Chapter 7 dirty deal

dirty deal (1) He shuddered.What a terrifying sound... He knew very well in his heart that a disaster was threatening Dourdan.But what can he do? ... He needs his own spirit, courage and strength, for himself, for himself alone.But he waited a moment.If he hears the second call, he will go back.But Dourdan didn't call him again.So Jean-Luc left.He crept on the carpet fixed in the middle of the corridor, muffled his footsteps, and held his breath, so that his friend thought he was too far away to hear the cries. 16 Jean-Luc was amazed by the shabby appearance of the apartment that Calicut Lancomon had reserved for himself on the Rue de la Raspail.The young man also added this sentence on the business card:

"Abel Sarah's son-in-law would like to discuss some banking matters with you, of which you were a director." As he expected, he was quickly received. He walked into Calicut Lanquin's office.In the office is a large artificial leather chair made by Cortu. The back of the chair is hard and uncomfortable. It is reminiscent of the furniture seen in the homes of lawyers who have already obtained honorary status. There is no need to keep customers for too long. I want to hurry up Get rid of them, as long as they leave the files.When he entered the office, Calicut-Lanquin was standing in the doorway of the next room, saying goodbye to two young men, one of whom had a camera under his arm.Jean-Luc heard him say:

"Thank the paper for sending you, gentlemen. Thanks for giving an innocent man a chance to make his case." The two young men left.After Lan Kun shook Jean-Luc's hand, he sat down on a Gothic carved high-back chair opposite him.He was still in his nightgown and slippers.His face was old, tired and anxious.He didn't look well maintained and his beard wasn't well shaved.Jean-Luc looked at him intently: "Will he guess my mind?... This man's spirit, fanaticism, ambition, passion and joy make him always dazzling. Like a dazzling strong light in front of his eyes, It must prevent him from seeing everything clearly. However, he knows people and people. So, there is an element of uncertainty in what I am going to do. And this is the entertainment of the game..."

"Forgive me," he said, "forgive me for troubling you, but I have been approached... please allow me to withhold his name, at least for the time being... Someone wants to buy a thousand shares of Salar Bank. The stock is now mine, and I guessed what he was buying it for." Lan Kun crossed his hands to his lips, and then quickly separated them. "What purpose?" he said after a moment of silence. "His intent was to bring a lawsuit, I'm sure." Lan Kun was silent.He tried to keep his composure, but his eyes, the ones that Jean-Luc had always seen before, were so bright and shining, they seemed to suddenly dim and sink deep in their sockets.He finally asked:

"Someone told you to sell these shares? How much did he ask for?" "Forty thousand francs." Lan Kun sighed. "Maybe you're here to get me to pay you more? ... I'd be more than happy to do that without even haggling. I'm not in the habit of haggling when someone does me a favor. I don't even Don't want to figure out what the purpose of doing me this favor is." He paused and caught Jean-Luc's gaze with his eyes.He reached for a pack of cigarettes, took out one without lighting it, and said in a lower voice: "You would have done nothing wrong in coming to me before. But I have no money now, Mr. Dagherner. Yes, you may... no, you must find it untrue. A politician has A party backs up and comes to his aid in times of crisis like mine. But I... I'm deserted, Mr. Daghner, I'm alone. All my old friends are ready to kill , me, me? . . . Can you imagine? I am, without bragging, the only politician elected by this party worthy of the title of statesman, and they will never elect another like me Politicians... Because, anyway, you know me, for example, how much I react to the speeches of young people. Now it's good! It's me who they want to kill. Those who have lost their minds, they don't Understand that they will bury themselves too. I am the soul of the party. Do you understand? A gust of wind came and swept me away. They thought that by sacrificing me, their prestige would not be lost. But what is that? Ah, I ask you, have people search my life, my past, and I respond to them with my purity, even in the smallest things, I am innocent. And, you see, this is Evidence, the best evidence. The deal you propose to me, I have no possibility of accepting, because I don't have the necessary money. This is the cruel, painful truth, and it is absolutely true. However, if I am as people accuse I do it like that, if I help Sarah get rich, it's not a problem to ask me to come up with the money. It's obvious. But I'm tired of defending myself like a criminal, tired of just giving me Political struggles that bring frustration and disappointment. Don't... don't argue... I don't deny the joy of achieving ambition and success, but what does it all mean to me? What does it mean to someone as deep as I am ?... It is true that you only see me as a public figure, a mere dummy, as I say, for ungrateful and ignorant people. But I am so different, if only you knew..."

