"STOLEN IMMORTALITY"

- I'm already here. Hello, Alexander Ivanovich.

- Hello, Alfred. I see you've been decorated quite nicely.

"What am I saying! Nikita's just lying there. The new prisoner broke his ribs!" the guard muttered again, unlocking the bars.

"I see. I see you're completely useless! You, Alfred, are small! And Nikita is too fat! How could you possibly handle a strong young man? The only people you can handle are women!" Alexander said sharply, pushing aside the open grate and heading down the dark corridor. Vladimir and Alfred hurried after him.

After walking about twenty steps, Alexander stopped and asked:

-Which cell did you assign the new boy to?

“The seventh one on the right,” Vladimir answered.

"It's not far from here. I'll show you now, Alexander Ivanovich," Alfred said helpfully, running ahead of his boss to the right camera. "Here it is. This is the camera."

Alexander and Vladimir approached.

“Should I open the cell, Alexander Ivanovich?” asked the guard. “Or should you first look at the young man from the next observation room?”

“Let me think about it,” said Alexander. “Is the young man in handcuffs?”

"Yes. We got him handcuffed. Barely. And tied him to the bed. Also barely. The guy's very strong. He must be into sports. It was hard to handle him," Alfred stammered. To which Alexander retorted:

-Who's stopping you from playing sports? Go ahead and do it! I don't need weakling security guards!

"Got it, Alexander Ivanovich. Got it all. We'll do some sports," the guard said obediently and asked again. "So, what have you decided? Should we open the cell?"

-Yes. Open up! - Alexander ordered. - Vladimir will come with me! And you, Alfred, stay outside!

“Okay.” The guard opened the lock and let the men into the cell, slamming the door behind them.

Alexander and Vladimir involuntarily closed their eyes. The powerful spotlight installed in the cell was glaring. It was difficult to adjust, especially after the dark corridor.

Alexander, shielding his eyes with his hand, began to examine the cell. A young man sat on an iron bed in the left corner. His hands were handcuffed, and he was tied to the bed with a thick rope.

The guy looked hostilely at the two men who entered and asked:

-Who are you? What do you want from me?

"You'll find out everything, dear young man. Take your time! I'll ask the questions first," Alexander said calmly, sitting down on a chair standing near the iron bed. "So, let's begin! What's your name?"

-Eric Barskin.

-How old are you?

-Twenty.

-Who are your parents?

-My father is Philip Emmanuilovich Barskin, an oil magnate.

-And mother?

-My mother died two years ago. From exhaustion.

“From exhaustion?” Alexander asked in surprise.

- Yes. She was a top model and tried to maintain her figure. And at forty, that's hard. So her efforts ended in death.

-I see. So, you live with your father?

- No. I live alone. My father simply sponsors me.

- Do you have a girlfriend?

-Yes. And not just one.

-Will someone be looking for you?

-Yes. My father will be looking for me. And when he finds me, you'll be in trouble!

-Why are you sure that he will find you?

- Because my father is a billionaire. And money can do anything!

-Well, that's a good explanation. Now tell me, are you healthy?

-That's a strange question. Why do you need to know that?

-Please answer the question. And then I'll explain everything to you.

-Okay. I'm healthy.

-Are your internal organs bothering you?

-No.

-Do your liver, kidneys, stomach or heart hurt?

- No. I told you I'm healthy.

-Have you ever abused alcohol?

-No.

-Have you taken drugs?

-No.

The guards told me they barely managed to handle you. You're very strong. Do you exercise?

-Yes. I am.

-Have you been playing at the casino for a long time?

- A year and a half. My friend contributed to my addiction to gambling.

Leonid Durov. If he had been with me last night, you wouldn't have been able to kidnap me. After all, my friend always carries a gun.

-Why wasn't your friend with you last night?

-The girl he's in love with is to blame for this.

-I see. Now tell me, where does your father live?

-Do you need his address?

-Yes.

-Are you going to demand ransom for me? That's why you kidnapped me, right?

- No. Not for that.

-Then why did you kidnap me?

-Will you tell me your father's address?

-No. Not until you tell me why you kidnapped me!

There was a timid knock. Then Alfred opened the cell door and said:

-Excuse me, Alexander Ivanovich! The banker has arrived. What should I do?

"Take the banker to the observation room. Let him look at the young man from there and decide if he likes him," Alexander ordered Alfred.

