beautiful friend

Chapter 2

"But...the thing is...I never wrote a single article."

"It doesn't matter, everything has to have a beginning. I can hire you as my assistant to help me go around, interview some people, and collect information. At the beginning, you can get 250 francs a month, and the car fee will be reimbursed." .If you'd like to do it, I'll go talk to the manager."

"Of course I would."

"So, tomorrow you come to my house for dinner. I only invited five or six people: my boss Mr. and Mrs. Walter, Jacques Rival and Noble de Wallen you just met, and my wife A girlfriend of mine. What do you think?"

Duroy blushed, at a loss, hesitated for a long time before saying in a whisper:

"It's just... I don't even have a decent set of clothes."

Forestier was amazed: "My God, you don't have a decent suit! It's a must. Don't you know that in Paris, even if you don't have a bed to sleep in, you can't live without a decent suit?" Is it?" As he spoke, Forestier suddenly took out several gold coins from his vest pocket, picked two Louis and placed them in front of his old friend, and then said in a very sincere tone:

"You take the money first, and return it to me when it is convenient. You can rent a dress first or buy a dress in installments, at least for tomorrow. Hurry up and make arrangements. Tomorrow night at 07:30 Come to my house on time for dinner, the address is Fontaine Street NO.17."

Duroy was so excited that he picked up the money and stammered, "You are so kind, thank you so much... I will always remember your generosity and help..."

Forestier interrupted him: "Come on, stop talking, would you like another glass?" Then he shouted: "Waiter, two more beers!"

After drinking, Forestier asked:

"Do you want to take a walk outside?"

"Okay!"

So they left the café and walked towards the Madeleine Church.

"What shall we do next?" asked Forestier. "Some people say that there is always somewhere to go for a walk in Paris, but I don't think so. When I go out for a walk every night, I never know Where to go. A walk in the woods is very pleasant if accompanied by a woman, but it doesn't happen every time. I know a drugstore owner and his wife who like to patronize the music Teahouse, but I don't like it. So, where should we go? There is really nowhere to go. There should be a place of relaxation like Parc Monceau, where people can drink cold drinks under the trees and enjoy the wonderful scenery at night. Music. This garden is by no means a place of entertainment, but a place of relaxation. Tickets can be sold more expensive to attract some beautiful ladies. People can walk on the path covered with fine sand and illuminated next to them. Those who want to listen to music Sometimes, you can find a place to sit near or far. We used to have a similar park in Mussel, but it was too low-key, the place was not big enough, and there were not many shade trees and dark corners. So, we It must be a large and beautiful garden, and it must attract many people. Where would you like to go?"

Duroy was momentarily at a loss for words.Finally, he suggested: "I haven't been to the 'Shepherdess Casino' yet, and I really want to go there."

His companion said in amazement:
"'Shepherdess Casino'? It must be hot like a big oven. But it's a fun place, okay, let's go there."

So they turned and walked towards the outskirts of Montmartre.

The lights in front of the casino are brilliant, illuminating the four streets that meet here like daytime.A row of carriages waiting to be rented was parked outside the door.

Forestier walked straight in, and Duroy hurriedly stopped him:
"We haven't bought tickets yet."

Forestier replied solemnly:
"I never have to buy a ticket to come here."

When he walked to the ticket gate, all three ticket inspectors saluted him, and the one in the middle shook hands with him. Our reporter asked:
"Is there a better box?"

"Of course, Monsieur Forestier."

Forestier took the ticket, pushed open the thick copper door covered with velvet, and entered the theater with his friend.

The arena was filled with smoke, and the stage, the other end of the theater, and the distant places seemed to be shrouded in a thin mist.Columns of white smoke from cigarettes and cigars rose in curls to the ceiling, forming a gray mist under the great vaults, around the chandeliers, and over the balconies filled with spectators.

