The Club - Episode 4

Phantasmagoria in several episodes. Men have become so feeble these days - nobody has the guts to put a woman in her place and simply "sweep her off her feet" with confidence, intelligence, steadfastness, and plain manliness, - Monta thought and asked: - Where shall we go? - but immediately caught herself on the thought: - Decisiveness.

The evenings have grown even darker and even colder. When Monta arrived at the hotel, Egils was already there, while the others were still running late. Having said hello, Monta continued confidently on her way to the club room, whose door was already open. A moment later, from behind the wall she heard the chattering voices of Ilva, Amanda, and the new girl (Ita, if she recalled the name correctly). Well, as always - had she dawdled in the lobby she could have got to know her club companions better in a, so to speak, informal setting, but no - Monta mused, and her thoughts were already lingering on the same situation they had discussed at the previous session. She saw herself sitting on the rails along which a train had just departed to various interesting corners of the world, while Monta remained here in the cold and noisy city.

Nothing suggested another train might arrive soon. Where should she even go? Monta had always needed, if not a travelling companion, then at least a clear destination - where and why she was heading. This kind of uncertainty that reigned here in the club both irritated and drew her in, because in real life Monta would never allow herself to be indecisive. She had everything she had so purposefully worked towards: an understanding husband, a good job at a prestigious magazine, loyal friends and formidable enemies, a circle of useful acquaintances and envious admirers. And so much, so much left to do. Here, for instance - she had to submit an article about this strange little club, yet she still hadn't grasped the essential thing: what was actually happening here, and what was the point of it all?

Monta shook her head, as if trying to shake off unnecessary thoughts and concentrate on one thing - the branching railway tracks, the silence, the cold wind, and not a soul around, everyone had left. Although no - behind her she heard footsteps; someone was coming along the stony embankment. It turned out Egils had not gone off to Asia at the back of beyond, but had stayed behind along with Monta. What an idea - together?! He must also have missed his train while cracking jokes about Monta's fussing with her travel bags.

Monta felt inwardly pleased that yet another of her beloved "decisiveness" had appeared on the horizon. Interesting - what lay beneath the surface with him? She showed not the slightest interest in the newcomer and continued to gaze at the horizon, as if that were at this moment the most important thing in her life. Monta imagined herself as a femme fatale, with a pensive gaze wandering into the distance, tinged with a trace of inner tragedy. But that probably didn't look quite that way from the outside, because Egils, smiling broadly, inquired: - So then, didn't work out again? - No, that really is too much! The actress in Monta collapsed and she snapped back irritably: - What didn't work out? And what are you doing here at all? - I thought I'd invite you for a walk around the city, - Egils, tilting his head slightly, watched Monta's reaction. - As if I haven't seen the city?! - slipped out of Monta, even though more than anything she wanted to get up from the cold and not particularly comfortable rail and head to some small, cosy café - the kind that only exist in Paris - order a Cafe Late, and over a long drag draw pensive conclusions about the difference between a woman's and a man's worldview.

Sharp, self-sufficient, and without any notable complexes, eh? - Egils asked, and a certain disappointment crept into his voice. Yet another "sterva" - but he didn't leave. That is at least something, - Monta thought: - he didn't run off at the first approach. Men have become so feeble these days - nobody has the guts to put a woman in her place and simply "sweep her off her feet" with his confidence, intelligence, steadfastness, and plain manliness. - Been sitting here long, thinking? An Anna Karenina fan, are you? Waiting for your fateful... train. - That last thing Egils said intrigued and amused Monta - oh, the lad actually knows something from Leo Tolstoy. - Where shall we go? - Monta asked, and immediately caught herself on the thought: - Decisiveness.

And then something happened that Monta had not expected - Egils took her firmly by the hand and began leading her across the tracks towards the city. Whatever her acting abilities, Monta could not conceal her genuine surprise. Egils glanced back and laughed: - Don't worry, I won't bite!

To be continued...