Song of the Wind and Trees Kagerou (Heat Haze) 2 Original text by Takemiya Keiko Translation by Emily Horner (ehorne2@po-box.mcgill.ca)--please ask for permission before using these translations anywhere else. This covers the entirety of the volume 7 bunko volume, for those who have the Hakusensha bunko edition with the forest-green spine. (ISBN 4-592-88157-5) Page numbering corresponds to that volume. If you have a different edition, this starts a little before summer vacation and ends about a month after summer vacation ends. "Kagerou" is the word for the mirage or haze that appears on roads and in the desert when it's very hot. It's also a symbol for transient, doomed happiness, which seems very appropriate for these chapters. Rusch : Come here at once, Serge Battour. Serge : Yes, sir. --What happened? --He failed, I guess. --So much for the Paris Conservatory. --It's humiliating... (page 7) --Henri Bernard, it's your turn next --Y...Yes, sir. Rusch : {This is a nightmare!} --Now, this is more like it. Is this your favorite student? Serge : I'm sorry for my carelessness. Rusch : {Your father Aslan did the same thing...he just apologized...} Do you think I'm going to let it go at that? () Serge : I'll accept any punishment you give me. Just let me go now, please. Rene : Professor! Serge : {I was about to start making excuses for myself...I have to get out of here before I do!} Rene : Serge! Auguste : {You're so naive, Serge, Your expression is just the one I wanted to see--it's a different kind of honesty than Gilbert's.} () Auguste : {Another naive man...} Come this way. You look so pale. Come on. Serge : {Who is it? My strength's slipping away...} () Auguste : Let me see your arm. Now! Serge : I... () Serge : Wait! I can do it myself. Auguste : This is awful! When did it happen? () Serge : I'm sorry I let you down like this. Auguste : I'm asking you when it happened. Serge : Two nights ago. Auguste : Did you get into a fight? Serge : No! I tried to jump over one of the younger kids and I fell down. Really... Auguste : Whom? Gilbert : The others ganged up on him. () Gilbert : But you already knew that, didn't you, Auguste? Serge : Gilbert! () Serge : Have you been here all this time? {In broad daylight, I didn't even notice him!} Gilbert : That's a nice way to greet me. He's the one who invited you here; I was sleeping. I heard your performance, but it was incredibly dull. Auguste : Is that any way to talk for someone who had to sneak behind my back instead of coming in honestly? Is his virtue too much for a delinquent like you to look at? () Gilbert : You sound like a devil who's fallen in love with an angel. Are you going to boil him and eat him later? Serge : Wait! () (Sound of applause) Auguste : It looks like your friend Bernard did well. Professor Rusch should be here any moment now. --Professor, your blood pressure! Rusch : What a disgrace, Serge Battour! I won't listen to your excuses! () Serge : Professor... Rusch : What happened to your arm? You tried to play the piano like that? Serge : I'm sorry! I should have said from the start that I couldn't do it. Rusch : What stupidity! Auguste : Stop! If you want to punish him later, I can't stop you, but first you should at least make sure that the bone's not fractured. --Indeed. He couldn't play a concerto like that. () Rusch : I had you come all this way, only to have this happen. There's no way for me to apologize for that. --Don't worry about it. I just stopped by on the way to visit his mansion in Marseilles. --It's too much to hope that this kind of accident won't happen in the course of growing up. It's not as if he was spending his days doing nothing but playing the piano. --Quite right! After all, we were punished all the time ourselves. Rusch : I'm sure that at the next opportunity... --Next opportunity? Don't be silly. I won't come to this boring backwater town again. Serge : {So I won't get a second chance? Well, I wasn't really serious about playing the piano yet...} () --Ah, the great performer is here! --That was a unique performance, Henri Bernard. --You must have high expectations. --He still has a long way to go. Serge : {Henri Bernard is lucky! Until today, he was a quiet, serious student who no one paid attention to. I didn't think of him as a rival. But I know how he played the piano every day...congratulations.} () Auguste : Shall we go, Serge? Serge : Where? Auguste : Weren't you listening? Your professor gave you permission to go see a doctor in Arles. Serge : It's only a bruise! Auguste : It's awfully swollen. Rene : Go, Serge. You have to take care of your arms. Serge : Yes, sir. () Auguste : It's too bad... Serge : Yes, but I think this is the only way it could have turned out. Getting beaten up, and failing at the recital, came out of my personality and the circumstances. () Serge : So I can't deny it! Regretting it now won't change anything. Auguste : You're quite strong. {A spirit that can bounce back...that's what draws everyone to you, Serge. Your youth, not looking back with regret.} (page 24) Auguste : It's fortunate that it's only a pulled muscle. You'll be better after two weeks of rest. Your aunt would never have forgiven me if it were serious. I have a responsibility to act as a father to you. Serge : My aunt said that? Auguste : Your father was my age, and we went to the same school, though we didn't know each other. Serge : {No...you're entirely different from my father. For some reason, I don't feel any warmth when you put your hand on my shoulder.} Auguste : Is something wrong? You haven't said a word since we left the hospital. (page 25) Serge : I've been thinking about Gilbert. It's because of me... Auguste : He's jealous because I've only been paying attention to you. Serge : {You realize it? And yet you act so cruel? He's been waiting so long for a letter from you... "This is a lie! It can't be true! Auguste, why?"} () Serge : Why are you so nice to me? I know it's not my place to say this, but you should worry about Gilbert instead. Then he might not...you know... Auguste : I'm afraid it's not that simple, Serge. If he only loved me as a relative, that would be one thing, but he doesn't. No one can do anything about his vices. Do you understand what I'm saying? (p.27) Auguste : Do you understand, Serge? () --Hey, Serge! Can you practice on the organ? Serge : No, I can't play for two weeks, but I'll be at choir practice. --Darn! I thought we were going to get out of it! --Serge getting hurt doesn't have anything to do with your voice. --Too bad about the recital. Don't worry, there's always next time! Serge : Yeah! Rosemarine: Serge Battour, may I ask a favour of you? Serge : Yes, what is it? Rosemarine: {What happened in Arles? What did Auguste say to you?} --What's going on? (p.29) --Did you see? --I saw! --What is it? --There's just one possible conclusion: the superintendent likes Serge. --Rosemarine? But he hasn't been friendly with anyone but Jules since he became superintendent! --The White Prince? I can't believe it! Leo : The brown kid's really doing good. () Leo : It's enough to wipe out the rumors about him getting beaten up. What do you think, idol number two? Proulx : Hey Gilbert, what's wrong? Gilbert : Don't talk about him! Leo : It's worth talking about. Serge is starting to look as appealing as you. Gilbert : I don't want to hear it! If you're going to keep talking about him, I'm leaving. Proulx : That's an interesting attitude. You never cared about being compared with Liliath. Why does it make you made to hear about Serge? () Gilbert : Stop groping me with your filthy hands, pig! Proulx : Why, you! () Gilbert : I won't do it with cowards like you, playing cards to decide who can have me! Pretend this meeting never happened. If you want me, you can bow to me and kiss my feet. It would at least be more interesting than playing cards! --What? () Proulx : All right, you asked for it. I'll teach you your place! Leo : That's a reckless thing to do! If he makes Proulx mad, that's no game. Proulx : Run if you want, prince! () Proulx : I don't mind going later. Who's first? Leo : Gilbert, run! (page 35) --Let go! --He's mine! (36) Gilbert : No! Let me go! Proulx : Don't try to interfere. He brought this on himself. (37) Leo : {Why did you provoke him, if you were going to scream about it?