«Here you say: «here», «there.» Where is this «here» and where is it «there»?

The enthusiasm of the alchemist evaporates instantly. He even has to take a break to restore working conditions. But I do not urge comrade: the question is too serious for me to change the setting «Do not hurry!» And I turn out to be right: after the termination of the earthly minute, comrade is «restored.»

«Here is a question of questions, sir!.. I don’t know directly how to answer…»

«You cannot „directly“ – answer „crookedly“!» I’m not too original.

«Do not succeed, sir…»

Vis a visitor honestly droop head his head.

«Why? You cannot articulate or do not know the answer?

«I do not know the answer…»

But, as stated in the famous children’s the poem, «the nutlet of knowledge is solid, but still we are not accustomed to retreat…". And I start to «crack» my friend.

«But how do you understand this? Somehow you must understand?»

«Damn it knows!»

In a different setting and in other circumstances, such an answer would surely make me laugh. But now I’m giving up a smile. And then: from the fifteenth century from the birth of Christ, but the devil commemorate he is not afraid! True, that with him to take: an alchemist, although, perhaps, there is another reason?

«Did you meet the devil here?» I can easily guess, not so much asking, as stating.

The guy «smiles».

«No, senor.»

«And what about God?!»

«No, senor.»

«Due to this reason you are not afraid of either one or the other?»

«That’s right, senor.»

I’m already going to be stunned by another conjecture, but I change my mind: there will be time and occasion.

«That is, it is neither heaven nor hell…»

«It seems, that’s so,» the alchemist» spreads his arms». That’s because it does not look like not only on heaven or hell – no matter what. There is a complete absence in stock.»

What a pleasant people these are alchemists! How many healthy outlook on life! How much optimism even in the face of the dominance of pessimism! No, two materialists – even from different centuries – will always understand each other. In this case, the second one – me, that is – it is not at all necessary to refer on the «testimony» of the Hubble telescope.

«What could it be?»

I have already told myself in the manner of Ostap Bender: «Oh, well, put aside the fun!»

«If it is not heaven or hell, if it is „our close circle“, into which „not everyone got“… And by the way: where, in that case, did everyone else go? Well, those who are not honored?»

Vis-a-vis, without hesitation, again «works off his shoulders».

«I do not know… But I have never met any of my acquaintances from among the rich idlers here. Occasionally there were „donators“…»

«Patrons of sciences and crafts?»

«Yes.»

«Well, this is understandable: although with a purse, but comrades also took part in the progress…»

I again «go to myself behind the thought» – and it immediately «moves me» for the next request. No wonder: so much food! So, I am now – all of the questions.

«Listen, buddy, here we are somehow we see each other, but how can this be?! As we can see, if not exist, how physical objects?! You need eyes, you need a brain! What gives us the opportunity to comprehend even „nothing“, not to mention the comprehension of each other? I hope I do not „reinvent the bike“?»

«The bike?!» the alchemist honestly «opens his mouth».

«Oh, yes!» «I clap» myself conditionally over the «conditional forehead». Bike has not yet been invented – and this time, without quotes! Sorry, mate, I just wanted to get confirmation from you that you see me.»

«Oh!» alchemist «smoothed face». «Well, get it.»

«So you confirm that you see me?»

«I see something,» the «friend» confesses, «but I can’t touch it: there is nothing and no one. So, it’s not me, but you must explain to me… That is, they shouldn’t, of course… but… I wanted to say: it’s fit to explain to me what is happening here… even if nothing happens. I’m from the fifteenth century, and you are from the twenty-first.»

To begin with, I «sigh»: the companion is right in his complaints. I can put up versus this, except that his experience of being here.

«Explain»… I can’t even explain it to myself yet – not what you need. I can’t even explain how you and I explain it without an interpreter!»

«Well, this is, just «easier steamed turnips!» the alchemist grins, «keeping a distance» «Natives «from the next world» immediately become countrymen on this. All the dead are brothers!»

It is said well! Here, to you – both the alchemist: both «physicist», and «lyricist» – «in one bottle». But we must «continue the investigation». «We have already won the first half», but how many more of them, and all are the first! My thought immediately fished out of itself the next «hook».

«You say „stay“…»

The alchemist agrees nods his head.

«Come on, let’s go on milestones!»

«Let’s go together!» the alchemist «switches on» right away: our man!

«Let’s go together! So: if this is not heaven, and not hell, but we still comprehend each other and the surrounding „nothing“, even though we have died on Earth, then this is, in any case, some kind of otherworldly of being. And for the otherworldly existence there must be, at least, some otherworldly world. Do you agree with me?»

«One hundred percent!»

Alchemist once again corresponds to the twenty-first century.

«Well! Go ahead! So this is the other world, but some kind of «unfinished»: from «nothing.»

«Probably, it happens,» the alchemist turns out to be a philosopher.

«Probably, it happens, if it there is!» I am no less a philosopher. «And are found here, as I understand it in biology, not the soul, and… hell knows that: until I don’t understand. But for understanding, we have what… no… and not here… everything. That is, not only is there no „environment“, so also we do not exist… in the conventional sense, at least, in the form of the soul. The soul, after all, must have some kind of „human-like shell“ to show itself. Agree?»

