A few minutes later, the door swung open, and
Mr. Bookfondoff! You?! I was surprised.
Hello! Mr. Bookfondoff said calmly. What brings you here?
I handed him a printout of my works, beginning with my masterpiece, the Unrecognized Genius, and said that I had been refused not only the Sun Prize, but also the nomination itself, as well as the admission to the Intergalactic Union.
By what right? To deal with me! That way! I exclaimed in conclusion. Have you ever read my poetry yourself?
Of course, Mr. Bookfondoff replied suddenly. I have read your book. Back when you invited me to get acquainted with your lyrics at the Central House of Writers.
Hello! Mr. Bookfondoff said calmly. What brings you here?
I handed him a printout of my works, beginning with my masterpiece, the Unrecognized Genius, and said that I had been refused not only the Sun Prize, but also the nomination itself, as well as the admission to the Intergalactic Union.
By what right? To deal with me! That way! I exclaimed in conclusion. Have you ever read my poetry yourself?
Of course, Mr. Bookfondoff replied suddenly. I have read your book. Back when you invited me to get acquainted with your lyrics at the Central House of Writers.
AND?! I was expecting admiration.
You are a common graphomaniac.
Are you out of your mind? I shouted, jumping up from the table. How dare you insult me?! My Unrecognized Genius got a billion awards from all the Writers Unions existing today!
Mr. Bookfondoff took a printout of the Unrecognized Genius to read it aloud in full.
I am Eugeny, unrecognized genius, rejected by all. Be calm! My turn is about to come! And my Sun will rise to fit! And I, in love, will shine you with it! Im sorry, but
HOW MUCH?! I yelled. How much should I pay you?
You should have realized a long time ago that I am not a businessman. Having failed with the Readers Union, I created the Writers Union to please my soul, not for a fee. You have probably read the terms of membership on the site, no money is required here, because I am interested in separating the wheat from the chaff, creating a unique association of truly talented people who are lost in the crowd of genius today. I want to help them leave their mark for the memory of those who will come after us.
Mr. Bookfondoff put the printout on the table, sighed and left the meeting room. I dont remember how I got home.
What to do? What to do then?
After all, on every corner, in all literary association, on all kinds of pages in the social networks, I had already announced my application to the Intergalactic Union of Writers and the poems submitted to the Sun Prize contest! Fans terrorized me, when was I going to show off the next already intergalactic order or medal? And for sure, all the pen colleagues, who had learned about the appearance of the Intergalactic, had immediately sent their own applications! What if they had been accepted?
No, no, no! My whole life was put on the line! And what would Maya say?! My intergalactic failure meant her ultimate victory! How many years had I spend climbing? How much effort? And money, after all! To let everything go down the drain a step away from Eternity, just because of the materialized Mr. Bookfondoff out of nowhere?
Who is he to decide the fate of my Unrecognized Genius? ! Who, if not me, is worthy of
the memory of those who will come after us?..
I had to urgently take advantage of my official position. At that time, I headed the Writers Union of the Asphalt Pavement Pavers and the private security company No Problems!. Already on Friday, I made a post on social networks about the sudden disappearance of Mr. Bookfondoff, and a week later I was happy to head the Intergalactic Union of Writers. It is still open to everyone. For a fee, of course. And yes, sorry, I almost forgot: every member of the Union must learn my Unrecognized Genius by heart! However, as you have already seen, its easy enough, because brevity is the sister of talent!
Welcome!
20218. Stillborn
I will do it instead of her! Tanya said, stopping me with a gesture. She turned twelve years old that day.
***
We got acquainted in the bakery across from our office, where Nastya baked amazing buns. That evening, as usual, she knocked on the door and came into my office.
Hello! I said automatically, continuing to leaf through the mail, and Nastya silently stood at the table with the hope that I would honor her with a look after all.
She was unusually beautiful that day. Something seemed to have changed in her.
Whats happened, dear?
Nastya smiled enigmatically, nodded and, coming closer to me, sat down on the edge of the table. I frantically ran through the options in my head. A new dress? No. Had she changed hairstyle? Makeup? What was the difference?
Dont torture me, Im tired, give me a hint!
Nastya took my hand and ran it over her tummy.
We love you!
I was breathless with joy. Finally!
***
Tanya was always a joy to us, she grew up before our eyes, being a beautiful, cheerful and smart, albeit wayward girl. She drew wonderful pictures, played music and figure skating, studied foreign languages. We loved her, spoiling in every possible way. She, my long-awaited child, knew no refusal in anything.