[June 1945]
It's been more than a month after the war ended. And just a week ago, the surviving ensemble members are back to their work again in CSKA building. It's not a common view of several men are still look solemn during break time, remembering the hardship and loss over the dead colleagues or... friends.
"You guys are bastards!" Vasily exclaimed angrily. He was told that everyone had challenge to lull, while cradling a sleeping Vasily on the train yesterday. Vadim, Alexei, and Dmitry burst out laughing, remembering the cuteness of Vasily's face as Dmitry's voice succeeded to made Vasily smiling in his sleep.
"Sleep, my dear child, for the birds have closed their eyes. Sleep, my dear child, for the dogs and cats have bid farewell. Sleep, sleep... Ahahahahaha!!!" Dmitry sang, then couldn't contain his amusement until his stomach ached. Vasily smacked Dmitry's head hard, but it didn't stop the green-eyed man from laughing.
[November 1938]
"Ah, Narcotics Nandev? You're still alive!" shouted a black-haired Militiaman, who is on duty in the archives room.
"Of course! You think I'm dead just because I haven't seen any cases?"
"I thought so, actually. What do you need from me?"
"I want to see the arrest files for prisoners who ended up in the mental hospital."
"Why do you want to see them?"
"Just to analyse them. Also, to check for any developments on other criminal files."
"Ah, but the mental hospital's files are the least updated... You know, since the Vozhd tightened arrest regulations, more people have been sent directly to the Gulag than to the mental hospital. Although they have to get permission to test them first..."
"I know that. But is it okay if I take a look?"
"Nu, of course."
[Particles 1]
"All Soviet military bases have similar floor map plan. Once you know where is the officer's toilet, their secret stash of vodka is nearby."
That's what Oleg and Anatoli learned from their Red Army since 1924. The accidental finding happens for the first time; during the punishment to drain the rain puddles with dust pan. One crate of cool vodka found buried down when Anatoli throw the dust pan in annoyance, causing the weird thud on the ground... or more likely, a thick wooden plank covered with grass patches.
"The officers were being stingy to us..." Anatoli huffed as he stared at those high-quality vodka. Unlike the one that sometimes provided during dinner, or smuggled by other soldiers in the middle of night.
Oleg put his hand on his chin... and soon the smile cracking crazy. Soon infantry's desire brought them to such forbidden knowledge in later years.
Of course they don't do it everyday, or every week. They made sure to do it once in four months, during new moon (Anatoli kept the calendar and will always mark it with a cat doodle). After 11p.m, they will take two bottles of vodka, and pour its inside to the tin can, which usually for gasoline. Soon they replace the empty bottle with water, and carefully placed it again. They also tidily buried as if it's never touched by other hands. The tin can hidden in Oleg's locker, which later will be opened whenever Anatoli and Oleg wants to have one sip in secret. Should be enough for the next four months.
