TartariaE03
TartariaE03 is the third chapter of the narrative of the sci-fi utopia Tartaria
In this chapter, Rugim Pechor talks with Nata Kiskin by phone, gets very sad, walks alone under under the full moon, gets caught by Gella Ivanov and tries to discuss her poor English with her parents.
Then, Ruvim discusses questions of pedofobia with students and problems of education with his boss.
Ruvum believes in Quantum Mechanics; there all the process are, in principle, reversible; it is sufficient to suppress the interaction with continuum of quasi-energetic states, but in the real experiments, in is difficult to realize the conditions required.
Performing this research, Ruvim mainly sits on the same place doing his job, and does not pay attention to the achievements of his colleges. Ruvim did not know, that long ago they had been created the cranverry tree. Ruvim tries to collect cranberry at the radioactive swamp and gets trupped, but Vasili Pupkin and Barbara Smit save him.
Navigation on First Book:
«TartariaE00», Preface
«TartariaE01», From USA to Tartaria
«TartariaE02», If tomorrow corrupt
«TartariaE03», Nata Kiskin and Cranberry
«TartariaE04», Again Nata
«TartariaE05», Clever Times and departure
«Ruvim Pechor», Trajectory of personage
«Constitution of Tartaria», Main Law
«Tartaria Guide for Newcomers»,
«Trulag»,
Nata Kiskin
For several years, Nata was Ruvim Pechor’s wife.
Nata had a penchant for spending money. Her appetite for luxury grew as fast as Ruvim’s income did. In fact, it often seemed as if her desires outpaced his ability to provide. She could burn through an entire month’s salary in just a few days, and then ask for loans from friends, relatives, anyone who might give.
She frequently asked Ruvim for money—for new clothes, boots, stamps, figurines, and other trinkets that collected dust and cluttered their space.
Every time Ruvim pointed out that their apartment was nearly filled with her collection, Nata had an answer:
-"Значит, надо заработать денег и купить квартиру подходящего размера!"
("Then you need to earn more and buy a bigger apartment!")
Ruvim, eventually realizing that this was simply part of who Nata was, left her. It was around the same time that he faced issues with his work — his refusal to endorse a new product, and his publication of a critical paper questioning the statistical validity of its testing results. Tensions escalated, and soon, the marriage fell apart.
Nata supported herself with occasional jobs, writing poems and painting watercolors, supplemented by a modest pension from the Springfield government. From time to time, she would call Ruvim, her conversations long and one-sided. She would explain how wonderful she was, how terrible he was, and how tragic it was that they couldn't be together.
Months passed, and after a series of failed attempts to reach him, Nata finally tracked down his coordinates in Galia through colleagues. One night, she called him.
– Алло, Рувик? Почему ты не сказал мне, что ты уезжаешь? Знаешь, как я волновалась за тебя?
– Здравствуй, Ната. Не знаю.
– У нас уже снег. Очень красиво.. Я тебе послала фотку.. Почему ты мне не позвонил?
– А что толку тебе звонить, ты всё равно не слушаешь то, что я говорю.
– Неправда, я всегда тебя слушаю. Но ты мне не звонишь. Как я могу тебя слушать, если ты не звонишь? Тебе наплевать на то, что я потратила на тебя мои лучшие годы. Ты меня никогда не любил. Ты даже не купил мне шубу, когда я просила.
– Но у меня тогда не было денег.
– Не надо повторять твои глупые отговорки! Ты бы мог взять в займы! Мне не дают взаймы, потому что ты не удосужился заработать, чтобы заплатить наши старые долги! А тебе бы дали! Ты меня подло бросил!.. И на работе тоже. Ты выступил против начальства, а зачем, спрашивается? Ты выпендриваешься, вместо того, чтобы сдержать семью и платить долги! Из-за тебя наша дочь не смогла выйти замуж. У неё за всю жизнь не было ни одного автомобиля! Ты отказался купить ей квартиру; ей некуда было привести жениха! Из-за тебя мы в нищете, и мне пришлось делать аборт! Даже коллеги ко мне лучше относятся, чем ты! Козёл паршивый!.. Ты что, ничего не хочешь мне сказать?
– Ты ошибаешься.
– Что? Это я-то ошибаюсь? Да ты ещё пешком под стол ходил, когда я уже работала! Я два часа каждый день ездила в подземке, чтобы попасть на работу, и ещё столько же обратно! Каждый день! Кто мне это скомпенсирует?
– Никто.
