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On November 23, 1917, estates and civil ranks were abolished in Russia. Now every energetic and ambitious person could count on a dizzying career. A mechanism appeared in society that we today call a "social elevator". However, the opened path to the heights of power often turned out to be difficult and dangerous. Many who had flown high had to fall very low, and not alone: they dragged relatives, friends, acquaintances and colleagues into the abyss with them. It was a time when the proverb "Never say never" was extremely relevant...