The Presidents Assassination Learn English through story level 1
side one
the first day
run
the man thought
move
aster
i can’t stop
now over the man’s head
the night sky was black
and cold
and in front of him
were the trees
tall
dark trees
500 meters away
i can hide there
the man thought
i can hide in those trees
they can’t see me
in the trees
he looked behind him
he could see the lights
there were five or six men
they ran fast
and their lights moved
up
and down
they were not far away now
he could hear their feet
on the ground
the man
ran faster
his legs were tired
his body
was tired
there were noises in his head
he could not see
the trees
were two hundred meters away
he wanted
to stop
running
he wanted
to lie down
and sleep
then
he heard a new noise
dogs
they’ve got dogs
he thought
oh no
not dogs
i can’t run
faster
but he did
pasta
and faster
the trees
were a hundred meters away
fifty
twenty
and then
he was there
the trees
opened their dark arms to him
but he did not stop running
it was dark
and quiet
under the trees
he ran
first to the left
and then
to the right
he came to a hill
and for a second or two
he stopped
and listened
nothing
then
he heard the dogs again
but he could not see the lights
don’t stop now
he thought
dogs don’t need eyes
they can find you
in the dark
quickly
he ran down the hill
it was very dark here
and he could not see
very well
he ran into a tree
and nearly broke his arm
careful
he thought
careful
he put his hands out in front of him
and ran
more slowly
then
he heard a new noise
water
a river
he thought
the dogs can’t follow me across water
where is it
quick
soon
he found the river
it was not very big
but it ran quickly
the water was cold
on his tired legs
he walked
and ran
up the river
through the water
for about two kilometers
then
he stopped
and listened again
he could hear
nothing
he stood there
and waited
the trees watched him
with dark
secret eyes
nothing
no dogs
no lights
no noises
the man
was cold now
and very
very tired
i need sleep
he thought
where
can i hide
he looked up
at the trees
up there
he thought
the dogs
can’t follow me
up a tree
he found a tall tree
and went up it
he could not see the ground now
he half sat
half stood
in the tree
and listened
nothing
an hour
he thought
sleep
for an hour
then
go on
go
south
in the day
and move
at night
i can get there
in
five days
perhaps
six
the man
put his head down
on his arms
and slept
what are you saying
you lost him
the chief of police said angrily
the young police inspector
in front of her
was tired
very tired
he wanted to sit down
but people did not sit down in the
chief’s office
they stood
and waited
and perhaps the chief said
sit down
then
they sat down
but not before
so the inspector stood
i’m sorry chief
he said
we couldn’t find him
in the trees
we looked all night
but it was dark
and
the chief of police
put her hands on the desk
in front of her
you had five men with you inspector
and two dogs
and you couldn’t find him
eva hein
the chief of police
was a tall woman
of about fifty
her eyes were gray
and very cold
dangerous eyes
when eva hein said
jump
people jumped
they did not
ask questions first
the inspector waited
and the chief of police
looked at him coldly
what are you waiting for
she asked
go out
and find him
three months ago this man
alex
dinon killed the president of our
country
he’s a murderer
a dangerous man
24 hours ago
he escaped from prison
and our new president
wants him back in prison
today
now
at once
the inspector
quickly left the room
his name was felix
and he was 33 years old
that was young for an inspector
but he was a good policeman
he liked his job
and worked long hours
but he was sometimes afraid
of eva hein
the chief of police
ten minutes later
he was back in his office
and adam
came into his
adam was 25
and usually worked with felix on
important jobs
what did the chief say
adam asked
find dinon quickly
felix said
so
let’s begin
have we got photographs of dinon
and
what about his family
adam
put some photographs on the desk
he’s got a wife
and
two young children
he said
right
i want photographs on television
and in all the newspapers
four men
can watch his house
and family
day
and night
four hours on
and four hours off
next
i want policemen at all the airports
and
telephones rang and people came and went
in the office
felix and adam worked on
late
into the night
the second day
the next morning
alex dinon
was 40 kilometers south of the prison
