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    A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man
    A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man
    A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man
    Ebook119 pages1 hour

    A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man

    By Alexey Subbotin

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    About this ebook

    «A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man» is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Sort of. The quest is to guess the YM's family name...

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAlexey Subbotin
    Release dateJun 28, 2012
    ISBN9781476156316
    A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man
    Author

    Alexey Subbotin

    Alexey Subbotin was born on March 7th, 1975 in Nyandoma - a small district centre in the Arkhangelsk region of Russia. Both his parents worked for the local railroad. In 1992, Alexey graduated from middle school and began to study management at the St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance; he later gained a Masters Degree in Management from the university, and went on to graduate from the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Bernburg (Germany) with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. In 2002, Alexey began to study for an MBA at the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. Upon graduation he accepted a position within the Strategy & Planning team at Barclays Capital in London. In 2006, Alexey moved to Moscow where he became Head of Investor Relations at 'Golden Telecom' (NASDAQ: 'GLDN'). After the company was acquired by 'VimpelCom' (NYSE: 'VIP'), Alexey became a member of the management board of the consolidated company, where he was in charge of the Investor Relations department. Among Alexey's interests are literature and history. He also enjoys playing billiards and enjoys a number of water sports, including fishing. Finally, he has been a fan of Guinness for many years! Alexey presently works on his own projects, one of which you find thanks to Smashwords.

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      Book preview

      A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man - Alexey Subbotin

      A Few Hours In The Life Of A Young Man

      By Alexey Subbotin

      Copyright 2011 Alexey Subbotin

      Smashwords Edition

      ###

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      ###

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1 – 07:30

      Chapter 2 – 08:45

      Chapter 3 – 09:45

      Chapter 4 – 11:00

      Chapter 5 – 13:00

      Chapter 6 – 15:30

      Chapter 7 – 17:15

      Chapter 8 – 18:00

      Chapter 9 – 19:00

      Chapter 10 – 22:00

      Chapter 11 – 23:59

      Chapter 1 - 07:30

      The iPhone’s alarm clock rang as usual at half past seven, disturbing the snug peace of the bedroom. YM blindly searched for the source of the noise and finally stifled it.

      He did not want to get up. His head was heavy; his breathing still smooth and deep. YM hated mornings. Like the typical night owl he considered himself, he usually went to bed well after midnight, and so it was the previous night: he stayed online long after supper and fell asleep listening to a TV narrator describe polar wildlife.

      A warm shower always improved his mood… YM liked the smell of the shampoo, the noise of pouring water and the gentle, tingling massage, stimulating the blood flow in his head. The shower's soft streams completely washed away any residue of sleep. Yesterday, YM had decided to stay at his parents' home for the night. After a rift with another of his girlfriends, he had done so quite often. His empty flat felt frustrating.

      Family members were gathered in the large dining room: his mother, his younger sister and Claudia, the housekeeper. His father had left on one of his numerous business trips, while his older sister was away, studying at a prestigious foreign university.

      Good morning, YM greeted everyone.

      Hi! his sister replied, smiling brightly.

      Young, fairly good-looking and apparently in love again, his sister was obviously in a good mood. Their father would definitely ask a few questions about her brightly painted lips and shining eyes, but he was not there.

      The morning news on the radio intruded with a catchy tune. The situation in Russia seemed to be quiet compared to what was going on elsewhere. The radio was almost always on in the morning as the family only occasionally watched TV. The father was frequently in the news, but he himself never really liked to see it. On screen, he looked completely different: somehow unnatural, almost two-dimensional.

      YM’s sister reflectively stirred her coffee in a fancy little white cup. She did not touch the plate of homemade cottage cheese patties standing in front of her.

      Are you here for the weekend or planning to go somewhere? YM asked.

      Here, I guess, she replied mysteriously. I need to talk with Dad.

      YM gave her a quizzical look. Nothing could happen in that house without Father's approval, and he, his mother and his elder sister had always implicitly obeyed the head of the family. But his younger sister was different. Sometimes a rebellious spark would appear in her eyes. YM often looked intently in the mirror at his own reflection, searching for something of it in himself.

