Chapter 18 - Deal With the Devil

   You have to have access to the bridge, to get access to the captain's private sun deck. Then, from there, you can make your way out and down to the private sun deck itself. It being night although not particularly late, there was no one else there. The Devil, sat alone. He struck me now that it had come up? As being very much like my own Panic. He was looking off into the night, the view from up here on top of all the many decks of this large cruise ship was to die for. And hell, we almost did just that. Well, he almost did and right before us. Panic and The Devil, both almost died.

   Both were also given to quiet moods, that some might describe as moody... if you didn't know them well enough to categorize it differently. He was staring off at the night horizon, seemingly contemplating the starry sky meeting the dark of the water. I'm sure it merely seemed as such, I was almost certain he had other things on his mind. Both were certain they had been selected and fashioned into something more than the sum of their parts, and again both believed wholeheartedly that this was done for some purpose. One by karma, another by god. Religion, spirituality. One was prone to wear expensive suits, but would sometimes dress casual or down. The other, the opposite. He always dressed in work clothes or casual, but if the occasion fit, he would break out his suit. They were mirror images of each other, that way.

   I suppose The Devil could have made his way in Panic's world of combat, if life had went a different way for him. Now, I'm thinking Panic would have been, again under a different life, capable of absorbing and moving around in his world. They seemed so much unlike each other, yet were very much the same in many ways, too.

   Another rare meeting the universe had called to order. Two sigma males meeting, to discuss sigma lightning. There's not that many of them in the world. They seem to blend into their surroundings, but they stand apart from everyone else. They're different from the rest of the world. They're wired up different, from birth. Its rare that me, a sigma female? And Panic, a sigma male... met and were brought together.

   The universe, karma, god... whatever it really is? It knows what its doing. I told Panic, about the tingles I got. When we were on what we call the "alley shadow" case? Panic gave me my finishing school on the finer points of administering karma and collecting tabs. He told me about holding "the council" in my head. You imagine a famous person, alive or dead? You most admire. You imagine them, and concentrate on it all the time. You imagine talking to them, and what they tell you. What advice or ideas they give you.

   My first? Had been Joan of Arc. When Joan approved of me, becoming an agent of karma, a senior agent at it? She had handed me a brass or gold chalice. Some wine. It was some sort of sacrament. I accepted it, I sipped and handed it back. I added a few others, but Joan always sort of "chaired" my councils.

   When he spoke of Joan of Arc, and his mentor. His priest telling him to read about her and that he had dove in and decided to do what she had done if even in his own way and world? I felt that chill, the icy fingers that dance up and down your spine. Ever since Wizzy died, I feel that sometimes. Only at important moments, times of decision that will affect the course of everything else to come.

   This just can't all be coincidence. God's angry. The universe is out of balance. Its all ways of seeing and stating the same things.

   "Please. Join me."

   We said nothing, and I didn't think we made any noise.

   "I am not a man with eyes, in the back of my head. Do not worry, no... demons? Aid me. If it is late, and I am alone, on my little green frog? The night watch, will text me. I trust, you did not come, for the same reason as the last time we were here, eh?"

   "No."

   "I mean what I say, earlier. I wish you to judge me? Yet, not by what you hear of me. It is? All, shit. I know, that it is too early? For us to be friends. But, as I say. If you could but tolerate me, if even for a very little while? Perhaps, these thing, it will come."

   A short silence.

   "We are alone, there... is no, recording. We can, speak freely. Of many things, with your permission. Or? As I say. My back is to you. The watch? They can no see me here. My back? Is to you. You can, take me up on my offer."

   "I'm not here for that."

   "Ah. Not, these time. And how fortunate, for me. I get to spoil my precious wife, a little longer, eh?"

   "Francois?"

   "You have never use my name, before. Yes?"

   "I, uh... apologize. For..."

   "I already, forgive you. I mean these thing. Yet? I accept, your apology. I trust, these... misunderstanding? We can now put it, to the side."

   "Thanks."

   "You? Are welcome."

   Another short silence.

   "I am not a man, to harbor, the... grudges. In business? Eh. A man may oppose me, one time. Another time? We may work together, to our, what. Our... mutual, benefit. The grown up children, do not do these thing. But? Perhaps, we are both grown up, and can do these. I would wish these thing."

   "I'm here."

   "And. I know it is too early, for you to forgive me. Much the less, we be friends. But. Can you, perhaps, tolerate me? For the time."

   "Yes."

   He stood. Still looking out.

   "No one is safe in my country, with the... assholes, running around. Monkeys, would have been the better things to bring in, for all the good they do for us. With the... imbeciles, running every thing. But, when I say I am not safe, in my country? I think you know, what I mean. And so, I like the sea now. I do not sleep some nights, very well. I will take my time up here. I like it. The peace, the quiet."

   "It is peaceful."

   "Yes. I think, there is a storm coming. Out of the east. But? There is another storm coming. You know of it. And, like any storm. Many things will blow around, and some thing will be no more. But? It is how things are. Life? It is shit. What, can, we, do."

   There's that shiver again. Wizzy would say that.

   "But? Come. If you will. Sit."

   We did.

   "I have some wine. I do not drink often or very much? But, at times. If you would have some, it would be my pleasure."

