Prometheus
went for a walk in the middle of the afternoon, and it was not a holiday. Going
for a walk in the middle of a Friday afternoon – how could that be possible?
That was what he did. There were papers on the desk and some more emails in the
mailbox. Indeed, they did not stop coming. There were enough hints indicating a
busy day with a ton of papers, electronic messages, ongoing projects, in
addition to the most different activities that demanded care, attention, and
time. So, leaving the desk did not seem to be the best idea. To some extent, it
was not bad to work on any of those projects; each one was unique, and they
were different from one another. Despite some effort, putting inventiveness
into practice and determining the widest range of solutions for the widest
range of issues were conceivable. That day, the meetings occupied the whole
morning. And the days were going somewhat like this: From endless meetings to
ordinary duties. Nonetheless, on the balances of life, the inclination weighed
towards unhappiness.
On
that Friday, particularly, Prometheus felt like he was in chains. This is the
exact term to describe the situation. But why did he feel that way? The
circumstances and the improper use of his talents point to an answer. This is
why he left the office and put aside his duties in the middle of the afternoon.
Dear reader, if we look at the typical situations, I must tell you that
reporting on such a case is truly uncommon. Imagine someone leaving their
office in the middle of the afternoon, being worry-free about projects or
deadlines, and simply going for a walk with no destination! Well, it was time
for Prometheus to relax and clear his head. Then, he took his cell phone, put
on his headphones, and chose one of his favorite playlists. Thus,
he decided to visit the café, which was only a few blocks from there. The café
serves as a natural stimulant and fuel, while the headphones act as an earplug,
shielding the ears from the harsh sounds of the city.
That
office was a bit suffocating. To tell you the truth, it was quite suffocating.
Walls, floors, and PCs in grayscale. That is, a wholly gray environment. On the
other hand, the air conditioning ducts were two times more unpleasant: They
made an aggressive noise that was impossible to ignore, and they also spread
cigar smoke from the boardroom across the floor. Believe me, everyone noticed
the distasteful smell, yet nobody voiced their complaints. Moreover, the air
conditioning caused eye dryness, which was an additional challenge for
different coworkers who experienced visual diseases. Leaving that place, even
for some hours, was a freeing experience. It would thus be nothing more than
delightful to go from the office to the café. Going outside for a walk and
feeling the fresh air on the skin was a lovely sensation. What other way could
we assess these moments?
The playlist performed
songs at random. A praise playlist must be filled with
diversity. Imagine a variety of musical genres performed by musicians from
various places and countries. But things were not always like that. Our
character remembers those moments in which his audition was much more
restricted. Some people favor one music genre over another. Everything seems to
be like that. The attention becomes focused only on one object. And this
inclination seems to be meaningful – just for a while! But musical phenomena
are multifaceted, with varying perspectives on how they appear. In this sense,
enhancing the hearing capabilities means amplifying the understanding
capabilities. The practice of enjoying music improves comprehension and
conviviality since people who learn it are skilled listeners, and those who
like a variety of musical genres are more tolerant. He had been thinking about
these things lately, but they were only ideas. The music’s representation of
time, however, has caught his attention recently. Does time exist? Is it
absolute? Is it relative? On the other hand, if time flows, how can we perceive
it? If so, would it also be perceptible in music? The flowing time of music is
under consideration here; and what about the human vital time? How can we
comprehend it?
Prometheus
had already left the office and was walking along the sidewalk for some time.
There was still some way to go. The street was crowded with people. They were
moving around. So, they crossed his path, coming and going. The small man on
the opposite side of the sidewalk and above the crosswalk, highlighted in red,
right on the corner in front of him, signaled that he would have to wait a bit
longer. The red light indicates that it is not possible to cross the street,
but it soon turned green, indicating that the way was clear. The walk
continued. It was then that our character realized just how strange the city
was. Lots of people living near one another, fast cars and motorcycles, the
largest variety of shopping establishments, traffic jams, and pollution of all
types. A multitude of noises and sounds, as well as birdsong, contended for a
peculiar forced cohabitation in the same location. Amid all this strangeness,
some people live; nevertheless, what about others who merely survive? What
about those who are hurled onto the sidewalks?
