On a train. Afternoon. Voice on the tannoy.
“And for the English speaking passangers: we are having technical problems so we can’t go as fast as we want to. We will be late about five to fifteen minutes. Apologize.”
***
Did you see that coming?
Coffee house, afternoon. Two young men talking.
“He had a wife, did you know that? For years. And now he’s dating, a woman. Like… I didn’t see that coming. ”
“Yeah, I’ve seen… in concerts, I’ve seen him together with…”
“Yeah, hmm. Didn’t see that… but I’ll be in Berlin so I won’t be…”
“Maybe they’ll do a broadcast in radio or…”
“Yeah, I’m sure….”
***
Ontology
Evening at a bus stop. Two women talking.
“I’m going to the church. The church is. It is! I want to go. I’m going now. The church is!”
“Me too.”
***
Girlfriend
Morning, in a train. A woman talking to a man.
“Sorry what did you say to my father just now?”
“I told him I have a Philippina girlfriend.”
“We come from China.”
“Oh, China is closer.”
“Well, they are neighboring countries.”
“We’ve been together for a year, but we are both poor so… You know. Text messages, video calls.”
“Yes.”
***
Flirting
Evening. A young man chatting up to two young women.
“No no, it’s better in the night. The air is cold and the water is warm. You just stay in the water and it’s really wonderful… You should definitely bring your bathing suits.”
[The women giggle.]
***
Out of the ordinary
Evening. Two elderly men, dressed smart and smelling of fresh after shave, walking in the street.
“Why am I so nervous?”
[silence]
***
Do we have to?
Morning. A group of under five-year-old kindergarteners with two teachers walking in the rain.
“Ok then, let’s move on. Who’s hungry?”
[Kids] “Meeeeee…..!”
“Who’s tired?”
“Meee…!”
“Who wants to go play in the park?”
“….? ”
[Two kids] “… me?”
“Great, let’s go then!”
***
Constructive
On a train, evening. A couple discussing.
” [reading] The roof is usually chosen on the grounds of aesthetics. A tile roof is quieter during rain than a tin roof. A tile roof is more expensive to install. A tile roof requires to be placed on a waterproof roofing… We’re so getting a tin roof.”
“I’m sure that won’t be the deal breaker.”
***
Lesson
Pre-teens queuing at a supermarket. The girl says to the boy:
“Things in history really are interesting!”
***
California dreaming
Evening at a restaurant. Two women.
“I’m not sure about the States. California, maybe.”
“I’d live in Northern California.”
“And you’d hug trees?”
“No, I’d hug the hippies!” [laughter]
***