(1)The Rotunda
The rumblings of the day came to a halt as the pair leisurely made their way towards the worn shelter. An orchestra of cicadas irrupted into song on arrival, drowning out the bellowing city sounds. Retired leaves crunched with every step on the textured path. Siena and Tim stepped up onto the aged rotunda.
One another looked at each other, signalling a muted recognition of the forgotten structures presence. Layers of maroon peeling paint and fine perforated sheets of rusted shade pronounced an established patina, as if the pergola itself could impart wise recollections of a finer time. Silence was broken from the sounding of untreated floorboards in complaint, resonating within the unassuming interior.
Proud of himself, Tim knew he had accomplished the perfect scene for a first date. Abruptly, without warning, the anxiety hit. Tim’s palms began to sweat. He had established the setting but not the dialogue. Quality chat was never his gift.
He mentally scrambled for conversation in panic, as if it were lost keys in a cluttered bag. His eyes took to the park seeking visual cues; objects, people, structures and greenery- as if the collection would offer him a neat selection cue cards, compiling of charming conversation starters.
Until it clicked.
Being intensely worried about the day ahead gave way to his first conversation starter. His worries, mentally swelling, deflated as he came to a vocal solution.
TIM What would be your perfect day?
Taken back from the lull in conversation, Siena grinned. She read Tim’s distressed body language and felt endeared by such efforts. She took Tim’s recovered hand and pulled it to the ground, as she sat on the centre of the platform’s interior. The canopy surrounded them as if they were residing to the living room of their own home. She smiled a confident smile as she silently filed through her collection of memory.
SIENA A day of discovery. My ideal day would be with one person – quality not quantity. A day to see new things. Taste new things. Talk about new things. Be in the company of new people.
A community of onlookers framed the scene, residing to the embellished city seating, however as conversation unfolded, the presence of the spectators dissolved. Intoxicated by the promise of the day Tim’s mind wondered across the possibilities of Auckland city to host a day of discovery. As a new resident to the city Siena’s mind simmered without high expectation, solely experiencing the University’s dungeon Lecture theatres, aggravated traffic patterns, and unwelcoming public sidewalks which were dotted with expired gum.
Tim’s head was brewing with possibilities.
TIM Auckland City it is.
Captured by Tim’s optimism Siena let him take charge.
(10) The Monumental Trees
The morning sun sedated the park in warm light. Clusters of leaves were illuminated into countless of shades green. The undiscovered spaces on the periphery of took Siena’s attention. Following her intuition Siena wondered to the canopy of shade she noticed the colossal natural structures, branches hosting a natural playground. Taking hold of the large branch, equal in size of the trunk, she pulled herself up, straddling herself to balance where she hovered over the footpath below.
Tim quickly followed her gesture, less elegantly, finding himself amongst a naturally vailed world. Both were charmed by the sleepy weathered Sepia strings of plant life suspended from the arms of the tree. Tim and Siena made their way higher testing the capacities of their new discovery. Out of breath Siena’s actions came to a halt, she took a moment to peek through a clearing through the polished leaves.
Tim looked out. He noticed a refined crafted canopy extruded from the landing below. Remembering the charm of the Art Gallery from his last visit a few months ago, Tim tested Siena’s interests against his own.
TIM In ten seconds, how would you describe yourself?
Taken back by the request Siena came to her first conclusion
SIENA I am a creative person. I find the answers to many life’s issues have been discovered and achieved through Art. I am passionate, Loving and empathetic. You?
Siena was eager to see if Tim’s answer would align with her own.
TIM A family guy. In to Politics and Art. I dabble in a bit of photography. To be honest, I’m really touched by your answer I know just the place to take you. I think you’ll love it.
(46) The Gallery
The muted space was disrupted by the sounding on her footsteps on the polished timber floors. The dimmed light signalled a scene of significance in the minimally curated space. Their conversation was bought to whisper, to align the intense atmosphere.
The mood immediately changed as a baby’s cry penetrated the space, piercing Tim and Siena’s ears. Immediately the distraught infant was hushed out.
SIENA Imagine if we cried like that. Every time something happened to us we just burst out in hysterical tears, no matter the context.
TIM Want to know something embarrassing? What is said in the Gallery stays in the gallery.
Tim felt his secrets were confined within the walls. Free of judgement.
TIM Last week. No joke. Stubbed my toe in the middle of Aotea Square and was bought to tears of agony. Retrospectively maybe I was slightly dramatic.
Feeling simultaneously liberated and embarrassed Tim capitalised on the moment to discover Siena’s moment of weakness.
TIM You? When did you last cry?
Departing from Tim, Siena reflectively moved around the corner of the gallery, marvelling at the large instillation suspended from the roof.
SIENA Not in public. But watching a documentary. Orcas in captivity.
(102)
The pair engaged in conversation about the injustices through the treatment of animals, zoos, and pets ebbing and flowing out of laughter and serious conversation. Their Laughter echoed throughout the gallery space until it immediately stopped as they stumbled upon a particular room. The air they shared became thick with intensity.
Their Laughter echoed throughout the gallery space until it immediately stopped as they stumbled upon a particular room. The air they shared became thick with intensity. The walls were lined with monochrome pieces symbolising the artist’s deep despair.
The intermittent giggles were well and truly over, as the pair gazed at the canvas in front of them. In thick white lettering it pronounced ‘NUCLEAR BOMBS DRUGS CRIME GENOCIDE MURDER STARVATION RACISM TORTURE RAPE INCEST POLLUTION OPPRESSION GREED’
Although the gallery was in silence, their minds were not. Feeling the intensity they looked at each other in muted agreement: These things were just too serious to be joked about.
