Volume 1, No. 1

Banquet / Tyrras ... 7 

be ashamed to use this form of address." She took a sip of champagne. "And so I address you with this proud and noble appellation, 'Comrades'." Some people propped up their chins, some men sighed audibly; others leaned back in their chairs and loosened their ties. The women began to fan themselves, some even slipped off their shoes. Their mayor was starting another one of her long speeches. As Ekaterina Efimovna droned on, Morozin stopped translating and began folding a paper napkin. Bellamy looked over his shoulder. Behind their table was a stage where a band had left their instruments: a couple of electric guitars, a set of drums, and an accordion. Bellamy now turned his gaze at the diners. These were working people with huge gnarled hands and tired weary faces, and he couldn't tell whether or not they were listening with attention or indifference. But Catherine the Great was speaking with great conviction; she even