In a noisy tavern, Professor Bat, a history professor with a doctorate in the philosophy of science, joins Erdene, a veteran geologist who has spent a decade on Mongolian surveys and now leads a research team. Erdene introduces five other participants: an elderly man who briefly jokes with Bat about a woman’s hat, the Russian academic Nikolay Vladimirovich Panov—an Academy of Sciences employee, geologist, and three‑time visitor to Mongolia who speaks fluent Mongolian—collector Tomor, and driver Ider. Bayar, already acquainted with Bat from earlier encounters, is also present, having met Bat through his children. The group discusses the upcoming expedition: they will travel to a remote, roadless region roughly 200–250 km away, carrying all supplies themselves and proceeding on horseback. Erdene, in a poetic mood, quotes lines from a Mongolian poet while describing the destination. The participants agree to gather their gear, load the caravan, and set out at five in the morning. After the logistical plans are settled, Bat begins a rambling lecture, weaving obscure historical details, jokes, and personal anecdotes about Mongolian history, amusing and sometimes baffling the listeners. His talk lasts late into the night, ending with a light‑hearted remark about cows and the journey before the group disperses for the night.