Image via Wikipedia

Thermometer shows 102, in the shadow… Around 3:00 p.m., under a scorching sun, a cab stops at 11-A Patience Avenue. Overwhelmed by the heat, a man gets off the cab walking slowly towards the door where he places his finger on the doorbell. He rings once…. nothing; he rings two times… and nothing again; he leans on the doorbell with his finger and he does not move… Finally, the butler comes to the door.

The following dialogue is carried out on a calm, even and dignified tone of voice by both persons:

MAN: Is your master home?

BUT: Yes, but if someone called, he ordered me to say that he is at the country house.

MAN: Please let him know that I am here.

BUT: I can’t Sir.

MAN: Why not?

BUT: The room is locked.

MAN: Knock at the door, he will open.

BUT: I would, but he took the key when he left.

MAN: Ha, you mean to tell me that he left.

BUT: No Sir, he did not leave.

MAN: My friend…. you are an idiot!

BUT: No Sir, I am not.

MAN: You just said that he is not home.

BUT: Oh no Sir, he is home.

MAN: Haven’t you just said that he left?

BUT: No Sir, he did not leave.

MAN: All right, than he is home.

BUT: No Sir he did not leave town, he just went for a walk.

MAN: Where?

BUT: Downtown.

MAN: Which downtown?!

BUT: Bucharest.

MAN: Than you are going to tell him that I called.

BUT: What is your name Sir?

MAN: What’s your business?

BUT: So I can tell him.

MAN: Tell him what? How would you know what to tell him if I haven’t told you what to tell him? Wait a minute, let me tell you first; don’t rush so fast… Tell him as he comes back that I called on him….

BUT: Who called him?

MAN: ME

BUT: Your name Sir?

MAN: That’s enough, he knows me… we are good friends.

BUT: All right Sir.

MAN: Have you understood everything?

BUT: I did Sir.

MAN: I see. Tell him that we have to meet.