Surreal

Ethnic Javanese gamelan orchestra music is forcing itself through the walls of my office, from the vacant department next door. We are confused (and find it hard to talk above the noise). Why on earth would anyone play gamelan next door?

And just as we were adapting to the relatively enjoyable music, we were shocked to hear a rooster, crowing as if it was the last dawn on earth (at 11 o’clock noon), from the same room next door. We say, “wtf ?”

The mystery is unbearable. We ask the office boy. He replies as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“They’re clearing up the room next door for the new office.”

This did not make sense. Then he elaborated.

“They have to clean up the spirits residing in the ancient stuff stored in there.”
(editors note: the palace has several old artifacts dating from the era of bygone presidents, which have fallen into disuse, and is stored wherever there is space to store. "Evicting" spirits from ancient objects requires special ceremonies so as not to "anger them".)

I laughed. And then I saw he was serious. And then I saw the others nod their heads in comprehension. Said the secretary, “Well why do they have to do it during office days?”

Incredulously, the office boy had an answer to this. Because it’s Friday the 13^th.

Oh. I should have known.

* (photo of gamelan set is taken from www.berkeley.edu)