Татьяна Викентьева – "STOLEN IMMORTALITY" (страница 11)

"Zinovy Izotovich! This is my office. You'll find a computer there. Please go to the office and get on with confirming your signature. Vladimir and I will discuss the details of the upcoming operation in his office."

“Okay,” the banker agreed and entered Alexander’s office.

Alexander and Vladimir themselves, having walked another ten meters, entered another office.

"Well, Vladimir! We'll have to fulfill the old man's wish and perform the operation today," said Alexander, sitting down at the table.

"So, you've already made up your mind, Alexander Ivanovich? But what about the problems you mentioned? If this guy isn't lying, and he really is Eric Barskin, the oil magnate's son, then they'll start looking for him. And when they find him, and Zinovy Izotovich is already living in his body, a scandal will break out, and everyone will find out..."

"Nonsense!" Alexander interrupted Vladimir. "We shouldn't worry about that now that we'll get good compensation for the troubles ahead. After all, a million dollars pays for everything, doesn't it?"

"But we haven't examined the young man. Perhaps he's not healthy. And then the banker won't live in his body for very long."

"And that shouldn't concern us! The old man himself didn't want to wait while we examined the boy. He was the one rushing us! So that relieves us of all responsibility!"

-So, you've definitely decided...

-Yes, I've decided. You'll be assisting me, Vladimir.

-Okay. Where shall we begin?

"Everything will proceed as usual. First, we need to render the banker's body inviable so that his soul can leave his body."

-What do you want to use for this? Poison again?

"Yes. That's the easiest and fastest way. Next, we'll need to expel the young man's soul from his body. To do this, we'll bring the young man to clinical death and, when his soul leaves his body, transplant the banker's soul into his. Then, we'll quickly bring the young man's body back to life."

- I see. And where should we put the guy's soul? Back in the test tube?

-Yes. Into the energy tube. There's nowhere else. I don't want to let his soul go!

-And the old man's dead body? Secretly bury it in the forest again?

"Well, of course. I told you, everything's business as usual. No changes. Although..." Alexander paused. "Perhaps a few things should be changed. For example, instead of killing the old man's body, we could transplant the soul of a young man into his. That would be really funny! A young man's soul trapped in an old man's body! Funny and cynical! Isn't it? Worth a try? What do you think, Vladimir?"

- I don't know, Alexander Ivanovich. It's up to you to decide.

- Of course, me. But I'd like to know your opinion. The opinion of the most cynical and cruel man, who didn't spare his wives and children!

-Ah, Alexander Ivanovich! Please, don't remind me of the past!

"Okay, Vladimir. I've decided. We won't kill the old man's body! We'll bring the banker to clinical death, just like we did with the young man. And then we'll transplant their souls: the young man's soul into the old man's body, and the old man's soul into the young man's body. And immediately we'll bring both the young man's and the old man's bodies back to life. Do you understand?"

- Yes. I understand. But what if Zinovy Izotovich doesn't agree to us keeping his old body alive, and even transplanting the young man's soul into it?

"We don't need his consent. We won't tell him about it! The banker won't know that the soul of a young man will be living in his body."

-And if they ever meet?

"They won't meet! I don't intend to let the young man go! He will live at the laboratory. I want to observe what happens to the young man's soul, trapped in the old man's body."

-His soul will be tormented and suffer.

"We'll see. Now's not the time to discuss it. I'll go to my office and make sure the banker transfers the money into my account. And you, Vladimir, go to the operating room and get everything ready for the operation."

“Okay,” said Vladimir and headed off to carry out his boss’s order.

Alexander himself went to his office. On the way, he ran into Alfred running.

"Is that you, Alfred? Where are you running?" Alexander asked.

"Oh, Alexander Ivanovich! I'm completely exhausted!" the guard began to complain. "I can't find Grisha Pyanov anywhere. It's as if he's disappeared into thin air! He's nowhere to be found!"

-And did you look for it in the room where the alcohol is stored?

-No.

- So go there and look. He's probably secretly drinking alcohol there.

-You think?

-Yes.

-Okay. I'll look there. - Alfred headed in the opposite direction.

-Wait, Alfred! - Alexander called out to him. - Have you found all the other guys yet?

-Yes. They're gathered in the operating room. They're waiting for you.

-Did you take the young man to the operating room?

-Delivered.

"Excellent! I'll be there soon. Find Grisha Pyanov and wait for me there," Alexander ordered and headed toward his office.

And Alfred headed in the opposite direction.

Alexander approached the office and listened. It was quiet outside. He opened the door and saw the banker sitting at the computer.

"Zinovy Izotovich! Have you confirmed your signature?" Alexander asked.

“Yes. Confirmed,” the banker replied. “Moreover, the money has already been transferred to your account. You can see for yourself. Take a look!”

Alexander walked up to the computer and looked at the screen.

"Let me check it myself. In my own way," he said to the banker.

-Please check.- Zinovy Izotovich stood up and stepped aside.

Alexander sat down at the computer and began checking his account. Having completed this operation, he turned to the banker and said:

-That's right. You really did transfer the money to my account.

"I never deceive anyone, Alexander Ivanovich," the banker said, somewhat offended. "Now you must fulfill our agreement and carry out the operation today."

"Of course, Zinovy Izotovich. I always keep my word, too. Please, let's go to the operating room."

-Let's go.

The operating room was on the second floor of the laboratory. So, having reached the stairs, Alexander and the banker began to climb up to the second floor.

"Oh, I'm so out of breath! It's so hard to climb up!" said Zinovy Izotovich, stopping and holding onto the handrail of the stairs.

Alexander approached the banker, took his hand and began to feel his pulse:

"You have arrhythmia, Zinovy Izotovich. Perhaps you're afraid of the upcoming surgery?"

"No... No. I'm not afraid. Not at all," the banker replied, as if reassuring himself, and continued up the stairs. Alexander followed him.

Having climbed up to the second floor, the old man asked:

-Where to go next?

"This way. Follow me!" Alexander walked quickly down the corridor. The banker could barely keep up with him.

When the men entered the operating room, the Executioner, Krivoy, Venik, Alfred, Pyanov and Vladimir were already there, as well as a bound and gagged young man.

Alexander asked his people, pointing at the young man: