Asta e culmea!… strig\u0103 d. Lefter, \u0219terg\u00e2ndu-\u0219i fruntea, pe c\u00e2nd madam Popescu, consoarta sa, caut\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 preget … Nu e \u0219i nu e!…<\/p>\n
\u2013 Femeie, trebuie s\u0103 fie-n cas\u0103… Dracu n-a venit s\u0103 o ia!… Dar ce au pierdut? ce caut\u0103?<\/p>\n
Caut\u0103 dou\u0103 bilete de loterie, cu care d. Lefter Popescu a c\u00e2\u0219tigat.<\/p>\n
\u00cens\u0103 oricine m\u0103 poate \u00eentreba:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Bine, dac\u0103 a pierdut beletul, de unde \u0219tie d. Lefter de c\u00e2\u0219tig?<\/p>\n
\u2013 E lucru simplu. Biletele le-a fost cump\u0103rat cu bani \u00eemprumuta\u021bi, ca de cabul\u0103, de la d. c\u0103pitan Pandele, fiindc\u0103 \u00eei spuseser\u0103 mul\u021bi, c\u00e2nd se tot pl\u00e2ngea c\u0103 n-are noroc la joc, s\u0103-ncerce a juca cu bani de-mprumut… \u0218i a f\u0103cut \u00eenvoial\u0103, pe onoare, fa\u021b\u0103 cu martori, s\u0103 dea din c\u00e2\u0219tig, dac\u0103 s-o \u00eent\u00e2mpla, zece la sut\u0103 c\u0103pitanului.<\/p>\n
C\u00e2nd a cump\u0103rat biletele, d. Lefter a r\u00e2s pesimist:<\/p>\n
\u2013 \u021ai-ai g\u0103sit! eu \u0219i noroc!<\/p>\n
Dar d. c\u0103pitan Pandele, mai optimist:<\/p>\n
\u2013 De unde \u0219tii dumneata norocul meu?<\/p>\n
\u0218-a pus pe d. Lefter s\u0103-i \u00eensemneze \u00een carnet numerele biletelor.<\/p>\n
A trecut mult de la aceasta. Lot\u0103riile, am\u00e2nate de at\u00e2tea ori, s-au tras \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it am\u00e2ndou\u0103 \u00een aceea\u0219i zi. La prima (Lot\u0103ria “Societ\u0103\u021bii pentru fundarea unei Universit\u0103\u021bi Rom\u00e2ne \u00een Dobrogea, la Constan\u021ba”), lotul cel mare de 50.000 lei l-a c\u00e2\u0219tigat num\u0103rul 076.384; iar la a doua (\u00a0<\/span>Lot\u0103ria “Asocia\u021biunii pentru fundarea \u0219i \u00eenzestrarea unui Observatoriu Astronomic la Bucure\u0219ti”), lotul cel mare de 50.000 lei l-a c\u00e2\u0219tigat num\u0103rul 109.520.<\/p>\n D. Lefter, p\u00e2n\u0103 adineaori, habar n-avea c\u0103 se tr\u0103seser\u0103 ieri am\u00e2ndou\u0103 lot\u0103riile. Era sear\u0103; omul \u0219edea la mas\u0103 cu consoarta sa \u00een s\u0103li\u021ba de intrare, vorbind \u00een ticn\u0103 despre cum se scumpe\u0219te via\u021ba din zi \u00een zi, c\u00e2nd aude o birje oprindu-se-n poart\u0103, apoi pa\u0219i ap\u0103sa\u021bi \u00een curticic\u0103 \u0219i pe urm\u0103 b\u0103t\u00e2nd cineva tare gr\u0103bit la geaml\u00e2cul d-afar\u0103. D. Lefter sare s\u0103 deschid\u0103 b\u0103nuind \u00een g\u00e2nd:<\/p>\n “Hait! iar ne chiam\u0103 desear\u0103 la serviciu extraordinar turbatul (turbatul e \u0219eful), s\u0103 ne canoneasc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 la miezul nop\u021bii, ca s\u0103 se recomande ministrului c\u0103 e grozav!” – iar madam Popescu se repede \u00een odaie, fiindc\u0103 era \u00een n\u00e9glig\u00e9. D. c\u0103pitan Pandele intr\u0103 ca o furtun\u0103 \u0219i, vorbind din ce \u00een ce mai tare, ca \u0219i cum d. Lefter ar fi surd:<\/p>\n \u2013 Bine, nene, p\u0103catele mele! de ce n-ai venit la ber\u0103rie?… se poate s\u0103 fii a\u0219a de indiferent? te caut ca un nebun de at\u00e2tea ceasuri?<\/p>\n \u2013 Ne-a \u021binut p\u00e2n\u0103 adineaori turbatul la can\u021bilerie… De ce?<\/p>\n \u2013 Leftere!… nu \u0219tii nimica?<\/p>\n \u2013 Ce!<\/p>\n \u2013 Ieri s-a tras lot\u0103riile noastre!<\/p>\n \u2013 Ei?<\/p>\n \u2013 Am c\u00e2\u0219tigat!<\/p>\n \u2013 Nu m\u0103-nnebuni!… C\u00e2t?<\/p>\n \u2013 La am\u00e2ndou\u0103 am c\u00e2\u0219tigat loturile mari! ale mari de tot! \u0218i c\u0103pitanul pune pe mas\u0103 listele oficiale \u0219i al\u0103turi carnetul s\u0103u. \u00cen adev\u0103r, carnetul sun\u0103 tocmai ca-n liste: 076.384 Universitate-Constan\u021ba, 109.520 Bucure\u0219ti-Astronomie.<\/p>\n Cititorul a \u00een\u021beles acuma ce c\u0103uta de trei zile pe br\u00e2nci so\u021bii Popescu.<\/p>\n D. Lefter a trimis turbatului o scrisoare, cer\u00e2nd cu tot respectul un concediu de dou\u0103-trei zile, pe motiv c\u0103 nu se simte de loc bine. A\u0219a \u0219i este,e bolnav.<\/span><\/p>\n Dup\u0103 o munc\u0103 zadarnic\u0103 de at\u00e2ta vreme, dup\u0103 ce toat\u0103 casa a fost r\u0103sturnat\u0103 de zece ori, c\u00e2nd a\u0219a, c\u00e2nd aminterea, d. Lefter a c\u0103zut pe o canapea sf\u0103r\u00e2mat de oboseal\u0103; a sim\u021bit c\u0103 i se taie \u00eencheieturile \u0219i a\u0219a, un fel de sl\u0103biciune la lingurea, parc\u0103-l lua o ap\u0103; a mo\u021b\u0103it c\u00e2teva ore \u0219-a adormit. Femeia a \u0219ezut \u0219i ea pe un scaun c\u0103 nu mai putea de picioare \u0219i de mijloc – se-n\u021belege de at\u00e2ta alerg\u0103tur\u0103 \u0219i de-at\u00e2tea ridic\u0103turi. S\u0103 fi a\u021bipit d. Lefter ca vreun sfert de ceas \u0219i de odat\u0103, se scoal\u0103 drept, cu fa\u021ba luminat\u0103 de raza adev\u0103rului…<\/p>\n \u2013 \u0218tiu unde sunt! acuma \u0219tiu!… uf!… le-am g\u0103sit.<\/p>\n \u2013 Unde?