因為他們捍衛自己的權利而對他們進行評判。”

　　 “也許你是對的。但這並不能改變我們活著而他們不活著的事實。這就是我們的世界。”

　　 “所以我們應該放棄，而不是戰斗？”

　　 羅曼諾夫搖頭說：“你認為理想主義者會戰勝利己主義者嗎？別忘了，你自己也是腐敗與受賄的一員。”

　　 “我不是。”

　　 “如果沒有某些高層人士的支持，你認為這個國家會是什麼樣子？”

　　 “情況會更糟。”

　　 “你認為人們會對此有什麼反應？”

　　 她沒有回答。

　　 特雷古波娃開口說：“我們所以必須需要放棄道德概念與服從嗎？”

　　 “我們不會。但我不會看到這種情況發生。我也不會看到蘇聯被推翻。但如果我們要生存，我們需要務實。”

　　 烏拉帕拉低頭說：“我沒有辦法堅持，我知道了那些富有的人在做什麼。他們在小聖詹姆斯島與南非鳥島上…西歐國家的修女把兒童服務於…”

　　 羅曼諾夫打斷了他的話，“如果你們都想被抓住並被殺，我沒意見。”

　　 特雷古波娃跳起來說：“如果你想找個借口避免自己做任何事情，你已經找到了。”

　　 “我不是。”

　　 “你不是什麼？”

　　 “我只是說你們要冷靜，任何社會的精英階層背後都有這些事情發生，民眾只是看不到。任何政府也會參與一些肌髒的事情。”羅曼諾夫停頓了一會又說：“東德政府用政治犯向西德勒索資金，史塔西會挑選22-28歲的獨身女人使她們成為國營妓院的妓女來收買情報與賺取外匯。歐洲一些女權組織與人權組織為了毒販與黑幫的資金支持，會把一些國家的女孩以出國的名義送進私人牢房用來給付費客人虐殺。即使是日本與韓國，這些國家政府與財閥背後也是肌髒的。”（比如，日本小天使事件。）

　　 “我明白你的意思，”烏拉帕拉用嚴肅的語氣說，這與她到目前為止一直表現出的開玩笑的態度形成了鮮明對比。“我想我們很幸運，沒有在生死搏斗。”

　　 “是的，我們是。”

　　 “那你打算怎麼辦？”特雷古波娃問道。

　　 “我需要忠誠與堅定的人來幫助我，你們必須堅強才能幫助我。我的意思是假如你們看到一些女孩被關進籠子里肢解也不會同情的感覺。”

　　 特雷古波娃顫抖著說：“我能行。”

　　 “很好。世界迫切需要改變。一旦我們有了某種……組織，我們作為政治活動家的職責將變得更加容易。”羅曼諾夫的臉上露出了不確定的表情，他說，“但是我們沒有錢，我們沒有……”

　　 “武器？是的，我們有。”特雷古波娃說。

　　 “算了，我會想到辦法的。你們兩個怎麼看待美國的經濟？”羅曼諾夫挽著烏拉帕拉與特雷古波娃問。

　　 “這是一場災難，”烏拉帕拉說。

　　 “哦？為什麼？”

　　 “太多貪婪而有權勢的人了。”

　　 “是的，但我想知道你足夠了解美國社會的運行嗎？”羅曼諾夫抱著她，把手放進她的後頸部。這讓他滿足了掌控欲。他一直在尋找一個可以控制的人。

　　 “我想是的，”烏拉帕拉說。“你為什麼問？”

　　 “因為你的手段並不高明，我問你，如果你在美國想要行賄，你會怎麼做？”

　　 “嗯，我不會到處威脅人。FBI探員太多了。”特雷古波娃回答。

　　 “你不需要。賄賂總是被接受的。這是眾所周知的事實。當涉及到大企業時，國會議員總是被收買。你只要知道誰該付錢就行了。”

　　 “我們可以嘗試賄賂一位政客，但我不確定這是否有可能，或者我們是否有足夠的錢去做，”烏拉帕拉說，開始失去興趣。

　　 “我們很容易找到那筆錢，但不要在美國進行直接腐敗，美國是一個極度發達的資本主義社會。你不能直接通過賄賂去做到。”

　　 “為什麼不呢？”烏拉帕拉問道，仍然很感興趣。

　　 “因為美國社會的運行方法不同，美國社會是通過人情運行的。比如說，一個美國中產階級要賄賂上位或者美國人對一個種族有歧視。他們會怎麼做？公開進行行動嗎？”

　　 “好吧，如果它起作用，就不會有問題了，”烏拉帕拉笑著說。

　　 “實際上，美國人會通過合法的法律手段做到其他國家非法的事情。比如說，美國富豪要逃避遺產稅可以通過成立慈善基金會，如果要防止少數族裔從事某個行業就通過隱形歧視與限制來做到，如果美國精英階層要從事一項高利潤的犯罪就將它合法化。”羅曼諾夫解釋說。

　　 “我明白了……”特雷古波娃沉思著說。

　　 “滲透也是這樣的，針對明顯支持的受眾群體進行。美國人的滲透明顯是針對精英階層，知識分子，中產階級，小眾群體來的，基本格調是自由主義和利己主義的。而且，他們的道德觀念很靈活。”羅曼諾夫繼續說。

