1
00:00:12,012 --> 00:00:14,014
[fire crackling]
2
00:00:19,102 --> 00:00:20,270
[sighs]
3
00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:24,983
[Wilhelm] Don't tell me
you're full already, Charlotte.
4
00:00:24,983 --> 00:00:26,067
Um...
5
00:00:28,570 --> 00:00:31,781
The thing is...
I don't really care for meat.
6
00:00:31,781 --> 00:00:34,034
You shouldn't be so picky about food.
7
00:00:36,036 --> 00:00:37,287
Oh.
8
00:00:37,287 --> 00:00:40,707
I wish there was someone to help me
finish what I didn't want to eat.
9
00:00:40,707 --> 00:00:42,292
[Jacob chuckles]
10
00:00:42,917 --> 00:00:46,713
I recently heard a story about
elves helping out a shoemaker.
11
00:00:46,713 --> 00:00:49,966
[gasps] The elves sound
so nice and generous!
12
00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:53,887
But you see, the reason
the elves wanted to help the shoemaker
13
00:00:53,887 --> 00:00:57,515
is because he was such an honest
and diligent worker, Charlotte.
14
00:00:57,515 --> 00:01:01,644
You could learn a thing or two
about how to be a little bit less selfish.
15
00:01:01,644 --> 00:01:02,771
Aw.
16
00:01:03,438 --> 00:01:04,731
[sighs]
17
00:01:06,066 --> 00:01:08,109
[brothers chuckle]
18
00:01:08,109 --> 00:01:09,611
[Charlotte] I wonder...
19
00:01:09,611 --> 00:01:10,695
[brothers] Hmm?
20
00:01:10,695 --> 00:01:13,239
[Charlotte] Between giving the elves
my food to eat for me
21
00:01:13,239 --> 00:01:15,116
or pushing myself to eat it...
22
00:01:17,327 --> 00:01:19,496
which do you think is the better choice?
23
00:01:20,747 --> 00:01:22,415
{\an8}[upbeat music playing]
24
00:02:18,096 --> 00:02:20,098
[insects chirping]
25
00:02:22,183 --> 00:02:24,310
[mysterious music playing]
26
00:02:25,770 --> 00:02:26,729
[cawing]
27
00:02:26,729 --> 00:02:27,647
BAR DAIKICHI
28
00:02:27,647 --> 00:02:28,731
DAIKICHI ODEN
29
00:02:28,731 --> 00:02:29,649
[barking]
30
00:02:32,694 --> 00:02:35,071
[man on radio] Starting this year,
the Ryogoku River Festival,
31
00:02:35,071 --> 00:02:39,534
held at Sumida River, will be called
the Sumida River Fireworks Festival.
32
00:02:39,534 --> 00:02:42,078
It's been 17 years since it was last held.
33
00:02:42,078 --> 00:02:43,121
[sighs]
34
00:02:43,121 --> 00:02:47,167
In other news, with the beginning
of this year's summer tourist season...
35
00:02:47,167 --> 00:02:49,127
- [car door opens]
- [woman 1] Welcome home!
36
00:02:49,127 --> 00:02:51,379
[woman 2] She was in a great mood today.
37
00:02:51,379 --> 00:02:53,798
As always, thanks for taking care of her.
38
00:02:53,798 --> 00:02:55,758
Would you like to talk
about the schedule now?
39
00:02:55,758 --> 00:02:56,885
- Yeah?
- Sure.
40
00:02:56,885 --> 00:02:58,887
Mommy, help me!
My poor dolly!
41
00:02:58,887 --> 00:03:02,307
- She's broken! [sobs]
- Oh goodness. There, there.
42
00:03:02,307 --> 00:03:05,935
{\an8}[woman 2] Did you hear about Z's kid?
Failed the entrance exam, apparently!
43
00:03:05,935 --> 00:03:07,645
{\an8}[woman 1 laughs] Really?
44
00:03:07,645 --> 00:03:10,315
{\an8}[woman 2] That's what I heard!
And you better sit down for this one.
45
00:03:10,315 --> 00:03:12,901
{\an8}I hear X is finally getting divorced.
46
00:03:12,901 --> 00:03:15,195
{\an8}[woman 1] I knew it! [laughs]
47
00:03:15,195 --> 00:03:16,696
{\an8}[man groans]
48
00:03:16,696 --> 00:03:19,032
- [woman 2] That was a long time coming.
- [man growls]
49
00:03:19,032 --> 00:03:21,159
- Something about an affair--
- [man] Shut up!
50
00:03:21,159 --> 00:03:22,243
- Oh!
- Ooh!
51
00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:25,163
- Oh.
- Who was that?
52
00:03:25,997 --> 00:03:27,707
[man growling]
53
00:03:31,753 --> 00:03:32,879
JAPANESE DICTIONARY
54
00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,551
14TH JONICHI PUBLICATION
CULTURE AWARD CEREMONY
55
00:03:39,135 --> 00:03:40,762
That's our neighbor, Mr. N.
56
00:03:40,762 --> 00:03:43,890
He at least says hello when I see him
around. Not sure what's wrong.
57
00:03:43,890 --> 00:03:46,517
Miss Y, please be careful.
58
00:03:46,517 --> 00:03:49,604
Some people can flip a switch
and get mad for no reason at all,
59
00:03:49,604 --> 00:03:51,522
and there's no telling what they might do.
60
00:03:51,522 --> 00:03:54,525
- Mommy! Read book!
- Later, okay?
61
00:03:55,109 --> 00:03:57,528
Those types of people
have tons of pent-up anger,
62
00:03:57,528 --> 00:04:01,491
and end up taking it all out
on those they consider weaker than them.
63
00:04:01,491 --> 00:04:03,785
[Y] I know exactly what you mean.
64
00:04:05,703 --> 00:04:09,457
[N] There's no telling
what they might do, huh?
65
00:04:09,457 --> 00:04:15,546
IN A FIT OF RAGE,
HE BEATS THE OLD LADY TO DEATH.
66
00:04:16,506 --> 00:04:18,883
- Oh, landlord! Question...
- Huh?
67
00:04:18,883 --> 00:04:23,263
[Y] This Mr. N. Wouldn't you say
he has a, uh, well, complicated history?
68
00:04:23,263 --> 00:04:24,847
[landlord] I wouldn't say that...
69
00:04:25,598 --> 00:04:28,601
A fully-grown man staying all cooped up
in his house 24/7
70
00:04:28,601 --> 00:04:31,771
just isn't normal behavior,
I think anyone would agree about that.
71
00:04:31,771 --> 00:04:34,315
Perhaps, but novelists are often odd.
72
00:04:34,315 --> 00:04:37,110
What is that you said?
Are you telling me he's an author?
73
00:04:37,110 --> 00:04:39,779
Has he written anything
I may have heard of?
74
00:04:40,530 --> 00:04:44,033
Let's see. A couple of his titles
are Two in the Ruin, and Ask at Midnight.
75
00:04:44,033 --> 00:04:45,743
Have you heard of either of those?
76
00:04:45,743 --> 00:04:47,662
Huh? Not me.
77
00:04:47,662 --> 00:04:49,706
Hold on. I actually have!
78
00:04:49,706 --> 00:04:52,834
Right, and the author
of both those books would be, uh...
79
00:04:52,834 --> 00:04:56,129
[woman 2] But, uh... how long has it been
since those came out?
80
00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:58,089
It's been some time, like, um,
81
00:04:58,756 --> 00:05:02,176
ten or... maybe even 20 years?
82
00:05:02,176 --> 00:05:06,139
Wow! Two entire decades have gone by
and he still continues to be a writer?
83
00:05:06,139 --> 00:05:08,474
As far as I'm aware.
84
00:05:08,474 --> 00:05:12,103
He used to give me a copy of each
of his books as a gift once a year,
85
00:05:12,103 --> 00:05:15,690
but now that I think about it,
he hasn't done that recently.
86
00:05:15,690 --> 00:05:17,066
[woman 2] Oh!
87
00:05:17,066 --> 00:05:18,693
[yells] Flower!
88
00:05:18,693 --> 00:05:21,446
[Y] Now, now.
You can't yell like that.
89
00:05:21,446 --> 00:05:24,532
Anyhow, it doesn't change the fact that
we don't know what he's up to in there.
