World Cup Final
Germany 1 -0 Argentina
We took the money and ran. In Karl’s car1, the engine of which someone had molested, stopping every half mile for repairs. Trying to find breakfast we eventually entered a hotel nearby Misty’s old flat. Whilst waiting for the dining room to open we counted the loot, the lucre, the spondulicks, the dough, the cash, the green stuff. Charles went into paroxysms of greed2. There were a lot of notes and a lot of change. It came to around 15,000 kčs. Charles was exclaiming, ‘That’s one Czech for seven and a half months – if he works in a factory. Credulous, benighted nation. God, I hate them. Just look at it, etc.’
Had Ham + Eggs for breakfast, paid in silver. Karl gave me a lift home, on the way we passed a lot of wobblies taking part in a marathon or fun run. Karl took a wrong turn and we drove out of town for 15 minutes (turned round) and 15 minutes back. Eventually home. Set my alarm for 4 in the afternoon. Got up at 12.30. Lunch. Read Steiner3. 5:00 went up to the Castle. Cleaned out the cellar and stored the beer. Home & watched the World Cup Final. Very dull. Took a shower. Bed.
A faded red Fiat 500, I think. Could hardly be smaller. As it was the only one of its sort in Praha, and Karl used to park it on the pavement at the clock end of Wenceslas Square, it became quite well known — among those who break into cars. You could jemmy open the quarterlight windows with a screwdriver. Karl also got mugged about once a month. See above.
The Chartered Accountant in him coming out once more.
George Steiner, After Babel.