'The Ride Back'

'Well, how did they treat you?' Asked him Everon. They were on their way to Dialo, flying from one small road hump to another - Everon never denied himself his little whims.

'There was just one unpleasant small problem.' Opened up Shatz with much caution. 'It was simply unavoidable, that's how I see it, and there was just one way to solve it.'

'What was it then?' Asked Everon excitedly, augmenting the car's speed without being aware to it

'We had to turn to Da-Silva to sign the lease, before you yourself have introduced me to him.'

Everon shifted his eyes back to the road ahead, slowing down a bit - taking his time. Shatz's concentration was focused again in the incredibly exciting visions before his eyes, the many slim naked torsos and the vibrating gleaming breasts, with those dark nipples...

'That's the whole thing then?' Muttered Everon thoughtfully. 'Let's term it as "force majeur", anyway, reporting it to me, was the right thing to do. But what I'd liked to know is what were exactly the terms - I mean what did they ask?'

'They were all right, they asked me to sign the lease retroactively, from the first of this month on.'
'The idea was his I understand.'

'No, he just brought the matter up, the idea was hers.'

'How nice of them!' Remarked Everon. 'Almost incredible I would say. But how was the weekend in general with them, she didn't complain?' He could not refrain from asking. 'They've a full belly against me, what do you know - after all I did for them!' He added with a bitter smile.

'Oh, they were quite all right nothing of that sort turned up, whether it might have concerned you, or the others. He's a very cautious person, and he did not let her talk too much. By the way he believes that they'll be sent somewhere else - you must have heard about it no doubt.'

'Sure I did, they wished to extend their contract for another year, although that delicate matter with Da-Silva.' Answered Everon, laughing heartily.
'Staying with them for truth's sake, wasn't easy at all and if you don't mind, I'd like to stay at the "Etoile" tonight.'

'Oh la la!' Everon was laughing again. 'Is it that chick in front of us right now, who inspires you?' He asked pointing at a young big-breasted female who was still in front of them, heading a group of women towards Dialo.
'Well yes, but on top of it my problem is staying under the same roof with Hilla - that's why I've thought I'd rather stay at the "Etoile" till Wednesday.'
'Does she bother you that much? I can't believe it! She likes to tease and she must be bored to death there, but that's none of your business. You haven't fallen in love with her, have you?'

'No, absolutely not!' Declared Shatz, 'and I don't think she tried to tease me, she is simply an attractive woman, the body she has - and she roams around with that thin summer dress of hers; she can drive one into a nervous breakdown.'
'I can't blame you, you're quite right.' Agreed Everon, 'she's still a ravishing dish.'

'We spent most of the time in the living room, with nothing much to do. I couldn't read the papers. Luckily enough the kids popped up from time to time, to avert my sinful thoughts, to cut me off my hallucinations... I'm not the righteous type, but I did start to cherish guilty feelings.'

'Oh come on, to sum it up you did pass a cheerful experience, and tomorrow morning I'm quite sure, you would feel better.' Consoled him Everon with a short cheerful laugh. 'Nevertheless, you have to stay on with them up to the last moment, it's Moshe you should stick to - to get every bit of information you can get out of him, that's your task.'

'It won't be easy, I'm not too close to their bedroom, but...'

'Well I'm telling you...' Everon barged into his words with anger. 'Even if you would have slept in their own bed with them, you wouldn't have heard much, that's her critical problem, got it?' In a much calmer tone he added: 'He isn't good enough for her.'

'Is she cheating on him?' Asked Shatz with a throbbing heart.

'She might be dreaming of doing it, but she wouldn't dare to do such a thing. She is a very practical woman and has enough sense not to cut off with her own hands the branch they are sitting on. Anyhow, she's quite frustrated out of it, and whenever she's her fits, he becomes her scapegoat of course. That's exactly the problem that hinders our task here. They wanted to renew their contract and stay on a year or two, you heard about it yourself this weekend with your own ears - I've expressed openly my objection to it and I've sent home an urgent request for a replacement, for you as a matter of fact. You do realize it yourself now, don't you?'

