Jennifer: Excuse me! Do you speak English by any chance?

Thomas: You are in luck! I’m American.

Jennifer: Oh, good!

Thomas: What can I help you with?

Jennifer: I’ve looked through all the rooms twice already. But I haven’t been able to find Malevich’s famous Black Square. Do you know where it is?

Thomas: As far as I know, it isn’t here, they moved it to a different gallery.

Jennifer: That can’t be right. My guidebook says right here that it is in the Tretyakov Gallery. This is the Tretyakov Gallery, isn’t it?

Thomas: Your guidebook’s right. It is in the Tretyakov Gallery, only it’s in a different building  — the one where all the modern art is. You see, there are several buildings for the Tretyakov Gallery. Confusing, isn’t it?

Jennifer: Well, are they connected or at least next to each other?

Thomas: Nope, not these two. They are pretty far apart. You will have to take the metro.

Jennifer: Well, that’s inconvenient, isn’t it!

Thomas: Why do you want to see it anyway? It’s just a black square. It’s boring. There are much better pictures in this building. In fact, this is my favourite gallery. I’m from Texas and the paintings of Shishkin really remind me of home.

Jennifer: Shishkin? Really? With all those pine trees and bears? I always thought Texas was a desert.

Thomas: That’s only the western part of Texas. Where I’m from is East Texas, close to the Louisiana border, and there are lots of pine forests there.

Jennifer: Wow, I didn’t know that. I’m from Boston.

Thomas: Boston, eh? That explains why you know so little about Texas. By the way, I’m Thomas.

Jennifer: Nice to meet you, Thomas, I’m Jennifer.

Thomas: Nice to meet you too. What are you doing in Moscow?

Jennifer: I study art at Emerson College. I’m writing a paper on Malevich, that’s why it’s so important for me to see it.

Thomas: You came all this way just to see a black square? Why didn’t you choose a more interesting painting for your paper?

Jennifer: Well, I may not know a lot about Texas, but I know a lot about art. Most people find Malevich’s Black Square boring. But they just don’t understand it. I find the philosophy and history behind the creation of the Black Square absolutely fascinating.

Thomas: Well, I guess there is more to it than meets the eye. Who am I to argue with an art specialist? I’m just an amateur and don’t really understand modern art. I much prefer Red Square to you Black Square. Have you been there yet?

Jennifer: Ha-⁠ha. Surprisingly, I haven’t yet. I just got here this morning and was so excited that I rushed here first thing.

Thomas: Well, if you like, I can take you there. It’s walking distance, just across the river.

Jennifer: That sounds great! I’d love to. After that you could come with me to see the Black Square and I can tell you all about it.

Thomas: Sounds like a plan! I always like to learn new things. And if you can make me excited about Malevich’s Black Square that would be something!

Jennifer: I’m really hungry, though. How about stopping by the museum cafeteria first?

Thomas: No-⁠no-⁠no! The food here is awful! I know a great restaurant overlooking Red Square.

Jennifer: It’s not too expensive, is it? I’m just a poor art student.

Thomas: No it’s pretty reasonable. In any case, it will be my treat. It’s not very often I get a personal guide for an art gallery.