Day: 38
Location: Sao Paulo
Weather: 20
# of Portugese classes: 14
I'm glad I talked to Brutos. It was important that I understand what was on his mind. It's rare to see him annoyed for such a long time. He usually can flick off with his tail, fairly quickly, anything that Eusebius throws at him. But this time he let it get at him. I know he was holding back on what Eusebius said to him. Knowing Eusebius when he wants to be, his words can be more vicious than any bite Brutos could ever produce. I decided to get his side of the story this morning. The last thing I wanted was a quasi-schizophrenic bulldog and an aristocratic sausage dog at war.
Me: Eusebius, can I interrupt your reading for the moment. I have some questions?
Eusebius: Yes ,master, of course. I was just reading the sports section about Palmerias and their recent draw and defeat in the league. There getting Corinthian-itis by the looks of it. I hope not.
Me: I'm sure they'll recover. Please sit with me by the table.
Eusebius: Yes, master.
Me: Eusebius, I want to know, no I said that wrong, let me say that again, I need to know, honestly, what has been going on between you and Brutos? You don't seem as close as you've always been.
Eusebius: Has he said something master?
Me: Yes. I made him. I picked up on it myself, but I asked him some questions, and to his credit he answered them honestly.
Eusebius: What were these questions and answers master?
Master: Well, I want to hear what you have to say first Eusebius before I tell you what Brutos said........what's your side of the story?
Eusebius: We're changing master. We're no longer pups. We're adults. We are developing heterodox ideologies and I have a predilection towards a different value system that he does. You know him and so do I. He likes to react to things, he goes for things off the cuff, he likes noisy, rough, unorthodox people....so on and so forth. Not that I don't like these things you know I do, but I don't OD on them; there are other things in life. He came home at 7am last Monday night and slept to 4 in the evening. For me he wasted a beautiful Tuesday morning. It's been one of the best since we've been here. I explored the city and learned how to use the metro? I just think I'm maturing a little quicker than him.
Me: But, my dear Eusebius, that's nothing to fight over. He should be allowed to do his thing once he is not interrupting your way of living. He should be able to stay out all night if he wants. He's hunting. Just like you?
Eusebius: I know master, but here lies the epicenter of his problem. He was suppose to put out his washing Sunday night and didn't, he was suppose to go with me for a meal with a mutual dog friend on Tuesday but he stayed in bed. He is saying things and doing other things. It's a long, consistent, over trodden road and i'm tried walking it with him.
Me: Okay, Eusebius, I know he can be difficult. Just be patient. I want you both to stay good friends. I 'll talk to him when the time is right. But don't be putting him down. He told me that you were insulting his intelligence. If you did I don't want you to do it again.
Eusebius: What did he say master?
Me: You don't have to know. What he said is not important?
Eusebius: You do know he has a penchant for ostentation and beautification?
Me: I know, but if my memory serves me right you've practiced the odd bit of hyperbole yourself. Remember the time you described your second love. She didn't really have long black, undulating fur, did she? It was more like 6 different coloured moles on her neck, two wheels for back legs, a glass eye, a baldy head and a tail that looked like an s-hook.
Eusebius: Yes master. You're right. We'll get on better. Will that be it master...?
Me: No. I hear he challenged you to a dual of sorts. Both of you have to write stories and get a judge on the piece. Measuring the length of your tails and by the look of it! You know you're more adept at this kind of thing; why did you accept Eusebius?
Eusebius: First, I know that Brutos can be laconic, but acts a lot, I also know that he is much brighter than he lets onto be. But he lacks discipline. I want to see if in his rage he can give birth to his true potentials and by doing so bring something beautiful into the world. Second, he told me drunk last month that he went to a screenplay writing class, I find that hard to beleive, we'll see if he has. Three, he asked me, I didn't ask him. I don't want to turn down such a challenge and as a result have to constantly listen to his jibes. Four, it will be fun. I've been working on a few things in my head of late and this challenge will give me some laser focus. It's sometimes hard to concentrate, as you indupitably know master, with all the amazing scenery everywhere. Wouldn't you agree?
Me: Yes, okay, what is the criteria or boundaries of this competiton- which i'm still alittle dubious of?
Eusebius: Not much to it. We've both agreed on fiction, we've both agreed to take human form. I'm probably going to write a novel. He said he's writing some kind of screenplay.
Me: Be careful Eusebius, I don't want you to hurt him.
Eusebius: I ensure you that this is not my intentions. And hopefully, you can read it first before he gets a chance to. I give you full editing priveleges. If you think it will cause him harm. You may erase it. Did he tell you that we want you to judge it?
Me: Yes, I accepted.
Eusebius: Thank you master. Will that be all?
Me: For the moment. Thank you Eusebius........i'll talk to you soon, I have to go out and by some batteries for my mpeg player, want to come?
Eusebius: Sure. Give me a minute.
Me: Okay, but don't be long, and ask Brutos does he want to come? We can get some food on the way...