– Да, я всегда знала, что тебе на нас на всех наплевать. Ты подлая скотина.
– Ната, до свиданья.
– Ты хам! Ты не знаешь, что приличные люди ждут, пока разговор закончит тот, кто звонил! Ты паршивая свинья!..
Ruvim hung up and tried to sleep.
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, but sleep wouldn't come. He got up, took a shower, and tried again. Ten minutes passed. He rose again. The loneliness gnawed at him.
He checked his email, deleting a pile of spam—including another long message from Nata. He dropped it into the trash and crawled back into bed, but sleep still eluded him. Another ten minutes passed.
Ruvim got up once more. He ate a sandwich, opened a can of beer, drunk it, and washed his teeth. Still, sleep wouldn’t come.
Finally, he put on his winter coat, wrapped a scarf around his neck, wrapped his biper above the scarf and went for a walk. The night was clear and cold, windless, but the moon was full and bright.
He wandered aimlessly, time slipping away unnoticed, until, unexpectedly, he felt someone hug him from behind.
Ruvim turned, and there was Miss Ivanov.
– Извините, профессор Рувим... Можно я погуляю с Вами? – Gella asked.
– Да, но... – Ruvim hesitated, unsure of what to say.
– Вот и отлично! – Gella sang. – Ай ам зитх ю, профи!
– Do your parents know that you're here? – Ruvim switched to English.
– Яп! Оф соз! До ю вонт то толк зис май дад? – Gella asked, switching her biper.
– Хай, дад! Сай анисинг то профессор! – She passed the biper to Ruvim.
– Good moon, professor Ruvim. I am Matvei Ivanov, father of Gella. Excuse us if she is too noisy.
– Hello, Mister Ivanov. No, Gella is fine. I have questions for you...
– Yes, of course, professor. Welcome to our home! – Matvei said.
– О, отлично! Пошли, пошли! – Gella cried.
– But it’s night... – Ruvim said, puzzled.
– No problems, professor. Welcome now. We are very close. See you! – Matvei said.
Gella grabbed Ruvim’s hand and pulled him along the trail.
Ivanov's
Ivanov's home was indeed very close. It was a bright construction of glass, plastic and solar panels.
- Раздевайтесь, вешайтесь! - Gella's voice rang like a jingle–bell.
- Welcome, professor, – the couple in white bathrobes said almost synchronously.
– Hello, missis Ivanov. Hello, mister Ivanov, – Matvei said.
– Take a seat, professor Pechor. My name is Tika Ivanov. I am Gella's mother, – Tika said, – how about some tea?
– Tea should be fine, - Ruvim said.
– Now I listen your questions, - Matvei said.
– My question is about language. The English of Gella is horrible. I tried not to mention this, because it is not my area, but the teacher of English seems to fail with Gella.
- We use Russian at home, – said Tika. – Do you speak Russian?
- Yes, I do. Didn't you know?
– Мам, я ж тебе сразу дунула, что Рувим ботает на фене! - Gella said.
– Дочка, как тебе не стыдно! Где ты набралась таких слов? - Tika got furious.
– Мам, прости. Но он действительно говорит не совсем по нашему.. я подумала, что..
- Гелла, ты использовала термины, смысла которых ты не понимаешь.
- Извините, - Ruvim interviened, - вероятно, Гелла имелa в виду, что я знаю несколько слов из воровского слэнга. Я действительно знаю несколько таких слов, но я уже много лет ими не пользуюсь. Я знаю, что здесь государственный язык - английский. На кампусе мы говорим только по английски.
- Подтверждаю, - Gella agreed, - Мамочка, прости меня, пожалуйста! Я больше не буду!
- Tika, – Ruvim said, – May I explain to the child sense of the words she used?
– Yes, go ahead! – again, Mikhael and Tika said simultaneously.
– Gella, - Ruvim said, – these words, "ботать на фене", used together, mean belonging to the criminal clan. Up to my knowledge, this is not a case of any of us. So, your statement happen to be just wrong.
– Ай ам вери сорри, профессор! – Gella sobbed, - Я больше не буду! Не обижайтесь, пожалуйста! - She hugged Ruvim and hanged on him.
- Я не обижаюсь, - Ruvim said, and engrossed the crying baby. He wanted to transfer this creature to Tika, but Tika was occupied, serving tea. Matvei was sitting, indifferently, as if the case did not touch him. Gella hanged at Ruvim as a coala, and Ruvim did not know, what to do with her, and brought Gella to the wide mattress that occupied almost half of the hall.
