Ariadne in the Grotesque Labyrinth (Catalan Literature) by Salvador Espriu Page A

old, dragged through that lack of an experience with Pinxo Arruga; wasted. »
    « Now ’ s not the time to exact revenge. Up there it thunders and nothing changes if there are three more or three less. The point is that my thunderclap has come. Ai, Rossenda, my belly! »
    « Hold on tight, Quim. At least until one of the servers makes you a tisane. God forbid they should say that, because I mean nothing to you, you went to perdition without all the details taken care of. »
    « Don ’ t make fun, Rossenda, I ’ m trying to be brave. »
    « Murderer. Here I am alone with you and you ’ re getting on my nerves. Where does it hurt? »
    « Here, Rossenda, in my belly. I already told you. Don ’ t move me. The ghosts aren ’ t here to soften the mattress. »
    « Ai, Jesus, here comes the gibberish — now I know. Quim, try to breathe easy to the end, remember your good fortune, that this little adventuress has given you years and locks on your doors and skin with but few wrinkles. I ’ m not going to tell you to make use of it now, but I am going to tell you that you ’ ve acted like you ’ re seven. Honestly, Quim, think about the fact that you ’ re leaving me here in tears, yet not even a widow. What if we fix all the little details regarding our living arrangement? We just have to put it down in writing and everything will be for the better. »
    « Ai, I ’ m dying! »
    « Come on now, Quim, give me the pleasure of being able to legitimately dress like a widow in mourning. »
    « Rossenda. »
    « What? »
    « It ’ s called: “ Please. ” »
    « Please. »
    « Shut your mouth and remember that you ’ re dealing with Quim Federal. »
    « Ai, mother, someone is working themselves to the bone, and all to show the shame of your final moments when I ’ m out on the street! Egotist, thief! Unlucky me! »
    « No more of your lip. Do what you want as long as you shut up, witch. »
    « That ’ s better, and from your conscience. I ’ m going to go notify Father Apagallums. »
    Rossenda left, and Federal, as a prologue to his final moments, wallowed in his bed.
    II
    Upon leaving, Rossenda bumped into Ventura, the sacristan, who made her turn around and, on the way, informed her of the momentary absence of Father Apagallums: when he returned, he ’ d prepare Federal ’ s filthy little soul. As the two of them entered the room, this was the sacristan ’ s greeting:
    « Pax tecum ! »
    « Out, out beetles. I ’ m a federalist for life. »
    « I ’ m no beetle. Is it possible you don ’ t recognize me — that I ’ ve slipped right through your memory? Quimet, you surprise me! »
    « Ah, you ’ re Ventura. Sacristan or not, boy, give me your hand. Good to see you, yes sir, friends are friends. »
    Ventura, having re-established their old friendship, indicated Rossenda:
    « Is she, shall we say, your concubine? »
    « Technically, yes. »
    « Uf, so inconsiderate, the two of you. I am a decent woman. »
    « Take it down a notch, stop and calm yourself, girl. Don ’ t you get it? Here: he simply asked me if you ’ re getting any closer to being my wife. »
    « Ah, thinking the worst, pardon me. I think this one never went to sewing school. »
    « That ’ s how I like it. Above all, that you don ’ t fight. It ’ s been months since I ’ ve seen you, Quim, but today my heart told me to come by, and here you have me. And so, how are things with you? Are you still abiding by your credo? »
    « Yes, like always. You know how it goes: A dead bug ’ s a free bug, and that ’ s all she wrote. »
    « You know you need me, blasphemer; I ’ ve already sniffed that out. I already see the signs, see you transformed, squashed suddenly flat as a decal, damned from head to toe in the thick sulfur of Hades. Repent. You still have time. »
    « Now that ’ s a Christian sermon, » said Rossenda. « If it didn ’ t come at such a cost, I ’ d let out a little scream. Doesn ’ t it move you, heretic, demon-son? Prepare