EPILOG:
Dear Governor Comworth, Sir,
I'm just writing to let you know what's going on out here far away from home, like you asked when we meet after that tour I took of your villa. I know you get lots of mail, and got lots of people you've gotta meet with and stuff you've gotta get done so I ain't gonna write you a long letter, just enough to let you know everything's all right. And it is.
We left Newhope without a hitch and are pretty much planet jumping right now. That's what we do, jump from planet to planet looking for work. It can be pretty dull sometimes, but the ship's doctor's been keeping me company – or I've been keeping company with him, however you want to see it. Either way time don't seem nearly so slow as it used to. Over all, I think he's been laughing a lot more than he was. I feel kinda bad saying all that happened on Newhope was, you know, good for him, but he's seeming more him than he's ever seemed before, if that makes any sense.
And Yao, the little girl what was there in your office with you and me and the doctor, you know. Well, she's doing as good as I've known her to do. A lot happened for her too, on Newhope, some of it might have made her a little better, I don't know. But she's smiling a lot, which is nice, and she ain't shot nor stabbed anyone, and that's nice too.
So that's what's what. We plan to land in about six days, so I hear, and maybe get a job and maybe something interesting, something worth writing about, will happen. But till then it's just nice and quiet days filled with talking and playing. And I guess that's all there is to say. Don't worry bout writing me back, I know you're busy.
Yours Truly
Kaywinnith Lee Frye
p.s. I ain't told anyone about these letters, though I almost let it slip a thousand times. I don't know if I should or not. I know the doc would want to tell you a few things but the captain might think it wasn't right, me talking to you so open. Got any advice?
My Dearest Miss Frye,
I was delighted with your last letter, and so soon too! I can see that you will be a delightful and dedicated correspondent, which brings me no end of pleasure. I am also glad that your life, and those of your shipmates, has returned to a normal and somewhat dull routine. I've lived long enough to know that routine is essential for a happy life. If your life is littered with adventures, you never have time to be content, only exhausted.
It is very encouraging to hear that you and the doctor are spending a good deal of time together, I suspect that it is good for both of you. He is a very caring boy, but he needs to be drawn out of his shell. I have a feeling that you might be just the girl to do it. I eagerly await any reports you care to send on this topic. Although I don't expect many, for we both know I am a stodgy old man.
As far as your concerns regarding whom to tell about our discourse, I give you permission to tell anyone you think appropriate. I met your captain but briefly, still, it seems to me that he would understand why we are conversing – but I submit to the vastness of your experience. As far as the doctor and little Yao are concerned, feel free to tell them, by all means. I would be glad of any message they would want to send.
All is well here. My granddaughter Genie is doing well. I recently informed her that I would not be sending her to the Core, as we previously discussed, which is an endless source of joy for her. She loves Newhope, more than I do, I think. I wonder why I ever thought that I should make her leave it. My houseguests, the Tams, have returned safely to their home on Osiris. I remember you took a special interest in them and they in you, so if anything of import happens in their lives I will be sure to tell you of it.
I look forward to our next correspondence. Rest assured that you and your shipmates are always in my prayers.
Sincerely Yours
Reginald Charles Comworth
Gov. Of the Allied Planet of Newhope
NOTES: The following is a sonnet that was written and mentioned but just never made it into the text. I don't really think anyone cares, but, damn it, I wrote a sonnet and I'm gonna publish it! Also, here are the Chinese translations in order of appearance.
A sun does peak its shinning face
Over the slim horizon of our lives
With glorious golden tail it will trace
It's comely arch across our dreary skies;
And too a babe, illuminates this place,
Even as he for his soft mother cries.
Resplendent in all white linen and lace:
A bright new sun has found the strength to rise
Scarce can I wait until the babe does come,
One day soon mine eyes will catch the glorious sight
Anticipation beats on my heart like a drum
My hope in the infant longs to take flight
To whom loving lullabies I will softly hum
And lull him to sleep in the darkest night
ke bo -- Mean
mei mei -- little sister
zou kai -- Get Lost!
hao zi -- rat
Du Cheng -- Capitol City
gai si -- damn
bao li -- violence
lok chat -- dick
bing -- sick
huai hua -- malicious talk
Shen di yu -- Holy hell
Ma zi song xie sha zi -- curse me for an inattentive fool
Ben dan nu sheng mi huo gaun yu qin gai -- Imbecile schoolgirl perplexed about love
fei gan xing hou -- flying fucking monkey
shen tong -- child prodigy
Wo ai ni, xiong zhang -- I love you big brother
Da dai -- greatly
bao bei -- affectionate nick name (sweetheart or precious object or baby)
Ce lve hong se -- Plan Red
Chi dai mi lu er nu -- stupid lost children
gan ao man yi -- fucking arrogant doctor
Shui xing mei mei -- wake up little sister
Dao xie cis han tian shi -- thank a charitable Angel
xin gan -- darling, sweetheart
bei ai -- confused, sorrowful
xiao hai zi -- child
wei le ji du -- for the sake of Christ
nian di bu -- sticky plight
Gan tian hua ban -- Fucking ceiling
Dai dai gan mei yong yi sheng! -- Stupid fucking useless doctor
zao gao -- messed up
Yu tian bu yu yu yuan qi wei de di di qian yi sheng, you qi ni -- I am filled up with hatred of all doctors, especially you.
la shi -- shit
Qiong cangn fu zi wo -- heaven help me
Zan yang fo tuo -- Praise Buddha
Xian, fou -- God, no.
Nage, neige tai kao long, -- that too narrow
Bu zhe ban -- Not like this
di yu -- hell
Fan shi bei -- All things sorrowful
Fei yi suo si hun luan, hun luan zhi gou ji mao --Unimaginably strange confusion of dogs and cats
Shieh-shieh -- thank you!
zou kai -- get lost!
diow kai dz -- Woman trying to catch a rich man
Gai sz -- Damn it!
Gan xie feng hou nai zi zhi zao hua -- Thank the plentiful breasts of fate
Ci xiang -- Kindly older person
di ji -- low class
fay wu -- uesless person
Mao niao -- cat urine
Gei ji ren zhi fan shi gaung liang -- for the love of all things shiny
dai dai gan mei yong yi sheng -- stupid fucking useless doctor
Mei young yi sheng -- uesless doctor
Fay hwah -- bull shit
zai i-tsz -- do it again
He deng ge e mo e meng -- Such a demon nightmare
Gei ji ren zhi ren dao -- for the love of humanity
shao nu -- little girl
shao yang nu -- little adopted daughter
Ting ju -- Stop
Fah biow -- begin to work hard to accomplish something (often said of men chasing women)
biao zi -- bitch
yu way wen -- wrinkles around the eyes (lit. fish tail wrinkels)
Kai wan shiau -- you're kidding!
la shi -- shit
Ruo di yu -- like hell
feng shao nu -- crazy young girl
gan rao cha shou ren qun -- interfering meddlesome crowed
feng -- crazy (lit. sickness like the wind swirling in the mind)
Yao -- youngest child