It was scandal when a certain succinct phrase about Silva's wife's, how should I put this, moral conduct, was found painted on the front of Souza's house. Silva, furious, went off to confront Souza:
-Who was it?
-I don't know.
-How do you not know? It's your house.
-I can't stand out in front of my house all day, making sure no one is painting on it. Can I?
He couldn't. But it couldn't remain how it was. What's worse is the phrase didn't even cite Silva's wife by name. It referred to her as "Silva's wife." And to eliminate all doubt: "across the street."
-Erase it, pleaded Silva.
-How?
-With white paint, paint over it.
-But my house is yellow.
-Then paint it yellow.
-Just a yellow stripe? It'll look horrible.
-Then paint the whole house.
-And where's the money?
-I demand that you paint your whole house.
-Only if you give me the money.
-It's your house.
-It's your wife.
Silva agreed. He paid for the paint for Souza's whole house. He did, however, think it was strange that Souza suggested he also pay for paint for the inside of the house, which it needed. Silva asked Souza not to tell anybody. But the news spread. And, not much later, the same phrase was found on Moreira's house, whose paint was chipping. Silva walked over there.
-Who was it?
-I don't know. Dumb kids.
-Erase it.
-It won't come off.
-Paint over it.
-I'd have to paint the whole house.
When he left Moreira's house, after agreeing to pay for the painting of the whole house, Silva saw the writing on Santos' house:
"She sure is." He went in to settle the price for the paint.
The block ended up looking really good, most houses had new paint. Some houses, clearly, still had their old paint. And every morning Silva examined the houses, predicting the worst. Although, according to some, he also should've kept an eye on his wife.
2 comments:
Great idea... I just spenr 400 bucks painting my house... I just have to find out my neighbor's name..
Thanks for writing this.
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