"PEREIRA MAINTAINS" "Based on the novel by Antonio Tabucchi" "Pereira maintains it was a fine summer day." "Sunny and fresh, Lisbon was sparkling." "and like every morning, he rose early." "Pereira maintains he read an essay that day, an essay that impressed him." ""Death as the key to understanding life"" "It began with the death rites of ancient Egypt and ended with the apathy of today's world." "The essay was signed by an unfamiliar name who seemed to know the subject well." "A certain Monteiro Rossi." "Pereira maintains that for some time, he too had been thinking about death." "Why?" "Maybe because when he was small, his poor father had a funeral parlour called Pereira of the Sorrows." "Maybe because his wife, whom he deeply mourned, had died of tuberculosis some years ago." "Or maybe because he was fat and had heart problems and the doctor told him he wouldn't live long if he didn't take care of himself." "Even so, Pereira maintains, that if death were inevitable and affected everyone, then he, as cultural editor of the Lisboa newspaper, had an obligation to concern himself, not only with his own death, but with others too." "At least as long as I live, Pereira maintains." "Freedom!" "Freedom!" "Justice!" "Come on, you've got two minutes." "What's the matter today?" "Well..." "I can't stop thinking about death." "It's as if the whole world were dead or dying." "And then..." "I believe in the soul and it's resurrection, but not of the flesh." "This sweaty paunch that burdens me," "Why should it too be resurrected?" "Do you expect me to listen to this heresy?" "But Father Antonio, it's not even been two minutes." "Pereira maintains that Fr." "Antonio was brusque with him every time he brought up the subject, which perturbed him." "What kind of a world is this?" "he asked himself, and had the bizarre thought that he might no longer be alive, as if he were already dead." "That's why he thought it'd be useful to talk to the unknown essayist." "Mr. Monteiro Rossi?" "I am Dr. Pereira, cultural editor of the Lisboa." "I've just read your article and I find it very... in..." "Oh..." "No, no." "I called you as I'm looking for a contributor for Saturday's cultural page, and I wondered if you..." "You've only just graduated?" "This evening?" "Yes, splendid." "A Neapolitan song?" "I understand, one can't live on culture alone." "Good." "Thank you, until this evening then." "Pereira maintains the call brought him little comfort." "He had expected a more mature person, given the subject." "All the same, he got ready to meet him, without suspecting the importance the meeting would have for the rest of his life." " Dr. Pereira, going already?" " Yes, good bye." "You've forgotten your hat." "Why don't you smile?" "Don't you how how to?" "This is for you." "Now give me a smile." " Go on..." " See, you can smile!" "One lemonade." "All's well, Dr. Pereira?" " Fine." "Fine, Manuel." "Tell me, what's happened today?" "The police do as they please." "And the front page news in your paper is about the departure of the world's most luxurious yacht." "What are you talking about?" "Haven't you heard what happened this morning in the market?" "No." "A cart driver was murdered just for protesting." "That's the news the papers should print." "Teresa's going on holiday, so I'll have to cook my own food." ""The bright moonlight of dawn shining upon the market of golden melons," "the pink houses curiously glancing in search of our treasure." "The secret of discovery is trapped..."" "I'll be a little late tonight, I have a business meeting." "And now, in honour of our Italian comrades fighting in Spain," "The young Monteiro Rossi, will sing a most beautiful song from his wonderful country." "Did you like it?" " Excuse me." " Come with me!" " Sorry." " That's all right." "Dr. Pereira?" " Good evening." " Good evening." " Please take a seat." " After you." " Thank you." "Good evening." "Good evening." "Are you a member of the Nationalist Youth Movement?" "Me?" "I'm a Philosophy graduate!" "I ask because the Lisboa is an independent newspaper" "And we... don't concern ourselves with politics." "But I'm not at all interested in politics." "I've been paid to sing because of my Italian background." "That's all." "Perfect!" "Perhaps you can elaborate on your article about death?" "Tell me, does death interest you?" "Not in the least." "I'm interested in life." "Pardon me, but I'm tired of death." "My mother died two years ago, and my father last year." "But..." "Why do you ask?" "Well, in a newspaper, whenever a notable intellectual dies, we have to write a eulogy." "But a good obituary can't be improvised." "I'm looking for someone who can write a good one in advance." "As I said, of course I love life, but if you want me to talk about death pay me like they paid me to sing this evening..." "Then I'm available." " Good." "Well, not as a singer, hmm?" "But maybe as a journalist you'll be much better." "You said you're of Italian origin." " Yes, that's right." "Then write a good obituary of Rapagnetta for me." " Rapa...?" " Don't tell me you don't know" "Italy's most important poet?" "Oh yes, of course." "Tomorrow you'll have the obituary of..." " Rapa..." " ...gnetta." "Absolutely!" "Rapagnetta!" "Marta!" "May I introduce you?" "Marta, this is Dr. Pereira, cultural editor of the Lisboa." "He just hired me, from now on I'm a journalist." "That's right." " See, I found a job." " That's wonderful." "So let's celebrate." "Come along darling." "Excuse me, Dr. Pereira." "Let's go." "Dr. Pereira, I'd like to dance this waltz with you." " But..." "I haven't danced in years." " Come on." " No, please..." " Come along." "Tell me, are you also interested in journalism?" "A little." "Today your newspaper didn't mention the cart driver killed by the police in the market." "Doesn't it seem a little strange?" "Unfortunately, the chief editor is on holiday and I'm only concerned with literature," "But from next Saturday, our paper will have a whole page dedicated to culture." " That's really interesting." " Indeed it is." "Tell me, Dr. Pereira, shouldn't the killing of an innocent man concern you too?" "Miss, please keep your voice down." "Don't you realise where we are" "Exactly, this place is making me nervous." "Soon they'll be playing military marches, you'll see." "It's better to leave you