Draußen ist feindlich (lockdown diaries)

Words of fiction 

Upon rumours that selling coffee may be banned and nothing but grocery shops will remain open for the foreseeable future, I venture out of the house. I put on my warmest hooded jacket and conceal two thirds of my face’s real estate with a covering. A hesitant step over the threshold. It drizzles and it chills. It’s mid January in Northern Europe (which Britain is now remotely associated with) and the winter is finally kicking in. 

Goldfrapp’s “Utopia” has been chosen to accompany me on my perilous journey to my local cafe slash bakery. Escapist pop for an escape from home. The chainsaw of a bass dictates the tempo of my steps. The police can fine me if I trespass the five mile radius I’m allowed to play within. The State only allows for “essential” shops to stay open. The State will be tightening the restrictions in the days to come. Memories of growing up in communism cloud my head. Queuing up for oranges and bananas stocked once a winter in each town. Being afraid to whisper discontent against the government because your mum could be sent to jail. Marching towards a bigger cause for the greater good that draws further each day ... The wind shoots an ammunition of icy raindrops all over my face and catapults me back to the present moment. 

A man (another man!) is wearily plodding towards me. Could it be, he is entering my assigned walking corridor. A trespasser! I can see him clearly now. He is dressed entirely in black. A black scarf wrapped around his face only leaves the eyes and forehead clear. In peace time, he would be considered a bank robber and could be denied entry to shops. In today’s world, his look is safe. I can’t help but notice that his skin is in a deplorable condition. In fact, he is as pale and gaunt as a ghost. Poor soul, he must be a victim of Veganuary, I think to myself. Then I remember that we are in year two of a global pandemic. I summon my telepathy skills and read the desert of his mind. The stranger’s name is Simon Relish. It’s the first time he’s left the house since March last year. He has been staying at home and saving lives, as the government ordered him to. Simon has been fired, deserted, forgotten and unloved. And somehow he is still standing or is he... 

Snap out of it and cheer up! I’m at the entrance of the local cafe slash bakery. To buy the cherished double espresso. Possibly the last in a long time. I pull up my face covering above my nose. The girl behind the counter wears a mask with a Mickey Mouse print. I can see tiny wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes. She must be attempting a smile.

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