“Waking up early that day, around eight, I was surprised to note that my head was absolutely clear and bright, and my body was free from the manifestations of what is called hangover syndrome. The day before, my old friend Fima Lipovsky and I sat up until three o'clock in the morning, indulging in a typical Russian activity - drinking alcohol. To put it more crudely and down to earth, we were just drinking. Having put Fima in a taxi, I hardly trudged home and plopped down on the bed. Already falling asleep, I thought with horror that in the morning I would be completely broken..."