Evening in Barcelona. Let's have a lively night out.
The philosophers are in the Raval, a once seedy district, looking for a nightclub.
Here it is, says George Santayana. La Bata de Boatiné.
They go in. The clientele all seem friendly. The music is loud.
Schopenhauer joins them.
George Santayana and José Ortega y Gasset, meet our friend Schopenhauer, shouts David, over the music.
Encantado, says Ortega y Gasset. Welcome to Spain.
Did you find a dry cleaner? asks David.
Yes, says Schopenhauer. I found a dry cleaner. And a wonderful sweet shop, Papabubble. What a sight! Mustachioed young men spreading sugar......! Here, try a candy.
Papa-BOOB-lay, says Ortega y Gasset, choosing a passionfruit candy.
Pardon my German, says Schopenhauer.
Not at all, says Ortega y Gasset. I was once in Germany. It was there I met Heidegger.
Ha ha, laughs Santayana.
It's not at all amusing, says Ortega y Gasset. In fact we got on quite well.
It is crowded in La Bata de Boatiné. It is getting a little too friendly. Someone has pinched David's bottom.
That has not happened to me in a long time, says David.
No, not since the duchess, says Vello.
Time to leave.
They walk through the district known as the Eixample, block upon block of modernista-style buildings.
Life is not a spectacle or a feast, says Santayana, waxing philosophical in the Spanish night air. Life's a predicament.
Which is why man invented technology, says Ortega y Gasset.
Schopenhauer sucks on a tart candy. Oh-ah! He feels a small crack in his tongue.
Technology can't prevent suffering, says Schopenhauer.
Technology separates man from nature, says Ortega y Gasset.
I heard you were modern, says Schopenhauer, sticking his tongue out. But what do you say about this?
Iah! It's bleeding! says Ortega y Gasset. Have something better to suck on.
He takes a small round stone from his pocket.
As if he thinks that will work.
........
Marie and Belle are eating a late dinner at cafe Cal Pep.
Fried whitebait, squid rings, shrimps and wedge clams.
I love how everyone stays up so late here, says Marie.
Me too, says Belle et Bonne.
This is brilliant seafood, says Marie.
Which reminds me, says Belle. I wonder how Ageless is going?
Ageless? says Marie. How should he be going?
Don't you know? says Belle et Bonne. Papa put him in charge of the office. He's the only one there.
Crikey! says Marie. What's he meant to be doing?
Marine philosophy or something, says Belle. Yes, I know. With Ageless, it's risky.
Marie looks at her plate. Marine philosophy . What even is it? She stares into the black hole of a squid ring but nothing comes out.
......
Ageless is in the office, with his feet up, his eyes closed, dreaming of writing the ultimate exposition of marine philosophy.
....sleep-drift-eat-grow-moult-grow-eat-roll-with-the-tide-defecate-prrrp-ahhh....click....sleep-drift....
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