he moved quickly
and stayed away from towns and villages
it was winter
and the weather was cold
so there were not many people
in the fields
he looked behind him often
but nobody saw him
and nobody followed him
at midday
he found a quiet field
and lay down
under some small trees
he slept
at once
at about three o’clock
alex opened his eyes
and saw
an old woman
in front of him
what are you doing in my field young man
she said
alex
sat up quickly
i’m sorry he said
i was tired
and needed some sleep
i’m going now
you’re very dirty
the old woman said
look at you
where are you going
north
alex said
he stood up
and began to move away
don’t run away
i’m only an old woman
she looked at him carefully
you’re dirty
and hungry
and tired
and afraid
am i
right
alex smiled slowly
yes
he said
well
come back to my house
and have some food
and you can have
some of my husband’s old clothes
he died
last winter
looked at her
it was true
he was hungry and tired
and dirty
and afraid
but not of this old woman
thank you very much
he said
the old woman’s name
was marta
her house
was very small
but she put some wonderful hot food in
front of alex
he ate quickly
and marta watched him
oh
you were hungry
she laughed
alex smiled
but did not stop eating
marta found some old clothes for him
and then
made some coffee
she said nothing
but watched him
with a smile
alex finished eating
and drank some coffee
he began to feel better
how did you escape from prison
marta asked suddenly
alex’s face went white
he stared at martyr
and said nothing
martyr laughed
it’s all right
she said
i’m not afraid of the president’s
murderer
you can stay here tonight
alex dinon
and have a good sleep
i don’t like the police
and i’m not going to tell them
felix and adam
did not get much sleep
they stayed in the office
and slept
between telephone calls
the phones rang often
but in the morning
there was no news of alex dinon
the day went slowly
the phones rang again
and again
but there was no news
where is he
what’s he doing
felix said to adam
he’s hiding
perhaps with friends
we questioned all his friends early this
morning
adam said
they said nothing
he looked at felix
can we bring some of them in here
with their wives
then we can ask more
difficult
questions
somebody usually talks then
no
felix said coldly
that’s not right
and you know it
denon can’t get out of the country now
but we need to find him today
the chief
isn’t going to be very happy
late in the afternoon
the chief of police telephoned
come to my office
in half an hour
she told felix
felix
felt tired
and dirty
he quickly drank some black coffee
and changed his shirt
twenty minutes later
he stood in front of eva heinz desk
she did not smile
but looked at felix
and waited
the police
are looking for dinon
in every town
and village
felix said quickly
we are watching the roads
and the airports
and the houses of his family
and friends
sit down
inspector
and listen
the chief
said we need to find this man quickly
the president
is not happy
you’re a good policeman inspector
and this
is an important job for you
chief
felix began
how did dinon escape from prison
that’s not important now the chief said
but perhaps he had friends in prison
felix said
perhaps they know something
i need to talk to people at the prison
well
you can’t
the chief said
the telephone rang
on the chief’s desk
she picked up the phone
eva hein here
then she smiled
yes
mr president
she said
she listened for a minute or two
yes of course mr president
i understand
yes
goodbye
eva hein put the phone down
and looked at felix angrily
forget dinon’s escape from prison
get out there
and find him
and bring him back
dead or alive
at the door
felix turned
and looked at her
dead
you ask slowly
dead men can’t talk
now go
felix walked slowly back to his office
there were a lot of questions in his
head
and he did not know the answers
why can’t i talk to people at the prison
he thought
what did the president say to the chief
on the phone
and why does she want dinon dead
he went to prison because he murdered
the old president
everybody knows that
what can he talk about
now
the third day
alex slept well for many hours
and the next morning
marta put a big breakfast on the table
alex at hungrily
and martyr talked
what’s happening to this country
she said
i don’t know
i didn’t like the old president
he was old
and stupid
there’s never much food in the shops
when did i last eat some good meat
