-The truth is, I don't usually drink much, but...
I look at the two bottles on the table in front of us. We're in a restaurant near the station. Our train leaves at half past seven, it's a few hours before we have to leave, so a few moments ago we decide to pack our things and go for dinner to kill time.
-The food on that train isn't very good, so we'd better eat first. We'll have a drink while we're at the hotel," said Guillermo while we were still packing.
-Are you sure? It might be cheaper if we go on the train....
-No way! -He ran his hand through his grizzled moustache quickly. Eating on the train is uncomfortable, apart from the fact that I want to sleep on the journey. There's nothing to see out of the windows at that time of night.
Actually, it was an excuse to drink.
I know him well, I've been working directly with him for a year. When I was introduced to him, I thought he was a guy who took everything lightly. I met him at the meeting where I was informed that he would be my new boss. Minutes earlier I had seen him smoking in the studio garden with his bag balled up under his arm. At the time I didn't know who he was. Concentrating on the sky, I watched the clouds leaning against one of the metal columns supporting the terrace. I was always told that whether someone is a lawyer or not is something you can tell at first glance. In my judgement, the man may have had the heart of an artist, but not a lawyer.
"Eduardo Silva, right?" were the first words he addressed to me.
Nothing happened as I had anticipated. He did not introduce himself to me by saying his name and position, but only by saying my name. Then he began to talk about the cases we would be handling. His words were precise and he only paused for breath, indicating his experience; however, his wrinkled coat made an unusual contrast in this career. Soon after I asked his name and he told me: Guillermo Álvarez, he was my new boss.
Over time I learned that, while he was admired by some, he was despised by others. "He never takes anything seriously", "I don't know when he's serious and when he's joking", among others, were the phrases that were always said about him. However, his work was impeccable. I quickly understood that the only thing wrong with him was that he preferred to be himself, while the rest of us were used to extreme and hypocritical cordiality. One day I decided to ask him the question.
-You always say what you think to your customers, don't you? -I tried to phrase my question in a way that would make him feel indirect. I admired him too, I just wanted to absolve something that seemed like a mystery.
-I'd rather live than pretend," he stared at me, then gave me a crooked smile and relaxed his expression. It's more fun.
That was the difference.
-Order one for yourself too!
Another difference was that I drank too much.
-It's OK... it's OK...
I looked up and inspected the place visually. The waiter is a few tables away. I call out to him with my arm. When he approaches we order him one more beer.
-Busy day today, isn't it? -Guillermo says to me.
-It's finally over, this whole signing thing....
-The signature, the signature... A bit of ink on a piece of paper. The created importance we've given it is... - leaning on his elbow, Guillermo finishes the beer in his glass.
He stands still, I notice that he looks with particular attention at the time on his wristwatch.
-I'm not going to make it in time....
-Do you have something to do? -I ask.
-There's a series on television. The episode starts at nine," Guillermo laughs to himself, "I just realised!
He gives a sigh and leaves his glass on the table. The waiter arrives seconds later with the bottle of beer we ordered. We open it quickly and Guillermo motions for me to bring my glass to him. He pours for both of us as he speaks.
-Do you have something to do, or are you going to play video games like everyone else in your generation?
Video games.
The dictionary says it's any electronic game that can be played on a computer. It's surely the definition that someone of Guillermo's age has in mind, and surely the one he himself is thinking of at the moment. I doubt that his eyes and maturity will help him understand what lies beyond those images that move on the screen thanks to the magic of binary codes.
-Aren't games supposed to be fun? -he says.
I'm absorbed for a moment.
-Oh, no, they are, but....
My reflection in my mobile phone screen, on the table, alerts me to my downcast expression. Maybe he's noticed.
-It's just that...
Why would I lie to him? It's hopeless anyway.
-Yesterday they shut down the server for a game I really liked.
I take a sip of my beer. I feel a strange emptiness, as if I've got rid of a big burden, but I can't fill that emptiness. Why did I tell Guillermo that? Does he know anything about games?
-Navalheim?
-Yes...
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
-What?! Do you know the game?!
Guillermo looks at me in surprise, then smiles and starts laughing. When I realise I'm on my feet and on the table, supporting myself with my arms.
-Ha ha! Of course! My daughter plays it! Did they close the server? Which one? Ah, no wonder she didn't tell me anything...!
-No, not just one server, but all the servers," I hasten to say. The game is over, it's extinct, there is no more Navalheim.
I sit down again. It may be just a video game for people, for me it was something else.
-No wonder...
Guillermo takes his mobile phone out of his pocket and shows me the screen, he asks me to look closer with a gesture. I see the interface of a digital shop. It's one of the best known in the country. I know that's where you can buy the....
-The monthly pass or "Battle Pass"," he said. My daughter used to ask me to buy that for her every month. Today is the thirtieth and she hasn't said anything. I was going to buy it for her at this shop. She said it came with....
-The Ram-Kali weapon set...
-That's it! Ram-Kali's set of branches!
-Ram-Kali, doctor.
Guillermo is silent for a moment. His fingers hold the mobile phone firmly.
-Latin is easier! -he laughs.
His laughter conveys a calmness and warmth to me.
-I think it is," I reply, also laughing.
We continue talking about Navalheim for a while. Finally, the clock tells us it's time to leave. I feel a bit of relief. I'm glad I've explained to my boss about something I know about and he doesn't. I'm sad that he won't be there. It saddens me that there won't be another opportunity to do so, for the source of the experiences he doesn't know and I do has ceased to exist long before this conversation began.
-Yes...
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
-What?! Do you know the game?!
Guillermo looks at me in surprise, then smiles and starts laughing. When I realise I'm on my feet and on the table, supporting myself with my arms.
-Ha ha! Of course! My daughter plays it! Did they close the server? Which one? Ah, no wonder she didn't tell me anything...!
-No, not just one server, but all the servers," I hasten to say. The game is over, it's extinct, there is no more Navalheim.
I sit down again. It may be just a video game for people, for me it was something else.
-No wonder...
Guillermo takes his mobile phone out of his pocket and shows me the screen, he asks me to look closer with a gesture. I see the interface of a digital shop. It's one of the best known in the country. I know that's where you can buy the....
-The monthly pass or "Battle Pass"," he said. My daughter used to ask me to buy that for her every month. Today is the thirtieth and she hasn't said anything. I was going to buy it for her at this shop. She said it came with....
-The Ram-Kali weapon set...
-That's it! Ram-Kali's set of branches!
-Ram-Kali, doctor.
Guillermo is silent for a moment. His fingers hold the mobile phone firmly.
-Latin is easier! -he laughs.
His laughter conveys a calmness and warmth to me.
-I think it is," I reply, also laughing.
We continue talking about Navalheim for a while. Finally, the clock tells us it's time to leave. I feel a bit of relief. I'm glad I've explained to my boss about something I know about and he doesn't. I'm sad that he won't be there. It saddens me that there won't be another opportunity to do so, for the source of the experiences he doesn't know and I do has ceased to exist long before this conversation began.
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