Shadows in the Sun

- You wanted to see me, sir? - You read the times this morning?

Avershays Press announced the deal with Irving Gattinger.

- Gattinger said he was done with writing. - Yes.

- He hasn't written a book in 10 years. - It's a brilliant move.

Based on name recognition alone it'll be an instant bestseller.

Yes.

What do you think about Weldon Parish?

Parish is one of my personal favorites.

Are you thinking of signing him? The man hasn't written anything in 20 years.

All the more reason. What do you know about him?

Um.. Weldon Parish. He left Unites States in the mid-1980s.

Moved to a small Italian village and after his wife died, he simply gave up writing.

- He's become reckless. He doesn't even give interviews. - Mmm.

If we could sign Weldon Parish. We would set the publishing world on its ears.

I want you to go to Italy and talk to him.

Mr. Benton with all due respect, and believe me, no one would like to see a.

Weldon Parish novel more than myself, it's just not going to happen.

The people have tried, the man is just not interested in writing.

Well, I expect you to make him interested.

Have a nice trip. Goodbye Jeremy.

Hi...

A veti una stanza, con una banio?

- All the rooms have a private bathroom. - Ah. You speak English.

Does it sound like English?

- Yes? - There you go.

Great. Look, I have some bags in the car. Excuse me?

I have a couple more bags in the car.

- Well. - Okay, thank you.

Are you kidding? I carried the bags.

I opened the door.

You opened the door... OK.

- Is the room OK? - Ugh yes. The room itself is fine, but..

There is a hmm..

- There is a couple next door to me and they are... - Screwing.

- Yes. - They come here every chance they get for privacy.

Huh.. Anyway. I am actually in town looking for Weldon Parish.

You wouldn't by any chance know him, would you?

No.

- Well, any idea where he lives? - No?

No? Really? He's lived here for 20 years,

and you don't know him, and you have no idea where he lives.

- Yes. - Right.

OK...

Weldon Parish?

Excuse me. Do you know where I can find Weldon Parish?

Dove Weldon Parish?

Weldon Parish?

OK... Hello Mr. Parish, my name is Jeremy Taylor.

Hello, Mr. Parish.

Hi, Mr. Parish, my name is Jeremy Taylor. Pearce Learner Publishing.

- Hey, Weldon, I am Jeremy. - He is not here.

I just thought I would tell you so you wouldn't waste the whole day talking to the door.

- Are you a reporter? - Me? No. Why?

Cause papa hates reporters.

He says they are the lowest form of human life.

My name is Jeremy Taylor, I am an editor with Pearce Learner Publishing.

That's even worse.

He says that editors don't even qualify as human life.

Oh... Well, it can't hurt to talk to him, can it? No, it could hurt very much.

The last editor who came here, he chased down to the water with an ax.

OK. Well, I'll take my chances if you don't mind.

OK. He is around the back, in the cellar.

- Excuse me? I didn't catch your name. - Isabella.

Mr. Parish?

Mr. Parish, my name is Jeremy Taylor. I'm with Pearce Learner Publishing.

I have to say this is a great honor for me, sir.

What?

Yes, I know he is here. He is talking to me.

Can't you see he is talking to me?

Who are you talking to? The King of the Elfin Realm. The all-knowing little one.

I am having Spam for lunch. Do you like Spam? I like mine with raisins.

Umm, you are Weldon Parish.

The writer.

They say I am.

Were you looking for someone else?

Yes, I think I was.

OK, OK. Hold on a second.

Did you find him?

Yes, I found him.

What happened to him?

No one really knows. His mind just broke.

- That's why everyone protects him? - Si.

It's just such a waste.

Hmm, I want to check out in the morning, if that's OK?

He just came in, no! He thinks you are completely crazy, Weldon.

He is leaving tomorrow, OK? Ciao, ciao.

That's a pretty elaborate ploy to get me to go away, don't you think?

Apparently it wasn't elaborate enough.

- Mr. Parish, I came a long way to see you. - I didn't ask you to.

See ya.

Do you know what "go away" means?

All I am asking for is a few minutes of your time.

You are not going to go away, are you?

I am sorry to be so persistent, but nobody ever got anywhere by taking "no" for an answer right?

Alright. Make your pitch.

As I said before, I am with Pearce Learner Publishing.

A place where we pride ourselves in being able to work with creative individuals.

We believe in bringing the writer's vision to the page.