she said angrily
i work every day
and what do i get
nothing
what do you think about the new
president then
alex asked
oh
he’s worse
he’s a younger man and he’s not stupid
but he’s more dangerous
he’s very friendly with the police
and the army
and he’s putting a lot of people in
prison
that’s not good for the country
we want more food
not more
prisoners just then
they heard somebody at the door
quick
martyr said
upstairs
hide under the bed
alex ran upstairs
and hid
three minutes later
marta came quickly upstairs
her face
was very angry
that was my friend george
from the house down the road
somebody saw you at the window this
morning
it was that woman
from the post office
the police give her money
and she tells them all the secrets of
the village
everybody hates her
the police
always have a
friend
in every village
alex said sadly
marta
i’m going now
at once
the police are going to be here soon and
ha
martyr said angrily
i’m not afraid of the police
or their questions
alex dinon
who’s he
is he somebody on television
alex smiled
you’re a wonderful woman martyr
he said
goodbye
and thank you
marta looked at alex
and her old face
was suddenly unhappy
good luck boy
she said
alex left the house quickly
he went through martyr’s back garden
and out into the fields again
he felt better
after the night in marta’s house
he thought about martyr
and smiled
boy
he was 33 years old
and a
dangerous murderer
but tomata
he was only a tired
and hungry boy
at eight o’clock in the morning of the
third day
the telephone rang on felix’s desk
felix listened
then put the phone down quickly
adam
he shouted
we’ve got him
he’s in a village up north
in an old woman’s house
come on
let’s go
the big police car was fast
and the kilometers went quickly
adam was tired
and wanted to sleep
but felix wanted to talk
i saw the chief again last night he said
she’s getting angry
i was in her office
and the president phoned her
they want dinan badly
dead or alive
why do they want him dead
i don’t know
adam said
let’s find him first
in marta’s village
a policeman stood at the door of her
house
we looked all through the house
and there’s nobody in there
he said
only martyr
the old woman
and she’s not talking
felix adam
and the policeman
went into the house
hello
marta said
more policemen
what an exciting day
listen to the inspector
adam said angrily
he wants to ask you some questions
felix sat down
and smiled at martyr
now martyr
he said
somebody
saw a young man in your house yesterday
who was he martyr
and where did he go
he was my sister’s youngest son
martyr said happily
he’s a very nice boy
the policeman whispered in felix’s ear
felix
looked sadly at martyr
your sister
and all her family
live in australia martyr
who was the man
in your house
oh dear
martyr said
i’m an old woman you know
72 last month
i forget things very easily
in australia
did you say
felix asked question after question
but marta
told him nothing
sometimes the young man in her house
was her sister’s son
sometimes
he was the young doctor
from the next village
but he was never alex dinom
the president’s murderer
adam got very angry
and whispered to
feelings can i ask the questions
no
felix said
he did not like adam’s questions
he stood up
and moved to the door
but marta
now wanted to ask him a question
and why do you work for the police young
man
the police
always put the wrong people in prison
you know
martyr
felix said tiredly
alex dinon
is a murderer
he murdered oh i know that
martyr said
the newspapers said that
but newspapers and the television
never tell us the true story
alex dinon isn’t a murderer
he’s a nice young
man a nice young man
felix said quickly
how do you know that
he’s got a nice face
that’s why
i saw his picture on the television
i’m an old woman
and i can read people’s faces
so who did murder the president then
felix asked
i don’t know
marta said
you’re the policeman
you go and find the murderer
but i can tell you one thing
you can begin
with the new president
he’s got a murderer’s face
adam said angrily
that’s dangerous talk
martyr laughed
and felix opened the door
let’s go
adam he said quietly
out in the road
adam said
stupid old woman
yes
felix said
perhaps she was
and perhaps
she wasn’t
end of side one
side two
the fourth day
after he left marta’s village
alex moved quickly and quietly across
the fields
nobody saw him
he walked and ran
and walked again
it rained all day
and all night
