server<\/a>\u2013 So you have access to universal information?<\/p>\n\u2013 Yes, \u2013 Zaplatkin admitted, smiling widely. \u2013 The company 'Web 1251' has conducted fundamental research and has learned to download literary works from subspace directly. By our own means, so to speak.<\/p>\n
The young man paused and nodded to indicate that he understood.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Can I see samples of your products?<\/p>\n
\u2013 May I see samples of your products?<\/p>\n
\"Here you go,\" the director pulled a hefty bound stack from his desk and handed it to the visitor.<\/p>\n
The young man opened it and laughed in surprise.<\/p>\n
\"It's 'Eugene Onegin'!\"<\/p>\n
\"Wait, wait,\" Zaplatkin hurried. \"Naturally, it's 'Eugene Onegin'. Pushkin downloaded 'Eugene Onegin' from the subspace, and that's how we got it, randomly. However, authors often make mistakes. What I mean to say is that subspace stores ideal versions of literary works, while authors' versions, for various reasons, are far from ideal. Authors lack precise equipment, but we at 'Web 1251' have developed such equipment. Read the ending if you're not in a hurry \u2013 it will all become clear to you. I'll wait.\" <\/p>\n
The young man flipped to the last pages and immersed himself, occasionally humming. <\/p>\n
\"So what happened to Tatiana in the end?\" he asked about twenty minutes later, finishing his reading. \"Did she not survive the assault, or did she choose to give birth? Did the prince challenge Onegin to a duel? Though how could he challenge him, since Onegin's both arms are amputated?\"<\/p>\n
\"I don\u2019t know,\" Zaplatkin explained passionately. \"However, that is the canonical completed story of 'Eugene Onegin'! The one that is stored in subspace. What Pushkin made up himself is his own business, as a writer.\"<\/p>\n
\"Is it really that 'Eugene Onegin' is stored in subspace in Russian? It's hard to believe that.<\/p>\n
\"Do you think 'Eugene Onegin' could have been written in Chinese or at least English?\"<\/p>\n
The young man grunted:<\/p>\n
\"I understand you. I'm ready to order a small text for testing. Let's say, a poem. I think a few quatrains will suffice. Do you accept orders by genre and specific volume?\"<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin made a swallowing motion but managed to say:<\/p>\n
\"I must warn you about the existing risk. I do not know in advance what will be extracted from subspace. I can only guarantee the non-manual creation of the text. I guarantee non-manual creation, yes.\"<\/p>\n
\"Alright.\" <\/p>\n
Half an hour later, after filling out and signing the contract, the visitor left. <\/p>\n
Zaplatkin pulled out his smartphone, pressed the call button, and spoke into the receiver:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Nadya, can you talk? It seems like there's a bite. Just a small text, a couple of stanzas, but this is just the beginning. Let's agree on tomorrow. Will you prepare everything? Is he feeling well? <\/p>\n
2.<\/b>
On the metro, the young man sat towards the center, got off at one of the central stations, and a minute later was entering one of the robust buildings with a three-meter door. <\/p>\n
In the corridor, two men in nice suits were standing and talking.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I got a Gelandewagen, \u2013 said the first. \u2013 I scratched it on the very first day, what a shame. But that little punk who cut me off will be in trouble. I don't care about the insurance. I'll make it so dirty it won\u2019t come clean.<\/p>\n
\u2013 You\u2019re doing the right thing, \u2013 said the second. \u2013 But with them, usually, you can't get much, apart from insurance. You can involve the prosecutor, but what\u2019s the point? I had a case like that\u2026 <\/p>\n
Arriving at the necessary office, the intern peeked through the door and asked:<\/p>\n
\u2013 May I come in, Colonel?<\/p>\n
Hearing the invitation, he entered.<\/p>\n
Despite his officer rank, the owner of the office was in civilian clothes. He looked at the newcomer from under his knitted brows and asked:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Did you go, Andryusha?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Yes, I did. <\/p>\n
Andryusha passed a business card he received from the director of the company 'Web 1251' across the table.<\/p>\n
\u2013 What do you think? Our clients?<\/p>\n
\u2013 I don\u2019t even know what to say. A complicated case, though the company is unremarkable. Ordinary computer technicians. I recorded the conversation, will convert it to a file and send it.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Tell me now, Andryusha, \u2013 the colonel demanded in a quiet, unarguable voice.<\/p>\n
\u2013 At your service, Colonel. So, it\u2019s like this. This is not artificial intelligence. The director of this little firm, Zpalatkin, claims he has access to some sort of database stored in subspace. The database contains works of fiction, that is, literally all works.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Really? \u2013 the colonel was surprised. <\/p>\n
