CHAPTER IX
FRANCO AND CHICA
"Don't look at me like that... Don't hurt me, please! I promise I'll be right back," Franco said to the typewriter in a pleading voice. He got up, waving his arms in front of him as if to keep it at bay.
"I have to go out for a while, do you understand? Do you understand at least this? I have to go out and get some air, otherwise I'll really go crazy. I swear I'll only be away for a few minutes, just long enough to go to the bar to get a couple of beers... please don't hurt me. "
He tried to step away and realized with relief that this detachment did not cause him any pain, so he began retreating slowly.
"Thank you... I'll be right back, I mean it," he added when he thought he had gone far enough to feel safe from the whims of the machine.
He went to the b