} Gilbert : Auguste... (38) Leo : {He's gone crazy!} () Gilbert : Auguste doesn't love me...he hasn't loved me for three years. Love me the way Auguste did...do anything you want... () Gilbert : No, no one can love me like Auguste did... (43) Serge : {Gilbert came back to our room this morning, covered in dirt. He didn't notice the sound of me opening the window, or the sunlight.} (44) --No, it's not like that. The piece goes here..and checkmate! --He got a letter from a girl, and he's been in bed ever since... (45) --They've been posted! --What has? --The exam schedules! And reports and essays, too. --Final exams are really tough 'cause they're cumulative, but you can get through them by thinking about the long vacation afterwards. (46) Leo : Hey, Battour. Don't pretend you don't know me. I've been waiting for you. Serge : Let go! Leo : I have to talk with you about Gilbert. --Hey, Kurt! That upperclassman who's got Serge cornered is Leonhart Manesse. Kurt : The one who beat up Serge before? (47) Kurt : Let him go! He's not that kind of idol! Huh? It's not that? It sure looked to me like he was hitting on you. Serge : He was just asking if Gilbert had come back yet. He told me to watch out, because he's been acting strange. --How so? Serge : I don't know. "He's gone crazy." (48) "This week he's literally been torn apart by the other guys. Anyway, I quit. I'm not going to be involved with him any more. He makes me nauseous." Serge : Gilbert... () Serge : {He's just like he was when I laid him down this morning. It's like he's not even breathing...} Gilbert! {It's too quiet, but regular.} (Knocking) --Serge Battour! () --Monsieur Auguste Beau requests another meeting with you. Serge : Shh! {Good, he didn't hear that. I don't want him to wake up now. He's fast asleep, and I don't want to interfere. If he woke up and saw me now, it would be hard on him...why am I crying?} It's Battour, principal. --Come in! Auguste : How is your arm feeling? Serge : {I don't trust him. He has an unusually gentle appearance and refined demeanor...} (51) Serge : {And it feels like a sin to refuse his kindness, and I end up going along with what he says. From now on, I'll refuse.} --He seems to have a lot of faith in you. I would've thought he'd have given you up as hopeless after that failure! He wants to introduce you to a music teacher in Paris! Serge : {I don't want to hurt Gilbert any more.} What? Auguste : Everyone who wants to go to a conservatory in Paris starts taking lessons from famous teachers while they're still young. It's best to make one's talents bloom early. Come to Paris! You're old enough to devote yourself to the piano. () Serge : No, please--don't say anything more. I'm not that good yet. My failure before is proof of that. I'm not yet truly serious about playing the piano, although I like it more than anything else. I think it's more important for me to spend my adolescence at my father's school and experience life. It won't be too late to decide later whether to go on to a conservatory, after I'm old enough to go to university. (page 53) Auguste : {What an odd boy. He's incorrigibly stubborn.} --If that's what you want, be prepared to face the consequences! You're a count in name only. How do you intend to pay for yourself? Do you think you'll find another patron this easily? Serge : {I won't. I know that. But the important think is to find out where my passion is--} Auguste : That's a pity. (54) Carl : Pascale. if they smell alcohol in the proctor's room, I'll be in huge trouble! Drink in your own room! (knocking) Carl : Just a second! Oh, it's you, Serge. What is it? Pascale : Have a drink, Serge! It's not good for you to do nothing but study. Carl : It can't be good for your studies! What brings you here? Serge : I'm saying good-bye to a guest next hour, so I wanted to get out of class for a while. Pascale : Auguste Beau? Serge : Yeah. Pascale : Everybody's been talking about you lately. (55) Serge : That's about to end. Pascale : I hope so. It's going to affect your grades. What about Gilbert? Still asleep? Serge : All day and night. I think I'd better put some distance between us. Pascale : Do you think you can? Serge : I don't know, but I can try. (56) Rusch : I'm very sorry about this. Auguste : Don't worry about it, Mr. Rusch. You may not live in Paris, but you're a teacher worthy of nurturing Serge's talent. Still, it's too bad that I no longer have any reason to come here. I think I'll stay in Marseilles for a while to grieve. (57) Serge : Gilbert's here. Come and see him. Auguste : Come to my mansion in Marseilles on your vacation. Until we meet again... Serge : Professor! Rene : He complains, but he's glad you're staying here. So am I. I'm truly pleased with your decision. Serge : Professor... () Serge : {Gilbert...what are you doing here?} Gilbert : Where's Auguste? Serge : He just left. You were sleeping, so I... () Serge : Gilbert! You can't use that gate, it's locked! You can't get out! {What can you do by chasing after him? Stop!} Gilbert : Auguste! (60) (61) Serge : Gilbert! Gilbert! (62) Serge : Let's go, Gilbert. (63) Serge : Gilbert! Stop it! {I can't pull free...he's trying to kill me!} (65) Serge : {Why's he doing this to himself? Does he love him that much?} () Serge : Listen to me! I'm never going to interfere with your life again. I'm going to leave you alone just like you want, because I've had enough! (67) Serge : I won't come between you and your uncle, understand? Don't worry. I won't hurt you, I promise. {I promise.} (68) Serge : {Don't turn around. Just leave him there.} () Serge : {You're so proud and beautiful...playing with other people's feelings...it's so sad to see you like this. I love you, Gilbert!} () Serge : {I have for a long time...} () (73) Serge : {Well-manicured hands...Gilbert's hands that always look beautiful...they look alike. What am I thinking? Forget about him, already!} (74) Serge : {I hate him. He was nice to me, but I can't trust someone who would treat his own flesh and blood that way! Forget about him. He's gone back to Marseilles.} (sneeze) --Who's been sniffling? --It's Serge Battour. He was fooling around with his roommate in the pouring rain! Rosemarine:Who said that? Stand up. (75) Rosemarine:Read the next passage. If you know so much about other people's business, the new vocabulary should pose no problems for you. Serge : {Gilbert's in bed with a cough too. No! Don't get involved!} Um, thank you for what you said before. Rosemarine:Take care of yourself. Exams are coming up. () --Did you hear that? --"Take care of yourself"! --Those were eyes of love! --Think he's going to abandon Gilbert and go after him instead? Kurt : What did you say? Serge : Kurt! Because of this awful cough, I forgot to ask something important in class. I'm going to my room. See you after horseback riding and fencing club! (77) Jules : You've been chasing after Serge these days. Rosemarine: You noticed, Jules? {That's right...He's the boy who rejected Auguste Beau.} (78) Gilbert : {He isn't coming back. He's gone. He isn't coming back. Auguste abandoned me. No--no, he didn't. He did! He didn't. He loves me. He loves me more than anyone. Until three years ago, he did. What about now?} (79) Serge : Did you catch a cold, Gil-- {Don't get involved. Don't get involved.} (80) Serge : {He probably spend al day in bed, without eating. That's not unusual for Gilbert.} (coughing) Serge : {Leave him alone. He'll probably just get hysterical and yell at me.} (81) (loud coughing) Serge : You might not want to hear this. Yesterdasy I said I was going to stay out of your life, but if you can't even take care of yourself--it's as if your will's completely cut off from your body! I've got a duty to save you. Get up, we're going to the cafeteria together! (82) Serge : If you really can't walk by yourself, I'll carry you. Don't look at me that way! I'm taking you with me no matter how much you yell. (coughing) Serge : Don't worry, it'll stop soon. Calm down...does your chest hurt? (83) Serge : {Good, it stopped.