Missing Wit

10: Illegal

"Where did you learn this?" asked Eric.

"That was the most interesting part of the job. I learned from her, Lina told me that," Paul said. Even he himself was surprised when he gave this answer. According to Paul's account, Lina was not a woman to talk about her experiences. Eric should have done more to find out what had happened to Paul. Lina didn't just tell Paul about the events; at least as per Eric's estimation.

"Interesting," Eric said. "So you're telling things from her mouth."

"Yes," Paul replied, in a tone he hadn't used before. Paul knew that Eric didn't believe what he was saying. But there was nothing he could do about it. Actually, Paul agreed with Eric. Paul was taken aback by Lina's sudden change of attitude. But the truth was that Lina had told what had happened. Paul thought that Eric might believe him if he told him how Lina told the story. Earning Eric's trust was important because he was the only journalist who was able to make the case public; he was the only journalist he knew who could at least write about this event. This incident had to be clarified; What Kurt and Lina went through was very important to human history. On this line of thought, Paul:

"Well, sir. Would you like me to tell you how Lina told this event?"he asked.

"Sure," said Eric. But just as Paul was about to speak, Eric asked, "But tell me outside, okay?"

Paul was surprised by what Eric said. But Eric was seriously waiting for Paul's answer. He was leaning back, staring into Paul's eyes.

When Eric didn't get an answer, he repeated the question he had asked Paul, "Can we talk outside, too?"

"Why?" he asked. Then he took the last sip of his drink.

"Because you've got nothing left to drink," said Eric, looking at Paul's glass. Then Paul asked for the bill and began to wait. Eric and Paul neither spoke nor looked at each other until the bill came. They just looked around. Paul paid the bill. Then they went out together. Paul noticed Eric staring for a long time at a woman with some wrinkles on her face as she walked out.

As she walked out the door, "Isn't that woman a bit..." Paul asked.

"Is what?" Eric replied with another question. He actually understood what he meant, but he had to get Paul to say it. Only in this way could Paul be ashamed of what he had said.

"Well... it's old and ugly," Paul said.

"Is that 'exactly' what you mean?" asked Eric. He felt that it was his turn to move.

"You know me, dear journalist. I can never be 'complete'." After speaking, he looked around; it was as if he was searching for something. Because he was pointing his finger where he was looking. Not finding what he was looking for, the man said, "Anyway," and continued walking.

They kept talking as they walked along the street.

"The weather is pretty nice today, isn't it?" asked Eric.

"Not unless there's a river running near you," Paul replied. At the same time, he was shaking his head from side to side in disapproval.

"True," Eric said, and stopped. Eric turned to Paul and said, "But I have to say it, mister. Your house has a disgusting architecture," touching both of Paul's shoulders with both hands.

"Really?" said Paul, puzzled. But, his confused expression was fake; even before Eric's first arrival, Paul was aware that Eric's house didn't like it. "This house was built just for you to say so."