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I was awakened by the telephone at 2-o’clock in the morning. On the line was a girl, either drunk or bored, who only made me a little excited. She proceeded to talk about herself and her evening and did not apologize for rousing me from my sleep. I did my best to get rid of her. One of her friends must have rushed her along because she abruptly paused mid-sentence and announced that she would give me a ring the following afternoon. Then she hung-up. Sufficiently startled, I lay awake in my bed and listened to Chopin. A nice, dramatic show-piece to fall asleep with.

In the morning, I stopped on my way to breakfast and bought a newspaper. I was feeling rather tight and hoped that I would loosen-up with a good breakfast and the paper. I had a good deal of work to do in the afternoon and would be of no use to myself if I was uptight.

The waiter brought poached eggs, cheese, and fruit. He refilled my coffee and asked if I wouldn’t like to sit at a table in the shade. I declined – thinking that a little sun in the face would make me less tight.

After breakfast I walked down the street to the café. I ordered a glass of Chardonnay and set about getting a little work done. I worked for about an hour and had another glass of Chardonnay. Much of the work was very poor and I did not feel loosened-up by the wine. I was still really very tight. I asked for the kitchen to pack me a sandwich and headed on my way.

I wandered home along the river. It was a good deal further to walk; but I figured that a good walk and fresh air and strolling along the riverbank would make me less tight. It was a good day for a walk and I sat down on a bench and watched the boats. I unpacked the sandwich and ate it on the bench. I ate it slowly and watched the boats and tried to clear my head. The thoughts weren’t coming and everything felt tight and tangled in my head. I decided to go home and have a nap and hopefully untangle the thoughts in my sleep.

I had a very good nap by the window in the living room. I made a pot of tea and went out on the deck with a mug of the strong, black tea. I decided to give working another try and I worked for another hour. Most of it was very poor and tangled and made no sense at all. I was still very tight and I abandoned the work and set about preparing dinner.

I roasted a good cut of beef with some rice and vegetables. I drank a cold glass of water and made some coffee after I had finished the meal. After dinner I had a shower and dressed for the evening.

I walked to a quiet, little café nearby and sat at the bar. I ordered a glass of port and took it outside with a cigar. It was a very nice

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evening and many people were dressed-up and sipping drinks outside and smoking. I could see the orange glow of the cigarettes all the way down the avenue.

I finished the cigar and went back to my seat at the bar. A man was singing Wagner as I sat down. I ordered another glass of port and listened to his very good, German singing. Everyone applauded the song and he promised to sing another when he had finished his drink.

He sat down beside me at the bar and the sommelier brought us a platter of bread, fruit, and cheese. He opened a good bottle of wine and poured a glass for everyone at the bar. When he had finished his glass, the singer stood up and performed some more Wagner. I savored the purple cheese and thick, sweet bread as he sang. Then I went outside and smoked another cigar.

A man was leaning against the lamp-post and I lit his cigarette. He was fumbling in his pocket for a light and I just lit it for him. He thanked me and we smoked and talked about the fine evening and the very good Wagner.

I remembered the man from another time and he remembered me as well – although we could not recall one another’s name. I remembered that a girl had told me that he had killed a man. “He deserved to die,” she had said quite matter-of-factly.

I shared my last cigar with him and paid my tab. It was a good time to go home. The night was just getting longer and I was really feeling rather tight.