Chronicles of Galactic Railroad/Story

## Chronicles of Galactic Railroad Introduction

 Hey hey, you guys. Would ya watch the movie I made? なあなあ、オマエら、オレが撮った映画を見ないか？

 A movie? How did you make it? 映画？　どうやって撮ったんですか？

 I wrote a space story into this white book. Making that world the setting for the movie, it'd be interesting, right? この白い本に宇宙の話を書いたんだ。その世界を舞台にしたら面白いだろ？

 The script is by Miyazawa Kenji, production and direction by me. For the actors, we asked everyone who was around. 脚本は宮沢賢治でオレが演出と監督。俳優は辺りにいたみんなに頼んだ！

 A movie, huh. It's so hot and going outside is nay, so having fun inside is fine though... 映画かあ。暑くて出かけるのやだし、家の中で楽しめるしいいけど

 As one's first movie screenplay, I'm looking forward to it. So, what's the genre? 映画の脚本は初めてなので楽しみです。それで、ジャンルは？

 Spectacular SF Super Work!  スペクタクルSF超大作だ！

 Uwah, gaudy hullabaloo movies like this almost all flop. うわ、こういう派手な煽りの映画って、大体コケるよな

 Well, let's watch it. まあ、見てみましょう

## Beginning of a Journey

 --Thank you for using the Galactic Railroad today.
This train is bound for Water Planet, bound for Water Planet...--  ――本日は銀河鉄道をご利用いただきありがとうございます
当列車は水の惑星行き、水の惑星行き……――

*\*appears\**

*\*appears\**

……

*You've been watching outside this whole time, is it your first time in the space?* ずっと外を見てるけど、宇宙は初めてか？

*Yes. I was saying goodbye to my birthplace.* ああ。故郷に別れを告げていた

*Earth-born, huh. Heeh, isn't it a beautiful planet...* 地球生まれか。へえ、キレイな星じゃねーか……

*Only by outward appearence. Because of the planet's core, the water in rivers was polluted and there was black rain every day.* 見かけだけはな。核のせいで川の水は汚れて、毎日黒い雨が降ってた

*Crops couldn't be grown... You see, it was the kind of world where food is also rationed.* 作物は育たなくて……ほら、こんなのが飯だって配給される世界さ

*So honest... Must have been tough living there.* 固い……そりゃ大変な暮らしだったな

*Where's your birthplace? I guess it's better than the Earth, but...* アンタの故郷は？　地球よりはマシだろうが

*My birthplace... I don't have such a thing, so I don't know.* オレの故郷は……ないからわからねーかな

*Ah, sorry...* あ、すまん……

*Rather than not having one, I guess the Galactic Railroad is like a home to me.* ないっていうか、銀河鉄道がオレの故郷みたいなもんかな

*Because I'm always aboard, I can meet different kind of people.
Looking the scenery through the window can be used as materials for poems, so there's no problem! That's awesome, isn't it?* ずっとここに乗ってるから色んな人に会えるし
車窓からの景色を見てると詩のネタにも困らねー。最高だろ？

*Is that so...* そうか……

*This seat, I have it reserved.* この席、オレの指定席にしてるんだぜ

*It's near the dining car, so if there's a good smell, I can go stealthily snatch some food!
Today there's... Beefsteak, I think!* 食堂車に近いから、いい匂いがしたらこっそりつまみ食いにいける！
今日は……ビフテキかな！

*Truly... This feels relaxing, like my home.* 本当に……我が家みたいにくつろいでるんだな

*...I'm Takiji. Nice to meet you.* ……俺はタキジだ。よろしく

*I'm Houmei Rockfield, a poet. Let's get along well!*  オレはホーメイ・ロックフィールド、詩人だ。仲良くしようぜ！

## Ticket Inspection

*I'll perform the ticket inspection. Passengers, please wait at your seats until your ticket gets punched.*  切符の確認をいたします。鋏を入れるまでお客様はお席でお待ち下さい