he walked through the night
and the next morning
the fourth day
he was
and very hungry
he hid in some trees for an hour or two
and then he went on south
always south
to his hometown
where can i go
he thought
perhaps i can escape from the country
but i want to see olivia again before i
leave
or before the police find me
but first
he needed food
he had some money in his pocket
marta’s money
he remembered her words
you take it i don’t need it
an old woman
doesn’t need money
alex smiled
what a wonderful old woman
he came to a small town on a river
and found a food shop
in a quiet street
he opened the door
and went in
there were a lot of people in the shop
and he waited quietly behind them
people looked at him
and a man went out quickly
alex wanted to run
but he was very hungry
so he waited
then
a woman with her young son came into the
shop
the woman whispered to the boy
and the boy came up to alex
there are two policemen in the street
he said very quietly
and they’re coming
alex looked quickly at the door
but he could not escape now
then the shopkeeper called to him
hey you
he said
quick
go out through the back
alex ran through the back of the shop
and the shopkeeper followed him
i never helped the police
they’re all bad
he said
he opened the back door
and looked out
it’s okay
he said quickly
you can get out of town
along the river
follow the back of the houses
nobody goes there
good luck
thank you
alex said
and ran
three kilometers from the town
alex came to a road
he crossed the road quickly
but a lorry came along
at the same
time the lorry slowed down
and the driver called out to him
where are you going
alex said the name of his hometown
and the driver said
come on
i’m going near there
you can come with me
alex got into the front of the lorry
and the driver
looked carefully into his face
do i know you
he asked
alex said nothing
and waited
he felt
very tired
the driver stared at him for a minute
then he smiled
no
i don’t know you
he said
get into the back of the lorry
nobody can see you there
are you
hungry
yes i am
alex said
very
well
i’ve got some sandwiches
here you are
now
get in the back quickly
before we see a police car
the lorry drove slowly south
alex at all the drivers sandwiches
and then slept
like a dead man
we’re always three hours or more behind
him
felix said to adam in the car
we drive up and down the country
but dinon always moves on
before we get there
perhaps this shopkeeper can tell us
something
adam said
but the shopkeeper was not helpful
alex who
he said
dean on
felix shouted
he was very tired
he escaped from prison five days ago
somebody saw him
in your shop
i don’t have prisoners in my shop
the shopkeeper said angrily
and i don’t want the police here
did dinon
come into this shop
felix asked
dinon
the shopkeeper said slowly
what did he do
wait a minute
yes
did he write a book
about the old president
he killed the president
adam said
he murdered him
oh yes
the shopkeeper
said i remember now
it was a good book
but
the president’s murderer
did not
come into my shop this morning
felix watched the shopkeeper’s face
carefully
my question
he said
asked about alex dinon
the shopkeeper looked at felix
and smiled
slowly
that’s right
he said
felix and adam
talked to a lot of people
and asked a lot of questions
in that small town
but they learned nothing
later
back in the office
felix
was very quiet
suddenly
he looked at adam across the desk
and said
we can’t get dinon’s book in this
country
do you know it
adam
no
adam said
felix stared at the telephone on his
desk
where is dinom
he said slowly
people are helping him
but why
he’s a murderer
and nobody wants to help us
people
never help the police in this
country adam said
people don’t like us
why are we policemen adam
it’s a good job
adam said
and the money’s good
after a minute or two
felix said
did dinon murder the
president what do you think adam
well
why did they put him in prison then
that doesn’t answer my question
felix said
i do my job
adam said
and i don’t
ask questions
felix looked at him but said nothing
the fifth day
in an old house
in a quiet road
a woman
waited
she waited day
and night
and did not sleep
at nine o’clock in the evening of the
fifth day
she heard a noise at the window
at the back of the house
quickly
she ran
and opened the window
a minute later
she was in alex’s arms
they did not speak
for a long time
then
they talked quietly
about their friends
and their family
