All Backs Were Turned Read Online Free

All Backs Were Turned
Book: All Backs Were Turned Read Online Free
Author: Marek Hlasko
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“The important thing is that you came. We haven’t been waiting long.”
    The stout man didn’t look at him.
    â€œWhen do you want to start work, Dov?” he asked.
    â€œTomorrow.” Dov finished off his warm brandy and placed the glass gently on the table.
    â€œDo you know what the pay is?” the stout man asked.
    â€œNo,” Dov said. “But I know you. It can’t be good.”
    â€œWhatever it is, it’s fine with us,” Israel said, but the stout man didn’t look at him this time either. His gaze was fixed on Dov’s face and the joined eyebrows.
    â€œDov,” he said, “you had ten years to find yourself a good job and settle down. Why didn’t you? Lots of people were ready to help you.”
    â€œWhen can we start?” Dov asked.
    The man didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he said, “You, Dov, can start tomorrow.”
    â€œThat’s not what I asked. When can the two of us start?”
    â€œDov, this is not a job for him. I never told you I’d have work for both of you. I said I’d have work for you. And only because it’s you. ”
    â€œYou’re wasting your time,” Dov said. “We’ll find something else. You have a garden by your house, don’t you? So go home and water your flowers.” When the stout man didn’t answer, after a while Dov said again, “You’re wasting your time sitting here.”
    â€œWhy do you insist on towing him along, Dov? He’s not your girlfriend. And he can’t work at the jobs you can. You should know that.”
    â€œYeah,” Dov said. “Like I said, you’re wasting your time. Just get up and leave, okay? You haven’t ordered anything, so there’s no reason for you to stick around. They won’t charge you just for sitting down.”
    â€œYou’re like a pretty girl, Dov,” the other man said slowly. “Whenever two girls are inseparable friends, one is pretty and the other so ugly it makes your eyes hurt. You insist on taking this guy along wherever you go, even though you couldn’t find a less likely man to team up with in the whole world.”
    â€œGimme a chance,” Israel said. “Believe me, I’m strong.” He leaned toward the stout man. “Ask Dov. Yesterday we had a fight with some men in a bar. Ask him how I managed.” He touched the stout man’s shoulder, but the man shook off his hand and turned to Dov.
    â€œStrong men always think they can do something for the weak. And wise men think they can improve the minds of fools. It never works. In the end strong men go down because of weaklings and wise men go mad because of fools. It’s always been like that. How come you decided to ask me for help?”
    â€œI’ll tell you,” Dov said. “I came to you because I was sure all honest and respectable men would turn me down. The way you did. And I know you well and know you’re a scoundrel.”
    They looked at each other and suddenly the stout man burst out laughing.
    â€œHey, lover boy!” he shouted at the waiter. “Get us a bottle of brandy.” He gave the waiter a shove with his heavy hand sending him halfway across the room. Then he turned to Dov. “Mark my words. There were once two wise guys in this world; one was named David and the other Goliath.”
    â€œRight,” Dov said. “I’ll remember that.” He was looking straight ahead, at the sea, where the first lights were beginning to blink, then he turned his head to the left and looked toward the lights of Jaffa. “But it’s better to be Goliath and die from a stone than to be David who became king, but was the cause of many tears.”
    â€œYou said that, Dov, I didn’t,” the stout man said. He picked up a glass and held it in his hand. “You have a brother in Eilat, don’t you?”
    â€œYeah. Why?”
    â€œWhen you were
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