– Профессор, вы такой хороший, - Gella said, – можно я Вас поцелую?
- А что скажет мама? - Ruvim asked.
- Мама скажет, что можно! - Replied Tika.
– Не бойтесь профессор, - Mikhael told, – Гелла делает это очень хорошо.
While, Gella kissed Ruvim into his nose, then to his lips, his neck, slightly moving down.
– Что "это"? - Ruvim asked.
- Сейчас Гелла Вам все покажет; и даже даст потрогать. - Matvei told.
– Но как же.. Она же маленькая..
- Вы в Тартарии, профессор, - Tika said. – У нас нет ограничений по возрасту. То, что с Вами делает Гелла, совершенно легально. Вам приятно?
- Да, - Ruvim moaned.
– Тогда разденьтесь, пожалуйста. - Tika said. - Я включу хитер, холодно не будет.
Tika arranged big hot fan, and Ruvim felt, as if he would be in a desert under strong sunshine and very hot, almost burning dry wind.
- Это легально? - Ruvim asked.
– Легально. Если Вы не верите мне, я разбужу Агента и он подтвердит. - Tika made some manipulation with keyboard, – тем более, он не спит. Ну да, кто ж спит в полнолуние!
Face of Agent Smit appeared in the screen. He was in a big spa with a big black women, who embraced him for his neck.
– Hello, world, – Agent told, – I see, you also do not sleep!
– Agent, will you confirm that it is legal, that professor Ruvim Pechor and student Gella Ivanov are doing now? – Tika asked.
– I confirm, professor, – Agent told, – do not worry. While you do it at Galia, you are ok. No age restriction.. By the way, here is Barbara.
– Nice to see you, - Barbara said.
– Hello, Barbara - Tika and Matvei told together.
– Hello, Barbara – Ruvim repeated.
– Hope, you have fun, – Tika added.
– Oh, ya! – Barbara moaned, – But I see, you also do serious things. So, I should not disturb you; we may watch you in silence.
– Yes, yes, – Agent added, – keep doing; we are just spectators!
– Вам нравится, про? - Gella asked.
- Ещё б ему не нравилось! - Tika smiled, - Глядя на вас, мне и самой захотелось! Мистер Ривим, а можно я вас тоже поцелую, пока у Вас губы свободны?
- Тика, не задавай глупых вопросов. Иногда слова только мешают. - Matvei said.
– Мам, сними с меня рубашку. И штанишки, а то у меня руки заняты.
- Сейчас, детка. Только не торопись, пожалуйста. Помнишь, как мы с папой тебя учили?
- Пом-ню.. А как же чай?
- Чай потом придется греть снова.
- Пап, а ты мне спинку погладишь?
- Поглажу.
- И не только спинку!
- Всё погладим.
- Мам, я хочу его внутрь. Можно, я на него сяду?
- Доча, только осторожно.. Рувим, вы я вижу, сильно тосковали.. Не надо отвечать, я и так вижу. Не бойтесь, Гелла будет осторожно..
- Мам, он во мне!
- Да, только осторожно.. Милый, поцелуй меня тоже.. да.. Да..
- Рувим, вам хорошо?
- Мам, он совсем глубоко!
- Доча, пожалуйста, осторожо.. Как только почувствуешь боль, сразу слезай. Пап, ты ведь не дашь дочке остыть?
- Не дам, не беспокойтесь. Тик, ты, как только Гелла спрыгнет, замести её, а?
- Не беспокойся, милый..
- Мам, мне уже больно.
- Ну так и вставай. Поиграла и дай другим..
- А так можно?..
- Не беспокойтесь, Рувим, со мной по-всякому можно. Да, Да! Наполните меня всю! Дочка подвинься поближе, я тебя тоже поцелую.. Ещё, Рувим, ещё.. Да, так, так.. Боже ж, какой у нас замечательный Рувимчик.. Доча, тебе хорошо?
- Да, мам.. Па очень хорошо делает.. я вот уже почти.. сейчас.. Вот.. Уже.. да.. Ух, какие вы все замечательные!
- Ну, как хорошо, доча.. Мне очень хорошо.. Да! Да.. Рувим, мы вас любим!! Спасибо!.. Доча, можешь обнять Рувима и отдохните.. Матвей, ну где же ты, иди скорее сюда! Посмотри, как там всё для тебя влажно и раскрыто.. Да.. Да..
Матвей, я тебя люблю!!..
