«Right...» I say feeling a little puzzled, trying to stimulate my neutrons in order to understand what the gender of the people buying shoes has got to do with the whole matter.
«At first the company belonged to the two of them: fifty fifty; thats what Mr Pardoli said anyway, he could have helped her to run it with his experience in the business sector.»
«Just out of curiosity» I interrupt him «what is Mr Pardoli into? I dont really think that any file connected to his business has ever been around the office.»
«I think he has a small company dealing with metal polishing. It belonged to his father, many years ago.»
«Right. Anyway, for all the donations and the other deeds, we always talk about small amounts of cash.»
«This is remarkable, Brando: I summed it all up. The cash donations that have been made so far amount to 55.000. The two houses had a total market value of 300.000, at the time of the donations, so I think that now it is less. The company had a capital of 20.000 and each of the spouse had deposited 10.000. So, back then, there was no cash donation, let aside the fact that after a few months, Mr Pardoli gave his 10.000 share to his wife» the notary explains firmly. He then looks away from me and stares at the screen, without saying a word.
«Thorough recap, thank you. This is broadly what we know, right?»
«Id say so. What do you think about all these transactions?» Alessandro asks me looking back at me.
«I dont think much about them. I have never understood why they got married under the regime of separation of property and then poor Augusto started to give his wife everything, despite our attempts to dissuade him. It is okay if we just talk about money, a money transfer would have been sufficient, on the other hand, it becomes a problem when people start donating properties, because selling it then can become an issue.»
«Why did you refer to Augusto as poor?»
«Well, Alessandro, I said that because he looks like a henpecked man, like many of the kind. She is much younger than him, he tries his best to hold on to her, giving her as much as he can put together. These situations are not usually created by logic: these decisions are not made using your head but using some other parts of your body.»
«Which ones, Brando?»
«I meant» I answer him back pausing for a while, «I dont know, using your gut, I would say, not your head. We say that, dont we?»
«True: using your gut. Why do you often refer to Marisa using that word...?»
«Well, notary. If I am not wrong, when I use that nickname, you immediately understand who I am talking about, right?»
«Sure.»
«There you go. That word suits the person in my opinion. Its like when a person is very thin and people say that she or he is as thin as a rake» I reply, while the notary looks at me puzzled, not saying a word. «Ill give you another example. Today the plump guy with a moustache, the guy from the virtual brothel, Newco Dating Ltd, looked a bit like Tom Sellek: I could start calling him like this if he was around the office a bit more often. You would understand who I am talking about, wouldnt you?»
«Its maybe because I have only seen him once, however, I dont know whether I could easily match the actor to that face: I mean, the word used for Marisa goes straighter to the point. Have you got any more examples?»
«I dont know. You dont like rake. For instance...» I go on saying, keeping my voice down, «if I said that the peroxide blonde bush finishes work in ten minutes and at 6.00 pm on the dot this person will leave the office, who would you think of?»
«This is easy, but there is also some affection behind it all.»
«Yes, sure. There is affection too in the definition itself: it describes the person in two words.»
«Yes, you are right. Go ahead.»
I lift my hands towards my head, I rest my elbows on my knees and I run my fingers through my hair.
«I wouldnt really know... it is like when we talk about a person as a mafioso to refer to someone who goes around with his shirt open and a golden cross dangling on his hairy chest; or addict, to someone who has a dull look and staggers through.»
«Thats okay but what I mean is... why do you think people understand when one talks about other people using these fanciful nicknames?»
«Probably because if you think about it they are not so fanciful...»
«Or else, the two speakers have a similar mentality, so a reference could be good between two people, but not with a third person. Right, Brando?»
«Sure. I believe there are different situations. For instance, I dont know, I dont think that the name Richard the Lionheart was created after a conversation between two people, I think that the whole community felt that way about him.»
«Probably we are digressing a little too much.»
«No, no, I take it as an ordinary discussion, Alessandro; if you wish, we could continue it down at the bar, holding a glass of wine so we can get more in tune with the various aspects of the topic.»
«Very funny, Brando. All in all, do you think that Marisas nickname is working out because we both think that the lady is really a... slut?»
«In my opinion, she is. Its a fact: thats why the reference works out.»
I hear Tamara talking with Domenica and, peeking at my smartphone that displays 5:57pm, I take it that she is saying goodbye to her before leaving the office.
«Brando, maybe just the two of us think this way.»
«Certainly, notary, it could be. What do you think?»
«I think the same as you, Brando. But what is that supposed to mean?»
