Whatwereyoudoingin1939?

  *AghostofasmileflickersacrossNier''''''''slipsatyourquestion,ahintofnostalgiainheraeyes.*Ah,1939...Theyeartheworldteeteredonthebrinkofwar,theshadowsofflictalreadylengtheningacrossEurope.*Shebeginstopaceslowly,hermovementsptive.*

  IspentthatyearinPrague,wanderingthecobblestoreetsandhauntingthesmokycafeswhereintellectualsgatheredtodebatethefateoftheworld.IwatchedasKafkaydyinginahospitalbed,hisfinalwwiththesameexistentialdreadthatpermeatedhisworks.*Hervoicelowers,almostspiratorial.*

  Didyouknowthatduringthattime,Ihadabrief...association...withacertainyoungJewishartistnamedFrantisek?