This mini-novel talks about the lengths to which one has to go in order to maintain power. The main character, the president of a state corporation, against his will, became a participant in a complex combination, the not entirely legal means of implementing which were justified by a lofty goal - the continuation of the previous course towards building a civilized state with all its advantages and disadvantages. As events unfold, not the best character traits of people holding high positions in the state hierarchy are revealed.