The next day at work

Plato , lets go . Said Dimitri . You better be early he said . You do not want to be early and keep the driver waiting . Warned Dimitri . I jumped out from my bed , got ready really quickly and left along with Dimitri for work . As i left , i looked into into the other room , a man much bigger than me was sleeping covered under a blanket . Sergey , I thought . Me and Dimitri left the house and walked towards the plant . You will need to pick up your identity card before you leave in the truck , he warned . You packed your suit , Dimitri asked . to which I replied , yes . What about you Dimitri , why don't you have a suit . I asked him . I work in administration , Plato . You do not need a suit for administrative work . That's in the office , I asked him . Yes , he replied .

You know , Plato . Between you and me , I would prefer to do outside work than sit all day at the office . Its just boring .

Why don't you work outside then , asked Plato

I'm just not cut out for it . Replied Dimitri

Ok , said Plato and two of them walked towards the office

The entered the electrified fences and Dimitri went to his office , while Plato went and got his ID card from the old lay who was yet again sitting there . She never leaves the place , thought Plato

The old lady handed over the ID card and said to Plato . Go tot he dead end and take a left You will have the changing rooms . And please wear your mask. She said

Once you are done , come and meet me here . She said

Yes Madam , said Plato and went to the changing room

Plato changed into his hazmat suit and reached the desk of the lady .

In a muffled voice , he said . Is it going to be like this everyday he asked the lady

Yes , she replied . You can take the mask off in the truck , where it will be concealed . The other places I'm afraid not . She said

Son , she said . Be careful . You are dealing with nuclear waste here .

Plato nodded

Wait here , your partner will arrive anytime with the truck , the old lady said

And son , she said . Watch and learn .

Watch and learn , she repeated herself

Yes Madam , Plato replied

After a few good minutes , the truck finally arrives

Bye , he said to the lady

He went and got onto the passenger seat . The driver was not wearing a mask

Remove your mask , said the driver

Andrei exclaimed Dmitri .

Yes , fate would have it that we are partners on the first day itself

This certainly makes me happy , said Plato

Andrei , are we going to be permanent partners , asked Plato

Do not think so far along , Plato . Said Andrei . Only for this month . Then they shuffle us again

OK , replied Plato

I have loaded the waste on to the truck . Now its your job to make sure the last of it is dumped on the waste site .

And Plato , do not forget to wear your mask. warned Andrei

I wont , said Plato

Good , said Andrei and started his truck

The truck rode on in the damp and muddy roads . Which clearly bothered Andrei

These roads , I tell you . Sighed Andrei

Just like it was , back at home , remarked Plato

You are from Greece too , asked Dimitri

Yes , replied Plato

Greece , same like Russia . Asked Andrei

Somewhat , not as cold as Russia . Replied Plato

Is it hard to drive this truck , asked Plato

Not that hard , you will learn it in no time . replied Andrei

Will you teach me ? asked Plato

Sorry Plato , I do not have the permission to teach you . A senior instructor will teach you . When they think you are ready

I'm ready . Said Plato

It made Andrei laughed .

Plato laughed too

The truck drove through the roads , there was hardly any other vehicle on the roads

Minsk is always like this ? asked Plato

Lile what ? asked Andrei

No one on the roads . said Plato

Minsk , is a strange town Plato , said Andrei . It is a nuclear town . Not many towns like this in Russia . Not even the world

Only Scientists , Military officers and people who work for the government . Only these people live in Minsk

And people like us , said Plato

We work for the government , replied Andrei

The truck made its way out of the limits of the town . And there was large spaces now all over which were not occupied at all.

And after a while , the truck entered an enclosed area . This place was again covered by electric fences . A vast area , as big as a town itself . the enclosed area

We are early , said Andrei

There is no one else here . He added

Now Plato , we go to the yard at sector - 45 . That is where we dispose the nuclear waste

Sector - 45 . asked Plato

Yes , that is the trucks number as well . Each truck has a number and is assigned a sector accordingly

What happens to the waste Andrei , is it dangerous ? asked Plato

Do not ask questions whose answers you do not want to know Plato , replied Andrei

Plato Kept quiet

They crossed sector -1 , then 2 and then after a while 10 and what looked like an hour , they reached sector - 45

This is the place Plato , where we dump the waste . Said Andrei

And Plato , since this is the first day , I will help you . From tomorrow onwards you are on your own . Said Andrei

Now put on your mask , Instructed Andrei