«Phew» I snort. «Anyway, the last time Marisa was here, didnt she forget her horrible pen, the pink one? Well, she even rang the office to make sure to keep it here because it is mine and next week I will drop in to collect it?»
«Yes, Brando. I found it in the deed of sales room. As a matter of fact, if she hadnt called, I am sure that I would have disposed of it immediately, because you just cant keep it something like that in your pen holder: I have given it to Tamara, I think it is still there.»
«Yes, it is still there, you just cant miss it. Would you like to sit a test, notary?»
«Maybe there something up with you, Brando. Anyway, lets give the test a go.»
«We must wait for a few minutes, I think. Tell me in the meantime, why do you want to miss the French night at the Bistrot?»
«I dont want to miss it, really. It is just that it is the fourth edition since the beginning of the year: its all nice and funny but then it ends with me sitting at the table on my own because my wife is busy entertaining the clients who come in and out, she must stand behind the counter or look after the cash register.»
«I see» I say staring at the table. «Talking about your wife: I just got another example.»
«Excuse me, I am off» Tamara interrupts from the doorstep of the office. «Good evening to everyone.»
«Excuse me, Tamara» I stop her, «has the slut dropped in to collect her horrible pen?»
«No, not even today, it must be two months since her last visit here. She probably thinks that it is not so beautiful in the end. Why, can I throw it out?»
«No, Tamara» the notary answers. «We were talking about it because we did not remember where it had ended up. Hold on to that, she will drop in sooner or later. Have a nice evening.»
«Bye Tamara.»
«Goodbye notary. See you, Brando. Enjoy your evening.» She walks off tapping her heels down the corridor.
«Test is over, dont you think? Not even a hint of surprise, a stir nor eyebrows raising, no hesitation whatsoever: immediate connection. I also would like to point out that Tamara is a woman, in case you think it is relevant.»
«Yes, you cant argue with this reasoning. So, in conclusion, is Marisa seen by everyone as what that word suggests?»
«I would think so. People wont be surprised to hear this definition.»
The notary does not reply.
He does not reply and stares at the screen.
«Good» I just say, a little puzzled. «So, we can state that the discussion is over? What were we supposed to discuss after Augusto Pardolis two confidential meetings with you, was just a debate regarding how the world perceives that lady who is not so young now, she has an eye-catching appearance, she is a bit common and of easy virtue?»
The notary is still quiet.
«If that was it, we could have talked about it immediately, without deferring it so many times: I kept on trying to postpone the conversation because I thought that there was some strange deed to bring up.»
Still staring at the screen...
«I meant» trying to batten down the hatches, in fear that I had offended him, «I didnt do it on purpose, maybe I didnt explain it properly. I meant to say that the concurrence of all these events which forced us to postpone this discussion, was not that bad after all. We just had to postpone a discussion, albeit rightful and of a certain semantic importance, about something that was not so relevant for our jobs at the office.»
Nothing: gazing, pursed lips and relaxed face. He was gazing blankly more than staring at something.
«As a matter of fact, lexical semantics is fascinating; I didnt know you were into discipline. I have never examined it in depth but if you need me to, just to have someone to discuss the issue with you, I can do some research. I know very well how frustrating it is to find someone you can share your opinions with over something you are passionate about.»
«Brando, have you finished with your ranting and raving?» the notary bursts out laughing.
I smile too.
«Do you think that there are courses on lexical semantics?»
«Of course, there are similar courses all over the place, especially evening courses» I grin.
The notary turns serious looking again. «Fine, enough with this nonsense: the trouble that has arisen is that the husband of the slut... Marisas husband I meant... wants to reclaim all the donations made to the wifes name.»
«Thats where the trouble was. Each donation? Does he want to reclaim everything and leave his wife on the street? Did they fight and want to split up?»
«Something like that. Ill sum it up for you: you do remember the shoe shop that the lady had opened» he looks at me and I nod. «Mr Pardoli says that it is rumoured that she has encounters with the customers of the shop there.»
«Behind the shop window?»
«No, not behind the shop window» the notary replies sarcastically. «I understood that the encounters are in the fitting rooms.»
«Excellent! It makes sense. If she doesnt mind whether it is a woman or a man, I understand why this characteristic was relevant in the recap of the situation.»
«Indeed» the notary sighs. «I took the liberty to ask if the encounters were arranged outside the shop or inside it: to try and understand if it was a fee-paying business or something like that. However, Augusto told me that according to what he heard about his wife, she literally jumps on the customers: almost on anyone, man or woman, especially if they are young.»
