Outline of a Tale

Ms. N. was 34 when she met Mr. E., who by then was 49. Until then nobody had dared to pair with either of them. There was no lack of reasons. It must be added that both were unmatched in beauty and intelligence. Strong passions had been unleashed in their peers, or at least in those in whom they inspired love.

It seems ridiculous, but the reason they walked through life alone was the excessive importance they gave to delaying events. They liked to wait, they refused pleasures in order to enjoy them afterwards, later, with more pleasure; their desire to delay reached incredible limits, to the point of not allowing themselves rest, not indulging in countless matters, even foolish ones.

So as not to despair while waiting, each of them, long before they met, made the most of their time. So Mr. E. studied aeronautics, although it was not his favorite profession, since he had already studied them all. Ms. N., meanwhile, was taking a course in detective work. One night, an ordinary night, as it was, Mr. E. was studying at a friend’s house, while Miss N. was searching for the apartment where one of her clients lived.

That was how Ms. N. rang the doorbell of the apartment where Mr. E. was. Ms. N.’s client realized that they had liked each other and introduced them; they shook hands firmly and remained so for a moment.

The three of them went out for dinner, because the client wanted to discuss some issues with his detective. During dinner, only Ms. N. and her client conversed, while Mr. E. observed the young lady. He chose not to speak to her. “There will be time,” he thought, and so he kept quiet.