(136) The Reflective Pool
Exiting the dim space their eyes adjusted to the bright light. Tim’s eyes raced to find a dark surface where he could relieve his squinting expression. He was looking down, although he could see the warm brick and bold in situ facades in a shimmering ripple.
Tim tried to refocus his eyes to find the bottom of the pool to gage how deep is was. Puzzling his mind he could not work it out. His mind wondered at the possibility of the pool being an endless vessel of overflowing water, as if it held magical powers. Unleashing his thoughts he drew to a question, interrupting Siena’s gaze into the infinite pool.
TIM Hypothetically. If you could look into the pool and it would reveal anything about your future, what would it be?
SIENA If something appeared there I would try splash it away before I even saw it – let it all be an exciting surprise revealing itself everyday as it came.
All initial personal answers to his own questions vanished after hearing Siena’s response. He nodded at her in pure agreement.
(202) Enclosed Square
The lapping waterfall sounded throughout the square below. Looking up, the couple saw the canopies of the gallery up in the distance, enclosed walls with balconies jutting out and facades either side of them. Through the threshold of the waterfall stairs they had been transported to an intimate square, as if they were in Europe. As they sipped on the fresh fruit tea at a table within, the noticed that one extra chair was around the table. Siena looked at the chair and put her arm around it, as if a loved one was amongst them.
SIENA If anyone, dead or alive, could sit on this chair with us, who would you choose?
TIM Ringo Star
SIENA Ringo star?! Nobody likes Ringo star!
TIM Exactly. That’s why I love him. Ok then so what would be your answer?
Both smug and curious Tim was intrigued.
SIENA …
Matching her wondering inner thoughts to her wondering eyes around the square a tiled figure caught her eye
SIENA Kate Sheppard. Hell yes.
(221) The Lorne Street Composition
The colourful tiles lined the Lorne street pavement. Siena succumbed to the urge to follow the colours enthusiastically. Tim followed swiftly behind. She completely exhausted herself after hopping from tile to another as if she were a child. As she caught her breath Tim sat beside her.
They looked up. The buildings sat a in a crafted composition. The sleek glass reflection of a sky scraper fell perfectly upon the white stucco dwelling nestled in front. The buildings sat next to each other perfectly, as if they would engage in regular conversation. Tim noticed the white building had skylights. His mind wondered about the activity which would take place in the private dwelling, devoid of any side windows.
Regaining his breath whilst marvelling at the structural composition in front of them Tim couldn’t help mentioning-
TIM I like your youthful spirit. I know that sounds sarcastic and old fashioned, but I mean it. You’re funny, I like it.
SIENA I like that you like that.
(248) The Release
The enclosed street separated them from the busy street life, bringing them closer together. They became consumed in each other’s presence.
As they passed the threshold between the Lorne street and High street the world reintroduced itself back to them in a dramatic motion. The road swooped downward and up from left to right. The sky tower to the left and a monumental rock and metal sculpture to the right. People flooded the open space in between, Roaming with purpose.
The two of them escaped the overwhelming world and re-entered their own as they entered the confined street ahead.
(255)Friends in High Places
Conversation was flowing as they sat down in the square. The cluster of buildings ahead were a picture, like in Lorne street, it was as if they were curated into place. Tim made a comment about the wording painted on the raw faรงade of a quaint city store. It readFRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
SIENA Is there any meaning to that?
TIM I think it’s a bit tongue in cheek. We are on ‘High’ Street and equally a bit of a snooty place. You would regularly see a New Zealand celeb dabbling in a bit of shopping here.
SIENA Woa, didn’t realise we were treading on precious ground. I feel honoured. I would hate to be famous! You would always feel watched, even when you’re doing the mundane act of shopping.
TIM You’d hate it that much?
SIENA It would only be worth it if I were famous for a really good cause I’d say.
TIM Agreed. Although I feel there would have to be some perks. I feel my bank account would love me for it. At the moment I think it’s drowning in the red-student-loan-sea.
Siena let out a giggle. The struggle of paying back a student loan is something they could definitely agree on. The giggle transitioned into a smile.
(262)O’Connell Street
The idyllic scene was framed by a family of mature pastel structures. The handsome brick building, a distant relative, stood boldly in the distance, enclosing the street. Warm light graced the Cabbage palms in glow. The pedestrian shared street worked in harmony, greeting the occasional car, accommodating the thoroughfare.
The shared pedestrian street worked in harmony, greeting the occasional car, accommodating the thoroughfare. Yet another haven from the city of Auckland, Siena was again, in awe of her surroundings.
A person on their phone walked past. Their tone was amplified in contrast to the peaceful scene. It was as if the road had an invisible barrier, lowering the volume of the city. The phone call resonated throughout the street, the person in deep conversation. Embarrassingly, the phone sounded in a ringtone, revealing the person had been talking to themselves through a unresponsive tone. Siena laughed at the situation.
TIM Maybe they were rehearsing a phone call?
SIENA Who does that!?
TIM I do, don’t you? Isn’t it normal?
SIENA Mate, not at all. Maybe I’ll jot some notes?
TIM I think it’s what got me my summer job a couple years ago, had the speech rehearsed and everything a couple years ago, had the speech rehearsed and everything
SIENA Cute, Tim.
Tim held onto every last word. Siena hopped up from her seat skipping to the other side of the street, eyeing up storefront display. Settled into the pedestrian zone, Siena didn’t consider the occasional passing car. Immediately Tim grabbed her hand and pulled her back in a quick motion, avoiding the passing car. Siena was stunned.
TIM You ok?!
SIENA I always had as hunch that’s how I would die.
TIM What do you mean?
SIENA You would think I would learn, but that wasn’t the first time I’ve nearly been hit by a car
TIM Let this be the last time. Come on let’s have a look at that shop.