"Ilosovic, I , for once, do not know what to say…"
"Hush, my darling …No need for words."
"But I have so much to tell you! "
"All right then, talk, if you wish."
"What shall I say? I…never felt so vulnerable in all my life….I cannot even choose where to start…"
"Talk about no matter what – I do like the sound of your voice so much – only don't mention…"
"What mustn't I mention?"
"Your going away. "
"But I must go!"
"Don't talk of it! We shall not talk of it!"
" It won't be good form to hide your head in the sand, anyway! We must accept what God sends us!"
"I have never been known for good form, to start with…"
"That I do not believe! Any man that , after being slapped for three times by a mad woman, still manages to keep his dignity, has good form enough!"
"Still believing into my "better self", my lady?"
"And you are still doubting its existence? "
"I have been doubting many of my old beliefs lately…."
"Your hands are so cold…Let me warm them a little…"
"Since you came, it's not half as cold as it used to be here…And soon it will be the same…"
"Ilosovic, you cannot really think so! Things will NEVER be the same for any of us."
"Perhaps…perhaps it would be better for everyone if we had never met at all…"
"Better for whom? Ilosovic, what's going on within that feverish brain of yours? "
"You said it yourself – things now will never be as they used to be! And this fact is by no means making life less complicated! Why take me out of that dirty swamp and show me the Light , and then disappear for good? Was it done just to tease me with a vision of a better – happier life and then drop me back into the same swamp? Wouldn't it been kinder just to leave me where I was?"
"Ilosovic, aren't you tired of deceiving yourself?"
" Well…I guess I am…In fact, I'm weary of all kinds of deception by now…"
"Then tell me , do you believe yourself in what you have just said?"
"Honestly?"
"Honestly"
" No, I don't."
"You did take your time in answering, darling. But I am happy with your answer!"
"You know.. even if I never see you again, I am glad I have met you! Or, rather, that you have fallen upon my head!"
" Perhaps the Guards should have put the sign "Watch your head!" in your cell's doorway."
"But, Wilhelmina…"
"Yes, Ilosovic?"
"You won't remember me…"
"Were you not my wedded husband, I would have slapped you myself now! As if I could ever forget you! After all those hours and days spent in attempts to learn to cook cakes and all! My late first husband just took it for granted I was more useful at the desk or the typewriter than in the kitchen…And look at me now! Even the Hare doesn't dare to step into the kitchen while I am there!"
"You are jesting as usual…But once you are at home again, you will surely forget…"
" Ilosovic, do I need take a piece of chalk and write on the blackboard – if we had one here – "I AM NOT ALICE KINGSLEY" to convince you? By the way, the young lady in question – when I graduated and became an assistant schoolmistress, I had her class on my hands – had always tended to leave unfinished projects. I'm not blaming her – I am much worse a person than she – but in this aspect we are different. I never leave unfinished business, if I can help it! And, moreover, I am leaving now only to make it possible to come back later!"
"Can it ever be possible?"
"Of course – but only if you believe in it!"
"And what if Mirana goes back on her word?"
"Then I'll return sooner than agreed, gather the Underland people and demand her re-election!"
"But what shall I do when you are gone?"
"Well, not to gaze on this wall all day long, for sure! "
"What else is left for me here?"
"You know…some foreign author once wrote that we should squeeze the slave out of ourselves drop by drop…If this be the case, I'll really be back before you know it!"
"Sounds impressive"
"True, nevertheless!"
"Wilhelmina, can I tell you one more truth?"
" Of course you can."
" I love you. "
"So do I."
"Well, then…"
"Until we meet again, Ilosovic!"
"Until we meet…"
