{"id":292,"date":"2024-01-01T18:26:39","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T18:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/?page_id=292"},"modified":"2024-01-02T14:46:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T14:46:23","slug":"skyrtan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/?page_id=292","title":{"rendered":"Skyrtan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bragi \u00d3lafsson<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

FYRRI HLUTI<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(A\u00f0alpers\u00f3nur: tveir karlmenn og ein kona. \u00d6ll st\u00f6dd \u00ed h\u00f6fu\u00f0borg T\u00e9kklands, Prag; \u00e9g \u00edmynda m\u00e9r a\u00f0 \u00feetta gerist \u00ed j\u00fan\u00ed e\u00f0a j\u00fal\u00ed. Annar mannanna er \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verji a\u00f0 nafni Bastian, \u00e1 mi\u00f0jum fimmtugsaldri. Hann er fer\u00f0ama\u00f0ur \u00ed borginni, n\u00fdskilinn vi\u00f0 eiginkonu s\u00edna eftir tuttugu \u00e1ra barnlaust hj\u00f3naband. \u00deegar hann birtist fyrst \u00e1 \u00feessum bla\u00f0s\u00ed\u00f0um gefur yfirbrag\u00f0 hans til kynna a\u00f0 hann nj\u00f3ti \u00feess a\u00f0 vera einn og ekki upp \u00e1 a\u00f0ra kominn; frj\u00e1ls til a\u00f0 taka \u00e1kvar\u00f0anir sem honum leyf\u00f0ist ekki a\u00f0 taka \u00ed samb\u00fa\u00f0inni vi\u00f0 eiginkonuna fyrrverandi, me\u00f0al annars \u00fe\u00e1 hversdagslegu \u00e1kv\u00f6r\u00f0un sem \u00f3beint lei\u00f0ir til \u00feess a\u00f0 hann kynnist annarri af hinum a\u00f0alpers\u00f3nunum.
\u2001\u00de\u00e6r pers\u00f3nur, ma\u00f0urinn og konan, eru hj\u00f3n fr\u00e1 \u00cdslandi, einnig gestir \u00ed Prag. \u00deau eru \u00e1 svipu\u00f0um aldri og \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verjinn Bastian; \u00feau dvelja \u00e1 fallegu h\u00f3teli \u00ed mi\u00f0borginni, eru n\u00fdkomin til landsins og \u00e6tla s\u00e9r \u00ed framhaldi af vikulangri Prag-dv\u00f6linni a\u00f0 taka lest ni\u00f0ur til V\u00ednar \u00ed Austurr\u00edki, \u00fear sem \u00feau f\u00e1 afnot af \u00edb\u00fa\u00f0 \u00ed eigu vinnuf\u00e9laga mannsins. Hj\u00f3nin eiga hvort sitt barni\u00f0 heima \u00e1 \u00cdslandi, d\u00f3ttur og son \u00e1 mi\u00f0jum \u00fer\u00edtugsaldri \u2013 saman eiga \u00feau engin b\u00f6rn. Konan heitir A\u00f0albj\u00f6rg, k\u00f6llu\u00f0 All\u00fd; h\u00fan starfar sem h\u00e1rgrei\u00f0slukona \u00e1 stofu \u00ed svok\u00f6llu\u00f0u fj\u00e1rm\u00e1lahverfi Reykjav\u00edkur; hann, ma\u00f0urinn \u2013 L\u00e1rus, kalla\u00f0ur Lalli \u2013 er einhvers konar r\u00e1\u00f0gjafi hj\u00e1 eignarhaldsf\u00e9lagi \u00ed sama hverfi. \u00deau kynntust fyrir \u00feremur \u00e1rum \u00e1 kaffih\u00fasi \u00ed hverfinu, og hafa b\u00fai\u00f0 saman \u00ed r\u00famt \u00e1r, \u00ed Vesturb\u00e6num, \u00fear sem b\u00f6rn \u00feeirra b\u00faa einnig; d\u00f3ttir A\u00f0albjargar og sonur L\u00e1rusar, hvort um sig me\u00f0 manneskjum af sama kyni og \u00feau sj\u00e1lf.
\u2001Sem sagt: allt fremur n\u00fat\u00edmalegt. L\u00edka \u00fea\u00f0 sem sn\u00fdr a\u00f0 \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verjanum Bastian. \u00d6\u00f0ru gildir um \u00fea\u00f0 sem \u00e1 eftir a\u00f0 gerast \u00e1 n\u00e6stu bla\u00f0s\u00ed\u00f0um \u2013 \u00e1 einhvern h\u00e1tt finnst m\u00e9r eins og \u00fea\u00f0 eigi heima \u00ed mun eldri s\u00f6gu, \u00fe\u00f3tt \u00feetta eigi a\u00f0 gerast \u00ed n\u00fat\u00edmanum. Jafnvel titillinn, Skyrtan<\/em>, hlj\u00f3mar eins og titill \u00e1 r\u00fassneskri sm\u00e1s\u00f6gu fr\u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed um \u00fears\u00ed\u00f0ustu aldam\u00f3t e\u00f0a fyrr; en einnig n\u00e6r \u00ed t\u00edma, til d\u00e6mis fr\u00e1 ne\u00f0anver\u00f0ri tuttugustu \u00f6ldinni \u2013 m\u00e9r ver\u00f0ur \u00ed \u00fev\u00ed sambandi hugsa\u00f0 til hinnar \u00f6rstuttu sm\u00e1s\u00f6gu r\u00fassneska mets\u00f6luh\u00f6fundarins Mikhails Zostsjenko um t\u00fdnda st\u00edgv\u00e9li\u00f0. Og l\u00edka \u2013 sem \u00e9g man allt \u00ed einu eftir n\u00fana \u2013 enn styttri s\u00f6gu sama h\u00f6fundar um skyrtuna sem hlj\u00f3p \u00ed \u00fevotti, sem skrapp saman um heil 6 n\u00famer, fr\u00e1 38 ni\u00f0ur \u00ed 32.
\u2001\u00c9g haf\u00f0i upphaflega \u00e6tla\u00f0 m\u00e9r a\u00f0 kalla \u00feessa s\u00f6gu m\u00edna \u00feeim gr\u00edpandi titli \u00c9g hitti mann<\/em>; en fyrst \u00e9g hef n\u00fana sagt fr\u00e1 \u00feeirri hugmynd minni, og \u00fear me\u00f0 l\u00e1ti\u00f0 uppi, a\u00f0 minnsta kosti gefi\u00f0 \u00ed skyn, a\u00f0 einhver pers\u00f3na s\u00f6gunnar \u201ehitti mann\u201c, er \u00e9g s\u00e1ttur vi\u00f0 hinn l\u00e1tlausa titil Skyrtan<\/em>. H\u00e6filega \u00f3spennandi, og ver\u00f0ur jafnvel enn meira svo \u00feegar kemur a\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 l\u00fdsa lit skyrtunnar sem um r\u00e6\u00f0ir. Reyndar er ekki alveg r\u00e9tt a\u00f0 a\u00f0alpers\u00f3nurnar s\u00e9u \u00ferj\u00e1r, \u00fev\u00ed undir lokin b\u00e6tist vi\u00f0 s\u00fa fj\u00f3r\u00f0a, sem \u00e9g hef enn ekki m\u00f3ta\u00f0 \u00ed huganum eins sk\u00fdrt og hinar \u00ferj\u00e1r, \u00fe\u00f3tt \u00e9g viti hvert hlutverk hennar er.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L\u00e1rus og A\u00f0albj\u00f6rg eru n\u00fdkomin inn \u00e1 h\u00f3telherbergi\u00f0. \u00deau taka upp \u00far t\u00f6skunum, hengja skyrtur og jakka \u00e1 her\u00f0atr\u00e9n \u00ed fatask\u00e1pnum; fara saman \u00ed sturtu, og \u00ed framhaldi af \u00fev\u00ed \u00ed r\u00fami\u00f0. Sl\u00edk er \u00e1n\u00e6gja \u00feeirra me\u00f0 herbergi\u00f0 \u2013 og hvort anna\u00f0 \u00ed brakandi ferskum og hv\u00edtum s\u00e6ngurf\u00f6tunum \u2013 a\u00f0 \u00feau fresta \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 fara \u00ed b\u00e6inn, eins og \u00feau h\u00f6f\u00f0u tala\u00f0 um a\u00f0 gera sem fyrst. \u00deau langar til a\u00f0 liggja lengur \u00ed r\u00faminu, a\u00f0 byrja dv\u00f6lina \u00ed borginni \u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 fara \u00e1 kojufyller\u00ed um mi\u00f0jan dag. S\u00fa \u00e1kv\u00f6r\u00f0un kallar aftur \u00e1 m\u00f3ti \u00e1 eitthva\u00f0 til a\u00f0 drekka; \u00feau h\u00f6f\u00f0u ekki keypt neitt v\u00edn \u00ed fr\u00edh\u00f6fninni, nema sterkt, og \u00ed sta\u00f0inn fyrir a\u00f0 \u201er\u00fasta m\u00edn\u00edbarnum\u201c tekur Lalli a\u00f0 s\u00e9r a\u00f0 skreppa \u00fat \u00ed kj\u00f6rb\u00fa\u00f0 sem \u00feau h\u00f6f\u00f0u s\u00e9\u00f0 \u00ed n\u00e6stu g\u00f6tu, \u00feegar \u00feau n\u00e1lgu\u00f0ust h\u00f3teli\u00f0 \u00ed leigub\u00edlnum.
\u2001\u201eBara eitthva\u00f0 v\u00edn og sm\u00e1 osta,\u201c segir All\u00fd, \u00e1 me\u00f0an Lalli gerir sig kl\u00e1ran til a\u00f0 fara \u00fat. \u201eOg frey\u00f0iv\u00edn. Helst kalt. Og kannski gos og safa til a\u00f0 eiga \u00ed k\u00e6linum.\u201c <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00deegar Lalli \u00e1 a\u00f0eins nokkra metra eftir a\u00f0 kj\u00f6rb\u00fa\u00f0inni kemur hann auga \u00e1 b\u00fa\u00f0 hinum megin g\u00f6tunnar, sem l\u00edtur \u00fat fyrir a\u00f0 selja notu\u00f0 f\u00f6t. \u00c1 sl\u00e1 fyrir utan b\u00fa\u00f0ina hanga jakkar og skyrtur \u00ed mun fleiri litum en regnboginn telur; og \u00e1n \u00feess a\u00f0 hugsa sig lengi um \u00e1kve\u00f0ur Lalli a\u00f0 k\u00edkja \u00fearna inn \u2013 bara r\u00e9tt a\u00f0 reka inn nefi\u00f0, sem \u00e6tti ekki a\u00f0 taka nema tv\u00e6r til \u00ferj\u00e1r m\u00edn\u00fatur. \u00deegar hann opnar dyrnar \u00e1 vel uppl\u00fdstri b\u00fa\u00f0inni tekur \u00e1 m\u00f3ti honum kunnugleg lykt \u2013 lykt sem hann hefur \u00fe\u00f3 ekki fundi\u00f0 lengi, enda langt s\u00ed\u00f0an \u00fea\u00f0 hefur hvarfla\u00f0 a\u00f0 honum a\u00f0 sko\u00f0a e\u00f0a kaupa, og \u00fea\u00f0an af s\u00ed\u00f0ur kl\u00e6\u00f0ast einhverju notu\u00f0u, einhverju sem \u00e1\u00f0ur hefur huli\u00f0 nekt annarrar manneskju.
\u2001Hi\u00f0 \u00feunga sambland f\u00fakka og ilmvatns \u2013 e\u00f0a kannski \u00f6llu heldur f\u00fakka og \u00fevottaefnis \u2013 fer me\u00f0 hann \u00ed huganum ofan \u00ed kjallara \u00e1 Vesturg\u00f6tu (gott ef s\u00fa b\u00fa\u00f0 h\u00e9t ekki einfaldlega Kjallarinn), \u00fear sem hann keypti s\u00ed\u00f0ast nota\u00f0a fl\u00edk. \u00dea\u00f0 ger\u00f0ist fyrir um \u00fea\u00f0 bil aldarfj\u00f3r\u00f0ungi, \u00feegar hann keypti d\u00f6kkbr\u00fanar flauelsbuxur og mosagr\u00e6na hermannaskyrtu \u2013 skyrtu sem m\u00f3\u00f0ir hans haf\u00f0i fleygt \u00ed rusli\u00f0 stuttu s\u00ed\u00f0ar, \u00e1n \u00feess a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta hann vita. H\u00fan haf\u00f0i s\u00ed\u00f0an j\u00e1ta\u00f0 fyrir honum verkna\u00f0inn, og l\u00e1ti\u00f0 hann hafa margfalda \u00fe\u00e1 upph\u00e6\u00f0 sem hann borga\u00f0i fyrir skyrtuna, til a\u00f0 hann g\u00e6ti keypt s\u00e9r eitthva\u00f0 n\u00fdtt, eitthva\u00f0 sem ekki lykta\u00f0i eins og hann k\u00e6mi fr\u00e1 heimili \u00fear sem hreinl\u00e6ti v\u00e6ri \u00e1b\u00f3tavant. M\u00f3\u00f0ir hans haf\u00f0i auk \u00feess l\u00fdst yfir van\u00fe\u00f3knun sinni \u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 sonurinn b\u00e6ri utan \u00e1 s\u00e9r \u00fe\u00fdska f\u00e1nann, en \u00e1 b\u00e1\u00f0um ermum skyrtunnar var \u00fea\u00f0 t\u00e1kn sauma\u00f0 \u00ed efni\u00f0.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 vill svo til a\u00f0 ein af fyrstu fl\u00edkunum sem fangar athygli Lalla \u00feegar hann gengur inn \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0ina er samb\u00e6rileg skyrta og m\u00f3\u00f0ir hans haf\u00f0i fleygt, nema a\u00f0 \u00feessi sem hann s\u00e9r er bl\u00e1, auglj\u00f3slega upplitu\u00f0; og litlu pj\u00f6tlurnar me\u00f0 \u00fe\u00fdsku f\u00e1nalitunum hafa greinilega veri\u00f0 plokka\u00f0ar af; \u00fe\u00e6r hafa skili\u00f0 eftir sig d\u00f6kkan blett sem ekki hefur n\u00e1\u00f0 a\u00f0 upplitast.
\u2001Lalli spyr sj\u00e1lfan sig \u00feeirrar spurningar hvort hann hef\u00f0i \u00e1huga \u00e1 svona skyrtu n\u00fana, aldarfj\u00f3r\u00f0ungi s\u00ed\u00f0ar; og svarar henni me\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 hugsa til All\u00fdjar.
\u2001Nei.
\u2001E\u00f0a j\u00fa. Hann hef\u00f0i sj\u00e1lfur ekkert \u00e1 m\u00f3ti \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 eiga svona skyrtu. A\u00f0 v\u00edsu v\u00e6ri h\u00fan of \u00feykk og hl\u00fd fyrir loftslag Mi\u00f0-Evr\u00f3pu \u00e1 \u00feessari stundu, og skynsemin segir honum a\u00f0 l\u00edta frekar \u00e1 \u00feynnri skyrtur sem hann s\u00e9r \u00e1 langri sl\u00e1 vi\u00f0 vegginn h\u00e6gra megin \u00ed r\u00fdminu. \u00deegar hann flettir \u00ed gegnum \u00farvali\u00f0 g\u00fds upp enn sterkari f\u00fakkalykt en \u00e1\u00f0ur. Honum finnst \u00fea\u00f0 reyndar g\u00f3\u00f0 lykt, en minnir sig aftur \u00e1 hver vi\u00f0br\u00f6g\u00f0 All\u00fdjar yr\u00f0u ef hann m\u00e6tti me\u00f0 svona fl\u00edk upp \u00e1 h\u00f3telherbergi \u2013 \u00feau h\u00f6f\u00f0u einmitt tala\u00f0 um hversu g\u00f3\u00f0 og fersk lyktin v\u00e6ri \u00fear: einhvers konar blanda af s\u00edtr\u00f3nu og kryddi, sem hvorugt \u00feeirra kom fyrir sig hva\u00f0 g\u00e6ti veri\u00f0.
\u2001Flestar skyrturnar \u00e1 sl\u00e1nni l\u00edta \u00fat fyrir a\u00f0 hafa veri\u00f0 framleiddar fyrir hrun komm\u00fanismans \u00ed Evr\u00f3pu \u2013 sumar \u00feeirra vekja bros \u00ed huga Lalla \u2013 en \u00feegar hann kemur \u00fat \u00e1 enda sl\u00e1rinnar staldrar hann vi\u00f0 skyrtu sem samstundis vekur upp \u00ed honum \u00f3tta vi\u00f0 a\u00f0 hann muni ekki geta hugsa\u00f0 s\u00e9r a\u00f0 yfirgefa b\u00fa\u00f0ina \u00e1n \u00feess a\u00f0 kaupa eitthva\u00f0. \u00deetta er lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1 e\u00f0a daufgr\u00e6n fl\u00edk, svol\u00edti\u00f0 eins og s\u00e1pa \u00e1 litinn; og \u00feegar hann lyftir henni \u00e1 her\u00f0atr\u00e9nu af sl\u00e1nni og str\u00fdkur efni\u00f0 segir hann me\u00f0 sj\u00e1lfum s\u00e9r a\u00f0 svona efni myndi henta mj\u00f6g vel fyrir hitann \u00fati \u00e1 g\u00f6tu. \u00dea\u00f0 er \u00ed raun f\u00ednt og gr\u00f3ft \u00ed senn, og l\u00e9tt eins og fis. \u00dea\u00f0 l\u00edtur heldur ekki \u00fat fyrir a\u00f0 vera gerviefni. Fliparnir a\u00f0 v\u00edsu svol\u00edti\u00f0 st\u00f3rir, og d\u00f6kkrau\u00f0ar t\u00f6lurnar \u00ed einhverju fur\u00f0ulegu \u00f3samr\u00e6mi vi\u00f0 litinn \u00e1 efninu. En samt. Honum finnst \u00feetta falleg skyrta \u2013 \u00fea\u00f0 er eitthva\u00f0 s\u00e9rstakt vi\u00f0 hana, sem hann tengir b\u00e6\u00f0i eigin \u00e6sku og li\u00f0num t\u00edma \u00ed Mi\u00f0- e\u00f0a Austur-Evr\u00f3pu \u2013 og tilhugsunin um a\u00f0 kaupa nota\u00f0a fl\u00edk \u00e1 \u00feessum sl\u00f3\u00f0um finnst honum ekki minna spennandi.
