Leggenda del pianista sull'oceano,la

Take a piano. The keys begin, the keys end. You know there are eightyeight of them, nobody can tell you any different. They are not infinite. You are infinite. And on these keys the music that you can make is infinite. I like that. That I can live by. What I didn't see. In all that sprawling city there was everything except an end. There was no end. What I did not see was where the whole thing came to an end. The end of the world... You get me up on that gangway and you're rolling out in front of me a keyboard of millions of keys, millions and billions of keys that never end.That they never end. That keyboard is infinite. And if that keyboard is infinite, then on that keyboard there is no music you can play. You're sitting on the wrong bench. That's God's piano. How do you choose just one? One woman, one house, one piece of land to call your own, one landscape to look at, one way to die... I was born on this ship, and the world passed me by, but two thousand people at a time. And there were wishes here, but never more than fit between prow and stern. You played out your happiness, but on a piano that was not infinite. I learned to live that way.

第二篇：海上钢琴师英文台词

I still ask myself if I did the right thing

abandoning his floating city I don't just mean for the work. The fact is

a friend like that a real friend

you won't meet again

if you decide to go on land if you just want to feel

something solid under your feet and then you no longer hear

the music of the gods around you. But

''You're never really done for as long as you've got a good story and someone to tell it to.''

The trouble is that no-one would believe a single word of my story. It happened everytime that

someone would look up and see her. It's difficult to understand. I mean

there were more than

a thousand of us on that ship travelling richfolk immigrants

strange people and us. Yet

there was always one just one

who would see her first. Maybe he was just sitting there eating or walking on the deck. Maybe he was just there fixing his pants.

He'd look up for a second glance out to sea and he'd see her.

Then he'd just stand there rooted to the spot his heart racing. And everytime

l swear every damned time he'd turn towards us to the ship

towards everybody and scream... America !

I lost a lot of money betting on who'd be the first to see her America ! It's amiracle Santa Rosalia !

What do you mean Santa Rosalia it's the Madonna di Lourdes ! The one who sees America first. There's one on every ship ! And don't be thinking it's an accident or some optical illusion. It's destiny.

Those are people who had that precise instant stamped on their life. And when they were kids you could look into their eyes and if you looked carefully you'd already see her America.

I've seen a few Americas ! Six years on that ship Europe

America and back.

Always soaking in the ocean.

When you stepped on land you couldn't even piss straight in the john. It was steady the john I mean

but you'd keep bobbing like an idiot.

You can get off a ship all right but off the ocean . . . I was just closing.

What can I do for you? When I boarded

I was twenty-four years old and only cared about one thing I'm selling it.

A Conn. Not bad.

Best brass money can buy ! Could be in its day.

Been a while since you played eh ?

If you mean for money a couple of years.

But I've neverstopped playing it to get rid of the blues. Don't get me wrong . . . The greatest jazz players blew through brass like that. I'm sure they did but after the war

people want sweet sounds. They want bright sounds forget jazz ! This now

is just a collector's item. Nine pounds fifty not a penny more. Christ

that's only 25 dollars ! That horn's my whole life. Okay

no-one's going to remember me like BuddyBolden or Satchmo but even as anobody

l'm worth more than 20 lousy dollars ! If you put it like that I don't

think it's worth even half a crown ! Shut the door when you leave please. Okay Pops you win !

You just bought yourself a piece of musical history. If you want some advice go out now

and get something hot to eat. At least

let me play it one last time. I don't have time to waste ! All right

Hurry up though I'm closing. Thank you.

Two peas in a pod wouldn't you say? Are you all right?

Please don't faint in here.

It's the music that you just played. Don't you recognise it ? What is it ?

It doesn't have a name. Only a handful of people

have had the privilege of hearing it. What style !

I've been wondering since this morning but I can't work out

who this amazing piano player is. I don't think

you've ever heard of him. Who is he ?

If I told you that this pianist never existed

I wouldn't be lying. I don't like secrets.

They're like dirty underwear ! Come on Yank

who the devil is playing ? It's my secret.

It was the first year of this frigging century

as defined by an unknown coloured coal stoker on the Virginian.

Rich ass bastards ! Only lose dirty handkerchiefs and cigarette butts ! Never a watch even a dented one or an odd cuff-link.

Not even a fake fucking ring !

Hey

look here

a whole cigar !

Must have been some rich pauper at the party. Look at this shit ! Damn rich !

They never forget anything

except when they owe you money. What the hell are you doing here ? T.D. Lemons. Hello Lemon !

Immigrant business ! Give birth in secret somewhere on deck

and then leave on the ship another mouth to feed ! That's big trouble

with the immigration office !

What can a kid like him be when he grows up ? Another immigrant ! Don't listen to those bastards. Go on

lap it up boy ! It's milk.

They left this one in first class

hoping some rich guy would take him and give him a happy life. -Isn't that right Danny?

-What do youthink ?

And who does the little ape get instead? A poor worthless nigger ! Fuck poverty

you stinking sewerrats ! T.D.was written on the box

do you rats know what that means ? I forgot

you can't read !

I'll tell you what it means it means Thanks Danny ! They left that boy for me and l'm keeping him. -What are you going to call him ? -That's a problem. I didn't think of that. To start with

l'll give him my name Danny Boodman.

Then l'll put T.D. in the middle like the rich put on their cuff-links. It's classy to put letters in the middle of a name.

