Making His Mark Among the Living

Victor played the accordion in the House of Culture. He loved the stage and smart clothing. And so, when he was sent into early retirement because of a disability, he decided to make the world his perennial stage.

When Victor was seven, his mother sewed him a white shirt and black pants. Then, somewhere, she found a pair of calf-skin boots – very rare at the time. And then she sent her son to the store in this outfit, for bread and sugar.

On the steps of the store Victor was met by two fourth-graders – Vaska and Kolka. The boys were leaning against the door, blocking the entrance, and they scanned Victor from head to toe. Then Vaska hauled off and socked Victor in the nose.