\u2013 I apologize, I misspoke. Not all. The database contains only genius works. Everything that isn't genius is made up by people. Non-genius works are created by non-geniuses, in other words, hacks, while genius works are created by no one. Geniuses do not create, but borrow works from the subspace. You understand that I am currently expressing not my opinion, but that of Zaplatkin?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Well, yes.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Zaplatkin claims that the technology developed by his company allows for downloading genius works from subspace. Directly, without interference, can you imagine! I think he's shamelessly lying. Zaplatkin's financial situation isn't such that he could finance anything serious. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Listen, Andryusha, does this database contain films from Miramax? The ones that haven't been released yet?<\/p>\n
Andryusha looked down.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I didn't think to ask. I was preparing for questions about artificial intelligence. I'll call back now, find out everything, and report.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Don\u2019t. Did you sign the contract?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Yes, of course. I'm sorry for not passing it on earlier. \u2013 Andryusha pulled folded sheets from his case. \u2013 Here's the invoice for payment.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Okay. I\u2019ll tell them to pay it.<\/p>\n
\u2013 May I leave?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Wait, \u2013 the colonel realized. \u2013 In what language\u2026 are these\u2026 works? The ones stored in subspace?<\/p>\n
\u2013 In the language of creation, whether past or future. Here, I must admit, Zaplatkin had me stumped. He said: 'Eugene Onegin' could not have been written in any other language but Russian. Quite convincing.<\/p>\n
\u2013 'Eugene Onegin'?<\/p>\n
The colonel's voice acquired a metallic tone.<\/p>\n
\u2013 That's right. Zaplatkin showed me what he claimed was a downloaded version of 'Eugene Onegin' with a different ending. It was something\u2026 <\/p>\n
\u2013 Don't mention that book in front of me.<\/p>\n
\u2013 And yet, I don't understand, \u2013 Andryusha asked curiously, taking advantage of his trust with the colonel, \u2013 why do you need this Zaplatkin? His subspace is most likely fake. The guy just wants to make some money. What's the interest in Zaplatkin?<\/p>\n
The owner of the office grinned.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Andryusha, our homeland is currently facing a complex informational situation. We do not control the flow of literature. The enemies have become utterly brazen, their tentacles spreading all over the internet. Google is out of our hands, Facebook is out of our hands, even Amazon is out of our hands. All of this is amid a shortage of professional writers. But we can control them! Can you imagine if it turns out that the subspace holds all the unwritten works! All of them! Unwritten! Genius! And if this good falls into the hands of the enemies of the homeland? How should the supervisory authority, in the form of you and me, react to this, in your opinion? Tell me, Andryusha\u2026<\/p>\n
Andryusha glanced sideways at the colonel and hid his gaze deeply: <\/p>\n
\u2013 No conversations about anything other than literary works were held with Zaplatkin. However, you are right: this issue does not fall within his area of interest. The strategic reserves of unwritten literature should belong to our state. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Or to no one, Andryusha, did you remember?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Affirmative, I remembered. Either to our state, or to no one. <\/p>\n
\u2013 You are dismissed. Go.<\/p>\n
Left alone, the colonel closed his eyes and relaxed, thinking about something of his own. Suddenly, his lips twitched and whispered: <\/p>\n
\u2013 Bastard. What a bastard your Eugene Onegin is!<\/p>\n
It was utterly impossible to determine whether the colonel mentioned the famous name in quotes or without quotes. <\/p>\n
3.<\/b>
\u2013 Nadya, hello, \u2013 said Zaplatkin, peeking into the office. \u2013 Are you busy? I'll wait.<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna, surrounded by colleagues, broke away from the conversation:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Seryozha, wait in the hallway, I will be right out.<\/p>\n
He had to wait about fifteen minutes. During this time, Zaplatkin sat in a wheelchair placed in the corridor, read warnings about infection disease prevention, and walked back and forth several times. Finally, the deputy chief physician appeared and gestured 'follow me'. However, Zaplatkin knew where to follow.<\/p>\n
You have less than an hour, Sergey, Nad\u0435\u0436da Vasilievna said while they were going down the stairs. I don't even know why I did this. A unique case, yes, of course. However, I did not have the right to allow you near the patient. Assisting with academic work is just an excuse for fools. So what if he\u2019s your classmate? Another person would have kicked you out, regardless of the dissertation. But I can\u2019t refuse you; fate is such.<\/p>\n
