Then he tells me I shouldn’t go all-out on the series, and I don’t believe there’s any need to respond on that point either.

Apparently it’s a bad time for journalism, there aren’t so many reliable clients anymore. It wasn’t like that before, back when the dailies were devouring our services.

For my part, I see things differently, I tell him. Differently how, he says, and I share my opinion that because of some lapse in the culture, the subject of death is off-limits, which has to do, ultimately, with the fear of death.

He says that isn’t true, the papers are all full of death, and I don’t insist, though I could tell him about Julia’s recent episode at school, which to my mind confirms one aspect of the matter: the vigilant opposition, in family life, to talking to children about death, “don’t let them know . . .” That is, transference, to the children, of the adults’ fear.

I don’t insist, but say that if I’ve understood him correctly, we’re to suspend our work. Not yet, he answers grouchily, a second circular is going out to the dailies and he has faith, he says. But that’s merely a professional courtesy.

•

I call the sanatorium and Mauricio is taking a stroll out in the garden. All completely normal.

I ask the agency’s switchboard operator about Señorita Candé and whether she’s called. Señorita Candé has not called.

Bibi is with the Italian. What are they up to, those two?

Marcela is in the lab. I have her bring the photos of the nude and the dog to my desk. It’s as if I’d never held her in my arms.

I contact the lawyer. He has the file but can’t see me today, it will have to be Monday: Be there without fail.

Julia says over the phone that she’s all right and can we see each other at noon; I tell her no because of work and she says all right, nothing more. During her suspension from work she’ll have too much time, I think: What will I do? Work is good, it keeps you from thinking too much about yourself; any reprieve—any day off—is fatal. Better if Julia were to take up swimming or some other physical activity.