How i met your mother rain dance song


15 Best Songs Featured On The Show

Often, songs are featured more prominently in single-camera sitcoms, where the aesthetic quality is to make the viewer feel like they’re part of the show. How I Met Your Mother was an exception to this, however. Here was a laugh-track sitcom that heavily relied on music to tell its story. 

RELATED: 5 Things HIMYM Does Better Than Friends (& Vice Versa)

It worked like a charm too, as the show had so many songs in its soundtrack that we’ve lost count of just how many there were. What we do know is that these songs were carefully cherry-picked, and always seemed to bolster the scene they were accompanying. How I Met Your Mother never failed to use music to great effect, as these examples will make clear.

Updated on December 20th, 2020 by Saim Cheeda: With the rise in streaming services, TV shows like How I Met Your Mother are getting new fans each day. This sitcom has charmed its way into viewers’ hearts through its comedy and the music it brings. Since fans tend to have varying tastes, this list has been updated to deliver more songs that will wind up being a favorite to indulge in.

"Let Your Heart Hold Fast" - Fort Atlantic

Those who are still unsure whether it's Ted or Barney who is best for Robin need to check out this song, as it illustrates how Barney was always the one for Robin while Ted pined for something that wasn’t there. This song played when Barney proposed to Robin, bringing to a close their “will they?/won’t they?” for a time.

It manages to simultaneously be a heartwarming and heartbreaking piece of music, as the slow-moving pace washes over the happy sentiments of Robin and Barney while highlighting Ted’s hurt feelings to realize the woman he loves is marrying someone else.

"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - The Proclaimers

Partly why How I Met Your Mother fans feel that Ted, Barney, and Marshall are a better trio than Ross, Joey, and Chandler from Friends is because the former have more buddy moments. Nothing stresses upon Ted and Marshall’s bromance more than this song.

Played repeatedly due to the tape being stuck in Marshall’s car stereo, the song can make anyone sick of it only to grow on the listener so much that they start belting out the lyrics as well. It’s a wacky song that has earned its place in every How I Met Your Mother fan’s heart.

"Best Night Ever!" - Marshall/Jason Segel

There’s no doubt that Marshall is an absolute sweetheart, with the fact that he took the time to sing this song confirming this notion. Marshall made a collage of the double date he and Lily had with Barney and Robin, with this song accompanying the pictures.

Sure, it made his desperation to be liked obvious, but that did work since the song brings Marshall’s lovable nature to the forefront. Not to mention how the “Lily made some creme brulee!” line is so hilarious it’s bound to get stuck in one’s head.

"La Vie En Rose" - Edith Piaf/Cristin Milioti

This song has always been a timeless classic, and listening to it played on a ukulele is something else. It hinges entirely on the actress’s performance, as her heart is laid bare with the feelings she has of being alone and unsure of what she wants.

It can be interpreted as a heartbreaking ballad or a song that evokes some measure of hope The Mother had for better days to come. Whatever it might be, the meaning wasn’t lost on Ted as he heard the song and was instantly enraptured by it, much like the fans.

"Murder Train" - The Foreskins

This track always springs up whenever an over-the-top fight takes place in an episode. It’s also a very catchy tune, bringing to life the sense of tension that was boiling to the surface up to that point. More than anything, it’s a funny take on what should have been an intense rock beat.

Due to the recurring nature of the song, How I Met Your Mother fans grew to expect it whenever a fight was about to begin between the characters. They were usually right, as this upbeat track explodes whenever things are about to go down.

"Hey Beautiful" - The Solids

We can’t go without mentioning the iconic theme song, now, can we? A simple 13-second intro was all that was needed to have How I Met Your Mother fluttering about in everyone’s minds for almost a decade, and even today we can’t go without smiling whenever we happen to hear it.

RELATED: How I Met Your Mother: 10 Most Underrated Supporting Characters

The simple yet upbeat tune perfectly captured the show’s period setting (if one considers 2030 to be present-day) and the gang’s close-knit mentality. Like the show or hate it, you can’t claim to dislike “Hey Beautiful,” that’s for sure.

"Let's Go To The Mall" - Robin/Cobie Smulders

The show’s wacky nature was firmly in place when it was revealed that Robin used to be a teenage popstar back in Canada in her younger days. They even gave us a whole feature-length song to demonstrate!

RELATED: How I Met Your Mother: 10 Biggest Twists, Ranked

Even though Robin found “Let’s Go To The Mall” to be embarrassing, that’s really not the case, seeing as the song is just so catchy and upbeat that it makes us instant fans. The song also became a recurring aspect of the show and was even played by Robin in the finale episode for her wedding.

"Prophets" - A.C Newman

Season 4’s finale will always have a special place in our hearts for delivering a genuinely uplifting message. When Ted learns to let go of what he thinks he’s supposed to do and embrace what the world is telling him he should do, it's just beautiful. 

The final moments of the episode had the gang all head to the roof to take the leap over to the other building, and the song was perfect for building up our excitement to see these people letting go of apprehension and just leaving things to fate.

"Better" - Regina Spektor

Speaking of leaving things behind, this episode had Ted letting go of his anger toward Stella for ditching him before their wedding. Before the concluding minutes, Ted envisioned himself tearing into Stella for betraying him, only to see her with her family and realizing they were always meant to be together.