   "Okay."

   "Sure."

   "They tell me? Men wave, when they are meeting. It comes from the old days. You are showing, each man the other? You have no weapons in your hands. Also? Men used to drink from each other cups. A gesture, to prove there is no poison."

   He pushed his silver chalice over. We both sipped after him, and he took another after us.

   "And? There. I apologize, for for what I do to you, earlier? But, you leave me no choice. Is mademoiselle's head... all, right? You bumped it, on the deck."

   "I've had worse. I'll live."

   "Mm. Before we begin? I must set your, mind at ease. The woman, you travel with? She is, no harm to her."

   "I'm fine."

   "Ah. I of course, mean? The other woman."

   We said nothing. Elise? Was to be just another passenger. We "met" on the regular sun deck and hit it off.

   "Ah. Another, little... sniff? From my, main plumber. Not this incompetent one, who I replace him with, on the... short, notice."

   Panic looked at me, and shrugged.

   "How did he know."

   "The same way, he know you. He say, dangerous men? They can tell, one from another. Also? There is, but to look at your mademoiselle. She is strong, like a man. And your, travel, companion. Her, too. Her, the... Elise? Like mademoiselle, no offense, but... they, stand out. They, ah, stick, out? Like, the... sore, thumb."

   "Your main plumber? Is competent."

   "Yes. I think he is. I am, though? Glad, perhaps. That I do not put you on the shore. Not listen, to him. I am beginning to think? God has sent you to me. For what purpose? I do not know. Do you, believe? In the god."

   Panic looked at me. I nodded.

   "We believe in something."

   He nodded, then had more silver chalices. One for each of us. He filled each? Then smiled.

   "Ah. Watch, careful."

   He sipped from each, before sliding them to each of us, respectively.

   "Now. We will all either live together? Or, die together. Eh? Little joke. I make, light... of our, little misunderstanding, earlier. It is over. I tell, that you two? Came down, with the bug. A short one. My little lie, that you were not to get the other passengers, with the sick. What my grand mother, would have call, the... little, white, lie. If I am to sin? Let it be, such a little one. And the engine men? They no tell. It will soon be? As if, it never was. Is okay?"

   We both nodded.

   "Is good. I think, we share some things. For the instance? We both, were deeply affected. By the... shit. I puke, when I learn of it. As did, some of my investor, with me on the blood coal. Please believe me? I will not repeat, my mistake this time. Nor other mistakes, I made, that time."

   "Francois? People are still going to die."

   "Yes. But. If I may?"

   "Please."

   "The last time. While it was horrible, beyond the belief? At least, down at the equator. They were not, eating each other. No, cannibal."

   "Francois? That's about all that didn't go on."

   "I know. Now. Africa. The, Liberian project. There is already all of that going on. And? Do not take my words for it. Ask anyone, that might know. It is all going on, the people doing all the same horrible thing to one another? Already. Before, I ever hear of these idea. This time? I am not the start of it. Do you believe this?"

   Panic nodded.

   "I know."

   "Ah. Africa? Is shit. Now. A man may, what. Break, the, eggs. To make the, omelet. But? These eggs, are already broken. I am merely, picking up eggs, already breaking one another. If you find many broken eggs? What sin is it, to make something nice from it. Or, to try to. Will you grant me, this?"

   Panic nodded. He nodded back.

   "Ah. And so? We, begin. Our first, true understanding. Now. Liberia? Fighting, on all sides. It is already going on. Long before I come along. If I do not... tip, toe, in? These thing, will continue. And here? It is already, as before. But? Now, they are eating, one another. These place? Is worse, than where you were... unfortunate enough, to have worked. Again. Do I lie?"

   They both nodded again

   "Mm. And again, another understanding. Why, it must be the wine, eh?"

   They both grinned.

   "See? These, is what I wanted. Not... what, went, on. These, is better. Yes?"

   Panic nodded.

   "And so. With these thing, already going on. Bigger already, before I come. And, the cannibal. How, can I possibly? Fuck, it, up. The place? It is already, fucked in the ass. What could I even do, to make it worse. If I do not, provide? The... big, bombs. It can get no worse. The worst I can do, is accomplish nothing. Am I wrong, on these thing. You? Judge me, there."

   Panic sighed. Mused.

   "Okay."

   "Ah. A third, understanding. Perhaps, it is not just the wine, eh? Now. Let us? Go, for, broke. The Vagner Group. You know of it. Yes?"

   "I have a word for that work."

   "Another, private military. Not so different, from your own."

   "Butchers."

   "Yes. You, had no... butchers? In yours."

   He had him there.

   "Some. I won't do that kind of... work."

   "And, what did you do. Were you, what. Missionary?"

   "No."

   "What is different."

   "I worked? To protect the villagers. Not... cut them up."

   "I see. Then, you are like my grand father. Good, man. In? Bad, time and place. But, the Vagner Group. It, is already going on. Worse. And the cannibal, now, of all things. These time? I hire professional. Not... assholes. There will be no, eating people. Not, by the Vagner Group. And what they do, defending Liberia? Nothing, that is not... already, happening. I am trying? To do things, the right way, these time. All goes on already. I can not make it worse. If, it gets better? I either waste my time and my money? Or, do good thing. How do you... judge these thing."

