25.5.2009


10






10

    In Rev. Pauline's living room they sat and chatted and smiled and laughed. Solla friend and Rev. Pauline smoked cigarettes and blew smoke up into the chandelier that hung over the round living room table.

    It was obvious that Rev. Pauline really belonged in this company. She had a large group of friends, and in her opinion all her friends were excellent people. She liked her liquor, but took care not to let it affect her work. Her rule was: never a drink in the morning. Rev. Pauline, therefore, maintained she was a woman of discipline who followed few, but well defined, fundamental rules. She had adopted Communism early in her youth. Communism's collapse changed nothing. She was a typical arts snob, went to every art show, preferably openings, and had an inner need to talk about literature. She talked about poets, authors, actors, dancers and other artists, and she did not spare compliments. Average artists and less were not for discussion. No one knew of Rev. Pauline particularly having been with men. Everyone, on the other hand, knew that she had an acquaintance who, in fact, was married. He visited Rev. Pauline and sat with her for long periods on weekends and sometimes late into the night. Most often they drank tea and discussed the arts and social issues, but sometimes, mostly on Friday and Saturday, they drank and, then, took it easy on Sunday.

    The discussion this evening revolved around the wedding, Violet and John.

    "So, girls," said Solla friend "What do you think about this, seriously?"

    The question was immediately put on the agenda and the matter examined from various angles. Solla friend had little other than good things to say about this. She immediately approved of John.

    "Of course he's decisive, but I think he's not at all pushy," said Solla friend.

    Another girl, who had been quieter, had some doubts about John. "I think he's a typical male chauvinist. He thinks he's above others."

    The girl had hardly finished when Rev. Pauline signaled that she wanted to talk.

    "They are wonderful together. Violet is exactly the right woman for John. I am so happy that he was lucky enough to snare her. I understand that many were after her."

    This provoked some laughter and eye-rolling. Yes, Rev. Pauline was certainly right about other men being after her. No one, on the other hand, knew how far they had gotten, and fewer knew how many there had been.

    "She's been with many, Violet has," said the quiet girl. "I could believe over 50 men."