At
this point of the walk, Prometheus was imagining what he would ask when he
arrived at the café. The cafés are said to be iconic locations. The one close
to the office hosted literary activities and philosophical cafés. In other
words, the place is exceptionally welcoming and favorable to the cultivation of
thought. On that Friday afternoon, there was no event on the agenda, as events
usually take place at weekends. However, they all freely choose their schedules
based on their respective motivations, so this is not a norm. For example, in
the 18th century, European cafés played a key role in the diffusion of a wide
diversity of ideas. People were debating new worldviews and ways of thinking in
a lively atmosphere. That place caught our character’s eye because he had just
read some books on the subject. Not surprisingly, the 18th century is known as
the century of the Enlightenment.
Along
the way, there was a museum on a well-known avenue. Prometheus considered it,
seeing as how the institution was becoming nearer. A few less vivid fragments
of some of the exhibits he had seen on his visits to that museum also flooded
his mind. Since there were many souvenirs, it was not possible to recall them
all. As the institution was getting even closer, the torrent of thoughts became
more intense. That location had different items. Paintings, engravings,
sketches, sculptures, and tapestries are some examples. If the previous lines
posed a few questions regarding the existence and representation of time in
music and people’s lives – as an outline of an investigation –, may we now take
this reflection and focus it on the most varied artistic work? The playlist kept
performing, and the notes of a jazz solo echoed in his ears.
Upon
leaving the oppressive environment, the monochromatic office, an infinity of
impressions and ideas were naturally born. The feeling was that of being part
of an alive organism. The city, with its contradictions and strangeness, was
still a pulsating environment. There are traces of civilization around us, such
as houses, squares, streets, living spaces, buildings, and many more. It did
not take long to leave the office to see that. Now, all eyes were focused on
the café, which was getting closer and closer. It just took a block, or a few
steps, to get there.
That
Friday afternoon was surprisingly pleasant. The weather was not so hot. Those
were the days of overcast afternoons and heavy rain. It was typical of the many
flooding spots. The most remarkable aspect was that, in certain areas, the
summer rains were becoming stronger and more concentrated. Even though the café
was getting closer, Prometheus glanced at the trees on the sidewalk before
entering since it was impossible to ignore their green foliage. Additionally,
while their lives went ahead despite the concrete and asphalt, he could not
stop thinking about how that extract of nature had an amazing life force. Once
the image of nature was obtained, our character entered the café.
Now
at the table, a very kind and considerate waitress named Vanessa arrived. Then
she handed the menu to him. After skimming some of its pages, our character
ordered a cappuccino and a croissant. The order
was noted. Prometheus noticed the environment was almost full while he waited
for the order. He felt the experience was pleasant because of the natural
manifestation in these tiny settings. Human warmth was everywhere: Voices,
laughter, and the sound of cups resting on saucers. And that was why, among other
things, the 18th century cafés were so emblematic. In other words, it is a
welcome place for conversation and introspection. Then, the order was served:
Vanessa: Here they are, Prometheus. A cappuccino and a croissant. Enjoy it!
Prometheus: Many thanks, Vanessa!
Now
it was time to taste the cappuccino and the croissant.
And, finally, calmly think about life. After having outlined his thoughts on
time, its existence, and how it is portrayed in music and the arts in general,
our character placed these views in his life. Alternating a sip of the beverage
and a bite of the viennoiserie, Prometheus felt much more at ease
in that café. He felt welcomed there, though the people were different from
each other. At the office, he experienced challenges and intellectual testing,
but the work was joyful. In other words, Prometheus felt challenged. However,
he was unhappy with the environment. How was it possible to employ the
intellectual abilities in such a problematic place? On the one hand, the
monochromatic setting did not encourage inventiveness. On the other hand, the
air conditioning noise was annoying. And if that was not enough, there was
cigar smoke all over the floor, coming from the boardroom. Prometheus was not
even a smoker, and the whole thing was simply an outrage to him. Nonetheless,
as you can imagine, neither he nor his coworkers could complain. As he cared
about his health and working conditions, Prometheus had found a solution to the
impasse. It was a summer Friday afternoon. After having weighed the pros and
cons and tasted the cappuccino and croissant, it
was time to settle the bill. But it was also time to settle the bill elsewhere.
