Winds of Change. Alan Greatluck

in the special world of a gym. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice:

      – Mike, do you pump bars again? – sounded behind his back. Having turned to consider speaking, he saw some acquaintance. This young man had low height and a thickset constitution. Years that he spent in the gym made his figure extremely brawny. The wide back dispersed on the sides by heavy block and formed the triangle topped with the round deltoid muscles that were called shoulders. The strong trapeze went beyond his outline, adding a menacing look to the silhouette of the sportsman. Hale hands were as two heavy columns, transmewing his figure in the semblance of an ethnic Greek athlete. At last, the portrait of the young bodybuilder was crowned by the rough features, which fit representation of the gloomy man. Nose had round shape that slightly reminded potato, but it had not a disfiguring appearance. Eyebrows with wide line met at the upper part of the nose, rarely darkening and drawing the forehead that was rugged cross by one wrinkle testifying about frequent mimicry of its owner. Lips hang at the edge of a nose with two small pillows, having the dried-up film from physical intensity on them. Wide cheekbones added invisible courage to the contour of eyes, turning a general view of his face into a portrait of some antique gladiator.

      Facing athlete in front of him, Mike smiled and reaped his strong hand, gladly answering:

      – What’s up Alex! Yeah, you right but as you know: no pain – no gain. But how are you? Is there physical progress or not?

      – Everything is usually, thanks’. Unfortunately, I can't add my working weight, but anyway, I will try to change it, – Alexander started to talk, smoothly replacing a topic of conversation:

      – How do you think, will the association be signed tonight?

      The sounded question slightly surprised Mike, as he had never talked about politics with him, preferring topics about food and extension of muscles.

      – It is unlikely that Yanukovych will cut his own throat. The signing of association means to approach the accession to the European Union, and it is not necessary for him at all. Russian Federation won’t leave him such choice as to connect to west civilization. In addition, new laws and new rules reducing corruption instead of already well-debugged schemes – is it has purport for him?

      – I don't know, but you see, there was a little rally on the Maidan when his government declared a suspension of the process of association. Perhaps, he will be afraid of the beginning of revolt in Kiev. After all, it could make him go for concessions. At last, how much money is it possible to steal; after all, he has everything, what he only wishes. Really, is it not enough?

      – Prosperity? I think, he does not understand the value of this word. Surplus, that what directs him. It is hard to stop yourself in this damned whirlpool of a sin, having got under the influence of owns defects that kindled by the presence of excessive money. For us, people who have never had such great money, „enough“ is clear but for those who have billions – it is incomprehensible things. Money is the sense of their life and they got into a deathtrap when began to be stealing such big amounts.

      – So your expectations are skeptical. In addition, what will you tell if people take the streets? – Alexander continued his interrogation without being appeased.

      – It is unlikely someone will turn out from it. And you know our people have a low interest in political life. Even if streets will be occupied by a revolt, not everyone comes to them. Orange revolution stays fresh memory in the heads of people. Disappointment has done its deal. They scary to be beguiled, – Mike said, taking a view of the gym. Instinctively he believed in his correctness and didn't think about the current situation. Only somewhere deep in his soul the shabby piece of coal of the hope smoldered with the light of his dreams.