RELATED: How I Met Your Mother: The 10 Best Holiday Episodes

“Better” was the correct word here since Ted could tell he was the thorn in the family’s side rather than the other way around and chose to walk away to a better future. It wasn’t as sad as it sounds, either, because we then witnessed Ted feeling free to go wherever he wanted in New York, no longer feeling humiliated about what happened to him.

"Let It Roll" - George Harrison

If you want to sum up Season 6 of How I Met Your Mother with a simple feeling, then you can point toward the jingle that struck up curiosity in us in “Let it Roll”. The song was featured right from the very opening seconds of the season into the very last moments.

It was used to stir up the wonder in fans over whose wedding it was supposed to be in the flash-forward, where we saw a nervous Ted. That wasn’t its only use, though, as the song was also heard when Ted pushed the button to destroy the Arcadian, cementing the sentiment that people need to move onto bigger and better things, no matter how much people like Zoey wanted to cling onto it.

"This Modern Love" - Bloc Party

How I Met Your Mother was the hip, cool new show on the scene in 2005 after Friends ended, and the newer generation responded very well to songs being utilized to play up the story. Season 1’s “This Modern Love” made the final moments a must-see, and it still ranks as a top moment in the show’s history.

RELATED: How I Met Your Mother: Every Season Finale, Ranked

It was very appropriate as well, as the modern woman, Lily, couldn’t comprehend just settling for the traditionalist that was Marshall, and the poor guy was left lamenting his fortunes in the rain. On the other end, we had Ted, who was basking in happiness after finally getting together with Robin - two very modern styles of romance wrapped up in one.

"Shake It Out" - Florence and the Machine

Before Taylor Swift told us to “Shake it Off,” we were told to shake out our problems by Florence and the Machine and How I Met Your Mother. Here, the episode needed a very strong song to see off the audience after a very turbulent episode, where we saw Ted realize his mistake as Robin didn’t love him after all. 

RELATED: Where Are They Now: The Cast of How I Met Your Mother

The winning shot, though, was the sight of the street where Ted walked being full of women holding yellow umbrellas, a reminder to the fans that Robin was just one of the pit stops Ted had to go through before finally meeting The Mother.

"The Funeral" - Band of Horses

As it turned out, this song foreshadowed The Mother’s death all along, what with it being named “The Funeral.” At the time, though, it did a great job of telling us to hold fast, as Ted’s story was coming to an end in a couple of years.

The thunderous chorus and its accompanying lyrics complemented the scene that unfolded, as we saw Future Ted waiting on a train platform, all while The Mother stepped out of a taxi and stood only a short distance away from him. While we didn’t get to see them meet at the time, the song had us hyped for when the moment would arrive.

"Nothing Suits Me Like A Suit" - Barney/Neil Patrick Harris

Nobody could have envisioned an entire dance number being featured on the show, especially not one that was so elaborate. Here, Barney imagined a whole musical-styled song to go with his love for suits, and we were brought along for the ride.

Being the enormously talented man that he is, Neil Patrick Harris had us wowed with his dancing skills, and the show’s prop and costume department deserve applause themselves for making the song come alive. Anybody who heard this song would have been inclined to dump their girlfriend and go off in pursuit of suits instead.

"Downtown Train" - Everything But The Girl

We’re all pretty bummed with the widely-hated series finale as well, but you can’t deny that the meeting between Ted and The Mother deserves full points for being sweet and justified in bringing the whole story together.

What made this moment so beautiful was the song that seamlessly went with all the times the couple had during their marriage and completed the effect by accompanying us when we saw Ted and The Mother meet for the first time in 2013. Had the show ended right then and there, How I Met Your Mother could have pleased the fans with its finale; unfortunately, fans had the disastrous ending to follow. This takes nothing away from "Downtown Train," though, the song that made us believe in happy endings for those few minutes.

NEXT: 10 Most Heartbreaking Moments On How I Met Your Mother

10 Things You Can't See Without Thinking Of 'How I Met Your Mother'

Although it was filled with life lessons, memorable quotes and farfetched but strangely relatable characters, How I Met Your Mother also supplied its viewers with dozens of different everyday things that now take on a whole new meaning. Even from the beginning, this show was destined for greatness. Related: 7 Shows That Went Completely Off the Rails in the Final SeasonSure, drinks at an Irish pub might make you wish you were in a booth at MacLaren's, and you may be reminded of Lily Aldrin any time you hear someone say, "You son of a bitch," but the show also gave us nine seasons worth of symbols and trademarks that made it legen- wait for it...

Yellow Umbrella

Picture this: you're walking in the pouring rain down the busy sidewalk. Everyone's pink rain boots are splashing each other in the puddles, chit-chat drawn out by the roaring thunder, and your plain, old umbrella scrapes against someone's bright yellow one. Now, who do you immediately think of?

RELATED: Turns Out 'How I Met Your Mother' Told Us the Mother's Name in Season 1

One of the most notable objects in the series, the yellow umbrella is first introduced in season 3 when the future mother of Ted's children leaves it at a party and Ted winds up taking it to keep dry from the rain. After a bunch of characters play musical chairs as the umbrella's owner, Ted is finally reunited with it in season 8 when The Mother is standing only a few feet away from him holding the familiar item.

A "Sandwich"

One of the show's long-running jokes was Future Ted's sugarcoated metaphor for smoking a joint. Instead of being honest with his kids when telling them stories of his past, whenever drugs come up, Future Ted tells them they were just "eating a sandwich." It's a gag that's carried on into the show's flashbacks when the character are often seen holding literal sandwiches in replace of joints.

