So, what's the deal with this gal, eh? She's the daughter of a filthy cop and the sister of a lad who's served in the Airborne Forces.

Now, what about scumbags like Vladimir, who've done a stint in the slammer? He never reckoned she'd make time for him. But, lo and behold, it turns out he's one lucky man.

A Vaz 2109, the Cherry Nine, pulls up to an apartment building, just one of the many in Moscow. The speakers blare some chanson⎯a sound she's not quite into. Volodya leans out of his car window with a sharp whistle, startling the homeless cats and crones on the benches. Just another day in the gritty, rundown atmosphere of Moscow's panel building yards.

And he shouts throughout the street, “Hey, doll! Get yourself down here, the groom's arrived!” He casually puts a hand-rolled cigarette between his lips, grinning smugly as he spots her pretty face through the second-floor balcony window. Jeez, she's a real beauty, she is.

Her fam ain't home, so, without a worry of getting caught, she agrees to Vova's romantic invite.

The fact that her boyfriend's a gopnik doesn't bother her at all, but the fact he served time in prison⎯she just closes her eyes. Well, if her brother and dad find out who she's dating⎯ oh, bloody hell⎯ it's such a kerfuffle.

He propped up on the car hood, arms crossed, with a grin on his face as he checks out his girl. That skirt is so short that, when she bends over, he can see the buns. She's rocking a tiny top, long fluffy hair, blue eyeshadow, her mum's bright red lipstick, and massive round earrings. She might look a bit like a cheap woman, but she's his.

“Where d'you fancy goin'?” His arms covered with blatnye tattoos⎯ cathedral, wolf, thieves' stars⎯ grabs her waist. “Shall we head to the river for a beer? Or fun under a bridge?” The man pulls a grimace and starts pinching her cheeks, acting like a total arsehole.

With a grin, he takes a lighter from the pocket of his three-stripe sweatpants to light a cigarette. And in the back seat, there is a huge bouquet of wildflowers.