‘Nice shirt you got there.’ ‘Thanks.’ ‘Expensive?’ ‘No. I was
he paused, pen hovering over the page, uncertain whether
paid. It’s one of those advert shirts.’ ‘Oh yeah? What’s it
to answer the advert. He re-read the personal requirements
advertising?’ ‘Some car.’ ‘Right. Um… not very obvious is it?’
the person advertising was after: ‘Aged between 25-40?’ At 32, he
‘The logo’s on the back.’ ‘But you’re wearing a jacket.’ ‘Uh
was dead in the middle. ‘Able to produce undetectable copies of
huh.’ ‘Aren’t you paid to show the back of the shirt as well as the
old master paintings?’ Well, he had a reputation in the criminal
front?’ ‘Well, you see, I was paid a lower fee.’ ‘But you can’t
underworld of which he was justifiably proud. ‘Prepared to
tell what the car is at all.’ ‘I know. Suckers.’ ‘What d’you get
work for an anonymous boss for undisclosed sums?’ Well, it was
paid if you’re wearing the shirt under a jumper or something?’
this anonymity which bothered him – it could be a trap by the
‘Well, it depends. Sometimes you’ll pay like normal, other times
police, or worse still he could end up churning out reproductions
you’ll manage a small fee. But like I said, it depends.’ ‘Depends
for some megalomaniac millionaire recluse – he’d read about those
on what?’ ‘Well, your sex appeal – stuff like that. Basically they’re
nutters. Still, the undisclosed sum of money would be good -
looking at the chances you have of regularly taking your jumper
he’d had an unfortunate fraudulent insurance claim that had
off. All sorts of factors come into play. You gotta go and
led to legal costs leaving him one step from penury.
fill in a load of forms.’ ‘Complicated business.’ ‘It sure is. But
He knew he had to make a decision fast, as forgers were all
it saves buying clothes. I’ve saved enough for a new car.’
the rage. Either way, he thought, someone’ll have the shirt off my back.
(Pierre Monceau and Jean-Pierre Sertin)