All the fucking lawyers have got them in the middle of their names. One of mine was called John P.T.K. Wonder.

-The one who sent you to jail ? -What a good memory you've got ! If my son grows up to be a lawyer I'll kill him !

But his name's going to be Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon. -What do you think ?

-lt's up to you.You're his mother ! I like it

but it's short.

It needs an ending. He ain't no duke's son Danny !

You found him on a Tuesday call him Tuesday ! That's a good idea for a stupid nigger !

I found him the first month of the first year of this new century

so I'm calling him Nineteen Hundred ! -But that's a number ! -It was

but now it's aname.

Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon Nineteen Hundred ! Quick the baby !

Stop that cradle.

How can something that small shit so much ?

Lemon Nineteen Hundred. Shake him shake him.

Nineteen Hundred's lucky he was born in shit ! Thanks Danny? Thanks Danny? It was like

the second coming of Christ. Maybe it was

with all the miracles

that kid had up his sleeve. Hell

he did everything on the water but walk.

And l heard that he'd done that too. And that's how

little Nineteen Hundred grew up inside that cradle as big as a ship.

Danny was afraid that they'd take him away because of documents and visas so the boy lived his early years hidden away

in the belly of the Virginian. Now try by yourself.

Push your fingera gainst these words so the letters can't run away ! -Man . . . -Okay Lemon. . . . go . . . -Ma. . .

-Just abit more. . . . Ma.

You read like a god Lemon !

Now put them all together like the boiler valves. Go on.

Man-go-Mama ! Right

keep going.

Ya-nk my ch-ain. Danny

why are you laughing so much ? These are the names of horses. I'm crazy about horses names. Read there

that one ran yesterday at Cleveland. Ha-ppy Hoo-fers. -I'm pissing myself ! -Listen to this one. -Sa-ssy La-ssy. -Sassy Lassy ! And this one Red Hot Mama. What's a mama Danny? A mama? It's a horse ! -A horse ? -A race horse.

Mamas are thorough breds

the best race horses in the world. If you bet on a mama you always win. Dan

put your finger here and read. T.D. doesn't mean Thanks Danny. Who's this pansy?

That's enough reading for tonight. Too much reading's bad for you ! What else is bad Danny?

Everything off the Virginian is bad. Everything.

They've got sharks on the land that will eat you alive. Be careful ! See this here.

That was those white sharks. What's an orphanage ? It's a big prison where

they lock up folks with no kids. So i fit wasn't forme

they'd put you in an orphanage. You bet

little Lemon. Go to sleep now.

On that extraordinary floating city apart from a father

Nineteen Hundred found a whole family made of truly unique people like the ship's doctor. Open your mouth like this. Shit doctor

what's that hanging

from your throat ? Are you ill ? What's your name doctor?

Dr Klausermanspizwegensdorfentage. What a name ! If they had to call you quickly they've had it !

That circus of cooks sailors

radio operators and waiters took good care of him.

and in their own way tried to give

him what they thought was a good education. Even the ship's Captain in his way

ended up being part of that crazy family. Captain Smith a wise man

he suffered from claustrophobia had ahorrible fear of drowning and hated sweets. Nineteen Hundred how many times

have I told you not to come up here ? Especially if it's to steal !

Put the booty back where you found it and return to your den

or I'll send you to the orphanage ! Mr Boodman

this orphan business must come to an end ! It's even against the law. Fuck the law ! Hey Mick

what do you think about in the middle of a storm ? What ? Do I think my lawyer should never have been born ? Yes

the storm.

You bet he was warned then I blew off his head ! You think of jam and bread ? Yes.

Know what I think Mick ?

I think you're loco ! I have gusto? Danny

tell Pedro how I cut that lawyer's head off ! The Warldorf?

I've never been there.

The whites would onlyl et me in to clean the shit out the toilets ! Watch out ! -Danny ! -Run quickly !

-Get out the way let me see. -Call a doctor. The doctor quickly. Danny

don't move. -Hold on.

-It's just a pat on the back. Hang on

the doctor's coming.

DDoctor Kla-Kla-Klaus . . . Klau-Klauserman! Klausermanspizwegens

Frischerri . . . Kemmanschov . . . Quick on the Trigger was in the lead

over Holy Shoot and . . . Times were Good Saucy Bossy Brave Victory Regrets Only

Blue Balls Running

and Hurricane over Open Sesame was past the post in Chicago. It took three days for old Danny to go.

He let go on the sixth race in Chicago

won by Drinkable Water

by two lengths over Vegetable Soup and five over Blue Foundation.

Dr. Klausermanspizwegensdorfentage declared that if it hadn't been for the belly laughs

Danny probably would have survived. But history isn't made of ''ifs''. The only thing we know for sure is that suddenly

Lemon Nineteen Hundred

became an orphan for the second time. Music.

Nineteen Hundred

was eight years old then. He'd made the trip between

Europe and America about fifty times. The ocean was his home. Sure

and his skin was covered with scales and he had fins not arms ! It's all true Pops.

-You can bet your soul on it. -But that's absurd ! That's right.

He never set foot on dry land. Never.

He'd seen it from the ports many times

but he never got off the ship. The only trouble was that as far as the world knew he didn't even exist. There wasn't a city a parish a hospital

or baseball team

that had his name anywhere. He didn't have a country a birth date a family.