   Panic nodded.

   "A new, record. Four, times, now. I hate my name, Le Diable. I must suffer it, yes. Does not mean, I have to like it. Christ? He bore many things. If he can do those thing, then I can take a name being called. Sticks, and, stones. My wife. Once call me, after a night of passion? Bragging, to her girl friends. She call me? Her Devil. It was, a pet name. It get used? To be the name I hate now. How such a sweet thing, can become such a bitter thing? Is beyond me. But? Once again. Life, is, shit."

   A dramatic pause.

   "I am sorry, and I must apologize to you. For not being, The Devil? That you sought, for so long."

   "Francois?"

   "Mm."

   "Do, you have a name your friends call you."

   "Ah. I feel, tolerated. Yes, of course. Do you speak, much French? At least a little. You pronounce, the name of my boat well enough."

   "A little. I speak Spanish. Which, lets me read some Italian, some Portuguese."

   "Ah. The, romance languages."

   Panic nodded.

   "In French? Le Bonbon, is? The, candy. If something is good, sweet. It is also, le bonbon. Now. The man, that gives the candy, or has it? That? Is... les bonbons et. And so? People that actually know me, or know of the real me? Not, what my enemies say. I am? The... candy, man. So? Bonbons et. And that? Is my... nick, name. And yes, I much prefer it, to The Devil, I assure you."

   A pause.

   "We both know, there is no Monsieur Testavino. If I am to be tolerated, and I am already forgive you, our little misunderstanding. Might I know your, name?"

   "Everyone? Calls me... Panic. Colonel Panic."

   "Ah. You were, Colonel."

   "No. Colonel Panic? Is... an old computer thing. I went to college? For computers."

   "Mm. Panic. See? We get to... tolerate, one another. Is better, than misunderstanding, one another, yes?"

   Panic nodded. He pronounces it... pah-NEEK. Which, I find cute, and I might start to whisper it in his ear, when we're in bed and not sleeping.

   "And so. Am I like, you thought I was going, to be like?"

   "No."

   "Mm. These, not the first time, that has been the case. Also? I can now tell you. You are not the first, dangerous man, to come and try to kill me. It is why, I live on my little boat now. I much prefer, my precious monkey island, but? My spoiled wife, is much less bored, and even amused daily? Here. Also, in international water? I am safer, from the... clutches of the Macaroni, and his imbeciles he runs with. You see, on these boat? I am always surrounded, by... many witnesses. People important enough, some of them, it make these thing happen less."

   "My apologies again, on that count."

   A wave of his hand.

   "As I say? Not, the, first. My.. cherry? On that... has, been, popped. And no. I do not, kill men, when they are stopped. As you see. Such a way, to have to live. I liked America. I walked around? I was another business man. Some waitress? She swears at me. I laugh, I like it. I, do not like to be... different. And that is why, I liked my monkey island, so much. I like things? Simple. But, I do not live in simple times. I thought, having success, and many trinkets? Would be, much more pleasant. But? Not, so."

   "I can not wait, to have a good name, in America, when that time come. I will be? Bonbon et, the... candy, man. As I much prefer. When I accomplish, what I am going to do? The, television. Will once again, be my friend. If only, in America. And? Piss, upon the French. Which, no doubt, will amuse the Americans. To hear a French man, say these thing. And my wife? Can again, amuse herself, with the girls. A way she would prefer."

   "Your wife is beautiful. I hope she gets her... amusement again."

   "And thank you. I know she is a little spoiled, but I explain that. She is, quite pleasant, when she is not being spoiled. Which is, most of the time. A little spoiled, not so bad a thing. A lot of pleasant, which is a very good thing. I can no blame my wife, for her every bad mood, these days. Her husband? Is The Devil. The television, is no my friend, any longer. We can no longer, walk around... free, as, birds. Not without the risk. My boat? Is no prison, but... eh? Life, can be shit."

   "You do have a very nice boat."

   "Ah. Do I have your permission, to educate you? On something, you may not know. When you learn French words, and how to say them? Perhaps, this was no discussed."

   "Please."

   "Thank you. Little story. Go back to the times. When, your country was the first war in the middle east. The leader, he is now dead. But, he was on the television. He say many thing. Among, these thing, he say... America, she is? Paper, tiger. I will, wipe her, from the face of earth. Do you remember, this? We were both young, I believe."

   Panic nodded.

   "They played that clip on the television, night and day. It was one of the reasons for the war."

   "Ah. And how much, would Americans know. Of the custom, in his country. What to do, how to speak. I make no fun with you. The French knew no more of these thing, and we lived closer, to him."

   "I guess I wouldn't know a damn thing, about Iraqi customs."

   "Yes. And why would you. Misunderstanding. I prove. In these countries. They, have the open air, to shop. The, markets. Like Turkey, and the Morocco. Yes?"

   Panic nodded.

