A Hangover

The next morning Michelle had difficulty getting her father out of bed. She had to shake him repeatedly before he finally opened his eyes. He stared up at her, taking a few seconds to recognize his own daughter. "Oh," he groaned, "I wish I was dead."

"I was starting to think you were," she answered. Walking over to his dresser, she retrieved the cup of coffee she had made for him, bringing it over to hand to him. "Drink this and take a shower while I make breakfast."

By the time Berger staggered into the kitchen, the food was ready. "Do you want me to run the shop today, Papa?" she offered.

Munching on a slice of toast, he shook his head, "No, I'll be fine." He smiled weakly up at her, "This is not the first time I've had a hangover." After lifting his fork with fried egg to his mouth, he asked, "What are your plans for today?"

Standing by the sink scrubbing the pan, she called back over her shoulder, "A couple of Rumanian girls I met a few days ago and I are going to the beach... Are you =sure= you do not want me to run the shop."

"I will be fine," he assured her, pecking her on the cheek as he departed for his jewelry shop beneath his apartment. He was glad that she was making some friends, even if only temporarily. But then again, he thought, maybe not so temporarily. Some people wait months and moths for an exit visa.

The day dragged on, but his hangover did improve, and by the time he locked up at six, he was feeling positively human. It was a nice evening out, and he smoked a cigarette as he leisurely strolled to the outdoor cafe' where he was to meet Jacques.

As he sat sipping his coffee, he watched people strolling by while the sky darken from blue to purple, the first twinkling stars coming out. Seemed that so many were couples. For some reason he noticed the couple sitting at a table tucked away in semi-darken corner. The woman was not young, far from it. Although her companion appeared to be. They were sitting very close, shoulders touching, and faces inches apart. The woman was well-dressed, wearing a pencil skirt with matching jacket and a broad brim hat on her fashionably coiffure. She was obviously European, though what part of Europe he could not say. The man was definitely Moroccan. Or some sort of Arab. Although he was attired in western clothing, suit, tie, leather shoes. His oily hair was combed straight back and there was a thin moustache across his lip.

Speaking of shoes, Berger glanced down at the woman's. They were very high heels with pointed toes. Her feet were spread wide apart and... He could not help staring. Was the man's hand up under her skirt? Quickly he looked away lest he be caught spying. But like a moth to a flame, his gaze slowly drifted back. Yes, the man's hand was definitely under the woman's skirt and his arm was moving. The woman now had her head thrown back and was clutching the edge of the round table with both hands. Hands bedecked with rings on the fingers and bracelets around the wrists. She was breathing heavily and her eyes were clenched shut.

The man's movement got faster, and the woman's lower legs shook, causing her high heels to wobble on the cobblestones of the cafe'. He could see her entire body become tense for several seconds, then she exhaled with a loud sigh and opened her eyes. She was looking directly into Berger's eyes. Neither looked away until the woman slowly smiled at Berger, then turned her head to exchange whispers with her companion.

Sometimes Berger missed his wife very, very much.

"Bad news, boss," the deep bass of Jacques broke Berger's reverie as he sat down. He slid a scrap of paper across the table to Berger, who read it three times before saying, "I shall visit Signor Ferrari tomorrow."

Then, taking out his lighter, he burned the paper.

Every evening at eight o'clock, Berger's team had to make contact with London. The messages were brief and to the point. No ideal talk. No chit-chat.

JUN01 (GMT+1) 2003 HRS
Peter Rabbit: Contact made with Jack Horner. Rendezvous set for 22:00
JUN02 (GMT+1) 1958 HRS
Peter Rabbit: Jack Horner terminated. Arrangements are being made with local Black Market to assume Jack Horner's role.
JUN03 (GMT+0) 1905 HRS
Mother Goose: Do not proceed further. Situation being discussed.