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Baron

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Premise:

Second in this trilogy, Baron is a temporary deviation from the main plot line and in a way it's just a character study (features, personality, history, capabilities, etc.). the study was somewhat of a failure for the story in itself lead nowhere, but the exercize was good for later, further developments. it is also a more conventional story, in comparison with the other two (esp. André), for there are no alternations and interweaving of different plots—the ending alone is rather surprising.

[...]
Turn away, look down on my drink bartender just pushed under my nose. Champagne light and bubbly like my heart, red cherry passionate like my pussy, olive green like hope your money. Yes, now he understands my type. Close sentence with wide, malicious smile (redundant), staring at him with self-satisfaction and self-assuredness. He smiles wholeheartedly. Flashback to an hour ago, he showed so little care so much indifference and lack of involvement when she was crying. Maybe she was just a brat. Or a bore. Remember his hurry in getting rid of her. Will he do the same with me? Oh no, am not quite same stuff. She probably wasn't good enough for him, maybe she wasn't his girl-friend after all. Feel inquisitive about reason for that hurry. "May I offer you another champagne-cherry-olive?" No, thanks. I'm quite done with it; it's an old idea already. Must go now. "Plans?" Yes. Return his gaze, straight in his eyes. What should I think of a man to whom I can lie so easily, almost as though it's expected of me? "Come here often?" Yes and no. "May I drive you to your engagement?" Silly laughter. Do I look like I'm about to get engaged? "Are you?" Laugh it off without answering, but letting it be understood that I'm not. "Let me see you off." Walk side by side along the allees. On avenue Koch friendly part with promise; I want to see him again but not just to see him. "Will I see you around?" Successfully repress tarty answer and nod, pensively. "I really hope so, madame... I didn't get your name..." I didn't say... Madeleine. "Madeleine what?" Just Madeleine. Play cute. Wish he'd tell me his name, don't dare ask, and he doesn't volunteer anything other than Guillaume.

Afternoon dies in usual boredom of domestic life. Jacques calls from Rio. "Did you see me today, pussy?"—demands he. No, you know I don't like to see you race—I lie. "But I won, my dear pussy, I won! Aren't you proud of me?" I'm proud you're still alive—I lie again. "You sound different, are you alright?" I'm alright alright, this concern of yours for my health rings a false bell, darling. (Am fearful my ironic tone only too obvious and my concern for his sake all too novel to sound sincere.) "So does your concern over my life,—echoes his words,—is someone there with you?" No, why... I'm alone. "Are you seeing someone?" Stop asking, of course not, and even if I did, do you think I'd tell you? Glacial silence. (Fear have been too daring.) I'm OK, (hurry to proceed) don't worry about me, I'm not seeing anyone and I'm just fine; if anything, I'm just slightly bored. "I don't want you to be bored, pussy, you might do something you will regret." Is that a threat? "Not at all, just a little piece of advice for my little faithful pussy. Anyway, I'm back next week, and I want to find you pretty and sophisticated, alright?" Alright, I'll be as you want me, Jacques. "Good girl!" Hell with him and all the like.

Lavinia calls almost immediately afterwards, as if to dispel boredom cast, to make sure I won't miss her tea-party, tomorrow afternoon (no, I won't) and that tonight there's a party at the Delacosse's, didn't I know? (No, I didn't.) You know, Pat didn't have time to send out all the invitations (apparently not), but since you are a faithful, like me, she asked me to tell you informally and she would be very angry if you didn't come. What's so special about tonight? She invited some new people, I mean, they are actually old, I mean old aristocracy, you know, those who never put their nose outside the blue circle... Are they going to be new acolytes? Are you kidding? Of course not, these are really nice people, more boulevardier, you know? No, I don't know, I don't frequent people like that. Well, one more reason to come, you have a lot of class, you might enter in their circle; and you might also find someone more chic to replace that jerk. Oh, go away... Why not? It's high time you changed, you've been with him for too long anyway. It's not quite that simple, you know? (How can I tell her that I "can't"?) I know, none of my business, but if I were you, I'd give him one of those kicks in the derrier... you really should do it, at least while you're still young... That's true, you never liked Jacques. And I'm not the only one, I can tell you that, that psychotic freak. Lavinia! Can you deny it? He's not a freak! Does this mean you're too tied up to come tonight? Hesitate a bit... No, I'm coming, I'm coming, I won't tell him. Good, good, then I'll see you there. Sure, 'til later.

I was so busy surviving, I was so blind to think it was too late to change. I'm still young!! And I didn't even realize time was going by... three years... how many people have I lost in the meantime? How far have dear friends gone? For how long should this continue still? Fuck with problems! I'll go to the party, I'll forget everything at least for one night. She's right, it'll do me lots of good. And I hope he dies in a freak car accident! Creep! He's robbed me of my life. And Marcel? Paul? All gone?

Catleyas anyone?

Taxi stops in front of no. 15 in rue de Mignon. Press brass button, enter through dark tall oak door open. Up the large marble stairs. Ring bell. Oh, ma cherie, you simply look marvelous! Where have you been all these months? Please come in. It's quite obvious that she does not want to hear what I have been doing all these months, because all she is really interested in knowing is what I have not been doing, which she already knows: I have missed at least half dozen of her "hilarious" parties. You know, Patricia, Lavinia called me a while ago, she will.... Oh, I know, I'm sorry I didn't send you a formal invitation in time, but I was so busy getting things done, with Charles away all week, you know, a woman alone can't do everything! It's quite all right, don't worry about me, we don't need be formal among ourselves! I knew you would understand. The truth about the whole matter is that she didn't even think I would come, but it was Lavinia's idea to call me; she is one of the few friends of the "group" who has kept in touch with me. I just wanted to say that she won't be able to get here right away, but she will not miss your party. Oh, I know, she called here an hour ago, what a petulant...! Hint hint... Yes, we all know her, but she means well, I can...

I can't finish my defense of Lavinia that Patricia has already dragged me by the arm toward a bunch of people, unfamiliar to me. Ma chére, let me introduce you... this is Louis Laforge, and this is Anne-Marie Bonbon, and Michele d'Ivry (nobles don't like to be called by their titles in front of plebeians, for fear of being humiliated out of middle-class ignorance) and this is Gaston d'Ambroise; you all, this is my most faithful "follower", except for these past couple of months, I should bear a grudge, but I'm so magnanimous... Madeleine Laforet (o 'eck). Pleased to meet you, are you a relative of Jacques Laforet? Smile away, assertive and secure. No, not really, should I? Oh, how witty! Isn't she a pearl? Isn't she cute? (Incidentally, curious reader: I'm not cute; gorgeous maybe...) Adorable, really adorable! (Puke puke... dejá…á vu vu?)

“Ses yeux sont comme les noires nuits brillantes;
c'est la tete fine des forts égyptiens
qui dressent leurs poses lentes
sur les sarcophages anciens.” (M.P.)

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