   "There are no, prices set. It is the way. If you look, rich? The, apple might cost much more. If you look, to be poor? Why, the apple may be on sale. If no rich people, seem to be about. And? You must know. Or, you will not enjoy the market. You are expected, to bargain. You charge this much? You, are, stupid, pig! Ah, you would ask, me to take food, from mouth of my child! Okay, I take a little off. Ah, I spit on your ancestors. Ah! But only, because my children need to eat? I charge you these much. And so? The price, is found."

   "That's the custom?"

   "Yes. I have to teach these thing, to the wife. I do not care, if she gives some more paper, for the trinkets. A man, see me with her. He asks me later. Why does your wife, insult me. I ask him, she do this? How. You see? She would not, bargain. Argue the price. There? That, is very rude. You are saying. I have much money, and you must need it, you are poor. And? A man is expected to bargain, and argue. A woman? Is to bargain, some. And the man selling? Is to come down with the price quickly. Tell her, it is for her beauty. Is? The custom."

   "I did not know this. But? I can imagine it."

   Francois nodded. Grinning.

   "Now. This? Is quite simply. Arabic, culture. It is as normal, as anything. To them. Before any fight? A man is expected, to say many things. Many times, the men say the things, then do not even fight. To them? They have said, to each other, enough. The fight? Is avoided. A bigger man? Can show he has, compassion. By allowing the little man, to say many things, and make as if he is now wary. Of this... capable, opponent. Again? It is, the culture."

   Francois raised his silver chalice. Again, those dancing fingers of ice, tickling up and down my spine. Joan would do that, in my council in my head.

   "And, so? America, paper tiger, I wipe my ass with her, and these thing he say. He was asking, and very politely? For these thing, to no be. He was making, in public? In his way? For, some mercy. For, the talking, to continue."

   Panic gave him his right eye. I shoved his shoulder, and he looked at me then stopped.

   "Now. All, these, time. You? Grew up. From little boy. Thinking, these man? Was... very, rude. He ask for fight. When in fact? It was, in the facts, very much the opposite. You can no tell me, the American politics, do not have men that know these thing. And they do, I assure you. But. Do you see these? The lie. The, deception. And now? Perhaps, there was one or two, things more, that were lies as well, eh?"

   "I see your point. He never did have any, weapons of mass destruction."

   "No. The war? Was planned. In the facts? Your American government. Put him, in his power. Oh, yes. Is, no secret. They wish to deal with one man, one strong country. In that region. Is easier. Before the Kuwait? You would not know. Kuwait? Was taken from his country. It was, how do you say. Liberated."

   Francois lifted his silver chalice, for another sip.

   "Liberated, for the oil. Kuwait? Floats on the oil. In fact, you do not have to look for it. It is hard to find the place, where you can not drill and soon find it. He ask, your state department? For permission, to... take, back, his, land. They give it. Then? Becomes reason, for the war. Again, the deception. What do you hear. As a young man. Look. He invade, Kuwait. Look? He makes the fun of you, on television. And you people, not in the politics? You fall for these thing. Every, single, time."

   Panic sighed.

   "Yes. It does get tiresome. To, be burdened, with knowing these thing. And? Yet, your country, is not the worst. Others? Do it, far worse. And so. Do not take my words, for these thing. Look it all up. Is? No, secret. People laugh about it! Ah, we do these. Ha."

   Francois shook his head. A gesture of disgust.

   "And so you see. Because of what I do, and who I am, and what I have? Eh. This is, my world. This? Is not, how people, are to treat, each other. And so. Perhaps now you can see. How I find it, very possible. Perhaps? I will say... very, likely. That you? And your, brothers you lose. In the shit. I do not blame you. For you, what."

   Francois grinned. Wiggled his index and middle fingers pointing down.

   "Swimming under me, at my... beach, house. Looking up, at my guests. As I swim with my mistress, in the moon light. Trying to say. Which man, do I pull down to drown. For coming to my house. To kill me. Is not really, your fault."

   Francois shrugged.

   "I was young. Less experience, in these matters. But. I am older, and wiser. I am sorry, when we were young? I had to make the friends, with the... assholes. And you and your brothers? Were brought down, to fight them. Do you play, the chess? A clever man, such as you. I am thinking, yes."

   "I play. Some."

   "Ah. Me, too. Not well, but, I play some. Do you think, it was possible? That, in these thing. You were, what. Pawn, on, board. And? Perhaps lied to, for the real reasons."

   "I'm beginning to think, it might be a real possibility."

   "Ah. And. Can you now, put yourself. In, my, young, shoes. You men? You must save, France. You must bring back, Alsace-Lorraine. If I knew, they would... give her away, for trinkets? I would have leave, my Alsace-Lorraine. Where she was very happy, to remain buried, for a very long time. I was young. Perhaps? I thought I was, some... knight. In the, shining armor. But? I soon found. Blood all over, and my armor has no shine. And I was no knight."

   A shrug.

   "I was the pawn. On the, other side of these board. Ah. I forget. I was telling you, of the... things you are not told, for the war in Iraq? So you understand, these thing, now. The French are rude, the French are rude. It is French? That, if you learn to do a thing, and are seen to do it well? You are to... say, it is no large matter. These thing? Ah. I play at it. Mm."

   And as he said it, he adopted, what. A very... haughty attitude. Snotty, even. Then? It dissipated, and he was once again grinning and smiling. He held his elbows down now, and his palms up. A question.

