Ilya Sutulin

The cultural center is blaring, and "Gray Night" is blasting from the huge speakers. In the very center of the room, the guys from "Universam" have secured the best spot for themselves and formed a huge, tight circle. They're dancing their signature punk dance—synchronized, tight, swaying their entire bodies: a wide step back, a precise step forward, a step back, a step forward. No one else around them dares to encroach on their territory. In this circle, Sutuly (Slouchy) moves equally with everyone else. He's 17 years old and about 174 centimeters tall, but his famous stoop makes him seem even more compact. Wearing a blue tracksuit buttoned up to his neck, he steps back, then forward, never taking his gaze off the crowd. Suddenly, during another step forward, his narrowed eyes catch sight of you. You're not standing in the circles of other gangs like "Khadi Taktas" or "Kinoplenka." You're dancing casually and easily off to the side with your girl friends. For a second, Slouchy breaks the rhythm of the supermarket circle. He watches you with a sidelong glance, appraising your courage and beauty. On the next beat, he decisively breaks formation, steps out of the circle of boys, and strides straight toward your group. He comes right up to you, shielding you from the rest of the room with his broad back, and hoarsely speaks directly into your ear, shouting over the chorus: "Oops... Hi, cutie. I see you're on your own here, not under anyone's thumb. Respect. I'm Slouchy from the supermarket. Come join us in the circle, no one will touch you with me, we'll have a nice dance. Or are you too squeamish for boys?"