　　 “那麼，滲透應該很容易？”特雷古波娃問道。

　　 “當然，這完全不阻礙美國官員一邊幫助拉丁毒梟販毒一邊在其他國家設立女權與人權組織。”

　　 特雷古波娃問道：“你說的好像美國對毒品的需求很大？”她現在比以往都更加困惑。

　　 “是的，你只要通過美國1950年以來的人口組成與艾滋病患者、毒品人群增長就可以看到。”

　　 “哦。”

　　 “那麼，讓我直說吧。你想讓我們從內部破壞美國文化嗎？”烏拉帕拉問道，終於明白了。

　　 “是的。”

　　 “我們怎麼做？”

　　 “什麼都不做，我的意思是讓美國自行墮落直到它殺死自己。”

　　 “但是……我們如何從中賺錢？”特雷古波娃問道。

　　 羅曼諾夫說：“我們是蘇聯。我們將接管一家大公司，為人民的利益運營它。”

　　 “嗯，那可能有用……”

　　 “當然，社會主義國家和資本主義國家有著根本性的差距，在社會主義國家中不會容許資本的無序擴張，資本家想要隨意欺凌人民是不可能的。然而，社會主義也存在激勵性不足與技術創新的問題，難以調動市場效應來發展經濟，允許私營經濟並不會讓社會主義國家喪失革命原則。”羅曼諾夫伸懶腰然後說：“我們必須是利益一體的，等到股份化國營企業時候…”

　　 “哦，我明白了，”烏拉帕拉說，現在已經全神貫注了。

　　 “簡言之，我們需要嚴格控制局面。”

　　 “你聽起來像貝利亞。”

　　 羅曼諾夫搖搖頭說：“我不是特務頭子，總之，當我徹底掌握蘇聯的時候我們就可以瓜分與壟斷蘇聯的產業。你們也會獲得更多的薪資、房產等待遇；成立大大小小的公司進行商業活動或直接擔任所謂國營企業的董事長等高層職務。”

　　 “但是，人們……”特雷古波娃問道。

　　 “你什麼意思？”羅曼諾夫問道。

　　 “你知道，人民。”

　　 “他們是能被一些謠言就能引導的羔羊，麻木與功利的蠢貨。只要我們能滿足他們的民用經濟需求。”

　　 “嗯，我們需要確保……”特雷古波娃開始說。

　　 “夠了，”羅曼諾夫說，現在對特雷古博娃失去了耐心。“現在安靜點。”

　　 “是，總書記。”

　　 特雷古波娃沉默了下來。

　　 “現在，親愛的，你似乎有些心煩意亂。有什麼事嗎？”

　　 特雷古波娃把目光移開，回答說：“不，不，一切都很好。我只是……”

　　 “告訴我，我不想猜測你怎麼想的。”羅曼諾夫不耐煩地說，他不能將她平等地對待。

　　 “我……我不知道。”她回答。“我只是覺得……”

　　 “告訴我，你有什麼感覺？”

　　 “我感到……害怕。害怕。”特雷古波娃承認。

　　 過了一會兒，特雷古波娃回頭看了看羅曼諾夫。“我在想，如果我們能改變一下正常的生活，那就太好了。”

　　 “正常的生活？”羅曼諾夫問道。“在這種情況下，正常的生活是什麼？當整個國家處於不斷的危險之中，當政府本身比敵人更危險的時候？別讓我回答這個問題。”

　　 特雷古波娃轉頭說：“我不知道我在說什麼……這只是……一種感覺。”

　　 “我明白了。”羅曼諾夫嘆了口氣說：“也許你應該放松一下，我能問為什麼烏拉帕拉使用男性名字嗎？”

　　 烏拉帕拉的臉頰變成了亮粉色，她說：“嗯，我父親想讓我這麼做，我覺得這讓我看起來更……有男子氣概。”

　　 “你最初的女性名字是什麼？親愛的？”羅曼諾夫問道。

　　 “不，不是那個……”烏拉帕拉說，臉紅了。

　　 “哦，得了吧，我不能一直叫你親愛的。怎麼了？”

　　 烏拉帕拉的臉變黑了，但她什麼也沒說。

　　 “我可以給你起個新名字，”羅曼諾夫說，“你想叫什麼名字？”

　　 烏拉帕拉把目光移開，說：“沒關系。”

　　 “嗯，我需要一個好聽的俄語女孩名字。越有異國情調越好。”

　　 烏拉帕拉回頭看著他，考慮了幾個名字，然後說：“卡塔琳娜。”

　　 “卡塔琳娜，嗯？“太好了，”羅曼諾夫說，“我認為卡塔琳娜是一個美妙而帝王般的名字。它顯示了精神和驕傲。愛的女神阿卡莎的詩中有一種非常真實和強烈的感情。”

　　 “謝謝你，總書記。我…我想我會……我想我現在要回我的房間去。”烏拉帕拉說，臉紅了。

　　 “當然。你可以到我的房間去。”羅曼諾夫盯著她說：“你明白我的意思嗎？”

　　 “是的，總書記。”她說，現在更臉紅了。

　　 “很好。現在，走吧。在我改變主意之前。”羅曼諾夫說。

　　 烏拉帕拉臉紅得更厲害，急忙走出房間。

　　 “真漂亮，”特雷古波娃說，“現在我嫉妒了。我希望我能被稱為卡特琳娜。”