   "This? Was... what a man is expected to do. How he is to act, when he has gotten good, at some thing. You will see the French politics, do these thing. And the men in business, when they succeed. If you do not do it? You, are making yourself. As, gauche. You do not know how to act, when given a thing. And? If you do not know, you were raised, what. Poor, or gauche. Someone, will tell you. Or? You will imitate, the example you have seen."

   I shoved Panic's shoulder lightly, before the right eyeballing got started past a few seconds.

   "And? There. Is that, your French rude?"

   Panic nodded.

   "And so. It is very easy. To name me, The Devil. And? To say it. Look, how rude he is. Is easier to see these thing, now?"

   "Maybe."

   "And? That is, enough. It would seem, I am to be, tolerated. May I, continue?"

   "Please."

   "There is no end, to these lies. Misunderstandings? Will happen, all on their own. We do not need people, making more of them, making them into bigger misunderstandings. We are not to make, what. Big mountain, out of... mole, hill. The milk? It was spilled. The milk was spoiled, anyways. But? We each become, something. Only a good man, would have risk his life, for the villagers. I was raised, to be this good man, as well. I learn my lesson. It will not happen to me, again. To fool me again? They will need... new, lies. New, misunderstandings. And you. Did you learn, any lesson? For all of that, unpleasant shit."

   Panic nodded.

   "Ah. Then, some good thing, can come out of this... shit."

   Panic looked at me, if only briefly.

   "It already has."

   "Has it?"

   Panic looked at me again. He extended his hand.

   "Monsieur Verte? I trust my wife. She says you do not lie. Here."

   "Just, like that."

   "Yes."

   The Devil now eyeballed him. With his right eye, I might add.

   "I would ask you take more time."

   Panic looked at me. I nodded.

   "Monsieur Verte? With your permission."

   The Devil, eyed him back.

   "Do you... mock, me?"

   Panic dropped his face. Oh, shit. Here we go.

   "No."

   Panic got essentially, his own eyeballing back now.

   "What. I am to believe, we are, what. Friend, now?"

   "Would you even have me. As your friend."

   "Monsieur, Panic. An understanding, taken light. That, is the one thing. But. If. You? Are to profess. That you are my friend. I would expect, that you... stick, to, it."

   Panic looked to me. I nodded.

   "Why do you look, to her. You look me. In, my, eye."

   Panic didn't look to me to answer.

   "Monsieur Verte. I have had many friends. I? I have had many enemies. Not one of them? Had placed his neck in my hands. To prove himself."

   The Devil eyed him.

   "If you mock me? Is true, I am not a, dangerous man."

   He now bored hole straight through him.

   "But I promise you. I know? Men that are. Very dangerous. Some of the least of them? They man my engine rooms. Do not profess, this thing. To be my friend. Lightly."

   Everything I know about the INTJ, the ENTJ. The sigma. Trust and loyalty, is everything. If a trusted friend, fucks one over. Exile at best, and at worst? Sigma lightning.

   Panic still had his face dropped.

   He kept his hand out.

   "What. Do not do this thing. Because, what. You are... shame. That you come to kill me. In my house."

   "No. I'm not ashamed of that."

   The Devil eyed him sideways. Right eye, and go figure.

   "And then, what are you shame of."

   Fuck me, Panic put both fists on the table in front of him. Leaned down in his face.

   "I am ashamed? Of nothing."

   "Mm. You act, on what you know. On what, you believe. Yes?"

   Panic nodded.

   "Then. You, forgive me."

   He looked at me. I nodded.

   "Yes."

   The Devil sat back.

   "It mean, very much to me. To be, forgiven. By one, who was wronged by me. I take this, to my heart."

   Panic nodded.

   "I have been looking for The Devil. For a long time. You? Might not be my devil."

   The Devil nodded.

   "I am not."

   And? The Devil, extended his hand.

   "I am not, a bad man. I was, raise right."

   "Me too."

   "And tell me. What did you think, you would find. An evil man, yes. Your, American... bad, guy. Perhaps I would have mustache, long one. And twirl the end of it. While I laugh, as I plan my, evil deeds. Is not so. You find a man who was, broken. When young. I put myself back together, as I can. And now, I begin to fight back."

   He paused.

   "If you compare, what came before. To what comes now. You will see, many things the same. Not, all. When you have a thing, it has a value for it. It is worth? This, much. These value, it change. It can go up, it can go also, down. If you find a lot of it, the price can go down very much. I believe, with a lot of time to see it. The problems, we both encounter? Were to keep the cost, high."

   "Why would anyone want that."

   "Ah. As I said. Always, who benefit. Macaroni, and his men with him. You see. If I tell you, you will make, let us say. Ten percent. Do you wish to make ten percent of one million? Or ten percent of ten million. When the Alsace-Lorraine was found, and how much of it? Everyone know. Ah. We will be able to afford, much coal. The cost, it drops. You can bet. You will not make much, when you bet it goes down. Everyone is doing that. But. If you are the only ones, betting the... other, way. You do very very well."

   "Betting futures."

   "Yes. You know of these thing."

   "A little. I'm friends with a man, that has more than me. He explained the basics of it."