<\/p>\n \u2013 \u00cen jacheta mea cenu\u0219ie de var\u0103… Cu ea eram la ber\u0103rie c\u00e2nd le-am cump\u0103rat. \u021aiu minte bine, le-am pus \u00een buzunarul de la piept, \u00een\u0103untru… Acolo, sunt!… sigur!… Adu-mi jacheta!<\/p>\n Pe c\u00e2t \u00ee\u0219i aducea mai limpede aminte domnul Lefter, pe at\u00e2t madam Popescu se turbura, se ro\u0219ea, se-ng\u0103lbenea…<\/p>\n \u2013 Care jachet\u0103? \u00eentreab\u0103 ea aiurit\u0103, ca de pe alt\u0103 lume.<\/p>\n \u2013 Cea cenu\u0219ie.<\/p>\n \u2013 Leftere! zice femeia pun\u00e2nd m\u00e2na la s\u00e2nul st\u00e2ng, ca \u0219i cum ar fi sim\u021bit un junghi grozav.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ce?<\/p>\n \u2013 Am… dat-o.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ce-ai dat?<\/p>\n \u2013 Jacheta!<\/p>\n \u2013 Care jachet\u0103?<\/p>\n \u2013 Aia cenu\u0219ie!<\/p>\n \u2013 Cui?<\/p>\n \u2013 N-ai spus tu c\u0103 n-o mai por\u021bi?<\/p>\n \u2013 Cui? cui ai dat-o, nenorocito!<\/p>\n \u2013 La o chivu\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n \u2013 Pentru ce?<\/p>\n \u2013 Pe farfurii.<\/p>\n \u2013 C\u00e2nd?<\/p>\n \u2013 Alalt\u0103ieri…<\/p>\n \u2013 Alalt\u0103ieri!… f\u0103r\u0103 s-o cau\u021bi prin buzunare!<\/span><\/p>\n \u2013 Am c\u0103utat-o, r\u0103spunde femeia \u00eengrozit\u0103 de vina ei; nu era nimic.<\/p>\n \u2013 Taci! strig\u0103 crunt d. Lefter… Pe c\u00e2te farfurii ai dat-o?<\/p>\n \u2013 Pe zece… Destul m-am tocmit: n-a vrut s\u0103-mi dea o duzin\u0103 \u00eentreag\u0103, r\u0103spunde ea f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai \u0219tie ce spune.<\/p>\n \u2013 Unde sunt farfuriile?… Voi s\u0103 v\u0103z farfuriile! Adu farfuriile! porunce\u0219te stra\u0219nic d. Lefter.<\/p>\n Consoarta sa, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 mai zic\u0103 o vorb\u0103, se supune; i le aduce \u0219i le pune pe mas\u0103. Frumoase farfurii! cu chenar dublu, unul conabiu lat pe muche, \u0219i altul pembe \u00eengust pe buz\u0103. Domnul Lefter ia una \u0219-o sun\u0103 – por\u021b\u0103lan.<\/p>\n \u2013 Bravo! bun gust ai! zice r\u00e2njind sardonic.<\/p>\n \u0218i, pac! tr\u00e2nte\u0219te una jos… \u021b\u0103nd\u0103ri! \u0219i pe urm\u0103, paf! alta asemenea.<\/p>\n \u2013 Leftere!<\/p>\n \u2013 A\u0219a sunt eu, galant, cocoan\u0103! c\u00e2nd am chef, sparg; sparg cocoan\u0103, c\u00e2nd am chef, farfurii de c\u00e2te zece mii de franci una! sparg, m\u0103-n\u021belegi, sparg al dracului!<\/p>\n \u0218i iar pac! paf! p\u00e2n\u0103 la a din urm\u0103, pe c\u00e2nd cocoana se scutur\u0103 la fiecare, parc\u0103 ar arde-o cu un bici de foc. Dup\u0103 ce le ispr\u0103ve\u0219te pe toate d. Popescu \u00ee\u0219i scoate batista, \u00ee\u0219i \u0219terge sudoarea frun\u021bii \u0219i se a\u0219eaz\u0103 grav pe scaun, apoi, cu tonul sever, dar calm, al judec\u0103torului ne-nduplecat c\u0103tre criminalul care-i st\u0103 de fa\u021b\u0103-n picioare:<\/p>\n \u2013 La care chivu\u021b\u0103? o \u0219tii?<\/p>\n \u2013 La \u021a\u00e2ca, aia t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103 frumoas\u0103, care vine totdeauna pe aici, r\u0103spunde vinovata, pl\u00e2ng\u00e2nd cu inima fr\u00e2nt\u0103 de t\u00e2rzie c\u0103in\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n \u2013 \u0218tii unde se afl\u0103 aceast\u0103 chivu\u021b\u0103?<\/p>\n \u2013 Zice c\u0103 st\u0103 tocmai la margine, \u00een mahalaua Farfurigiilor.<\/p>\n \u2013 Destul, nenorocito!<\/p>\n Peste un ceas, pe-nserate, o birje trece \u00een goana mare prin strada Emancip\u0103rii din Farfurigii: pe capr\u0103, al\u0103turi cu birjarul, un sergent; \u00een fund, d. Lefter \u0219i d. c\u0103pitan Pandele: iar, dinainte, \u00eenc\u0103 un sergent \u0219i d. comisar al sec\u021biei respective, Turtureanu, deja cointeresat cu cinci\u00a0<\/span>la sut\u0103 asupra c\u00e2\u0219tigului – se-n\u021belege, c\u00e2\u0219tig, dac\u0103 se vor g\u0103si cele dou\u0103 bilete. Comisarul \u0219tie unde st\u0103 chivu\u021ba \u021a\u00e2ca.<\/p>\n Birja, trec\u00e2nd din greu prin noroi, se opre\u0219te \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it \u00een apropierea unei cocioabe de p\u0103m\u00e2nt, care \u0219ade singuratic\u0103 pe un pe\u0219, pe un maidan. Comisarul posteaz\u0103 pe sergen\u021bi, pitula\u021bi, \u00een dosul cocioabei, dup\u0103 regula strategic\u0103 consacrat\u0103 la c\u0103lc\u0103ri de vizuini; le face semnul clasic al lui Harpocrates, \u0219-apoi trece, urmat de d. c\u0103pitan \u0219i de d. Popescu, s\u0103 bat\u0103 la u\u0219e… O fetic\u0103 zdren\u021buit\u0103 vine s\u0103 deschiz\u0103. \u00cen s\u0103li\u021ba luminat\u0103 de p\u0103lp\u0103iala a c\u00e2\u021biva t\u0103ciuni de pe vatr\u0103, miroase stra\u0219nic a carne cu prune: o \u021biganc\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103 preg\u0103te\u0219te de cin\u0103. \u021ao\u021bi trei vizitatorii se dau \u00eenapoi pe prisp\u0103 pun\u00e2ndu-\u0219i m\u00e2na la nas.<\/p>\n \u2013 Unde-i m\u0103-ta, fa? \u00eentreab\u0103 d. comisar.<\/p>\n \u2013 Trebuie s\u0103 vie acuma, zice copila uit\u00e2ndu-se sperios la cei trei domni.