Record player

And after all there was time when the house was one of the first on villages. Here always liked visitors, and on kitchen constantly smelt as tasty meal. When old men were live, they held all economy in strong hands. To the house often there came visitors, children and grandsons. Here there was gold time which is irrevocably cunning …

The receiver remembered the moment  as it has appeared in this house: «It was as yesterday. All has begun with how me carried in a box by any not clear car. I remember, that strongly shook, then me have lifted on hands, steps … and here … LIGHT! The voice … is a lot of voices … a hand of the owner strong, but for some reason shivering. It it is not assured has touched me, has spent fingers on the case with such care as though I was the most precious thing. And here the true moment, me have switched on, and I have started talking, at first it there were any messages from fields, but here have turned the adjustment handle, and I have started singing!!!! About, it was a miracle, a fairy tale, magic! The house was filled with fun and laughter, people danced, about as they danced!!! So already for a long time do not dance.

Under my voice were born and died, I informed good and bad news, I sang in all known languages, I played any music under which people rushed in pljas or longed. The family, I was its part. As it is necessary to be to someone necessary ».

Right now, on an attic, the receiver understood, how it does not suffice it. But here it already is again young also its wooden case shines from polishing, it is important!!! It - very expensive thing in this house, perhaps, the most expensive, short of cow Mashku.

That a sin to conceal, one time it on so much zaznalsja, what it is a little and its brown case would redden from importance. But there was an awful!!! In the house there was a box with the screen, about My God!!! That for injustice! This Villain not only that spoke and sang just as it – a record player  so it also showed black-and-white pictures.

But the record player was wise and has coped with it. «Yes, - the receiver philosophically reflected, - sooner or later someone appears better, than you and take away all laurels to yourself. But it is necessary to transfer it with advantage and to occupy the place of honour among veterans. At everyone the time and if you any more on a game, it not because you bad, other times have simply come, and you - already a past part».

The receiver has taken the worthy place on a case and though now is more rare, but nevertheless continued to give out decibels. Even music was already another, and sometimes it was necessary to take such frequencies, that huge dinamik went to pieces, and the green lamp blinked as a traffic light.

So went year after year, the black-and-white box was replaced on colour, to music began to listen on the boxes, which people named the tape recorder. But the life proceeded, and the honourable old age on a case allowed the receiver to be a family part. He already practically did not play, and only growing up grandsons with curiosity switched on it, looked at light of a green lamp, and twisted the adjustment handle. And when the receiver revived during these moments, he understood, that the world on has changed so much and, that its time has already passed also it only the detached onlooker by this train of a life. But it did not grieve it, after all it was a history part, a family part in which he continued to live ….

There has passed any time, and the house was deserted. Old men did not become, children have left in a city, and grandsons and did not appear for a long time in the old thrown house. To any moment there have arrived people and have thrown out an old case on which pylilsja the receiver, and it have carried on this dark attic on which it pylitsja in loneliness here already is a lot of years.

The receiver has regained consciousness from memoirs and if he could cry necessarily it would make. It was going to again to plunge into memoirs as it was disturbed by a sound.  He did not believe, but it was the validity: the car has approached on the house.

-        Vadim! Unload all barahlo, - the young guy shouted at the friend, - and tell to girlfriends that made haste, night on a court yard, and to us still the furnace of hour two to heat it is necessary!

The picture was interesting: four young men knee-deep in snow from Zhigulis of the tenth model pulled out a heap of the things obviously intending for celebrating of any event.  

The blonde Lena with the bright make up, dressed obviously not on weather, indignantly inflated sponges and not under what pretext did not wish to leave the car. Vadim, the guy of this doll, having dragged with the friend all contents of the car in the house, has stared at the whimsical Barbie. That all kind let know, that it here not on the will. Andrey rather has got tired of its whimsical tricks, besides it fairly zamuchalsja, moving things, and the foot ached from a pain on which, it has just dropped the tape recorder.  