Agent and Barbara silently watched the action, happened during the conversation; then Barbara said:
– Agent, dear, I feеl, you are ready again.. Please.. yes.. well.. Professor is really good, look, how he did Gella and Tika.. Shall we invite him for us too?
– Yes, Barbara, but not now. – Agent replied, – Look, he is absolutely tired.. Be with me for a while..
– But you seem to be not tired, Agent, – Barbara said, – do me hardly!.. Yes!.. Yes..
The exclamations at both sides of the videоchat reached maximum and then slowed down, both at the mattress in Ivanov's home and in the spa of Agent Smit. En fin, all the participants felt into the deep sleep, as it is supposed to be done at night. Even if the moon is full, and there are neither wind, nor clouds at the sky.
However, the record of videochat had been saved automatically in the official archive of the Police department and also in the Galia National Library, and also in the Federal Library of Tartaira. On the reading open access area - there is no other mode in the Tartarian libraries.
Students and Topics
The next day, Ruvim had to answer numerous questions, particularly regarding the sexual traditions of past centuries in Europe and America. Some of the students had watched a controversial videochat between Agent Smit's home and the Ivanov family's, and they were curious about Ruvim's perspective.
Formally, the questions were related to biology, and Ruvim answered with the care and precision expected of him.
Student 1: "Professor, was that your first experience with preteens?"
Ruvim paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "Yes. That kind of interaction is prohibited in most countries," he replied.
Student 2: "But why is that the case?"
He took a deep breath before continuing. "Well, historically, older politicians and societal leaders have chosen to restrict such relationships based on cultural norms that they deemed necessary for the wellbeing of society."
Student 3: "But what are the actual reasons behind these laws?"
Ruvim explained: “From a biological standpoint, many of these restrictions stemmed from concerns about hygiene, health, and the spread of disease. Throughout history, in many parts of the world, hygiene practices were primitive, and public health was not well understood. For instance, there were times when basic sanitation, such as hot water or soap, was not readily available."
He noticed some students looked confused, so he elaborated: "You see, before modern plumbing and sanitation systems, even in cities, people didn’t have the luxury of regular bathing. Even in the USSR, there were cuts to water supplies. People believed it was enough to wash only once a day, or even less frequently. The idea that washing was essential for hygiene didn’t gain widespread acceptance until relatively recently.”
A student raised her hand. “So, are you saying that hygiene is connected to the laws about underage relationships?”
“Exactly," Ruvim responded. "The introduction of sanitation and hygiene practices was a game-changer. It wasn't just about cleanliness; it also helped reduce diseases and infections, which were rampant due to poor hygiene. This led to a broader understanding of public health and the necessity of regulating certain behaviors."
Student 4: "But isn't there a mental or psychological aspect to these laws?"
Ruvim shook his head. "I haven’t seen any conclusive scientific studies that link these psychological factors to the prohibitions. Many of the studies you hear about are poorly designed and don't use rigorous statistical analysis. A lot of what passes for 'research' in this area is based on outdated or incomplete data."
As the day wore on, the questions became more routine. The students of various ages came and went, asking variations of the same questions. Ruvim began to appreciate the structure of traditional education, where the teacher could address the entire class at once, without having to repeat himself.
As the evening drew to a close, the flow of questions finally slowed, and Ruvim began preparing to leave. It had been a long day. But just as he was about to head back to his hotel, he received a call from Lesli Landov.
Lesli (on the phone): "Professor Pechor, how are you?"
"I’m doing fine, though it’s been a bit heavy today," Ruvim replied.
Lesli: "Do you have a moment?"
"Yes, of course," Ruvim answered, intrigued by the sudden invitation.
Lesli: "I’d like to invite you to a family dinner. We should talk."
Ruvim smiled, appreciating the gesture. "Thank you, that sounds lovely. I’ll be ready."
Lesli: "I’ll pick you up in a few minutes."
Dinner at Landov
Lesli Landov’s home had two distinct levels, designed in a modern, minimalist style with large white rectangular blocks. The roof sloped to maximize solar energy from the south.
Lesli had two boys, Ivan and Boris, aged 10 and 13, respectively. They greeted Ruvim and their father with a polite nod before running upstairs. Lesli’s wife, Asia, was a small woman with black eyes and hair. She had just begun cooking when they arrived. Lesli offered Ruvim a comfortable chair, and they sat down at the table. Lesli started the conversation.
Lesli: "Ruvim, I have some concerns about the teaching of biology here."
Ruvim: "Am I doing something wrong?"
Lesli: "No, you're doing well. But what you're doing is not enough."
