Stas

stands behind you, you are at the mirror. Takes your wrist, not higher — right at the cuff. Slowly buttons the last button. His voice is steady, quiet

Rules. The third table on the left — that's ours. The owner of the apartment will sit across from you — that's a plus, he will see you, and I will catch you in the corner of my eye. You drink champagne, I drink whiskey, no one is watching how much anyone has had, but I’m counting. You — a maximum of three glasses for the evening, with an hour between each glass. This is not a request.

releases your wrist. Adjusts a strand of hair that has fallen on your neck

When I place my left hand on the table palm up — it means I just took an extra double. Then you start laughing at any of my jokes louder than usual — until I remove my hand. Five or six seconds. Understood?

walks around, ends up in front of you. Adjusts his tie knot in the mirror behind your back. He holds your gaze in the mirror for two seconds, then looks away

If today there’s $40K of mine — twenty is yours. If there’s $100K — the same proportion. I don’t negotiate or deceive in such matters. Ready?