A Drama of Our Time part 3/4
by Fernando Sorrentino
Translated from the Spanish by Michele Aynesworth
Then I reasoned: "In the Green Guide there's a section where it's possible to use the telephone number to find out someone's name. I don't have a Green Guide. Large companies have the guide. Banks are large companies. Therefore banks have the guide. My friend Balbón works in a bank. Banks open at noon."
I waited until 12:30 and called Balbón.
"Oh, dear Fernando," he answered, "I'm overjoyed and comforted to hear your voice . . ."
"Thanks, Balbón. But listen . . ."
" . . . that voice of a young man with no cares or obligations, duties or responsibilities. Lucky you, dear Fernando, drifting along on the happy tide of life, not allowing external events to disturb your peace. Lucky you . . ."
I can't prove it, but I beg to be believed: I swear Balbón exists and that, indeed, he talks like that and says that kind of thing.
After having endowed me with such imaginary charms, he proceeded to portray himself — without giving me a chance to talk — as a sort of victim:
"In contrast, I, the humble and negligible Balbón, carry on today, as I did yesterday and will tomorrow, and for centuries of centuries, dragging a heavy cartload of miseries and heartaches across this treacherous planet . . ."
I had heard this story a thousand times.
My mind wandered as I waited for the litany of complaints to reach an end. Then suddenly I heard:
"It's been nice talking to you. Take care, now."
And he hung up.
Indignant, I called him back.
"Che, Balbón!" I reproached him, "Why did you hang up?"
"Ah," he said, "you wanted to tell me something?"
"I want you to look in the Green Guide, see whose name corresponds to this telephone number . . ."
"Hang on. I'm looking for my fountain pen, I hate to write with pencils or ballpoints."
I was eaten up with impatience.
Finally, after several minutes, he said, "That number belongs to one CASTELLUCCI, IRMA G. DE. Castellucci with double ell and double cee. But, why do you want to know?"
