Oddbodanov 17: The Town Hall, Brno

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 25, 13:00
Most dear Ryksa-Euphorbia,
I cannot go on. I am sure you suspect by now. I never did travel to Brno. Never quite got started. We meant to go together. I suppose I hoped we might yet, even in our imaginations. Fitness in mind as well as body! You see, I too hear the festival, the same one you hear, year after year after our year, although I try to drown it out with old records. I have always been close to you, especially since old elephant-ears RIP packed his celestial trunk. Would you like to have tea? Ginger biscuits are on offer.
Yours in ever hopeful anticipation, Strachan a.k.a. Bert, No.4 Flat 2 (by the funfair)

END

Oddbodanov 16: The Town Hall, Brno

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 24
Dear Mr Oddbodanov—Dear Strachan,
How peculiar! When I read your evocative (I cannot define your ‘erocative’ but I feel we’re on firm ground with evocative) description the merest hint of a memory flashed before my eyes… Have we indeed met before or is this merely your flattery and flash deceit? The husband RIP warned about your type. Sign, phone or letter… Those words play tricks in my head.
Yours, quite possibly, if I may take the liberty, Euphoryksa(!)

…concludes at postcard 17

Oddbodanov 15: The Town Hall, Brno

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 23, 16:00
Ryksa, my inspiration, my muse,
At this town hall a concert is to be held next Thursday evening. I wonder, may I be so bold as to invite you to join me? Vividly I remember the love of Czech music we shared. But I confess my motivation is sheer selfishness: to have you with me would increase my enjoyment of such a performance twelvefold. And think what envy I should excite—gosh it’s hot in here—in my fellow audience members to have you on my arm. Do you still prefer a gin and hot chocolate with sprinkles?
Yours, always entirely yours, even while you were with another, Strachan

…continues at postcard 16

Oddbodanov 14: The Town Hall, Brno

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 23, 11:45
My dearest Ryksa,
At last I find cultural solace: a gallery of most arresting art works – I find particularly engaging some semi-abstract historical impressions of the city. Very evocative (EVOCATIVE – in case my scrawl appears like erocative and suggests suggestiveness) personal postcards. Which brings us to vacations! Surely you remember? The sun, the sand, the sea, the sickness and diarrhoea we shared after the unpleasant iced cream? At the last farewell you begged me, “keep in touch – sign, phone or letter!” And after all, here I am, only fifty years later!
Yours, ever constant in my adoration, Strachan

…continues at postcard 15

Oddbodanov 13: The Street Leading to the Castle

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 23
Dear Mr Oddbodanov,
What a relief to hear you have escaped the clutches of the ‘other’ Ryksa! I did not sleep last night for the most horrid visions of you entering the crypt with no intention of exiting. I shudder yet. I imagined you prone among the bones, ossifying. There is so much to live for! I am convinced. Even though I know nothing about you. Meanwhile I have unearthed my Brno A-Z (I don’t know why I have it) and stuck pins in you! I shall track your exploits if you continue to honour me with such scintillating instalments.
Yours in curious delight, Ephy

…continues at postcard 14

Oddbodanov 12: The Street Leading to the Castle

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 22 P.M.
Dear Mr Oddbodanov,
Thank you for your latest postcards. On reflection, I see you were not in any real peril, but such drama! I admit I find these revelations increasingly captivating and eagerly anticipate your next cultural episode. I maintain that I have never made your acquaintance, but that’s no reason to be ungracious. I am however somewhat disturbed by your gravitation toward religiositiness. Any such inclinations are a non-starter as far as my esteem is concerned. However I am fond of a toffee and find myself lightly amused by your jape. It reminds me—but I have not space here for idle nostalgia.
Yours otherwise favourably, Euphorbia etc.

…continues at postcard 13

Oddbodanov 11: The Street Leading to the Castle

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 22, 09:30
Dearest Ryksa-Euphorbia,
Heartfelt gratitude for all your notes which have caught up with me at my lodgings in the cabbage cellar. I savour one with every meal – a word with every exquisite leaf (or vice versa)!
Between meals I bravely venture out. I loathe the busy streets. I have no chance to admire the architectural grooves and ledges or the characteristic orange roof tiles. I am bustled and birled and so often carried along contrary to my will and intended direction! How I wish you were at my side, dearest Ryksa. I should be delighted to go wherever you propelled me.
Yours lovingly from unexpected places, Strachan Scrachich

…continues at postcard 12

Oddbodanov 10: The Queen’s Monastery, Brno

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 22
Dear S. S. Oddbodanov Esq.,
Dear man, are you all right? What a fright I had from your monastic messages!
In haste and concern, Ephy

…continues at postcard 11

Oddbodanov 9: The Queen’s Monastery, Brno

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 21, 17:20
My dearest Ryksa,
I fear I may have been mildly possessed in that place! Since I emerged, I have been walking a circle: down the path to Husova Street, along to Úvoz Street and back up Gorazdova Street. Every time I make the ascent past these custard yellow, sage green, and powder pink tenements I hear the most fearful warning rasps. Even the wind blasts against me. I must retire and rest and hopefully restore myself.
With no less affection despite my wearily abbreviated message, your Strachan

…continues at postcard 10

Oddbodanov 8: The Queen’s Monastery, Brno

Mr Oddbodanov: The Wandering of a Little Soul begins at postcard 1
An inert protagonist modelled on Goncharov’s Oblomov sends surreal intimate postcards of unrequited attention from the Brno landmarks of Janáček’s Sinfonietta

September 21, 15:30
Dearest Ryksa,
Please excuse my previous abrupt conclusion. How ghastly! The officious caretaker demanded I respect the sacred—as if I could disrespect Ryksa!—and remain on the designated aisle and desist from touching and murmuring. He then confiscated my pencil! Your spirit is still with me, however, my fiery goddess: after he lectured me I lurked in an alcove and, when the opportunity came, pressed to his pompous coat-tail a half-chewed toffee!
Mischievous affection, your adoring Strachan

…continues at postcard 9