Robot

“Robot” is the only Czechoslovakian word in the American lexicon. Thirty-five years ago, having worked there, I drove a rental car into Czechoslovakia. My work finished, I headed out at twilight … only to be stopped by flashing lights and six well-armed policemen. I produced my U.S. passport. They spoke no English. I stood stock still. With only “robot” as common language, it was a short conversation. They were courteous. We were all nonplussed. I, imagining a Czechoslovakian jail cell, sidled into to my car, looked back at them, and waved. They waved to me. I drove off.  

Photo by DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