} Let's go. (84) Serge : Button up your collar, it's cold. You really don't even have a dressing gown? {This doesn't look good...just yesterday I said I was going to put some distance between us.} (85) Pascale : Yeah, I figured this was going to happen. It wouldn't be you otherwise! It's in your nature to be meddlesome. --He's caught a cold? --Don't you know a spell to stop a cough? --I couldn't teach him, though. --I've never seen him like this before. --He's just trying to act tame. --He's waiting on him hand and foot! --What's Kurt getting so upset about? Serge : You want some salt? --Salt! --Salt! --Salt! --Pass the salt! --Salt! Gilbert : Merci. --Wow...he said "Merci." () Serge : {That's gonna hurt.} Doctor : It's a cold. Wasch : I know that much! Anyone could guess that, with sneezing and coughing and a fever! Are you sure it's not anything more serious? Doctor : Do you want me to say it's bronchitis or pneumonia? Wasch : No... Doctor : Anyway, keep warm and get lots of bed rest. That's what's best for a cold. Okay, your turn. Hold out your arm. () Doctor : Come on! Serge : Hold out your arm, Gilbert, you need a shot. Doctor : You've got awfully skinny arms, for a boy! You think you could ever sleep with a girl with arms like those? Girls are heavy! (89) --Gilbert? --With a girl? (laughter) Wasch : Since that's how it is, you don't have to go to class today. I'll have your meals brought up here, so get lots of rest! Serge : Monsieur Wasch, I'm fine. Gilbert has a high fever, but-- Wasch : Non! Well, take care. Serge : Monsieur! (90) --Gilbert? With a girl? That's funny. --You should've seen the look on Monsieur Wasch's face! --You think they're doing it in room 17? --I wonder what's going to happen. Pascale : Where are you going? Carl : The library. Pascale : Going to check on Serge later? Carl : No. Pascale : You've been spending a lot of time by youself lately. Carl : It's just that exams are coming up, and I've been busy studying. (91) Serge : {This had to happen, so close to exams...} {Good, he's sleeping. Last night he was coughing and didn't sleep at all.} (92) (coughing) Gilbert : {I'm sick of this cough...make it stop, Auguste...} You're not Auguste. (93) Serge : {Good, it stopped. It's painful just to listen to that cough. I can't really concentrate, with this fever...} (94) Serge : {What? Who's that...looking down at me?} (knocking) Sebastian: It's Sebastian Maisset, Serge! I brought you lunch, are you awake? Serge : Thanks, I'll open the door in a second. (95) Serge : {Did taking a nap just make it worse?} Sebastian: Don't worry, I'll bring it over there. Were you studying in bed? You won't learn anything when you've got a fever. You'll get better faster if you sleep instead. You look pale, but you should at least eat something, or you won't be able to take your exams. () Sebastian: Should I sit here and help you eat? Serge : Don't be silly! Don't worry, I'll eat. Sebastian: You'd better! Serge : Thank you! {He must be joking! Letting an underclassman help me eat? I don't have much appetite, but I'd better give some to Gilbert.} Get up, Gilbert. Lunch is here. (97) Serge : {He startled me...I thought he was sleeping. I nearly dropped the tray.} Gilbert : I don't want any more. Serge : At least have another spoonful, or you won't get better. I always eat my meals, so I'm fine. (98) Pascale : Do you know where Carl Maisset is? --He was over there. --I don't poke my nose into other people's business. --Carl went home early. --He asked Monsieur Wasch to take care of things. He's been studying like mad! Pascale : {Like mad, huh?} (99) Pascale : {He's always between 3rd and 5th with his grades. Last time he dropped to tenth--is it that much of a shock to drop from 1 digit to 2 digits? I guess I've never really paid attention to that.} (tick tock tick tock) (100) (creak) (slam) Serge : {Has he been watching me sleep? I can't look straight into his eyes!} () Serge : {It won't be so awkward if we can talk about something.} Have you ever been to Paris? I heard you were born in Marseilles... Gilbert : Paris... Serge : I lived there from when I was four to when I was 13, just before I came here. I was born in Tyrolia, so I can understand a little German, and Northern Italian accents. Gilbert : I used to know someone from a farming family in southern Italy. (102) Serge : When were you in Paris? Gilbert : For a short time, when I was eleven. Serge : Then we lived in the same city for a while, before we knew each other! Gilbert : {"Drifts, but never sinks...Paris drifts but never sinks..."} I liked Paris... Serge : Hm? Are you asleep? () (104) --Bathroom...huh? Pascale? You're really working hard. (105) --Time's up! Everyone hand in your papers and leave. Your next exam is French History at one o'clock. --How'd you do? --Don't ask! --It's so frustrating. --What was that answer? Serge : {I didn't do well...last time, I had only just arrived, so I couldn't help it, but this time...} () Serge : {Well, so much was happening, but it was still my responsibility.} Proulx : It's me. Exams are over, so I came to see Gilbert. He's in here, right? Serge : It's your decision, Gilbert. Gilbert : What can you do? Let him in. () Proulx : I haven't seen you in a week! You'd better get out of bed soon. I'm getting lonely. Gilbert : Even if I do, I won't do what you want. Proulx : That's an insolent way to talk. I like it. Gilbert : How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me? Proulx : Don't say that. I really do like you, you know. I brought you some brandy. Gilbert : Merci. Proulx : Why don't we have a glass together? (108) Serge : {He is trying hard to talk to him...except for what he's saying, he might not be such a bad guy.} Proulx : So, Gilbert, let's go somewhere during the vacation. Gilbert : Max Proulx, stop talking and get out! (109) Gilbert : Leave, filthy pig! Serge : Gilbert! (coughing) Proulx : That's a nice way to treat me, after I came all this way to see you! I hope you get pneumonia and die! () Serge : What did he say to make you so mad? He did come all this way...I think that he does love you, in his own way. Gilbert : Even though he was fondling me under the sheets? If you want the same thing as that bastard, I'm game. [Umm...I honestly can't quite parse the grammar here. I think that's what he's saying.] (111) Serge : {I'm ashamed...just to see him look at me that way, and hear him say that... But...at least he treats me, not like Proulx, but as a friend...} () --Everybody, listen! Guess who's at the head of the class this term! It's Biquet, Pascale Biquet! --That's impossible! He failed three years in a row! He's never even been on the list of top grades. --And now he's at the top? I'd never have guessed! --Whoa, it's true! --Carl's fourth, what about Serge? --Thirteenth! Lucky! () --Carl! --Serge! Serge : Congratulations on getting fourth. Carl : Thank you. Serge : Where's Pascale? We've gotta celebrate! Now he can go on to the next grade with us! Pascale : {I might not get it this year either...