Chapter 29: Stella Splendens

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Previously on Midnight Burger.

And that's a shame because I was just getting on the trail of my favorite one yet.

Something about a man in Jerusalem in the 14th century.

A man named Tarek of York.

I swear to God, I have found evidence of this man, Tarek of York, over the last 700 years.

Same guy, 700 years.

What the hell does that mean, y'all?

Is there another one?

The way people are migrating across the globe now, I may never know.

I've lost track of him at this point.

There was only one place I ever felt safe.

This place turned into another one.

It's not a bad place to be.

What was the other place?

Jerusalem.

Let's start the shift.

high

sword.

Terek, Terek, open up, my friend!

I do not believe we had business today, Yosef.

We do not, we do not.

May I come in?

Of course.

How have you been?

Did I not see you yesterday, Yosef?

Yes, of course, my mistake.

To what do I owe this pleasure?

Many an interesting tale here in Yerushalaim.

True.

It is a very interesting place.

Barkuk has died.

I have heard this.

You've heard this?

I heard this in the market just this morning.

I do not like it when you get the news, not from me.

I apologize.

Susanna is very worried about this.

As I recall, your wife is at all times worried about all things.

With Barkuk dead, his son inherits the kingdom.

His son is only aged 11 years.

Now I'm hearing rumors of the Ottomans coming in from the east.

The Ottomans will stay where they are.

You think?

To take this city, you must be up for a climb.

And the Mamluks are already here, so why bother?

Very well, well, very well.

Is this why you've come today to warn me of the Ottoman?

I require your assistance.

Interesting, that's usually the other way round.

Yes, strange things happening outside the city today.

Oh,

I was born in the city, have lived in the city for all of my life.

Somewhere along the way, I have become a person that people come to when there are strange goings on.

This I know.

Two shepherds outside the city have come upon something strange and ask asked for my assistance.

And

I cannot give them my assistance.

Why?

It is a woman.

A woman?

They have found a woman outside the city.

Found.

Explain what you mean by found.

She is.

I find this hard to explain.

Perhaps we should depart, see for ourselves.

Is she lost?

She is most definitely lost.

She's most likely a pilgrim, strayed from her congregation and found herself outside the city.

How do you need my assistance?

She is a woman alone.

As you've said, I am a married man.

The shepherds are married men.

We are pious men, men of God.

You must be joking.

I am not.

You have come to me on this day because there is a single woman in the countryside.

Yes.

And you, as a pious, married man, cannot be alone with a woman?

Yes.

Whereas I, an unmarried man and a Christian, can be alone with a woman without receiving God's displeasure.

I imagine you will still receive his displeasure, but you don't seem to mind too much.

What do you expect me to do about a mysterious single woman in the countryside?

It will take us quite some time to get there.

We shall discover a solution along the way.

A solution?

Yosef, I have yet to see what the problem is.

There is a woman outside the city.

What is the crisis?

She is

unusual.

In what sense?

Her hair is the color of flames.

That's not unusual.

At least, not in my part of the world.

Yes, but in the countryside, around the city, they grow worried of her presence.

There is talk of witchcraft.

There is always talk of witchcraft in the countryside.

In fact, that is all there is talk of in the countryside.

What of the

do not you English have something?

What is it?

Uh, chivalry?

I'm not a knight, I'm a scholar.

Eric, it is a woman alone.

Let us be men.

Unfortunately, my curiosity has been awakened.

Well,

there she is.

She was found in this field by the shepherds.

She's been lying there with her face to the ground throughout the day.

That's the reddest hair I've ever seen.

You haven't seen her face?

She will not raise her eyes.

So you've all just stood here?

The situation is more complex than you know, but perhaps you should first try and speak with her.

The fact that you think your god would look unfavorably on you for giving assistance to a woman who is obviously in need of it is simply ridiculous.

Yes, but I know I have my friend Terek, so I can remain pious and also help her through you.

Throughout the day, she has been here, Yosef.

And her suffering soon shall end because you have arrived.

Give me me that skin of water.

My lady,

who are you?

I am Tarek of York.

I have water.

I'm not thirsty.

You've been in the sun all day.

I'm not.

May I see your face?

No.

Have you been injured?

I

can't look up.

Why can you not?

The

sky.

I can't look at the sky.

You cannot look at the sky.

If I look at the sky, I get dizzy and fall down.

Are you ill?

I don't know.

She is not alone.

Now I approach.

She won't take water and is unable to rise.

She must, though.

There is an urgency to what we do.

Why?

I may not have been entirely honest back at your home.

What is it?

They have come from surrounding farms to see this woman.

They are very concerned she is a bad omen.

Wonderful.

I uh may have assured them that you are going to take this woman and uh return with her to your homeland.

My homeland?

Yes.

Of England?

Yes.

There is one problem with this endeavor, you see.

That you are not, in fact, returning to your homeland?

Yes.

All the same, I think we should make a show of it.