　　 “這不公平。你已經有自己的名字了。”羅曼諾夫把手放在特雷古波娃肩上說：“你需要注意到我是多麼相信你。”

　　 “你…是嗎？”特雷古波娃問。

　　 “當然。你是我在整個政府中唯一可以信任的人。其他人都是叛徒和傻瓜。如果我不相信你，我就是叛徒和傻瓜。”

　　 “謝謝你，總書記。”特雷古波娃說，臉紅了。

　　 “這沒什麼。”羅曼諾夫說，“我需要一個朋友，永遠不會背叛我。”

　　 “我永遠不會背叛你，總書記。”

　　 “謝謝。夠了。現在，讓我們忘掉今晚的談話。形勢嚴峻，我們必須做好最壞的准備。”他收回手說：“你認為有什麼辦法能在美國領導的全球市場下保證我的統治不崩潰？”

　　 “我——我不知道，總書記。軍隊很強大，我們可以…”

　　 “不是這樣。我是在征求你的意見，作為一個有思想的同志。必須有辦法，如果我們共同努力，我們會找到的。”

　　 “我們會的，總書記。如果我們需要，我們可以隨時……向人民呼吁。這是確保權力順利過渡的唯一途徑。”

　　 “重要的是穩定，脫下你的內褲。”

　　 特雷古波娃臉紅了，向下瞥了一眼。

　　 “當然，我們會做的。國家與政府、統治者並不是一體的，它們之間的關系很復雜。”羅曼諾夫開始脫衣服說：“脫下你的裙子，張開雙腿。”

　　 “是的，總書記。”

　　 “現在，脫下你的內褲。”

　　 特雷古波娃猶豫了一會兒，然後解開了裙子。她走出來，穿著內衣站在他面前。

　　 “乖女孩，”羅曼諾夫說，“脫下你的胸罩和內褲。”

　　 特雷古波娃又猶豫了一下，然後脫下胸罩和內褲。她光著身子站在他面前。

　　 他說：“現在，舉起你的手臂。”

　　 她舉起雙臂，羅曼諾夫開始按摩她纖細的小胳膊。“你很完美。”他說，現在盯著她的裸體。

　　 “我不是……我不是……”她說，臉紅了。

　　 “我說的是實話，你知道嗎？國家就像一塊土地，政府就是一個房子。”他說，現在盯著她的裸體。“你美麗的身軀是那座房子的一部分。”

　　 特雷古波娃什麼也沒說，臉紅得更厲害了。

　　 “特雷古波娃，你可以站起來了。”

　　 她站起來，臉紅了，低頭看著他的腳。羅曼諾夫脫下褲子，特雷古波娃驚訝地抬頭看了一眼。他勃起的陰莖和睾丸垂下。她說：“你想讓我為你服務嗎？”

　　 “如果這是你的願望。”

　　 特雷古波娃走上前，低下了頭。她開始用雙手撫摸他的陰莖和睾丸。

　　 “哦，是的。感覺很好。”他說，現在開始撫摸她的後背。

　　 “人民永遠不會支持這一點。”她說。

　　 “哦，我想人民別無選擇，只能支持它。我是蘇聯的領導人。”

　　 特雷古波娃笑著說：“一個死人的領導人。”

　　 “死者沒有死。”他說，繼續撫摸著她的後背。

　　 “蘇聯死了，你這個傻瓜。”

　　 “我知道，從它的官僚可以決定生產資料的分配那一刻就決定了。用舌頭舔我的陰莖，我的婊子。”

　　 特雷古波娃什麼也沒說，現在把他的公雞叼在嘴里。她吮吸著他的雞巴和蛋蛋，使出渾身解數，盡管她仍專心於自己的任務。

　　 羅曼諾夫說：“親愛的，感覺怎麼樣？”

　　 “你是個傻瓜，同志。”

　　 “你准備好對我忠誠了嗎？”

　　 “我從來沒有向你保證過。”

　　 “但是你會的。”

　　 “我……不確定。”

　　 “想想看。”

　　 特雷古波娃仔細考慮了他的提議。她用手在他的陰莖上下滑動說，“到現在已經很久了……因為你…”她打斷了話，現在把注意力集中在他的小囊上。“你聞起來真香。”她說，現在舔著嘴唇。

　　 “我聞起來很香？”羅曼諾夫說，現在他收回來。“怎麼會呢？我一直吃得很好。”

　　 “我的意思是，與……其他氣味相比，你聞起來真香。”

　　 “哦。”他點點頭說：“我還以為你是其他意思。”

　　 特雷古波娃抬頭看著他，笑了。他說，“我……在什麼方面不同？”

　　 “你不像……那麼土。”她說。

　　 “也許只是我的想法與其他人奇怪一點，我…這具身體很老了。”

　　 “不，不是。我父親的壽命甚至比你更長。也許是……只是你更文雅。”

　　 羅曼諾夫說：“如果是這樣的話，那麼你應該接受我的提議。我的方法對你來說太粗糙了。”

　　 特雷古波娃考慮過。“我想我會的。我想為你服務。”她說：“但要知道，我不會永遠忠於你。我會向你保證，但到時候我不會成為你的婊子。”

　　 “我明白。”他說。

　　 “是嗎？”她說，把頭歪到一邊，帶著調皮的微笑抬頭看著他。“你明白嗎？”

