=== Zelkov & Jean ===
--- C ---



[Zelkov]
Hello, Jean. You are an aspiring *doctor,* yes?
Would you come here a moment?
[Jean]
Huh? Yes, I'm studying to be a doctor. Why?
[Zelkov]
You seem uneasy. Have I *startled* you?
[Zelkov]
If so, please accept my apology. The last thing
I would ever wish to do is *impart* fear.
[Zelkov]
Shall I try starting over and greeting you again?
Would it *help* if I sat down?
[Jean]
Um, no. That's OK.
[Zelkov]
Very well. Then please come *here* a moment.
I would like to get your opinion.
[Jean]
My opinion on what?
[Zelkov]
These *medicines* I've made.
[Zelkov]
Look here. I call this one the *azure elixir.*
[Jean]
Azure elixir? What does it do?
[Zelkov]
It settles painful pounding within the skull.
Provides the *tranquility* of an azure sky.
[Jean]
Oh... So it's a headache remedy.
[Zelkov]
Indeed. And this is the *crimson tincture.*
Apply it to end the red fury of damaged skin.
[Jean]
In other words, an ointment.
[Jean]
Azure elixir and crimson tincture, huh? That all
sounds kind of...pretentious.
[Zelkov]
What was that? I did not *hear* you.
[Jean]
Nothing. Just talking to myself.
[Jean]
These are amazing, though. You did good work
here. You must be a skilled doctor.
[Zelkov]
I *learned* the techniques from my mother,
who was a trained physician.
[Zelkov]
In any case, if these are *satisfactory,* then
I would like to leave them with you.
[Jean]
Thank you very much for the medicine, Zelkov.
You're an unexpectedly good person.
--- B ---


[Jean]
Thanks again for the medicine. It's helped a lot
of people! They were all really grateful.
[Zelkov]
I am pleased to hear that. My mother *deserves*
the gratitude, since these were her recipes.
[Jean]
Where is your mother? I'd like to thank
her personally.
[Zelkov]
That is not possible, I'm afraid. She has been
*deceased* for more than a decade.
[Jean]
Oh, I didn't realize. I'm sorry to bring it up.
[Zelkov]
Do not trouble yourself.
[Zelkov]
To care for a wretch like me took kindness
above and beyond the usual standard.
[Zelkov]
The light of her love had the power to cut
through my darkest day.
[Jean]
Mm...
[Zelkov]
What is it?
[Jean]
What you said reminds me of my own mother.
[Jean]
She's a lot like yours. She always doted on me
and made sure I knew I was loved.
[Zelkov]
Have you *lost* a mother as well?
[Jean]
Oh, no, she's still alive. Her hips are troubling
her these days, though.
[Jean]
I haven't been able to see her lately...
[Zelkov]
It must be difficult to be *away* from her.
[Jean]
Uh-huh. It's her birthday soon, and I don't know
what I'll do this year.
[Jean]
We always celebrate birthdays together, but this
time it looks like we'll be apart.
[Zelkov]
Perhaps you could write her a *letter*?
[Jean]
Huh...
[Jean]
Wonderful idea! Why didn't it occur to me?
Thank you, Zelkov.
[Zelkov]
No thanks needed. To see a child happy is
sufficient *recompense* for me.
--- A ---


[Jean]
So...I wrote a letter to my mother after we
last spoke.
[Jean]
I was thinking of sending it today, but I was
hoping to run it by you first.
[Zelkov]
Certainly. No *trouble* at all.
[Jean]
Thank you. OK, here goes...
[Jean]
"Dear Mother. Happy birthday! I hope the day
finds you well.
[Jean]
"Things are fine here. I did meet quite a...
mysterious fellow recently."
[Zelkov]
What? Who is this *mysterious* person?
[Jean]
"The first time he talked to me, my knees began
to shake as soon as he said, 'Come here.'
[Jean]
"He smiled thinly as he approached, talking
about how he didn't want to scare me.
[Jean]
"'Well,' I thought, 'it's been a good life.'"
[Zelkov]
Oh. You are talking about *me.*
[Jean]
"But then I found out he's actually a very
kind man."
[Zelkov]
Ah...
[Jean]
"He's the whole reason I'm writing this letter
to you.
[Jean]
"You always said, 'Don't judge a person before
getting to know them,' and you were right.
[Jean]
"Now that I'm living far from you, I realize how
right you were about a lot of things.
[Jean]
"I'm glad you're my mother. I hope you stay
healthy for a long, long time.
[Jean]
"I'll be home for your birthday next year.
I promise. Give my love to Father.
[Jean]
"Your son, Jean."
[Jean]
And that's all. Not too weird for a birthday
letter, is it?
[Zelkov]
Of course not. I think it is absolutely *fitting.*
[Zelkov]
I am surprised to be a *subject* in it, but I
cannot say that I mind leaving an impression.
[Zelkov]
Please, send this along to her as well. I call it
the...*obsidian oil.*
[Jean]
Obsidian this time?
[Zelkov]
It is absorbed through the skin. It should
soothe your mother's *ailing* hips.
[Jean]
Thank you, Zelkov. For this, and for everything
else you gave me.
[Zelkov]
You can thank me by taking good care of her.
[Zelkov]
I never had the opportunity to show my parents
gratitude. I regret that every single day.
[Zelkov]
Do not make the same mistake I did. Let them
see how much you care while they are still here.
[Jean]
I will, Zelkov. I'll be a good son for both of us.
[Zelkov]
I appreciate it.
[Jean]
And more than that, I'll be a good friend for
you too.
[Jean]
I hope you'll come find me the next time you're
making medicine!
[Zelkov]
That...means a great deal to me.
[Zelkov]
I mean to say, I will *gladly* accept your offer.
[Zelkov]
Thank you, Jean.
--- S ---