Chapter 1-2 Summary

Pavel Rusanov is a very important man in the Soviet Union, and has a large tumor on his neck. He is told to report to the cancer ward of the hospital. When he asks his doctor, he is told he does not have cancer. His son, Yuri, drives Pavel and his wife, Kapa, to the hospital. He and his wife made many calls to bypass the normal treatment regimen so that Pavel can have a private nurse and a private room. They are consistently told that such private care is impossible. When they arrive at the hospital and are directed to Wing #13, Kapa tries to offer the admitting nurse money, but the nurse says she cannot take it, and if she did, there is no one to give it to, as there is no possibility for private care.

Pavel is able...