That's my good friend Charlie. He was the first person I met when I came to Venice, and I love him dearly. As a friend.
彼は私の親友Charlie。Veniceに来た時最初に出会った人で、彼のことは心から慕ってる、友達としてね。
That's Charlie.
Charlieよ。
Mmmm... Draft... Actually, I'm not a beer person. I prefer a glass of white wine or a cup of steaming mocha.
Draft beer. Import, of course.
Complimentary candy. For paying customers only. Stan has a habit of taking it out of your salary if you, uhm, get the munchies.
Complimentary candy.
I'm sure Stan won't notice if I dig gently into his supply. He's got crates of these in the back.
I have more than enough.
I hate to say it...but I don't have time to talk to Charlie right now.
Hi, Charlie.
April! Nice to see you, girl.
April！ 会えて嬉しいよ。
No. Early bird finishes the damn painting on time.
(laughs)
I came to wake you this morning, but you'd already left. Early bird catches the worm?
Hi, Charlie.
What's up, April?
Why was the caf・closed earlier?
Ah, you know, some problem with the pipes. Stan, he gets real worked up--he was seriously pissed, girl.
Ugh, gross. There were problems with the plumbing back at the house, too. No hot water.
I noticed! Girl, that was one cold shower. There are always problems with the pipes here in Venice. They're too old.
How's work going today?
Aside from the trouble with the plumbing, everything's been peaceful. Emma's here with Marcus and Isabelle, but other than that, it's been a quiet morning.
Or on holiday.
Perfect time for it too. The city's just boiling in July, and it gets even hotter in August.
You doing anything special tonight?
Working. I should really be at rehearsal, but I need the money. I'm going home for a week before school starts in September.
Right, you told me. Well, that's great. It's been years since your last trip home, right?
Right, yes, you remember well. Four years. My father and I, we haven't been on good terms since I left.
I have to get going, Charlie.
Charlie、私もう行かなきゃ。
Take care, all right?
じゃあね。
Keeps yelling at the plumber to fix it or Stan will fix him, and the poor man is trying to work, but Stan don't quit.
You should've stayed out in the country until the autumn, girl. It's cooler out there, yeah?
Isn't it such a clich・ though? I don't look forward to seeing him again, but it will be nice to be back with the rest of my family. Especially my sisters, and my Mum.
I know how that feels.
Have you seen Cortez around?
Cortezを見なかった？
As a matter of fact, I have. And he was asking for you.
実のところ見かけたよ。君について尋ねてた。
Do you have any idea where I can find the Roma Gallery?
Roma Galleryがどこにあるのか知ってる？
Roma Gallery? I seem to remember the name from somewhere...but no, sorry.
Roma Gallery？ どこかで聞いたことがあるような…ごめん、思い出せない。
They have a poster next to the jukebox, advertising an exhibit.
Jukeboxの隣にポスターを出してるじゃない、展覧会の広告で。
Oh yeah, that's right. I remember they put up that poster. The address must be written down somewhere, yeah? Did you check?
ああ、そうだ。そのポスターが貼られてたのを思い出したよ。住所がどこかに書いてなかった？ 確認したかい？
I'll see you later, Charlie.
またね、Charlie。
Later!
また！
You said Cortez stopped by...
Yeah?
Any idea where Roma Gallery is?
Roma Galleryってどこかしら？
I'd check the poster if I were you. The address has got to be written somewhere.
俺が君だったらポスターを確認するね。住所がどこかに書いてあるよ。
The plumber finds the problem eventually, but not until he's waist high in canal water down in the basement.
Everybody must be at home, out of the sun, yeah?
Mind if I ask you a few questions, Charlie?
少し聞きたいことがあるんだけど、いい？
Why would I mind, girl?
ああ、もちろん。
Can I ask you a few more questions, Charlie?
他にも質問があるんだけど、大丈夫？
Sure.
Yeah, the summers were cooler back home.
I remember, back in St. Vincent, it got so hot sometimes...my father worked as a volunteer fireman, and sometimes he'd "borrow" the old truck from the garage...
On those days, I loved him so much. They were good days.
He'd fill it with spring water from the river up in the hills, and then he would hose me and my sisters down with ice cold water.
We'd laugh and scream and run around, and the funny thing is, his eyes'd light up, and he'd be so proud of himself... He could be so good, and he could be so bad.
I think I prefer this heat to the heat I got at home.
You're safe now, yeah? We take care of you, April.
You do. I'm lucky.
It's not luck. You're a good person, and you deserve good friends. You help me out when I'm in a state, yeah?
You're always in a good mood, Charlie.
Yeah, but you never know. You're there if I ever need you, I know that.
He asked about me?
