Narrative Experiment II

 

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

Narrative Experiment I

 

Ulysses was sitting on the beach on a Sunday morning. For some time, he had been observing the waves coming and going. The weather was pleasant, and the sunshine was profusely irradiating all around. In a series of chained alternating movements, the heat of the sun and the cool breeze that came from the sea went towards his presence. In that landscape, the manifestation of nature was evident: The birds sang exuberant songs, the coastal zone’s geography, with its nuanced colors and shapes, sculptured in a single cut-out what the eyes could catch, and on the horizon, a well-drawn dividing line delineated the sky and the sea. Also, it was impossible to ignore, on one hand, the instability of the small boats that were floating on the water and, on the other hand, the immemorial stability and constancy of the coconut trees stuck in the ground. The entire ambiance and its most diversified elements coexisted peacefully in that landscape. It was wonderful to stand on firm ground. However, things weren’t always like that.

It wasn’t the first time Ulysses went to the beach, and that place had specifically been discovered recently – the coastal zone was enormous. Since then, he has visited it frequently, especially on Sunday mornings. The Sunday mornings on the beach were particularly appropriate for the cultivation of thought and the most varied intellectual experiences. The enlightened environment and generously abundant nature were exceptionally inviting for the practice. In that place, different thoughts were passing through Ulysses’ head, and each one was born spontaneously. There was nothing else to impede it. The traveling memories were also present in his intellectual experiences. So, certain aspects of the return journey to Ithaca occupied his thoughts.

That travel was permeated by uncountable difficulties. When Ulysses left Troy, he roamed the most improbable paths along with his comrades. Navigating stormy waters and facing adverse situations became something habitual in our character’s life over many years. The paradox imposed itself omnipresently: At each time the boat gained the sea and penetrated the recondite corners, Ulysses felt that, instead of following their path, he and his comrades seemed to be getting more and more lost. However, the presence of his comrades was always a key element that helped Ulysses keep his trust alive so the situation could be successfully surpassed.

Ulysses spent most of the time talking to his comrades on the different stretches of the journey. The topics were diversified, as our character had a great appreciation for the art of conversation. This was how the friendship bonds got stronger among them. Our character and his comrades always exchanged their different impressions about life. They certainly exchanged views on the difficulties and supported each other so that they could get stronger. The middle station of life was the appropriate time for doing so. With the dawn of maturity, travelers could retrospectively evaluate their previous experiences and even dream of everything that could happen throughout the years ahead. Then, the bond between Ulysses and his comrades represented a cooperative liaison so that they could deal with the force of nature and, if they could leave alive, come to Ithaca.

There were certainly critical moments. For example, Ulysses got himself imagining how such a precarious boat could be able to face the water agitation and sea revolt in the stormiest stretches. The boat in the nights of darkness, adrift, and the period without water and food were practically insupportable. However, Ithaca was always on the horizon, and it would be from that that Ulysses would get the forces to keep on traveling home. On the other hand, our character also made some comparisons. For example, to understand the situation in which they were, Ulysses compared land travel to sea travel. In land travel, it was possible to guarantee spatial orientation through paths. There was a route traced on the ground on which it was possible to hike. During the hike, the walker got the feeling of space advancement, that is, the dislocation from the origin to the destination was evident. However, it didn’t happen in sea travel! Ulysses and his comrades were thrown and helpless in the instability and inconstancy of the sea. There wasn’t a path lined in which it was possible to advance. It was not possible to visualize a path. The travelers were completely disoriented, and they advanced according to the whim of the blowing wind. This was how they reached the off-the-beaten-track places.

Ulysses doesn’t forget a rainy night full of lightning, in particular. The darkness almost imposed itself in front of his eyes. Our character and his comrades, however, went ahead and masterfully bypassed the adverse situation. They ended up arriving on dry land; however, the feeling of safety was ephemeral as there was a long browsing trajectory. On the other hand, Ulysses always maintained Ithaca on his horizon.

Another memory that crossed Ulysses’ head was remarkably disquieting. There was a travel stretch extremely dangerous. Ulysses had already been warned about the dangerous siren song. At that time, there was a myth according to which the sirens were a threat to sailors. When they sang their songs, they seductively attracted the navigators. If they succumbed to their charms, the sailors would lose their reason, their conscience, and their sense of reality. Then, they were simply destroyed. In front of the imminent danger, Ulysses organized his entire defense apparatus so that he could protect himself and his comrades. On the other hand, our character thought how unfortunate the navigators were when they were unable to mobilize their defense apparatus so that they could protect themselves against danger. But the saddest fact is that those navigators didn’t even have a defense apparatus!

According to the orientations previously received, Ulysses and his comrades should put beeswax in the two ears to impede the melodious notes, the supposed adequate pitch and the misleadingly agreeable tone could reach their ears. The vocal singing seems to be an artistic phenomenon pleasing to the ears; however, the siren song was a seductively dangerous manifestation aiming to simply annihilate the sailor’s life. Ulysses and his comrades, attentive and vigilant, prepared the defense apparatus, and they crossed the stretch unharmed, though they received news that other navigators had not survived.

Ulysses was still sitting on the beach, and his thoughts freely walked. Then he pondered. Navigating stormy waters and facing adverse situations would be something habitual for just certain moments in his life. At this moment, after having navigated so much and going through unbelievable situations, our character remembered the moment in which he came home and the state in which it was. The scenario was distressing. His loved ones had gone through unimaginable situations in his absence. It was painful to see that. However, as he got rid of the outsiders who had invaded his home, it was also extremely comforting to remember the moment of his reunion with Telemachus and Penelope after so many years:

 

– And, after all this time, they had imagined they wouldn’t meet me anymore and that I was dead.

 

Even with the facial and body traces changed due to the disguise he needed to wear to enter his home, Ulysses never forgot that Argus, his dog, was the only one who recognized him when he came home after the long journey. Our character was deeply attached to the little animal, and it was thrilling to have found him again. It wasn’t easy to get home after such a long time. While wearing the disguise, the outsiders weren’t able to recognize Ulysses. Indeed, it had been such a long time, and Ulysses, transformed by the journey, was no longer the same person. Also, our character couldn’t but remember his comrades who weren’t able to come to Ithaca along with him.

So, after having been sitting there for some hours, contemplating the landscape and feeling the sea breeze and the sun on the skin, our character stood up, took a walk, and inflated the lungs with beach air. The beach is a place that brings about memories, and all those sensorial impressions made Ulysses feel even more alive. Now, the short walk along the seafront, on dry land, would take him to the beach restaurant so that he could meet his friends and have a tranquil lunch together.

 

 

About the painting:

Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890)

View of the Sea at Scheveningen

The Hague, August 1882

Oil on paper on canvas

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (State of the Netherlands, bequest of A.E. Ribbius Peletier)

Brazilian Portuguese Translations, Brazilian Portuguese Translator #brazilianportuguesetranslations #brazilianportuguesetranslator