90
00:05:24,532 --> 00:05:25,616
- [door opens]
- [gasps]
91
00:05:27,493 --> 00:05:28,578
[locks door]
92
00:05:29,996 --> 00:05:31,080
Hmm?
93
00:05:32,874 --> 00:05:36,753
Uh, come on, let's get you home now
and I'll read you a book, okay?
94
00:05:36,753 --> 00:05:39,589
Hello! It's rare
to see you go out anywhere.
95
00:05:39,589 --> 00:05:41,632
Yeah, well, you know...
96
00:05:41,632 --> 00:05:45,219
It's a good thing!
You've gotta gather material and all.
97
00:05:45,219 --> 00:05:47,680
Well, now. I need to head on back.
98
00:05:49,599 --> 00:05:51,392
[N] Don't know what I'm up to, huh?
99
00:05:51,392 --> 00:05:53,144
It's none of their business.
100
00:05:53,144 --> 00:05:54,937
[gentle music playing]
101
00:05:56,189 --> 00:05:58,274
- [van door slams]
- [engine starts]
102
00:05:58,274 --> 00:06:02,820
How long has it been since the
literary world called me the wonder boy?
103
00:06:02,820 --> 00:06:05,490
A NEW RISING STAR!
ASK AT MIDNIGHT BY N
104
00:06:05,490 --> 00:06:09,118
[N] Not that it matters.
It's nothing but a thing of the past now.
105
00:06:09,118 --> 00:06:10,203
ACCOUNT BALANCE
106
00:06:11,496 --> 00:06:12,497
[N] Thanks.
107
00:06:13,456 --> 00:06:15,124
- Oh. Sorry.
- [coin jangles]
108
00:06:16,125 --> 00:06:18,711
[N] People think
I'm in danger of dying alone.
109
00:06:18,711 --> 00:06:21,756
They even fear
I might commit impulsive slaughter.
110
00:06:21,756 --> 00:06:24,592
But I'm normal.
Well, maybe less interesting than that.
111
00:06:26,552 --> 00:06:28,054
Uh, hi. My name is N.
112
00:06:28,054 --> 00:06:32,183
[man] Ah... Oh, yes!
Thank you so much for your call.
113
00:06:32,183 --> 00:06:35,478
Your editor, H, just moved
to another department the other day.
114
00:06:35,478 --> 00:06:37,814
- Uh--
- He's sorry he didn't say goodbye to you.
115
00:06:37,814 --> 00:06:39,899
He just got so busy, you know?
116
00:06:39,899 --> 00:06:43,152
{\an8}Then who's replacing him as my new editor?
117
00:06:43,152 --> 00:06:45,738
{\an8}Well, uh, that would be me. My name is S.
118
00:06:45,738 --> 00:06:47,698
{\an8}I can discuss this with you,
if it's all right.
119
00:06:47,698 --> 00:06:52,787
{\an8}All right. Just checking in since
I sent you a new draft last month and, uh...
120
00:06:52,787 --> 00:06:55,415
Mr. N, I'm afraid I must apologize.
121
00:06:55,415 --> 00:06:59,377
Your manuscript, uh...
What was the title of that?
122
00:06:59,377 --> 00:07:01,504
It's From the Shores of Stupor.
123
00:07:01,504 --> 00:07:04,424
Right, right.
Uh, can you give me some time?
124
00:07:04,424 --> 00:07:07,510
I'd like to get back to you
after I read From the Shores thoroughly.
125
00:07:07,510 --> 00:07:11,722
{\an8}No problem. I'll give you another call
next week and see where you're at with it.
126
00:07:11,722 --> 00:07:15,935
{\an8}That would be great. Thank you!
I'd appreciate that very much.
127
00:07:15,935 --> 00:07:17,353
{\an8}-Okay. Have a good one!
- [hangs up]
128
00:07:17,353 --> 00:07:19,439
{\an8}- [gasps]
- [dialing tone]
129
00:07:23,985 --> 00:07:25,111
[hangs up]
130
00:07:25,111 --> 00:07:27,405
[crickets chirping]
131
00:07:27,405 --> 00:07:29,407
[N] Things haven't always
been like this,
132
00:07:29,407 --> 00:07:31,868
but I can't remember when they weren't.
133
00:07:31,868 --> 00:07:34,120
I don't think I had too much of an ego...
134
00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,330
Well, maybe that's not true.
135
00:07:36,330 --> 00:07:40,543
But I can say with confidence there
are much worse authors out there.
136
00:07:40,543 --> 00:07:42,670
- And if we're talking quality...
- [grunts]
137
00:07:42,670 --> 00:07:44,505
- [horn blares]
- [train passing]
138
00:07:47,550 --> 00:07:48,926
[server] Welcome.
139
00:07:48,926 --> 00:07:51,429
- [N] A bottle of beer and cold tofu.
- [server] Comin' up.
140
00:07:51,429 --> 00:07:53,514
[intriguing music playing softly]
141
00:08:04,817 --> 00:08:06,068
Ah.
142
00:08:12,158 --> 00:08:13,159
{\an8}FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR
143
00:08:13,159 --> 00:08:15,286
{\an8}[N] Objectively,
the story shouldn't be bad.
144
00:08:15,286 --> 00:08:16,787
{\an8}My ability hasn't diminished
145
00:08:16,787 --> 00:08:20,625
{\an8}since back when I sold
3.5 million copies of Ask at Midnight.
146
00:08:20,625 --> 00:08:24,921
{\an8}In fact, if anything, my structural
and descriptive skills have improved.
147
00:08:26,255 --> 00:08:27,298
{\an8}Ah.
148
00:08:27,298 --> 00:08:30,009
{\an8}Is the problem the theme or the material?
149
00:08:30,009 --> 00:08:34,680
It doesn't matter. I'm not going to stoop
to writing some pandering romance novel.
150
00:08:34,680 --> 00:08:36,182
[man] Hey! Mister!
151
00:08:37,475 --> 00:08:39,018
Hey, I'm talkin' to you!
152
00:08:39,018 --> 00:08:40,937
Huh? Uh, yes?
153
00:08:41,562 --> 00:08:44,315
You're drinkin', but you got
a big old frown on your face.
154
00:08:44,315 --> 00:08:46,108
Mmm... 'kay.
155
00:08:46,108 --> 00:08:48,653
Come on! If you're not happy,
then what's the point?
156
00:08:48,653 --> 00:08:51,405
Barkeeper, pour my new friend here
some sake.
157
00:08:52,698 --> 00:08:54,242
Go on, drink up!
158
00:08:54,242 --> 00:08:57,328
Oh... sake's not really...
159
00:08:59,539 --> 00:09:00,748
Yeah. Okay.
160
00:09:03,459 --> 00:09:06,462
- Good, right?
- Sure...
161
00:09:06,462 --> 00:09:09,131
That's all you've got to say?
Where's your spirit?
162
00:09:09,966 --> 00:09:11,968
Come on, now, that's no good.
163
00:09:11,968 --> 00:09:14,595
And you can't even muster up
a civil thank you for me?
164
00:09:14,595 --> 00:09:16,264
Th... thank you.
165
00:09:16,264 --> 00:09:19,141
Man, that expression! You look miserable.
166
00:09:19,725 --> 00:09:23,771
That there's the face of a molester,
or an arsonist or somethin' like that.
167
00:09:23,771 --> 00:09:25,189
{\an8}Well, I'm not.
168
00:09:25,189 --> 00:09:27,275
{\an8}[man] It's like pullin' teeth
tryin' to talk to you.
169
00:09:27,275 --> 00:09:28,317
{\an8}[sighs]
170
00:09:31,028 --> 00:09:33,281
Are you pissed? You're pissed, aren't you?
171
00:09:33,281 --> 00:09:35,449
Just please stop harassing me.
172
00:09:35,449 --> 00:09:37,535
You're such an ass!
173
00:09:37,535 --> 00:09:41,872
I'm talkin' to you 'cause I pity you, man,
and this is how you repay my kindness?
174
00:09:41,872 --> 00:09:43,124
Huh?
175
00:09:43,791 --> 00:09:46,794
That's odd.
I don't remember asking you to pity me.
