Camaraderie

Well well, look who's here! At last one lives to see you at the embassy. So help me, I'll have something to tell to my grandchildren when I retire!' Welcomed them Raya Avisar with a cynical smile, leaving her desk where she's been typing ceaselessly, with just a short lunch break.

'Ehud has been waiting for you two from the early morning hours on, and he hasn't lost hope yet, thank God! ' She added as she was leading them towards his office.

'Is Yossef in?' Asked her Everon briskly, ignoring completely her remarks.

'No, he isn't, he's supposed to be at the foreign office right now, I believe.' She answered him with some hesitation, taken aback by his cold behavior. Standing at his office's entrance, her husband Ehud Avisar welcomed them warmly:

'Oh there you are!' He said on seeing them coming. 'Raya, get us some cold drinks please, will you? Well, how are you getting along?' He turned politely to Shatz.

'Are the papers ready?' Interrupted him Everon rudely raising his voice, before Shatz could answer.

'Sure thing! Everything was ready long ago, what are you mad at?' Flushed and embarrassed Avisar went over to the safe, to get the requested documents.

Peleg the first secretary appeared suddenly in the doorway and stood there erect blocking the entrance with his tall frame. As if he were challenged by Peleg's sudden appearance, Everon moved toward the entrance ready to force his way in, if needed.

'You won't find him there!' Said Peleg blocking still the entrance.

'Is that so!' Exclaimed Everon with obvious disbelief.

'Rivka didn't feel well this morning, but he did sign all the papers that Reuven needs, before leaving!' He added slowly and the tense atmosphere calmed down a bit. Everon turned on his heels, pulled a chair back and sat on it leaning his elbows on the table.

'Give him your passport.' He said to Shatz nodding his head in Peleg's direction. Moving over to the open safe with Shatz's passport in his hands to deposit the precious document, Peleg made way at the same time to Raya, who came back carrying a platter loaded with some bottles and glasses, the cold drinks they were expecting.

'There you are, that's the lot of it, and we'll have to renew the stock - for as I say there's nothing left...' She was nervous still. She did not notice the slight change that had taken place, and kept talking while sending furtive glances in every direction; as she was putting down the loaded platter before them.

'Listen Reuven', Avisar attracted Shatz's attention rather tactfully, doing his best to appease Everon. 'Here are the documents you'll need. That's the introduction letter to the bank and here is the affidavit with the Yossef's signature.

The one you'll have to submit to the car dealer. Here's one month's pay in advance and the loan to purchase a car. Do count it please and check if it's all right, than sign this form.' He added looking up at Everon who left his seat and joined them, and was watching the whole process with much interest - as if he was Shatz's lawyer.

Peleg poured the drinks meanwhile and having quenched their thirst at last, the tensed atmosphere eased down; and that was it, they hardly spent there ten minutes and they were ready to leave! Everon got to his feet and Shatz followed suit, and as they were almost past the doorway Raya called after them:

'Have you seen Hilla and Moshe?'

'We'll see them tomorrow.' Answered Everon as he stopped at the door's threshold, watching her.

'Come to see us one of these days, both of you whenever you'll find the time, okay?' She called after them with a forced smile, but they were already out of her sight.