-        So, ALL!!! Hands in feet and run a march in the house, an oven to heat!!! - Vadim has loudly told.

But far from it, Lena has lifted lateral glass of the car and was closed from within. The guy ran round the car and swung a champagne bottle, and here it has slapped, all contents have poured down on a head and for a collar, and last stream of sparkling champagne has washed dissatisfied face.

Here there has come death silence … and all friends have at once burst in wild laughter. Kostja, the owner of the car and the house, was not kept from laughter and has crashed down from a porch in a snowdrift. Its girl Xenia took a stick of sausage and has suggested Vadim to have a snack champagne.  

-        Children, about new year of 6 hours remains, and you here are engaged in nonsense. So, Vadim - in the house to dry, Lena - run to prepare meal, well, and you, Kostja that has sprawled in a snowdrift? Bystrenko the furnace to heat, - Ksjusha has taken in hand and has placed to children priorities for today's evening.

Here that the competent organisation of the work means, all children were at business, the house has revived and was filled for a long time with the forgotten vanity.

-        Friends, this house to me was presented by the father, and it has got to it from the grandfather, - has begun story Kostja. - I here was not years fifteen, and here almost have changed nothing.

-        Yes, only it is cold, as in the north, - Lena muttered, - at me already nails have turned blue ».

-        Instead of it was necessary to paint them in violet colour, - Vadim has bitten. - manicures, pedicures,  yo eat … and varezhki with a padded jacket - here that it was necessary to take Valenoks, instead of boots from FABI and expensive belongings. You here whom were going to to seduce? Whether bear that?)))

-        No, you, road, - Katya has answered and has darted an unambiguous glance at Vadim.

-        So, stop, children, - Kostja has taken a conversation thread in hand. - First, furniture -  antiques, make thrifty use, and that it, that and look, will not sustain a pressure of your young bodies and will collapse on figs. Secondly, on hearings of our ancestors, your obedient the servant has been conceived somewhere on one of these beds. So they represent now also aesthetic value.  Well, and thirdly, the most important thing, New year soon!!! YO, and at us behind a window  – 15, and in the house +5, to us still to heat and heat.

The oven puffed and smoked, but nevertheless the house has soon heated up also children could remove outer clothing. The meal was almost ready, to a ceiling poveselili garlands. The spirit of a New Year's eve filled the house. But here this idyll was broken by a cry, and, judging by a whimsical voice, it belonged to Lena. Vadim has unwillingly risen from an armchair-rocking chair, with a whisky glass and has called I howl the girlfriend:

-              Well, what this time happens, light of my eyes?

-              I, I., -   with a tear-stained voice Lena answered, - a nail has broken!!!!

-              Yes-and-a-a, this tragedy we will not go through. I suggest to amputate at once on an elbow, - Vadim has offered.  

-              And let's call fast, can, it will manage to be sewn, - Konstantin has picked up a theme.

-              Fools all of you, muzhiks, - Lena has taken offence at them. - I here prepare salad «New Year's fairy tale» for you, and you over me scoff.

-              Children, calm down! Let's have fun better, - has interfered Ksjusha. – So, and, by the way, Kostja and why at us in the house music does not play? Hour about new year, and I without champagne?!

Kostja bystrenko it was undermined and with bearing of the real waiter, has organised to ladies on a glass of the sparkling. Lena has presented Kostju with a charming smile, and at Vadim has put out the tongue. Study at the friend for girls to look after!

-              Vadim, and what at us with music? – Has asked Kostja.

-              Yes anything, I when the tape recorder transferred, it to me on a foot has fallen down and here now the fig does not work.

-              M-yes, history, - has reflected Kostja, -  that to us now without music New year to meet?

-              Road, - has addressed Ksjusha to Koste, - you at me such clever, think up something.  

Kostja it was puzzled, has taken of a room a studying view: an armchair-rocking chair, on him - the tipsy Vadim already has drained half-bottles of whisky, he already and without music is ready to sing. A table forced any vkusnostjami, an ancient locker, a huge mirror, a high case, so there still? Stop! And after all I remember, on a case the receiver was!! So, children, apparently, I have thought up, as to us to organise music.