Prometheus: Bye bye, Vanessa! Everything
was wonderful, as usual. Have a good afternoon!
Vanessa: Bye bye, Prometheus! It was great
to see you again!
The
rain had just started – and the rain is a powerful manifestation of nature.
Nevertheless, the umbrella was left at the office. Therefore, it was necessary
to use the cell phone to seek transportation to return. After requesting a
driver and indicating the destination, the car came in a short while. Antônio
was the driver’s name. The course, by car, was not very long. Prometheus would
be back in a few minutes. What was he feeling at that moment? Well, I will let
the reader attempt to find it in the following lines. The return was fast. Some
traffic lights were closed and others were free along the route. When viewed
via the car window on the left, the museum evoked many memories and images.
Then Prometheus got to the office. He immediately went to the Immediate
Superior’s room to speak with him after arriving. Dear reader, the dialogue
goes like this:
Immediate Superior: Prometheus! I’ve been
looking for you for a long time. Where have you been all afternoon?
Prometheus: Good afternoon, immediate
superior! I was out of the office.
Immediate Superior: That’s what I realized.
Where have you been?
Prometheus: Don’t get me wrong, I just
wanted to go out and clear my head.
Immediate Superior: What do you mean?
Leaving the office in the middle of a Friday afternoon to clear your head?
Prometheus: Yeah, that’s it. I left to let
my ideas run. I have some thoughts I’d like to share with you.
Immediate Superior: The way this talk is
going is starting to seem strange, and I don’t like it.
Prometheus: Well, regardless of anything
else, I’d like to share with you that I’m not satisfied with my working
conditions. I’ve been reevaluating a lot of things in my life. For a while now,
I’ve been reading more intensely, enjoying different kinds of art, and
listening to different music styles. When I left the office this afternoon, I
put on my favorite playlist on my walk. After I started
cultivating all these habits much more intensely, philosophical reflections on
time began to occupy part of my thoughts. In other words, time is passing by,
and I’m feeling chained.
Immediate Superior: Prometheus, I’ve
noticed some kind of weirdness lately.
Prometheus: Look, things aren’t like that.
It’s not about “being weird lately.” What’s going on is that I’ve been
genuinely reevaluating what I’ve been doing in my life. I want to discuss a few
things, including our workplace. Listen carefully to what I have to say and try
to understand my point of view before making any hasty judgments.
Immediate Superior: Our workplace is
perfect. There’s nothing wrong. The departments harmoniously work, people are
friendly, and the team works in synergy. Moreover, the environment is
appropriate for productivity. You know what I mean? There’s nothing to be
unhappy about.
Prometheus: Well, again, don’t get me
wrong; I don’t agree with you. Based on our daily experiences, I would say that
the workplace seems a little suffocating. To tell you the truth, it’s quite
suffocating. Walls, floors, and PCs in grayscale. That is, a wholly gray
environment. This poses a problem as the current environment doesn’t foster
creativity, the birth of new ideas, or original solutions to complex issues. In
short, when I’m in the office, I have to make a Herculean effort so that my
thoughts don’t feel paralyzed. And my thoughts, if you know what I mean, are
always on the move.
Immediate Superior: I didn’t receive any
complaints up to now. You’re the only one. How bold of you, by the way?
Prometheus: So I’m a pioneer in this
regard?
Immediate Superior: Save the ironies for
your coworkers.