He was eight years old but officially

he'd never been born. America ! America ! Kidnapping.

Charges of kidnapping could be brought against you Captain

if one day the boy's kin were to show up. After eight years l seriously doubt it. However

I think the time has come to

allow the boy to have a normal life. I've written a personal note I'd like you to give to the orphanage head. Very well Captain.

Where is the lad ? Boatswain

show these gentlemen the way. Forward. Slowly.

Search everywhere upstairs too.

What's in that case?

Stop the baggage being off-loaded. -Have you seen a little boy? -No.

days later

when the Virginian

headed for Rio de Janeiro

Nineteen Hundred hadn't been found and no-one knew anything about him. Everyone had death in their hearts because they had all gotten attached to the little boy

although no-one would say so. -Captain ! Wake up ! -Let me sleep. -Come with me quickly ! -Christ !

-Are we sinking ? -Worse than that ! -What's his name ? -Nineteen Hundred. -Not the song the boy.

-Nineteen Hundred. Like the song !

Captain Smith would have liked to ask him many questions right then. did you learn to play the piano ?'' were you hiding ?''

are you getting this music from which seems to enter into your veins ?''

But he was a man in uniform. this is against the regulations.'' Fuck the regulations ! ''Fuck the regulations !''

But l don't understand what the record has to do with any of this. You're not the sharpest knife in the drawer

Pops. That's his music.

The music of Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon Nineteen Hundred. The greatest ivory tickler on the seven seas. That's amazing ! If that's all true

this record must be worth a fortune ! This record can make us both rich. That record shouldn't exist. The only existing matrix

was destroyed right after it was cut. Well

this is a matrix.

lt's one of those that they used for on the spot recording. How did you find it ? I spent a whole day

trying to put the pieces together. I found them by accident hidden

inside one of those two pianos. I bought them

from a second-hand dealer

who emptied out an old hospital ship down at Plymouth.

They're going to destroy it in a couple of days.

What do you mean ''destroy'' ? -Where's the old hospital ship ? -That's it. Thank you.

-Where are you from ? -Liverpool. -I'm a barber. -Sign there. Next.

What's your trade ? -I'm a cook barber tailor.

-Too many things for us out !

-I'm also a good mechanic. -Get out ! Next. -What do you do ? -I play the trumpet.

We've already got musicians on board. Get out ! Next.

Where the hell's he going ? -What was that ? -I don't know.

When you don't know what it is it's jazz ! Jazz !

-What's your name ? -Max Tooney. Okay !

It was the happiest day of my life. All those people

with hope in their eyes the goodbyes the sirens and that

floating world starting to move. It felt like one big party just for me.

But just three days later the ocean got tired of the festivities. Suddenly

inthe middle of the night

she went berserk and hell broke out. Now

a guy blowing a trumpet on a ship can't do much

when there's a raging storm. Not playing the trumpet is all

he can do not to complicate matters. But I couldn't bear being down there. The same line kept raging

And I didn't want to die like a rat. Damn it I'm lost ! Conn

what's the problem ?

Have you lost your sealegs ? You're the new trumpet man aren't you ?

You blow a Conn right ?

Come with me.

l have a cure for your misery. Follow me.

-Take the brakes off. -But that's crazy ! Trust me. Go on

take them off.

Come and sit near me. -You're really nuts !

-Get on now or you never will. -Tell me

have you got children ? -No. Shit

they'll lock you up

in an orphanage one of these days ! He's nuts. -Whoa Mama !

-I see you know your horses. -A little. -Good man !

It was like the sea was rocking us and while we were floating around brushing the lamps and furniture I realised that

what we were really doing was dancing with the ocean. Perfect

crazy dancers

locked in a joyful waltz

on the golden parquet of night. Want some ? Cheers ! Hallo Captain.

-Care to go for a ride ? -Nineteen Hundred ! Who else on this ship

would do anything as crazy as this ? I was just experimenting sir.

When I've perfected it it won't happen again.

For me it's a question of brakes. Fix those and away you go !

-How much will that window cost ? -I don't know it was huge !

We're going to be shovelling coal on this ship forever ! Oh shit !

At least you know what

you'll be doing when you grow up ! You'll shovel lots of coal. -Hey Conn. -What ?

-You're from New Orleans right ?

-How did you know that ? -I love that town.

-How come you know it ? In the winter it's beautiful. And in March

there's always an afternoon when you least expect it a roof of fog comes down a barrier

that hangs just below the

street lamps and cuts everything. Like a white sword. lt's magic !

The houses lose their top floors trees lose their branches

St Louis Cathedral loses its spires and the passers-by their heads. From the neck up everything disappears.

All you can see in Jackson Square is a bunch of decapitated bodies stumbling about

and greeting each other.

''Everyone all right at home ?'' Wonderful !

Too bad it doesn't last long. But how do you

know all these things ? Who knows ? You know

eversince l've been on board l keep hearing about this guy with aname as long as a Georgia freight train.

Seems he was born on this ship and hasn't been off it since.

What a crazy story. Twenty years without ever setting foot on land. Twenty-seven.

They say this guy makes music that's neverbeen heard before. I've heard of him too. At first

I thought it was you.

