I own nothing from Hearts of Iron nor the Kaiserriech Mod.
Private Bedros Sahakian
Journal Entry 24
July 1, 1932, Friday
Turns out reservations for the Casanova were unavailable for us but Michail came up with another option. We'll catch a movie at the Cathay Theatre to watch with the girls. Seriously, how many places are named Cathay? Well of course I first had to do a patrol with Allen, Mordecai, Hector and unfortunately Lieutenant Dewitt. Our platoon leader insisted on coming, wanting to show us how to patrol the 'right way'.
He actually never was on patrol in these streets before and we only did it a few times ourselves. Our brilliant leader got us lost multiple times throughout the ride and got us trapped in traffic not once but twice. When he is not blaming the map he brought along Dewitt takes it out on us. He's especially cruel toward Hector and Mordecai, making it a point to single them out with repeated slurs. Poor guys had to take it and I'm sure both wanted to clock him but they know it will only lead to trouble.
Sorta like those Korean spies working for their Japanese handler the other day. Though unlike that empire's military our corps doesn't allow officers to beat the enlisted men bloody. Still Dewitt doesn't have our respect beyond the rank itself. Finally that miserable ride ended when we returned to base. Really hope we don't go into combat with him, then again the chances of that happening are slim fortunately.
I had enough time to clean up and joined Michail outside the base when we got leave. After walking our way some we got on a trolley before reaching the theater. Sofija was there waiting for us alongside her friend who was wearing a blue velvet dress and black heels and had East Asian features. It took me and her just a few moments to recognize each other. Hamada Sachi, she is a neighbor whom I grew up with.
Needless to say we were both shocked to find each other here in Shanghai of all places. Still it is great to see an old friend. Hard working, determined and with an adventurous spirit no less. Those are the words I believe describe her best. We were part of a club of neighborhood kids including some of my cousins that often played together whenever we could.
Like tag, kickball, marbles, baseball, hide and seek and racing on our bicycles. Sometimes we would all go together to the theaters to watch a film. On a rare occasion we would sneak into one of the Hollywood sets to explore or watch the filming from a hidden location.
We got into so much trouble for that when we finally got caught doing so. Well as we got older we got separated more and more. Part of it was because many parents didn't want their kids to keep playing with other children outside of their particular community due to prejudice. The other reason is we took different paths especially as the depression hit our country.
To see Sachi again after all this time brought back a lot of memories from our shared childhood. Most of it is good and some bad.
While Michail bought our tickets, Sachi and I decided to catch up. It turns out she had been in Japan for some time, trying to absorb the culture as her parents wanted. However, it seems many over there didn't give her a chance. All because she was born and raised in America as if that makes her lesser than them. Not one to take that crap lying down, Sachi accepted a job offer from a Canadian entrepreneur involving the radio business and came to Shanghai.
I'm not surprised about that last part, standing for herself and working with a radio station. She always had a fascination for that kind of technology. We both found it pretty crazy we ended on a blind date with each other. She only agreed because her friend Sofija Koeslar asked her, similar to what Michail did with me. Guess life is funny that way.
Personally I don't mind at all and Sachi doesn't seem to either. Of course we both admitted it was a bit weird since neither of us saw one another in a romantic light beforehand. Well we were both doing it for our friends, so it's not a big deal. Soon enough we entered the theater. It has a nice setup. It does take me back to the theaters back home.
The motion picture we ended up watching was a joint American and Irish production called Emerald Shores. It deals with an American socialite named Anna Murphy(played by Julian Sterns) who is unhappy with her shadow life before getting shipwrecked during a terrible storm and is the only survivor. She is rescued by a fisherman, Aidan Hamill(played by Liam Gillen) to take her back to his small community. Once Anna wakes up, remembering only her first name and nothing else and so is allowed to stay in the meantime.
The socialite struggles with village life in a series of comedic and dramatic moments in the subsequent weeks that follow. Yet she begins to feel at home there and Aidan and her fall in love with one another. Then upon hearing the news on the radio about the shipwreck Anna finally remembers who she is and calls her father. The latter arrives to take her home so she can get married to a man she doesn't love. In the finale Anna stays up for herself with Aidan's support and the father reluctantly agrees.
Then the scene ends with the couple getting married and riding away in a carriage as their friends and family wave them off.
In some parts it was over dramatic for me but the music and setting was nice. Of course what caught my attention is the mention is Aidan's father, who fought in the War of Independence warning people of the red menace that is just a sea away from them. A reminder that Ireland doesn't trust the British, royalists or syndicalists alike.
After we exited from the theater Michail and Sofija took a rickshaw to get the latter back to her apartment. As for me and Sachi we walked together, talking about the movie and what we've been doing in Shanghai so far. Besides being a secretary at the station she does some announcements part time and plays the violin on the airwaves. Though Sachi is hoping to run her own station someday after she saves up enough money and learning all she can. Quite ambitious I admit and hope it works out for her.
Sachi told me the station is called Shanghai Dawn Network or SDN for short. I told her I'll give it a shot when I have the chance. She smiled in return before getting on the next trolley. It was a nice date. Don't think if we'll do it again but it's good to know Sachi is making her own way in the world. If she can, so can I.