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Transcript
Chapter 3. A True Detective
“So the videoconference went on for a long time last night?” asks Gianna.
“Yes, yes…” nods Eugenio, without taking his eyes off his phone.
“I didn’t hear you come home. Did you get back late?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Did you get a good deal with the Australian gallery-owner?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Did you have dinner on your own in the office?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Did you know that the neighbours have an elephant?”
“Yes, yes…”
Realising that Eugenio is completely ignoring her, and feeling annoyed by this, Gianna decides to go and get dressed to avoid arguing with him.
After thinking things over for a bit, she decides to take action.
Finally, an opportunity for some detective work has arrived, though it’s a shame that the suspect is her own husband!
Assuming the role of detective, she decides to start at the bar, as Philip Marlowe would have done!
But not for a drink – she’ll check out the bar that issued the receipt she found the night before.
Gianna does some research on the Internet, then waits until the afternoon to leave the house. At half past five she walks into ‘Revolver’.
It’s a fashionable bar, with lots of tables, soft lighting but as yet no customers. Behind the bar Gianna sees a young man drying glasses.
“In every novel, the barman is always a great source of information,” she thinks as she climbs onto a stool by the bar.
The man looks at her carefully, then gives her a big smile. Gianna is an attractive woman: she’s not very tall but she has a great figure, long red hair and big green eyes.
However, the barman’s stare makes Gianna less sure of herself.
“What do I say now?” she reflects, a little embarrassed.
“Would you like something?” asks the man, who is now standing right in front of her.
Gianna smiles, staying silent. “What was I thinking? Now what do I do?” She is getting more and more uneasy.
“Something to drink?” persists the barman, winking at her.
“A tonic water, thanks,” she finally replies in a quiet voice.
“Wow, strong stuff!” he comments ironically as he moves away. Not knowing what to do now, and wanting to get out of this absurd situation as soon as possible, she quickly finishes her drink, pays and gets ready to leave.
As she is exiting the bar, however, she notices the calendar of ‘Revolver Events’ posted on the wall besides the door. She stops to read it and sees that the night before had been speed-dating night.
Suddenly she’s back in her role as detective and an idea comes to her. She takes off her wedding ring and goes back to the bar. “Now it’s time to do things properly!” she thinks with a courage she hadn’t thought she had.
“Listen, to be honest, I came here to find something out. Maybe you can help me,” she says to the man, ignoring her fear of looking ridiculous. “Yesterday, at the speed-dating night, I met an extraordinary guy. Unfortunately I lost his number. I only know that he was called Eugenio. I don’t suppose you…”
“I see what you’re after, but I can’t give you our customers’ private contact details.”
“Please… I’m sure you have a record of the reservations.”
“I don’t want any trouble… and anyway, what’s in it for me?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
Just as she’s seen it done in countless American movies, Gianna takes a twenty Euro note and puts it on the bar.
The young man looks at her, laughs and goes over to the till without taking the money. When he comes back, he shows her a sheet with all the previous night’s bookings. “You’ve got thirty seconds.”
Gianna reads quickly, but there’s no trace of her husband. But then she recognises Eugenio’s telephone number next to the name “Mario Rossi.”
Gianna is shocked by the discovery.
“Did you find who you were looking for?” he asks.
“No, unfortunately,” replies Gianna.
The barman takes the sheet and moves away, leaving the twenty Euros on the bar.
In silence, Gianna takes her money and walks towards the door.
“Hey, redhead! Let me give you some advice. Watch less TV!” jokes the man.
“How embarrassing!” thinks Gianna, hurrying out of the bar.
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