May 7/KEF. Vellum. Barter.

The architecture firm is horrified by how much paper they have. Good. It confirms I was right to come.

They are not paying me, but they are offering their old KEF speakers because the partners have agreed they constitute clutter. This is how the German professional class processes guilt: excellent audio equipment.

Anja says we have enough speakers. Anja is, in this specific instance, factually incorrect. We have two speakers. Two is not a system. I brought them home on the U-Bahn in a canvas bag and explained to Anja that this was a tax-free gain, essentially equivalent to income. She threw a cushion at me. I consider this a successful negotiation: I still have the speakers.

My mother called. I told her I was working with an architecture firm. 'Architecture,' she repeated slowly, filing it. 'Is that a real company?' Yes. 'Stefan has a company phone now,' she said. I told her I also have a phone. She said: 'Yes, but they pay for Stefan's.'