-But something didn't add up. -Of course.

how could he know New Orleans ?'' I mean

you've been to New Orleans. If I told you that I'd never set foot in that town

would you believe me ? Whoever you are Max Tooney. Glad to meet you. Hey

you up there

we're supposed to blow it up not wait for it

to be eaten by the fish ! We're almost done

just laying the last charges. -Where the hell are you going ? -l have to look for someone. -Do you want trouble ? -l can't explain.

What did you want to do ? You bastards let me on board ! Bastards !

-Can you repeat that ? -Sure I'll say it again !

You're not going to blow up anything 'cause my best friend's on that ship.

-You'd be responsible for murder. -Get him out of here. -Get him out of here ! -l'm not crazy it's true.

If I say there's a man aboard the Virginian it means there is !

We cleaned that ship from stem to stern

there's just lots of dynamite. How can there still be a man on board? If you've got proof show it because

I'm the one who throws the switch. I'm sure he's there.

I spent the best years of my life on the Virginian.

Did you find an upright piano in third class ?

The Virginian is the only ship to have a piano in third class. Wast here or wasn't there

an upright piano in third class ? There was a piano in third class but it was horizontal.

What has any shaped piano got to do with a ghost aboard the ship ? There must be thousands of ghosts on a hospital ship ! Get out ofhere

or I'll call the police. Get your hands off me !

Amongst all those dead souls is the greatest piano player in the world ! A bloody piano player?

And were you tuning the strings all those years aboard the Virginian ? -What was I doing on the Virginian ? -Yes.

What were you doing ? I played ! Ladies and gentlemen Fritz Hermann here

welcomes you aboard the Virginian and wishes you a pleasant evening with the Atlantic Jazz Band ! Well done ! Please

Nineteen Hundred

just the normal notes. Okay? We played because

the ocean is big and scary. We played so that people wouldn't feel the time passing and would forget where and who they were.

We played to make them dance

because when you dance you can't die. We played ragtime because

that's the music God dances to when nobody's watching him assuming that God is black ! End of the line boys ! Jesus

I must be areal sinner. Is that it God ?

This is music !

But it was in third class that

Nineteen Hundred played his music. He'd go in the afternoons or late at night

when he didn't have to play the normal notes

and his music was made of notes that were everything but normal. What the hell do you think about when you play?

What do you look at ? Where does your mind go while you hit the keys ? Last night

I was in a beautiful country. The women had perfumed hair and everything glowed.

It was full of tigers.

He travelled and each time the heart of London on a train

in the middle of the country on the edge of a giant volcano in the biggest church in the world staring up at the crucifixes. He travelled. Hey man

play us a tarantella ! Tell me

how the tarantella goes man !

The people getting off the ship would talk about a strange music and a pianist who looked like he had four hands he was so fast.

Weird tales circulated some even true.

Like the one about Wilson an American senator

who used to travel in third class

to hear the music of Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon Nineteen Hundred. America !

Why did you stop ? Please continue. I'm sorry Senator

I only play on the open sea. -But that's absurd. -Ports are land.

-I don't play on land.

-You've never gone on tour? What does that mean ? Long trips on which artists display their talents

around the world. -That's all I do. In my own way. Excuse me. Would you grant me an interview? -An inter. . .what ? -An interview? What's that ?

to do when you go back home ?'' ln Paris l love to wait at sunset under the Eiffeltower for the

people who throw themselves off and try to guess by their screams what country they're from before they go splat all over the ground !

Why don't you get off just once ? Why not ? Just for once.

Why not see the world for yourself with your own eyes ?

Have you ever thought about it? You could do anything you wanted. You play the piano like a god people would go crazy for you. You could make lots of money and buy yourself a nice house. You could have a family. Why not ?

You can't spend the rest of your life travelling back and forth like this. The world's out there.

There's just a gang plank to go down. What's a gang plank ? Just a few stupid steps. Christ

everything's waiting

at the bottom of those steps. Why don't you just do it? one time.

Why don't you just get off? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

I think you land people waste a lot of time asking yourselves why. Winter comes and

you can't wait for summer

and in summer

you live in dread of winter.

You're always chasing some place you aren't

where it's always summer. Doesn't sound good to me. Hold it

stop everything !

-Tell them to unhook the detonators. -Unhook them !

You'd better pray that we find someone hidden here

even somebody who can mistake a three-legged cockroach for a piano. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. sir i found it.

This was his cabin.

Forgive me for allowing myself in but your music was so strong. Northern ltaly I'll bet. Well done Friuli

to be exact.

But don't stop playing. Want a butt ?

You don't look happy about going to America. It's not America.

It's everything I'm leaving behind. Until a few years ago

my field was the only thing I knew. The world started and ended there in that piece of land. I'd never walked down the main street of a town.

Maybe you can't understand that. I understand that perfectly. Il know someone who

went through something very similar. One fine day

did his field go dry too ? Did his wife run off with a priest ? Did the fever

take his five children ? -No

but he ended up alone too.

-Then he's luckier than me. I still have a daughter the youngest one. She survived.

It's for her that one day

I decided to fight my bad luck. I travelled the world without a destination. Then one day

when going through one

of the many towns l never knew I came to a hill

I climbed to the top and I saw. . . My God

the most beautiful thing in my life. The sea ! -The sea? -The sea.

I'd never seen it before.

I was like being hit by lightening. Because I heard its voice. -The voice of the sea? -Yes.

The voice of the sea. I've never heard it. It's like a huge shout the voice of the sea

that screams and screams ''You !

Men with shit in your brains ! Life is immense !