This Ted-ism shows up in 14 episodes of the show, mostly involving Ted, Marshall and Lily's college years. So, the next time a HIMYM fan asks if you'd like them to make you a sandwich, you might want to double-check with them about exactly which kind of "sandwich" they're referring to.

Pineapples

Preferably an incidental one. Pineapples have haunted How I Met Your Mother fans since the season 1 episode titled "The Pineapple Incident." After a drunken night, Ted wakes up with a girl in his bed and a pineapple on his nightstand and makes it his mission throughout the series to figure out where it came from.

RELATED: 'Cobra Kai's William Zabka Revisits Working on 'How I Met Your Mother'

Although the "pineapple incident" is revealed in a deleted scene from a later season, it is never solved within the show. Now, whenever you're trying to enjoy a Dole whip at Magic Kingdom or your kids watch Spongebob Squarepants, you may just be tormented by the years-long, fruity mystery.

Swords

The swords hanging above the mantel in Ted's apartment weren't simply used as decorative tools. These swords were swung at each other on several occasions when the characters partook in sword fights. The swords even turned into a HIMYM Easter egg when How I Met Your Father characters Sid and Jesse move into the same apartment where the swords still remain.

RELATED: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Director Pam Fryman Joins ‘How I Met Your Father’ Spinoff

While the sight of swords may not zap you back to Ted's apartment, they still remain a symbol of both the original show and its 2022 Hulu spin-off titled How I Met Your Father.

A Mall

Raise your hand if whenever anyone suggests a shopping trip, you belt out, "Let's go to the mall... today!" If you do, not only are you outing yourself as a major Robin Sparkles stan, but you're being, yet again, reminded of How I Met Your Mother, this time in song form.

Before she was the MCU's Maria Hill, Cobie Smulders not only played Robin on HIMYM, but her popstar alter ego Robin Sparkles, who would travel to malls all across Canada performing her hit, appropriately titled "Let's Go to the Mall." This song was so popular, it not only once served as Ted's ringtone on the show, but it was featured in the real-life video game Just Dance 3 in 2011.

Red Cowboy Boots

No, not just any old pair of cowboy boots is going to remind you of How I Met Your Mother. Only red ones will pull that off, the same way Ted believes he can pull them off throughout the entire series. Bought while he was dating Robin, Ted managed to pull them off with jeans, slacks, and even just a robe.

Though they only appear in eight out of the show's 208 episodes, the red cowboy boots became a staple of Ted's personality. That is, until they got burned by Ted's former flame Jeanette.

Suits

Barney Stinson's obsession with suits became a running gag on the show. Rumored to own 210 suits that he wears in almost every episode of the series, Barney is only seen suit-less 18 times in nine seasons. Barney's suits became such a major part of the character that there was an entire episode dedicated to his for the dresswear, along with an accompanying musical number by the cast.

Unlike Barney, you might not "suit up" when you go out for drinks, or go to bed, or even when you go to work. Whenever you happen upon someone in a suit, you know HIMYM made an impact if the chorus of "Nothing Suits Me Like A Suit" plays through your head.

2 A.M.

The phrase "Nothing Good Happens After 2 A.M." isn't just a season 1 episode title, but a life lesson given originally from Ted's mother that he then passes down to his kids. When Ted thinks his relationship with Victoria is on the brink of ending and Robin asks Ted to come over at 2 in the morning, Ted rushes to her place and tells her he and Victoria broke up. But when Victoria calls looking for Ted, not only does Ted lose her, but he loses Robin too.

This rule is mentioned again later in the series when Future Ted says the only good thing to happen after 2 A.M. was his son. But the next time you find yourself with a jolt of energy and a clock that just stroke two, think back on this golden HIMYM rule and just go to bed.

The Word 'Legendary'

'Legendary' is an adjective that means remarkable or outstanding. It's also Barney Stinson's go-to word to describe any and every good thing to ever happen to him and his friends. In an effort not to overuse the word, Barney usually splits it in the middle with its accompanying catchphrase, "wait for it. "

More of something you can't hear without thinking of How I Met Your Mother, while 'legendary' may seem like any ordinary word, to HIMYM fans, it's a rite of passage and one of the most memorable things from the entire show.

Blue French Horn

While a blue one may be hard to come by, it's hard to see a French horn without being reminded of the instrument that started it all. This How I Met Your Mother staple appears in both the first and the final episode of the series, being stolen by Ted as a romantic gesture for Robin both times.

Like the yellow umbrella and red cowboy boots, this colorful item adds to the array of symbols that, when you see them, you can't help but be reminded of the comedy...

Dary.

NEXT: Memorable ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Guest Stars Who Could Appear on ‘How I Met Your Father’

How I Met Your Mother: The Best Episodes of TV Series

Home TV Series Lists How I Met Your Mother: The Best Episodes of TV Series

The series "How I Met Your Mother" is made in the form of a seemingly endless story that the future Ted tells his children, revealing the secret of meeting with their mother. The meeting with the mother herself was really long, but over these 9 years we have seen many interesting adventures of Ted and his friends. After all, the journey itself is important, not the destination. nine0006

We have selected the best episodes of the series for you and collected them in this article.

1

Case with

The PineApple Incident
1 season, 10 episode

after 5 Red Dragon glasses, Ted woke up in bed with a woman, not remembering anything about last night, but on the last night there was a pineapple on the bedside table. In addition, he discovered that he had a sprained ankle and that his jacket had been scorched.