176
00:09:46,794 --> 00:09:50,715
Huh? Hey, man, are you seriously gonna
give me attitude like that?
177
00:09:50,715 --> 00:09:53,301
In fact, I'm not interested
in talking to you at all.
178
00:09:53,301 --> 00:09:54,510
What's your problem?
179
00:09:54,510 --> 00:09:57,054
Look, I'm not some musty old man
like you, bud!
180
00:09:57,054 --> 00:09:59,473
I might as well
be a different species altogether!
181
00:09:59,473 --> 00:10:01,726
Bastard! [yelps]
182
00:10:02,977 --> 00:10:04,729
[man grunting]
183
00:10:06,939 --> 00:10:10,109
[groans] You kiddin' me?
He was clearly in the wrong!
184
00:10:10,109 --> 00:10:12,445
I don't care. Don't come back!
185
00:10:12,445 --> 00:10:14,196
What the-- [groans]
186
00:10:14,196 --> 00:10:15,448
[scoffs]
187
00:10:17,491 --> 00:10:18,534
[insects chirping]
188
00:10:18,534 --> 00:10:20,369
[Chopin's "Prelude no. 7
in A Major" playing]
189
00:10:20,369 --> 00:10:23,497
ONE CUP SAKE
190
00:10:25,916 --> 00:10:27,835
What the hell, man...
191
00:10:27,835 --> 00:10:28,794
[gulps]
192
00:10:28,794 --> 00:10:30,796
[coughing]
193
00:10:33,674 --> 00:10:36,427
"A different species altogether," huh?
194
00:10:36,427 --> 00:10:39,764
I can't believe I said that.
How absolutely pathetic.
195
00:10:39,764 --> 00:10:43,267
When people talk about
cowardly pride, they mean this.
196
00:10:43,267 --> 00:10:46,354
Looking from the outside, we're the same.
197
00:10:47,813 --> 00:10:52,485
No, I'm actually inferior,
since I don't even produce anything.
198
00:10:53,277 --> 00:10:57,365
It doesn't matter. I was born
with the blessing and curse of creativity.
199
00:10:57,365 --> 00:11:00,660
I'm always going to think of myself
as something special.
200
00:11:04,455 --> 00:11:06,832
FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR
201
00:11:06,832 --> 00:11:08,042
[gasps]
202
00:11:09,627 --> 00:11:11,629
[wind gusting]
203
00:11:14,632 --> 00:11:15,883
[gasps]
204
00:11:15,883 --> 00:11:17,968
[girl] "The man,
after having killed the old woman,
205
00:11:17,968 --> 00:11:20,680
wanders aimlessly around town
in a stupor,
206
00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:22,890
when the women
he had relations with in the past
207
00:11:22,890 --> 00:11:25,935
appear one after the other,
asking him questions."
208
00:11:25,935 --> 00:11:28,354
But that's a story
I've already heard somewhere.
209
00:11:28,354 --> 00:11:29,689
[groans]
210
00:11:29,689 --> 00:11:32,692
[girl] A pilgrimage?
Or is it a confession?
211
00:11:32,692 --> 00:11:33,776
Wha...
212
00:11:34,652 --> 00:11:36,737
The story you're trying to write.
213
00:11:38,823 --> 00:11:42,201
Hey, kid? What are you doing
out here this late at night?
214
00:11:42,785 --> 00:11:43,911
[girl] I got in trouble.
215
00:11:44,787 --> 00:11:46,122
What happened?
216
00:11:46,706 --> 00:11:48,332
I was told I need to be good.
217
00:11:49,041 --> 00:11:52,294
Wouldn't it be best
if you went to a police station?
218
00:11:53,045 --> 00:11:54,505
Would you take me?
219
00:11:55,798 --> 00:11:57,967
Uh... no.
220
00:11:58,551 --> 00:11:59,719
[huffs]
221
00:11:59,719 --> 00:12:01,387
{\an8}I figured.
222
00:12:02,805 --> 00:12:05,099
Your focus is blurred and you're messy.
223
00:12:05,099 --> 00:12:07,685
Is it the protagonist's anguish
you want to write about,
224
00:12:07,685 --> 00:12:10,813
or is it perhaps the air of the period?
225
00:12:10,813 --> 00:12:14,942
If you're attempting to write about both,
it's impossible with your skills.
226
00:12:14,942 --> 00:12:16,777
[gasps] Give it back.
227
00:12:17,486 --> 00:12:21,282
The Supermarket in Alaska
was a total abomination as well.
228
00:12:21,282 --> 00:12:25,035
What, did you get too excited
about your first long-term fieldwork?
229
00:12:25,035 --> 00:12:28,372
It felt like you were showing off.
So self-important.
230
00:12:29,248 --> 00:12:31,667
{\an8}That kind of thing is so annoying to me.
231
00:12:31,667 --> 00:12:34,003
{\an8}The Castle in the Strait also.
232
00:12:34,003 --> 00:12:38,007
{\an8}You have no ability to select
the necessary materials at all.
233
00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:42,845
{\an8}Not to mention all your character
studies lack any depth whatsoever.
234
00:12:43,721 --> 00:12:44,555
[N] You...
235
00:12:44,555 --> 00:12:48,309
That said, back in the day,
you were no doubt brilliant,
236
00:12:48,309 --> 00:12:50,728
armed with overflowing youth.
237
00:12:50,728 --> 00:12:53,397
But now, you're hopeless.
238
00:12:53,397 --> 00:12:57,401
How do you... Where did you learn
to talk about things like this?
239
00:12:57,401 --> 00:12:58,819
And why are you here?
240
00:12:58,819 --> 00:13:01,280
You shouldn't
walk around so late at night.
241
00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:02,823
You need to go home.
242
00:13:03,574 --> 00:13:07,036
- You truly are mediocre.
- 'Scuse me?
243
00:13:07,036 --> 00:13:09,330
{\an8}[girl] A total cut-and-dried cliché.
244
00:13:09,330 --> 00:13:12,541
{\an8}Anyone who considers themselves
to be a professional of words
245
00:13:12,541 --> 00:13:15,169
{\an8}should never neglect them
at any given time.
246
00:13:16,921 --> 00:13:20,174
Look, I know you're just a kid and you
assume it's a big deal to be an author,
247
00:13:20,174 --> 00:13:21,675
but that's not reality, okay?
248
00:13:21,675 --> 00:13:23,177
It's not like we're always eloquent,
249
00:13:23,177 --> 00:13:26,305
only using fancy words
and speaking in clever phrases...
250
00:13:26,305 --> 00:13:28,808
We just only do that in our writing.
251
00:13:28,808 --> 00:13:31,519
How truly disappointing,
252
00:13:31,519 --> 00:13:34,897
with regard to your writing,
as well as your existence.
253
00:13:34,897 --> 00:13:38,025
I can't find any excitement
in either. [blows]
254
00:13:38,025 --> 00:13:39,568
{\an8}Go home, already!
255
00:13:39,568 --> 00:13:42,988
{\an8}I hate annoying brats like you.
Get out of my face.
256
00:13:42,988 --> 00:13:44,740
Oh yeah? Well, that's too bad.
257
00:13:44,740 --> 00:13:47,952
You have no skill when it comes
to writing or listening, it seems.
258
00:13:47,952 --> 00:13:49,495
That's very unfortunate.
259
00:13:49,495 --> 00:13:53,207
But at the end of the day, I'm assuming
that's just who you are as a person.
260
00:13:53,207 --> 00:13:57,169
Listen here... if you think that
I'm gonna quietly sit back and take it
261
00:13:57,169 --> 00:14:00,130
while you nonstop berate me,
you're dead wrong.
262
00:14:00,130 --> 00:14:03,384
Children who make fun of adults
learn lessons the hard way.
263
00:14:03,384 --> 00:14:06,679
You gonna drag me into a public bathroom
and rape me?
264
00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,098
Cut me up, and toss the body?
265
00:14:09,098 --> 00:14:10,474
Wha--
266
00:14:11,767 --> 00:14:13,060
[girl giggles]
267
00:14:14,728 --> 00:14:15,604
[N gasping]
268
00:14:15,604 --> 00:14:18,399
- I'm only joking with you. Goodbye.
- Uh...
