THE POST OFFICE

With a rather bad speech attitude and no introduction letter he
went up the stairs of the Main Post Office.
He then neared ,rather upset, one of the tellers. It's true, he
was thinking, in Italy you always have ti stand up in line
queing.
He remembered the times of barracks, the rather short time spnt
at the University and the wait before the tests to get a job.
"Can I help ya?": the clerk said to him, it was his turn and he
had not even noticed it.
"Temporary teacher of primary school, I am Mr Antonio Verdi, I
have come to see if the wage has arrived , the one relating to
May. The woman looked at the papers, then...'No, nothing has
arrived yet, try again'.
He had an umbelievable embrassment and anger; the same morning he
phoned the Education Offices asking for explanations, and from
the other end: "We have already sent the money to the Post
Office!".
It was late, he couldn't be on the time that day ,going back to
the Post Office,.
"It was surely the clerk's faut" he thought, meantime he
remembered her fat relaxed face, the face of someone that has got
a proper job.
It was important to get the money by the next day.
11 AM the next day:"No I am sorry we havent't got it here" "Will
you please look more carefully?"
"No I say it again, we have not got it, I am sure".
"Please move on you are slowing the queue".
And now where should he get the money hi owes?
He was still at home lonely and desperate, happier moments of his
life passing in front of him, when he was hoping for a better
future. Outside the late spring was developing from a moment to
another to the most waited for summer.
From the next door flat, two lovers wre giggling stupidly, boring
with their breat emissions of no use.
It was a nice day then when they found him deda the next day,
killed by gas, he was laying on the floor,room filled with gas.
The very same day they phoned from the Post Office, apologising
for the delay in finding his money. If they had found him, they
would have told him that his wage had be there for a long time.
It was a little 'mistake' of the clerk only.

by FRANCESCO SALVADOR
Canareggio - 2013
30121 VENEZIA

traduzione di:
PAOLO PETRINI
VIA CIALDINI
06100 PERUGIA