I thought she was pulling my leg but she said no, it was serious, and she showed me the map you drew when you went to PE on holiday and she had to look after your (i.e. my) house. She said every X was a nameless thing that had to be pointed out if anything unpleasant ever happened to you, like an accident or a drowning, and she was left behind to take care of everything.
Now there is a rockery that does not appear on your map. There is hardly room for a fishpond or a septic tank, which will also have to be rebuilt one of these fine days, another thing you should actually have drawn to my attention before I bought the house. In any case, please confirm that it is safe to dig here at the back or phone me rather (your old number) in the evening, because in this day and age it’s better to write nothing down.
Please write back soon.
Yours sincerely,
M. Benadie
Letter 3
Karl-Heinz to Norman, 1977, Göttingen (orig. in English)
Geiststrasse 7A
3400 Göttingen
Wed., April 13th ’77
Dear Norman,
Greetings from Göttingen! I hope this finds you well. I myself have settled in nicely here and am going on well with my work. As you can imagine, there are scholars galore to pore over Kant & Co., but very few with an interest in Netterberg. Indeed, my passion in this direction may be sui generis. It is all to the good: I am left to my own devices and getting ahead by dint of sheer provincialism.
Some weeks ago at the Bahnhof, which is a splendid place dating from the heyday of the Railways, I saw something that would have amused you. An old man, a shabby fellow with a brown cordroy hat like a mushroom squashed down on his head, was causing a rumpus on the concourse where the schedules are displayed. He was wandering among the commuters, almost as though he were sedated, I would say, and declaring to no-one in particular, but very distinctly, in well-accented English — ‘I am the Brain Man of the World!’
I am writing on a different matter though. Please don’t think me presumptuous, but when this question arose I immediately thought of consulting you. There is a story attached. My friend Adelheit recently took lodgings with a colleague from the University library. Arrangements of this kind are common here where space is at a premium. When she was cleaning the little refrigerator in her room, she came across a spool of film in the crisper. Apparently it is common practice to put film in the fridge to keep it ‘fresh’. Her colleague surmises that it was left behind by the previous occupant of the room, a young Argentine who departed suddenly last Autumn after some sort of scandal (she will only say ‘under a cloud’).
The man at the lab tells us that the spool has been exposed. But my question to you is this: How long does film ‘keep’ in the refrigerator? This one has a date written on it which shows that it was taken twenty years ago. Do you think it likely that the pictures are still there? And if so, should one take special precautions with the developing? I hope you are not offended by my writing on such a mundane matter after so long an interval. You of all people will understand, I think, that we are intrigued to discover what is on the negatives and anxious not to spoil them. If they prove to be of interest, I would be happy to share them with you. What do you think?
With my heart-felt thanks (very much in advance!) and warm wishes,
Your old associate,
[Signed] Karl-Heinz
Letter 4
D. Skinner to Gomes, c.1980, Amherst (orig. in English)
Gomes –
You are mistaken to suppose that I am one iota concerned about your ‘research’. My supervisor received your grubby little parcel of ‘proof’ and passed it on to me. I am returning it to you with my compliments. Shout it from the rooftops, if you will, and let’s see whose good name is blackened. Do not bother me or my colleagues again. If you make any attempt to contact me, I will not hesitate to go to the Authorities, who know more about this matter and your part in it than you think.
D. Skinner
Letter 5
Jimmy (James P.) to José, 1980, Queens (orig. in English)
March 12th 80
My dear José –
Received this morning yours of the 8th from La Rochelle which is near Johannesburg I guess. These few lines may give you an idea of how time flew by and answer some of the questions you bombarded me with. Once more I repeat there was nothing untoward about the change in name. Try to see it as it is Brother. This is a new country where many people come to seize their opportunities. You see your world as it is, but remember that you and I have been moving in two different spheres. When long ago I attempted to get ‘nat. papers’ it was better to be ‘James’ than to be ‘Tiago’ of old. Remember that it was many years ago and the world was a different place. As it is I never did need any such paper since, whether to collect post or get a license or vote. When it comes to mind-their-own-business I am glad I reside in the US of A. As to the ‘P’ it is also a let us say ‘Brain-wave’. There are so many Jimmies here hence the P. It was also a sentimental tie to the time Uncle Pedro (‘Peter’) came to visit and Mother appointed me guardian over the same. I took a shine to the guy. We sat on a bench at the river eating wallnuts and bread looking at the ducks?! Hardly speaking!! Benvenuti is a semi-private rooming-house. The owners are from Trinidade and the boarders live up and over the first floor. That is my haunt but I am actually across the Expressway at the actual house, small as it is, with a place to myself in the basement. Underground! I have known them for quite a while and we get along. There are many people from the islands and more everyday. I dare say if I arrived in S. Ozone Park today I would still be Tiago and no problem and you would not say I must be embarrased about the family than which nothing is further from the Truth. I was sure pleased with the pictures you sent and to hear about Óbidos. I can still see the bougainvilia where Mother used to knit and exchange confidences (Mrs Rocha). Poor Óbidos. Mother and Father’s picture was wonderful but Oh boy it hurts. I have to mention being advised by the Bank of another ‘donation’. Are you sure you have enough for yourself. La Rochelle sounds grand but perhaps Johannesburg is not as dear as all that. I was worried for a while over your health in those parts! You should get you a set of teeth. I have a few left and some to pull. But you will be around for sometime yet! Pick a good place to eat and watch the girls go by. We have grill houses and ice cream parlors here to beat the band. The best Sundae is the ‘Screwball’s Delight’ but I like (you can imagine why) the one called a ‘Joe Sent Me’. Just thanks again for all you have done for me. Cheer up. The BEST is yet to come.
Mar 16th The weather has kept me from the PO. You must by now have my last letter and picture. You will see that in spite of ‘James’ there is a Brotherly resemblance.
I have held this letter for ever so long. Today is April 1st but no fooling! Received this morning your p.c. from Durban. You are restless as always! Are you away from ‘Joe-burg’ often? Make sure you get my last letter addressed to ‘La Rochelle’ it holds a v. precious picture which I am sure you will enjoy. Some of my letters did come back in the past. Keep looking for a wealthy widow with a nice house. We are still in Winter here. It is dragging on infinitely. Yours, Jimmy (alias James P.)!