<\/p>\n \u2013 Aprinde-un muc de lum\u00e2nare \u0219i hai de ne du \u00een odaie, s-o a\u0219tept\u0103m. Fata st\u0103 la-ndoial\u0103.<\/p>\n \u2013 Haide! se r\u0103ste\u0219te d. Turtureanu… \u0219i to\u021bi trei intr\u0103, \u00eemping\u00e2nd pe fat\u0103-nainte.<\/p>\n \u2013 Da ce e? \u00eentreab\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na, ridic\u00e2ndu-se de la vatr\u0103, unde sta st\u00e2rcit\u0103.<\/p>\n \u2013 Avem treab\u0103 cu fie-ta, cu \u021a\u00e2ca…<\/p>\n \u2013 Lipse\u0219te ceva dintr-o cas\u0103… \u0219tie ea ce lipse\u0219te, adaog\u0103 d. Lefter.<\/p>\n \u2013 Vai de mine! boiarule, zice b\u0103tr\u00e2na… N-are \u021a\u00e2ca obiceiul… La toate casele boiere\u0219ti o cunoa\u0219te pe \u021a\u00e2ca… la toate cocoanele mari o \u0219tie pe \u021a\u00e2ca…<\/p>\n \u2013 Haide! nu mai lungi vorba, comand\u0103 d. c\u0103pitan Pandele, \u0219-aprinde! c\u00e2t vrei s\u0103 m\u0103 \u021bii \u00een picioare?<\/p>\n \u2013 Iac-aprinz… Da nu se poate, \u021a\u00e2ca, boiarule! s\u0103 fereasc\u0103 Dumnezeu! eu, p\u00e2ntru \u021a\u00e2ca, poci s\u0103-mi pui m\u00e2na-n foc p\u00e2ntru \u021a\u00e2ca… Poate, alt\u0103 chivu\u021b\u0103…<\/p>\n \u0218i zic\u00e2nd aceasta, baba a aprins o lum\u00e2nare de seu \u0219-a trecut \u00een odaie, urmat\u0103 de boieri. Odaia are dou\u0103 paturi, o mas\u0103, o lavi\u021b\u0103, un scaun \u0219i o sobi\u021b\u0103 de tuci. Pe am\u00e2ndou\u0103 paturile, stau gr\u0103mezi de haine, \u00eenc\u0103l\u021b\u0103minte, p\u0103l\u0103rii, \u0219aluri\u00a0<\/span>purtate, pe sub paturi \u0219i pe lavi\u021b\u0103 fel-de-fel de m\u0103rfuri de farfur\u0103rie \u0219i sticl\u0103rie…<\/p>\n La vederea mormanelor de vechituri, d. Lefter tresare; se repede \u0219i-ncepe s\u0103 scotoceasc\u0103 lu\u00e2nd \u0219i examin\u00e2nd pe r\u00e2nd buc\u0103\u021bic\u0103 cu buc\u0103\u021bic\u0103, fir cu fir. C\u00e2te reflexiuni ironice, picante, sentimentale, se pot face asupra unei a\u0219a gr\u0103mezi pestri\u021be de vechituri, cu privire la z\u0103d\u0103rnicia lumii trec\u0103toare prin care au trecut \u0219i ele o clip\u0103, nou\u0103, neve\u0219tejite! Dar d. Lefter n-are vreme s\u0103 filosofeze… el caut\u0103… caut\u0103 mereu… Fatalitate! jacheta cenu\u0219ie nu se afl\u0103. C\u00e2nd g\u00e2nduri peste g\u00e2nduri \u00eei clocotesc \u00een cap, iac\u0103t\u0103 \u0219i \u021a\u00e2ca, d-abia duc\u00e2ndu-\u0219i co\u0219ul plin de vechituri nou\u0103, foarte obosit\u0103 de alerg\u0103tura zilii-ntregi \u0219i fl\u0103m\u00e2nd\u0103: de departe i s-au umflat n\u0103rile ca r\u0103spuns la chemarea generosului miros de pe vatr\u0103.<\/p>\n Cum intr\u0103, o \u00eenconjur\u0103 to\u021bi trei musafirii; d. Lefter o ia de pept:<\/p>\n \u2013 Unde mi-e jacheta?<\/p>\n \u2013 Care jachet\u0103?<\/p>\n \u2013 Jacheta a cenu\u0219ie…<\/p>\n \u2013 Care jachet\u0103 cenu\u0219ie?<\/p>\n \u2013 Jacheta cu biletele…<\/p>\n \u2013 Care belete, boiarule?<\/p>\n \u2013 Te faci c\u0103 nu \u0219tii, ga\u0219peri\u021b\u0103!<\/p>\n \u2013 S\u0103 m\u0103 tr\u0103sneasc\u0103 Dumnezeu! s\u0103 hie al dracului!<\/p>\n \u2013 Mai bine, spune drept, zice d. Turtureanu.<\/p>\n \u2013 Dac\u0103 spui ai bac\u0219i\u0219 bun, adaog\u0103 d. c\u0103pitan Pandele.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ce sa spuie boiarule! zice b\u0103tr\u00e2na apilpisit\u0103: ce s\u0103 spuie? vai de p\u0103catele noastre, dac\u0103 nu \u0219tie… auzi colo! ce sa spuie?<\/p>\n \u2013 Taci tu! zbiar\u0103 d. Turtureanu \u0219i-i d\u0103 br\u00e2nci babei c\u00e2t colo \u00een s\u0103li\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n Baba \u00ee\u0219i face cruci, iar copila tremur\u0103 ca varga l\u00e2ng\u0103 vatr\u0103, unde prunele sf\u00e2r\u00e2ie tare-n crati\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n \u2013 S\u0103 n-aib\u0103 parte!… d\u0103 s\u0103 zic\u0103 \u021a\u00e2ca.<\/p>\n \u2013 Na-i fost tu, o-ntrerupe d. Lefter, \u00een strada Pacien\u021bii num\u0103rul 13, la madam Popescu, madam Lefter Popescu, o dam\u0103 – nalt\u0103, sub\u021biric\u0103, frumoas\u0103, oache\u0219\u0103, casele ale verzi cu geaml\u00e2c, care are o aluni\u021b\u0103 cu p\u0103r\u00a0<\/span>d-asupra spr\u00e2ncenii din st\u00e2nga \u0219i se poart\u0103 legat\u0103 la cap cu ro\u0219u?<\/p>\n \u2013 Ba, am fost.<\/p>\n \u2013 Atunci, de ce min\u021bi?<\/p>\n \u2013 Ba, nu min\u021b, boiarule; am fost. Ei?<\/p>\n \u2013 Nu \u021bi-a dat pe zece farfurii, c\u0103 n-ai vrut s\u0103 dai o duzin\u0103-ntreag\u0103, cu chenar conabiu lat pe muche \u0219i altul pembe \u00eengust pe buz\u0103, o jachet\u0103 cenu\u0219ie?<\/p>\n \u2013 Ba, mi-a dat.<\/p>\n \u2013 Atunci, de ce min\u021bi?<\/p>\n \u2013 Nu minte, boiarule! zice b\u0103tr\u00e2na din s\u0103li\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n \u2013 Taci tu!… Unde e jacheta?<\/p>\n \u2013 E pa mine… o port pa dedesubt.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ca s\u0103 nu te prinz!