with your new employee." "I need some fresh air." "Marta." "Marta!" "Guy de Maupassant inherited venereal disease from his father, which drove him first to insanity and then to a premature death" "His work..." "Come in!" " Good morning." " Good morning, Dr. Pereira." " Good morning." " I've brought your article." "I worked on it all night." " Well done, bravo!" "And Marta would like to..." "I'd like to apologise for my behaviour last night." " Don't be silly..." " We also wanted... to celebrate his new career in journalism." "Of course." " Do you have some glasses?" " Not here... just a moment." "Here they are." "I found them." "This is genuine Italian wine." "I really shouldn't eat or drink anything sweet." "but for you, I'll make an exception." "Thank you." "This doesn't look like a newspaper office." "No, we're not at the office." "This is just somewhere to work in peace." " Shall I read it?" " Yes of course." "And now I'll let you work." " Good bye, Dr. Pereira." " Good bye, Miss, Good bye." "Ciao." " Gabriele D'Annunzio." " Yes." " May I sit down?" " Use my desk." "Thank you." "Gabriele D'Annunzio." "Known to his admirers by this name, but in fact, his real name was Rapagnetta." "Changed because it wasn't grandiose enough." "Indeed, he was a great poet." "If we might describe him frankly, we would not hesitate to call him a braggart." "In fact, D'Annunzio was a warmonger, unworthy of imitation due to the insufferable vulgarity of his ideas." "Blinded by Fascism, he exalted its cruel colonial conquests." "The passing of this sinister character, capable of the worst..." "Young man, you are either ignorant, or a troublemaker." "Journalism today in this country needs neither." "But why not?" "Don't you know that D'Annunzio is the poet of Italian Fascism?" "and Italian troops are fighting alongside our volunteers in Spain on the side of General Franco?" " Do you think that's right?" " I don't know and I don't want to know." "I simply asked you for an obituary." "And you bring me..." " I can revise it." "I can write a completely different article." "But please." "I need to earn some money." "But how can you expect a newspaper to pay for... for something like this?" "I do need it, don't you see?" "I know you expect high standards." "I know I must use my head." "But if I tell the truth..." "Which is?" "The truth is, I followed my heart." "I don't understand." "The article about D'Annunzio..." "I swear I could have written a good obituary with my head, but my heart was stronger." "Not only that." " Not only...?" "Not only that, I'm in love with Marta." "I don't see the connection." "They are linked, I followed my heart." "My head is somewhere else." "Pereira maintains he wanted to say:" ""If you write from your heart, my friend, you'll face some serious problems, I can assure you."" "But he said nothing of the sort." "On the contrary." "Listen, young man." "Sit down." "The Ten Commandments don't explain it, but I will." "Following one's heart is more important." "But one must find a balance." "Yes, with the heart too, but always keep your eyes wide open." "Yes." "I know." "The next obituary will meet your expectations." "I hope so." "Dr. Pereira..." "You should know that I need money." "Yes?" "I'd like to ask for an advance." " But you haven't written anything." " Yes I know, but..." " How much do you need?" " It's up to you." "Thank you." ""...is trapped within us..."" "I should have sacked that boy, I know." "If we'd had a son, he'd be the same age now." "Remember how a lock of hair kept falling on my forehead?" "He has one too." "Yes." "He reminds me of when I was young." "Pereira maintains he reflected at length that day." "If he'd had a son, he'd be a man by now and he'd have liked to sit at the table with him and let him talk." "Pereira maintains if he'd had a son, he wouldn't now need to talk to a portrait." "Dr. Pereira, an express letter has arrived for you." "I took the responsibility of signing for it." "I don't want any bother but the sender's name is missing." "Strange, isn't it?" "Mrs. Celeste, you're paid to do your job." "Even so, you stick your nose into matters that don't concern you." "Next time, don't sign for it." "And don't look if there's a sender's name or not." "Simply ask the postman to come again... and deliver it to me in person." " Dr. Pereira," "I may be just a humble charwoman, but my husband's a policeman." "who knows many people in high places." "I'm well aware of it, and that's exactly what I don't like." "Oh yes?" "Yes, madam!" "Today we remember Vladimir Mayakovski, who committed suicide in Moscow after an unhappy love affair." "Having joined the Bolsheviks at a very young age, he was arrested three times and tortured by the infamous Czarist police." "We mourn the passing of a passionate revolutionary..." "Hello, my name is Pereira." "Yes, I was reading your article." "Perhaps you'd make an excellent novelist, but my paper isn't the right place to publish novels." "Mayakovski was a subversive." "Do you think the cultural page is interested in commemorating him?" "Following your heart?" "I never told you to write solely from the heart." "I told you to keep your eyes open." "No, I can't meet you." "I'm going away today." "You want another advance?" "But how can you imagine that..." "I'd give you another advance considering what you've written?" "Very well." "Good bye." ""Away until Monday"." "Where's he going now?" "Do you mind if I smoke?" " Not at all." "Luncheon is served in the restaurant car." "Thank you." "Permit me, madam." " By all means." " Pereira, how do you do." "Cultural editor of the Lisboa." " I'm Ingeborg Delgado." "Please." " Thank you." "I'm German." "But of Portuguese descent." "And you live here, in Portugal?" "No." "I'm here in search of my roots, as they say." "Tea and toast, please." "A very Portuguese choice." "A herb omelette and a lemonade." "Forgive me, madam, but I'm such a messy eater." "My charlady says I'm worse than a child." "Do you like Portugal?" " Yes, very much." "Although this country is no longer for me." "I'm waiting for a visa for the USA." " And you're Jewish?" " Yes." "And Europe today is not an ideal place, especially not Germany, nor even here." "We're not liked very much, according to the papers." "This is a Catholic country that had an inquisition, which is nothing to