A vignette of the Belle Epoque

 

Chantal: So you were saying...

Vivienne: I was just telling you that it's weird to be around Edmond when Anatole is around.

C: Weird? What kind of weird?

V: Well like, Anatole can spend an hour or more staring at Edmond, this creepy pout under his beard. And I'm all, are you sporting wood for my boyfriend, buddy?

C: Ha-ha, that's awesome. How does Edmond react?

V: He just kind of stares into space all broody-like. It's hard to know if he's into it or he's just clueless and self-absorbed. You know how it is.

C: Well I mean, yeah, I told you when you first started dating. When they're that pretty there's usually something missing.

V: Uh-huh. Well, I'll make you a bet.

C: Actual money bet?

V: Nothing too rich. Say twenty francs.

C: Huh. What's the bet, then?

V: Okay, so the three of us are having a picnic tomorrow. Has to be the three of us because Anatole tags along everywhere.

C: Yeah, okay.

V: And the bet is that I can take off all my clothes, just get ass naked right there in the park, and neither one of them will even notice.

C: No way! That's a claim all right. I'm gonna need proof.

V: Yeah, I know, pics or it didn't happen. I'll get you a snapshot.

C: See, that won't work. It's the nineteenth century and a photograph takes six fuckin' hours. No, I have to be there.

V: Sure, whatever. We'll be by the river. You can go there and bathe or something.

C: Fine, but I have to keep my slip on. I'm breaking out in zits all over.

V: TMI, but I'd insist on it anyway. I never said anything about them being able to ignore two naked women.

C: ?!?

V: Well, not Edmond anyway.