Hey Robert, he said one day, “Do you like pheasants?” I have a couple of them, and if you are available next Sunday, I’d be happy to share them with you.
Le Gros Robert was slightly surprised by this unexpected invitation, but he was not a man to pass up a good meal.
OK, he said. Very kind of you. Thank you.
-What are friends for? My wife will be very pleased to see you, said Dédé grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Next, he decided to go on the prowl for a female partner.
Good women players were also well aware of their talents and as much in demand as their male counterparts. But they were also more difficult to read… and they could keep a grudge for a very long time… Blasted women!
He approached Pauline first. She was an excellent player, but she also had a long memory and a sharp tongue.
-Hey Pauline, he said, you look good today. Is that a new haircut? If you were not married, I would make a pass at you.
-Dédé, if I didn’t know you better, I would think that you meant it.
-I meant it, Pauline, I meant it.
-OK Dédé, what do you want? You are are not buttering me up for nothing… You must want something…
-Pauline, you are unkind. Can’t a guy pay a compliment to a lady without having any second thoughts?
-A normal guy yes, but coming from you it sounds a little odd… So again, what is it that you want?
-You are a little harsh Pauline… but since you ask… How would you like to play with me at the Cup tournament?
-The Cup?
-Yes Pauline, the Cup. I am looking for a good woman partner and I thought of you first.
-I see.
-I’ll probably play with Le Gros Robert… If you join our team, we’ll have a dynamite formation…
-Very kind of you, but I don’t care much for Robert… he is not a pleasant fellow… and frankly Dédé you get on my nerves…
-How is that?
-You talk too much. You are like a fly on a horse… And this is only one of the reasons why I won’t play with you.
-Pauline, I promise to hold my tongue. Let bygones be bygones… play with me and you won’t regret it.
-No Dédé I am sorry… I won’t play with you!
-OK, Pauline, I understand your reluctance to play with Le Gros Robert. But I am pretty sure that I can get the Corsican to play with us instead. You don’t have anything against him, do you?
-Well…
-All right then, if I get the Corsican will you play with us?
-I don’t know… You caught me off guard…
-Don’t you want to win Pauline? Don’t you want to see your name on the Cup?
-All right, all right… if you get the Corsican, I’ll play with you guys.
-OK, Pauline, it’s a deal. I’ll get Pasqualini. But promise me to turn down any other offer…
-I promise.
-You won’t be sorry Pauline. The three of us will be unbeatable.
Alain
To be continued…