Every age has its own needs, but I would not have thought it possible that a battery could clock the day. Mine is almost empty, eleven percent shows the smartphone and complains squeaky. This is actually a great temptation, as unexpected space opens up for everything you don’t need electricity for: reading. Think. To write. smile at people. To listen. All of that. But I’m on the road and the afternoon and evening is filled with projects for which I need the tiresome proof of vaccination. So I buy a second charger, gently rocking myself that I’ll come across an outlet.
I look in the mall, in the train station, in the subway. I feel like a junkie because the now nine percent makes me tremble. Do I have to write off two appointments and several errands for today? But what are people for? Helpfulness is the word of the hour and how often have I been amazed at their many faces lately. I boldly enter the branch of a bakery chain, ask if I can charge the phone for a moment and explain why. “Not really,” says the saleswoman. I wait for the “but”, but none comes. Eight percent.
Opposite I see a doner kebab shop. The man behind the counter gives me a friendly glare while sharpening his meat sword and I have to laugh at the combination of facial expressions and gestures. “Unfortunately we don’t have any free sockets,” he answers my question, but turns around and lets his eyes wander. We wish each other a good day and I curse to myself that mine is running on a battery. Six percent. beep
There is a tiny coffee shop on my way to the appointment and I make one last attempt. The barista speaks in a delicious singsong so it sounds like music as he says, “Of course, sit down.” He pulls his own charger from the outlet on the counter and offers the freed power source to me like one place in the restaurant. “There you are,” he sings and turns back to his magazine after bringing me an orange juice.
I pull a book out of my bag and consider packing an emergency generator instead of reading material before heading out on a long day in the city. These times are difficult to bear and those who cannot yet learn to ask for help.