Fair Play by Tove Jansson Read Free Book Online Page A

“Anyway, take it from the turtle.” And Mari put on her glasses.
    â€œSpeaking of sad things,” Kalle said, “ did you read that piece about the lonely turtle in the paper the other day? Its name is George.”
    â€œNo, what about it?”
    â€œThe interesting thing about this turtle is that it’s the last of its kind, Galapagos or something. He’s the absolute last one of his particular turtle species, and after him there are no more.”
    â€œI’ll be damned,” said Bosse.
    â€œYes. And he walks in a circle, around and around, searching.”
    â€œHow do they know he walks in a circle?”
    â€œThey have him in a cage,” Kalle explained. “He’s under constant observation. George. He’s searching for a female, you see.”
    â€œAnd how do they know that?”
    â€œThey’re pretty sure about it. Scientists, you know.”
    â€œOkay,” said Bosse. “And your point of course is that Anton’s doing the same thing, phoning and phoning and no one ever answers. Should we go look for him?”
    â€œWait a minute,” Jonna said. “This Anton. He’s forever going out to use the phone. The woman never answers. Why does he have to keep calling her? I mean, if she doesn’t answer, she’s just not home. And I think your parallel with the turtle is far-fetched, although you know I have nothing against turtles ...”
    â€œExactly,” Mari burst out. “Good. You like the turtle, but you don’t like the rest of it! But I told you, I’ve changed the whole ending, totally!”
    â€œRead on,” Jonna said.
    â€œYou know, Bosse, sometimes I get so damned depressed.”
    â€œYou do?”
    â€œYes, it’s all so pointless.”
    â€œBut what can you do about it? That George ... How can they know there’s not another one, how can they be sure?”
    â€œThey just know,” Kalle said. “They’ve looked everywhere.”
    â€œBut I don’t think they’ve searched enough. They can’t have had time to search the whole earth, every damned little place, and then try to tell us that ... Look, I’m tired of your George.”
    â€œFine, forget it. I’m sorry I brought him up. Miss, another round.”
    â€œStop,” Jonna said. “Are you sure you haven’t made these men a little too simple?”
    â€œThey are simple,” Mari answered. “Now Anton comes in:
    â€œLook,” said Kalle, “we saved your drinks. Now you’ve got two.”
    â€œNice of you,” said Anton.
    Bosse said, “No answer?”
    â€œNo. But I mean to keep trying.”
    â€œHow many times does he call, this Anton?” Jonna asked. “And what does he look like? What does he do, who is he? Never mind. Jump to ‘I don’t know if it’s dreadful or a comfort.’ I like that.”
    Mari read.
    When Anton had gone, Kalle looked Bosse in the eye and said, “But anyway, those scientists are really fantastic, aren’t they? I mean, they don’t give up trying to find George a wife. Even though she doesn’t exist. For that matter, wouldn’t it be worse if she did exist but they never found her?” He emptied his glass gravely and added, “I don’t know if it’s dreadful or a comfort.”
    â€œHere I cut half a page.”
    â€œBosse, do you know what makes me so tired, so very unhappy? It’s that nothing fits. Listen to me. It’s as if nothing mattered. Like, secretly. You never know why and how things have happened. Nothing fits together. Do you know what I mean?”
    Bosse said, “And why should it fit together? In what way? What did you expect?”
    â€œSome sort of meaning to it all.”
    â€œStop,” Jonna said. “You said that earlier. You’re going on and on about it. What is it you’re after? As far as I remember ...”
    Mari ripped off her