PHILIP. He says, that is Max says, and where he is now I wish to hell I knew, that he has a place located, an observation post, you know. Watch them fall, and say it’s the wrong place. One of those. Well, he says that the German head of the siege artillery that shells this town comes there and a lovely politician. You know a museum piece. He comes there too. And Max thinks. And I think he is screwball. But he thinks better. I think faster, but he thinks better. That we can bag those citizens. Now listen very carefully, mi Coronel, and correct me instantly. I think it sounds very romantic. But Max says, and he’s a German and very practical, and he’d just as soon go behind the fascist lines as you would go to get a shave, or what shall we say. Well he says it’s perfectly practical. So I thought. And I’m sort of drunk now on drinking nothing for so long. That we would sort of suspend the other projects that we have been working on, temporarily, and try to get these two people for you. I don’t think the German is of much practical use to you, but he has a very high exchange value indeed, and this project sort of, in a way, appeals to Max. Lay it to nationalism, I say. But if we get this other citizen you’ve got something, mi Coronel. Because he is very, very terrific. I mean terrific. He, you see, is outside the town. But he knows who is inside the town. And then you just sort of bring him into good voice and you know who is inside the town. Because they all communicate with him. I talk too much, don’t I?

ANTONIO. Philip.

PHILIP. Yes, Mi Coronel.

ANTONIO. Philip, now go to Chicote’s and get drunk like a good boy and do your work, and come or call when you have news.

PHILIP. And what do I talk, mi Coronel, American or English?

ANTONIO. What you like. Do not talk silly. But go now, please, because we are good friends and I like you very much, but I am very busy. Listen, is it true about the observation post?

PHILIP. Yeah.

ANTONIO. What a thing.

PHILIP. Very fancy, though. Awfully, awfully fancy, mi Coronel.

ANTONIO. Go, please, and start.

PHILIP. And I talk either English or American?

ANTONIO. What’s all that about? Go.

PHILIP. Then I’ll talk English. Christ, I can lie so much easier in English, it’s pitiful.

ANTONIO. GO. GO. GO. GO. GO.

PHILIP. Yes, mi Coronel. Thank you for the instructive little talk. I’ll go to Chicote’s now. Salud, mi Coronel.

[He salutes, looks at his watch and goes]