the ride back

8/14/2019 The ride back

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‘The ride back’‘An African sunset’ – an excerpt

'Well, how did they treat you?' Asked him Everon. They were on their way to Dialo,flying from one small road hump to another – Everon never denied himself hislittle whims.

'There was just one unpleasant small problem.' Opened up Shatz with much caution.

'It was simply unavoidable, that's how I see it, and there was just one way tosolve it.''What was it then?' Asked Everon excitedly, augmenting the car's speed withoutbeing aware to it

'We had to turn to Da-Silva to sign the lease, before you yourself have introducedme to him.'Everon shifted his eyes back to the road ahead, slowing down a bit – taking histime. Shatz's concentration was focused again in the incredibly exciting visionsbefore his eyes, the many slim naked torsos and the vibrating gleaming breasts,with those dark nipples...'That's the whole thing then?' Muttered Everon thoughtfully. 'Let's term it as"force majeur", anyway, reporting it to me, was the right thing to do. But what

I'd liked to know is what were exactly the terms – I mean what did they ask?'

'They were all right, they asked me to sign the lease retroactively, from thefirst of this month on.''The idea was his I understand.''No, he just brought the matter up, the idea was hers.''How nice of them!' Remarked Everon. 'Almost incredible I would say. But how wasthe weekend in general with them, she didn't complain?' He could not refrain fromasking. 'They've a full belly against me, what do you know – after all I did forthem!' He added with a bitter smile.'Oh, they were quite all right nothing of that sort turned up, whether it mighthave concerned you, or the others. He's a very cautious person, and he did not lether talk too much. By the way he believes that they'll be sent somewhere else –

you must have heard about it no doubt.''Sure I did, they wished to extend their contract for another year, although thatdelicate matter with Da-Silva.' Answered Everon, laughing heartily.'Staying with them for truth's sake, wasn't easy at all and if you don't mind, I'dlike to stay at the "Etoile" tonight.'

'Oh la la!' Everon was laughing again. 'Is it that chick in front of us right now,who inspires you?' He asked pointing at a young big-breasted female who was stillin front of them, heading a group of women towards Dialo.

'Well yes, but on top of it my problem is staying under the same roof with Hilla –that’s why I've thought I'd rather stay at the "Etoile" till Wednesday.''Does she bother you that much? I can't believe it! She likes to tease and she

must be bored to death there, but that's none of your business. You haven't fallenin love with her, have you?'

'No, absolutely not!' Declared Shatz, 'and I don't think she tried to tease me,she is simply an attractive woman, the body she has – and she roams around withthat thin summer dress of hers; she can drive one into a nervous breakdown.'

'I can’t blame you, you’re quite right.' Agreed Everon, 'she's still a ravishingdish.''We spent most of the time in the living room, with nothing much to do. I couldn'tread the papers. Luckily enough the kids popped up from time to time, to avert my



sinful thoughts, to cut me off my hallucinations... I'm not the righteous type,but I did start to cherish guilty feelings.''Oh come’n, to sum it up you did pass a cheerful experience, and tomorrow morningI'm quite sure, you would feel better.' Consoled him Everon with a short cheerfullaugh. 'Nevertheless, you have to stay on with them up to the last moment, it'sMoshe you should stick to – to get every bit of information you can get out ofhim, that's your task.''It won't be easy, I'm not too close to their bedroom, but...'

'Well I'm telling you...' Everon barged into his words with anger. 'Even if youwould have slept in their own bed with them, you wouldn't have heard much, that'sher critical problem, got it?' In a much calmer tone he added: 'He isn't goodenough for her.''Is she cheating on him?' Asked Shatz with a throbbing heart.'She might be dreaming of doing it, but she wouldn't dare to do such a thing. Sheis a very practical woman and has enough sense not to cut off with her own handsthe branch they are sitting on. Anyhow, she's quite frustrated out of it, andwhenever she's her fits, he becomes her scapegoat of course. That’s exactly theproblem that hinders our task here. They wanted to renew their contract and stayon a year or two, you heard about it yourself this weekend with your own ears –I've expressed openly my objection to it and I've sent home an urgent request fora replacement, for you as a matter of fact. You do realize it yourself now, don't