What are you saying, Nadya?! Zaplatkin interjected between her remarks. I barely touch the patient. You said these procedures make it easier for him. But do you know how much this can cost? I charged one hundred thousand for a single poem, half of yours minus taxes. The payment arrived in the account this morning. You\u2019ll get it after the contract is closed. In a couple of years, you could buy yourself a couple of clinics like this one, even better.<\/p>\n
The couple went down to the first floor, then to the basement, where the closed boxes began.<\/p>\n
Hello, Nad\u0435\u0436da Vasilievna, the guard greeted.<\/p>\n
They walked past the guard and peeked into one of the boxes, which had a sign that read 'Matvei Petrovich Semyonok.' <\/p>\n
On the bed lay the patient. His suffering face, unshaven and emaciated, with sharp features, was filled with an otherworldly spirituality. Yet it expressed nothing - the person was unconscious. The patient's chest rose steadily under the blanket, while his hands in the hospital pajamas rested along his body. <\/p>\n
Here, go get it, Nad\u0435\u0436da Vasilievna said with some irritation. <\/p>\n
Nadya, Zaplatkin pleaded. You are owed fifty thousand. Excellent money, just between us girls. I can\u2019t help that intangible works aren\u2019t in demand at publishing houses. After all, you invited me to decipher the heart tones for academic purposes.<\/p>\n
I invited you and I still regret it.<\/p>\n
But this is sensational! A scientific breakthrough!<\/p>\n
Perhaps. Just not in medicine. For such a breakthrough, I would be laughed at. Besides, the topic of the doctoral dissertation is approved, and its title is not 'Deciphering Heart Tones for Literary Earnings.' Will you connect the phonocardiograph yourself, or do you need help?<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll connect it, Nadya. You know I\u2019ve learned\u2026 <\/p>\n
A head poked through the door:<\/p>\n
Excuse me, where is the reception here?<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna looked up in surprise:<\/p>\n
\u2013 This is the basement floor, the registration desk is on the first floor. How did you get in here? The guard is supposed to be...<\/p>\n
\u2013 Sorry, I got lost. The guard must have gone to the bathroom, \u2013 said the head, carefully surveying the booth, then disappeared.<\/p>\n
Zapal'tkin tried to wrap his arm around the deputy chief physician's shoulders in the meantime.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Nadya, hang in there a little longer. Soon I will finish coding for the free search. I will leave the laptop here. Remote access is certainly desirable, but there are technical problems that need time to solve. Eventually, we will expand\u2026 <\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna sighed and stepped back.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Seryozha, you have no more than an hour. I need to go. I'll come back in an hour and escort you out.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Don't worry, everything will be fine.<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna closed the metal door behind her.<\/p>\n
Zapal'tkin sat down on a chair and took the laptop out of the case he brought. He took the phonocardiograph from the table, placed it on the bed, and plugged the power cord into the outlet. He stuck a wire with adhesive tape onto the wrist of the immobile Matvey Petrovich Semenok. He connected the laptop to the phonocardiograph with a cord. Taking a deep breath, as before a decisive test, he flipped the switch. <\/p>\n
On the screen of the phonocardiograph, colorful curves wriggled, something pulsed unevenly. However, Zapal'tkin did not pay attention to the graphs: he leaned over the laptop and typed on the keyboard, trying to achieve the desired effect. <\/p>\n
For a long time, nothing worked. Zapal'tkin paused in thought for a moment and then began typing again. After about fifteen minutes, he cried out in joy:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Got it, it's working! Come on, darling!<\/p>\n
Soon the joyful anticipation was replaced by complete disappointment.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Just not 'The Golden Calf'!<\/p>\n
Zapal'tkin read the text displayed by the laptop once more and burst into laughter. He couldn't tear himself away and skimmed through several more pages, continuing to chuckle. Then, with visible mental effort, he returned to his interrupted task. <\/p>\n
He worked for a while longer, then pulled away from the laptop and whispered to himself:<\/p>\n
\u2013 I need to stimulate. God help me\u2026 <\/p>\n
Zapal'tkin leaned over the sick man's face and made several passes with his hand. Semenok didn\u2019t even blink: he remained completely motionless, although he lay with his eyes open. Zapal'tkin took a deep breath and began reciting Pushkin from memory:<\/p>\n
At the edge of the wood, a green oak;
To the right, it sings a song,
Finishing the introduction to \"Ruslan and Lyudmila\", Zaplatkin turned to his laptop and froze in anticipation.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, something changed; at least the curves on the electrocardiogram twitched and showed several peaks. Zaplatkin perked up:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Come on! Come on!<\/p>\n