be proud of." "I am also a Catholic, but in my own way." "I don't believe in the resurrection of the flesh." "No." "Thank you." "I noticed you were reading Thomas Mann." "He too has applied for an exit visa." "I'm not happy about what's happening here either." " Then do something!" " What would you like me to do?" "You can write in the paper." "Explain what's happening." "Take a stand against it." "Madam, I am not Thomas Mann." "I translate stories from French." "I wouldn't know what else to do." " You really think so?" "Perhaps anything is possible, if one is willing." "Sir!" "Do you want a lift?" "Such luxury!" "Very impressive." " Put the suitcase here." " Yes." "Is it yours?" " Why?" "What do you think?" "Do you like it?" "At our age, if you're clever, it's best to enjoy life." "And look what's happening, what do you think?" "About what's happening where?" "In Europe." "In Germany, in Italy" "Those fanatics who want to put the world to the sword and flames." "They're far away." "And Spain?" "It was a democratically elected republic." "General Franco overthrew it." "And now not a day passes without a massacre." "Even Spain is far away." "But even here, things are getting worse." "Public opinion is meaningless." "Public opinion." "You're a journalist and you believe in that?" "The suitcase!" " I'll have it brought up." "I'll see you in the restaurant." " Very well." "It's not very entertaining here." "I'll take you somewhere more..." "lively." "Look, your chief editor is coming." "Really?" "He's alone this evening." "Good evening, Sir." " Ah, Dr. Pereira..." "I didn't expect to see you here." "Have you deserted the office?" " The cultural page... came out today." "I brought it with me, here it is." "Here's a story by Maupassant and a review entitled "Anniversaries"." "Dr. Pereira, one of my editors" "Miss Maria do Vale Santares." "Please excuse me, madam." "Sir, I wanted to tell you about my decision to hire an assistant to compile obituaries in advance of famous authors that may die at any moment." "You see?" "It's best to be prepared for death." "Dr. Pereira, I'm here to dine in the delightful company of a charming and sensitive lady" "and you speak to me only of the deceased." "Please forgive me, Sir." "Do you remember... when Pirandello passed away?" "Not a single paper had prepared an eulogy in his memory." "I'd like to know how much this assistant will cost me." "No, he's young and easily pleased." "Furthermore, he graduated with a thesis on death." "Oh please..." "Let's not talk anymore... about..." "do as you please, agreed?" "Yes, I agree." "I'll leave the paper with you, and wish you a pleasant evening and... take good care of yourself, Sir." "My compliments, Miss." "Pereira maintains he felt a strange foreboding that night." "Perhaps it was his own fault, but he didn't want to stay at the spa with his friend Silva." "He felt that he should return home at once, despite knowing that no one was waiting for him in Lisbon." "Welcome back, Dr. Pereira." "I gave your instructions to the postman, but... he said he can't call twice." "So I had to sign again." "And once again, the sender's name is missing, and I don't like it at all." "Give it to me." "Thank you." "Esteemed Dr. Pereira." "I need to see you urgently upon your return." "Respectfully yours, Francesco Monteiro Rossi." "Monteiro Rossi." "He's not there?" "He's no longer at this number?" "But I called him there a few days ago." "Sorry to trouble you." "Good morning." "Good morning, Manuel." "Any news?" "You work for a newspaper and you're asking me?" "Exactly." "I've realised that the best way to discover the truth... is to listen to people." " Really?" "Heard about the Jewish butchers?" " No, what's happened?" "Assaulted." "Daubed with obscenities." "Not a word in the papers." "I hope the police intervened at once." "The police?" "The police always have other things to do, Dr. Pereira." "Pereira maintains that this news sent sweat trickling down his spine." "He recalled the Jewish lady he'd met on the train and hoped that she was safe." "Perhaps it's true that atrocities were taking place, as Manuel had said." "Although he didn't see them, such anxiety, such sweating, was an omen." ""In the blue hazy sky, a seagull in a white sea of foam" "Pink sails curiously lurking in search of our treasure."" ""The secret of discovery is trapped within us."" "Oh, it's you." "Dr. Pereira, I'm in trouble." "I need your help." "Calm down." "What do you mean in trouble?" " My cousin has arrived." " Yes?" "He came from Spain, fighting for the republicans and wants to recruit volunteers for the cause." "All right, but..." "what's this got to do ...with me?" " The problem is that I need to lie low somewhere for a while." "I don't have anywhere to go." " I know." "I tried to call you." " Marta thought you could..." "Could what?" "You're a person that no one would ever suspect." "One moment." "Come in, sit down and explain." "Thank you." "You must find him somewhere safe." "I'm astonished by your impudence." "At our first meeting you told me that politics didn't interest you." "You lied to me." " But..." "But it's for my cousin, to help my cousin." "I can count only on you." " On me?" "You can't abandon us like this." "In any case, he's here now." " Here?" "Where?" "Good morning, Bruno Rossi." " Dr. Pereira, I..." "I'd like to..." " Yes, yes." "Come with me, please." "Dr. Pereira, I promise you, it's only for a few days." "You're both irresponsible!" "There are soldiers everywhere." "We are surrounded." "No, no, calm down." "We're not in Spain, there's no civil war." "Go on." "Now listen carefully." "I support neither the Monarchist nor the Republican cause." "I don't know if I can find you accommodation, but in any event, hear me out." "Let this be the last time, because" "I want no part of any of your activities." " I was expecting a sympathiser." " Be quiet!" " What did you say?" " Please don't be angry, Dr. Pereira." "Listen to me." "Wait here, I'll return at once." "I feel sorry for that boy." "Can you tell me why?" "I think Marta gets him into trouble." "What's he doing?" " What?" "Don't you think I should be on my guard?" "He's talking to someone." "That's impossible." "He lives alone." "Come on, trust him." "Young man, I'm going to tell you something." "I think you're getting into trouble