Ninety-One

The young Sherpa, in order to radiate empathy with the world, looks at his partner and points down. The gesture refers to the Englishman, of course. To his situation. If indeed it refers to something. Then he sits down beside the older man with the intention of conversing with him. About anything, like two friends who no longer have too much to say to one another and who only speak of the contingent. He tries to say something about the proximity, altogether urgent, of the night.

‘What about when it gets dark?’ asks the young man.

‘In five minutes we’ll call Base Camp.’