-              Well, and? - Lena has asked. - you, what have found an antiquated accordion?

-              Better, the beauty, here somewhere the receiver was, ancient, lamp, I since the childhood remember it. Here only where for it to search, I do not remember.

-              Well, here, perfectly, all life dreamt to be engaged on the eve of new year in searches of treasures, -  Lena continued to be indignant. - well, you, the alcoholic, rise from the lordly armchair and give search for this old record player, differently I from here will go to girl-friends.

Vadim has only taken of the girlfriend a contemptious view and has in a pointed manner drained a glass:

-              Not, children, I on an attic will not get.

-              What attic, Vadim? - Xenia has asked.

-              Yes idle time. After all usually there any stuff store, here and your Record player there for certain.  

-              Vadim, you is a genius, - has told Kostja. - it is exact! If it in this house, it only on an attic.

-              The darling, anybody except you with this problem will not consult, - Xenia has told and with a smile has submitted Koste a jacket and a small lamp.

-              If me zagryzet spiteful reduction know, I have died for the sake of your beautiful eyes!

-              Road, do not worry, being reductions amorphous, and your young body will get only to me, and that I with it will make, it only is known to me. - Ksjusha has smiled and has kissed him gently on the mouth.

About, My God! Its aroma bewitched and left Kostju without memory. As it has reached a ladder on a snowdrift  it does not remember …  Its aroma still remained with it on lips.

Well, good, romanticism - romanticism, and on an attic to climb it is necessary. The ladder foully creaked, but … kept. Ahead a small door, and behind it  - darkness. Terribly!!!

Not clear subjects rejected freakish shades. Kostja has stopped and did not dare to come. So, stop! To me 22 years, and I as the boy, I am afraid of darkness. Same my house, the house of my ancestors, well also that, that I here was not for a long time, I here was born, I know here each corner. Here all native and anything does not threaten me. And here there was something strange: darkness has ceased to be frightening, shades have got outlines, and all became native, more correctly, it and was native, he has simply forgotten about it. Kostja has switched on a lantern and began to examine an attic. Yes, here for a long time there were no people, and, similar, all its ancestors, since imperial times of the last century … put barahlo.

"Grammofonchik" here some hours attentively listened to voices below. There there were people. Yes, precisely, and, judging by voices, young! But who they? What they here do? It remains for it secret.  

It so was excited, that it seemed to it, that it even has sweated. Then he has heard, as someone went along the house and has stopped at a ladder. Then, having climbed up on it, the door has opened, and in it there was a silhouette of the person. He did not dare to climb some minutes in inside, the receiver felt any excitement in this person, after all knowingly he has lived among people so much years. Then the stranger has overcome excitement and has got inside. At it in hands bright light has flashed and he began to search for something, but what? "Grammofonchik" could not even assume.

Kostja has rummaged around all attic, but and could not find that, what for it here has come.

Yes, with empty hands to come back back it did not want, and not in its rules was to surrender. Walking back, it has stumbled and, falling, has seized a hand for any cloth, it has appeared old and has not sustained the falling weight of the young man. Kostja shmjaknulsja from all to scope about a floor.

Children below continued preparations for a holiday and have suddenly heard strong noise on an attic. Blow was strong and only by miracle the ceiling has sustained it. Ksjusha has got a fright also run has jumped out on street, and behind it and children.

-              Kostja you live?!! What's happened?!

-              Yes it's OK, - the voice from an attic was distributed, you already and to fall to the person easy do not give. I on a fortress checked a ceiling, mines are not present, we can celebrate easy)).

-              Give climb down from this devil's attic, we will manage and without music, the darling, go to me, and that I here will become crazy.

Kostja began to rise and   the subject has leant a hand on what that. It has lifted eyes, and has not believed in the good luck is there was a receiver.  