because of Marta." "No." "Marta would never put me in a tight spot." "Yes, she is a very intelligent girl, determined too." "I can understand her." "But remember what I told you." "Always keep your eyes wide open." " Yes." "Did you understand?" " Yes, I understand you perfectly." " Excellent." "Take this, it'll get you into a little boarding house." "Give it to the concierge for me." " Thank you." " Thanks." "We also need some money." "Let's call it an advance on your next article." "More money?" "Yes but you haven't written anything worth publishing." "I assure you that I have plenty of ideas." "I'm going away tomorrow for treatment." "My cardiologist was adamant, if I don't obey him, he'll die of a heart attack." "I should be back in a week, meanwhile... try to stay out of trouble, all right?" "And write a decent obituary." "Agreed?" " Thank you." "On your way." "I'll take you with me, so you can see if this famous treatment works." "Hello, little one." "Dr. Pereira, I know you're leaving." "I want to thank you for all you've done for us." " No, I haven't done anything, I..." " How do you mean?" "You've been a great help, without you, Monteiro's cousin..." "Be quiet!" "Don't mention any names." "Do you want to get us arrested?" "Dr. Pereira." "I want to say something." "I know you think me a fanatic, but you're wrong." "There is a great difference between fanaticism and belief." "We can say that the ideal of believing that people can be free, equal and even brothers..." "You're quoting the French Revolution." "And Marx and Engels, and the..." "Yes, I know." "They're all famous figures." "Undoubtedly." "But as far as I'm concerned, they're not my favourite authors." "I'm talking about freedom, not literature." "For this reason you should be one of us." "Miss, I am not one of you, nor of the others." "But then I don't know who you are, nor do I want to." "I used to report the news, but thankfully not any longer." "You're wrong again." "We're not making news, but history." " History!" "That's a more grandiose word, eh?" "Now I must leave." "Don't follow me." "And please, don't look for me anymore." "Yes, I know the doctor wouldn't allow it, but wouldn't it be wonderful?" "Remember how I used to swim at Granja?" "Stop!" "Stop here!" "I'm going to the beach." "Take my suitcase to the clinic." "Tell them I'll arrive shortly." "Good morning." "Good morning." "I'd like to rent a swimsuit if possible?" "I don't know if we have one in your size." "Here's the key." "Look for one in the cabin." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Left, right, left, right..." "Come on!" "Keep in step!" "The swimsuit fits you perfectly." "Don't you need a life buoy as well?" "I'm a very good swimmer." "Probably better than you." "Don't worry." "The water's invigorating!" "Let's get to it!" "Harder, throw it harder!" "Chuck the ball!" "Pass the ball!" "Catch!" "Well done!" "Throw it!" "You see..." "I didn't need a life buoy." "Thank you." "Over here." "Please, the doctor's expecting you." " Thank you." "Ah!" "Dr. Pereira." "Thank you, nurse." "I've been expecting you." "I am Dr. Cardoso." "I just looked at your file." "You have cardiac deficiency, but you... you already know that, there's no cause for alarm." "I understand you're an expert on French literature." "I studied in France." "With your permission, I'd like to have a chat." "Shall we take a stroll?" " Yes, I'd like that." " Good." "Shall we go." "Let's begin with your diet." "What do you eat?" "Herb omelettes, basically." "You'd rather not answer?" " Yes, yes." "I eat fish, meat..." "I eat sensibly." "When did you start to become overweight?" "Some years ago after my wife passed away." " Do you like sweet things?" " No." "Only lemonade." " How many glasses a day?" " A dozen perhaps." "That's madness." "Tell me, do you add sugar to them?" " Yes, I fill the glass with sugar." " But..." "One part lemonade and one part sugar." "From now on, only still mineral water." "But if you prefer sparkling water, we can make an exception for you." "This is a lovely spot." "Is it always so quiet?" "I'm glad you like it." "Dr. Pereira, I have to ask you a delicate question about your sex life..." "Excuse me?" "The ladies..." "are you sexually active...?" "Doctor, I'm a widower and getting on in years." "I have neither the time, nor the desire to meet women." "Not even someone..." "a passing fling...?" "An assignation now and then?" " No, not even that." "May I smoke?" " If you must... then I'll make another exception." " Thank you, doctor." "I must confess that I find your questions embarrassing." "Oh come now." "Why?" "No." "It's perfectly normal, Dr. Pereira..." " Really?" " Do you have...?" "...nocturnal emissions?" " I beg your pardon...?" " Yes, well... do you have erotic dreams that lead to ejaculation?" "Or if you don't, what do you dream about?" "What do I dream about?" "But what do my dreams have to do with the treatment?" "You see, your psyche and your body are interrelated." "So I should know about your dreams." "I often dream about Granja." "Very well, there is a woman and you're not telling me." "No, Granja is a beach near Oporto." "That's where I met my wife." "It was the best time of my life." "Good, that'll be all for today." "If you like, we can dine together." "Yes, I would enjoy that." " Would you like a cigar?" " No, no." "Thank you." "A glass of mineral water before meals is good for you." "I'd prefer a well-chilled lemonade." "As I mentioned, I'm an admirer of French literature." "What will be in your paper this week?" "Honorine, a story by Balzac about repentance." "I read it as an autobiography." "I mean to say, as if it were about me." " Regarding repentance?" " Yes." "As you usually eat meat and fish," "This evening I propose a change." "Our chef prepares an appetising herb omelette," " Would you like one?" " Yes, an excellent choice." " Two omelettes it is." " Good." "Thank you." "Repentance..." "can you be more specific?" "On the one hand, I am content with my life." "I worked for 30 years at the news desk, now I concern myself with literature, which is my passion." "On the other hand, it's as if I need to repent, and I can't deduce why." "Has anything special happened to you in the last few months?" "Anything special?" "Yes, in psychoanalysis our balance may be upset." "Yes, something has