Irina and Katya walk arm-in-arm towards the ice rink of Gorky Park. Katya has been unusually quiet ever since they left the apartment; Irina waits patiently. She knows her news has come as a surprise – she's still in a state of semi-shock herself – but she wants Katya's opinion. She has no secrets from Katya; she cannot keep this from her now.
They sit on a bench overlooking the ice, huddling together to stay warm. The music is loud – Rachmaninov, Irina thinks – which means there's less chance of someone overhearing the conversation.
Irina watches the skaters circle the ice. The music changes and still Katya is silent. There is an icy wind that cuts through the layers of clothing and chills to the bone. Irina pulls a small flask of vodka from her pocket and takes a sip before offering it to Katya.
"Surely there are other assignments," Katya says eventually.
"This is an incredible opportunity, Katyusha."
"Have you thought about it? I mean, really thought about it, beyond the idea of it being a good career move?" Katya takes another sip of vodka. "Pretending to be someone else, making this man love you, pretending you love him – I'm worried about what this will do to you."
"It won't do anything to me. They tell me it will take two years, and then it's finished."
"Come on, Ira. Are you really that naïve? What happens when the information you steal proves so valuable that they want you to stay longer?"
Irina shrugs. "Then I'll stay longer."
"And what happens when you fall in love with him?"
Her eyes widen as she turns to look at Katya. "Fall in love? Don't be ridiculous."
"Ask for another assignment," Katya says.
"You don't think I can do this?" Irina doesn't quite manage to hide the hurt in her voice.
"Oh, Irishka. I know you're strong and intelligent, but I just have a very bad feeling about this. There's so much more you could do."
Irina shakes her head.
"But I'm just a journalist," Katya says. "What do I know about this business? Maybe you should talk to Elena?"
"Elena's the one who recommended me for the assignment."
Katya falls silent again.
"She told me it would be a good opportunity to prove myself."
"Well, then. I wish you all the best." Katya takes a long drink from the flask. "And what of Gerard?"
"He's not happy about it."
"You won't consider staying for him?"
"I'm not in love with him."
"I see." Katya stands. "It's freezing out here; let's go home."
Though they return to the apartment arm-in-arm, there's a distance between them that wasn't there before. Despite Katya's disapproval, Irina knows she will accept the assignment. She knew she would accept it even before she told Katya about it. She believes Elena; it is a good opportunity.
She will prove Katya wrong, she decides. She will go to America and make this man love her, and she will come back to Russia unchanged.