With the help of friends, he learned that his wild night included falling off the table, setting fire to Barney's jacket, and making several drunken calls to Robin. From the information he gathered, he assumed that the woman in his bed was Robin, but it was actually a girl named Trudy whom he met at a bar. nine0006

Only the origin of the pineapple remained a mystery.

2

Come on

Come On He is also dismayed to learn that she is going camping with a work colleague who is in love with her. He learns the rain dance, in the hope that it will help him summon a storm, which in turn will disrupt Robin's travel plans. Suddenly it starts to rain and Ted, believing that this is his merit, goes to Robin and they spend the night together. nine0006

While Ted finally gets the girl of his dreams, Marshall loses the love of his life. Lily decides to go to art school in San Francisco, despite Marshall's persuasion to drop the idea. After a long dialogue, Lily gives the wedding ring to Marshall.

The first season ends with a jubilant Ted finding a dejected Marshall sitting on the steps of a house in the pouring rain.

3

Swarley

Swarley
Season 2 Episode 7

This episode gets its title from a misspelling of Barney's name on a coffee cup. This random little thing becomes a source of jokes throughout the episode. However, after breaking up with Lily, Marshall asks out the barista who made the name mistake, but Ted and Barney warn him that the girl has "crazy eyes". Lily and Marshall are an amazing couple, so it's weird to see him dating someone else. Lily interrupts their date with an impending kiss. Lily runs out confused, but Marshall catches up to her and tells her that she has the craziest eyes he's ever seen and kisses her. nine0006

4

Dispute on School

SLAP Bet
Season 2, 9 episode

This classic episode, which triggers two jokes: Alter Ego Robin - Robin Sparks and Dispenser Dispenser between Marshall and Barney. The gang finds out that Robin hates malls, but she won't admit the reason behind it. This causes the gang to wonder what secret she is hiding. Marshall thinks Robin got married at the mall, while Barney thinks she did a porno there. They arrange an argument for 5 slaps. nine0006

The truth eventually comes out when Barney reveals a video of Robin's past. Deciding it's porn, Barney slaps Marshall, but it turns out to be a music video for "Let's Go to the Mall" from when Robin was a teenage pop star in Canada. What makes Marshall the winner in this dispute. He immediately uses the right to slap and saves 4 more for future episodes.

5

Something Borrowed

Something Borrowed
Season 2 Episode 21

It's Marshall and Lily's wedding day and everything is going wrong. Things get even worse when Marshall, unhappy with his new haircut, shaves off a strip of hair in a panic.

They decide to play 2 ceremonies. First, do a small outdoor wedding, as they originally wanted to do. Then go to the catastrophic ceremony in absentia in the hall. Barney spent the ceremony barely holding back tears. Lily and Marshall exchanged beautiful vows. A sitcom wedding is supposed to be both funny and romantic, and this episode did a great job of that. nine0006

6

Slapsgiving

Slapsgiving
Season 3 Episode 9

In this holiday episode, Lily and Marshall celebrate their first Thanksgiving. Lily prepares dinner and Marshall prepares to slap Barney for the third time. He taunts him mercilessly, even creating a website with a countdown to the moment of the slap.

At the same time, Ted and Robin are still dealing with the aftermath of their breakup. They hang out with the rest of the group, but feel extremely awkward. They begin to think that they will never be friends again, but one joke gives them hope that they won't. nine0006

The episode ends at the piano with Marshall playing a song he wrote for the occasion called "You Just Got Slapped".

7

Ten Sessions

Ten Sessions A little later, she will say that she is forbidden to meet with patients, to which Ted replied that he would ask again after ten sessions, which would be required to get rid of the tattoo. Stella warns him that she will say no, but he keeps trying to impress her anyway. nine0006

Marshall arranges a meeting with Stella and learns that she really likes Ted. But when he asks her after the last session, she still refuses. Ted finds out that she doesn't have time for dates because she has a daughter. He surprises her by taking her on a two-minute date during their lunch break, which consisted of a very quick dinner and a movie.

8

Three Days of Snow

Three Days of Snow
0019

A giant snowstorm hits New York, delaying Lily's flight from Seattle. She and Marshall decided to get rid of their little tradition, when at the airport the meeting person is dressed in a chauffeur's uniform, and the arriving person brings beer from the city from which he flew out. Despite this, they independently decide to fulfill their part of this tradition.

Barney and Ted have long dreamed of owning a bar and are given the opportunity to run McLarens for the night. Then they were waiting for two girls from their performance, but they brought the whole orchestra with them. nine0006

Grateful band members help Marshall surprise Lily at the airport by playing "Auld Lang Syne". This is a very romantic moment, which shows that some traditions cannot be canceled, that's why they are traditions. The Playbook and existing ways of meeting girls. nine0006

10

Girls Versus Suits

Girls Versus Suits
Season 5 Episode 12

The show's 100th episode gave us more clues about that mom than ever before. Ted starts dating Cindy, who keeps complaining about her roommate, who will become his wife in the future. Ted finds out that she plays the bass guitar and draws robots. Ted discovers that he has much in common with this mysterious woman, but only sees her leg. Also, he accidentally leaves his yellow umbrella at her apartment, which will play an important role in their subsequent meeting. nine0006

At the same time, Barney is faced with a difficult choice. He has his eye on the sultry barmaid at McLarens, but she despises men who wear suits. She gives him an ultimatum: her or his suits. Barney launches a giant musical number about how he would never give up his precious suits for a woman.