We shall pretend you are taking her away, but we shall go around the mountain the long way and then take her into the city.

I see that lies are completely accepted by your god.

I shall work such things out with Hashem.

I have a covered wagon for us.

We should leave.

They are becoming very upset.

Bring the wagon round.

You are a good man, Tarek.

May I ask your name?

Go ahead.

What is your name?

I don't know.

You don't know your name.

I can't remember anything.

Oh, my.

My lady, we must depart.

Where?

I will

take you back to my home in the city.

I can't even take two steps without falling.

And I shall carry you.

Yes.

Thank you.

You said you cannot look at the sky.

Yes.

Why is this?

I have no idea.

You have no memory of how you came to be lying in that field.

I tried walking for a long time,

but every time I took a few steps, I would fall.

That is strange.

Yes.

Do you remember where you're from?

We speak the same tongue, but your way of speaking is quite different from mine.

I don't remember.

Where am I?

Jerusalem.

What is that?

What is it?

Yes, what's Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is a city.

Oh.

You shouldn't worry.

I've seen something like this before.

My brother, Tybalt, has been in many battles, mostly skirmishes with Scotland.

In the aftermath of one of these battles, he was horribly injured.

He had a very difficult time remembering people's names for days afterwards.

You may have sustained an injury that has caused your memories to leave you, but they will return.

Okay.

Can you tell me anything at all?

Your lost memory?

Anything you can grasp in your mind?

It can't be a memory.

It has to be a dream.

Tell me.

I was

surrounded by trees.

They were so tall they seemed to reach for the sky.

There were two people there looking down at me.

I heard sirens approaching.

Then I was lying down, but going very fast.

I could still hear the sirens.

Then I was

somewhere else.

Everyone was wearing blue.

We can't.

What was it?

We can't get the IV in her.

They said that.

And then they were gone.

The room was empty and I ran.

I flung the door open.

I flung the door open and I was.

I was suddenly floating above the earth.

I could see all of it.

I could see the sunrise from above the earth.

And then

I started falling.

My body was glowing red.

And then I woke up here.

Yes, I would call that a dream.

Yeah.

Can you tell me the date?

Maybe that will help.

Of course.

It is the 5th of June, in the year of our Lord, 1399.

The year of his Lord, 1399.

The year is 5159.

Oh, shut it.

And who is that?

That is Joseph.

He is a friend.

And you two don't agree on what year it is?

We agree that we are in the same year.

We disagree on how to count the years.

Why?

Because I am a Christian and he is a Jew.

What does that mean?

I fear your memories may be worse off than we thought.

Great.

What is that?

A celebration of some sort.

Yosef, who is that celebrating?

I believe the Armenians.

Ah.

What are they celebrating?

In the city of Jerusalem, this is always someone's religious holiday.

You begin to ignore it.

Your name is Tarek?

Tarek.

Thank you for getting me out of that field, Tarek.

Of course.

Thank you, too, Yosef.

The pleasure is mine, my lady.

What if it takes a long time?

Then take a long time it shall

Charlie Sheen is an icon of decadence.

I lit the fuse and my life turns into everything it wasn't supposed to be.

He's going the distance.

He was the highest paid TV star of all time.

When it started to change, it was quick.

He kept saying, no, no, no, I'm in the hospital now, but next week I'll be ready for the show.

Now, Charlie's sober.

He's going to tell you the truth.

How do I present this with any class?

I think we're past that, Charlie.

We're past that, yeah.

Somebody call action.

AKA Charlie Sheen, only on Netflix, September 10th.

She finally awakens.

How long was I out?

Nearly an entire day.

Really?

Yes, I began to worry.

But then I remembered that you survived an entire day in the Jerusalem sun without water.

Nor made of sterner stuff.

Do you think they're telling stories of a crazy red-headed woman to scare their children now?

The way you speak is so strange.

The way you speak sounds pretty strange to me.

I imagine so.

So.

Now what do I do?

I've had quite some time to think on it.

I cannot seem to find a a path forward.

Is that the city out there?

Yes.

Would you like to see?

I don't know.

There's a lot of sky out there.

The city has been there for 3,000 years.

You have time to see it.

Why do you believe looking at the sky makes you feel so ill at ease?

I don't know.

It's like

it's something I'm not used to.

Not used to.

Well, this sky is everywhere.

You should probably begin to acquaint yourself.

Okay, um

okay, I'm going to walk up to the balcony.

If I start to get weird, don't let me fall off.

I shall not.

Okay,

this is okay,

It's beautiful.

This time of day in particular, yes.

We are in what's becoming the new city.

Over there, you can see the great walls.

Behind those walls is the old city.

The city that has been here since practically the dawn of man.

What is that?

The Muslim call to prayer.

A man sings that at various times of day to let all those of Muslim faith know it is time to pray.

There's There's so much I don't understand.

It will come.

What were you playing just now?

Stella Splendens.

It means bright star.

I was actually conducting an experiment.

What's the experiment?