In a couple of minutes, the download was complete. <\/p>\n
When Zaplatkin reviewed the artistic work received from the subspace, he nervously drummed his fingers on the table. He reviewed it again and nervously drummed his fingers once more. <\/p>\n
Ah, it was still time to wrap things up: the time allotted to Nadya for downloading was coming to an end. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Alright, Matvey Petrovich, \u2013 Zaplatkin said to the patient. \u2013 I could have received something more decent from the subspace, but what is, is. You're still a champ. Get well.<\/p>\n
Matvey Petrovich Semyonok didn't move a muscle on his inspired face. <\/p>\n
Zaplatkin closed the laptop and put it in the case. Detaching the Velcro from the sick man's wrist, he moved the electrocardiograph from the bed to its original place. He packed up his things and waited for Nadezhda Vasilyevna to lead him out of the box.<\/p>\n
4.<\/b>
The clients were immediately invited to the director's office. <\/p>\n
\u2013 This is my client Alexey Vitalyevich, whose interests I represented during our last meeting, \u2013 said Andryusha.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Very nice! Tea? Coffee?<\/p>\n
\u2013 No, thank you. Let's get to the point, \u2013 said the colonel as he settled into the guest chair. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Alright, as you say, \u2013 Zaplatkin hurriedly replied. \u2013 So, the contract stipulated the creation of a non-manual poem on any topic, no more than 8 paragraphs, according to item\u2026 \u2013 Zaplatkin glanced at the contract, \u2013 \u2026item 2.14. Such a poem was downloaded, in full accordance with the technology we developed. It is indeed non-manual. The genre is absurdism. A very worthy poetic genre, by the way. In Russia, it was represented by the Ob\u00e9riuts; currently, the most esteemed representative is Levin\u2026 <\/p>\n
\u2013 Can we, take a look? \u2013 suggested the colonel.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Who, Levin?<\/p>\n
\u2013 No. What we ordered.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Yes, of course, sorry. Here\u2019s the result\u2026<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin handed the colonel a printed sheet. He accepted it and read aloud:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m crawling out of my lair:
In the rain she rides
Not even halfway through, Alexey Vitalyevich tossed the sheet aside and asked grimly:<\/p>\n
\u2013 What is this? <\/p>\n
\u2013 Your order. Just as good as Kharms, \u2013 Zaplatkin reassured himself.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Is it genius or what?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Genius is a vague concept. Especially since the contract didn\u2019t specify the genius of the work; it stipulated its non-corporeality. Unlike genius, non-corporeality is an objective concept. I assure you this text is non-corporeal; it exists in that form in subspace. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Can you prove it?<\/p>\n
\u2013 I cannot. However, I warned your representative about the potential risks, \u2013 Zaplatkin glanced at Andryusha. \u2013 Moreover, this moment is specified in the contract. Here, clause 2.12 states: The Customer cannot demand evidence of the non-corporeality of the work from the Contractor unless direct plagiarism or borrowing is detected. <\/p>\n
\u2013 And what am I supposed to do with it?<\/p>\n
\u2013 But you intended to use this text somehow, \u2013 Zaplatkin faltered. \u2013 All seven quatrains. I don\u2019t know\u2026 I assumed for scientific or research purposes. We are ready to provide you with many texts from subspace, both those without authorship, meaning not yet written, and those with authorship, for comparison with canonical texts. <\/p>\n
\u2013 I\u2019m not accepting this crap.<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin hung his head.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Your right. According to the concluded contract, clause 7.13, in case of refusal to accept the works, the Contractor retains 30% of the amount of the advance paid. Do you insist on a refund?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Where did you get the text, I ask?<\/p>\n
\u2013 I\u2019ve already explained to your colleague. The technology developed by our firm allows us to download texts directly from subspace. Subspace is a conditional concept in this case. We do not know where it is located. However, we can assert\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2013 Is there a license?<\/p>\n
\u2013 What? \u2013 Zaplatkin was taken aback. <\/p>\n
\u2013 A license for using subspace. <\/p>\n
\u2013 The firm \"Web 1251\" is registered\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2013 Is there a license? \u2013 the colonel twitched his lips.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I refuse to speak in that tone, \u2013 Zaplatkin asserted. \u2013 If you don't want to draft an acceptance report, we will issue a refusal. The remaining advance will be returned to you at any time.<\/p>\n