After this, the guard nodded and closed the door.

"What does this mean?" the guy shouted. "Who am I supposed to like? What are you planning to do with me?"

"Calm down, Eric! No need to be nervous. Everything will be fine," Alexander said firmly.

- Good for whom? For you? Who is this banker? And why should he like me?

- I told you that I would explain everything to you.

- So explain! I want to know immediately why you kidnapped me?

"For now, I can only tell you why we kidnapped you. Because you're young and beautiful. You have a beautiful, muscular body and refined features.

- Ah! I'm starting to guess! You kidnapped me to sell me to a homosexual banker.

- No, my dear young man. No. Your guess is wrong.

-So what's the matter then? Why do you need me?

"I repeat, you will find out everything in due time. And now we are leaving. Let's go, Vladimir!" Alexander stood up from his chair and headed for the cell door. Vladimir -

behind him.

- Wait! Untie me from the bed! And take off my handcuffs! - the guy screamed. - I feel really bad! My arms and legs are really numb!

Alexander stopped, turned to the young man and said cynically:

"You'll have to be patient, Eric! We have to leave you like this. You're very dangerous! One of them beat up two guards! And one of them even had his ribs broken! So don't ask! We won't untie you from the bed or take off your handcuffs!"

"Scoundrels! What right do you have to keep me here? Who are you? Scoundrels! Bastards! My daddy will find you and finish you off!" the young man screamed furiously.

But Alexander and Vladimir ignored his cries. They calmly left the cell and went to the adjacent observation room. Zinovy Izotovich Pokhotin, a banker, was already there. He was a hunchbacked, deformed old man with enormous warts on his face and bowed legs. His entire being evoked disgust in those around him. Therefore, people tried to avoid him. The banker's partners, meanwhile, tried to ignore his repulsive appearance, and when concluding contracts and deals, they looked away rather than directly at him.

Zinovy Izotovich himself was sensitive to his deformity. After all, he always wanted to please women.

Women weren't just a distraction for him. They were the meaning of his life. The banker spent all his money on beautiful women, buying them for an hour, a week, a month... And only after fully enjoying one beauty would he abandon her and move on to another. How many women were there in his life? Dozens? Hundreds? Only he knew. They say he even kept count.

Having lived to the age of sixty-five in his deformed body, the banker wanted to continue his life in the body of a handsome young man. And he was willing to pay a considerable price for it. So, when Alexander's agent contacted him, he eagerly jumped at the chance to inhabit the young man's body. A contract was signed with the banker, for which he paid a million dollars. After describing the young man into whose body he wanted to inhabit, Zinovy Izotovich waited for Alexander's men to find such a man. However, the banker proved unusually impatient and called Vladimir Zverev, whom Alexander had tasked with leading the operation to kidnap a suitable young man, almost daily. The old man urged Vladimir to hurry, reminding him that he had long ago paid the contract. So, when Vladimir and his men kidnapped Eric Barskin, he didn't fail to inform the banker. And so the old man arrived at the laboratory.

Alexander extended his hand to Zinovy Izotovich and said:

-Greetings, dear banker.

- Hello. Hello, Alexander Ivanovich, - the old man said hastily. - I have already looked at the young man.

-So, how do you like it? Did you like it?

"I really liked him. Young. Handsome. His body suits me. Perform the operation to transfer my soul into his body immediately!"

"Don't rush, Zinovy Izotovich! It's good that you like the young man. But first, we need to conduct a comprehensive examination of his internal organs. So you won't have any complaints about us later. After all, you're planning on living in this guy's body for years to come. Which means it needs to be absolutely healthy."

"Yes, yes," the banker spoke again. "But I have no doubt that the young man is healthy. Look at him! He's bursting with health! And I'm burning with desire to get his body! And I don't want to wait any longer! I beg you, Alexander Ivanovich, perform the operation today!"

"Today?" Alexander asked, surprised. "That's impossible, Zinovy Izotovich! We need time to prepare you and the young man for the operation. Three days, at least."

“I can’t wait, Alexander Ivanovich!” the old man chattered. “You must understand my situation! Right now I’m in love with a beauty, and I just can’t persuade her to be mine. Do you understand me? Nothing helps: not money, not diamonds, not gold! She doesn’t even want to look at me in my ugly body! She says she’d rather love a poor but handsome man! Than a rich but ugly man! Do you understand? As soon as I find myself in the body of this young man, the beauty will no longer be able to resist, and I will possess her! You must help me! And immediately perform the operation to transfer my soul into the body of this young man!”