\u2001Skyrtan kostar ekki nema sj\u00f6 evrur. \u00deegar Lalli sko\u00f0ar mi\u00f0ann me\u00f0 uppl\u00fdsingum um st\u00e6r\u00f0, efni og \u00fevott, s\u00e9r hann a\u00f0 skyrtan er \u00ed st\u00e6r\u00f0inni medium, \u00far 80% b\u00f3mull \u00e1 m\u00f3ti tuttugu pr\u00f3sentum af einhverju efni sem hann veit ekki hva\u00f0 er. Ef hann l\u00e9ti eftir s\u00e9r a\u00f0 kaupa skyrtuna g\u00e6ti hann lauma\u00f0 henni \u00f3s\u00e9\u00f0ri inn \u00e1 h\u00f3telherbergi\u00f0, \u00fev\u00ed n\u00e1nast ekkert f\u00e6ri fyrir henni ef hann bryti hana saman. Hann myndi s\u00ed\u00f0an koma henni fyrir \u00ed efra h\u00f3lfi fer\u00f0at\u00f6skunnar, sem er loka\u00f0 me\u00f0 rennil\u00e1s, og l\u00edtil h\u00e6tta \u00e1 a\u00f0 All\u00fd fari me\u00f0 fingur s\u00edna e\u00f0a augu \u00feanga\u00f0. H\u00fan \u00feyrfti ekki a\u00f0 komast a\u00f0 kaupunum fyrr en hann kl\u00e6ddi sig \u00ed skyrtuna einhvern t\u00edma s\u00ed\u00f0ar \u2013 og kannski best a\u00f0 leyfa svolitlum t\u00edma a\u00f0 l\u00ed\u00f0a \u00feanga\u00f0 til. En au\u00f0vita\u00f0 \u00feyrfti hann \u00fe\u00e1 a\u00f0 \u00fatsk\u00fdra hva\u00f0an fl\u00edkin k\u00e6mi; og ef hann seg\u00f0i henni sannleikann, hva\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e1?
\u2001Hann nemur sta\u00f0ar \u00ed \u00feessum hugsunum; hann veit a\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e6r lei\u00f0a ekki til neins \u2013 ekki til annars en \u00feess a\u00f0 \u00feegar \u00e1 h\u00f3lminn k\u00e6mi yr\u00f0i hann be\u00f0inn um a\u00f0 losa sig vi\u00f0 skyrtuna \u2013 hann myndi \u00ed raun hafa fari\u00f0 \u00e1 bakvi\u00f0 All\u00fd. H\u00fan \u2013 skyrtan \u2013 yr\u00f0i \u00fe\u00f3 allavega komin \u00ed h\u00f6fn, hva\u00f0 sem s\u00ed\u00f0an ger\u00f0ist.
\u2001Or\u00f0i\u00f0 h\u00f6fn<\/i> minnir Lalla \u00e1 a\u00f0 hann getur ekki leyft s\u00e9r a\u00f0 tefja lengur \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0inni. Hann ver\u00f0ur a\u00f0 koma s\u00e9r aftur yfir g\u00f6tuna, og helst a\u00f0 vera sn\u00f6ggur \u2013 All\u00fd hlaut a\u00f0 b\u00faast vi\u00f0 honum \u00e1 hverri stundu.
\u2001Kj\u00f6rb\u00fa\u00f0in stenst allar v\u00e6ntingar, \u00fe\u00f3tt h\u00fan s\u00e9 l\u00edtil og \u00fer\u00f6ng. Lalli er flj\u00f3tur a\u00f0 velja v\u00f6rurnar \u00ed k\u00f6rfuna, og enn flj\u00f3tari a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta afgrei\u00f0a sig, \u00fev\u00ed einhverra hluta vegna er eins og ma\u00f0urinn vi\u00f0 kassann \u2013 K\u00ednverji, \u00edmyndar Lalli s\u00e9r \u2013 vilji losna vi\u00f0 hann \u00far b\u00fa\u00f0inni sem fyrst. S\u00e1 fyrrnefndi gefur s\u00e9r ekki einu sinni t\u00edma til a\u00f0 \u00feakka fyrir vi\u00f0skiptin. Lalli gengur s\u00ed\u00f0an \u00fat me\u00f0 kippu af t\u00e9kkneskum bj\u00f3r og fj\u00f3rar v\u00ednfl\u00f6skur \u00ed tveimur \u00feunnum plastpokum, \u00fear \u00e1 me\u00f0al frey\u00f0iv\u00ednsfl\u00f6sku me\u00f0 mi\u00f0a sem hann er viss um a\u00f0 s\u00e9 \u00e1 litinn eins og skyrtan \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0inni hinum megin g\u00f6tunnar, \u00feessi fl\u00edk sem enn er efst \u00ed huga hans; sem \u00ed raun l\u00e6tur hann ekki \u00ed fri\u00f0i. Ofan \u00ed pokunum er l\u00edka ostur og saltkex til a\u00f0 hafa me\u00f0 ostinum. En ekkert gos e\u00f0a safi \u2013 hann gerir s\u00e9r grein fyrir \u00fev\u00ed \u00feegar hann gengur inn um h\u00f3teldyrnar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00cd lyftunni upp \u00e1 fj\u00f3r\u00f0u h\u00e6\u00f0 ver\u00f0ur Lalli samfer\u00f0a manni sem er \u00e1 lei\u00f0inni upp \u00e1 s\u00f6mu h\u00e6\u00f0; einstaklega myndarlegum, h\u00e1v\u00f6xnum og vel kl\u00e6ddum manni, sem b\u00fdr til \u00fe\u00e1 mynd \u00ed huga Lalla a\u00f0 hann s\u00e9 \u00ed senn kvennama\u00f0ur og \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ri. \u00dea\u00f0 er eitthva\u00f0 \u00ed fari \u00feessa manns \u2013 hvernig hann stendur sperrtur og beinn \u00ed baki \u2013 sem f\u00e6r Lalla til a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 hann fyrir s\u00e9r lei\u00f0a g\u00f6ngu me\u00f0 kistu l\u00e1tinnar manneskju \u00ed \u00e1tt fr\u00e1 altarinu. Hann er \u00ed lj\u00f3sgulum e\u00f0a drapplitum h\u00f6rjakkaf\u00f6tum, d\u00f6kkbl\u00e1um bol og hv\u00edtum strigask\u00f3m \u2013 og hvernig hann heilsar Lalla brosandi gefur \u00ed skyn \u00f3bilandi sj\u00e1lfstraust. \u201e\u00deetta er ma\u00f0ur sem hefur ekki t\u00f6lu \u00e1 \u00f6llum \u00feeim konum sem hann hefur sofi\u00f0 hj\u00e1 um \u00e6vina,\u201c hugsar Lalli, um lei\u00f0 og hann k\u00edmir yfir \u00feeirri hugsun a\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn starfi sem skipuleggjandi \u00fatfara, \u00e1 milli \u00feess sem hann heillar og sogar til s\u00edn konur, oftar en ekki me\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta \u00fe\u00e6r vita vi\u00f0 hva\u00f0 hann vinni. Hann er ekki beinl\u00ednis d\u00f6kkur yfirlitum, en \u00fe\u00f3 me\u00f0 svart, \u00feykkt h\u00e1r og d\u00f6kka skeggr\u00f3t; hann er l\u00edklegri til a\u00f0 vera fr\u00e1 Nor\u00f0ur- en Su\u00f0ur-Evr\u00f3pu \u2013 sem svo sta\u00f0festist \u00ed huga Lalla \u00feegar \u00feeir st\u00edga \u00fat \u00far lyftunni, og ma\u00f0urinn \u00feakkar honum fyrir \u2013 fyrir hva\u00f0? Lalli l\u00e6tur s\u00e9r detta \u00ed hug a\u00f0 \u00feetta s\u00e9 \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verji e\u00f0a Hollendingur.
\u2001\u00deeir ganga s\u00ed\u00f0an samhli\u00f0a eftir h\u00f3telganginum \u2013 \u00fea\u00f0 kemur \u00ed lj\u00f3s a\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn er \u00ed n\u00e6sta herbergi vi\u00f0 \u00feau All\u00fd.
\u2001\u201eSee you later,\u201c segir hann, \u00feegar hann opnar hj\u00e1 s\u00e9r dyrnar; og Lalli tekur undir \u00fea\u00f0:
\u2001\u201eYeah, sure,\u201c segir hann. Og hleypir s\u00e9r s\u00ed\u00f0an sj\u00e1lfum inn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201e\u00de\u00fa varst ekki lengi,\u201c segir All\u00fd gla\u00f0hlakkalega, \u00feegar Lalli kemur me\u00f0 plastpokana inn \u00e1 herbergi.
\u2001\u201eN\u00fa, var \u00fea\u00f0 ekki? \u00c9g \u00feurfti einmitt a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a svo lengi \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0inni. En veistu hva\u00f0? Vi\u00f0 erum me\u00f0 \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ra h\u00e9rna \u00ed n\u00e6sta herbergi.\u201c
\u2001\u201eHvernig veistu?\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g hitti hann \u00ed lyftunni. Hann var a\u00f0 gera m\u00e9r tilbo\u00f0.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00cd \u00fatf\u00f6r?\u201c
\u2001\u201eOkkar beggja. Hann bau\u00f0 m\u00e9r tv\u00e6r \u00e1 ver\u00f0i einnar. En sj\u00e1\u00f0u h\u00e9rna,\u201c heldur Lalli \u00e1fram, og lyftir frey\u00f0iv\u00ednsfl\u00f6skunni upp \u00far \u00f6\u00f0rum pokanum. \u201eHva\u00f0 finnst \u00fe\u00e9r um \u00feennan lit?\u201c
\u2001\u201eAf hverju spyr\u00f0u a\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed?\u201c
\u2001\u201eBara. \u00deetta er svo fallegur litur. \u00c9g s\u00e9 hann einhvern veginn fyrir m\u00e9r \u00e1 bol e\u00f0a skyrtu.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00deetta er bara eins og frey\u00f0iba\u00f0, \u201c svarar All\u00fd, og vill f\u00e1 a\u00f0 vita meira um manninn \u00ed n\u00e6sta herbergi.
\u2001\u201eHann var jafn beinn \u00ed baki og vi\u00f0skiptavinir hans eru framl\u00e1gir. Reyndar ekki \u00ed eins formlegum kl\u00e6\u00f0na\u00f0i og \u00feeir.\u201c
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 hvarflar a\u00f0 Lalla a\u00f0 segja henni fr\u00e1 skyrtunni sem hann sko\u00f0a\u00f0i, en hann l\u00e6tur n\u00e6gja a\u00f0 segja henni fr\u00e1 b\u00fa\u00f0inni; a\u00f0 hann hafi s\u00e9\u00f0 second-hand-fatab\u00fa\u00f0 handan g\u00f6tunnar vi\u00f0 kj\u00f6rb\u00fa\u00f0ina, sem hafi virka\u00f0 svol\u00edti\u00f0 spennandi utan fr\u00e1 \u2013 hvort \u00fea\u00f0 v\u00e6ri ekki gaman a\u00f0 k\u00edkja \u00feanga\u00f0 saman, til d\u00e6mis seinna um daginn?
\u2001\u201eH\u00fan lokar klukkan sex,\u201c b\u00e6tir hann vi\u00f0.
\u2001\u201eF\u00f3rstu inn \u00ed hana?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei. \u00c9g s\u00e1 bara yfir g\u00f6tuna a\u00f0 \u00feetta var svona second-hand b\u00fa\u00f0. \u00dea\u00f0 voru f\u00f6t \u00e1 sl\u00e1 fyrir utan.\u201c
\u2001\u201eV\u00e6ntanlega hengd \u00fear til a\u00f0 n\u00e1 mestu f\u00fakkalyktinni \u00far \u00feeim.\u201c
\u2001Vi\u00f0br\u00f6g\u00f0 All\u00fdjar koma Lalla ekki s\u00e9rlega \u00e1 \u00f3vart.
\u2001\u201e\u00deetta leit allt mj\u00f6g snyrtilega \u00fat,\u201c segir hann, en f\u00e6r \u00fe\u00e1 \u00fea\u00f0 svar a\u00f0 hann<\/i> l\u00edti mj\u00f6g snyrtilega \u00fat \u2013 \u201ehvers vegna a\u00f0 reyna a\u00f0 ey\u00f0ileggja \u00fea\u00f0 me\u00f0 einhverjum f\u00f6tum af dau\u00f0u f\u00f3lki?\u201c Og \u00feegar hann reynir a\u00f0 malda \u00ed m\u00f3inn, \u00e1n \u00feess \u00fe\u00f3 a\u00f0 virka of \u00e1kafur \u2013 \u00fea\u00f0 s\u00e9 ekki mj\u00f6g l\u00edklegt a\u00f0 hann s\u00e9 a\u00f0 fara a\u00f0 kaupa f\u00f6t \u00fearna \u2013 svarar All\u00fd:
\u2001\u201eHefur \u00fe\u00fa, L\u00e1rus \u00d3skarsson, einhvern t\u00edma s\u00e9\u00f0 mig \u00ed einhverju second-hand? \u00c9g er ekki a\u00f0 l\u00edkja m\u00e9r vi\u00f0 hana m\u00f3\u00f0ur \u00fe\u00edna, en …\u201c H\u00fan \u00e1kve\u00f0ur a\u00f0 hafa ekki setninguna lengri.
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g \u00e1 einmitt inni svona second-hand skyrtu,\u201c segir hann. \u201e\u00c9g hef ekki be\u00f0i\u00f0 \u00feess b\u00e6tur a\u00f0 henni var fleygt \u00ed rusli\u00f0.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa f\u00e9kkst \u00fe\u00f3 a\u00f0 halda buxunum sem \u00fe\u00fa keyptir \u2013 sag\u00f0ir\u00f0u m\u00e9r \u00fea\u00f0 ekki?\u201c spyr All\u00fd brosandi, og minnir Lalla \u00e1 a\u00f0 \u00feau s\u00e9u a\u00f0 fara \u00e1 kojufyller\u00ed. \u201eMe\u00f0 vi\u00f0komu \u00ed frey\u00f0iba\u00f0i. \u00deeir eru me\u00f0 svolei\u00f0is s\u00e1pu inni \u00e1 ba\u00f0i, s\u00e1stu \u00fea\u00f0?\u201c
\u2001Lalli rifjar upp me\u00f0 sj\u00e1lfum s\u00e9r lyktina \u00ed fatab\u00fa\u00f0inni, og \u00e1 me\u00f0an hann setur bj\u00f3rinn og hv\u00edtv\u00edni\u00f0 \u00ed \u00edssk\u00e1pinn \u2013 og sam\u00feykkir hugmynd All\u00fdjar um frey\u00f0iba\u00f0i\u00f0 \u2013 l\u00e6tur hann fylgja me\u00f0, eins og \u00ed aukasetningu, a\u00f0 \u00feau k\u00edki allavega \u00ed \u00feessa b\u00fa\u00f0 daginn eftir.
\u2001\u201eL\u00e1ttu bara renna \u00ed ba\u00f0i\u00f0,\u201c segir All\u00fd skipandi. \u201eOg opna\u00f0u fl\u00f6skuna.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00deau vakna mj\u00f6g snemma morguninn eftir, enda h\u00f6f\u00f0u \u00feau sofna\u00f0 flj\u00f3tlega eftir kv\u00f6ldver\u00f0 \u00e1 veitingasta\u00f0 \u00ed n\u00e1grenni h\u00f3telsins, uppgefin eftir fyrsta dag dvalarinnar. Sem var vel heppna\u00f0ur dagur, eins og \u00feau rifja upp n\u00fdv\u00f6knu\u00f0; \u00feau h\u00f6f\u00f0u \u201esta\u00f0i\u00f0 sig vel\u201c \u00e1 kojufyller\u00edinu; kl\u00e1ra\u00f0 \u00ferj\u00e1r af fl\u00f6skunum fj\u00f3rum \u2013 frey\u00f0iv\u00edni\u00f0 \u00ed ba\u00f0inu \u2013 og fari\u00f0 snemma \u00fat a\u00f0 bor\u00f0a, til a\u00f0 koma s\u00e9r \u00e1 r\u00e9ttan kj\u00f6l eftir allt v\u00edni\u00f0.
\u2001Fyrst \u00e1 dagskr\u00e1 \u00feessa n\u00fdja dags er a\u00f0 fara \u00ed morgunver\u00f0, s\u00ed\u00f0an \u00e1 safn um s\u00f6gu t\u00e9kknesks komm\u00fanisma; og \u00fev\u00ed n\u00e6st \u00ed fatab\u00fa\u00f0ina, sem Lalli gantast me\u00f0 a\u00f0 s\u00e9 st\u00f3rh\u00e6ttuleg \u00e1kv\u00f6r\u00f0un \u00ed framhaldi af heims\u00f3kninni \u00ed safni\u00f0; \u00feau muni \u00f6rugglega finna einhver f\u00f6t fr\u00e1 sov\u00e9tt\u00edmanum og freistast til a\u00f0 kaupa minjagrip \u00ed formi nota\u00f0rar skyrtu e\u00f0a jakka.
\u2001En fyrst: morgunver\u00f0urinn.
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g er ekki a\u00f0 fara a\u00f0 kaupa neitt \u00ed \u00feessari b\u00fa\u00f0,\u201c segir All\u00fd, og stingur upp \u00ed sig snei\u00f0 af h\u00e1lfbrenndu fleski. \u201eOg \u00fe\u00fa ekki heldur,\u201c b\u00e6tir h\u00fan vi\u00f0. \u201e\u00c6tlar\u00f0u a\u00f0 lofa m\u00e9r \u00fev\u00ed?\u201c
\u2001En Lalli lofar engu. Hann l\u00e6tur n\u00e6gja a\u00f0 senda All\u00fd fingurkoss yfir bor\u00f0i\u00f0, og bendir henni \u00e1 a\u00f0 \u00feurrka fitu vi\u00f0 munnviki\u00f0. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S\u00fdningin um komm\u00fan\u00edska T\u00e9kk\u00f3sl\u00f3vak\u00edu gle\u00f0ur \u00feau miki\u00f0, ekki s\u00edst \u00ed lj\u00f3si \u00feess a\u00f0 \u00fej\u00f3\u00f0irnar tv\u00e6r, T\u00e9kkar og Sl\u00f3vakar, s\u00e9u \u00ed dag frj\u00e1lsar undan hinu fj\u00f6gurra \u00e1ratuga oki sem s\u00fdningin fjalla\u00f0i um. En fyrst og fremst finnst \u00feeim \u00e1hugavert og fyndi\u00f0 a\u00f0 sko\u00f0a yfirbrag\u00f0 og \u00fatlit \u00feeirra t\u00edma \u2013 \u00feau hr\u00edfast einna mest af kj\u00f6rb\u00fa\u00f0arinnr\u00e9ttingu fr\u00e1 \u00e1ttunda \u00e1ratugnum, \u00fear sem mest l\u00edti\u00f0 er \u00e1 bo\u00f0st\u00f3lum, og r\u00e1\u00f0andi litur ekki \u00f3svipa\u00f0ur og \u00e1 skyrtunni sem v\u00e6ntanlega b\u00ed\u00f0ur enn eftir Lalla \u00ed fatab\u00fa\u00f0inni, falin undir hinni skyrtunni sem hann haf\u00f0i breitt yfir hana.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 er ekki nema fimm m\u00edn\u00fatna labb \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0ina fr\u00e1 safninu. Fatasl\u00e1in fyrir utan vekur s\u00e9rstaka athygli All\u00fdjar, \u00fev\u00ed \u00fear hangir me\u00f0al annars svipa\u00f0ur pels og h\u00fan \u00e1 heimafyrir. H\u00fan lyktar af pelsinum, eflaust \u00ed \u00feeirri von a\u00f0 finna einhverja gamla lykt; en \u00fea\u00f0 er ekki fyrr en \u00feau koma inn \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0ina a\u00f0 h\u00fan minnist \u00e1 eitthva\u00f0 sl\u00edkt \u2013 og Lalla kemur skemmtilega \u00e1 \u00f3vart a\u00f0 heyra hana j\u00e1ta fyrir sj\u00e1lfri s\u00e9r a\u00f0 \u00feetta s\u00e9 \u201en\u00fa svol\u00edti\u00f0 fyndin lykt\u201c; \u00fea\u00f0 gefur honum veika von um a\u00f0 h\u00fan ver\u00f0i j\u00e1kv\u00e6\u00f0ari gagnvart \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 kaupa eitthva\u00f0.