Well, the other evening, I played this song and a star fell from the sky.

As I played, I thought I would try it again, but alas.

You thought playing a song would make a star fall from the sky?

Perhaps it wasn't the most scientific of experiments.

What is that thing?

There was a Luthier.

He had this for sale, and I procured it.

It is called a Bazooki.

That's a funny name.

It is.

I should probably have a name.

I'm sure you have a name.

Me too, but

you have to call me something until I remember, so

call me something.

You want me to choose your name?

That would help.

Yes, if you would just

do it.

Clementine.

Clementine?

Yes.

Where did that come from?

Means merciful.

Merciful?

Merciful.

Fine.

You like it?

I do.

Okay.

Then that's me.

Until I remember something,

I'm Clementine.

Well met, Clementine.

I'm going to figure this out.

I believe you.

Can you play the song again?

Yes.

So, how is our new friend enjoying the city?

It's been several days now, and she has yet to venture out into the city, but she appears to be doing well.

Does she remember anything?

No, it's very strange.

Nothing?

No, not even a name.

She asked me to give her a name.

Give one to her?

Yes, I call her Clementine.

Clementine?

Yes.

After Saint Clement.

It means merciful.

It does not sound right coming out of my mouth.

This is not a Jewish name.

Of course, it's not a Jewish name, Yosef.

Did you expect me to give her a Jewish name?

If she had the Jewish name, she may remember things.

How in the world would a Jewish name help her remember who she was?

Ah, Jews remember everything.

Ridiculous.

What do we look for today?

Beets.

What?

Beats.

What is beets?

It's.

she asked for them.

I thought I would try the marketplace.

I've never heard of them.

Have you never had a beat before?

You say this like it is impossible that I've never had a beat.

It's a root.

It's purple.

They're around every corner back home.

Why has she asked for this?

I am unsure.

Perhaps this is progress.

I was asking for beats, progress.

She remembers that she wants something.

Suppose you're right.

Perhaps I should meet with her again.

Why?

To be a friend, to be a neighbor, things such as this.

What are you up to?

I'm up to nothing.

I can smell it on you when you have a scheme afoot, Yosef.

There are no schemes on my feet, my friend.

Yosef.

There is only one thing in Jerusalem that outnumbers the holy men.

What is this?

Thieves.

Thieves, liars.

What is that other word, the one I like?

Charlatans.

Charlatans.

For some strange reason, houses of God attract both the pious and the profane.

Who is our favorite?

Do you remember?

Salazar the domage.

That is the one.

He claimed this flatbread recipe was from the Virgin Mary, that it had been passed to him over the ages, and that it offered absolution and healing to all those who ate it.

There are many like him all over this city.

You are implying that she is one of these charlatans.

I imply nothing.

I simply say to you this:

When you are around this woman, do you feel that your head is clear?

Yes.

Are you now in this marketplace trying to find her a root that does not exist?

What do you suggest?

The wine you've been asking for has finally arrived.

I shall bring it by later this day.

I shall stay, we shall talk.

I shall make sure she's not selling magical flatbreads.

What will you be able to see that I could not?

Many, many things, my friend.

Wait, I'm sorry.

You speak how many languages?

That may depend.

Depend on what?

On what you need me to say.

What do you mean?

The language of the French, the Spanish, the language of Rome, I speak them very well.

English, Arabic, very well.

Greek?

I could give you directions.

How did you learn all these languages?

Around 100 years ago, the Turks came.

They swept through the city, leaving very few alive.

Not just the Jews, Christians and Muslims as well.

Any man or woman who lived in the new city or old was marked for death.

The hordes rode through the streets, killing everything in their path.

For the longest time it was a city of ghosts.

But then, far to the north in a city called Heidelberg, a man, Isaac of Bielstein, decided it was time for the Jews to return to Yerushalaim.

My parents came with him.

I was a young boy in Yerushalaim, trying to make my way.

I was an errand boy for pilgrims from a place called Normandy.

I learned French.

You learn French, Spanish is not so difficult.

You learn Spanish?

The language of Rome is even easier.

I even learned this bastard of a language, English.

English is a beautiful language.

One day the whole world will speak it.

Eh, impossible.

A man like Yosef is essential for life in Jerusalem.

He speaks all of the languages, has relationships with all the right people.

It would have been a very confusing city without him.

Oh, why did you come here, Tarek?

Cease your laughter.

I cannot help myself.

I'm so elated we've found ourselves here.

What's so funny?

Yosef thinks the focus of my scholarly activities is to be laughed at.

What is it?

Would you like some wine?

Um

sure, what is it?

Try it.

Hmm.

Kind of

tastes like rotten fruit and wood.

That is that is not far off from what it is supposed to taste like, yes.

Um, why do you drink this?

It is a thing to be shared among friends.

Okay.

It's more widespread in my homeland, mainly because the drinking water is quite often putrid.

What a paradise you describe.

Okay, so this is where Yosef was born.

