00:00The Prince of the Soviets
00:03A historical novel by Elvira Barry
00:08The Russian Treasures Series, Book 3
00:12To Peter Thompson, whose unwavering support and belief in my work made this audiobook possible,
00:20thank you for turning a dream into reality.
00:24Narrated by Lucas Arnold
00:28Prologue
00:291. To Klim Rogov
00:33The ungrateful wretch I foolishly harbored in my bosom
00:37From Fernando José Berbano
00:40The boss and owner of this damn radio station
00:43The devil take it
00:45Regarding your willful resignation
00:48September 28, 1927
00:51Shanghai, Republic of China
00:54Note from O. Harper, Secretary
00:57Sorry, Klim.
00:59I'm just typing what the boss dictates to me.
01:02You ungrateful wretch.
01:05You had no right to resign from your job at my outstanding radio station
01:10And go charging off to the very devil itself, Soviet Russia.
01:14You're the best radio presenter we have and you're causing us no end of trouble with our commercials.
01:21We've only just signed a contract with the makers of Sedate Ease sleeping tablets.
01:28I promised them you'd do them proud.
01:30Instead, it turns out you have done a runner.
01:33I detest you heartily for it.
01:36I detest you heartily for it.
01:36Damn your eyes.
01:37You can rest assured that I wouldn't take you back
01:40Even if you came crawling back on your belly asking my forgiveness for a whole year.
01:46Why the devil are you going back to that den of vipers anyway?
01:49You only just got out by the skin of your teeth after the revolution.
01:54Have you forgotten that it is run by the Bolsheviks?
01:57A godless crowd who confiscate private property belonging to decent traders and businessmen.
02:03If you haven't taken complete leave of your senses, I advise you to buy yourself a big packet of Sedate
02:11Ease and avoid the place like the plague.
02:14I'll organize you a discount.
02:16However, if you're serious about this crazy scheme, I hope the Bolsheviks string you up from the nearest tree.
02:252. To my boss, friend, and owner of this damn radio station, Fernando José Berbano.
02:34From the ungrateful wretch, Klim Rogov.
02:38Regarding my resignation, September 29, 1927, Shanghai, Republic of China.
02:47My dearest friend, please don't be angry with me.
02:52I am only doing what I have to do.
02:54My wife is in trouble.
02:56The Bolsheviks have deported her to Moscow.
02:59And she is in mortal danger there.
03:01I know for a fact that the Soviet political police, the OGPU, is seizing any white Russians who return to
03:09the USSR.
03:10And sending them off to prison camps somewhere in the far north of the country.
03:15The OGPU don't care if the people they arrest are guilty or not.
03:20Their policy is to neutralize them in any case.
03:25I have to save Nina.
03:28I know in advance what you'll say.
03:30People like this lady friend of yours are nothing but bad news.
03:34And you're right.
03:36If I go back to Soviet Russia, I also risk falling into the hands of the OGPU.
03:42I'm also a white émigré like my wife.
03:45And even if I do manage to get her back, I can't expect any sort of domestic ideal in the
03:51future.
03:52Such a life isn't possible with a woman as passionate and headstrong as Nina.
03:59How can I explain it all to you so that you'll understand and not take offense?
04:04I've had the good fortune to find a marvelous, unique woman.
04:08And for her sake, I'm prepared to go straight into the lion's mouth.
04:14When I'm beside her, I feel alive.
04:18We all have something we prize over all else, Fernando.
04:21You'd risk everything for profit.
04:24But I haven't any enthusiasm for gold mining or for creating commercial empires.
04:30If I do anything, I do it for the sake of my wife and my little daughter.
04:36I'm sorry, but it's just a defect of my character.
04:40Please don't try to persuade me not to go.
04:43I know Nina and I are completely at odds at the moment.
04:47Our relations are at a dead end.
04:49And I don't see any way out.
04:52But it's too late for me to go back now.
04:55Your friend, colleague, and companion in arms.
05:00Klim Rogov
05:023.
05:04To Klim Rogov
05:06From Fernando José Berbano
05:10On the subject of your triple asterisk explanatory note.
05:16September 29, 1927
05:18Shanghai, Republic of China
05:21Note from O. Harper, Secretary
05:25The asterisks indicate where Mr. Berbano used unprintable expressions.
05:31Please accept my apologies if this letter is not to your liking.
05:36Go to the asterisks
05:38Devil, you asterisks
05:42By the way, if you ever come back alive from the USSR,
05:47how about making a radio program about your adventures?
05:50I think it could be popular with our listeners.
05:53If the team that makes SedateEase haven't gone bust by then,
05:57they could be our sponsors.
05:59You can tell our listeners about running away from the Bolsheviks,
06:02and during the commercial break, you can advise them to take tablets to calm their nerves.
06:07Make sure you write down everything that happens to you anyway.
06:11If you find you're about to be killed,
06:13take a moment to send us all your stories,
06:15and we'll broadcast them.
06:17If you need a funeral service,
06:19send a telegram.
06:21You may be a
06:22asterisks
06:23Orthodox Christian and not a Catholic,
06:26but I'll say a prayer for you
06:27and do what needs to be done.
06:30Your friend, Fernando.
06:32I'll say a prayer for you.
06:33I'll say a prayer for you.
06:34I'll say a prayer for you.
06:34I'll say a prayer for you.
Comments