Bulgakov Revisited

Do you remember the three “devils” in Bulgakov's novel? I had met them a long time ago and remembered them when a friend went to Moscow and told me that he sat on a bench in the very Patriarshiye Prudy. I suddenly missed that gang of rascals turning the city upside down driving its citizens crazy. I promised myself to read the book again with the first chance and so I did.

I looked at the pictures and, in reality, the place where all the madness starts in Master and Margarita looks rather peaceful, calligraphic, of a solemnity giving you the chills.

So I told myself: there must be something about that park. The friend I mentioned got some weird things going on and I could bet the gang of rascals is not innocent in this. Do not worry, the young man I told you about, a little over his 35s, wearing grey summer clothes has returned home safe and sound, and no tram touched, thank God a single strand of hair on his head.

One thing is for sure: the guys act together and roam various corners of the world. A few useful tips, should you witness shocking scenes.

In case you see a big black tom-cat hopping on the bus and getting a ticket, don't start talking to him. Just let him be and, possible, if you can, stand up and give him your seat. You may never know who you meet on the street, out of the blue, and what they might want from you.

The trick with the money may be outdated and you have already fallen into it. I don't mean to pester you with it and remind you of how it happened: you got some million bills (or maybe worse, it was some foreign currency!), they seemed many and fine, but when you got home you realised that they were only poor paper pieces, of no value whatsoever. As if someone blew over them and took all their power away. Another trick, but what can one do if the devil feels like playing and making jokes?

Women are the weakest minds, we all know that: they would sell their soul any time for some pretty clothes, perfumes and some pairs of fine stockings. And, exactly as in Bulgakov's book, the history may repeat itself. Do not panic if you walk on the street and see respectable women showing themselves only in stockings. Satan tricked them too, not before selling them the most sophisticated of the illusions. Who knows what brand dressed they bought and when they wanted to be admired, they evaporated and no one could see them anymore.

Unconventional transport means are highly valued. If you are offered a hair brush that flies, try it before signing the leasing documents!