The Species Exchange

Café

So unavailing, pathetic, even, was it that I'd situated myself in such a preposterous dilemma that I invited my colleague to coffee and chat at Cafe de Casquette; not for I needed the man's help, but for it was this man himself who led me to situate myself in the dilemma... Nearly. Fortunately, my person of the past is no less wise than mine of the present.

I closed the newspaper and set it flat on the table, looking up to meet P. Benoit's eyes. "Surely," I began with a heavy and slightly expostulating sigh, "you have, in the slightest, some resolve regarding the issue here?" I was earlier compelled to say, 'your issue,' but had decided at the last moment to reserve my civility.

My colleague did not look as if he felt guilty at all. I supposed he was stalling his response as he busied himself by removing his glasses to wipe them clean with a blue cloth. As he placed the eyewear back on his face, he finally said, "Well. A man of intellect never accepts in moral a piece of work finished only 'in the slightest,' no?" He smiled playfully and turned the pen in his fingers in my direction. "Mr. Ward. If I had no problem-solving ideas in this head of mine I would stand upright here and fire myself on the spot. Of course I have one!" P. Benoit paused to glance behind him, assuring we did not have eavesdropping company. "Shall I propose it here?"

"I don't see why not," said I. The Cafe de Casquette was my favorite place; what better place to converse and collaborate? No sense in wasting time to move elsewhere. I sipped my black coffee.

"Very well then." P. Benoit cleared his throat then began excitedly, "You see, my friends and I, as you know, own a private laboratory exclusive to—well—friends; for security purposes. If you transfer your ownings to me— you will be under my good hands. I'll charge you no fee and it will last to three years from now to keep the species patented."

I decided to add creamer to my drink and stirred. "So you propose I hand over the only specimen discovered to a personal colleague? I find that quite . . . risible, may I say, in a rather pervasive way."

"Oh, risible it may be, that is just a part of it. A slice of the loaf."

"Go on," I said.

"As you know, I am also a businessman, and we will have no problem sharing to the public in the future. I can make many working arrangements."

A waiter had appeared before us, and he smiled before taking our finished dishes and leaving briskly.

P. Benoit continued, "You become a member of my lab; I give you free access to both storage and publicity to do whatever you like. My lab gets another man, one as brilliant as you. You see that we both have something to gain?"

I stared at the steam rolling out of my cup. Of course, I trusted this man. He was a good fellow, smart, gentlemanly, and sincere to the highest degrees. Then smiling at him, I replied, "Benoit, your idea is that of a complete lunatic— a lunatic of intellect, I say!"

"You are quite the critic," laughed P. Benoit boisterously. "Will you do it?"

"Do it? What else shall I do, sell my specimen to a sinister scientist? Of course I am with you."

Overjoyed, Benoit reached his hand out to mine and shook it vigorously. "Partners in the discovery of a spectacular, mythical animal. I would never have imagined it."