彼が私のことを？
Yeah, where you were. He had a message for you. I told him to give it to Emma, that she was more likely to bump into you.
うん、どこにいるかって。君に伝言があったらしい。Emmaに伝えるように言ったよ、彼女のほうが君と出くわす確率が高いからね。
Do you know where he was going?
それからどこに行ったかわかる？
No, but he seemed interested in that poster next to the jukebox. They put it up earlier today.
さあ。でもJukeboxの横のポスターに興味があったみたいだよ。今朝貼られたやつだ。
Thanks.
I got it. But I have no idea what it means.
聞いたわ。でも意味がわからないの。
Cortez can be a little strange.
彼ちょっと変わってるね。
Do you have any ideas where kids would be able to, uh, "visualize their dreams"?
子供たちが…ええと、「夢を思い描ける」場所って、どこのことか分かる？
Maybe in therapy?
それってセラピー？
I don't think that's it, Charlie.
違うと思う、Charlie。
What poster did you say he was interested in?
彼が見てたポスターってどれ？
The one right next to the jukebox.
Jukeboxの横のやつだよ。
Anytime, April.
お安いご用さ。
Then, I don't know.
Remember you're supposed to get paid today. Stan's not gonna remember unless you bug him about it.
What's your take on Cortez?
Cortezってどう思う？
Why do you want to talk about Cortez? I don't know him that well, girl. Yeah, he's been around for as long as I can remember, but I never really talked to the man.
どうしてCortezについて聞くの？ 俺は彼のことあまり知らないよ。そうだな、彼は俺が覚えてる限りずっとこの辺りにいるけど、実際に話したことはなかったな。
Do you think he's as crazy as some people say?
一部の人が言うように狂人だと思う？
No, he's not crazy. Just a little eccentric. He doesn't give a donkey's ass what people think or say about him, and that's cool.
I don't know, I have a feeling there's a lot more to Cortez than what he wants us to believe. That man has had an eventful life, I'm sure.
Anything else that comes to mind about Cortez?
What else? I don't know what to tell you, girl. When he's not talking about books, he talks about old movies. He loves the classics. Calls them "real art".
What was it about me that made you want to be my friend, Charlie?
Everything, girl! You're a sweet peach (laughs). No, it's true -- I liked you from the very beginning, when you first came into the caf・with a suitcase in each hand, lost and bewildered.
God, thanks for reminding me. I was such a country bumpkin.
No, everyone who comes to Venice looks like that, girl. This is the village of the damned, don't you know? (laughs)
How long have you known Emma?
I met Emma about one year ago, when she started studying at VAVA. She moved into the room just opposite mine, and we became friends almost immediately.
I like her a lot, and the two of you are the best friends I've ever had.
Thanks, Charlie. The same goes for me. Did you ever tell Emma that?
Yeah, I've told her, and she jokes about it...that's just Emma. I know she appreciates me telling her, though.
Does Emma's behavior ever worry you?
She can seem a little out of control from time to time, but she's smarter than people give her credit for. I think she's able to take good care of herself. She's a brilliant artist. Her sculptures are inventive and beautiful.
I know. Sometimes I'm in awe -- they just don't seem to match her personality.
She's a deep person, but she hides it well. She's more comfortable being a ditzy teenager than a professional artist, but around the two of us -- sometimes she lets the disguise drop. I love her when she does that.
Thanks, Charlie.
What about you Charlie?
What about me?
Yeah, when was the last time you talked about yourself?
I don't talk much about myself, girl. You know that.
Still...I'd like to talk about you for a bit.
If you want... Just in general, or is there anything in particular you want to know?
Could I ask you a few more questions about yourself?
Yeah, sure. If you're interested.
Do you like living in Venice?
I love Venice. I've been here three years now, and I haven't grown tired with it yet... I don't know if I ever will.
Venice's like a college campus -- there are so many young people here, from all over the world, and the mix of nationalities and ideologies and ethnicities is refreshing and inspiring.
The fact that we're also right in the middle of one of the great cities on Earth is just a bonus. Call Newport whatever you want, at least it's alive, and there's always something going on.
Yeah, Venice is my kinda place, and I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon. At least not as long as all my friends are living here.
Thanks, Charlie.
What's your biggest dream?
A dark stage, a packed auditorium, and a single spotlight. Dancing, girl, don't you know?
I'm a good dancer, but I need to be among the best to make it out in the real world. So I'll keep studying and I'll keep working as a waiter to support my studies. Just like you.
How did you end up in Venice?
At home, there wasn't much professional training available for dancers. And my father, he was not happy about my choice of career. He wanted me to work in the factories like him and his father.
Out here, in Venice, everyone's got their own dreams and people are supportive of each other no matter how crazy those dreams might be.
