A Surreal Escape

The situation was apocalyptic. In minutes the crowd scattered in frenzy unaware of what to do and where to go. The entrance to the Reina Sofia museum was shut and the exit was nowhere to be found. All this while, thirty six year old Mercedes Hernandez stared at La Casa De La Palmera painted by the great Spanish artist, Joan Mirò. Mercedes could sit hours gazing at his paintings but she had a special place for this particular one. It reminded her of the house she grew up as a child and the many fond memories attached. A sudden realisation; she hadn’t been home in ten years. 

Much had happened since then. She graduated from university in Madrid, took up a job, got married and soon divorced. In the last decade everything around her had changed except the exquisite work of Mirò. She often visited the museum in times of crisis. The painting gave her a sense of calm; reassurance that things will become better. Although, she found it hard to believe that this would be the case this time. There truly was not much hope left. Around her people were screaming either in pain or annoyance. Spain has a long tragic history of violence and the year 2020 wasn’t proving any better. One section of the museum had caught fire and the extinguishers gushed water. Mercedes was unbothered. She just kept staring. The sirens went out and everything was in chaos. 

A man came up to her and asked ¿Estás aquí para robar? Are you here to steal? She shook her head. The man went up to another very famous painting by Mirò. He grabbed it by the frame. Mercedes looked at him in disbelief. Was he really going to steal from Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia? The sirens didn’t go off. ‘Toma el Gris’ the thief said and directed Mercedes to the next room. She stood there perplexed and waited for the security to arrive but nothing happened. The man took his next painting and was walking in the direction unknown to the folks wounded in hysteria. She looked at La Casa De La Palmera. 

¡Esperame! Wait for me, she shouted. The man heard and stopped. She grabbed the painting and ran as fast as she could. The man opened the gate with his magic key card and they were out in the streets of Madrid. Madness had reached the city. People were destroying public property and kebab places on the curb. The man had a car waiting for him. He asked Mercedes if she wanted a lift. She looked at the chaos and wasn’t confused anymore. 
Where will you go? The driver asked.
Home.