disproportionately larger from this viewpoint

3 July 2077

Wake, it is too early, go to the bathroom and shave the week-ends stubble at the face. Brush the teeth, what else needs to be done now? Not much. The shower bath was taken last night, the warm water from the tap is not working so well today, it will not heat up.

Sit in the hallway of the old flat, waiting for the time to pass. It is cooler today. Listen to the sound of the street cleaning machines. They are out earlier than usual today, it is barely five thirty in the morning.

The church bells sound, it is five thirty in the morning. It is time to get up, it is time to go time The streets are wet from the cleaning machine. there is a gathering of security guards at the corner, all assembled; all in black uniforms, discussing the days work, to be done. They are armed with truncheons, some have pistols. They are out early, apart from a lone cyclist there is nobody else on the street.

Pass through the old town gate, then are wooden booths set up here, to collect money for the money collectors, the people who take the entrance fees to the pageant.

Say good morning to Dolores at the bus stop, - and look out over the water, the quiet river, the hotel and the bridges on the opposite side a church, the cross on the spire disproportionately larger from this viewpoint. It is all very grand when in front of the church, but it is less so from a distance.

- The bus arrives, meanwhile five people have also arrived. Five more passengers. Let them all board first. Pay the driver, find a seat to the rear of the vehicle. This bus has a joint in the middle, therein a bellows of some rubberised material. The bus that can bend, and take tight corners.

Say good morning to the smoker at the railway station, go on into the cafe, get a paper cup of coffee and sit down

- in the corner. The cafe has been completely redecorated, plastic facings printed to look like weathered boarding. The place has lost its fake fifties charm now, there is no chrome and red Formica any more.

There is no television set any more either, and the coffee is not good.

What is happening?