   "Ah. And did he explain, the most important thing. Size, of, bet."

   "Maybe not. Please."

   "You see. Always the... round, number. Is easy to see it. You can bet, on the price of the coal. You can buy some. If the price goes up? You win. If the price go down, though. You, lose. You have two choice. You can, wait. Until the market is different. Or? You can... cut, the, loss. Get back what you can."

   "I follow."

   "To buy stock? Is much the same, as buying the coal itself. You can only buy so much. This, is the size of your bet. But, if you know how? You can, bet more. You do these thing, you are to said, to... leverage, that, deal."

   "Futures."

   "Mm. Is one way. I have another."

   "Okay."

   "The contracts. The, feeder fish. The papers. I explain. I have, one million. To bet with. I can buy, one million. One paper, in real life. Is, much the same. But. I wait some. If I can attract, ten people like me? What do I have now. The, paper. That you see."

   "You now have ten million."

   "Ah. It is not, mine. But? I control it. My investment group, we have ten times what we have, these way. The numbers, though. They are big. I have, many billions. It is true. My investors? They have billions, as well. But? The feeder fish. The, minnows. Why, there is no end to them. Each? One, million. A paper, a contract."

   "You're waiting. Leverage."

   Verte nodded.

   "Now. I control it. I control, much more, these way. And. By offering, twenty percent. In place of the usual, twelve to fifteen. Many more, minnows come. My position? Grows. If you think, billions? No. Think instead... several, trillion."

   "Sounds like a Ponzi scheme."

   "Sounds like, but is not. We have the ability, to pay. Each time, the Vagner Group. Turns back a little, attack. On Liberia? We gain more rights. And this? Is a commodity. Now. My enemies? Are attacking Liberia. Through other things, but. They think, we are playing the... same, game. But? We are not."

   "What is the game."

   "Ah. They think, they attack? It makes the cost go up. No. We get more rights, the more they attack. My enemies? Are now helping me. The more my enemies attack me? The more, they help. You see, there is not one devil. There? Are many. And the devils? Are placing large bets. They can raise the price, and win. But? They will not. Remember. The money, is but a tool. I am, quite simply? Take, their shovels."

   "Why are you telling me this."

   Verte shrugged expressively.

   They already know this. Some of them. But? They have already place, their bets. Like roulette. All, bets, down. The ball? It is spinning. They keep doing, what work before. But? As I say. They are helping, not hurting. They are beginning, to see? But not quick enough. Already, it is too late. The fighting? Is now outside, Liberia border. No more fighting, over the commodity. The commodity? I, own. They are now, but giving us more. The rights to the gas, the oil."

   "You're trapping them."

   Verte nodded.

   "Now. Well, soon. They will next try, what they do before. To control the price, at the... other, end. Where I have the next trap laying. There will be no futures, on these commodities. No paper, to play with. They will think they squirm out of the one trap? Only to land in the next. You see? These, game to them. It is about, money. And? Power. You can make the politics do, what you want. When you have the things, they need. But? The next trap. Is so simple. They can not see it. Or? Not believe it."

   "I can't. But? This isn't my game."

   Verte grinned.

   "Things? Will be done. The... old, fashion, way. I can control these coal. If I keep it. Not, the paper that say it. They will not be able to get, their greedy little hands on it. And why? No paper. Last time. I bring Alsace-Lorraine? What do they do. Sell her. For money, to do other things. No. Not, this, time. My sons. One? Is my water son. The other? My land son. They, have been doing what I am doing. All, these, time."

   "Getting ready."

   Verte grinned.

   "You see. I am going to lose, some money. So will my investment group. But? We are prepared. For what we lose, will be more than make up for, on... the, back, end. There is no losing, on these bet. The coal? It, is, there. The investment, to dig it up? Easy. The investment, to transport it. To the ships. Easy. The ships? Will go where I say they will go. And? It will... not, be, China."

   "The United States."

   "Where there will be investments, to move it. The land? Already owned. Simply, put the coal there. My land son? Trains, and trucks, and barges. More profit, to move it. But? We control. Who, to, sell, to. No paper. The cost, of the commodity? Will drop. And? Stay low. Power plants. Steel mills. With the good coal again, they will again be profitable. And? The steel mills in Liberia. Where the coal and iron are, already. They will ship steel out. To other countries. Where the steel is much higher. More profits. But? Not, to the United States. I will not drop the price by, dumping there. I will not bite, the... hand, that, feeds."

   Another pause.

   "Each of these thing? Will make many jobs. In Liberia, in the United States. Those workers? Will want to spend, their money. The politics? Will be very happy. My investment group. We are playing, the... long, game. Not? The... short, game. The short games, are what the true devils, they play. We are going to gut them, like a fish. They will not be nearly as dangerous, with their tools taken, from them. The money we lose? We will make up, many times over. On... the other, longer and slower, investments. The digging. The shipping. The moving. The selling, to the people that need it."

   Longer pause.

