Julius Chance
Bird
Victor came out of the control room, looked at Antony and, as if reading his thoughts, said:
“Enough philosophy! Here's the answer: the goal of education is not knowledge, but action! Who said that?”
“Herbert Spencer,” Antony replied, impressed by Victor's insight. It suddenly dawned upon him that, yes, it was Victor's insight that surpassed him. Surpassed by a whole head, or rather by ten! Surpassed not only him, but almost everyone around. Antony instantly recalled several episodes from his past student life, confirming this guess.
“You see, the philosopher told us all about it a long time ago. The universe rewards only action! You are too afraid to make a mistake, but even a wrong action is useful.”
“In which way?”
“It eliminates uncertainty. If you make a mistake, you will clearly see where you were wrong and will be able to adjust your course. If you don't, you'll be stuck in uncertainty and miss the chance.”
“But if the error is fatal?” Antony asked in perplexity.
“The very education is for you to help to calculate and minimize the risk.” Victor clarified.
Antony pulled out his smartphone, intending to take a selfie against the ocean landscape with intention to send it to his new mistress:
“You’ve convinced me, now I'll make an action.”
But he didn't have a chance – in the blink of an eye, Victor snatched the smartphone from him and threw it overboard:
“Sorry, I forgot to warn you – no electronic communications during the voyage!”
“What you’ve done, I could just turn it off!” Antony exclaimed in fury.
“You couldn’t! They don’t actually turn off completely.”
“One more such trick and you’ll go flying after him!”
Victor patted Antony on the shoulder in a conciliatory manner:
“Well, don’t get upset! I’ll buy you much better one. You’ll understand soon enough.”
Puzzled, Antony silently turned away and moved to the opposite board. The weather gradually deteriorated. The wind was rising. Antony noticed a huge albatross hovering in the air. The giant majestically glided over and disappeared over the horizon. Antony watched him to the end. It seemed to him that it was the same bird that he had seen in the park. There was something special about this creature…
The second day of the voyage was getting stormy. Viktor invited Antony onto the deck. They perched on the stern. Some splatters reached them there. Victor uncorked a bottle of expensive brandy and handed it to Antony. After making a few sips directly from bottles throat, Antony felt a warm pleasant intoxication spreading through his body. That divine inebriation happens only when you take alcohol either for the first time or after a very long abstinence. Antony had not drunk for years.
Then Victor took a sip himself and brought his face close to his friend’s:
“I have a little business to offer you.”
“I thought you invited me not just for a kindly ride on your yacht out of friendship? I am readily listening,” Antony replied.
“Yes, of course, out of friendship! But one thing does not interfere with the other. We’ll kill two hares with single shot!”
“That’s your style. You used to get three in one evening. Girls, not hares, but that still counts,” Antony joked.
