LITMIR.BIZ

      Throughout the night shift, Chris thought about the conclusion made by the Wise One. Exactly at nine in the morning, when another shift took over at the AI control panels, he, as usual, went into the cafe on the ground floor of the building. Chris loved to spend time there, reflect on what was happening on the Continent, and then go on vacation. That morning, he was also sitting by the window, drinking coffee and thinking about life, when suddenly his attention was drawn to a book that looked out of the bag of a girl passing by – “The Age of Blockchain, or Belshazzar’s Feast,” which Mr. Graves was working on. Running out of the cafe, Chris caught up with the girl.

      – I’m sorry! Tell me, how did you get this book?

      When the girl turned around, her face seemed familiar to Chris. After thinking a little, he remembered that he had seen her several times in the ministry cafeteria, as well as on the day when he visited the professor’s apartment.

      “Excuse me, were you the one coming down the stairs when I was talking to Mr. Graves’s housekeeper?”

      “Yes, you’re right,” the girl smiled, and Chris realized that she was very pretty. Medium height, slender, with shoulder-length dark hair. Particularly beautiful were her brown, sparkling eyes and the dimples on her cheeks that appeared from her especially radiant smile.

      “Chris Taffer,” the young man introduced himself.

      “My name is Lucia,” said the girl.

      “I happened to see Professor Graves’s book in your place and wanted to know how you got it.”

      – Are you talking about this book? – The girl took a bound edition out of her bag. Carefully holding it in her hands, she shared: “This book is not sold in stores.” The owner of one shop, a good friend of mine, gave it to me to read for a while. Why did she interest you so much?

      – I am a historian in my first specialty; I completed my studies at the university in the department of the author of this very book. Where did you study?

      – Far from these places. I came here several years ago to work at the Ministry of Information.

      – Please tell me the address of this bookstore! I need to find out from the dealer how the book, banned after Mr. Graves’ arrest, came into his possession. Perhaps he can tell about the health and whereabouts of the professor.

      Seeing his sincerity and concern for the fate of Mr. Graves, the girl looked at Chris more carefully:

      – Do you know that many bookstores operate underground, and not everyone can get into them? Since it’s so important, I can take you there after work today.

      “Wonderful,” Chris agreed. “I’m free this evening.”

      – Then let’s go at 20:00 on Marx Avenue, near the fountain.

      – OK see you later!

      “See you later,” the girl said and, returning the book to her wicker bag, continued on her way.

      After getting some sleep after the night shift, Chris went to the specified address. The girl was gone for a long time. At 20:30 he was about to return to his place, but saw a familiar silhouette in the distance.

      “Sorry for being late, I had to stay late,” said Lucia, approaching him. Her hair was slightly disheveled, a slight blush appeared on her cheeks, and the freckles that strewn her pale skin became even brighter.

      “I was about to leave, deciding that your plans had changed, but suddenly you appeared at the last moment, one might say, out of nowhere,” Chris looked at Lucia with interest. Still, I wonder who she is. Perhaps an agent provocateur, like the girl who came to the cafe and tried to find out information about some list. But I didn’t want to believe it. His new friend seemed surprisingly sincere and fragile, as if she was not from this world.

      Looking at her watch, the girl said:

      – While it’s not too late, we can look into the bookstore. It is located in Luz.

      Hearing the name of the thirteenth region of the Continent, Chris thought about refusing, but the desire to find out at least something about the fate of Mr. Graves gave him determination. At this time the girl continued:

      “We’ll go there in my flying machine, it’s parked two blocks from here.”

      Is he invited to Luz? Yes, it looks like a new check. Well, there’s nothing to be afraid of. It is impossible to blame him for anything. It’s worth taking a walk and seeing what Lucia wants from him.

      – With pleasure. “I just didn’t know how to spend this evening,” Chris smiled.