Free A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters by Julian Barnes

explained our position but they are extremely unwilling to explain their position.’
    ‘They?’
    ‘They. So, unless things change very quickly, we shall be forced to put some pressure on them.’
    ‘Pressure?’ Even Franklin, who could not have made a career in television without skill in trading euphemisms, was enraged. ‘You mean killing people.’
    ‘That is the only pressure, sadly, which they understand.’
    ‘What about trying other sorts?’
    ‘But we have. We have tried sitting on our hands and waiting for world opinion to come to our help. We have tried being good and hoping that we would be rewarded by getting our land back. I can assure you that these systems do not work.’
    ‘Why not try something in between?’
    ‘An embargo on American goods, Mr Hughes? I do not think they would take us seriously. A lack of Chevrolets being imported to Beirut? No, regrettably there are people who only understand certain kinds of pressure. The world is only advanced …’
    ‘ … by killing people? A cheerful philosophy.’
    ‘The world is not a cheerful place. I would have thought your investigations into the ancient civilizations would have taught you that. But anyway … I have decided to take your advice. We shall explain to the passengers what is happening. How they are mixed up in history. What that history is.’
    ‘I’m sure they’ll appreciate that.’ Franklin felt queasy. ‘Tell them what’s going on.’
    ‘Exactly. You see, at four o’clock it will become necessary to … to start killing them. Naturally we hope it will not be necessary. But if it is … You are right, things must be explained to them if it is possible. Even a soldier knows why he is fighting. It is fair that the passengers be told as well.’
    ‘But they’re not fighting.’ The Arab’s tone, as much as what he said, riled Franklin. ‘They’re civilians. They’re on holiday. They’re not fighting.’
    ‘There are no civilians any more,’ replied the Arab. ‘Your governments pretend, but that is not the case. Those nuclear weapons of yours, they are only to be let off against an army? The Zionists, at least, understand this. All their people are fighting. To kill a Zionist civilian is to kill a soldier.’
    ‘Look, there aren’t any Zionist civilians on the ship, for Christ’s sake. They’re people like poor old Mr Talbot who’s lost his passport and has been turned into an American.’
    ‘All the more reason why things must be explained.’
    ‘I see,’ said Franklin, and he let the sneer come through. ‘So you’re going to assemble the passengers and explain to them how they’re all really Zionist soldiers and that’s why you’ve got to kill them.’
    ‘No, Mr Hughes, you misunderstand. I am not going to explain anything. They would not listen. No, Mr Hughes, you are going to explain things to them.’
    ‘Me?’ Franklin didn’t feel nervous. Indeed, he felt decisive. ‘Certainly not. You can do your own dirty work.’
    ‘But Mr Hughes, you are a public speaker. I have heard you, if only for a short time. You do it so well. You could introduce ahistorical view of the matter. My second-in-command will give you all the information you require.’
    ‘I don’t require any information. Do your own dirty work.’
    ‘Mr Hughes, I really cannot negotiate in two directions at the same time. It is nine-thirty. You have half an hour to decide. At ten you will say that you do the lecture. You will then have two hours, three hours if that is required, with my second-in-command for the briefing.’ Franklin was shaking his head, but the Arab continued regardless. ‘Then you have until three o’clock to prepare the lecture. I suggest that you make it last forty-five minutes. I shall listen to you, of course, with the greatest interest and attention. And at three-forty-five, if I am satisfied with how you explain matters, we shall in return accept the Irish nationality of your recently married wife. That