Can you understand that ? lmmense !''

I'd never thought about it.

I had a revolution was in my head. That's how I suddenly decided to change my life to start a fresh.

Change life start a fresh.

Tell that to your friend.

-All we need is a talking ocean ! -It's Max Tooney your friend. Come out

Nineteen Hundred I'm a friend too !

Even if we've never met. Don't worry no cops !

Where was this piano exactly? -It was . . .

-It was over there sir.

Nineteen Hundred ! Nineteen Hundred ! Ladies and gentlemen

Fritz Hermann welcomes you aboard the Virginian

and wishes you a pleasant evening with the Atlantic Jazz Band ! On the violin

your own Fritz Hermann ! On bass

Freddie Loyacano !

Max Tooney on trumpet ! Jim Jim Breath Gallup on trombone !

Sam Scalisi onthe drums ! On saxophone

Sam Sleepy Washington ! On banjo

Oscar Delaguerra ! And finally on piano

Danny Boodman

T.D. Lemon Nineteen Hundred ! The greatest !

-I'll ask you once more just . . .

-The normal notes I know.

What are you doing here ? Take your places ! End of the line !

You've really got it in forme you son of a dirty nigger !

One night the public's not going to appreciate your antics. That night I swear

Nineteen Hundred

I'll have you thrown overboard ! -Where do you get it from ? -What ? -The music. -I don't know.

See that woman over there ? She must be German look at her.

She look like someone who with her lover

has just killed her husband and is running off

with the family jewels.

-Don't you think this music's her? -Sure

that's right !

And see that guy over there ? He looks like someone who can't forget.

His head is bursting with memories but he can't forget anything. Listen to his music. And her?

Couldn't she be a prostitute

who's thinking of becoming a nun ? Incredible ! Now

look at this one. See how he walks ?

It looks like he's wearing someone else's suit by the way he wears it. I'd say he's a stow away

slipped into first class

for a little amorous adventure. He's got Americain his eyes. He'll be the first one to see it. l can already hear him screaming. Nineteen Hundred knew how to read. Not books

anybody can do that.

He knew how to read the signs that people carry on them. Places sounds scents their land their story.

Everything written on them. He would read and with infinite care catalogue organise

and make order

in that immense map

that he was drawing in his mind. Maybe he'd never seen the world dbut for almost thirty years the world had been passing on that ship. And for almost thirty years on that ship

he'd been spying on it

and he would steal its soul. America !

I went into her room she jumped on me

and I tore her clothes off. -Go on !

-Do you always make up this crap ? -Sure ! Singleton Lee Claire. Hallo ?

You don't know me but I wondered

if we might have a little chat. A little chat ? What are you talking about ? About anything you like weather conditions

anything you choose. Go to hell ! Hallo ?

-Is that the race-track ? -Yeah

you betting ?

-Can you tell me if Mama's racing ? -No

it's your sister !

-I think there's a misunderstanding. -Shove it up your ass ! The telephone should

bring out the best in people.

I know who you are. If you don't stop calling

I come over and kill you ! Christ

he's already here ! Hey

are you the guy

with that friggin difficult name ? Come on out

I'm talking to you. Catch him ! Stop !

Where are you going ? -Hold still. -Stop

you idiot ! -Keep still

you son of a bitch ! -Where are we in hell ?

-We don't want to hurt you. -Come on out. Where are you ? We're players man

musicians. Over there. -Bon appetit !

-Thanks

have you got some wine ? Are you the one that plays

ten kinds of jazz rolled into one ? To tell the truth I've never counted them

I'm just a piano player. -It's him. -Well

you'd better start counting. The man who invented jazz sent us here.

-And what does he want from me ? -He challenges you to a piano duel ! A piano duel ?

What the hell is a piano duel ? It's a duel

with pianos instead of pistols. It's a musicians thing. No blood

just a little hate. Real hate

under the skin.

It riffs like you never heard. It could last all night and at the end one would win. Nineteen Hundred ! If I were you I wouldn't be

so sure he's still here. If I know him at all

he won't be any place else. I'm sure of that..

He must have gone. What would he have done here without a piano ? Besides with the war who knows ?

He might not even be any longer in this dirty world. Someone like him

doesn't end up like everyone else. -It's not his style. -Think what you like. But I can't ask the owners to keep this carcass going

just because someone who doesn't exist is on board. I can't delay it. Nineteen Hundred it's Max.

I have to talk to you !

-How did the duel end up ? -It was in Boston.

The summer of 1931.J elly Roll Morton boarded the Virginian. Dressed entirely in white wearing

a diamond as big as a meatball ! Even the garters on his socks were diamond studded. Jelly Roll

what's the reason

for a trip to Europe on a steamer? Till now

you've only gone

up and down the Mississippi ! I don't give a damn about Europe ! The only reason I'm going on this crappy ship is to meet a guy they say tunes a good piano ! But I also heard that he

doesn't want to set foot on land. -Is he talking about me ? -Sure he is. ''Hey Jelly

there's someone who

plays the piano better than you.'' How come this guy plays so good when he doesn't even have the balls to get off the boat ? Damn it Jelly

you were the one who invented jazz ! afford to buy a first class ticket ! You can even buy the ship

just by raising your little finger.''

Get a shot of it boys !

-Tell the truth are you scared ? -I don't know. Why a duel ?