"I sympathize with you," said Jean-Luc softly. "Indeed, you have that defensive instinct of a misunderstood, renegade man. You naturally feel that I have come here for a dirty deal. But I came here to see you for something else. But I don't dare to tell you now. I would look so... so naive to you... You must have noticed , in the calculating and greedy aspects of adults, in the youth and their inexperience," he said in a soft voice full of respect and imperceptible teasing, "have you ever thought that I am here to ask you to take these Stocks, because they work for you, or at least ask you how I can best help you. I don't want anything from you in exchange, but I repeat to you, what you just said , so much pain, it gave me a deeper understanding of human nature than I can learn from all the books, and I am so embarrassed. Who knew you were here to help you in such a simple way, doing everything you can What sinister motive do I find in my desire to help a man I admire?"

He thought to himself: "Isn't this a bad trap? . . . But it's never too bad to lure a man into a trap with flattery. Flattery is the only thing people can't stand. When you ask for money, he's suspicious right away: he starts Be alert, but compliments will only make him fly." Lan Kun whispered: "No, I hear innocent generosity in this sincere voice. I hope the word innocent doesn't hurt you. There's no better compliment to come out of my mouth. You know how tired I am of those The petty calculations, the base greed, the extortion, the shamelessness... And now there is a lad like you, almost a child, who sympathizes with me... sympathy, doesn't it? See me at home and hear me talk. You know I'm not a bad person. You know the insults and hate that flood me every day flood me. Maybe there's a day when I accidentally say a word that will touch you."

dirty deal (2) "How could you have guessed it?" asked Jean-Luc, with a gleam in his face, and that wonderful innocence which so easily shines upon young faces, which he The most effective weapon, "One day, at the dinner table where only money was discussed, you said to me: 'Be pious. Be sincere. Give up your worldly possessions.' Your words, your tone, I don't know you Something in the voice . . . excited me. Tell me, Monsieur Lanquin. Do not doubt. What can I have against you? . . . By chance I know who your enemy is, but alas! I can't be of much help to you. But even a heartfelt message that doesn't work has a meaning you'll understand. Now," he said, rising to his feet, "I take my leave. Here's my address. I'll tell you Say it again, just tell me."

"Thank you," Lan Kun said, "Thank you." He took Jean-Luc's hand and squeezed it in his own before letting go. "You know... I'm very comforted... It's great to have you here... Those stocks, I don't know if they are really as important as you think, but to me, the important thing is that it makes sense The thing is to know who betrayed me." Jean-Luc almost spoke for a moment, moved his lips, and fell silent.Lan Kun looked at his face anxiously.Lan Kun wants to use Jean-Luc, just like Jean-Luc wants to use Lan Kun.Jean-Luc hesitated several times, like a bird flute.

"You come back to see me," Lan Kun finally said, his metallic voice lightly passing over every syllable, "Right? I want to know you better, you are just like me when I was young, so enthusiastic , so want to fight for the ideal. What kind of person have they turned me into? Come back again. I will write to you." Having said these words, they parted. 17 Jean-Luc returned home to find his wife in tears.She walked between the two cramped rooms, looking bitterly at the walls, the furniture, and the maid's blue apron.The child was crying, and she threw herself on the bed, covering her ears with her hands.