“But...” Alexander tried to object again.

The banker interrupted him:

- I'll pay you another half a million for the urgency. Do you agree?

Alexander hesitated for a moment, and then said decisively:

-If you want me to perform the operation today, pay me not half a million, but a million!

The banker smiled slyly, winked at Alexander and said:

-Okay. You'll get a million. Now I'll call my partner, and he'll transfer the money to your account within ten minutes. He took out his mobile phone, dialed the number and said into the receiver. - Viktor Sergeevich! Hello! This is

Zinovy Izotovich Pokhotin. Please transfer another million dollars from my account to the account of Alexander Ivanovich Zavidov... Yes, of course. I will confirm my signature," he asked, turning to Alexander. "Do you have a computer? I need to confirm my signature."

“Yes,” Alexander answered. “In my office.”

"Well, that's great! Let's go there!" Zinovy Izotovich chuckled contentedly and said into the receiver. "Viktor Sergeyevich! I'll confirm my signature in a few minutes. Process the transfer." Then he hung up and turned to Alexander again. "Well, what are you standing there for? Let's go to your office!"

"Okay. Let's go," Alexander said, leading the way out of the observation room. Vladimir and Zinovy Izotovich followed him. Alfred, who was in the hallway, ran up to the chief.

-Alexander Ivanovich! Are you leaving? What should I do now?

"Call the guys, Alfred! Take the boy and take him to the operating room! Warn everyone: we'll begin the operation in a few minutes!" Alexander ordered sternly.

Taken aback by his boss’s words, Alfred muttered:

-What operation? We weren't prepared! Who will assist you?

"Vladimir. He'll do just fine without any training. And the orderlies will be Krivoy, Palach, Venik, and Pyanov. Tell them to go to the operating room and wait for me there."

“But Alexander Ivanovich...” Alfred tried to object.

"No buts, Alfred! Follow my orders!" Alexander said, and continued down the corridor. Vladimir and Zinovy Izotovich hurried after him. The men reached the bars. They were open. So, wasting no time, they moved on. They climbed the stairs and walked down a long, narrow corridor. When they reached the office, they stopped. Alexander said, turning to the banker:

"Zinovy Izotovich! This is my office. You'll find a computer there. Please go to the office and get on with confirming your signature. Vladimir and I will discuss the details of the upcoming operation in his office."

“Okay,” the banker agreed and entered Alexander’s office.

Alexander and Vladimir themselves, having walked another ten meters, entered another office.

"Well, Vladimir! We'll have to fulfill the old man's wish and perform the operation today," said Alexander, sitting down at the table.

"So, you've already made up your mind, Alexander Ivanovich? But what about the problems you mentioned? If this guy isn't lying, and he really is Eric Barskin, the oil magnate's son, then they'll start looking for him. And when they find him, and Zinovy Izotovich is already living in his body, a scandal will break out, and everyone will find out..."

"Nonsense!" Alexander interrupted Vladimir. "We shouldn't worry about that now that we'll get good compensation for the troubles ahead. After all, a million dollars pays for everything, doesn't it?"

"But we haven't examined the young man. Perhaps he's not healthy. And then the banker won't live in his body for very long."

"And that shouldn't concern us! The old man himself didn't want to wait while we examined the boy. He was the one rushing us! So that relieves us of all responsibility!"

-So, you've definitely decided...

-Yes, I've decided. You'll be assisting me, Vladimir.

-Okay. Where shall we begin?

"Everything will proceed as usual. First, we need to render the banker's body inviable so that his soul can leave his body."

-What do you want to use for this? Poison again?

"Yes. That's the easiest and fastest way. Next, we'll need to expel the young man's soul from his body. To do this, we'll bring the young man to clinical death and, when his soul leaves his body, transplant the banker's soul into his. Then, we'll quickly bring the young man's body back to life."

- I see. And where should we put the guy's soul? Back in the test tube?

-Yes. Into the energy tube. There's nowhere else. I don't want to let his soul go!

-And the old man's dead body? Secretly bury it in the forest again?

