Read Online The Circle by Bernard Minier - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bernard Minier
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dreams,â he said suddenly.
His voice was stifled.
Margot turned to look at him, surprised. He wished he could have hidden the fact that his eyes had misted up.
âThis preparatory class is very demanding. It is meant for students who are very motivated and who are not afraid to work hard. The two years you are going to spend with us will be an opportunity for you to bloom and make the most of your education, not to mention the unprecedented experiences you will have. The knowledge we pass on to you does not neglect the human side. Unlike other establishments, we are not obsessed with statistics,â explained the headmaster with a smile.
Servaz was certain the opposite was true. Behind the headmaster, the window was open. He could see ivy and hear the sound of a lawnmower, and someone hammering. He knew that the headmasterâs office was at the top floor of a circular tower, and that hiswindow overlooked the rear of the building: Servaz knew the place like the back of his hand.
âNo pupils are kept down the first year, except in the event of an accident or serious illness. However, the difficulty of the entrance examinations to the institutes of higher education often necessitates repeating the second year. This possibility is open to all students who have shown the required qualities during their two years here.â
A beam of sunlight fell upon the folder with Margotâs name on it when the headmaster opened it and pulled out a sheet of paper.
âLetâs take a look now at the choice of options. This is a very serious matter. You must not choose lightly, young lady, because even if your choice for the exam is only finalised at the beginning of the second year, it will depend on what you choose in the first year. And I advise against increasing the options simply to, shall we say, cover all eventualities ⦠The workload is considerable, and such a decision would inevitably be detrimental to the quality of your work.â
He counted on his fingertips.
âIn first year, you already have five hours of French, four hours of philosophy, five of history, four of living languages 1, three of classical languages and culture, two of geography, two of living languages 2 and two of physical education, andââ
âIâve already chosen my options,â interrupted Margot. âSpeciality units Latin and Greek, level confirmed. And drama. As my living language number 1, Iâll be taking English. Living language number 2, German.â
The headâs pen scratched across the paper.
âVery good. You are bound by your choices for the entire year, you realise that?â
âYes.â
He turned to Servaz with a delighted smile.
âHere is a young person who knows what she wants.â
8
Music
Servaz went back into the interrogation room. It was half past two in the morning. Hugoâs features were drawn, and Servaz sensed that the atmosphere had changed. So much pressure, so much fear. The time had come for confessions. Spontaneous confessions, fake confessions, truthful confessions, fantastical confessions, extorted confessions ⦠I confess, because it relieves me of the burden of my guilt; I confess because Iâve had enough, because Iâm exhausted and helpless, because I have an irresistible desire to go for a wee; I confess because that stupid bastard wonât stop blowing his stinking breath in my face; I confess because heâs driving me crazy, screaming at me, and because he frightens me; I confess because thatâs what they all want, basically, and because Iâll end up having a heart attack, coronary thrombosis, hypoglycemia, kidney failure, epilepsy ⦠He lit a cigarette and handed it to Hugo, in spite of the pictogram on the wall. The young man took it. He inhaled his first puff with the gratitude of a shipwreck survivor who has been handed a flask of fresh water, and he allowed the poison to flow slowly down his throat and
His voice was stifled.
Margot turned to look at him, surprised. He wished he could have hidden the fact that his eyes had misted up.
âThis preparatory class is very demanding. It is meant for students who are very motivated and who are not afraid to work hard. The two years you are going to spend with us will be an opportunity for you to bloom and make the most of your education, not to mention the unprecedented experiences you will have. The knowledge we pass on to you does not neglect the human side. Unlike other establishments, we are not obsessed with statistics,â explained the headmaster with a smile.
Servaz was certain the opposite was true. Behind the headmaster, the window was open. He could see ivy and hear the sound of a lawnmower, and someone hammering. He knew that the headmasterâs office was at the top floor of a circular tower, and that hiswindow overlooked the rear of the building: Servaz knew the place like the back of his hand.
âNo pupils are kept down the first year, except in the event of an accident or serious illness. However, the difficulty of the entrance examinations to the institutes of higher education often necessitates repeating the second year. This possibility is open to all students who have shown the required qualities during their two years here.â
A beam of sunlight fell upon the folder with Margotâs name on it when the headmaster opened it and pulled out a sheet of paper.
âLetâs take a look now at the choice of options. This is a very serious matter. You must not choose lightly, young lady, because even if your choice for the exam is only finalised at the beginning of the second year, it will depend on what you choose in the first year. And I advise against increasing the options simply to, shall we say, cover all eventualities ⦠The workload is considerable, and such a decision would inevitably be detrimental to the quality of your work.â
He counted on his fingertips.
âIn first year, you already have five hours of French, four hours of philosophy, five of history, four of living languages 1, three of classical languages and culture, two of geography, two of living languages 2 and two of physical education, andââ
âIâve already chosen my options,â interrupted Margot. âSpeciality units Latin and Greek, level confirmed. And drama. As my living language number 1, Iâll be taking English. Living language number 2, German.â
The headâs pen scratched across the paper.
âVery good. You are bound by your choices for the entire year, you realise that?â
âYes.â
He turned to Servaz with a delighted smile.
âHere is a young person who knows what she wants.â
8
Music
Servaz went back into the interrogation room. It was half past two in the morning. Hugoâs features were drawn, and Servaz sensed that the atmosphere had changed. So much pressure, so much fear. The time had come for confessions. Spontaneous confessions, fake confessions, truthful confessions, fantastical confessions, extorted confessions ⦠I confess, because it relieves me of the burden of my guilt; I confess because Iâve had enough, because Iâm exhausted and helpless, because I have an irresistible desire to go for a wee; I confess because that stupid bastard wonât stop blowing his stinking breath in my face; I confess because heâs driving me crazy, screaming at me, and because he frightens me; I confess because thatâs what they all want, basically, and because Iâll end up having a heart attack, coronary thrombosis, hypoglycemia, kidney failure, epilepsy ⦠He lit a cigarette and handed it to Hugo, in spite of the pictogram on the wall. The young man took it. He inhaled his first puff with the gratitude of a shipwreck survivor who has been handed a flask of fresh water, and he allowed the poison to flow slowly down his throat and
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