in the new mulisch novel there is a guest conductor who tells of having an off day with the orchestra he is rehearsing, the playing lacklustre and uninspired, but all of a sudden a magical change comes over the orchestra and his musicians begin to play like never before he could hardly believe his ears for the marvellous sound. after a while he senses they are responding to something or some presence other than himself. he turns around, and sees that herbert von karajan had come into the auditorium and was standing in the doorway listening.My trouble is that I still look for for your presence in my doorway.
the question that mulisch extends to us is: who stands on your threshold?
my trouble, i suppose, is that no one leans in my doorway any longer, but i haven't learnt to perform for myself, and that is not at all a comfortable thing to have to admit.
Talking to WN on the phone yesterday:
Me: Um. So I'm going to be in LA for a few days, maybe. Should I try to - ?
WN: No.
Me: How did you know what I was going to ask?
WN: Do you know how many dimensions you have?
Me: 2? Half?
WN: Fewer.
Bugger.