'Wasn't there some other way to solve that problem?' Shatz sked regretting on the spot his having asked it.

'Well...' muttered Everon thoughtfully, somewhat surprised, 'nobody took them too seriously at the beginning except the former ambassador. Some said she just panicked, and some did believe that the former ambassador had a crush on her - and the Priels did exploit it. It took sometime till we did realize that there is some truth in it, I mean her fears. But it was too late. Da-Silva is a very powerful figure in this country. Any change at the very beginning of their stay in this country, would have been interpreted by him as a personal insult. Neither the former ambassador nor Yossef, mind you, dared to risk a worsening of relations with the touchy locals. But now with their term over the nightmare is behind us. For it isn't just Monsieur Da-Silva, it's the problem of our own ambassador, or rather his young bride, who gets fits of jealousy every time Yossef mentions Hilla's name. Do you realy think she was sick, or didn't feel well? They must have had a row, over Hilla of course. Whether she's conscious of it or not, she's a troublemaker! Peleg behaves like a teenager in her presence, I'm not joking it's serious; well I am throwing a farewell party for them on Wednesday night, it's going to be one of the most happiest day of my life!' Summed Everon the matter up with much relief. He got tired of it himself.

'So, what are we going to do now'? Asked Shatz after a short pause. They were approaching Mouaka, but the discussed "subject" whose features floated up in his mind's eye - hanging on his neck with her hands, embracing his waist with her warm thighs, diverted his thoughts. He missed her already.

'We'll hop to the "Etoile" first of all, then to the embassy, say hello to everyone, and report to Yossef what the situation is like. Tomorrow by the way we'll complete all the arrangements - a piece of cake isn't it? From the embassy we'll hop to my place, have supper and ride to the club. That would be our "premiere" match, prepare yourself to beat them all.'

'Would you arrange me a lift back to Mouaka, with one of your acquaintances?'

'A lift back?' Laughed Everon. 'How about me, I'm not good enough for you? By the way,' he went on without paying any heed to whether Shatz meant to answer or not. 'When does your household equipment cargo arrive?'

'You're talking to me in riddles! I didn't send any, there was not any time for such arrangements.' Answered Shatz realizing all of a sudden, that something on his behalf was amiss.

Turning his head abruptly towards Shatz, Everon glanced at him with amazement. 'You do understand that you wouldn't be able to stay at the farm, after the Priels' would leave. There's a hotel in Dialo, a lousy inn in fact, but as far as you're concerned, it's off limits - and if you think of staying on at the "Etoile", forget it! Someone has to pay Da-Silva his monthly rent! That's the main part of the bargain.'

'Well, I've signed the lease and paid him in advance already, and I have an idea or two of how...'

'With ideas you won't cook your food, nor cover yourself at night.' Scolded him Everon. We'll see to arrange for you a few basic utensils and linen, first thing tomorrow.'

'I don't want to bother you with it.' Interrupted him Shatz.
'Oh come'n! It's nothing at all. We'll hop to the "Astro" right after having purchased your new car at the agency.'

'We must have reached town much quicker this time.' Remarked Shatz, as they were passing the governmental sector.
'Oh what a pity, I should have asked you to check time! Never mind, do remind me next time. God, am I thirsty!' He declared right away. 'Well, we'll wet our throats "chez Claude".' He suggested with a sly smile, winking at Shatz.

'E tu Brutus?' Smiled back to him Shatz, in an elaboration of the same style.
'You do forget that I don't need to stay at the "Etoile" for such a pastime.'

If he is involved in a love affair, if that's what he is trying to insinuate - he wouldn't have wasted his precious time on me, would he? But if it's just a show off, well then, it means that Hilla was dead right. Time would tell, if he really is so active, or if he is just a bragging eccentric. Concluded Shatz, refraining from any comment.

'I wonder how they would greet us at the embassy - they must remember still our last visit, don't they?'

'Don't you worry!' Assured him Everon. 'They'll greet us just as I expect them to greet us. There's no reason for arguments or confrontations this time, and above all, they would be too happy to leave their boring daily routine for a short while - the women in particular.'