Fermín Duke parked his Audi TT on the streets of the neighborhood Mirador Aurora , looked at his watch Dolce & Gabbana and concluded that time had come to find out something before the visit. In the corner bar called coffee. The owner of the establishment, a fifty stout and affable, put the plate, spoon and sugar in front of the customer, and returned to the machine to remove black liquid.
Compadre ¾ ¾ Duque added Fermín flipping through the "mark" on the sly ¾ , what do you know the little flat that sold up there?
¾ What? Modesta Is ...? Okay, but one of the bedrooms overlooking the neighboring courtyard. ¾ says the big man, the par boiling cup serving customers ¾. She is a widow you know? And with the old in bed, he has no choice but to sell.
¾ ¾ not understand is interested Fermín coupling his sunglasses on his head.
The big man leans over the counter, and confident attitude, added:
¾ had no children, you know? The husband was a fastidious care, I think even leaked oil, heh, heh. The fact is that she wants to go out. Can not alone with the sick old woman, a great aunt or something ... A gift, go. ¾ and scrub the counter with a cloth, as if to regain composure before the customer. Fermín
Duke recorded the data, drops a hidden smile and ask for a croissant . The girl on the estate will not come until ten, so you still have time for breakfast alone.
¾ Here, friend; another ten cents, it took only a hundred tickets, hehe.
Bar owner collect coins scattered on the counter and stares at the guy with Travolta air coming through the door: "You have not seen a hundred euro bill in your fucking life."
women, widows and old work load to: a lucky day , speculates Fermín rubbing his hands.
The commercial comes rushing, has been delayed a few minutes. has to be that is said to see him at the door with his Cuban-heeled boots, her jacket of gaps and puffing to heaven. Show, apologizes and announces no time to visit through the intercom.
¾ "Modesta?, I'm Olga.
A metallic click and the door opens. Fermín take a peek at the entrance ...
¾ Something dejadilla right? ¾ sarcastically points to get by price:
She avoids the comment. The elevator stops on the fourth floor.
Modesta welcomes you in the door, about fifty, lackluster, though. It's dry as a pencil and has a circles that reach the ground. Saluda, are invited to stop by and apologized for the apparent discouragement gripped.
¾ Modesta, what about Dona Rosario? ¾ question while the girl draws back the curtains of the room, so that the customer will appreciate the excellent guidance of the floor.
¾ Well, there goes with his ailments and his temper.
Olga, the commercial, the groom's lap and ask permission from the owner to show the house to the customer. Fermin what interests him is the price so that you discover any damage will be taken into account when negotiating.
¾ This is the bedroom of Mrs. Rosario ¾ reported the girl pointing a camera ¾. Is as large as the other two, has a balcony to the street and a small dressing room with wardrobe.
Fermín understands that the girl did not want to upset the old, but do not trust: you know if the room is damp or worse, that it is a little room with little storage space. If you can not access the room, the price will come down a lot.
implementation the visit, an expectant silence.
The built-in cabinet that covers one wall of the room, Fermín Duke has found a jewel, not in vain acquired significant expertise in this field as an assistant carpenter in Barcelona.
¾ Tell me, Modesta, "the furniture is oak?
tells Modesta was a whim of her late husband hand-carved oak and inlaid with orange.
¾ imagine that stays on the floor right? ¾ investigates Fermin, guessing a value between ten and twelve thousand euros.
¾ course not, sir ¾ protest the owner. I'll take this furniture with everything else, I'll have to find someone who dismantle it, though. You see these embedded in the wall are extremely sensitive. But I'll take it. Olga
customer tells Modesta up north, where she has family, and that alone can not serve the elderly.
¾ Look, I like the flat I ¾ urges Fermín. And I want to close the deal. Of course, here the employer will have to get a rebate. Twelve thousand euros less and I'll take it. Modesta
not seem convinced. The flat is in good area and the qualities of fifteen years ago and seem to now. Moreover, when it came Dona Rosario, had to adapt one of the bathrooms, adding a pool shower and strengthen double glazed windows to the cold. No, no, the price is right.
