My Postman Always Rings Twice

France being France it is 9 months since I moved into my ground floor apartment in the 3rd arrondisement and my name still does not appear on the mailbox. Understand that the concierge will not tolerate posting your name on masking tape and placing it on the box, so just like a refugee in wartime or Warner. Bros CASABLANCA, I wait and wait…

 

le Facteur et moi

France being France it is 9 months since I moved into my ground floor apartment in the 3rd arrondisement and my name still does not appear on the mailbox. Understand that the concierge will not tolerate posting your name on masking tape and placing it on the box, so just like a refugee in wartime or Warner. Bros CASABLANCA, I wait and wait…

But there is good news amidst this gloom, Pierre, mon facteur, who has the charmingly rumpled look of Columbo and with his pipe, a touch of Jacques Tati.He delivers my mail with a tap on my door or in good weather through the iron-barred window of my flat after announcing his presence.

PierreFacteur

And if I’m not at home he will deliver it to boite#8 but please don’t tell the concierge for I fear she will intervene-no mail until my landlord addresses the mailbox name issue!

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As a street-smart marketer trained on the streets of Brooklyn no one escapes me and my postcards announcing my Thursday night concerts, not even Pierre. Like most Parisians he doesn’t like to say no and promised to come one Thursday nite but unlike most Parisians, including many of the chic crowd at Le Café de Flore,  his word means something.

Even so I was taken aback when he arrived was seated, alone, and proceeded to eat drink and thoroughly enjoy the dinner show. As the crowd thinned out and others arrived I invited him to join me and friends during the break. He proved to be charming and droll, kissing the hands of the ladies and regaling them with humorous stories.

He speaks bits of 8 languages and astonishing some Hebrew-who knew?

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I took the stage for a second set and at its conclusion rejoined the table where champagne flutes and bottle of excellent champagne appeared-compliments of Pierre

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