This was the first stage in which they seemed to start “colorizing” my working place, by the colors I knew and I wanted and I was receiving it. In the second phase, with any exaggerations, I simply got so close to these people that I myself looked to give them back the same proof of affection, liking them, trying to build them a place in my heart. An inner place through which we could communicate with no words but by the fruitage of our fraternal and helpmate trust.
– Listen, Thomas took hold of the teacher, so you won’t be the only grey and old man, look, a grey woman shows up on the road.
– Good evening, the old lady greets us.
– Good evening to you too, we hurry to greet her back, in chorus.
Buia Thomas, our host says:
– Being a part of my suffering, you may have noticed I am dealing harder and harder with my walk, although I’m not 50 years old yet.
I had the guts to work in that gallery, Purcaret, most of all because it was above my house and I didn’t have to go by car, to wake up with two hours earlier to get at the “entrance in the mine”, but the work terms were very hard.
We started the gallery in an autumn. All winter we were so cold, because we were really 10-20 meters far from the outside. Then these underground water that were daily filling our boots, frizzing our feet, it wasn’t any help. Still because of this water, from infiltrations, our wells compromised. That’s why now my feet aren’t listening to me anymore, nor my knees, in fact nothing else listens to me. From a head mine digger I became a “patch” at the age you see me.
– Mister Buia, you are “green” enough, cheered him the professor to whom was not suitable to contemplate the atmosphere of pity that lasted from the early morning till now when they got out from the grave yard.
– Well Mister Iorgu, Buia addressed him, it will be my pleasure not to talk about this subject but actually not only my feet hurt, nor all my wrists and then they said I have a “syndrome” that would affect my heart a lot, with the silicosis “I’m not bad”, second degree, and they decided to give take me in retirement. Honestly I’m telling you that this pain is so big sometimes that I don’t know what to do anymore. Then I give up my medicines and I start drinking until I go to sleep and I don’t feel anything anymore.