|
|
Post by tpc on Jul 7, 2021 2:42:05 GMT
Thursday, January 11, 2007 - afternoon[Mayor Tarlan Elkhanov - Mahmoud Gadzhiyev Street, Makhachkala Campus District]Tarlan crossed out another item in his notebook. He had eaten in a little deli and had liked the meal, and so had finished another part of his preparation for his long-term stay in Makhachkala - find places to eat. The deli had been a few blocks away from his townhouse in Downtown Makhachkala, by the museums and opera houses he planned to frequent. He moved on to the next item - language courses. Tarlan spoke Russian, but only formal Russian that he learned when consulting Yeltsin, without the fluency of those born into the language. Certainly, not fluent enough to give decent political speeches (He had spoken Lezgin and Azerbaijani in Derbent - most in that city spoke the two languages). Prof. Kutuzov was a Dagestan University Linguist and language tutor, and Tarlan would visit him two times a week to sharpen his Russian. Knocking at the door, Tarlan waited until a well-muscled man dressed in a tan suit opened the door. His mannerisms made Tarlan think he was a bodyguard, and he soon knew who it was for after hanging his coat and entering the waiting room. "Mayor Katz? I didn't expect to meet y'all here."
Tarlan had his problems with Katz's book, but language wasn't one of them. Then again, Tarlan remembered that Katz wasn't the most fluent speaker in the debates he participated in. Tarlan thought Katz usually won more because of the studies and analysis he could summon, not rhetoric. It seemed the Mayor of Makhachkala had the same problem as the Mayor of Derbent."Are y'all here to meet Professor Kutuzov?"
tag Victor Katz (Victor)
|
|
|
|
Post by Victor Katz on Jul 7, 2021 6:27:50 GMT
Victor had just finished his press conference. The fact that the leader of the Progressive Party might be interested in the Prime Minister's seat, despite Mr. Karimov's obvious wish for the same position, had gathered the interests of all the politics reporters in Dagestan. He was too tired to notice the sound from his stomach; He hadn't eaten all day.
He had a strong urge to skip his Russian lesson with Professor Kutuzov today. He was too tired for anything. But he skipped his both of his lessons last week due to his visit to Berlin, so he had to go today. Despite his fame in debates, he wasn't remotely the best Russian speaker in Dagestan. He grew up speaking Russian, but that does not matter when someone lives in Germany for about three decades. He was still more comfortable speaking German, which was a big minus factor throughout his entire political career. Luckily, he had made a good friend whilst working in Dagestan State University - Professor Kutuzov. He was an excellent linguist, even compared to the ones in Humboldt. Moreover, he was one of the finest Russian tutors in Dagestan.
Victor calmly waited in the waiting room. Professor Kutuzov was a busy man, just like himself. There were 3 people who took the course with Victor, but Victor heard that there would be one more student today. Wondering who he might be, he heard a knock and walked to the door.
Mayor Tarlan! He was surprised for sure. Tarlan and he were acquaintances; They both governed large cities, and were leaders of the anti-Volkov movement. But most importantly, they were both bad Russian speakers.
"Yes, Mayor Elkhanov. It's good to see you here! Is it your first time with Herr Kutuzov?"
Tag tpc (Tarlan)
|
|
|
|
Post by tpc on Jul 7, 2021 15:05:31 GMT
[Mayor Tarlan Elkhanov - Kutuzov House, Mahmoud Gadzhiyev Street, Makhachkala Campus District]"Good to see you too, Mayor Katz. I'm glad I'm not alone in this predicament."
Tarlan extended his hand to Victor's, intending to shake the Mayor of Makhachkala's hand. He wasn't glad to meet most people in most places, but he was genuinely glad to meet someone he knew here. He could practice Russian with Victor, reviewing notes and readings Kutuzov assigned. Tarlan took a seat next to Victor and his bodyguards. "So, Victor, do you happen to know how Prof. Kutuzov teaches?"
Tarlan did not have time to learn about the particulars of Kutuzov's Russian lessons. Once he had secured a Russian tutor, Tarlan went on with other matters; he had to prepare for his abrupt move to Makhachkala.
tag Victor Katz (Victor)
|
|
|
|
Post by Victor Katz on Jul 8, 2021 1:28:20 GMT
Victor noticed Tarlan's relieved smile. Tarlan was probably relieved to see someone he knew. The Tarlan he knew was a big introvert, and would probably find it hard to make new friends in the Russian class. Victor smiled, looking at Tarlan, did a quick handshake, and showed him his copy of <The Belkin Tales>.