Your dream isn't crazy at all, Charlie. You're already half-way there.
But I still have a long way to go. You're right, girl. I can make it if I work hard enough. So can you, 'cause we're both just so damn talented! (laughs)
Are you happy working here at the caf・
We make decent money, if that's what you mean. I don't want to be a bartender for the rest of my life, obviously, but yeah, I'm happy I have a job. And you work here too, so I get to hang out with my friend, right?
If it wasn't for that, I don't know if I'd be able to do it. Hard work and lousy pay. But the hours are flexible, and like you said, I get to hang out with you and my other friends.
That's all I wanted to know, Charlie.
Okay.
Unfortunately, yeah. Are you staying for the show tonight?
What show?
You don't know who's playing?
I've had a--few other things on my mind these past few days, Charlie...sorry. Anybody good?
Anybody good? Are you kidding? Royn Dale's playing! It's the first gig on their new tour...sort of returning to their roots before they do the big venues.
Tonight? Great! That's perfect, especially tonight. I need some serious unwinding.
Yeah? What's up?
You still staying for the show?
Yup. Just wanted to chat a little first.
Sure. What's on your mind, girl?
Pulling long hours today, Charlie?
Nothing, I'm just tired.
I just had the weirdest experience of my life.
You wouldn't believe me anyway.
You don't look too hot either. I mean, uh, you always look hot, but you look a little beat...a little tired.
Do you mean that? About me always looking hot?
Yeah, you know I think you're the most beautiful girl in the world. I've told you before.
I just have a hard time accepting it, is all. Thanks, Charlie. You so sweet.
Weirder than what happened here last night?
I just had the weirdest experience of my life.
Weirder than last night?
Much weirder, trust me. I mean, what happened here...it could be explained. A hologram, Rapture gas, mass suggestion...
That's stretching it a little, don't you think?
What, rather than the alternatives? That we're all either going crazy or that something is breaking through from another world? You don't think that's stretching it?
I don't know what I think, April. I just know that, sometimes, there are things lurking in the shadows that can't be explained by science...that the world holds more mysteries than we think.
Maybe.
Try me.
No, really, you would not believe it. I'm not sure if I believe it. Actually, I'm pretty sure I don't, but...it's too close right now, I gotta think it through first.
All right, when you're ready you tell me, okay?
Maybe. If I tell anybody, you'll be the first, Charlie.
Who told you about last night?
Fiona. And I told her about what happened here.
Much weirder. I mean, it sounded like what happened here could've...it might just have been mass suggestion, or a hologram, or even Rapture gas.
April--
It's happened! I know, I know, it was probably very real to you, and I'm not saying it wasn't, but the alternatives...
Are the alternatives so much worse? That there are things going on that we can't explain? That there's more to life than what science teaches us?
I don't know, Charlie. I wish I did, but I don't.
What do you mean? What happened here?
You don't know? It was another one of those "weirdest things ever" incidents, but it sounds so much like what happened to you guys.
It happened around eleven last night. I was behind the bar, and I couldn't see how it started, but when the music changed...
Something--it wasn't human, or not like any human I've seen--appeared...materialized...from the jukebox. It was playing an instrument, and at first it didn't seem to notice anyone...
Then, when it did, it suddenly disappeared again. I mean, everyone saw it. Everyone. And everyone was just staring at the jukebox, and then at each other. And then things sort of...returned to normal again.
It was as if they all chose to block it out. It was really scary.
That does sound like what happened back at the house last night. But Charlie, it could just have been--I dunno--mass suggestion, or perhaps gas Rapture...even a hologram.
Why is that easier to accept than the alternatives?
You mean, that we're all going crazy? Or that something really is happening, like an opening between dimensions, and stuff's leaking through? You'd rather believe that?
I believe there's more things under the sky than science can explain. To me, that's a better explanation. I can accept a mystery.
Charlie, I don't know...I don't know what I'm supposed to believe anymore.
So what's this thing you were gonna tell me about, the "weirdest experience of your life"?
You wouldn't believe me anyway, Charlie.
Try me.
No, really. I can't. It's too much, too close. I don't know if I believe it myself.
Okay. You tell me about it later then, all right?
Maybe.
I have to tell you what happened to me last night.
If it's about what happened in the common room, I heard. Fiona told me.
Really? Freaky, isn't it? It freaked me out, that's for sure.
Yeah, but I can relate. Did anyone tell you what happened here?
No, what?
Around eleven last night, I was working the bar, and I couldn't see how it started, but the music suddenly...changed.
Something--it don't think it was human, not from any anatomy book I've ever seen, at least--appeared...some said materialized...from the jukebox. It was playing an instrument, and at first it didn't seem to notice anyone...
