Talk:Please Remain Calm

An explanation of what the two ladies on the phone are talking about in this episode:

1. They are speaking in code about the situation in Chernobyl, because phones in Communist countries are wiretapped 24/7. No guesses what happens if they're caught saying something besides the official story of the Chernobyl situation.

2. "Our 'friend' - the one in the 'country' " - The 'friend' of course is the nuclear reactor and the 'country' is the USSR.

3. "It's extremely hot" - "hot" is a general nuclear term referring to elevated levels of radiation. Obviously, the situation there is very "hot".

4. "But his nephews are flying down and they always bring cool weather" - referring to the helicopters coming down to try and put out the fire

5. "Oh which nephews?" - "what are they trying to use to cool the reactor?"

6. "Simka, who's 15 and little Boris who's 5" - Look at the first two letters of each name. Si and Bo. Silicon and Boron. The 'ages' of the 'nephews' refers to their number on the periodic table (which is why the camera briefly focuses on that). This refers to the borosilicate material being poured on the burning reactor.

7. "Though children can make you hotter when they're pouring all over you." - the stuff they're slathering on the reactor could potentially INCREASE the temperature/nuclear fission, at least temporarily.

8. "Maybe I should visit" - "maybe I should come and help these idiots before they make things worse."