Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

The three of them stood in front of the old police station, clammy and shivering.It hadn't stopped raining since Simon and Ennis had flown in the night before, gray streaks blown by the wind, streaming down the tiled roofs and rumbling into the gutters of the narrow streets. It was a Provence-like downpour.Basille was silent, no cats, dogs, or people moving.The whole village was shrouded in a gloomy obscurity, which is usually the phenomenon of sunny places when there is no sunshine. They spent the whole morning in the notary's office, standing in a long queue according to the customs regulations, and going through it one after another. Finally, the contract was finally drawn up and signed, and the bank drew about fifty pounds. After thinking about it, I thought it was acceptable, so the old police station was transferred to Simon.Now, they have to meet with the architect Nicole recommended.He is late.

Simon felt himself responsible for the weather.Well, I'm sorry, there's not much to see today. Ennis looked at the thick clouds that hung over the Luberon.He said: This reminds me of the August Bank Festival in Brighton.But, I have to say, it's really a wonderful place.There are endless possibilities.I'm going to go downstairs and have a look while I'm waiting.He hummed happily and disappeared. Nicole smiled at Simon, congratulations, Mr. Boss.She kissed his cold lips and warm tongue.No regrets? Someone coughed behind them. Looking back, there was a tall figure dripping with water at the door, shaking the water droplets from the small umbrella.Hello, both of you!

France.Blanche understood years before other Parisian architects that the sunny and beautiful wilderness, with its wealthy clients, offered a pleasant, highly profitable alternative to the offices and apartments at Nouriguet.After he shifted his focus, the few years when Mitterrand came to power, he passed a period of lean days, because people didn't spend much money at that time.However, now it has been rewarding, and some people say that it is a big profit.Thanks to his good taste, he was able to get out of the bill when the bill was far from the estimate.His reason was never to delay completion, and that's why Nicole chose him.

His lanky face, beneath the shaggy brown hair, came alive as they shook hands.What an instant likable guy, Simon thought, and if he'd been in an ad agency, he'd get on well with clients.As they walked past the building, the man began to speak at length about space, views, and all the possibilities.What a professional and passionate architect.Simon quite agrees with this kind of person, and immediately responds kindly to this person.He's a salesman himself, and responds immediately and moderately to people with similar qualities. They went downstairs to find Ennis walking up and down, taking measurements on the gravel.He stopped when he saw Simon.Did you see that vaulted ceiling?That would be an ideal place for a restaurant.I can see it now.Such an enchanting ambiance, coupled with a stunning view

Well, this is Mr. Blank, the architect. The two men shook hands, like two skinny baby birds, and nodded to each other. Jiu Yang, who is this? Ennis said: Ennis. Simon smiled, Ennis.He will soon be able to enter the country to ask vulgarity.It's nice to see him so excited. In the afternoon, they patrolled the room slowly, with Bronke explaining, Nicole translating, and Ennis rambling about every suggestion.Simon was very happy, they got along very well with each other.He thought to himself that such a relationship should last for a long time, and he had enough confidence.why not?In any case, they can benefit from each other, there is no need to compete at all.As long as Ennis and Nicole get along and work together, that's the most important thing.He looked at the two of them, both blond and elegant, and Simon couldn't help laughing as Ennis tried to use pidgin French and gestures to describe more complicated things to the architect.So far so good.

Their meeting ended with smiles, reassurances and handshakes.According to Bronk himself, he was delighted to have this opportunity, to take on such a fascinating case, and to work with such a lovely client.Although tomorrow is Sunday, he will return to the old police station to do detailed survey work.Not a single minute should be wasted.Every effort must be made to get the project completed as early as possible.He vigorously raised the small umbrella and disappeared into the mist. They followed him out into the empty café and sat down with clouds drifting by the window three feet from them.The young girl draws back the curtains behind the bar and looks at the value of Nicole's clothes as they order coffee.

Ennis wiped his face with a handkerchief, then ran a finger along his brow, wiping away any remaining raindrops.I will say that despite the weather, I can still see the charm of this place.I am not at all depressed.not at all! Well, let's talk about it when you see that charming landscape view!Simon turned to Nicole and brushed the wet hair from her forehead.Miss, do you think our architect can finish it by next summer? She said: "Blank has a reputation for being on time, and of course he is also known for being expensive."But if you employ a dozen or twenty people and work overtime on weekends, the cost will naturally be higher.