"I'm going to die, I'm going to die here..." Jean-Luc glanced at her, surprised.Really, he had forgotten her.She seems to be ill.He said to call the doctor, but like an angry child, she refused.After dinner, she told him to turn off the light, and he went to bed almost at the same time, sleeping next to her, thankful that he could not see or hear her at last. His mind is full of Lan Kun, all of what he said.Materially, he, Jean-Luc, has nothing.He thought to himself: "I have nothing, I'm still penniless. I haven't mastered the method of controlling others. I can only enter that circle through tricks, and I can only let people who are stronger than me lead me by the nose. But is Lan Kun strong? ... He will be finished huh?... Well, it depends on luck. But logically, he's unsinkable... These guys, they're unsinkable... Besides, I don't have another chance. If I Selling the stock to Coutu, I can still bargain with him, plan a bit, and get five thousand or ten thousand francs more... But that's all, that's it... Then, only I can use it Some things, using some of my understanding of people... Lan Kun is a person who loves vanity, and he values ​​others' admiration for him. Compared with ambition, he loves vanity more. This type of person seeks power in power Some form of love. Now, he is alone, deprived of his favorite tribute of his praise. And a young man with no stake, loyal friendship, all the things he neglected yesterday, now If I give it to him, he must think it's a treasure. If I know the future... And that's what I want... I'm in charge of it. I just want him to let me into the circle, know the skills of the world, in their Intermediate activities... have to be a hypocrite, a liar, have to be a liar... just right, I have no other weapons... especially have to accept poverty, and those forty or fifty thousand francs may keep me safe for a year or two. But What will happen in a year or two?...This is not the time to say to yourself 'take that bad step and you'll be fine'. If you take this step today, I'm sure you'll stay where you are in the future. Yes I'm sure of that. The economic crisis and unemployment won't pass. It's a risk. But my whole life has been a game of hide and seek with misery...have to gamble on it." After thinking about it, he finally fell asleep, and only the crying of the child who was hungry could wake him up.He vaguely heard Eddie moaning in his sleep.He turned to her and touched her face: she had a fever.She moaned about her stomach and headaches.He had to get up and fetch the doctor: there was no telephone in the house.The doctor came and said it was severe oophoritis, and Eddie had to be operated on that day.The doctor is gone.Jean-Luc sat on the edge of the bed.He looked at Eddie, drooping his head.Nursing care, nursing homes, surgeries, it all costs money.Had to go to Kutu, talk to him... "Ah! That won't work," he thought, "for this woman I don't like anymore..." Because no fantasy exists anymore, he doesn't love her anymore, he won't Make any sacrifice for her.He will not ruin his future for her. "I don't have any money," she whispered. "Go to...hospital." She's still moaning: "I don't want to go to the hospital...I'm dying...I don't want to, I'm afraid..." "Be reasonable. I have no money. I have no money to spare except three meals a day and milk money for the child. You see what I say... We have nothing... Dr. Brash will let them take You are hospitalized." "Go find the money!...if you still love me...if you ever loved me." "At such a time the fiercest love is powerless." "If you love me, you'll figure it out. But you don't love me, you never loved me. You marry me because I'm Abel Sarah's daughter...I hate you...I'm dying Yes, I feel it, I know it, you are responsible for my death!..." When her mood stabilized a little, she called him again: "Jean-Luc? . . . Are those shares for sale? . . . " "Kutu told her about it," he thought.From this moment on, he had only one thought: to make her stop thinking about it at all costs. "My poor woman, I already know about it. That man can't get a penny now, and he's a rascal, so be on your guard... and we could be in the deadliest trouble... Hereafter, perhaps... ...I'll tell you again, it's impossible to get money from here." She turned away and started moaning again.When he approached her, she pushed him away. A woman will resent a man who doesn't know how to