How It All Goes Down
Moscow, 14 March
- Leo and Raisa are woken at four in the morning by blinding flashlights. As an MGB officer, Leo knows exactly what time it is—arresting hour (3.15.1).
- The MGB officers tell Leo and Raisa to pack as much as they can into two small boxes. Leo is careful to pack several pieces of Communist literature to curry favor from the MGB.
- Later that day, Leo and Raisa are waiting to board a crowded train. Neither of them knows what's going on, but they assume the worst.
- Leo and Raisa had actually been waiting to be arrested for weeks, but it didn't happen. It's not until they learn that Stalin has died that they realize why—with Stalin gone, the government is in disarray.
- Vasili approaches the couple. He explains that Leo is being sent to join the militia in "the lowest entry position" (3.16.40). That's... not as bad as we expected. Before leaving, Vasili casually reveals that Leo had placed Raisa under surveillance all those years ago.
- Leo and Raisa are tense as they board the train. Upset, Raisa reveals that she was never pregnant—it was just a ruse to ensure that Leo would defend her in court.
- Leo asks Raisa if she ever loved him, but all he gets in response is "silence" (3.15.82).