Bicycle Thief - cont'd

Beaming like an A+ student delivering a challenging assignment, we walked into the bike shop this morning carrying our police report papers. The clerk said "ok, senk you, and now I take your deposit". Then the following conversation ensued.

• Me: you take?
• Clerk: I take
• Me: the deposite? (trying to pronounce it with French accent on the last syllable)
• Clerk: the deposite
• Me: all?
• Clerk: all
• Me: what about insurance?
• Clerk: no insurance - you check (pointing to the rental agreement) - no insurance
• Me: why did you send me to the police station?
• Clerk: it's the leaw (law)
• Me (thinking): fuck you
• Clerk (thinking): fuck you
• Clerk (suddenly smiling): oh! you go to kert!
• Me: kert?
• Another Clerk: court, justice
• Me (thinking): fuck you
• Another Clerk (thinking): you velcome

Evidently, one of the papers given to us at the police station was some sort of a claim that we could file with the local court (in person, of course). The form states how much damage I request from the perpetrator. The paper also has a separate line for compensation for troubles (pain and suffering, I guess). It was fun watching the two clerks discussing how much I should ask for that. After few minutes they came to agreement that I should ask for 20 (twenty) euros. Take this, tort reform!

Now, more than ever determined to get to stupid Monaco no matter what, I rented two more bikes. While filling the new contract form, savvy me (yes, you can teach an old dog one new trick), asked for the insurance. Clerk said, oh, no, it is not possible... We offer no insurance...

Oh well... But riding, no, gliding, on the bike along the coast, under the azure sky, in the bright but not too hot sun with fragrant and cool sea breeze all around is so heavenly that it makes all past troubles well worth it.

Until, of course, you come home and have to drag the heavy duty 20 kilo monster to the 7th floor, so that we can have a nice... phew... and... relaxing... breakfast.... Oh, and did I mention, it is two 20 kilo bikes now?