you?''Wasn't there some other way to solve that problem?' Shatz asked regretting on thespot his having asked it.'Well...' muttered Everon thoughtfully, somewhat surprised, 'nobody took them tooseriously at the beginning except the former ambassador. Some said she justpanicked, and some did believe that the former ambassador had a crush on her – andthe Priels did exploit it. It took sometime till we did realize that there is sometruth in it, I mean her fears. But it was too late. Da-Silva is a very powerfulfigure in this country. Any change at the very beginning of their stay in thiscountry, would have been interpreted by him as a personal insult. Neither theformer ambassador nor Yossef, mind you, dared to risk a worsening of relationswith the touchy locals. But now with their term over the nightmare is behind us.For it isn't just Monsieur Da-Silva, it's the problem of our own ambassador, or

rather his young bride, who gets fits of jealousy every time Yossef mentionsHilla's name. Do you realy think she was sick, or didn't feel well? They must havehad a row, over Hilla of course. Whether she's conscious of it or not, she's atroublemaker! Peleg behaves like a teenager in her presence, I’m not joking it’sserious; well I am throwing a farewell party for them on Wednesday night, it’sgoing to be one of the most happiest day of my life!' Summed Everon the matter upwith much relief. He got tired of it himself.'So, what are we going to do now'? Asked Shatz after a short pause. They wereapproaching Mouaka, but the discussed "subject" whose features floated up in hismind's eye – hanging on his neck with her hands, embracing his waist with her warmthighs, diverted his thoughts. He missed her already.

'We'll hop to the "Etoile" first of all, then to the embassy, say hello to

everyone, and report to Yossef what the situation is like. Tomorrow by the waywe'll complete all the arrangements – a piece of cake isn't it? From the embassywe'll hop to my place, have supper and ride to the club. That would be our"premiere" match, prepare yourself to beat them all.''Would you arrange me a lift back to Mouaka, with one of your acquaintances?''A lift back?' Laughed Everon. 'How about me, I'm not good enough for you? By theway,' he went on without paying any heed to whether Shatz meant to answer or not.'When does your household equipment cargo arrive?''You're talking to me in riddles! I didn't send any, there was not any time forsuch arrangements.' Answered Shatz realizing all of a sudden, that something onhis behalf was amiss.



Turning his head abruptly towards Shatz, Everon glanced at him with amazement.'You do understand that you wouldn't be able to stay at the farm, after thePriels’ would leave. There's a hotel in Dialo, a lousy inn in fact, but as far asyou're concerned, it’s off limits – and if you think of staying on at the"Etoile", forget it! Someone has to pay Da-Silva his monthly rent! That’s themain part of the bargain.'

'Well, I've signed the lease and paid him in advance already, and I have an ideaor two of how...''With ideas you won't cook your food, nor cover yourself at night.' Scolded himEveron. We'll see to arrange for you a few basic utensils and linen, first thingtomorrow.''I don't want to bother you with it.' Interrupted him Shatz.'Oh come’n! It’s nothing at all. We'll hop to the "Astro" right after havingpurchased your new car at the agency.''We must have reached town much quicker this time.' Remarked Shatz, as they werepassing the governmental sector.'Oh what a pity, I should have asked you to check time! Never mind, do remind menext time. God, am I thirsty!' He declared right away. 'Well, we'll wet ourthroats "chez Claude".' He suggested with a sly smile, winking at Shatz.

'E tu Brutus?' Smiled back to him Shatz, in an elaboration of the same style.'You do forget that I don't need to stay at the "Etoile" for such a pastime.'If he is involved in a love affair, if that's what he is trying to insinuate – hewouldn't have wasted his precious time on me, would he? But if it's just a showoff, well then, it means that Hilla was dead right. Time would tell, if he reallyis so active, or if he is just a bragging eccentric. Concluded Shatz, refrainingfrom any comment.'I wonder how they would greet us at the embassy – they must remember still ourlast visit, don't they?''Don't you worry!' Assured him Everon. 'They'll greet us just as I expect them togreet us. There's no reason for arguments or confrontations this time, and aboveall, they would be too happy to leave their boring daily routine for a short while

– the women in particular.'

the ride back

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