The Salamander Page #6

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came to a nasty end

when they told the passengers

it was only a joke.

Sleeping like angels!

It's awkward for you.

Only you and the boss have keys.

That would seem to narrow

the line of questioning.

You went to bed early last

night and slept soundly.

I told you. Suzanne can confirm it.

Work here long?

A few days.

- And before?

- At Sogex.

Why did you leave Sogex?

I didn't like it.

Do you like it here?

It's okay.

Hi. How are you?

What time is it?

3:
30.

Not working this afternoon?

And you? Is your story almost

finished?

We're rather stuck.

You don't look very chipper yourself.

I'm not going back to the shop.

Why not?

I left, that's all.

It's not the first time.

Get in a fight?

We can't help you much, this time.

The finances of our little household

are in crisis, about to pass from a

cyclic

to an endemic state.

Know what that means?

This is cyclic. And this is endemic.

I haven't asked for anything!

What happened?

She quit, as usual.

We could title our story:

"Rosemonde, Just Passing Through."

The cops are after me again.

They were in the shop today,

questioning people.

The shop was robbed last night.

Naturally they questioned me most of

all.

I know they suspect me, it was clear.

So I acted a bit pissed at them.

After lunch, I didn't go back.

To hell with the place!

You had nothing to do with it?

Of course not.

Was there a break-in?

That's just it.

Someone had the keys.

My key was in my coat.

I'm not a sleepwalker!

- And Roger?

- What about him?

He could have taken the key.

No one touched it!

And I haven't seen Roger in a week!

What is he to you?

I like him.

It's the same with him as it is with

you.

What can be done?

You, Rosemonde,

pulled the trigger on your uncle.

Yes, it was me.

I didn't mean to,

it happened in the heat of the moment.

I'd been fed up with the

old fool for some time.

He always found piddling jobs for me,

like in the Army.

He preached at me all the time.

I've been scared of my temper ever

since.

I don't know what to do anymore...

You better go away.

I know people you could stay with in

Paris.

Why should she go to Paris?

You should go to Paris.

That's a stupid idea,

it'll only confirm the police's

suspicion.

It won't be long until she

finds a clue leading to Roger.

- She has to go back to work.

- I won't go.

Not long. Just a few days.

Just long enough to dispel their

suspicions.

I won't go!

Just a few days.

I'll pick you up tomorrow morning.

Ready?

What shall I tell them about

yesterday afternoon?

I don't know...

Say that the questioning upset you.

Let's go.

I don't want to go.

I'm not going.

Come on.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Because it's amusing.

What's amusing?

I've lived with your

doppelganger for a month.

Whenever I went to my room,

I knew you'd be there.

I invented you.

Only the shot at your uncle was a

reality.

Now you're a reality. That amuses me.

How did you know I pulled the trigger?

It was a gamble.

I could've gone to prison for a long

time.

- How long?

- I don't know.

I imagined you differently,

a little fatter, more countrified.

How fat? Fat as a pig?

No. Lovely, strapping, beautiful.

Do you like girls like that?

Is your wife like that?

No, she's very slim.

You were very funny.

You knew what you wanted.

And what do you want?

From life?

No, from me.

What do you want?

Me? I don't know...

...really.

But you do know.

I want people to get off my back.

That's not easy.

No one wants me the way I am.

No one? Am I no one?

And Pierre? And Suzanne?

You had three lovers in my story.

- All at once?

- No, one after the other.

You preferred one of them.

What did he look like?

He was...brawny.

Like this.

Like a construction worker I know.

- Was he handsome?

- Magnificent.

He had big hands.

Above all, he was clever.

He showed you the difference

between breaking a window

and breaking a window.

He taught you how to distinguish

friend from foe,

and not to break windows

on your own anymore.

He explained why your

enemies are your enemies.

Did I understand?

Yes, you got the gist.

Why do you write stories?

I'm just doing my bit.

In your story, do they know...

...the truth about the rifle shot?

- Who?

- The cops.

No. It was quite natural.

It wasn't your fault the rifle was

handy.

It had to be of some use one day.

It was better the bullet went here...

...than here.

Did you explain why your fat girl

fired?

Why?

She couldn't not be her true self

forever.

But the act itself wasn't important.

The important thing is

what set things in motion.

The freedom to be yourself

is systematically denied...

...to too many people.

- Tell me her story again.

- You'll be late.

- Who were her enemies?

- The same as yours.

And who are my enemies?

Think.

Obviously the foreman at the

factory...

...the little boss of the shoe store,

his mummy...

...my uncle's cops,

and the shoe store's cops.

The boss of law, the boss of sausages,

the boss of boots, and the boss of

cops!

I'll stop by the shop later.

Good morning, miss.

I'd like to buy a pair of shoes.

This way.

What do you have in mind?

I'd like shoes to put my feet in.

Shoes to walk in,

simple shoes.

I think I've got just the thing.

How did it go?

It went alright.

Is he the little boss man?

Shall I punch his face in?

Have you got cash on you?

Yes, twenty francs.

Well, aren't you rich!

I'll see what I have at

that price. What size?

Like this, perhaps?

Nice and warm. Too warm.

These are no good.

Neither are these.

These are practical.

A bit big.

That's better.

So are these...

That's the left.

And the right?

That looks nice.

But a little too small.

Soft.

Comfortable.

They fit like a glove!

You think?

They're elegant!

Then I'll keep them on, if they're so

elegant.

- Sure you're alright?

- Yes, don't worry.

Thank you, mademoiselle.

Au revoir, mademoiselle.

Au revoir, mademoiselle?

The second one this week

buying tennis shoes...

In December!

Couldn't we use these notes?

No, you can't rehash stuff like that.

So we'll forget the adventures

of the lovely Rosemonde?

Yes.

It's not my decision,

it was decided by the facts.

Rosemonde engulfed us.

Sh*t!

What about the television money?

Another little debt.

Anyway, you didn't want to work on it.

I did at first.

I lured you into it.

I'll take responsibility.

That'll teach me.

Someone's knocking.

- Someone to inspect the place.

- Again!

Spiritual Defense were already here.

I represent your landlord's interest.

I'm here to evaluate your furniture.

Huh? Why?

You signed a lease,

which you clearly did not read.

It states that your belongings must

equal

the value of eighteen months rent.

In your case that's exactly 6,300

francs.

What's the point of all this?

In case non-payment of rent

necessitates seizure of your effects.

In case you didn't know, your rent has

not been paid in four months.

- Four months?

- Yes.

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