<\/p>\n \u2013 Ba, sa hie al dracului care n-o poart\u0103 de frig… Sunt bor\u021boas\u0103, boiarule… alerg toat\u0103 z\u00e2ulica p\u00e2n zloat\u0103 – bogdaproste, \u00eemi \u021b\u00e2ne cald la p\u00e2ntece \u0219i la \u0219ale.<\/p>\n \u2013 Dezbrac\u0103-te, porunce\u0219te d. Lefter.<\/p>\n \u2013 Iaca…<\/p>\n \u0218i \u021a\u00e2ca \u00eencepe a-\u0219i lep\u0103da \u021boalele de pe ea. Tocmai dedesubt de tot, peste c\u0103ma\u0219e, se vede jacheta cenu\u0219ie. D. Lefter repede o caut\u0103-n buzunarul de la piept; chivu\u021ba se str\u00e2mb\u0103, c\u0103 se g\u00e2dil\u0103 la s\u00e2n. \u00cen buzunar, nimic; dar \u00een fund are o descus\u0103tur\u0103… desigur o fi c\u0103zut \u00een c\u0103ptu\u0219eal\u0103. \u021a\u00e2ca scoate \u0219i o d\u0103 d-lui Lefter, care o descoase cu briceagul din toate tighelurile… \u00cen c\u0103ptu\u0219al\u0103, nimic \u0219i iar nimic.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ce mi-ai f\u0103cut biletele? r\u0103cne\u0219te \u00eengrozitor cu pumnii-n-cle\u0219ta\u021bi d. Lefter, pe c\u00e2nd ceilal\u021bi doi o str\u00e2ng de aproape \u00eentr-un col\u021b.<\/p>\n \u2013 Care belete? zbiar\u0103 \u0219i chivu\u021ba ca o nebun\u0103 \u0219-apoi, schimb\u00e2nd tonul, strig\u0103 tare c\u0103tre baba din s\u0103li\u021b\u0103 \u00een \u021big\u0103ne\u0219te: “S\u0103i, c\u0103 se sfarojesc prunele de tot!”<\/p>\n \u2013 Ce ai spus pe \u021big\u0103ne\u0219te? url\u0103 d. Lefter.<\/p>\n \u2013 Hauleu! \u00eencepu s\u0103 se boceasc\u0103 baba \u0219i copila, ce n\u0103paste a fost s\u0103 caz\u0103 pe noi!<\/p>\n \u2013 S\u0103-mi sco\u021bi biletele! scr\u00e2\u0219ne\u0219te d. Lefter; s\u0103-mi sco\u021bi biletele, hoa\u021bo! c\u0103 te omor, m\u0103-n\u021belegi? te omor!<\/p>\n \u0218i-i trage \u021a\u00e2chii o palm\u0103, s-o n\u0103uceasc\u0103. Atunci, toate\u00a0<\/span>trei femeile se pornesc pe r\u0103gete, s\u0103 crezi c\u0103 s-a aprins o cu\u0219c\u0103 cu pantere. D. Turtureanu d\u0103 \u00eentr-o parte pe d. Lefter \u0219i cu gravitate:<\/p>\n \u2013 Las-o m\u0103 rog… Las’ c\u0103 spun dumnealor la sec\u021bie. Apoi iese-n u\u0219\u0103, d\u0103 un \u021bignal; sergen\u021bii r\u0103sar ca din p\u0103m\u00e2nt, \u0219i haide! le-au pornit pe nem\u00e2ncate…<\/p>\n Toat\u0103 arta d-lui Turtureanu a r\u0103mas infructuoas\u0103… Femeile nu \u0219tiau nimic despre bilete… Cu tot zelul s\u0103u, nu putuse dep\u0103\u0219i limitele pruden\u021bii; de aceea, el spunea seara la ber\u0103rie d-lui Lefter \u0219i c\u0103pitanului:<\/p>\n \u2013 Cu baba \u0219i cu fata, de! merge s\u0103 le mursici mai zdrav\u0103n; dar cu \u021a\u00e2ca, nu prea, fiindc\u0103, e pardon, \u00een pozi\u021bie; dac\u0103 se \u00eent\u00e2mpl\u0103 la secret vreun avort… Nu \u0219tii dumneata? Ast\u0103zi nu mai po\u021bi conta pe inferiori… \u0219i nici pe superiori! S-aude… Gazetele at\u00e2t a\u0219teapt\u0103 ca s\u0103 ne persecute… Dar \u00ee\u021bi spun eu c\u0103 nu e! Biletele n-au fost \u00een jachet\u0103; pot face prinsoare pe ce pofte\u0219ti… S\u0103 vezi c\u00e2nd \u021bi-o mai trece ni\u021bel asta… cum s\u0103 zic? amorul-propriu, – a\u0219a e tot omul la \u00eenceput c\u00e2nd \u00eei vine o surpriz\u0103 de a\u0219a un c\u00e2\u0219tig – s\u0103 vezi, ai s\u0103 dai peste ele acas\u0103.<\/p>\n D. Lefter sus\u021bine c\u0103 \u021a\u00e2ca i-a furat biletele – chivu\u021bele \u0219i jidanii nu sunt pro\u0219ti: c\u00e2nd cump\u0103r\u0103 haine vechi, le puric\u0103 p\u00e2n toate-ndoiturile.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ia, d\u0103-mi-le, m\u0103-n\u021belegi, la discre\u021bie, s\u0103 stau eu cu dumnealor \u00een tete-a-tete la secret… S\u0103 vezi cum scot biletele…<\/p>\n \u0218i zic\u00e2nd aceasta, se uit\u0103 cruci\u0219, fioros \u0219i scr\u00e2\u0219ne\u0219te din din\u021bi. D. Turtureanu r\u0103spunde f\u0103c\u00e2nd teorii asupra instruc\u021biunei criminale pe temeiul \u00eendelungatei d-sale experien\u021be \u00een serviciul siguran\u021bei publice. A\u0219a, femeile rabd\u0103 mai mult, sunt mai piloase dec\u00e2t barba\u021bii. Dintre b\u0103rba\u021bi, bulgarii \u00eentrec pe to\u021bi la r\u0103bdare; mai pu\u021bin ca to\u021bi rabd\u0103 \u021biganii \u0219i \u021bigancele mai pu\u021bin de c\u00e2t toate: cum le str\u00e2ngi pu\u021bin \u00een corset, “stai c\u0103 spui, m\u00e2nca-te-a\u0219!”<\/p>\n De aceea le sl\u0103bise pe chivu\u021be, l\u0103s\u00e2ndu-le \u00eens\u0103 tot la secret nem\u00e2ncate, s\u0103 se mai g\u00e2ndeasc\u0103 – poate!… dar nu-i vine s\u0103 creaz\u0103.<\/span><\/p>\n Pe c\u00e2nd vorbe\u0219te d. Turtureanu, d. c\u0103pitan Pandele cite\u0219te gazeta de sear\u0103, iar d. Lefter ascult\u0103 dus pe g\u00e2nduri. La un moment, d. Popescu se face palid: un domn a intrat \u00een ber\u0103rie \u0219i trece pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 masa lor c\u0103tre fund. Este \u0219eful s\u0103u de la minister, un tip foarte posomor\u00e2t \u0219i din cale afar\u0103 aspru. D. Lefter se scoal\u0103 \u0219i salut\u0103; \u0219eful d-abia mo\u021b\u0103ie din cap \u0219i se a\u0219eaz\u0103 la o mas\u0103 pu\u021bin mai departe.