Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 23 "The Decadent City"

The letter only contained a partial introduction to the characters and a brief outline of the story, but it already captivated Gabriel.

He reluctantly put down the manuscript only after the last line of text had passed before his eyes.

Gabriel initially thought that "An Honest Parisian" was a work of pure eroticism, like Marquis de Sade's "The Fate of Chastity" and "Juliet," which were extremely sensational and immoral.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be such a monumental work with a concept almost like "critical realism." Even if the erotic descriptions were removed, he was certain that it would not be a mediocre novel.

Gabriel became even more convinced that the young man in front of him was merely an agent of the true author.

Gabriel tried his best to control his expression and offered a light compliment: "The idea is good, but it's just an idea after all... I can't promise anything before I see the complete manuscript."

Lionel sincerely thanked Gabriel, then quickly put away the letter and envelope, stood up, and prepared to leave.

Caught off guard, Gabriel scrambled to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair, and a large chunk of cigar ash fell from his cigar: "Eh... eh... what do you mean by this?"

Lionel looked confused: "Didn't you want the complete manuscript? I don't have it right now! Let's meet again when I do!"

Gabriel's face turned ashen, worse than a dead man's.

In his expectation, the person sitting opposite him today would be a middle-aged or elderly person who had slipped in from the back kitchen of the coffee shop, with the collar of their trench coat turned up high, their voice low, and wearing a clumsy fake beard or simply a mask.

The two were evenly matched, constantly bargaining and probing each other until they finally reached a deal that satisfied both of them.

He, who once dreamed of becoming a writer, even imagined that the two could become "old friends" in this way... What a special friendship...

The other party actually sent such a greenhorn who doesn't understand the "art of negotiation" at all! And has absolutely no "patience in negotiation"!
Left with no other choice, Gabriel could only grit his teeth and say, "Please sit down! Even without the complete manuscript, we can still talk!"

Lionel didn't object, readily sat down, and then stared intently at Gabriel: "Let's talk, how much are you prepared to offer?"

Gabriel didn't answer, but instead asked, "How much does 'an honest Parisian' want?"

Lionel tilted his head and thought for a moment: "Of course, the more the better!"

Gabriel nearly choked on his own blood. He had been in the industry for 20 years and had never seen an author speak like that.

He tried to suppress his anger and calm himself down: "You know, publishing this book is a huge risk for me—and for all publishers!"

Lionel didn't reply, but looked at Gabriel with the clear eyes typical of college students, as if to say, "It's just a novel, is it really that big of a deal?"

Gabriel couldn't be sure if Lionel had read the novel, or even if Lionel was literate—he might just be a factory worker or workshop apprentice that "an honest Parisian" would hire for two francs.

Explaining the risks of publishing the book to them in that way would be like casting pearls before swine.

He now understood why "an honest Parisian" had sent such an naive young man to negotiate with him—the other party had no intention of negotiating at all, and even less of revealing his identity.

Gabriel took a deep drag of his cigar, then slowly exhaled pale blue smoke, creating a blurred barrier between the two men: "So, Mr. 'An Honest Parisian,' how much would you like to ask for this novel?"

Lionel lowered his head slightly, as if recalling something, but quickly raised it again: "2 francs, cash, no draft; half in advance within two days, the rest upon submission of the manuscript."

Gabriel was startled: "Has he gone mad? Who does he think he is? Mr. Dumas fils?"

Lionel still looked confused, seemingly unaware of who "Dumas fils" was: "An honest Parisian thinks this novel deserves the price."

If you agree, he can deliver the manuscript to you before Ascension Day! Ascension Day is 40 days after Easter, roughly between May and June.

Gabriel repeatedly refused: "Impossible, impossible, this price is insane! Besides, I don't even know who he is, he won't show up, and we can't even sign a publishing contract. What if he takes the money and runs away?"

Lionel stood up again: "Alright then, let's talk about it after the novel is finished."

Gabriel nearly collapsed, mentally sending "an honest Parisian" to the guillotine a thousand times over!
Of course he wouldn't wait four months for the so-called "complete manuscript," who knows what might happen during that time?
Talented writers, like porcelain from the Far East before the 19th century, commanded different prices every day, even per shipment.

Before the premiere of his play "Hernani," Victor Hugo had less than 100 francs in his entire fortune; but after the third act of "Hernani" ended, a bookseller pulled him into the theater corridor and offered to buy the play for 5000 francs.

Hugo asked why he didn't wait until the end of the play. The bookseller explained fiercely, "When the second act ends, I think I should give you 2000 francs; when the third act ends, I think I should give you at least 4000 francs; I'm afraid if I wait until it's over, I'll have to give you 1 francs!"

"An Honest Parisian" undoubtedly has great potential; Gabriel even speculated that he was already somewhat famous in the literary world and only wrote erotic works because he needed money.

What if he becomes famous someday? That's probably why he insists on not showing his face.

Gabriel stopped Lionel again: "I can't give him 2 francs; the risk is far too great. Even if he were Mr. Alexandre Dumas fils, it wouldn't be the same!"

Lionel didn't sit down, but asked directly, "So how much are you giving?"

Gabriel's mind raced, but he finally gritted his teeth and quoted a price: "One price, 5...6000 francs..."

Lionel answered decisively: "Deal!"

Gabriel: "...!!!???" He couldn't believe his ears, but then he realized he'd been tricked.

The honest Parisian initially offered the young man this price, or even less; he might have been able to close the deal if the young man had offered 5000 francs or even 4000 francs.

Gabriel hurriedly added, "I haven't finished yet. A prepayment of 3000 francs, of which 1500 francs is in cash and 1500 francs is a bank draft, payable in three months; the remainder will be paid later..."

Lionel nodded: "No problem, please pay within two days."

Gabriel: "..." Did I call an emergency again?

He stared intently at the young man before him, his mind in turmoil, unsure whether all of this was part of "an honest Parisian's" premonition or a sudden inspiration from the young man.

But the words were already spoken, and he couldn't take them back: "...Please pass a message to 'an honest Parisian' and ask him to send me a letter by tomorrow so we can confirm the details."

Lionel readily agreed: "Okay!" With that, he prepared to leave the "Flora" café.

Somewhat unwilling to give up, Gabriel called out to him, "Did 'Mr. Honest Parisian' tell you what the novel is called?"

Lionel didn't even turn his head: "It seems to be called 'Decadent City'."

“How fitting…” Gabriel savored the meaningful signature, watching Lionel’s figure disappear around the street corner.

Just then, a sleazy-looking figure walked up to Gabriel from the other end of the café and whispered, "Should we follow him?"

Gabriel said angrily, "A puppet on a string, what are you following? Go and keep an eye on the post office on St. Martin's Avenue!"

(End of this chapter)