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07 of February 2021
Prague
imagined conversation(s) with the owner
step 24.
E: Dobry den. I'm so happy that we finally meet!
M: Thank you so much, I'm so happy to finally get it back. Would never have believed it will happen one day. Where did you find it?
E: I found it right where Charles Bridge turns into Mostecká street. In front of a Trdlo shop, lying on the cobblestones.
M: Oh of course I remember walking by that Trdlo shop that day!
E: Did you buy one?
M: one what?
E: Trdlo, I mean.
M: oh, no no, I'm gluten sensitive.
E: Really? I didn't know that!
M: How would you?
E: ...
silence
E: My friend, K is gluten sensitive.
silence
E: she is also vegan, so I don't understand what she lives on.
M: Oh dear. I'm not vegan.
E: Yes, I know.
M: ?
E: I mean the fish-scales... Also, the wallet itself is real leather. See, the word ICHT on the button means real in german.
M: You really did your research, didn't you.
E:...
E: do you mind?
M:no.
E: Are you sure you need it back?
M: What do you mean.
E: No sorry, I didn't want to say that aloud. I will give it back, of course. But you see the thing is, I'm getting very attached to it.
M: I've been using it for more than thirty years, I am very attached to it too, dear.
E: Well maybe thirty years are exactly enough for an object to spend with one person.
E: Dobry den
M: Dobry den
M: asks something in czech
E: nemluvim cesky
M: continues talking in czech
E: anglicky?
M: ...in czech
E: Na schledanou
E: So can I ask you something?
M: Of course.
E: Who made those flowers?
M: Are you sure you want to know?
E: ...
E: Have you ever found a wallet lying on the street?
E: Would you mind, if kept it for around three more months?
M:?
E: you see, I kind of already planned to have it in the center of my next semester project...
M: What do you study?
E: Directing of Devised and Object Theater. At DAMU.
M: Never heard of that.
E: ...
E: Anyway, I would really appreciate it.
M: What do you plan to do with it?
E: I'm not sure yet.
M: Well didn't you say, you have a plan already?
E: Well, it's rather just like curiosity. than a clear plan.
M: ...
E: Maybe I'll have twenty people sitting in a room and have the objects from the wallet, fly-in, hanging on a rope or something and then go out again.
M: Why would you do that..?
E: ...I don't know. L told me that.
silence
E: Or maybe I'll actually do an exhibition. Of this.
M: What is "this"?
E: I mean this investigation.
M: For finding me?
E: Yes. No. For finding anything.
M:?
E: I was never very interested in finding you.
M: Then why did you do it, I don't understand.
E: Me neither completely. Do you know the concept of finite and infinite games?
M: what?
E: "a finite game is played with the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the game." by James something.
M: Still don't understand.
E: Well I guess, I just really enjoyed doing it.
M: doing all this research?
E: Aha.
M: Don't you have better things to do?
E: ...
E: I mean it's the middle of a pandemic. I don't, really.
E: If it would be the other way around. would you give it back to me?
E: I was thinking about making a board game version for example.
M:?
E: Not sure, I'm just very fond of board games. Not just the game itself but all the accessories and objects that come with it. It seems to be very appropriate here.
M: Don't see how.
E: Well, like for example you have to go through all these steps, and gather treasures or something. But you can't step from 15 to 16 if you don't have a binocular.
M: and where can I get a binocular?
E: Or maybe it's a card game! All you have is 30 cards, with investigative steps that can be applied to any found object.
M: Do you have to play it alone?
E: Not sure
E: I think this investigation will end soon.
M: Because you found me?
E: No because I'm not really interested in finding anything anymore.
M: Then what are you interested in?
E: I'm not sure. I think, I just want to see what happens next. Where will it go from my table?
M: Rather than constructing its past, you mean?
E: Rather than constructing anything around it.
silence
M: So you think of it as yours now.
E: Well what does it mean, "mine"? But yes, I think the answer is, I've never thought of it as someone else's. My conscience is completely clear if that was your question?
M: That's not very nice of you.
E: Sorry.
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