<\/p>\n \u2013 Uite, zice d. c\u0103pitan \u0219i arat\u0103 \u0219i celorlal\u021bi gazeta care scrie:<\/p>\n “Precum se \u0219tie, cele dou\u0103 mari loterii s-au tras zilele trecute. Numerile care au c\u00e2\u0219tigat loturile cele mari, de c\u00e2te 50.000 lei sunt: la Constan\u021ba-Universitate, 076.384 – la Bucure\u0219ti-Astronomie, 109.520.<\/p>\n Un lucru curios \u00eens\u0103; p\u00e2n\u0103 acuma, ferici\u021bii posesori ai numerilor c\u00e2\u0219tig\u0103toare nu s-au prezentat s\u0103-\u0219i reclame dreptul. Pentru numero\u0219ii no\u0219tri cititori \u0219i gentilele noastre cititoare, \u00een r\u00e2ndurile c\u0103rora am dori din suflet s\u0103 se afle c\u00e2\u0219tig\u0103torii, amintim c\u0103, dup\u0103 \u0219ase luni de la trageri, nu se mai poate sub nici un cuv\u00e2nt reclama vreun c\u00e2\u0219tig. Sumele nereclamate p\u00e2n\u0103 la termenul fatal trec de drept la fondurile societ\u0103\u021bilor respective.”<\/p>\n Cu tot respectul ce i-l insufla d-lui Lefter \u0219eful s\u0103u, care-l ochia pe sub sprincene din c\u00e2nd \u00een c\u00e2nd cu privirea plin\u0103 de “mustrare – adic\u0103: “Dumneata ne tragi pe sfoar\u0103; scrii c\u0103 e\u0219ti bolnav, ca s\u0103-mi lipse\u0219ti de la datorie, \u0219i pe urm\u0103-mi ba\u021bi ber\u0103riile… Bravo!” – cu tot respectul acela foarte legitim, d. Popescu nu se putu st\u0103p\u00e2ni la propozi\u021bia final\u0103 din noti\u021ba gazetei, \u0219i izbucni \u00eentr-un hohot de r\u00e2s, un r\u00e2s v\u00e2n\u0103t:<\/p>\n \u2013 Hahaha! s\u0103 \u0219tii nene Turturene, c\u0103 le g\u0103sim tocma a doua zi dup\u0103 termen… \u00eemi cunosc eu norocul!… Hahaha!<\/p>\n R\u00e2sul \u0219i vorbele acestea au f\u0103cut pe d. c\u0103pitan Pandele s\u0103 sar\u0103 din loc. El, care p\u00e2n\u0103 aci p\u0103strase o atitudine calm\u0103, mai presus de orice laud\u0103, a trebuit \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it \u0219i el s\u0103 izbucneasc\u0103… Imput\u0103ri amare de neglijen\u021b\u0103, de indiferen\u021b\u0103, de impruden\u021b\u0103! C\u00e2nd are cineva h\u00e2rtii de valoare a\u0219a de mare, nu le las\u0103 s\u0103 se t\u00e2r\u00e2ie astfel de colo\u00a0<\/span>p\u00e2n\u0103 colo… Trebuie s\u0103 fie cineva prea sec! A\u0219a trebuie s\u0103 pa\u021bi c\u00e2nd faci afaceri de o sut\u0103 de mii de franci cu un zevzec! \u0219.c.l… \u0218i asupra acestora d. c\u0103pitan pleac\u0103, spum\u00e2nd \u0219i \u00eenjur\u00e2nd ca un grad inferior. D. Lefter parc\u0103 n-a auzit nimic; bate toba \u00eencetinel cu de\u0219tele pe marmura mesii.<\/p>\n Peste c\u00e2teva momente, domnul \u0219ef, care a pl\u0103tit paharul s\u0103u de bere, se scoal\u0103 \u0219i, trec\u00e2nd spre u\u0219\u0103 pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 mas\u0103, zice:<\/p>\n \u2013 Domnule Popescu, dac\u0103 dumneata nu mai vrei s\u0103 vii la serviciu, atunci, te rog, cel pu\u021bin trimite m\u00e2ine cheia sertarului, unde ai acte publice \u00een \u00eent\u00e2rziere.<\/p>\n \u2013 Am fost bolnav, domnule \u0219ef.<\/p>\n \u2013 Mofturi!…<\/p>\n \u2013 Parol, domnule \u0219ef; m\u00e2ine viu negre\u0219it.<\/p>\n \u2013 Te rog! zise scurt \u0219i ap\u0103sat \u0219eful \u0219i plec\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 salute. D. Turtureanu se uit\u0103 la ceas… T\u00e2rziu! Trebuie s\u0103 mearg\u0103 la serviciul de noapte: peste un ceas trece inspectorul pe la sec\u021bie. Pleac\u0103; d. Lefter pleac\u0103 dup\u0103 el. S\u0103 arunc\u0103 \u00eentr-o birj\u0103; d. Lefter se arunc\u0103 dup\u0103 el.<\/p>\n \u2013 Merg \u0219i eu la sec\u021bie, nene Turturene, s-o mai v\u0103z pe hoa\u021b\u0103! D. Turtureanu se-nvoie\u0219te numai dup\u0103 ce amicul \u00ee\u0219i da cuv\u00e2ntul solemn de onoare c\u0103 n-are s\u0103 mai fie violent, n-are s\u0103 mai fac\u0103 nimic femeilor arestate. Pe drum, d. Popescu promite amicului s\u0103u s\u0103-i ridice partea din c\u00e2\u0219tig de la cinci la zece ta sut\u0103, dac\u0103 se g\u0103sesc biletele.<\/p>\n \u2013 Pe viitorul \u0219i pe onoarea mea! nene Turturene!<\/p>\n Au sosit… Nenorocire!… Inspectorul trecuse pe la sec\u021bie adineauri; cercetase la secret, notase ceva foarte sup\u0103rat, \u00een portofel, \u0219i liberase pe cele trei femei, \u00eembun\u00e2ndu-le cu vorbe bl\u00e2nde.<\/p>\n \u2013 De mare belea mi se pare c\u0103 m-ai dat, nene Popescule, cu ipohondriile dumitale! a zis d. comisar.<\/p>\n D. Lefter atunci a-nceput s\u0103 se vaite.<\/p>\n \u2013 Prin urmare, care va s\u0103 zic\u0103, dac\u0103 nici dv., poli\u021bia, nu ne proteja\u021bi contra bandi\u021bilor, atunci, m\u0103 rog, ce mai r\u0103m\u00e2ne? Am \u00een\u021beles, care va s\u0103 zic\u0103, cum merge chestia!\u00a0<\/span>Nu v\u0103 s\u0103tura\u021bi nici cu zece la sut\u0103? C\u00e2t vre\u021bi, c\u00e2t pofti\u021bi, domnule? \u0219aptezeci? nou\u0103zeci? sut\u0103 la sut\u0103?