The next day came, said: "She said that apparently you mad, that twenty years ago you wrote the finest lyrical paintings, and those that do now, and claw hands, and the wallpaper on the walls izderesh. He says that if he is in the spirit of his earlier things done something, they would immediately bought.

In my neighbor's situation abruptly. Permanent earning no, definitely not a profession, no ideas, too, yet, the outcome - no money! Random earnings do not save. But there is a wife, longing for him business men of actions, debts for the apartment, semi-destroyed Amber, requiring repair car so right for this most odd jobs.

- Titus, you understand, because we offer the money, and all your arguments about the impossibility to get into the old skin - guff notorious tapes. You do nothing all day, and write a picture you can quite.

So go whine community and neighbor. The artist's heart trembled, and vile thoughts shrouded consciousness. The money is needed, no doubt, and the old skin did not climb again - this is also true. Where can I get the same thrill that gave birth to these lyrical mood, led youthful hand. But once the fools do not understand, and requires the impossible, what you can do hack-work for which I am responsible before God I will not (a naive thought!), Because it is my creativity does not apply. Thus, the picture is simple.

Last week the picture was made. I had labored, however, in good faith, and, one might even say, inspired. Possible because any work to do with inspiration. Forced you, say, digging holes, so you're in this business with enthusiasm penny, with a creative approach, so she'll work it and not a burden to be.

- Here, - I say a neighbor - you picture. His take it I can not think up the name of the author himself, what you like. If you want, let it be yours.

Here, I must say that the neighbor was a man, they say, honor, and similar tricks themselves are not allowed. It was decided, now classified as it is, that is, without a signature.

 He returned from the great lady again with the picture. Again, I flew to the charges, demands, persuasion and even to the invocation of conscience. Painting important lady, it turns out, is very pleased and promised to lay out the money immediately and without haggling, but now refused to take the unmarked.

- Signed! Need a signature! - Telephone neighbor. I said to him:
- Well, I said, put her and that's that.
- No, she needs your picture
- So picture or she needs my signature?
- Titus, not vypendrivaysyasya.
- Yes, I do not show off. Posted a decent thing, and if her eyes are not on the ass, she should see it and appreciate it. work to appreciate, and not someone else's authorship there, someone's name. And any Ivanov, Petrov, Sidorov, Blumenfeld and Prikhodko nothing worse Titov. And once again I repeat, if it needs painting, let them take what they give and admires its merits, and not autographed. Tell this fool that Russian icons of divine beauty, astonishing spiritual power - from the other eye can not tear, - b e r s m a n n s! Most of the Greek sculptures - miracle of miracles, the level in vain endeavor to reach descendants - b e r s m a n n s! Fayum portraits, murals of Egyptian pyramids - b e r s m a n n s!

But the important woman in his intransigence was firm, and a neighbor put the question squarely. Either the signature, or a pig I am the last of the petty tyranny and megalomania is ready and hungry to leave their children, and friends betray.

The heart of the artist once again faltered, and on a rainy night, bent over, went to the creator of branded his work.

Well, since I can not exist without a signature so loved by you with an important picture of a lady, if you please - sign for.

Picked up a razor-sharp knife for cutting paper and .... in the whole picture slashed five letters