Bodor Ferenc: Coffee-Houses - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)

Kisposta (little post)

An age-old establishment hugs the Nagyposta of Krisztina körút. Historical masterpieces, postal objets dart are fixed to partition walls and illuminated to separate the world of transient guests from the more profound interior, where there is a drum synthesizer, an upright piano with a traditional lamp wearing a lampshade standing on it. Dried flower compositions affixed relief-like to the walls. In the middle of the room Mr Lajos is dancing a smoochy dance with a girl from Zsámbék. Sparks fly, generated by their synthetic jackets rubbing together. The emptiness of the cold-storage showcase bothers no one; moustached, sturdy, large-booted telegraph messengers come more rarely now. Only a couple of black-caped postmen muse over their diminishing beers like old bumble-bees, enjoying knocking-off time. It is springtime, late afternoon, with warm lights, a smell of rain in the air, discreet raids, yawning customers. The leather armchairs offer peace and satisfaction lasting until well after midnight. Buda is preparing to turn in. The all-night newsvendors are doing a bustling trade in glossy magazines which, folded crosswise, disappear into side pockets, like the shabby lights of the evening, and the joie de vivre of the guests.

2/4 KRISZTINA KÖRÚT, XII.

KISPOSTA

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