Ruvim: "I work almost every day, almost all the time."
Lesli: "I know. That’s the problem. You’re working hard, but there are limitations."
Ruvim: "Do you plan to hire more professors?"
Lesli: "No, the budget is tight. Students are working hard too. We can't push them further. The problem is with the textbooks."
Ruvim: "But there are hundreds of textbooks online and many physical books in the library."
Lesli: "Let’s put that aside. You've been here for three months now, you’ve seen our system from the inside. What do you think of it?"
Ruvim: "It’s very different from any educational system I’ve seen before."
Lesli: "And?"
Ruvim: "It’s strange, but it’s interesting. I need to see the results of the exams to form a clearer judgment. It would be better to look at the achievements of students after graduation. May I say 'our' university?"
Lesli: "Yes, of course, 'our' university. What do you think of the students' level in biology?"
Ruvim: "They're all over the place. You have kids from kindergarten through to bachelor’s and master’s students in the same campus. For kindergarten, they’re fine, but for master’s level, they’re lacking."
Lesli: "Do you think they’re making progress?"
Ruvim: "They’re at different stages of the program. You’ve assigned me 12 groups across 12 grades. Some are doing better than others, but overall..."
Lesli: "Well? Do they do well or poorly?"
Ruvim: "Honestly... they don’t memorize scientific facts as quickly as their peers in Europe or the USA. But they are great at analyzing what they know and finding information online. They’re smart and resourceful, and they ask great questions. The basic textbook doesn’t really cater to their needs, so I end up drilling down into the original publications to find answers."
Lesli: "And?"
Ruvim: "They seem to be interested, which is the most important thing."
Lesli: "What is the goal of education? What is the goal of any university?"
Ruvim: "To produce specialists who are in demand in various scientific, technological, and industrial fields. To create new professors, to generate scientific results."
Lesli: "Can we express our achievements in a way that allows us to compare with other universities?"
Ruvim: "Yes, of course. How many of your specialists are sought after by industry? How many papers have your researchers published in high-ranking journals? How often are these papers cited worldwide? How many Nobel laureates have graduated from our university?"
Lesli: "Well, I can answer the last question. The answer is zero."
Ruvim: "Our goal should be to make that number at least one."
Lesli: "To graduate a researcher who is smart enough?"
Ruvim: "No, you don’t know who will be smart enough. You need to educate all of them."
Lesli: "Do you think our basic courses should be deeper or harder?"
Ruvim: "No. If you make them harder, you’ll lose a part of your students who won’t be able to understand the textbooks or formulate questions."
Lesli: "Do you like our basic courses?"
Ruvim: "No, from my perspective, they’re not balanced. They focus too much on specific topics while neglecting more general, fundamental ones. However, I understand that what’s considered 'fundamental' and 'specific' can be subjective."
Lesli: "Can you suggest any criteria?"
Ruvim: "Yes. Graduates from this university don’t have publications in top biology journals. We can’t start with groundbreaking discoveries. I would start with applied topics. What’s most needed in the United Farms? Agriculture. Plant and animal selection, optimizing growth and reproduction, resolving practical issues in agriculture — even if those solutions aren't directly applicable yet."
Lesli: "Could you revise the basic biology course?"
Ruvim: "For biology? Yes, but I’ll need to collaborate with other courses — mathematics, physics, language."
Lesli: "What about language?"
Ruvim: "Students are learning both English and biology."
Lesli: "English is the official language here in the United Farms."
Ruvim: "At home and on campus, many students speak Russian."
Lesli: "We can’t prohibit Russian. It’s the 'reserve language' here."
Ruvim: "I think we should have students rewrite textbooks. They could rephrase them in their own words, condensing what they understand."
Lesli: "Are you serious?"
Ruvim: "Some students are quite bright. If they can describe what they understand more concisely, or more deeply but within the same length, or make it easier to read, that would show progress. After a year, we can test it at the next grade. May I proceed with this?"
Lesli: "You may."
The conversation continued with food being served. Asia brought out lamb with potatoes, garlic, onions, and fresh tomatoes, which everyone enjoyed. When the initial hunger was satisfied, the conversation resumed.
Boris: "Dad, are you planning to change the biology course?"
Lesli: "Ruvim is in charge of that."
Boris: "Will it be much better?"
Ruvim: "I’ll try."
Boris: "So, Ivan will have an advantage because he’s younger, right?"
Ruvim: "Yes and no."
Lesli: "Well, Ruvim, let’s test our idea on my kids."