\u2001\u00c1 me\u00f0an All\u00fd sko\u00f0ar sl\u00e1r me\u00f0 kvenf\u00f6tum framarlega \u00ed r\u00fdminu fer Lalli raklei\u00f0is \u00ed a\u00f0 kanna hvort \u00feetta \u201eeitthva\u00f0\u201c sem hann hefur \u00ed huga s\u00e9 nokku\u00f0 horfi\u00f0; og s\u00e9r a\u00f0 skyrtan er enn \u00e1 s\u00ednum sta\u00f0, \u00fe\u00f3tt hin sem hann haf\u00f0i breitt yfir hana vir\u00f0ist vera farin. Hann tekur lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1u skyrtuna af her\u00f0atr\u00e9nu, br\u00fdtur hana saman, og \u00e1kve\u00f0ur a\u00f0 leyfa sm\u00e1 t\u00edma a\u00f0 l\u00ed\u00f0a \u00fear til hann s\u00fdnir All\u00fd hana. Hann staldrar a\u00f0eins vi\u00f0 hj\u00e1 jakka\u00farvalinu, og \u00fev\u00ed n\u00e6st hj\u00e1 sl\u00e1 me\u00f0 fr\u00f6kkum, sem flestir l\u00edta \u00fat fyrir a\u00f0 hafa veri\u00f0 nota\u00f0ir \u00ed herna\u00f0i \u00e1 fyrri hluta s\u00ed\u00f0ustu aldar. Hann l\u00edtur um \u00f6xl, og \u00feegar hann horfir \u00e1 baksvip All\u00fdjar n\u00e1l\u00e6gt afgrei\u00f0slubor\u00f0inu, og s\u00e9r a\u00f0 tjaldi\u00f0 fyrir m\u00e1tunara\u00f0st\u00f6\u00f0unni innst fyrir mi\u00f0ju er dregi\u00f0 fr\u00e1, breg\u00f0ur hann s\u00e9r inn \u00ed klefann.
\u2001\u00c1 sn\u00f6gum vinstra megin vi\u00f0 spegilinn hanga nokkrar fl\u00edkur, \u00fear \u00e1 me\u00f0al d\u00f6kkbl\u00e1 gallaskyrta, sem um lei\u00f0 og Lalli lyftir henni af snaganum byrjar a\u00f0 freista hans. Ekki nema fimmt\u00e1n evrur, segir \u00e1 mi\u00f0anum sem hangir ni\u00f0ur \u00far innanver\u00f0um flipanum. Hann \u00e1kve\u00f0ur a\u00f0 m\u00e1ta \u00feessa fyrst, en heyrir \u00fe\u00e1 r\u00f6dd All\u00fdjar.
\u2001\u201eLalli!\u201c
\u2001Hann dregur fr\u00e1 tjaldi\u00f0 og n\u00e6r athygli hennar.
\u2001\u201eVer\u00f0 enga stund,\u201c segir hann h\u00e1lfhv\u00edslandi.
\u2001\u201eHva\u00f0 ertu a\u00f0 gera?\u201c spyr h\u00fan.
\u2001\u201eBara upp \u00e1 sporti\u00f0,\u201c svarar hann brosandi, og fylgist me\u00f0 All\u00fd taka stefnuna \u00ed \u00e1tt a\u00f0 \u00fatidyrunum, \u00e1\u00f0ur en hann dregur tjaldi\u00f0 aftur fyrir.
\u2001D\u00f6kkbl\u00e1a skyrtan smellpassar. \u00dea\u00f0 hvarflar a\u00f0 honum a\u00f0 ef til vill \u00e6tti hann frekar a\u00f0 bi\u00f0ja um sam\u00feykki All\u00fdjar fyrir \u00feessari skyrtu; hann g\u00e6ti byrja\u00f0 \u00e1 a\u00f0 s\u00fdna henni hina \u2013 sem hann er \u00feegar byrja\u00f0ur a\u00f0 m\u00e1ta \u2013 og nota\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e1 takt\u00edk a\u00f0 fyrst hann megi ekki kaupa \u00feessa lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1u f\u00e1i hann hina \u00ed sta\u00f0inn (jafnvel \u00fe\u00f3tt h\u00fan s\u00e9 \u00e1tta evrum d\u00fdrari, sem er au\u00f0vita\u00f0 engin upph\u00e6\u00f0).
\u2001En svo kemur \u00ed lj\u00f3s a\u00f0 s\u00fa lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1a fer honum enn betur en gallaskyrtan. \u00dea\u00f0 er eins og \u00feessi litfagra og l\u00e9tta skyrta hafi be\u00f0i\u00f0 eftir honum s\u00e9rstaklega, hugsar hann; hann \u00e1kve\u00f0ur a\u00f0 segja vi\u00f0 All\u00fd a\u00f0 hann hafi beinl\u00ednis f\u00e6\u00f0st inn \u00ed \u00feessa skyrtu \u2013 hann \u00edmyndar s\u00e9r a\u00f0 sl\u00edk v\u00edsun til barn\u00e6sku sinnar geti haft \u00e1hrif. En fyrst hyggst hann s\u00fdna All\u00fd hina skyrtuna. H\u00fan er komin \u00fat \u00e1 gangst\u00e9tt, og hann skilur b\u00e1\u00f0ar skyrturnar eftir ofan \u00e1 stafla af lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1um Levi\u00b4s-gallabuxum n\u00e1l\u00e6gt dyrunum. Svo bi\u00f0ur hann All\u00fd a\u00f0 k\u00edkja inn me\u00f0 s\u00e9r \u00ed h\u00e1lfa m\u00edn\u00fatu.
\u2001H\u00fan l\u00e6tur \u00fea\u00f0 eftir honum me\u00f0 semingi; og \u00feegar hann s\u00fdnir henni d\u00fdrari skyrtuna \u2013 \u201eHugsa\u00f0u \u00fe\u00e9r: ekki nema fimmt\u00e1n evrur,\u201c segir hann \u2013 m\u00e6tir honum \u00e1kve\u00f0inn svipur, sem s\u00ed\u00f0an er \u00edtreka\u00f0ur me\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 hrista h\u00f6fu\u00f0i\u00f0.
\u2001\u201eNei, Lalli. Why?\u201c
\u2001\u201eAf \u00fev\u00ed h\u00fan er flott.\u201c
\u2001\u201eH\u00fan er ekki flott, Lalli.\u201c
\u2001Hann veit a\u00f0 \u00feessi fyrri hluti bar\u00e1ttunnar er tapa\u00f0ur, og dembir s\u00e9r \u00ed \u00feann seinni, \u00e1\u00f0ur en All\u00fd brestur \u00feolinm\u00e6\u00f0ina.
\u2001\u201eEn sj\u00e1\u00f0u \u00feessa,\u201c segir Lalli, \u00e1n \u00feess a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta \u00fea\u00f0 hlj\u00f3ma of \u00e1hugasamt. Hann lyftir lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1u skyrtunni upp a\u00f0 brj\u00f3stinu. \u201e\u00dea\u00f0 er beinl\u00ednis eins og \u00e9g hafi f\u00e6\u00f0st inn \u00ed hana.\u201c
\u2001All\u00fd vir\u00f0ir skyrtuna fyrir s\u00e9r, og eitt augnablik eygir Lalli \u00f6rlitla von. En ekki nema augnablik.
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa varst ekki f\u00e6ddur \u00feegar \u00feessi skyrta var b\u00fain til,\u201c segir All\u00fd \u00fereytulega. \u201eOg s\u00e1 sem \u00e1tti hana \u00e1byggilega dau\u00f0ur.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEr \u00feetta ekki sami litur og \u00e1 frey\u00f0iv\u00ednsfl\u00f6skunni fr\u00e1 \u00ed g\u00e6r? \u00deetta minnir l\u00edka \u00e1 b\u00fa\u00f0ina \u00e1 safninu.\u201c
\u2001\u201eJ\u00fa, Lalli. \u00deetta minnir l\u00edka \u00e1 \u00fdmislegt anna\u00f0.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEins og hva\u00f0?\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00dea\u00f0 er einhver \u00f3g\u00e6fa yfir \u00feessum lit.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEn finndu efni\u00f0 \u00ed henni. \u00de\u00fa finnur ekki svona efni allssta\u00f0ar.\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei, alveg \u00f6rugglega ekki. En \u00fe\u00fa finnur \u00fea\u00f0 h\u00e9r \u00ed Prag. \u00cd b\u00fa\u00f0 sem selur g\u00f6mul f\u00f6t.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEn finndu \u00feetta,\u201c \u00edtrekar Lalli.
\u2001\u201eM\u00e9r n\u00e6gir a\u00f0 horfa,\u201c segir All\u00fd. \u201e\u00c9g \u00fearf ekki a\u00f0 snerta \u00feetta. \u00c9g skil vi\u00f0 \u00feig ef \u00fe\u00fa kaupir \u00feessa skyrtu.\u201c
\u2001Hin l\u00e9ttv\u00e6ga merking \u00feeirra or\u00f0a, \u00feegar horft er \u00e1 \u00feau \u00e1 prenti, ver\u00f0ur \u00f6llu \u00feyngri me\u00f0 \u00feeim svip All\u00fdjar sem fylgir or\u00f0unum; svip sem Lalla hefur fyrir l\u00f6ngu l\u00e6rst a\u00f0 felur \u00ed s\u00e9r alv\u00f6ru.
\u2001\u201eH\u00fan kostar ekki nema r\u00famlega \u00fe\u00fasundkall \u00edslenskar,\u201c heldur hann \u00e1fram, en veit um lei\u00f0 a\u00f0 \u00feau r\u00f6k eru einskis vir\u00f0i \u00ed huga A\u00f0albjargar H\u00f6skuldsd\u00f3ttur.
\u2001\u201e\u00deetta er ekki spurning um hva\u00f0 h\u00fan kostar,\u201c segir h\u00fan. \u201e\u00c9g \u00e6tla ekki a\u00f0 koma \u00ed veg fyrir a\u00f0 \u00fe\u00fa kaupir \u00feessa hr\u00e6\u00f0ilegu fl\u00edk, en ef \u00e9g s\u00e9 \u00feig \u00ed henni, \u00fe\u00e1 er \u00e9g farin.\u201c
\u2001\u201eFarin hvert?\u201c
\u2001\u201eBara farin.\u201c
\u2001\u201eUpp \u00e1 h\u00f3tel?\u201c
\u2001\u201eFyrst \u00feanga\u00f0, j\u00e1.\u201c
\u2001\u201eOg hva\u00f0 \u00e6tlar\u00f0u a\u00f0 gera \u00fear?\u201c
\u2001\u201ePakka ni\u00f0ur.\u201c
\u2001\u201eFara fr\u00e1 m\u00e9r?\u201c
\u2001\u201eJ\u00e1. \u00c1 eitthvert anna\u00f0 h\u00f3tel. Nema a\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 ver\u00f0ir \u00fe\u00fa sem fer\u00f0 \u00e1 anna\u00f0 h\u00f3tel. Me\u00f0 \u00feessa skyrtu \u00fe\u00edna.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g er ekki enn\u00fe\u00e1 b\u00fainn a\u00f0 kaupa \u00feessa skyrtu, All\u00fd.\u201c
\u2001L\u00edklega er \u00f3\u00fearfi a\u00f0 halda \u00e1fram me\u00f0 \u00feetta samtal \u00feeirra hj\u00f3na \u2013 og s\u00f6mulei\u00f0is nokku\u00f0 sj\u00e1lfgefi\u00f0 hva\u00f0a tilfinningar b\u00e6rast \u00ed brj\u00f3sti \u00feeirra hvors um sig \u2013 en ni\u00f0ursta\u00f0an ver\u00f0ur s\u00fa a\u00f0 L\u00e1rus skilur b\u00e1\u00f0ar skyrturnar eftir \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0inni. Hann leggur jakkaskyrtuna fr\u00e1 s\u00e9r ofan \u00e1 sl\u00e1na me\u00f0 l\u00e9ttari skyrtunum, en tre\u00f0ur \u00feeirri lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1u undir gallabuxnastaflann. All\u00fd b\u00ed\u00f0ur eftir honum \u00ed s\u00f3lskininu \u00e1 gangst\u00e9ttinni fyrir utan, og \u00feau ver\u00f0a samm\u00e1la um a\u00f0 setjast ni\u00f0ur \u00e1 kr\u00e1 um \u00fea\u00f0 bil mi\u00f0ja vegu milli h\u00f3telsins og b\u00fa\u00f0arinnar. \u00deau dvelja ekki lengi \u00e1 kr\u00e1nni, og g\u00e6ta s\u00edn \u00e1 a\u00f0 r\u00e6\u00f0a ekki frekar \u00fe\u00e1 \u00f3gn sem virtist stafa af l\u00f6ngun L\u00e1rusar til a\u00f0 kaupa notu\u00f0u skyrtuna; en eitthva\u00f0 \u00f3\u00fe\u00e6gilegt liggur \u00ed loftinu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00deegar \u00feau koma aftur \u00e1 h\u00f3teli\u00f0 er staddur \u00ed m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni t\u00edu til fimmt\u00e1n manna h\u00f3pur japanskra karlmanna \u2013 engin spurning a\u00f0 \u00feeir eru Japanir \u2013 sem allir vir\u00f0ast vera a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a eftir a\u00f0 tala vi\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e1 tvo starfsmenn sem standa hinum megin vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0. All\u00fd haf\u00f0i \u00e6tla\u00f0 s\u00e9r a\u00f0 spyrja \u00feau \u00ed m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni um eitthvert atri\u00f0i (sem er \u00f3\u00fearft a\u00f0 nefna h\u00e9r), svo \u00feau \u00e1kve\u00f0a a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a eftir a\u00f0 Japanirnir f\u00e1i leyst \u00far s\u00ednum m\u00e1lum. \u00deau veita athygli manni \u00ed h\u00f3pnum, sem kl\u00e6ddur er k\u00f6fl\u00f3ttum buxum og p\u00f3l\u00f3bol, eins konar golfkl\u00e6\u00f0na\u00f0i, en auglj\u00f3slega ofur\u00f6lvi \u2013 hann stendur varla \u00ed lappirnar. Hann er \u00edtreka\u00f0 vi\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 a\u00f0 missa jafnv\u00e6gi\u00f0, \u00e1n \u00feess a\u00f0 f\u00e1 stu\u00f0ning fr\u00e1 f\u00e9l\u00f6gum s\u00ednum, sem standa \u00fe\u00f3 nokku\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e9tt saman vi\u00f0 m\u00f3tt\u00f6kubor\u00f0i\u00f0. \u00deau l\u00e1ta s\u00e9r detta \u00ed hug a\u00f0 Japaninn hafi fengi\u00f0 s\u00e9r of miki\u00f0 \u00ed flugv\u00e9linni \u2013 h\u00f3purinn hefur greinilega veri\u00f0 a\u00f0 koma til landsins, \u00fev\u00ed til hli\u00f0ar vi\u00f0 m\u00f3tt\u00f6kuna, \u00e1 ganginum inn a\u00f0 veitingasta\u00f0num og lyftunum, er fj\u00f6ldi st\u00f3rra fer\u00f0ataska, n\u00e1nast allar af s\u00f6mu st\u00e6r\u00f0 og \u00ed sama lit.
\u2001Lalli f\u00e6r \u00fe\u00e1 hugmynd, sem hann or\u00f0ar vi\u00f0 All\u00fd, a\u00f0 f\u00e1 s\u00e9r einn snaps \u00e1 barnum gegnt m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni; \u00feau sj\u00e1 fram \u00e1 a\u00f0 \u00feurfa a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a svolitla stund. \u201e\u00d3kei, \u00e9g b\u00ed\u00f0 h\u00e9rna,\u201c segir All\u00fd, og Lalli f\u00e6rir sig yfir \u00e1 barinn og bi\u00f0ur um eitthva\u00f0 sterkt, eitthva\u00f0 t\u00e9kkneskt. Bar\u00fej\u00f3nninn gefur s\u00e9r t\u00edma til a\u00f0 velja r\u00e9ttu fl\u00f6skuna, og \u00feegar hann hellir einhvers konar perul\u00edkj\u00f6r \u00ed staup fylgir \u00fev\u00ed skilningsr\u00edkt bros; og me\u00f0 v\u00edsun til \u00feess a\u00f0 Lalli s\u00e9 greinilega a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a eftir afgrei\u00f0slu \u00ed m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni:
\u2001\u201eOn the house.\u201c
\u2001\u201eTakk fyrir \u00fea\u00f0.\u201c
\u2001En Lalli hefur vart sleppt or\u00f0inu \u00feegar hann s\u00e9r a\u00f0 inn um h\u00f3teldyrnar kemur ma\u00f0urinn sem hann hitti \u00ed lyftunni daginn \u00e1\u00f0ur \u2013 \u00fatfararstj\u00f3rinn. Lalli l\u00e6tur s\u00e9r detta \u00ed hug a\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn muni taka eftir s\u00e9r vi\u00f0 barbor\u00f0i\u00f0, a\u00f0 \u00feeir muni ef til vill eiga svol\u00edti\u00f0 spjall, en \u00fea\u00f0 ver\u00f0ur strax lj\u00f3st a\u00f0 \u00feessi n\u00e1granni \u00feeirra All\u00fdjar \u00e1 fj\u00f3r\u00f0u h\u00e6\u00f0inni \u00e1 greinilega eitthvert erindi vi\u00f0 m\u00f3tt\u00f6kuna, \u00fev\u00ed hann horfir yfir a\u00f0 bor\u00f0inu, reynir a\u00f0 veifa \u00f6\u00f0rum starfsmanninum, sem er of upptekinn vi\u00f0 a\u00f0 hj\u00e1lpa Jap\u00f6nunum til a\u00f0 taka eftir honum. Svo tekur hann s\u00e9r st\u00f6\u00f0u um \u00fea\u00f0 bil tvo metra fr\u00e1 All\u00fd, og vir\u00f0ist \u00e6tla a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a eins og h\u00fan. Lalli dreypir \u00e1 sterkum snapsinum, og vir\u00f0ir fyrir s\u00e9r bakhli\u00f0 eiginkonu sinnar og \u00fatfararstj\u00f3rans. S\u00edtt, gulleitt h\u00e1r All\u00fdjar hylur efri hluta baksins, sem hinn \u00feunni og gegns\u00e6i sumarkj\u00f3ll hennar gerir ekki fyrir mj\u00f3baki\u00f0; og \u00ed gegnum kj\u00f3linn sj\u00e1st \u00fatl\u00ednur sv\u00f6rtu n\u00e6rbuxnanna utan um fremur flatan en fallegan rassinn. Ma\u00f0urinn vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 hennar er ekki s\u00ed\u00f0ur sumarlegur, jafnvel sportlegri en \u00ed g\u00e6r; hann er \u00ed \u00fer\u00f6ngum, hv\u00edtum gallabuxum, d\u00f6kkbl\u00e1um s\u00ed\u00f0erma bol, og berf\u00e6ttur \u00ed le\u00f0ursand\u00f6lum. Hann heldur \u00e1 st\u00f3rum poka \u00far papp\u00edr me\u00f0 h\u00f6ldum, merktum einhverju \u00edt\u00f6lsku t\u00edskuh\u00fasi.
