Rodion. But you do believe that!
Myshevsky. Well, I said that, but didn’t really mean that! Perhaps, I had my own reasons.
Rodion. First, you hooked my father on this topic, and now you claim that all this is rubbish? No, I'm not a sucker, as you may think! Medieval alchemists were able to turn metal into gold.
Myshevsky. Most of them were charlatans, if not to say worse. I can reveal you one of their tricks how they used to deceive people. They just took a piece of copper, then they melted it in front of the crowd, uttering mysterious spells and waving a magic wand. When the metal got solid, it appeared to look the color of gold. But it only appeared! It was all about the magic wand.
Rodion. I don’t believe you!
Myshevsky. You’d better do! You see, that magic stick made of wood was empty inside. It used to be stuffed with pieces of tin and covered with wax. And when the false alchemist used to touch the molten metal with that stick, the wax was also melting. As a result, some tin fell into boiling copper. And probably, you know, Rodion, that the alloy of copper and tin has a specific color and luster that could be easily taken for gold. If a person doesn’t have knowledge of chemistry, it is easy for him to make a mistake. The magic stick itself used to be burnt out, leaving no evidence. Everything in this process seemed to be true, having nothing to do with fraud. So, the audience was happy, so as the alchemists.
Rodion. Holy cow! Is that really true?
Myshevsky. Well, time will tell, of course… But why wait? After all, you need money now, as far as I understand. And you can get them immediately. Is it interesting for you?
Rodion. Of course, Andrey Sigizmundovich. What should I do for this? To rob your bank?
Myshevsky. Oh, you haven’t lost your sense of humor, Rodion. That’s great! No, you won’t have to rob a bank. It will be enough just to talk to your father.
Rodion. About what?
Myshevsky. What can a beloved son talk about to his adored father? Inheritance, of course!
Rodion. About inheritance? But my father is an ordinary Soviet man! Everything he has earned during his life is on these bookshelves.
Myshevsky. You are mistaken, Rodion. Your father has something for which you can get good money.
Rodion. And what is it?
Myshevsky. This apartment.
Rodion. Oh, forget it!
Myshevsky. Why?
Rodion. Not long ago, my father has been already contacted about this topic. They offered him good money for the apartment. But he refused. And he even threatened anyone who would ever say a word about it. So, that’s it.