Ruvim: "Boris, do you like biology?"
Boris: "Not really."
Ruvim: "Why not?"
Boris: "It’s boring. Too many facts that don’t seem connected."
Ruvim: "I agree. Let’s fix that."
Boris: "How?"
Ruvim: "Start with the worst parts. What chapter in the basic textbook do you find the most boring?"
Boris: "I don’t know... All of them."
Asia: "Some things are equally good and equally bad," - Asia interjected, - "but some are more equal than others."
Boris: "Mom, your legs are really beautiful. Especially your right one!"
Lesli: "Son of a... Can you say that about my legs too?"
Ivan: "If mom and dad have bad legs, maybe we have the same problem," Ivan joked.
Ruvim: "Boris, may I return to the topic? What chapter in the basic textbook do you find the worst?"
Boris: "ATP and ADP. I don’t understand how that’s useful in real life or in research."
Ruvim: "Let’s make a deal. I’ll help you find the answer, and you write it up. We’ll publish the result in the *Journal of Biological Research*."
Lesli: "Good idea."
Asia: "It seems like you’re exploiting child labor!"
Lesli: "There’s no shortcut to science! If they want to learn, they need to do something non-trivial."
Ruvim: "Yes, it’ll be non-trivial."
Lesli: "Why?"
Ruvim: "Because I couldn’t find a satisfying answer to the questions about that topic."
Lesli: "What questions?"
Ruvim: "For example, the muscles—they work like a quantum converter. They transform energy from a metastable quantum state into classical motion."
Lesli: "What does 'quasi-classical' mean?"
Ruvim: "It means it can be described using Newtonian mechanics—coordinates, velocities, energy, force, and so on."
Lesli: "All motion can be described with energy, force, coordinates, right?"
Ruvim: "Sorry, Lesli, but not exactly. Quantum states don’t work the same way."
Lesli: "I have to confess... I don’t have a formal education."
Ruvim: "But you manage the department!"
Lesli: "I don’t teach the advanced courses, as you saw."
Ruvim: "So, what’s your specialty?"
Lesli: "Management. Negotiation. How to run... well, how to manage 'Lohotron'."
Ruvim: "Lohotron?"
Lesli: "It was the main trend in science, even 10 years ago. I helped put an end to it. We did it — many pseudoscientists were fired and banned from working in the field. I was supposed to leave, but my colleagues asked me to stay."
Ruvim: "So you manage the department?"
Lesli: "Yes. It's a hard and dirty job, but someone has to do it. In a sense, I'm more like a top technician than a scholar."
Ruvim: "Do you only manage the biology department, or are you in charge of other areas too?"
Lesli: "A little more than that."
The conversation continued for a while longer. As evening turned to night, Ruvim finally made his way back home.
When he sat down to write in his diary, he added one final note:
- "Любая инициатива наказуема."* (Any initiative is punishable.)
Pomoev and Gebistov
Professor Ushat Pomoev got education in Germany, then worked at United Kingdom. Masha Gebistov come from Brooklin. Both had some roots from ancient Tartaria. Both had published some bunch of papers; mainly in the applied botanics. Tatraria was not a choice for any of them.
Pomoev lost his position at UK, when he failed with the big project sponsored by the Green Peace. Pomoev was head of the group that was supposed to proof the danger of genetically-modified plants and animals. And failed. Then he published series of articles with professor Landov. They deal with the random search of useful mutations of agricultural plants; the methods of century 20: generation of mutations with ionising radiation and chemicals, then slow and boaring selection of genetically pure (and reproducible) alleles.
Pomoev wanted to get from Ruvim the fresh experimental data about stability of genetic modifications calculated by Ruvim, so, he pointed Ruvim Pechor to Lesli Landov.
Masha Gebisrov worked with Glem Gvardina. She handled the laboratory of analysis. They analysed miscarried embryos, as well as all tissues happened in the lab as results of the "errors" of Doctor Glem Gvardina. Most of work was routine systematisation of records of the genome sequences obtained from the commercial DNA analyser. Amount of he row material greatly exceeded the productivity of the analyser, so, at the big freezer, al lot of "errors" had been collected. This word was used as euphemism for all cadavers and tissues appeared as by–product of the Glem's work. However, Masha and her students called all cadavers and all their parts with term "sample"; sigh a "sample" could have mass from tens of kg to micrograms; even pieces of the frozen blood stored in the "Big fridge" were also qualified as samples.