11

Last Words

Last Words One of the most emotional episodes takes place at the funeral of Marshall's father, after he died suddenly in the previous episode. The gang escorts Marshall to Minnesota, but they don't know how to cheer him up. nine0006

Marshall learns that the topic of the funeral will be his father's last words to family members, and he is upset that their last conversation was not meaningful. Then he realizes that he has a voice message from his father, but he does not dare to listen to it. When he did decide to do so, he was disappointed to learn that it was a random call and there was nothing on the record. After which he gives a fiery speech to his friends about how unfair it is that his father is gone. But at the end of the message, his father, noticing that there is a call, begins to speak and the last words spoken were "I love you." nine0006

12

How Your Mother Met Me

How Your Mother Met Me Episode 200, revisiting scenes from past episodes, sheds light on her side of the story, showing just how close she's been to meeting Ted over the years.

Unlike Ted, who was looking for the one and only all this time, Tracy found a kindred spirit, but he tragically died. After that, she did not even try to find someone else. nine0006

Sitting alone, she sings a beautiful version of "Le Vie En Rose", which Ted witnesses.

13Bonus

  • Game Night (season 1, episode 15): We learn about Barney's past life as a hippie and how he fell in love with costumes.
  • Arividerci, Fiero (season 2, episode 17): The gang reminisce about their adventures with Marshall's old Pontiac Fiero.
  • Intervention (season 4, episode 4): Ted finds out that his friends were against his marriage to Stella in the first place. nine0229
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    Stories of the finalists of the second season of the competition

    01

    01 Keys

    So... Tick... So...

    The voice of the old grandfather clock from the hallway already met me, but I could not open the door. Well, where are these keys?... Really lost? Only this was not enough, and so the day did not work out!.. Ah, no, that's it...

    The clock struck eight when I stepped onto the creaky parquet in the hallway. How I missed the quietness of my apartment! I just wanted to fall apart on a shabby sofa, and lie there until the morning ... But instead, I trudged to the computer. While the old unit, inherited from the dinosaurs, turned on, I made myself coffee. Today you will need more than one mug. Article for the night, and inspiration from gulkin's nose. They also threaten to make layoffs at work. You can not delay, otherwise the dismissal cannot be avoided. And it would not be bad to update the blog, otherwise the last subscribers will soon scatter. Eh…

    I worked in the editorial office of a magazine, which in our district, and in the city in general, was quite in demand. The editor - Fedot Stepanovich - always put only the best into print.

    The best. Yes. It means not me. For some reason, lately my writing has not been impressive at all. Even myself. Honestly, not surprised. It looks like I've lost the spark, like there was nothing to write about. It's kind of funny: I live in a metropolis, where something happens every day, but I look into the void. Other people's problems ceased to excite, everyone here is a drop in the ocean. So my news is gray, alien, distant and unnecessary, in general, to no one. nine0006

    What did I write about? As I then still thought, about the important. About eternal, to some extent. I noticed that the people around were so closed that they seemed to stop seeing each other, let alone feel and understand. Everyone at some point withdraws into himself and loses the key to the door he entered. Locks up the heart. Puts on a mask. Indifferent. And silently walks along the gray stones of the pavement...

    I just wanted to be heard... I thought I would become the key to the world on this side of the mask. I will help those in need with my word, I will teach people to listen and hear, I will save the world... But it seems that something went wrong. And now... Now I don't even know how to save myself. So in response I get the cry of tearing paper and the famous last warning from the lips of Fedot Stepanych. Last chance. Tomorrow I will not come with a sensation - that's it. Well... It looks like it's time to forget about your reasoning for a while and plunge into the world of human intrigues. Write what will be read. What is expected of me. No not like this. What do you expect from an article in our magazine. nine0006

    What are the stone jungles talking about these days? What is the wind of change carrying along their paved paths? The most discussed topic was a series of strange deaths, however, as is usually the case. For a long time now, criminals taken into custody have been dying one after another. The most different: from simple pickpockets to almost murderers, adults and still teenagers of fourteen years. Most of them haven't even been sentenced yet. And they all have the same diagnosis - poisoning. What is still a mystery. This happened with some frequency in different parts of the city, but most often in our police department. And, by pure chance, none other than my older brother, officer Yuri Diskarin, worked there. nine0006

    How I could use his help now... But no. My brother and I don't get along. And they never got along. It just so happened ... Probably, we are just too different. Yurik is secretive, distrustful. He never told me anything, he preferred to do everything himself, and I felt that he did not need me at all. I must have been a little jealous of my brother. He is successful, just the pride of the family, and I grab the last chance to stay at work.

    ...Grabbing for one last chance to stay at work. Although ... You can try to find out about the high-profile case first hand, so to speak. This, for sure, would interest Fedot Stepanych, but he would have to turn to his brother for help. Yeah ... And once again become a loser in the eyes of a whole family. Hell no! Even for the sake of work, I will not ask for the help of this person! nine0006

    Well, nothing. I prepared, collected materials, now I will write and saved! I manage myself. If only I could make it until the morning…

    GO!!!

    The sound took me by surprise. It was a signal that the factory was over, from the old watch in the corridor. The matter is fixable. I got up, went to the clock, opened the lid and reached for the key with a familiar gesture. Only the key was missing. What's the strange thing? In my house, I appreciated order, but such incidents just unsettled ... What should I do now, look for this lost key? Looks like I'll have to...

