The Transcript, 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐔𝐃𝐄

144 10 9
                                    

File: VietnamTranscript.mp3
Duration: 0:4:38
ID: 019875

i.
START AUDIO

CHINA: Hey. Hey, Vietnam. How are you doing? Listen, I need a favor—

VIETNAM: Oh my god. How did you get here? Are you here to interrogate me too? Have you been sent? China, get out of here before someone finds out.

CHINA: I, uh, I am here to interrogate you. But I haven't been sent — I'm here to get you some justice. I'll be okay. Just listen.

VIETNAM: What are you talking about?

CHINA: Look, I'm trying to find the true root of your migraines. I want to know why they happened, because I know it's not... normal. You know? And they've locked you up here, far away from anyone else, because they're afraid of anyone else doing what I'm doing.

VIETNAM: You're right in saying that. So, what's your point? You still haven't told me why you're here.

CHINA: I need an interview. Do you trust me? Are we old friends?

VIETNAM: Yes. But I don't know how much I can let you in on. If they find out...

CHINA: I'll be careful. Please.

VIETNAM: Alright.

AUDIO END

ii.
START AUDIO

CHINA: Can you tell me what happened when you got your first migraine?

VIETNAM: Well, it wasn't much. I was having a bit of a rough day. I went home feeling sour and tired, and I started questioning why I was alive in the first place. You see, I had a bit of a depressive episode back then. And I was thinking about, what would happen if I never existed. And when I thought about that — I kind of felt this sharp pain in the front of my head.

CHINA: The front of your head?

VIETNAM: Yeah. And I kept trying and it didn't let me... think. I was racking my brain for the first memory I ever made, and I just couldn't damn recall it. As I kept trying the migraine got worse.

CHINA: I see. And what did you do about it?

VIETNAM: I thought it was just all of the emotion getting to my head. I took some medicine, went to bed, and tomorrow morning, it had faded a little, but it was still there. The curiosity got my mind off my sadness. I tried again, and it hurt more, and more, and more.

CHINA: Did you go to the hospital?

VIETNAM: And that's exactly what I did. I went to NOMC, and they said that they would do some kind of examination with my brain. They put me to sleep, and when I woke, I was in a hospital cot. And it was so quiet, I could hear my own heartbeat. No one was around.

CHINA: Solitary confinement.

VIETNAM: Exactly. You've always been smart, China. I was moved from one location to another, never meeting anyone else. I don't think I've had human interaction in months. And almost every week, I'm put to sleep and experimented on again. I've never tried thinking too hard since. I just focus on the present. 

CHINA: That's so messed up, man. I know what I'm doing. I'll get you out of here — I'll help you out of this mess.

VIETNAM: Looks like you've caught onto what's happening already then. Clearly, this is no ordinary migraine... China, get out of here. It's not safe.

CHINA: Vietnam.

VIETNAM: I'm serious.

CHINA: I— I need to—

VIETNAM: China! I've told you enough. If you are ever going to stop this and bring me back to the public, you'll have to prioritize your own safety.

CHINA: You believe in me that much? You really think I can put a stop to this corruption?

VIETNAM: You're you. Please, it kills me knowing that I'm risking someone's life for just the result of my stupid curiosity. If only I had stopped.

CHINA: You've been warped by the lack of interaction. It's not your fault. They want you to stop. Your bravery is making strides for us all.

VIETNAM: Well, I'm glad.

UNAMED: Vietnam! Who are you talking to?

CHINA: Fuck.

VIETNAM: You should've listened to me. Good luck. This may as well be the last time we see each other.

CHINA: Don't say that. I'll get you out of here one day. Promise me?

VIETNAM: Promise.

AUDIO END

Saudade | CountryHumans RusAmeWhere stories live. Discover now