Part 4: An Old Story

aliEn T: Maybe I should find some magazines to read. It'll help pass the time. I could even gather some information ...
Having nowhere to go, he idly circles the room.
His pondering is interrupted by a loud knock at the door. It must be a visitor, or perhaps someone returning home.
aliEn T: Oh, what—!
Voice Outside the Door: Who are you? Why are you in my room?!
aliEn T: …
Voice Outside the Door: ... It's no use keeping quiet! I already heard you!
Voice Outside the Door: The voice outside the door heaves a long, deflated sigh.
Voice Outside the Door: I forgot my keys when I went out. I can't get into the house. I can't do anything ... Please just leave, and we'll pretend this never happened.
There is weariness and resignation in the voice. It can't even muster hostility towards the stranger who has broken into its home.
aliEn T: ... Alright, friend.
aliEn T is not good at empathizing with others. And today, he has no more energy to muster.
aliEn T: Please don't call the police. I can explain everything. I didn't mean to enter your house ... Or at least, I didn't mean to stay here this long.
aliEn T: I ducked in because—well, I can't go into details, but it was a terrible, awful afternoon. I had to hide, and the window was open.
aliEn T: Immediately after my entry, by some coincidence, your window locked itself. By the looks of it, it's broken. So I've been locked in here for hours and hours, all the way until now.
aliEn T: ... So, do you believe me?

aliEn T: Hey, are you there?
There is nothing but silence for a long time. aliEn T notices that the light that was previously shining under the door is now partially blocked; the person on the other side is sitting on the ground, leaning against it.
Voice Outside the Door: I don't care if you're telling the truth, brother. Whether you're a thief, a robber, some kind of weirdo, or something else, I don't care ...
Voice Outside the Door: But if it makes you feel better ... I believe you.
Voice Outside the Door: You've had a rough day too, haven't you ... Haha, in that regard, we're the same.
aliEn T: Okay ... bro ... -ther. Thank you for your trust.
His mouth opens and closes arduously, the intimate term slipping out and clattering to the ground. He has never called anyone that before.
Voice Outside the Door: How's that broken window looking?
aliEn T: It's okay. At least, it looks okay ... It's just latched shut. The left side of the window frame is a bit warped, but overall, it's still usable.
Voice Outside the Door: That's good. That window has always been like that; it won't open once it's shut. When they fitted it, they put it in backwards ... and never fixed it.
Voice Outside the Door: What kind of window locks from the outside? That's why I never close it.
aliEn T: Ah ... but the bad news is, I broke your bookshelf ...
Voice Outside the Door: Oh, that is indeed bad news ...
Voice Outside the Door: The landlord here is an awful old man. His temper is ... nasty.
Voice Outside the Door: The things in this apartment are so old, they can break at the slightest touch, but he'll still hound you and yell, even if you pay him for it ... But all in all, it's not so bad.
The voice outside the door takes a deep breath, as if using all its strength to accept this reality.
aliEn T: Sorry, I didn't mean to.
Voice Outside the Door: Oh, don't worry about it. It won't be the first time I've had to face him. I broke his milk jug and a drawer not long ago.
Voice Outside the Door: ... But thank you. You're the first person today who's apologized to me.
Voice Outside the Door: You can take whatever you want from my room; I don't have anything valuable. If you like it, you can take it ... Except for my records, please leave those.
The voice outside the door softly chatters away.
aliEn T: Hey—! I really like your records!
aliEn T: "Uncle Backpack." Who doesn’t love "Uncle Backpack"?
Voice Outside the Door: Really? You're kidding!
aliEn T: I'd never joke about something so important! Your taste in music is really good—amazingly good!
aliEn T: I saw the records on your shelf when I—uh, when I broke it.
Voice Outside the Door: Never mind the landlord and this crappy apartment; that's my favorite record!
Voice Outside the Door: I love it! I listen to it when I can't sleep!
In theory, people meet countless friends throughout their lives.
Because there are so many people in the world, and so many of them are incredibly similar to you, soulmates abound. As long as you find them and recognize them, you will have friendships as rich and fragrant as fine wine.
The only tricky part is—how do you find them and recognize them?
aliEn T: Oh, yes, I did!
aliEn T: I exposed the guy. He'd never even listened to jazz, yet he insisted he was an expert on it!
Voice Outside the Door: Well done—haha! I've never heard such a satisfying story!
Voice Outside the Door: If I'd been you, brother, I would've cracked open a nice bottle of wine, played some records, and had a feast!
aliEn T: That's exactly what I did!
Voice Outside the Door: Wait, let me guess— Did you put on Flowers of Life or Scimitar? Hey! What about What a Wonderful World?
aliEn T: I listened to every song I had—haha! I simply couldn't choose, and besides, why play one song when you have plenty of time for more?