"Well, of course. I told you, everything's business as usual. No changes. Although..." Alexander paused. "Perhaps a few things should be changed. For example, instead of killing the old man's body, we could transplant the soul of a young man into his. That would be really funny! A young man's soul trapped in an old man's body! Funny and cynical! Isn't it? Worth a try? What do you think, Vladimir?"

- I don't know, Alexander Ivanovich. It's up to you to decide.

- Of course, me. But I'd like to know your opinion. The opinion of the most cynical and cruel man, who didn't spare his wives and children!

-Ah, Alexander Ivanovich! Please, don't remind me of the past!

"Okay, Vladimir. I've decided. We won't kill the old man's body! We'll bring the banker to clinical death, just like we did with the young man. And then we'll transplant their souls: the young man's soul into the old man's body, and the old man's soul into the young man's body. And immediately we'll bring both the young man's and the old man's bodies back to life. Do you understand?"

- Yes. I understand. But what if Zinovy Izotovich doesn't agree to us keeping his old body alive, and even transplanting the young man's soul into it?

"We don't need his consent. We won't tell him about it! The banker won't know that the soul of a young man will be living in his body."

-And if they ever meet?

"They won't meet! I don't intend to let the young man go! He will live at the laboratory. I want to observe what happens to the young man's soul, trapped in the old man's body."

-His soul will be tormented and suffer.

"We'll see. Now's not the time to discuss it. I'll go to my office and make sure the banker transfers the money into my account. And you, Vladimir, go to the operating room and get everything ready for the operation."

“Okay,” said Vladimir and headed off to carry out his boss’s order.

Alexander himself went to his office. On the way, he ran into Alfred running.

"Is that you, Alfred? Where are you running?" Alexander asked.

"Oh, Alexander Ivanovich! I'm completely exhausted!" the guard began to complain. "I can't find Grisha Pyanov anywhere. It's as if he's disappeared into thin air! He's nowhere to be found!"

-And did you look for it in the room where the alcohol is stored?

-No.

- So go there and look. He's probably secretly drinking alcohol there.

-You think?

-Yes.

-Okay. I'll look there. - Alfred headed in the opposite direction.

-Wait, Alfred! - Alexander called out to him. - Have you found all the other guys yet?

-Yes. They're gathered in the operating room. They're waiting for you.

-Did you take the young man to the operating room?

-Delivered.

"Excellent! I'll be there soon. Find Grisha Pyanov and wait for me there," Alexander ordered and headed toward his office.

And Alfred headed in the opposite direction.

Alexander approached the office and listened. It was quiet outside. He opened the door and saw the banker sitting at the computer.

"Zinovy Izotovich! Have you confirmed your signature?" Alexander asked.

“Yes. Confirmed,” the banker replied. “Moreover, the money has already been transferred to your account. You can see for yourself. Take a look!”

Alexander walked up to the computer and looked at the screen.

"Let me check it myself. In my own way," he said to the banker.

-Please check.- Zinovy Izotovich stood up and stepped aside.

Alexander sat down at the computer and began checking his account. Having completed this operation, he turned to the banker and said:

-That's right. You really did transfer the money to my account.

"I never deceive anyone, Alexander Ivanovich," the banker said, somewhat offended. "Now you must fulfill our agreement and carry out the operation today."

"Of course, Zinovy Izotovich. I always keep my word, too. Please, let's go to the operating room."

-Let's go.

The operating room was on the second floor of the laboratory. So, having reached the stairs, Alexander and the banker began to climb up to the second floor.

"Oh, I'm so out of breath! It's so hard to climb up!" said Zinovy Izotovich, stopping and holding onto the handrail of the stairs.

Alexander approached the banker, took his hand and began to feel his pulse:

"You have arrhythmia, Zinovy Izotovich. Perhaps you're afraid of the upcoming surgery?"

"No... No. I'm not afraid. Not at all," the banker replied, as if reassuring himself, and continued up the stairs. Alexander followed him.

Having climbed up to the second floor, the old man asked:

-Where to go next?

"This way. Follow me!" Alexander walked quickly down the corridor. The banker could barely keep up with him.

When the men entered the operating room, the Executioner, Krivoy, Venik, Alfred, Pyanov and Vladimir were already there, as well as a bound and gagged young man.

Alexander asked his people, pointing at the young man:

-Why did you put a gag in his mouth?