269
00:14:19,692 --> 00:14:23,237
[N] Huh? What the hell is this?
270
00:14:29,326 --> 00:14:30,744
[music fades]
271
00:14:30,744 --> 00:14:32,121
[birdsong]
272
00:14:37,918 --> 00:14:39,461
[grunts]
273
00:14:39,461 --> 00:14:41,046
Oh, my head... [retches]
274
00:14:44,633 --> 00:14:46,010
[groaning]
275
00:14:47,136 --> 00:14:49,138
- [door opens]
- [retching]
276
00:14:50,180 --> 00:14:52,182
[toilet flushes]
277
00:14:53,851 --> 00:14:55,102
- [door creaking]
- [groans]
278
00:14:56,729 --> 00:14:58,355
[water running]
279
00:14:58,355 --> 00:15:00,065
[gulping and spluttering]
280
00:15:00,858 --> 00:15:04,028
- [groans] This is the worst.
- [rustling]
281
00:15:04,028 --> 00:15:04,987
Uh...
282
00:15:17,917 --> 00:15:19,251
[scoffs]
283
00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:22,046
Uh...
284
00:15:22,046 --> 00:15:25,007
SELF-INTRODUCTION BY N
285
00:15:26,008 --> 00:15:28,677
[Chopin's "Grande Valse Brillante,
Op. 18" playing]
286
00:15:33,432 --> 00:15:35,935
[N] This is my handwriting...
287
00:15:39,396 --> 00:15:43,150
Self-Introduction.
That's the title, huh?
288
00:15:43,651 --> 00:15:44,860
A novel?
289
00:15:45,903 --> 00:15:47,071
[scooter engine starts]
290
00:15:52,284 --> 00:15:54,662
Reading through it was simply bizarre.
291
00:15:54,662 --> 00:15:58,916
A story I knew nothing of,
and handwriting I knew all too well.
292
00:15:59,458 --> 00:16:00,751
As far as the plot goes,
293
00:16:00,751 --> 00:16:04,296
if I'm being honest,
I didn't quite get it.
294
00:16:04,296 --> 00:16:07,758
The sorrow of a middle-aged man
is described in a detached manner,
295
00:16:07,758 --> 00:16:10,177
and I felt it was lacking in dynamics.
296
00:16:13,222 --> 00:16:14,682
[sighs]
297
00:16:18,310 --> 00:16:22,398
Looking back, it's unclear to me
what kind of emotions I felt at the time.
298
00:16:22,398 --> 00:16:24,483
I'm far too removed.
299
00:16:24,483 --> 00:16:27,069
Confusion? Maybe desperation?
300
00:16:27,069 --> 00:16:28,988
And rage?
301
00:16:28,988 --> 00:16:31,115
I think that probably sums it up.
302
00:16:32,116 --> 00:16:33,492
{\an8}MR. S
CENTRAL PUBLIC OPINION CO.
303
00:16:33,492 --> 00:16:35,452
What I do remember is that I wished
304
00:16:35,452 --> 00:16:37,913
the editor would
just lose the draft again.
305
00:16:38,706 --> 00:16:41,083
That way, he'd be indebted to me.
306
00:16:41,083 --> 00:16:42,918
Worst case, I'd get apology money.
307
00:16:42,918 --> 00:16:46,213
Or I might get my work published
out of charity.
308
00:16:46,213 --> 00:16:48,882
I should be able to get
at least one of those.
309
00:16:51,927 --> 00:16:52,845
Guess that's it...
310
00:16:52,845 --> 00:16:53,804
EXTERMINATE DRUNKARDS
311
00:17:01,979 --> 00:17:03,272
[music fades]
312
00:17:03,272 --> 00:17:05,232
IMAIZUMI STORE
313
00:17:05,232 --> 00:17:06,316
[insects chirping]
314
00:17:06,316 --> 00:17:09,653
Uh-- Oh there he is, over there! Mr. N!
315
00:17:10,279 --> 00:17:11,864
CENTRAL PUBLIC OPINION CO.
S
316
00:17:11,864 --> 00:17:15,659
[S] I had the chance read your manuscript,
and I simply could not sit still!
317
00:17:16,952 --> 00:17:19,955
[N] This is all so sudden.
I don't know what to...
318
00:17:19,955 --> 00:17:22,875
Are you talking about
From the Shores of Stupor?
319
00:17:22,875 --> 00:17:27,087
[laughs] Of course not! Come on.
No. Self-Introduction.
320
00:17:27,838 --> 00:17:30,716
Even though it's a short story,
it's surprisingly robust.
321
00:17:30,716 --> 00:17:33,552
And it has a solid
underlying universal theme.
322
00:17:34,845 --> 00:17:36,764
Anyway, I'll cut to the chase.
323
00:17:36,764 --> 00:17:38,390
I want it, Mr. N.
324
00:17:38,390 --> 00:17:41,560
I'd like Self-Introduction
to open our next month's issue.
325
00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:43,896
I have no doubt
that it'll cause a major buzz,
326
00:17:43,896 --> 00:17:46,231
{\an8}and it's a perfect chance
for you to make a comeback!
327
00:17:46,231 --> 00:17:47,441
- [gasps]
- [S] What do you say?
328
00:17:47,441 --> 00:17:49,777
Will you please
give me your permission to publish it?
329
00:17:49,777 --> 00:17:52,071
You seem really determined, huh?
330
00:17:52,071 --> 00:17:53,447
- [S] I am.
- [gasps]
331
00:17:53,447 --> 00:17:57,326
I'm incredibly determined.
No, captivated, even.
332
00:17:57,326 --> 00:18:00,662
It's rare for an editor to find
a piece of writing he's passionate about
333
00:18:00,662 --> 00:18:02,748
and considers an amazing masterpiece.
334
00:18:02,748 --> 00:18:06,585
{\an8}If there's any request on your end,
I promise I'll do all that I can.
335
00:18:08,462 --> 00:18:10,964
I don't have a problem
with you publishing it.
336
00:18:11,715 --> 00:18:15,010
But is it possible for me to get paid
sooner rather than later?
337
00:18:15,010 --> 00:18:16,845
- [S] Get paid?
- Uh-huh.
338
00:18:17,513 --> 00:18:20,307
Ah, you mean your manuscript fee.
I've got you!
339
00:18:20,307 --> 00:18:23,352
I'll speak with the editor-in-chief
and our accounting department right away...
340
00:18:23,352 --> 00:18:26,063
[echoing] ...and come up with an amount
that's satisfactory for you!
341
00:18:26,063 --> 00:18:29,441
- [N] I was beyond clueless back then.
- [brisk version of Chopin's Funeral March]
342
00:18:29,441 --> 00:18:34,488
It was as if there was a thin membrane
separating me from the rest of society.
343
00:18:35,030 --> 00:18:39,451
I was in a state of derealization.
Experiencing a lack of reality.
344
00:18:39,451 --> 00:18:44,248
As if I were looking
at the rest of the world from underwater.
345
00:18:44,248 --> 00:18:47,251
And what a peculiar view that was.
346
00:18:47,251 --> 00:18:49,962
Sure enough,
that short story of 20 pages or so
347
00:18:49,962 --> 00:18:52,714
became a hit and stirred up the scene.
348
00:18:52,714 --> 00:18:56,677
That magazine decided to order
a reprint the day before it went on sale.
349
00:18:57,427 --> 00:19:01,640
{\an8}Apparently, it was the first time ever
in the entire history of the magazine.
350
00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:03,517
- [tires screech]
- [all] Huh?
351
00:19:10,023 --> 00:19:11,400
[music stops]
352
00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,695
Mr. N, sir, I'm so sorry
to come by unannounced.
353
00:19:14,695 --> 00:19:17,030
I'm here to ask
if you'll write a piece for us.
354
00:19:17,030 --> 00:19:19,324
- Who do you think you are? How rude!
- Please hear me out.
355
00:19:19,324 --> 00:19:21,785
Allow me to discuss it with you
in further detail, okay?
356
00:19:21,785 --> 00:19:22,870
HAKUBUNKAN, INC.
B
357
00:19:22,870 --> 00:19:24,246
Wait. When did you--
358
00:19:24,246 --> 00:19:26,206
But why do you want me?
359
00:19:26,206 --> 00:19:30,043
One thing about me is that
I can spot great talent when I see it.
