Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Memento

At the top of the estate is our little kiosk, a small hexagonal wooden building where our kiosk attendant spends the day meeting and greeting everyone who comes past.

The chap in question - let's call him Ken - is lovely and I drive past him many times a day.

My daughter and her boyfriend walk past him often, on their way to the post box, or taking the dog for a stroll. Sometimes my daughter goes past on her bike, on her way out somewhere.

Invariably Ken will emerge from his hut to stop us and ask if we are here for the walks, if we want to visit the tea room or go to the house.

The first few times it happened we would respond: "No, no, it's ok, we live here, we're just out for a walk," or "Hello, Ken, it's me, Doris, I'm just off to the estate office."

However, despite these repeated clarifications, Ken never recognises any of us next time we go past. Which can literally be 10 minutes later on the way back from the post box or office.

"It's like being in Memento," sighed my daughter.

Maybe I should buy Ken a polaroid camera.

9 comments:

Barry Lawrence said...

Why not turn the tables on him? Every time you are going past, just stop at the kiosk and ask things designed to brighten up the day - like "Hello, have you seen Ken about?", "Do you know where the estate kiosk is?" and "Have you seen Doris?"

Doris said...

A cunning plan, Reg. I may just try it!

Geoff said...

Clever film, Memento.

Too clever for me.

Doris said...

I can't remember if I've seen that one...

(I never tire of that gag)

stitchwort said...

Its not a camera he needs, it's an eye-test.

Doris said...

Stitchwort - you may have a point there. Now, how do I suggest as much, tactfully?

Boz said...

Maybe Ken has a space-time continuium problem. My aunt had one of those until she went to see a specialist in Melton Mowbray.

Anonymous said...

Hi Boz - Is that the aunt who came back disguised as a pork pie?

The Birdwatcher said...

Perhaps Ken has a twin and they job share? And they are both called Ken..