What happens when you have a duel ? It seemed like he

really didn't care much.

Like he didn't even understand it. But he was curious.

He wanted to hear how the devil the inventor of jazz played. He really believed

that the guy invented jazz. I believe he thought

that he could learn something new. That's just how he was a bit like old Danny.

He didn't have any sporting sense. He didn't give a damn who won it was the rest that amazed him. It's true !

I believe you're sitting in my seat. -You're the one that invented jazz ? -That's what they say.

And you're the one who can't play unless the ocean's under your ass ? That's what I say.

Jelly Roll Morton didn't play he caressed those notes. It was like a slip

sliding down a woman's body. His hands were butterflies so light.

He started off in the brothels in New Orleans

learning to stroke the keys. People making love upstairs didn't want any uproar.

They wanted music that would slip behind the curtains under the beds. Without disturbing. He played that music there. And in that

he truly was the best. -Bravo ! -Bravo ! It's your turn sailor. Go on.

What's he doing ? He's nuts !

Is it Christmas ? -Did he win ? -No

they're just warming up. Bravo ! -What's up

Nineteen Hundred ?

-This music makes me cry. The whole crewbet on you ! I put a year's pay on the line and you're crying ?

Start thinking about your music ! -Can I bet too ?

-Betting on yourself isn't sporting. But I want to bet on him ! He's terrific. -You're crazy ! -But if you lose I'll give it back. It's the same music

that the other one played. We've already heard this ! He's fooling around. -Did he lose ? -Not yet. Well done

Nineteen Hundred ! Stick this up your ass ! - Max? - Eh?

-Give me a cigarette will you ?

-You're not doing too well !

-Just give me a cigarette. -You don't smoke !

What's wrong with you ? You could lick this guy with one hand ! -Pardon me

I didn't catch that. -I didn't say anything. Bravo !

-Where's this cigarette ?

-We'll be shovelling coal forever ! Just give me a fucking cigarette ! Clown !

Listen carefully. You smoke it. I don't know how. Well done ! Bravo !

You're the greatest ! Divine !

-Did he win ? -Yes he won.

I knew he would !

Jelly Roll Morton spent the rest of that trip locked in his cabin. When we got to Southampton he got

off the ship and went back to America. I remember Nineteen Hundred watched him as he walked off the dock ''Fuck jazz too !'' ''Fuck jazz too !''

-What an incredible story.

-Did I miss anything important ? -You could say that. -Damn !

-He'll fill you in later. -You bet.

He's really good at telling tales. This is no tale my friend ! Sure I've done

lots of stupid things in my life.

If you were to hang me upside down nothing would fall out my pockets. I even sold my trumpet. Everything ! But not this story I haven't lost that. I've decided to tell it

only because I want to save him. But there's no-one here. Nobody ! Understand ?

It's because there are too many of us we've scared him. That's enough. Now you leave this

ship or I'll have you arrested. Get back to work. Quickly ! -Give me one more chance. -Get lost buddy.

At sunrise tomorrow this ship gets blown up ! And yet . . . -Here it is.

-Stop or I'll shoot ! -I've got you. -Hey it's me.

Don't you recognise me ? -Oh it's you ! -Yeah

lower that canon will you?

Sell your instrument and then steal it back

that's an old trick !

-I should have known you're a thief. -No

I was looking for this.

-What do you need that for? -It's a matter of life or death.

--I need a gramophone too.

-A thief and a liar. -Pops

I don't have time to lose. -I do

seeing as I have a gun. Now that I think of it since when

were records made on board a ship ? Impostor !

If your friend really did play that music

then he got off the ship. -Right ? -Impossible Pops.

Nineteen Hundred

cut this recording personally which for me is

one of his very best works but to do it

he didn't jump ship. It was an extraordinary unique event

in the history of record-making. You can't imagine

the advantages you'll obtain if this record sells. You'll become famous Mr Nineteen.

-Can I call you Nineteen ? -Is it painful ? Right gentlemen silence please.

On the count of three. One two three. Wonderful Mr Nineteen !

An absolutely extraordinary piece. Divine music what's it called ?

It's going to have people crying buckets.

It's got to have the right title You were great as usual.

You're going to be big time. If only you'd decide to take the big step. -The big step ? -Getting off !

Getting off these lousy planks and going after. . . Going after

fame and fortune. But if you wanted thanks to our record company with this

you could have the success you deserve without leaving this ship. We'll print millions of copies. The whole world could listen to your wonderful music Nineteen. Mr Nineteen ?

I won't let my music

go anywhere without me ! -Hey

no ! Don't touch !

-What are you doing ? Is he mad ? We have a contract you can't go back now ! I always go back. Miss

I'd be pleased if you . . . Miss I'd be . . . I'd be pleased

if you would accept this small token . . . Hey

what are you doing there all by yourself

counting the waves ?

The captain says we'll soon

go through the Tropic of Cancer. At last there'll be something to see. The sea changes colour ten times a day. Even more.

I could stay and watch it for days. The peasants don't watch the sea at all. They're scared. That's not true.

My father told me once that he heard the voice of the sea. Really?

And what did it say? I can't tell you it's a secret.

-Secrets should be kept. -It's pouring let's go quickly. Come on ! America Damn it

I wanted to say it ! Excuse me. Excuse me. Sorry. -Miss !

-Are you in a hurry? Excuse me miss.

I have to talk to you.

