What is this place? Is that a belt buckle? I hope that it is.

I really hope that it is.

It is.

A fine buckle, large. Workable.
With buckles like this around, fine buckles, gleaming, it doesn’t seem such a bad place.

Stop.

It’s a nice buckle, that’s all I’m saying. A good buckle.

Balanced.

That’s all I’m saying.

You still with me?

Do you even begin to understand what’s happening here? The significance of it? Not just globally, but historically? (Nov. 1922 — ring any belts?) I just wish I was a part of it. The re-balancing. I think I’d have something to add. A new hole, maybe. But I’m just here with my buckle.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice buckle. But I kind of miss the Ottomans.