Free Black Box by Amos Oz Page B

not pass over it in silence. But from Mr. Zakheim’s name I presume that he or his family came to us from the Holocaust. To Jews who come from the Holocaust I forgive everything: Mr. Zakheim may have undergone experiences that have made him morbidly suspicious, especially against someone like myself with my national outlook and with my origins, not to mention my religious observances. As it is written, He sees the shadows of mountains as mountains.
I have therefore resolved to forgive your lawyer. But not you, sir. For you there is no forgiveness. Perhaps if you faithfully fulfill each of the three items of this letter, to wit, the search for the boy, the apology to the lady, and the donation for the Redemption of the Land, perhaps then the Almighty will exercise His compassion. At the very least they will see that you have something on the credit side.
With best wishes on the occasion of the Festival of our Independence,
Michael Sommo
     
    ENCLOSURE
     
Dear Alex,
Just a couple of lines. I am passing you the enclosed sealed envelope from your diminutive successor. I’ll wager that he is asking you for money again. He probably thinks he’s managed to establish direct contact with the government printer. If by any chance you decide this time to have the Temple rebuilt at your expense or just to pay a bonus to the Messiah’s donkey, do it without me, if you don’t mind. I’ll convert to Islam and that will be an end to it.
I gather from Sommo that the juvenile colossus has run away again: not that I understand how they can manage to lose such an obelisk every time. But there’s nothing to worry about, they’re sure to find him in a day or two in the Central Bus Station selling goods spirited off a ship, as happened last time he disappeared.
By the way, I happened to catch sight of your old jalopy in Ben Yehuda Street the other day. It looks as though the gent is keeping her well serviced: she looks pretty good for her mileage, especially bearing in mind how many times she’s changed hands. Which is more than one can say about you, Alex: I was rather alarmed at the way you looked when we met last time in London. Take yourself in hand and stop trying to find trouble.
    Your ever faithful

Manfred
     
    SOMMO TARNAZ 7 JERUSALEM
     
    ZAKHEIM HAS INSTRUCTIONS TO FIND BOY LETTER DISPATCHED SOON TO LADY AS REQUESTED YOULL HAVE ANOTHER FIFTY THOUSAND IF YOU AGREE TO ARRANGE TISSUE TEST FOR BOY ILL TAKE PARALLEL TEST SIMULTANEOUSLY HERE IN LONDON ALEXANDER GIDEON
    ***
    Mr. Manfred Zakheim, Lawyer
Messrs. Zakheim & di Modena
King George 36
Jerusalem
    14.5.76
     
Dear Mr. Zakheim,
My ex-husband has informed us by cable that he has asked you to help me to find my son, who has apparently run away to sea. Please do whatever you can, and do let me know the moment you discover anything. My ex-husband mentioned in his cable a tissue test for Boaz for the purpose of establishing paternity. As I told you on the telephone this morning (and you asked to have it from me in writing) I withdraw my opposition of seven years ago to such a test. The only problem now is to find the boy and convince him to agree to have the test that his father is asking for. And that won’t be easy. Please, Mr. Zakheim, explain to my ex-husband that I am withdrawing my opposition to the test without any connection to the sum of money he mentioned in his cable. In plain words, he doesn’t have to give us a penny more. On the contrary, I am delighted that the request for a test came from him this time. At the time of our court case, as you will recall, Mr. Zakheim, I opposed a test—but he did not agree to be tested, either.
If he would like to make a donation to the cause my present husband mentioned, let him do so without any reference to the question of the test. Simply tell him that as far as I’m concerned it’s perfectly all right now. The main thing is, Mr. Zakheim, I beg of you, if you have any information about where the boy is, let us know, even if