360
00:19:30,627 --> 00:19:33,422
I was so moved by your Self-Introduction.
361
00:19:33,422 --> 00:19:36,341
It made me look forward to reading
whatever comes after.
362
00:19:36,341 --> 00:19:39,428
[scoffs] Oh, man, lady!
You are so overstepping!
363
00:19:39,428 --> 00:19:41,638
I can't help how I feel.
364
00:19:42,389 --> 00:19:46,310
Plus, I'm certain we can accommodate
any request you might have financially.
365
00:19:46,310 --> 00:19:47,936
This isn't a matter of money!
366
00:19:47,936 --> 00:19:50,105
[B] Oh? You can't deny
money's important, though.
367
00:19:50,105 --> 00:19:51,899
I'll leave it to you two to hash it out.
368
00:19:51,899 --> 00:19:53,358
[in unison] Mr. N!
369
00:19:54,443 --> 00:19:56,111
DEPOSIT: 2,000,000 YEN
370
00:19:56,111 --> 00:19:57,988
[somber music playing]
371
00:19:57,988 --> 00:20:01,283
[N] The manuscript fee deposited
into my bank was significant.
372
00:20:01,867 --> 00:20:03,827
Every single day,
there was a line at my door
373
00:20:03,827 --> 00:20:06,246
of editors who figured out my address.
374
00:20:06,997 --> 00:20:09,708
And of course, each one
wanted me to write for them.
375
00:20:10,792 --> 00:20:13,879
If I said it didn't make me happy,
I'd be lying.
376
00:20:13,879 --> 00:20:17,424
Well, I should just be straightforward
and admit that I was happy.
377
00:20:18,008 --> 00:20:20,969
There was an audience out there,
waiting for my writing.
378
00:20:20,969 --> 00:20:22,596
When I thought about that fact,
379
00:20:22,596 --> 00:20:26,892
it filled me with joy, pride,
and a sense of superiority.
380
00:20:27,476 --> 00:20:32,105
Even if it all came to be because of
a novel I had no memory of writing.
381
00:20:38,362 --> 00:20:39,863
[growls]
382
00:20:41,156 --> 00:20:43,450
Damn it, I can't come up with anything.
383
00:20:44,409 --> 00:20:45,410
[groans]
384
00:20:45,994 --> 00:20:47,829
What's so great about this? Huh?
385
00:20:47,829 --> 00:20:48,872
SELF-INTRODUCTION BY N
386
00:20:48,872 --> 00:20:52,334
Makes me think no one has
any reading comprehension these days.
387
00:20:52,918 --> 00:20:54,753
People just really love to talk.
388
00:20:54,753 --> 00:20:57,297
If someone proclaims it's interesting
among their peers,
389
00:20:57,297 --> 00:20:58,590
everyone agrees with them.
390
00:20:58,590 --> 00:21:02,052
And if they say it's boring,
then it magically becomes boring.
391
00:21:02,052 --> 00:21:04,137
It's all about gossip.
392
00:21:06,098 --> 00:21:07,724
[music fades]
393
00:21:07,724 --> 00:21:09,351
Here's the thing.
394
00:21:09,351 --> 00:21:13,272
I'm really sorry to do this,
but I can't accept this.
395
00:21:13,814 --> 00:21:16,692
Has, um, something been
troubling you lately?
396
00:21:17,526 --> 00:21:19,152
[N] What do you mean by that?
397
00:21:19,152 --> 00:21:24,283
Sorry. I'm not quite sure how
to best put it into words, but... it's just...
398
00:21:24,866 --> 00:21:28,620
I read it, and it seemed like you were
not your usual self. Something was off.
399
00:21:28,620 --> 00:21:32,332
[N] Are you trying to insinuate
that I've gone crazy or somethin'?
400
00:21:32,332 --> 00:21:35,294
By "not my usual self,"
you mean out of my mind, huh?
401
00:21:35,294 --> 00:21:38,130
I must apologize
for repeatedly prodding you to write.
402
00:21:38,797 --> 00:21:42,175
It seems as if my actions may have had
a negative effect on your motivation.
403
00:21:42,175 --> 00:21:46,305
{\an8}I let my excitement get the better of me.
It's entirely my fault!
404
00:21:47,639 --> 00:21:49,599
But still, If you don't mind me asking,
405
00:21:49,599 --> 00:21:51,685
was this perhaps written
by a student of yours?
406
00:21:51,685 --> 00:21:53,186
- [gasps]
- [S] It's too unrefined to--
407
00:21:53,186 --> 00:21:56,690
Are you accusing me of having
someone else write this for me? Really?
408
00:21:57,232 --> 00:22:00,861
It's just that it seemed
the only logical explanation.
409
00:22:00,861 --> 00:22:03,905
I mean, if someone else with less talent
or experience wrote it,
410
00:22:03,905 --> 00:22:05,699
then that would explain the quality.
411
00:22:05,699 --> 00:22:08,869
Because if I'm looking
at this novel objectively...
412
00:22:08,869 --> 00:22:10,287
- [N] Enough.
- [gasps]
413
00:22:10,287 --> 00:22:14,624
You're not the only literary magazine
out there. I'll take this somewhere else.
414
00:22:14,624 --> 00:22:16,626
I won't accept no for an answer.
415
00:22:18,128 --> 00:22:20,255
Very well, then. Do whatever you need to.
416
00:22:20,255 --> 00:22:22,341
We won't be needing
that manuscript after all.
417
00:22:23,175 --> 00:22:24,509
[grunts]
418
00:22:26,762 --> 00:22:28,305
[B sighs] I'm sorry.
419
00:22:28,305 --> 00:22:30,557
I did take a look, but I can't help.
420
00:22:31,224 --> 00:22:33,518
I'm afraid short stories aren't my area.
421
00:22:34,770 --> 00:22:36,980
Ridiculous. What kind of excuse is that?
422
00:22:36,980 --> 00:22:38,482
I'm so sorry.
423
00:22:39,024 --> 00:22:42,402
But either way, I'm really glad
that you reached out to me for this.
424
00:22:42,402 --> 00:22:44,863
How about you write a novel for us?
What do you say?
425
00:22:44,863 --> 00:22:46,990
That's nothing but lip service.
426
00:22:46,990 --> 00:22:50,827
[B sighs] If you don't believe me,
what else can I tell you?
427
00:22:50,827 --> 00:22:52,412
At least give it to me straight.
428
00:22:52,412 --> 00:22:55,540
I want to hear your honest thoughts
on the story. No holding back.
429
00:22:55,540 --> 00:22:56,666
What did you think?
430
00:22:56,666 --> 00:22:59,961
I showed it to another editor and
he thought it was written by someone else.
431
00:22:59,961 --> 00:23:01,630
He wouldn't stop shitting on it.
432
00:23:01,630 --> 00:23:04,341
Oh, you must mean Mr. S, right?
433
00:23:05,133 --> 00:23:07,260
I do. But it doesn't matter.
434
00:23:07,260 --> 00:23:09,429
I think you have a better eye than him.
435
00:23:10,305 --> 00:23:11,973
[B] Let me think...
436
00:23:11,973 --> 00:23:15,310
Setting aside whether or not
it was you who actually wrote it,
437
00:23:15,310 --> 00:23:19,648
and the fact that I'm only in charge
of long novels and not short stories...
438
00:23:19,648 --> 00:23:21,066
I'd say...
439
00:23:21,775 --> 00:23:23,610
It just didn't feel like a novel.
440
00:23:23,610 --> 00:23:27,572
It was like being made to listen
to a dream someone has with no punchline.
441
00:23:27,572 --> 00:23:29,032
[gasps]
442
00:23:29,032 --> 00:23:31,576
Sorry, that's only my personal reaction.
443
00:23:31,576 --> 00:23:33,412
I'm sure if you show it to another person,
444
00:23:33,412 --> 00:23:35,622
they'll say something
completely different.
445
00:23:36,164 --> 00:23:37,499
[N grumbles] It's fine.
446
00:23:37,499 --> 00:23:39,209
[ringing tone]
447
00:23:39,209 --> 00:23:40,293
[click]
448
00:23:40,293 --> 00:23:42,212
[N] I can't take it anymore.
