The Secret Manuscript

THE FINDING

I was quietly reading an afternoon newspaper and savoring a refreshing iced tea, sitting on a rustic wooden chair placed on the sidewalk outside a little restaurant, while waited impatiently for a client with whom I had an appointment that afternoon, with the intention of closing a business deal that I had proposed to him some time ago. I worked at that time in an insurance company, and like many of the agents who dedicated to this activity; I fought hard to reach the increasingly elusive businesses. The economy of the country was bad as always, and that was the main argument to justify our poor performance.

The place was located north of the city, on the exclusive boulevard called of The Illustrious, renowned for its innumerable restaurants and cafes where social gatherings and business meetings were conducted. A centenary and leafy ceiba planted in a small roundabout in the middle of the avenue sheltered us its shade and delighted us with its freshness. The afternoon had been fresh in comparison to the previous ones, in which an oppressive heat forced people to seek refuge in enclosed spaces with an air-conditioned environment, preventing them from enjoying the outdoors. In front of the restaurant was the famous hotel The Pleasance, which had offered lodging and had been the center of the social life of the city for two hundred years. At the moment, it was in full process of remodeling, precisely for the celebration of its bicentennial.

I raised my eyes to see if my client was coming, when by chance I observed someone I had known for quite some time, rushing out of the hotel. He hurried through the quiet avenue, and as he reached the sidewalk, he almost tripped over my table, for he walked completely lost in thoughts. I lowered my eyes to make myself look as if I had not seen him, but he, with his customary habit of engaging in conversation with anyone about any banality, did not waste time in approaching me. Cooper, such was his last name, was a lawyer by profession. He also was a security agent and had many other occupations. He was one of those people who had never excelled in anything. For all I knew, he had failed in two attempts at marriage, as well as with the law firm he once tried to establish.

"Sebastian, my friend. What a surprise! It is such a pleasure to see you again!" he exclaimed, while without being invited, took a chair from my table, whilst taking off his threadbare sack and untied the same old tie that I had always seen him wear. Although his appearance did not denote anything special, he had however, a certain brightness in his sight and a stance in his attitude that made me watch him more closely. I already expected another of his usual tirades about how badly he was doing in life. Instead, he looked at me straight in the eyes and said: "Friend, you're going to be the first lucky person with whom I'm going to share the most extraordinary finding. Waiter!" He shouted, trying to get the attention of one of the busy waiters that walked among the tables. "Bring us the menu and the best bottle of wine. I want to celebrate with my pal".

His attitude caught my attention. When had Cooper been so willing to inviting anyone? Probably not that he didn't want to, but that his economic situation didn't allow it. Noticing my ill-concealed astonishment, he smiled warmly while telling me with the utmost security in the world.

"Things have changed for me, dear friend. Yesterday, I was just a discouraged man, without a certain future, without plans or hopes. Today, however, I am a completely new man. I have discovered the greatest secret in the world! Believe me, I'm not exaggerating. I got hold of the most extraordinary story. One that I am sure can change the course of the life of those who come across with it. It can do that for everyone who is at least willing to hear it. I know what everyone thinks of me. However, this time I will be the one who will contribute to improving the lives of others. If you do not believe me, look at this!" he exclaimed while extracting from his worn portfolio a bundle of completely new documents. "It is my new contract with Patterson and Associates; one of the best renowned lawyer firms in the city. They hired me! I just signed this contract there in the lobby of The Pleasance.