Prometheus: It’s not about irony; it’s
about recognizing an achievement. Allow me to complete my views. Regarding the
air conditioning, I have one more concern. The air conditioning ducts are two
times more unpleasant: Firstly, they make an aggressive noise that is
impossible to ignore; secondly, they also spread the cigar smoke from the
boardroom across the floor. Moreover, the air conditioning causes eye dryness,
which is an additional challenge for different coworkers who experience visual
diseases.
Immediate Superior: Ok, let’s sum up this
conversation. Where do you want to get?
Prometheus: I’ve noticed the constructive
criticism wasn’t well-received. Indeed, I’m a young guy with an entire life
ahead. My working results and my healthy conditions are important for me. So
please take it: Here’s my ID card! As I know I won’t be fired, then I prefer to
quit the job. On the other hand, I also know that I have some pending tasks.
So, these are my conditions: I may stop by HR to sign the paperwork after all
the pending tasks have been completed.
Immediate Superior: Prometheus, this is our
style. I need you to understand that. Our environment has always been like
this. No one has ever complained. The business is highly profitable. We have a
remarkable presence in unimaginable places. I must admit that, regarding the
cigar smoke emanating from the boardroom, that’s how things are. So don’t
worry. You don’t need to finish the pending tasks. I’ll talk to the HR.
Starting on Monday, you are released from coming into the office. I must tell
you that I’m very saddened by the whole situation. I’ve never expected that
your reflections would take you so far and cause you to make such a wrong
decision!
Prometheus: Well, it’s already 5 p.m.; it’s
over for today. I’ll go to my desk to organize the stuff. Have a good
afternoon!
Immediate Superior: Take care and good
luck!
Following
the dialogue, Prometheus walked to his department, sorted his belongings, and
took the umbrella. The rain was still falling. It was more than 5 o’clock, and
the office was already empty. It was too short a time to say goodbye to anyone.
The monochromatic environment became even more boring, and the air conditioning
became even noisier since the PCs were already turned off. In those conditions,
this was the question that arose: How could someone put so much effort
into anything of that type for so long? His feelings suggested that
there were still a lot of thought-provoking experiences to be lived, including
the cultivation of the humanities, the studies to form the thought, and
starting a new career. With the objects in his backpack and the umbrella in his
hand, Prometheus went towards the elevator. He was standing on the hall when,
to his surprise, the Managing Director appeared at the other side of the
corridor. He had his cell phone in his hand, head down, looking at the screen,
typing a message, and walking towards Prometheus.
Managing Director: How are you?
Prometheus: Good afternoon!
Managing Director: On Monday morning, you
must come to my room.
Prometheus: Sorry, it won’t be possible.
Managing Director: What do you mean?!?
What’s going on?!? You’re a competent professional.
Prometheus: Today was my last working day.
The
elevator arrives, and both of them enter it. Prometheus indicates the ground
floor, and the Managing Director indicates the second basement. The dialogue
continues…
Managing Director: Really? Any special
reason for quitting the job?
Prometheus: Yes. There are two reasons. The
story is a bit long. I suggest you speak with the immediate superior, with whom
I talked at the end of the afternoon. He can indicate the reasons. However, I’m
afraid one of them could be left out.
Managing Director: Make use of your
synthesizing power. We’re still in the twentieth basement. You are encouraged
to share it with me since one of the reasons will be left out. That way, I’ll
know in advance what happened.
Pause for a while. The elevator
continues to descend.
Prometheus: Thanks for your kindness.
If you insist, I hope you don’t get me wrong. Your cigar is probably not of
high quality, is it?
The elevator reached the ground floor, and the Managing Director, bewildered, did not know what to say. Prometheus exited the elevator discreetly outlining a smirk. He held his belongings and the umbrella.
Author’s
note: The original Brazilian Portuguese text was first published on August 16,
2024.
About the painting:
Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917)
Café Singer
1879
Oil on canvas
The Art Institute of Chicago
Brazilian Portuguese Translations, Brazilian Portuguese Translator #brazilianportuguesetranslations #brazilianportuguesetranslator