Double Twenty

Chapter 21 - One (U2)

"Each of us is a world, composed of many stars and an infinity of particles." — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

You who enter, abandon all hope... According to Matthieu, Dante was also a time traveler, and his inspired verses were not born from a vision of Hell but from a dinner with his parents, the Dumas-Garamond. As he hands over the keys to his car to the valet at the Plaza Athénée, Victoria spends the early evening with her friends from the PGCC, "Paris Golf Country Club," the Pigi-whatever. Hélène and Maxence, Ségolène, Boris, Rebecca... the crème de la crème of society rallies. In those blessed times of "caviar on foie gras," the cartography of Parisian high society was as follows: princes and princesses spread across the 7th, 8th, 4th, and 6th arrondissements. The dukes and duchesses, in the 16th, 15th, 17th, Neuilly, and Boulogne. The lower nobility in the nearby suburbs, and the plebs everywhere else. *With exceptions or artist's whims. Outside the perimeter, the Versailles crowd formed a community of their own. This financial dominance geography has faded over time, with the lords abandoning their Parisian strongholds for Geneva, Luxembourg, Monaco, Miami, in favor of soccer stars, rappers, comedians, influencers, Emiratis, Russians, Chinese, provincials, and lottery winners. Matthieu feels neither nostalgia nor frustration, proving it by settling in Bordeaux. However, he knows that if there's money to be made, it's here and now. And even if it disgusts him, his parents might have some utility in his plans. He and Victoria have arranged to meet after dinner at a trendy nightclub on the Champs-Élysées, "Les Planches," an opportunity to test his new look and gauge the market.

Puteaux, April 6, 1997

Earlier in the day, Matthieu had decided to radically change his appearance and place of residence. An ancient mind in a healthy body could no longer tolerate living in an annex of a favela or wearing tattered rags. Given the magnitude of the task, he hoped his twenty-year-old brain was roasting in the ninth circle of Hell (the hottest one, supposedly).

He had set two priorities: first, contact Omer as soon as possible to prepare Operation "Gonçalves." Second, head to Paris, Avenue de l'Opéra. The phone rang endlessly; Omer was probably sleeping again. "Yeah, who is it?" "Matthieu, it's 2 PM," "So what? We don't have classes today," "Uh, actually, we do, but that's not the point. I need you for something special that requires all your skills." With patience and pedagogical ingenuity, Matthieu explained his plan to Omer, who, after a few misunderstandings, finally grasped it and even approved enthusiastically. Hallelujah! They scheduled a reconnaissance and rehearsal for the next day. Omer thought it unnecessary, which was all the more reason for Matthieu to insist. His only fear was what he called his "white veil." Despite sophrology, breathing techniques, and boxing, it only took someone to push him too far for him to snap. He had to do everything to avoid such extremes.

After checking his resources and making a cash withdrawal at the bank counter (the teller was surprised by the large amount for a twenty-year-old, but he claimed it was for buying a car, which dispelled her doubts), Matthieu headed to the suit shop for the Paris elite and businessmen. He didn't need to introduce himself; his last suit purchase was just last year for his half-brother's wedding, and the highly qualified staff knew each of their privileged clients.

The result was up to his expectations, a perfectly tailored three-piece suit, both comfortable and elegant, which would serve as his passport for his upcoming operations. The Rocancourt method: always make people envy rather than pity you, and who would suspect someone so well-dressed? He bought two suits, with matching ties and shirts; his rarely worn Weston loafers, almost new, completed the ensemble. To complete his transformation, he waited at a reputable hairdresser, where a refresh was necessary. Human psychology was ultimately quite simple: look the part of what you desire, and you will become it (if you are absolutely convinced).