indeed happened recently." "I've met someone, or should I say two people." "Two young men, penniless idealists with no future." "With no future?" "Thank you." "Tell me about them." "Well..." "I hired a young assistant, who seemed to be gifted at writing obituaries." "I paid him out of my own pocket, so as not to prejudice the paper, but he still hasn't written anything publishable." "Why don't you look for another assistant?" "I asked my wife that same question." "How's that?" "You told me you're a widower." "Yes, but... you speak to your wife." "Yes, to her portrait." "This is something we'll have to examine in more detail." "Anyway, getting back to your assistant." "Well, this boy writes obituaries, but always from a political perspective." "I think Marta puts these ideas into his head." "Who is Marta?" "His girlfriend." "Apart from the wage you pay him," "I don't think it's very serious." "Yes, but I'm starting to have doubts." "What if they were right?" "What would be the problem?" "If they were right, my life would be meaningless." "I have always considered literature to be paramount." "But now nothing seems to make any sense." "Maybe this is why I feel the need to repent." "Two fruit salads." "Without sugar." "Forgive me for asking, are you obliged to follow the diet of your patients?" "What you have told me is very interesting." "I propose that we continue our discussion elsewhere." "Agreed?" " Absolutely." "Have you heard of the médicins-philosophes?" "They're French psychologists, but also philosophers who subscribe to the theory of the confederation of souls." " The confederation of souls?" " Yes." "While the Christian tradition believes in one soul, our theory considers human personality to primarily be... a confederation of various souls, under the control of a dominant ego." "A dominant ego?" "Yes." "You wouldn't happen to have one of your excellent cigars?" "Thank you." "Oh no!" "No, you shouldn't, Dr. Pereira." "But as it's your first evening, I'll make an exception." "Thank you." "The dominant ego... go on." "Yes, exactly." "Our balance is dependent on control by the dominant ego, which governs the confederation of souls." "When a stronger ego emerges, it displaces the weaker one." "In my case, do you think a new dominant ego has emerged?" "From what you've told me, I don't think a new ego has yet emerged." "But it might happen soon." " In that case, what should I do?" " Wait." "After years of thinking literature to be above all else, perhaps a new dominant ego might start to guide your soul, to demonstrate that there are even more important matters." "Don't look so distraught." "Allow your new dominant ego to emerge and help it to conquer your conflict." "What have those two youths got to do with all this?" "If you think they're right, let things proceed and don't try to alleviate your torment by drinking ten lemonades a day." "Perhaps you're right." "Just a few weeks ago on the train, a lady whom I didn't know, told me I could do more." "By the way, what time do I have to get up in the morning?" "Here we wake at six." "Bu as tomorrow is your first morning, we can make another exception." "The last one, no doubt!" "Dr. Cardoso, I'll be honest." "This clinic is by no means a disagreeable place." "Pereira maintains that he lay awake thinking well into the night." "He believed in the resurrection of the soul, but not of the flesh." "Only now he was perplexed by the hypothesis of the resurrection of an entire confederation of souls." "He would speak to Fr." "Antonio as soon as possible." "Good morning, doctor." " Dear friend!" " Good morning." " Good morning." " How are you today?" "Did you sleep well?" " Yes, I can say I did, thank you." "I only have one small problem." "Could you find me one of those swimsuits...?" "To cover your stomach up to your shoulders?" "No, you'll have to overcome your modesty, because... the algae and salt water are only effective directly on your skin." " Then I should wear trunks." " Good." "Come on, breathe..." "Deep breaths, good, once more." "Move your arms." "And again." "Like that." "That's it, keep going." "More deep breaths, move your arms." "and the massage your chest and stomach with the algae." "Keep going." "On your stomach.." "On your chest..." "Yes, on your chest..." "Come on, harder, harder!" "Meanwhile, tell me about your next translation." "It's a story, The Final Lesson." "Do you know it?" "Alphonse Daudet." "Well done!" "I know it, I know it." "It's a very moving story." "But... if I remember correctly, it ends with the exaltation of France over Germany." "I'm not sure if this story would be appreciated here today." "Why not?" "Once again, Germany is against France, and our country is its ally, so that..." "But my paper is free and independent." " Are you sure." " Yes" "Hopefully you're not the only one who believes that." "Your chief editor always attends the regime's rallies." "And at times... he salutes like this." "Well, I'm not so sure they don't censure you day in day out." " That hasn't happened yet." " But it can... even depend on whether the dominant ego takes control of your confederation of souls." "May I go now?" "No, ten minutes more." "Remember, besides literature, we have another objective in common." "To lose weight." "To lose at least ten kilos." "Ten kilos?" "Good morning, Celeste." "I'm back." "Is there anything for me?" "There's also a letter addressed to a Monteiro Rossi." "c/o Dr. Pereira." "Strange, it's the first time I've seen something like that." "No, not at all, c/o simply means "For the newspaper"." "Is that so?" " Yes." "Dr. Pereira..." "You've lost some weight." " Yes, I know." "I'm just pointing it out." "Hello?" "I am the cultural editor of the Lisboa." "Yes, it's me." "Has something happened?" "At the Café Orquidea, this evening?" "Wait..." "listen" "No, no." "Only mineral water from now on." "Still." "Really?" "You look very well, You've even lost weight." "Am I right?" "Heard about the incredible scandal that's erupted in the Vatican?" " What scandal?" " It seems that a famous French Catholic writer denounced Franco's repression." "What is his name?" "Ber..." "Berno..." " Bernanos, his name's Bernanos!" " Yes, that's it I think." "Just a still mineral water then?" " Yes." " Coming up." "Manuel." " At your service." "If anyone asks, say that I waited