The Debutante - excerpt (the beginning of the story)
by Leonora Carrington (British Surrealist writer)

When I was a debutante, I often (go) to the zoo. I went so often that I (know) the animals better than the girls of my own age. Indeed it (be) in order to get away from people that I found myself at the zoo every day. The animal I got to know best was a young hyena. She knew me too. She was very intelligent. I taught her French, and she, in return, taught me her language. In this way we passed many pleasant hours.

My mother (arrange) a ball in my honour on the first of May. During this time I was in a state of great distress for whole nights. I' (always, detest) balls, especially if they [?] (give) in my honour.

On the morning of the First of May 1934, very early, I went to visit the hyena.

"What a bloody nuisance," I told her, "I’[?] (modal) go to my ball tonight."

"You're very lucky," she said, "I'[?] (love) to go. I don't know how to dance, but at least I could make small talk."

"There'll be a great many different things to eat," I said. "I'[?] (see) truckloads of food delivered to our house."

"And you’ (complain)" replied the hyena, disgusted. "Just think of me, I (eat) once a day, and you can’t imagine what a heap of bloody rubbish I’[?] (give)."

I had a audacious idea, and I almost laughed. "All you have to do is to go instead of me!"

"We don't resemble each other enough, otherwise I'd gladly go," said the hyena rather sadly.

"Listen," I said, "No one [?] (see) too well in the evening light. If you disguise yourself, nobody [?] (notice) you in the crowd. Besides, we're practically the same size. You’re my only friend, I beg you to do this for me."

She thought this over, and I knew she really wanted to accept.