Chapter 3
November 14, 2023 at 1:13 PM
III
[after another meeting with the Minister]
Humphrey: By the way, Minister, if you recall the other day you told me a funny story about your colleague and his difficulties… Jim: ! (frowns at Humphrey) Humphrey: (as if nothing has happened/smiling sweetly) I’m just curious about the current state of their affairs. Jim: (struck to the core by the impudence of his Permanent Secretary) Curious, aren’t you? (bitterly) Well, listen then: the unfortunate fool who had lost his head confessed to the subject of his stupid feelings. (stops and sullenly looks away) Humphrey: (getting serious) And? Jim: (defiantly) And that person turned out to be heartless, callous, incapable of appreciating the courageous frankness and candour, remarkably indifferent- Humphrey: (slightly annoyed) That’s quite enough, Minister! (Both are silent. Jim is distraught and stares at the window, Humphrey — intently — at Jim) Humphrey: (conciliatory) I only wanted to say that I’d been pondering over this story for quite some time. This colleague of yours… don’t you think he gave up too quickly? (Hacker looks at Humphrey in disbelief) Why wouldn’t he speak to his Permanent Secretary again? What if — I don’t know (shrugs indifferently) What if he was simply frightened by the suddenness and briskness of the confession? It is not improbable… Jim: (beaming immediately) Humphrey! (very affectionately) Do you mean it? Humphrey: (after a resigned sigh, smiling a bit helplessly at the moved Jim) Yes, Minister.
Notes:
also published there:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/48597151