an hour then went home." " I will, Dr. Pereira." " Thank you." " Good night." "See you tomorrow." " Until tomorrow." "Dr. Pereira." "Don't you recognise me?" "Is it you, Marta?" "I waited for you at the café." " I was there, but I'm no longer called Marta." "Now I'm Lise Delaunay, a painter visiting Portugal on a French passport." "I didn't recognise you, what's happened?" "In certain circumstances, one needs to become someone else." "And Monteiro Rossi?" "This arrived for him at the paper." "At a very inopportune moment." "I wrote that letter." "I hoped he might contact you." " But where is he?" " I have no idea." "He left with his cousin to recruit volunteers." "I hope I'm mistaken, but I sense trouble." "True, we're in serious trouble and we need money." " What kind of trouble?" " The problem is I'm on the run." "In the end, I chose this life." "For him it's different." "Without me, he would never have got involved in this." "Follow me, I want to show you something." "This is not fiction, this is a true story." "Antonio is the leader of a subversive group." "After escaping from the police, the subversives are plotting to overthrow our government." "They say that things are getting worse in the country and they are preparing a secret plot to assassinate our president." "Now they're debating when to put their plan into action." "Antonio's mother, knowing him to be a dangerous subversive, dies of a broken heart, and the village women reproach her unfortunate son, the cause of her unjust and premature death." "Antonio visits the grave of his poor mother." "Is there any repentance in his soul?" "Teresa, his beloved fiancée, is anxious, but she is not discouraged and begins the task of saving him, by opening his eyes to the state of the nation." "This is how our children are looked after, with such love and care, unrivalled elsewhere." "This is how our adolescents are growing up, with such love and care, unrivalled elsewhere." "What about our old people?" "who are protected and cared for, like nowhere else in the world." "What about our homes?" "Thousands are being built to house all our citizens." "What about our young people?" "Everyone can find a job, because in our country there is work for all." "Teresa's efforts bear fruit." "Antonio realises the error of his ways, and now wants to make amends." "Here he is in front of our flag, a flag we must all love and respect." "And here is a crowd of patriots, the valiant who throng around our president." "Antonio now knows what he must do." "Let us also repeat:" ""All for the Nation, Nothing against the Nation!"" "All that you've seen is false." "but people don't know that, it's essential that they do." "We need people like you, so that we may learn the truth." "But what can I do?" "I concern myself with literature, as you well know." "So what did you do?" "I told her once more, I don't want to get involved." "Did you give her any money?" "Do you know?" "You did the right thing." "Let's go back to the tale of the confederation of souls." "The soul is indivisible and it is a gift from God." "And that's final!" " What about the French médicins-philosophes..." " Another heresy!" "Enough of that too." "What else did you want to discuss?" "I can give you three minutes." " Three minutes?" " Three minutes." "I think I'm a good Catholic." "I heard about the controversy between the Vatican and Bernanos, and I'd like to know what to make of it." "You're really trying to upset me today!" " No." " Yes!" "You know that..." "I have to obey my superiors." "I have to be obedient!" "Unlike you." " And I don't?" " No." "Very well." "Listen." "After the bombardment of Guernica, the Basque clergy, the most devout Catholics in Spain, allied themselves... with the Republicans." "Come, I'll explain this better." "A French writer, François Mauriac... has defended the Basques." " Mauriac, an outstanding man!" "I'll tell Monteiro Rossi to prepare his obituary." "Why are going to write an obituary?" "Let him live, we need him." "I don't want him to die, only that a paper has to foresee..." " Let him live in peace!" " All right..." "It all became complicated when the Vatican openly supported Franco, and proclaimed the Basques to be "Red Christians", who must be excommunicated." "Another writer, Paul Claudel, has sided with the Vatican and published a Fascist pamphlet worthy of a tyrant." " How is that possible?" " What would you call... someone who did that?" "A vile degenerate!" "That's what I'd call him, a vile degenerate!" " And Bernanos?" " Bernanos has shown the world that... in Spain, Franco has indeed carried out a coup d'état." "He has denounced Franco´s massacres." "Franco is a criminal." "The Vatican is wrong!" "The Vatican..." "Oh Lord!" "Look what you made me say." "I should publish an extract from Diary of a Country Priest by Bernanos." "What do you think?" "That's a splendid idea!" "Your three minutes are up." "Come again soon, but next time... commit a sin first." "Otherwise I won't even be able to hear your confession." "A sin?" "Good morning, Dr. Pereira, How are you?" "I'm fine." "Thank you, Celeste." "No letters this morning." "Not even any telephone calls." "Forgive me, but how do you know that?" "An inspector came and had your phone connected to mine." "So from now on..." "This is a switchboard." "What if I have to make a call?" "It'll go through the switchboard, in other words me." "I didn't really want a switchboard..." "I have to cook my husband's lunch, and... he's so demanding." "I realised that, what with the smell of frying fat in the staircase!" "Hello?" "Just a moment." "Hello?" "Dr. Pereira, there's a call for you." "Shall I say you're out?" "Why would you say that if I'm in?" "How do I know what you want?" "I'm the charwoman, not an operator." "Never mind, the Thalassothrepry clinic is calling." " Thalassotherapy!" " Thalasso... what?" "Yes, that's it." "Anyway, did you lose weight at this Thalasso place?" "Will you put me through or not?" "Dr. Cardoso, what a pleasure!" "This afternoon?" "Splendid!" "We could meet at the Café Orquidea." "Agreed." ""The Prussians had invaded the country."" "All the local population have gathered at the school." "The teacher stood up, went to the blackboard in a silence that enveloped both pupils and parents and wrote in capital letters:" "VIVE LA FRANCE." "Then