} --Hey, Pascale! Pascale! (114) --Pascale, you're first! You're at the head of the class! --You can go on to the next grade! --Come on, say something! --And to think you've always failed before! (115) --Those of you who are graduating, as well as those who are staying in school: I'd like you to inform your parents about your healthy growth. That concludes the assembly for this year! --Yeah! (116) --It's the same thing ever year, and I still can't believe the principal's speeches. --He doesn't care about us, he just cares about the school's backers. --No, not even them. He only cares about money. --Shh, it's Rosemarine. --It's been three years since he became superintendent. Is he going to do it again next year? --I don't know. --You could ask the same about Jules de Ferrier. He's been an upper-class proctor forever. --I'm getting sick of their regime. (117) --Jules is the one who really gets to me. He's been skipping grades since he was 15, and got to the top by the time he was 17. --I hate geniuses! --And that's not the only thing. I heard he was the leader of a gang, and even Rosemarine won't stand up to him. Rosemarine:Jules? What will you do this year? Jules : You're my patron; I'll do as you say. If you want me to stay here, I will, for one year or two years. It's easier than working in the world. () Rosemarine:I have the baccalaureate this year. I won't be able to concern myself with other things. But there is one thing that worries me... [The baccalaureate is the French university entrance exam.] Jules : Serge Battour? There goes your "ideal" now. Rosemarine:That's not... --Aw, Serge, wait up! Serge : Stop chasing me! It's not fair! (119) Pascale : Serge! Serge : Pascale! Pascale : Ow ow ow. Where've you been? I've been looking for you. Serge : Sorry! I was being chased, I don't know why. --Gotcha! --You can't run! We're going to decide right here, right now. (120) --You went to Pascale's house last vacation. This year, it's my turn! --No it's not, it's my turn! Sebastian: Say something, bro! Carl : I...err... Pascale : You're not going home this year, either? Serge : I'm really sorry, everybody, but my grades have gone down. I think I'd better stay at school. --No fair! --This isn't just winter break. It's a real vacation! You can go diving and sailing! (121) Sebastian: I'm going to build a treehouse. --Traveling! Spelunking! Pascale : You guys are so childish! I want to talk to you... --Hey, don't steal him, Pascale! Serge : What is it, Pascale? (122) Pascale : Basically...will you come to my house? Serge : Thanks, Pascale. But it's precisely because it's a long vacation that I have to stay at school. Pascale : {Have to stay at school...because it's a long vacation?} Serge, you...Patricia's going to be mad, you know. Serge : Give her my regards. Tell her to come see me here sometime. (123) --Au revoir, Serge! Don't catch another cold! --Good-bye, be well! I hope we see each other again! Serge : {All right...I'm going back to school.} () Serge : {Two days later...Pascale will be back at his house in Lyon. What a lazy summer afternoon...no one to talk to me, no one to pay attention to me. Just the nice sound of silence...} () Proulx : From now on, I'll be busy studying and won't be able to see you much, so I wanted to see you before I went home...I got a room at the inn in town. () Gilbert : What about the baccalaureat? Proulx : That idiot principal held me back a year. Said I had no hope of passing. I just want to get out of this prison! Gilbert : {I don't want to go with him.} Proulx : Though I am grateful that I'll get to spend another year with you. Gilbert : {But my body tingles...} Proulx : But my dad says he'll disown me if I fail again. Come on, let's enjoy ourselves, while we still can! Gilbert : {I'm going to go...} (127) Serge : Ah! () Proulx : {Damn! It's him!} Gilbert! {He doesn't even look scared.} Hey, wait. What did you do to Gilbert? It's because of you that he's acting weird. (129) Proulx : Don't fall down yet. Stand up. I'll give you one good punch. Serge : {He's not kidding! He could have broken a rib!} (130) Serge : Go away! (ay, ay, ay...) There's really an echo when there's no one here. I think you could probably hear it all the way to the office. () Serge : Owww... {I thought I'd be fine, since I was prepared for the first punch...but it really hurts. But at least I don't hear any footsteps coming.} Gilbert : Aren't you going home? {What did you think, when you hear that?} Serge : No, I decided not to. {When you spoke to me suddenly, I hesitated.} Gilbert : You should leave. Take a trip somewhere. Serge : {You act like it bothers you...} No. I'm not going anywhere; I'm staying right here. I think we're the only two people staying in dormitory B for the summer. () Gilbert : You're not going? You're staying here? Serge : {But I understand that's not what you really mean.} You didn't know? Didn't you even notice that I wasn't packing? Gilbert : You're really going to keep interfering with my privacy? Serge : Come on, let's get along. We're all alone here. {All alone...} (133) Gilbert : {He's late. Why isn't he back yet? Every day, he comes back to our room and studies. I can hear the silence. I can't stand to be alone! I hate waiting!} (134) (135) Serge : Gilbert...why is it all dark? Put on a light. You haven't gone to eat yet, have you? Why won't you go by yourself? You didn't have to wait for me. It's okay. I'm awake. He's really persistent! You wouldn't believe me if I lied, so I may as well tell you the truth. () Serge : I saw Proulx in town--I thought he'd already gone home--and he beat me up in an alley. I was unconscious for a while. Well, it's all right. At least I got to let out some anger on him, too. I just wish I could've given him a black eye. Let's go eat. {Gilbert, I love you...for not giving me your shoulder just because I'm hurt. For understanding that sympathy won't make the pain go away.} (137) Serge : Wow, the weather's gorgeous! --It's you! This is no place for a boy from a good family. Your friend brought a meal outside... Serge : Over here, Gilbert! You really need to get more excercise. (138) Serge : It's strange, but I keep thinking about the past. It must be because of the weather. The weather always brings back memories... Gilbert : I saw a mole for the first time on a day like this. Serge : {Gilbert...} Tell me about it! Gilbert : I was napping in the garden, and he tunneled underneath there. I woke up at the touch of a living thing. I kept pets after that--weasels and wild doves and rats and snakes and foxes. But they all died. () Serge : The sky was like this every day in the Alps. The wind even smells the same. Look, you can see the heat haze, like in spring. Gilbert : The heat haze feels so empty. Just looking at it makes you feel like the whole lanscape could melt away. {I wish anyone would come to me, but no one does; A vacant, lonely spring, when even the wind is far away; finally I see dandelions waving beside me, and feel comforted.} (140) Gilbert : {Auguste...} Serge : Sorry...I saw a little flower under a rock there. () Serge : {The wind, singing in between us--over the short blades of grass} () Serge : {Gilbert!} () Wasch : Come in! I was just in the middle of cleaning. Oh, Louis Rene! I thought you were Serge. Are you going home? (144) Rene : Now that I've put things in order with the publisher, I'm going to spend the last half of summer vacation in Paris with my family. Wasch : How lucky you are that both of your parents are still well! Give my regards to your wife and daughter. Rene : You still act like a student...I must be getting old. Wasch : Don't say that. Rene : It's true. I'll see you next term. (145) Serge : Monsieur Wasch! I want to borrow two horses... Oh, Monsieur Louis Rene. Are you going home? Rene : Hello, Serge. You haven't been home in a long time. That's not good. Serge : Yes, sir. (146) Wasch : You say that like it's perfectly obvious. Serge : But it's true. Wasch : You're a lot like your father, Serge. {Aslan learned that from Louis Rene--and from me, sympathy.} You want to borrow horses? Are you riding far? Serge : Yeah. Gilbert says he knows how to ride too. () Wasch : What about fencing? Has he improved at all? That boy has no persistence! As soon as he shows any interest in anything, he gets sick of it right away. Serge : It's better than being depressed, at least. Wasch : If he bothers you, I could change your room. Serge : No! I want to help him, all I can...with ordinary things, like studying and excercising and talking. He really doesn't know anything. Wasch : All right. Be careful. (148) Gilbert : Serge, wait up! I'm out of breath. Serge : Then I'll just have to leave you behind. () Gilbert : Fine, do what you want. You worry too much! Serge : Are you tired? Gilbert : A little. Serge : {You're proud...like a butterfly no one can catch. It's like a miracle just being with you.