Voice Outside the Door: Okay, okay, you're right ... And then what? What happened next in that weird office of yours?
aliEn T: Then I had to pay the price.
aliEn T slowly descends from the air, coming to a stop on the floor in front of the door.
aliEn T: Within a week, that sly, eloquent fox became my boss. Not half a month later, I lost my job.
aliEn T: I was transferred to an office that didn't fit me, and they gave me a musty old Flight ... Apartment.
Voice Outside the Door: Flight Apartment?
aliEn T: Yes ...! Flight Apartment. The name of the apartment building is "Flight."
aliEn T: Enough about me ... Let's talk about you, brother!
Voice Outside the Door: Oh ... I-I don't have anything interesting to say. I'm like you ... I was demoted.
Voice Outside the Door: But I don't have any exciting stories about it. I wasn't popular in my old office.
Voice Outside the Door: I always screwed everything up, so my coworkers didn't like me, no matter how hard I tried.
Voice Outside the Door: I left my job and came to the city, away from my family. They worry about me. Hah ... they send me freshly made seasonal jams and pickles every month.
Voice Outside the Door: And I—And I ... I haven't even visited them once.
aliEn T: That's not good. They must miss you.
Voice Outside the Door: I know ... I know.
Voice Outside the Door: But my little Jennifer, my Mariana ... I want to get my job back and return home with dignity. Maybe that way I can prove that I can be successful and that I'm not a joke.
Voice Outside the Door: All I can do is write letters, telling them over and over again how much I miss them ...
aliEn T: Brother ...
aliEn T: If you miss your family, you should go home. No matter who you are, no matter where you are.
aliEn T: Your daughter and wife are waiting for you, not for a job posting, right?
Voice Outside the Door: …
Voice Outside the Door: Yes, you're right.
Voice Outside the Door: Look at me, I'm crying ... I've been so afraid to say all this. Thank you ... Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, brother. Truly, thank you.
aliEn T: No, no need to thank me. It's what I really think.
aliEn T: If I could choose, I would leave everything I have now and go back to my family immediately.
aliEn T: You're so lucky. You have the power to choose.
Voice Outside the Door: I'm sorry. Does talking about this upset you?
aliEn T: No, no. I love talking about my ... family.
Voice Outside the Door: If not for this door, I'd give you a hug, believe me. Oh, right, one more thing ...
Voice Outside the Door: Brother, if you don't mind—I mean, if you don't mind seeing me—can you pass me the key under the door?
Voice Outside the Door: We can sit together, have a drink, and listen to some music.
aliEn T: …
aliEn T: Alright. I guess it's no big deal.
aliEn T: But brother, I look a little strange. I hope you ... won't be frightened. And please, don't take any photos of me.
aliEn T floats up and spots the set of keys without too much effort.
He tosses them out under the door.
Voice Outside the Door: Don't worry. Even if you have six noses and thirteen eyes, I won't be afraid.
Voice Outside the Door: I've seen so much in my job. I've even seen a flying saucer—
aliEn T: Oh, oh ...
Williams: ... My goodness.
The police: Sir! Paperwork has arrived from the police department requesting a full-scale pursuit of the UFO—
Mondlicht: Don't worry too much, Ms. Bunny Bunny.
Bunny Bunny: Oh ... no, no. I'm in big trouble!
Bunny Bunny: What should we do? We need to find him fast!
Oliver Fog: No, if it hadn't been you, it would've been me or Vertin. After all, none of us could have imagined ...
The police: Search the city high and low! Search every house!
The police: I told you! We really did see an alien today!
The police: Damn, who'd have thought some of Williams' crazy would rub off on you!? He brought back so many photos, and not a single one was real. How could you believe him?
The police: Williams! Has anyone been able to get in touch with him?!
The police: Not yet. His squad has been sent to check his apartment and the restaurants he frequents. Why are you trying to find him anyway? What use could he be?
The police: He's the only one of us who has actually encountered a UFO. We have no choice.
The police: Please cooperate with our investigation, ma'am. I have to check this room.
X: Who could have imagined that this would be an era of "UFO mania"?
X: Officer, we've completed our statements. Can we go now?
The police: Oh, yes. Go ahead. Hurry home and watch out for aliens on the way!
Mondlicht: There are fewer people on the streets now.
Oliver Fog: It's probably as a result of the police announcement. They just said that we should go straight home. It seems that while UFOs are popular in this era, they still have a certain deterrent effect.
X: That's just how people are. The scarier something is, the more curious they are about it.
Mondlicht: …
Mondlicht: ... I can smell Mr. aliEn T. Everyone's gone home, so there isn't much interference now.
Mondlicht: But ... the smell is very complex and strong. He must have been through here many times.
Bunny Bunny: Great! Can you find where he is now?
Mondlicht: I just need a moment ...
Mondlicht: Found him. Come with me.