he left the classroom, overcome with emotion and tears in his eyes."" " My compliments." " Thank you." "Congratulations, you did it!" "A toast to your new dominant ego that's emerging from the confederation of souls." " As you can see, it wasn't censured." " Absolutely." "Manuel!" "Ah, Dr. Pereira!" " My physician and friend, Dr. Cardoso." " Good afternoon, Doctor." "What's happened today?" "Conflicting stories." "The Nationalists took the north, but the Republican held the centre." "It seems Mussolini has sent Franco a large number of submarines full of weapons." "That's all." "I haven't told you my news." "I'm going to France, to the clinic at Saint-Malo." "I leave in two weeks." "No, don't leave us, doctor." "This country needs men like you." "On the contrary, this country has no need of me." "I can't do anymore here." "I'll leave before the catastrophe." " What catastrophe?" "I anticipate a general catastrophe." "But I'm not here to discourage you." "On the contrary, I'm here to cheer you up!" "Tell me about your youths, how are they?" "I'm worried about them." "I saw Marta the other day, but have no news of the boy." "I wish I could..." "do something for him." " You've already done a lot for him." " But I'd like to do more." "If your new dominant ego comes to the fore, you'll do more." "What if this new ego changes me completely?" "What will become of the real me and my past?" "This is precisely what you need." "You must break with the past, and need to forget it." "To put it in Freudian terms:" "You should have a wake for your past and put it behind you, and think about here and now." "For example... by smoking half a cigar and giving me the other half." "Yes." "Another thing, Dr. Pereira." "Don't talk to your wife's portrait any more." "If you have a problem to solve, do so with the living." "Agreed?" "He says I must stop living in the past, and favour the confederation of souls." "I concur with the dominant ego, but..." "I'll go on talking to you." ""Here gleams the treasure that sways the heart." "But is hidden..."" "Hello?" "Good evening, Sir." "You wanted to see me?" "Might I ask...?" "No." "In the morning?" "As you wish." "Good bye, Sir." "Pereira maintains the police were on every street corner." "Or so it seemed." "Passing by, he heard an officer say:" "Keep your eyes wide open, the subversives are everywhere." "Pereira maintains he didn't like that at all." "Let's drop the formalities, Pereira, to save time." "It's been a month since we last met." "No, we met at the spa hotel." "Perhaps you don't recall?" "Please don't contradict me!" "Sit down." "How was your stay at the spa?" "You're still tanned." "I even lost ten kilos." "Never mind the holidays!" "Let's talk about the cultural page." "You do what you like!" "Sir, when you gave me the editor's post, you said, "Pereira, I don't care for culture." "Do as you please, it's up to you."" " Did I say that?" " Yes, verbatim." "I've changed my mind." "Let's get to the point." "I must say I didn't expect this of you." "What is it that you didn't expect of me?" "This idolisation of France has caused extreme discomfort in high places." "Idolisation?" "Oh come now, Pereira!" "The story that ends with the cry Vive la France!" "But the censors didn't say anything." "The censors!" "They're a bunch of illiterate imbeciles." "Major Lourenço, the Chief Censor, is a friend, but obviously he can't read everything that journalists write." "We're expected to be vigilant." "We must watch over ourselves." "We must censor ourselves whenever necessary." "As I told you, it was a patriotic story." "Yes, but I thought you meant Portuguese patriotism, not French patriotism." "Oh really!" "You must write about our nation and our race." "But there is no Portuguese race." "No, no, I... meant to say that..." "We the Portuguese are not a race, rather a mixture of different peoples." "Celts, Romans, Arabs, Jews." "Listen carefully, Pereira." "From now on, you must consult me first on whatever you want to publish." "Is that clear?" " Yes indeed, Sir." "I believe our discussion has ended." "I'd like our relationship... to be based on mutual respect, trust and beliefs." "Belief in the same ideals." "Is that agreed?" " Yes, yes, I..." " Agreed?" " Yes, of course." " Agreed!" " Yes." "What are you doing here?" "Where have you been?" "I'll explain later..." "Water, please give me some water..." "Come in." "Drink slowly, otherwise you'll choke." "I haven't drunk in two days." " Here." " Thank you." "Sit down." "Now tell me." "My cousin was arrested while we were recruiting volunteers in the south." "And I..." " And you?" "I escaped by a miracle." "I came on foot." " Does anyone know that you're here?" " No one, not even Marta." "Don't turn me out, Dr. Pereira." " No, no, you're safe here." "The charlady and my neighbour are on holiday." "I need to sleep." "I can hardly stand up." "Come along." "Here you are." " I'll never forget what you've done." "They're passports for the volunteers." "Hide them." "One last thing." "I have to contact Marta." "Here's her number." "Tell her I'm safe." "All right." "Get some sleep." "Good morning, Manuel." " Good morning." "It's the first time I've seen you so early." "Is everything well?" "I need to make a call, but I can't do it from home." "Follow me." " Thank you." " Nobody can hear you here." " Thank you." "I'll leave you." "Hello?" "Is Marta there please?" "Hello?" "Monteiro Rossi." "Monteiro Rossi, time to get up." " How long have I slept?" " Long enough." "I called Marta, but they hung up." "It was rash of me." "Now they know we're looking for her." "Don't worry, Marta can take care of herself." "May I freshen up?" " Of course, this way." "I'll give you a clean shirt." "If you give up journalism, you'll have another career ...as a cook!" " Thank you." "I brought you another article." "Good, let's hear it." "The famous Spanish poet García Lorca has died in suspicious circumstances." "He inspired people with his passion for the theatre, culture and liberty." "We know who killed him, General Franco's thugs." "We loved García Lorca for his poetry, today we mourn him for his courage and his sacrifice..." "Yes I know, even this won't do." "I must confess," "I didn't write these obituaries." "Marta suggested most of them." "But I wrote this one by myself." "Yes, I realised that." "It's