our contract.

I had no sooner made my last mark when the editor said: 'Say, there's a gala at Widow L——'s manor the weekend next. I've gone to the liberty of securing you an invitation. What better way to celebrate our partnership?'

'My compulsion to rub elbows is over,' I said.

' _Tsk_...what a shame. I'm told Ivan Medvelov will be attending.'

'Ah, you want to commence introduction.'

'If you'd be so kind.'

'Well, I'd rather speak to him in less public confines.'

'Yes, yes, I know you've become an eremite, but-'

I silenced him with an impatient hand wave and said, 'No, I've learned to appreciate peace and quiet. Inebriated flatterers are a noisy bore.'

'Truer words have not been uttered, comrade.'

'S—— in my mouth,' I laughed. 'What did I tell you not more than ain my mouth! You flatter with your refined responses!'

'I'm nothing but truthful, comrade.'

Medvelov grunted and offered his bottle, and tho I felt a twinge in my drinking hand, I shook my head. 'An abstainer,' he declared. 'More for me, then.'

I explained: 'I used to indulge, but intemperance led me to a sordid place.'

'The point, is it not?'

'Perhaps, but I approached the brink of madness. Woe to me if I return. Now, I'm clear-headed and desire to remain so.'

'Lucidity crafted your story? I would never have guessed!'

'Lucidity born from chaos. In fact, I started writing to sooth my mind.'

'I write because I'm bored. Bored and sullen. I used to act, comrade. Troupe theater. Town-to-town. It's how we met, Lavenia and I. Thereafter, I took the pen. But it's not