The Visitor Read Online Free PDF Page B

your brains to find solutions to propose. As long as they haven’t been found, we’ll lose money, because I’m forced to align myself with the competition today. Okay, I’m finished! You can go now... I’m hoping that by noon, some ideas will pop out of your heads!”  
    While his colleagues began to leave the room, Akkal held one back; he was the second largest shareholder:
    “ Ykkypol, wait.”  
    When they were alone together, Akkal asked:
    “ What’s happening with what we talked about?”  
    “ Well... as I told you, our guy managed to get hired, but he has yet to gain access to all processes. Not easy! I think they’re a little wary.”  
    “ You truly understand that it’s urgent? Natural Foods is in real danger... “  
    “ Of course! I know! I assure you that I’m doing what I can. I feel just as concerned as you. I may own less than you in this venture, but if it sinks, me too, I’m ruined!”  
    “ Yes, Yes... I know... Excuse me. I'm exhausted!”  
    With his sister and his daughter on his back , thought Ykkypol, I can understand that nothing’s going easy for him.  
    He tried to change the subject:
    “ By the way, have you received the email from Channel 2?”  
    “ Eh?” said Akkal.  
    “ The e-mail from Channel 2 concerning The Inquirer show.”  
    “ Ah, Yes! I saw it, but I haven’t had the time or the strength of concentration to find out what it was.”  
    “ They’re inviting us to a debate to defend our profession.”  
    “ What? But to defend against whom?”  
    “ Probably against those who criticize us. Grass eaters associations... Excuse me, I didn't mean your daughter. Really, I wanted to say...”  
    “ Yes, Yes... I get it! So what? What do I care?”  
    “ I think we have to go. To not participate would be an admission of guilt. I’m certain Ralchadomac will send someone... because for sure they must have been approached also.  
    Akkal offered only a dejected look in response.
    “ I could represent us, if you prefer.”  
    “ I would like that, yes. I’ve no desire to give myself in spectacle on live TV. Imagine finding myself debating against my own sister!”  
    “ That’s what I thought too, but I hadn’t dared tell you.”  
     
    *
     
    Etos felt throbbing pain coming back to his shoulder and neck. He hardly took any interest in the food: three boiled potatoes, nuts and other dried fruit. In truth, all that hadn’t even aroused his curiosity. He drank only a few sips. This lack of interest for himself was due to the fact that his mind was elsewhere, drawn to Mahisa. Alone for two hours, he felt overwhelmed with grief; he couldn’t remember ever being so sad. What had happened to her? Was she worried about him? He so hoped that she wasn’t in any danger! Oppressing anxiety overwhelmed him.
    The wind wasn’t blowing any more in a direction conducive to bringing him odors from his fellow people and it made the foliage rustle loudly enough to cover the anxiety-provoking clamor. So Etos forgot them for a while.
    Once again, he examined the strange standing branches that held him prisoner. They were surprisingly regular in thickness, smooth, lacking ramifications and defects. They were also cold and incredibly hard, impossible to even very slightly plant a fingernail in them. Nor were his teeth any more efficient at scoring these stems, decidedly indestructible. He undertook to examine each of them very carefully, especially at the bottom and at the top, there where they were attached to the floor or ceiling. He had to wipe his eyes several times with the palm of his hand, because sadness had clouded his vision. After completing his examination of the whole perimeter, he had to conclude that none of these branches had any connection defect. Tortured by his distress at the idea of being separated from his love, he wept warmly. Sobs shook his chest, yet he didn’t capitulate.
    He was surrounded by trees and he could easily touch the end of