449
00:23:42,212 --> 00:23:46,049
I didn't write Self-Introduction!
It's borrowed.
450
00:23:46,049 --> 00:23:48,468
No, it's plagiarized!
451
00:23:48,468 --> 00:23:51,388
[S] Mr. N, please calm down. Listen.
452
00:23:51,388 --> 00:23:53,974
No one understands
how talented you are better than me.
453
00:23:53,974 --> 00:23:56,935
[N] No! My talent
has long since dried up!
454
00:23:56,935 --> 00:24:00,439
[S] That's not true at all.
You're not in your right mind right now.
455
00:24:00,439 --> 00:24:03,608
I know you've been drinking,
but I'm worried about you...
456
00:24:03,608 --> 00:24:06,903
- [Chopin's "Prelude no. 7" resumes]
- Don't worry about me, I'm fine.
457
00:24:06,903 --> 00:24:10,574
Wanna know why? 'Cause
I'm not gonna write anything at all!
458
00:24:11,783 --> 00:24:14,703
Damn it! It's all that stupid kid's fault!
459
00:24:14,703 --> 00:24:17,998
She said all that messed-up shit,
and it all went downhill from there!
460
00:24:17,998 --> 00:24:19,249
I'm done!
461
00:24:27,674 --> 00:24:29,342
- [banging at door]
- [doorbell ringing]
462
00:24:29,342 --> 00:24:30,552
[landlord] Please! Calm down.
463
00:24:30,552 --> 00:24:32,512
- [door unlocks]
- [S] Mr. N? Mr. N!
464
00:24:33,263 --> 00:24:35,474
- Mr. N! Are you okay, Mr. N?
- [landlord] Huh?
465
00:24:35,474 --> 00:24:37,851
- [N groans] What?
- [door closes]
466
00:24:37,851 --> 00:24:40,103
Oh, thank God...
467
00:24:40,103 --> 00:24:43,356
After that whole conversation
last night, I got so worried.
468
00:24:43,356 --> 00:24:44,816
[N] Ohh...
469
00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:47,777
I tried calling you,
but you never picked up.
470
00:24:47,777 --> 00:24:49,988
I thought maybe
something bad had happened.
471
00:24:50,489 --> 00:24:52,073
Uh... Is that...
472
00:24:53,033 --> 00:24:54,284
Oh, wow! Mr. N!
473
00:24:54,284 --> 00:24:56,203
- [N] Huh?
- [S] Is this what you were up to?
474
00:24:56,203 --> 00:24:57,537
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER BY N
475
00:24:57,537 --> 00:24:59,873
- What have you written?
- Huh?
476
00:24:59,873 --> 00:25:01,458
[Chopin's "Minute Waltz" playing]
477
00:25:01,458 --> 00:25:02,876
[grunts]
478
00:25:04,628 --> 00:25:05,837
Mmm...
479
00:25:05,837 --> 00:25:10,175
This is such marvelous work!
I can't believe it!
480
00:25:10,175 --> 00:25:14,012
I know I've only read the beginning
so far, but I can already tell!
481
00:25:14,012 --> 00:25:17,516
This here is a masterpiece.
There is no denying it!
482
00:25:17,516 --> 00:25:19,893
Your passion can't be topped, Mr. N.
483
00:25:19,893 --> 00:25:21,853
My passion?
484
00:25:21,853 --> 00:25:23,313
This piece transcends time,
485
00:25:23,313 --> 00:25:26,191
cutting through time itself
to be experienced by us.
486
00:25:26,191 --> 00:25:28,610
I've never read such a powerful opening!
487
00:25:29,277 --> 00:25:32,864
Sir? I'm sure you're exhausted,
but I do have a request.
488
00:25:32,864 --> 00:25:35,700
Sir, I'd like you
to meet the editor-in-chief.
489
00:25:47,212 --> 00:25:49,589
[man] Please, go on, Mr. N. Have a cup.
490
00:25:49,589 --> 00:25:52,259
Pardon me, sir. Here you are.
491
00:25:52,259 --> 00:25:53,301
Oh...
492
00:25:56,930 --> 00:25:59,224
Now then,
let's get down to business, shall we?
493
00:25:59,224 --> 00:26:01,726
S told me quite a bit
about your new work already.
494
00:26:02,477 --> 00:26:05,939
First of all, I have absolute faith
in his reading comprehension,
495
00:26:05,939 --> 00:26:09,442
sense of aesthetics, fervor
and raw talent as an editor.
496
00:26:09,442 --> 00:26:11,444
That's why it means a lot when I say
497
00:26:11,444 --> 00:26:13,905
I haven't seen him praise
a piece of writing this much
498
00:26:13,905 --> 00:26:15,699
since your Self-Introduction!
499
00:26:15,699 --> 00:26:18,368
After he turned down
From the Shores of Stupor,
500
00:26:18,368 --> 00:26:21,997
I got another magazine
to publish it instead, but, um...
501
00:26:21,997 --> 00:26:25,500
It got completely slammed by the public
and didn't fly at all.
502
00:26:26,501 --> 00:26:28,378
That's past.
503
00:26:28,378 --> 00:26:30,672
This publication
is going to be a sensation.
504
00:26:30,672 --> 00:26:33,008
A real renaissance of literature.
505
00:26:33,008 --> 00:26:34,092
Right...
506
00:26:34,092 --> 00:26:38,305
Well, it's yours now.
Do whatever you want with that manuscript.
507
00:26:38,305 --> 00:26:41,766
- I won't complain or argue or anything.
- Huh?
508
00:26:41,766 --> 00:26:43,977
I think the anxiety you have
about your writing
509
00:26:43,977 --> 00:26:46,271
only proves you're a sincere person.
510
00:26:46,271 --> 00:26:47,689
You don't see being an author
511
00:26:47,689 --> 00:26:51,067
in terms of how much money or fame
or power it might be able to bring you.
512
00:26:51,067 --> 00:26:52,527
You're an artist.
513
00:26:53,403 --> 00:26:54,863
Uh... I'm not anxious.
514
00:26:55,572 --> 00:26:57,699
Trust us,
and let us take care of the rest.
515
00:26:59,159 --> 00:27:00,660
[somber music playing]
516
00:27:02,746 --> 00:27:04,497
[N] It all felt so strange.
517
00:27:05,707 --> 00:27:08,084
Editors insisted
that I wrote the manuscript,
518
00:27:08,084 --> 00:27:10,920
even though I have
no recollection of writing whatsoever.
519
00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:14,215
Even when I told them that,
they tried to persuade me otherwise.
520
00:27:17,802 --> 00:27:19,721
{\an8}- It's just...
- Yes?
521
00:27:20,472 --> 00:27:24,309
[N] Actually... can I take
another look at the manuscript?
522
00:27:24,934 --> 00:27:26,519
Of course, sir!
523
00:27:27,729 --> 00:27:30,607
[N] It was a baffling experience.
524
00:27:30,607 --> 00:27:34,486
It felt foreign and familiar,
all at the same time.
525
00:27:35,070 --> 00:27:39,199
It was certainly my writing,
but then again, it really wasn't.
526
00:27:39,199 --> 00:27:43,119
Of course I was confused.
Anyone would be, in this situation.
527
00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:45,205
I was looking at a portrait of myself,
528
00:27:45,205 --> 00:27:48,667
and realizing it differed
from the face I saw in the mirror.
529
00:27:53,588 --> 00:27:54,714
[sighs]
530
00:27:55,465 --> 00:27:56,675
Mr. N?
531
00:27:57,676 --> 00:27:58,760
[N] I read it.
532
00:28:00,387 --> 00:28:01,680
What did you think of it?
533
00:28:05,225 --> 00:28:08,770
- It's not bad.
- Right? [chuckles]
534
00:28:08,770 --> 00:28:11,481
[N] The Elves and the Shoemaker.
535
00:28:11,481 --> 00:28:15,568
[S] It's a richly allegorical,
beautiful title. The perfect fit.
536
00:28:16,277 --> 00:28:17,445
I agree.
537
00:28:18,697 --> 00:28:19,948
{\an8}Beautiful.
538
00:28:20,740 --> 00:28:21,741
Yes.
539
00:28:22,450 --> 00:28:25,704
[N] It's beautiful. I'm sure...
