In the near future, Orthodox traditionalists will come to power in Russia.”—Jew? — a shaven-headed young man in a black leather jacket asked me. “No, what are you talking about?” Russian, Orthodox. Here’s a cross,” and I pulled out an iron cross decorated with green enamel by the chain from under my shirt. “Don’t poke me in the face with a cross,” the elderly stocky owner of the bass remarked weightily. - Maybe you've crossed out. So we have them too...” From the author: The story was first published in the anthology “Our Fiction” by the publishing house “Tsentrpoligraf” in 2001. Thank you very much to Kurt Ellis ( for the cover.