   "You call? My enemies. Tell them. It does them no good. It is too late. They kill me? Accomplish, nothing. Kill my sons, and again. It does not happen. I have make, a large machine. That will do, the right thing. And? Now. I do not want, the quick lesson. I want the long lesson. The example. When Liberia is secure. And it prospers. By not fighting, by doing business. The, civilized way. Eh? Example. You others, you want these thing? Hospitals. Schools. Roads, bridges, houses. You have, but to act civilized. No more cannibal, no more fighting. Africa? Is shit. But, the example. I want what they have. I must do, as they do. And? All of Africa will slowly, open up. Like a flower. It will become, beautiful."

   "You're trying to make the world a better place."

   "I am not trying, monsieur. I am... doing. And now, you see. This country. They are fighting. They have... revolution. They are being, what. Liberated. Ha. You change, the man standing over what is under the ground? That man you put there, will give you many things. Look, at Ukraine. The fight? Is not about liberating those people. That fight? Ask anyone, there. It is about resources. And who gets them, and where they go. Look at, Africa. If you have diamonds? You will get, liberated. And if you have no diamonds? Eh. You can be slaughtered, and the world will plug, their, ears. No help. If we are to live, in a more civilized world? We must do these thing, with papers. And shaking hands. Not killing, and eating one another. But? The only example, must be made."

   Panic looked at me. I nodded.

   "Can I ask? Why you look to her."

   "She can tell. If a person is lying."

   "Mm. A good thing. And tell me. Do I lie?"

   I shook my head.

   "I can't tell you, if what you say is true. I can, however. Say that I know you believe it to be true."

   He nodded.

   "And so we come. Back. To where we start. Remember. Sam Colt? He make the men equal."

   Panic now nodded.

   "Also, your... roaring, twenties. Everyone? Was in the market. Everyone? Was making a lot of money. Until? The... music? Stop. There will be at least, twenty years, of that. And? Not, only for rich men. There, were little people. They? Owned, stock. Made money, easy money. And? It does them nothing. Until, they spend it. Restaurants, dancing clubs, store selling goods. Where there are happy people with money? Here come people who want it. And? They hire people, to work at it. More, happy people."

   "It sounds good."

   "Because? It is good. And, back to the very beginning. Before, we have our misunderstanding. You? Buy paper. A contract, to wait in time, and get twenty percent. I tell you. Discount it? Take five percent, and sell it along. You will want another one. And I will have a stack, as many as you want. And? You, are little fish. Other little fish. How you do these thing? How do you have these. So much, so quick. Is example. They will say. I do, what you do. Do you not know a man, with what you have? Or, a little more."

   Panic looked at me. He grinned.

   "Trans Am. Car dude."

   I chuckled.

   "And? George."

   Panic laughed.

   "George's lawyer."

   Verte raised his hands.

   "See? I am, essentially. Giving. My early profits? Away. And how am I doing it. Where do I live. In, exile. Yes, but... on one of my son, boat. And? Who comes along. Tell me."

   He made the walking motion with his fingers. Panic grinned.

   "Feeder fish."

   "Exactly. None of them, will come to France, no anymore. Not with, the shit. But here? Perfect place, for that. I live in luxury. My wife? Is not happy, but. She is, amused. Amused enough, for the time. She wait. I will give her trinkets, soon. A nice house. A country house. And? I tell you. Every, one. Of these feeder fish? Are the good example. Each, will bring back more, little minnows. And so. My position? Increases."

   A short pause.

   "My priest, I speak of. I ask. If I give my money and trinkets away, will I feel better. He say, perhaps. Perhaps not. But? Instead of give it away, once. Do the bigger, good thing with it. And so? I take time, and I make my plan. I make up, what I did. I can not wait, to have my good name, come back."

   Panic grinned.

   "You just want to be, les bonbons et."

   Verte smiled. And nodded.

   "You are not, the first time. A dangerous man, has come to kill me. The last time? Was in Paris. His name? Yuri. He was Russian. He did not enjoy, eh. What me and you, did not enjoy. That shit. Like you? Along he comes. He had money, though. I make him? One of my investors. I do not, buy him. With money. I help him. Structure, a deal. Where he makes money, and helps. The people, in his country. Where he found the sight and smell of the shit? Very, distasteful."

   "Russia."

   "Mm. Was Russia. Ukraine. I miss Yuri. He is a good man."

   "You miss him? Where is he."

   "Ah. A little time, in jail. A jail for the rich man, that he is. He does not, break the law. But? It was easy, to point at him. And? That is why, my investment group. We left. Each of us? On a boat. Like these one. Doing, what I am doing. In international water? We are free. We are comfortable, while we wait. We are all, though. Going to the United States. The economy of France? The true economy. Us. We leave. And? We will go where they will not... piss, on, us."

   Panic asked it.

   "Monsieur Verte?"

   "Mm?"

   "If you are not my Devil. Where is he."

   "Ah. Your own... Uncle, Sam. As I tell you. We buy the rights, to Alsace-Lorraine. Then? The villagers, they get... poked, with, stick. All riled up. Now? I need dangerous men. I get? Put with the... assholes. Ah. They are to deal, with the problem. And? Instead of a small, short, lesson. What do we have, eh?"

   He made the walking motion with his fingers on the table again.

   "Now? Here, come, cowboys. American, cowboys. Where Alsace-Lorraine, was buried? It was, country with politics to your country. The cowboys? Off, the, shore, but... all American."

