They started eating in silence, then after a while Pereira asked Silva what he thought about all this. All this what?, asked Silva. What's going on in Europe, said Pereira. Oh don't bother your head, replied Silva, we're not in Europe here, we're in Portugal. Pereira declares he couldn't let the matter rest: Yes, but you read the papers and listen to the wireless, he insisted, you know what's going on in Germany and Italy, they're fanatics, they're out to put the world to fire and sword. Don't bother your head, replied Silva, they're miles away. True enough, said Pereira, but Spain isn't miles away, it's right next door, and you know what's going on in Spain, it's a bloodbath, despite the fact that there was a legally elected government, it's all the fault of one bigot of a general. Even Spain is miles away, said Silva, we're in Portugal here. That may be so, said Pereira, but even here things aren't too rosy, the police have things all their own way, they're killing people, they ransack people's houses, there's censorship, I tell you this is an authoritarian state, the people count for nothing, public opinion counts for nothing. Silva gave him a steady look and laid down his fork. Listen to me Pereira, said Silva, do you still believe in public opinion?, well let me tell you, public opinion is a gimmick thought up by the English and the Americans, it's them who are shitting us up with this public opinion rot, if you'll excuse my language, we've never had their political system, we don't have their traditions, we don't even know what trade unions are, we're a southern people, Pereira, and we obey whoever shouts the loudest and gives the orders. (pp. 39-40)
Antonio Tabucchi, Declares Pereira: A True Account. Translated by Patrick Creagh. London: The Harvill Press, 1995.
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