The narrator is down on his luck, broke, and struggling to make ends meet. An old acquaintance, Caste, shows up at his doorstep and asks to stay for a night. The next morning, Caste is gone, but he leaves behind a large suitcase filled with money. However, the narrator soon finds himself arrested and accused of robbing a bank near Saratov, a crime he claims he did not commit.
In prison, the narrator meets a cellmate named Zhorik who tells him that Caste framed him for a crime he didn't commit. Zhorik is released from prison, but not before revealing that he had planned an escape through a hidden tunnel.
The narrator is later joined by a new cellmate, Roma, who claims to be a psychopath but is actually there to help the narrator escape. They hatch a plan to escape, using a master key made from toilet paper and kefir, and eventually make their way through the hidden tunnel.
Once outside, they team up with Zhorik, who has been planning his revenge against Caste. They come up with a plan to catch Caste by recording his confession, using Roma as a decoy. The plan works, and Caste is caught and accused of various crimes.
The story ends with the narrator reflecting on the events that transpired and the unexpected twists and turns that led to Caste's downfall.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's friend, who he met briefly many years ago, called him and asked to stay with him for a night.
2. The friend's name was not remembered by the narrator, but he was later referred to as "Caste".
3. Caste arrived at the narrator's home with a large suitcase and had a suspicious appearance.
4. The narrator and Caste drank tea together, and Caste mentioned that he drank tea with three bags.
5. The narrator was interested in the news, which reported a large bank robbery near Saratov, and a suspect was seen in the narrator's area.
6. The next morning, the narrator woke up to find Caste gone, but his suitcase remained.
7. The narrator found a lot of money in the suitcase and was later arrested by the police.
8. The narrator was accused of robbing a bank and was sent to a punishment cell.
9. The narrator spent time in prison, where he met a cellmate named Zhorik.
10. Zhorik was released from prison, but the narrator remained.
11. A new prisoner, Roma, was introduced to the narrator's cell.
12. Roma claimed to be a psychopath, but the narrator was skeptical.
13. Roma revealed that he was actually there to help the narrator escape.
14. The narrator and Roma came up with an escape plan, which involved using a tunnel behind a poster.
15. The narrator and Roma escaped from prison and went to Zhorik's house.
16. Zhorik helped the narrator and Roma come up with a plan to catch Caste and restore justice.
17. The narrator remembered that he had Caste's phone number and used it to set up a meeting.
18. Roma impersonated an old cellmate and met with Caste to record a conversation.
19. The conversation was recorded, but the narrator forgot to press record.
20. The police arrived and accused Caste of various crimes.