save her from misfortune. dirty deal (3) Just before noon, the ambulance came to the house and took her away, leaving Jean-Luc alone, waiting for the letter Lan Kun had promised. He waited all day and it didn't come, not even the next day.The doctor immediately operated on Eddie.After lunch, he was going to see her during visiting hours.He walked slowly between the brick houses along the cement path.Eddie lay in a rough hospital gown in an ordinary hall.He hardly recognized Eddie.He stayed only a moment, then went away, his ears filled with the humming of hundreds of visitors as they moved slowly forward, across the hall, bent over a hospital bed, and left.Eddie Sarah was lying there too...it was...unbelievable...but it's unbelievable, she's human just like everyone else...thousands of women live in this hospital.If she had to heal, she would heal like any other woman. On the third day, he finally received a blue note from Lan Kun inviting him to lunch. They are the only ones eating.Calicut-Lanquin began by talking about Abel Sarah.Then he asked: "I'm curious to know what you think of me?...Public figures are usually so different from intimates, who are the only ones who are authentic...you know me, you've heard me speak...you know I'm merciless in criticizing others. You think I'm fine with this surge of hate. Well, let me tell you, it's not... There's no one in the world who needs to be loved more than I do. Hate fails me, it does Really. I can't describe the feeling." Jean-Luc thought he must easily forget the insults he himself had said to others.He looked at Calicut Lancun with particular curiosity.For him, it all depends on the nature of the person.It seems easy to understand...but...a person is always uncoordinated in some aspects, he thought to himself... Lan Kun said: "No one is less demanding than I am, not greedy for material wealth... Do you think I am ambitious? ... But all I want is peace and friendship... I will live in an empty room with plaster on the walls That's enough, a few books are enough..." He was sincere, not just when he spoke; the room he lived in was indeed very modestly furnished, and he seemed content.As soon as he could, he left his ministry office and went home, he said.What kind of bait did Abel Sara use to get Lan Kun involved in his messy financial affairs that could easily be messed up? ...But, if there is no bait, is that possible? ... Unless it is the recklessness of politicians who are spoiled by success, and big men in high positions ... But this Lan Kun is by no means a fool.Every now and then, some vicious insight shows that he knows people, shows that he is a very realistic person.But he didn't seem to find these qualities in himself, and he didn't appreciate them, but valued the spiritual value he called "sensitivity".This Lan Kun, he is pathetic in some ways, his face is pale, and his already puffy southern face is swollen with sadness. They brought up Abel Sarah again. "My father-in-law's wisdom," said Jean-Luc first. Lan Kun pouted sullenly, and admitted with great reluctance: "If you want to say that... that's an analytical intelligence... dry... but, my boy, that's not a leader... he doesn't have that quick insight and judgment, then It's an ability of a genius...Besides, I don't personally associate with people because of their intelligence. Today, who is not smart?...Smart people are everywhere. But intuition, sensitivity...Sarah doesn't have this at all Quality. And worries about money..." He opened his arms, a movement that exposed his broad chest: "Honestly, I don't understand..." Seeing a respectful young man sitting opposite him, he gradually regained his sense of perfection.When Jean-Luc said the word success, Lan Kun smiled and said to him: "Success is just a matter of habit. It's almost so embedded in your life that you can never give it up, I admit, but it doesn't bring happiness. Believe me, my little Dagelna, Happiness is your youth at twenty. What more do you need?... You need nothing...You are poor when you are young, but you are happy in poverty. And, you young people, you Like hard work like a spartan these days, don't you?  … Hard life, camping, winter sports, road trips, boys and girls together, freedom, what could be more beautiful and intoxicating . . . Young people just want freedom, don't they? . . . If you knew how much I envy you..." He suddenly fell into a deep reverie and sighed: "My dear child, this is the real face of that wooden man called the big man, who is used by everyone. You are honest, it surprises you... Honestly..." Now, reveling in his own tenderness and pity for himself, he did not forget his plan, however: to know exactly who among his retinue betrayed him.He tentatively tried Jean-Luc with a few words. "I suspect everyone around me... My most enduring and closest friend... You don't know how out of character I am to speculate about who the bad guys are. So, that Qutu you know too..." He stopped and looked at Jean-Luc. Jean-Luc moved his eyelids a little, and Lan Kun noticed it immediately.Lan Kun said angrily: "It's Qutu, isn't it?...Ah! I should have expected...the bastard, I picked him up from the muck...a guy who should be so grateful to me!...Kutu?...Pig Stuff! . . . he . . . makes me sad . . . " Heartbroken, Jean-Luc marveled at the deep-rooted idealism of human beings: what could be more natural than being betrayed by one's benefactors? ...He began to feel that the injustice of the world was unbearable only when it was aimed at himself... Lan Kun stood up, walked to the window, and stared out of the window for a long time.His every move, even the simplest, is inspired by the most sincere feelings, has indescribable dramatic characteristics, and comes from a good actor, who really enters the inner world of the characters and never exaggerates them. Excellent cast of characters.However, Jean-Luc clearly found that he was a person who was used to shouting and hugging. He had endured humiliation on various occasions for many years, expressed his anger and hatred wholeheartedly, and was always surrounded by a lot of invisible people. A person is never alone. dirty deal (4) He came over to Jean-Luc. "Well... I've been abandoned by everyone..." "And me," murmured Jean-Luc, his heart beating faintly, which made his voice a little excited, which finally moved Lan Kun: "Ah! my poor child! . . . " he sighed. He was silent for a while. "This Coutu," said Jean-Luc, "this person has nothing in common with you in personality, and he doesn't seem to meet your requirements for others at all..." "I only ask for one thing," Lan Kun said succinctly, "absolute loyalty...not to me, my child, trust me, not to me, but to my thoughts..." "You can order me," said Jean-Luc softly. Lan Kun hesitated for a moment, then he made a flustered gesture: "Yes, but beware, Kutu does everything. I need him all the time. Will you give me the time?" "Of course, I can..." "Listen," Lanquin said, "we'll be more explicit, even to the point. You can really help me, but I can only give you a very small salary. Eight hundred francs a month. If you think this salary is suitable, I will let you be my secretary, private secretary, nothing to say. You can learn more about the mechanism of human passion from me than from books. As for... As for what you said to me the day before That matter, I know, I will dictate some documents for you to sign. So, it is said, you are mine?" "All yours," said Jean-Luc. 18 The eight hundred francs given by Lan Kun was hard to live on.Three weeks passed, Eddie was still in the hospital, the hired man came to the house to take care of the children, and Jean-Luc was with Lanquin all day, or running around for him.Lanquin commissioned him to visit all his friends in politics one by one, begging them to find someone who could help him in his defense, but the only support they gave him was to advise him to resign at once.The attacks on him came from all directions, but he could not estimate the extent to which he was hated and abandoned.Jean-Luc would seize upon the slightest sympathetic words that he brought back, often of which Jean-Luc had invented himself. "Did he say