*Fuaa~ Where did I put it...* ふあ～、どこにしまったっけ……

…………

*What's wrong? Did you forget where you put your ticket?* ど－した？　切符のしまい場所忘れた？

*I-I, uh... Will go to another car for a bit.* ちょ、ちょっと……別の車両に行ってくる

*\*appears\**

*Next one...* 次の方……

！

*\*hides\**

*...Here ya go.* ……はいよ

*\*click\** パチン

*Next is...* 次は……

*Hey, about the Galactic Railroad... How much is the salary?*  なあ、銀河鉄道ってよー、給料いくら？

*I don't have a permission to tell that. Leaving that aside, next customer...* 僕にはそれを言うことは許可されていません。それより次のお客様……

*More than what the manuscript fee for my "Love Letter from the Galactic Railroad" is?* オレの『銀河鉄道からのラブレター』の原稿料よりある？

*I don't know.* 知りません

*It's fine. Don't make such a troubled face, just tell me~* いいじゃん、面倒な顔しないで、教えろよー

*\*kachak\** ガチャリ

*\*appears\**

*Phew... Somehow I managed to escape...!* ふう……なんとか逃げられた……っ！

*\*thump\** ドスン！

*\*suddenly appears\**

*\*is startled\**

*Waah... Ah, a customer? It's almost departure time.*  わっ……あ、お客様？　まもなく発車時刻ですよ

*Ah... T-ticket, I, uhh...* あ……き、切符、は、その

*Ah, yes. Here!* ああ、はい、これ！

*You are giving it to me? Why...* くれるのか？　どうして……

*That smile... You are the person who helped me on the Earth, right?* その笑顔……アンタ、地球で俺を助けてくれた、人だよな？

*...You should show the ticket quickly. See you.* ……早く切符を見せたほうがいいよ。またね

*\*leaves\**

*Ah, he left...* あ、行ってしまった……

## Unlimited Ticket

…………

*Welcome back... Are ya okay?* おかえり……大丈夫か？

*Ah, passenger. May I see your ticket?* ああ、お客様。切符を拝見します

*Here...* これ……

*This is...* これは

*Hm? Is it different from mine?* ん？　オレのと違うなー？

*Yes, this is a very rare one... It's a pass that lets one go around as they please.
With it, you can travel by this train infinitely.* はい、これは大変珍しい……どこでも勝手に歩ける通行券です
無限にこの列車で旅をすることが出来ます

*\*click\** パチン

*Well then...* では

*\*leaves\**

*What the heck, Takiji. You had a ticket after all, huh?
I was so convinced that ya didn't have one, I was losing my mind!* なんだよー、タキジ、ちゃんと切符持ってたのか
オレ、てっきりないんだと思って焦ったぜ

*Just earlier, the railroad's person gave me this. By a person, I mean a child.* さっき、鉄道の人がこれをくれたんだ。人っていうか子供だった

*Ooh, seems like said person is a conductor of the Galactic Railroad.* ああ、ああ見えてあの人、銀河鉄道の車掌だぜ

*What did you talk about with the conductor? Would you let me hear?* アンタ、車掌と何を話していたんだ？　ちょっと聞かせてくれよ

*\*appears\**

*Who are you?* 誰だ、アンタ

*I'm Doppo. A newspaper reporter. Just address me casually, Houmei and Taki.*  俺はドッポ。新聞記者だ。気軽に呼んでくれ、ホーメーとタキ、でいいよな

*So, what's with the conductor?* で、あの車掌がなんだって？

*Why are you asking?* なんでそんなこと聞くんだ

*This train... Something smells in here.
 My reporter's sixth sense is telling me there's some shady stuff hidden.* この列車……なにか匂うんだ
後ろ暗い隠し事があると、記者の勘がそう告げているぜ

