This is a true, or maybe not so, book about Popadans. In which, from a pseudoscientific point of view, an attempt was made to figure out who these people are. And also why they do not meet us in real life and why, despite their knowledge from the future, they still have not captured key posts in most countries and do not rule this world. The events taking place in the book are described on behalf of a simple Russian guy, Peter, who is forced to share his body with a cunning fellow from the future, Arkasha. In the first book, the hero plunges into the unforgettable atmosphere of Russia on the verge of perestroika and is at a crossroads when he needs to make a choice due to the fact that his life changes dramatically due to an unprovoked ball lightning attack.