Annabel Lost: Not the Expert
Nature of the piece: theater
Universe: The Metaverse
World: A land recently colonized by foreigners from a far-off nation, historically inhabited by three major cultures/nations: Quon, Erradia, and Aether.
Characters: Quetzal, Jen
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(JEN and QUETZAL sit, reading separate books. JEN looks increasingly exasperated with his read. Eventually he sets the book down in amusement and disgust.)
JEN: Oh. Oh, this is terrible.
QUETZAL: What?
JEN: This translation, it's . . . it's terrible! And I was so excited to have laid hands on this text. (He sighs.) Ah well. It's better than nothing, I suppose.
QUETZAL: What's wrong with it?
JEN: Well, this is an Erradian verse --- a very old one. When Hanna told me they'd found it I was hoping she meant in Erradian. It was disappointing enough to find out it was a translation, but this . . . this is from a dark time indeed, in our history. I am ashamed. Listen: `But the stones they count are many / And the house they guard is rich.' (He pauses for effect. Quetzal says nothing.) And this of an Erradian estate! (QUETZAL is still silent) I mean, I haven't even read the original and I know it can't say that. Yes, translation is an imperfect art, but they didn't even try! (He laughs).
QUETZAL: Ah.
JEN: To be fair, it communicates the right idea superficially, but . . . in doing so it completely glosses over a theme of massive cultural significance to the Erradians and --- well, a point of not insignificant tension. In this period especially, the Erradians would never speak of guarding a 'house' unless they are presently doing so, like in a real battle. Instead they would speak of owning or holding a tract of land --- or if you wanted to get really picky you could say that they were owned by it. A common enough oversight, for a century ago, but it's virtually useless by modern standards. (Pause) I must be boring you. Are you all right?
QUETZAL: Yes, yes I'm fine.
JEN: I'm sorry, sometimes I get talking --- you're Erradian yourself; you ought to be the expert here. Please, correct me if I'm wrong.
QUETZAL: No it's ok. I . . . wouldn't be able to.
JEN: What do you mean?
QUETZAL: I can't read Erradian. (Pause.) I can hardly even remember speaking it, so . . . I'm not the expert. (She turns away.) I probably should get home to help Hanna. Goodbye.
(She leaves hurriedly. JEN looks after her in silence, then catches sight of the book and satchel she left.)
JEN: Quetzal, you forgot your --- (he realizes she is either out of range or pretending to be so) --- you forgot your things.
~'.'~|=|:~O~:|=|~'.'~
Universe: The Metaverse
World: A land recently colonized by foreigners from a far-off nation, historically inhabited by three major cultures/nations: Quon, Erradia, and Aether.
Characters: Quetzal, Jen
~'.'~|=|:~O~:|=|~'.'~
(JEN and QUETZAL sit, reading separate books. JEN looks increasingly exasperated with his read. Eventually he sets the book down in amusement and disgust.)
JEN: Oh. Oh, this is terrible.
QUETZAL: What?
JEN: This translation, it's . . . it's terrible! And I was so excited to have laid hands on this text. (He sighs.) Ah well. It's better than nothing, I suppose.
QUETZAL: What's wrong with it?
JEN: Well, this is an Erradian verse --- a very old one. When Hanna told me they'd found it I was hoping she meant in Erradian. It was disappointing enough to find out it was a translation, but this . . . this is from a dark time indeed, in our history. I am ashamed. Listen: `But the stones they count are many / And the house they guard is rich.' (He pauses for effect. Quetzal says nothing.) And this of an Erradian estate! (QUETZAL is still silent) I mean, I haven't even read the original and I know it can't say that. Yes, translation is an imperfect art, but they didn't even try! (He laughs).
QUETZAL: Ah.
JEN: To be fair, it communicates the right idea superficially, but . . . in doing so it completely glosses over a theme of massive cultural significance to the Erradians and --- well, a point of not insignificant tension. In this period especially, the Erradians would never speak of guarding a 'house' unless they are presently doing so, like in a real battle. Instead they would speak of owning or holding a tract of land --- or if you wanted to get really picky you could say that they were owned by it. A common enough oversight, for a century ago, but it's virtually useless by modern standards. (Pause) I must be boring you. Are you all right?
QUETZAL: Yes, yes I'm fine.
JEN: I'm sorry, sometimes I get talking --- you're Erradian yourself; you ought to be the expert here. Please, correct me if I'm wrong.
QUETZAL: No it's ok. I . . . wouldn't be able to.
JEN: What do you mean?
QUETZAL: I can't read Erradian. (Pause.) I can hardly even remember speaking it, so . . . I'm not the expert. (She turns away.) I probably should get home to help Hanna. Goodbye.
(She leaves hurriedly. JEN looks after her in silence, then catches sight of the book and satchel she left.)
JEN: Quetzal, you forgot your --- (he realizes she is either out of range or pretending to be so) --- you forgot your things.
~'.'~|=|:~O~:|=|~'.'~