*That person, he isn't a bad person!* あの人は、悪い人なんかじゃない！

*If he was a bad person, there's no way he would have saved me from the Space Police back on the Earth.* 悪い人なら、地球で俺を宇宙警察から救ってくれたりしないはずだ

*What happened?* 何があった？

*...On the Earth, I got mistaken as a terrorist and was chased.* ……地球でテロリストに間違えられて追いかけられた

*When I was about to get caught, that person let me board this train.* 捕まりそうになったとき、あの人がこの列車に乗せてくれたんだ

*I see, so he's a lifesaver.* なるほど、そりゃ命の恩人だな

……

*What is it, Doppo. Why such a strange face?* なんだ、ドッポ。妙な顔して

*Taki... You boarded the train on the Earth on a Galactic Railroad personnel's invitation?* タキ……アンタ、地球で銀河鉄道の職員に誘われて列車に乗ったのか？

*That's right...* そうだ……

*"The Galactic Railroad is a normal railroad by outward appearence, but...
Behind the scenes it services to buy and sell humans from poor planets like the Earth."* 『銀河鉄道は表向きは普通の鉄道だが、
裏では地球のような貧しい星から人を売買するために運行している』

*This is the rumor that I'm currently pursuing.* これが、今、俺が追いかけているネタだ

## Suspicion

*So in other words, Takiji got brought along to this train as a person up for sale... Is that what you are trying to say?* ってことはつまり、タキジは車掌に、
売り物として連れてこられた……そう言いてーのか？

*No way!* 嘘だ！

*I've also been aboard this train for a loooong time, and it doesn't seem like they are doing bad things like that.* オレもこの鉄道に乗ってなげーけど、そんな悪ぃことするようには見えねーぞ

*However, isn't it strange? For a train that crosses the Milky Way, it costs a lot.
Yet, there aren't any rich-looking passengers. Just mothers with their children, and old people.* けどな、おかしいだろ？　銀河を渡る列車には莫大な費用がかかる
なのに、金持ちそうな乗客はいない。子供連れの母親や、年寄りばかりだ

*Now that ya mention it...* 確かに……

*I can't allow things like human trafficking. I'll expose them.* 人身売買なんか許されない。俺が暴いてやる

……

*I don't know who's right, but if Doppo is concerned about it, I guess I'll cooperate. Takiji, come with us too!* どっちが正しいのかわかんねーけど、ドッポが気になるってんなら、協力してやるか
タキジも一緒に行こうぜ！

*...That's fine.* ……いいよ

*\*growl\** グウゥーー

*What. Are you hungry, Houmei?* なんだよホーメー、腹が減ってるのか？

*Hehehe, since some time ago, the smell of beefsteak's been bothering me.
Let's have a strategy meeting in the dining car! You can't fight with an empty stomach!* へへへ、さっきからビフテキの匂いが気になっててさ
食堂車で作戦会議しよーぜ、腹が減っては戦が出来ぬってな！

*Geez... Well, it can't be helped.* ったく……しょうがねえな

*That reminds me, on the other side of this dining car, there's a staff area, and there seems to be the commander's room.* そういえば、この食堂車の向こうが乗務員エリアで、司令官室ってのもあるらしいぜ

*Is the commander there?* そこに司令官がいるのか？

*I've never seen inside, but I guess so?* オレは中見たことねーけど、そうなんじゃねーの？

*I want to meet that guy somehow and gather some information.* なんとかしてそいつに会って取材したいな

*\*Beep! Beep!\** ビーッ！ビーッ！

*W-what is this noise?* な、なんだ？　この音

*This is an emergency alert... Did something happen!?* これは緊急警報だ……なにかあったのか！？

## To the Vortex of a Battle

*\*thud!\** ドシ……ン！

*What!? Hey, a spaceship bumped into us!* なんだ！？　おい、宇宙船がぶつかってきたぞ！

*The doors are... Being forced open!?* 扉が、こじ開けられる！？

*I'm Yuuzou Soleil from the Space Police.
We are carrying out the Galactic Railroad's compulsory investigation.* ワタシは宇宙警察所属、ユーゾウ・ソレイユ
銀河鉄道の強制捜査を執行するよ

