VALLÉE DE L'ÉTRANGE - Heh, that's funny, nobody comes to sit next to you in that subway.
CRY HAVOC - Who cares? They aren't half as strong as you are. You slept less than 8 hours in those last five days and you're still as alert as ever.
HEDONIST - Amphetamines, baby doll!
HOUND-LIKE - But that is starting to freak Pitaji and Mataji too. They're thinking you're becoming stranger by the minute since you got in law school.
THE WEB - That's because they can't have you do unpaid hours at the restaurant anymore.
FRED IN THE MIDDLE - Boohoohoo no more daughter to play the hostess and the waitress to help Mataji... so sad.
DHARMACHAKRA - Pitaji is sick. You should help your family. Elliot and Lalita can only do so much... And you're good enough in your classes. You don't mind ditching some to help with the night shift.
SECOND GENERATION - How dare you, Frederica Kalayar Sanda Khin?! Your parents sacrificed EVERYTHING for you to get a proper education!
DHARMACHAKRA - It isn't being careless about your studies. It is also making a statement. Your family is hard-working and the system is rigged.
HAPPY FEW - In your favour. Rigged in your favour. You are in the happy few, after all.
DHARMACHAKRA - It is unfair. Your accomplishments will leave a bitter taste on your tongue until everyone is equal by birthright.
CRY HAVOC - This is your stop.
THE TRIGGER - Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. Run. You're late. You're late. You're late. YOU'RE LATE!
PRETTY EXPENSIVE PAIR OF HIGH-HEELS SHOES - Hellooooo Bunty! It's good you don't run in me, 'cause y'know, I'm made for dan~cing~ twist, charleston and, most importantly, tango. By the way, why did you picked up lil' pretty me tonight? It's not like you're gonna dance the night away... or... OR~~
SECOND GENERATION - You HAVE to be perfect. Look at you in your pocket mirror: disheveled. Take a moment for a bit of powder here, rouge on your lips but not too much or you'll look like a cheap hooker, kohl there, and for the love of all that is sacred replace your bindi. It doesn't look right.
VALLEE DE L'ETRANGE - Gotta distract people from everything else. It's the first time you meet Ajeng's mentor and housemate, you have to make a good impression.
PRETTY EXPENSIVE PAIR OF HIGH-HEELS SHOES - Don't tell me ya wanna fuck that man! Oh, Bunty, he is so OLD! And perhaps ugly as fuck. Sure, old men are your jam, like you would tots take a bite of Clarence weren't it for his dead wife. You either like strange and fascinating women or pathetic older men; girl has some big parent issues here!
LAZZI - At least you'll make him laugh, eheh.
HEDONISTIC - Damn, that neighbourhood is booo-ring.
SAVVY - Not "boring" per-se. It has conventional houses with white fences and a little bit of a garden. Some households have dogs. Some have cats. It's a residential neighbourhood. A bourgeois residential neighbourhood. With families or people with a bit of money but not too much. Not that ritzy, but less colourful than where you actually live. Yep, definitely in the faubourgs. But way less scary than the vampire district and the huge mansion where Ajeng grew up. You don't stick out like a sore thumb.
SECOND GENERATION - Mataji would've KILLED to raise you all in that kind of neighbourhood.
LIBRE PENSEE - Ew. You would've learn to conform here. You wouldn't know better than being yet another girl who takes barbiturate to sleep and amphetamines to wake up. A perfect housewife, meek enough to lower her gaze and take the blow when needed.
SECOND GENERATION - You're going way too far, doll.
LIBRE PENSEE - Not every man is Pitaji or Clarence. Lots are abusive assholes. Women, too, can be atrociously violent. Stay free. It's better this way.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME - And you're happier than your average girl, thanks to partying, Ajeng, humouring Antigone, Clarence...
LES PETITS CARNETS - Thanks to me, babe!
SAVVY - Oh, we're here. Yep. Knock on the door.
HOUND-LIKE - Ajeng! Ajeng! Ajeng! Ajeng! My favourite girl in the world! Ajeeeeeeng!
COMEDIAN - Damn the music professor is sooooo fine. Let him do his little seductive spell... Or is he just charming?
HOUND-LIKE - My beloved Ajeng! We only look at youuuuu, you're so cute with that dress and, oh my, you got a haircut! That's so chic, you look like a grande dame!
LIBRE PENSEE - Is that so bad to want to get frisky with that man ?
DHARMACHAKRA - He is Ajeng's professor. Calm your tits.
HEDONIST - But you only live once!
RUNNING OUT OF TIME - Can't agree more!
VALLEE DE L'ETRANGE - ...He can't look you in the eye. You unsettle him.
PRETTY EXPENSIVE PAIR OF HIGH-HEELS SHOES - Well, at least you feel pretty.
FAVOURITE FLOWERY DRESS - Very pretty. And comfy.
PRETTY EXPENSIVE PAIR OF HIGH-HEELS SHOES - And comfy.
FAVOURITE FLOWERY DRESS - Comfier than pretty.
VALLEE DE L'ETRANGE - Frankly, you feel ugly as fuck.
HOUND-LIKE - But but but... But Ajeng thinks you look pretty! Ajeeeeng! You would kill for her...
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - Of course she is great, she is your friend. You're not friend with people that aren't at least good. She can't do anything wrong.
OX - "Have you slept well? You look so pale and dizzy, you poor thing..."
HOUND-LIKE - Even if Ajeng shows her hands and tells you she was rehearsing a sonata she adapted to play on her harp, it is worrying.
COLD READING - But you know she doesn't lie.
DHARMACHAKRA - You can see in Mr. Landstrern's eyes that no-one can stop Ajeng when she decides to do something.
COLD READING - He, too, looks tired. But mostly, worried. About Ajeng. Her fingers bleed ever so slightly, but they bleed.
HOUND-LIKE - "C'me on, Aji, tonight I'm here so that means no-work-for-you!"
COLD READING - You sense relief in Mr. Landstrern's posture.
COMEDIAN - He hides it well; he knows he can't afford to look worried. He has his classes to teach at the Conservatoire of Ink, he has his private lessons to give here and there, he has Ajeng to supervise. That man has a lot going on.
HEDONIST - He should try amphetamines.
LAZZI - While the table is being set by a aging human maid, you put on the last record you purchased with Ajeng to dance for a bit. You make her laugh.
HEDONIST - And you make her dance. She needs it.
HOUND-LIKE - Look how cute she is when she laughs!
DHARMACHAKRA - You give the thumb up to Mr. Landstrern. He can go to work in peace, you're in charge now. He gives you a smile full of gratitude.
LA RUMEUR - "Emportés par la foule qui nous traîne. Nous entraîne, écrasés l'un contre l'autre, nous ne formons qu'un seul corps. Et le flot sans effort nous pousse, enchaînés l'un et l'autre et nous laisse tous deux, épanouis, enivrés et heureux..."