¾ Sorry, sir ...
The girl in the property involved:
¾ Modesta, "six thousand eurillos less?, A million pesetas ... What you think? ...
The widow is not for bargaining. She knows that if he did not attend circumstances of urgency, the floor would be sold as provided above. Does not agree to negotiations.
Vista intransigence, Fermín Duke decides to use more sophisticated weapons:
¾ Modesta, do not be so. Get rid of everything as soon as preventing him from rebuilding his life. You are still young and even pretty.
Beautiful? ... A Modest has jumped the color. How long that nobody piropea that? ... Fermín The woman looks at her eyes lost in memory: a solitary youth, marriage, plastic, a domineering mother ... If at least they had had children ... But of course, Louis was never the work. Moreover, the "work" dried up too soon, many years apart ... I had to be content to mom and marry a man of illustrious name, bear his scorn illustrious illustrious clean your drool. A doormat, that's what it was, a doormat for Ludwig, for mom and the whole family. Of course, now she holds the reins and will not be duped by anyone.
"said Bonita? ...
¾ What do you think, Modesta?
Duke Fermin's voice will come as a shock, rescued from the ghosts of the past.
¾ Sorry. If you like, that's what counts. I have nothing more to say ¾ women sentence.
Fermín Duke recognizes that its powers of persuasion have encountered in bone. However, it still has a card up its sleeve.
¾ right. Say no more. When will open the floor, Modesta?
The woman, hurry, calls with a wave of commercial involvement, and she does not understand deadlines.
¾ Typically hand over the keys after the signing at the notary. If we close the operation now, the paperwork is fast.
¾ A week? ¾ Squeeze Fermín.
¾ No, no. By God ¾ Modesta protest ¾. I have not yet arranged the transport and packaging. In addition, I told you I need to find a specialist for this unit; took two weeks to dock and clearing will be complicated. Fermín
Duke crosses his arms and legs open as a sign of arrogance.
¾ Modesta, let's see ... Since I have not I lower the price, I just add a clause that assures me you will not take more than prescribed. Carl and I live my rent and can not wait ... Twenty days. I give twenty days to the handover. And, of course, everything has not withdrawn from the floor on that date will be mine, so I want to put on one of the clauses.
The girl in the real estate involved with such a drastic decision:
¾ But Fermin, this poor woman ...
¾ Sorry. I have money and need the flat for twenty days.
Modesta has been disturbed. If you have compromised a little, now would not be caught by that clause in the contract irrevocable. Reorganize everything is complicated. "Bonita said ...? , And touches his face in the mirror.
Days pass and collect boxes. Not easy to distribute what they want to keep and what to what to discard. A new life ...?
Fermín Duke just came to the notary. Comes with his girlfriend's arm, a bottle blonde and three layers of makeup. She still has not seen the floor, but is proud that her boyfriend was so smart in the negotiations.
The girl on the estate out of one of the offices.
¾ Then we seek room.
A taxi stopped at the door. Another woman appears modest. Cobalt blue suits him like a glove and those beads around his neck gives it a unique elegance. In the end, has failed to meet the deadline. As firm and you get your money everything will be back, way back ... Now I feel pretty.
The notary reads by rote. From time to time raised his eyes above his glasses and asks approval to the parties. Everything in order.
¾ Sign here, please ... And here ... Be, their identity documents.
Modesta already saved your check. Deliver the keys to the apartment and said goodbye to the commercial and the new owners, those who did not Courtesy spent more than a bureaucratic imperative.
In the street, the jacaranda is deployed as an awning of blue and violet.
¾ Taxi!
's a beautiful day. Tango music in the car and flashes of sun on the windows. At a stoplight, Modesta opens her purse to powder her nose. Get the contract and re-read the clause Fermín included:
"Everything is on the floor the day of handing over the keys mine without appeal. "
Now that I think, forgot to add the note left in the fridge that Dona Rosario likes chocolate con churros breakfast on Sunday morning.
