4. Instructions in Barcelona (4 pgs.)

ACT I - CHAPTER 4

INSTRUCTIONS IN BARCELONA

Tuesday August 29, 2017

Barcelona Spain

“Don’t close the showers for me, I still have to practice shooting at the goal from long distance!” Alexandre shouted to the dressing room manager. He was exhausted after the training that had gone by in the usual routine. “It will only be fifteen minutes!” he told him again after a brief weight training.

“I’m closing,” the room manager shouted after twenty minutes.

“Don’t worry! I shower at home!” he yelled back.

He didn’t shower. He went straight to Casa Milà and left his car several blocks away. Wearing his hoodie and sunglasses, he sidled up to the trash can. Inside he saw a large yellow letter-sized envelope. When he took it out, he noticed that it was thick and heavy. He put it in his backpack and left.

When he got to his apartment, he opened it and it contained a thick big black letter-size envelope plus a note that he read.

“Alexandre, I’m Ricardo. The black envelope was given to me by a person who received it from Ronald shortly before his death. It is addressed to you and contains the instructions you must follow to write the book he wanted to write. You will write it and we will help you discussing the issues in some secret meetings. On October 14, when you play the next match in Rome, look for the man in the yellow beret at the hotel. He will take you with us so that we can have the first philosophical meeting. Now open the black envelope”. This is how Ricardo’s note ended.

Alexandre opened the heavy black envelope and saw that there were five long green envelopes. One had his name written on it and said: “Alexandre: open first.” The others were numbered 1 to 4.

There was also a thick, heavy and red letter-size envelope.

He opened the one that said “Open first” and read.

“Alexandre, if you are reading this note it is because I am dead. I prepared this envelope so that the book would be written even if I no longer existed. My friend, you promised me to write the book. A hidden mafia doesn’t want us to write it and they are willing even to kill to stop it. I know you will make it, but you have to be very careful, because they can kill you as well.

Here you have all the instructions, step by step.

First, open the green envelope No. 1 containing a philosophic question. Envelope No. 2 contains another philosophic question and so on. You are going to answer them in nine philosophical meetings with two friends you will meet. You will prepare the meetings, discuss the topics with them and make a summary after. Use my notes that are in the red envelope to see the contents. See what works and what doesn’t in the edition and style.

It may be another, but I propose that the book be titled, The Renaissance of the Champion, philosophy of reality in football metaphors. Make sure no one knows your IP address when you surf the Internet, you know, beware of hackers. You are going to lead the meetings replacing me and they will help you. Success!”.

Alexandre was sitting motionless on the living room sofa. His breathing stopped. His eyes filled with tears and he could no longer hold them back. Between tears and sobs he stood up determined, not only to write the book, but also to avenge the death of his friend.

He made a whisky and then opened envelope number 1. It contained a card similar to a wedding invitation, and he read the question written in Spanish.

It reads, “Where are you?” He knew it all started with that question. Its sight receded to the horizon of the Mediterranean Sea and then quickly returned over the lights of the city, like a messenger bird depositing the good news in his hands.

He looked at the thick cardboard and read the raised letters aloud again, his eyes still watering.

“Where am I?” he wondered aloud. “In Barcelona, looking at the Mediterranean Sea,” he answered himself loud, “determined to write the book and avenge your death,” he added.

Alexandre went for a walk. Where I am? he repeated mentally. Here in Barcelona. But the answer could not be so obvious. He thought, In relation to what?

When he returned from his walk, he put everything in the safe and went to bed. Where am I? He remembered the question as he fell asleep and entered the world of dreams.

He woke up at 8 in the morning, took a shower and had breakfast. Gloria, the cleaner, arrived at nine just as he was leaving for the club. He remembered the question, Where am I?

“Where am I?” he asked out loud while driving his car through Barcelona and remembered his friend, What do you want me to understand, my dear Ronald? There has to be a deeper answer! he thought.

At least he knew he was in Barcelona, but what he didn’t know was where Ronald’s car was. Why did the police hide it and stop investigating? It’s weird! he thought as he felt a scream.

“Where are you Alexandre!” Greg shouted in the middle of training with his other teammates, “your head is on the moon! Focus!” he added.

If you only knew Greg, if you only knew, Alexandre thought at that moment.

Later in his apartment he was already reviewing his notes on metaphysics, something not at all mystical, but the study of material existence as a whole. He would have to write down his own conclusions to take to the first philosophical meeting with this “Ricardo” and somebody else. Who were they? He needed to trust Ronald instructions and take the risk. He looked at the calendar, figured he had enough time, but he thought, I have to hurry.

Until that date arrived, he turned his apartment into a philosophy laboratory, with notes, drawings and models that helped him understand key things.