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"The Year of the Tiger, will soon be the Year of the Cat"
"Tell me about England, what's it like?" "Well, it's very wet. Which makes it's greeness almost iridescent. Almost indecently green.
The people are odd, they're cruel to each other. Mostly in silent unexpected ways. It's an emotional cruelty. You feel watched, disapproved of all the time.
"Is that why you left?" "The terrible pressure. Lines of upright houses. Everyone spying on everyone else."
"I'm not even an unconventional woman, I only need that amount of air, and I can't get it in England."
"I know what you are thinking. Will I ever go back?"
"I'm afraid I've always been emotionally stupid. I never know, even when it's incredebly blatant." "I think this time you probably have the idea."
"I thought I better come around and check it out anyway." "What a relief, but the embarassment it you were wrong." "I did think of that, it was a factor. Cigarette?" "No"
"I was right, CIA, Intelligence is terrific."
"Do you know the British council?" "No, I don't think so." "They have a library here. We're encouraged to spread the culture. I went there, but the libraian doesn't speak English"
"My boss is giving a party. He's the CIA station chief, will you remember?" "I'll try". "Merry Christmas, how are you?" "Fine, Merry Christmas to you"
"Jack I would like for you to meet Barbara Dean." "How do you do, very glad that you could make it." "Barbara works at the bank."
"Take me home".
"Oh, it's the waste, all the time we wasted." "I know, I know, it was my fault!"
"It all seems so stupid now".
"It's so strange. Everywhere you hear people say, how I love this country. That's what they say. Usually they say it just as they are leaving."
And that's what you are left with, gestures of affection. Which you then find out mean nothing at all!"