Chapter 10

           “CHENIER!”BALDINIcriedfrombehindthecounterwhereforhourshehadstoodrigidasapillar,staringatthedoor.“Putonyourwig!”AndoutfromamongthekegsofoliveoilanddanglingBayonnehamsappearedChenier-Baldini’sassistant,somewhatyoungerthanthelatter,butalreadyanoldmanhimself-andmovedtowardtheelegantfrontoftheshop.Hepulledhiswigfromhiscoatpocketandshoveditonhishead.“Areyougoingout,MonsieurBaldini?”“No,”saidBaldini.“Ishallretiretomystudyforafewhours,andIdonotwishtobedisturbedunderanycircumstances.”“Ah,Isee!Youarecreatinganewperfume.”BALDSNI:Correct.WithwhichtoimpregnateaSpanishhideforCountVerhamont.Hewantssomethinglike…like…Ithinkhesaidit’scalledAmorandPsyche,andcomeshesaysfromthat…thatbunglerintherueSaint-Andre-des-Arts,that…that…CHENIER:Pelissier.BALDINI:Yes.Indeed.That’sthebungler’sname.AmorandPsyche,byPelissier.-Doyouknowit?”CHENIER:Yes,yes.Idoindeed.Youcansmelliteverywherethesedays.Smellitoneverystreetcorner.Butifyouaskme-nothingspecial!Itmostcertainlycan’tbecomparedinanywaywithwhatyouwillcreate,MonsieurBaldini.BALDSNI:Naturallynot.CHENIER:It’saterriblycommonscent,thisAmorandPsyche.BALDINI:Vulgar?CHENIER:Totallyvulgar,likeeverythingfromPelissier.Ibelieveitcontainslimeoil.BALDINI:Really?Whatelse?CHENIER:Essenceoforangeblossomperhaps.Andmaybetinctureofrosemary.ButIcan’tsayforsure.