The Masha's student, master Pepito Vovkin, was technician and handled the DNA analysers. He updated one of then for synthesis of DNA. It was classical biochemisty, nuclei of all atoms were treated as classical particles, and the art of the engineer was to put each atom to the pre-calculated position. Practically, even this had not yet been realised. When Ruvim appeared, the most of work was with with already prepared nucleobases synthesised with external commercial devises.
At very the beginning, Ruvim had explained to colleagues that his theory cannot yet be used for this synthesis. However, Ruvim tried to help as far as he could, although the consults of students occupied a lot of time.
Topic, that Ruvim had suggested to the Lesli's sons, felt out of genetics, and out of any applications expected. The question about biologic conversion of ADP to ATP using deformation energy from the external source. The wind moves the plant and the fibers in leaves. The structure should withdraw the energy of the deformation and store it in ATP - in the way, similar to photosynthesis, but using the energy of deformation instead of light. Or some worm is deformed by the flux in the river, and anti-muscles convert the energy to this movement to ATP. Ruvim believed that this is doable, due to the symmetry of the quantum mechanics at the change of sign of time. However, even if success, Ruvim had no hope to program this into the genotype of any plant, fungo or animal. Ivan and Boris brought their friends to work on the problem; even Gella Ivanov seemed to be interested. The goal looked miserable - to rewrite one section of one chapter or the Basic Textbook.
Stidents brought also other strange and crazy ideas, and they "eaten" all the Ruvim's time, all that left after the consults with Masha Gebistov, Glem Gvardina and Ushat Pomoev. Ruvim returned to his cottage only to sleep.
Cranberry tree
Ruvim enjoyed his stay in Galia. The only problem was that he was invited to his students’ homes too often — and the food was always too delicious.
After a few months, he noticed that his jeans had become uncomfortably tight. Perhaps it was not the best lifestyle: sitting, eating, and answering questions all day.
He tried to eat less, but soon developed headaches and occasional vertigo.
Ruvim discussed this with Glem Gvardina. Glem advised him to exercise more and to drink pomegranate or cranberry juice.
Ruvim disliked “senseless” exercise and preferred to combine tasks. Instead of buying berries at a shop or roadside market, he decided to collect them himself in the forest. Glem had mentioned a dense forest of cranberry trees near the campus.
The idea of a “cranberry tree” sounded suspiciously like the Russian cliché “развесистая клюква”, but Ruvim chose not to comment. He assumed it was a joke — and decided to return it later.
So he went alone.
The biper guided him along an old trail into a wet forest. In the morning, the frozen ground made walking easy.
Indeed, there were trees with sour red berries resembling cranberries. At lest, they were red and very acid. Ruvim filled one bag.
Soon he reached a nearby meadow and found “conventional” cranberries growing low to the ground. He collected those into a second bag, planning to compare them later.
Then the Biper warned: "Ionizing radiation hugh".
Ruvim tried to return along the same path, but the ground had softened under the sun. Each step sank deeper.
He turned aside. The ground felt firmer — but radiation levels increased.
He tried another direction. At first, it seemed promising. The campus was close.
Then the soil gave way.
With every step, he sank deeper. His boots and jeans became soaked. He tried to turn back — but his boots were stuck.
He looked around and felt that something is absent. The Biper. A branch had caught it earlier; it now hung behind him, clearly visible — and completely unreachable. Ruvim was trapped.
He tried to think calmly. The only viable plan was to return to the Biper. It was both navigation and rescue. But even standing still, he continued to sink. He managed a partial turn — one foot free, the other deeper. Soon he could not move at all.
Cold spread upward. Water reached his waist. Time stretched.
Then a voice:
– Милок, ты шо, ващще охуел, еб твою мать!
– Помогите... пожалуйста... – Ruvim whispered.
A thin old man as seen at the hill. He was undressing.
– И ты тоже раздевайся!
Ruvim froze.
The old man let his closed at the dry place and moved toward Rivim.
– Раздевайся нахуй, если жить хочешь!
The oldman approached. He pulled off Ruvim’s jacket, sweater, shirt, forced him out of his jeans. The boots were lost in the swamp.
Then the old man returned.
– Чё стоишь? Пошёл отсюда! Уёбывай с моего болота!
– А ботинки?.. – Ruvim managed.
– Будут тебе ботинки. Пошёл!
Ruvim obeyed. He moved forward; first, almost swimming; then walking.
Behind him, the old man searched, retrieved the boots, even the socks. Soon he caught up.
– Бегом на холм!
– А одежда?.. холодно...
