Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart Page #4

goblins, red smoke. #

Nobody was frightened.

You were pathetic.

I have a reputation to maintain.

He was scary. I was petrified.

Of course. She can't

see beyond her nose.

You were great.

I couldn't see a thing, but it

seemed a lot of fun. Congrats!

Thanks.

Did you try the glasses?

They're all twisted or broken.

Yes, so you won't be scared

of breaking them.

I have a strange feeling,

as if we'd already lived,

or at least dreamed,

what's happening.

I really feel like I know you.

Could we dance?

Here, in silence?

That way, we stay in rhythm.

Alright.

What's that pitter-patter?

It's rain. Do you like it?

Rain, no.

The sound it makes, yes.

I heard it somewhere before.

- That's my heart.

- What?

My heart.

I was given it the

day I was born,

on the coldest day on earth,

with a frozen heart.

It's a tinkered ticker,

but it works.

Want to try?

Here to wind it up

and here...

To open it.

Do you show your wooden

heart to all the girls?

You're the first.

So, thanks.

Don't mention it.

No.

I can't.

I feel the magnet growing in my tummy,

drawing me to you but...

I'm in love with someone else.

And have been for ages.

Yesterday, in my dressing room,

you reminded me of him.

I confess I liked that.

But embarking on an adventure

with you would be dishonest.

I can't do it.

Sorry.

- Well?

- She loves someone else.

I crossed half of Europe for her.

For nothing!

You declared your love?

Why? Her heart's full.

It won't empty like a sink.

- She recognized you?

- No.

But I'd rather that

than be recognized

and not loved.

She's a spark,

but how to tame a spark?

Sparks can't be tamed,

my young friend.

They're like shooting stars.

Fleeting!

I've never been so sad

and happy, all at once.

2 amazing feelings

for the price of 1.

You're blessed!

If only she believed in my heart.

She thinks it's a gimmick.

Girls like her are wild animals.

Born free and beautiful.

Don't try to tame her.

Even if Miss Acacia falls for you,

she'll always escape you.

But do you know to whom

her heart belongs?

I was wondering...

You bursting in again?

- Do I know him?

- Who?

The boy you love.

- No.

- No, you're not in love?

No, you don't know him.

It's been such a long time

since I saw him...

It was in Edinburgh.

The huge city suited

him so well.

The spiky spires

soaring in the twilight.

He was a bit scary,

but I was reassured

by his odd silhouette.

Cut out those tricks,

it's dangerous.

You'll hurt someone.

Take it off now and then.

I can't. It's not a gimmick,

it's my heart!

I'm sorry.

I'd be delighted to

be your friend.

Truly.

Let's go to Story Extraordinary.

They have a new storytelling gadget.

It's called a film.

I'd love to go with you.

Perhaps.

Ladies and gentlemen,

and young ladies!

Tonight, for your delight,

the greatest magic show on earth,

no, the galaxy!

You see,

for years, I've tried to

sew dreams and reality

into a single fabric

of exciting duplicity.

I started with photos,

but they lacked the essential...

movement!

Cinematography is shamanic!

Summoning up the shadows,

endless possibilities!

Soon, this device

will raise the dead.

The finest remedy to melancholy

the world has known!

Ladies, ladies, ladies

and ladies!

Now, the first ever

Cinematograph picture,

which could only recount the

greatest love story of all time!

I must express my gratitude to

the man who triggered in me

the discovery that brought my

moving picture machine to life.

May I present, on my left,

Jack, the human clock!

50 kilos of bone

inlaid with crispy cogs,

coated with a fine layer

of epidermis and freckles,

each more succulent

than the last.

And a heart, ladies and ladies,

as big as a clock!

In fact, by trying to

repair its mechanism,

I stumbled on the missing link

in my invention.

And now, enjoy the film!

Bravo, bravo, bravo.

Wasn't it good?

Yes, it was wonderful.

You cried.

No, I didn't.

I know your Romeo.

Not that again!

He's evil.

He ridiculed me,

bullied me, humiliated me,

every day, in public.

Him? He wouldn't hurt a fly.

A fly, sure.

Me, he did!

Why didn't you fight back?

He was much bigger

and stronger than me.

You must be getting

him mixed up.

- He was my size.

- And some!

I only met him once,

but I remember it

as if it were yesterday.

I replay the memory every night

before I go to sleep.

You're jealous?

No.

That's not the problem.

I wasn't wearing my glasses,

because I was singing.

I can't be sure I'd

even recognize him,

but I'm certain

he's not your monster.

How did you meet him?

One rainy day in Edinburgh...

Ever since, the sound of the rain

is my favorite music.

Just before my parents

were denounced...

Can you stop that?

- What?

- That.

I don't think I can.

Never mind.

Go on...

I was singing, and suddenly

someone joined in.

We danced. Or, rather,

bumped into each other.

As if in a bubble.

Sorry, I'll spare

you the details.

No, carry on. On the contrary,

I'm enjoying it.

I don't know how he did it,

but he half-tore my dress.

- No?

- He did!

- And I trod on my glasses.

- No way!

I had an indescribable feeling,

as if anything could happen.

I had complete faith, I felt great.

More than great.

I have something...

I have something to tell you!

- You had something to tell me?

- Yes, yes.

So, tell me.

I'd really like to...

see you tomorrow.

Alright. Where?

I don't know.

The Cinematograph, perhaps?

Yes!

That's all you had to say?

Yes, I think so.

- What's wrong now?

- Nothing.

It's the film.

It...

It stirred my moving parts.

- Oh, my, Georges.

- My Georges.

Your film was so moving!

- I want to be your Juliet.

- So do I!

No, choose me!

She loves me.

Jack, the spark tamer!

Bravo, my boy!

Thanks,

but there's a problem.

She loves the other me,

the Edinburgh me.

That's no problem.

The other you is still you.

Now, you can connect them.

Dream and reality.

But how do I tell her?

Come now...

"It's me, Jack!

"I left Edinburgh and crossed

Europe for you, my love.

"Now let's scale

the skies together!"

I tried that and the words

jammed in my throat.

You're scared your

heart will explode?

I think of Madeleine and all

the effort she put into me.

Don't be scared.

Don't you want to

live and be loved?

# To be seen as a man #

# A grown man, a human being #

# Who needs no tricks #

# A human not a freak. #

I should've told her.

Help me come up

with something.

Something, perhaps not.

But an idea, possibly.

Jack?

Jack?

Hello?

This way, miss.

Yes, this way!

Sit there.

Don't move.

The scene is Edinburgh,

April 16, 1884.

Typically British drizzle

besprinkles the city center...

# She dances like a bird #

# With high heels

as her perch #

# Her arms and legs

in a jumble #

# She bumps her nose

when she stumbles #

# On the cobbles #

# I smash my head open #

# On trees whose

leaves so high #

# Seem planted

in the sky... #

What's that pitter-patter?

Yes, what is it?

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