Seven - Tromper

I had no idea what it meant to "tromper," and I decided it would probably be important to know, in order to understand the quote "Couldn't we live together, Brett? Couldn't we just live together?"..."I don't think so, I'd just tromper you with everybody. You couldn't stand it" (p. 62). Wiktionary has now taught me that tromper is a French verb that generally is understood to mean "to cheat on one's significant other." This line of course, is the major indicator that implies that Jake is no longer able to satisfy Brett, as a result of his injury, and this is essentially what keeps them apart. Also, because I am bad at transitions, I suppose this is a good time as any to declare that due to the reference to the Spanish city San Sebastian, I'll be adding "San Sebastian" by Sonata Arctica to my playlist. The other mildly important aspect of this chapter is the good Count M-*checks spelling* Count Mippi-*checks again*...Count Mippipopolous. yes. In addition to having a confusing name, Count M also happens to have a confusing nature. Brett insists that the Count is "one of them," which I take to mean he's one of the Lost Generation, wandering aimlessly through life in a state of seemingly perpetual dissatisfaction. However, the Count seems to foil Jake's entire crew! Unlike most of the people in the Barnes Gang, it appears that the Count actually has a genuine love of life and seems to be one of the only characters in the novel who hasn't adapted a mindset of aimless cynicism. I think this is best depicted by his insistence that Brett "enjoy that [champagne] slowly" (p. 66). Jake and Friends all seem to have oh so much trouble with alcohol, but the Count is able to find pleasure and fulfillment in it by drinking it slowly and savoring the flavor. Intriguing.

This is the image that inevitably comes to mind whenever anyone is ever described as a "Count."