Prosper from the Flamingo

Prosper Migeon, the sixty-year-old head waiter of the cabaret “Pink Flamingo,” after working for the beloved venue for nearly twenty-five years and saving a fairly solid sum, decides to retire and spend the rest of his days in a remote village—breeding chickens and growing lettuce. Said and done: soon Monsieur Prosper moves to the picturesque village of Mont-en-Brie, enjoying, as planned, a measured country life, quiet, and peace. But after some time, the rural landscapes stop inspiring the initial delight, and Monsieur Prosper thinks of taking a walk to Montmartre—so he can indulge in the luxury of entering “Pink Flamingo” through the main entrance and order a bottle of Extra Dry instead of, as before, serving it to others. If he could have imagined, even for a minute, what consequences his impulsive desire would lead to, he wouldn’t have stepped a foot from blessed Mont-en-Brie. Unfortunately, Monsieur Prosper lacked the gift of foresight and set off, resolutely, on his adventurous journey through places of past glory.