Men Ă la mode
5
Men Ă la mode by StSciurus
K chapter five
O
ne week before Christmas Adrien stopped by A Likely
Story, the bookshop next to László & Cie., using his lunch hour to pick up The Last Chronicle of Barset, the final novel in Trollope’s Barchester series. He had made his way through the previous five novels during the course of the fall on the advice of his pen pal, Blue1534, and this last one was especially important. The pen pals had finally agreed to meet for dinner that evening at Cipriano’s, Saint-Michel’s premier Italian restaurant. Adrien would be carrying a copy of the Trollope novel, and his pen pal would have Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in hand, the next author he was recommending to Adrien. This is how they would recognize each other! As Adrien entered the bookshop, its owner was as usual sitting at his desk at the front of the store.
“Good day, M. L’Érudit!” Adrien said brightly. “You have my novel for me, I hope?” “Of course, young man!” replied the owner. “I was able to find a used copy in pretty good condition. It came in late yesterday afternoon. That will be five francs fifty.” After Adrien had paid him the money, M. L’Érudit continued, “I don’t know why you seem to be so obsessed
with these English novels. First Dickens, and now Trollope! You should read some great French authors! Alexandre Dumas’s La Dame aux Camélias would be perfect for you!” “Oh, I read that ages ago, M. L’Érudit! But my friend particularly recommended the Trollope novels.” “And who is this friend that is so enamored of English literature? I suppose he must be an Englishman.”
“I don’t really know. I mean, I don’t think he is English. But he is my pen pal and we have been corresponding for almost a year now!” “Well, what is his name? That should be a dead giveaway of his nationality.” “Um, we’ve never exchanged names. That’s against the rules.” “Rules? What if your ‘friend’ turns out to be some sort of stalker or creep?”
“It’s not like that at all, M. L’Érudit!” Adrien cried out, somewhat annoyed. “He has a beautiful soul, I’m sure of it. We write to each other not only about literature, but art and culture, movies, the mysteries of life…” “Yes, yes!” interrupted the bookshop owner. “That’s all well and good. Just be cautious, my boy.” “Oh, of course, M. L’Érudit! I’m always cautious!” and Adrien left the bookshop to go back to work. ▼
to be continued‌