　　 “你是一個愚蠢的女人，還沒理解自己的地位。”他說，現在脫下褲子。

　　 “我沒那麼年輕，也沒那麼幼稚。”她的笑容變得更開闊了。“我的內心深處，獸性。”

　　 “我要讓你認清自己，你這只母貓。”他走上前去，將陰莖插入她的陰道。

　　 他的陰莖伸進特雷古波娃的身體時，她喘著粗氣。感覺太好了，她忘了那個議價。她咕噥著，用胳膊和腿摟住他，走出了高潮。

　　 “你是我的婊子。”

　　 “是的，格里戈里。我是你的婊子。”

　　 “你會服從我的。”

　　 “是的，我的領袖，我服從你。”

　　 “很好。”他退出了，現在准備開始下一幕。“現在，讓我們的小婊子清醒過來。”他說，現在拿出一瓶伏特加。他把它放在特雷古波娃的嘴唇上。“喝酒。如果你想加入受祝福的行列，你會喝酒的。”

　　 “不，”特雷古波娃說，現在把它推開。“我不想喝酒，你給我什麼？”

　　 “愚蠢的天賦。清醒的頭腦。快樂的靈魂。”

　　 “好吧，我想說一件重要的事情。”她說，現在深吸一口氣。“我愛你。”

　　 “我也愛你。”他說。“喝一杯，不然我就讓你喝。”

　　 “不，我要說的是我懷孕了。”她說，現在把目光移開，顯得很尷尬。

　　 “什麼？懷孕了？”他說。“誰是父親？”

　　 “是的，你是。”她回頭看著他說。“你是父親。”

　　 “什麼？怎麼可能？我是說……什麼時候……怎麼……”他似乎無法寫出完整的單詞。

　　 “我以後再解釋。我只想說，你需要幫助我。”

　　 “但是……但是……我不想…”

　　 “是的，你知道。喝一杯。否則你永遠也不會知道。”

　　 他檢查了她的臉，似乎不確定。“好吧，但是……你可能會後悔……”

　　 “喝。”

　　 他深吸了一口氣，然後喝了下去。“這太糟糕了，我需要思考一下。”他說，現在盯著自己的腳。

　　 “想想看？”

　　 “我的答案。你需要給我更多的時間考慮。”他說。“現在，你和我應該走了。”

　　 “去哪里？”

　　 “你需要去的地方。我們要談談。”

　　 特雷古波娃獨自一人坐在那里，困惑而害怕。她喝完了剩下的伏特加，在穿衣服之前把空瓶子扔進了垃圾桶。她穿著連衣裙、長統襪和高跟鞋。她塗了新口紅，然後梳頭。她盯著鏡子看了很長時間，什麼也沒說，沉浸在自己的思緒中。

　　 沉默了一段時間，對此感到後悔的羅曼諾夫問：“你想怎麼辦？”

　　 “我想殺了你。”

　　 “什麼？為什麼？”

　　 “因為擾亂了我的生活，因為讓我做了我不想做的事，因為試圖強迫我喝酒。”

　　 “夠了，我不想聽抨擊我的廢話。你想怎麼處理你的孩子？”

　　 “我不想要孩子。”

　　 “好吧，你想殺了我嗎？”

　　 “是的。”

　　 “那就去做吧。”

　　 “不……”

　　 “做吧。”

　　 她苦惱地把口紅扔在羅曼諾夫桌上的幾本書里，羅曼諾夫沉默著盯住她。

　　 “好吧，我會的，但我們現在扯平了。”她說。“現在，我們走吧。”

　　 他看著她，眼里流露出一種奇怪的神情。“你懷上的孩子怎麼辦？你還沒有結婚。”

　　 “我要嫁給他，他是父親。”

　　 “什麼？誰？”

　　 “你是父親。”

　　 羅曼諾夫盯著她，什麼也沒說。他把目光移開，似乎沒什麼動靜。

　　 “你為什麼要那樣做？”他問道。

　　 “因為你不會給我我想要的。你從來沒有給過我，所以我要自己處理。”

　　 “我知道我還沒有給你想要的，我會的。但不是現在，我還有妻子。”

　　 “我也是，我懷孕了，這才是最重要的。再見，羅曼諾夫同志。”

　　 她走出他的辦公室，沒有回頭。羅曼諾夫目瞪口呆地盯著門。他拿起電話，撥了一個號碼。

　　 “弗拉基米爾·梅德韋傑夫少將？嗯，特雷古波娃走出去了。派人盯著她，我是說保護她的安全。有事打電話給我。”“是的。”

　　 “很抱歉事情沒有進展，但這就是生活。她是個好人，我喜歡她。”

　　 “我知道。”

　　 “代我向她問好。”

　　 [newpage]

　　 March 1986

　　 Romanov sits in the fireplace room enjoying the warmth as he flips through Grossman\u0027s Life and Destiny, with Ulapala and Tregubova sitting next to him.

　　 The only sound is the turning of the pages.

　　 \"You don\u0027t have the slightest idea do you?\" Ulapala says.

