There was, I tell you there was!
But what?
A paper bag.
What bag?
A white paper bag
I didn’t see it!
But how come you didn’t see it? You must have at least heard it!
Did you hear that? Was the bag whistling?
No, the perfume.
What perfume?
If you smell it, you recognize it.
Chanel No. 5?
No, you’re far away. Okay, I’ll look for him. In the meantime, finish checking the list. Every minute that passes is another hour of waiting.
I’ve had everything ready since last night. So, don’t you want to add anything else? Are you sure you won’t complain because I didn’t write down what you thought but didn’t tell me?
Why are you so touchy because last time I couldn’t prepare what you expected?
You’ll understand… I have so much else on my mind these days. Of course, if I get fixated on something like this because you promised it, I’ll obviously be disappointed if you can’t keep your promise because of something like that. I’ve told you over and over again: when you go, you need to have everything clearly in your head. Make a detailed list, divided by area. You know that once you’ve passed an area, you can’t go back. Aside from the people who work there who push you forward like cattle, it’s the faces of the others that scare you if you turn back. Only if you try to get close are you taking a big risk.
Yes, don’t worry, this time we have everything under control. Let’s review the plan instead: I’ll go ahead and pretend I don’t know you. You wait five minutes and then get in line. At the entrance, take the right side and I’ll take the left. Load the heaviest items first. Don’t give anyone your trust. Go straight for anything that’s hard to find. Don’t let the older people move you. They’re sneaky. They pretend to struggle and then slip under you with an unpredictable dash. They look like divers gathering themselves before leaping from the diving board. It’s happened to me before, believe me.
Aren’t you exaggerating? I happened to help a lady and she simply thanked me.
You must have been lucky. I don’t trust you.
Okay, I think we’re done then. We’ve separated the bags. Let’s avoid the elevator and not touch anything on the way down.
All right.
Oh, that’s where the bag was. I had put it in the fridge.
The perfume in the fridge?
No, silly. They’re two bread rolls with mortadella.
Great!
Of course, I always take care of everything. Here, take this. I wrapped it in foil for you, so you can keep it in your pocket. You know the line can be really long.
Thanks, love. I’ll help you put on your mask. Get the gloves.
Already in place.
Remember. It’s your turn to go to the cured meats counter. Don’t forget two hundred grams of mortadella.
You can imagine me forgetting! We all need to see pink in these crazy times.