The girl brought the coffee, smiled at Simon, and wobbled back to the bar.He had already asked the girl's father to have a drink on his next visit.Is it important to have this guy on their side and make him feel like he's not being left out?What's more, the mayor of a small village cannot afford to offend. Ennis dipped a sugar cube in his coffee and chewed it thoughtfully.I know it's too early to tell, but we must not leave this until the last minute.He looked up at Simon and Nicole.What shall we call this magnificent and hedonistic sanctuary?My leisure world?Basil Hilton?We must come up with a name.

Simon thought he was right.If they wanted the hotel to be exposed in early summer, the magazine needed to know some details, or at least the name of the hotel, months in advance.He tried to recall the names of local hotels he had read in guidebooks.Among them are one or two recreational areas, several farms, and a farmhouse.It's best to steer clear of names that are already a long list. Nicole suggested, police station hotel? Ennis seconded: Well, we could put the young waiters in police uniforms.Very simple, with red stripes on the trousers. Seriously, well, don't digress.Simon shook his head. It should have something to do with Provence, not just France.If it is very special, easy to remember

Nicole said: And it should be easy for foreigners to pronounce. That’s right, if possible, keep it short to remind you of a powerful logo. Nicole was puzzled.Simon shook her hand.He said: Sorry, that's an advertising term.It means a trademark, and some names are more suitable as trademarks.While these are small details, we usually spend a lot of money on stationery, napkins, towels, briefing papers, ashtrays, matchboxes.Postcards and even the buildings themselves show their names and logos.Many restaurants will take an imaginative route, but I think we should try more original flavors.

