Letter 3
Elías Ruiz to Carmen Ortega
14th August 2002 (from Cádiz)
Dearest Carmen,
I almost missed my appointment at the welfare office this afternoon! I woke up twenty minutes before I was meant to be there at three, threw some clothes on and called a taxi, which I can hardly afford, but I can't afford not to receive payments either. I was five minutes late for an appointment once and they wouldn't let me in. The whole thing is a farce as far as I'm concerned, and I'm sure they think the same. They ask how my job seeking is going, I say fine. They ask where I've sent applications, I list some shops I passed on the way there. We shake hands and a few days later I'm paid for it.
The weather's cooled a little today so I went for a walk through La Viña and spent the rest of the afternoon in a café writing notes for a new book I have in mind. Maybe next time you're on holiday here I'll be published and I'll sign you a copy.
I'm sorry things are so hard back home. I hope you're not working too much and enjoy your day at the lake tomorrow.
With all my affection,
Elías.
PS: I know I mentioned this before, but why don't you give me your phone number? There is something romantic about receiving letters but it's hardly practical.