} (150) Serge : Gilbert? What are you thinking about? Gilbert : You talk too much. Are you too surprised to talk now? () Serge : Idiot! That's why you get misunderstood. Gilbert : Serge, stop! Serge : No! Gilbert : Let go! Serge : Non! Gilbert : Hey, what are you doing? Ow! Serge : I bet I'm the only one who's ever dared to spank you, Gilbert Cocteau! () Serge : I'm sorry. Come on, stand up. Gilbert : Are you saying that I'm misunderstood? How? Serge : It's just a figure of speech. Gilbert : Don't run away. It might not be a misunderstanding. Serge : No. It is a misunderstanding. () (154) Serge : Gilbert, you can't wipe off butter with your school uniform's tie! Gilbert : That's none of your business! Serge : Child! Gilbert : Brother-in-law! [Huh? That's what he says...the word is "kojuuto," and I can't find an idiomatic meaning for it, and the literal meaning is "brother-in-law." Hm.] () Wasch : Hey, that's a red tie from one of this school's uniforms. This is awful! Smells lovely, too. They must have caught a fish in this river and eaten it. I'll give them a piece of my mind when I get back! --There are students who stay here during summer vacation? Wasch : Just the weird ones. They stay here and cause trouble, when it's not as if they don't have homes of their own to go to. () --Weird ones? Gilbert Cocteau, you mean? Wasch : What about him? --Never mind. I'm going back to the school. Wasch : {Red ties from the school uniforms...we used to put these to a lot of uses. Well, Aslan, your son's going to the same school as you did--and I still hold on to the dreams of my youth.} () Wasch : {Your maid, Ridelle, went back to her hometown after you left for Tyrolia. She has five children now. I went off to war and left behind my feelings for her...} (158) Serge : Rest, you look tired. Get tired, and go to sleep--that's the way people live in the Alps. {Gilbert...} (160) Wasch : {Gilbert...Serge...Are you...?} Gilbert : Serge? What is it? Serge : Nothing. {Monsieur Wasch...} (161) (162) Serge : I'm exhausted! No matter how out of practice you say you are, practicing with anyone for three hours is too much! Monsieur Wasch was right when he said you liked fencing. Anyway, let's wash ourselves off. Gilbert : I don't like baths. Serge : Come on, you have to! Gilbert : I don't want to! Serge : You don't mind swimming in the river outside. Gilbert : Then I'll do that instead! () Serge : Come on. The water's going to get cold. Gilbert? Are you there? Gilbert? (164) Serge : {Skinny arms...a weak body, covered with tiny scars. In the bright light, it feels like I'm seeing him for the first time.} Look at the mirror. Raise your arm...and lower it. It's like light and shadow. Gilbert : Can you follow? (165) Serge : Huh? Gilbert : Will you follow me? This way! Serge : Ah! Gilbert : Too slow! Serge : Ow! (166) Serge : {He finally laughed.} Gilbert : What are you looking at? Serge : Nothing. Let's go back to our room for a nap! {Monsieur Wasch?} What are you doing there? Gilbert : Eavesdropping, of course. () Serge : Gilbert! Gilbert : I'm not in the mood for a cross-examination. Go ahead and lecture your serious student instead! Wasch : Your family sent you some money. But what Gilbert said is also half true. Serge : {Professor, Gilbert and I aren't--} (168) Serge : Checkmate, I win! --That's three losses in a row! Serge : Well, I have to go... Wasch : Wait! You can't just win and run away. Serge : But I have something I have to do. --You really don't know when to give up. Wasch : Just one more game. One more game, so I can do it over. Serge : It's just going to turn out the same anyway. Wasch : Now, where are my chess books? --You should spend some more time with him while you're at school. He's lonely, you know. () Serge : But I'm keeping Gilbert waiting in the greenhouse. --Did you say...Gilbert? Serge : He's my roommate. I invited him to play chess, but he really doesn't get along well with people... --That little demon is your roommate? Serge : What's so bad about that? He's not at all like the rumors say... --You may not realize it, but he's a devil! I told you that when I first brought you here. Don't get involved with him! (170) Serge : It's not fair, you've only heard one side of the story. --Do you think I don't have evidence? My nephew, my brilliant nephew--he drove him mad! Wasch : Stop it, old man! It's too late to change anything. --It's not a lie. You have to watch that boy closely-- especially with cute, innocent students. () Serge : What happened? You can tell me objectively, can't you? Wasch : I don't know. Gilbert hasn't told me anything about that night, one year--no, two years ago. After summer vacation started, one of the students who would have been studying for the baccalaureate attempted suicide. His name was Ernest Prie, and he was that man's nephew. (172) Wasch : Gilbert came back drenched in cold swamp water. Ernest's notes were torn and strewn all over his room. Ernest was crawling around on the banks of the swamp, as if he were searching for his heart. --Ernest was a nice boy. He'd never think of suicide! Without him, I'm alone. I lost all my other relatives in the war. It's that demon who drove him mad! I'm sure of it! () Serge : And he quit school? Wasch : He was a fragile child. He certainly wasn't in any condition to attend school after that. Serge : Do you think it's Gilbert's fault? Wasch : Effectively. Serge : That's a cowardly answer! Wasch : Listen to me! He was a very special student to me. All the teachers thought highly of him. I regret putting you in the same room as Gilbert. It doesn't matter what Gilbert's really like, if things always turn out the same way in the end. () Wasch : After the vacation's over, room assignments are going to be changed. You should leave that room. Or will I have to expel him instead? Serge : I thought you hoped that I would change him. Wasch : He could end up changing you instead. Serge : Monsieur Wasch... Wasch : Listen to me! You're more important to me than Ernest or Gilbert! {Not as my student--but as the one memory I have of my dearest friend...} Please, understand. () --You were a good kid, Ernest. Your family was poor, but with your elementary school teacher's recommendation, you got a scholarship to this school. Ernest... (176) Serge : {That scream...Gilbert!} (177) Serge : No! (178) Serge : Let's get out of here. Hurry! Do you have any idea why he attacked you? Gilbert : He's tried to kill me many times, but he always fails. Just like Ernest did. () Gilbert : No! I don't want to remember it! I don't remember anything, so just leave me alone! Serge : Gilbert, I want to know the truth! Did you seduce Ernest? Gilbert : Yes, and not just him; Elliot and Fabian and Nezley. Just like now. It's the same thing every time, right? I seduce them and then I betray them. The difference is that he was serious. He was crazy. () Serge : Ernest...tried to kill you? Gilbert : Be quiet! Serge : {Gilbert...he's scared.} Don't be afraid. I just want to hear what you have to say. I don't want to judge you by what everyone else says. So please just tell me what you know. {This is cruel...what can I learn from someone who's so scared? It's okay, Gilbert. I believe you.} Gilbert : It was a dark night. Ernest said that he wanted to see the moon from the swamp, but there was no moon that night. () Serge : Gilbert... Gilbert : No matter how much I yelled, Ernest wouldn't stop rowing. In that case, I'm going back, even if I have to swim. It would be better to drown than for you to do something to me out here. Ernest, what...? No! () Gilbert : As I sank down I felt Ernest's fingers wrap around my neck. When I came to, I was desperately clutching an oar on the shiny, greasy surface of the water. Ernest was floating on his back nearby, mumbling something to himself. Ernest : I loved you...loved you pathetically. So I killed you, Gilbert... () Ernest : Gilbert, I killed you. You're dead. You died, died in the swamp...Gilbert... Serge : Gilbert! Wake up! It's just a dream, Gilbert. () Serge : It's okay. You were talking in your sleep. Gilbert : The swamp. Serge : Huh? Gilbert : I'm going to the swamp. Serge : In the middle of the night? Gilbert : I'm going. Serge : Gilbert! Okay, go. But I'm coming with you, no matter what you say! (185) (186) Gilbert : Look, a will-o'-the-wisp. Serge : I can't see a thing. Gilbert : They shine in the swamp. That's where Ernest's heart sank. Serge : Gilbert, don't blame yourself like that. Gilbert : It's true. He killed himself in the swamp. Serge : Stop it, Gilbert. Forget about it. There's nothing there! You don't believe me, do you? All right then, I'll go over there and prove there's nothing. Stay there and watch me. () Serge : {Duckweed's wrapping around my feet...