Plague fair

Рафаэль Тигрис

Plague fair

 “There are no constant friends and no constant enemies, only interests are constant” – Winston Churchill.

A silver airbus landed at Heathrow Airport. The London air was moist and fresh.

– Solomon Grande? – the British border officer read in the passport, – the purpose of your visit?

– Business. To participate in a scientific congress.

– Are you a scientist? In what field?

– Actually, I'm an infectious disease doctor, a plague specialist. We will have a conference here on this topic.

The officer slapped the stamp in the passport. The way to the country was open.

– Solomon!

It was Yesenia's voice. They met on the social media, first on a professional basis, and then friendly relations began.

This is exactly how Solomon imagined Yesenia: with her father's Irish-toned nose, her transparent, ever-smiling eyes, and her unusually white-ski

Solomon joyfully stepped forward and they embraced like good friends.

–Welcome to London! So tell me, how did you arrive?

–There is no direct flight from our country. I flew through Rome.

They approached the silver “Golf”.

– Hey Solomon! We've the steering wheel on the right and the passenger on the left. Look, don't confuse.

Yesenia laughed lightly. Solomon liked this lack of complexes very much.

Soon they reached the city center. Solomon peered avidly at the famous London landscape. He is in the capital of Great Britain-unbelievable, but true! His report was included in the congress program at the last moment.

–Thank you, Yesenia! It was you, who facilitated my arrival.

–Your work on the plague is unique. Without it, no one would have considered my opinion.

Yesenia drove into the famous Oxford Street and turned towards the prestigious May Fair district, and soon the car pulled up at the door of the Victorian-style hotel.

The spacious hall was fragrant with spring. Right in the middle were huge vases with freshly cut branches of blossoming Sakura trees. Real wood burned in a large fireplace. Around them, sitting comfortably in armchairs, the guests read the latest newspapers.

Solomon's attention was attracted by rare photographs on the walls. On one of them, Sir Winston Churchill with his constant cigar was depicted at the entrance to the hotel. On the other- Her Majesty the Queen of England in front of the hotel.

They approached the front desk, behind which stood a graceful blonde girl.

–Sir, unfortunately, your room will be ready by three o'clock. Please wait in the meantime.

–Yesenia! You'll have to keep me company until three o'clock.

–Aren't you tired? Would you like to take a nap in a armchair by the fireplace?

– Napping during the day in this splendid city, in the company of such a charming girl! That's outrageous.

– Then let's go, sir!

They walked along the streets of May Fair, and the girl told the guest about London.

Solomon liked the company of Yesenia more and more. The ease of communication, the eternal charming smile on his face-all this attracted him very much.

– Listen Yesenia! If you don't mind, let's have some to eat. I won't turn down an English steak with chips.

– That's a good idea. There's a cheap but cozy pub not far away where the chef makes wonderful steaks. Let's go.

– A fine drink, – Solomon said, smacking golden ale in the pub.

– The ale is pumped from barrels stored in cellars. Previously, the water in the Thames was a source of all sorts of infections, including plague, and the inhabitants used ale as drinking water.

–So the plague killed the people here to?

–It did, and more than once. Rats and fleas. The banks of the Thames were crawling with them. There were many inhabitants. They settled in the slums next to the river. The years 1665 and 666, Satan's numbers, were fateful for London. It began with the great plague. People were not buried in time, and corpses were dumped into the marshes. At the same time a great fire broke out in London. All the shacks and wooden buildings burned. The city was nearly destroyed, but most importantly, the slums and rats disappeared, and with them disappeared the plague.

     Solomon listened carefully to the story.

– And where are these swamps now, where they threw those who died of the plague?

–They are right under us, – Yesenia said in a whisper.

–Under us?

–Yes! The May Fair was built on the site of former swamps where corpses were dumped. Then there were fairs, hence the name. Well, now there are expensive hotels and restaurants.

–Are you saying that under us are the bones of those who died from the plague?

Solomon's eyes sparkled, either from ale or from the word "plague".

–Yes! Thousands of bones, victims of a terrible epidemic. But now it is not customary to talk about it out loud. You see, Solomon, everyone forgot about the plague. For many, it simply does not exist.

– Because doctors and antibiotics were able to curb it and keep it under control. But, as soon as this control relaxes, the irreparable happens.

Their faces were so close that they could feel each other's breaths.

Solomon's cell phone beeped.

"Welcome to London, Solomon," the message was.

At the end, there was the signature "Yersinia".

–Something serious?

– What a stupid English joke!

– Why do you think it's English? It could be from another country.

– Maybe. But, notice who it's signed by. Just when we were talking about the plague, Mrs. Yersinia herself sends me a message. Isn't that what plague bacillus is called in microbiology?

– Did you think that this letter was from me? So know, Solomon – my name is not Yersinia – plague bacillus. My name Yesenia, very different and means “beautiful”!

Yesenia said this in an offended voice.

– Yes! You are really beautiful! Okay, let's forget this stupid joke.

– Solomon! Your eyes say it's time for you to sleep.

Solomon silently agreed with Yesenia. His eyes closed on their own.

Soon he was alone, going up to the his room.

A beam of mean English sun penetrated the room through the curtain.

   After a quick breakfast of English style eggs and bacon, Solomon went to the porter.

An elegantly dressed middle-aged man approached Solomon.

– Good morning, sir! Let me introduce myself, my name is William Spencer. I'm the head of hotel security. If you have any problems, please come to me personally. Here's my card.

– Thank you very much. But, so far I have only one problem – to get to the conference on time.

    A London cab drove Solomon to his destination. He was on his way to the conference he had dreamed of all his life.

   Solomon got out of the car and looked at the well-built building of the middle of the 20th century.

After filling out an application and other formalities, Solomon received his badge and the conference program.

"Where is Yesenia?" he thought.

"I'm in a cafe, on the third floor"– a message came from Yesenia.

She was sitting at a table in the company of a swarthy guy.

–Meet Solomon, my friend Carlos, who arrived from Colombia.

–Pleased to meet you, – said Solomon.

Carlos had black curly hair that contrasted with colorless eyes. His appearance was not credible. However, they began to drink coffee. Carlos and Yesenia talked to each other in Spanish, and Solomon got bored.

“ The third one is clearly redundant” thought Solomon and said:

– Okay, my friends. I'll go and listen to the lecture on genetic engineering,

–See you later, when you're free, – answered Yesenia.