540
00:28:28,373 --> 00:28:31,251
Uh... yep, there's no denying it.
541
00:28:34,003 --> 00:28:36,214
[sighs shakily]
542
00:28:37,465 --> 00:28:41,219
[voice breaking] This piece is
simply wonderful. Isn't it?
543
00:28:41,219 --> 00:28:44,681
Mmm. You're absolutely correct. Of course!
544
00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:48,601
It looks like it's going to be
my magnum opus then.
545
00:28:48,601 --> 00:28:50,562
This is just brilliant.
546
00:28:51,771 --> 00:28:53,148
[laughs]
547
00:28:53,148 --> 00:28:55,108
Yes, I'm confident it will be!
548
00:28:55,108 --> 00:28:56,317
[laughing]
549
00:28:56,317 --> 00:28:59,487
Absolutely... fantastic...
550
00:29:01,364 --> 00:29:02,991
[upbeat jazz playing]
551
00:29:03,825 --> 00:29:06,244
[man 1] Tell us how you feel
about receiving these awards.
552
00:29:06,244 --> 00:29:08,288
[man 2] Was the protagonist based on you?
553
00:29:08,288 --> 00:29:11,166
Did it take a lot of biding your time
and trusting the process?
554
00:29:11,166 --> 00:29:14,377
What's next for you? Do you have
anything you're currently writing?
555
00:29:14,377 --> 00:29:15,587
{\an8}Hmm.
556
00:29:18,465 --> 00:29:20,550
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
557
00:29:23,094 --> 00:29:26,473
CONGRATULATIONS ON
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
558
00:29:29,517 --> 00:29:32,145
MORE IMPACTFUL
THAN HIS PREVIOUS WORK!
559
00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:42,030
[phone ringing]
560
00:29:46,367 --> 00:29:48,953
- Mr. N, this is B.
- Oh, hello.
561
00:29:48,953 --> 00:29:51,247
[B] Thank you very much
for your time today.
562
00:29:51,247 --> 00:29:54,709
The president was delighted he got
to spend some quality time with you.
563
00:29:54,709 --> 00:29:58,213
About your new book, we've decided
to preemptively go into reprint
564
00:29:58,213 --> 00:29:59,672
before it goes on sale!
565
00:29:59,672 --> 00:30:01,257
{\an8}THE LATEST BOOK
BY BEST-SELLING AUTHOR N
566
00:30:01,257 --> 00:30:04,969
We also thought about it, and since it'll
be our first time publishing your work,
567
00:30:04,969 --> 00:30:07,764
we'll be, um...
putting extra effort into sales.
568
00:30:08,973 --> 00:30:12,852
So, anyway, Mr. N, I hope through all of
this that you're taking care of yourself.
569
00:30:12,852 --> 00:30:15,522
You've published five long novels already.
570
00:30:15,522 --> 00:30:18,233
Between the writing itself,
and endless meetings and events,
571
00:30:18,233 --> 00:30:20,068
have you even had time to rest?
572
00:30:20,068 --> 00:30:22,237
[N] Yeah. I'm getting plenty of sleep.
573
00:30:22,237 --> 00:30:24,030
But thank you. Bye!
574
00:30:24,030 --> 00:30:25,281
[hangs up]
575
00:30:28,326 --> 00:30:30,286
[poignant music playing]
576
00:30:30,286 --> 00:30:33,122
[N] Right,
there's nothing to worry about.
577
00:30:34,791 --> 00:30:37,669
Okay! This is good. Let me out.
578
00:30:40,213 --> 00:30:44,092
[driver gasps] Sir, the bill
has already been taken care of.
579
00:30:44,092 --> 00:30:46,678
Doesn't matter! Take it.
580
00:30:47,887 --> 00:30:49,889
[humming happily]
581
00:30:52,350 --> 00:30:54,477
"I feel both intense ecstasy,
582
00:30:54,477 --> 00:30:57,564
and the crippling terror
of being among the chosen."
583
00:30:57,564 --> 00:30:58,690
Hah.
584
00:30:59,566 --> 00:31:01,234
[laughs]
585
00:31:02,527 --> 00:31:04,320
Arrogant self-esteem.
586
00:31:04,988 --> 00:31:07,574
Or was it actually "shame"?
587
00:31:08,950 --> 00:31:10,660
Wha... Huh?
588
00:31:11,786 --> 00:31:13,037
[gasps]
589
00:31:14,747 --> 00:31:16,332
[breathing shakily]
590
00:31:19,961 --> 00:31:23,089
NO TRESPASSING
DO NOT ENTER
591
00:31:24,465 --> 00:31:26,467
[trembling]
592
00:31:41,733 --> 00:31:42,859
Huh?
593
00:31:45,403 --> 00:31:46,779
[gasps]
594
00:32:00,209 --> 00:32:01,878
- [splashing]
- [N panting]
595
00:32:02,670 --> 00:32:05,048
[slow version of "Prelude no. 7" playing]
596
00:32:05,965 --> 00:32:08,217
[panting and splashing slowed and echoing]
597
00:32:17,518 --> 00:32:19,145
[sobbing]
598
00:32:24,442 --> 00:32:26,444
[sobbing]
599
00:32:30,073 --> 00:32:32,533
- [girl] It's been a while.
- [gasps]
600
00:32:37,664 --> 00:32:38,706
{\an8}What's wrong?
601
00:32:38,706 --> 00:32:40,166
[N shudders]
602
00:32:41,042 --> 00:32:42,126
Huh?
603
00:32:43,503 --> 00:32:45,338
Where am I?
604
00:32:45,964 --> 00:32:49,884
A park. In fact, the one where
you and I met for the first time.
605
00:32:49,884 --> 00:32:52,762
[N gasps] But I don't live here anymore.
606
00:32:52,762 --> 00:32:55,348
I moved to an apartment
on the edge of downtown Tokyo,
607
00:32:55,348 --> 00:32:57,976
and then to a nicer place
in the center of the city.
608
00:32:57,976 --> 00:33:01,396
And I just had a dinner party with
the president of a publishing company,
609
00:33:01,396 --> 00:33:04,023
and then I was heading home in a taxi.
610
00:33:04,023 --> 00:33:07,944
No way. No way I would return
to this damn backwater town.
611
00:33:08,736 --> 00:33:10,363
[sobbing]
612
00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:21,958
Say, are you getting close
to finishing your writing?
613
00:33:23,001 --> 00:33:23,918
For what?
614
00:33:24,961 --> 00:33:27,672
For your novel. Obviously.
615
00:33:27,672 --> 00:33:28,881
[N sighs]
616
00:33:29,966 --> 00:33:30,883
What's wrong?
617
00:33:30,883 --> 00:33:35,430
One book's due next month, and I have
two more to finish by the end of the year.
618
00:33:36,431 --> 00:33:38,266
I don't mean those ones.
619
00:33:38,766 --> 00:33:39,934
Huh?
620
00:33:40,727 --> 00:33:43,062
I'm talking about the one
that you showed me last time,
621
00:33:43,062 --> 00:33:44,897
about the young man who's a murderer.
622
00:33:44,897 --> 00:33:46,649
Whatever happened to that?
623
00:33:47,275 --> 00:33:48,526
[N sighs]
624
00:33:48,526 --> 00:33:50,528
I thought you were going to rework it?
625
00:33:51,195 --> 00:33:53,781
[N] That one's a lost cause.
I'm over it.
626
00:33:53,781 --> 00:33:55,116
How come?
627
00:33:55,116 --> 00:33:56,617
[grunting]
628
00:33:58,161 --> 00:34:01,539
Why are you asking me about that one,
when you told me it was boring?
629
00:34:02,123 --> 00:34:04,542
You're right, I'm not going to deny that.
630
00:34:05,293 --> 00:34:07,545
But still, if you don't write that story,
631
00:34:08,796 --> 00:34:11,007
what exactly can you write?
632
00:34:11,007 --> 00:34:12,425
[gasps]
633
00:34:12,425 --> 00:34:14,343
Is that... a joke?
634
00:34:14,886 --> 00:34:17,722
Do you have any idea who the hell I am,
you little brat?
635
00:34:17,722 --> 00:34:20,516
I've published a ton of books
since the last time we met.