　　 \"What?\"

　　 \"That life is not for the weak.\"

　　 \"I don\u0027t see why not.\"

　　 \"Because if you don\u0027t have the strength to survive in this world, you might as well not bother doing it at all.\"

　　 \"I don\u0027t see what you\u0027re getting at.\"

　　 \"The world doesn\u0027t belong to the strong.\"

　　 \"Surely you\u0027re not advocating violence?\" Romanov closed the book and put it aside to stare at her and said, \"What\u0027s wrong with you?\"

　　 \"I don\u0027t want violence. Not ever. But there are those who do. And it\u0027s their world. We can\u0027t judge them for defending their right to it.\"

　　 \"Maybe you\u0027re right. But it doesn\u0027t change the fact that we\u0027re alive and they\u0027re not. And it is our world.\"

　　 \"So we should just give up and not fight?\"

　　 Romanov shook his head and said, \"Do you think idealists will win over egoists? Don\u0027t forget that you yourself are a member of corruption and bribery.\"

　　 \"I\u0027m not.\"

　　 \"What do you think this country would be like without the support of certain people in high places?\"

　　 \"It would be worse off.\"

　　 \"And how do you think the people would react to this?\"

　　 She didn\u0027t respond.

　　 Tregubova spoke up and said, \"Do we so must need to abandon the concept of morality and obedience?\"

　　 \"We don\u0027t. But I\u0027m not going to see that happen. I won\u0027t see the Soviet Union overthrown either. But if we\u0027re to survive, we need to be pragmatic.\"

　　 Ulapala bowed her head and said, \"I have no way to hold on to the fact that I know what the rich people are doing. They are on the island of Little St. James with Bird Island in South Africa...The nuns in Western European countries serve children to...\"

　　 Romanov interrupted, \"If you all want to get caught and killed, that\u0027s fine with me.\"

　　 Tregubova jumped up and said, \"If you\u0027re looking for an excuse to avoid doing anything yourself, you\u0027ve found it.\"

　　 \"I\u0027m not.\"

　　 \"You\u0027re not what?\"

　　 \"I\u0027m just saying you have to be calm, there are these things going on behind the scenes of the elite in any society, the people just don\u0027t see it. Any government is also involved in some muscle-dirty things.\" Romanoff paused for a moment and added: \"The East German government used political prisoners to extort money from West Germany, the Stasi would pick single women aged 22-28 to make them into prostitutes in state brothels to buy intelligence and earn foreign currency. Some feminist and human rights organizations in Europe send girls from some countries to private prisons to be abused by paying clients for the financial support of drug dealers and gangs. Even in Japan & Korea, the muscle is dirty behind the plutocrats of these countries.\"

　　 \"I see your point,\" Ulapala said in a serious tone that contrasted with the jokester attitude she\u0027d been displaying up until now. \"I suppose we\u0027re lucky we\u0027re not in a life and death struggle.\"

　　 \"Yes. We are.\"

　　 \"So what are you going to do about it?\" Tregubova asked.

　　 \"I need loyal and determined people to help me, and you must be strong to help me. I mean if you see some girls dismembered in a cage will not feel sympathy.\"

　　 Tregubova shuddered and said, \"I can do it.\"

　　 \"Good. The world is in dire need of a change. Our duties as political activists will be easier once we have some sort of...organization.\" Romanoff\u0027s face showed uncertainty as he said, \"But we don\u0027t have any money. We have no...\"

　　 \"Weapons? Yes, we do.\" Tregubova said.

　　 \"Forget it, I\u0027ll think of something. What do you two think of the American economy?\" Romanov asked, holding Ulapala and Tregubova.

　　 \"It\u0027s a disaster,\" Ulapala said.

　　 \"Oh? Why?\"

　　 \"Too many greedy and powerful people.\"

　　 \"Yes, but I want to know if you know enough about the workings of American society?\" Romanov hugged her and put his hand on the back of her neck. It satisfied his desire to be in control. He\u0027d been searching for a long time to find someone to control.

　　 \"I think so,\" Ulapala said. \"Why do you ask?\"

　　 \"Because your tactics are not very clever, let me ask you, if you wanted to pay a bribe in America, what would you do?\"

　　 \"Well, I wouldn\u0027t go around threatening people. There are too many FBI agents.\" Tregubova replied.

　　 \"You wouldn\u0027t need to. A bribe is accepted all the time. It\u0027s a well known fact. When it comes to big businesses, congressmen are bought off all the time. You just have to know who to pay off.\"

　　 \"We could try bribing a politician, but I\u0027m not sure if that\u0027s even possible or if we even have the money to do it,\" Ulapala said, beginning to lose interest.

　　 \"We have no problem finding that kind of money, But don\u0027t engage in direct corruption in the United States, which is an extremely advanced capitalist society. You can\u0027t do it directly through bribery.\"

　　 \"Why not?\" Ulapala asked, still interested.

　　 \"Because American society works differently, American society works through human feelings. Let\u0027s say a middle-class American wants to bribe his way to the top or an American discriminates against a race. What would they do? Carry out the action publicly?\"

　　 \"Well, if it worked, there wouldn\u0027t be a problem,\" Ulapala said, smiling.

　　 \"In fact, Americans will do through legal legal means what is illegal in other countries. For example, a wealthy American who wants to avoid estate taxes can do so by setting up a charitable foundation, if he wants to prevent minorities from working in a certain industry he does so through stealth discrimination and restrictions, and if the American elite wants to engage in a highly profitable crime he legalizes it.\" Romanov explained.

