anno 1985;

[unreadability]

The 80s also featured events of actual significance. As university should have taught you.

If not Günter Grass.

Comments

[centeroftheweb]

Things can be important without being significant. At least in the personal sphere.

Thus, let me wish you a happy birthday, Madame.

[unreadability]

The obvious observation being that I'm getting older.

[centeroftheweb]

It happens to everyone. Some things age well. People likewise.

[unreadability]

If nothing else, Jean Louis will always be older than me.

[centeroftheweb]

Ah, see? That is something to be happy about at least.

Do you still make birthday wishes or have you matured past that?

[unreadability]

Reality isn't inferior; to our wishes for it.

[centeroftheweb]

You know what I meant. If you express no other wishes, I'll have to send you flowers.

[unreadability]

You're providing me with options.

[centeroftheweb]

I enjoy options. I believe in choice after all.

1/2

[unreadability]

[She falls silent.]

[unreadability]

So long as one doesn't point in all directions and expects fulfillment.

[centeroftheweb]

Perhaps that is the sign of maturity. The ability to want many things but not to expect all of them.

[unreadability]

Let's call it greed, shan't we? In lack of better.

[centeroftheweb]

As you wish.

The question still stands. Flowers or...?

[unreadability]

[There is no pause. Noticeable in itself.]

Chocolate.

[centeroftheweb]

Ah, the other traditional gift for a lady. Consider it done. Though while I am quite capable, I'm no miracle worker, so the postal system will probably require a day or two.

[unreadability]

Foreign chocolate, then.

[centeroftheweb]

Luxembourg is not renowned for their chocolates, no. And I wouldn't dare send less than the best.

[unreadability]

Belgian.

[centeroftheweb]

Close, but wrong.

[unreadability]

Holland's chocolate is lacking in perfect proportions with the country, Monsieur.

[centeroftheweb]

My dear Madam Duroc, if you're not going to guess intelligently, you can just check the return address when it arrives.

[population_ctrl]

Come now, Mireille. What's history in comparison to the present?

[unreadability]

Without the year 1975, we'd hardly be anywhere. Jean Louis.

[population_ctrl]

[A slight smile.]

Plans tonight?

[unreadability]

The mayor's wife has a party planned. Unfortunately, I've sent my apologies in advance.

[population_ctrl]

She'll be devastated.

[unreadability]

And she'll be hosting another on Saturday.

[population_ctrl]

So. She'll be devastated twice.

[unreadability]

By Saturday, I'll have finished my book.

[population_ctrl]

Oh? About time.

[unreadability]

1997. When you were still young.

[population_ctrl]

... as opposed to now?

[unreadability]

When you're 37.

[population_ctrl]

That's still young!

[unreadability]

Your integrity is the most mature aspect of your personality, Jean Louis.

[population_ctrl]

Charming. [Pause. Frown.] What are you reading anyway?

[unreadability]

Mein Jahrhundert. By Günter Grass.

[population_ctrl]

[He knows who that is. Seriously. He knows. And yet:]

Ah.

[unreadability]

Who is considered the greatest contemporary German poet, world-famed for Die Blechtrommel and honoured with the Nobel Prize in Literature.

[population_ctrl]

Right. Read something of his in the upper secondary.