"A Note on The Spy's White Dress" from A Mysterious Evening in Vienna
How does “The Spy’s White Dress” end? What exactly happens? I have intentionally left the ending ambiguous. Which flag was raised? Did Alejandro win and he is relaxing in paradise to celebrate his victory? Did he perish, and he rests in peace in heaven? In the original French, the word “paradis” can mean either “heaven” or “paradise.” It is not for me to decide how you should interpret the ending. Rely on your own creative imagination to choose for yourself. The mysteriousness of the ending allows you to imagine incredible endings that could not be contained in black and white words on paper – only in the human imagination.
When writing, some ideas come to me more naturally and are expressed more fluently in French. “The Spy’s White Dress” was originally written in French as « La Robe blanche de l’espionne ». As with any translation, the original is always more fresh, creative, expressive, complete, and effective at moving the reader – swaying them with the essence of the passion I am trying to capture. I am providing the English version first because I want this story to be accessible to my readers, but I would be remiss if I did not include the original French version which best communicates the thoughts I am trying to express. Click here to read the original French version.
Below is a drawing of Florina, to illustrate “The Spy’s White Dress.” This was hastily drawn on a napkin, as a quick, rough sketch at the café during writing group. Yet it is the best illustration of the thoughts and passions I am trying to express because it was created during the moment of inspiration. In the bottom-left corner is the beautiful spy, Cecilia, wearing her white dress, with her bloody dagger. On the top-right is the flag being raised. Or is it being lowered? Which flag is it? The bottom-right shows the palm tree referenced at the end.
When writing, some ideas come to me more naturally and are expressed more fluently in French. “The Spy’s White Dress” was originally written in French as « La Robe blanche de l’espionne ». As with any translation, the original is always more fresh, creative, expressive, complete, and effective at moving the reader – swaying them with the essence of the passion I am trying to capture. I am providing the English version first because I want this story to be accessible to my readers, but I would be remiss if I did not include the original French version which best communicates the thoughts I am trying to express. Click here to read the original French version.
Below is a drawing of Florina, to illustrate “The Spy’s White Dress.” This was hastily drawn on a napkin, as a quick, rough sketch at the café during writing group. Yet it is the best illustration of the thoughts and passions I am trying to express because it was created during the moment of inspiration. In the bottom-left corner is the beautiful spy, Cecilia, wearing her white dress, with her bloody dagger. On the top-right is the flag being raised. Or is it being lowered? Which flag is it? The bottom-right shows the palm tree referenced at the end.