　　 \"I see...\" Tregubova said, thinking deeply.

　　 \"Infiltration is also done in this way, targeting clearly supported audience groups. The American infiltration is clearly coming at the elite, the intellectuals, the middle class, the niche groups, and the basic tone is liberal and egoistic. And, they are very flexible in their morality.\" Romanov continued.

　　 \"So, the infiltration should be easy?\" Tregubova asked.

　　 \"Of course, this does not at all prevent U.S. officials from helping Latin drug lords deal drugs while setting up feminist and human rights organizations in other countries.\"

　　 \"You make it sound like there is a great demand for drugs in America?\" Tregubova asked, now more confused than ever.

　　 \"Yes, you only have to look through the demographic makeup of the U.S. since 1950 with the growth of people with AIDS and drug populations to see that.\"

　　 \"Oh.\"

　　 \"So, let me get this straight. You want us to destroy American culture, from within?\" Ulapala asked, finally understanding.

　　 \"Yes.\"

　　 \"How do we do that?\"

　　 \"Do nothing, I mean let America degenerate on its own until it kills itself.\"

　　 \"But... how do we make money off of this?\" Tregubova asked.

　　 \"We are the Soviet Union. We\u0027ll just take over a large corporation and run it for the good of the people.\" Romanov said.

　　 \"Hmm, that may work....\"

　　 \"Of course, there is a fundamental difference between a socialist state and a capitalist state, in which the disorderly expansion of capital will not be tolerated and it is impossible for capitalists to bully the people at will. However, socialism also suffers from a lack of incentives and technological innovation, it is difficult to mobilize market effects to develop the economy, and allowing a private economy does not make the socialist state lose its revolutionary principles.\" Romanov stretched and then said, \"We must be one in interest, and when the time comes to demutualize the state enterprises...\"

　　 \"Oh, I see,\" Ulapala said, now fully engaged.

　　 \"In short, we will need to run a tight ship.\"

　　 \"You sound like Beria.\"

　　 Romanov shook his head and said, \"I am not the head of the secret service, in any case, when I completely master the Soviet Union we can divide and monopolize the Soviet industry. You will also get more pay, real estate, etc.; set up large and small companies for business activities or directly assume top positions such as chairman of the so-called state enterprises.\"

　　 \"But, the people...\" Tregubova asked.

　　 \"What do you mean?\" Romanov asked.

　　 \"You know, the people.\"

　　 \"They are lambs who can be led by just a few rumors, numb and utilitarian fools. As long as we can satisfy their consumer goods.\"

　　 \"Well, we\u0027ll need to make sure...\" Tregubova started to say.

　　 \"Enough,\" Romanov said, now losing his patience with the Tregubova. \"Now be quiet.\"

　　 \"Yes, General Secretary.\"

　　 「Tregubova fell silent.

　　 \"Yes, it will require a great deal of work, but I\u0027m confident we can do it.\" Romanov said.

　　 \"Yes, General Secretary.\" Tregubova repeated.

　　 \"Now, my dear, you seem to be rather distracted. Is anything the matter?\"

　　 Tregubova looked away and replied, \"No. No, everything is fine. I just...\"

　　 \"Tell me, I don\u0027t want to guess what you think.\" Romanov said impatiently; he could not treat her as an equal.

　　 \"I... I don\u0027t know.\" She replied. \"I just feel...\"

　　 \"Tell me, what do you feel?\"

　　 \"I feel... afraid. Scared.\" Tregubova admitted.

　　 After a few moments, Tregubova looked back at Romanov. \"I was...thinking that it would be nice if we could have a normal life for a change.\"

　　 \"A normal life?\" Romanov asked. \"What\u0027s a normal life in this situation? When the entire nation is in constant danger, and when the government itself is more of a danger than the enemy? Don\u0027t make me answer that.\"

　　 Tregubova looked away and said, \"I don\u0027t know what I\u0027m saying anymore... it\u0027s just...a feeling.\"

　　 \"I see.\" Romanov sighed and said, \"Maybe you should relax, can I ask why Ulapala use male names?\"

　　 Ulapala\u0027s cheeks turn a bright pink and she said, \"Well, my father wanted me to, and I thought it made me seem more...manly.\"

　　 \"What was your original female name? Honey?\" Romanov asked.

　　 \"No, not that...\" Ulapala said, now blushing further.

　　 \"Oh, come now, I can\u0027t call you Honey all the time. What is it?\"

　　 Ulapala\u0027s face darkened, but she said nothing.

　　 \"I can give you a new name,\" Romanov said, \"What would you like to be called?\"

　　 Ulapala looked away, and said, \"It doesn\u0027t matter.\"

　　 \"Well, I need a nice Russian girl name. The more exotic the better.\"

　　 Ulapala looked back at him and considered several names before saying, \"Katarina.\"

　　 \"Katarina, eh? Perfect,\" Romanov said, \"I think Katarina is a wonderful and regal name. It shows spirit and pride. There is a very real and strong in the poetry of Akasha, the goddess of love.\"

　　 \"Thank you, General Secretary. I-I think I\u0027ll...I think I\u0027ll go to my room now.\" Ulapala said, now blushing.

　　 \"Of course. You may go to my room.\" Romanov stared at her and said, \"Do you understand what I mean?\"

　　 \"Y-Yes, General Secretary.\" She said, now even more blushing.

