The train started and lulling rhythm of the sound of wheels filled the whole internal space. Within five minutes the passengers, as soon calmed down after affecting moment of departure, pulling home pants, robes and slippers, quickly went to “watering” – a carriage samovar generously was pouring down excellent boiling water, despite thirty degrees below zero (centigrade) overboard.

In an economy class compartment a man, Alexander, who was about 45 years old, located in front of me. His deep sighs, sad eyes and the familiar Russian spirit drew me a picture of yesterday’s bull session with guys before going home. Colleagues didn’t make wait for them for a long time. First Nikolay came, who was about 2 metres in height and 120 kilos in weight. Unhurried conversation ensued,  the result of which, according to Nikolay’s opinion, was supposed to be expressed in a clear  filled glass of tea. But as Alexander specifically did not want to rush anywhere, breathing evenly, skillfully parried requests of Nikolay, has hinted at a strict, relatively young and cute guide and explained that it should not hurt her with this impudence (immediately sat down, poured, drank) – she can call policemen, and they’ll rummage through all the staff, what Alexander did not want to … Slightly vexed Nikolay went to his carriage to register a ticket at the conductor compartment.

In eight minutes, when it was time to start, Anatoly came. Unlike the other two guys, he was much older, all gray, but also cheerful and good-natured, and of course, “the soul asked”. Instantly appeared Nikolay, and now there were four of them- Alexander, Nikolay, Anatoly and a grilled chicken of Alexander started to satisfy this very Russian soul. I could also join, but spotted “a sportsman”, and for a time the attention of Nikolay switched over to the process: he was watching how far from the compartment was the conductor, immediately appreciating her feminine qualities (good), grab a glass of poured on one quarter drink, delivered a short speech, took a sip and a bite, pinching a piece of chicken. And so around the circle – Nikolay, Anatoly and Alexander.

In this fascinating process, I learned a little about the life of the builders, about a few of their friends- colleagues, still alive and already dead, about the children waiting for their fathers, about plastic windows of Alexander, which were replaced under warranty. Nikolay joked more than others. To me he addresses to You. Somewhere after the third round Nikolay began to tell jokes. It was funny, because he seemed to tell jokes like no adults surrounded him (some were even gray), but some girls or even (softer) a kindergarten , because in those places where the strong language was supposed, he used something like medical terms. Here is one of the jokes:

One day the Lion, King of all animals, summoned all his animals in a heap and said to them, ‘I am a King, and I want each of you bring me a gift in the form of meat. I want meat! Who will not bring me some meat, I’ll beat publicly with my penis! It’s THE LAW.’ Beasts rushed to hunt, look for some meat and drag it to the Lion. Poor Hare could not get some meat – he thought and thought, but nothing came up, and not to come empty, he brought the Lion apples . The Lion said to the Hare, ‘The Law is the Law, no meat – you’ll be beaten.’ He took his penis and started to beat the Hare. But the Hare didn’t weep, but laughed, and the stronger the Lion battered it- the stronger the Hare laughed. The Lion was surprised and asked, ‘What are you, Hare, laughing at?’ The Hare replied smiling, ‘So the Hedgehog to you mushrooms bears. The law is the law, Lion! ))’

When, after the next round, the content of the bottle finished and from the chicken only bones remained, all men went to their places and fell asleep quietly until the morning …