“Were you gonna burn down the entire farm right there, Genco?”
“Not the entire farm, but I was considering burning a part of it, Arthur. Challenging the order established by the farmer was always on my mind.”
“Don’t talk to me like one of those fools who want to force their ideas onto the whole world, Genco. If you’re going to continue, say it now, let me finish my coffee and go home.”
“Well, hasn’t world history been progressing like that, Arthur? Someone wants something to happen, persuades others in that direction, with or without force, and changes the course of events. Isn’t it how the game works? As someone existing in this game, I can use my energy in any direction I want. No, I understand, you’ve distanced yourself from everything. You say rules are the rules, just like the others,” Genco said, looking into Arthur’s eyes and getting up from his seat. It was noon, and the sun was gently shining on the table where they were sitting.
“Hahhahah, you are talking about world history again. Now sit down or leave, but don’t ruin my mood by blocking my sun.”
Genco grabbed the water bottle from the table and headed towards the water filling machine across the road. Meanwhile, Arthur continued sipping his coffee and watching the people passing by. Genco noticed a man wearing navy shorts and a white shirt. The man was walking directly towards Arthur with an envelope in his hand. After a brief conversation, the man handed the envelope to Arthur and walked away.
“Wow, what did that man give Arthur in the envelope? Could it be anything other than money? Or is Arthur involved in dirty dealings? No, no, the man lives at the bus stop. What dirty dealings? He must have received a bill or some money for the service he provided. After all, this man also needs to earn money; he must be working somewhere occasionally. Oh well, never mind, let him tell if he wants” Genco thought to himself, returning to the table.
“Do you know how many people crossed this pedestrian crossing while you were gone, Genco?”
“I don’t know, maybe 10, maybe 15.”
“Can you see what I mean? Don’t make me explain it with tons of words now.”
While Arthur leaned back, Genco, leaning his other arm on the table, rested his chin on his hand and watched the people, dogs, and children passing by the pedestrian crossing.
“I think, I understand now, Arthur. Each person passing by has unique characteristics that differentiate them from others. Some are strong, some are weak. But a rule that everyone adheres, has created order. We enjoy our coffee because of this order, isn’t that what you thought? In fact, you could see the end point without thinking too much about this chain. But I compromised my pleasure by thinking too much, didn’t I?”
“You’re doing well, keep going, young man,” Arthur said as he watched the pedestrians.
Genco continued watching the people passing by for a while and then continued his words.
“No, Arthur. There are some points you’ve missed. This pedestrian crossing was, after all, an idea that came out of some people’s minds. And these people came together and said, ‘We’re making a pedestrian crossing with the power we have.’ So, they, in your words, got the whole world to accept their ideas. Then, like any community that likes to lean on the human mind, people continued to use this pedestrian crossing without changing it. Look, why do you think the cafe 200 meters away closed down? Why is this cafe right next to the pedestrian crossing more crowded? And how did the owner of this complex make millions of dollars in the last 30 years? I’m not even talking about the deals made behind the scenes. There are so many points where the mind you trust, doesn’t solve all the individual problems. For example, have you ever spent a whole day picking melons behind a tractor in fourth gear? If you had just done it for a day, you would understand what I mean. Or what about not allowing a cancer patient woman to cross the border to see her doctor during this quarantine period? They said rules are rules on all channels, just like you.”
“Once again, you’ve poured tons of words, Genco,” Arthur said, putting the envelope on the bag next to him and getting up.
“Instead of meddling in other people’s business, why don’t you do something yourself, Genco? Then come to me and say, ‘Arthur, I have an idea, will you join me?’ Like, let’s paint a pedestrian crossing line in front of my house tonight while the whole city is asleep. From the stop all the way across the road.”
“But Arthur, there are traffic lights right in front of your house, what’s the purpose of that? Wouldn’t it be absurd?”
“Young man, maybe your restlessness comes from always thinking about what’s the outcome. Let’s paint that pedestrian crossing line and see how things get stirred up the next day. You can come to my stop, and together, we’ll see what happens. In fact, I’ll be the first to step on the pedestrian crossing, you’ll see. Because I know, when something changes, people don’t know what to do out of fear; they always wait for someone to go first to follow. Do you know what I’m going to do? As soon as the red light turns green, I’ll stand up, wait right in front of the pedestrian crossing, look left and right, then raise both of my arms and say, ‘Are you blind, mate?’ while pointing at the pedestrian crossing with one hand. Once I stop the first car, it’s done, then the other cars will understand that something has changed. After crossing, as if I forgot something at home, I’ll scratch my head a few times and turn back. After this second walk, it’s done, Genco. Then all the channels and newspapers will say, ‘What and absurd thing? Nobody understands what the north municipality is doing.’ You’ll see, absurd things and madness will spread from right in front of our house to the whole city.”
“Oh, Arthur, well said. But wouldn’t it be better if we solved a real problem? If we do what you said, it will stay on the agenda for a few days and then be forgotten. And what will happen? Those hundreds of workers, machines, and materials those man have, will remove the pedestrian crossing overnight.”
“Look mate, there’s no need to do everything exactly as I say. Take what you can from this story but come back to me with a different project. Like, the bus you were talking about. What bus was that?”
“Are you talking about the ’01X The Serenity and Beyond’ bus? But doesn’t that require a lot of money and people, Arthur?”
“Genco, just imagine a bit and give it a form, but don’t shape it too much and drive me crazy. Leave it as vapor, then slowly we will solidify it with the help of the geist.” Arthur said, walking slowly towards his stop.
Meanwhile, along the way to the beach, Genco thought to himself, “I’ll do it Arthur, I’ll do it. You’ll see, I’ll come up with something and you will be amazed.’