    Casting a sad glance at the computer, I began to remember where I could put this old piece of iron. So I have already climbed several shelves, looked into the boxes and ...

    What is this? There was an envelope in the dresser. And, if I was ready to see the key to the winding mechanism among the socks, with my absent-mindedness, then there’s no strange message at all. Although, maybe I'm too naive? Oh, I don't like it all...

    Naturally, I opened the envelope and immediately recognized Yurik's handwriting.

    "I'm not sure I wasn't followed. Check your mail. I never forgot your birthday!
    Yu.»

    What jokes? I knew that it was necessary to take away the keys from him when he moved in! Wait, there's something on the back...

    "KeyHole4u..."

    I scanned the hastily written lines again. The text seemed devoid of meaning and meant nothing to me.

    What is he? For henbane, it seems, it’s not the season ... Just in case, I checked the calendar and made sure that my birthday is not today and not even in the coming days. The only thing that made sense was to check your email. nine0006

    What am I doing with my time? Before my hand could close the text editor, a window popped up asking if I really wanted to do it. Here, even it is mocking...

    One letter actually came to my post office. So, why is Yurik doing this: invading my house with a strange note and tweeting on the Internet at the same time? After all, isn't it easier to call? Of course, I would not jump with delight when something would make our little star descend to mere mortals, but why reinvent the wheel? nine0006

    So I thought as I sipped my cold coffee while waiting for the text to load. Finally, the following lines loomed before my eyes:

    “Hello, Egor.

    I know you will be surprised by my letter, but I wouldn't bother you if it wasn't really serious. I wanted to call, but my new phone didn't have your number. My number hasn't changed, if you're interested...

    Let's get down to business. We need to talk. But the conversation must be face to face. Come today at nine at the intersection of Pskovskaya and Myasnaya, there, in the courtyard of house 26, I will be waiting for you. nine0019

    It's about a series of prisoner deaths. Correction, about a series of murders... I thought it might interest you, I'll explain everything when we meet, of course, if you show up... your guilt. But I ask you to believe me one single time. You are my last key to hope. I expect you to read this letter and come.

    Your brother Yuri Diskarin

    Hmm…

    Everything is more and more wonderful, as the heroine of a famous fairy tale used to say…

    I reread the message several times to make sure that I had really ceased to understand anything. Except, perhaps, for the fact that some kind of mystery lies in this whole affair, and Yurka for me now is the key to all answers. Besides, since he himself calls me to talk, I will not fail to interview the lead investigator . .. Unless, of course, this is a stupid attempt at a joke ... But it is unlikely that he would write to me for fun. nine0006

    And what, now it's raining again, right?.. But he came home! Okay, I’ll figure it out quickly, and I’ll have another six hours for the article ... I glanced at the clock, belatedly remembering that this was pointless. Another advertising message comes to the phone, helpfully suggesting that I need to go out if I want to be in time for a meeting. Having extinguished the monitor that had just woken up and abruptly grabbed my raincoat, which had not yet dried out after a day's walk, I jumped out into the entrance.

    Only at the car I hesitated a little. Isn't it too easy for me to fit in? Just a couple of minutes ago, I was sure that for the sake of my brother I would not lift an eyebrow, and for my own sake I would not mess with him. What did this message do to me? nine0006

    It filled me with a sense of self-importance. Finally, something depended on me, on me alone! Probably, I was driven by the desire to prove that I was worth something . .. But I didn’t want to admit such motives. From this, an incomprehensible annoyance settled in my head, but I stubbornly explained it only by the spent time taken away from writing the article.

    Stopping at the appointed place, I looked at my watch. Another full five minutes ... It was possible to leave later, although ... as if it would give me something. Around no one like Yuri. nine0006

    An unpleasant, vile fog reigned in the street. I hid from him in the car.

    The sun has long since set behind the clouds, and the city has lit its fires. Lanterns, not stars. I sometimes thought about how this noisy world lacked stars. Each of them is unique, even though there are billions of them in the darkness of the sky. It's the same with people, isn't it? But we almost purposely forget about that, therefore we hide from condemning burning looks from the depths of the immense.

    And just now the thought flashed through my head: how often do I myself think about others? It would seem that constantly . ..

    I digressed from philosophical reflections to look at the time. Five minutes. There was no one even humanoid in sight, the yard was empty.

    Ten... I'm checking my phone, mail. Not a line about being late.

    Twenty! No, it's not serious anymore! I shouldn't have come... Nervously dialing a number, preparing a scathing speech. In response, only long beeps are heard. Okay... Let's wait... You never know. He's got a job too... Trying to calm down seems to be working until I remember that damned article not started at all! Where the hell are these fools?! nine0006

    "I'm waiting another fifteen minutes and I'm leaving" - I angrily type a message and press "Send" furiously.

    Time is running out and the message hasn't even been read! Twenty-five minutes... thirty... Still silence. There is no point in waiting any longer.

    To clear my conscience, I call again. A melodious female voice is heard from the handset:

    - The device of the called subscriber is turned off or is out of coverage area . .. - the lady says, slowly repeating the phrase in English.

    - Damn you!.. - hissing irritably, I throw the phone on the seat next to me. - So... Okay... I warned you, I waited... waited longer than promised. Now you can go home with a clear conscience. nine0006

    Looking down the road, I was surprised to find that I was not so much angry as nervous. It pissed me off even more…

    ***

    There was less and less time left for work, and I continued to pace the apartment. Usually such a calm creak of the floorboards now mocked my poor hearing with all its might. It was by no means the article that occupied my thoughts, despite the fact that they would not forgive me if I screwed up such material...

