Chapter 4
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Uncle the Actor
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You spoke English?
And at a really high level, too.
Here we go again.
It all started when I spotted Shakespeares book in Uncles room during the day and shouted about it.
Mom came running right away, and I got scolded for covering up. Now it was Dad, fresh off work.
Is our Siu a genius or something?
Oh, come on, bro-in-law. Such a doting dad!
Sigh. Im originally from England, you know.
Not that I can say that.
They wouldnt believe me anyway, and I couldnt just let my new mom and dad fall over backwards.
Man, geniuses have it rough no matter where they go.
Thats just how parents are.
Gave me chills.
Why?
Our sister reacted the exact same way. Figures, married couple and all.
Heh. See? Thats what being married is like.
Dad and Uncle were chatting away.
Then, as if on cue, they both sidled up to me.
No way. Thats Sius. Scram.
I turned my back on Uncle as he approached.
In my arms was a thick book containing Shakespeares four great tragedies.
His legacy, which I thought Id never see again.
And now it was right here in my hands.
No way was I letting it go.
With renewed determination, I hugged the book even tighter to my chest.
Fine, sure. Its Sius.
Bro-in-law... That books mine.
Quiet. Siu, howd you do that earlier, anyway?
Hm?
I knew, but played dumb.
Piece of cake for an actor like me.
Dad licked his lips and asked again.
You know, the title of that book. Howd you read it?
Illium Thesspeare.
Huh?
Illium! Thesspeare! This!
I stomped my feet and held up the cover.
Once was enough for digging my own grave.
Id forgotten for a moment that this was a small Eastern country where English wasnt common.
I never expected to find a book by my old comrade-in-arms from back then.
How could I not be moved?
But I couldnt let on that I was originally Noah Battenberg.
Sorry to my loving parents whod raised me so far, but I had to bluff my way through.
Youre not doing it.
Still on about that, Ji Dongwook?
Mom had snuck up and joined in.
Under their sharp glares, Uncle hopped back like hed been wronged.
No! It was seriously impressive pronunciation. Native-speaker level! And look at that. Its an English original, so whys he clutching it like that!
Oops.
That guy.
I thought he was just a lazy bum, but hes got a sharp side.
What now?
I was debating putting down the Shakespeare book when Mom waved it off like no big deal.
Nah. Sius been watching too many foreign movies with me lately. He just nailed the pronunciation by chance. Right?
What about my book!
Uncle wailed pitifully, and Moms face turned fierce in an instant.
You mad about giving your nephew a book? Just buy another one. Youve never even bought him a toy before!
Wha...
His eyes brimmed with injustice.
Sorry about that.
I glanced at my parents, then approached Uncle.
Of course, Id safely stashed the precious Shakespeare book in a corner of the sofa first.
Uncwle.
Hm?
Huggie.
...Huh?
Hug me!
You wanted a hug earlier, right?
I tilted my head coyly, and Uncle blinked in bewilderment before extending his arms.
Slipping into them, I found they werent as comfy as Id hoped.
Moms hugs were still the best.
Haha, guess Sius saying thanks.
This... is thanks?
Yeah. He doesnt even hug Dad much.
Uncle glanced at Dad at Moms words, but I didnt care.
His voice had already softened noticeably.
Phew. Shakespeares book was safe now.
Up we go! Want Uncle to give you an airplane ride?
Wh-whatre you doing!
High up!
Uwagh!
...Never hugging him again.
Siu likes this?
Yeah, look. See how focused he is? And keep your voice down. He hates noise when hes watching TV.
...Is he really five?
Today was a blessed day: TV all day long!
Id solemnly washed my face in the morning and plopped down in front of the screen.
Uncle crawled out of the small room, scratching his belly, sat next to me, and scowled.
The classic foreign film playing was an oldie but a goodie.
Sure, it came out centuries after I died, but whatever.
I stared intently at the screen to make the most of the so-so picture quality.
His concentrations insane.
Told you.
Mom folded laundry and replied offhandedly to her brother.
After a quiet stretch, Uncle whispered.
But hey, bro-in-law, hows the chicken shop? Business good?
Its alright.
Chasing your dreams and ending up frying chicken aint easy.
...
Listening in, it hit me.
Uncwle.
Hm? Siu. Whats up?
Noisy.
...Ill go practice in my room.
One word from me, and Uncle slunk off to the small room, deflated.
Practice? What practice?
I wondered what a lazy bum like him did for a living, but it passed quick.
The show was hitting an exciting part, and I got sucked right back in.
