A perfect mix.
The
appearance of Gladys the Knight was like a plaster of honey put on the wounded
heart of our Dame. Her melancholic singing soothed the first existential pain
of our heroine. Moreover, since a while the Dame had wished to have a companion.
As a matter of fact she thought about someone less noble, rather a squire, but
the presence of such a paladin as Gladys was definitely much more than she
could ever have imagined to ask for. It
was a promise of a relationship based on partnership and mutual respect.
Gladys was
a jazz singer. She was speaking passionately about jazz, swing, rhythm and
blues and all kind of dances that were popular in her country at that time: le
fox trot, le cake-walk, le shimmy, le charleston, le black bottom … Our Dame
was listening as they were both heading the same direction (as any direction
was perfect for our uncomplicated – in some matters – Dame), walking side by side.
Suddenly our heroine realized that it was the right occasion to share with
Gladys her doubts that had arisen after the last and indeed the only adventure
she had had. The Dame was not sure anymore of her own profession. And what is
more important, she was wondering: did
she love the thing she did?
She
thought: "As a Dame, I'm supposed to protect the weak, the defenceless, the
women and children, to ride a horse and fight in the name of the King and God.
But the King went mad. I have no horse. I am not myself a believer and … I
feel for chivalry nothing that even in the slightest way would resemble the
kind of passion Gladys has for jazz dance."
And when
our heroine heard that this dance even positively
influenced Gladys' sexual life she couldn't resist the growth of jealousy in
her heart (even though our Dame knew that her friend had a tendency to
exaggerate and to day-dreaming).
Anyway,
the Dame had to face the truth: all this fighting did not bring her much
satisfaction. Nobody seemed to be needing her. How then could she become
recognized, listened to and at least a little bit admired? Instead she felt she
was disappearing. Everybody seemed to do fine without her protection. Everybody
seemed to be so self-sufficient, multitask-skilled, preoccupied with their own
passions and desires …
There was
nothing left for her to do.
And as she
was crying out a sea of tears, the irreplaceable Gladys got enlightened. She
had a revelation: "But you forgot to rescue the princess!" – she said – "This is
what every knight has to do!"
In fact
Gladys was speaking about love!
But then
… isn't the Dame the one supposed to be rescued? Isn't she herself the one to
be found and saved by Prince Charming?
Our
heroine quickly summed it up: "I'm not in danger, neither stuck in a bad spot
nor endlessly sleeping embedded in a coffin. But if Gladys is right, I have to
become as visible and loud as possible to make sure a Prince will find me. I
have to advertise myself …"
But after
some time spent on analyzing different options of announcing her
availability in various kinds of media our Dame (encouraged
by Gladys) concluded that this was absolutely ridiculous. She deeply doubted if
anybody would "look for her" after such a promotion campaign. "At her" more
surely, but she had enough of that in her everyday life anyway. Publicity in
local TV and outdoor prints were not a good idea.
"Why not
look for the Prince on my own!" – she suddenly screamed. And after noticing the
disappointed face of Gladys she added: "or the Charming Princess?"
And then
she arrived at the perfect solution: "Why not become a Knight?" said Dame.
"Damn
right!" – Gladys said – "A damn Dame Knight!"
And they
worked out the transformation.
First
the papa's head on top of the mama's body. No … not right …
Then a mama's head on top of papa's body. No … none better … mapa's head on
pama's body? Disaster …
But
finally they got it right:
"Three
spoons of femininity drop gently down here
and a spicy masculinity let fall not too near
and then you must shake it
and blend it
but do not stir
a perfect mix will definitely appear!"
…
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