-              Yes ive, sometimes to find something in this life, it is necessary to fall down, hit bashkoj and here it, the Divine inspiration.

Taking careful the receiver in hands, Kostja has begun a convergence to the people. «Ur!!! The holiday is rescued», - the crowd scanned and applauded the winner.  

-              As this street organ will earn, - Lena has bitten.

-              Will earn, the girlfriend, do not worry!!! Kostja at me all can, - Xenia has told, has taken the hero an arm and has led it in the house.

-              Here it is the device, - were surprised all.

-              I such even in museums did not see. It something an average between Russian accordion and the Scottish delay, only it from the socket works.

And here it the true moment!  A cord, a plug, the socket …. I. Cannot be! Hardly shone green eye looked at the surprised children. Dinamik has revived, and about it has started talking, it was a voice from the past, only words were modern.

Children have adjusted the necessary wave and have taken seat for a table. The company began to see off old year. Kostja has approached to the receiver and has spent a hand on the case. There was such sensation, that the part of the far childhood has returned presently. The case was rough, and from polishing practically remains nothing, buttons hardly kept, and the adjustment panel has been practically erased. «It is not clear, what forces forced you to work», - has thought Kostja.

But the receiver knew what. He has learnt the small madcap though that has already grown up and became the full owner of the house. It remembered, how Kostja with the grandfather switched on it and listened to fairy tales and as then the kid, unknown to adults, independently assorted it and as a nail scratched year of the birth on one side at the receiver. The past a bright picture, has risen before a green eye "Grammofonchika".

-              Friends, I will tell to you history of it jashchichka. I have heard the first fairy tales from here. My grandfather very much made thrifty use of it, and I the boy a nail have scratched to it on one side year of the birth. - Kostja has bent down and has looked behind, yes, it was there as though it just has made it. The figure was on one side, on it it was visible, that it has been made by an inept children's hand: «1980 ….».

And the house as though has revived. The grandfather, young parents, a bright sunlight, is a lot of visitors and the little boy looking on all curious green eyes.

Kostja has recollected a picture  which was remembered by children's eyes, and to it it became sad. It here was not so a long time, he has forgotten the sources, it has twirled and started turning in this life, having forgotten, that was small and here he was born.

He has felt, as a warm, gentle hand, has laid down to it on a shoulder, it has lifted eyes and has seen liking sight of the girl:

-              The darling, what with you? Why has become sad?

-              Very well, my love. I have recollected the childhood and the grandfather.

Kostja took a mobile phone and has dialled number of parents: «Mum, greetings, with New year coming you, greetings to the Daddy also remember, though I was not present now with you nearby, you - my family and thanks you, native mine, that you are at me».  

Lena has run in a room, has got the krasnenky fashionable phone and began to call to the grandmother in the Tver area, in a deaf small village. After a call she, having looked at the smiling Vadim, has told to it, that on January, 3rd they go to it on a visit.

So it was affected by Konstantin's sharply sentimental mood.

Fun proceeded. Children had a rest and drank champagne, spoke many good words.        

The receiver sang as never, played fashionable music, told New Year's jokes and amused children. And when at daybreak all have settled to sleep, he has made music more silently, has put a melody on the taste, it was Lui Amstrong. An old, kind, romantic jazz. That can be better in New Year's morning before a dream …

Kostja has gently embraced Ksjushu and has kissed her.

-        The darling, I sometime said to you, what very strongly I like you?  

-        No, did not speak road.

-        I like you, the darling!!!

-        I you too!

-        Kostja, I here very much like, here all native, give here we will come more often. – it is good, the darling, and will be.

Eyes have got tired and were slowly closed, and all has plunged into a delightful dream.

Music played silently and lulling. The receiver was happy, the life has again returned to the old house.

Already dawned, snow has powdered with white flakes the house and all court yard. The beauty and calmness were everywhere. And only in the old house the old receiver played a jazz.

Yours faithfully

Alexey Belkov.