«With both hands!» the alchemist does without hands.

«Good! So: since we are not souls, at least, in the form of the air shells, not to mention the material substances – and, however, we exist, which means, that we are some other form of the otherworldly being… in another form of the otherworldly being.»

The thoughts of the alchemist are amicably strained by «folds on the forehead».

«And if you simplify?»

«I can. We are not only not in heaven or hell, but also not for heaven and not for hell! We are something else…»

«What exactly?»

I do not linger with my shoulders: I shake them.

«Damn it knows!»

Immediately I leave myself and I think already «out loud».

«We are not, but we are… We cannot be touched, but we see each other… Right – as in the Bible: „We are invisible, but we are recognized“… We have nothing to say, but we speak… Stop! „We are talking“!»

I’m «returning» to the alchemist.

«We talk thoughts! That is why we „do without a translator“! This is more than „countrymen from one world“! And already from this you can „dance“ on farther!»

«Where exactly?» alchemist «made to dance».

«This means, that we exist thoughts! And everything we are capable of is a derivative of our consciousness! This is our consciousness works!»

«What is consciousness?»

With his fifteenth century, the alchemist is honest with the twenty-first. With all my strength I try to somehow conform. I start to remember the long-forgotten dictionary on ethics.

«Well, if – according to science, then consciousness is a reflection of the social being of people.»

I feel that it «does not reach» – something like Bender’s «quasi uno fantasy» in the club of chess lovers. Yes, and I myself would not have joined in his place. It should be simplified to the unscientific level, but that was clear.

«Well, to make it easier for you to understand, you are sitting here,» I exploit a movie, «that is, roughly speaking, knowledge, plus life experience, plus self-esteem.» It may even: the ability to make decisions with skill. This, of course, is unscientific, but quite «edible». How does this simplification work?»

The alchemist diligently «drives in» for some time – and then «leaves» back.

«It seems, I understood.»

«What exactly?»

«Everything, what I have gained in my life with brains and hands, is me. At least, I am the present.»

I doubt the truth, but not for long. In the end – this is not important.

«Well, that’s something like this…»

And then it dawns on me once again.

«By the way, have you thought about why I – from the twenty-first century – can communicate with you – from the fifteenth? I, of course, don’t mean the language barrier… missing. You said that every cricket know your hearth»? Something is wrong here…»

«Well, I didn’t say anything about the cricket,» the alchemist grins «not from the fifteenth century,» «But I think the point here is that you, senor…»

«Listen, enough with this „senor“!»

«Sorry: that’s habit.»

The «face» of the alchemist «stretches into a good-natured smile».

«So, here: I think, everything is explained by the fact, that you are elected.»

My opposition immediately «wrinkles on the forehead»: an unexpected explanation.

«Elected? Who did it and for what? Tell me: you surely had to meet people from other eras?»

«Well,» the alchemist begins to think, «but I find myself first on the word.»

«Did you meet many favorites here?»

The alchemist is honestly embarrassed: «smiles guiltily», eloquently «tapping himself with his fingers on the forehead».

«I did not get it… Indeed, that’s the question.»

While he «gives confessions», I leave for a while for thoughts. Soon there is one, as if suitable, at least, suitable for revision: as a draft or blank.

«My friend, but, maybe, the thing is in this thing, where are we with you?»

«Friend» honestly trying to match, but in vain. That’s no wonder: you can’t «jump above» your fifteenth century! Therefore, I easily release to him some «lambiness» of his gaze and useless «wrinkles on his forehead».

«I explain it popularly for the ignorant», as one comrade said. And it seems that the point is not in the thing, but in me! The fact that I doper to its essence! More precisely: in the fact, that I am the first to finish it up to its essence!»

«Really?»

That’s a little tactless, but fair. «I took a tug…", as well as «do not boast, going to the army…» It is necessary to comply.

«You are right: it is possible that I was, so to speak, „encouraged in advance“.»

«???»

«Sorry, buddy: all the time I forget about your fifteenth century! By the way, this is not a humiliation, but on the contrary: praise. That’s strange thing, but I feel you my contemporaries!»

Alchemist, for the umpteenth time, «shyly lowers the eyes».

«Thank you, senor… that is, my friend… So, what, there – about the „advance“?»

«Well, if in a simplified way, then in our twenty-first century, the advance is a part of the earnings that are paid in advance, even before the end of the work.»

The «face» of the alchemist «blurs» in one of the endless smiles.

«I comprehend it! That is, you want to say that this is… well, where we are turned out to be with you, encouraged you for the right thoughts, for being on your way to solve?»

Conditionally «shake» conditional «hand» of the alchemist.

«Exactly! And I think that I am hardly one, so clever. Surely, there are people here, who have „reached“ this before me, maybe, even during their life, on Earth.»

The «eyes» of the alchemist «light up»: nothing new is clearly not alien to this guy.

«I’m sure you already have a clue!»