\u2001Lalli f\u00e6r s\u00e9r annan sopa \u00far staupinu, og l\u00edtur \u00e1 sj\u00e1lfan sig \u00ed speglinum hinum megin vi\u00f0 barbor\u00f0i\u00f0. Hann er \u00ed s\u00f6mu s\u00ed\u00f0erma skyrtunni og \u00ed g\u00e6r. Og \u2013 sem spegillinn s\u00fdnir ekki \u2013 s\u00f6mu sv\u00f6rtu gallabuxunum og d\u00f6kkbr\u00fanu mokkas\u00edunum. Hann er meira a\u00f0 segja \u00ed sokkum.
\u2001\u00deegar hann sn\u00fdr s\u00e9r aftur \u00ed \u00e1tt a\u00f0 m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni tekur hann eftir a\u00f0 \u00fatfararstj\u00f3rinn hefur f\u00e6rt sig n\u00e6r All\u00fd; hann er byrja\u00f0ur a\u00f0 tala vi\u00f0 hana. Og h\u00fan vi\u00f0 hann. Lalli fylgist me\u00f0 henni brosa til mannsins; h\u00fan segir eitthva\u00f0 sem framkallar bros \u00e1 v\u00f6rum hans; en \u00fe\u00e1 gerist \u00fea\u00f0 \u2013 alveg fyrirvaralaust \u2013 a\u00f0 hinn drukkni Japani dettur \u00ed g\u00f3lfi\u00f0; hann hn\u00edgur ni\u00f0ur, eins og \u00f6llu lofti hafi veri\u00f0 tappa\u00f0 \u00far honum; og einu vi\u00f0br\u00f6g\u00f0 n\u00e6rstaddra koma fr\u00e1 manninum vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 All\u00fdjar, sem stekkur \u00f6rsn\u00f6ggt til, bograr yfir Japananum og reisir hann upp af g\u00f3lfinu, a\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed er vir\u00f0ist \u00e1reynslulaust. Svo hvessir hann augun \u00e1 einn f\u00e9lagann \u00far h\u00f3pnum, og dregur hinn drukkna inn ganginn \u00ed \u00e1ttina a\u00f0 lyftunum. \u00dea\u00f0 er ekki fyrr en \u00fe\u00e1 sem einhverjir Japananna s\u00fdna vi\u00f0br\u00f6g\u00f0. Tveir \u00feeirra fylgja \u00e1 eftir inn ganginn.
\u2001All\u00fd, sem gerir ekki anna\u00f0 en a\u00f0 fylgjast me\u00f0, sn\u00fdr s\u00e9r s\u00ed\u00f0an \u00ed \u00e1tt til Lalla og yppir \u00f6xlum brosandi. Og Lalli svarar me\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 hrista h\u00f6fu\u00f0i\u00f0 og lyfta staupinu, eins og til a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta All\u00fd vita a\u00f0 hann b\u00ed\u00f0i r\u00f3legur eftir henni.
\u2001\u00deegar hinn hj\u00e1lpsami \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ri sn\u00fdr aftur a\u00f0 m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni v\u00edkur hann s\u00e9r a\u00f0 einum \u00far h\u00f3pi Japananna; hann segir eitthva\u00f0 \u00e1kve\u00f0inni r\u00f6ddu \u2013 \u00e1n \u00feess a\u00f0 f\u00e1 svar \u2013 og stillir s\u00e9r s\u00ed\u00f0an aftur upp vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 All\u00fdjar. \u00deau skiptast \u00e1 einhverjum or\u00f0um, en brosa \u00fe\u00f3 ekki \u00ed \u00feetta sinn. Svo sn\u00fdr All\u00fd s\u00e9r vi\u00f0 og bendir \u00ed \u00e1ttina til Lalla \u00e1 barnum \u2013 h\u00fan bendir manninum \u00e1 eiginmann sinn. S\u00e1 fyrrnefndi veifar til Lalla \u2013 hann brosir og b\u00fdr til o e\u00f0a n\u00fall me\u00f0 v\u00edsifingri og \u00feumli \u2013 og hallar s\u00e9r s\u00ed\u00f0an a\u00f0 All\u00fd, og segir eitthva\u00f0 vi\u00f0 hana \u00e1\u00f0ur en hann gefst upp \u00e1 bi\u00f0inni. \u00c1 lei\u00f0inni \u00ed \u00e1tt a\u00f0 lyftuganginum veifar hann aftur til Lalla, en er \u00far augs\u00fdn \u00feegar Lalli veifar til baka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201e\u00c9g var bara a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta hann vita a\u00f0 \u00fe\u00fa v\u00e6rir h\u00e9rna me\u00f0 m\u00e9r,\u201c svarar All\u00fd \u00feegar Lalli spyr hvers vegna h\u00fan hafi bent manninum \u00e1 sig. \u00deau eru st\u00f6dd \u00ed lyftunni upp \u2013 All\u00fd haf\u00f0i s\u00f6mulei\u00f0is gefist upp \u00e1 a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a \u00ed m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni.
\u2001\u201eAf hverju a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta hann vita af \u00fev\u00ed?\u201c
\u2001\u201eBara. Svo hann h\u00e9ldi ekki a\u00f0 \u00e9g v\u00e6ri ein h\u00e9rna.\u201c
\u2001\u201eVar hann a\u00f0 spyrja \u00feig a\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEn eitthva\u00f0 var\u00f0 til \u00feess a\u00f0 \u00fe\u00fa l\u00e9st hann vita a\u00f0 \u00fe\u00fa v\u00e6rir ekki ein. Hann hl\u00fdtur a\u00f0 hafa spurt \u00feig.\u201c
\u2001\u201eHann spur\u00f0i mig ekki beint.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEn hva\u00f0? \u00d3beint?\u201c
\u2001Og All\u00fd svarar: \u201eLalli. \u00deetta er bara gestur h\u00e9rna \u00e1 h\u00f3telinu. Og greinilega ekki einhver h\u00e6ttulegur ma\u00f0ur \u2013 \u00fe\u00fa s\u00e1st hvernig hann br\u00e1st vi\u00f0 \u00feegar \u00feetta ger\u00f0ist me\u00f0 Japanann.\u201c
\u2001Lalli l\u00e6tur vera a\u00f0 segja henni a\u00f0 \u00feetta hafi veri\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn sem hann hitti \u00ed lyftunni \u00ed g\u00e6r, s\u00e1 sem hann kalla\u00f0i \u00fatfararstj\u00f3rann. En l\u00e6tur s\u00e9r detta \u00ed hug, \u00feegar \u00feau koma upp \u00e1 fj\u00f3r\u00f0u h\u00e6\u00f0 og st\u00edga \u00fat \u00far lyftunni, a\u00f0 m\u00f6gulega hafi ma\u00f0urinn sagt All\u00fd a\u00f0 \u00feeir hef\u00f0u hist daginn \u00e1\u00f0ur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00deau eru varla komin inn \u00e1 herbergi \u00feegar s\u00edmi All\u00fdjar hringir; \u00fea\u00f0 er d\u00f3ttir hennar a\u00f0 l\u00e1ta m\u00f3\u00f0ur s\u00edna vita af \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 h\u00fan hafi selt sm\u00e1sagnasafn til \u00fatgefanda \u00ed Reykjav\u00edk, s\u00edna fyrstu b\u00f3k.
\u2001\u201eHva\u00f0 meinar\u00f0u? Varst \u00fe\u00fa a\u00f0 skrifa b\u00f3k?\u201c All\u00fd haf\u00f0i ekki haft hugmynd um a\u00f0 hin tuttugu og \u00feriggja \u00e1ra d\u00f3ttir s\u00edn hef\u00f0i skrifa\u00f0 b\u00f3k. \u00deau Lalli vissu a\u00f0 h\u00fan hef\u00f0i alltaf skrifa\u00f0 eitthva\u00f0, a\u00f0 minnsta kosti lj\u00f3\u00f0, en ekki veri\u00f0 uppl\u00fdst um a\u00f0 handrit v\u00e6ri tilb\u00fai\u00f0, hva\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e1 me\u00f0 s\u00f6gum.
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g var a\u00f0 skrifa undir samning,\u201c svarar d\u00f3ttirin. \u201e\u00dea\u00f0 er a\u00f0 koma \u00fat b\u00f3k \u00ed haust. Me\u00f0 sm\u00e1s\u00f6gum.\u201c
\u2001Me\u00f0 sam\u00feykki d\u00f3ttur sinnar setur All\u00fd s\u00edmann \u00e1 speaker; og \u00feegar Lalli hefur gert s\u00e9r grein fyrir um hva\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e6r m\u00e6\u00f0gur eru a\u00f0 tala, og \u00e6pt \u00fat \u00ed lofti\u00f0 \u201etil hamingu!\u201c, gefur hann All\u00fd sk\u00fdra bendingu um a\u00f0 hann \u00e6tli a\u00f0 skj\u00f3tast \u00fat \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0 eftir frey\u00f0iv\u00edni; hann \u00feykist skj\u00f3ta tappa \u00far fl\u00f6sku og bendir \u00ed \u00e1tt a\u00f0 dyrunum.
\u2001\u201eKauptu l\u00edka ost,\u201c kallar All\u00fd. \u201e\u00dea\u00f0 er enn\u00fe\u00e1 til kex.\u201c
\u2001Svo er Lalli \u00feotinn \u00fat, og All\u00fd ein eftir \u00ed herberginu, me\u00f0 d\u00f3ttur s\u00edna \u00ed s\u00edmanum \u2013 og flj\u00f3tlega l\u00edka samb\u00fdliskonu d\u00f3tturinnar \u00ed gegnum h\u00e1talarann. H\u00fan fer \u00ed \u00edssk\u00e1pinn og n\u00e6r s\u00e9r \u00ed hv\u00edtv\u00ednsfl\u00f6skuna sem eftir var fr\u00e1 deginum \u00e1\u00f0ur; og \u00e1 s\u00f6mu stundu \u2013 \u00edmynda \u00e9g m\u00e9r \u2013 gengur Lalli \u00fat \u00far lyftunni \u00e1 fyrstu, og tekur stefnuna \u00e1 \u00fatidyrnar. Japanirnir eru horfnir \u00far m\u00f3tt\u00f6kunni, eins og \u00feeir hafi aldrei veri\u00f0 \u00fear, en \u00ed sta\u00f0inn stendur \u00fear \u00fatfararstj\u00f3rinn einn s\u00edns li\u00f0s, og enginn hinum megin vi\u00f0 afgrei\u00f0slubor\u00f0i\u00f0. Lalli vonast til a\u00f0 komast \u00f3s\u00e9\u00f0ur framhj\u00e1, hann vill ekki ver\u00f0a fyrir t\u00f6fum \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0arfer\u00f0inni, en \u00feegar hann n\u00e1lgast m\u00f3tt\u00f6kuna sn\u00fdr s\u00e1 berf\u00e6tti s\u00e9r vi\u00f0, eins og gagnauga\u00f0 hafi teki\u00f0 eftir Lalla, og \u00e1varpar hann me\u00f0 h\u00e6-i.
\u2001\u201eGoing out?\u201c spyr hann.
\u2001\u201e\u00dat \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0,\u201c svarar Lalli, og lyftir l\u00f3fanum, eins og til a\u00f0 gefa til kynna a\u00f0 hann s\u00e9 \u00e1 hra\u00f0fer\u00f0.
\u2001\u201eYou have a beautiful wife,\u201c segir ma\u00f0urinn.
\u2001Lalli hikar eitt augnablik. \u201eThank you.\u201c
\u2001\u201eBeen here long?\u201c A\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn hafi \u00fe\u00fdsku a\u00f0 m\u00f3\u00f0urm\u00e1li fer n\u00fana ekki milli m\u00e1la \u2013 og \u00fea\u00f0 er \u00e1 honum a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 a\u00f0 hann langi til a\u00f0 spjalla.
\u2001Lalli svarar spurningu hans, og b\u00e6tir vi\u00f0 a\u00f0 \u00feau dvelji h\u00e9rna \u00ed viku.
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00e1 kannski rekst \u00e9g \u00e1 ykkur,\u201c segir ma\u00f0urinn, en tekur \u00fe\u00e1 eftir a\u00f0 starfsma\u00f0ur hinum megin vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0 er m\u00e6ttur til a\u00f0 a\u00f0sto\u00f0a hann. Og Lalli gr\u00edpur t\u00e6kif\u00e6ri\u00f0 til a\u00f0 for\u00f0a s\u00e9r. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N\u00e6stu sj\u00f6 til \u00e1tta m\u00edn\u00faturnar \u2013 \u00e1 me\u00f0an hann n\u00e6r \u00ed tv\u00e6r frey\u00f0iv\u00ednsfl\u00f6skur og osta til K\u00ednverjans, og fer yfir g\u00f6tuna til a\u00f0 vitja skyrtunnar undir gallabuxnastaflanum \u2013 sk\u00e1lar All\u00fd \u00ed hv\u00edtv\u00edni vi\u00f0 ungu konurnar hinum megin \u00e1 l\u00ednunni, og l\u00e6tur d\u00f3ttur s\u00edna lofa s\u00e9r \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 h\u00fan f\u00e1i handriti\u00f0 a\u00f0 b\u00f3kinni \u00ed t\u00f6lvup\u00f3sti. H\u00fan \u00fearf s\u00ed\u00f0an a\u00f0 sl\u00edta samtalinu \u00feegar vinir ungu \u00e1stkvennanna banka upp \u00e1.
\u2001\u00c1 \u00fev\u00ed augnabliki sem All\u00fd slekkur \u00e1 s\u00edmanum er Lalli kominn \u00e1 gangst\u00e9ttina vi\u00f0 fatab\u00fa\u00f0ina, og hann rekur augun \u00ed mann \u00e1 svipu\u00f0um aldri og hann sj\u00e1lfur, sem stendur me\u00f0 baki\u00f0 upp a\u00f0 vegg til hli\u00f0ar vi\u00f0 glugga b\u00fa\u00f0arinnar. Ma\u00f0urinn hv\u00edlir annan f\u00f3tinn \u2013 og hnakkann \u2013 vi\u00f0 vegginn, og heldur \u00e1 logandi s\u00edgarettu uppi vi\u00f0 andliti\u00f0, eins og hann s\u00e9 a\u00f0 d\u00e1st a\u00f0 gl\u00f3\u00f0inni. Hann er \u00ed hv\u00edtum strigask\u00f3m, sv\u00f6rtum gallabuxum og lj\u00f3sbl\u00e1rri skyrtu me\u00f0 uppbrettum ermum.
\u2001Skyrtan er me\u00f0 d\u00f6kkrau\u00f0um t\u00f6lum, og st\u00f3rir fliparnir brettir upp.