} Gilbert : {Serge went into the swamp--the swamp. Ernest's swamp.} Non! No, Serge, come back! () Serge : See? It's okay. There's nothing there. () Serge : Gilbert...come on, let's go. That night, Gilbert wouldn't leave Serge's side. (190) Perhaps that was a sign that he accepted Serge. Perhaps if things had continued like that for them both, it would have turned into an unbreakable trust binding the two of them. --Serge! Gilbert! Wake up! You have letters from Auguste Beau! When they woke the next morning, they had each received letters from Auguste. (191) "Your scent is like A Deutzia flower The summer's first storms leave" [Yay! Random poetry!] () --Marseilles! End of the line! Marseilles! () Serge : {He's still a little spaced out.} Are you all right? Be careful. {We've been in a hurry since those letters came this morning. Two letters, probably saying the same thing-- "Come to Marseilles."} We're here, Gilbert--in your hometown. {I wasn't sure what to do.} Gilbert, if you don't want me to go, I won't. Gilbert : Come to Marseilles? It's another lie. () Serge : But there's a ticket here--for today! The train leaves at 10:05! We've gotta hurry, or we'll be late! {This is no way to travel. There's barely even time to grab the essentials. You stared out through the train window at the southern sky, somewhere far away from me, wild with joy.} The wind smells like salt, from the sea to the south! () Serge : Gilbert, what is it? Um, is this the carriage for the Cocteau residence? Gilbert : Auguste, Auguste! He isn't here! --He's been very busy with work. He said that he unfortunately would not be able to pick you up. Hurry! It's already supper time, and the roads are crowded. Serge : Right! {I suppose I shouldn't think this, but--you look beautiful, right now.} () Serge : Wow... () Serge : {It's like a fairyland. If you grew up here, it's no wonder you'd be disillusioned by the real world. The middle gate-- and then the inner gate.} --Go on inside. The butler will meet you at the door. (198) Serge : {Everything's so beautiful--but it looks like no one uses it.} Gilbert : Is anyone here? Butler : Welcome. Gilbert : Who are you? Butler : The butler. I've been working here for two years. As all of the servants are busy with dinner, I've been asked to show you in. Serge : {It's sad, somehow, when your own house changes while you're not there.} () Serge : {This place feels strange, and more so as you go further in. From the furniture to the gardens...} Ah! Don't stop suddenly, it's so dark... Butler : The interior building is this way. The master should be in the room on the right. (200) Butler : Please go on inside. Servants are not allowed to go any further without permission. Gilbert : Why are you here? () Serge : {I've already come this far.} Good afternoon, Monsieur Auguste. It's Serge Battour. May I come in? () Serge : Monsieur Auguste? Auguste : Welcome! I've been waiting for you. I've grown very close to your aunt in Paris, though it has been more difficult to be near your family since I disposed of my mansion in Paris. () Auguste : Your little cousin Angeline grows more beautiful every day. Come see her picture! Oh, I'm sorry. She was your fiancee, was she not? Serge : Not any more. {My little cousin...is she going to be his? It's like you've stopped--like a doll. Sending signals to your master, in a conversation I can never understand.} () {Come here, come here, come here, come here...to the dark of night.} Serge : {Was someone calling me? It's dark; the moonlight is blue. Hiding from the moon...} () Serge : {Gilbert must be in the garden. He wouldn't be sleeping quietly in the room next to mine. This is where he lives, like a secret den. Is is some grave mistake for me to be here?} (206) Serge : {Gilbert, where are you?} (207) Serge : {Blue light--shining bright. Like Leda's swan...} () () --I've brought your meal, sir. Serge : Thank you. Is it just me? Isn't anyone else here? --The master and Gilbert are still asleep. No one else lives here. () Serge : Come on, come on! Here's some bread crumbs! Not a single one of them will come down! Good morning! Beautiful weather, isn't it? The birds here really seem like they're not used to people. Do people go hunting a lot? --Not really. Hey, don't do that! I'll get in trouble! You're just the way everyone here says. You don't fit in here at all. () Serge : {There are so many servants here!} "Tell him, quickly!" "Why don't you?" "How do I say it?" "He'll be corrupted if you leave him alone." "He'll be sacrificed." "Say something!" Serge : Bonjour! I'd like to go fishing. Can you lend me some equipment? (212) --Sir-- Serge : What is it? --You seem like a good person, so I'd better warn you. Get out of here, fast. Serge : Why? --That Auguste is like a demon! Everybody's saying he might eat you! Serge : {A demon? Yes, I suppose that he is...Gilbert's trying to pretend that he doesn't care about me even more than usual. I guess he doesn't want to think about school. I try to talk to him, and he just runs away. So I just spend my days reading...} (213) Auguste : Are you bored? Serge : Monsieur Auguste! Auguste : Just call me Auguste. Serge : Sorry. Auguste : Don't apologize. Gilbert, you know, is very happy to be in Marseilles. That's why he doesn't get close to you. Besides, your personalities are entirely opposed. If you are like the sun, he is like a dark star. Like Pluto, not sure whether he wants to be one of the sun's planets. () --The master says that you should take a walk in the garden. It will be good for your health. Serge : {Not again! Even if it is a pretty garden, I've had enough. Why doesn't he tell that to Gilbert? What should I do tonight? Study? Auguste! He just came out of Gilbert's room. Last night, could he have been...} (215) Serge : {No! Not him too...} Gilbert? Can I come in, please? (216) Gilbert : Are you there, Serge? Come here. () Serge : Gilbert! I didn't... {A deep, deep kiss...} (218) Gilbert : What is it, Serge? It's a nice morning, isn't it? Serge : {You don't feel any sense of guilt about this.} Gilbert, let's go swimming, and catch cicadas and bell insects. Or anything you like, together... {I can't spend every day like this.} (219) (220) Gilbert : You're the one who asked me to come! Take off your shirt. Serge : Gilbert! But--there are people around. And I'll stand out. Hey, your swimsuit! Gilbert, stop it! Gilbert! () Gilbert : Heh. One of the upperclassmen called you a "bronze Appolo." Serge : Don't say that! Gilbert : Why? What's true is true. That's the Chateau D'If over there. [The setting for "The Count of Monte Cristo.] Can you swim that far? Serge : I can try! (222) Auguste : Good morning. It seems that I'm the only one who slept until noon. Gilbert : Auguste! Serge? Serge : {I'll go, until I'm completely exhausted.} (223) Serge : {Are you happy, being loved by him? So happy that you don't even notice anything else? Are you drawn to him even now?} Gilbert : Are you tired? You shouldn't have swum all the way around Chateau D'If. Look, it's a picture of the Black Mass. They're chopping up a human sacrifice. Serge : Don't look at those pictures! Gilbert : They're not scary. What about a picture of a ghost? Serge : Didn't you get told not to look at that kind of stuff? It's impious. Gilbert! () Gilbert : It's so beautiful...the demons and the angels, fighting. It's like you can almost see the light shining from them. Who do you think will win? Serge : {You're beautiful...} What about this? It's the book I bought in Arles. Gilbert : What is it? Serge : Jules Verne. "From the Earth to the Moon." Gilbert : Do they fly? (225) Serge : They've got a train that goes to the moon. Gilbert : This picture is blue! Serge : {That day, you decided that the moon should be blue, and you painted it...even though it was my book. Gilbert...Why did I think that you never smiled?} Do you know how to look at the stars? I can teach you. {Gilbert!} (226) Gilbert : Wow...it's bright red. Serge : {Gilbert...you probably can't even imagine in your dreams, that someone could be so happy, just to be with you.