Not for thanking
I finished early today and met up with a friend who's starting a new business in Prague. He's hit a bit of a slow spot, the uphill stage that hits any investor or entrepreneur. Because he's a friend, I can't go into it much more than that. But we were sitting this afternoon in his office when Islam came by. I went out to meet him.
'What's up?'
'There is one problem,' Islam said. He looked upset. I am talking now with owner of the flat. She will sign paper but she is saying she wants more money for this signing.'
'No problem.' I wasnt' surprised. 'How much.'
He looked away. 'Well she is saying 500 crowns more for rent.'
'That's all? No problem. Tell her no problem.'
'It's no problem?'
'Really. No problem.'
'No problem? Because I am feeling bad because I am telling you one price and you are paying.'
"Really. It's no problem. It's normal.'
'I feel bad though but the owner she is saying there will be one more in the flat and she must paying extra taxes for having one more person and you will be registered with the police -'
'I know, Islam. It's OK.'
'But it will be starting next month you will pay more. You already pay me this month. But she will sign one year.'
'That's perfect.' It was. In typical cases, the length of your visa is based on the length of your lease. One year is what I've got now.
'I have my Indian friend, you remember, he is saying he has same problem. He is like me he gets only one-month visa. And now he is not getting that he must have paper.'
'Thanks, Islam.'
He smiled embarrassedly.
'It is not for thanking. I give you one price before.'
'Don't worry. It's OK.'
'It's OK? So now I call owner. You will have paper tomorrow. OK?'
I hope I'm not irritating the reader by quoting Islam in such choppy English. It sounds like I'm patronizing him, or trying to create some 'noble savage.' It's difficult to capture his spoken English. It's flavored with that peculiar Southeast Asian lilt, sing-songy, 'He who is going work for him life is good.' It has a special tang; some mornings his mobile will ring and I hear him in the next room chatting with someone from Bangladesh and can hear the rhythms of his native language and how they influence his English.
I asked about his marriage license. He nodded, his eyes scanning the street.
'It's going, going. My brother send me 500 dollars for this I need. About nine thousand crowns I think I need. And the wedding rings they are asking maybe 6,000 to 10,000. And these things.'
'You have a brother?' I asked.
'Two brothers.' He flashed two fingers.
'Where do they live?'
'Italy. One has a computer and TV shop. And one has money transfer. Western Union.'
'So I won't needing money right now.'
'I have some.'
' You have?'
'Yeah, some. And I have some new work. They will pay me Sunday.' Fortunately, this is true.
'OK.'
I went back in to see my friend.
'So I talk to owner. You will have paper tomorrow.'
'Thanks.'
'It is not for thanking.'
'No, tell her thanks and it's no problem.'
'No problem.' He started to walk down the street. Pavel's wasn't open yet.