\u2001Lalli staldrar eitt augnablik vi\u00f0 \u00e1 gangst\u00e9ttinni, n\u00f3gu lengi til \u00feess a\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn vi\u00f0 vegginn ver\u00f0i \u00feess var a\u00f0 honum hefur veri\u00f0 gefinn gaumur. Hann kinkar g\u00f3\u00f0l\u00e1tlega kolli til Lalla, og Lalli \u00e1 m\u00f3ti, \u00e1\u00f0ur en hann hra\u00f0ar s\u00e9r inn \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0ina. Fyrir innan er mun fleira f\u00f3lk en var \u00fear fyrr um daginn; og Lalli \u00fearf a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a \u00ed svolitla stund \u00e1\u00f0ur en hann kemst a\u00f0 gallabuxnastaflanum. \u00c1 me\u00f0an hann b\u00ed\u00f0ur teygir hann h\u00f6fu\u00f0i\u00f0 \u00fat a\u00f0 glugganum til a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 hvort ma\u00f0urinn fyrir utan s\u00e9 enn \u00e1 sta\u00f0num \u2013 sem reynist vera \u2013 og \u00e1 n\u00e6sta augnabliki opnast lei\u00f0in a\u00f0 buxnastaflanum.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 tekur Lalla ekki langan t\u00edma a\u00f0 komast a\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed sem hann haf\u00f0i \u00f3ttast. Hann br\u00fdtur s\u00e9r lei\u00f0 gegnum \u00fev\u00f6guna \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0inni, og flettir \u00f3r\u00f3legur \u00ed gegnum skyrturnar \u00e1 innstu sl\u00e1nni, bara til a\u00f0 komast a\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 sem hann leitar a\u00f0 er sannarlega a\u00f0 finna \u00e1 gangst\u00e9ttinni fyrir utan. Hann veit ekki til hvers \u2013 nema \u00fe\u00e1 til \u00feess a\u00f0 koma s\u00e9r \u00fat sem fyrst, og aftur upp \u00e1 h\u00f3tel \u2013 en hann fl\u00fdtir s\u00e9r \u00fat, \u00e1 ekki minna spani en hann kom inn, og fagnar \u00fev\u00ed (\u00e1n \u00feess \u00fe\u00f3 a\u00f0 vita \u00ed hverju f\u00f6gnu\u00f0urinn felst) a\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn me\u00f0 s\u00edgarettuna standi enn\u00fe\u00e1 vi\u00f0 vegginn, \u00fe\u00f3tt s\u00edgarettan s\u00e9 ekki lengur milli fingra hans. Hann heilsar Lalla, sem f\u00e6r allt \u00ed einu \u00e1 tilfinninguna a\u00f0 \u00feessi ma\u00f0ur hafi vonast til \u00feess a\u00f0 augu \u00feeirra m\u00e6ttust aftur \u2013 a\u00f0 \u00feeir myndu hittast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

SEINNI HLUTI<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(\u00c9g nefndi \u00ed upphafi fyrri hluta a\u00f0 a\u00f0alpers\u00f3nur \u00feessarar s\u00f6gu v\u00e6ru \u00ferj\u00e1r. L\u00edka a\u00f0 s\u00fa fj\u00f3r\u00f0a hef\u00f0i b\u00e6st vi\u00f0, a\u00f0 h\u00fan k\u00e6mi fram undir lokin, en v\u00e6ri minna m\u00f3tu\u00f0 en hinar \u00ferj\u00e1r. N\u00fa er aftur \u00e1 m\u00f3ti lj\u00f3st, a\u00f0 minnsta kosti eins og \u00e9g l\u00edt \u00e1 \u00fea\u00f0, a\u00f0 fj\u00f3r\u00f0a a\u00f0alpers\u00f3nan er hinn svonefndi \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ri sem L\u00e1rus hitti fyrst \u00ed lyftunni \u2013 jafnvel \u00fe\u00f3tt ekki s\u00e9 v\u00edst a\u00f0 hann komi meira vi\u00f0 s\u00f6gu \u00e1 yfirbor\u00f0inu. Og \u00fear me\u00f0 er hin \u00f3m\u00f3ta\u00f0a pers\u00f3na, sem \u00ed fyrstu kalla\u00f0ist s\u00fa fj\u00f3r\u00f0a, or\u00f0in fimmta a\u00f0alpers\u00f3nan. Og um lei\u00f0 er h\u00fan sk\u00fdrari \u00ed huga m\u00ednum, \u00fev\u00ed \u00e9g hef \u00e1kve\u00f0i\u00f0 a\u00f0 byggja hana \u00e1 manneskju sem \u00e9g hitti eitt sinn sj\u00e1lfur \u00ed Prag, \u00feegar \u00e9g f\u00f3r \u00feanga\u00f0 \u00ed anna\u00f0 sinn \u00e1 \u00e6vinni, \u00e1ri\u00f0 2020. \u00cd fyrri fer\u00f0 minni til borgarinnar, 1990, haf\u00f0i \u00e9g s\u00e9\u00f0 f\u00f6\u00f0ur \u00feessarar manneskju, og hitti hana s\u00ed\u00f0an sj\u00e1lfa \u00e1samt f\u00f6\u00f0ur hennar, \u00ferj\u00e1t\u00edu \u00e1rum s\u00ed\u00f0ar.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 var einmitt \u00ed \u00feeirri fer\u00f0, 2020, sem frumneistinn a\u00f0 \u00feessari s\u00f6gu kvikna\u00f0i. Fe\u00f0ginin sem um r\u00e6\u00f0ir hitti \u00e9g \u00e1 kr\u00e1 \u00ed mi\u00f0b\u00e6 Prag, \u00e1 sama sta\u00f0 og \u00e9g haf\u00f0i s\u00e9\u00f0 f\u00f6\u00f0urinn \u00ferj\u00e1t\u00edu \u00e1rum \u00e1\u00f0ur. Kr\u00e1in kallast Gullni t\u00edgurinn; h\u00fan hefur veri\u00f0 til \u00ed einhverjar aldir, en er l\u00edklega \u00feekktust fyrir a\u00f0 rith\u00f6fundurinn Bohumil Hrabal var \u00fear fastagestur, enda hanga af honum myndir \u00e1 veggjunum, og einhverjar uppl\u00fdsingar um l\u00edf hans og starf.
\u2001A\u00f0 baki heims\u00f3knar minnar \u00e1 Gullna t\u00edgurinn \u00e1ri\u00f0 1990 l\u00e1 einkum tvennt: \u00ed fyrsta lagi a\u00f0 smakka bj\u00f3rinn \u00fear, sem sag\u00f0ur var s\u00e1 besti \u00ed borginni (og reyndar eini drykkurinn sem kr\u00e1in bau\u00f0 upp \u00e1), og hins vegar a\u00f0 freista \u00feess a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 hinn hrekkj\u00f3tta h\u00f6fund Bohumil Hrabal \u00ed s\u00ednu hef\u00f0bundna s\u00e6ti, sem var innst \u00ed r\u00fdminu, til hli\u00f0ar vi\u00f0 innganginn \u00ed eldh\u00fasi\u00f0. Hvorutveggja gekk eftir, \u00fe\u00f3tt \u00e9g fengi ekki s\u00e6ti \u00e1 yfirfullum sta\u00f0num. \u00c9g kom auga \u00e1 Hrabal \u00ed horninu, og drakk eina kollu af pilsner h\u00fassins (sem \u00e9g sannf\u00e6r\u00f0ist um a\u00f0 v\u00e6ri besti bj\u00f3r sem \u00e9g hef\u00f0i nokkurn t\u00edma smakka\u00f0), og n\u00e1\u00f0i a\u00f0 taka lj\u00f3smynd, \u00fear sem r\u00e9tt glitti \u00ed hinn fr\u00e6ga fastagest.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 sem mesta athygli m\u00edna vakti \u00e1 \u00feeirri mynd var aftur \u00e1 m\u00f3ti karlma\u00f0ur sem sat \u00e1samt \u00f6\u00f0rum m\u00f6nnum vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0 gegnt barnum, me\u00f0 baki\u00f0 \u00ed vegginn, og horf\u00f0i til m\u00edn \u00ed linsuna. Hann var \u00e1 a\u00f0 giska um fertugt, me\u00f0 \u00f3venjulega st\u00f3rt nef og miklar augabr\u00fanir; \u00feykkt, d\u00f6kkbr\u00fant, afturgreitt h\u00e1r og kj\u00e1lkas\u00ed\u00f0a barta; hann var kl\u00e6ddur hv\u00edtri skyrtu me\u00f0 s\u00ed\u00f0a svarta slaufu, og \u00ed sinnepsgulum r\u00faskinnsjakka me\u00f0 k\u00f6gri yfir brj\u00f3stin \u2013 \u00feessi ma\u00f0ur var eins konar sambland af enskum teddy boy og hippa.
\u2001\u00c9g hef mj\u00f6g oft sko\u00f0a\u00f0 \u00feessa lj\u00f3smynd \u00ed alb\u00faminu m\u00ednu, ekki s\u00edst \u00feegar \u00e9g dreg fram b\u00e6kur Hrabals og les. \u00dea\u00f0 var \u00fev\u00ed \u00f3v\u00e6nt \u00e1n\u00e6gja \u2013 en kannski ekki svo \u00f3v\u00e6nt \u2013 a\u00f0 hitta \u00feennan sama mann \u00ed heims\u00f3kn minni \u00e1 Gullna t\u00edgurinn \u00feremur \u00e1ratugum s\u00ed\u00f0ar. \u00cd \u00fea\u00f0 skipti\u00f0 m\u00e6tti \u00e9g um mi\u00f0jan dag \u00e1 kr\u00e1na, til a\u00f0 eiga meiri m\u00f6guleika \u00e1 a\u00f0 n\u00e1 \u00ed s\u00e6ti, og \u00fea\u00f0 vildi svo til a\u00f0 einn af f\u00e1um lausum st\u00f3lum var vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0 \u00fear sem \u00feessi sami ma\u00f0ur sat \u2013 \u00fea\u00f0 var engum bl\u00f6\u00f0um um \u00fea\u00f0 a\u00f0 fletta a\u00f0 \u00feetta var sami ma\u00f0ur, auk \u00feess sem hann sat vi\u00f0 sama bor\u00f0 og s\u00ed\u00f0ast \u2013 hann var \u00ed sama gula k\u00f6gurjakkanum, enn\u00fe\u00e1 me\u00f0 afturgreitt h\u00e1ri\u00f0, sem var or\u00f0i\u00f0 gr\u00e1sprengt; a\u00f0 v\u00edsu laus vi\u00f0 bartana, og \u00ed sv\u00f6rtum r\u00fallukragabol. Vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 hans sat ung kona; \u00feau s\u00e1tu vi\u00f0 vegginn og voru b\u00e6\u00f0i me\u00f0 h\u00e1lft\u00e6mdar bj\u00f3rkr\u00fasir fyrir framan sig. Konan var me\u00f0 axlas\u00edtt, skolleitt h\u00e1r, me\u00f0 st\u00e1lhring \u00ed \u00f6\u00f0rum nasav\u00e6ngnum; h\u00fan var \u00ed sk\u00e6rrau\u00f0um le\u00f0urmittisjakka yfir gulum bol, og upp undan bolnum teyg\u00f0i sig h\u00fa\u00f0fl\u00far me\u00f0 mynd af fj\u00f3rum fingrum, greinilega \u00e1 karlmanni, eins og \u00feeir \u00fer\u00fdstu \u00e1 h\u00fa\u00f0ina mitt \u00e1 milli brj\u00f3stanna.
\u2001\u00deau horf\u00f0u b\u00e6\u00f0i fram fyrir sig, \u00fe\u00f6gul og fremur \u00fereytuleg a\u00f0 sj\u00e1.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 hvarfla\u00f0i ekki anna\u00f0 a\u00f0 m\u00e9r en a\u00f0 spyrja hvort \u00e9g m\u00e6tti setjast gegnt \u00feeim vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0. Ma\u00f0urinn kinka\u00f0i kolli \u2013 konan vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 hans virtist ekki taka eftir m\u00e9r \u2013 og \u00e9g setti t\u00f6skuna m\u00edna \u00e1 st\u00f3linn, til a\u00f0 taka fr\u00e1 s\u00e6ti\u00f0 \u00e1 me\u00f0an \u00e9g f\u00e6ri \u00e1 barinn. Eins og \u00e9g vissi var ekki bo\u00f0i\u00f0 upp \u00e1 nema eina st\u00e6r\u00f0 af bj\u00f3r, og \u00feegar \u00e9g settist me\u00f0 st\u00f3ra kolluna vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0 sneri ma\u00f0urinn s\u00e9r a\u00f0 konunni og sag\u00f0i eitthva\u00f0 vi\u00f0 hana sem auglj\u00f3slega \u00e1tti vi\u00f0 um mig, \u00fev\u00ed konan leit til m\u00edn, og \u00feau brostu b\u00e6\u00f0i, \u00e1n \u00feess \u00fe\u00f3 a\u00f0 \u00e9g fengi \u00e1 tilfinninguna a\u00f0 ma\u00f0urinn hef\u00f0i sagt eitthva\u00f0 ni\u00f0randi um mig.
\u2001\u00c9g f\u00e9kk m\u00e9r fyrsta sopann.
\u2001\u201eExcuse me,\u201c sag\u00f0i \u00e9g vi\u00f0 manninn. \u201eDo you speak English?\u201c
\u2001Hann virti mig fyrir s\u00e9r. \u201eOnly when I have to,\u201c sag\u00f0i hann fremur \u00feurrlega.
\u2001\u00c9g sag\u00f0i honum a\u00f0 \u00e9g hef\u00f0i komi\u00f0 hinga\u00f0 fyrir n\u00e1kv\u00e6mlega \u00ferj\u00e1t\u00edu \u00e1rum, \u00e9g hef\u00f0i teki\u00f0 mynd inni \u00e1 sta\u00f0num \u2013 \u201eeins og einhver asnalegur t\u00faristi, sem \u00e9g au\u00f0vita\u00f0 var,\u201c b\u00e6tti \u00e9g vi\u00f0 \u2013 og a\u00f0 hann hef\u00f0i lent innan rammans; \u00e9g myndi vel eftir andlitinu. \u00c9g l\u00e9t \u00fe\u00f3 vera a\u00f0 minnast \u00e1 jakkann hans.
\u2001\u201eSvol\u00edti\u00f0 fyndi\u00f0,\u201c sag\u00f0i \u00e9g.
\u2001\u201eFyndi\u00f0?\u201c Ma\u00f0urinn horf\u00f0i \u00e1 mig rannsakandi. \u201eAf hverju fyndi\u00f0?\u201c
\u2001\u201eV\u00edst er \u00fea\u00f0 fyndi\u00f0,\u201c skaut konan inn \u00ed og brosti \u2013 \u00e9g var henni \u00feakkl\u00e1tur fyrir a\u00f0 taka af m\u00e9r \u00f3maki\u00f0.
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa varst ekki einu sinni f\u00e6dd \u00fe\u00e1,\u201c sag\u00f0i ma\u00f0urinn.
\u2001Hann benti s\u00ed\u00f0an \u00e1 konuna. \u201e\u00deetta er d\u00f3ttir m\u00edn.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g var v\u00edst<\/i> f\u00e6dd \u00fe\u00e1,\u201c sag\u00f0i h\u00fan. \u201eVeistu ekki hva\u00f0 \u00e9g er g\u00f6mul?\u201c Svo sneri h\u00fan s\u00e9r a\u00f0 m\u00e9r. \u201eSag\u00f0ir\u00f0u ekki a\u00f0 \u00fe\u00fa hef\u00f0ir veri\u00f0 h\u00e9rna fyrir \u00ferj\u00e1t\u00edu \u00e1rum?\u201c
\u2001\u00c9g j\u00e1nka\u00f0i \u00fev\u00ed.
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa hefur varla veri\u00f0 nema eins e\u00f0a tveggja \u00e1ra g\u00f6mul \u00fe\u00e1,\u201c sag\u00f0i fa\u00f0ir hennar, og beindi s\u00ed\u00f0an m\u00e1li s\u00ednu a\u00f0 m\u00e9r: \u201eHef\u00f0ir\u00f0u veri\u00f0 h\u00e9rna fyrir \u00ferj\u00e1t\u00edu og fimm \u00e1rum hef\u00f0ir\u00f0u l\u00edka s\u00e9\u00f0 mig. Tuttugu og fimm \u00e1rum s\u00f6mulei\u00f0is. Og tuttugu. Hef\u00f0ir\u00f0u veri\u00f0 h\u00e9rna fyrir fimm \u00e1rum e\u00f0a fj\u00f3rum, \u00fe\u00e1 hef\u00f0ir\u00f0u l\u00edka s\u00e9\u00f0 mig sitja h\u00e9rna. Og n\u00fa er h\u00fan m\u00e6tt l\u00edka. D\u00f3ttir m\u00edn. Ver\u00f0i \u00fe\u00e9r a\u00f0 g\u00f3\u00f0u.\u201c
\u2001Hann nota\u00f0i ekki s\u00ed\u00f0astnefndu or\u00f0in; og fyrst \u00e9g er sj\u00e1lfur farinn a\u00f0 spinna vi\u00f0 \u00feessa minningu m\u00edna \u00e6tla \u00e9g ekki a\u00f0 hafa hana lengri \u2013 \u00fea\u00f0 n\u00e6gir a\u00f0 komi\u00f0 s\u00e9 fram a\u00f0 hin unga kona sem sat vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 f\u00f6\u00f0ur s\u00edns \u00e1 Gullna t\u00edgrinum fyrir um \u00fea\u00f0 bil \u00feremur \u00e1rum hafi veri\u00f0 \u00ed rau\u00f0um le\u00f0urjakka. \u00c9g \u00e6tla a\u00f0 notf\u00e6ra m\u00e9r \u00fea\u00f0 atri\u00f0i h\u00e9r \u00ed seinni hluta s\u00f6gunnar \u2013 og reyndar konuna l\u00edka \u2013 \u00feegar \u00e9g lei\u00f0i \u00fe\u00e6r pers\u00f3nur sem kynnast \u00ed byrjun n\u00e6sta kafla inn \u00e1 Gullna t\u00edgurinn.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201e\u00de\u00fa hefur ekki fundi\u00f0 neitt \u00fearna inni?\u201c spyr ma\u00f0urinn sem stendur enn\u00fe\u00e1 vi\u00f0 vegginn vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 b\u00fa\u00f0argluggans.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 tekur Lalla nokkur augnablik a\u00f0 hugsa upp svar.
\u2001\u201eJ\u00fa,\u201c segir hann og brosir. \u201e\u00c9g fann \u00fea\u00f0 reyndar \u00ed g\u00e6r, en svo var \u00fea\u00f0 fari\u00f0 \u00feegar \u00e9g \u00e6tla\u00f0i a\u00f0 n\u00e1 \u00ed \u00fea\u00f0 n\u00fana.\u201c
\u2001\u201eMa\u00f0ur ver\u00f0ur a\u00f0 gr\u00edpa g\u00e6sina,\u201c segir ma\u00f0urinn gla\u00f0lega.
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa varst \u00e1 undan m\u00e9r a\u00f0 gr\u00edpa \u00fe\u00e1 g\u00e6s,\u201c svarar Lalli, og bendir \u00e1 bl\u00e1u skyrtuna.
\u2001\u201eErtu a\u00f0 meina \u00fea\u00f0?\u201c Ma\u00f0urinn grettir sig til a\u00f0 gefa til kynna a\u00f0 honum \u00feyki \u00feetta mi\u00f0ur. \u201e\u00c9g bi\u00f0 \u00feig innilega a\u00f0 afsaka. \u00c9g bara st\u00f3\u00f0st ekki m\u00e1ti\u00f0. Ekki nema sj\u00f6 evrur fyrir svona e\u00f0alfl\u00edk!\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g f\u00e9kk sj\u00e1lfur a\u00f0sto\u00f0 vi\u00f0 a\u00f0 standast m\u00e1ti\u00f0,\u201c segir Lalli; og \u00f3\u00fearfi a\u00f0 taka fram a\u00f0 \u00feeim or\u00f0um fylgir bros.
\u2001\u201eFr\u00e1 konunni?\u201c
\u2001\u201eN\u00e1kv\u00e6mlega.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g hef\u00f0i lent \u00ed \u00fev\u00ed sama ef \u00e9g v\u00e6ri ekki n\u00fdskilinn,\u201c segir s\u00e1 \u00ed skyrtunni, og svarar \u00fev\u00ed til, \u00feegar Lalli spyr hvort hann hafi fundi\u00f0 skyrtuna undir stafla af gallabuxum, a\u00f0 h\u00fan hafi bara hangi\u00f0 \u00e1 sl\u00e1.
\u2001\u201eVarstu b\u00fainn a\u00f0 fela hana undir gallabuxunum?\u201c spyr hann s\u00ed\u00f0an brosandi.
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g?\u201c Lalli brosir \u00e1 m\u00f3ti, og reynir a\u00f0 fullvissa manninn um a\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 s\u00e9 honum sj\u00e1lfum l\u00e9ttir a\u00f0 skyrtan hafi rata\u00f0 anna\u00f0 \u2013 konan hans hef\u00f0i h\u00f3ta\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 skilja vi\u00f0 sig hef\u00f0i hann keypt hana.
