Chapter IV -The suicide

The ex Minister killed himself to avoid the horror of the Tonton Macoute. This is no comedy.  The history is real, and the tragedy they wrought on Haiti was depraved and unimaginable. Except we can imagine.

Doctor Magiot assists in moving the body from the Trianon's swimming pool into the property of expatriates, out of the country - "it won't be found for a long time". But of course life doesn't follow the formula, nor does death. The Tonton found the body shortly afterwards when they were taking their way with a woman and seeking a place away from the street.

Dr Philipot (pronounced filipo) had trained with Dr Magiot - but went to politics and was corrupted. So too was Papa Doc -

Smiths' letter of introduction was to Philipot - that will never do. Papa Doc is furious that Philipot has avoided incarceration and torture by taking his life. It is only that Smith has money to invest, and the regime has its many ways to corruptly procure that money, that Smith may continue to investigate his potential investment: in the vegetarian centre at Duvalierville.

Petit Pierre also writes the Smiths up heavily in the Daily Rupert, 'Presidential Candidate against Truman' - so some street cred creeps in.

Meanwhile, Jones is in gaol. "On what charge" - Smith askes naively. The Minister replies "Charge?" What do you mean "charge"? He does not need to be charged.  Haunting reminiscence of The Trial - Kafka - now there is a tough book to read.

"Has he seen a lawyer" - oh no, the police wouldn't allow it. It's not possible.

The new minister sees Smith, with Brown. Grease of potential green money moves the wheels of politics.

More on the encarcerated Jones: "Minister, you have heard of habeas corpus" - reply: "Oh, yes, yes, of course, but I'm a bit rusty now on my Latin. Virgil was it, Homer?"

Jones doctors up a false further reference and finds himself persona gratia again/at last.

Chapter V:
Smith insists on going to Philipot's funeral, notwithstanding the risks, explained by Brown, that being involved will not be good with the Tonton or Papa Doc.  The hearse passed the Trianon, and was stalled by the Tonton, the body in casket snatched, and the widow left wailing.   This is no joke: they want to have the body to put it in the Presidential Palace, to strike fear in the public: a zombie, his spirit held, under control of Papa Doc.

Joseph the manservant explains: "The people are ignorant, the President is big Voodoo man." - but what do you believe Joseph: "I be ignorant man, sir."


Brown goes to the Embassy, chapter V part 2.  UP next.....

Despair

Evening Josh

Chapter 3 part IV

Greene himself is about 61 years of age at the time of writing. Brown is 'nearly 60'. The Ambassador's wife is significantly junior, I'm guessing early 40s. Brown's love affair probably emulates some similar affairs in Greene's life. 

 Jones (your namesake) is irrepressibly younger and gives joy to some, due to his humour. He is liked, and make friends. Brown on the other hand seems burnt out. His hotel is ruined, and his prospect of gaining a useful 'partnership' slim. Whilst perhaps the wife would leave the Ambassador, not to also lose her son Angel. In French that would be 'an gel' - with hard 'g' not as in gel on your hair, but 'g' as in 'go'.  But the Ambassador is from a 'little known South American republic' - probably with communist leanings. So Angel will be Spanish - pronunciation "An yhell" . In English however it is as in 'a band of Angel's coming after me'. So means the things in heaven. 

That is what is irritating Brown. His contest for the woman's affection is this shit of a kid, fat, prying, rude, and imposing, protective of his mother, destroying Brown's prospects of the life he hoped for. It is a jealousy of a type. He fears he can not compete because the ground is different for the boy.

The secret liaisons open up and are more frequent and less protective. The Ambassador must know, and Brown taunts him to extract evidence he does, but only sees double entendre (two meanings) in their discussions. [my American spell checker won't allow entendre, so we are hampered as to correct spelling. In this way, so too in 1984 by George Orwell, the language was made barren and the capacity to convey complex meaning easily was destroyed].

She comes to the Trianon and is seen by Mrs Smith. "She seems like such a nice woman". Then when the Smiths have gone they extend their relationship, and he describes their sexual play with the joy of that: drinking milk off her breasts, and licking honey from between her thighs".  Not love, but lust, and coupled with the joy of their discussions he sees hope for an enjoyable relationship - still spoilt by the boy.  Then it gets complex with Jones taking up in the embassy, and Brown fearing he is inveigling himself into the ladies affections. His taunts to gain assurance that it is not are resisted by the lady. 

He devises a plan to rid him of Jones, but in so doing alienates himself from the lady and runs the risk to himself of inability to return: but Port au Prince is no longer a place to be. His hotel empty, and anarchy  at the hands of the Tonton Macoute making any the least visibility dangerous. The stories he relates he has taken from real life experience, either by him or relayed by others in the years to 1963 and the rise of Papa Doc. The crude American response that a state against communism is worthy of support, not taking account of the excesses of that rogue state.

His relationship, like some wine, can neither mature nor travel. 

I think the fly leaf of the book better describes the selection of title: Actors with no control over their destiny - they play their parts, they experience love affairs rather than love. They have enthusiasms but not faith. 

Despairing; perhaps how Greene was at that time of his life. Somewhat of a manic and depressive.