human
See! said I,
gpt
Jean Bouchon has been here again; I told him that I would not pay him one sou, and he has vanished in a most perplexing manner. I do not see him in the room.
human
No, he is not in the room.
gpt
When he comes in again, send him to me. I want to have a word with him.
human
I do not think that Jean will return.
gpt
How long has he been on your staff?
human
Oh! he has not been on our staff for some years.
gpt
Then why does he come here and ask for payment for coffee and what else one may order?
human
He never takes payment for anything that has been consumed. He takes only the tips.
gpt
But why do you permit him to do that?
human
We cannot help ourselves.
gpt
He should not be allowed to enter the café.
human
No one can keep him out.
gpt
This is surpassing strange. He has no right to the tips. You should communicate with the police.
human
They can do nothing. Jean Bouchon died in 1869.
gpt
Died in 1869!
human
It is so. But he still comes here. He never pesters the old customers, the inhabitants of the town--only visitors, strangers.
gpt
Tell me all about him.
human
Monsieur must pardon me now. We have many in the place, and I have my duties.
gpt
In that case I will drop in here to-morrow morning when you are disengaged, and I will ask you to inform me about him. What is your name?
human
At monsieur's pleasure--Alphonse.