«I see» I say deep in my thoughts. «Do you actually believe in Augustos story?»
«I am not too sure. His version of the story sounds true and I would not have any reason to doubt Mr Pardolis good faith. Moreover, according to Augusto, this is not just happening in the shop but also in the city or in other small towns. He described his wife as a nympho with a very strong sexual drive for whoever, no matter if they are male or female.»
«Excuse me» I say, struck by a sudden doubt. «Why would a shoe shop have a fitting room? I have not physically gone to a shop in a while but I do not remember many shoe shops equipped with fitting rooms.»
«I dont have a clue, as far as I am concerned, some of them may have them, or maybe these shops used to be clothing stores. I dont think it is relevant, anyway Brando» Alessandro replies abruptly.
«As a matter of fact, it is not so relevant. I was just picturing the lady attacking a customer who is trying on a pair of sandals in the fitting room.»
«Fine, Brando: you can stop all your picturing» the notary replies sarcastically. «In any case, the trouble for us is how to get out of this situation: how can we convince Mr Pardoli that reclaiming these donations is not that easy after all?»
«Right, its a big problem. Excuse me, just one thing before looking into this issue from a regulatory point of view: has the husband ever used the word slut in telling the story?»
«Ten times at least.»
«Right: it all makes sense now.»
«Great, Brando. Lets get to the point.»
«Right» I sigh. «The request for reclaiming can be forwarded for serious harm towards the donor, right?»
«Yes, she did not try to kill him, she did not sue him without good reason and I dont think she gave false testimony against him.»
«Alessandro that should be the direction to take: you should suggest obloquy and a judicial request, stating that his reputation has been harmed and ridiculed on account of his wifes careless behaviours. Something like that...» I stop for a few minutes. «A lot of work for a good lawyer who wants to have a good time.»
«Yes, Brando, I feel the same as you. By advising him to go to another lawyer, we would stop the issue immediately and we could lose interest in the situation.»
«This solution would not be bad at all» I say looking at the notarys puzzled expression in his face. «So then?»
«It may be true: dos est uxoria lites. But I dont know» he says hesitantly, «what if the husband went a little overboard with his story? If the wife seemed to be this way, but in fact she behaved as a faithful and loving partner? What if she is just seen in the wrong way? The husband may see her as being too open with friendships, but it could just be a wrong impression.»
«Of course, notary, it could be. Shall we go back to the semantics or to other similar studies? What has all of this got to do with being a notary? Wouldnt a lawyer, family counselling or a friend be more suitable to solve such a situation?»
«Wouldnt be even better if Mr and Mrs Pardoli would live in harmony and loved each other like spouses should do? Wouldnt the two halves be stuck to one another, like two magnets, making up a euphonic ball?»
I look at him with my eyes almost wide open, and I fall silent for ten seconds.
«The euphonic ball, of course» I grumble. «A harmonious sphere. In my opinion, we are slipping towards disciplines which are off-limits and in this area I just would not know how to learn something about it in order to hold a conversation with you» I say it with an almost ordinary tone of voice. «I am not that good when it comes to love relationships, I dont have a clue: I need a full immersion course or even to have some hands-on practice for a few years.»
«You may be right, Brando: it is not my area» he says.
«Not even: it is not part of the notarys job.»
«Well, you could try to mediate and convince the spouses, in mutual agreement, to reclaim only a part of the donations. Only one house and a few thousand euros, just to get the situation going, but I dont know if that would make sense at all.»
«Yes, to find some sort of middle ground» the notary replies.
He stares at me with a melancholic and pensive look while I keep quiet for quite a few seconds.
«Look» I say arching my back and bringing my neck almost at knee level, «if you come here, with your head under the table, and you look at the door, the table has only two legs.»
1.3 IMPULSE - TWO
A few people are scattered around the bar, there are mostly couples sitting one opposite the other at the outdoor tables, along the big stained-glass window which delimit the building.
Since when it was renovated a few years ago, the bar at the corner has got a Scandinavian air, as if it has been teleported from Östermalm quarter to the heart of Brescia Due.
The whole place is painted in dark green: the inside, the counter, the wooden floor with wide slats. The black wooden tables are arranged at a fair distance among themselves; the chairs are made with the same material and are lacquered with bright and mixed colours: red, orange, green and blue. In the middle of the bar, some plants which are similar to small palm trees divide up the hall from the back room, overlooking the street.