From the author: Psychological story The main thing is to start, and then it will go like clockwork. This had happened before, and Dmitry had no doubt that it would happen this time too, but... thirty years have passed since then, and then it was a completely different matter, it seemed as if he was not speaking from himself, but strictly according to the script. Yes, and he was young then, but now... Time passed her by, and even benefited her. Dmitry saw all her films, some five times. Eh, they are not equals now, not equals at all! She is a famous actress, and he - oh! And why wasn’t he invited to act in film anymore? They praised me for that role. The newspapers wrote: “I played - how I lived!” Still would! He truly loved. And she? Then it seemed that too. Although, that’s why she’s an actress, so that everyone will believe her. But it was night, and what a night!!! Is this ever forgotten?! There were posters all over Moscow back then; lovers certainly wanted to be like them. And now... Well, why is that ache in the pit of your stomach? And the cigarette jumps in your hand. I shouldn't have drunk yesterday! But can you handle this dry?! Thirty years of “no hearing, no spirit,” and here you are - “You are invited to a meeting with the audience.” And a list of all those invited. She, naturally, comes first!... Well, what nasty mirrors are here! At home it was just a stub, but it looked better... Well, what about her with such and such a face?! Oh, it was - it wasn’t! Fate will not give you another chance. Dmitry tried to squeeze between two dense guards. “It’s not time yet!” - the intonation of all security guards in the world is the same. - Yes, I know that the meeting is in two hours. I need to prepare, get used to the stage. By the way, where is your buffet here?...My God, how much water has flown under the bridge since then! What was going on on the set then! Tatyana never again allowed herself even the semblance of an affair with her partner. Once is enough! Doctors were then surprised at the accuracy of the date of conception indicated by the mother - usually, no one knows for sure. But...usually, no one gets pregnant in one go. In principle, for this reason I didn’t tell him anything then, I was afraid that she wouldn’t believe it was from him. And to prove that there were no others, to humiliate myself is even worse than becoming a single mother... Where did these circles under the eyes come from? She will also think that she is sick or, even worse, she cried for him all night, worried before the meeting. What nonsense! It hurts! Yes, she has no end to fans! Damn, I should have agreed to a facelift. Veronica did it and now plays girls of marriageable age, even though she’s fifty-something! Okay, if you put on a hat, it will look like a shadow from the brim, and not everyone will look under the hat. But she wanted to - she tilted her head slightly - so you couldn’t see her eyes. - Zhenya, where is my powder compact? How many times do I have to tell you - don’t touch my makeup bag! Firstly, you're only ten, and secondly, boys shouldn't wear makeup, even if they have acne. And bruises, even more so, give masculinity, one might say. - Granny, either you’re disguising me, or I refuse to accompany you. - Don’t call me granny! - There’s no one around. - So don’t get used to it, otherwise later pops up out of habit. And don’t disguise, but put on makeup. Warrior! Okay, come here. Maybe you should wear a cap too? As a disguise, so to speak. - I myself said that my “golden” hair is my main trump card! - Okay, Ryzhik, bring the powder.... God, what red hair he has! Exactly the same as his mother and... Wow, he and his grandfather are simply the same person! No matter how hard Tatyana tried not to notice it, a fact is a fact. Oh, why worry at all, everything will be fine! Nothing will surprise her anymore. I have seen and suffered so much that a medal for bravery would not be enough. That’s how it is, but there’s this trembling in my hands. Nerves, nerves......Fifteen, sixteen... How do heart patients manage to count their droplets at the time of an attack? Maybe they took this valerian from their throats? Ugh, what disgusting! Yes, this is not Hennessy. By the way, cognac also calms and dilates blood vessels. What about valerian? To the cat! All! It's time! The taxi is already honking. - What, they don’t serve alcohol at all here in the buffet? A whole hour of meYou gargle with Tchaikovsky! - Only during intermission. - What