    Minutes passed slowly. I felt them even without the usual ticking of the clock. OK. I will be frank with myself, because my strength is no more, and then to work! All this is strange! What exactly? That I couldn't get through. Yura does not turn off the phone and diligently monitors its charge, he should always be in touch, shouldn't I, as a brother, know about this. Also this line from that note, it is no coincidence that it is the very first ...

    So... don't panic. What the hell is this blockhead in general so businesslike settled in my head?! Anything happens. Everything! Article. Only an article.

    By an effort of will, I managed to sit down in front of the monitor and even write a couple of lines before I again plunged into thought. And yet... what could have happened?..

    ***

    The days passed like hours, but not mine. I never found the key, and I haven’t tried, to be honest, since that evening. They froze, showing half past nine, as if that day had not yet passed. I didn't show up for work the next morning. I don’t believe it myself... how could I put everything on the altar for the sake of a person whom I was mortally envious of, whose disappearance I dreamed of... the one whom I had known all my life and with whom I was still connected invisibly?!..

    And the apartment! Oh... if the old me had seen what my temple of comfort had turned into. .. however, he would have shot himself right away, leaving behind only the gloomy aesthetics of a broken creator... All the tables were cluttered with dirty mugs and fast food packages. The whole floor is full of shoe marks. Here and there were meticulously compiled lists of those with whom my brother could communicate, where he could go, who could wish him harm...

    But none of that mattered anymore...

    “- Yegor Diskarin? - I heard a calm male voice from my phone this morning. nine0019

    - Yes. I answered nervously.

    - The police are bothering you - my heart threatened to break my chest. It must be from stress and lack of sleep ... And in the meantime, in my head: "If only they could find ...".

    - Your brother was found today at noon, - a slight pause, as if to realize what was said, - He is dead. The circumstances of death are being investigated. - just as calmly, as if nothing had happened, the person on the other end of the wire continues. - We offer our condolences. Today you should come to the department ... "

    Followed by instructions and occasional questions to which I answered things like “yes”, “no” and “understood”. Be afraid of your desires. Found...

    I spent the next half day in the same department. Some papers, some formalities, a funeral... And a conversation.

    From that conversation I learned something that struck me. Yura was suspect. They said that he killed the prisoners by slipping poison into their food or something like that. There was not much evidence, so they only planned to arrest him, but now the main version of my brother's death is suicide during an attempt to escape from justice. What heresy… But at that moment I could not object anything. Exactly like believing even a single word. nine0006

    And now I'm back in my home again. Devastated, with only one thought in his head: “he is no more”…

    What are words? A set of letters, a set of sounds, nothing more. .. But some become keys. This key with three heavy teeth will open one of the most terrible doors: the door of despair and pain. Maybe I should have phrased it a little more bluntly? But as? What would it change? There is only one key, no matter how you decorate it, and there is only one door, and you are standing on the threshold. You can't go back. And the castle succumbed. Started...

    I look around the apartment with a detached look, slowly falling into a rage.

    - Damn! - comes out of the chest. How long have I not uttered this word, - Damn! - I repeat louder, clasping my hands sharply. My whole army of mugs is flying down to the sound of glass. A blanket of scribbled sheets covers them from above.

    - Dunce! Brat! Freak! I scream, not remembering myself.

    - Look... Look what you've done, you bastard! I lost everything because of you! Inspiration! Work! Dreams! How can I pay my bills now? I've wasted so much time on you, damn it, even the key to the clock. .. - the silence hurt my ears, so I continued to throw empty phrases, trying to throw out everything that had accumulated inside me. My voice broke, growled and wheezed, turned into hysterical laughter, and I didn’t even understand why I was so angry ... At myself? nine0006

    Yes... I was jealous of my brother in black! The pride of the family, a great future, office authority, lofty goals, a dream job - everything I wanted to hear about myself, I heard about Yurashi! I remained his little brother, always second, always underestimated. It was an axiom that everything was easy for him. But for some reason it did not occur to me that we were actually brothers. Our conditions were the same. And I seemed to be blind, I did not see what he had to go through. And what did I do when I got tired of being a shadow? Exactly. He erected that very wall, the wall of indifference. I didn't care. And there is one more drop in the ocean. It was not Yura who closed himself off from me, but I from him. And what did it lead to? “He is no more,” and I can’t even say with certainty that I’m not the brother of the killer! And all because I don't know! I don’t know how he lived all these years, I don’t know what was going on in his soul, I don’t know if he called me to stop the rumors in the bud, or to repent of what he had done even a little to his own creature, albeit such a vile one, how I ... And I will probably never know, my key to this secret is forever lost ... What a blockhead I am ... What are all my arguments about feelings, words, stars, but all about the same keys worth now! How could I have changed the world when I myself could not find those vices for which I reproached mankind?! That's why my articles weren't being read. When changing the world, start with yourself, otherwise everything is empty words. Gray, alien, distant and unnecessary, in general, no one ... Such words will not become keys ... Keys ... I return to them over and over again. Oh, this world is really crazy about them! We have the keys to everything, they are even where we don’t think to find them, because they have entered our lives so deeply that everything now rests on them alone, and we don’t even notice. Yes, and life itself is like a constant picking of locks! But even that is not important. The important thing is that there is no key leading from There. This is what gives meaning to all other keys. No matter how hard I try, I won't start Yurik's time again like the old clock. But who knows from what doors, I would have taken him away, if only I was there ... It's a pity, I realized it too late ...

