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New York, New York... by Marina Bulatovic Barny
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New York, New York...
We got into a taxi that took us to the New Yorker Hotel. There was a big Christmas tree in the lobby loaded down with decorations, lights and garlands. The reception area was crowded. People smiled politely at each other, tugging suitcases, and we took the key to room 3327.
“Hi, here we are again,” I shouted as we entered the room.
Then we went to the National Museum of the American Indian and then walked along to Fifth Avenue. We came back to the hotel late in the evening, frozen, shoes full of snow. I took off my wet tracksuit and put on a sweater and jeans. Then we went down to the hotel bar to breathe in the holiday atmosphere and drink something to warm us up. Before that, we left our wet things on the counter under the sign reading “Drycleaning and Laundry”. “What’s your room number?” asked a nice young African American in a hotel uniform, then added: “You can pick this up tomorrow at the same time.” “We’re in room 3327,” Filip replied. The hotel clerk raised his left eyebrow and asked mysteriously: “Do you know who lived in that room?” Filip nodded and said: “Nikola Tesla.” The clerk lowered his voice almost to a whisper: “The rumor in the hotel is that Tesla’s spirit visits the room sometimes. But don’t be afraid. It’s a good spirit. Tesla died in that very room, in his bed, and became the hotel’s favorite legend.” My husband lowered his voice as well. “Don’t worry. We’re Serbs, just like Tesla. We’re not afraid of anything. We’re somewhat mavericks.” The clerk raised his right eyebrow, scrutinized us and then asked: “Do you know who slept in your room last week? In your bed?” We shrugged our shoulders and he smiled in satisfaction. He looked around, checking whether anyone was nearby, and revealed his secret in a very soft voice: “Nicolas Cage![1] But don’t tell a soul! He spent five or six days locked in that room. He didn’t go anywhere. They left his food on a tray in front of the door. He brought a bunch of books about Tesla with him. He must have been summoning his spirit. Nicolas Cage was born on January 7, the day Tesla died. Isn’t that a bit strange? Reincarnation or only coincidence?” “This guy must be kidding,” I said to Filip in Serbian. “Don’t tell a soul! I’m going straight back to the room! I’ll write an article for the newspaper and tomorrow all of Belgrade will read it,” and marched resolutely toward the elevator. |
“Nina of Arabia” – chapter:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK… author: Marina Bulatovic Barny. |
“Sorry, my wife forgot something in the room. Thank you for everything. We’ll see you tomorrow,” said Filip, staring at the floor. In the end he tried to sound nonchalant and added: “Happy New Year!”
And so before the New Year arrived, I published an article entitled “Nicolas Cage in Tesla’s Room”, fascinated to learn that he believed in reincarnation like I did! Every night as soon as Filip fell asleep, I searched the room in a frenzy hoping to find some little trifle that Nicolas Cage had left behind. I was sleeping in bed with a film star! Although not at the same time… Nevertheless, I felt a crazy thrill! I sniffed around the room hunting for his lost things. A handkerchief or button that fell off. A contact lens, broken fingernail, brand name cuff link, platinum plated money clip or little address book where I would find addresses for Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. I could frame everything I found and keep it (forever) in the study next to the computer. Or sell it at auction for big bucks.
One evening Filip came out of the bathroom faster than I expected and caught me sniffing the pillows like a hunting dog, hoping to pick up the Hollywood star’s scent. He didn’t say a word, just crossed himself three times. And inside my head I had already written a new newspaper article: “Exclusive: Nicolas Cage uses Armani Code Fragrance for Men!”
I spent my nights like Sherlock Holmes and my days walking tirelessly through the city. Good heavens, New York is so exciting! This is where I should have been born! I thought.
And so before the New Year arrived, I published an article entitled “Nicolas Cage in Tesla’s Room”, fascinated to learn that he believed in reincarnation like I did! Every night as soon as Filip fell asleep, I searched the room in a frenzy hoping to find some little trifle that Nicolas Cage had left behind. I was sleeping in bed with a film star! Although not at the same time… Nevertheless, I felt a crazy thrill! I sniffed around the room hunting for his lost things. A handkerchief or button that fell off. A contact lens, broken fingernail, brand name cuff link, platinum plated money clip or little address book where I would find addresses for Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. I could frame everything I found and keep it (forever) in the study next to the computer. Or sell it at auction for big bucks.
One evening Filip came out of the bathroom faster than I expected and caught me sniffing the pillows like a hunting dog, hoping to pick up the Hollywood star’s scent. He didn’t say a word, just crossed himself three times. And inside my head I had already written a new newspaper article: “Exclusive: Nicolas Cage uses Armani Code Fragrance for Men!”
I spent my nights like Sherlock Holmes and my days walking tirelessly through the city. Good heavens, New York is so exciting! This is where I should have been born! I thought.
[1] I love the movie Moonstruck with Cher and Nicolas Cage.
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Marina Bulatovic Barny,
journalist and writer,
contributor to the Urban Book Circle
journalist and writer,
contributor to the Urban Book Circle
“Nina of Arabia” – chapter: NEW YORK, NEW YORK… author: Marina Bulatovic Barny – translated from the Serbian by Alice Copple Tosic.
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New York, New York... by Marina Bulatovic Barny
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- Jon Kovacevic | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | March 12, 2015
· Excerpt & Photographs: Marina Bulatovic Barny / All rights reserved 2015. Copyright © Marina Bulatovic Barny ·
· Translation courtesy of Alice Copple Tosic ·
· Photo of Samuel Beckett’s bookshelf in the study of his apartment at the Boulevard St Jacques in Paris courtesy of John Minihan / All rights reserved 1985. Copyright © John Minihan ·
· Design & Artwork by Djuradj Vujcic and Prvoslav Vujcic · Illustrated by Sarah Riordan and Deidre McAuliffe ·
· Edited by Djuradj Vujcic, Prvoslav Vujcic, Deidre McAuliffe, Sarah Riordan and Danijela Kovacevic Mikic ·
· Edited by Djuradj Vujcic, Prvoslav Vujcic, Deidre McAuliffe, Sarah Riordan and Danijela Kovacevic Mikic ·
All rights reserved 2015. Copyright © Urban Book Circle®
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Last updated on March 12, 2015.
Published by Urban Book Circle on March 11, 2015 Urban Book Circle® (UBC) |