Saturday, September 16, 2006
FIVE
Like four islands in an archipelago we sat silently around the table. All absorbed in our respective books: a pop-psycho book, a classic, a feminist propaganda and a Fredrick Forsyth bringing up the rear.
The only audio provided by the sizzle of a steak, the periodic flipping of a page, the muttering of other diners in tables across the glass divider and a clatter friendly waiter who seemed obsessive about removing and putting back the perfectly arranged cutlery at the empty tables around us.
Almost by choreography we were taking turns at raising our heads to see each other only to return to our parallel existences: waiting in a liminal space, refusing to bond, showing forced socialization the middle finger.
Actually not true, I wanted to interact, indulge in the joy of conversation: to get out of Canterbury Tales and into the here and now, discuss something of common interest. But with no support from the other three, I resigned to the ice remaining unbroken, dismissed my urge to communicate.
We had worked together for 7 hours that day. Our first engagement ever and there was no guarantee that more would happen. Maybe that was the issue: the lack of foreseeable returns: if I make the effort, what will I get in turn? And since no one was inclined to sell or buy, trading was mutually closed for the day.
:)
Like four islands in an archipelago we sat silently around the table. All absorbed in our respective books: a pop-psycho book, a classic, a feminist propaganda and a Fredrick Forsyth bringing up the rear.
The only audio provided by the sizzle of a steak, the periodic flipping of a page, the muttering of other diners in tables across the glass divider and a clatter friendly waiter who seemed obsessive about removing and putting back the perfectly arranged cutlery at the empty tables around us.
Almost by choreography we were taking turns at raising our heads to see each other only to return to our parallel existences: waiting in a liminal space, refusing to bond, showing forced socialization the middle finger.
Actually not true, I wanted to interact, indulge in the joy of conversation: to get out of Canterbury Tales and into the here and now, discuss something of common interest. But with no support from the other three, I resigned to the ice remaining unbroken, dismissed my urge to communicate.
We had worked together for 7 hours that day. Our first engagement ever and there was no guarantee that more would happen. Maybe that was the issue: the lack of foreseeable returns: if I make the effort, what will I get in turn? And since no one was inclined to sell or buy, trading was mutually closed for the day.
:)
# posted by goldfluke @ 11:58 PM 
Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home
<< Home