\u2001\u201eKonur<\/em>,\u201c d\u00e6sir ma\u00f0urinn, en b\u00e6tir vi\u00f0: \u201eHvar v\u00e6rum vi\u00f0 \u00e1n \u00feeirra?\u201c Svo spyr hann Lalla hva\u00f0an hann s\u00e9.
\u2001\u201eHva\u00f0an heldur\u00f0u?\u201c
\u2001\u201eSv\u00ed\u00fej\u00f3\u00f0?\u201c
\u2001\u201eEkki alveg.\u201c
\u2001\u201eNoregi?\u201c
\u2001\u201eN\u00e6stum \u00fev\u00ed.\u201c
\u2001\u201eErtu fr\u00e1 \u00cdslandi?\u201c
\u2001Lalli hefur sj\u00e1lfur r\u00e9tt fyrir s\u00e9r \u00ed fyrstu tilraun \u00feegar ma\u00f0urinn bi\u00f0ur hann a\u00f0 giska \u00e1 sitt \u00fej\u00f3\u00f0erni. Og s\u00e1 s\u00ed\u00f0arnefndi kynnir sig:
\u2001\u201eBastian. Fr\u00e1 K\u00f6ln.\u201c
\u2001\u201eL\u00e1rus. Fr\u00e1 Reykjav\u00edk.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g \u00feekki reyndar \u00cdslending sem minnir mig \u00e1 \u00feig,\u201c segir Bastian. \u201eE\u00f0a \u00fe\u00fa \u00e1 hann.\u201c
\u2001Lalli l\u00e6tur s\u00e9r detta \u00ed hug a\u00f0 hann eigi vi\u00f0 br\u00f3\u00f0ur sinn, sem einmitt l\u00e6r\u00f0i \u00ed K\u00f6ln, og vann \u00fear lengi vi\u00f0 sitt fag.
\u2001\u201eEkki \u00fe\u00f3 Mar\u00edus \u00d3skarsson?\u201c spyr hann.
\u2001\u201eNei. En hann er samt \u00d3skarsson. Ari \u00d3skarsson heitir hann.\u201c
\u2001\u201eRith\u00f6fundurinn?\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00dea\u00f0 passar.\u201c
\u2001\u201eFyndi\u00f0,\u201c\u00a0segir Lalli. \u201e\u00cdsland er l\u00edklega enn minna en \u00e9g h\u00e9lt. Ari \u00d3skarsson b\u00fdr nefnilega \u00ed n\u00e6sta h\u00fasi vi\u00f0 vinnusta\u00f0inn minn. \u00c9g s\u00e9 meira a\u00f0 segja inn til hans \u00feegar hann er me\u00f0 dregi\u00f0 fr\u00e1 stofugluggunum.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00cd alv\u00f6ru? B\u00fdr hann \u00e1 efstu h\u00e6\u00f0 \u00ed blokk?\u201c
\u2001\u201eJ\u00e1.\u201c
\u2001\u201eFyndi\u00f0, segi \u00e9g n\u00fa bara sj\u00e1lfur. \u00de\u00e1 hef \u00e9g l\u00edklega s\u00e9\u00f0 h\u00fasi\u00f0 \u00fear sem \u00fe\u00fa vinnur. \u00c9g kom nefnilega heim til Ara, og reykti me\u00f0 honum \u00fati \u00e1 sv\u00f6lum, \u00fear sem var einmitt mj\u00f6g h\u00e1tt h\u00fas hinum megin vi\u00f0 porti\u00f0.\u201c Bastian segir Lalla fr\u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 hann hafi veri\u00f0 \u00e1 \u00cdslandi fyrir fimm \u00e1rum e\u00f0a svo, \u00ed \u00feeim tilgangi a\u00f0 skrifa grein um \u00fe\u00fdskan h\u00f6fund sem hafi veri\u00f0 \u00fe\u00fdddur \u00e1 \u00edslensku; hann hafi fari\u00f0 \u00e1 b\u00f3kmenntah\u00e1t\u00ed\u00f0 \u00ed Reykjav\u00edk, \u00fear sem \u00fe\u00fdski h\u00f6fundurinn, Lilith Biermann, hafi veri\u00f0 a\u00f0 lesa upp; og hann hafi \u00ed s\u00f6mu fer\u00f0 kynnst nokkrum \u00edslenskum rith\u00f6fundum, \u00fear \u00e1 me\u00f0al Ara \u00d3skarssyni, sem hafi bo\u00f0i\u00f0 f\u00f3lki heim til s\u00edn eftir einn vi\u00f0bur\u00f0inn \u00e1 h\u00e1t\u00ed\u00f0inni.
\u2001Lalli spyr Bastian hvort hann s\u00e9 rith\u00f6fundur, og f\u00e6r a\u00f0 vita a\u00f0 hann s\u00e9 menningarbla\u00f0ama\u00f0ur og ritstj\u00f3ri hj\u00e1 b\u00f3ka\u00fatg\u00e1fu.
\u2001\u201eEn \u00fe\u00fa?\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g er \u00ed fj\u00e1rm\u00e1lageiranum.\u201c
\u2001\u201eN\u00fa? \u00de\u00fa \u00feekkir \u00fe\u00e1 ekki Gullna t\u00edgurinn h\u00e9r \u00ed Prag?\u201c spyr Bastian, eins og hann hafi allt \u00ed einu fengi\u00f0 hugmynd. \u201e\u00c9g meina kn\u00e6puna,\u201c \u00fatsk\u00fdrir hann. \u201eFr\u00e6gur sta\u00f0ur h\u00e9rna \u00ed borginni.\u201c
\u2001Lalli segist ekki kannast vi\u00f0 \u00feann sta\u00f0, enda s\u00e9 hann h\u00e9r \u00ed Prag \u00ed fyrsta skipti.
\u2001\u201e\u00d3kei?\u201c \u00dea\u00f0 er eins og enn s\u00e9 a\u00f0 m\u00f3tast einhver hugmynd \u00ed h\u00f6f\u00f0i \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verjans. Hann segir Lalla fr\u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 \u00feegar hann og \u00e1\u00f0urnefndur Ari \u00d3skarsson hittust hj\u00e1 \u00feeim s\u00ed\u00f0arnefnda og t\u00f6lu\u00f0u saman hafi Ari leitt tali\u00f0 a\u00f0 \u00feessari kr\u00e1; hann hafi rifja\u00f0 upp komu s\u00edna \u00e1 sta\u00f0inn fyrir m\u00f6rgum \u00e1rum \u2013 \u00feeir hef\u00f0u veri\u00f0 a\u00f0 tala um t\u00e9kkneskar b\u00f3kmenntir; Ari s\u00e9 s\u00e9rstakur \u00e1hugama\u00f0ur. Svo stingur Bastian v\u00edsifingri \u00fat \u00ed lofti\u00f0, og spyr:
\u2001\u201eErtu eitthva\u00f0 upptekinn \u00ed augnablikinu?\u201c
\u2001\u201eEkki \u00feannig s\u00e9\u00f0. \u00c9g er bara \u00e1 lei\u00f0inni aftur upp \u00e1 h\u00f3tel. Konan m\u00edn er a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a eftir …\u201c Lalli bendir honum \u00e1 pokann sem hann heldur \u00e1.
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa hefur ekki t\u00edma fyrir einn bj\u00f3r?\u201c
\u2001\u00cd \u00fev\u00ed hringir s\u00edmi Lalla; \u00fea\u00f0 er All\u00fd, sem spyr hvort hann s\u00e9 ekki \u00e1 lei\u00f0inni.
\u2001Lalli j\u00e1nkar \u00fev\u00ed, hann s\u00e9 b\u00fainn a\u00f0 kaupa frey\u00f0iv\u00edni\u00f0, en tefjist eitthva\u00f0 a\u00f0eins. \u201e\u00c9g hitti nefnilega mann,\u201c segir hann. \u201e\u00c9g var a\u00f0 …\u201c
\u2001\u201eHittir\u00f0u mann?\u201c gr\u00edpur All\u00fd fram \u00ed fyrir honum.
\u2001Lalli hl\u00e6r \u00ed s\u00edmann, og \u00fatsk\u00fdrir hi\u00f0 s\u00e9rkennilega or\u00f0alag; hann hafi hitt mann fr\u00e1 \u00de\u00fdskalandi, \u00feeir hafi af tilviljun byrja\u00f0 a\u00f0 spjalla, og ma\u00f0urinn s\u00ed\u00f0an stungi\u00f0 upp \u00e1 a\u00f0 \u00feeir fengju s\u00e9r einn bj\u00f3r saman. E\u00f0a kaffi. \u00deeir hafi reyndar byrja\u00f0 a\u00f0 tala saman af svol\u00edti\u00f0 fyndinni \u00e1st\u00e6\u00f0u: \u201e\u00deessi ma\u00f0ur keypti nefnilega skyrtuna sem \u00e9g s\u00fdndi \u00fe\u00e9r \u00ed morgun, manstu? \u00deessa bl\u00e1u.\u201c
\u2001\u201eF\u00f3ru\u00f0 \u00fei\u00f0 saman \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0ina?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei, All\u00fd. \u00c9g hitti hann h\u00e9rna fyrir utan kj\u00f6rb\u00fa\u00f0ina, og kanna\u00f0ist vi\u00f0 skyrtuna.\u201c
\u2001\u201eVarstu a\u00f0 segja honum a\u00f0 \u00feig hafi langa\u00f0 \u00ed \u00feessa skyrtu?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei, \u00e9g sag\u00f0i honum bara a\u00f0 \u00e9g hef\u00f0i s\u00e9\u00f0 hana \u00ed b\u00fa\u00f0inni. \u00de\u00fa \u00e6ttir \u00ed rauninni a\u00f0 vera \u00feakkl\u00e1tur \u00feessum manni \u2013 n\u00fa er allavega ekki lengur s\u00fa h\u00e6tta fyrir hendi a\u00f0 \u00e9g<\/em> kaupi skyrtuna.\u201c Lalli gefur Bastian bendingu um a\u00f0 hann fari a\u00f0 lj\u00faka s\u00edmtalinu.
\u2001\u201eStundum skil \u00e9g \u00feig ekki, Lalli,\u201c segir All\u00fd og d\u00e6sir.
\u2001\u201e\u00deessi ma\u00f0ur hefur meira a\u00f0 segja veri\u00f0 \u00e1 \u00cdslandi \u2013 mj\u00f6g interresant n\u00e1ungi. Hann \u00e6tla\u00f0i a\u00f0 s\u00fdna m\u00e9r eitthvert fr\u00e6gt kaffih\u00fas.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEr hann einn h\u00e9rna?\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g veit \u00fea\u00f0 ekki.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEkki me\u00f0 giftingarhring?\u201c
\u2001\u201eJ\u00fa, m\u00e9r s\u00fdnist \u00fea\u00f0. Hann sag\u00f0i m\u00e9r a\u00f0 hann \u00feekkti Ara \u00d3skarsson.\u201c
\u2001\u201eHver er Ari \u00d3skarsson?\u201c
\u2001\u201eVeistu ekki hver Ari \u00d3skarsson er?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei, Lalli, \u00e9g veit ekki hver Ari \u00d3skarsson er.\u201c
\u2001\u201eRith\u00f6fundurinn. S\u00e1 sem b\u00fdr fyrir aftan …\u201c
\u2001Og aftur gr\u00edpur All\u00fd fram \u00ed fyrir honum: \u201e\u00c9g \u00feekki bara einn rith\u00f6fund.\u201c
\u2001\u201eHvern?\u201c
\u2001\u201eHana d\u00f3ttur m\u00edna. Ertu b\u00fainn a\u00f0 gleyma \u00fev\u00ed sem h\u00fan var a\u00f0 segja okkur?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei, All\u00fd. \u00deess vegna er \u00e9g \u00e1 lei\u00f0inni til \u00fe\u00edn me\u00f0 frey\u00f0iv\u00edni\u00f0.\u201c
\u2001\u201eN\u00fa? Ertu ekki \u00e1 lei\u00f0inni \u00e1 bar me\u00f0 einhverjum \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verja?\u201c
\u2001\u201eBara \u00ed sm\u00e1 stund. Bara \u00ed einn bj\u00f3r e\u00f0a kaffi. Var ekki eitthva\u00f0 hv\u00edtv\u00edn eftir uppi \u00e1 herbergi?\u201c
\u2001\u201eJ\u00fa. En Lalli. Bara einn bj\u00f3r. Lofa\u00f0u m\u00e9r \u00fev\u00ed.\u201c
\u2001\u201eBara einn l\u00edtinn. I promise. Svo kem \u00e9g.\u201c
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 sem L\u00e1rus veit ekki er a\u00f0 \u00e1 Gullna t\u00edgrinum eru ekki servera\u00f0ir litlir bj\u00f3rar. Hann veit ekki heldur, \u00feegar hann kve\u00f0ur All\u00fd og s\u00e9r a\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 eru ekki nema 5% eftir af rafmagninu \u00ed s\u00edmanum, a\u00f0 hann og Bastian eiga eftir a\u00f0 f\u00e1 s\u00e9r meira en einn st\u00f3ran bj\u00f3r \u00e1 mann.
\u2001\u201eSo shall we?\u201c leggur Bastian til, og bendir \u00ed \u00fe\u00e1 \u00e1tt sem \u00feeir \u00feurfa a\u00f0 ganga.
\u2001\u201eYes. But only one beer,\u201c segir Lalli, og b\u00e6tir vi\u00f0 brosandi: \u201e\u00d3l\u00edkt \u00fe\u00e9r er \u00e9g enn\u00fe\u00e1 giftur.\u201c <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u00edgrisd\u00fdri\u00f0 \u00ed nafni kn\u00e6punnar er heldur \u00f3gnandi a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 \u00fear sem \u00fea\u00f0 stendur \u2013 a\u00f0 s\u00f6nnu gyllt \u2013 \u00e1 syllu fyrir ofan \u00fatidyrnar. Bastian fr\u00e6\u00f0ir Lalla um a\u00f0 hinn bogadregni, gotneski inngangur s\u00e9 elsti uppistandandi hluti \u00feessa fr\u00e6ga sta\u00f0ar, fr\u00e1 ofanver\u00f0um mi\u00f0\u00f6ldum, en lj\u00f3ni\u00f0 sj\u00e1lft s\u00e9 \u00f6gn yngra, fr\u00e1 sautj\u00e1n hundru\u00f0 og eitthva\u00f0. Bastian bi\u00f0ur Lalla a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a fyrir utan \u00e1 me\u00f0an hann gengur \u00far skugga um a\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 s\u00e9u laus s\u00e6ti inni; hann langi s\u00ed\u00f0an til a\u00f0 f\u00e1 s\u00e9r s\u00edgarettu \u00e1\u00f0ur en \u00feeir setjast. Hann kemur svo \u00fat me\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e6r fr\u00e9ttir a\u00f0 hann s\u00e9 b\u00fainn a\u00f0 bi\u00f0ja unga konu, sem sitji ein vi\u00f0 eitt bor\u00f0i\u00f0, a\u00f0 taka fr\u00e1 s\u00e6ti \u2013 svo kveikir hann s\u00e9r \u00ed s\u00edgarettu og b\u00fd\u00f0ur Lalla \u00far pakkanum.
\u2001\u201eL\u00f6ngu h\u00e6ttur,\u201c segir Lalli.
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00e1 er \u00fe\u00e9r \u00f3h\u00e6tt a\u00f0 f\u00e1 \u00fe\u00e9r eina. Fyrst \u00fe\u00fa ert h\u00e6ttur. Vi\u00f0 ver\u00f0um a\u00f0 taka mark \u00e1 Tom og Iggy, er \u00fea\u00f0 ekki?\u201c
\u2001\u201eTom og Iggy?\u201c
\u2001Bastian vir\u00f0ir Lalla fyrir s\u00e9r eitt augnablik. \u201e\u00de\u00fa tekur bara mark \u00e1 m\u00e9r,\u201c segir hann.
\u2001Lalli metur sem sn\u00f6ggvast st\u00f6\u00f0una, sem \u00ed huga hans er s\u00fa a\u00f0 hann eigi eftir a\u00f0 drekka einn bj\u00f3r me\u00f0 \u00feessum manni \u2013 sem Lalli hyggst bj\u00f3\u00f0a honum upp \u00e1 \u2013 og hvers vegna ekki a\u00f0 \u00feiggja af honum eina s\u00edgarettu; \u00fea\u00f0 er einhver stemmning \u00ed \u00feessu augnabliki sem segir j\u00e1 vi\u00f0 bo\u00f0inu. Auk \u00feess sem hann hl\u00fdtur a\u00f0 eiga eitthva\u00f0 inni eftir a\u00f0 hafa misst af bl\u00e1u skyrtunni \u00ed hendur mannsins sem b\u00fd\u00f0ur honum s\u00edgarettuna \u2013 hann \u00e6tti a\u00f0 hafa leyfi til a\u00f0 brj\u00f3ta eins og eina reglu.
\u2001\u201eJ\u00e1, hvers vegna ekki?\u201c segir hann.