A magical red booklet was presented under the nose of the director of \"Web 1251.\"<\/p>\n
\u2013 Let's do it this way, sweetheart, \u2013 the colonel said amicably. \u2013 You tell us everything, honestly and without any nonsense. Then I will turn a blind eye to the absence of a license. Otherwise, you will have to come with us to the dacha. <\/p>\n
Sitting next to him, Andryusha smirked. <\/p>\n
\u2013 To what dacha? \u2013 Zaplatkin didn't understand.<\/p>\n
\u2013 To the dacha of testimonies. What did you think? It's just professional humor, \u2013 the colonel explained. \u2013 What option do you prefer?<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin turned pale and withdrew into himself.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I see you are a reasonable person, put two and two together, \u2013 the colonel continued. \u2013 So, I will ask the first question. What technical means do you use to download these\u2026 artistic works from the subspace?<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin hesitated.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I know all about it, \u2013 the colonel reported. \u2013 About this patient and the female doctor. What I'm interested in is: where do you get the texts? Are you pulling them out of the patient?<\/p>\n
\u2013 From the physiological tones of the heart, \u2013 Zaplatkin broke down. <\/p>\n
\u2013 How did you discover it?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Nadya\u2026 I mean, Nadezhda Vasilievna\u2026 She once called and said: there's a patient with strange heart rhythms resembling a cipher, do you want to take a look? She, Nadya that is, was writing a dissertation back then. And she still is, of course\u2026 I was interested in cryptography back in college. In short, I managed to decrypt the heart tones using wavelet analysis, based on a finite number of spherical manifestations. Eventually, the strong tones in the patient disappeared, but by that time I had learned to intercept the weak signal through complex dynamics.<\/p>\n
\u2013 And what, \u2013 Alexey Vitalievich scoffed, \u2013 did you download a new \"Eugene Onegin\" from there or did you compose it yourself?<\/p>\n
\u2013 From subspace. <\/p>\n
\u2013 What were you hoping for, kid? I don't understand. Let's say the patient has no relatives. But after all, he will either die or recover. Where will you download from then?<\/p>\n
\u2013 You see, \u2013 began the emaciated Zaplatkin with an explanation. \u2013 With other patients, whom Nadya allowed me to examine, I found nothing similar. But this patient, Semyonok, is not unique, clearly. I am sure that there are signals in other patients too, just unstable and difficult to decipher. Right now, I am working on software that would allow decoding signals from any person, even a healthy one. Essentially, one person is sufficient. I believe that the downloading comes from a single source. It's just that the speed isn't limitless: the more recipients there are, the greater the downloaded volume.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Why did you post the announcement?<\/p>\n
\u2013 I first approached publishers with a new ending for \"Eugene Onegin,\" trying to explain. I was ridiculed. So then I decided to post the announcement: maybe someone, a major investor, would be interested. It's tough to scrape by with web development. I need time to finish the program. We're talking about automatic signal detection from subspace, you understand? Right now, I have to input the parameters manually.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Investors are interested, \u2013 the colonel grinned. \u2013 Are you ready to provide your program? Or would you prefer a dacha?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Take whatever you want, \u2013 whispered Zaplatkin, hunching over in the director's chair.<\/p>\n
\u2013 That\u2019s settled. Now, please, call your acquaintance at the hospital and arrange a meeting for tomorrow. I want to be present. Don't mention me, naturally. We\u2019ll surprise the lady.<\/p>\n
5.<\/b>
The colonel and Andryusha were waiting on the stairs, at the entrance to the basement. Upon arrival, they blocked the way. The colonel presented his red booklet, saying:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Hello, Nadezhda Vasilievna. Literary supervision, Colonel Tregubov.<\/p>\n
\u2013 What\u2019s going on? \u2013 asked the deputy chief physician in surprise.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Let's go to the box. We can't talk in the stairwell, can we?! He, \u2013 the colonel nodded at Zaplatkin, \u2013 will explain.<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna looked at the man hiding his eyes, Zaplatkin, and understood.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n
The four of them passed by the guard and entered the box marked \"Matvey Petrovich Semyonok.\" <\/p>\n
The patient lay on the bed without any visible changes. His unshaven face still amazed with its senseless spirituality, his mouth slightly ajar. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Is this one connected to the subspace? \u2013 Tregubov nodded. \u2013 Did you upload 'Eugene Onegin' through it? Well, who am I asking?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Yes, through it, \u2013 confirmed Zaplatkin. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Freak!<\/p>\n
