Pompeii, Italy
AD 79
I am sitting on a stone shelf in the blazing sun which is high in the crystal clear sky. I have been polished; I am gleaming stone, and I see all those who pass before me on the market street. The man behind me shouts to the crowd.
Ah, the via de l'abbondanza! Come see my wares! Beautiful artwork, sculptures! Cheap! Cheap!
A passerby is interested. He is a small man with dark features, and does not look as affluent as the others browsing. He gazes across the shelf. He looks at me, maybe sensing a depth beyond that which is apparent. His bag is already full of wares.
How much for the cat?
Ah, but it is in such good condition for such a valuable old piece! Regard the detail in the eyes. Twenty-two silver pieces and it is yours.
Fifteen is more reasonable. It is missing part of its tail!
Eighteen then, and that is final.
It is sold.
Money changes hands and I am lifted by the small dark man and placed into his sack. I see many other statuettes and trinkets. None of them return my questioning gaze.
Later, I feel salt air, and we rock gently. I am still in the sack, enclosed and protected. I hear an exclamation from outside, elsewhere. It is the dark man.
Look, look at the mountain! What is happening? Let us hurry to be further from shore.