Schiller German  critiquing deformations of inner life deformities caused by modernity science technology  division of labour specialisation 

                      spiritually impoverished individuals reduced to mere fragments “nothing more than the imprint of (their) occupation or (their) specialised knowledge.”

 

they had just been introducedrather he introduced himself  small talk 

So then, what is it you do?

Do 

Do for a job? she smiled pleasantlyhe might say alluringly  Do for employment?

bittersweet he returned her smile Youll excuse me please

                                                             he walked away

from across the room she saw him turn away from an attractive woman and walk off  she was stunnedshed watched him purposefully make his way across the room to her  what could possibly have gone sideways in that fiveten minutes

 

she caught him at the bar 

                            Hey.

There you are hey  Buyya a drink

Yes, please; you’re drinking?

Drinking Redbreast

I’ll have one.

Bennie could I get another double Redbreast neat please 

On it.

What did you do?

Do   Do 

         Hmm seems everyone is interested in wha I do

She asked you what you do?

She did

You know . .

. . Here you go said Bennie On your tab?

Please

Gotcha.

she had his attention again 

                              You understand that asking what you do is a common icebreaker, you know? she started singing Getting to know you . .

. . Save it

           Icebreaker  Ice broke she fell through . .

. . That’s it?

Thats it thats shit Wha I do has no legs not with me 

Come on, you’re being a stick in the mud.

I disagree Ive no intentions of gettin stuck in mud

Mud, Christ, because she asked the usual question, a question that’s asked every day, day in, day out.

I don ask it 

            I don ask it of anyonenot man or women I doncare wha they do I care who they are Its dishonest a wannabe yardstick

A yardstick? Truly?

Yes Most people dondo what they want or wha they love Wha people do isnt a descriptor

Jesus, man. 

             she was displeased   too displeased 

then she recognised it showed in her face

Whadidya do

her silence was answer enough                       

Whawere you thinkin 

                       Listen to me an listen carefully  Yaknow me  I only ask once  So Im tellin ya  if I catch a whiff yare playin me the ice under us will break too  Ill be through

she went to say Really but she saw the set of his jaw he wasnt a poker player 

Twosday afternoon,  20  4. 21

0057,  Reggae Friday,  23  4. 21