I am working at a small café on Jakubská Street. Two women come in. The older one, blond, about 1.65 m, dressed in black, with a black walking stick, addresses the waiter in a British accent, confidently, as a retired stage actress. Her voice is very smoky. She speaks loudly, so much so that a British family at the next table seem to feel intimidated by her and lower their voice. I like her. Very much.
I write my friend on Facebook that her appearance relaxes me, in contrast with the annoying small talk of the British family. I tell him that she reminds me of Marianne Faithfull.
She says something about the Czech version of Edith Piaf’s ‘Milord’ that is playing in the background, about someone called François. Then her phone rings. I hear: ‘…the film Ghost Story I made years ago…’. So she is an actress! I become curious. I google Ghost Story. A film from 1974… oh, she is Marianne Faithfull!
Marianne Faithfull is having lunch with her assistant. Marianne Faithfull is eating a tuna sandwich. Marianne Faithfull has a massage tonight at nine. Marianne Faithfull gave a concert last night in Prague. Tomorrow Marianne Faithfull will sing in Düsseldorf. Now Marianne Faithfull is here, next to me.
I feel awkward. Like the British family, I become more aware of my movements. It is as if she knows me, as if we have had a conflict in the past and now we are trying to ignore each other. I get up. I bump my head against a lamp that illuminates a painting depicting a labyrinth.
I walk on the streets of Prague with a big smile in my face. I curse myself for being too shy but I cannot suppress the thought that perhaps she would have liked me.
October 2015