Dance with Daniil

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A writing course promises to teach writing darkly and absurdly including a study of texts none other than those of Daniil Kharms, the great absurdist of the 20th century.

A woman, having survived breast cancer and wanting to get on with her writing interests, signs on.

Then she develops uterine cancer before she can begin the preliminary payments for the course, payments which take place over a year’s time.

She writes the course instructor: I am sorry but I have cancer. Having had it before, I know I need to save money for my operation. I can’t spend it on your course. I’m sorry.

She receives a response: When you find out more for sure about your status let me know so I can hold your spot for you.

The woman really has no idea. In her first bout with cancer, she remembers how one appointment led to the next and before she knew it her life went into the rabbit’s hole of chemo, surgery, radiation.

Besides, was she going to survive until the course began?

She responds: I’m not sure I will be alive so that I can attend your course. If I were alive to attend your course it would be because I saved my money for a necessary operation and didn’t attend your course.

She receives a response: When you are able to tell me let me know so I can make administrative decisions. Even though the course does not begin until next year, we try and plan these things a year out. But I certainly understand life can get in the way sometimes.

She responds to the course instructor: I am unable to respond with any certainty.

The woman was trying to wait until she had the surgery and met with her doctors to make many plans for the future.

She receives a response: I have attached an invoice for your first payment in case you are able to pay and attend the course. Thank you for your interest in my course and I think you will enjoy a study of Kharms as we engage in absurdist writings.

The woman does not pay the first monthly installment. Nor does she address all future invoices.

A year later the woman is dead and her mail has been forwarded to her sister.

Her sister receives a letter: Upon receipt of this note, the full payment for the writing course “How to write Absurdly” is due.

Her sister, being a conscientious manager of what little is left of the woman’s assets uses the sale of her home to pay the bill.