Fredward shi no Ahiru by Ushijima Keiko Volume 3 Part 2 Voice of the Sea Translation in English by Y.W natane@geocities.com This translation may not be 100% accurate as I tried to make the whole thing "flow" better and because my Japanese is by no mean perfect! :) 1:38 AM 2/10/99 Key { } = labels placed by the author [ ] = action by characters ( ) = speech bubble/ thought Notes ______________ Radio Good morning everybody! Would you like to hear my new songs? Kevin (I didn't remember turning the alarm clock on, who turned the radio on? I must turn the radio off, it's too loud. What time is it? It's still dark. Radio Bla, bla ahaahhahahah Kevin (I was probably too tired from cleaning up. My arms feel heavy, and my body feels tired.) Radio Jesus he knows. Do you see the face on the TV screen coming at you every Sunday? See the face that is on the billboard, that man is me. On the cover of the magazine there's no question why I'm smiling at you. Kevin (Attempts to turn it off) Radio WOW, DAVID EDWARDS WIN MEMORIAL...BIG...LEAGUE...IAMGE.... Kevin Be quiet! [Pulls the chord from the socket, but the sound only becomes louder] Ahhhhhh!! [He suddenly wakes up in his apartment] (It's a dream, I feel nauseous, as if I want to throw up. I slept, but I still feel tired. it must be because of that dream, I haven't dreamt it for a few years now. When I try to turn the radio off, the noise won't go away. If I dream that dream, I will be involved in a problem within a relationship. That's what I always believed since I was young. When was the first time I dreamt it? I was involved in a fight with a friend and my front teeth broke? Then I cried in front of my siblings,) {The dignity of an older brother is gone} (Why did I dream that dream?. The day I'm returning home to Cole Street!) Rosemary We're home again Kevin. Kevin SIGH Rosemary You don't look very healthy, you didn't even eat breakfast. Kevin (Please don't talk about food. I hope that dream wasn't true. Something will happen in the near future.) You're always well aren't you Rosemary? Rosemary Naturally, I always eat good food, and the weather is clear. We've left the house for 3 months now, so there's plenty of things to do. Anyway, I'm very happy, let's go Cliff, Kevin (Does she ever feel worried, or face a problem? Maybe it's problems which bypassed her constantly. She enjoys life. Rosemary isn't human after all. Looking at them like that calms me down.) Rosemary Are you cleaning the garden? Kevin (Sometimes her cheeriness can be a problem) Why do I have to do it? Gardeners Mr. Kevin? Here are the plants you told us to take care of while you were gone. Kevin Oh thanks. Postman Sir? Here are your mails while you were gone. Kevin Oh magazines and letters, junk mails the lot of them. If only they sent it directly to the villa. [He took out one letter] Rosemary A little more to the left, yes. Good thing you're around to give help. Kevin Rosemary? Rosemary Yes? Kevin Sorry, I need to buy a magazine in town for a while. Rosemary ? Gone again? Kevin Sorry Rosemary, after I went home there was a letter about some work. I have some business in the city with my publisher. Could you take care of the house with Cliff for two or three days? Rosemary Of course. If you buy some provisions for day to day matter. Kevin Sure, then I'll leave tomorrow. Rosemary (This afternoon, after buying the magazine Kevin became quiet all of a sudden. He talks without looking eye to eye. It meant that he didn't tell me the whole story. His secretive attitude meant that any questions would not be answered. He only wants us to wait for him without changing in any way.) Have a safe trip. He'll be back in two or three days, just wait for him. (This is my role in this house.) Cliff, dust isn't good for the sensitive nose of a dog. You're allowed to go out you know. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. You have to watch the house too don't you? It's an important task. Go ahead. (Kind hearted Cliff. It's predictable that Golden Retriever would grow up well. He could be trusted to guard a human child.) Our dog is the best. Now I've finished part of the cleaning up. The sheets had been changed, the drapes washed, summer clothes replaced and put away, the blanket had also been replaced for something more appropriate for Fall. Next I have to cook and iron. [Looks at the window] (I'm back to the place I love so dear.) The sound of the wind here is so special. In weather like this, it would be nice to drink tea outside, since the master isn't home. Ah smoked salmon, tea with cream sandwich and chocolate biscuit. Now is when I believe that I'm the happiest duck in the world. (The gardeners had taken care of the garden well) Person 1 They said that the write who lived here has returned. Person 2 It must be nice to be on a holiday. Person 3 The ground is kept well isn't it? Rosemary (I don't usually think about it, but sometimes in moments like this I thought if I'm human I don't have to worry in days