MEMORIES OF DIANA, PART TWO

"Good afternoon – Mr. Nikos is expecting me."

The old woman mumbled something in Greek and tried to shut the door in Carl's face.

"Maria!" A spate of rapid-fire speech from Diana, and the door was opened. Maria gave Carl a resentful look as she retreated into the back of the house.

"Alex is not at home, Carl." said Diana. "That is what Maria was saying."

"Perhaps I'm early." said Carl, glancing at his watch.

"Please come in and wait."

"I get the impression that your housekeeper doesn't like me." said Carl, as Diana led the way to the living-room.

"Maria doesn't like anyone, except Alex. She was his nurse when he was a boy."

"Ah." said Carl, "No chance of getting her replaced, I suppose."

"Alex won't consider it."

"Not even for his new bride?"

"Bride?" said Diana," Oh, we have been married for three years."

"Three years? How old were you - fifteen?"

"Eighteen. I am not so young."

"No indeed - twenty-one is Old."

"Do you have a wife, Carl?"

"No." said Carl. "There was someone once - someone I loved very much - but she died."

"What was her name?"

"Justine."

"Justine," said Diana, "That is a beautiful name."

"She was a very beautiful woman."

"Justine - it sounds sophisticated - and elegant - and mysterious."

"She was all of those things."

"I wish I had a name like that, instead of plain Diana."

"There's nothing plain about Diana - or the name." said Carl, "It suits you:

'Queen and Huntress, chaste and fair/ Now the world has gone to sleep/

Seated in thy silver chair/ State in wonted splendour keep/

Goddess excellently bright-' "

He broke off as they heard the front door open.

"Ah, Alex!"

"Shall we go to my study?" said Nikos.

"I have received confirmation that my shipment arrived safely," said Carl, once the study door was closed.

He opened his briefcase and took out a wad of cash.

"You will find that this is the exact payment we agreed upon." he said.

Nikos counted it anyway. Carl did not miss the glint of greed in his eyes.

"What will you do with your newfound wealth, Alex?"

"Buy another ship."

"Plowing your profits back into the business? Very wise."

"Drink?" said Nikos.

"Thank you."

Nikos poured drinks. "To our future business deals, Carl!"

"Alex, This may be the start of a beautiful friendship!"

NOTE: The poem was written by Ben Jonson (1572-1637) for a masque called CYNTHIA'S REVELS.