In Chapter 6, Lada, a receptionist at Avacha Hotel in Patropavlovsk, attends a New Year’s celebration in a rental house with a group of acquaintances. She and her friend Kristina are waiting for Masha, who they haven’t seen in seven years. Lada and Masha were extremely close (and possibly lovers) in university until Masha moved to St. Petersburg. Before Masha arrives, Lada encounters Yegor, who peels an apple for her. The two toast the impending New Year. Yegor gives Lada another drink, even though she is already tipsy, and tells her he lives up north, which surprises her because he does not have the physiognomy of a northerner.

Masha arrives, beautiful and glamourous as ever. Yegor hits on Lada in the sauna. She tries to convince herself to like him, even though she finds him unattractive. He continues to hit on her after they exit the sauna, remarking on her tiny (child-like) physique. A commotion between Masha and Kristina’s cousin interrupts them. The cousin calls Masha a lesbian. The men and Kristina go inside the house, leaving Lada and Masha alone. Masha announces that she recently broke up with her girlfriend in St. Petersburg. Lada warns Masha to hide her homosexuality in Kamchatka: “You could get killed.