“... – Break! - announced the chairman. - Let's go to the buffet, comrades. We did a great job and deserved a bun with kefir.” “Sorry,” Solomatin intervened. – I am the director of the children's choir. What should I tell the children? The chairman winced with displeasure, and one of the jury members joked and laughed at his own joke: “Tell them to study well!” “Are you a member of the humor jury?” asked Solomatin. “We will communicate our decision,” the chairman said sadly, “in due course!” “But these are children!” - Solomatin repeated. – They don’t understand the established procedures! – Don’t make a fuss! “The chairman moved towards the exit, but Solomatin blocked his way. “Besides “thank you,” comrades, you didn’t have a single human word for the children1 And why do you chew when they sing?” “I don’t have the right to speak out in advance,” the chairman sighed. . - This is a competition. But please tell them that they will definitely go to the festival! – Thank you very much! – Efrem Nikolaevich answered in confusion. The chairman moved towards the exit, adding sadly: “But I don’t chew anything.” It’s after the flu that I have inflammation of the facial nerve and a tic! And Solomatin felt his own cheek twitch, and out of embarrassment he covered it with his hand. ..."