Heartbeat Detector Page #2

in 1929.

They kept records back then?

Of course.

I found the files you asked for

on the Farb Quartet.

They last played together

eight years ago.

Have you been asked to look into it?

No. Why?

I had to get permission

to access the archives.

Really?

No, it's my own idea.

What would you think

of an orchestra in the factory?

Management is obviously interested.

Karl Rose gave his consent

immediately.

I hope it won't be old fogey music.

We want to get down!

You're good at that.

Why don't you come to our parties?

I did. Remember?

No. That's the point.

You came to two,

then played dead!

I get down but play dead!

You're annoying, Simon.

I don't mean to be.

Was it you who called me?

-Jacques Paolini?

-Yes.

We can talk in a caf if you like?

I have very little time,

and even less to say to you.

Who told you about the quartet?

Some of the old guys who miss it.

Really?

The Farb Quartet

brings back bad memories.

What do you mean?

Take four cards:

a king, a queen, a jack,

and a six.

Or a king of spades,

a ten of clubs,

a six of diamonds,

and a three of hearts.

You can't win.

You have to throw in your hand.

I'm sure you can guess the cards:

a CEO, a secretary,

a sales rep, and a chemist.

Music doesn't tolerate hierarchy.

The Franck quartet was a disaster.

Was Mr. Jst the violinist?

How did he play?

He was extremely tense,

obsessively exact.

He was so meticulous

he stifled the music.

Perfectionism belies

an appalling fear of emptiness.

Why are you interested

in the Quartet?

Management has asked me

to come up with some ideas

for the events committee.

I thought it would be fun

to start an orchestra.

Forget it! Factory workers

don't like classical music.

Other stuff is better:

techno, house,

heart-pounding beats.

You must know about raves?

My son's at Polytechnique

That's all he listens to.

You can't be serious?

Techno at SC Farb?

Why not?

What does management listen to?

Violence is a thriving market,

a way to let off steam,

a kind of necessary ritual.

Remember getting ragged

when we were students?

I'm going. I'm late already.

Mr. Jst would be mad

if he knew I was worried about him.

He's a very thoughtful man.

He has difficult moments

like everybody else,

personal problems.

Don't worry,

I'm here to help, not judge.

Everything you say

will remain between us.

Mr. Jst sometimes gets very sad.

A terrible loss

he's never gotten over.

The sadness can last for months.

It's very painful,

but it's only human, isn't it?

Of course.

Sadness frightens people.

People avoid you like the plague.

Got a cigarette?

You close your eyes like a friend

I haven't seen in years.

Really?

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