he felt sympathy for me?...Ah! We know how much that sympathy costs a foot...but what exactly did he say?... Beware, my boy, that's very important...you Do you think he really has sympathy for who I am and what I think? Do you think it's possible for him to show his sympathy?... He's scared, yes... I know he's scared too... But, after all , can't let one person starve to death, good God, because of another person's mistake... Am I responsible for Sarah's corruption?...Did he ask my opinion?...I knew in advance Me? ... But, must, must hold on." He took Jean-Luc's hand and repeated, "Don't you? ... You believe me, my child ... if you know that you have something for me How important..." All Jean-Luc's energies are devoted to that passion that rises and falls just as quickly, which inspires his greatest but intermittent courage, and which can be sustained by the admiration of any man in the world , as long as that man is by his side, as long as he says over and over again: "Your will, your ability to work, your wisdom, your soul to lead..." It's not that he really believed the words in his heart, but the flattery was necessary to motivate him to action. Yet as Jean-Luc circles among Lanquin's friends, he thinks of his adversaries: self-defense is better when you attack others.However, Lan Kun's position in the party is hopeless.He could only part ways with it vigorously.Amon Resur didn't want to hurt Lan Kun himself. It didn't matter to him whether the party collapsed at the expense of Lan Kun or was brought down by Lan Kun.Amon Raisul must be enlisted to help his former political opponent, while at the same time this political opponent must corrupt the party's policies and undermine the unity of the cabinet. Jean-Luc, mediated by Coutu, worked hard to reconcile the two men.The game thrilled him: the pawns were two great living beings whose weaknesses, their vanities, their hatreds and their fears had to be exploited.They must be appeased, flattered, and in turn unsettled.And he himself seems to have achieved his goal: People know him, get used to his facial expressions and every syllable of his name.They always say: "Then ask Dagerna..." "Dagerna will arrange it..." For Lancun, Jean-Luc is already essential Yes, because he was the one in front of the saddle and behind the horse, and because Lan Kun's mouth moved and he made a random gesture, he understood what it meant.These people, how quickly they made peace... They seem to be born to feed their future opponents, their political enemies.Accustomed to a life of publicity and ostentation, they gave the impression not of trustworthiness but of an apparently trustworthy friendship, but that was enough for Jean-Luc. Days, running around, calling one after another, and chatting at parties are lost every minute.At night, very late, he returned to the dark and cramped home, where the children who were not well cared for were crying.When Jean-Luc saw the boy and the clumsy servant in his dirty blue apron, he felt more regret than seeing Eddie lying on the bed.Eddie didn't deserve any sympathy, but this kid... But he didn't want to think about it... No matter what it is to dedicate yourself to, a person or an idea, it's the saddest of mistakes.Wasn't old Dagelner the best and kindest father? ...but what did he do? ...did nothing...he left nothing to his children except poverty.well!There is no peace for the kind-hearted people in the world... One night, the child fell ill.Jean-Luc came back very late to find the child, wrapped in the old blue apron, with the apron in his mouth, lying awake on the servant's lap, burning badly.He ran through the streets again, looking for a doctor and a pharmacy, and once again fear and deep pity were mingled almost overwhelmed.The doctor recommended baths for the child, and prescribed a long list of prescriptions and specific recipes, but it was impossible for Jean-Luc to supervise, since the mother was away and he was out all day.Jean-Luc heated the water, filled the little tub in the kitchen, and lowered the child clumsily with his hands.The servant