The Aviator

perhaps a scandalous scene had come to mind, an outrageous and grueling one. It is unclear where it played out. The shame is that the interaction began well (one might even say good-naturedly) and then one word led to another and everyone quarreled. The main thing is that we were the ones who were surprised later: what was that for, why

Miracles, that’s in Russia,’ said Meier, his gaze growing sad. ‘There you live by the laws of the miracle, but we attempt to live in conformity with reality. It’s unclear, however, which is better.’

He requested that Geiger and I describe – no more, no less – Zaretsky’s death. I started objecting, saying

our I will become common to all of us

That happens: you’ve been running into a person for half your life in the very same place, perhaps in the entryway or at the bookstore, and his face is familiar right down to the finest wrinkle, but his name is unknown. There are constant companions like that in life.

If it’s no trouble, Geiger, describe weapons stopped at the station in Siverskaya. They’re being transported on open, flat-bed cars. Autumn 1914. Fog changing to mist.’
Autumn 1914. Fog changing to mist.

As I understand it, he’s painting some sort of big, important canvas. At the same time, he’s recruiting helpers to sketch the background. They’ll draw the secondary figures along his contours ...
‘I’m not refusing to help,’ I said, ‘but I’m a poor helper. Writing isn’t my calling.’
‘To the contrary, Geiger, I value you because you’re succinct and write simply.’
‘And me,’ Nastya said, ‘what do you value me for?’

Innokenty decided to write for his daughter. To describe his life.
He also appealed to Nastya and me with an unusual request: help him write.
‘How?’ I asked. ‘How can someone be helped in describing his own life?’

And the phrase, ‘Go intrepidly!’ Actually, it’s not written there, but of course not everything under the sun is written.

turns out,’ Nastya said, ‘that it’s better to be in utopia and be happy than to be free but sorrowful.’