Name?
What’s that to you?
Tell me your name!
Forget my name.
Place of residence?
You don’t want my mother’s name by any chance?
Answer the question I asked you.
Drop it, redshank.
It’s not me you are insulting, but the authorities.
Fuck the authorities.
We agreed that you should answer, but if you go on like this I’m not giving you a gun, I shall have your tongue cut out instead. I’m not joking. Stand up straight. What objective did you have in coming to town?
To have a good time. I like circuses. I’ve always liked them.
Who is The Prince?
I don’t know any princes. I don’t know anyone.
Don’t lie to me.
Why not?
Because it’s a waste of time. I’ve met people like you before.
Well, if you say so. Let’s go on. Is that gun in your holster the one you’re going to give me?
No. Did The Prince tell you to shoot yourselves in the head if the rebellion was put down?
The Prince never commands.
Then what did he do?
What do you mean? It’s nothing to do with you.
Answer me.
Why? You wouldn’t understand anything anyway.
I’d like to warn you that you will not be able to irritate me however hard you try. When did you first begin to follow the fate of the circus?
I don’t give a shit for your warning.
When did you first see The Prince?
I only saw his face once. They always wrap him in a fur coat when they bring him out of the truck for us.
Why do they have to wrap him up?
Because he’s cold.
You said you saw his face once. Describe it!
Describe it! You are not just an idiot, you bore me.
Where is his third eye? At the back? On his brow?
Why don’t you bring him here, if you dare. Then I’ll show you.
Why should I be afraid of him? Do you think he’ll turn me into a frog?
What’s the point, you’re already a toad.
I might change my mind and dash your brains out on the floor.
The Melancholy of Resistance Page 13
