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If the neglected appearance of the city inspired pity and bitterness, the people who lived in it aroused joy by their calm dignity and the maturity of their judgments. It seemed as if the electric light, which was so dim on the streets, had moved into their hearts and souls and had been rekindled in their illuminated faces. During the time allotted to us in Moscow, we encountered a mass of people, many of whom we had never met before as well as old friends. Mostly they were part of the constant stream of people who flowed through Daniel's apartment from morning until late at night. As a result, I can judge the striking change in the minds and moods of Muscovites.
The Soviet intelligentsia, particularly the young intelligentsia, these days are experiencing the enthusiasm and the happiness of speaking freely on a scale never before allowed them -- in their entire history. All anyone can think of is how to find time to read something new or to publish something new while glasnost still exists! Never before, I admit, have I read so many contemporary, current works of Soviet literature and journalism. And never with such intense interest. It seems as if the very foundations of the Soviet system must be on the point of reeling just from the change in the tone and language of today's literature. Of course, this is an illusion. But it's amusing to note in passing the extent to which the whole iron structure of the Soviet state rests on language, on trite bureaucratic phrases. Just blow on it, and it will fall! We are witnessing, for the umpteenth time, that magical attitude toward the word peculiar to Russians, to Russian literature and to all Soviet society.
But most important, the fear that is characteristic of Soviet people has disappeared. And this despite the obvious, although not always visible, presence of the KGB, which accompanied us. Sometimes it seemed almost indecent: after all, this shadowing and spying were transpiring over a fresh grave. Or should the death of an old camp inmate and scapegrace writer be arranged just as he had lived?
At times I think that thanks to glasnost, the organs of the KGB are growing out of all proportion. After all, now they have to spy on so many suspicious $ people, to listen in on the voice of the crowd and to keep a hand on the pulse, on the throat of public opinion! Perestroika is not profitable for the KGB, which is hostile to the natural condition of freedom, into which society is trying to move. If the society becomes free, who will pay for this whole swollen staff of dependents -- specialists in the suppression of freedom?
The KGB tried in every way possible to hamper and restrict my contacts, and intentionally created a flagrant show of vigilant shadowing, as if trying to force me out of my native city. Observers stood tramping their feet outside the building the whole time. Maria swore at them: "How can they stand there like that without doing anything! Give them each a shovel. At least they could clear the sidewalk in front of the building."