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Erika Berger and A Very Short End of The World
A few weeks ago, Erika Berger told me the following story. It happened on a cold Thursday November afternoon in 1968, and Erika Berger thought the end of the world had arrived.
Erika Berger's little hairdresser's shop in the 10th district of Vienna had only been open for just a few weeks. Erika Berger was still very young and new in the business and she was good. Business was going amazingly well. And then, just after 2 on that long ago freezing cold November Thursday afternoon, one of Erika Berger' customers noticed something unusual. Outside in the street there was movement - and it was moving at speed.
First came the kindergarten. And, there was none of the usual childish giggling and laughter. Then came the school; and they were more running than walking and all looking concerned. And, there were many other people as well. All going the same way.
And then, all of a sudden, there was no one outside. Outside, the street was deserted.
And, as Erika Berger carried on working, she thought nothing of the nothing that was happening outside. But, not for too long.
The explosion was enormous. The whole building shook. Combs and scissors and cups and saucers were thrown around, and even a mirror crashed down to the ground. And, Erika Berger, her girls, and her customers - some still with very wet hair - ran out of the shop and into the cold afternoon. And, there stood a policeman. And he was very surprised. Where had they come from?
Earlier that afternoon, an unexploded Second World War bomb had been found. It was on a building site just round the corner. And, the only thing possible was a controlled explosion. And, of course, evacuation. But, for whatever reason -Erika Berger's little shop had been completely forgotten. And then, with a very big smile, the policemen announced that the danger was past and they could all go back to the shop.
And, there was much clearing up to be done. And, that night, with friends and family all helping, the little shop was put back together again. And, even a new mirror and new coffee cups had been found. And, when they had finished, Erika Berger's little hairdresser's shop looked better than ever. Better than new. And, at 9 on the dot the next morning, Erika Berger opened as usual.
Erika Berger's hairdresser's shop had only been open for just a few weeks. Then came the end of the world with a very big bang. But, it wasn't to be. After a night clearing up it was business as usual.
Erika Berger and A Very Short End of The World
Vocabulary
amazingly – erstaunlicherweise
concerned – besorgt
evacuation – evakuieren
even - sogar
giggling – kichern
on the dot - pünktlich
plenty to do – viel zu tun
