Memory 02

Frederic: Thank you so much for helping us like this.

(The camera angle changes to show that they are speaking with a
well-dressed man with blond hair and a snowflake ornament on his shirt.)

Well-Dressed Man: Don't mention it. It was nothing.
Polka: Is there any way we can repay you? You did save our lives.
Beat: Yeah, you've already done so much for us. (He turns to
look at Salsa, who is sitting next to him, but is not wearing
her hat.) Is there anything we can do to help out? This little
squirt here can wash dishes for you or something.
Salsa: (looks shocked and gasps) Hey! No fair! You can't start
calling me "little squirt" just because my hat washed away!
Well-Dressed Man: (chuckles) At least it sounds like you're all
in good spirits. But I'm afraid there's nothing you could help with.
Really, you should probably all just get some rest. Oh and allow
me to introduce myself. My name is Crescendo. I suppose you
could say I'm the captain of this ship.
Beat: Huh? Cre-Creshe-Cresh-Creshendo? Gee, that's kind of a
tough name to say. Couldn't we call you something else?
Something easier to say?
Polka: Beat, please. Don't be silly. Besides, I thought you said
you were good at remembering people's names.
Frederic: I must say, you're very young to be the captain of a ship.
Salsa: You're a captain? (She walks over to him and gives his
gloved hand an appraising glance.) Hey, hold on now. This guy
doesn't even have a hook or an eye patch. Hmph. There's no way
he's a real captain! (She walks back to her seat.)
Beat: (holding out his arms appeasingly) I'm sorry, Captain.
I apologize for her rudeness. Hey, maybe I'll just call you
Captain for now. I could remember your name no problem, but you
need to show respect to the ship's captain. (He salutes.)
Crescendo: (chuckles) Feel free to call me whatever you like. Really.
Polka: Well, Captain Crescendo. Thank you for your kindness. I
think we'll get some rest as you suggested. (She stands up and
the scene ends. The scene changes to show Salsa sleeping in a
room on the ship with a Christmas tree and a fountain. Polka is
there too, but she's awake, and brooding....) I wonder if
Allegretto and the others are all right. I think I'll go outside.
Maybe some fresh air will cheer me up.

(When ready, she can head to the stern of the ship for a cutscene...)

Polka: (approaching Frederic) So the world is all just
Frederic's dream. Good evening, Frederic. I see you haven't
woken up from your dream yet. (giggles)
Frederic: Oh. Hello, Polka. Are you having trouble sleeping?
Polka: Yes. I'm still worried about the others.
Frederic: Polka, there was something I said to you before. About
the way everything in the world slowly fades away gradually
losing its color. But, since I've come to this place, I have
begun to feel as if that is somehow being reversed.
Polka: Hm? What do you mean?
Frederic: Well, compared to when I first came to this world...
...now, when I look around, I feel as if everything in the world
is becoming more vivid. More clear. Could this be the proof I sought?
Is this world, which must be a dream, somehow becoming more real?
Or does it only prove that I, myself, am slipping away?
Fading even faster than the world around me.
Polka: Oh.
Frederic: For example, I find myself wondering about whether the
others are all right. Not long ago, I wouldn't have cared what
happened to them. Why should I, when none of this is actually
happening? But now, I'm genuinely concerned. I don't know why,
but I feel a strong sense of solidarity, a connection with the
people of this world.
Polka: Well, I think that's a perfectly normal way for you to
feel. After all, it's only natural to worry about people you've
spent time with and grown to care about.
Frederic: You know, before I had this illness, everything around
me seemed so dull and ordinary. But since I found out my life
would soon be over, even little things seem to shine with an
inner light. Like the sound of wood crackling in a fireplace.
The smell of a campfire. Leaves slowly floating down a stream.
The gentle sound of falling snow. Now that I think about it, I
probably only feel that way because I am approaching death
myself, and have begun to fade more rapidly. Just as Emilia did.
Polka: Emilia?
Frederic: My sister. She was only fourteen when she was struck
down by tuberculosis. The exact age you are now.
Polka: Oh. Your sister was my age when she...? I see.
Frederic: How terrifying it must have been for her. Forced to
accept an inescapable fate. She must have had so many hopes and dreams.
(clenching his fists) Why? Why does God allow such things to
happen to good people? Taking away even her chance to live. (He
shakes his head.) Poor Emilia....
Polka: It is sad. But everyone dies eventually. It's just that
for some people, like Emilia and me, it happens a little bit
earlier. That's all. Besides, in a way Emilia still lives on,
doesn't she? (Frederic looks calmed by this.) She lives on
inside your heart, Frederic. And lives in the wonderful music
that your heart creates. She also lives on inside all the people
of the world whose hearts are moved when they listen to your music.
Emilia will never really die. She'll touch the hearts of every
generation to come. Through her brother's melodies, she will
live on forever. I think that's wonderful. Frederic, do you need
any more proof that part of her still lives on, than the thought of that?
Frederic: You know, Polka, whenever I am with you, I feel like
I'm talking to Emilia. It's almost as if Emilia is saying the
very same things to me. (He begins to walk away, then turns to Polka.)
Thank you, Polka. I believe you've taught me something very
important tonight. Very important indeed. (He turns back around
and walks away.)
Polka: Frederic. There's just something about you that draws
others to you. And since I met you, my way of thinking has
changed quite a bit. Although I didn't realize it before, I
think I've been dwelling on the past. And ignoring the future.
Because thinking about the future is just too painful when you
know you're going to die soon. But you told me when we met that
this whole world existed inside your dream, right? At first, I
thought you were teasing me by saying that this was your dream.
But now, I actually think that it's a really beautiful idea. And
now I realize that believing in you is really the same thing as
believing in the future. That's especially important for someone
like me, who uses magic. You help me be more positive about the future.
And what I need to do. I should really be thanking you,
Frederic. Because you've taught me something very important, too.