-You're meeting your father aren't you ? -Yes. -How did you know? -I think I met him. On this ship

quite a few years ago.

-I don't know if he took this ship. -I'm sure it was this one. Did he have a fisarmonica? We played together.

I don't know if he'd remember me but say hallo to him. All right I will.

But how did you know who I was ? It's very strange. It's a secret.

And secrets should be kept. Even if I think

your father felt differently then. -Move on

let me through. -Don't push !

I'd be really pleased if you would accept . . . What ?

I would like you to accept this small musical token. -Good luck !

-Thank you. Good luck to you too !

Come and visit some day. We live on Mott Street number 27.

-My father opened a fish shop ! -Maybe.

He never mentioned her to me again and I never asked. At least not for

the next twelve crossings. Besides

he was happy as always.

His popularity was at its peak.

None of us could have imagined what was smoldering beneath his happiness. Then

one evening in spring

halfway between Genoa and New York right in the middle of the ocean -the painting fell. -Meaning ? Pops

have you ever asked yourself why paintings fall ?

No

not really.

I've always been impressed by this thing about paintings.

-What's the painting got to do with this ? -It does.

For Nineteen Hundred that night

went the way it does for paintings. They hang there for years and then without any warning . . . They fall.

They're hanging there on that nail no-one touches them but at a certain point . . . Down they fall in absolute silence.

With everything perfectly still around them.

Not even a fly moving around. And they. . .

There's no reason. Why in that instant ? Who knows ?

What happens to a nail to make it decide

that it just can't anymore ? Does he have a soul too

poor thing ?

-Does he make decisions ? -Let's sit down.

Did the nail discuss this at length with the painting ?

Were they unsure about doing it ? Had they talked about it for years ? Did they then decide on a date a time a minute

a precise instant ?

Or did they both know about it from the start ? Was it all set up ? -''I'm letting go in seven years.'' -''That's fine with me.''

-''So it's all set for 13 May.'' -''Okay.''

-''How about twelve noon ?'' -''Make it twelve forty five.'' -''All right.''

-''So good night.'' Seven years later on 13 May

at twelve forty five . . .

It's impossible to understand. It's one of those things

that it's better not to think about ! When paintings fall when you wake up

one morning and you don't love her when you open a newspaper and read that war has broken out when you see a train and want to leave

when you look in a mirror and realise you're old when one evening in the middle of the ocean

Nineteen Hundred looks up from his plate looks me in the eye and . . . Tomorrow in New York

I'm leaving this ship. I was flabbergasted.

Has the cat got your tongue ? No

I'm pleased.

But it's so sudden ! Just like that ! Right

just like that ! Good ! Finally !

I have to see something. -What ? -The ocean.

-The ocean ? -The ocean.

You're pulling my leg ? You've seen nothing else for 32 years.

From here. I want to see it from there

it's not the same thing. Wait till we dock lean over

the side and take a good look. No

it's not the same thing.

You can hear its voice from the land. You can't from a ship.

-What do you mean ''hear its voice?'' -Its voice.

The voice is . . .

more than a big scream.

It tells you that life is immense. Once you've heard it you know

what you have to do to go on living. I could stay here for years but the sea

wouldn't tell me anything. But if I get off live on land for a couple of years I'd be normal like all the others. Then one day I'll leave get to a coast look up

see the ocean

and I'll hear it scream.

I don't know who's been bullshitting you

or if you're making it up but I think the real reason you want to leave this ship is that girl.

It's always a girl.

But even if that's not the reason it's fine with me. Know why? I've always wanted you to play for the people on land

marry a nice woman and have children and all those things in life which perhaps aren't immense but are worth the effort. You'll come and visit me Max on land ? Sure I will.

That way you'll introduce me to the mother of your children. And invite me to lunch. I'll bring the dessert and a bottle of wine. You'll tell me that

I shouldn't have bothered and while you're showing me around your house

shaped like a ship.

your wife will be cooking a turkey. Then we'll sit at the table. I'll tell her

she's an excellent cook and she'll tell me

that you often talk about me.

I want to give you my camel coat. You'll cut a fine figure when you get down there.

You think I could have a family with a horse ?

-Nineteen Hundred ! -Hey !

I've seen so many people saying

goodbye on the docks without caring. But when I said goodbye to Nineteen Hundred it was a real blow. Look after yourself all right ? Take care. We laughed

we kept saying ''see you soon'' but we knew

we'd never see each other again. There was nothing we could do about it

it had to happen.

And now it was happening. How do you get off? -Here he is. -Goodbye

Nineteen Hundred ! -Bye !

-Don't forget us.

Wear your woollen vest. Write to us sometimes. Good luck !

-What's up ? Did he step in shit? -Maybe he forgot something. Perhaps he's forgotten why he's getting off. What's he doing ? Whatever he saw

from that damned gangplank what kind of thoughts

crossed his mind standing up there he never told me. -No

go away ! -Wait !

I'll give you all the money I have take it.

He was strange for a long time. He wouldn't talk to anyone. He preferred to be alone for days and days. He seemed taken up

with very personal matters. Then one day

while I was sitting at the bar. . . Thanks for the coat Max.

It fit like a glove. It was a real shame. But I'm better now it's all done with. He looked like someone who wasn't kidding someone who knew

exactly where he was going. Like when he'd sit at the piano and start to play.