How long had I been glued to the performance on TV?
A voice echoed from Uncles room.
-Youre hilarious. Like a comedian.
-Is that a compliment?
-Does it sound like one?
A syrupy voice followed by a deep, resonant tone.
Whats this?
I hopped off the sofa.
Hands behind my back, I headed to the small room where the mystery sounds came from.
Siu?
Mommy, that. What?
It sounded just like flowing dialogue from the small room.
I narrowed my eyes and pointed at the door.
Oh, Uncles practicing theater right now. Like the people on the TV you love. Hes an actor, too.
...Actor?
Yeah. Um... He makes a living acting professionally. Thats what he wants to do, like the ones you watch all the time. Not sure if hell make it, though...
As Mom explained, I pressed flat against the small room door, hands still behind my back.
-Misunderstanding! I didnt do it! I was holed up in this cramped, rundown room of mine that whole time!
No way.
Those were lines, clear as day.
That voice, that breath control.
The Oscar Theater Troupe in London, rivaling the Chamberlains Men in no time.
After three years there, Id know it anywhere.
This guys an actor...?
I eyed the firmly shut door of the small room, standing there a good long while.
Uncwle! Theater! This!
Chance!
Since Uncle moved in, Mom had been going out alone sometimes.
Best part when Moms out: no one stealing the remote. TVs all mine.
And today, something to check while she was gone.
Huh? Siu. What?
Take this and do it.
Uncle blinked at the Shakespeare script I held out.
Hed panicked when I wouldnt give it up before. Now he looked totally thrown.
Hurry!
Wait, you want me to act this out? Haha, Siu. This is an English script. Hold on.
Some actor who rolls into our house outta nowhere.
No way Id sit still.
Time to ease Moms worries and test his chops.
If I said this with her home, itd blow up.
Just him and me nowperfect timing.
Plus, after 400 years, I was curious how folks here did my friends scripts.
Sheesh, debuting this in front of my nephew, huh.
Do it!
Alright, alright. Ahem!
Uncle grabbed a stack from a pile of papers in the corner and cleared his throat.
He actually looked kinda pumped.
Id left the book I gave him right where it was.
Just pretend you dont know.
Ah.
Knew which play from the first line.
And once its all sorted, send your praise my way...!
No!
I yelled mid-line.
Wasnt about English or not.
Wh-what...?
Sigh.
I let out a deep breath.
Knew it.
Spotted it when he first rolled into his sisters place.
My so-called Uncle still lacked basics big time.
Hows he gonna get on stage with that?
I shook my head.
Sounded like Macbeths lines.
Never heard such a cocky take before.
Light voice like hed tossed any dignity to the neighbors dog.
Couldnt even call it generous.
Uncwle. Bad.
Wha-what...?
Practice more. Got it?
I hugged Shakespeares book close again and left the small room.
No advice worth giving now.
If he memorized lines proper, hed be lucky.
...Phew, who am I kidding with Macbeth? Back to rehearsing this bit part.
Uncle muttered lines hed been mumbling for days.
Probably a walk-on with a couple lines.
Same ones repeating over and over.
Sigh.
Thought Id see Shakespeare live for once.
Big hopes, bigger letdown.
I grabbed the remote and settled on the sofa again.
Oh!
-Where you coming from?
-Y-you...!
Perfect timingthe climax of the show Id been hooked on.
Gotta wash my ears clean first.
I shook out my ears and dove back into the performance.
How long was I lost in the TV?
Whoa?! Now? Oh, no, I can! Yes, right away! Thank you, Theater Owner!
A loud shout from the small room.
Not lines.
Then crashing sounds.
Told him to practicewhats he up to?
Climax was over, thank goodness.
Focus broken, I headed to the small room, hands behind back.
Parents gone, so house duty fell to me, the kid.
Gotta check myself.
Click
Oh, Siu...
Door opened. Uncle stood there, dressed sharp for once.
Always in baggy tracksuits (Mom said its his uniform)whats this getup?
What?
Uh, well. Uncles got something urgent. Damn... Whys sis not picking up? She told me to watch you today of all days.
Going?
Yeah, gotta head out quick...
Hes leaving?
Even betterquiet TV theater time.
Feeling generous, I started nodding.
But before I could okay it, he beat me to the punch.
Siu, forget TVIll show you real people acting. Wanna come with?
Huh?
He pointed at the TV.
Real acting? Live?
Then the place hes rushing to...
Theater...?!
Yeah! The theater! Uh... Whatd you just say?
Who cares now.
Take me there, quick!