«That’s assumption on the verge of discovery!» I «tear off a leaf from a laurel wreath» modestly. And then: you need to take care of yourself for subsequent assignments.

«Though hint!»

How many pleas «in the voice» vis-a-vis: a real scientist! Not that the rest of the «herd»: roam here for centuries without a brain… ruminants!

«So, in fact – already!»

«???»

The alchemist honestly «weights the jaw» and «pulls out his eyes». Although with regard to him the adverb has long been inappropriate: in the «weighing» and «buckling» the guy is honest a priori.

«Not heaven or hell!» I am imposing him on target.

The «look» of the alchemist «brightens», but no more: the guy is honest… Again, I: «honest»! Better let it be so: the guy corresponds to the level of the fifteenth century.

«Quite later, OK?» I postpone the lesson of educational program – and the vis-à-vis agrees. Yes, and what remains for him? «And now I need to meet with one person! Well, not with a person, of course… But you understand!»

«Understand.»

«Then – the question: how did you come across me? Just do not say that you wandered, wandered – and came across! Now it’s no time for a joke! So, here – about the «things: it is, obviously, not space. Yes, and space is not a mess: everything is ordered, everything is laid out on shelves…»

My «face» acquires all the signs of «classic insight»: looking up and to the side, the light from the wide-open eyes, guess, pushing from all the cracks. I no longer speak of a slightly weighted jaw.

«On the shelves!» Brother, admit: every century is something like a floor?»

«I confess,» the alchemist is not too surprised at my hunch. «All of us live in their strata.»

«And how did you get here? Getting up the stairs? Six steps up?»

Here the vis-a-vis finally gives the proper response. Not, no surprise: admiration.

«Well, brother, you have a bright head!! It took us centuries to figure out what you thought of in half an hour! We are the discoverers: not everyone rushes to search. Most of us are pretty with their status.»

«Of the status of the conditional „sheep“?»

«Conditional only in form,» the alchemist grins. «And, if not enough, still does not try to change it. No one before you… from among my acquaintances, did not even try to comprehend the local existence.»

The alchemist pauses, embarrassed and continues «with eyes to the side».

«Me too. That is, I tried several times – and give it up. Not enough „cash“.»

He expressively «knocks himself with a finger on the forehead» – and then «blurs» in my address:

«And you – oh!»

I «bow to all four sides,» without stopping with receiving compliments: the thought drives further.

«But getting into the right age is half the battle. The main thing: how to find the right person.»

Once again I «leave with my eyes» and come back, once again come back illumined with guessing.

«What letter begins with your last name?»

«With the letter „A“…»

The alchemist does not turn on yet, but he already guesses. Although, what, there, to guess: it’s time for a man to understand, that I haven’t asked any questions.

«And mine too!» I vigorously «bloom by face». «What if?..»

The alchemist «moves the whole body forward.» The guy understands, that the solution is approaching, and does not want to miss a moment. I do not delay the moment of celebration, otherwise you can even miss the thought due to this business. This is the same thing: «here it was – and there isn’t», as one comrade said… or a group of comrades.

«And what if „this“ represents not only „floors“, but „blocks“ also?! And no, „anyhow“: alphabetically?!»

The alchemist immediately connects with the «light of his face» to «my light».

«That is, the people on each „floor“ are distributed by last name?!»

Well done guy! He and his brains would not have disappeared in our twenty-first century! And knowledge is a new thing: it would be than to make it!

«That’s right, buddy! So, rising from your „floor“, you got into the block corresponding to the letter „A“, because you yourself are from block „A“, but only six „floors“ below!»

«Exactly!» «the alchemist «shines» additionally. «Only now it dawned on me that everyone I met was with the letter «A»! Well, their last names, that is.»

«What about people with other names?»

The alchemist «sighs» and guilty «pats himself with his hand on the forehead».

«I repent: I did not reach them… because this thought did not reach me…»

«Well, it’s not scary!» I let go generously – beyond the time limit. «The main thing is that we „pinned“ the structure. So this thing is something like a hive or the construction of the type of chessboard…»

And here again «strikes me with guessing».

«I am convinced: people are packaged here not just alphabetically, but alphabetically encyclopedic volumes!»

«It suits, but as a draft,» the alchemist «decreases with a glow».

«???» I am culturally indignant.

«Different encyclopedias have a different alphabet. It depends on the number of volumes.»

What a good boy! What a pleasure to work with such an opponent! After all, we too are «not sewn with a bum» and even «not done with a finger!»

«Everything is taken into account by a mighty hurricane,» buddy! Priority is always given to the inventor! The surname is known to me – it means that the alphabetical order is also known: the corresponding volume in the lifetime Great Soviet Encyclopedia!»

I am encouragingly «clap on the shoulder» of the alchemist, who has already had time to be puzzled by the adjective «Soviet». But I have no time to go into historical details.

«Now we find! Now it’s a sin not to find…»

«Can I connect?» the alchemist «shudders with a voice»: is he really afraid of refusal?!

Well, how can you not become generous with the new «clap»?

«Do you have a choice?..»