Chapter 164

"I have a feeling that your employers aren't going to like the answer they're going to get, Cherkov", the Commandant said.

"I can call them again. See if they have another price they will accept, but they were most adamant about Disturbed coming to the Mother Land and performing, Commandant. Give me a few moments and I will call and see if there is another price they will accept."

"Use my phone if you like, Cherkov, but I need a better price. I'm desperate."

Cherkov picked up the Commandant's phone and called his employers. Again, there was a lot of Russian, some of it was heated this time. Cherkov, shouted something, then was silent. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a concerned look on the Commandant's face. "I'm waiting to talk to upper management." The Commandant nodded. After a moment or two, Cherkov resumed speaking in Russian. After about fifteen more minutes, Cherkov hung up the phone. "Tell them we will pay them very well, and you'll get your information. Russia has never had Disturbed visit us. They can put on the show however they want, even if that means they want to bring Zippy the Clown on stage. It is their call."

"Even if Draiman wants to bring his eleven year old son on stage?"

"If that's what he wants to do, my employers will not complain."

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Just as David was getting ready to dial the Commandant's number, his phone went off. He looked at the number on the caller id. "Hey, guys, speak of the fucking devil..." he said.

"No fucking way", Mike laughed. "The Commandant is calling you?"

"Yeah", David laughed as he sipped on his orange juice.

"Must be calling to sweeten the pot", John said.

"Let's hear him out", Dan said. "Maybe he'll have a better offer than us just going to Russia."

David answered the phone. "Good morning, Commandant. How can we help you this morning?" he said."

"Good morning, David. You seem in good spirits this morning."

"Cut the shit, Commandant. What do you want?" Dan said.

"I'm sorry, Dan. I was trying to be as pleasant as David was to me."

"Well, David got laid last night, Commandant. None of us did", Mike said.

John snorted. "Speak for yourself, Mikey." Mike looked at John, but stayed quiet.

"So, anyway, I was calling to give you boys some more information on that Moscow trip before you give me an answer as to whether you're going or not."

"Spill it, Commandant. We don't have the rest of our lives, you know", David said.

"Ok. I understand. When I visited you yesterday, I didn't have all of the particulars of the trip. The people that have my information say that you have never been to Russia to perform. Is that right?"

The guys all thought about it. "Not that any of us can recall, no, we haven't", David said.

"Ok. Well, the people I'm trying to get this information from are willing to pay you several million dollars, US, to come over there and perform, and you can put on the show however you want. Pyrotechnics, megatron, the works, if that's want. David, if you want Malachai onstage, you can. How does that sound?"

The guys all nodded at each other as the Commandant spoke. "Almost too good to be true", Dan said. They were all thinking it.

"Well, it's not. It's all true. If you want, I can get it in a contract."

"That would be a good idea, Commandant. Before we agree to anything, we want it in writing", David said.