What about you, Tarek?

What is your home like?

What is it called?

York.

It is a lovely place.

Jewel of the Great North Road.

Why did you leave?

I left because it was home, and home can have its difficulties.

And you came here?

Yes, my studies brought me here.

Your studies that Yosef likes to make fun of?

Yes.

What is so funny about what you're studying?

It is.

Go on, don't be ashamed.

I study a much maligned science that concerns itself with many things.

One of those things being the transmutation of lead into gold.

Hmm.

Okay, so why is that funny?

It is ridiculous.

Alchemy is a science that has been practiced for hundreds of years.

Has it?

And where is all this gold that has been made?

No one has yet achieved the transmutation of lead into gold.

Okay, someone explain lead to me, and someone explain gold to me.

Clementine, you truly have forgotten many things, haven't you?

Here.

Here is lead.

Not without value, it has its uses, but it is drab.

Great.

It is the color of an unending sadness.

I agree.

And this is gold.

It is an extraordinary metal.

The rarest thing on this earth.

And I have dedicated my life to turning this lead into this gold.

Seems like that would be really hard to do.

As I said, not one alchemist in all our history has found a way to achieve this.

But you keep at it.

Yes, we

keep at it.

Well,

good luck.

We hope the answers will be revealed before your messiah returns.

Yosef, I think you're being a little mean to Tarek.

This is obviously his life's work.

I have tried to tell him that I have already perfected the means to create gold.

Really?

How do you do it?

It is an ancient process enshrouded in mystery.

In the morning, I rise, I move into the city and work all day long.

By the end of the day, I have magically created gold.

He's merciless about this.

He's always been.

I am fascinated by you, Tarek.

You would spend ten years learning to make one lump of gold rather than working for ten years to make a pile of it.

I'm not trying to become a rich man.

You would learn how to create gold and not make yourself a wealthy man.

This makes you an even greater fool.

I've tried to explain this to you, and it's always fallen on deaf ears.

You're right, I shall cease.

I must take my leave of you anyway.

The sisters of the Austrian Holy Cross need a guide into the old city.

I must go and meet them.

They pay very well, the Holy Sisters.

Clementine, you may have lost all your memories, but you have not lost your charisma.

Thanks, Yosef.

You know how to get word to me, should you need me?

Oh, I actually don't have any idea how to do anything, Yosef, but I'm sure I can figure it out.

Very good.

Until the morrow, Terry.

Okay,

first of all, wine is great.

I don't know whose idea it was, but they did a great job.

I'm a big fan.

I'm pleased that it pleases you.

I feel like you got your feelings hurt a little bit by Yosef just now.

So,

how do you do it?

Do what?

I mean,

you say that no one's ever turned lead into gold, but

how do you try try to do it?

Through experimentation in my laboratory.

Your laboratory?

Yes, through experimentation and notation in my laboratory.

Can I see it?

My laboratory?

Yes.

I don't see why not.

This way.

Whoa!

It seems quite chaotic, but everything has its purpose.

You can see boiling away here is the allendic.

Here, I have a mortar and pestle for pulverizing substances.

The crucible here is to create an environment so hot that it can melt various metals.

And built into the wall here is the athanor.

Essentially, an oven meant to heat substances consistently over a long period of time.

You seem confused.

Well,

you seem to have gone to a lot of trouble.

I suppose I have, yeah.

And it just seems like a lot to try and turn the first thing

into gold.

Why is this so important to you?

Clementine, may I tell you something?

Yes.

I have.

I have very much enjoyed our conversations these past few days.

You have?

Yes, I have enjoyed your company.

Oh, well.

How could you not enjoy a crazy person who doesn't remember who she is living in your house?

When I speak with you, I find myself having to reconsider that which I had taken for granted because I never know what anyone's talking about, precisely.

You're welcome.

I find myself now having to explain the importance of gold to you.

You don't have to explain the importance of gold.

I get it.

It's pretty.

It's rare.

Everyone wants it.

I want to know why you do it.

Why is it important to you?

Why do all this?

I know you're not just trying to get rich.

I am a nobleman.

I am the second son of Tybalt I, and back in my homeland we have a very nice castle and land as far as the eye can see.

And you're here?

Yes.

Because even as a young boy, I knew I was going to leave.

Why?

When I was a boy, there was an uprising.

The peasants of the land rose up in rebellion.

They had been overtaxed and put upon for too many years.

They made the brave choice to rise up against those who were oppressing them.

My father was one of those oppressors, and he,

as well as other noblemen like him, put down this rebellion

violently.

As a boy, I watched from a window of the castle where the peasants were made an example of in the town square.

Put into stocks,

sometimes executed.

Oh my god.

I tried to see the difference between myself and these peasants.

What is it that places them in a town square and I high above in a castle?

I could only find one thing.

I cannot describe to you how much this world revolves around that small lump of gold.

It is the new axis on which the world turns.

Men kill for it,

die for it, go to war for it.