the children
are with my sister
olivia said
it’s better for them there
but i came here
to rudy’s house
rudy’s away
and paulie told me
this was the best place to wait
i wanted to see you
before you leave the country
oh alex
i’m so afraid for you
yes
escape is going to be difficult
alex said
i talked to paulie on the phone
the police
yes
but you escaped from
olivia said quickly
you have a lot of friends
perhaps paulie can help you
or
perhaps
i’ve got some good friends
i know that
but
i’ve got a lot of enemies too
alex said slowly
very
dangerous enemy
suddenly
olivia saw his hands
your hands
oh alex
what happened to your hands
alex looked down at them
it happened
in prison
he said slowly
they did it
with a knife
and
cigarettes
but why
olivia whispered
why did they do that
they wanted a name
but i didn’t tell them
what name
the name of the president’s murderer
but they say you killed him
olivia began
yes
but i did not kill the president
and the police
know that
so they put you in prison
olivia said
because they needed a murderer
yes
and
because of my book about the old
president
and the government of this country
it was a very angry book
do you remember
alex smiled
but the old president read it
and liked it
he wasn’t a bad man
and he wanted a better life for the
people
he wanted to change things in this
country
but he couldn’t
the police
and the army stopped him
and the new president of course
is a good friend of the police the army
a very good friend
alex laughed angrily
you see olivia
the police know
the murderer’s name
but it’s a
secret they don’t want people in this
country to know the name
and so they were angry with me in prison
because they think that i know the
murderer’s name
olivia’s face was afraid
to
do you know
she whispered
yes
alex looked at his wife’s white
unhappy face
but i’m not going to tell you
he said quietly
it’s a very
dangerous
name
alex at some food
and changed his clothes
then he slept
and olivia watched the road
through the windows
in his office
felix waited for more news
he waited
and he thought
about his job
about the dead president
and the new president
about the old woman martyr
about eva hein
the chief of police
and
about alex dinon
at 9 05 pm
the telephone rang on felix’s desk he
listened
then quickly jumped to his feet
and called to adam
dinon’s in his hometown
he shouted
he’s in his old teacher’s house
he went in
three minutes ago
adam laughed
we’ve got him now
he said
happily listen
felix said quickly
take ten more men with you
and drive down to dinon’s town at once
wait near the house and watch
but don’t go in
i’m going to phone the chief now
and then follow you
right
adam said
and quickly left the room
felix phoned the chief
and told her the news
good
the chief said
now wait there
i want to speak to you again
in ten minutes
felix waited angrily
he wanted to leave at once
he wanted to talk
to alex dinom
perhaps dinon knew the answers to
felix’s questions
the phone rang and felix picked it up
quickly
now listen inspector
don’t go into the house
wait in the road
and watch
but we can go into the house
and get him
felix said
why not
no
that’s dangerous
perhaps his wife and children
are in the house
but his children are with his wife’s
sister
we know that
felix said
so listen to me
inspector
felix
did not answer
are you listening to me
inspector
yes chief
felix said quietly
now
dinon can’t stay in the house
he’s going to come out
later in the night
when the streets are quiet
he can’t escape
the soldiers
soldiers
what soldiers felix said angrily
i don’t need the army
this man dinon
is very very important inspector
you need help
and the army
is going to help you
they are putting 300 men in all the
roads near the house i want dinon
tonight
inspector
the chief
put the phone down
and felix stared
at his desk
alive
or dead
he thought
which does she
and our new president
want
i think i know
the answer
they want him dead
and i
want to know why
the police car
took felix to dinon’s hometown
an hour away
and felix found adam
in a quiet street behind the house
they sat in adam’s car
and talked
adam looked at felix’s
face what are you angry about
he asked
dinon’s in the house
and he can’t escape now
when he comes out wham
we’ve got him
i’m angry
felix said
because half the army with its guns is
in this town tonight
i wanted to go into the house
but i can’t
because the chief said no
and the soldiers are watching the house
