by Marina Popescu\u00a0[Romania]<\/p>\n
translated from Romanian by William Oxley & Iulia Vieru [MTTLC student]<\/p>\n edited \u00a0by Robert Fenhagen<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The man opened his closet, where reigned order and tidiness.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Impeccable shirts hung on expensive hangers, and suits slept in their coat covers.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On the right, black, shiny shoes were lined on (special) shelves, and on the inside face of\u00a0 the door, there was a mirror.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The man stood in front of it, wearing only underpants and a vest, scrutinizing the collection of shirts. It was quite difficult for him to decide on an appropriate one for such an important meeting. The general manager of Best Technologies was a pedantic guy who always put a high price on a label. \u00a0Armani, Hugo Boss \u2013 what on earth should he choose for the meeting with that arrogant prick?<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The man watched his reflection in the mirror. He thought that maybe he would get an idea from the sight of his own face. \u00a0Because now we are supposed to dress according to our nature, match personality with clothes, right? Or the clothes to personality? This is what he couldn\u2019t quite remember, but he had kept hearing these ideas on various TV shows lately. He smiled to himself and looked straight in his own eyes. It had been a long time since he had looked at himself in a mirror. He didn\u2019t have the time for it. But now that he did, he couldn’t quite stop staring at his face. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cEverything is OK as long as personality doesn\u2019t become an accessory.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He continued to look at himself in the mirror. \u00a0There was something that determined him to stay still, even though he knew he was going to be late for the big meeting.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The shirt… what shirt should I wear? I’m thinking of the light orange one, Cavalli… it’s elegant and orange is very trendy this year…<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Don’t let personality become an accessory.”<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Again? Those words again?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He looked behind him, through the mirror. \u00a0No one.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What has got into me? \u00a0I\u2019m standing still in front of the mirror, looking and smiling to myself and thinking about personality and clothes… it\u2019s like I’m a woman.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Apparently, I\u2019ve gone mad.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPersonality as an accessory.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s trendy to be nice, sociable, open, polite and hypocritical. Love is very trendy this season, ladies and gentlemen. \u00a0But not any kind of love. THE LOVE OF MONEY!\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0These words came from him; \u00a0\u201cHim\u201d from the mirror. \u00a0For \u201chim\u201d from this side of it hadn\u2019t said a word. \u00a0However, the other one had. And as he had said them, his face had contorted in irony.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For the first time in a long time, he was talking to himself (he had not done that since childhood). And he liked this talk. \u00a0He was unloading a burden he had carried for too long, and was now passing it to the man in the mirror.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHere you go, friend, you carry it. And who did you say you were? My conscience? Great, excellent, I’m glad you finally showed up. \u00a0It was about time. I haven\u2019t seen you in years. \u00a0Although, on the other hand, you should be ashamed of yourself. \u00a0I should start questioning you, demand that you tell me where you have been for so long. \u00a0But I won’t, I’m so happy you’re here that I forgive your absence and betrayal. \u00a0Who? The Best Technologies general manager? To hell with him, let him wait! He\u2019s nothing but a profiteer, a scumbag! How do you think he became a general manager?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell… the same way you did, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSee? You and I know better about general managers, and power, and financial empires…\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd trampling bodies…\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Bodies you say? That\u2019s nothing. A dead man is dead, he can\u2019t feel a thing, whether you trample him or run him over with a tank. We\u2019re talking here about trampling living people, and their values, principles, rights and their souls.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd you did so with many?\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMany! You don\u2019t think I made a list. \u00a0I didn\u2019t have the time, I was too busy with business, \u00a0but, do you know what, my mirror friend?!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGiven the fact that we\u2019re so close, I wonder what information you might have…\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI will tell you something that even you didn\u2019t know. \u00a0Something we are just discovering.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201dOh really\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201dYes, yes. \u00a0Listen. \u00a0I crushed myself the worst–I subjected them to myself,\u00a0 \u00a0but my ambitions subdued me. \u00a0<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I forgot about my family and friends, but also about myself. \u00a0I locked away all of my beautiful thoughts, noble purposes, hopes and dear memories, and only by chance did I find them again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Applauds. \u00a0The man in the mirror applauded and smiles meaningfully.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThen, this means that you\u2019re ready\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOf course. \u00a0Try it. You know the phone will be ringing soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201dI do.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The mobile phone on the coffee table started to ring and vibrate. \u00a0The color display said: \u201dReception\u201d. Annoyed, he answered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHello, Mr Smith. \u00a0This is Jenny, your personal assistant. \u00a0I wanted to remind you that your meeting with the general manager from Best Technologies is in 15 minutes. Have you encountered any traffic difficulties? Should I send the helicopter to pick you up from somewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The woman had rattled off these words at an amazing speed. \u00a0She was the super-efficient type of assistant, well-briefed and able to work for more than 14 hours a day. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHelicopter?\u201d Mr Smith managed to say.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes. Is there something wrong? Are you not Mr Smith? Have I got the wrong number?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes, Jenny… this is Mr Smith. I just don’t need the helicopter because…”<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPerfect. Then that means you\u2019re already very close to the building. \u00a0I will take your coffee\u00a0 to the office. \u00a0Ms Helen has informed me that the general manager has just arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201dNo, no, Jenny, hold on.\u00a0 I\u2019m still at home.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201dAt home? Mr Smith, so something has happened? How come you\u2019re still at home? I called to wake you up exactly an hour ago, so you can\u2019t blame me for the delay and…\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo, Jenny, of course it\u2019s not your fault…\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI try my best in everything, to be efficient, and not let any detail slip away…”<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJenny, listen to me. \u00a0You are, undoubtedly, a professional. \u00a0But I\u2019m not coming in today. \u00a0I can\u2019t come. \u00a0I\u2019m busy.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHow is that possible? The general manager is here, waiting to talk to you about the joint project of the research departments. Please, Mr Smith … I\u2019ll tell him you\u2019ll be late, that you\u2019re stuck in traffic… if I send you the helicopter now, you\u2019ll be here in 30 minutes…\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJenny! I am not coming today! I\u2019m BUSY! I\u2019m looking at myself in the mirror, Jenny, do you understand?”<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMr Smith?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0But Mr Smith had switched off his phone, tired of his assistant’s urgent voice.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He continued to look at himself in the mirror. And this time, he talked at the same time as the man in the mirror.<\/p>\n \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI knew you wouldn\u2019t understand, Jenny. And even a few minutes ago, I would have agreed with you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Marina Popescu\u00a0[Romania] translated from Romanian by William Oxley & Iulia Vieru [MTTLC student] edited \u00a0by Robert Fenhagen \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The man opened his closet, where reigned order and tidiness. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Impeccable shirts hung on expensive hangers, and suits slept in their coat covers. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On the right, black, shiny shoes were lined on (special) shelves, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[436,22],"tags":[1145,1123,402,399,403,1116,312,401],"class_list":["post-2346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-egophobia-25","category-short-story","tag-egophobia-25","tag-english","tag-iulia-vieru","tag-marina-popescu","tag-mttlc","tag-short-story","tag-translation","tag-william-oxley"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6DakB-BQ","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2346"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3545,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2346\/revisions\/3545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}