There were no doubts in his hands. It was like the keys

had been waiting for those notes. It seemed like he'd made them up then and there

but somewhere in his head those

notes had been written all along. Nineteen Hundred on that day had decided to sit at the keyboard of his life and start playing his most absurd music. That this music would have marked the rest of his days.

Look at that guy with the trumpet he must be drunk or half crazy. -Which one ?

-The trumpeter. He's crying ! I left the Virginian on 21 August

with my leave papers and back pay. Everything in order.

I knew that sooner or later

I'd have been through with the ocean. I heard no more about

Nineteen Hundred and the Virginian. Not that I ever forgot them. On the contrary. During the war

''Who knows what Nineteen Hundred would do if he were here who knows what he'd say.'' ''Fuck war'' he'd say !

But said by me

it wasn't the same thing. A lot of time's gone by maybe he's gone.

Maybe he went to Mott Street to that girl. Perhaps. Hey Conn

what's the problem ?

Did you lose your sealegs ? Where the hell

did you find that record ? What have you been up to all these years ? -Making music.

-Even during the war?

Even when no-one was dancing. Even when the bombs were falling. The music helped them get better. The wounded I mean.

Or else it kept them entertained as they slipped away into another world. Sometimes they

didn't even mind the voyage if they could listen to the music. Mine was the last face they saw. I kept playing

till the ship got here. Call this a ship ?

It's more like a mountain of dynamite about to explode. A bit dangerous don't you think ? And you Max ?

Where's your Conn ? I gave it up as well a while back.

But now I'm in the mood for starting again.

I'm busting with new ideas. Let's start a duo you and me.

The ''Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon Nineteen Hundred Big Band !'' It gets the blood going ! What a smash we'd be. Come with me. Let's watch the big bang from the pier.

Then we'll start again from scratch. Sometimes you have to go right back to the beginning. ''You're never really done for as long as you've got a good story and someone to tell it to''. Remember?

You told me that.

Imagine how many stories you've got to tell now !

The world would hang on your every word

they'd go mad for your music. Believe me. All that city. . .

You just couldn't see an end to it. The end ! Please

could you showme where it ends ? It was all very fine on that gangway and I was grand too

in my overcoat. I cut quite a figure and I had no doubts about getting off. No problem.

It wasn't what I saw that stopped me. It was what I didn't see. Can you understand that ? What I didn't see.

In all that sprawling city

there was everything except an end. There was everything. But there wasn't an end. What I couldn't see

was where all that came to an end. The end of the world. Take a piano.

The keys begin the keys end.

You know there are 88 of them and no-one can tell you differently. They are not infinite you are infinite.

And onthose 88 keys the music that you can make is infinite. I like that.

That I can live by.

But you get me up on that gangway and roll out a keyboard with millions of keys and that's the truth there's no end to them that keyboard is infinite.

But if that keyboard is infinite there's no music you can play. You're sitting on the wrong bench. That's God's piano. Christ

did you see the streets ?

There were thousands of them ! How do you choose just one ? One woman one house

one piece of land to call your own one landscape to look at one way to die.

All that world weighing down on you without you knowing where it ends. Aren't you scared of just breaking apart

just thinking about it

the enormity of living in it ? I was born on this ship. The world passed me by

but two thousand people at a time. And there were wishes here but nevermore

than could fit on a ship between prow and stern.

You played out your happiness on a piano that was not infinite. I learned to live that way. Land

is a ship too big for me. It's a woman too beautiful. It's a voyage too long. Perfume too strong.

It's music I don't know how to make. I can't get off this ship. At best

I can step off my life. After all

it's as though I never existed. You're the exception Max.

You're the only one

who knows that I'm here. You're a minority.

You'd better get used to it. Forgive me my friend.

But I'm not getting off. Max.

I can picture the scene up there. Some poor guy searching a list for my name and not finding it. -What did you say your name was ? -Nineteen Hundred. Niemann Nightingale Ninestock Nittledeen. -You see sir

I was born on a ship. -l beg your pardon ? Born

raised and died on a ship maybe I'm registered there. -Shipwreck ? -No

six and a half tons of dynamite. Are you feeling better now? Yeah fine

except that I lost an arm. -An arm ? -Yes

in the explosion.

You should be able to find one up there.

-Which one do you say is missing ? -The left sir.

I'm so sorry !

We only seem to have two rights. -Two right arms ? -Yes.

I'm afraid so.

Would you mind awfully taking . . . -Taking what ?

-A right arm instead of a left ? Well

all things considered better

a right arm than nothing at all. I couldn't agree more. By the way

we have one black arm and one white arm. Oh

matching arms please.

I have nothing against negroes it's just a question of aesthetics. It's no laughing matter Max.

What a cock-up spending eternity with two right arms ! How wouldyou

make the sign of the cross ? Max.

Imagine the music I could play with two right arms. I only hope

I can find a piano up there ! Okay

that's fine like that.

-Slowly.

-Get hold of it there.

What would you have done in my place ? I don't know. I would probably

have felt quite useless.

Sooner or later all stories end and there's nothing else to add. Anyhow thanks. Conn

there's something I don't understand. Who hid the broken record inside the piano ?

-You're looking at him. -So

you weren't useless afterall. Conn. Wait. Here

take your trumpet. I think you'll need it. -But I . . .

-Fuck the money ! A good story is worth more than an old trumpet. Okay Pops."