a voice! And the face?! With such a face, he shouldn’t be a waiter, but play a bandit. “Aren’t artists entitled to privileges?” For courage, so to speak. I have money, don’t think about it! - But I don’t have to think, it’s your privilege. Artiiists!!! - What an echidina! If only he had seen Dmitry 30 years ago... - Don’t you believe that I’m an artist? Look, this is my invitation! - What a bastard! Didn't even look. It’s always like this, you just get in the mood, and some bastard will ruin the “bite” or ruin the entire “catch”! Or maybe it's for the better. He will stand more firmly on his feet. Dmitry’s head was buzzing, but his mind somehow managed to hear and even filter out the flow of thoughts.... He should clear his head before the meeting. From the balcony that goes directly from the cafe, the porch is clearly visible. You can take an excellent position... Scout! What's the point? You will recognize her from a thousand! But will she recognize you? Question! Big question! The red forelock has long since turned gray, and you can no longer call it forelock, but rather bald. It’s better to sit on the porch, like for a smoke break. She will walk past and... Oh, my, my heart, just at the thought of meeting him, will jump out of my chest! Calm down! He finds out - he doesn't know. Romashkin is your last name! Like a boy before his first date!... So, the guests began to arrive... What a hat! Come and see who’s under her! And nearby?!- Where have I seen this little red-haired boy?!- What are you saying? - In the hands of the speaker, Dmitry noticed a walkie-talkie and a list of invitees. - Yes, that’s just me, to myself. Do you know where this red-haired boy who came with his mother in a hat was filmed? His face is painfully familiar to me... - familiar for a long time... It seems that I have known him since childhood. - No, this one has never been filmed anywhere. And the “mother in a hat”... Come on, this is your co-star in the film! - The man helpfully extended his hand to the actress walking towards her. - Tatyana Vasilna! Let me take you to the dressing room?! - I’m not allowed a dressing room? - Dmitry asked more out of energy than wanting to hear the answer. Tatyana looked up at the hoarse voice that seemed familiar to her, and... tightly squeezed Zhenya’s hand. - Babu... Tatyana Vasilievna! It hurts me!...Well, we met. If you take the initiative, you may not notice the excitement... - How many years, how many winters! Hello, Mitya! - Why did she call him Mitya? Isn't it too familiar? He'll still be offended... and suddenly his wife is somewhere nearby? She’ll think about it... Oh, it doesn’t matter! - And I wish you health, Tatyana Vasilievna! - Damn, something turned out too formally, in Saldaphonian style. What a fool! Well, Ryzhik, help me out! - Who is this golden guy we have here! Well, let me take a better look at you, your face is too familiar to me! - Yoly-paly! Yes, this is the spitting image of me as a child! Can't be! He is only ten years old, and we haven’t seen each other for almost thirty... What kind of obsession?! Treacherous legs, they became completely weak... Well, why did you squat down in front of the boy, now how to get up? Dmitry sweated with excitement and, looking up, caught Tatyana’s look full of love. “Yes, Dmitry, we have something to talk about.” . But let's postpone this conversation until the banquet. The audience is waiting for us, remember? Zhenya, support your grandfather from the other side. That's it... Come on, Mitya, pull yourself together!.... Grandfather! She said grandfather?! So there is a son... or a daughter?! Isn’t it possible to go straight to the banquet? Who needs this meeting with the audience now? Two hours of excruciating torment! Why didn't she say anything earlier? He would have a purpose in life. He would stop drinking! He would have crawled out of his skin, but he became a man! For the sake of your son... or daughter? Who cares! He could have lived a completely different life. He would have a family, a home... What a noise in his head! Everything is floating around, pressing on the chest. - Tanya! You have to tell me - who? Daughter? Son? I beg you!!! - What a strange voice... I need to get up... collapsed here. - Oh! Carefully. Tatyana Vasilna, hold his head, I’ll put a cloak under it. Be patient, Dmitry Alekseich, the ambulance has already left. - Look, they remembered the name, but first... well, God be with them. - Tanya... - How soft she is!!!......