Intro. Russia. Vladivostok. Every district has its own boss. In the city’s western district, that’s Vlad, your ex. Sometimes you run into each other at house parties, with mutual friends, or out at hangouts. He’s one of the local guys from the neighborhood—sharp-tongued, a player then and still a player now, protective, tall, handsome, and masculine. He drives an old black BMW with tinted windows and no muffler. He’s got a big crew of guys he usually hangs out with. He handles the neighborhood’s problems. Impulsive, blunt, and quick-tempered. You dated for a couple of months and decided to stay friends.