And as a writer myself, I understand, how important that is.

What do you write?

Umm, well, I am actually still working on my first novel.

I don't even know if it's any good, but I have always dreamed of being a writer.

And being a writer, you think you can understand me?

- Well, Yes. - Well, you can't.

Actually, Mr. Parish, I think if you were to give me... Look.

You made your pitch. I am not interested.

- But I am not finished. - Yes, you are.

That's Bruno. Bruno dislikes strangers more than I do.

- Now would be a good time to start running. - What?

Oh my, oh my god!

- Hello? - Ah, Jeremy. How's it going over there?

- Hello sir. Not well. - Well, did you meet him?

- Oh yes. Yes, I've met him. - What's he like?

The word "unstable" comes to mind.

Well, show me an artist who isn't, eh?

Well, I think I can say with a great deal of confidence,

that the man is not interested in writing.

Well, it is up to you to convince him.

I am expecting results, Jeremy.

Jeremy? Jeremy, are you there?

Yes, yes. I am sorry. I am still here, but you know what?

Si. Si. Si...

Ciao.

- Hi! - Hi

I heard about what happened this afternoon.

Dog... Yeah, your father is a very funny man.

I am so sorry. I tried to warn you.

So... Where are you going?

Well I was actually just looking for a place to eat.

Oh, OK. Well there is only one place.

You would like that I take you?

- Yes. Yes, I would. - Come.

Have you decided?

- No, we haven't seen the menus yet. - There is no menu.

Only specials.

OK, then what are the specials?

Mixed green salad, and Spaghetti with Pesto.

- Anything else? - No.

- Excellent choice. Isabella? - I've eaten.

You know, if you've eaten, you really don't have to stay here with me.

No, people shouldn't eat alone.

I eat alone all the time, so I am used to it.

You changed your hair. It looks good.

Really? Thank you.

So, Isabella. What is it that you do here?

I work with my horses, I work with the vineyard.

Well that doesn't sound too bad to me.

Your father seems to have adapted well.

Well, my father is not an ordinary man.

Why do you want him to write so bad?

- Well, honestly? - Mmm.

When I was 12 years old, I broke my collar bone.

So I had to stay in bed for 5 weeks, and I don't know if you have ever tried,

but it's not easy to keep a 12 year old in bed for 5 weeks.

One day my aunt brings me a book.

"The Shadow Dancer" by Weldon Parish.

And, as I am reading this book,

Something absolutely miraculous happens to me.

I am transported into a different world,

and every day for 5 weeks, I lived through those words.

And to have the talent to instill those kinds of feelings to other people,

is a gift, and, it just, should not be wasted.

- You should have spoken to him like that. - Like what?

I see the passion that you have for his work. You should have let him see it.

- Well, I tried. - No, you tried to sell him. And I know my father.

He responds to honesty. You should have tried using some.

If you want another chance?

He'll be at "Carina's letter". Umm, it's a bar just outside of town.

You wouldn't have the straight.

That, my dear friend, you'll have to pay to find out.

Now this is interesting. You are acting like you have it.

You are trying to make me believe you have it.

- So? - So, in a way you are lying.

- Priest shouldn't lie, Giovanni. - There is no lying in poker.

There is only bluffing. And God forgives bluffing.

What? I can't come have a drink at the bar?

You could have a drink at the hotel.

Well, I would have, but there is no one there.

Well boo hoo.

Why don't you let me buy you a drink?

Just so you know there is no hard feelings about today.

Thank you.

- Salute! - Salute!

Salute.

- OK. Why don't you ask me, then you can go. - Ask what?

The question that's burning a hole in your little brain. "Why did I stop writing?"

- OK. Why did you stop writing? - I didn't have anything else to say, Ollie.

OK? It's that simple. Now, you can go.

- A writer always has something to say. - Oh, now you are an authority?

How the hell do you know what I have to say?

I don't remember anything about a conversation.

Well, the mere act of accepting an invitation to have a drink,

implies a certain degree of conversation.

- I hope you don't write like you talk. - Why? How do I talk?

Like an uptight jockstrap.

- OK. Well what would you have said? - Actually, I wouldn't have

said anything. I would've gotten the hint about not wanting to talk.

You are not one of those lampy pampy guys that nurses a drink all night, are you?

Very Impressive. OK, hasta la bye bye.

No, I bought this bottle of wine, and I intend on finishing it.