It's been a while since I've gotten into a story, but I had this idea and really wanted to write it down. It's about Ivan and his family escaping Stalin's Soviet Union to go to America. Alfred accidentally gets caught up in it all and somehow end up helping and housing the Russian family. The story will be based in 1950's America and will be about Ivan and his family trying to adjust to the American lifestyle. Like my other stories there is going to be a lot of humor, but there will also be some serious undertones about racism, sexism and the hard life of immigrants in the 1950's. America will be shown to be the land of the free while also being critiqued on it's censorship. Likewise, the Soviet Union will be explained as a harsh place to live while also having it's perks. I'm hoping not to be too biased in the telling of the two countries.
Russia (Ivan) and America (Alfred) will be a friend ship, not a romantic one (though, I guess you could interpret it that way). Other ships include Canada (Matthew) and Ukraine (Katsya) as well as the UK (Arthur) and female!France (I can't remember her name. Can anyone tell me her name?).
Anyway, I hope you like what I have so far. Please review after reading, it lets me know if I should continue this story or not. And if you see any spelling or grammar mistakes let me know so I can fix them up! Thanks!
The audience remained silent as the dancers moved and jumped on stage. Ivan stood behind the curtains, half watching the show as the various theater workers pulled stage props and hurried about. He tried his best to remain calm as he looked out at the performers. They seemed so relaxed, considering this was a very important performance. He looked into the crowd for his sister, but it was no use. The audience looked like a sea of faceless people in the dark. He took in a deep breath to steady his breathing. He couldn't look nervous right now. He had to remain calm and alert.
"Ivan!" He turned to the familiar soldier with his usual smile.
"Hello comrade Igor."
"I heard you're invited to the dinner tonight. Do you think you're being promoted?" Ivan shook his head.
"No. I doubt they would promote someone as young as myself-,"
"But you've made a lot of progress lately. I heard the general has taken a liking to you."
"My brother is one of the dancers. I'm only invited because of him." Igor waved his finger and chuckled.
"You're being too modest. Hey, remember me when you're drinking tea with Stalin. Put in a good word yeah?"
"I don't know…you never did let me have dinner with your sister." The shorter man gave a quick laugh and hit Ivan lightly.
"That's because you're too ugly." They both chuckled as the audience behind them gave a loud applause. The people on stage bowed as the other dancers began to rush to the stage. "Ok, I have to head to the back now. You take care yeah?" Igor whispered.
"You too-,"
"Oh, and be on your guard. Someone said one of the dancers is thinking of defecting." Ivan raised his eyebrows.
"How?"
"By boat," Igor nodded in the general direction of the docks, "We have some ships from overseas picking things up. Someone said one of them is even American," He gave a shrug, "Probably the last we'll see of those capitalists for a long time. Anyway, I-"
"Igor!" Someone hissed. The man jumped and ran off, waving to Ivan.
"Have fun! Don't drink too much!" Ivan waved happily to the man. He waited until his friend was out of sight before he let his smile fall. He looked back to the dancers and the crowd. This would make things more difficult.
The various dancers gave a final bow before the curtains fell. Ivan took in another deep breath.
It was time.