L'affaire Bob

31. 400€, You Say? Ha! It's Nothing.

We landed in a small alley, next to a street full of various and diverse restaurants. From Mexican cuisine to Chinese and Italian shops, this alleyway flooded with colors and diversity. Arabic and Northern-African spices embalmed the air around us, making my stomach groan in appetite. Each placard gleamed in its striking shades, attracting visitors from all around. On both sides of the street, restaurants seemed to beg us to enter, but unfortunately, today, I wasn't trying something new.

I had one particular place in mind. A star amongst the most influential and powerful politicians for the past few years, this restaurant's cuisine and services were one of the best in the country, and perhaps even the entire continent. Honestly, Paris was lucky to have a place like that in its streets. Whenever I would have a high-ranking customer or even a date whose parents were hard to convince, I would bring them here, to the famous "Cygne Rouge."

Quite a strategic place, I had to say. Perfect to deceive someone and trick them, only to get the best out of the deal later on.

Keeping up a facade of innocence and maintaining the illusion, one had to play it well and be able to master his acting skills impeccably. Because, the pickier the person, the fancier the banquet gets. And the harder the convincing and persuasion becomes.

With these thoughts in mind, I guided Emma towards "Le Cygne Rouge."

-"Le Cygne Rouge? Really?" Emma asked stupefied, amazement evident in her voice. "I did not expect you to... not be stingy and cheap. I mean, you're taking me to the "Cygne Rouge!" The most expensive restaurant in France!"

-"Ah, but I can be quite generous sometimes, love, you know. It also depends on the person and the occasion. You, for example, will get the "Menu Du Jour," with all the dishes and platters they serve on it."

Her mouth hung open, but she quickly recovered from her shock and started eying me skeptically.

-"You're buying me the most costly and exorbitant offer they have. Are you serious? It costs like 2600 francs or something!"

-"Oh, no. It's not only for you. We'll share. I never skip lunch, sweetie."

-"Of course, you don't," she muttered.

-"Well, shall we enter the restaurant, then?" I cut her off.

-"Yes, yes. Let's go."

We passed through the magnificent doorway of "Le Cygne Rouge" and greeted the doorman as we entered. He offered to take Emma's coat, but she politely declined and decided to leave it with her.

We went up to the second floor, taking a candlelit table-for-two near the window.

-"That's... That's beautiful," Emma conceded, slightly confused.

And indeed it was. From the perfectly decorated table to the view that spread beneath us, the sight could take every man's breath away. We now had a full view of the "Rue Des Cuisines" and could admire its dazzling colors from up here.

I rose a malicious eyebrow at my dear coach and, pulling the chair, invited her to sit down.

-"Go on, take a seat," I told her.

-"Are you... Do you usually act like that? Because it's a bit weird to see you going all gentlemanly-like."

I grinned in response.

Sitting down, I called the waiter and asked him for the "Menu Du Jour." Throwing a glance at it and making sure it satisfied my persuasion needs, I took the waiter aside and told him to bring me "la crème de la crème," which, of course-- and as usual-- consisted of the whole menu. With a quick bow, he left and headed to the kitchen. After his departure, I got back to my seat, and an awkward silence settled between Emma and me.