636
00:34:21,184 --> 00:34:22,393
Really, now?
637
00:34:22,393 --> 00:34:25,646
It's true!
And every one of them was a bestseller!
638
00:34:25,646 --> 00:34:29,150
Any publisher would kill to get their
hands on just one of my manuscripts...
639
00:34:29,150 --> 00:34:31,110
Since I'm a bestselling...
640
00:34:31,110 --> 00:34:33,071
- [low rumbling]
- [weakly] ...author...
641
00:34:33,071 --> 00:34:35,031
- [trembling]
- [girl] Is that true?
642
00:34:39,577 --> 00:34:40,953
Are you sure?
643
00:34:40,953 --> 00:34:43,039
[whimpering]
644
00:34:47,919 --> 00:34:49,212
[sighs]
645
00:34:50,213 --> 00:34:51,297
[whimpering]
646
00:34:51,297 --> 00:34:53,091
[girl] Were they actually your novels?
647
00:34:53,091 --> 00:34:56,469
[N] What do you mean,
were they my novels? Of course...
648
00:34:56,469 --> 00:34:59,055
What the hell? What are you trying to say?
649
00:34:59,597 --> 00:35:00,807
[girl] Are you stupid?
650
00:35:00,807 --> 00:35:03,935
When you refer to a novel
as being yours,
651
00:35:03,935 --> 00:35:07,021
shouldn't the storyline within it
be yours as well?
652
00:35:07,021 --> 00:35:11,234
But if you haven't been writing at all,
I'm done wasting my time with you.
653
00:35:11,859 --> 00:35:13,486
How disappointing. Goodbye.
654
00:35:13,486 --> 00:35:16,239
Wait! Wait... Hold on... [yelps]
655
00:35:17,240 --> 00:35:19,075
- [gasps]
- [chiming sounds]
656
00:35:19,075 --> 00:35:21,160
[Chopin's "Raindrop Prelude" playing]
657
00:35:26,916 --> 00:35:29,210
If none of those stories
are actually my work,
658
00:35:29,210 --> 00:35:31,587
then who the hell has been writing them?
659
00:35:35,550 --> 00:35:37,051
[sobs]
660
00:35:39,512 --> 00:35:41,139
Sometimes I wake up.
661
00:35:41,139 --> 00:35:44,183
Sitting there on top of my desk
is a whole new story,
662
00:35:45,143 --> 00:35:46,519
in my handwriting,
663
00:35:47,103 --> 00:35:49,522
on subjects that I would write about.
664
00:35:49,522 --> 00:35:51,482
But I have no memory of 'em.
665
00:35:52,483 --> 00:35:53,484
Huh...
666
00:35:53,484 --> 00:35:54,902
[groans]
667
00:35:56,195 --> 00:35:59,949
It was me, wasn't it?
Why won't you say I wrote them?
668
00:36:00,533 --> 00:36:04,036
But you know the answer to that
better than anyone, isn't that right?
669
00:36:04,036 --> 00:36:05,872
[sighs]
670
00:36:06,914 --> 00:36:09,542
That's the problem. I can't tell.
671
00:36:10,459 --> 00:36:11,836
[girl laughs] You can't?
672
00:36:11,836 --> 00:36:14,255
The handwriting... It is mine.
673
00:36:15,298 --> 00:36:19,510
The quirks, the phrasing,
it's so familiar. [sobs]
674
00:36:19,510 --> 00:36:22,805
But I can't tell
what's so good about the writing.
675
00:36:22,805 --> 00:36:26,309
No matter how many times I read,
I don't find it exciting.
676
00:36:26,309 --> 00:36:29,020
I can't even comprehend the context.
677
00:36:29,729 --> 00:36:31,647
But everyone gives it so much praise.
678
00:36:31,647 --> 00:36:33,524
They call it a masterpiece.
679
00:36:33,524 --> 00:36:36,485
A timeless classic
that will go down in history.
680
00:36:37,069 --> 00:36:39,697
It's like
I slipped into another dimension.
681
00:36:39,697 --> 00:36:42,366
Trapped here forever in solitude.
682
00:36:42,366 --> 00:36:44,202
So painfully alone.
683
00:36:44,827 --> 00:36:47,997
Everybody around me
is like a totally different species.
684
00:36:47,997 --> 00:36:50,166
Do you have any idea how that feels?
685
00:36:50,166 --> 00:36:53,169
I'm terrified.
I feel like I'm losing my mind.
686
00:36:53,169 --> 00:36:57,632
{\an8}Then again, how could anyone be expected
to keep their sanity living like that?
687
00:37:00,676 --> 00:37:02,428
{\an8}But I grin and bear it!
688
00:37:02,428 --> 00:37:06,557
{\an8}I keep my mouth shut and pretend
I'm the same kind of creature they are!
689
00:37:11,103 --> 00:37:12,480
{\an8}Aw, I'm sorry.
690
00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:13,689
[gasps]
691
00:37:13,689 --> 00:37:18,736
But it was your choice to accept it,
to continue living that way.
692
00:37:18,736 --> 00:37:21,948
Even now,
you're choosing not to resist it.
693
00:37:21,948 --> 00:37:24,700
And there's nothing
I can do to change that,
694
00:37:24,700 --> 00:37:28,913
because my only interest
has been about your novel.
695
00:37:30,081 --> 00:37:31,624
So goodbye.
696
00:37:31,624 --> 00:37:33,000
[groans]
697
00:37:33,000 --> 00:37:34,585
[chiming sounds]
698
00:37:34,585 --> 00:37:35,878
[gasps]
699
00:37:37,129 --> 00:37:38,589
[wind gusting]
700
00:37:38,589 --> 00:37:40,675
[gentle music playing]
701
00:37:45,137 --> 00:37:46,806
- [door opens]
- [woman] Welcome home, honey.
702
00:37:49,600 --> 00:37:51,394
[N grunts shakily]
703
00:38:05,449 --> 00:38:07,076
[gasps]
704
00:38:08,452 --> 00:38:10,454
[crying]
705
00:38:11,163 --> 00:38:13,541
[gasps] Huh?
706
00:38:13,541 --> 00:38:15,042
[mother] It's all right.
707
00:38:15,042 --> 00:38:17,169
[chuckles] There, there.
708
00:38:18,587 --> 00:38:19,839
[chuckles]
709
00:38:25,011 --> 00:38:27,013
[music swells]
710
00:38:31,600 --> 00:38:32,601
[no audible dialogue]
711
00:38:46,324 --> 00:38:48,701
FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR BY N
712
00:38:52,913 --> 00:38:54,915
[no audible dialogue]
713
00:39:01,088 --> 00:39:03,090
[no audible dialogue]
714
00:39:09,180 --> 00:39:10,431
THE END
715
00:39:29,992 --> 00:39:31,410
[music fades]
716
00:39:31,410 --> 00:39:33,537
[insects chirping softly]
717
00:39:37,375 --> 00:39:38,751
[groans]
718
00:39:38,751 --> 00:39:41,712
EXTERMINATE DRUNKARDS
719
00:39:42,505 --> 00:39:44,965
[groaning]
720
00:39:48,677 --> 00:39:50,763
- [rustling]
- Huh?
721
00:39:51,597 --> 00:39:53,516
[gasps] Huh?
722
00:39:56,602 --> 00:39:58,229
FROM THE SHORES OF STUPOR BY N
723
00:39:58,229 --> 00:39:59,647
{\an8}[gasps]
724
00:39:59,647 --> 00:40:01,190
["Prelude no. 7" resumes]
725
00:40:01,190 --> 00:40:02,983
[N choking]
726
00:40:03,859 --> 00:40:05,861
- [sighs]
- [wind gusting]
727
00:40:24,880 --> 00:40:31,262
{\an8}BREAKING NEWS
SUDDEN DEATH OF BESTSELLING AUTHOR N
728
00:40:42,273 --> 00:40:43,732
[music fades]
729
00:40:45,651 --> 00:40:49,113
[lively version
of Chopin's "Funeral March" playing]
730
00:40:58,914 --> 00:41:01,333
{\an8}THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER BY N
731
00:42:38,013 --> 00:42:39,265
THE END
732
00:42:39,265 --> 00:42:40,808
[music stops]