Banker Styopa has devoted his entire life to the number 34—even in his youth, he preferred Bon Jovi to all other musical groups. He's also terrified of the number 43 and the Battle of Kursk. Approaching 43 fills him with genuine dread, and an imminent encounter with a follower of the number 43 threatens the most unexpected consequences. Victor Pelevin himself said: 'I simply allowed this story to tell me, and I don't know why it turned out this way—the characters didn't consult me ​​about what they should be like. You should ask them, especially Donkey Seven Cents, but he, alas, is already too far gone.'