Then, the second it did notice, it disappeared. In the blink of an eye. Everyone saw it. And, afterwards, everyone was just staring at the jukebox in complete silence...and then things just...went back to normal.
It was as if they all chose to block it out. It freaked me out too. And, even though we--you and me--didn't see the same thing, I believe they are...they must be...related.
What the hell's going on?
I don't know. My Grandma would call it voodoo, but then she calls everything she can't explain voodoo.
How about hallucinations? Or mass hypnosis?
In two different places, at the same time? Do you really believe that, April?
Don't ask me what I believe. The alternatives...
...are scary, yeah, but is the fact that there are unexplained mysteries in the world any worse than the possibility someone's feeding us nightmares?
If you could only... Yeah, Charlie, I think I'd actually prefer that.
Is Emma around?
Haven't seen her. But she knows about the show, so she'll be here.
When does the concert start?
In less than an hour. I expect the place to be crowded soon, so you should find yourself a spot to sit down.
Thanks, Charlie.
No problem. Later.
I'm glad you're here. I need somebody to talk to.
Yeah? Me too. What's going on?
Charlie?
Weird stuff has been happening to me.
You go first.
Oh, nothing.
Doesn't it always?
Not like this. I was convinced they were hallucinations, after-effects of my dreams...but yesterday, and last night...
Last night? That's incredible. Me too!
You haven't heard anything about what happened here last night?
Not a word. Now you definitely got my attention. What happened?
No problem.
Around eleven last night, I was working the bar, and--well, I couldn't see how it started, but the music suddenly changed, and the place went dead quiet. I walked over to the far end of the bar...
Something--it wasn't human, definitely not like any human I've ever seen--just appeared out of thin air where the jukebox is, playing an instrument. At first it didn't seem to notice anyone...
...everyone stood there, watching it, dead silent. Then it looked up, and then it just disappeared. Everyone was staring at the jukebox, and then at each other. And then things just...went back to normal.
It was as if they all chose to block it out. It was scary, girl. I couldn't get the image of that creature out of my mind...and the look on its face... It was real, that's for sure. As real as you and me. But different.
Don't interrupt.
What happened?
You haven't heard anything about what happened here last night?
No. Tell me.
Sorry, girl. Go on.
This is gonna be hard to believe...but it's true, I swear to you.
Of course I'll believe you, girl.
Last night, I came home, and Mickey and Fiona were watching the screen. So I joined them. We watched a documentary about the rainforest, and...and...
What happened?
The room turned into a jungle.
Are you serious?
No. I'm lying to you. Of course I'm sure! I was there, Fiona was there, Mickey...we all saw the same thing. A jungle. But only for a split second.
Then it was gone. Just like that. And it wasn't like a hologram--it was more real than that. It smelled right. The air was thick and humid, and...and it didn't feel synthetic, like those shows they have. It felt real.
The worst part was, it looked familiar. Like something from a...a dream. I recognized the place. And I recognized the emotions I had being there.
From where?
Like I said, from dreams. And from...experiences I've had...these past few days. Strange stuff. Scary stuff. But I'd rather not talk about those experiences now.
I understand. Wow. Heavy.
It's amazing how similar our stories are. And it scares me. Because...have you considered the possibility you've been drugged, Charlie? Or subjected to some holographic experiment?
You prefer that to the alternatives?
That we're going crazy, or that there's actually something...something going on, something we can't understand? You think those alternatives are better?
I can't tell you, April. All I know is the experience was real to me, as yours was to you, and to a lot of other people.
Now I want to hear your story, April. What happened?
So what about you, Charlie? What's your story?
Any nightmares tonight, April?
After last night? Are you kidding? It's a wonder I haven't gone crazy yet.
So you're in the "true believer" crowd, then?
What do you mean?
What I mean is, a lot of the people who were here last night refuse to admit they saw what they saw. Or they blame it on hidden holographic projectors, or drugs in the coffee.
That's as good an explanation as any, don't you think?
Is it? Amongst all the alternatives, you'd prefer to believe in a conspiracy?
What, and face that fact that we all might be going mad, or that something really bad is happening?
Who knows, April. Perhaps sometimes it's better to embrace the mystery rather than trying to explain it?
I believe what I see, Charlie. And sometimes I don't even believe that. Anyway. Let's not talk about that right now, okay?
Okay.
Charlie?
Gotta go find Cortez again.
Is this going to be a daily ritual with you guys?
I certainly hope not.
Bye, Charlie.
Later.
Mind if I ask you a few questions, Charlie?
Can I ask you a few more questions, Charlie?
Sure.
Why would I mind, girl?
