The Predicament Quotes

“pencil, a stone. You punch someone hard in the face and likely you’ll break a finger or two. Use your notebook, a shoe, a lamp.’ ‘I see . . .’ ‘Rule three. Retaliate first. You think someone’s going to aggress you. Aggress him first. You can always apologize afterwards, if you’re wrong.’ ‘Isn’t that a bit—’ ‘And rule four. Watch out for pretenders. Your man goes down – he seems out of it – kick him hard in the ribs. Several times. Break a few ribs.’ He paused, reflectively. ‘I remember my old colour sergeant. Italy 1944. He said to us: you see a dead body – a dead enemy – put a round in it. Every time. Routine. If he’s dead – no matter. If he’s pretending – then you’ve got him.’ Begg rubbed his face. ‘It was very good advice.’ He smiled suddenly, beaming. ‘So-ho, are youse getting the message, Mr Dax?’ ‘Absolutely.’ ‘Recite me Patrick Begg’s four rules of self-defence.’ ‘Ah. Let’s see. One: everything is a potential weapon. Two: don’t use your hands. Three: retaliate first. And four: watch out for pretenders.’ ‘Ready for action, Mr Dax. Quick learner.’ Gabriel stood on the gravelled sweep in front of the house waiting for his taxi. He felt exhausted after his brief period of instruction with Begg. There had been a few more moves and blows illustrated and explained regarding the near-lethal use of house keys, notebook and wallet, then Begg had made him a cup of tea in a little kitchen off the gym area and told him more adventures of his torrid time in Italy in ’44. ‘I’ve killed a lot of people, Mr”
― William Boyd, The Predicament: A Gabriel Dax Novel