following instructions SAKCHAI LAKKHANAWICHIAN
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following instructions TRANSLATED FROM THE THAI BY MARCEL BARANG
© SAKCHAI LAKKHANAWICHIAN © MARCEL BARANG for the translation Internet edition 2008 | All rights reserved
SAKCHAI LAKKHANAWICHIAN
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Please take off your shoes 1 Every morning of every day, before you step into the office, a sign in front of the room stares at you. It really stares at you… 2 Today is the third anniversary of having to take your shoes off every time you enter the office. You sit down on the same chair as three years ago. 3 You start to work once again… Silence please FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS
4 1 Once seated in the office, you turn and look at the sign. It stares at you, stares at you… 2 You turn your eyes back and focus your attention onto your desk. 2.1 Today, you didn’t take a shower before coming to work. It rained last night and the weather was cool. Yet, you went to bed feeling sticky and left the fan on all night long. 2.2 You keep your words in your mouth and they lie at the bottom like dregs. You raise your head and look around. Everyone is working away. 3 Today after work you’ll go to the movies. 3.1 At 12 sharp, you’ll go out for lunch, but it’s still hours away. Donʹt throw toilet paper into the bowl Leave the place as clean as you found it SAKCHAI LAKKHANAWICHIAN
5 1 You go for a pee. You drank three glasses of water this morning. 1.1 You walk straight to the toilet door. The office is staring at you. You don’t want to confront the stares and look straight at the door. 2 You don’t have to tie your shoes; you’ll only be in there for a minute. 3 You enter the toilet, close the door but don’t lock it. You feel relieved. 3.1 You squirt and shake, adjust yourself and place the elastic of the underwear back against your belly. The elastic is getting loose. 3.2 You zip up, fasten your belt, wash your hands, look in the mirror, push the door and leave the rest room. 3.3 You take a deep breath and exhale deeply. Your feeling of relief gradually vanishes. 3.4 You enter the office again… FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS
6 Please take off your shoes Silence please Don’t throw toilet paper in the bowl Leave the place as clean as you found it Please close the door every time you enter or leave the room The office closes at 5 pm — do not stay after closing time Time for a movie.
For a Bengali version of this story: http://www.sachalayatan.com/ashimul/7328
SAKCHAI LAKKHANAWICHIAN