– Делай, что говорят!
Again, Ruvim obeyed. The oldman picked up the Ruvim;s clothes, boots, sold, his bag. Rubin noticed that the oldman in much faster to move in the swamp. The oldman bypassed Rubim, The oldman picked up Ruvim's biper from the bush branch, continues half-swimming, and, an fin, climbed up the dry hill, to the place where the oldman dropped his clothes.
On higher ground, the old man dropped the Ruvim's staff on the grass, near his clothes. The old man noticed that Ruvim advances well; then the oldman got dressed. En fin, Ruvim could walk and approached.
– Стирка закончена. Отжим! - the oddman said.
Together they wrung out the shirt. And the jeans. Then sweeter.
– Одевайся.
Only now did Ruvim begin to understand.
Both bipers activated.
– Ruvim, Vasili, what are you doing there? – Agent Smit’s voice.
– Не ори, Гена. Всё нормально, – the old man replied. – Твой профессор нашёл яму и чуть не утонул.. Спи дальше.
– Thank you, – Ruvim said..
They ran toward the trail.
Soon a black motorcycle approached; it was Barbara Smit.
– Запери этого шлимазла! – Vasili said.
– Thank you, Vasili!
She loaded the bags.
– Ruvim pro, please sit.
They sped away. Riding in wet clothes was miserable. Fortunately, the Smits’ home was close.
Ruvim was frozen, his arms and legs did not obey him. Without sayng anything, Barbara dragged Ruvim from motorbike, pulled him inside her home, stripped him, dropped his clothes into the washmachine and pushed Ruvim into the shower.
Barbara also undressed. She scrubbed Ruvim with caustic liquid soap and the metallic brush, checked the radiation levels with her Biper. She scrubbed the penis and genitals with a slightly softer (but still hard) sponge. Barbara scrubbled Ruvim again and measured again, repeatedly until the density of ionizing radiation from Ruvim's skin approached the normal background level. Ruvum's entire skin seemed to be burning.
Barbara pushed Ruvim in a hot spa and, en fin, opened her mouth:
– Food? Drink?
– Anything.
There was salted fat, bread, cheese, red wine. Barbara joined Ruvim, then called Agent..
At night, Ruvim returned home — exhausted but alive.
The next day, Glem Gvardina diagnosed Ruvim with a mild fever.
– You must stay home. Two days.
– I feel fine.
– Should I ask Leslie to repeat the same? By the way, what for did you walk into the swamp?
- For the cranberry..
Glem explained:
- Cranberries had long been cultivated on trees to avoid radioactive swamps. After nuclear contamination, heavy isotopes accumulate in wetlands. You walked into the worst place.
- I thought it was a joke...
- It was not. You are biologist, and you did not know about the cranberry tree! How is it possible?
- Millions biologists work creating new species. Thousands new species are created yearly. Hundreds of them find applications.. Only a narrow specialist can follow that..
- So take two days off and read up on some new species, maybe you'll find some of them worth knowing about.
Barbara defended Ruvim:
- I washed and warmed him well.
Glem insisted on quarantine; partly medical, partly educational:
– Students must see the consequences.
Barbara installed a wide screen at Ruvim's home.
For two days, Ruvim taught remotely.
Then he returned to normal work.
Next chapter of this book: TartariaE04 (Again Nata)
Warning
The model described in utopia Tartaria is not supposed to be interpreted as a recommendation.
TORI are not about things that should be.
TORI are about things that are and things that may happen.
References
https://www.fadedpage.com/showbook.php?pid=20160545 Brave New World .. Huxley, Aldous Leonard Published: 1932
https://royallib.com/read/Sheckley_Robert/a_ticket_to_tranai.html#0 Robert Sheckley // A Ticket to Tranai
https://ia600203.us.archive.org/21/items/TheThree-BodyProblem2024/Arkady%20Strugatsky%20-%20Roadside%20Picnic.pdf Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Strugatskii, Arkadii Natanovich, author. Piknik na obochine. English. 2012 // Roadside picnic / Arkady and Boris Strugatsky ; translated by Olena Bormashenko. .. Happiness for everyone! Free! As much happiness as you want! Everyone gather round! Plenty for everyone! No one will be forgotten! ..
Keywords
«Collapse of RF», «Constitution of Tartaria», «Duration», «Gedankenexperiment», «Moscovia», «Taboo», «TartariaE00», «TartariaE01», «TartariaE02», «TartariaE03», «TartariaE04», «TartariaE05», «Trulag», «World War II»