Train

The train is the setting for the opening third of the short story. After going away together, Olya, Vitka, and Volodya ride this train "from Simferopol to Moscow" at the end of "July 1980" (132). Because they have been traveling for some time, the friends are tired, hungry, and moody. Therefore, they are irritated when Boris appears and will not stop talking to them. Throughout their meal in the train's restaurant car, Boris insists upon telling the three friends about his recent experiences at a labor camp. He then offers to pay Olya money to let him watch her eat. She agrees.

Later, Olya runs into Boris again outside the train bathroom. Boris begs her to let him watch her eat on a regular basis. Although initially unnerved, Olya agrees to the arrangement.

Moscow

Moscow is the primary backdrop for the events of the short story. Indeed, after Olya's summer...