} Gilbert : What is it, Serge? You don't even say anything, but you won't let go. Serge : I want to know more about you. Because you're so strange. {Because I love you.} (227) Serge : Gilbert? Where are you? {You were here just a second ago.} Gilbert? Watch out! Wait! () Auguste : Do you like Gilbert? That is a problem, then. Because I love him too. Not just as a relative, as I'm sure you're already aware. I love his body and his soul, which is why he is a slightly odd child. () Auguste : That's why I sent him to school: to make him normal. But because of you, I had to call him back again. I won't let you have him. I called you here to tell you that. (230) Gilbert : Oh, no...Auguste, stop! (231) Gilbert : No... Serge : {What could I say, when I feel just the same way about Gilbert that he does?} Gilbert : No! I want to go to sleep! (232) Serge : {I'll just let him know that I'm awake. That's all.} () Auguste : Good boy...be quiet, my Gilbert. Serge : {He knew! He knew that the door was open, and that I was awake.} (234) Gilbert : Auguste... (235) Serge : {Don't look away now--this is his most beautiful moment. Seeking, and being fulfilled...one moment, that disappears like bubbles...} Gilbert : Auguste... (236) (237) Auguste : Do you have something to say? He wants me, and I fulfill him. No one else can replace me; I am his only partner. Go back to bed. (238) Go back at once to your bed in the dormitory! (sobbing) () (240) Gilbert : You don't usually wake up so late, Serge. I'm tired from yesterday! I didn't even want to-- Auguste : Be quiet, Gilbert. Gilbert : Oh. Right. (241) Auguste : Gilbert! Don't stare off into space during breakfast. You'll spill your tea. Gilbert : I can do what I want! Auguste : So after you've been home for two weeks, you think you can start acting spoiled and selfish? Gilbert : You're the one who's selfish. My body is my own. Serge, let's go. The sun's already high. We could go swimming, or boating, or look at the rabbit warren we found yesterday... () Auguste : Wait. Gilbert : Serge... Auguste : I said, wait! Gilbert : Ow...that hurts! Auguste : Kiss me. Until I say you can go. Gilbert : Serge! (243) Gilbert : Serge, wait...Let me go, Auguste! Serge : {I hate it, Gilbert! I can't let you do whatever he says!} (244) Serge : {I should leave. I should leave. There's no way for me to win. But I can't go back!} () Serge : {I just can't!} Auguste : Come here, Serge. () Auguste : You can't keep your mouth shut forever. Go on and say what you want to say. You thought you could stay with him and watch over him every day, didn't you? You don't even know what it is you want to know. Serge : What about him? Auguste : You don't have to worry that Gilbert will hear us. I put sleeping powder in his wine. () Serge : Why? Why do you treat Gilbert that way? You said you loved him, but I can't believe that! That's not how you treat a human being! Auguste : That's right. He's my pet. I raised him to be under my authority and my control. It may be a good thing to speak of this to someone... (248) Auguste : At any rate, you came all this way. Let's drink--to your health. () (250) Serge : {Someone...waving their hands over a candle...} () Serge : {My hands are heavy...} Auguste : It's because of the drug. () Serge : {Drug? What?} Please--stop. Auguste : Endure it. The poison works well. (253) Serge : No! Auguste : Do you think you can call someone? In this mansion? Serge : {I can't move!} () Auguste : You were asking for this to happen. I warned you many times. Serge : {Someone...} Auguste : I told the upperclassmen to bully you. I invited you to a conservatory. () () --This is the answer you wanted.-- (257) Auguste : It's all right now, Serge. You look pale. (258) Auguste : Forget about this and go back to school. Lead a wholesome life. That suits you better. Serge : {Why? Why am I shaking? Because I was scared? No. Sad?} () Serge : {It's because I knew the wine was drugged, and I drank it anyway.} () Serge : Kurt! Neka! Wait! --You're naked, Serge! Naked! Serge : No! I'm wearing my uniform! Carl, I-- --Look at the "perfect student" now! Carl : You can't go up to the tower naked. I warned you over and over, Serge. It's too late to repent now. () Serge : It's cold. Where is everyone? I'm cold...Carl, Kurt, Neka...I'm going to freeze! Pascale : Do you regret it? If you don't, you can't come here. But you accepted that this would happen. Serge : That's right, Pascale! I knew. () Serge : But I feel like the ground's caving in under my feet! --Then don't think about the sacrifices. Think about what you have. Serge : Father... Aslan : Right, Serge? Think of what you have. Of what you're trying to get. (263) Serge : {It's been a long time since I dreamed about my father. I can forget this pain... When did I come back to this room? I don't remember. Could Gilbert have known about last night?} () Serge : Gilbert, are you awake? I'm coming in. () Serge : {I've never had anyone I've loved this much. I've been so lonely. I wanted someone to give something to--and he wanted what I could give him. That's why we've been drawn together like this. It's like our souls try to find completion in each other.} () (267) Gilbert : Auguste, what happened to Serge? Wasn't he going to eat breakfast this morning? Serge : Sorry I'm late. () Auguste : Sit down. {Fool! The drug hasn't even worn off yet.} I'm afraid I must leave now. I have things to do. (269) Gilbert : What's wrong? I thought you might have left. Serge : Gilbert! Gilbert : Your eyes are red. Have you been crying? Serge : I had a dream about my father last night. () Serge : Pascale and Carl and Kurt were in it too. Gilbert : I don't want to hear about them! Serge : Don't say that! Gilbert : Tell me about your father. What was he like? After all, everyone has a father, right? () Serge : He taught me many things. He taught me how to play the piano, and about sadness. Gilbert, what do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a pianist. Gilbert : Huh? I'm not going to be anything. I'll just be me. Serge : Well, what are you going to do when you graduate? Gilbert : I'm not going to graduate. (272) Gilbert : I'm not going back to school. I'm always going to live here with Auguste. Serge : Gilbert! You can't do that--you've gotta study! Gilbert : I won't! Serge : Study, and grow up, and get a job--everybody does that! And then get married, and have kids... {So...you have to learn about the real world, Gilbert!} Gilbert : You don't understand anything! I like things this way. Serge : Things can't stay this way. (273) Serge : What if Auguste gets married? Gilbert : He won't! Serge : What if he gets old and dies? Gilbert? Gilbert : Then I'll die with him. Serge : {He said it as if he'd decided that a long time ago.} Gilbert! {Like the summer wind...} (274) Gilbert : Serge... Serge : Gilbert, not now. What if someone sees? Gilbert : You've made progress. Serge : Huh? Gilbert : You don't run away any more. Auguste : Gilbert... () Gilbert : I...I love you, Auguste. Serge : That's not fair, Gilbert! You promised we'd go riding together. Gilbert : I have something else to do. Something very important. Serge : With Auguste? Gilbert : It's none of your business. Serge : Gilbert! (276) Gilbert : {He's following me again!} Serge : {He's like a deer. He runs without paying attention to the obstacles in front of him.} () Serge : {I'm being stupid. What can I accomplish by chasing after him? But I don't want to let Auguste have him! There he is.} Gilbert : Auguste? Come here, the dry grass feels good. (278) Gilbert : I was calling Auguste. Why are you here? Serge : Gilbert, I love you! That's why I don't want you to do whatever he says! Gilbert : Don't be silly, Serge. You're hardly the first person to say "I love you" just because we're a little friendly. Serge : That's not it! () Serge : Auguste is a coward. He's lying to you. Gilbert : Lying to me? How? Serge : He says he loves you, but he doesn't! Gilbert : He does love me. Serge : Non. If he really loved you, he wouldn't call you his pet! Gilbert : Auguste wouldn't say that! Serge : Yes he did! He said he raised you as his pet! () Gilbert : Go away! You're a liar, I'm not going to listen to you! Serge : That's not the worst of it. The other night, he-- Auguste : What did I do? Say it, Serge. What did I do to you? () Auguste : {If you say it, Serge, it will all be over.