Vuzi

Vuzi, one of the cattle herders working for our landlord Johan, wants a TV cabinet.
Actually, in his words, he needs it.
“OK Vuzi, what must it look like?”
“No, you are the carpenter, you must make me one.”
“I cannot make you one if I don’t know what you have in mind.”
“It must be a TV cabinet.”
“Yes I know Vuzi, but do you only want your TV in that cabinet, or are you going to put other stuff in there as well? You must make me a drawing. It can be very basic, just so that I can see what you want.”
A week later he returns with the drawing on a small piece of paper. There are no measurements or dimensions. The television obviously has centre stage, but there must also be room for his “cloth” speakers (apparently they are upholstered with material) on the sides, his dvd’s on a shelf at the top and the amplifier on a shelf at the bottom.
“Thank you Vuzi. How big is your TV? And the size of your speakers and amplifier?”
“It is a big TV. And the speakers are also big.”
“OK, let’s start with the TV. Show me on the tape measure ho high and wide and deep it is.”
I slowly pull the tape. He watches it very intently.
“Stop!” We have the height.
Same procedure.
“Stop!” Width.
Slowly pull the tape.
“Stop!” Depth.
We follow these steps for his speakers and amplifier as well and end up with a sketch I can work with. He also tells me what type of chipboard he wants to be used.
I work at the quote and try this way and that to make it as affordable as possible.
If only the cheapest material were cheaper and I had all the time in the world to conjure something up from salvaged board that I still have to find somewhere.
I send him the quote.

It’s been about 5 months now. He hasn’t come back to me.
I see him every now and then – when we drive through a herd of Johan’s cattle or when a bakkie with his workers on the back passes us. Then Vuzi will smile shyly at me and wave.

It saddens me immensely.
I am a man unable to give someone what he needs. A carpenter constantly reworking the quote on a cheap TV cabinet.


George