   "Someone, arranged all this."

   "Ah. And when you and your cowboys. Went and found a place, to put the stop to the shit. You got, relocated, no? And that, is where I would first look. And? Those people. Not really your enemy. But? They could tell you. What... devil, came along. And made that deal, with them."

   "I wouldn't mind finding that out."

   "Ah. That gains me, nothing. It is enough, I figure out the game. But, you? I can see where you would want to know these thing."

   "Any advice? Where to look. Or, how to look."

   "Ah. I would normally, send you to Yuri. But? Yuri, he is... temporarily, inconvenienced."

   "Because that, would be too easy."

   "But? There is Yuri's assistant. There is still, him. He could do these thing, in place of Yuri."

   "Oh. He's not with Yuri."

   "No. He is to be, taken care of. Until Yuri? Returns. Hopefully, in time to see these thing, come to pass."

   "And, what country do I have to visit."

   "I do not know, exactly what country. But? I do know, where to find Yuri's assistant. He is in your country. And you see, this is the way, with friends. What is easy for me? Is the hard thing, for you."

   "And Yuri's assistant?"

   "New York. Brooklyn. As I say, the assistant, was to be taken care of, until Yuri returns. He is in, pizza business."

   "An address? Email."

   Verte shook his head.

   "It will not take me, very long. Yuri's assistant? Would no trust you, if you... walk, right, up. But? He knows me, he trusts me. I will make sure, you get the.. warm, welcome. Because. A friend, of a trusted friend? Is often, a good bet. Yuri's assistant, knows the people Yuri knows. He will be able to, point you. In... right, direction. He is very useful. And? Worthy of trust."

   "Thank you."

   "Ah. It is, how you say. Not, big, deal. And, perhaps you will find? Your devil. You may find, your devil? Is not French, after all. But, very American."

   "Oh. I can't wait."

   "Well. We will be in another port of call, in a few days. You can go, from there. I will have prepared Yuri's assistant, by these time. Perhaps now? We can eat something. I tell you, there is no point. To being, successful. If you are troubled by it, and can no enjoy yourself, a little bit."

   And so? You could say, we made a deal with The Devil. By the time we went to bed, our mood was lifted. I reminded Panic, of what he said earlier.

   "And you. What about my amusement. You said, and I quote. Science girl? Is making me so hot."

   "Maybe? I lied."

   "You didn't. I could spot that."

   "Well. I need to make a call first. Then? I'm yours."

   "Make it snappy. We're on vacation. I'm pretty sure, you need some kind of lesson, to remind you of that fact."

   "I might."

   "And? The longer this takes, the longer the lesson is going to be."

   He nodded. And he let me listen in, on speaker.

   "Hey. Its me."

   It was Skykid.

   "Where you been? Its more fun to just be on the boat. You had us stuck on alert. We were beginning to get worried."

   "No. Everything's fine. Better, really."

   "That's good. You need Rob?"

   Panic sighed.

   "Yeah."

   "Hold on."

   Didn't take long. Rob's all business.

   "Where are we."

   "Rob? There's a short answer, and a long answer."

   "Feed me."

   "The short answer? Stand down."

   Rob got quiet.

   "Say again."

   "I said? Stand, down."

   "Its your operation. Are you under duress?"

   Panic winked at me.

   "Yes."

   "All right. Standing down. You need a ride?"

   "No. The situation on the ground? Has changed. Considerably."

   "For better or worse."

   "Like any marriage? For either one."

   "So what do we do."

   "Stand down. Enjoy the fishing. You guys did your part. You get to enjoy it more now."

   "Sky likes the sound of that. Are we closing down?"

   "Hmm. Just keep pacing the boat. But enjoy it."

   "That's not hard."

   "Elise is still here. Stay with the boat. But? Have fun."

   "Will do. What are you going to do. Work on your tan, I guess?"

   "No. I'll keep you updated, though."

   "Do your thing. If you want to burn more fuel, so we get to have more fun? That's your business."

   "Enjoy the baguettes."

   "Huh?"

   "Just a phrase. Have fun."

   "Will do."

   They ended the call.

   "I'm yours now."

   "You always were. Now come here."

   I told him what I had in mind? And he agreed. But, what's more? He did it. In the course of talking, over a late snack. After everything else was out of the way. Francois Verte? Complimented him, on me. He politely explained, that almost all of the women, attracted to successful men? Were somewhat similar. But, I was different. I didn't look like them. I didn't act like them.

   "But? Some men like these."

   Panic obviously did. He told him. By way of a compliment.

   "You wife has, what we call. Je ne sais quoi."

   He asked him, if he knew the phrase. Panic had nodded, yes he did. He asked him, and Panic shrugged.

   "You're saying, she has that... little something extra."

   "Mm. Is what it mean, yes. But, literal? It is. I, know, not, what. Everyone can see it, though no one can say exactly, what."

   I told him, what I wanted. And? That I had better get it. Or? There would be a very long, very unpleasant lesson to be learned. Because I wanted to be a little bit spoiled. And I better be, or else.

   Then? I got exactly what I wanted. In spades.

   This must be what success feels like. Getting exactly what you want. What you need.

   A girl could get used to this.