The Russians are Coming!, 14 Months in the Life of the Town - стр. 16
Busy with his outfit, Jeff did not notice when everybody left. His colleague’s son helped him with the helmet, then went away also, and only the director of the play was left.
The show had begun.
Hiding behind the curtains, Jeff watched for a while, then grew bored. He peeked through the opening between the panels looking for Vera. He saw her sitting in the fifth row at the edge, and, smiling, he kept his eyes on only her.
«Go, go.» The whisper of the director took Jeff by surprise, and almost running he went to the stage, barely remembering his words.
«Your Majesty!» he pronounced solemnly, as he slowed, walking now toward the twin thrones. «Be ready for anything!»
The helmet severely limited his view, and when he stumbled over something, Jeff did not realize what had happened. He fell, but being a well-trained professional, he skillfully rolled and sprang up at once. The policeman did it automatically, as if avoiding a bullet, but it seemed so showy and spectacular that when he got to his feet he heard a delighted «Wow!» run through the hall.
And no one noticed the comedy of the situation: that real armor would never allow one to move so effortlessly.
But the episode had another fate than to end like this. The stage was not big, and getting up Jeff bumped into something and involuntarily sat… straight onto the lap of the «queen».
The hall fell silent for a second, then a common guffaw shook the walls. Jeff got up, bowed to the «royal couple», and said, «I told you, Your Majesty, to be ready for anything!»
He listened with pleasure as the audience gives him an ovation and whistles of approval.
«I saved the day,» Jeff thought placing himself behind the thrones.
The play took its course and soon finished.
As all of the cast members took their bows, David VanStein picked up a microphone.
«Thank you for your attention,» he said, addressing the audience. «Thank you for your play.» He turned toward the actors. The spectators applauded, and the players bowed.
«Dear friends,» continued David, looking out into the hall. «Happy Halloween. Enjoy the party.»
The music struck up, while everybody talked and moved the chairs aside, placing them along the walls and making a space for dancing.
Remembering his fall, Jeff went into the hall stepping very carefully. The costume hid his entire body, even the hands, and he wanted to put Vera to a test, to check her feelings for him.
In the middle of the hall the people started dancing. It appeared they all danced together, but one who looked with attention could see that almost everybody had separated into couples.
Marina was next to David. As she had correctly guessed, her male costume threw him off, and the professor lost his careful manner.
Forgetting his decision to be cautious when communicating with her, David was talking to Marina with an amicable frisky tone, as if she were a real boy. He was telling open-minded jokes. Sometimes he gave her a friendly push and tapped her shoulders and back. Enjoying his treatment, Marina thought, panting: «God, is it a dream? Yes, yes, a wonderful sweet dream.»
«So, cadet,» David winked. «Are you ready for adventures?»
«For you, my captain,» she answered, exhilarated and jocund. «I’m ready for anything!»