<\/p>\n \u0218i apoi o cascad\u0103, un torent de invective la adresa autorit\u0103\u021bii, care e compus\u0103 din punga\u0219i, din zbiri complici cu briganzii! exemplu: d. inspector, care s-a \u00eenvoit cu \u021bigancele…<\/p>\n \u2013 Frumos! sublim! adaog\u0103, dup\u0103 o pauz\u0103 de resuflu, d. Popescu, cu un ton de acr\u0103 ironie.<\/p>\n \u0218-apoi, schimb\u00e2nd tonul, cu glasul tun\u0103tor:<\/p>\n \u2013 Ru\u0219ine pentru acest \u00eenceput de secol! de trei ori ru\u0219ine!<\/p>\n Pruden\u021ba \u0219i amici\u021bia au oprit pe d. Turtureanu s\u0103 nu-i dreseze cuvenitul proces-verbal pentru insult\u0103 adus\u0103 autorit\u0103\u021bii \u00een exerci\u021biul func\u021biunei, \u0219i poate c\u0103 tot i l-ar fi dresat dac\u0103, asupra ultimelor cuvinte d. Lefter n-ar fi ie\u0219it \u00een fuga mare ca un nebun, strig\u00e2nd c\u0103 se duce s\u0103 reclame la parchet.<\/p>\n Era cam pe la r\u00e2ndul al treilea al salipgiilor; mijea bine de ziu\u0103, c\u00e2nd d. Lefter, dup\u0103 ce r\u0103t\u0103cise at\u00e2ta vreme prin mahalale, ajunse \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it \u00een maidanul din strada Emancip\u0103rii, \u00een fa\u021ba cocioabei, de unde ridicaser\u0103 asear\u0103 pe cele trei chivu\u021be…<\/p>\n Poate… poate c\u0103 rug\u0103ciunea s\u0103 biruie ce n-a putut birui violen\u021ba… \u0219i d. Popescu bate cu sfial\u0103 la u\u0219a s\u0103rmanei locuin\u021be… Nici un r\u0103spuns… Mai bate odat\u0103, tot a\u0219a de discret… Acela\u0219i rezultat… S\u0103 bat\u0103 mai cu inim\u0103!… Dar mai mult\u0103 inima n-are… Se apropie \u00een v\u00e2rful galo\u0219ilor de ferestruic\u0103 \u0219i ascult\u0103 ce s\u0103 fie \u00een\u0103untru… \u00cen t\u0103cerea dimine\u021bii umede \u0219i neguroase, se aud bine horc\u0103ieli… Femeile, zdrobite de \u00eemprejur\u0103rile prin care trecuser\u0103, dormeau duse.<\/p>\n D. Lefter \u0219ezu pe marginea de lemn a prispii \u0219i aprinse o \u021bigaret\u0103… \u0218ezu c\u00e2t \u0219ezu a\u0219a, medit\u00e2nd un discurs bine sim\u021bit pentru a convinge pe chivu\u021be c\u0103 ni\u0219te femei muncitoare pot c\u00e2\u0219tiga o avere \u00eentr-un chip onorabil, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 caute a ruina pe un om, de la casa c\u0103ruia au c\u00e2\u0219tigat totdeauna o buc\u0103\u021bic\u0103 de p\u00e2ine… Ar fi p\u0103cat! \u0219i mai la urm\u0103, el a dat de \u0219tire: biletele sunt anulate; dar zece, cinsprezece la sut\u0103, da! o avere necalculabil\u0103,\u00a0<\/span>care le pic\u0103 din cer: bogate, independente \u0219i… oneste, \u0219.c.l…<\/p>\n Deodat\u0103, se aude zgomot u\u0219or \u00een cas\u0103… \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, s-au de\u0219teptat… Musafirul se scoal\u0103-n picioare, tu\u0219e\u0219te \u0219i pune m\u00e2na pe bordul p\u0103l\u0103riei. \u00cen acela\u0219i moment u\u0219a se deschide \u0219i se arat\u0103-n prag chipul ne\u021bes\u0103lat al fetii:<\/p>\n \u2013 Haoleu, mam\u0103! s\u0103ri\u021bi! c-a venit h\u0103la iar! Femeile sar degrab:<\/p>\n \u2013 Iar ai venit, nebunule? \u021bip\u0103 \u021a\u00e2ca.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ai venit iar la belete, ai? url\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2na. \u0218i, p\u00e2n\u0103 s\u0103 n-apuce d. Popescu s\u0103 salute m\u0103car, se pomene\u0219te flea\u0219c! drept \u00een ochi, o strachin\u0103 cu prune sleite!<\/p>\n \u2013 Na belete!<\/p>\n \u2013 S\u0103 pui s\u0103 ne omoare, nevinovate, la poli\u021bie, ai? o\u021bule!<\/p>\n \u0218i dup\u0103 ce i-au luat v\u0103zul, trege-i pumni, palme, \u0219i pe urm\u0103 care cu ce apuc\u0103, baba cu o crati\u021b\u0103, fata cu o scurt\u0103tur\u0103 de lemn \u0219i femeia cu un t\u00e2rn, \u0219i d\u0103-l tava p\u00e2n noroi:<\/p>\n \u2013 Na belete! na belete!! na belete!!!<\/p>\n C\u00e2nd au ostenit bine chivu\u021bele, a plecat \u0219i d. Lefter destul de ostenit \u0219i dumnealui dar repede, \u0219i cu capul gol, de degrab ce-i era, – \u0219i chivu\u021bele dup\u0103 el:<\/p>\n \u2013 Ho! Ho! nu mai vrei belete? s\u0103 mai vii la belete! ho! oarrba!!<\/p>\n Pe la \u0219eapte \u0219i jum\u0103tate d. Popescu era acas\u0103. Consoarta sa nu dormise toat\u0103 noaptea de grij\u0103. Cocoana, v\u0103z\u00e2nd halul omului, s-a pornit pe pl\u00e2ns… De cu seara, venise un prieten de la minister \u0219i l\u0103sase o scrisoare…<\/p>\n O cite\u0219te:<\/p>\n “Drag\u0103 Leftere,<\/p>\n Ast\u0103zi, c\u00e2nd am plecat de la can\u021bilerie, d. Georgescu, \u0219eful, mi-a zis s\u0103 te anun\u021b c\u0103, dac\u0103 m\u00e2ine nu vii la serviciu, po\u021bi s\u0103 nu mai vii deloc, c\u0103ci face raport de destituire \u0219i pune s\u0103 sparg\u0103 broasca sertarului t\u0103u, unde ai \u00eencuiat dosarul cu afacerea Goldstein. Au venit ast\u0103zi trei deputa\u021bi \u0219i au f\u0103cut gur\u0103 c\u0103 se tr\u0103g\u0103neaz\u0103 lucrurile.\u00a0<\/span>De m\u00e2ne, \u00eencepem pe c\u00e2t o \u021bine Camera, can\u021bileria la 8 dim. Te rog, \u00een interesul t\u0103u, vin\u0103 negre\u0219it. \u0218eful e turbat r\u0103u.