      In the meantime, his mother gracefully put a pleasantly smelling plate of fried eggs in front of him.

      Bon appétit, my dear!

      Thanks Mum. Why aren't you eating anything yourself?

      Well, I’ve already had some tea. You just carry on with your own breakfast, because I had better go and prepare for my meeting…

      What meeting? his sister asked.

      Well… the charity event. I’m leaving for St. Petersburg today. I'll be back tomorrow. YM noticed a little sadness in her eyes. She pecked him on the cheek and quickly left the room.

      He and his sister exchanged looks. He sighed, and shrugged.

      What are your plans? His sister kept looking at him.

      Well, as usual, I'll stop by the Institute. A well-known American scientist is coming. Later on, I’m going out to dinner with Slava. He called and said he wanted to discuss something serious this time.

      His sister didn’t even try to hide her disappointment. I see, she replied. Doesn’t sound like fun.

      Would you like some pancakes? Claudia asked him, tilting her head slightly.

      No thanks. I’m full.

      Impeccably dressed and prim-looking in her mid-forties, Claudia was as usual a picture of polite anticipation. Nevertheless, something in her expression and in her tone disturbed YM. She had lived with the family for many years. YM knew well how effectively she could control her emotions, and couldn’t recall a single moment when Claudia’s behaviour had caused disapproval in the family. That was probably why he found her difficult to like - this relentless perfection, and the fact that she never joked or laughed. She could smile (and it was a pleasant smile) but he always preferred to keep his hidden.

      Dad is coming back on Friday? his sister asked YM assertively.

      Yep, he smiled. If nothing happens, of course.

      YM’s birthday was on Saturday, and the family had agreed to put on a big party. His mother quietly hoped that the eldest sister would return home for a short break.

      He looked at his younger sister attentively. Her face betrayed no emotion, appearing completely absorbed in her thoughts.

      What are your plans for today? he asked her.

      I don’t know yet, she replied thoughtfully. I suppose I need to prepare for my entrance exams. And I promised Lisa to come and see her new gallery.

      How is she doing?

      Sister looked him straight in the eyes. She’s okay. Lives her own life the way she likes it...

      YM shyly looked away as if something in her words struck him.

      She lives her own life. To him this short phrase was rich with meaning. Freedom. The ability to freely manage one’s own time and means. Such would be the impression of somebody restricted in those ways. But a level deeper, it meant the necessity to make choices every time a decision is taken, knowing that the results will seldom conform to expectations...

      YM moved aside his empty cup, stood up and smiled at his sister.

      Say hello to Lisa for me.

      And you – to Slava. She returned his smile.

      Thanks for breakfast, YM said to Claudia.

      She gazed at him without emotion. My pleasure.

      YM returned to his room, and, after a short hesitation, chose a bright red tie to complete his outfit. He picked up his briefcase and laptop and dialled his driver’s number.

      Good morning. Downstairs in five minutes, okay?

      He carefully looked around his room, patted his pockets for his phone and wallet, and left.

      Chapter 2 - 08:45

      YM entered the car and greeted his driver. Ivan was much more cheerful and sociable than Claudia. YM had his own theories about Ivan’s background, his possible links to the secret services, but this didn’t really bother him. Ivan was an excellent driver and a good companion. He kept up to date with the news both in Russia and abroad, and held his own (sometimes rather strong) opinions about the majority of issues.

      A typical morning traffic jam reduced the speed to a snail’s pace. In the back of the car YM promptly flicked through the news online, and then checked his mail. Nothing really interesting...

      Ivan, can you turn on the radio, please?

      On air was an interview with a relatively well-known celebrity.

      The country is on the eve of another crisis, the interviewee declared passionately. The lack of reforms has led to stagnation! Corruption and lawlessness are stifling business, and the ruling party bureaucrats control all the main cash flows in the country. Capital flight is accelerating.

      What needs to be done in this situation? the host asked.

      "The system must be changed! Until those ‘siloviki’¹ who have neither fear nor conscience cease control over the country, no change is possible."

      What about President Medvedev and his statements on modernization?

      "Modernization will remain an empty word as

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