stood beside him, drowsy-eyed, dangling his arms, watching him flutter about without thinking of helping him.At first, the child screamed and struggled.Water spilled onto the floor, soaking Jean-Luc's clothes.A small lamp half-brightly illuminates the room, dirty feeding bottles and scattered laundry.Suddenly, the child became very quiet. He was floating on the water, supported by his father's two hands, and he seemed to be looking straight ahead.He was thin, with a small sunken face and no muscles.Jean-Luc thought to himself: "I never cared about him..." He listened to the child's rapid breathing and felt the hot body close to him.In this poor kitchen, next to the old woman who had fallen asleep in a chair, Jean-Luc, half-tired and poorly fed, was trembling with worry, thinking that if the child died , Mistakes will be caused by him, his own fault.The light shining on the water swayed gently, and the child stopped crying and moving.Although Jean-Luc struggled to lift the child's head out of the water, the water wetted his face and fine black hair.He kept staring straight ahead, probably at the water flowing in the tub. dirty deal (5) Jean-Luc is more responsible for this child than an ordinary father.He used to look forward to his birth so much.He pulled the child out of that very blissful nothingness, not because of lack of sensible love, but because he needed the child, because he thought that the child might bring him a bright future and wealth.This baby, this little devil, he is a living being; he is already feeling the pain in his heart. "But I don't love him," Jean-Luc thought desperately.There is no need to lie to himself. In his heart, there is neither love for this child nor love for Eddie... All the sources of love in him have been drained... He lowered his head and felt The weight of the child in his hand reminded him of the night the child was born, and another night, another night farther from the night the child was born, and he longed, imagined, needed this life.A vague, unbearable regret filled his heart, but he let it go, pushed it away with all his strength... "What? . . . It's a pity that I'm not a girl ... A child, what is it? There will be others, if this child..." No, this child will live.what!Get the money, get the money... If he says yes to the deal that Coutu offers, he'll have enough to take care of the poor kid, Eddie, his wife, whatever... Don't owe her anything?He gritted his teeth: "No... I owe nothing... I owe nothing... That woman, she knows what she has done... I have no responsibility to her..." Besides, what can he do now? ...he can't go back.It's hard to get overwhelmed.Even? ……no no! ...his whole body seemed to be refusing to yield to the child, to the imaginary obligation, to tense in the refusal to accept...At this moment, it was time for the doctor's appointment to come out of the bath.He tried to wake the maid, but it was useless.The maid was sitting in a chair with her chin on her chest, a mat of gray hair in a mess, and she was exhausted and fast asleep, snoring like a hoarse panting.Jean-Luc lifted the child out of the tub, dried him, and laid him down, just as the doctor had ordered him to do.The little devil, he moaned softly... Jean-Luc covered him with clumsy hands, then he timidly touched the child's face, and the little one cried even harder.Jean-Luc left him there while he collapsed on the sofa bed in the adjoining dining room, and soon only the scenes of the day came to his mind.What will Lan Kun do? ...what would Resur say? …If the cabinet collapses, Lan Kun will join the next government, he will go in as a victor, and Jean-Luc’s career is set... Lan Kun may be ungrateful. "But I will prevent him from being ungrateful," thought Jean-Luc. "I know too much. No, everything will be all right, everything will be a success." He tossed and tossed under the messy blanket for a long time before finally falling asleep.The child recovered, but that night Jean-Luc finally succeeded in stifling the last emotional impulses of his youth. 