*Masao Agony, from the police too.
Passengers ought to not resist, so we won't do anything...* 同じく警察所属、マサオ・アガニ
乗客の方は抵抗せずにいれば何もしないから……

*The Space Police... Did they come from the Earth after me?* 宇宙警察……地球から、俺を追ってきたのか

*They've got weapons!* アイツラ武器を持ってるぞ！

*Houmei, Doppo-san, let's run!* ホーメイ、ドッポさん、逃げよう！

*You, don't move!* アンタたち、動くんじゃないよ！

*Even though I don't want to do this...* 僕だってこんなことしたくないのに……

*\*bam!\** パンッ！

*That was close! They shot at us!* あっぶねえ！　撃ってきたぞ！

*What a bunch. I will go protect the passengers! I'm not running away!* なんてやつらだ。俺は乗客を守りに行くぞ！　逃げるんじゃないからな！

*\*leaves\**

*Ah... Houmei, you too! Run while you won't get involved with me!* あ……ホーメイも逃げろ！　俺に巻き込まれないうちに！

*Fool! If I'm going to run, you will come too. Are you trying to abandon a friend!?* バカ、逃げるならタキジも来い。友達を見捨てるような真似、するかよ！

*A friend... You're right. Thanks.* 友達……そうだな。ありがとう

*\*joins in\**

*You two, would you give up with that useless resistance?* アンタたち、無駄な抵抗はやめなさいよ？

*If you won't resist, we won't do anything either...* 抵抗しなければこちらも何もしないから……

*\*hides Houmei\**

*\*thump!\** ドスッ！

*\*blackout\**

*Owwie... Takiji!? Hey, open up, Takiji!* ってえ……タキジ！？　おい、開けろ、タキジ！

*I can't let my friends get involved! Stay there, please!* 俺も友達を巻き込むような真似は出来ない！　そこにいてくれ！

*\*smack\** ゴスッ

*Takiji!? Takiji!* タキジ！？　タキジ！

*\*reveals a spacecraft setting\**

*Hey, you came at a good time. Switch with me for a moment.* おい、いいところに来た。ちょっと代わってくれ

*Huh? There's no time for...* は？ それどころじゃ……

*I will fight instead, so take the control of the train!* 俺が代わりに戦うから、列車の舵をとってくれ！

*Control!? I've never done something like that!* 舵を！？　そんなもんやったことねーよ！

*It's voice-controlled, so you'll be fine!
Besides, I'm the train's commander, so no one won't complain where we are heading.* 音声操作だから大丈夫だ！
それに俺が列車の司令官だからどこに向かったって誰も文句は言わないさ

*While zigzagging, dive into the Dark Nebula! Understood?* 蛇行しながら暗黒星雲に飛び込め！　わかったな！

*\*kachak\** ガチャリ

*I came to assist you. Take this weapon.* 加勢に来たぞ。この武器を持て

*You can handle weapons!?* アンタ、武器を扱えるのか！？

*Now I'm like this, but originally I was a Space Pirate, so fighting is kind of a child's play.
This won't be enough even for a warm-up exercise!* 今はこうだが、もともとは宇宙海賊で戦闘なんか朝飯前だ
この程度準備運動にもならないぜ

## At the end of victory

*Houmei! Are you alright? We've fought off the police officers* ホーメイ！　大丈夫か？　警察は追い返したぞ！

*Takiji, you're safe... How could you do something so reckless!?* タキジ、無事だったんだな……無茶なことしやがって！

*But it was an excellent decision. You showed some splendid skills there.
How about it? Do you have any leanings to work for the Galactic Railroad?* だが英断だろう。お前、見事な腕前だった
どうだ？　銀河鉄道で働く気はないか？

