Autumn Endgame - episode 7

Scene. An opulent dacha in the Russian countryside near Moscow. There is much leather in evidence. Characters dressed in casual gear openly toting firearms move to and fro. Fluent and excited Russian is spoken by rough male voices. Three prisoners are seated on chairs in the middle of a room. Lights are shining in their faces. Elena is in the middle, with Dmitri on her right and John on her left.

J:"What are they saying, Elena?"

E:"They're going to question us, I think. It's all the fault of that scene you made in the restaurant last night, I think."

J:"But I was drunk, wasn't I? And I left early."

E:"In vino veritas, in Latin."

J:"I bet there's a Russian version."

E:"There is: Вся правда в вине" [Vsya pravda v vine.]&hibar;

®LA1&hibar;J:"They brought me in here after you. What's happened?"

E:"They've put Dmitri through the hoop. Your blurting out about Red Mercury last night is what it's all about."

J:"But I don't know anything about Red Mercury."

E:"You should have kept your mouth shut. Dmitri works at the Kurchatov Institute. They think he's blabbed to you."

J:"But this is absurd. All I know about Red Mercury is that it can't exist."

E:"But that's the great mafia secret. And you've stumbled on it. And that's why we're in this fix."

J:"My God. Are we in danger?"

E:"I'll say we are. They're discussing our fate now."

J:"Openly?"

E:"Yes. That's what I don't like. They don't care if we know."

J:"But if it's my fault, where do you come in? And Dmitri?"

E:"They suspect us all. Dmitri got involved because as a scientist he made up the cover story that made the possibility of Red Mercury convincing. He did the mathematics of the equations to show that sufficient compression could build up in a small space to start the detonation of the nuclear material."

J:"My God - again. Sorry. So he's part of the plot? I can't believe Dmitri would do that."

E:"I think they tricked him into doing it. He thought it was a joke. He of all people knew that Red Mercury was impossible."

J:"But what's all the fuss about? If it was a joke with Dmitri it must be a joke now."

E:"Afraid not. These types are genuine. So are those guns."

J:"What's going to happen?"

E:"I'm trying to fathom that out."

J:"Tell them I was out of order last night. That I didn't know what I was doing or talking about."

E:"It's too late for that. Let's keep calm."

J:"Can't Dmitri explain?"

E:"Dmitri's in it up to his neck as deep as we are."

J:"But I still don't understand what all the fuss is about."

E:"Fuss? Fuss? We're going to be shot. That's what the 'fuss' is about."

J:"And it's my fault?"

E:"Looks like it. Not that you idiot English would understand even if I could explain."

J:"They searched us. Took away our papers. What were they looking for, do you think?"

E:"Whatever it was, they didn't find much. They picked me up from the TV studio, just like they did you. As I'm Dmitri's sister they think I'm involved."

J:"And are you?"

E:"What are you talking about? I'm 'involved' as you call it as much as you are."

J:"And they're going to shoot us? They wouldn't dare."

E:"As far as they are concerned we know too much."

J:"But we don't know anything!"

E:"They don't know that. From their point of view they've got to cover their tracks and stop us talking. Ah, they won't shoot us, that's true. They're cooking up another plan."

J:"I can't wait."

E:"As far as I can tell they're planning to dump our bodies during some riot or violent demonstration. The police will use CS gas and we'll look like innocent victims."

J:"But... they can't."

E:"Yes they can. They've got their own CS canisters. Don't do anything rash. We may have time. They've got to plan the riot."

J:"We may have time for what?"

E:"How should I know? Shut up. I'm listening."

J:"And thinking, I hope."

E:"Play innocent. Talk chess with Dmitri. Across me. If I learn anything useful I can whisper in both your ears."

J:"What about Dmitri's?"

E:"Idiot. One of your ears and one of Dmitri's, of course."

J:"Dmitri, old chap, why did you let me play the same variation of the Steinitz Deferred?"

D:"Because I'd prepared it, of course. I missed your temporary knight sacrifice."

J:"But you'd try it again?"

D:"There's no way your line can be sound. Of course I'll try it again."

J:"If we get the chance.... Elena, anything yet?"

E:"Yes. They've got a barn, or outhouse, nearby. It's a solid brick building. Built a few weeks ago as a sort of extension, from money they've laundered. They're going to place us in the barn, with an armed guard outside. Then, about the time of the demonstration in Moscow they'll chuck some CS gas canisters in, that'll do for us. That's about it."

J:"They'll have to make it look as if we're there by accident."

E:"So?"

J:"Ask them to let me have my pocket chess set back. I'll have to be found with it. And Dmitri wants to play the same variation against me once again."

E:"You're crazy."

J:"Wasn't I crazy already?"

E:"OK. OK. Yes, they're giving us back all our bits and pieces. The things you English carry about with you!!"

J:"Nice of them, I must say."

E:"But they've thought of everything. They're going to search our bodies when we're dead to make sure we haven't left any incriminating evidence."

J:"Just so long as you didn't put that into their heads."

All three are carted off to the windowless outhouse and locked in, with armed guards patrolling outside.

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Next episode next Sunday.

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