Afterward we gathered in the main dining area and Dmitri locked the door. He stood on a chair (we were forewarned that he does this often) and told us and the other customers that it was time for a party. From his precarious pulpit he spoke about the importance of food, of love, of his grandfather, and told us that we must drink, dance on the bar, and do whatever we wanted to do because we should “live in this moment.” He started to cry toward the end of his speech, but after composing himself, he exhorted us to enjoy life because “tomorrow is an illusion!” Unfortunately Dimitri is more than
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