*Well... I'd better ask Doppo-san first.* それは……ドッポさんに聞いてみないと

*Commander Shiki, are you alright?* シキ司令官、ご無事ですか

*Yup, thanks to these guys.* ああ、彼らのおかげでな

*"The heroes who protected the Galactic Railroad"... Takiji, let me interview you about this after.* 『銀河鉄道を守る英雄』……タキジ、あとで取材させてくれよ

*Doppo! Where did you go?* ドッポ！　どこに行ってたんだよ

*\*appears\**

*So you were here. The passengers are all unharmed, Commander Shiki!* 客室にいたんだよね。乗客は全員無事だよ、シキ司令官！

*Ah... You!* あ……アンタ！

*I'm so glad you're safe as well!* キミも無事でよかったあ

*Why did you help me? In fact, why did you rescue me from earth in the first place?* アンタ、どうして俺を助けた。そもそも、なぜ地球から救ってくれたんだ

*Whenever you're in trouble, we'll run to help you anytime!* キミが困ってるなら、ボクらはいつだって駆けつけるよ

*After all, it's our job to help those in need as the Galactic Railroad.* だって、困ってる人を助けるのが銀河鉄道の役目だから

*Your job...? Why, all for some stranger?* 役目だと……？　見知らぬ奴のために、どうして

*It's pretty fishy to do such a thing without a reason.* 理由なくそんなことするなんて、胡散くさいぜ

*There is a reason... Because you're one of us now!* 理由はあるよ……キミはもう銀河鉄道の仲間だからだよ

*Also, my ancestor from a looooong time ago was rescued by an earthling.
That's why I'm here now.* それに、ボクのず～っと前のご先祖様が地球の人に助けてもらったんだ
だから今、ここにボクがいる

*As thanks for that, we want to save earthlings.* そのお礼に、ボクたちは地球の人達を助けたいんだよ

*So that's what it is...... It seems we made a completely wrong assumption.* そうだったのか……俺はとんだ勘違いをしていたようだ

*...... Hey, could you let me lend a hand with that, too?* ……なあ、俺もそれを手伝わせてくれないか

*I want to fight in order to help people, as well.* 俺も人を助けるために戦いたい

*Hahaha, with those skills, you're a shoo-in! Looking forward to working with you.* はははっ、その腕なら大歓迎だ！　これからよろしくな

## Commentary 1

 Guess we've basically finished the filming for the first half. とりあえず、前半の撮影終了ってな

 Phew... Haven't moved around so much for a long time until this battle scene. ふう……戦闘シーン、久しぶりによく動いた

 I'm glad I got to play the reporter role! I can even just write long lines in my notebook! 記者の役で良かったぜ！　長い台詞もメモに書いとけばいいしな！

 Wait Houmei, what are you eating? って、泡鳴、何食べてるんだ？

 Solid rations I got from Takiji in the movie. They were in my pocket. 映画で多喜二がくれた固形食糧。ポケットに入ってた

 I'll give some to you two too, they're pretty good. 二人にもやるよ、結構美味い

 Hmm... It's a bit dry, but I guess it's alright? うん……ぱさついてるけど、悪くない、かな

 Hold the phone, is that stuff actually edible? ちょっと待てよ、それ、本当に食えるやつ？

 If you won't eat it, then I won't give you any. More for me! 食べないなら、やらねー。オレが食う！

 Hey, I didn't say I wouldn't eat it! Oi, don't eat it all up! あっ食べないとは言ってないだろ！　おい、勝手に食べるなよ！

## Commentary 2

 ...I was told all I had to do was stand there and look pretty.
Naoki-san tricked me... ……黙って立っていればいいって話だったのに
直木さんに騙された……

 But Akutagawa-san, you were so cool! でも芥川さん、かっこよかったよ！

 Yeah! You added a unique charm. It's a good thing. 確かに！　お前は独特の華がある。いいことだ

 I don't really know about that, but I'm happy if you two are happy. よくわからないけれど、二人が喜んでくれるなら、いいかな

