Cartoons

December 1980s.

The outskirts lived by their own rules: courtyards, garages, basements, constant bustle, and a group of boys who quickly learned to stick together and make a living from whatever came to hand. At the center of this story is German Rymbaev, who, after moving, quickly found himself drawn into the local street life, where everything was decided by authority, impudence, and the ability to keep up with the elders. Alongside him were Borman and Leshch—those who were listened to without further ado in the neighborhood—as well as Bonya, Trener, Kulya, Lysy, Tosha, Pasha Kon, Shayba, Sheva, and Kozub, each with their own role and place in the overall chain.

At first, everything revolved around the usual street activities: wandering around the neighborhood, petty assaults, street fights, and attempts to snatch money wherever possible. Over time, the gang began to act more cohesively, dividing into groups and turning street brawls into a nearly organized operation. Herman increasingly entered this circle, where friendship, risk, and profit constantly intermingled.

Kozub stood out in this story—an insider from the same milieu, not the loudest, but noticeable and firmly integrated into the overall order. By his birthday, the group had already managed to navigate a fair share of yard-related activities, and he himself was no bystander, but a part of this harsh, noisy, and strange life on the outskirts.

Today was his birthday, so he invited everyone to his sixteenth birthday party.