first floor, then we will proceed to the second, is that not how it works? Or will your people lay bricks in the air?” “Well, in reality… that is true, until the first floor is completed, you cannot proceed to the second, be- cause the second floor is being built on the first.” “That’s right, comrade foreman. If I don’t explain everything, you yourself will never understand. So how many people do you need, in the end?” “One head is good, two is better. Let’s leave one hundred and fifty people, send the rest home. If it’s too much, then we’ll cut it down as needed.” “All right, get the teams! However, make sure to strictly observe the international composition of the workers.” At this time, the old door jambs, on which the crowd peering inside pressed against, could not hold them any longer, they broke away from the adobe walls, and the door collapsed right into the office. The ten people who were about to enter first flew head over heels over the threshold onto the floor, crushing and breaking the straw hats of some. Two or three of the poor fellows were able to get out of the heap and rushed to the authorities, but on the way, they were overcome by timidity, and they stopped halfway. Sepentai looked sternly at the dark-haired, thin dzhigit who was floundering under a pile of bodies, and asked: “What’s your last name?” “Kamysbaev.” “What’s your speciality?” “I’m a bricklayer.” “Your nationality?” “Konyrat.” “I’m not asking where you’re from, but what nationality you are.” “Kazakh… But I’m only asking because I heard that you are also from Konyrat…” “Oh, these Kazakhs! Even when being crushed by a crowd, they will still try to divide into tribes. Okay, accepted. Well, what about you… sir, what is your last name?” Sepentai shifted his gaze to the bald guy, who was lying on top of the heap. “Kopbergenov.” “Speciality?” “Bricklayer.” “Nationality?” “Kazakh. I’m also a Konyrat…” “He’s lying, he’s a Naiman!” Blurted out a pock- marked dzhigit with protruding ears, floundering nearby. “Kazakh, Kazakh,” Sepentai thought, eyes darting from one man to another. “Kazakh again. It would be nice if there was a Russian. If everyone is a Kazakh, then…” Sepentai stopped himself and sighed. “Are there any Russians among you?” The crowd was silent. “Are there Russian masons among you?” Shouted Sepentai into the