\u2013 I would still ask...<\/p>\n
Tregubov reluctantly turned to Nadezhda Vasilyevna.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Is it necessary? Your accomplice \u2013 subspace development without a license, and you \u2013 a criminal offense. If you don't start cooperating. Otherwise, in a couple of years, you\u2019ll be selling groceries in a supermarket. How could you even think to let this... computer guy near the patient?<\/p>\n
\u2013 The computer guy was doing research work at my personal request. The doctors were treating him.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Is management aware?<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilyevna remained silent.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Let's see how the process works? Show me, \u2013 demanded Tregubov.<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin pulled out a laptop and attached a patch with a wire to the patient's wrist. He turned on the phonocardiograph and demonstrated the working process.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Download it! <\/p>\n
\u2013 It's not that fast. We need to catch the signal.<\/p>\n
\u2013 We\u2019re not in a hurry.<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin, placing the laptop on his lap, began to adjust the parameters. Andryusha was watching him, occasionally asking for clarification. Nadezhda Vasilyevna leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest. Tregubov disdainfully examined the simple surroundings of the hospital box. Only Semyonok Matvey Petrovich floated in the bed above the worldly bustle in his angelic calmness.<\/p>\n
\u2013 The download has started, \u2013 Zaplatkin smiled.<\/p>\n
\u2013 What\u2019s downloading?<\/p>\n
\u2013 I don't know, let me Google it. Ah, I see, something from the Strugatskys.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Not 'Eugene Onegin'?<\/p>\n
\u2013 No, I downloaded it earlier, \u2013 explained Zaplatkin. \u2013 I have it saved in a file. Do you want me to send it over?<\/p>\n
\u2013 No need, \u2013 Tregubov spat through his teeth.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Should I continue? The download may take a considerable amount of time.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I see no need. Andryusha, get the device.<\/p>\n
Andryusha pulled out a medical apparatus from his bag with two flat contacts the size of a man's palm.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Why do you need a defibrillator? \u2013 Nadezhda Vasilyevna quickly asked. \u2013 What are you planning to do?<\/p>\n
\u2013 None of your business.<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilyevna pulled away from the wall and stood in front of the patient.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I forbid the use of the defibrillator without my consent.<\/p>\n
\u2013 No need, \u2013 grumbled Tretyakov.<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna lunged for the exit, but Andryusha held her by the hand.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Let me go or I will call security, \u2013 screamed the deputy chief physician, trying to free herself.<\/p>\n
Tretyakov critically assessed both the woman and Zaplatkin, who was eager to help her.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Do you not care about your job? <\/p>\n
\u2013 I do care. But the patient's life is more valuable. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Are we going to kill him? With this thing instead of a gun? Original, of course\u2026 Andryusha, just let her go.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Why do you need a defibrillator? \u2013 asked Nadezhda Vasilievna, adjusting her gown but remaining in place.<\/p>\n
\u2013 To give him a shock, why else? A minor jolt won't hurt him.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Why???<\/p>\n
\u2013 I want to affect that\u2026 subspace. I mean through the heart. If you can walk one way, you can surely walk back the other, right? What do you think?<\/p>\n
\u2013 What do you mean by affect?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Nadezhda Vasilievna, don't worry so much, \u2013 Andryusha intervened in the conversation. \u2013 We received a code from Sergey Evgenyevich that he used for decryption. We embedded a small script into the code. And we configured the defibrillator accordingly. We expect that changing the patient's heart rhythm will be the way back, to subspace.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Why do you need a way to subspace? \u2013 shrieked Nadezhda Vasilievna.<\/p>\n
\u2013 We expect to invert the database in subspace so that enemies cannot use it. We will replace ones with zeros, and vice versa; it should work. Theoretically, of course \u2013 no one has done this before us. If it works, the key to subspace will belong only to us.<\/p>\n
