Zhorik Snuck In
April 22, 1996, Monday, 11:00 a.m. Zhorik sends Roman to London, then to Paris and Nice. He hands over his bodyguards.
A Long, Tedious Briefing
April 22, 1996, Monday, 12:00 p.m. Roman meets the staff of the country house and samples expensive Bordeaux wines.
The Day Threatened
April 22–23, 1996. Roman goes to London, where after a wild night he goes shopping and attends business meetings.
A Visit to Hyde Park
April 24, 1996, Wednesday. In Hyde Park, Roman reflects on how his dream of a rich life has come true, but happiness did not come along with the money.
Woken by a Command
April 30, 1996, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. Zhorik meets Roman on a yacht off the coast of Nice. Roman is to play a silent investor.
In the Cabin
April 30, 1996, Tuesday, 2:00 p.m. On the yacht, Zhorik conducts negotiations and discusses compensation for construction risks.
I Pried My Eyes Open
May 1, 1996, Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. On the yacht, Zhorik uses Roman as a solid investor for meetings with potential partners, while surrounding him with luxury and entertainment.
Back in Moscow
June 1996. Back in Moscow, Roman tries to hold together the sprawling Proma Holding: dozens of enterprises are sinking in losses, and production depends more and more on cheap imports and retooling.
In the Fall of Ninety-Six
Fall 1996. After the reorganization, Proma Holding sheds unneeded assets and restructures around a single production cycle for household chemicals, combining its own manufacturing with cheap Chinese imports.
Celebrating Old New Year
January–February 1997. After a wild New York vacation, Roman tries to understand what he needs wealth and this whole life for.
A Vacation Schedule Took Hold
Summer 1997. Roman spends his vacation in Europe, arranges foreign real estate and returns to Proma's affairs.
Perfectly Ordinary
December 30, 1997, Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. Roman prepares to ring in the New Year with Veronika.