The chronicle of Eger Tobacco Factory
The factory-under construction
THE FACTORY-UNDER CONSTRUCTION The air was filled with the scent of glowing pinewood embers under the cauldrons, with goulash and the smell of freshly whitewashed plaster, it was sweetened by perfumes and spiced with the smoke of strong cigars. The chief construction director Ágoston Paulik stepped up onto the ornate stand fastened to the beams which creative carpenters had turned into an arbour, with red vine-shoots for want of leafy boughs. The November winds were looking for their usual path but got lost amidst the newly erected walls. Many people gathered near the cauldrons for the delicious odour of goulash, but more likely for the heat of the fire. The young stood round a black glittering cannon which grim-looking gunmen in full dress had pointed at Hajdúhegy. The distinguished gentlemen from Budapest and the city were all there; their fur-lined coats and shiny boots set them apart from the others. The factory director Román Boltizár was the centre of the group, rather than of the many new buildings he kept pointing at the sky where most men-in-the-street saw nothing. As the Gypsy band arrived on a cart the curious audience multiplied, for the music drew to the gates of the factory everyone strolling about in the empty market-place in the neighbourhood. The musicians drew up under the stand where the chief construction director was standing. Ágoston Paulik signalled to the first violin who played a florid passage which silenced the crowd and drew the people closer. The chief construction director then cleared his throat, and in his husky voice accustomed to giving commands he began his speech which lasted only as long as the audience’s attention lasted, yet devoted enough time to this important topic.