} Serge : You drugged me, and then--had your way with me! He's a liar and a coward, and a cruel man! He doesn't deserve to love you! Gilbert : Don't touch me! Don't touch me, anyone! Auguste : How foolish. (282) Serge : {I'll be killed!} () Serge : Gilbert...Gilbert...Gilbert... (284) Serge : Let's go. It's starting to get foggy. Gilbert : Leave me alone! Serge : I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it. But it's true; I love you. Will you come back to school with me? Please, Gilbert? () Serge : {You're like a free bird.} If people could see what you were like here, they would like you. So...let's go back. {You should fly...} --The master asked me to prepare a carriage to take you back. You may use it when you're ready. Serge : Tomorrow morning, then. --Very well. Good night. Serge : {Gilbert didn't come...it was a total failure.} () --Early, isn't it, kid? Are you taking the first train? It's leaving soon. --The train for Lyon via Arles will be departing shortly. --It's a horse! A horse, running through the station! () --Hey, watch out! --You could've been killed! Serge : {Gilbert...Gilbert, thank you.} The summer of 1881 left, with joy and fear in contrast in their hearts. () (292) () Gilbert : Are you still here? I thought you'd left. (294) Serge : You promised to meet me an hour ago! Gilbert : I know. But I had to go turn in my grammar notes to the teacher. Serge : Grammar? You were taking notes? Well, never mind. Monsieur Rene told me to take you to choir practice. He said your voice is probably going to change soon, so you should join while you still can. Gilbert : Why should I join that stupid group? () Serge : Gilbert, it's the grammar teacher. He looks like he has something to say to you. --No matter how many times I ask, you won't turn in your notes! I saw you there, and thought I'd catch up with you...never mind, it can wait. I'm not feeling well today. Gilbert : I can't believe he went looking for me. Serge : You lied to me! Gilbert : It's just a white lie. You should understand that. () Gilbert : I haven't done anything wrong. All this year, I've been doing what you said. I wear my uniform, I comb my hair, I go to all my classes and prepare for them. So don't start telling me now to go sing songs after school! I ran into the grammar teacher, and he saw me, and that's the only reason he was chasing after me. Serge : {I know.} I'm sorry. () Pascale : Hey! I just heard from the French grammar teacher that you were using absolutely perfect grammar. And flawless pronunciation, too. I never would've guessed, because you were always so quiet. Gilbert : I don't need someone whose pronunciation is awful to give me compliments! Pascale : {Ouch. Touche.} I didn't expect you to start making excuses to Serge, either. Serge : Pascale! () Pascale : He runs away if you talk to him, huh? Like a river charr or a wild butterfly. Serge : Pascale, I was going to take him to choir practice today. Pascale : Do you really think it's a good idea to keep tying him down? Serge : That's not what I'm doing... Pascale : Yes, it is. If you're trying to keep him from having too much free time, it's going to backfire. He's like a cat; you've gotta control him with invisible methods. Serge : Pascale... Pascale : Well, at least he talks more than he did before summer vacation, and he's not as naked as he used to be. I guess you could call that progress. () Pascale : If this is because you became his roommate, good work. Now, hurry up. You're keeping Louis Rene waiting. Serge : {Pascale!} Pascale : {Well, just because I support him doesn't mean that anyone else will.} (300) --Where're you going, monkey? --Slug! Slowpoke! Pascale : Uh...uh-oh. () Pascale : Dammit! People should really learn to act a little smarter. They don't even know what's important. () --They're practically all over each other. --Who? --Those two in room 17. --They spent the whole summer vacation alone together in the dormitory! That's two and a half months! --So is Serge the top or the bottom? --Don't be vulgar! --Serge looks at Gilbert like one of his patrons. --So? It was like that before. --No, if you look closely, there's something different. --Is there any proof that they've slept together? --Not exactly. It's just subtly different, somehow. --Serge looks at Gilbert like he's got some authority over him. (303) --Is it this way? Rene : Yes, all the way to the top. --We're not there yet? This is tough! --We shouldn't have come, if there's no choir practice. --Just cleaning out the instrument storehouse... Rene : Don't complain! This is one of the choir's important jobs. --Hey! That's not fair! Rene : Open the door, Griere. --Yes, professor. (304) Rene : Will it open all the way? --It's bright...Ah! (305) Rene : What is it? There's something shining in there? Well, what is it? --An angel! No, a demon! It was gold! --It was just a carnival doll, stupid. --It was moving! It had a bow and arrow, too! Rene : Who's in there? Come out. Don't run away, just come down. Gilbert! () Serge : Can you take these? --Oww! Serge : Out of my way. Let me through. Rene : Why did you break the window and come into the storehouse? Did you have any reason? Serge : Gilbert! (307) Rene : There wasn't anything very important in there, but you can't break the lock! Serge : Wait! He's not used to answering people. Let go of his arm. Rene : {It's red. I wasn't holding him that hard.} Gilbert : It wasn't me. (308) Gilbert : That window's been broken since about six months ago. I come here a lot to get out of the rain. That's all. I didn't steal anything. Serge : Wait, Gilbert! (309) Serge : Why did you come here today? Gilbert : You said you were going to come back to our room for lunch. And you said that choir practice was here... Rene : We could do that! It might be nice to practice in the shade. Gilbert : I didn't come here to sing! I just wanted-- Serge : Come on, Gilbert! () Rene : Let's start with vocal exercises, like always. Melody 3, Alain. () Rene : Mezzo-soprano. Serge, Alto. All together! () Rene : Last, the alto solo. --Do that again. () Gilbert : I shouldn't sing? Rene : It's just that that's Alain's part. Gilbert : All right. I won't sing any more. Rene : I could give you another song. Gilbert : I'm not going to sing! Serge : Gilbert! () Serge : Gilbert! --What's wrong with him? --Why should he get mad? It's Alain who got his part taken. --It's rude to just butt in like that. --He's really selfish! Rene : Be quiet, now. Let's keep practicing. Serge : {Why did he do that?} (315) Serge : {Why?} Proulx : Who's there? (316) Gilbert : It's too bright. Proulx : What are you doing there? It's been a while. It's a month since summer vacation ended, and you haven't been to see me once. Gilbert : Why should I have to come and see you? () Proulx : Well, why are you here? I'm not interested in you any more, I'm afraid. Gilbert : Did you have to go to church while you were at home, and decide to reform? Proulx : Just the opposite. Look at this. (318) Proulx : Cute, isn't she? And only sixteen. Hey, wait, dammit! Nice thinking, dad. Give even the prodigal son a fiancee. Now I have to graduate. Gilbert : A girl? I can't believe it! That delinquent, Max Proulx, got a girlfriend! Max Proulx, you cowardly bastard! When you die, I'm going to send you a bouquet filled with curses! () Serge : Hi, Gilbert. Monsieur Rene told me to give you his regards. He said you had a really nice soprano voice. () Serge : I borrowed some scores, so I could teach you to sing sometime. What's wrong? Didn't I tell you to beat out your blanket every morning? () Serge : Gilbert? Good night. () (325) Gilbert : You were having a dream. Serge : Thanks for waking me. Gilbert : You're dreaming every night, aren't you? Can I sit down? Serge : Okay. (326) Serge : Please--don't touch me for a while. Sorry. (327) Serge : I'll get used to it soon, I think. Gilbert : You're always doing that. Trying to bear everything alone.