Everyone I talk to in the Croatian capital shares much of my new-born optimism concerning organized crime in this country. Yes, it is in retreat, which seems to be picking up, too. And, yes, the retreat will last as long as the global economic downturn lasts, for it was the cheerful boom preceding it that had given rise to many among the thieves and whores around us. But, no, organized crime cannot be eradicated. It is too pervasive to stamp out once and for all. Well-connected as my friends and acquaintances happen to be, they cannot imagine all the thieves and whores behind bars. There are too many of them. And they are still to be found everywhere from the very top to the very bottom of the bulging government. Courts cannot possibly process them all. Jails cannot possibly house all of them, either. Which puts a small dent into my newborn optimism. All I really care about are the thieves and whores I personally know. The ones closer to, as it were, home. As far as I am concerned, both courts and jails are more than ample for each and every one of them. Once again, everything seems to be falling on my own shoulders.

Addendum (December 7, 2016)

I cannot but smile awkwardly as I read this piece, which now strikes me as ridiculous at best. So many years later, organized crime and corruption are of little interest to anyone in Croatia any longer. Ever since Croatia’s accession to the European Union, the thieves and whores are not only free to roam once again, but they are also highly appreciated by all and sundry for their skills and their verve. By now, everything is back to, as it were, normal. Which only goes to show that my expectations were wide off the mark. Actually, they were plain silly, too. As for my own shoulders, I am still waiting to hear from Strasbourg. By the time the court makes up its mind about my trials and tribulations in Croatian courts, the vaunted decision will be nigh irrelevant to anyone concerned. My newborn optimism, my ass.