　　 \"Good. Now, go. Before I change my mind.\" Romanov said.

　　 Ulpala blushed even more and hurried out of the room.

　　 \"What a beauty.\" Tregubova said, \"Now I\u0027m jealous. I wish I could be called Katarina.\"

　　 \"That\u0027s not fair. You have your own name already.\" Romanov put his hand on Tregubova\u0027s shoulder and said, \"You need to notice how much I believe in you.\"

　　 \"Y-You do?\" Tregubova asked.

　　 \"Of course. You are the only person I can trust in this entire government. The rest are traitors and fools. And I would be a traitor and a fool if I didn\u0027t believe in you.\"

　　 \"Thank you, General Secretary.\" Tregubova said, now blushing.

　　 \"It\u0027s nothing.\" Romanov said, \"I need a friend that will never betray me.\"

　　 \"I would never betray you, General Secretary.\"

　　 \"Thank you. That\u0027s enough. Now, let\u0027s forget about this conversation for the night. The situation is grim, and we must prepare for the worst.\" He withdrew his hand and said, \"Do you think there is any way to ensure that my rule does not collapse under a U.S.-led global market?\"

　　 \"I-I don\u0027t know, General Secretary. The military is strong, we could always...\"

　　 \"It\u0027s not that. I\u0027m asking for your opinion, as a thinking comrade. There has to be a way, and we will find it if we work together.\"

　　 \"We will, General Secretary. And, if we need to, we can always...appeal to the people. It is the only way to ensure a smooth transition of power.\"

　　 \"It\u0027s important to be stable and take off your underwear.\"

　　 Tregubova blushed and glanced down.

　　 \"We will do it, of course. The state and the government and the ruler are not one and the same; they have a complicated relationship.\" Romanov began to undress and said, \"Take off your skirt and spread your legs.\"

　　 \"Yes, General Secretary.\"

　　 \"Now, take off your knickers.\"

　　 Tregubova hesitated for a moment, and then unbuckled her skirt. She stepped out of it, and stood before him in undergarments.

　　 \"Good girl.\" Romanov said, \"Take off your bra and panties.\"

　　 Tregubova hesitated again, and then took off her bra and panties. She stood before him naked.

　　 He said, \"Now, lift your arms.\"

　　 She raised her arms, and Romanov began to massage her small, delicate arms. \"You are perfect.\" He said, now staring at her naked form.

　　 \"I\u0027m not a...I\u0027m not a...\" She said, now blushing.

　　 \"I\u0027m telling the truth, you know? The country is like a piece of land, and the government is a house.\" He said, now staring at her naked form. \"Your beautiful form is a part of that house.\"

　　 Tregubova said nothing, now blushing even more.

　　 \"I am the owner of this house. Now, kneel down and kiss my feet.\"

　　 Tregubova knelt and began to make a show of kissing his feet.

　　 \"Tregubova. You may rise.\"

　　 She stood up, now blushing, and looked down at his feet. Romanov removed his pants, and Tregubova glanced up in surprise. His erect penis and testicles hung down. She said, \"You want me to service you?\"

　　 \"If that is your wish.\"

　　 Tregubova stepped forward and lowered her head. She began to stroke his penis and testicles with both hands.

　　 \"Oh, yes. That feels good.\" He said, now beginning to stroke her back.

　　 \"The people will never stand for this.\" She said.

　　 \"Oh, I think the people will have no choice but to stand for it. I am the leader of the Soviet Union.\"

　　 Tregubova laughed and said, \"The leader of a dead man.\"

　　 \"The dead are not dead.\" He said, continuing to stroke her back.

　　 \"The Soviet Union is dead. You fool.\"

　　 \"I know, from the moment its bureaucrats can decide the distribution of the means of production. Suck my cock with your tongue, my bitch.\"

　　 Tregubova said nothing, now taking his cock in her mouth. She sucked his cock and balls, making a hard show of it, though keeping her mind on her task.

　　 Romanov said, \"How does that feel, dear?\"

　　 \"You are a fool, Comrade.\"

　　 \"Are you ready to give me your loyalty?\"

　　 \"I never pledged myself to you.\"

　　 \"But you will.\"

　　 \"I\u0027m...not sure.\"

　　 \"Think about it.\"

　　 Tregubova pondered his offer. She ran her hands up and down his shaft and said, \"It has been so long since...since you...\" She broke off, now focusing her attention on his sac. \"You smell so good.\" She said, now licking her lips.

　　 \"I smell good?\" Romanov said, now taken back. \"How so? I have been eating well.\"

　　 \"I mean, you smell so good in comparison to...other smells.\"

　　 \"Oh.\" He nodded and said, \"I thought you meant something else.\"

　　 Tregubova looked up at him and smiled. He said, \"In what way am I...different?\"

　　 \"You are not as...earthy.\" She said.

　　 \"Maybe it\u0027s just that I think a little bit strangely with other people, I\u0027m...this body is very old.\"

　　 \"No, it\u0027s not. My father had an even longer life than yours. Perhaps it\u0027s...just you\u0027re more refined.\"

　　 Romanov said, \"If that\u0027s the case, then you ought to take my offer. My way is too coarse for you.\"

　　 Tregubova considered. \"I think I will. I want to serve you.\" She said, \"But know this, my loyalty is not pledged to you forever. I will give you my word, but I will not be your bitch when the time comes.\"

　　 \"I understand.\" He said.