Vladimir answered. He said:

- Ah, Alexander Ivanovich! This guy was shouting and swearing so much that we couldn't stand it anymore!

"Understood. Place the young man on the operating table and administer anesthesia!" Alexander ordered.

"Okay," Vladimir nodded and turned to the workers. "Did you hear? Take the guy and carry him to the operating table."

The executioner, Krivoy, Venik, and Alfred lifted the young man and carried him to the operating table. Pyanov, barely able to stand, looked on indifferently.

"So, Grisha? Are you drunk yet?" Alexander asked him.

"Absolutely not, Alexander Ivanovich. I'm sober," P'yanov replied, looking his boss in the eye without shame.

- You're lying, Grishka! You're lying! I know you're stealing alcohol and drinking it secretly. Watch out, I'll get you! I'll throw you out to hell! You'll go back to prison!

- Ah, Alexander Ivanovich! Why are you doing this? I don't want to go back to prison! I work for you! And now I'll carry out your orders! What should I do? Tell me!

-Go and get some sleep! I don't need a drunkard here!

"I'm not drunk, Alexander Ivanovich! Not at all! I want to work, not sleep!"

"Vladimir! Get this freak out of here! Hurry!" Alexander ordered, pointing at the uncooperative worker.

Vladimir grabbed Grishka Pyanov by the collar and whispered in his ear:

-Grisha! If you don't leave now, it will be worse for you! Go to your room and get some sleep! Don't disturb us!

P'yanov hesitated for a few minutes, then nodded and left the operating room.

Alexander turned to the banker:

- Zinovy Izotovich! Please, come to the operating table and lie down on it.

The pale old man, his hands shaking with fear, babbled:

-Are you going to give me...give me anesthesia?

-Yes.

"Isn't it dangerous? Maybe I'll die, and you...you won't have time to perform the operation to transfer my soul into the body of a young man?"

"Don't worry, Zinovy Izotovich! Everything will be fine!" Alexander said firmly. "Lie down on the operating table."

The banker barely made it to the operating table. His legs began to stumble with fear. The executioner and Crooked Man helped him climb onto the table and lie down.

“Give the banker anesthesia!” Alexander ordered.

Venik and Alfred carried out the order and silently awaited further instructions.

Vladimir turned to the boss:

Alexander Ivanovich! The young man and the old man have fallen asleep. Both are under anesthesia. We await your further instructions.

- Well then, guys! Let's begin! - said Alexander and sighed deeply. - And may God help us! Or the Devil! It doesn't matter who! As long as he helps! I'll take care of the young man.

And you, Vladimir, are an old man. The Executioner and the Crooked One are helping me. And you, Vladimir, are Broom and Alfred. Get the instruments ready, boys! We're bringing both the young man and the old man to a state of clinical death. And watch out! You're responsible for the people you operate on with your own heads! If you overdo it and they die, then you won't live either!

Having heard the chief's stern order, everyone diligently set to work. The tense minutes of the operation began to flow.

After some time, Vladimir informed his boss:

- That's it, Alexander Ivanovich! The old man is in a state of clinical death.

"Excellent! The young man, too. Now don't miss this moment, boys! We need to capture the souls of the old man and the young man. Take the energy rod and place it on the part of the head where the soul exits the body. Come on, quickly! There's no time to waste here!"

Alexander's order was carried out. The Executioner and Krivoy placed an energy rod on the youth's head, while Alfred and Venik placed one on the old man's.

Vladimir turned to the boss:

-That's it, Alexander Ivanovich. We're ready to capture the soul of the old man and the soul of the young man.

"Good. Now turn on the equipment, guys! And you, Vladimir, watch the monitor. As soon as the equipment shows that the souls are trapped and in energetic confines, we'll begin the soul transfer: we'll transplant the old man's soul into the young man's body, and the young man's soul into the old man's body.

Tensed minutes passed again. Vladimir stared fixedly at the monitor. After a while, he cried out:

- Yes! The old man's soul has left his body and is trapped in an energy trap!

“And the soul of the young man?” asked Alexander.

"Not yet. His soul hasn't left his body," Vladimir replied, staring intently at the monitor.

“Well, we’ll wait,” said Alexander and sat down on a chair.

A tense silence reigned. Vladimir stared fixedly at the monitor again. Everyone else stood frozen in stupor. The minutes ticked by. But the young man's soul remained in his body. Alexander began to grow nervous: