Fire Lane

...

Boss?

Señor, what were you doing when the two puppets showed up?

I was jogging at the time. Suddenly, I saw a huge face between two buildings. I was so shocked, I fell to the ground.

But then I mustered up my courage, walked over there and watched the whole performance...

And when it was all over, my legs couldn't stop shaking. I wasn't scared this time, though. I was stunned.

Okay. Thank you again for your time, señor.

Haha, from the way he's walking, it looks like he was telling the truth. Now let us turn the camera over to some of the artists who live here.

Maybe we can ask them why they made this pair of giant puppets? What stories will they have for us?

Señores, señoras, please place your bets.

Shh...

Excuse me?

Oh, look at the little girl who just walked by. She's one of the main players here. Señorita, a moment, please?

Hmm...?

I hear you're the mastermind behind this performance. For you to take on such a major role at your age...

Yeah yeah, get to the point. I'm busy.

Sure. What's with the two puppets?

Did you go through all that trouble to draw attention to this community?

Heh, a few years ago, two buildings in our neighborhood burned down in a fire. None of you turned your attention to us.

A fire...?

(Quietly) Nobody remembers... I knew it.

The puppet show is to commemorate that fire. It's to commemorate our friends who left us that day. That's why we arranged to open our festival on the same day as the fire.

But Galería Krysztauowa is also scheduled to have its widely anticipated opening ceremony that day. Is there any pressure from that at all?

Maybe a little before the rehearsal, but basically not at all now.

The performance on our opening day will be even more sensational. I don't think an art museum can hold a candle to our performance.

No matter how they spruce up their gimmicks, their opening ceremony is only there to tell us one thing—

That Reynell can do business.

Why did you turn off the TV, Miłosz? I was watching that.

You should get some sleep.

I don't want to. I'm not tired at all.

Sleep.

Miłosz... Why are you frowning like that? Why aren't you happy for me?

Go to sleep, Reynell.

It's been more than a decade. The birthday present that should've been mine is finally back in my hands. I'm delighted.

Really? Look at what a mess you are now. Say what you want, I'm not convinced.

That music box was supposed to be mine... Before my birthday... she said she'd give me one.

But that old bastard wasn't happy about it. How could she have made a piece with absolutely no economic value?

She's a genius, a star. Her works are meant to be sold at exhibitions for high prices. It wasn't meant to sit on a boy's bedside table, never to be known by the masses.

But it's made it back to you. After so many years, it returned to its rightful owner.

I love it. Even though it's been modified beyond recognition, I love it.

What about her, Miłosz? Will she like my gift?

Everything you've given her, she couldn't bear to let go.

...

Why aren't you saying anything?

...I do want to sleep now, Miłosz.

I saw you on TV. You shouldn't have showed off like that for the media.

Papá, you're the one who suggested we make the giant puppets. If you were going to worry about showing off, you should've thought of that sooner.

*sigh*, Tecno. I just got a letter from the government.

The letter says that if the arts festival is a success, a group of Leithanian cultural exchange representatives will come to our puppet show.

You mean... we might get government support?

It's more likely we'll end up at their beck and call.

Warlords, merchants, politicians. There are plenty of men with their eyes on this plot of land. We're getting too much attention in too short a period of time. It's too much pressure.

Maybe this just goes to show how useless I am.

Don't say that, Papá. Before you got here, nobody cared if this place burned for a whole day and night. There wasn't even anyone here to report on it.

It's because you've been here for us that we got to live peaceful lives the past couple years. All of us know the work you've been putting in for our sakes.

Everything you've done, you did so we could walk under the sun again, no?

We're another step closer to our goal now. What are you worried about?

...

Let me think about it some more... Tecno...

I can't let the rest of you walk under the sun without any protection.

Señor Miłosz, have you and Señor Reynell seen the street art community's puppet show?

You chose to hold Galería Krysztauowa's opening ceremony on the same day as their arts festival. Certainly their successful rehearsal has taken away much of the attention that deservedly would have been yours.

Do you feel any pressure?

Please make way, ma'am.

Señor Miłosz, please answer our questions!

Sorry, but we are not planning on taking anything from the press today.

Señor Miłosz, is your silence an indication of the pressure you're under?

That's close enough, señora.

Señor Miłosz!

Is Miss Ela here yet?

Yes. She's waiting in the exhibition hall.

I need to talk to her. Make sure nobody disturbs us.

Yes, sir.

Miss Ela, sorry to keep you waiting. You'll have to forgive me. The outside is packed with reporters.

Mr. Miłosz, why did you call me back from the art community all of a sudden?

You're getting along well with them, aren't you?

Yes, I am.

The people there are vivacious.

And even though some of them are sick, their urge to create is as strong as ever.

People who call themselves artists are a dime a dozen, but I have to admit that the people there truly love art.

What about Reynell? What do you think of him?

He... He's an interesting man.

Is that all?

I'm afraid I can't see any of that in him.

You once told me that Mr. Szczepan's paintings made you uncomfortable. That's because you have never met him. The discomfort that his personal presence brings to others is a hundred times greater than that of his paintings.

If it wasn't for him. You would've seen those qualities in Reynell.

Nothing is beneath Szczepan as Kazimierz's most famous artwork dealer, be it verbal attacks, threats of violence, or economic suppression.

He will do whatever it takes to make the artists working with him follow his every command. Not even his wife, Reynell's mother, could escape this fate.

That's a pain no creator could bear. It must have been an agonizing marriage.

You're right. She even destroyed her own work as a form of protest, but only a week later, the damaged portrait was sold at auction for an astronomical price on account of its so-called profound philosophical meaning.

She should've left.

She couldn't. She couldn't leave her child to the arrogant bastard, especially a child that very much resembled herself.

(Deep breath)

Is there a reason you're trying to get me to sympathize with him now, of all times, Mr. Miłosz?

You're a sharp one, to the point that it's frustrating.

Galería Krysztauowa's opening ceremony is set to be held on the anniversary of Reynell's mother's passing. The day has a special significance to him.

Perhaps you and your team can help him out a little. Just a short while will do. If you could work it so the two events are even just one day apart.

...

I'm sorry, Mr. Miłosz, but I can't.

If you've seen the news, then you know what that day means to the community.

Miss Ela... You should do what you can. This isn't a request. It's a reminder.

It doesn't matter how emotional or stirring their puppet show is. It will be overshadowed on the day the Galería opens.

You're awake.

Were you outside?

Yes, I met with Miss Ela.

What did she say?

She refused.

I'm not surprised.

Why did you ask me to call her back here?

The puppet show would be in good hands if she were to run it... And then, perhaps there would come a day when it forms an iconic performance that represents this place, as they hope it will.

But it won't be on that day.

I almost sympathize with them. They're spending so much time, effort, and energy on this...

To tell the truth, if it wasn't for the scheduling conflict, I would even go see the performance myself. Compared to the junk that the art buyers are gobbling up downstairs...

I'm a lot more interested in their creation.

It's been some years since you last said you liked a particular piece.

Right. Let them be. It's just a shame...

No matter how overwhelming a piece of art is in the beginning, it can't compare to a magnificent death.

The last explosives are in place. I will make the final adjustments tomorrow to ensure that everything goes as planned on the day of the ceremony.

Thank you for everything you've done, Miłosz. For me.

...

No thanks necessary. Did you know, Reynell? When you talked about destruction just now, your eyes were sparkling...

Just like when you used to talk to me about creation.

It's just similar, that's all.

But it's more than enough to me.

Who is it...? Why now?

It's fine. I'll go get it.

How's a single phone call taking so long?

(Mouths) He won't shut up!

(Mouths) Who is it?

(Mouths) That captain!

(Mouths) What does he want?

(Mouths) What else could it be? The community!

Whatever. Give me the phone.

Hello, Mr. Mateo? Yes, I'm very busy right now. If you need anything, we'll talk later.