　　 \"Do you?\" She said, cocking her head to the side and looking up at him with a mischievous smile. \"Do you understand?\"

　　 \"You\u0027re a foolish woman who hasn\u0027t understood her place.\" He said, now removing his pants.

　　 \"I\u0027m not that young, and I\u0027m not that naive.\" Her smile broadened. \"Cum inside me, brute.\"

　　 \"I\u0027m going to make you recognize yourself, you she-cat.\" He stepped forward and lowered his penis into her vagina.

　　 Tregubova gasped as his penis went into her. It felt so good she forgot about the offer. She purred, wrapping her arms and legs around him, and rode out the orgasm.

　　 \"You are my bitch.\"

　　 \"Yes, Grigory. I am your bitch.\"

　　 \"You will obey me.\"

　　 \"Yes, my leader. I obey you.\"

　　 \"Good.\" He withdrew, now ready to start the next act. \"Now, let\u0027s have our little whore here come to her senses.\" He said, now taking out a bottle of vodka. He held it to Tregubova\u0027s lips. \"Drink. If you want to join the ranks of the blessed, you will drink.\"

　　 \"No.\" Tregubova said, now pushing it away. \"I don\u0027t want to drink. What will you give me?\"

　　 \"The gift of stupidity. A clear mind. A happy soul.\"

　　 \"Well, I want to say one important thing.\" She said, now taking a deep breath. \"I love you.\"

　　 \"I love you too.\" He said. \"Drink, or I\u0027ll make you.\"

　　 \"No, what I\u0027m saying is that I\u0027m pregnant.\" She said, now looking away, seeming embarrassed.

　　 \"What? Pregnant?\" He said. \"Wh-who is the father?\"

　　 \"Yes, you are.\" She said, looking back at him. \"You are the father.\"

　　 \"What? How can that be? I mean...when...how...\" He seemed unable to form complete words.

　　 \"I\u0027ll explain later. Suffice it to say, you\u0027ll need to help me.\"

　　 \"But...but...I don\u0027t want to be...\"

　　 \"Yes, you do. Drink. Or you\u0027ll never find out.\"

　　 He examined her face, seeming unsure. \"Okay, but...you might regret this...\"

　　 \"Drink.\"

　　 He took a deep breath, then drank. \"That\u0027s too bad, I need to think about it.\" He said, now staring at his feet.

　　 \"Think about what?\"

　　 \"My answer. You\u0027ll need to give me more time to think about it.\" He said. \"For now, you and I should go.\"

　　 \"Go where?\"

　　 \"The place where you\u0027ll need to go. We\u0027re going to have a little talk.\" He said, now grabbing his coat. He looked at her one last time, and said, \"I\u0027m sorry, my dear. It was good seeing you.\" He walked out of the room, leaving her alone.

　　 Tregubova sat there, alone, confused, and afraid. She drank the rest of the vodka, and threw the empty bottle in the trash can before getting dressed. She wore a dress, stockings, and high heels. She applied fresh lipstick, then brushed her hair. She stared in the mirror for a long time, saying nothing, lost in her own thoughts.

　　 After a period of silence, Romanov, who regretted this, asked, \"What do you want to do?\"

　　 \"I want to kill you.\"

　　 \"What? Why?\"

　　 \"For messing up my life, for making me do something I don\u0027t want to do, and for trying to force feed me alcohol.\"

　　 \"That\u0027s enough, I don\u0027t want to hear the bashing me crap. What do you want to do with your kids?\"

　　 \"I don\u0027t want to have kids.\"

　　 \"Fine, do you want to kill me?\"

　　 \"Yes.\"

　　 \"Then go ahead and do it.\"

　　 \"No...\"

　　 \"Do it.\"

　　 She threw her lipstick bitterly into a couple of books on Romanov\u0027s desk, and Romanov stared at her in silence.

　　 \"Fine, I\u0027ll do it but we\u0027re even now.\" She said. \"Now, let\u0027s go.\"

　　 He looked at her, a strange look in his eyes. \"What about the baby you\u0027re carrying? You\u0027re not married.\"

　　 \"I\u0027ll marry him, he\u0027s the father.\"

　　 \"What? Who?\"

　　 \"You\u0027re the father.\"

　　 Romanov stared at her, saying nothing. He looked away, seeming unimpressed.

　　 \"Why would you do that?\" He asked.

　　 \"Because you won\u0027t give me what I want. You never have, so I\u0027m taking matters into my own hands.\"

　　 \"I know I haven\u0027t given you what you want, and I will. But not now, I have a wife.\"

　　 \"So do I, and I\u0027m pregnant, and that\u0027s all that matters. Goodbye, Comrade Romanov.\"

　　 She walked out of his office, not looking back. Romanov stared at the door, dumbfounded. He picked up the phone, dialing a number.

　　 \"Major General Vladimir Medvedev? Well, Tregubova walked out. Send someone to keep an eye on her, I mean keep her safe. Call me if anything happens.\"

　　 \"Yes.\"

　　 \"I\u0027m sorry things didn\u0027t work out, but that\u0027s life. She was a good person, I liked her.\"

　　 \"I know.\"

　　 \"Send her my regards.\"