\u2013 State interests, \u2013 Tretyakov summed up harshly. \u2013 A monopoly on all information reserves on the territory of the Russian Federation. Subspace should belong to the homeland or no one.<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin removed his hands from his temples and inquired:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Are you going to invert the canonical text of \"Eugene Onegin\" as well?<\/p>\n
\u2013 That one first. <\/p>\n
\u2013 I can't listen to this anymore, \u2013 the deputy chief physician was on the verge of hysteria. \u2013 Where are you from, the Literary Oversight? I'm sure you can transfer the patient to the Kremlin Hospital, to any other hospital, anywhere. Transfer him and do whatever you want with him; I have nothing to do with it. Now I ask you to leave the hospital box.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Alright, \u2013 said Tregubov. \u2013 I will leave the hospital box now. But then you will stop working in this hospital, I promise. For unauthorized development of the government subspace. Choose. Either the patient gets a small electric shock, or you get demoted. Well, your call\u2026<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin laughed nervously:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Nadya, let them do what they want. If, of course, it won't harm the patient. I'm asking you. Inversion won\u2019t work, that\u2019s a foolish idea. Some kind of protection is provided in the subspace \u2013 they weren\u2019t fools, you know. <\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna took a deep breath. She confidently walked over to the bed and checked the patient\u2019s pulse. She picked up the defibrillator and examined it closely. Checked the settings. She pulled back the blanket and unbuttoned the patient's hospital gown at the chest. She applied disposable pads for defibrillation to the hairless chest of Semenok.<\/p>\n
\u2013 One shock? \u2013 she asked Tregubov.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Enough, \u2013 he grunted.<\/p>\n
Nadezhda Vasilievna turned on the device and firmly pressed the electrodes against Semenok\u2019s chest, one higher, the other lower. The defibrillator made a characteristic click, the patient's body twitched slightly, the graphs on the laptop danced, and warning messages started popping up.<\/p>\n
Zaplatkin jumped up to the laptop and began to clear the clutter:<\/p>\n
\u2013 One moment\u2026 One moment\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2013 I did what you asked. Now I ask you to free the treatment room, \u2013 Nadezhda Vasilievna said with hatred directed at Tregubov.<\/p>\n
\u2013 What is this? I don't understand, \u2013 Zaplatkin said, not taking his eyes off the laptop.<\/p>\n
\u2013 What don\u2019t you understand? \u2013 Tregubov asked.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Something recorded. A lot, as much as the disk could handle. The disk is full. I've never seen such a powerful spike before. In just a few seconds, it's almost finished decrypting. And now \u2013 nothing, empty. Signal is absent. Look at what has been recorded\u2026 Well, this is Dostoevsky\u2026 And this one, I don\u2019t know\u2026 Lermontov\u2026 Gogol\u2026 Oh, how interesting! An unknown 19th-century poet. I don't know this one, at least. There is a poem in the subspace, but no biography\u2026 And look here, just take a look\u2026<\/p>\n
A movement was felt behind the bent backs. Everyone turned around.<\/p>\n
Semyonok Matvey Petrovich sat on the bed like an angel in the flesh, only missing the rainbow halo above his head. His open eyes, wide with surprise at the presence of others, shone with an otherworldly glow. The patient stretched his thin hand toward those present and spoke with a weak, post-awakening voice:<\/p>\n
\u2013 What to eat, do we have anything, fellows?<\/p>\n
6<\/b>.
In the corridor, two men in suits stood chatting.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I was rereading Tyutchev yesterday, \u2013 said the first. \u2013 What a philosophical subtext! No matter how many times I read it, I am always amazed. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Tyutchev is a powerful lyricist, \u2013 the second agreed. \u2013 Only a little bit of an amateur, and he understood that himself. Hence the intolerance to public discussions about his poetry. However, all great poets were a bit amateurish\u2026 <\/p>\n
Andryusha reached Tregubov's office and knocked.<\/p>\n
\u2013 May I come in, comrade general?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Come in, \u2013 came the voice.<\/p>\n
Tregubov was clearly not in a good mood. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Have you been to the hospital?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Yes, indeed. Semyonok is recovering, will be discharged soon.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I'm talking about the connection.<\/p>\n
\u2013 We tried to connect today, along with Sergey\u2026 excuse me, with Zaplatkin. We toiled for two hours, and nothing worked. But Semyonok is ready to participate in the experiments even after discharge. After the shift, of course: when he\u2019s not in the boiler room.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Why didn't it work?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Zaplatkin says the subspace is empty. Meaning the channel connects properly, but there are no texts on the other end of the connection. They are absent. Zaplatkin suggests: subspace emptied after the information outburst into our reality, due to the defibrillator's impact.<\/p>\n
