The fan fitted into her bag beside the notebook. Once Mea opened it, it occupied considerably more attention. She tried a slow movement of her wrist, then another. In this Spanish collage, a practical little object becomes a theatrical prop. Mea intends to use it with complete seriousness. For the first few seconds, at least.
Illustrated fiction inspired by original Travel2City photographs. The places come from separate journeys, not a one-day itinerary. Characters, dialogue, props and some composition and lighting are artistic interpretations.
Beside the water in Granada, she opened the fan slowly, enjoying each little fold. For a moment, she felt like a lady who knew exactly what she was doing. Then she waved it too close to her nose and had to laugh. The long pool remained undisturbed. Mea reduced the dignity and increased the comfort. Her second attempt pleasantly cooled her cheeks. The opening lesson could be considered a success.
Beside the red wall in Córdoba, she lifted the fan beneath her smile and attempted a mysterious look. It lasted only briefly. Her good mood was entirely unmysterious. She felt a little like an actress arriving at rehearsal without a script but with an excellent prop. She did not need an audience. It was enough to enjoy her own pose for a moment, and to rather like herself in it.
Beside Seville’s tiles, the wind arrived before Mea could attempt another elegant gesture. Her scarf moved, hair brushed her cheek and the fan suddenly looked rather unemployed. She lowered it to her side and caught a stray lock with her free hand. Nature had apparently decided to help with the performance. It did not even ask for applause. Mea silently gave it some anyway.
On Barcelona’s mosaic bench, she closed the fan and rested it in her lap. The coloured pieces around her managed their own performance without rehearsal. Mea settled comfortably and gazed ahead. She no longer needed to look mysterious or ceremonial. Feeling pleasant was quite enough. The little fan kept all its folds and all the day’s roles. No time had yet been set for the next performance.
“For a little while, I shall simply play myself.”
From notebook to book
The Map with No Last Page
Travel2City journeys continue between the covers of a book. Discover our illustrated travel world.
Mea put it back in her bag more carefully than that morning. It was now a fan that had shared an experience with her. She remembered that even an ordinary movement of the wrist could improve an entire day.