but i wanted to get to dinan first
that’s going to be difficult
adam said
soldiers shoot first
and ask questions later
yes
felix said slowly
they’re going to kill alex dinon
and i can’t stop them
the sixth day
at three o’clock in the morning
alex got up from the bed
and looked out of the window
olivia opened her eyes
are you
are you leaving now
she asked
yes
alex said
i can’t stay longer
perhaps the police are out there now
they’re watching all our friends houses
paulie told me
he put on his shoes and coat
then
looked at his wife
olivia
listen
be very careful
and live
very quietly
the police are going to watch you
for some time
wait for a year
then take the children
and leave the country
secretly our friends can help you
find a new home
in a new country
and make a new life
olivia began to cry
but alex
you’re going to be there with us
alex
smiled
yes
perhaps
he took his wife’s face in his hands
and looked into her unhappy eyes
don’t cry my love
he said quietly
give me a smile
before i go
oh alex
i’m afraid
olivia could not stop crying
i love you
i love you
she whispered
go quickly
and be careful
please
alex
smiled sadly
goodbye
my love
he left the house quickly
and went out into the dark night
he waited for ten minutes at the door
and listened
but he heard nothing
and saw nothing
he came out into the road
very carefully
again
he waited
from an upstairs window in his house
a white face
watched him
then alex began to walk quickly along
the road he stayed near the houses
and looked behind him again
and again
two hundred meters along the road
there was a car
alex stared at it
but there was nobody in the car
and he walked quickly past
suddenly
there were noises
and lights and soldiers with guns
alex began to run
but he did not run far
there was a shot
two
three four
five shots
and alex
did not move
again
felix ran across the road
and looked at the body
adam was there before him
is he alive
felix asked quickly
no
he’s dead
adams stood up
and looked at felix
very
very dead
he said
felix’s face was angry
the soldiers killed him
he said
adam looked at felix
well
that’s their job
denon ran away
so the soldiers shot him
alive or dead the chief said
but we found him
that’s the important thing
felix stared down at alex dinon’s face
i wanted to talk to him
to ask him
to ask him what
adam said
felix did not answer
he looked down at the dead body on the
road then he turned away
nothing
he said
it doesn’t matter
there was a lot of noise in the road now
soldiers and policemen moved here and
there
police cars came and went
the people in the houses
looked out of their windows
but they did not
open their doors
it was better
not to ask questions
an ambulance came
and took the body away
later that day
felix went back to the chief’s office
the chief called him into her room
so he’s dead
she said
well done felix
the president
is very pleased with you
the chief
did not often say
felix
usually
she called him
inspector
felix sat down
and looked at eva hein
a lot of people think
he stopped
then he began again
they say
alex dinon
wasn’t the president’s murderer
people say a lot of things
the chief said
she smiled
but they’re not all true
don’t listen to stories felix
you’ve got a good job
don’t ask questions
but perhaps
felix said slowly
the stories are true
and it’s a policeman’s job
to ask questions
she looked down into his face
and her gray eyes were cold
listen
she said
somebody murdered the old president
right
and our new president
needed a murderer
quickly
so we found a murderer for him
alex dinon
we don’t kill murderers in this country
they go to prison
but dinon escaped from prison
and now he’s dead
the murderer is dead felix
and that’s the end of the story
it was very quiet in the room
the chief watched felix
and waited
felix looked down at his hands
and said nothing
then
he looked up into eva hines cold eyes
who murdered the president
he asked
eva hein’s face
did not change
she stared at phoenix
and felix stared back
at her
after a long time
eva heinz said
perhaps you need a new job felix
think about it
very carefully
the young man looked at her face
then he looked away
out of the window
after a minute or two he stood up
and went to the door
then he turned
and looked
at the chief of police
i’d like to know
the murderer’s name
he said quietly
and i’m going to find it
he opened the door
goodbye chief
he went out
and closed the door behind him
for the last time
you