<\/p>\n Al t\u0103u fidel amic,<\/p>\n MITICU\u021a\u0102”<\/p>\n La opt \u0219i cinci, d. Lefter, sp\u0103lat \u0219i premenit, suie treptele ministerului. \u00eentreab\u0103 pe aprod:<\/p>\n \u2013 \u0218eful a venit?<\/p>\n \u2013 Acu\u0219ica, r\u0103spunde aprodul. A ordonat s\u0103 merge\u021bi imediat la dumnealui.<\/p>\n D. Popescu gr\u0103be\u0219te \u0219i intr\u0103 foarte umilit. \u0218eful, care se plimb\u0103 de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo, cu m\u00e2inile \u00een buzunar, cum \u00eel vede, se opre\u0219te:<\/p>\n \u2013 Ai venit, domnule?<\/p>\n \u2013 Da, domnule Georgescu…<\/p>\n \u2013 Aici nu sunt domnul Georgescu, domnule! aici sunt domnul \u0219ef… S\u0103-mi aduci la moment dosarul afacerii Goldstein… \u0218i alt\u0103dat\u0103, s\u0103 \u0219tii c\u0103 te dau afar\u0103! Statul nu pl\u0103te\u0219te impiega\u021bii, ca s\u0103 fac\u0103 be\u021bii noaptea \u0219i ziua s\u0103 zac\u0103 – uite ce pr\u0103p\u0103dit e\u0219ti! – \u00een loc s\u0103 vie la datorie… M-ai auzit? Mergi de-mi adu dosarul!<\/p>\n Impiegatul iese \u00eempleticindu-se. Se duce la masa lui de lucru, descuie sertarul \u0219i apuc\u0103 nervos un vraf de h\u00e2rtii. C\u00e2nd d\u0103 s\u0103 pun\u0103 vraful pe mas\u0103, scap\u0103 p\u00e2ntre de\u0219te jos o h\u00e2rtiu\u021b\u0103 mic\u0103 \u00eendoit\u0103. S-apleac\u0103 – o ridic\u0103 \u2014 o prive\u0219te lung \u2014 d\u0103 un \u021bip\u0103t…<\/p>\n To\u021bi zeii! to\u021bi au murit! to\u021bi mor! numai Norocul tr\u0103ie\u0219te \u0219i va tr\u0103i al\u0103turi cu Vremea, nemuritoare ca \u0219i el!\u2026 Sunt aci!… aci biletele!… aci era soarele str\u0103lucitor c\u0103utat at\u00e2ta timp orbe\u0219te pe-ntuneric!<\/p>\n D. Lefter e lini\u0219tit – acea lini\u0219te a m\u0103rii, care, \u00een\u021belenit\u0103 \u00een fine, vrea s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103 dup\u0103 zbuciumul unui n\u0103prasnic uragan: fa\u021ba ei este senin\u0103, f\u0103r\u0103 cre\u021b, pe c\u00e2nd \u00een fundu-i zac at\u00e2tea sf\u0103r\u00e2m\u00e2turi de cor\u0103bii \u00eenghi\u021bite pe de-apururi, \u00eenainte de a fi putut ajunge la liman!<\/p>\n El ascunde-n s\u00e2n, \u00eentre flanel\u0103 \u0219i piele, \u00eentr-un plic de p\u00e2nz\u0103, cele dou\u0103 buc\u0103\u021bele de h\u00e2rtie tip\u0103rite conabiu, ca muchea unor farfurii pierdute pe veci. Sur\u00e2z\u00e2nd de aceast\u0103 reminiscen\u021b\u0103 vizual\u0103, se \u00eencheie la jiletc\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 prip\u0103,\u00a0<\/span>se a\u0219eaz\u0103 bine \u00een je\u021bul s\u0103u de mu\u0219ama \u0219i a\u0219terne cu m\u00e2na sigur\u0103 pe o coal\u0103 de h\u00e2rtie ministerial\u0103, urm\u0103toarea compozi\u021bie, care, sub forma-i laconic\u0103, ascunde at\u00e2ta ironie:<\/p>\n Ia apoi dosarul \u0219i demisia \u0219i intr\u0103 hot\u0103r\u00e2t la \u0219eful, care lucreaz\u0103 cu nasul v\u00e2r\u00e2t \u00een h\u00e2rtii:<\/p>\n \u2013 Domnule \u0219ef, iat\u0103 dosarul Goldstein.<\/p>\n \u2013 Bine, r\u0103spunde superiorul f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 ridice capul. Las\u0103-l aici.<\/p>\n \u2013 \u0218i mai iat\u0103, “domnule Georgescu”, v\u0103 rog foarte mult, \u0219i demisia mea.<\/p>\n \u2013 Bine… Las-o aici.<\/p>\n \u2013 V\u0103 salut.<\/p>\n \u2013 Bine… Du-te.<\/p>\n Dup\u0103 zece minute, omul care a scuturat \u00een fine jugul nesuferitei robii, intr\u0103 la bancherul unde au fost depuse biletele en gros.<\/p>\n \u2013 M\u0103 rog, unde se \u00eencaseaz\u0103 c\u00e2\u0219tigurile de la lot\u0103riile care s-au tras alalt\u0103ieri?<\/p>\n \u2013 Fondul e depus la casa de depuneri, dar poate cineva s\u0103 le-ncaseze \u0219i prin noi. Ave\u021bi vreun bilet c\u00e2\u0219tig\u0103tor?<\/p>\n \u2013 Am dou\u0103 c\u00e2\u0219tig\u0103toare, r\u0103spunse f\u0103r\u0103 afectare d. Popescu, \u0219i arat\u0103 de departe biletele, \u021bin\u00e2ndu-le gra\u021bios \u00eentre dou\u0103 degete.<\/p>\n \u2013 Sunt c\u00e2\u0219tiguri mari?<\/p>\n \u2013 M\u0103ricele… Am am\u00e2ndou\u0103 c\u00e2\u0219tigurile mari! Bancherul deschide ni\u0219te ochi plini de admira\u021bie \u0219i zice, d\u00e2nd s\u0103 ia biletele:<\/p>\n \u2013 Da\u021bi-mi voie, m\u0103 rog.<\/p>\n Dar d. Lefter retrage \u00eencetinel m\u00e2na, desdoie\u0219te biletele \u0219i \u00eentreab\u0103:<\/span><\/p>\n \u2013 N-ave\u021bi listele oficiale?<\/p>\n \u2013 Ba da. Iat\u0103-le.<\/p>\n \u2013 M\u0103 rog, zice d. Lefter cu vorb\u0103 respicat\u0103, Avem odat\u0103: zero-\u0219apte-zeci-\u0219i-\u0219ase-de-mii-trei-sute-opt-zeci-\u0219i-patru Universitate-Constan\u021ba.<\/p>\n \u2013 Nu, r\u0103spunde bancherul: una-sut\u0103-\u0219i-nou\u0103-mii-cinci-sute-dou\u0103-zeci.<\/p>\n \u2013 D\u0103-mi voie, nu m\u0103-ncurca: una sut\u0103-\u0219i-nou\u0103-mii-cinci-sute-dou\u0103-zeci – Bucure\u0219ti-Astronomie.<\/p>\n \u2013 Ba, pardon, zice bancherul… Bucure\u0219ti-Astronomie zero-\u0219apte-zeci-\u0219i-\u0219ase-de-mii-trei-sute-opt-zeci-\u0219i-patru.