Around the theater is a spacious circular corridor.At the entrance, there are often a group of beautifully dressed girls shuttling among the many men.There are three counters in the middle of the corridor, and behind each counter stands a woman who has passed away but still wears heavy makeup.They not only sell drinks, but also their hues.A group of girls were standing in front of one of the counters, waiting for customers to visit.Several huge mirrors behind them reflect their bare backs and the faces of passers-by.

Forestier pushed through the crowd, and walked in quickly like a man who should be respected.

He approached a usher and asked:

"Where is the NO.17 box?"

"Come with me, sir."

The usher took them to a boarded-up box.The box is small, without a roof, with a red carpet on the floor, and four red chairs, which are so close together that guests can barely pass through it.The two old friends sat down. On the left and right sides of them were some identical wooden lattices, which were arranged in an arc all the way to the edge of the stage.There were people sitting in Mugeli, but only their heads and chests could be seen.

On the stage there are three young men in leotards, one tall, one short, and one of medium build, who are taking turns performing hanging bars.

The big man quickly walked to the front of the stage with small steps.Smiling, he waved to the audience as if to blow kisses.

Under the tights, the muscles in his arms and thighs are clearly visible.He puffed out his chest on purpose in order to hide his already protruding belly.His hair was combed like those of the young barbers, parted neatly in the middle at the crown.With a graceful jump, he grabbed the boom bar and rolled over it like a wheel.Then he stretched his arms tightly, lying on his back with his body straight and motionless in the air, holding the hanging bar with the strength of his wrists.

After getting down from the hanging bar, he smiled again to the applause of the audience in the front row.Then he went to stand by the curtain.Every step you take, don't forget to show your strong thigh muscles.

The second man was shorter, but looked more stocky.He walked to the front of the stage and repeated the former action.The third did the same, but received the loudest applause.

However, Duroy did not pay attention to the performance on stage.From time to time he turned his head and peered down the corridor behind which was crowded with men and young girls.

Forestier said to him:

"Look at the auditorium below. It's full of petty bourgeois with their wives and children. They're all idiots. In the boxes are theatergoers, a few artists, and a few second-rate whores. .Behind us is the most interesting mob in Paris. Who are they? Look carefully! They come from all walks of life, but mostly hooligans. Bank clerks, salesmen, civil servants, journalists, brothel matrons, Officers in civilian clothes, fashionable dandies, some of them have just finished dinner in the tavern, some have just watched an opera, and some will go to the Italian theater later. The rest are some unknown, It's easy to spot the dubious ones. As for the women, they're the kind of people who like to hang out in front of the "Cafe America" ​​at night, and they'll go with you if you hand out a louis or two. But They are looking forward to hanging a stranger who is willing to pay five louis every day. Of course, when they are free, they will still inform their old friends to have a tryst together. They have been in this business for six years. Every night , we can see them all, except sometimes for health checks at Saint Lazare or Lucina hospitals."

Duroy could not listen any more, for at this moment a woman leaned her elbows on their box and looked at him intently.This is a fat woman with brown hair, her face looks particularly white because of a thick layer of powder.Her eyes are very dark, the corners of her eyes are drawn long, and her eyebrows are thickly painted, which looks very abrupt.The dark silk dress arched high from the full bosom.Lipstick-painted lips are like bloody wounds, revealing an overly passionate wildness, but it can definitely ignite the desire in a man's heart.

She stopped her passing girlfriend, a fat blonde woman in a red wig, and spoke loudly so that everyone around her could hear:
"Look! Here's a handsome fellow. If he'd give ten louis, I'd never say 'no' to him."

Forestier turned around, smiled and patted Duroy's thigh:
"She's talking to you. She's taken a fancy to you, my dear friend, congratulations."

Duroy's face blushed immediately, and he subconsciously touched the two gold coins in his pocket.

At this time, the curtain on the stage had fallen, and waltz music sounded in the orchestra pit.

Duroy said to his friend:
"How about we go to the corridor?"

