I walked into the mall and sat on a bench next to a middle-aged couple. The man looked at me and moved out of his place, as if he wanted to keep his distance from me. She looked at me for a moment and smiled at me. I took out my e-book and began to read the last chapter of the essay "Neural Dystopias and its Consequences on Bernert Wallpart's Mathematical Learning". When he was beginning the first paragraph, he would say to her:
"For me, order is very important. You know that very well. We can't get to the mall without a fixed route. You know that it makes me nervous to go from here to there like a chicken without a head. That's why I'm asking you to take some time to plan your route".
"Yes, I'll know. You're like a train that has to go on pre-set rails".
With the corner of my left eye I saw that the man was taking out a notebook and asked the woman:
"The first question I want you to answer me, what are we doing here?"
"You know the answer."
The woman paused and then said:
"Walking".
"Didn't we come to buy some presents for Valentine's Day?"
"Yes and no."
"What does yes and no mean? That's what makes me sick. Can't you be more specific, have an objective?"
"I go for a walk and if I see something that interests me, I buy it. You're a hardcore planner. I, on the other hand, am more about living in the moment."
"Living the moment?"
"Yes, what they call Carpe Diem. To go out into the street with the sole and exclusive objective of letting yourself go, without having anything planned."
"You know very well that I can't do that."
"Look," the woman paused, "we're doing something to keep you calm and help you cope with today's hard day, when you don't have a predefined plan. Your goal today is to sit here and wait for me." Okay? While I go for a walk around the mall and when I finish I'll send you a wasap. What do you think?"
"No, I don't think so. I'm not going to sit here like a fool waiting for you. I'm going home. I have a lot of things to do that I have to waste time doing nothing."
"Well, you've got the goal of the day".
The woman got up, kissed him on the lips and said:
"See you at home."
"Will you make it in time to eat?"
"I don't know, but don't worry. You know, Carpe Diem."
He turned and left.
The man held the block in his hand for a few moments, while I was reading the last chapter of the essay. Then he got up and went in the direction of the exit of the mall.
I sat there, put away my ebook and walked in the direction of the barbershop. When I got there I went in and canceled the appointment. I was going to dedicate that day to Carpe Diem and, perhaps, a few more days.
