- Paris, a couple days later -
"Excellent travail aujourd'hui Mundy! "
[Excellent job today Mundy.]
"Ah, merci. "
This new job at the zoo was working out perfectly for both Mundy and the zoo. He was in charge of the birds of prey and was training them in order to present a small show for the visitors. He also would guide foreign visitor given his proficiency in English.
"Comment ça se passe l'entraînement? Ça avance bien? "
[How is it going with the training? Is it progressing?]
"Oui, c'est pas trop mal...."
[Yeah, it's not too bad...]
He was looking for his words. Goddamn it, French is hard...
"Say it in English, I'll help you translate it."
"I wanted to say 'There's still lots to do'..."
"Oh, you'd say 'Il y a encore beaucoup à faire."
"Ah, merci, il y a encore beaucoup à faire then!"
"De rien!"
[You're welcome.]
Mundy put back his equipment in his locker, took his jacket and his hat, and exited the zoo. It was a couple minutes past 6.00pm. Ah, I fancy a good quiet night tonight... A good shower, some light dinner, a book maybe and sleep. It's been a long day today.
- Couple hours earlier -
"MERDE!"
A vase flew to a wall. A framed picture followed.
Lucien rushed to pick the picture off the floor. It was a picture of her and him. He took his lighter and set fire to it, looking at it while the flames slowly devoured it.
FOR GOD'S SAKE! I spent my day in this flat, going round and round, tearing my hair of my very head. I can't stand myself anymore...
He looked around him, put his back against the wall and sank down. He was now sitting on the ground. He sighed.
At least I got rid of every last piece of her now...
His right hand reached for his inner pocket to grab a cigarette. He realised the bandage prevented him from actually grabbing anything. He looked at his right hand.
I could stay in this flat and destroy everything including myself or... I could go and pay my debt. Former colleague or not, he helped me. I owe him.
He got a cigarette out with his left hand, lit it and started smoking.
Last time, I fled like a thief...
He looked at his cigarette and the smoke dancing out of it.
Back in those days, he'd never speak to anyone... Living in the purest form of solitude that can be, and in a van with that!
He smiled, without realising it.
We barely exchanged any words, unless we needed to, and that would be on the battlefield...
He puffed some smoke out again.
I don't think he ever saw me without my mask... So chances are, he didn't recognise me...
He slapped his thigh and got up.
Right, let's go or I could be dangerous to myself.
He put on his vest and and a hat, and exited. He was living only about 20min away from Mundy's place. He started walking but all of a sudden he stopped.
Gosh, I need to offer him something... Let me think... Oh, I know!
He made a detour to his favourite bakery. He knew the baker very well.
"Bonsoir Madeleine!"
[Good evening Madeleine.]
"Ah! Bonsoir Lucien, que puis-je faire pour vous? "
[Good evening Lucien, what can I do for you?]
"Je ne sais pas trop quoi choisir, peut-être pouvez-vous m'aider, Madeleine? "
[I don't really know what to choose. Maybe you can help me, Madeleine?]
"Bien sûr, dites-moi tout!"
[Of course, tell me everything.]
"Je rends visite à un ami, il m'a rendu un grand service et j'aimerais lui offrir une de vos pâtisseries dont vous avez le secret."
[I am visiting a friend, he helped me and I would like to repay the favour with one of your delicious pastries.]
"Ah, voyons voir... Vous savez ce qu'il préfère votre ami?"
[Let me see... You know what he would prefer?]
"Euh... Non, j'en ai bien peur..."
[Erm... No, I'm afraid not.]
"Dans ce cas, je vous propose un assortiment, une tartelette aux fruits, un mini éclair au chocolat, un trio de chouquettes fourrées à la crème, ça vous va?""
[In that case, I suggest you take an assortment, a small fruit tart, a mini éclair with chocolate and three chouquette stuffed with cream, how does that sound?]
"Parfait! Merci beaucoup! Puis-je vous demander de les mettre dans un joli paquet?"
[Perfect! Many thanks! Can I ask you to put them in a nice box?]
"C'était prévu, ne vous inquiétez pas!"
[Don't worry, I was going to!]
Lucien nodded in thanks and paid the baker. He took the box, which was nicely closed with a blue satin ribbon and moved in the streets.