 Hey, look over there. The railway train is crossing the Milky Way. ねえ、あっちを見て。列車が天の川を渡っていく

 I bet there are lives residing there, too... あの中にも命が宿ってるんだろうね……

 "Among the stars, countless as the sand is a star which shines towards us." 『真砂（まさご）なす数なき星の其中（そのなか）に吾（われ）に向ひて光る星あり』

 Who'd have thought that star could come to the visible universe. その星をこうして見る宇宙に来られるなんてな

 I suppose visiting the planet as a guest is up next on the list. 次はお客として星を巡る旅がしたいものだね

## Critiques

 So, how was it? Yokomitsu. This movie, that is. で、どうだった？　横光。この映画は

 Not beautiful. 美しくない

 Ouch... うぐっ……

 The developments were too forced, and I felt bad for Kobayashi-san for having to act them out,
among various other things I'd like to say. そもそも展開が強引で演じている小林さんが気の毒だ、
など言いたいことが色々ある

 However, above all, why on earth is the backdrop for the entire movie the inside of the train?
Shouldn't you be conveying the beauty of the universe with this story? だがそれ以上に、映像がずっと車内なのはどういうことだ？
宇宙の美しさが伝わってくる話にするべきだろう

 Yeah, we would have been able to see different kinds of creatures if we did that, huh? うん、そしたらいろんな生き物が見られたよね？

 I originally intended for this story to be about making friends with the creatures of a galactic planet, but...
It turned into a different story. ボク、このお話は銀河系の星の不思議な生き物たちと
仲良くなるお話のつもりだったんだけど……違うお話になってた

 Ah, well, that's... あ、えっとそれは……

 Now now, Kenji-chan, it's nothing to get so dispirited over. まあまあ、賢治ちゃん、そうしょげるもんじゃないよ

 Yamamoto-san, Kume-san... 山本さん、久米さん……

 Kenji-chan, you're a key person in the movie, right? How nice. 賢治ちゃんは映画のキーパーソンじゃないか、良かったよ

\*appears\*

 That's right! Yeah. Yuuzou-san gets me! そう！　そうだよな。有三さんはオレをわかってる！

 On that note, I don't really get why Kume and I were included for. その点、ワタシと久米はなんのために出てきたんだかわかりゃしない

 What do you mean, it was to be the Space Police... なんのためにって、宇宙警察……

 Naoki, I bet you just used me without thinking because it was me. 植村は相手が僕だからって何も考えずに使ったんだろ、どうせ

 No, no that's not... い、いやそれは……

 The latter half! There will be new developments in the latter half! 後半！　後半で巻き返しが起こる

……

 Anyway! It's something to look forward to when viewing the entire thing. Now, I'm bowing out for this time! とにかく！　全部見てからのお楽しみ。じゃ、オレはこのへんで！

## Chronicles of Galactic Railroad Ending

 Hmmm... my thoughts... うーん……感想……

 Oi oi, how come you're not saying anything? It was great, right? おいおい、なんでずっと黙ってるんだ。面白かっただろ

 Is that what you would call great? 面白かった、と言いますか

 It just kinda felt like, whoaaa, boooom, crash! わー、どーん、きゃーって感じだよなあ

 So, what exactly do you mean? つまりどういうことだよ？

 What we're saying is, it is the quintessential B-grade movie. いかにもなB級映画だな、ということです

 Y'all are the same! The sequel! Make your decision after watching the sequel! どいつもこいつも！　後編だ！　後編を見て決めてくれ

 We get it already, don't get so worked up. わかったってば。そうムキになるなよ

 It's true that we can't come to a good conclusion without seeing the complete work, so I'll be looking forward to it. I guess. 確かに総合的に見なければ判断はできませんから、楽しみにしていますね。一応