Eavesdropping The Loop

Five incidents of eavesdropping on public transport in Brighton and London become an essay written for Sam Vale photo-book Loop: The Stupid Things That Adults Do.


Monday, lunchtime, 26, the Old Steine.

Woman One: “I am ready”.
Woman Two: “Ready”.
Woman One: “I feel that I’m ready”.
Woman Two: “Being ready”.
Woman One: “It’s important to be ready”.
Woman Two: “Ready for now”.
Woman One: “I want to get ready before things start”.
Woman Two: “That’ll be ready, anyway”.

This morning’s reef of grey cloud has peeled back to leave behind a bright blue sky spotted with drifting Rorschach clouds – a beard, some pliers, a plaited headdress, a leaping rabbit from a Chinese silk brocade painting. The light has been rendered telescopic, details shine and colours quiver, the bricks stand out sharply.