“Excuse me, ma’am, could you tell me what event is happening at the other end of the park? I see many people heading that way.”
“The retirees’ choir is performing soon.”
“How kind of you, thank you!”
“You’re very welcome, although I don’t think they’re what they used to be.”
“Time catches up with everyone’s voice…”
“Not with mine! Do you know what a fantastic soprano voice I still have?”
“Oh, that’s great, good for you. Are you part of the choir?”
“This choir? Absolutely not.”
“Which one do you sing in?”
“In none, I don’t have the patience for all those old ladies who can’t even read sheet music properly.”
“I thought they all had serious musical backgrounds”
“Pff. I wouldn’t know, but just look at them—so neglected. Can you see my buttocks?”
“Well…”
“Do you know why it’s so shapely and firm? Because of daily yoga! Do you know how many years? Thirty! That’s why my body is still perfect today!”
“I’m really impressed by that…”
“Of course, as an executive, I always demanded impeccable looks from myself.”
“An executive? Wow…”
“Not just anywhere! I always worked at the highest level. Don’t you know me?”
“I don’t move in those circles; I worked as a teacher before I retired.”
“But surely you know my husband! Géza, who owns the spice shop!”
“No, I don’t know him.”
“Come on, everyone knows Géza!”
“Believe me, I don’t move in those circles…”
“Right, right, you did mention that. Now, take a look at this butt! You can’t see it from there, come behind me and really take a look at how shapely I still am!”
“You are indeed very fit, but I should be going…”
“Do you know how important it is to maintain your figure? Especially for a high-ranking woman.”
“Yes, you’re right, well, I should…”
“Yesterday, one of the customers even complimented me on how well I’m holding up. Pff, “holding up”—what a joke! I don’t just hold myself up, honey, I work damn hard to look like this!”
“At the spice shop?”
“No, of course not! At the tobacco shop.”
“You’re not retired yet?”
“I am, why?”
“How come you’re working? Wasn’t all those years as an executive enough? Don’t you want to enjoy your well-deserved rest?”
“I still feel like doing it.”
“Which tobacco shop is yours?”
“It’s not mine. I’m the saleswoman.”
“Saleswoman? How come? After such a high position?”
“Well, it just… turned out this way, after all, it’s still a position of trust.”
“I’ve got it! Your face does look familiar! Weren’t you working at the meat counter in the big supermarket years ago?”
“Yes… yes… I worked there for a long time.”
“Aha. As an executive, if I remember correctly.”
“Have you seen my buttocks? Did I mention I’ve been doing yoga for thirty years?”