Cloud Atlas Page #5

My uncle was a sailor.

He took me on a French whaler when I was ten years old.

I seen too much o' da world.

I no good slave.

Why did you look at me?

Pain strong, right?

Friends' eye more strong.

But, you are a runaway slave and I am a lawyer.

How do you imagine we could possibly be friends?

All you need.

Ah, Jesus!

Javier Gomez, what did I tell you about

jumping onto my balcony?

Why do you leave the door open if you

don't want me to come in?

Because, smarty pants,

the only thing worse than having you jump

onto my balcony,

is the idea of you jumping onto my balcony

and being stuck out there.

Okay!

What are you reading?

Just... Old letters.

Sixsmith, the plot has taken a sensual turn.

Last week, Jocasta and I became lovers.

But don't alarm yourself, it is only a carnal act

performed in service,

not unlike my role as amanuensis.

And I confess, women's hearts, like their desire,

remain a mystery to me.

Afterward, she cried and thanked me for bringing life back

into their home.

Making it clear that Vyvyan had been there

the entire night,

between us like the silence between notes,

that holds the key to all music.

P.S. Best news of all,

I've started my own work.

Uh, I... called about an old recording,

written by a man named Robert Frobisher.

Oops. Busted.

I know I shouldn't be playing it,

I was... checking it to make sure it wasn't scratched.

but... honestly,

I just can't stop listening to it.

This is the "Cloud Atlas Sextet"?

It's, uh... the "Symphony".

It's beautiful.

But I think I heard this before.

I can't imagine how.

I doubt there's more than a... handful of copies

in all of North America.

But I know it.

I know I know it.

Before I realized it, my feet had borne me back

to the Temple of Sacrifice,

where I offered up my virginity.

Back to those four days of paradise,

when Ursula's Mater and Pater slipped off to Greece

for a long weekend.

Or so we thought.

Ursula!

...Naked!

Sir! Madam! I assure you this is completely innocent!

Two sprained ankles, one cracked rib.

Official cause of accident listed on hospital form;

"P*ssy".

What were the chances that she still lived in this house?

And yet, there she was.

Ursula.

Why had I never returned her calls or letters?

Shame, spinelessness, hallmarks of the Cavendish clan.

I realized I had a choice; I could slink off

and continue as planned,

or I could go boldly to the door

and discover what hope, if any, lay within.

Abbess, come quick, it's the Bailey girl.

- Catkin?

- Aye, she dyin'.

- What-what?!

- Zach.

- Sonmi.

- It's a scorpion fish.

Healer said she'll be gone by sundown.

Ain't right, ain't fair, but nothing to be done.

Be very still.

Termination charge, here!

Just enough to blow carotid.

How does it feel?

Good.

Catkin's dying!

- What?

- Trod on a scorpion fish!

You can save her. You got spesh smarts in that gearbag

what'll save her. That is the true true!

Prescient Council swear by a special order.

Say I can't go play Lady Sonmi for every fate twisty wrong

and click fingers make right.

I just a stoopit goat herder, but I cogg you're killin' Catkin

by not actin',

jus'... If I left you up on that bridge... you Kona meat.

If a Prescient be layin', with poison meltin' her

heart and lungs;

if it be your kin...

Why the Prescient life worth more than a Valleysman?

I take you to Mauna Sol.

I know the way!

If you save Catkin,

I will guide you through the Devil's door,

if that's where you wanna go.

While the past may call to us with the

enchantment of a siren,

better, I believed, to stay the course set by

dear brother, Denny.

Just sign right here.

Tomorrow, life could begin afresh, afresh, afresh.

This way.

Come.

(Welcome to Habitat Basic Training.)

[Computer annoucements continue]

(Designating texture.)

That's Old Seoul.

If the tides keep rising at their present rate,

Neo-Seoul will also be under water in a hundred years.

Your food is in here.

It's not what you are used to, but I think you will like it.

This is your bed.

These are your clothes.

Mine? But these are pureblood clothes.

No. They are yours.

Did you know he was Union?

No, but it wouldn't have mattered.

Why not?

Because...

it was the first time a pureblood had showed me kindness.

Mama?

I hung'y.

Do you like them?

You look lovely.

Here.

Come here.

Now this uh, used to play vidies, but the chip is corrupted.

Stuck in a loop, so I dijied it. Found the rest of it.

The rest of it?

What the bloody hell are you doing in my room?

Keys go walkies. Let's give these to Miss Judd

for safekeeping, shall we?

Leave my things alone, you pilfering cow!

'Cause you're new, I shall not make you eat

soap powder... this time.

Be warned.

I do not stand for offensive language in Aurora House,

not from anyone.

And I never make idle threats, Mr. Cavendish. Never.

I'll talk to you how I ruddy will like, you thief!

Make me eat soap powder? I'd like to see you try.

Ooh, bloody hell!

Tsk, tsk, tsk. A disappointing start.

Is this some sort of kinky S & M hotel?

I am Nurse Noakes, you do not wish to cross me.

I am so sorry to keep you waiting. Uh, I know it's a Ms...

Rey.

- Luisa Rey, Spyglass Magazine.

- Right, right.

Luisa, this is Joe Napier. He's our security chief. Um...

I was uh, surprised to get your query.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a, it's a,

it's a feisty magazine, but uh...

Anything you need, sir, just let me know.

Will do.

- Guys, I'm good. Thank you very much.

- Thank you. - C'ya. - Yeah.

Our editor's trying to spice things up a little bit.

He says the public wants more substance, so...

Uh, probably just a fad.

Ah, come on, follow me. Let's start you

with the Chicken Ranch.

That is where we keep the eggheads.

Hello, Mr. Cavendish. Feeling super this morning?

No. I checked in last night, believing that Aurora House

was a hotel.

My brother made the booking you see.

His idea of a practical joke.

But listen. You have a bigger problem closer to home.

There's some demented b*tch, calling herself Noakes,

rampaging about the place, impersonating

a chamber maid.

But the point is this; she struck me and she stole my keys.

Right? I'll need those keys back, straight away.

Aurora House is your home now, Mr. Cavendish.

Your signature authorizes us to apply...

Signature?

The custody document you signed last night.

Your residency papers.

Oh no, no, no! (He-he) That was the hotel register.

[Sigh], Never mind. It's all academic, oh?

This is gonna make a heck of a dinner party story.

Most of our guests get cold feet on their first mornings.

My keys, please.

- Residents are not...

- I'm not a ruddy resident!

You'll find temper tantrums won't help you

at Aurora House!

You're breaking the... ruddy...

Anti-In... carceration Act, or some ruddy thing,

and I will not be subjected to criminal abuse!

I will not be subjected to criminal abuse.

Outside, fat snow flakes are falling on slate roofs.

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