Chapter 10 10. Representative

Or: The Story of How Jezdemonov Lost Twenty-Five Rubles "Hush! . . . Let's talk to the porter, it's not convenient here . . . he'll hear . . . " They went into the concierge.In order to prevent Makar, the gatekeeper, from eavesdropping on the informer, they hastened to send him to the local treasury.Makar picked up the mail-book and put on his hat, but instead of going to the local treasury, he hid under the stairs: he knew they were going to rebel... Kashalotov was the first to speak, followed by Jezzemono husband, and then Zlachkov... Dangerous passions flare up, red faces twitch, people beat their chests...

"We live in the second half of the 19th century, not God knows what time, let alone the prehistoric era!" Kashalotov said, "These potbellied guys used to do whatever they wanted, and now they are not allowed to do it! We have had enough ! Now is not the time when they can..." and so on. Jez Jamonoda then gave a generous speech, the content of which was roughly the same.Zlachkov even cursed... Everyone shouted!But then again, there are people who are extremely wise.The insightful man put on a worried look, wiped his face with a handkerchief full of snot and said, "Hey, is it worth it? Well... well, well, even if these words make sense, why bother?" What kind of yardstick do you use to measure people? Others use the same yardstick to judge you: Once you become a boss, others will also rebel against you! Please believe me! You will only harm yourself..."

But everyone didn't listen to him and didn't let him finish speaking, so they pushed him to the door of the room.Seeing that reason does not prevail, and people of insight lose their minds, I am also excited. "It's time, it's time for him to understand that we are human beings, just like him!" said Jezzemonov. "We, I repeat, are not slaves, not pariahs! And not gladiators of ancient Rome! We don't allow anyone to mock us! He's always yours to us; salutes to him, but he doesn't return; reports to him, but he turns his face away; That's right, let alone those of us who have status, these words should be said to him!"

"He came to me the other day and asked me: 'What's the matter with that face of yours? Go to Makar and tell him to wipe it off with a mop!' What a joke! Another time..." "I was walking with my wife once," said Zlachkov, rushing forward, "and I happened to meet him. 'Ah, you thick lips,' he said, 'you are always fooling around with girls! And in broad daylight !' I told him, this is my wife, my lord... He didn't apologize, just smacked his lips! My wife cried and screamed for three days at this insult. She is not a sister, quite the opposite... You all know ..."

"In short, gentlemen, we can't live like this anymore! It's either us or him, and it's absolutely impossible for us to work with him! Either he goes or we go! It's better to lose your job than lose your personality! It's nineteen Century. Everyone has self-respect! Even though I am a small person, I am not an abstract person after all. I have my own personality. I won’t allow it! Just tell him that! Let one of us tell him: It’s not okay to go on like this On behalf of us all! Go! Who's going? Just say it straight! Don't be afraid, nothing will happen! Who's going? Pooh... hell... I'm hoarse..."

They began electing representatives.After a long dispute and quarrel, they all agreed that Jezdemonov was the wisest, most eloquent, and most courageous.He was famous in the library, he was a good writer, he had a lot of well-bred ladies--he had a clever mind: he knew what to say and how to say it.As for the guts, not to mention.It is known that he once dared to demand an apology from the police chief for treating him like a "servant" at the club.Before the chief of the police sub-district frowned at this request, the news about Jezzemonov's courage spread in all directions, and it was very popular...

"Go, Xenia! Don't be afraid! Just tell him that! You'll get nothing, just say that! You're mistaken, my lord, just say that! You're outrageous! You get someone else to be your slave." Come on! We're not dumber than anyone else, my lord, and we'll drive out those pretentious ones! No need to be vague! Let's just say it... let's go, Xenia... friend... just brush your hair ...that's all..." "I'm short-tempered, gentlemen. . . I'm afraid I've overdone it. Better go to Zlachkov!" "No, Xenia, you go ... Zlachkov is good with sheep, and he's drunk ... he's a fool, and you, after all ... go, dear."

Zezdemonov combed his hair, straightened his waistcoat, coughed into his fist, and left... Everyone held their breath.After entering the office, Jezzemonov stood at the door, touching his lips with trembling hands: Oh, how should I start?When he saw the familiar black patch on his boss's bald head, he felt a chill in his heart, as if his heart was being tightened by a belt... A chill passed over his back... Actually, it wasn't too bad, because he was not used to being ready. It's all going to be like this, just don't be timid... Take courage! "Hey... what are you doing here?"

Jezdemonov took a step forward, moved his tongue, but couldn't utter a word: his mouth seemed to be stuffed with hemp.At the same time, the representative felt that something was wrong not only with his mouth, but also with his internal organs... The courage went down from the chest to the abdomen, where it rumbled for a while, then down the thigh to the heel of the foot, and finally in the boot. It's stuck...and the boot is broken...Oops! "Hey, what are you doing here? Didn't you hear me?" "Well... I, I have nothing to do... I just stopped by to see. I, my lord, I heard... I heard..."

Jezzemonov tried to hold back his tongue, but his tongue didn't obey, and he went on: "I heard that your Madam has won a carriage... lottery, my lord... ummmm... grown ups……" "Lottery tickets? Okay... I only have five tickets left here... Do you want all five tickets?" "No...no...no, my lord...one...is enough..." "You want all five? Let me ask you!" "Excellent, my lord." "Six rubles each... But you, five rubles only... Sign it... I wish you the best of luck..." "Hee hee hee...Thank you...My lord...Aha, very happy..."

"You go!" A minute later, Jezdemonov was standing in the middle of the porter's room, blushing like a prawn, and with tears in his eyes, asking his friends to borrow twenty-five rubles. "I gave him, gentlemen, twenty-five rubles, but it's not my money! It's my mother-in-law's asking me to pay the rent. . . Lend me money, gentlemen! Please!" "Why are you crying? Soon you will be traveling in a carriage..." "The carriage...the carriage...what would I want the carriage for? To frighten people with it? I'm not a priest! Besides, if I really win the lottery, where shall I put the carriage? Where shall I put it?" They talked for a long time.While they were talking, Makar (who could read and write) kept memorizing and memorizing.After memorizing it, it's... so and so... Now it's a long story, gentlemen!In any case, there is a lesson to be drawn from this: don't rebel!

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