"You'll be getting a reading assignment every week. This week, it was <The Belkin Tales> by Aleksandr Pushkin. You're to read it, and there will be a debate about the book during the class."Victor then added, "Oh, and of course, the class includes a 30-minute grammar tutorship. That's never fun."
Right before Victor finished his last sentence, Kutuzov's postgraduate opened the door to Kutuzov's office. Kutuzov finished whatever work he had, and it was time for Victor's - and Tarlan's first - Russian lecture.
Tag tpc
|
|
|
|
Post by tpc on Jul 8, 2021 3:42:14 GMT
[Mayor Tarlan Elkhanov - Kutuzov House, Mahmoud Gadzhiyev Street, Makhachkala Campus District]Tarlan went inside Kutuzov's office. He sat silent in Kutuzov's office, waiting for the linguist to start his lecture. Tarlan hadn't been in this position since his PhD in Chicago, which was one and half decade ago. Kutuzov was silent himself, too. He was afraid of a misstep potentially angering Tarlan, a potential customer and a powerful man besides. Victor went in and introduced Tarlan and Kutuzov to each other, much to the relief of both men. With pleasantries concluded, Kutuzov's Russian lecture began. Victor and Tarlan both struggled during the grammar section, but the difference between the two pupils were much more lopsided during the book discussions. Victor was much more comfortable in class, talking freely with slightly more trained Russian. Tarlan wasn't silent; he had offered several observations in between Victor's analysis, but he was always nervous of being wrong. Victor had an edge here too. He was well-read, and while Tarlan's observations were abstract ideas, Victor could link it to specific passages of the book. Victor sometimes talked about other books that dealt with the same idea too, and he created through comparisons between those works and the book being discussed. Kutuzov also seemed to have less questions and rebuttals to Victor's explanations compared to Tarlan. Victor and Kutuzov were much more used to discussing books with each other. They were used to each other's explanations, and were able to understand them faster. The lesson ended with Kutuzov assigning a book to Tarlan and Victor. They said their goodbyes and left Kutuzov's office. While Victor grabbed his coat, Tarlan lightly tapped his shoulder. "Mayor Katz, would you be willing to visit my house on Sundays? It's on Pushkin Street, next to the Green Park Downtown. We make fish stews on Sundays, if you're interested."
tag Victor Katz (Victor)
|
|
|
|
Post by Victor Katz on Jul 12, 2021 9:25:09 GMT
Victor enjoyed today's class, mostly thanks to Kutuzov and Tarlan. They agreed on some subjects regarding the book, while they disagreed on others. But, in the end, they ended up with a conclusion that was good enough for Victor. He glanced into Tarlan's eyes. Tarlan seemed to think the same. Then, he heard something surprising; The introvert Tarlan inviting him to his house for dinner! Truth be told, Victor was more of a meat person. However, when the man who invited him for fish stew was both one of the most prominent figures in Dagestani politics and the man who he wanted to befriend, he had to accept. Victor made a big smile, and replied, "Sounds delightful! I shall come with Natasha, if you don't mind."
Tag tpc. Reeeally sorry for being late  |
|
|
|
Post by tpc on Jul 13, 2021 9:54:45 GMT
Thursday, January 11, 2007 - evening[Mayor Tarlan Elkhanov - Mahmoud Gadzhiyev Street, Makhachkala Campus District]"Great! See you on Sunday, Mayor Katz."
With that, Tarlan put on his coat and shook Katz's hand. Everything seemed all set for an interesting Sunday. He checked his notebook to make sure there were no other plans for that day, mentally adding dinner with Katz to his list of errands. Of course, it wasn't the only errand Tarlan would have to do because of the arrangement.
"Victor, do you know where to get good fish?"
tag Victor Katz (Victor) [End of thread for me]
|
|
|
|
Post by Victor Katz on Jul 16, 2021 4:11:29 GMT
"I recommend the Mebel'nyy Market, mayor Elkhanov." Victor replied. Victor was looking forward for the dinner.
"I'll be looking forward for our dinner."
[EOT]
|
|