Ennis speaks his thoughts aloud, listen to lavender, thyme, rosemary, bright light, clear sun I know, this is not the right weather to mention, but hope spring lasts forever, Cézanne, Mistral (Note: Frederic Mistral, French Provencal poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1904.), Van Gogh Nicole shrugged, ouzo? Ennis leaned over her. What? Pastis, which originated in Provence, is not available anywhere else. Simon said anisette and repeated emphatically, anisette. The girl yelled from the bar, Three anisettes? Ennis said: You know what, I never drank. Well, today is a good day for tasting.Simon nodded to the girl, yes, thank you!He looked at the neatly lined bottles behind the bar.Like other cafés in the south of France, pastis always has its place here.He did some calculations, and there were five brands in total. The ones he recognized were Rica, Bernard, and Casanis, while the other Garnier and Henri︱Baduan were probably local brands, and he had never seen them before.He said: "It's not ideal weather for anisette, it should be warmer.That's what I thought of it, it was a drink in the sun. The girl set three wine glasses, a plate of olives, and a glass decanter with flat sides on the table.Simon added some water and watched the liquid darken.The bottle is old and scratched, with a bright blue base and bright yellow Rica branding.He said: See these colors?Sun and sky, that's what Provence is, isn't it?He passed the bottle across the table to Nicole.See, that's what I mean by trademark. She studied it for a while, then turned her head, so this is the name of your hotel, Anise Hotel.There are yellow and blue. Simon leaned back in his chair.It's a good name, short and easy to remember, and any good art director can use it to make a pretty eye-catching graphic.Moreover, it is directly related to Provence.Not bad at all.Well, what do you think? Ennis spat out an olive pit from his mouth and placed it in a row with the others in front of him.Well, even someone like our friend Jordan, who doesn't know a word of French, can make that sound without a fight of teeth.And I like yellow and blue.Yes, I feel very good.great!Miss!Have an olive. Simon smiled at them.For a decision like this, in an advertising agency, it may take several weeks, a dozen meetings, and a research report.He raised his glass to Nicole, it's the Anise Hotel, to the Anise Hotel! That night, after dinner, they sent Ennis back to the hotel. Nicole and Simon sat at the kitchen table, drinking a last glass of wine, flipping through the highlights of the day.The list of schedules is long, expensive, and suddenly a bit daunting.Simon's initial excitement had been replaced by a more down-to-earth mood.One step may be wrong, step by step wrong.The renovation alone would cost him all his savings, and he would have to borrow against the stock.And Ennis lost his job.It is also quite complicated to leave the advertising company. If the restaurant does not manage well, it is impossible to be Feng's wife again.Jigler (who will no doubt be supported by Jordan) will never compromise. Nicole looked at Simon and frowned as he read the notes. He didn't touch the wine, and the cigar had already been extinguished on the ashtray. She said: You look like an advertising man again, tired and annoying! Simon put the notes aside and re-lit the cigar.He said: "This is just a temporary shock and it will pass quickly.But there's still a goddamn bunch of things to deal with.And it's a new job, a new country, a new life.He watched the smoke turn into a garland and soar slowly towards the lamp above the dining table.Naturally I have a right to be nervous.He leaned over and kissed the side of her neck, which was my midlife crisis.All successful middle-aged executives go through it. You didn't look middle-aged last night.Nicole took his hand and nibbled at the base of his thumb. What a shameless and insatiable woman you are! Nicole sticks out her tongue, yes please enjoy. Ennis and Simon passed by two stewardesses and a tanned flight attendant Ennis whispered disapprovingly: Too much makeup!And settled into a seat in front of a soft curtain, the only visible benefit of membership on the Marseille to London flight.It was a much better day, a beautiful day, in fact, and Ennis had for the first time a fantastic view from the old police station.He was so ecstatic that he couldn't speak for three minutes.Afterwards, I talked endlessly. During lunch, I kept thinking about how to design the landscape of the hotel, and because of the red wine and excitement, I seemed a little intoxicated.His enthusiasm was contagious, and Simon felt more optimistic.This time, I was even more reluctant to say goodbye to Nicole.He followed her suggestion and left some clothes at her place.He was already missing her. Simon listened to Ennis's thoughts on the statues in the garden: just a good one, maybe a little more lively, standing among the cypress trees, using lights to accentuate the contrast between the stone sculpture and the greenery.What about the fountain? Simon said: Well, the fountain is nice, really nice.But before the fountain, we still have a lot to do.He shook his head at the stewardesses serving plastic-wrapped dinners to hungry passengers.Fountains, trees and statues are fairly easy.The important thing is to find the right person. Ennis said: Ah!I'm also thinking about this question.He bent down and took out his memo notebook from the bag under the seat.In the Xiao Group, except for those who send official documents, everyone has a memorandum, but Ennis's has an ostrich skin cover, which is a gift from the green plant and flower suppliers to express his gratitude. let me see.Ennis flipped through the exhaustive schedules, one for the current year and the other for the next year.It is the beginning of November, and I have been studying intensively in Belize for two months, and it is mid-January, which is the most terrifying time in London.It would be best to leave.But I can tell you that Mrs Gibbon is going to freeze.She hates winter the most.Arthritis! We don't want Mrs. Gibbon to suffer either.So you said, you will move here in January. I'll be working closely with Nicole and the charming Mr. Blank to make sure everything gets done.He pursed his lips tightly and looked at Simon over the reading glasses he used to read.And it's done properly.You know me.When necessary, I will be a strict person. Simon smiled, remembering the last time Ennis had shown his organizational flair.That time, three hundred employees were moved to a new office.No matter who he is, from the architect down, he is unselfish.The office manager resigned angrily, claiming that the working hours were inhumane, and this was the only time Simon saw the construction contractor nearly go berserk.And that move was completed on time.If Ennis can be on site to supervise the work, the hotel bag can open in the summer. Simon said: One of the two of us has to bother more, it's just that it's harder for me to leave the company. Ennis patted Simon's knee.Don't worry honey, you can think of a reason.In the past you always had something to think about. But I never left the company before! I just know it will be easier than you think.You get to know each and every one of them, especially our friend whose suit will stand on its own.Simon nodded.Jordan must have been delighted.Each of them will go up a level, isn't that what they want?They might shed a few hypocritical tears, and then they start arguing about who should get your car.Remember what I say now. Ennis was quite disapproving and went back to his notepad.Simon used the remaining flight time to ponder his strategy for leaving the company.He can't have illusions once he leaves.All his money would be debated.He'd become an unproductive resource, and he'd hear rumors about other agencies trying to underpay departing directors.And he will also be charged with abandoning the company. This kind of thing can be said but not done. While Ennis is fairly optimistic, things won't be that easy.For the sake of the company, it is not possible to cause public disagreements, so as not to cause tension among customers.The whole thing had to go in a direction that would allow the company to grow into the largest advertising network in Europe.very good.He had already thought up the press release.Simon makes his lunch list.It's time to start cranking up this ridiculous machine.