When the two met, the Chief purposely stood on the down-slope so that he and Giorgio were more nearly the same height. Then he glanced up at the Mangia Tower. The lone hand on the clock pointed almost to the hour. He smiled in approval.
"We meet early, no?"
Giorgio nodded, too breathless to speak.
"Come, my boy," the Chief said. "See that little table apart from the others? There the long-eared folk won't hear us."
A waiter arrived at the table simultaneously. "Buona sera," he bowed. Then he wiped the chair where the Chief would sit, and gave the table a thorough cleaning. "Now then." He arched his eyebrows, awaiting the order. "Would you like a chocolate? An ice cream? Or a coffee, perhaps?"
"What will you have, Giorgio?" the Chief inquired.
"I will take a coffee, if you please."