somewhat careless." "Yes, but do you know the battle cry of the Spanish Nationalists?" ""Long live death!"" "And I love life." "I told you that, remember?" "I wouldn't have been able to talk about death." "Basically you're right." "I too can stand it no longer." "It's a good article, written from the heart." "Hide." "I'm coming!" "Who's there?" "Open up, police!" " Just a minute!" " Police, open up!" "Open up or we'll break the door down!" "Security police." "We're here to search the house." "Show me your search warrant." "Did you hear?" "What search warrant?" "Isn't the captain's word good enough?" "Would you rather have this?" "Now listen, Pereira." "We know you're a good man." "You just didn't know who you're dealing with." "Isn't that so?" "You can't search without a warrant." "He says we can't search without a warrant." "Fonseca, what can we do to convince him?" "That's no way to treat an intellectual..." "Or he'll wet himself..." "Right, Dr. Pereira?" "Try to understand." "We've nothing against you, we only want to teach that delinquent a lesson." "He was a student, but lost his sense of patriotism." "We're here to help him get it back and to find a certain girlfriend of his." "Oh, very interesting... an intimate meal, how romantic." "We know you're a widower and don't have woman friends." "So if you like young boys, it doesn't bother us." "You're despicable!" "All this is despicable!" "That's enough!" "Did you understand?" "Get him out of here or I'll smash the place up!" "As for you, I'll beat your bloody face in!" "Got it?" "I'm here." "Lima, he's yours." "Let me go!" "Tell him to stop!" "Don't touch me." "Don't touch me!" "We won't touch him" "If he tells us where the girl is, we'll let him go." " I want to call the police." " I am the police!" "Go on, what are you waiting for?" "Call me." "Where's the phone?" "Hello?" "Police." "Yes, this is the police." "The police." "Yes, yes." "Delicious!" "One evening I'll come over and you can cook like this, all right?" "What are they doing to him?" "I'm going to see." "Stay put, you bloody bastard!" "Well?" " He didn't talk." "We'd better go." "Listen carefully." "You've never seen us before, right?" "Don't get too clever, or we'll come after you next time." "Let's go." "Monteiro Rossi!" "They've gone." "They left, it's over, they've..." "Monteiro..." "Manuel..." "What's wrong?" " No, nothing." "I need your help." "Have this message delivered to my friend Dr. Cardoso." "Please, it's urgent." " Of course, you can rely on me." "His name was Francesco Monteiro Rossi." "He was of Italian origin, and a contributor to this newspaper." "He wrote about the great writers of our era, from García Lorca to Mayakovski." "As yet they've not been published, maybe one day they will be." "He was a likeable young man who loved life." "He was viciously beaten to death, his skull smashed with a pistol butt." "His body lies on the second floor of Rua da Saudade 22." "He was murdered by three evil individuals." "the first, a thin man, was called "Captain", and the other two, the size of bears, answer to the names of Fonseca and Lima." "We ask all citizens to be vigilant and to report any such acts of brutal violence complicitly perpetrated in this country." "Monteiro Rossi was in love with a young and brave girl, who loved freedom." "Should this girl read our article, we offer her our deepest condolences for her loss, with our respects." "Monteiro Rossi, this publication remembers and honours you." "Signed Pereira." "Monteiro Rossi, this publication remembers and honours you." "Signed Pereira, but...?" "You're prepared to sign this?" "This is a very serious matter." "You bring me such an article without the censors' approval?" "You've known me for 30 years and never a single problem." "It was different back then." " No!" "It must come out today." "I spoke with the Chief Censor, and got his verbal consent." " The Chief Censor?" " Yes, Major Lourenço." "We were school friends." "I showed it to our chief editor." "You're a friend of Major Lourenço?" "Listen, call him and speak to him directly." "You, in person." "Ask for the Major yourself." "Hello?" "Yes, I'm calling from the Lisboa printing works." "Major Lourenço, please." " One moment." "Major Lourenço is in a meeting." "Please hold." "The clerk says he's in a meeting." "Give it to me." "This is Pereira" " Ah, Dr. Pereira!" "Tell the Major that I must speak to him." "Wait, the Major is here." "I'll put him on immediately." "Hello Pereira, what's up?" " I'm at the printers." "It's about that article I read to you." "Your approval." "The foreman's worried." "I've already told you that the nation must know." "I know." "The nation must know..." "Yes, I'll put him on." "Major Lourenço?" "Yes, Major!" "What's your name, my good fellow?" "Listen to me carefully, Pedro." "You should be proud to publish an exclusive article by Dr. Pereira." "I'm astonished that as a citizen and printer, you're so reluctant." "Please forgive me, Major." "What page did you think to put it on?" "On the cultural page?" "No, my friend!" "On the front page!" "Thank you Major, it shall be done." "Yes, Major." "The front page!" "He ordered me to put it on the front page." "If that's what the Major wants..." "Good heavens, Pereira, you've come up in the world!" "Well yes." "What am I doing?" "I'll explain later." ""The secret of discovery" "Is trapped within us."" "Silly girl!" "Did you think I'd leave you behind?" "The paper will be out soon and we've no time to lose." ""Sways the heart and in fervent hands."" "Journalist brutally slain!" "Young journalist brutally slain!" "Pereira maintains that while he passed through the crowd, he felt that his age no longer weighed him down." "As if he were a boy again, agile and slim, with so much zest for life." "Then he remembered the beach at Granja and a delicate girl who had given him the best years of her life." "And, remembering all that, he wanted to dream, a beautiful dream with his eyes wide open." "But Pereira doesn't wish to reveal this dream as he'd prefer to explain it himself to the person who told this story." ""The secret of discovery is trapped within us." "Here gleams the treasure that sways the heart but is hidden in words and fervent hands, in the sweetness of tears and warm embraces."" "Translated by David Cox rollxsf [at] gmail dot com"