like these. I can drink tea in the daylight. The truth is I dreamed that the world would not be surprised when they see a duck drinking tea with a cup. Cliff Woof! Rosemary You returned early. Cliff [Saw the biscuits] Rosemary No don't eat it! These biscuits have chocolate in them! You're not allowed to eat chocolate and onion. Kevin told you haven't he? They're not good for any dogs health. Just wait, I'll give you cream. Cliff {Lectured again, Kevin always told me that} Rosemary Eh? [A container dropped down) I nearly forgot to give these souvenirs to my friends. I'll be gone for a while, guard the house. I must take the washing off the line when I get back. {Busy all the time} It's Fall now, nothing changed while we were gone. Oh that's Mrs. Hannah's house she lives alone. That empty cage belonged to the her Boxer, Harvey. Before we left, he was still a naughty puppy.) Nina Isn't that Rosemary? Rosemary Nina, Anna! Nina How are you? It's been quiet without you. Anna A shell? What is that? Nina What was the sea like? Anna In this area you're the only duck who have ever seen the sea! Rosemary Oh is that so? Did anything change while I was away? Nina No, not really, everything is the same. Rosemary How about Harvey in Mrs. Hannah's house? How is he? Anna That boy was put down. You do remember that Mrs. Hannah's son bought the Boxer because he thought living alone would be dangerous. Mrs. Hannah's own knees were week and she was not able to take him for walks. A guard dog is different to a lap dog, they said that he doesn't need to be cared for. Every day he was locked up in his cage. given only food and water. His eyes were so sad weren't they? It could make you sad yourself. Nina Yes. Anna One day, Hannah who wanted to take him for a Rabies shot... Harvey jumped towards her thinking that she would take him out. Hannah Kyaaa!! [Falls down] Anna Boxer dogs are hunters, even as puppies they are quite strong, but that weak kneed lady kept him. Hannah received some light concussion, but Harvey was killed with poison in his food. They said that dogs who cause harm to human are uncontrollable. The strange thing is, humans killed because of their own will, but they still created a grave for Harvey in the garden. I'm afraid of the way humans think. I'm afraid to be around them. Nina Rosemary how could you stay with these human? Rosemary (There are so many humans without wisdom. Why didn't Kevin ever forget to exercise Cliff every day? Why did he care so much about Cliff's well being? He realised that Boxer, Shepherd, Husky and Collie cannot sleep if their body isn't tired. Some owners tied their dogs to a motor so they run. If you only think they're adorable you can't live with animals. Every day there are plenty of mess and problems. Enough exercise, and sleep and also more importantly enough love. ) Nina & Anna Bye Rosemary! Boy 1 Oh look a guide dog. Rosemary Guide Dog? Boy 1 Cool Boy 2 Cute. [The 2 boys chased the dog around while his blind owner tries to keep him in control] Rosemary (Oh no, don't stroke him like that) Boy 1 He's so calm, doesn't bite, what's his name? Blind Lady Um sorry, but this dog is doing an important task. Boy 2 Hey guys, look at this guide dog! Rosemary Oh dear what can I do? Boy 2 Hey can I borrow this dog for a while? [Holds on to the harness attached to the dog] Rosemary DON'T!! Boys Waaaa! There's a duck! Rosemary (Run now!) Boy 2 It hurt my leg. Boy 3 What kind of duck is it?! Boy 2 Stupid! [Grabs a rock and throws it at Rosemary] Boy 1 Today's target is this duck. Boy 2 Let's have a bloody party. Boy 3 It's gone that way. Boy 2 Let's chase it! Boy 2 We'll pluck its feathers. Boys Wait duck ! [In the distance the blind lady and the dog looks rather thoughtful as the boys disappears] Rosemary I'm done for! [Panting] Ouch! It looks like I sprained one of my wings. (Rain? Oh no, the washing! There goes my washing) [Cliff appeared suddenly] Oh Cliff, hihihi don't that tickles, what's wrong? "I'm afraid of the way humans think. " "Let's have a bloody party!" (Afraid, I'm afraid of humans. How strong are these creatures called humans, how they control the world while making their dreams into reality. In this world, how many living creatures are living without pain? This world, this earth, also revolved for Harvey as well. What does he dream in that cage, what dreams?) Phone Rrrinnggg Rosemary Yes, hello Kevin Hello Rosemary? Rosemary (Kevin!) Kevin? Kevin Rosemary Rosemary Kevin Kevin What? Rosemary ... Kevin I feel calm when I hear your voice. Rosemary So do I. (Someone needs me now, that's why I'm here, this is the place where I'm needed most. Though one, day we must part, now...) Kevin Anything changed? Rosemary No, nothing. (Nothing at all, about the neighbor's dog who died. About the duck who was chased by a group of children. About the housekeeper who was foolish enough to forget her washing, everything. These nuisances are not problems which troubles your human lives, nothing happened...)