Armand stood, wearly looking at the room. He had just left Cecile, saying he was tired when indeed he could no longer tolerate the small space. Now he found himself in a smaller room which resembled a study. Armand guessed that was it's occupation until he arrived. He unpacked his clothes and took out his night attire. He changed and regarded the small bed with disapproving eyes. He reluctantly sat down on it. The bed creaked as he heavily sat down. Armand quickly layed back in order to disperse the weight. He lay awake for quite some time, just thinking and trying to understand. He realized that he couldn't move or else the bed would creak...or even break. He missed his goose-down comfortor and soft stuffed bed. He appriciated his servants so much more now that they were gone. He thought of all the comforts of home. Eventually his eyes became heavy and he fell into the deep abyss known as blisfull slumber.
The sound of pots and pans banging loudly together awoke Armand. He felt an overwhelming pain in his lower back from laying in one postion all night. He didn't realize how exhausted he really was until he glanced at his watch face. To his surprise, it revealed that it was 10am. Armand was amazed at how long he slept. He was accustomed to arrising at 6 am for his work, but then again, he was also accustomed to having a servant at his beck and call, waking him with a steaming cloth and a plate full of food. He arose and changed into what he considered casual attire. His wardrobe consisted of a pair of black pants, a pair of brown pants, a pair of creme colored pants, and many renditions of the same sort with only slight variations, but enough so that he would notice a difference. Armand wore white, pressed shirts that could be mistaken as twins. He decided on the pair of brown pants which hung well by his suspenders, and complimented the white dress shirt. He decided to dress down, so he unbuttoned two buttons on his collar and rolled up the sleeves. After taking a couple of quick glances in the small mirror he opened the door which led to the kitchen. He took deep breaths, so that he could try to smell bacon and eggs, but to his disappointment there was none. He frowned in discontent as his stomach rumbled. He put on a smile and continued walking until he saw Cecile by the stove. There was no hot food, she was preparing tea. He guessed that she just dropped a pan. He stopped, smiled and startled her with a bosterous "Good morning!" She quickly turned around with a shocked look on her beautiful face.
"Oh, Armand, you scared me!" She mentioned while smiling, embarrased. "Firmin, he's up!" She called to the next room. "Would you care for some bread and cheese....perhaps some tea?" Armand smiled at her humbleness.
"Yes, I do believe I'll try one of each, if you please." He said almost sourly, but being raised in England, he knew he had to keep his British manors on high standards while he was a guest. He heard the noise of a chair moving in the other room and he decided to find the source of the noise. Armand was both excited and nervous. Many thoughts of how Firmin would react ran through his head, when suddenly, there they were, face to face. They had met at the corner of the kitchen, right where it turned, and they stopped suddenly, stunned at each other. Both ran their eyes over the other. The silence continued in an almost audible confusion.
"Armand?" Firmin asked in a surprised voice. "Armand Moncharmin....can it be you, indeed?" Armand smiled relieved to hear Firmin's voice.
"Firmin Richard...it's been a long time old friend." After the initial shock, they both embraced each other tightly. Cecile could see the unbreakable bond they had between them, and so she busied herself in the kitchen. Armand pulled away first and held Firmin at arms length. "Firmin....my God, you look incredible!" Armand actually lied to his friend, because he knew that he hated Firmin's clothes, and immediately noticed the vast amount of wrinkles that he recently appeared on Firmin's face. He took a glance upward at Firmin's hair. The once bright blonde had turned sandy, and streaked with white strands.
"You, Armand, you look....uh, um.....well, good." Firmin tried to hide his surprise at Armand's weight. " I see you're puting that college degree to work!" He said while stretching Armand's one suspender out and letting it snap back, stinging Armand's chest. Armand blushed. He was almost ashamed to be wearing such fine clothes that certainly didn't blend with the home they kept.
"Oww, yes, I am.....you, Firmin, I hear your a big shot at the opera." Firmin gave a caught look, then realizing his friend was sincere, he smiled and nodded. " And you look wonderful....you've lost a lot of weight!" Armand said while rubbing his own belly in disgust.
"Yes, thank you..." Firmin avoided Armand's weight problem. Cecile, noticing the embarrasing silence, quickly interupted.
