Read Online Desolation by Yasmina Reza - Free Book Online Page B

came to a street called rue Charlot, I stopped and I called his name. Farther along this rue Charlot a man halted and I recognized Leo. What is the use of intelligence, Samuel? We are so defenseless in the face of life. ‘Calm down, Genevieve, catch your breath,’ said Leo, opening his car door. ‘It’s all for the best. In some kind of attack of sudden impulse, I’d decided in fact to spend the evening and perhaps the night with you’ (we’d never stayed together a whole night). ‘Thank God your fickle behavior came at exactly the right moment to put an end to such a stupid plan.’ I’m paraphrasing to give you the essence of what he said, Samuel,” says Genevieve, “his words were chosen with such nonchalant cruelty that I can barely reproduce their power to wound. ‘Everything is for the best, my dear. What years of hesitations and agonizing doubts couldn’t bring me to do, you have achieved with decisive grace and the lightest of touches. You’ve finally set me free, Genevieve. And I must admit something to you: while it would have been almost impossible for me to get there on my own, I sincerely envy the ease, the flick of the wrist, with which you eliminated me. Oh, but look who’s coming, look who’s running with all your bits and pieces! Such sedulous devotion, Genevieve, fantastic! Quick, warm her up, Monsieur, she’s shivering, make her as warm as you can, Monsieur, Monsieur . . .?’ ‘Hauvette,’ said Hauvette. ‘Monsieur Ôvette,’ said Leo, getting into his car, ‘take good care of Madame Abramowitz.’ ‘What’s going on?’ asked Hauvette, seeing that I looked stricken. You know, Samuel, what we call courage, pugnacity, are words born of our pride in order to disguise our helplessness when confronted with our fate. ‘Did he do something to offend you?’ he added grotesquely. ‘He’s just wonderful!’ Leo laughed. ‘Monsieur Ôvette, please be good enough to let go of the door, I would like to drive off.’ ‘I don’t like your tone, Monsieur—’ ‘Fench,’ said Leo. ‘I don’t give a shit what your name is,’ snapped Hauvette, ‘I don’t give a shit who you are, I don’t like your tone and I don’t like your effect on Genevieve.’ ‘Monsieur Ôvette,’ said Leo, whose restraint was fraying, ‘if you enjoy indulging in the kind of appalling complication commonly known as an affair, I recommend Madame Abramowitz, I most highly recommend Madame Abramowitz,’ said Leo, who was getting worked up and since Hauvette wouldn’t let go of the car door, he got out of the car again. ‘Madame Abramowitz,’ said Leo, eyeing Hauvette up and down or rather down and up because Hauvette parenthetically was a good head taller than he was, ‘is docile, shy, affectionate, and quick to treachery, she possesses the whole little bag of tricks of contradictory qualities that ensnare you by your basest instincts, one would praise a good household pet, please note, no differently. ’ ‘Genevieve, would you like me to intervene?’ said Hauvette, rising in revolt. ‘Madame Abramowitz likes authoritarian men, my friend, feel free to intervene without asking her permission.’ ‘Shut your face!’ yelled Hauvette in a sudden fit of incivility, seizing a windshield wiper he’d literally yanked off the windshield. And then, I hardly dare tell you this bit,” said Genevieve, “as if this weren’t enough to finish us off, he started trying to threaten Leo with this ridiculous stick (the rubber bit was hanging down off it) and hissing hysterically ‘Get the hell out, get the hell out.’ ‘You know, you got yourself a real daredevil here!’ sneered Leo. ‘One more word to Madame Abramowitz and I’ll slash you,’ yelled Hauvette, pointing his weapon. At that point Leo lost it and with one violent blow he flattened Hauvette’s arm, the windshield wiper, and Hauvette, who crumpled onto the hood. Then he got back into the car, put it in gear before Hauvette had time to get up again,