And that boy high in that castle in York

He wanted it all to stop.

How would you do that?

What if I could make so much gold that no one ever wanted for anything?

What if I could make the lords of the land irrelevant?

What if the peasant had just as much gold as the king?

What if we could be free of it all?

Are you trying to save the world, Tarek?

It's foolish, I know.

It's not foolish.

It's beautiful.

So, why come here?

Um,

why not do all this at home?

Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, as are its libraries.

I sought ancient knowledge.

There are few places more ancient than this place.

Is there writing on the wall?

Yes, the writing was here when I arrived.

At first, I thought to have it removed, but I've grown to appreciate its presence.

I can't read it.

It's Laddin.

Adachis Fortuna Juvat.

What does that mean?

Fortune favors the bold.

Beati paparis spiritu.

What does that mean?

Blessed in spirit are the poor.

Ad vitam eternum.

What does that mean?

To eternal life.

You're holding my hand.

Yes.

What does that mean?

I don't know.

Terek!

Hello.

Good to see you.

Good to see you.

One of your little messengers came by my home, said to meet you at the Tower of David with dates.

And here we are at the Tower of David, and you have brought dates.

What's this about, Joseph?

About?

It must be about something.

Was this the first time you've summoned me?

I have not been summoned before.

Why must you say summon?

I did not summon you.

I wish to see my friend Terek.

and I also wish to have dates.

What are we doing here?

The Holy Austrian sisters again.

They are touring the tower and praying.

They will be a while.

Look, Bellbells.

They are rare for Berbers to come to Yerushalaim.

How do you know they're Berbers?

I know they're Berbells because I cannot understand what they're saying.

Many languages among them, the Bellbells.

Fascinating.

Have you been?

Well.

Well.

Good.

I am glad you are well.

Yusuf?

Two reasons a friend disappears.

One, he is dead.

Two, he is in love.

You stand before me, not dead.

Is there such a thing as privacy with you in my life?

Of course not.

Over the last few weeks, Clementine and I have become very close.

No, you have not.

What do you mean?

Her name is not Clementine.

Yosef.

Her name is not Clementine.

Neither of you know her name.

That doesn't matter.

She could be named Salome.

She is not named Salome.

How do you know?

We are not children, Yosef.

Of course you're not.

You're both grown, but there is only one of you who may or may not be married to a duke

from Bavaria.

A duke from Bavaria.

A jealous man.

A man who will have you hung outside his downtleby.

Duke Osvaldo Simioni will be his name.

What are you talking about?

Eric, men from your land have come to this place for hundreds of years and they've made a great mess of it.

Do you wish to follow in that tradition?

I am not making a mess of anything.

How do you think this will end?

How do I know it will?

Why must you say it will end if her memories never return?

If she stays this woman that I love, what then?

Why must your view of the world always be so dark?

Habit.

What would you have me do?

What would I have you do?

It is a good question.

Nothing, my friend.

No amount of good sense will stand in the way of what happens now.

Come, sit.

Let us have the dates.

I did not seek this out, Yosef.

She fell into

I know, my friend.

Many things fall into our lives.

They are not all gifts.

Please allow me to believe in this one.

I shall.

Come, I'm hungry.

I can't see.

Where are they?

Where I can't see.

That's.

That's black.

I can.

Where are you now?

Where are the stars?

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These dates are not the good dates.

Why did you not get the good dates?

They're from Zehonivira.

The Hungarian?

Yes.

I must speak with them.

These dates are embarrassing.

What was that?

I do not know.

Thunder?

Not a cloud in the sky.

There is.

There, in the new city.

Do you see it?

Is there a fire?

Smoke, at least.

That's near my home.

We must go.

Clementine!

Clementine!

Everything's fine.

Everything's fine, I'm sorry.

What happened?

I don't know.

I was asleep in the bedroom and I heard a very loud noise.

We saw the smoke from across the city.

Really?

Wow.

Derek, what under the heavens are you keeping in that special room of yours?

I suppose it could have been something in my laboratory.

Are you sure you're unharmed?

I'm fine.

Really, it scared me, is all.

This will be an interesting story to tell your neighbors, Derek.

Doesn't seem as though anything's been ruined.

I'm unsure as to how.

Just lucky, I guess.

Oh, yes, I feel the good fortune wash over me.

I think everything's fine.

I'm okay.

Nothing's on fire.

That's the definition of fine, right?

Nobody's hurt.

Nothing's on fire?

Tarek, really?

I was just scared.

Nothing bad is happening.

I suppose since the danger has passed, I shall take my leave.

Tarek, can you not simply study the teachings of Christ as everyone else from your land does?

Illuminated manuscripts do not send smoke into the sky.

How considerate, Yosef.

Good day to you, Clementine.

Bye, Yosef.

Sorry for the scare.

At least it's not another crusade.

Farewell.

Clementine, I'm so sorry.

I've obviously been storing my materials improperly.

I'll need to wipe the slate clean, start over again, be much more careful.