    - I'll never sit down to write again... - I said to myself, almost delirious, barely recognizing my own hoarse voice. After that, I fell asleep and didn’t think about anything anymore.

    ***

    I spent the next day almost without getting up. Only in the evening I somehow tried to eliminate the consequences of my yesterday's insanity ... But the attempt was nipped in the bud, as soon as the very note that I found among the socks caught my eye ... Surprisingly, all the time while I was busy looking for my brother, I almost did not remember her, as a thing that does not carry any meaning in itself. But there were so many questions connected with it! I re-read it. As expected, nothing new appeared ... And yet ... Why was she needed? nine0006

    I immersed myself in the memory of the day when I lost the key to the watch, which was so silent for the last week... It seems that since that time I have not turned on the computer... How is it, my old man?

    The legacy of the ancestors, as expected, grumbled and buzzed at my long absence, but in the end it had mercy and opened my e-mail page for me. Yurik's letter has not disappeared anywhere. I didn't reread it. One thing is a note with unclear text, and another is an invitation to a meeting that was not destined to take place ...

    "Check your mail..." echoed in my ears. The sudden realization made me jump. What if... This strange text on the back is nothing but a username?..

    What nonsense... I'm chasing again, I don't know what... Stupid assumption! But my hands are unstoppable...

    Hastily logging out of my account, I entered the characters into the appropriate box. But you need a password... Password... Another stupid thought... "I never forgot your birthday!" I enter.

    Only one digit changed on the monitor, but I didn't believe it. This eternity could not last for one miserable minute. nine0006

    - It worked... - I said, looking into this luminous box in a frenzy. Another account. And only one letter.

    The entire apartment fell into absolute silence as I read what was written here.

    “Egor, I knew that you would solve my message! Help out, brother! I need you, we all need you!

    For several months now I have been busy with the death of several criminals in custody. These are not just deaths, Yegor, these are murders. I'm sure I got very close to the solution. I have two prime suspects. But there is a problem. Both of them are my work colleagues. And I don't know if any of them acted alone or in concert. In other words, I don't know who in the police force I can trust with regards to this case. nine0019

    Also, I notice that I am being watched. Apparently, the attacker feels that I got too close, and will soon try to eliminate me. Well, that's what I use to pinpoint the culprit. How? I told one of us about our upcoming meeting. If I guessed right, and he's not a criminal, then you don't have to read this, I'll tell you everything myself. But, if I made a mistake, and you are still reading this, then most likely I am already dead ...

    Brother, now only you can solve this case. And only you can I trust him. To this letter I will attach documents in which my evidence is collected, there you will find the details of the plan, all the names, all the evidence. Publish them in your journal, let everyone know, and then the villains will have nowhere to go! I hope for you. I know you won't let me down..."0019

    For some reason, my heart skipped a beat. Brother... I won't let you down!

    ***

    Never say never. For the next few days, I did not let go of the keyboard. I know, I promised myself, for writing, no, no, but the last, last time! For Yurik! This will be my best article...

    And it really became the best. Where did I get it from? Just my blog would not be enough for such an important mission. So I had to visit Fedot Stepanovich. I almost begged him on my knees to read my work. But he still read it. Read it and put it on the first page! nine0006

    A few days later I had to go to our police station again. There, of course, there are again formalities, thanks, apologies ... But they did not interest me. He was arrested. I wanted to talk to him. With a killer. I wanted to look into his eyes. For help in solving the case, I was even allowed to do so.

    I was taken to a special room. He sat opposite me and froze with his cold gaze. But there was nothing in the eyes... He was... Empty. However, the first one spoke.

    - Because I saw how souls died, - he answered my question before I had time to ask it, - Every criminal who was brought here did not set foot on this path from a good life. The world has treated them cruelly. It's wild, but for some, crime is still a way to survive. Not for everyone... But I didn't talk to everyone. Do you know why? Because they don't listen, you know? And when I talked to them in this very room, they just wanted to be heard ... And I listened to them, watching how the eyes on the contrary go out, and how hopelessness penetrates into the very heart. They had not yet been sentenced, but they no longer believed that something could be changed. Outcasts of humanity. They could only hide in themselves and wait for the end. Then I gave them the key to freedom. An ampoule with poison, as the end of all torment. You won't understand, must be...

    - And now, being in their place, would you like the same? I asked quietly. My interlocutor was silent. And I continued, - Do you know why? Because there is no key from there. As long as you're alive, you can still fix it...

    We talked with him for a while, and then I went out into the street. It was already getting dark and the lights were on. The downpour threw fragments of stars right under my feet, and they flared for a moment with earthly human light, breaking on the wet asphalt. I silently walked along the gray stones of the pavement, finally throwing off my indifferent mask. Raindrops on my cheeks from something became salty. His image stood before my eyes. Indifference. The way I saw him once on Bolotnaya Square - not seeing, not hearing, impregnable. The source of human vices. I wanted to run away from him, and I even ran, as if it could help. God! Who would have known that it hurts so much to open your heart to the world! The dialogue with the murderer still sounded in his thoughts, and his brother's voice echoed in his soul. But, if you were already hiding from all this behind a wall of indifference, then only after going through this pain you can go back, again know the truth. Insults, murders, wars... How many more lives will be shed before each of us conquers this evil in ourselves? The hearts of the people are closed and the key is lost.


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