The Charm School

Hollis, “Sam, can I get you something?”
    “Coffee, please.”
    She brought him his coffee and sat in the chair beside him. Alevy placed a tray on the table, heaped with red and black caviar, sour cream, toast, and butter. Lisa commented, “When they give you the shaft here, they at least smear it with
maslo
.”
    Alevy chewed on a pastry. “That’s crude, Lisa.” Alevy wiped his fingers with a linen napkin. “I will now read you certain provisions of the National Security Act and instruct you on your duties and obligations regarding not disclosing
anything
you have seen, heard, or read while posted here.” Alevy proceeded to do so, then asked them to sign standard statements of acknowledgment, which they did.
    Alevy sat opposite them and put his drink on the table. He spread sour cream and caviar on a triangle of toast and said to them, “It’s better this way.”
    Hollis replied, “I think it’s better with butter.”
    Alevy chewed on his toast and regarded Hollis coolly. “I mean it’s better that they’re booting you. If they weren’t booting you, that would mean the KGB has convinced the Politboro to give them another shot at you. Apparently the Politboro, acting as game warden, has told the KGB they had their chance and the season is closed for Lisas and Sams.”
    Hollis finished his coffee. “That about it, Seth?”
    “No. I’m advising both of you to stay within the embassy grounds for the rest of your days here.”
    Lisa said, “I intend to buy some Russian folkcraft before I leave, take some photos, that sort of thing.”
    Alevy shrugged. “That’s only sensible advice. What
is
an order is that you are not to go outside the gates alone and never after sundown.”
    Hollis observed, “I thought we were off-season.”
    Alevy stood and made himself another drink. “Where there are game wardens, there are poachers.” He added, “If it makes you feel any better, our government has booted their air attaché and press officer out of D.C. It’s in tomorrow’s papers.”
    Lisa asked, “Am I relieved of my duties?”
    “Oh, yes. Both of you. Interdean, the West German movers, will pack you up. You need the time to supervise.”
    Hollis asked, “Who’s going to meet Ace on Sunday?”
    “You have to do that. Tell him that someone else will be handling him. Work out the details. Don’t lose him.”
    “Are we getting him out?”
    “If he has what you asked for.”
    Lisa asked Alevy, “Why aren’t they booting
you
? You’re the one who pulled a gun on Burov.”
    “Well,” Alevy replied, “it’s the KGB who wants me around, on the theory that it’s better to deal with the devil you know. Also if the Soviets booted me, then we’d boot their top
rezident
in Washington as happened in ’86. Then one boot leads to the other. Nobody wants that again. The score is tied, two–two.”
    Lisa observed, “Diplomacy has a certain immutable illogic to it that becomes a logic of its own.”
    “I’ll get that framed and hung in the ambassador’s safe room.” Alevy smiled at Lisa and looked at her for some time, then asked with a forced lightness in his tone, “So, Lady Lisa, where will you spend your home leave?”
    “I don’t know… this is unexpected. New York, I guess… .”
    Alevy looked at Hollis. “You?”
    “Not real sure. London, I suppose, to take care of that business. Then maybe Japan to see the old folks practice Zen. Then New York to see my brother who won’t leave his time zone.” He added, “I might pay a condolence visit on the Fishers in New Canaan.”
    Lisa nodded. “Me too.”
    Alevy said sharply, “Don’t you dare. You two are going to be well taken care of if you cooperate. You can each pick any assignment in the world outside the Curtain. That’s what they’re offering.”
    Lisa added, “As long as we’re not together. Is that
your
idea?”
    Alevy replied, “I won’t dignify that question with an answer.”
    Hollis stood. “Well, I’ll discuss this whole matter with my people.”
    “My company has the primary responsibility for handling these matters.”
    “Are we finished?”
    “No. I would like you to tell me now about your side trip to Borodino.”
    “There’s not much to tell,” Hollis replied. “However, I did kill two KGB Border Guards.”
    Alevy stood. “Jesus Christ! Are you serious?”
    “Unfortunately, yes.”
    “My God, that’s got their blood boiling. Why the hell didn’t you tell me that? You’re damned lucky to be