In search of the niche

– Yes, Brazil now out of agenda... Well, what can I say? Without emotional sex is certainly bad, but you can live. But I can"t live on my previous salary... With all our debts...

– Well, you know... do not bury yourself alive. Start looking around, 6 weeks probably will be enough to find something. I wouldn"t wait for the next project.

– Yeah, you right. By the way, Francisco promised that maybe he will help me with Panama project. This job in another company. If they will call me, I will quit. In any case, Panama even better than Brazil. No crime, good climate...

– Well, but girls are more expensive.

– You right. But, it is in the tourist zone. Of cause it will be more expensive. And Francisco already worked in this place about ten years ago and knows all the "hot" places. There, literally 30-40 kilometers from the big city, and prices for the girls fall in three-four times, - Grechko smiled with a carnivorous smile.

– OK. I understand you. But why Francisco need these girls? His last wife is much younger. If he wants to run after prostitutes, why he again got married? Moreover, he already had four children from the previous four wives.

– Maybe he liked her very much, got overexcited, he didn"t use his brain... People like us can"t understand these Spaniards. They live in soap operas... Or love till diarrhea, jealous till heart attack, or killing each other. Nothing in between. The people are too hot ... Today I fell in love and ready to sacrifice my live for her, and tomorrow I went to another girl with bigger butt. Okay, I'll go. I was paid for today already, so keep in the loop.

– Okay, be in touch.

Leo called to Nikolay about twice a week. Company still had no work. Grechko was slowly searching, with hope that at least something will come to his firm. He told to Koifman different stories, how recruiters invited him for a thousand kilometers from home, how they try to convince him to be a general labour and so on. They exchanged news about the family, discussed the events in their former homeland, advised to each other what movie to watch and what book to read. Six weeks flew by unnoticed and Nikolay received from the office an official package of documents, where he was notified that he was temporarily laid off. One week changed on another week, and the new work didn"t appear. Finally Grechko was permanently laid off and went to receive unemployment. Nikolay obviously was sad and began nervous. And despite the fact that sometimes recruiters called him, but he was never called on an interview.

Once he called Koifman and without an introduction asked:

– Listen, Leo, somebody advised me to file lawsuit against my employer.

– For what? Unless it's a secret.

– They, you know, they were very disgraceful to me.

– In what sense? Because they fired you?

– Yes.

– And what? Disgraceful, this is not a reason to sue the company. Did they break the law?

– I don"t know. Maybe. But let the lawyer to figure it out.

– Are you going to pay him?

– I know they work on commission. I have nothing to lose. If I get it - fine. If not - then not.

– It's not even a matter of compensation, which you still not going to get. Firstly, after you file a suit with the firm, you will not return here anymore. Secondly, you will be asked for recommendations. They will call here and HR will recommend you as a man who is suing everyone.

– And why you are saying "everyone"?

– Who will go to investigate?

– That means not to sue? Just swallow all this shit and forget. Forget that they wiped off their feet on you!

– What are you talking about? What feet, what court!? With whom you talked? Who heat you up?! The company has no job, and almost 400 people were laid off. And your new adviser, is he at least once tried to sue the company?

– I do not know... I didn"t ask. Why you're boiling? I just called for consultation.

– I understand that you lost girls opportunity, but the firm has nothing to do with it. OK, bye. I still have a lot of work to do.

They continue to call to each other twice a week. Koifman tried to support his unlucky friend as he could. He sent his resume to several acquaintances, made several recommendations and so on. However, the employment issue did not move.

Once, Grechko called Koifman and almost shouted:

– Leo, you will not believe, I just went after an interview for the Panama project!

– Wow! Congratulations. And how did you get there?

– How, how? Francisco helped, as promised. Who needs me? In spite of your criticism, I did not lose contact with him. I called him two or three times a month.

– Wow! What a great news! When do you start?

– From next Monday. I have already signed everything. Francisco vouched for me.

– Well done, well done. And when are you going to Panama?

– They told me after two or three months. They have a different drafting program. It will be necessary to receive the training, to get familiar with the project, and some little things. But they have different arrangement for a business trips. I mean, different schedule, not as we had. They have six weeks in Panama and two weeks at home. Well, two weeks is not bad - like mini vacation.

– Six weeks without wife, of course, a bit tough. But from another side you maybe find girls there.

– Okay, you always have to pin me up. How all what we discussed connected to the girls? Why do you think that I"m so sexually anxious?

– I meant who will wash your laundry during these six weeks?

– Oh, I see. You like a snake, always will find the way out. Hey, Leo, maybe you want to join to this project?

– Me?! And what I didn"t see there?

– Well, it's more fun together. And it's warm in Panama, same as in your Israel. In Canada 3 feet deep snow, and there you have sun and sea...

– And the girls in the bikini.

– Yes, girls. And what's wrong with that?! I"m not talking about boys. Ha-ha-ha.

– Thank you, Nikolay that you do not forget about your friends, but I feel better at home.

Two months later Grechko flew to Panama, strongly promising to Koifman be in touch and continue to communicate through e-mail.

6

A message from Nicholay came already on the second day.

"Leo greetings! Flew well, we have here +26C in the shade. The sun, palm trees, fruit etc. We are located from the sea approximately 40 km, I've already looked at the map. I'll go for a swim on the weekend. The people calling to Toronto ten times a day. I will call when understand how it works. Nikolay." Also to the message was attached a photo with an exotic flowerbed on the background of a mountain, covered with green weeds. Koifman smirked and wrote the answer: "Why you sent me a flowerbed? Did you get pictures of girls and price list? Leo. "

Next day Grechko actually called. His voice, saturated in Panama sun rays, sounded fresh and cheerful.

– Hey, Leo, is it you? Ha-ha-ha. Do you recognize old friends, or your ears have frozen there? Ha-ha-ha. You probably have -15C there?

– Nick?!
– Koifman sincerely was delighted to hear his voice, - well, I didn"t expect. Yes, we only have minus 14C, so not so bad. And how are you there? Do not sweat?

– Here, the weather is just super! It was +23C in the morning - in a shade, and in general - the temperature very comfortable. The plant is located not far from the sea. Around 40 kilometers. The roads, however, are smashed into the smoke, and mostly no asphalt, just compacted clay. Well, I mean, if it is rain you can use just horses. Although if it"s a rain, why go to the sea? To the Panama Canal somewhere same 40 km. To Costa Rica about 280-300 km, so in some weekend I will drive there and stay overnight.