Today’s note is about Reservations.
‘Reservation’ is one of those remarkable English words that
contrives to have diametrical meanings. On the one hand, the word means a sense
of hesitation or reconsideration (“I have reservations about writing this
essay.”). With typical linguistic agility, it can also mean securing the time
and place to do something (“I have a reservation to write this essay, so you
can’t tell me the internet is full.”).
Our time on the island has been full of both types of
reservation, especially now as the community tries to open within the bounds of
safe capacity. I can now use both meanings in a single sentence (“I have
reservations to go to dinner, but I have reservations about how safe it would
be to do so.”). I do not mean to make any sort of moral or even scientific
judgement. I’m merely pointing out that we are now in the odd intersection of
Venn diagrams.
Recently, I was bemused by the news item that the Dallas Zoo
is now open for business (I should have saved this essay for my ‘z’ entry).
There is nothing striking about that fact or the associated attempt on the
Zoo’s part to control the flow of the crowds who are likely to come out,
especially with the fine weekend weather we have been having. What I do find
comical is the concept that the Zoo will be open By Appointment Only. In fact,
the appointments represent time of admission and I presume there will be some
guidance as to the flow of passage through the park to limit potential
exposure. But in my mind, I picture a tuxedo-clad lion standing at the maître
d’ station, checking out names on a list before passing us off to a giraffe for
seating. In the kitchen, a rhino is hard at work making soup while hedgehogs
garnish the salads.
There is always something subversive about zoo parks. They
are not locations where you can govern the flow easily. Patrons want to be able
to choose their favorites (I for one would hate to be shuttled through the
spider exhibit). They want to sit and make faces at the gorillas (which they
should not be doing and which the gorillas in their far greater wisdom
generally ignore) or roar back at the tigers (who spend the day sleeping in the
sun despite the noisy visitors). We may be forced to adjust for the pandemic,
but I have trouble envisioning a zoo that has a turnstile flow like some
exhibit at an art museum.
Cancel my zoo reservations for now, thank you. I have far
too many reservations about how a rigid structure will change the experience to
attend right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment