Part II, From a Bird's Eye View, 1989-1991, Chapter 14, The Kremlin, The Magic Mountain, Chapter 15, The Trap Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 14, Ryszard returns to Moscow from Magadan through Norilsk. Back in Moscow, Ryszard immediately falls into many discussions, arguments, meetings and conferences. He then decides to go directly into the Kremlin. It is a large complex of modern and medieval buildings on a hill with twenty towers. Orthodox churches abound, but as museums. It is the most important place in the Imperium. The Kremlin can only be visited through a museum, a congress or a summons. Ryszard was on his way to a congress of Siberia's small nations. Everything was clean, bare, and desolate. The level of security was extreme.

Ryszard visits Stalin's old apartment where his wife...