Tarek?

Yes, what is it?

I was in bed.

There was a very loud noise when I woke up.

I had this in my hand.

I don't know how.

Laying in your hand?

Yes.

Clementine, that is an incredibly large fragment of gold.

I know.

I know it is.

It was in your hands when you awoke?

I don't know why.

Can you take this?

I'm scared of it.

Yes.

What's happening?

You did nothing.

You did nothing in the laboratory.

No, Tarek, I was asleep.

Why do I feel like I did this?

It's impossible.

I'm scared.

My love, do not be afraid.

All things can be explained.

We don't have an explanation presently, but we shall.

But you mustn't be afraid.

All things can be explained?

Yes.

Call me my love again.

That was nice.

My love.

What do we do now?

We watch the sunset and contemplate the fact that there was a great explosion that somehow created a handful of riches.

Okay.

Can you play that song for me again?

I can play other songs.

I want that one.

Very well.

Explain to me what we're doing again.

Staying in bed.

But the sun has risen.

Yes, and we have not.

Why are we doing this?

Because it's a nice thing to do sometimes.

As you say.

So

you're

a what was it?

Nobleman.

I am.

If you're some sort of important person, isn't your family wondering where you are?

I don't believe they are.

How?

How far away is England?

You don't know how far away England is.

Hi, have we met?

I'm Clementine, the one who doesn't know anything and isn't even named Clementine because she can't remember her name.

When I made the crossing from York to Jerusalem, it took me many months.

Months?

Two voyages oversea, several horses.

I was stranded in Greece for a month, waiting for the weather to turn.

That's more of a reason for them to be wondering about you.

Your words are heard, but I am a second son.

What do you mean?

I am the son of Tybalt I.

My elder brother is Tybalt II.

I am simply Terek.

When you're the second son of a lord, you have one charge throughout your life.

Stay alive in the event that your brother dies.

There must always be an heir.

That sounds kind of horrible, Tarek.

It's for the best.

I would make a terrible heir.

I spend too much time in libraries.

My father kept a massive library.

He was always puzzled when I would use the damn thing.

He said being a scholar was akin to being gracefully impaired.

He sounds like a great guy.

He is challenging.

So you just

sit there?

I could have done.

But instead, I came here.

Instead, I chose this

rather odd life.

A life of laying in bed with forgetful women?

Yes.

Doesn't sound so bad.

It is, in fact,

quite perfect.

I know you want to talk about the gold.

I really don't know what happened.

We need not speak of it.

Simply another mystery to unravel.

There appears to be a thousand mysteries to unravel.

No harm in adding one more.

All gold is a mystery, really.

It's unlike any substance on Earth.

I often wonder if its origins are different from the other rocks and metals of the Earth.

Perhaps if I could discern its origin, the key to transmutation would be revealed to me.

But that is a mystery I've no idea how to unravel.

I'll let you know if I have any ideas.

Thank you, my love.

So that's all an alchemist does, huh?

All gold all the time?

There is one other goal of the alchemist, but it is an even more impossible goal than that of transmutation.

What is it?

Eternal life.

Really?

Alchemists seek an elixir, the elixir of life.

Something that will dispel all ailments and preserve youth.

An alchemist is not simply seeking gold.

An alchemist wishes to defeat death.

Get the fuck out of here.

It's true.

Do you really believe that?

I'm unsure.

I know that I believe in knowledge, and I believe that, given enough time, all will be revealed.

All aspects of life.

The question that remains is when?

How long must we wait for the truth to be revealed?

Hey, uh,

speaking of the truth being revealed,

I want to tell you something.

What's that?

I don't want to remember who I am.

I don't want my memories back.

I want to be Clementine.

And I want to live in Jerusalem with Taric of York.

I want that to be my life.

Do you want that to be your life?

Yes,

I do.

Okay.

Okay, good.

I

love you

and I you

good.

Does this mean we can get out of bed?

Absolutely not.

Greetings, Clementine.

Hi, Yosef.

I see you've learned how to summon me.

Yes.

It was very awkward.

I talked to one of your little messengers, and he didn't understand anything I was saying.

Luckily, all I needed to say was your name.

Speak and I appear.

Where is our young man today?

He's at the library of the Greek Orthodox

something.

Patriarchate.

That's it.

Yes, the Greeks do make an excellent library, do they not?

Sure.

So, I have been summoned.

Please, how can I be of assistance?

I was hoping you could help me with something.

Of course.

I want to surprise Tarek.

He ate surprises, so this is, of course, a wonderful idea.

What is the surprise?

I want to surprise him by going outside.

Huh.

Not what I was expecting.

I just.

I want him to come home and I can say that I've been outside and I saw some things and I got him something at the market.

I

want to show him that I'm here,

that I'm here in Jerusalem with him.

You're both very strange, yes?

Yeah, I'm aware.

Please, if you don't mind,

show me Jerusalem.

Very well.

