Monday, June 28, 2010

WAITING FOR BUSO #6

( Chronometer does not fugit in Samuel Beckett’s Darwin .)

Time used to stand still for bus travellers in Coconut Grove. It was exactly 6.30 for yonks. This was alright if you were aware of the phenomenon , but alarming if you were one of those busy, busy southerners up here on a trip wanting to make the most of every minute. Or locals not aware of the time warp .


The latter was the case when five Aboriginals travelling on a bus one afternoon wanted to know the time and looked at the large dial at the Clock Tower Shopping Centre . Clock says 6.30 . Eh!!! “ Scuse me, mate , what time is it ?” Displaying my watch , I showed them that it was 4pm . But the clock on the tower says 6.30 ? I pointed out it was not working and had been in this state for light years. One of the group , with a degree in horology , explained the situation , “It’s buggered.”