He soon arrived in front of the door. He adjusted his tie and cleared his throat. He knocked.
"Yeah! Comin'
Lucien heard incoming footsteps.
"Did you forget your key-oh... erm.. Hello?"
Mundy was surprised.
"Hello. I wanted to thank you for what you did to me. May I?"
Mundy was completely taken aback but on the spurr of the moment he said:
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
Lucien entered. Mundy led him to the sofa again. They both sat down.
"Sorry about last time, my deepest apologies."
"Oh, it's fine, I mean uhm... How is your hand? Any better?"
Lucien showed him the bandage.
"Still not fully functionning but much better thanks to you."
Mundy smiled.
"I reckon it's gonna take a few weeks for it to get back to normal but some scars might not go away..."
Lucien smiled as well.
"Bah, it's fine. A lesson engraved in the flesh."
Mundy was looking at the box on Lucien's lap.
"Oh, yes, erm, here is a little something to show my gratitude."
"Oh, whot's that then?"
"Please, open it!"
Lucien passed the box to Mundy's hands. He still has his watch and he even has a tan line where it usually sits.
"By the way, my name is..."
Lucien thought fast. I need to invent a name, he might know my real one...
"... Luc."
Mundy answered while opening the box.
"And I'm Mundy, nice to meet you properly."
They shook hands and bandages.
"Oh, my! Whot's all this? Oh, French pastries! You'll have to tell me their names and whot's inside!"
"I guess you just arrived from Australia?"
Mundy opened wide eyes.
"You do have quite a strong accent and the tan line on you wrist shows that you were used to more sun than what we have here in Paris."
Mundy laughed.
"Oh, yeah, yeah I'm an Aussie bloke. But you're wrong, private eye, I'm on a world tour, last place I've been is Germany."
"Ah, I see."
"So, the cakes?"
"Ah, oui, so..."
Lucien explained what the different pastries were and how nothing could compare to French cuisine especially when it comes to desserts.
Mundy went for the mini éclair au chocolat. He put the box on the coffe table.
"Please, don't let me have a bite alone."
"Ah, many thanks."
Lucien went for the mini fruit tart.
"Merci bien Luc"
[Many thanks, Luc.]
"Ah, you are learning French?"
"Yeah, I intend to stay here for a while so I'd better learn the language... Your English is perfect! I mean I can hear your accent but you speak very fluently!"
"Thanks, I did work in America for a couple years."
"Ah, nice, what was you job?"
Lucien's life as a spy made him an excellent liar.
"I was in an import-export business, dealing with wine. But I managed to retire early."
"Woah, sounds fancy!"
They both took a second to chew on their pastries.
"What about you? Are you working here?"
Mundy nodded.
"I found a job in the Zoo de Vincennes. I take care of the birds of prey."
"Ah, how interesting..."
He used to have a pet owl so I guess it makes sense.
"The only main issue I have is the fact I'm not fluent in French... Thank God you guys understand English but I wish I could speak better French..."
Lucien finished his mini tart. He took a tissur from the coffee table and wiped hid mouth elegantly.
"I have an idea Mundy, to repay the favour."
"What favour?"
Lucien waved his bandage.
"Ah, yeah..."
"I could teach you French, if you want."
Mundy opened wide eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes, I think I can do that. I am good enough with grammar and the rules and exceptions... But I guess you want a good conversation level, right?"
"Yeah, yeah..."
Mundy finished his mini éclair.
"I'd like to be able to talk to people in French about daily life topics... Nothing too fancy... And work related stuff as well..."
"I see, I see. I can help you with that."
Lucien thought it could also help him set his mind on something else than his break-up.
"Thanks mate, but how much would you charge me for it?"
Lucien's raised his left hand.
"Rien du tout."
[Nothing at all.]
"Oh, you sure?"
"Well, maybe I could ask you something if it's no bother to you?"
"Go ahead!"
Lucien raised his bandaged hand.
"Maybe you could continue taking care of this? I hate doctors and I don't want to go and see one..."
Mundy smiled and nodded. He put his right hand forward.
"That's a deal then!"
Lucien shook Mundy's hand.
What the hell have I put myself in...?
-- Author 's notes --
Thank you good readers!
As always, if you liked or didn't like this chapter, please let me know in the comments! :D
Cheers!