The Club - Episode 2

Phantasmagoria in several episodes. We like to play games. The mask of politeness, positivity, and wisdom is sometimes the most precious thing one can have. Even while verbally agreeing to openness, we remain behind our masks. Who else will unmask me, if not myself? Will the club members risk playing the game without masks? Well, at the club table there are now six of them.

One block, then another, then right, straight to the end of the street. Monta quickened her pace, because walking slowly was not an option. Cold. Never mind, I'll be first again. Hurrying in through the hotel doors, she found someone already waiting. About ten minutes of silence reigned. Monta pretended to be diligently searching for something in her handbag; the unfamiliar woman pretended to be studying the room's furnishings with interest. This time it was Monta who gave in first: - Are you here for the club? First time? - Yes! - the woman breathed with relief, as if she had spent all this time waiting for someone to break the awkward silence. She briefly explained why she had decided to come, but did not give her name.

The others arrived too. Every minute the outer door opened and someone stepped in confidently. Each one greeted the others with a broad smile, as with old acquaintances. When everyone had gathered in the club room, the cheerfulness subsided, as Lee invited them to meet the newcomer - Ilva - and then get straight to the task. This time each person had to speak about another - anything that had stayed in their memory, or how they imagined that person's life.

Taking the initiative, Katja went first. - I'll speak about Amanda. I think she is a distinctly family-oriented person, a good housewife and homemaker. She is a very creative personality, very attractive, very caring. Amanda certainly has children, whom she looks after very well. That's right, isn't it? - Amanda nodded in agreement. Katja continued, the smile not vanishing from her lips for a moment - only this time it seemed slightly performed. The many approval-seeking "isn't it?"s hung in the air.

Monta pretended to be listening with interest and occasionally nodded in support (she was, after all, a professional listener), but in reality was secretly watching Egils, who on his notepad was trying to hastily sketch out the description of her, having evidently not thought beforehand about the task set at the previous session. When Lee asked what the others thought of Katja's observations, no one could comment much - having evidently not heard much - but everyone nodded in agreement. It was also clear to everyone that Amanda was the embodiment of family warmth and sincerity, a woman in the prime of life, with values well-settled in life, who knows what she wants and does it - or, if she doesn't get something, doesn't fret about it too much either. A certain calm, life experience, and a sense of contentment simply radiated from Amanda. Why on earth did she need a club like this?

No, Amanda is not stuck in her ways or mired in self-satisfaction. She always strives to learn something new and understand something new. Amanda enjoys being among people, and people enjoy her - because she is straightforward, has a good sense of humour, and is easy to be with. Monta had always, on one hand, admired people who could blend into company and join in the game without drawing attention to themselves; on the other hand - they seemed a little dull without their defining "self" and without their own particular edge.

The next speaker was Egils. Having apologised three or even four times at first that his impressions and ideas might not be the most accurate or closest to the truth, he began to characterise Monta. She must certainly be in a creative profession - advertising or design. Caught out by my style of dress and accessories again, - Monta thought. She was often associated with artistic circles, and she actually liked that very much, though it wasn't entirely true. Egils continued: - Nothing special in school years; in university years the first harsh experience of life, the first successes and failures in relationships. Whatever life has brought or whatever scrapes she has found herself in, she always encourages herself - Come on, I'm me, after all! Where the d... would it go - I know I can do this! - Egils's emotional narration and leaping intonations again made everyone laugh and for a moment it seemed the uplifted mood had returned.

Monta tried to continue in the same vein and with the same theatrical intonation, gently teasing Egils about the superstition she had noticed in him at the previous session. A grown man who still believes that a horseshoe mounted above a door brings luck! Jokingly, she recalled the improvised date and of course underscored their kinship by star sign. Aries are the best - purposeful and self-confident! Monta always paid attention to any kind of sign - horoscope, birthmarks, handwriting, colours, gestures, jewellery, rings, and so on. Enchanted and encouraged by the insights of Paulo Coelho, she had always waited for and found signs in various life situations, interpreting them in her own way - whether correctly or not, well, that's how it turned out. By the way - on his right hand there is no wedding ring.

Having listened to all the accounts, Lee this time was not entirely satisfied, though she maintained her composed tone. - I would only like to remind you that the purpose of the club gatherings is somewhat different. It is important that from the very beginning each of us is able to step onto the path of openness and able to drop our masks. Pretending or playing along to one another will not help us find the answer we are looking for. You must say not what the other person would want to hear; you must hear what someone else is saying, rather than living in warm illusions about yourself. Speak about what hurts, what delights you, or what irritates you - reveal your fantasies and desires! Don't play games with sensitivity! All right, let's try differently. I'll start a story and each of you will have to continue it, but only by placing yourself in the "I" role.

To be continued...