Friendships in the Times of Not Knowing

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I'm coming home from a bar, it's raining cats and dogs outside but I can't shake off the warm feeling that settled in me after meeting my colleagues from the ÉCU office outside working hours. Colleagues isn't a fitting word for them anymore.

 

What are you going to do after this internship? is a question everyone is fired at during the first lunch break. The answer is always quite vague.

 

Uncertainty is the word that collectively describes the interns at ÉCU. We live in a world full of possibilities and this freedom is liberating but making it even more difficult to choose, to decide. So we live day by day, focusing on our task in the office and in the afternoon ...

 

1. INT. – BAR NEAR CHATELET – NIGHT

 

A group of young people drinking beers. They don´t know each other that well but are friends because they don´t know anyone else in Paris.

 

ELSA

You know I will try to stay in Paris at least for two more months … and then I want to do my Masters in Munich

 

 

ANDREA

But I thought you said you dont want to return back to Germany

 


ELSA

Yeah I know but at the same time, it´s the easiest thing to do. I already know everyone, networking is easier for me because of the language ...

 

 

DOMINIK

Yup. Plus Germany has quite a great  film schools

 

ELSA

Yeee, cause I mean, it can get very lonely in Paris, you know?

 

DOMINIK

Well, we can go somewhere during weekend. Sundays are super depressing for me here

 

ANDREA

Omg Sundays are the worst. I wake up and there is no one in the flat. I don´t have anyone to go with to a café

 

ELSA

But I still feel better here in Paris than in Munich with my parents

 

ILGIM

Haha, maybe you will find a girlfriend or meet someone and will feel way better about Paris

 

ELSA

Uf. When is your flight to Turkey?

 

ILGIM

End of January. But I go only to prolong my visa. I’m enrolling to a User Interface Design workshop in London

 

ANDREA

Graphic user what?

 

DOMINIK

In London? But the fees are so expensive

 

ILGIM

My sister is living there. But don´t know If I will be able to stay there for the whole semester. Whatever. Anyone going for a cigarette?

 

CHARLOTTE

Do you have the mint ones?

 

Although we come from all over the world and aiming towards very different destinations, right now, for the duration of our internship, we are all on the same boat, dealing with the same waves, same frequiences.

 

And since we understand each other perfectly, we become friends. Of course, with one person  it´s more intense than with the other but the feeling of safety is present. I know I can share my fears and hopes about future and there will be no judgement. I don´t need to explain everything like I do to my dad and listen to his life advices. Yes, my situation is a bit miserable and my plans pending – I graduated three months ago and currently trying to find a job in Paris in the sphere of cinema while not speaking fluent French - but the fact that I´m not the only one is reassuring.

 

So we meet after work, already taught that world isn´t perfect and mingle.

 

ANDREA

How many siblings you have?

 

DOMINIK

Three. Twelve, nineteen and 21 years old

 

CHARLOTTE

So you are the oldest?

 

DOMINIK

Yup. Perfectionist and responsable

 

ANDREA

So that´s why you are a bit neurrotic in the office when it gets too loud

 

DOMINIK

Well, how am I able to focus on my articles in such a noise

 

CHARLOTTE

Common, you are taking everything so serious

 

DOMINIK

Maybe. At least I don´t get lost in a metro

 

CHARLOTTE

Hey, it wasnt my fault. We dont have metro in Sienna. But I mean it´s nice that you are so devoted

 

ILGIM

Ooh Sienna, I really want to go to there!

 

ANDREA

Seems artsy and lively even tho its not so big

 

CHARLOTTE

Yee you should come

 

ILGIM

I mean, I thought we are all coming to Italy in June, right?

 

And then I get home where is all dark with no one caring how was my day other than my Dad on WhatsApp. And I realise how thankful I am to have the oppurtnity meet so many nice people in a city where I´m a stranger for everyone.






by Ema Nemčovičová 



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