"Excuse me, are you both hungry?" And so they all sat down and talked. Armand and Firmin recollected the old college days of chasing woman and imposible teachers. They continued talking of their lives, only they left out what was bad about the perfect scenes. Firmin told of how he had fufilled his dream of working in the opera house, and forced Armand to be jealous by telling him of the close work Firmin had done with Armand's beloved Charlotta Guidicelli. Armand then told of his fine home and the huge castle that he works at. Finally, Firmin excused himself and left for work, while Armand busied himself shopping downtown.
The weeks that passed were filled with facades. Firmin worked Armand into his busy schedule by having him help out at the box office in the theatre. Armand resented being used for his intellegence, without pay, but he did it for Firmin. Armand attended all the operas, and watched practices of the plays to be performed. The weeks he spent in the opera reminded him just how much he loved it. While he was there he managed to find out that Firmin recieves two weeks vaction with pay, and he has them coming soon in the summer. Armand thought that would be a brilliant time for Firmin and Cecile to pay him a visit in England. Cecile would entertain Armand, when Firmin had meeting, by showing him all the history and fine shops Vienna had to offer. She never bought anything, but accepted a couple gifts that Armand sweetly bestowed upon her. She tried to give him as much food as she could, but budget wouldn't allow it, so as a result Armand dropped a couple stones while he was visiting. Armand, who was not used to eating little amounts, finally, stubbornly, demanded that Firmin, Cecile and he were to go to the finest restaurant in town. Both Firmin and Cecile began to argue with Armand even before he had finished the sentence. Armand put his foot down and demanded that it was his treat for showing such hospitality. The night arrived and Armand order a huge meal, while both Firmin and Cecile ordered with modesty. Both of their meals combined did not equal what Armand decided to eat. They both tried to discourage him, but Armand was very stubborn on the matter. Firmin and Cecile gave up and ate contently. They both stopped, when there was a quater of the meal left, proclaiming they were stuffed. They both stared in horror and amused delight as Armand finished everything on his plate and theirs.
"Are you hungry, Armand?" Cecile asked with a smile. Armand blushed.
"I'm sorry....um, it's just that.....oh, uh, I haven't eaten all day!" He lied and drank his after diner coffee.
That night, Firmin and Cecile laid in bed discussing how much Armand had changed.
"I don't even know him anymore!" Firmin stated with a sad tone.
As Armand's vaction came to an end he recommened that Firmin and Cecile should come and stay with him during their vacation.
"I think it would be perfect. You could see your family again, and enjoy all the pleasures of England without the wicked heat you recieve here in the south....what do you think?" Armand finished with a hopeful look on his face. Firmin and Cecile exchanged worried glances, for they both knew that they had no money.
"Well," started Firmin, "Armand, you know that we'd love to, but...."
"Great, then there are no worries! I'll just call the servants and ready the house. You may return with me! You'll love it!" Armand finished his sentence as he was walking out the door. Firmin just shook his head, 'money......'
The day finally arrived when Armand was to depart. He gave both Firmin and Cecile a heartfelt thanks and a tight embrace. The conductor made his last call for the train.
"Well, that's my call." Armand said while picking up his bag and climbing aboard the train. He found a seat by the window and called out to the couple. "I'll see you in a few weeks!" He shouted as the train left the station. He suceeded in making them come, but he had to agree that they would visit after a couple weeks at home. Armand suspected that it was because they didn't have the money. Armand constantly tried to give them money for puting him up, and feeding him every day, but they wouldn't hear it. So, on the last night he went to the bank, took out a large sum of money, and left it hidden in Firmin's dresser as they all left the house. He hoped it would be enough for them to come.
When Armand returned he received a brutal, oral lashing from his employer, but realizing that no one could replace Armand he let it slide and allowed Armand to come back to work. Within a day, thing were back to the way they were and Armand was back to his miserable life.
Firmin found the money and cursed at Armand's generosity, but then hid the money from his wife. He would use it to surprise her later. He wrote Armand thanking him deeply for the bills, and replying possitively to his request for a visit. Firmin then surprised Cecile, who had returned to work, with the money. She questioned it at first, but then smiled and accepted it. They were on there way to England.