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\nVladimir
\n\u2014 Listen, I’d better go there by bike, what do you think?<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 I advise you not to do it. Everyone will get tipsy there, and you\u2019ll never know what to expect from them.<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\nOleg has been visiting this karaoke bar for nearly ten years now, and he knows the dangers of the place. He suggests not to take the risk. I’d better leave the bike at home so that it won’t be left unattended through the night.<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\n\u2014 Will they steal it?<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 Well, not necessarily steal, but it’s more likely someone may damage it, or, well, try to steal it. Or put a cigarette out on a saddle.<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\nThis bar exists in real life. It has its name, address, its own regulars and its own flamboyant persons. But all the details\u2014 they doesn’t mean a thing because bars like this could be found all across Russia, in restaurants and cafes, in basements, in theaters and even former factories, <\/p>\n
Hum, voices<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\nThe details are of no importance now, because karaoke is just another world. They get together at about midnight in this small hall. From outside it looks like a friends’ meeting. They are strolling from one table to another, take a seat, share the news. But as soon as the sun comes up they are completely different persons.<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\n\u2014 Don’t you know who they are, what do they do, their life?<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 No. What is more, they may not say hello to you in real life. But when in karaoke bar they cheer and hug you and kiss, oh helo-o-o.<\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\nThe place has its own stars, and the stars have their fans. The light is dim enough to cover up shyness, age and life troubles\u2014 just to leave the voice alone. It takes some time for you to get what is missing there, and eventually you get it\u2014 there is almost no smell from the kitchen, and no sharp hiss of a coffee machine. The most heavy and most weary book brought in by a waiter is the book of karaoke songs listed by number. The food isn’t the principal thing.<\/p>\n
Song, voices, song numbers<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 Nine-five-hundred-forty-three. O-o-oh. Four-four-four-nine-nine. Four-four-four-nine-nine.<\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
Vladimir<\/p>\n
The abstract background images appear on video screens as the song lyrics crawl through it. The tanned skinned heroes and their girlfriends, and Robbie Williams pacing solemnly around the airplane. You see Robbie climbing up the plane’s wing. He’s dancing on a wing. He’s looking to the left, looking to the right. <\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
And it this very moment, thousands kilometers away, a hippo toy is sitting on shelf at a karaoke bar\u2014 a witness to all sorts of encounters, revelations, fights, moments of friendship and hope.<\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
Oleg
\nI guess, the majority of people here are lonely. You don\u2019t expect a family to come here. But if they come, they are likely to have a birthday party, or some family event. Normally, this place is for the lonely ones\u2014 they come in their bitter moments, to sing their hearts out. And they also keep their eyes open\u2014 just in case they could meet someone. There was a family here\u2014 I looked at them and thought, God, that\u2019s just an ideal family, singing all those songs together. But as I learned it later, they\u2019ve got terrible family problems at this particular moment.<\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\nYou can go outside at any time. It\u2019s a good observation point,\u2014 says a girl from the table next to ours, as her voice comes through the darkness. Two roads arteries cross in the distance, the shimmering lights get into one, and thirty seconds later they disperse once again.<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 And there was the taxi driver today. I do think from time to time, God, how can he earn a living when he spends all his time in this karaoke bar? Today, he came in and then he left\u2014 he takes people in and out of this bar, and he sings here as well. Actually, he sings here most of the time. But it is not what his job is all about\u2014 the more you drive, the more you earn. But he is here every day! And he sings the same songs every day. Isn\u2019t he fed up with all that?<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\n\u2014 How long does it last?<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 At least for several years.<\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\nYou can forget the words of the song completely, keep striking the false notes all the way through, and chose the most obscure song in the catalog book. But if you enjoy it, it\u2019s most likely that people around you will enjoy it too. Here\u2019s absolutely charming couple, and the song isn\u2019t the one to expect. Great!<\/p>\n
And these two have arrived in about three in the morning. A good-looking and well-built girl and her super-stocky companion. In the early hours of the morning he confronted some other guy. A scent of trouble came in. One of the guys put his t-shirt off. The music kept playing.<\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
Vladimir
\nAnd this very moment a girl steps in. Still singing, she throws her shoes between the two men, as they throw a handkerchief in Caucasus to stop the war. The song ends off abruptly. But it was too late. And then girl starts to push off her partner\u2019 enemy. She is furious in her effort. One can\u2019t believe his eyes\u2014 a person she\u2019s been protecting starts to protect his enemy, the second guy who\u2019s being attacked by the girl, and is definitely in trouble. The conflict has ended peacefully, with handshakes and friendly hugs.<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 [and he says] why do you sing the women\u2019s song? And I ask him what song? Ne Otrekayutsya Lyubya (You can\u2019t abandon the one you love)? What\u2019s womanish about it? Or say, Arlekino (A Harlequin)? It\u2019s a man\u2019s song in fact. Pugachyova has sung it, but the song itself is from a man\u2019s perspective. Pugachyova has done a man\u2019s song!<\/p>\n
Song<\/p>\n
Oleg
\n\u2014 Well, I may go and listen to Pugachyova songs, but the rest of them\u2026 The main guy, what\u2019s his name\u2026 Oh, God forbid, Stas Mikhailov\u2014 I wouldn\u2019t listen to his music at all. But I can easily sing it in karaoke. And I quite like these songs when there. But not at home, no way!<\/p>\n
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