"whatever."

They walked out of the box together and immediately got involved in the flow of people in the corridor.They were pushed and walked forward unsteadily, with top hats worn by men dangling in front of their eyes.The prostitutes walked together in twos and threes, clinging to the men's arms, chests and backs, moving freely among them as if they were at home.Their steps are so light and agile, just like fish in the water, swimming in this torrent formed by men.

Duroy couldn't help himself, letting the flow of people push him around.He greedily sucked the smell of tobacco, men's sweat and prostitutes' perfume that pervaded the surroundings, his mind agitated and infatuated.Forestier on the side was sweating profusely, panting and coughing continuously.

"Let's go to the garden and get some air," he said.

So the two walked into a garden with a pergola on the left.There are two huge fountains in the garden. Although the design is rough, it brings a touch of coolness and freshness to the place.There were yew trees and arborvitae in pots, and men and women were sitting at little tables under the trees drinking.

"How about another beer?" Forestier asked.

"Ok."

The two sat down and looked at the crowd passing by.

From time to time, a prostitute wandering in the courtyard came up to them and asked with a smile, "Can I buy you a drink, sir?" Forestier replied bluntly, "Please have a drink from the fountain." Qingshui." The man got bored and had to turn around and leave, cursing: "Fuck you, uneducated guy!"

After a while, the brunette who had just snuggled up outside their box appeared again.She had a haughty look on her arm, the fat, blond woman.These two women are very well matched, what a pair of stunners.

When she saw Duroy, she smiled; her eyes met, as if conveying the secrets in each other's hearts.She pulled up a chair and sat down across from him poisedly, while she made her friend sit down too.She called out in a crisp voice: "Waiter, two glasses of pomegranate juice." Forestier said in surprise: "Why are you so unruly?"

She replied: "I'm after your friend. He's such a beautiful lad. It drives me crazy."

Duroy sat there timidly, not knowing what to say.He smirked and stroked his beard.The waiter brought the juice and the two women drank it down.Then they stood up.The brown-haired woman nodded cordially to Duroy, patted his arm lightly with the fan in her hand, and said, "Thank you, my little cat. You are so hard to talk."

After speaking, they twisted their waists and walked away waddlingly.

Forestier laughed and said:

"Dude, you know, you have a natural attraction to women. You have to take advantage of this, it will greatly benefit your future." He paused, and then said thoughtfully: "There are women With help, success might come easier."

Seeing that Duroy just smiled without making a sound, he asked, "Do you want to stay for a while? I'm almost drunk, it's time to go back."

Duroy whispered: "You go first, I'll stay for a while, it's not too late yet."

Forestier stood up and said, "Then, goodbye. Don't forget tomorrow night at 07:30, Avenue No. 17 Fontaine."

"Understood. See you tomorrow, thank you."

They shook hands, and Mr. Reporter turned and walked away.

As soon as Forestier was gone, Duroy felt at once free.He excitedly touched the two gold coins in his pocket again, then stood up and walked into the crowd again.He looked around, searching around.

Soon, he saw the two women just now again.Still with that haughty look on their faces, they searched for new targets in the noisy crowd.

Duroy walked straight up to them.But when he approached them, he was a little timid.

The brunette said to him, "Would you like to talk now?"

Duroy stammered "Of course" and couldn't find another topic.

The three of them stood in the middle of the road like this, blocking the flow of people in the corridor, and many people gathered around them quickly.She suddenly asked:

"Do you want to sit at my house?"

Duroy was very excited immediately, and the desire in his heart could not be suppressed, so he immediately replied:

"Of course I would, but I only have Louis on me."

She smiled disapprovingly:
"It's ok."

So she put her hand on his arm, to show that he belonged to her tonight.As Duroy walked out, he calculated that with the remaining twenty francs, he could still rent a dress for tomorrow's party.

"Excuse me, which floor does Monsieur Forestier live on?"

