“And all the groups of people strived to create opportunities for themselves to kill, just as I have done. To be stronger than other groups of people. To have better weapons, a larger and better trained army.
“And when they achieved that, when they could kill other people, it was easy to come up with an excuse: they hate us, they are a threat to us, we have to expand our territories, we have to ensure resources for ourselves, they believe in something else, we have to get revenge, we are superior… a million excuses.
“You’ve seen history shows on television. No one wastes time explaining why one group of people killed a different group, why did the groups fought in the first place. They don’t explain that because wars and killing are implied. They only talk about who was more skillful, which king, tsar, general or admiral outsmarted the other one, how a certain war, a certain battle developed. When you watch at those shows you get spattered by blood and death.
“I’m not original in any way, Dr. Palladino. I only asked myself why I would kill only the members of this group or the other group of people, when I have the opportunity to kill all people.”
Dr. Palladino calmed down. He returned to his chair. He looked at the Grasshopper and said
“Would you please continue the discussion about Pascal Alexander?”
“As you wish, Doctor. I know more about Mr. Alexander that can be deduced from his speeches,” the Grasshopper continued. “Because we had him under surveillance on several occasions.”
“And? What did you hear? I’m interested in Pascal’s intimate thoughts.”
“Mr. Pascal Alexander was an utopist. One of many. With the exception of being the last one, he differed from his predecessors in that he did not offer anything new. His goal was the restoration of the old. Restoration of democracy and the free market.
“He wanted… and this needs to be said in the beginning: Mr. Alexander saw a link between evolution — he was a biology teacher — and the free market.
“His thesis was that creation of companies that would compete between themselves in the free market, companies that are constantly developing, changing and adapting to market conditions — is a next phase in evolution. Just like different life forms changed through evolution and struggled for survival.
“And that in this same way, in the free market the strongest survive, and the weaker, unadjusted, incompetent — die out.”
“What do you think of that, Mr. Grasshopper?”
“I didn’t go into that. I’m not interested in the market, free or not. Or evolution. I’m not interested in whether man was created by evolution, God or something else. I’m also not interested in whether man’s instinct to kill was imbedded by the creator intentionally or by accident. I only understand what has been created. And if this unknown creator truly had the intention to create sustainable life, life capable of surviving — then his project is failing, he’s become perplexed, like a pupil solving a math problem for a test. And I will help him. I will do what is most sensible in such cases. I will tear out the piece of paper with his scribbling, crumple it up and throw it in the trash. Let him start solving the problem from the beginning, on a blank piece of paper. If he has any time left until the school bell rings.”
Dr. Palladino got up and went to the window.
“You have nothing to say?” the Grasshopper asked.
Dr. Palladino didn’t answer. He lit a cigarette and looked out the window.
“In any case, don’t you think that this is quite alright, that a Grasshopper is sitting at this desk, Dr. Palladino?”
“What do you mean ‘alright’?” asked Dr. Palladino moving in heavy steps back towards the chair.
“Don’t movies depict Earth and mankind under attack by monsters from outer space, with many arms and legs?”
“I don’t watch such films, Mr. Grasshopper,” said Dr. Palladino while taking his seat.
“I believe you. These movies differ only in the number of hands and legs that the monsters have. There was a competition between the moviemakers in who would have the most limbs. And it turned out that it functioned only up to a certain degree. Up to an optimum. After that it was counterproductive; every limb that the author added to his monster only increased the movie’s financial loss. So I’ve been thinking, perhaps it is optimal for mankind that it be killed by a Grasshopper. Six legs is perhaps the optimal number?”
“I’m surprised by your cynicism, Mr. Grasshopper.”
“It wasn’t my intention to be cynical, Dr. Palladino. I’m just surprised by the level of dishonesty among people. They don’t want to admit that the greatest monster in the universe has only two hands and two legs.”
“I think you’ve been kidding yourself the entire time, Mr. Grasshopper,” Dr. Palladino said.
“What do you mean?” the Grasshopper was surprised.
“Because you consider yourself an honest killer who doesn’t need an excuse.”
“That’s right, Doctor.”
“It’s not true. Your excuse is your disappointment in people, Mr. Grasshopper.”
“No, it’s not,” the Grasshopper answered immediately, without a second thought. “I’m not disappointed. In order to be disappointed in something one must first have some expectations. And I don’t have any. I never had any.”
Chapter 138
“Manami, do you see how much I love Peter and Eir?” Pascal asked.
“I see, my darling.” Manami sat in his lap, straddling him. She ran her fingers through his hair. “And I’m overjoyed about it. I also see how the two of them have accepted you… alright, for now as someone they are living with, but even there you would be able to see any animosity, any antagonism. And there is non, my love. Not even a speck. I know that my children will also accept you as my husband. Perhaps there will be some initial resistance in Peter. Not perhaps — there surely will be. But so many people get divorces, and the children adapt, don’t they? The children grow, they get interested in children their age, their generation. It will be alright. I know it. It’s clear to me. I stopped worrying about that long ago.”
“And I will always love them like that. Even if…” Pascal fell silent and dropped his head.
“What? Even if what? What could happen?” Manami was frightened.
“Nothing, it’s not important…” Pascal looked at her and smiled.
“Why are you smiling, Pascal? What are you scheming?” Manami relaxed when she realized that Pascal was teasing her. “Tell me, even if what?”
“Well that… I mean, it isn’t unusual… actually it happens to other people at our age. When a married couple agrees, what and how…”
“I do, my love, I do! I want it! The children also won’t mind if they get a baby sister or a baby brother. You’ll see, my love! You’re wonderful! Wonderful!” Manami kissed Pascal ecstatically.
“Do you really? I was sure that you wouldn’t. You already have Peter and Eir…”
“I also want our child! How could I not want it?!”
“And for it to be beautiful like you, and smart like you, Manami.”
“Stop kidding around, Pascal! Kiss me, please. The two minutes start earlier tonight.”
“That sweet tongue of yours has gone wild, Manami” said Pascal, when they stopped for a moment to catch their breath.
“Don’t be sassy,” Manami laughed. “What do you mean ‘wild’? It’s like it always is during the two minutes.”
“No, not like always. I mean, yes, it’s always wild, but not exactly this much. This is a bit too much for such a lady, Manami.”