<\/p>\n D. Lefter nu-\u0219i d\u0103 seama bine de ce, dar simte o sf\u00e2r\u0219eal\u0103, \u0219i cade, alb ca por\u021belanul, pe un scaun l\u00e2ng\u0103 cantor\u0103, \u00eentinz\u00e2nd machinal m\u00e2na cu biletele. Bancherul le ia se uit\u0103 bine la liste, la bilete, la posesorul lor, \u0219i z\u00e2mbind \u0219i el f\u0103r\u0103 afectare zice d-lui Lefter, care ascult\u0103 stupid:<\/p>\n \u2013 Uite ce e, stimabile: v-a\u021bi \u00een\u0219elat. \u0218i iac\u0103 de unde provine… Dumneata ai… Ciudat lucru, ce-i drept… Cum s-a \u00eent\u00e2mplat!… Al dracului!… Dumneata ai la una tocmai num\u0103rul care a c\u00e2\u0219tigat la cealalt\u0103 \u0219i…<\/p>\n \u2013 \u0218i ce?<\/p>\n – … \u0219i viceversa.<\/p>\n Cum aude cuv\u00e2ntul viceversa, d. Lefter se face v\u00e2n\u0103t ca ficatul \u0219i se ridic\u0103 izbucnind cu o volubilitate suprem\u0103:<\/p>\n \u2013 Vice-versa! Nu se poate, domnule! peste poate! Vice-versa! Asta-i \u0219arlatanie, m\u0103-n\u021belegi! V\u0103-nv\u0103\u021b eu minte pe d-voastr\u0103 s\u0103 umbla\u021bi d-acu-ncolo cu infamii, \u0219i s\u0103 v\u0103 bate\u021bi joc de oameni, fiindc\u0103 este o exploatare \u0219i nu v\u0103 mai s\u0103tura\u021bi ca vampirii, pierz\u00e2nd toat\u0103 sudoarea fiecare om onest, deoarece se-ncrede orbe\u0219te-n mofturile d-voastr\u0103 \u0219i cu tripotajuri ovreie\u0219ti de burs\u0103, care suntem noi pro\u0219ti \u0219i nu ne-nv\u0103\u021b\u0103m odat\u0103 minte ca s\u0103 venim, m\u0103-n\u021belegi, \u0219i s\u0103 ne revolt\u0103m… da! s\u0103 ne revolt\u0103m! A\u0219a s\u0103 \u0219ti\u021bi: pro\u0219ti! pro\u0219ti! pro\u0219ti!<\/p>\n \u0218-a-nceput s\u0103 se jeleasc\u0103, s\u0103 se bat\u0103 cu palmele peste ochi \u0219i cu pumnii \u00een cap \u0219i s\u0103 trop\u0103ie din picioare, f\u0103c\u00e2nd a\u0219a un t\u0103r\u0103boi, \u00eenc\u00e2t a trebuit bancherul s\u0103 cear\u0103 ajutorul for\u021bei publice ca s\u0103 scape de d. Lefter…<\/span><\/p>\n Dac\u0103 a\u0219 fi unul din acei autori care se respect\u0103 \u0219i sunt foarte respecta\u021bi, a\u0219 \u00eencheia povestirea mea astfel…<\/p>\n …Au trecut mul\u021bi ani la mijloc.<\/p>\n \u00centr-un t\u00e2rziu, cine vizita m\u00e2n\u0103stirea \u021aig\u0103ne\u0219ti, putea vedea acolo o mic\u0103 b\u0103tr\u00e2n\u0103, oache\u0219\u0103, \u00eenalt\u0103 \u0219i uscat\u0103 ca o sf\u00e2nt\u0103, cu o aluni\u021b\u0103 mare p\u0103roas\u0103 d-asupra sprincenei din st\u00e2nga \u0219i cu privirea extatic\u0103. Ea nu scotea un cuv\u00e2nt, nu voia s\u0103 r\u0103spunz\u0103 la nici o \u00eentrebare; nu f\u0103cea nici un r\u0103u, era dimpotriv\u0103 foarte bl\u00e2nd\u0103. O singur\u0103 apuc\u0103tur\u0103 denun\u021ba oarecum c\u0103, sub fruntea ei senin\u0103, clipea o minte cu reazimul dezr\u0103d\u0103cinat: toat\u0103 ziulica, maica Elefteria culegea, te mir pe unde le mai g\u0103sea, cioburi de str\u0103chini, pe care le ascundea cu scump\u0103tate \u00een scunda ei chiliu\u021b\u0103.<\/p>\n Tot \u00eentr-un timp, colo departe, \u00een haosul zgomotos al Bucure\u0219tilor, trec\u0103torii puteau vedea un mo\u0219neag micu\u021b, intrat la ap\u0103 \u0219i scof\u00e2lcit, plimb\u00e2ndu-se lini\u0219tit, cu acea lini\u0219te a m\u0103rei, care, potolit\u0103 \u00een sf\u00e2r\u0219it, vrea s\u0103 se odihneasc\u0103 dup\u0103 zbuciumul unui n\u0103prasnic uragan. B\u0103tr\u00e2nelul se plimba regulat, – diminea\u021ba, de colo p\u00e2n\u0103 colo pe dinaintea Universit\u0103\u021bii – seara, cum r\u0103s\u0103reau a\u0219trii, de jur \u00eemprejurul Observatorului pompierilor de la bifurcarea bulevardului Pake, – \u0219optind mereu, cu un glas blajin, acela\u0219i cuv\u00e2nt: “Vice-versa!… da, vice-versa!\u201d… – cuv\u00e2nt vag ca \u0219i vagul vastei m\u0103ri, care sub fa\u021ba-i f\u0103r\u0103 cre\u021b, ascunde-n tainicele-i ad\u00e2ncuri st\u00e2ncoase cine \u0219tie c\u00e2te cor\u0103bii, zdrobite \u00eenainte de a fi ajuns la liman, de-a pururi pierdute!<\/p>\n Dar… fiindc\u0103 nu sunt dintre acei autori, prefer s\u0103 v\u0103 spun drept: dup\u0103 scandalul de la bancher, nu \u0219tiu ce s-a mai \u00eent\u00e2mplat cu eroul meu \u0219i cu madam Popescu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Asta e culmea!… strig\u0103 d. Lefter, \u0219terg\u00e2ndu-\u0219i fruntea, pe c\u00e2nd madam Popescu, consoarta sa, caut\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 preget … Nu e \u0219i nu e!… \u2013 Femeie, trebuie s\u0103 fie-n cas\u0103… Dracu n-a venit s\u0103 o ia!… Dar ce au pierdut? ce caut\u0103? Caut\u0103 dou\u0103 bilete de loterie, cu care d. Lefter Popescu a c\u00e2\u0219tigat. \u00cens\u0103 oricine […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[15],"class_list":["post-361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ion-luca-caragiale-nuvele","tag-ion-luca-caragiale"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=361"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":363,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361\/revisions\/363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dragos-serban.ro\/carti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n