„You know, I think this would make sense for women, don’t you?“ The man laughed.

„A timetable. So you know when you need to cook and to clean.“

No one replied, and I? I was shocked.

No, actually there are no words for my feelings in this moment, nothing could describe it, not even closely. Unbelieving I started at the man.

„Why are you looking at me like that?“ He frowned and apparently was surprised at my behaviour, which made the whole situation seem even more bizzare.

I got angry, really angry. First, I didn’t know what to say or if I should reply at all to such an unbelieveable comment. But as I am I, I knew that I had to. There was no other way. So I tried to be as sober as possible, even though I was repulsed by him and his mindset.

„Are you a time traveller?“

The man was puzzled and snorted: „What? What do you want from me?“

I inhaled deeply.

„I wanted to know if you are from the past. Have a look at the newspaper in your hands, there is a date. You know, I am even allowed to vote and wear pants.“

The man blinked.

„You are a shameless thing! Back in my days…“

I cut him short: „And there is our problem. I am not a thing and back in your days women were baby machines, that had to take care of the houshold and nothing more.“

He smiled. Yes, really, he smiled at me.

„And what’s wrong about that, young lady?“

Did it make sense to keep talking to this person? No. Could I leave it at that? No.

„Have you ever read a history book? You can reread there what exactly is wrong with it. But that wouldn’t change anything, would it? You’d stay at your insanity.“

I got up and looked down at the man, who stayed seated at the bench.

„But you know, what worries me?“

The man waited for me to continue.

„The fact that it’s our world. Without your mother you wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be having this wonderful conversation.“

I left, he shouted something, but I didn’t stop. Why should I turn around for his ignorance?

Jessica Trevisi