First, you must cover your head.

Really?

Why?

That hair of yours will attract attention.

Also, to show respect.

Also, because, in truth, the sun is quite hot.

Okay, then what?

We will start at the very heart of

Sounds like fun.

I am a pious man, and I believe that if Hashem desires a city to be built, it will be built.

But in truth, there is one reason why the city of Jerusalem exists, and it is this: a pool?

The Gichon Spring.

It comes up from the mountain like a gift.

Flows through the city and brings water to us all.

There would be no Yerushalaim without it.

Come, remove your sandals.

Okay.

There were once many pools of Ceylon like this, but war, strife, they are all gone.

But this one, built by the Byzantines.

In we go.

Beware, it's very cold.

Oh, God.

It's okay for me to just

walk in there.

No, yes, in we go.

Holy shit, this is so cold.

It awakens the senses, yes?

Yeah, it feels like pure ice on my feet.

This is important as a first stop, Clementine.

You are in the bloodstream of Dirushaleim.

You will never be closer to this.

Okay, I'm glad, but um, how long do I have to stand in the cold water?

We can be done.

Let us warm up our feet with a walk along the wall.

This wall is huge.

Who built this?

It is a curious thing about Yerushaleim.

Everything you see belongs just a bit to everyone.

The first people here were the Knanites, then my people, after that, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and so on and so on.

The city has changed hands many times.

Everyone who has controlled it has broken down the wall, then built it back up again.

Presently, it is the Mamluks.

They are not bad.

They let people worship, they build.

In a hundred years, who knows who will control it?

Whoever it may be, I hope they keep the city free for all people.

Why do so many people want to control it?

Ah, that is a question for another man.

The life of the conqueror to me just seems like troubles.

I prefer to talk to people, not to take things from them.

This marketplace has been here since I was a boy.

I grew up in this place, running through the streets with my friends.

You said you wished to get something for Tarek at the market?

Yes, I don't know what, though.

Sadly, I cannot recommend the dates.

They have gone wrong, and I've not yet addressed this problem.

Hashem willing, the crop will improve next season.

You keep saying that word, which word, Hashem,

indeed, Hashem.

He is the father of us all.

Is that like when other people say God?

It is, but my word is Hashem.

Can you explain to me what all that means?

God,

Hashem, whatever.

What is it?

What's so funny, Clementine?

Look around you.

What

you stand in the city of God for all of us: Christians, Muslims, Jews.

So,

you may be the only person to ever walk through the streets of Yerushalaim to wonder what God is.

Everyone here has already decided.

In truth, I cannot.

I thought I was the only one.

I can tell you of Hashem, but I cannot describe him.

Why not?

I can can see what Eric means now about the way you speak.

Look there, do you see those chickens?

Yes.

Do you see the one with the limp?

Yes.

That chicken was made by Hashem.

Okay.

Also, the man who sells the chickens.

Also, the ground the chickens roost upon.

Also, everything in this marketplace.

Also, the sky above that you fear so much.

Hashem has made all of this.

How could I possibly describe him?

He literally made everything.

It's true.

Why?

Because he loves us.

Certainly, from time to time, he will become angry, he will lose his temper, he will bring a flood, bring plagues, turn people to salt.

Salt.

Aside from those things, he loves us very much.

Isn't that nice?

Yeah.

Yeah, I guess so.

Lemons.

Lemons?

I want to bring Tarek some lemons.

Why lemons?

I don't know.

Uh, they're colorful.

Also, they are clear proof that I went outside.

Very well.

Lemons you shall have.

Why are we taking this street?

You didn't notice, but there began to be several people looking at you in the marketplace.

You were attracting attention.

I was?

Yes.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with attention, but this kind of attention, I think it's best if we get back to your home before they begin to get more curious than they deserve to be.

Have people really never seen red hair before?

It is not just your hair, Clementine.

What is it?

You have a way about you.

You stand out in a crowd, it can make people nervous.

Why are we stopping?

Who are these men?

Greetings, my friends.

Lovely day, is it not?

Why aren't they answering you?

They are thieves.

Thieves?

We wish no trouble, my friends.

What are they going to do?

We will hope that they only take our money.

What else would they do?

Remember not to look them in the eyes.

Oh, God.

Don't touch me!

I have returned.

You may be surprised to learn that I have not unraveled the great mysteries.

I suppose I must return on the morrow.

Hello, my friend.

Joseph, what are you doing here?

We must speak.

Where is Clementine?

She is in your special room.

What is she doing there?

Clementine.

Terek.

What is it?

Clementine asked me to take her into the city today.

What?

She's never even left the house.

She wanted to show you that she could walk the streets like any other.

Why didn't you wait for me?

Terek, she did quite well.

We had a lovely day in the city.

But on the way back from the market,

on the way back,

there were thieves.

We were attacked in the street.

What did they do to her?

Terek.

What did they do to her?

Clementine!

Terek, they did nothing to her.

But you must speak with her.