19 Jean-Luc never saw Dourdin again.One night, Calicut Lancun made an exception for him to leave work earlier than usual, and when he came home at six o'clock in the evening, he found a woman waiting for him at home.Eddie had come back from the hospital the day before, but she was still in bed.那女人独自一人坐在小餐厅里，见让-卢克进来，她站了起来。 “我是以杜尔丹的名义来的。我叫玛丽· 贝朗热。” 他一下子就认出来了，但她让他失望：瘦瘦小小的身材，弱不禁风的样子，脸色苍白，没有一点儿血色，也没有涂抹一丁点脂粉。她穿着很朴素，甚至可以说很寒碜，一条黑色的短裙和一件穿旧了的收腰短皮上装，镶了红棕色的边，一顶黑色的贝雷帽被她急切地从头上摘了下来，于是他认出了那幅肖像上的发型，不太长的浅色头发只到细颈部，他称之为“大天使的发型”。 他示意她坐下。孩子在隔壁的房间里啼哭。让-卢克再次感觉到那种压抑，以及屋子里的气氛在他心里激发的那种令他恼火的愁绪。 他突然说道： “在这里说话都听不见，跟我随便去哪一家咖啡馆，随便哪个地方，您可以跟我说话。” 她阻止了他： “不，不，我等您已经等了一个多小时了。您听我说，”她低声说道，“塞尔日被抓起来了！交五万法郎就可以撤诉。我一整天都在挨家挨户地借钱，可我没有亲朋好友，我孤身一人，什么也做不了，什么也做不了，”她绝望地重复道，颤抖的嘴唇显出一副苦相，“可我以前能弄到这笔钱的。交了钱就可以撤诉。” “塞尔日被抓了，”让-卢克喃喃道，“什么原因？” “造假，”她说道，“我见他弄到钱。我没有猜到，甚至没有去怀疑……我要是早知道，我的上帝啊……他是今天早晨被抓的。他在这个世界上没有任何人。只有您……您是他的朋友。” “您看看我是怎么生活的，”让-卢克指着阴暗的狭小房间和破旧不堪的家具说道，“我到哪里去弄五万法郎啊？” 她深深地看了他一眼，然后弯下腰，抓起放在桌子上的一个破旧的小黑包，拉开房门。 “是的，可能……请您原谅。我实在是不知道去敲谁的门。” 她补充说了一句： “他完蛋了。” 他动了一下，想把她留下来，但她已经消失不见了。他走到窗户边，目送着她穿过大街。她走得很快，在街角就好像被影子咬住了一样。他再次感觉到一个人的渺小和恐惧，站在河岸上，看着一条生命在水里挣扎，却没有能力帮他。可是试都不去试一下是说不过去的。就这么抛下杜尔丹是说不过去的。可他能做什么呢？老天爷啊！ He thought to himself: “也许通过兰昆……” 但兰昆决不会同意去关注一个应该受到法律惩罚、应该坐牢的人的。他太清楚别人正虎视眈眈地监视着他的一举一动，任何小动作都不会放过。而让-卢克也一样啊，对于他正在玩的游戏，他每走一步都得千万留神。 他慢腾腾地走到爱蒂身边，睡下了。第二天，他想的还是杜尔丹，想去看他，找一位律师。后来，他怕了。他的任何小举动都可能把他和兰昆间接地牵连进去。时间一天天地过去了，他放弃了搭救杜尔丹的念头，任由他接受命运的安排。 过了几个月，开庭的时候，他才再次见到杜尔丹。那一天，兰昆必须对众议院提交的质询做出回复。让-卢克事先为兰昆准备好了发言稿。部长只是简明扼要地告诉他大概的提纲怎么写。这就是领导的工作，剩下的都是些附属的、无关紧要的小事情。让-卢克还拟好了所有的开场对白，这些对白把第二天的会议演变成了一场戏，剧本已经提前写好了，而结局却要接受观众的反复无常和难以预料的各种反应的考验。 在众议院听证会开始之前几个小时，让-卢克去了法庭。面对空无一人的审判大厅，杜尔丹的命运在跟他开起了玩笑。一个被官方指定的外籍律师为杜尔丹作辩护，律师几乎不会说法语。最后，他被判处五年监禁。 肮脏的交易（6） 20 位于廊柱中间的议会大厅的专席上，全是正襟危坐的听众，他们在那里等待政界的头面人物们到场，心中暗暗地充满欣喜。这些人对说话的语调、词藻、动作和叫声的优美的感受力，要大大超过发言人的准确性和深度。下面的大厅还是空的。雕像，白色的壁龛，仿大理石圆柱周围都是红色的挂毯，挂毯的颜色不再令人想起革命的鲜血，只会让人感受到剧院里的红色和豪华。在座的观众兴致勃勃，好奇地说道： “今天，卡里克特-兰昆将会说到撒拉银行的事务。他被牵扯进去很深。你听他说过话吗？他很……” 外面已经是1月的黄昏，黄昏已因季节的原因而提前来到。一阵凛冽的寒风从河堤上吹过，让-卢克从法庭走出来，来到议会大厅。他滚烫的脸上，还有那又冷又干的寒风留下的痕迹。他把自己的座位让给了一个老头子，他自己则紧靠着柱子站着。演说者的专席就像是一部神奇的机器，高踞于空中脚手架之上，议会主席在那里俯瞰整个大厅，卡里克特-兰昆马上就要在那里发表让-卢克为他准备好的讲话，他将在让-卢克为他配器的乐谱中演奏自己的角色。 这档节目的结局如何？……是主演赢得满堂喝彩，还是灰溜溜地逃走，在幕布后面像变戏法一样变得无影无踪，灰飞烟灭？……卡里克特-兰昆的命运在议会和法院，在让-卢克已经走进过的这两座大厦之间左右摇摆。如果一切不顺，卡里克特-兰昆无疑也会坐到刑事法庭阴冷的小厅里，先前杜尔丹坐的那个位子…… 让-卢克摇了摇头：不应该去想杜尔丹。确实不该这么做……他必须把他全部的热情，全部的注意力投入到这里，投入到今天将要发生的事情当中，投入到刚开始实现的事情上。 随着一个他没注意到的信号的发出，他脚下的乐池被四面八方涌进来的人挤满了。人们从各种入口、各种开间拥进来。片刻之间，红色的凳子上，众议员——他们是群众演员——就座。从他们的脸部表情看，他们有些心不在焉，有些厌倦。他们在议会任期里，听过那么多的演说，在那么多的戏剧中扮演过角色，感觉已经变得很迟钝。 然而，他们还是得体地准备着他们的角色。当兰昆出现并登上那个专席，周围围着像链条一样的议会的庶务人员组成的人墙，而对面是速记员和记者，众议员用又低又沉的奇妙的嗥叫声迎接他，仿佛在尽情宣泄他们身上的音乐才能。就像管弦乐队最初的节拍响起来一样，听众们明白演出已经开始了，于是把身体前倾，激动得发抖。 兰昆几乎就在同一时刻发起了进攻。从大厅里升起的窃窃私语声使他的每一个字、每一个手势都特别突出。让-卢克听着，沉醉了。真是一流的演员……他是多么善于用自己的声音、面孔和真诚来表演啊。也许可能有人会批评他做了太多的强调，对一些重点语句白费功夫，音质糟糕，平常的声调必须提高，还有，同样的句子不同演员过于频繁地使用，可以说已经失去了威力和影响力，已经失去了意义，所以必须用悲怆感人的声调加以修饰，或者加大讽刺的成分。 现在人们是多么专心地听他讲话啊……他开始攻击他自己那个党派的政策，和颜悦色地，使用谨慎的短句，那些不知道其用意的人在犹豫，在等待，害怕蛇的毒液吐在花的下面。时不时地，短暂的掌声从反对党的阵营中响起，但才响起就停下了，因为他们还不知道他葫芦里卖的是什么药。他真的决定抛弃他自己的党派吗？……抑或只是伪装？……兰昆让他们等着，让他们激动得喘不过气来…… 但这时，他的声音抬高了，把让-卢克为他写的那些话砸向人群，让-卢克却已经听不出那是自己写的话。这个卡里克特-兰昆，穿着睡袍和拖鞋的时候，是那么的渺小，现在却像换了一个人似的。渐渐地，让-卢克忘记了自己认识的那个卡里克特-兰昆，看见的只是一个在当众表演的公众人物。这种感觉真的很奇特。他开始接触兰昆的时候，兰昆是那么渺小、柔弱的一个人，现在却又因为他的个人魅力、同仁的关注和听他演说的安静专注的人群，而重新变得高大，而这魅力却是与一个名字，与一些熟悉的表情紧密相连的。 兰昆突然推开堆在面前的演讲稿，走下讲坛，开始即兴发挥。他放开胆子，冷嘲热讽。他时而谴责对手，时而又把他们捧上天。他时不时地用热情到几乎虔诚的声音说到“自由”、“理想”、“进步”等字眼，不仅让人群因为某种肉体的激动而瑟瑟发抖，也使让-卢克战栗不止，这种激动与词句的含义和内容关系不大，倒更是由于声音的颤抖引起的。 只用了一句话，卡里克特-兰昆就把人们对他的指控推得一干二净。为了证明自己的清白，让-卢克事先收集了证据，但兰昆却把它们抛在一边，忽视它们，藐视它们，不是用数字或者确切的话语，而是用奔放的激情和飞扬的文采取而代之。面对抗议声，他提高声音反击，声音那么高亢，轻而易举就盖住了大厅里的喧哗，激起人们的赞叹，就像一个演员有着优秀的音质，毫不费力就达到了非常优美的最高的音域，就像玩儿一样。 现在他可以放心地让他们大喊大叫了，因为他已经确信自己任何时候都能掌控他们。他喘着气，看着脚下的人群，昔日的朋友、对手、嫉妒者、漠不关心者，所有那些把他抛弃的人。乱哄哄的声音向他袭来。笑声、讥笑声响彻整个大厅，“啊！啊！啊！”的声音渐渐地占了上风，使凳子同时摇动，整齐划一得就像一条看不见的线一样，就像笔直的墨线一样，然后是雷鸣般的掌声。 让-卢克心想他们的力量就在这里，一种不能低估的可怕的力量，这种力量在于人多势众，在于团结一致。是他安排了这些民众吗？……不，他只是那个躲在暗处的作者。所有的功劳都属于那个无与伦比的表演者，而此刻这名表演者看上去并不疲惫地重新讲话了，讲他自己，他的生活，他的心。他的声音里有些歇斯底里的音符，就好像他很难止住眼泪，但他似乎并不为此感到耻辱，而是恰恰相反，他要让眼泪流下来，让所有的人看见他泪流满面。他猛地张开双臂，然后又收回放到胸前，显示他的心所在的位置，他的痛苦，他的苦难以及纯洁的心意。这是他的最后一着，大厅里欢声雷动。胜利了。卡里克特-兰昆在朋友们的簇拥下，离开讲坛，蹒跚地走着，容光焕发。戏演完了，只剩下推翻内阁。让卡里克特-兰昆在他从前的对手组成的新内阁中担任部长一职，并提拔让-卢克担任部长办公室主任。世界终于打开了一扇门，一扇可以进去的门，一扇可以强行打开的门。