Selected Cronicas

A HAPPY MAN

Not so long ago I took a taxi and lit a cigarette. When we stopped at the traffic lights, the driver asked me:

— Have you a match by any chance, lady?

I handed him the box and as he returned it, but before he could thank me, without really thinking I said out of habit:

— Don’t mention it.

Whereupon he replied:

— I haven’t thanked you yet. Why did you say ‘Don’t mention it’?

— Oh, it’s not important.

— Excuse me, but it is important. You should have waited until I thanked you before saying ‘Don’t mention it’.

— It really doesn’t matter, I insisted, somewhat surprised.

— Of course it matters. His tone was that of a man defending sacred laws which had suddenly been violated. It was as if he had trodden on dangerous territory. I took a closer look at him, and saw just how little freedom he enjoyed and how much he needed to feel himself imprisoned, and others, too. I then tried to make amends by speaking to him gently:

— Really, young man, it isn’t all that important…

But he was not to be appeased:

— Next time, lady, you wait until you’re thanked.

There was nothing more to be done. His stubborn attitude was beginning to irritate me. For the rest of the journey we did not speak. And if ever there was mute silence, that was it.