\u2001\u201eGenau.\u201c
\u2001Lalli er sj\u00e1lfur gjarn \u00e1 a\u00f0 nota \u00fea\u00f0 or\u00f0 heimafyrir, til a\u00f0 minna sig \u00e1 \u2013 og anna\u00f0 f\u00f3lk l\u00edka \u2013 a\u00f0 hann l\u00e6r\u00f0i \u00fe\u00fdsku \u00ed tv\u00f6 \u00e1r \u00ed menntask\u00f3la. Genau<\/em>. Einmitt \u2013 af hverju ekki? \u00c1 me\u00f0an hann upplifir \u00fe\u00e6gilegan svimann af s\u00ednum fyrsta reyk \u00ed einhver t\u00edu e\u00f0a t\u00f3lf \u00e1r, tekur Bastian upp \u00fer\u00e1\u00f0inn fr\u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed sem hann sag\u00f0i honum \u00e1 lei\u00f0inni; um t\u00e9kkneska rith\u00f6fundinn Bohumil Hrabal (sem Lalli haf\u00f0i ekki heyrt minnst \u00e1 \u00e1\u00f0ur), og anda \u00feessa Hrabals, sem enn lifi g\u00f3\u00f0u l\u00edfi innan veggja kr\u00e1rinnar, jafnvel \u00fe\u00f3tt hann hafi veri\u00f0 d\u00e1inn \u00ed r\u00fama tvo \u00e1ratugi. Hann segir Lalla l\u00edka fr\u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 Vaclav Havel hafi heims\u00f3tt sta\u00f0inn \u00e1samt Bill Clinton n\u00edut\u00edu og eitthva\u00f0 \u2013 \u00feeirrar heims\u00f3knar s\u00e9 minnst \u00e1 einum veggnum inni, vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0ina \u00e1 brj\u00f3stmynd af Bohumil. \u201e\u00deeir s\u00e1tu einmitt vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0 sem b\u00ed\u00f0ur okkar,\u201c segir Bastian. \u201e\u00dea\u00f0 er st\u00f3r lj\u00f3smynd af forsetunum fyrir ofan bor\u00f0i\u00f0. Og Hrabal \u2013 hann er l\u00edka \u00e1 myndinni.\u201c <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eins og Lalli kemst a\u00f0 \u00feegar hann sest me\u00f0 Bastian vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0 fyrir mi\u00f0jum sta\u00f0num, gegnt barnum, er fj\u00f3r\u00f0a manneskjan \u00e1 \u00e1\u00f0urnefndri lj\u00f3smynd hin t\u00e9kknesk-\u00e6tta\u00f0a Madeleine Albright, sem um \u00fea\u00f0 leyti sem myndin er tekin var ekki nema nokkrar vikur fr\u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 ver\u00f0a utanr\u00edkisr\u00e1\u00f0herra \u00ed r\u00edkisstj\u00f3rn Clintons. Og \u00feegar Lalli m\u00e6tir augnar\u00e1\u00f0i konunnar sem situr \u00ed s\u00e6tinu \u00e1 m\u00f3ti honum, \u00feeirrar sem passa\u00f0i fyrir \u00fe\u00e1 st\u00f3lana, hugsar hann sem svo a\u00f0 varla s\u00e9 h\u00e6gt a\u00f0 finna \u00f3l\u00edkari konur \u00ed \u00fatliti en \u00feessar tv\u00e6r: Madeleine, \u00ed sinni k\u00f3ngabl\u00e1u dragt, og \u00fe\u00e1 bleikh\u00e6r\u00f0u hinum megin vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0, sem \u00ed huga Lalla g\u00e6ti au\u00f0veldlega veri\u00f0 \u00e1 fors\u00ed\u00f0umynd \u00e1 ensku t\u00f3nlistart\u00edmariti fr\u00e1 n\u00edunda \u00e1ratug s\u00ed\u00f0ustu aldar.
\u2001\u00cd flj\u00f3tu brag\u00f0i virkar \u00feessi sta\u00f0ur \u00e1 Lalla sem eins konar hof til hei\u00f0urs rith\u00f6fundinum Hrabal \u2013 nafn hans er ekki a\u00f0eins a\u00f0 finna vi\u00f0 brj\u00f3stmyndina sem Bastian hefur sagt honum fr\u00e1; \u00fea\u00f0 er upp um allt veggi, svo a\u00f0 segja. Og eins og Bastian hefur l\u00fdst fyrir honum er tilfinningin s\u00fa a\u00f0 hafa stigi\u00f0 inn \u00ed fort\u00ed\u00f0 sem hvorugur \u00feeirra s\u00e9 n\u00f3gu gamall til a\u00f0 \u00feekkja af eigin raun \u2013 inn \u00ed l\u00f6ngu li\u00f0inn t\u00edma sem innr\u00e9ttingarnar \u00fer\u00e6ta fyrir a\u00f0 hafi nokkurn t\u00edma li\u00f0i\u00f0.
\u2001Samhli\u00f0a \u00feeirri hugsun a\u00f0 h\u00e9r ver\u00f0i hann a\u00f0 staldra vi\u00f0 a\u00f0eins lengur en bara h\u00e1lft\u00edma finnst Lalla einbo\u00f0i\u00f0 a\u00f0 hringja \u00ed All\u00fd og hvetja hana til a\u00f0 koma \u00e1 sta\u00f0inn. \u00deau geti allt eins sk\u00e1la\u00f0 h\u00e9r fyrir hinum gle\u00f0ilegu fr\u00e9ttum um rith\u00f6fundinn \u00ed fj\u00f6lskyldunni. En fyrst \u00feetta:
\u2001\u201eS\u00e6l. Bastian h\u00e9r.\u201c
\u2001\u201eBastian Schweinsteiger?\u201c
\u2001\u201eL\u00edkist \u00e9g honum?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei. M\u00e9r fannst bara vissara a\u00f0 spyrja.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00dea\u00f0 er Bastian Sch\u00e4fer.\u201c
\u2001\u201eOg L\u00e1rus \u00d3skarsson h\u00e9r. Lalli.\u201c
\u2001S\u00fa bleikh\u00e6r\u00f0a gefur upp sitt nafn: \u201eLenka.\u201c
\u2001H\u00fan er \u00ed sk\u00e6rrau\u00f0um, stuttum le\u00f0urjakka, \u00fer\u00f6ngum, sv\u00f6rtum netabol sem s\u00fdnir samlitan brj\u00f3stahaldara undir, og h\u00fa\u00f0fl\u00far af fj\u00f3rum fingrum sem teygja sig \u00ed \u00e1tt a\u00f0 h\u00e1lsinum. \u00cd \u00f6\u00f0rum nasav\u00e6ng hennar er st\u00e1lhringur, og fyrir framan hana \u00e1 bor\u00f0inu h\u00e1lft\u00e6md bj\u00f3rkr\u00fas, s\u00edgarettupakki og kveikjari.
\u2001\u201eEntschuldige,\u201c segir Lalli, og l\u00e6tur Bastian vita a\u00f0 hann \u00e6tli a\u00f0 n\u00e1 \u00ed bj\u00f3r handa \u00feeim. Hann stendur upp \u2013 hann tekur um lei\u00f0 eftir a\u00f0 Lenka vir\u00f0ir hann fyrir s\u00e9r upp\u00far og ni\u00f0r\u00far \u2013 og fer yfir \u00e1 barinn. Hann bi\u00f0ur um einn st\u00f3ran bj\u00f3r og annan l\u00edtinn, en f\u00e6r \u00fea\u00f0 svar a\u00f0 h\u00e9r s\u00e9u ekki seldir litlir bj\u00f3rar.
\u2001\u201e\u00d3kei. Tvo st\u00f3ra.\u201c
\u2001Bar\u00fej\u00f3nninn, st\u00f3r og \u00ferekinn ma\u00f0ur me\u00f0 broddaklippingu, gefur Lalla h\u00e1lfergilegt augnar\u00e1\u00f0; og \u00e1 me\u00f0an hann sprautar bj\u00f3rnum \u00ed kr\u00fasirnar hringir s\u00edmi Lalla.
\u2001\u201eJ\u00fa, vi\u00f0 vorum a\u00f0 setjast ni\u00f0ur,\u201c svarar hann \u00feegar All\u00fd spyr hvort \u00feeir s\u00e9u komnir \u00e1 sta\u00f0inn \u2013 \u00feetta s\u00e9 reyndar ekki kaffih\u00fas, heldur bj\u00f3rkr\u00e1; \u00fea\u00f0 l\u00edti \u00fat fyrir a\u00f0 heilu heimsh\u00f6fin af bj\u00f3r hafi veri\u00f0 drukkin \u00fear \u00ed gegnum aldirnar.
\u2001\u201eEn \u00fe\u00fa ert bara a\u00f0 fara a\u00f0 drekka \u00feennan eina, \u00fe\u00fa manst \u00fea\u00f0,\u201c minnir All\u00fd hann \u00e1, en gefur honum ekki f\u00e6ri \u00e1 a\u00f0 svara:
\u2001\u201e\u00deessi \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ri sem \u00fe\u00fa tala\u00f0ir um,\u201c segir h\u00fan, \u201evar \u00fea\u00f0 ekki ma\u00f0urinn sem \u00e9g tala\u00f0i vi\u00f0 \u00ed resepsj\u00f3ninni? \u00deessi sem er h\u00e9rna \u00ed n\u00e6sta herbergi?\u201c \u00dea\u00f0 er einhver \u00f3r\u00f3leiki \u00ed r\u00f6dd hennar. Og \u00feegar Lalli j\u00e1nkar spurningunni spyr h\u00fan hvers vegna hann hafi ekki sagt henni a\u00f0 \u00feetta v\u00e6ri sami ma\u00f0ur og hann hitti \u00ed lyftunni.
\u2001\u201eL\u00edklega vegna \u00feess a\u00f0 v\u00e6ntanlega er hann ekki \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ri.\u201c
\u2001\u201eHann banka\u00f0i upp \u00e1 h\u00e9rna \u00e1\u00f0an,\u201c segir All\u00fd.
\u2001\u201eBanka\u00f0i upp \u00e1? Af hverju?\u201c
\u2001\u201eHann spur\u00f0i hvort \u00e9g g\u00e6ti l\u00e1na\u00f0 s\u00e9r tappatogara. Hann sag\u00f0i a\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 v\u00e6ri enginn tappatogari \u00ed herberginu hans, og hann n\u00e6\u00f0i ekki sambandi vi\u00f0 m\u00f3tt\u00f6kuna ni\u00f0ri. Svo spur\u00f0i hann mig um \u00feig; hann sag\u00f0ist hafa veri\u00f0 ni\u00f0ri \u00ed m\u00f3tt\u00f6ku og s\u00e9\u00f0 \u00feig fara \u00fat. \u00c9g veit ekki hva\u00f0 \u00e9g \u00e1tti a\u00f0 halda.\u201c
\u2001\u201eL\u00e1na\u00f0ir\u00f0u honum tappatogarann?\u201c Lalli borgar fyrir bj\u00f3rinn; hann skor\u00f0ar s\u00edmann vi\u00f0 \u00f6xlina og flytur kr\u00fasirnar yfir \u00e1 bor\u00f0i\u00f0. Hann heyrir a\u00f0 Bastian er a\u00f0 segja \u00feeirri bleikh\u00e6r\u00f0u fr\u00e1 skyrtunni sem hann keypti.
\u2001\u201eJ\u00e1,\u201c svarar All\u00fd. \u201e\u00c9g l\u00e1na\u00f0i honum tappatogarann.\u201c
\u2001\u201eOg er hann b\u00fainn a\u00f0 skila honum?\u201c
\u2001\u201eNei.\u201c
\u2001\u201eOg hva\u00f0? Sag\u00f0ir\u00f0u honum a\u00f0 \u00e9g v\u00e6ri enn\u00fe\u00e1 \u00fati?\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g sag\u00f0i honum ekki neitt. \u00c9g l\u00e9t hann bara hafa tappatogarann.\u201c
\u2001\u201eEn af hverju kemur\u00f0u ekki bara og k\u00edkir \u00e1 okkur?\u201c stingur Lalli upp \u00e1. \u201e\u00c9g veit \u00fe\u00fa hef\u00f0ir gaman a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 \u00feennan sta\u00f0. \u00deetta er eins og a\u00f0 st\u00edga aftur \u00ed aldir. A\u00f0 minnsta kosti nokkra \u00e1ratugi. Og engin m\u00fas\u00edk, bara eins og \u00fe\u00fa vilt hafa \u00fea\u00f0. \u00deetta er ekki nema fimm m\u00edn\u00fatna labb fr\u00e1 h\u00f3telinu. En All\u00fd, \u00e9g held a\u00f0 rafmagni\u00f0 s\u00e9 alveg a\u00f0 kl\u00e1rast \u00ed s\u00edmanum. Held \u00e9g \u00e6tti a\u00f0 spara \u00fea\u00f0.\u201c
\u2001\u201eLalli? Mundu bara: einn bj\u00f3r.\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa vilt sem sagt frekar b\u00ed\u00f0a eftir a\u00f0 hann \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verji komi aftur me\u00f0 tappatogarann? \u00c9g er alveg viss um a\u00f0 minn \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verji er \u00e1hugaver\u00f0ari ma\u00f0ur.\u201c
\u2001\u201eAf \u00fev\u00ed hann keypti \u00feessa hr\u00e6\u00f0ilegu skyrtu? Nei, Lalli, \u00e9g er ekki a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a eftir a\u00f0 f\u00e1 tappatogarann aftur. \u00c9g er a\u00f0 b\u00ed\u00f0a eftir \u00fe\u00e9r<\/em>.\u201c
\u2001\u00cd \u00feeim or\u00f0um rofnar sambandi\u00f0 \u2013 rafmagni\u00f0 \u00ed s\u00edmanum b\u00fai\u00f0. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bastian og Lenka h\u00f6f\u00f0u \u00feaga\u00f0 \u00e1 me\u00f0an Lalli tala\u00f0i \u00ed s\u00edmann, en Bastian greinilega skynja\u00f0 a\u00f0 samtalinu lauk \u00e1\u00f0ur en \u00fev\u00ed \u00e1tti a\u00f0 lj\u00faka, \u00fev\u00ed hann spyr Lalla hvort \u201ekonan\u201c hef\u00f0i skellt \u00e1 hann.
\u2001\u201eRafmagni\u00f0 b\u00fai\u00f0,\u201c segir Lalli.
\u2001\u201eSo now you are free,\u201c segir Lenka og brosir. H\u00fan stingur hendinni \u00ed innan\u00e1vasa jakkans s\u00edns, og opnar s\u00ed\u00f0an b\u00e1\u00f0a l\u00f3fana, til a\u00f0 undirstrika n\u00e6stu or\u00f0: \u201eYou see: no cell-phone. Only myself. I leave my phone at home.\u201c
\u2001\u201eAnd he<\/em> leaves his wife at the hotel,\u201c segir Bastian hl\u00e6jandi.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 l\u00ed\u00f0ur ekki langur t\u00edmi \u00fear til kr\u00fasir \u00feeirra \u00feriggja t\u00e6mast; \u00feau hafa tala\u00f0 um g\u00e6\u00f0i bj\u00f3rsins, sem v\u00e6ntanlega herti \u00e1 drykkjunni; og \u00fear e\u00f0 varla er nema korter li\u00f0i\u00f0 s\u00ed\u00f0an \u00feeir settust ni\u00f0ur, \u00e1kve\u00f0ur Lalli a\u00f0 \u00feiggja annan bj\u00f3r, \u00feegar Bastian l\u00fdsir \u00fev\u00ed yfir a\u00f0 \u00fea\u00f0 s\u00e9 komi\u00f0 a\u00f0 honum a\u00f0 fara \u00e1 barinn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eSo you are in Prague?\u201c spyr Lenka Lalla \u00feegar Bastian er sta\u00f0inn upp.
\u2001\u201e\u00dea\u00f0 l\u00edtur \u00fat fyrir \u00fea\u00f0.\u201c
\u2001Lenka \u00fatsk\u00fdrir spurninguna; h\u00fan hafi veri\u00f0 a\u00f0 vitna \u00ed \u00e1kve\u00f0na b\u00ed\u00f3mynd eftir landa sinn; h\u00fan vakni stundum me\u00f0 \u00feessa l\u00ednu \u00far myndinni \u00ed hausnum \u00e1 morgnana.
\u2001\u201eOg svarar \u00fe\u00e1 v\u00e6ntanlega j\u00e1tandi?\u201c spyr Lalli.
\u2001\u201e\u00deegar \u00e9g er h\u00e9r \u00ed Prag, j\u00e1. Sem er reyndar alltaf.\u201c H\u00fan segir Lalla fr\u00e1 \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 \u00feessi mynd sem h\u00fan vitna\u00f0i til s\u00e9 \u201eekki ger\u00f0 eftir s\u00f6gu \u00feessa h\u00e9r\u201c \u2013 h\u00fan bendir \u00e1 brj\u00f3stmyndina af Hrabal \u2013 heldur sk\u00e1lds\u00f6gu annars T\u00e9kka, \u201ethe French Czech\u201c, sem h\u00fan nafngreinir og spyr hvort Lalli kannist vi\u00f0. Sem hann gerir ekki.
\u2001\u201eHann veit ekki hver Milan Kundera er,\u201c segir Lenka og brosir, \u00feegar Bastian ferjar bj\u00f3rkr\u00fasirnar \u00ferj\u00e1r yfir \u00e1 bor\u00f0i\u00f0.
\u2001\u201eGott fyrir hann,\u201c svarar Bastian, og stingur upp \u00e1 a\u00f0 \u00feau fari \u00fat fyrir a\u00f0 reykja.
\u2001\u00dea\u00f0 kemur \u00ed lj\u00f3s, \u00feegar \u00feau standa upp fr\u00e1 bor\u00f0inu, a\u00f0 Lenka er \u00ed sv\u00f6rtu, \u00fer\u00f6ngu le\u00f0urpilsi, berleggju\u00f0, og \u00ed gulum Doc Martens-sk\u00f3m me\u00f0 rau\u00f0um reimum. Og n\u00fa er \u00fea\u00f0 s\u00edgaretta \u00far pakka hennar sem lendir milli vara Lalla. H\u00fan segir \u00feeim Bastian fr\u00e1 f\u00f6\u00f0ur s\u00ednum, sem h\u00fan hef\u00f0i mj\u00f6g oft fari\u00f0 me\u00f0 \u00e1 Gullna t\u00edgurinn s\u00ed\u00f0ustu \u00e1rin sem hann lif\u00f0i; hann hef\u00f0i veri\u00f0 fastagestur \u00ed einhverja fj\u00f3ra \u00e1ratugi, en d\u00e1i\u00f0 \u00e1 s\u00ed\u00f0asta \u00e1ri \u2013 \u00far bj\u00f3rdrykkju, eins og h\u00fan nefnir brosandi. \u00der\u00e1tt fyrir fremur \u00fereytulegt yfirbrag\u00f0 er eitthva\u00f0 heillandi \u00ed fari \u00feessarar konu, hugsar Lalli; og hann reynir a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 fyrir s\u00e9r h\u00edb\u00fdli hennar, eftir a\u00f0 h\u00fan segir \u00feeim a\u00f0 h\u00fan b\u00fai \u00ed \u00edb\u00fa\u00f0 f\u00f6\u00f0ur s\u00edns heitins \u00ed \u00fathverfi borgarinnar, um \u00fea\u00f0 bil h\u00e1lft\u00edma labb fr\u00e1 mi\u00f0b\u00e6num. H\u00fan hr\u00f3sar s\u00ed\u00f0an Bastian s\u00e9rstaklega fyrir bl\u00e1u skyrtuna; liturinn ver\u00f0i mun fallegri \u00ed dagsbirtunni, eins og h\u00fan segir; hann minni hana \u00e1 s\u00e6ngurverin s\u00edn heima. Og \u00feegar h\u00fan vottar Lalla \u201esam\u00fa\u00f0 s\u00edna\u201c yfir a\u00f0 hafa ekki or\u00f0i\u00f0 fyrri til a\u00f0 kaupa skyrtuna tekur h\u00fan um upphandlegg hans og kreistir.
