22:59

11:55

Roger looked at his watch, it was lunchtime. He was about to go, as always, to the local cafeteria when he got a call.

"Roger on the line."

"Roger, hello! It's Dan!"

"Dan?"

"From the institute. Do you remember? Our rooms were across the hallway from each other. Try to remember! My roommate was terribly crazy and we called him Handwasher because he had a mania for cleanliness. Remember?"

Roger remembered.

"Of course! Dan! Glad to hear from you!"

"You weren't at the last reunion. And there have been no publications from you on the social networks for a long time."

"Yeah... You know, I've been so busy lately..." Roger was lying he just didn't like to have conversations about nothing, especially on the net. "How are you, Dan? Have you seen many of ours classmates?"

"I am still friends with Marshal, the Handwasher. Our daughters go to the same school. We have barbecues sometimes, get together with the families... You should come sometime!"

Why have you never invited me? thought Roger, but said aloud: "Of course, of course, I would be very glad to."

"Well! Are you having lunch right now? Or are you very busy?"

"Lunch, like everyone else," smiled Roger.

"Let's go have lunch together. There is a nice place near you that serves excellent curry."

"I don't like Indian food..."

"Then let's go where you want."

Roger knew that Dan needed something from him. Friends from the past don't just call with an offer to dine today, unless something important happened.

"Of course, Dan, let's go. We still have a good steakhouse nearby. They serve burgers, on a platter, like my head."

Dan laughed.

"Noted! I'm at the Security Checkpoint. Come on down."

Roger stood for a few more seconds, wondering why Dan might need him. Then he ruffled his hair with both hands and shook his head. Stop thinking, he would soon know everything.

He recognized Dan from afar. How could he not immediately remember him? A joker and merry fellow this Dan Bridges, even his appearance said that he was just a joker and merry fellow. Not only did his figure resemble Olaf's snowman from the old cartoon about the snow sorceress, but also his hair was bright red, like the freckles scattered all over his face and arms. Roger loved talking to Dan before he got into going to the Black Hole. After he became interested first in gin and ice, and then psychoanalysis, almost all of their communications came to an end. They were too different: one loved life and shouted about it at the whole hostel with his jokes and parties, the other just tried not to die. Now, twelve years after graduation, Roger was delighted to see him. Really glad! He was actually surprised with himself.

"Hey Roger!"

"Dan!" They shook hands, but Dan broke down and hugged his old friend.

"You haven't changed at all. The same strictness and directness," Dan laughed.

"You, too, could not be confused with anyone else." Roger retorted. "Well, let's go? I don't have much time."

They exited the Medicol building and turned right. On both sides of the road were shops selling everything from office supplies to exotic flowers; cafes and bars offering cuisine from all over the world, and small offices offering things like insurance and not-quite-legal services for checking on the fidelity of wives and husbands. Roger and Dan walked, talking about their years at the institute. They remembered their teachers and fellow students.