\u2013 What\u2019s the basis for that?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Do you not notice some oddities, comrade general?<\/p>\n
\u2013 What strangeness is this?<\/p>\n
\u2013 In their behavior. It seems people have changed over the last month.<\/p>\n
\u2013 You're digging in the wrong place, Andryusha. People are always the same. They just need to read a good book and visit a conservatory. Here's what I think. If, as you say, there was a surge of those... artistic texts from the subspace, then our writers must have been composing only uncreated books over the last month, right?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Exactly, Comrade General.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Then it's simple. Check how many writers have produced uncreated works in the last month. If it's a lot, then the surge is as Zaplatkin says. Got it? Go check for the presence of uncreated works from the last month.<\/p>\n
\u2013 I will do everything possible.<\/p>\n
\u2013 One more thing. Andryusha, the Motherland is in danger. Dan Brown has written a new novel, worse than the previous one. The book is set to be published in Russia. Can you imagine the print run? Can you imagine how many new broken souls will appear on that hack's account? We cannot allow this. We're here to oversee the literary process. Once you're done with the uncreated works, tackle Dan Brown next. Literary poison must not penetrate our homeland. It would be better to reprint Edgar Allan Poe; that should be hinted at to those lowlifes.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Understood, Comrade General.<\/p>\n
\u2013 You are dismissed.<\/p>\n
Andryusha turned to leave. <\/p>\n
\u2013 Stop.<\/p>\n
Andryusha halted.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Did you do what I asked as a personal favor?<\/p>\n
\u2013 Of course. I apologize, Comrade General. Here, I brought it. Zaplatkin printed the second copy for you. <\/p>\n
Andryusha took the canonical text of \"Eugene Onegin\" out of the bag and handed it to Tregubov. <\/p>\n
\u2013 You can go.<\/p>\n
Leaving the office, Andryusha hurried to the exit. He planned to stop by the Lenin Library. Cherubina de Gabriac. He couldn't find the magazine \"Apollo\" with her poems online, but the magazine should definitely be in the Lenin Library.habr.com<\/a><\/p>","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"1. \u2013 \u0412\u044b \u043a\u0443\u0434\u0430? \u2013 \u0440\u0430\u0432\u043d\u043e\u0434\u0443\u0448\u043d\u043e \u0441\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u0438\u043b \u043e\u0445\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u0438\u043a. \u2013 \u0424\u0438\u0440\u043c\u0430 \u00ab\u0412\u0435\u0431 1251\u00bb. \u2013 \u042d\u0442\u043e \u043d\u0430\u043f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u043e \u043f\u043e \u0434\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0436\u043a\u0435. \u0416\u0435\u043b\u0442\u043e\u0435 \u0437\u0434\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435, \u0432\u0442\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0439 \u044d\u0442\u0430\u0436. \u041f\u043e\u0441\u0435\u0442\u0438\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c \u2013 \u043f\u0430\u0440\u0435\u043d\u0435\u043a \u0441\u0442\u0443\u0434\u0435\u043d\u0447\u0435\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0432\u0438\u0434\u0430 \u2013 \u0437\u0430\u0448\u0435\u043b \u043d\u0430 \u0437\u0430\u0445\u043b\u0430\u043c\u043b\u0435\u043d\u043d\u0443\u044e \u0442\u0435\u0440\u0440\u0438\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0438\u044e \u0431\u044b\u0432\u0448\u0435\u0433\u043e \u041d\u0418\u0418, \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u043b\u0435\u0434\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043b \u043f\u043e \u0434\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0436\u043a\u0435 \u043d\u0430\u043f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u043e \u0438, \u0441\u043b\u0435\u0434\u0443\u044f \u0443\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f\u043c \u043e\u0445\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430, \u043f\u043e\u0434\u043d\u044f\u043b\u0441\u044f \u043d\u0430 \u0432\u0442\u043e\u0440\u043e\u0439 \u044d\u0442\u0430\u0436 \u0436\u0435\u043b\u0442\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0437\u0434\u0430\u043d\u0438\u044f. \u041a\u043e\u0440\u0438\u0434\u043e\u0440 \u0431\u044b\u043b \u0431\u0435\u0437\u043b\u044e\u0434\u0435\u043d, \u0431\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0448\u0438\u043d\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e \u0434\u0432\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0439 \u043d\u0435 \u0438\u043c\u0435\u043b\u043e \u0432\u044b\u0432\u0435\u0441\u043e\u043a. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":53166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[702],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t
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