What's happened?

Terek,

I do not believe that Moses brought ten plagues to Egypt.

I do not believe that Noah put all of the animals on earth into a boat.

These are good stories.

Stories for my children.

But today,

I do not know what I saw today.

Speak with her.

Know everything she tells you is true.

I saw it happen.

I must take my leave of you, my friends.

I must go be with my family.

Clementine.

Stay over there.

What's wrong?

Stay over there.

I d I don't want something to happen.

What do you mean?

Something happened.

Joseph told me.

No, he didn't.

Clementine, whatever has happened.

I turned them into salt.

You

one of them tried to grab me, and I said, Don't touch me, but

this sound came out of my mouth.

It was

I don't know what it was.

Clementine, when things such as this happen to us, our minds can shape things after they happen, and we can see them in a very different way than they actually occurred.

I believe you're frightened, and your mind is the one that grabbed me

after it happened

his hand broke off

I

I held on to it all the way back home

I don't know why

it's sitting on the table

Tell me what that is.

Is that my mind?

Yosef was

telling me about his god.

He mentioned in passing

something about God turning people to salt.

Did you talk to Yosef?

What did he say?

He told me to believe you.

You should.

I think

I may be a monster.

You are not.

Look what I did.

I don't care.

Yes, you do.

I do not.

In the midst of all these things, I do not understand.

The one thing I do understand looms above them all and and shines like a beacon.

What is it?

My love for you, Clementine.

That can't be true.

It can.

It is.

May I come sit next to you on the floor?

I'm scared.

I am not.

I told told you

I didn't want to remember who I was.

I don't know if I can stop that from happening.

I feel like

it's knocking on the door.

Let it come in.

What if it's terrible?

I'm unafraid.

Let it come in.

No, we'll

no, we have to keep going.

That's

that's what she would want.

We

we have to

there's nothing else.

They have found a woman outside the city.

Found?

Explain what you mean by found.

She is uh

I find this hard to explain.

Perhaps we should depart, see for ourselves.

Is she lost?

She is most definitely lost.

The fact that you think your god would look unfavorably on you for giving assistance to a woman who is obviously in need of it is simply ridiculous.

Yes, but I know I have my friend Terek, so I can remain pious and also help her throughout the day.

She has been here, Yosef.

I imply nothing.

I simply say to you this:

When you are around this woman, do you feel that your head is clear?

yes are you now in this marketplace trying to find her a route that does not exist what do you suggest

how do you think this will end how do i know it will

why must you say it will end if her memories never return if she stays this woman that i love what then why must your view of the world always be so dark

habit what would you have me do

Clementine

Dear Tarek,

something is happening to me.

I can't stop it.

Whatever I'm becoming is

pulling me away from you.

Maybe it should.

I think what I'm becoming could be dangerous, and

if I hurt you,

I would never forgive myself.

And I know that no matter how dangerous I became,

you would never leave me.

You would never save yourself.

So I have to save you

by leaving you.

I know you won't understand this.

I know you may never forgive me.

I hope you also know that

my heart is broken.

I hope you know that I've left with you a piece of myself I may never get back again.

Please remember me as that person you found in a field,

as that

strange woman walking through your laboratory,

as that woman whose hand you held,

as the woman who curled up against you at night,

as the woman who fell in love with you.

Because I do

love you, Tarek of York.

I will forever.

Yes,

Tarik of York.

Yes.

Message for you.

Who are you?

Bye.

Midnight Burger.

Thanks for listening to Midnight Burger, y'all.

Be sure and tune in this time next month for more adventures in the vastness.

And if time and tide roil you too harshly, or diurnal courses leave you with no safe havens, just remember, we're out there, somewhere, looking for you.

We open at six!

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I imagine you will still receive his disp.

I imagine you still

I imagine you will still receive his

is my bed, is my bed

okay

where are we taking this from?

Oh, nope, that's a gasp.

That was okay.

Okay, let me let me just do one more.

Whoa!

It seems quite chaotic, but everything has its purpose.

You can see boiling away here is the alembec.

Here I have a mortar and pestle for pulverite for p

here.

I have a mortar and pestle for pulver.

Yep.

Finlay, pronunciation expert.

Pestle.

Mortar and pestle.

Pestle.

What'd you call me?

Clementine, may I?

I did this last.

I keep saying my.

Look, bear bells.

Very rare for bear bells to come to your USELIM.

I want to do that again.

The holy.

My brain refuses to hold on it.

Zehoni Via.

Okay.

In a hundred years, who knows what will control?

In a hundred years, who knows what will

in a hundred years, who knows what who will con

in a hundred years why are we taking this street nope sorry let me do that again Clementine whatever has happened it's it's nothing that we're kind of

sorry I've actually not stopped because I'm afraid if I do

I will never resume so you have a whole lot of bullshit to cut out sorry Joe

okay great boom we did it all right guys well I will finalize this and I have no bazooki to record for you, so then I'll send it over and great.

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