"The one on the left on the fourth floor."

The doorman's tone was very friendly, showing respect for the tenants.Georges Duroy mounted the stairs.

He was flustered, embarrassed, and uncomfortable.It was the first time in his life that he was wearing a formal dress, and this attire made him feel very awkward, and his whole body was not right.The pointed shoes are beautiful, but unfortunately not polished; the shirt I bought this morning near the Louvre for four francs is torn at the chest because the material is too thin.As for the shirts he usually wears, they are all tattered, even the best one can't be worn out.

His trousers are a bit too baggy to show the line of his legs. They seem to be wrapped around his calves indiscriminately. They are crumpled. At first glance, he can tell that they are second-hand goods that have been found on the spur of the moment.Only the jacket was passable, and it fitted me well.

Duroy walked upstairs slowly, feeling uneasy in his heart, especially worried that he would become the laughing stock of others.Suddenly, he saw a well-dressed gentleman looking at him.The two were so close that Duroy couldn't help but took a step back.He was surprised to find that there was a tall floor-to-ceiling mirror at the top of the stairs on the second floor, and the gentleman was himself in the mirror.In addition, the entire corridor can be seen from the mirror.Duroy was overjoyed immediately, it seemed that this attire was not as bad as imagined.

There is only one small mirror in his house for shaving, which cannot reflect the whole body.Today's impromptu attire is just looking at parts through the small mirror, which inevitably exaggerates the partial shortcomings.The thought of being ridiculed by others made him anxious.

But just now, when he suddenly saw his whole body in the mirror, he could hardly recognize himself.He actually regarded himself as another person, a gentleman of high society, at first glance, he was really imposing and handsome.

Now, he looked carefully at the mirror again, and felt that this attire was indeed impeccable.

Like an actor pondering over a role, he studies himself.He smiled at himself in the mirror, held out his hand, and made various gestures and expressions: surprise, joy, approval.He tried to figure out what kind of smile and look to use when he showed his affection to women, so that they could understand his appreciation and admiration.

At this time, a door opened.Afraid of being bumped into, Duroy hurried upstairs.He was terrified, worried that what happened just now would be seen by a guest invited by Forestier.

On the third floor, there is also a floor-to-ceiling mirror.As Duroy passed the mirror, he slowed down so that he could see himself walking.He felt that he was tall and graceful in the mirror, which made him confident.He believes that with his physical appearance and desire to succeed, coupled with firm determination and independent thinking, he will be able to achieve success.Thinking about it, Duroy was so excited that he wished he could jump up the last step.In front of the mirror on the fourth floor, he stopped again, twirled his beard skillfully, took off his top hat, combed his hair, and muttered to himself as usual: "Not bad." Then he reached out and rang the doorbell .

The door opened immediately, and opposite stood a clean-shaven servant in a black uniform.Seeing the neatly dressed servants, Duroy felt uneasy again.He didn't understand why he was so restless, maybe he had inadvertently compared his clothes with the other's fine workmanship.At this time, the servant in patent leather shoes took the overcoat that Duroy had been hanging on his arm for fear of showing stains, and asked:

"May I ask your name, sir?"

Then, he informed the owner in the living room through the half-rolled door curtain behind him.

Behind the door is another life that Duroy can only dream of.At this time, he suddenly lost his composure, became flustered, and his breathing became short of breath.However, he finally took this important step and walked in.A young blonde woman stood alone in the living room waiting for him.The living room is large, brightly lit, filled with various plants, like a greenhouse.

Duroy stopped abruptly and stood there in panic.Who is this lady smiling at him?Then he remembered that Forestier was married.Duroy couldn't believe that this eloquent friend had such a beautiful and noble wife.

He stammered, "Ma'am, I am..." The lady held out her hand to him and said, "I see, sir. Charlie has told me about your reunion last night. I'm glad he invited You are coming to my house for dinner today."

(End of this chapter)