Monday, January 22, 2007

Driving up to the moonlight tower on 41st and Speedway. You don’t really need directions, it’s rather noticeable. The tower has been around for over 100 years, and is used to its relatively monotonous existence. Today though, the tower and its intersection are having a great day. Firstly, the couple. A young man and his even younger sister approach the tower. The brother, Bob, points up at its peak and explains to his sister, Sue, the history of the structure.

Sue feigns interest; Sue actually has a very short attention span, something doctors are looking into. This is the most attention the tower has gotten in a while. Across the intersection to the east, two neighbors are having a conversation on their lawns. Barbara and Hillary had come out at precisely the same time to check their mail. They each stay on their own side of the lawn and exchange small talk regarding junk mail they both are sick and tired of receiving. In the meantime, Dianne refuses to stay in one place. What should she photograph? Is she going to write her story in first person or second? Why are all her assignments so ambiguous and vague? She notices the bike route and has found her subject. A phone rings. No one actually hears it ring because it is on vibrate, in Bob’s pocket. Sue cherishes the call; Bob has finally stopped talking about the mercury something lamps. Bob talks on the phone. Forever. Or at least that’s what it feels like for Sue. She was happy at first that he quit lecturing, but now she’s just bored. A father carrying his daughter’s scooter is approaching, but that’s not amusing enough for Sue. She fiddles with her hair. Though there is no troublesome humidity, the beautiful day doesn’t stop Sue from letting her hair down and gathering it back up again. Actually, it doesn’t stop her from doing it at least four times. Now what? Sue just stands there, awkwardly, pretending she doesn’t notice Dianne photographing her. Bob has no intention of hanging up. He also goes completely blind to whatever is going on around him. Red sports car with two girls taking notes and photographing him: not there. Dianne walking back and forth taking pictures: non existent.

Barbara and Hillary are nothing like Bob. They are engrossed in a conversation; in fact, Hillary has now relocated to Barbara’s side of the lawn. They are not oblivious to their surroundings though. In fact, their conversation’s foundation is built upon what’s going on around them. They’ve finished discussing Bob and Sue, and have moved onto discussing the most adorable couple passing them on an evening stroll. Actually, the couple isn’t so adorable, the girl could do better. The couple passes Sue eventually. After adjusting her pants, she leans against the tower and glances at them. No comment. Once out of site, Sue gets even more restless. She swings around the pole of the tower. Will Bob ever finish? Someone approaches. A walker, she’s wearing her headphones, and she notices Sue. Sue decides to stop pole dancing and watch the woman. The woman only looks left before crossing the street; hope she makes it to the other side safely. When is Bob hanging up?

Barbara and Hillary spot the woman. She really should look into getting some more sun. There’s a Darque Tan on Guadalupe near MLK. Sue is bored out of her mind. She plays a game where she guesses what color the next car that passes is going to be. She guesses white, it turns out blue. Now she’s bored again. Not for long though because Bob decides to end his call. Sue and Bob waste no time heading north. That’s not along the axis Barbara and Hillary have been discussing. It’s alright though, because they’ve spotted Dianne. Why is she standing in the street looking at her digital camera? Does she want to get run over? Her top is cute, isn’t she cold though? Hillary is… she’s got her arms crossed; her tank top isn’t cutting it. She goes inside. Barbara throws her junk mail away and enters her own home.

5 comments:

creighton said...

Fascinating commentary on human interaction. It makes me think of desperate housewives. I thought the most interesting part in terms of people's relationship to the urban environment was the women in their yards, seperated at first by the social/physical boundary in between, viewing and and gossiping about the outside world from within their own little bubble.

cjfranck said...

I like how this narrative becomes more and more layered as the story progresses; a simple brother-sister walk quickly evolves into a complicated affair with multiple cross-commentaries. The result is a candid yet highly engaging set of observations.

Montry said...

The human interaction is very interesting. From working in a location where many people film, or there are cameras around, I do a lot of people watching. And people are generally oblivious to their surroundings. However, if they sense that there is a way to “be seen” some subconscious program kicks in that tells them to take their time…be seen. While the characters seemed to be oblivious to their surroundings and even the two cameras, ultimately they knew they were there. Checking the mail took longer than usual, the phone call slowly became more rambling than actual conversation, etc. When there is the possibility to “be seen” something subconscious changes us…and it seems the cameras presence was the trigger.

Kayla said...

I think a narrative like this exemplifies the natural curiosity we have about other people. Even (and especially) when it's really none of our business, we are inclined to formulate opinions and make judgments about people based on minimal contact with them. Our mind picks up and initial perception and runs with it. This is true in human interaction and in reference to the world in general, even architecture. We look at a building and know whether we like it or not. With careful analysis we may learn to develop an appreciation for it, but it doesn't change our initial reaction to it.

adanziger said...

its one of those stories where i began to wonder where the hell this is all going. but that is what makes it so great. it beats around the point that many people seem to exist with little remarkable impact and rather drift along. many of these characters are simply passing time with meaningless thought and activity. however, people do this a lot. and as an architect one must accept this and cater to it. designing a perfect place for someone to look outside and daydream or a place to gossip or be seen. these are common places.