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The Suitcase / Чемодан. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Сергей Довлатов
The Suitcase / Чемодан. Книга для чтения на английском языке

© Antonina W. Bouis, 2013

© Издательство КАРО, 2020

But even like this, my Russia,
You are most precious to me…

Alexander Blok^[1]

Foreword

So this bitch at OVIR^[2] says to me, “Everyone who leaves is allowed three suitcases. That’s the quota. Aspecial regulation of the ministry.”

No point in arguing. But of course I argued. “Only three suitcases? What am I supposed to do with all my things?”

“Like what?”

“Like my collection of race cars.”

“Sell them,” the clerk said, without lifting her head.

Then, knitting her brows^[3] slightly, she added, “If you’re dissatisfied with something, write a complaint.”

“I’m satisfied,” I said.

After prison, everything satisfied me.

“Well, then, don’t make trouble…”

A week later I was packing. As it turned out, I needed just a single suitcase.