\u2001\u201eVi\u00f0 ver\u00f0um a\u00f0 styrkja okkur a\u00f0eins,\u201c segir h\u00fan, og galdrar fram flatan st\u00e1lpela \u00far innri jakkavasanum. Innihaldi\u00f0 reynist vera svipa\u00f0ur l\u00edkj\u00f6r og Lalli haf\u00f0i fengi\u00f0 \u00e1 h\u00f3telbarnum; brag\u00f0 sem beinl\u00ednis kallar \u00e1 dj\u00fapt sog \u00far s\u00edgarettunni. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00deegar \u00feau setjast aftur vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0 kemur upp \u00far d\u00farnum a\u00f0 Lenka er lj\u00f3\u00f0sk\u00e1ld og listama\u00f0ur \u2013 h\u00fan \u201estarfi\u201c sem myndlistarma\u00f0ur til \u00feess eins a\u00f0 geta leyft s\u00e9r a\u00f0 vera lj\u00f3\u00f0sk\u00e1ld \u2013 og Lalli segir \u00feeim fr\u00e1 stj\u00fapd\u00f3ttur sinni, sem hafi hringt \u00ed m\u00f3\u00f0ur s\u00edna \u00ed dag me\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e6r \u00f3v\u00e6ntu fr\u00e9ttir a\u00f0 h\u00fan v\u00e6ri komin me\u00f0 samning hj\u00e1 virtri \u00fatg\u00e1fu fyrir sm\u00e1sagnasafn; \u00feau hef\u00f0u ekki haft hugmynd um a\u00f0 h\u00fan skrifa\u00f0i s\u00f6gur. \u00deau t\u00ed\u00f0indi ver\u00f0a flj\u00f3tlega tilefni \u00feri\u00f0ju kollunnar af hinum kraftmikla pilsner h\u00fassins, \u00ed \u00feetta sinn \u00ed bo\u00f0i Lenku. \u00c1 me\u00f0an h\u00fan s\u00e6kir bj\u00f3rinn kemur a\u00f0 bor\u00f0inu \u00f6nnur kona, sem spyr hvort henni s\u00e9 \u00f3h\u00e6tt a\u00f0 setjast \u00e1 m\u00f3ti Bastian, \u00ed s\u00e6ti\u00f0 sem Vaclav Havel vermir \u00e1 myndinni fyrir ofan \u00feau. H\u00fan er \u00e1 svipu\u00f0um aldri og \u00feeir Lalli, og reynist vera fr\u00e1 Austurr\u00edki, \u00feegar Bastian giskar \u00e1 \u00fej\u00f3\u00f0erni hennar \u00fat fr\u00e1 hreimnum. \u00dea\u00f0 tekur hann s\u00ed\u00f0an ekki nema m\u00edn\u00fatu e\u00f0a tv\u00e6r a\u00f0 vei\u00f0a upp \u00far konunni a\u00f0 h\u00fan starfi \u00ed b\u00f3ka\u00fatg\u00e1fu; og \u00feegar Lenka kemur f\u00e6randi hendi me\u00f0 bj\u00f3rinn hafa Bastian og s\u00fa austurr\u00edska svo a\u00f0 segja loka\u00f0 sig af \u00ed samtali um hinn \u00fe\u00fdskum\u00e6landi \u00fatg\u00e1fuheim. Lalli heyrir \u00feau nefna nafni\u00f0 Lilith (sem v\u00e6ntanlega er sami h\u00f6fundur og Bastian haf\u00f0i \u00e1\u00f0ur nefnt: Lilith Biermann) \u2013 og \u00fea\u00f0 er ekki fyrr en Bastian hefur n\u00e1\u00f0 \u00ed fj\u00f3r\u00f0a umganginn af bj\u00f3r sem \u00feau fj\u00f6gur vi\u00f0 bor\u00f0i\u00f0 n\u00e1 a\u00f0 tengjast \u00ed einu og sama umr\u00e6\u00f0uefninu, \u00fe\u00f3tt Lalli ver\u00f0i flj\u00f3tlega h\u00e1lf utang\u00e1tta \u00ed \u00fev\u00ed efni \u2013 sem er b\u00ed\u00f3myndir. Bastian hefur rifja\u00f0 upp a\u00f0 Amadeus<\/em>, myndin um \u00e6vi Mozarts \u2013 sem Lalli hefur sj\u00e1lfur s\u00e9\u00f0 \u2013 s\u00e9 tekin \u00ed Prag; en \u00feegar tali\u00f0 lei\u00f0ist a\u00f0 \u00f6\u00f0rum kvikmyndum, me\u00f0al annars t\u00e9kkneskri mynd um einhvern l\u00edkbrennara, gr\u00edpur Lalli t\u00e6kif\u00e6ri\u00f0 til a\u00f0 leggja eitthva\u00f0 til m\u00e1lanna, og segir \u00feeim fr\u00e1 n\u00e1granna s\u00ednum \u00ed n\u00e6sta herbergi \u00e1 h\u00f3telinu; a\u00f0 s\u00e1 ma\u00f0ur, sem hann hafi einhverra hluta vegna s\u00e9\u00f0 fyrir s\u00e9r sem \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ra, \u00feegar hann hitti hann \u00ed lyftunni daginn \u00e1\u00f0ur, hafi banka\u00f0 upp \u00e1 hj\u00e1 konunni sinni, eftir a\u00f0 hann sj\u00e1lfur f\u00f3r \u00fat af h\u00f3telinu og hitti Bastian; hann hafi veri\u00f0 a\u00f0 bi\u00f0ja hana um a\u00f0 l\u00e1na s\u00e9r tappatogara.
\u2001\u201eNei, L\u00e1rus!\u201c Lenka brosir str\u00ed\u00f0nislega. \u201eEr \u00feessi \u00fatfararstj\u00f3ri ekki me\u00f0 tappatogara \u00e1 herberginu s\u00ednu?\u201c
\u2001S\u00fa austurr\u00edska, sem enn hefur ekki sagt til nafns, ver\u00f0ur fyrri til a\u00f0 svara; h\u00fan sn\u00fdr s\u00e9r a\u00f0 Lenku og spyr \u2013 ekki s\u00ed\u00f0ur brosandi en Lenka: \u201eEru ekki tappatogarar \u00e1 \u00f6llum h\u00f3telherbergjum \u00ed Prag?\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g er reyndar bara a\u00f0 gr\u00ednast,\u201c sk\u00fdtur Lalli inn, og skynjar a\u00f0 or\u00f0 s\u00edn geri ekkert anna\u00f0 en a\u00f0 skapa misskilning. Um lei\u00f0 gerir hann s\u00e9r grein fyrir a\u00f0 hann hefur drukki\u00f0 of miki\u00f0.
\u2001\u201eCorkscrew!\u201c Bastian gr\u00edpur \u00fea\u00f0 or\u00f0 \u00e1 lofti \u2013 hann beinl\u00ednis \u00e6pir \u00fea\u00f0 yfir sta\u00f0inn, en b\u00e6tir svo vi\u00f0, l\u00e6gri r\u00f6ddu: \u201eThe funeral director asks for a corkscrew!\u201c
\u2001\u201e\u00de\u00fa \u00e6ttir kannski a\u00f0 koma \u00fe\u00e9r aftur upp \u00e1 h\u00f3tel,\u201c segir s\u00fa austurr\u00edska, og Lenka bregst vi\u00f0:
\u2001\u201eE\u00f0a bara leyfa hlutunum a\u00f0 hafa sinn gang.\u201c
\u2001Lalli teygir hendina undir bor\u00f0i\u00f0 til a\u00f0 fullvissa sig um a\u00f0 pokinn me\u00f0 frey\u00f0iv\u00edninu s\u00e9 enn \u00e1 s\u00ednum sta\u00f0; og \u00feegar hann nefnir vi\u00f0 Bastian og Lenku a\u00f0 hann \u00feurfi hvort e\u00f0 er a\u00f0 fara a\u00f0 tygja sig \u2013 hann minnir Bastian \u00e1 a\u00f0 \u00feeir hafi bara \u00e6tla\u00f0 a\u00f0 f\u00e1 s\u00e9r einn bj\u00f3r \u2013 krefst s\u00e1 s\u00ed\u00f0arnefndi \u00feess a\u00f0 \u00feau f\u00e1i s\u00e9r einn umgang enn, hann \u00e6tli sj\u00e1lfur a\u00f0 borga. Lalli er enn me\u00f0 n\u00f3gu mikilli r\u00e6nu til a\u00f0 reikna \u00fat a\u00f0 \u00feau s\u00e9u a\u00f0 fara \u00ed fimmta bj\u00f3rinn \u2013 sem kalli \u00fe\u00e1 v\u00e6ntanlega \u00e1 fj\u00f3r\u00f0u s\u00edgarettuna \u00fati \u00e1 st\u00e9tt \u2013 og \u00feegar Lenka leggur l\u00f3fann \u00e1 handarbak hans, og brosir til hans me\u00f0 blikki \u00ed augunum, tekur hann af sj\u00e1lfum s\u00e9r \u00fea\u00f0 lofor\u00f0 a\u00f0 me\u00f0 fimmta bj\u00f3rnum s\u00e9 \u00feessu loki\u00f0; \u00feetta ver\u00f0i s\u00ed\u00f0asta kollan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. kafli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hvort sem \u00fea\u00f0 er fuglas\u00f6ngnum fyrir utan a\u00f0 \u00feakka, e\u00f0a einfaldlega \u00feeirri sta\u00f0reynd a\u00f0 klukkan er langt gengin \u00ed eitt, vaknar Lalli eins og kveikt s\u00e9 \u00e1 eldsp\u00fdtu fyrir augum hans. S\u00fa birta er \u00fe\u00f3 flj\u00f3t a\u00f0 dofna, \u00feegar hann gerir s\u00e9r grein fyrir hvar hann er staddur, \u00e1n \u00feess a\u00f0 muna hven\u00e6r e\u00f0a hvernig hann kom \u00feanga\u00f0.
\u2001Hven\u00e6r, hvernig og hvers vegna hann kom hinga\u00f0<\/em>.
\u2001Lofti\u00f0 \u00ed herberginu er \u00ed fullu samr\u00e6mi vi\u00f0 dimmt og \u00f3rei\u00f0ukennt yfirbrag\u00f0 \u00feess: \u00feungt sambland af s\u00edgarettureyk, m\u00e1lningu og moskusol\u00edu. \u00cd loftinu er r\u00fassnesk lj\u00f3sakr\u00f3na me\u00f0 rau\u00f0ri peru, sem gefur fr\u00e1 s\u00e9r r\u00e9tt n\u00e6ga birtu til a\u00f0 greina umhverfi\u00f0.
\u2001Lalli r\u00eds upp \u00ed r\u00faminu, og \u00fea\u00f0 sem m\u00e6tir augunum, vi\u00f0 svartan vegginn nokkra metra fr\u00e1 f\u00f3tagaflinum, er beinagrind \u00ed fullri st\u00e6r\u00f0, v\u00e6ntanlega \u00far plasti; h\u00fan stendur \u00e1 sv\u00f6rtum standi, me\u00f0 hendurnar hangandi ni\u00f0ur me\u00f0 s\u00ed\u00f0unum \u2013 um h\u00e1ls hennar er d\u00f6kkur t\u00f3bakskl\u00fatur. \u00dea\u00f0 rifjast upp fyrir Lalla a\u00f0 konan vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 hans \u00ed r\u00faminu haf\u00f0i sagst vera myndlistarma\u00f0ur. Og lj\u00f3\u00f0sk\u00e1ld.
\u2001Hva\u00f0 anna\u00f0 man hann? Hven\u00e6r h\u00e6tti hann a\u00f0 muna?
\u2001\u00deegar hann gerir s\u00e9r grein fyrir a\u00f0 hann er kl\u00e6ddur sv\u00f6rtum netabol, og nakinn a\u00f0 ne\u00f0an undir s\u00e6nginni, ver\u00f0ur til s\u00fa mynd \u00ed verkju\u00f0u h\u00f6f\u00f0i hans a\u00f0 allt nema l\u00edkaminn hafi leki\u00f0 \u00ed gegnum \u00fea\u00f0 net sem hann var veiddur \u00ed daginn \u00e1\u00f0ur \u2013 \u00fear me\u00f0 tali\u00f0 minni\u00f0. \u00c1 l\u00e1gu bor\u00f0i vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0ina \u00e1 r\u00faminu standa frey\u00f0iv\u00ednsfl\u00f6skurnar tv\u00e6r sem hann haf\u00f0i keypt fyrir \u00feau All\u00fd; \u00fe\u00e6r eru b\u00e1\u00f0ar opnar \u2013 erfitt a\u00f0 sj\u00e1 hvort eitthva\u00f0 er eftir \u00ed \u00feeim \u2013 og fyrir framan \u00fe\u00e6r tv\u00f6 h\u00e1lft\u00e6md gl\u00f6s. Upp undan s\u00e6nginni vi\u00f0 hli\u00f0 hans g\u00e6gist bleikh\u00e6r\u00f0ur kollur Lenku; og \u00feegar Lalli dregur s\u00e6ngina varf\u00e6rnislega af h\u00f6f\u00f0i hennar og \u00f6xlum s\u00e9r hann ekki betur en a\u00f0 h\u00fan s\u00e9 \u00ed skyrtunni hans Bastians. Sem sta\u00f0festist s\u00ed\u00f0an \u00feegar hann \u00feuklar \u00e1 efninu \u00ed flipanum. \u00dea\u00f0 l\u00edtur ekki \u00fat fyrir a\u00f0 Lenka muni rumska, \u00feannig a\u00f0 hann leyfir s\u00e9r a\u00f0 draga s\u00e6ngina lengra ni\u00f0ur af l\u00edkama hennar, og kemst a\u00f0 \u00fev\u00ed sem hann \u00e1tti von \u00e1, a\u00f0 h\u00fan er ekki \u00ed neinu \u00f6\u00f0ru en \u00feessari skyrtu. Hann greinir ekki vel liti \u00ed rau\u00f0u r\u00f6kkrinu, en \u00feykist \u00fe\u00f3 vita a\u00f0 Lenka hafi haft r\u00e9tt fyrir s\u00e9r, \u00feegar h\u00fan l\u00edkti lit s\u00e6ngurvera sinna vi\u00f0 litinn \u00e1 skyrtunni.
\u2001\u201e\u00c9g votta \u00fe\u00e9r sam\u00fa\u00f0 m\u00edna.\u201c
\u2001\u00deau or\u00f0 fr\u00e1 \u00ed g\u00e6r hlj\u00f3ma \u00ed h\u00f6f\u00f0i Lalla. Bastian hl\u00fdtur a\u00f0 hafa eftirl\u00e1ti\u00f0 honum skyrtuna. Og hann s\u00ed\u00f0an sj\u00e1lfur Lenku. Hann hefur ekki hugmynd um hvernig e\u00f0a hvers vegna skyrtan skipti um hendur \u2013 hvernig h\u00fan skipti um l\u00edkama. Me\u00f0 r\u00e9ttu \u00e6tti \u00feessi fl\u00edk a\u00f0 hanga utan \u00e1 gulleitri beinagrindinni, sem Lalli f\u00e6r \u00e1 tilfinninguna, \u00feegar hann horfist \u00ed augu vi\u00f0 dj\u00fapar t\u00f3ttir k\u00fapunnar, a\u00f0 brosi til s\u00edn. Eins og h\u00fan viti allt sem ger\u00f0ist um n\u00f3ttina \u2013 allt sem ekki var\u00f0 eftir \u00ed minni hans sj\u00e1lfs. Hann man n\u00fana eftir a\u00f0 Lenka spur\u00f0i hann hvernig sm\u00e1s\u00f6gur v\u00e6ru \u00ed \u00feessari b\u00f3k sem stj\u00fapd\u00f3ttir hans v\u00e6ri a\u00f0 gefa \u00fat, en au\u00f0vita\u00f0 haf\u00f0i hann ekki hugmynd um \u00fea\u00f0; og \u00edmyndar s\u00e9r n\u00fana a\u00f0 s\u00fa saga sem hann hefur sj\u00e1lfur teki\u00f0 \u00fe\u00e1tt \u00ed a\u00f0 rissa upp fr\u00e1 \u00ed g\u00e6r g\u00e6ti alveg eins \u00e1tt heima \u00ed b\u00f3k. \u00dea\u00f0 rifjast l\u00edka upp fyrir honum a\u00f0 Lenka tala\u00f0i um a\u00f0 fr\u00e1 mi\u00f0b\u00e6num og heim til s\u00edn v\u00e6ri h\u00e1lft\u00edma labb, en ekki fimm m\u00edn\u00fatna lei\u00f0, eins og l\u00fdst var \u00ed lj\u00f3\u00f0broti sem h\u00fan f\u00f3r me\u00f0 fyrir \u00fe\u00e1 Bastian; h\u00fan haf\u00f0i fari\u00f0 me\u00f0 nokkrar l\u00ednur eftir t\u00e9kkneskt sk\u00e1ld, eitthva\u00f0 \u201es\u00farreal\u00edskt\u201c, um \u201efimm m\u00edn\u00fatna lei\u00f0 fr\u00e1 b\u00e6num\u201c \u2013 svo skr\u00edti\u00f0 a\u00f0 hann muni eftir \u00fev\u00ed, hugsar hann, en ekki \u00f6llu hinu sem m\u00e1li skipti. \u00cd \u00feessum l\u00ednum \u2013 sem hann man s\u00e9rstaklega a\u00f0 Lenka tala\u00f0i um sem brot \u00far mun lengra lj\u00f3\u00f0i \u2013 var minnst \u00e1 einhverjar mj\u00f3ar krossg\u00f6tur; eitthva\u00f0 um \u201er\u00fdting l\u00edfsins\u201c, og \u00fe\u00e1 hamingju sem hl\u00fdst af \u00fev\u00ed a\u00f0 vera \u201eh\u00e6f\u00f0ur r\u00fdtingi l\u00edfsins\u201c.
\u2001F\u00e1r\u00e1nlegt.
\u2001Algerlega f\u00e1r\u00e1nlegt.
\u2001F\u00e1r\u00e1nlegt a\u00f0 muna eitthva\u00f0 svona.
\u2001\u201eNafn mitt er L\u00e1rus \u00d3skarsson, og \u00feetta er f\u00e1r\u00e1nlegt.\u201c <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bragi \u00d3lafsson FYRRI HLUTI (A\u00f0alpers\u00f3nur: tveir karlmenn og ein kona. \u00d6ll st\u00f6dd \u00ed h\u00f6fu\u00f0borg T\u00e9kklands, Prag; \u00e9g \u00edmynda m\u00e9r a\u00f0 \u00feetta gerist \u00ed j\u00fan\u00ed e\u00f0a j\u00fal\u00ed. Annar mannanna er \u00dej\u00f3\u00f0verji a\u00f0 nafni Bastian, \u00e1 mi\u00f0jum fimmtugsaldri. Hann er fer\u00f0ama\u00f0ur \u00ed borginni, n\u00fdskilinn vi\u00f0 eiginkonu s\u00edna eftir tuttugu \u00e1ra barnlaust hj\u00f3naband. \u00deegar hann birtist fyrst \u00e1 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-292","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=292"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":293,"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/292\/revisions\/293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stelkur.is\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}