Reel 1: July 3, 1953

Dictaphone notes from North American Director of Trade Michael Witten to his secretary, Amy Castillo.

> *"Amy, have you ever heard of espresso? It's disgusting and I love it. Vivi introduced me to the stuff at this place called Gianni’s on Holsted. It’s actually just a guy named Gianni who puts coffee grounds into a motorcycle engine and then gives you a spoon to concentrate and a cup the size of a cigarette lighter."*
>
>

### Note to Amy

Michael tells Amy that his wife, Vivienne, introduced him to espresso and asks her whether the office should have an espresso machine.

## Letter to Dr. Sima Choudary

The letter to  Dr. Sima Choudary, a Childhood Centre developer, contains Michael’s constructive criticism on the construction drawings provided by Dr Choudary on the new childhood center that is to be built. Michael’s main points of criticism regard the comfort and wellbeing of the centre’s residents, stressing among other things, the importance of areas that allow for downtime and recreation.

He also points out ways to favour the workers of the facility by making sure their spaces are not too cramped, as well as having satisfactory staff quarters. He asks Sima to remember to include more books in the centre library, as long as they don’t contain overly nationalist or divisive themes.

Additionally, Michael asks Sima if she could ask about the inclusion of Karen Roberts in the Oslo department of the European government. He expresses some suspicion regarding Karen’s motives.

### Note to Amy

Michael compliments Amy’s hard work around the office, specifically a successful meeting with the mayor. He also comments on the pleasant atmosphere between him and Amy. He asks Amy about her opinion on jazz music, and tells her that Vivi has been trying to get him to listen to jazz.

At the end of the note, Michael scolds Amy for letting their casual work relationship trickle into his other work relationships with important people. The cause of his anger is Amy calling him by a nickname in the company of the mayor.

## Letter to Dr. Helena Wood

Michael writes to Dr Helena Wood of Mercy Hospital, regarding a meeting with his wife. He states that the reason he sends the letter instead of the patient herself, is that Vivienne has a lot on her mind. Michael informs Dr Wood that Vivienne has decided to proceed with fertilization. He communicates his understanding to Dr Wood of the task ahead:  the weeks of home treatment before the procedure, along with Vivienne's obligation to stay at an in-care facility until the baby is born and old enough to be moved to a childhood center. After the baby has moved to the center, Vivienne’s responsibilities will end, and she will be compensated with a payment for her service.

### Note to Amy

Michael asks Amy to buy flowers for Vivi - specifically yellow lilacs, that smell of burnt butter, black pepper, and molasses - as well as some books and magazines, in preparation for her time off work. He suggests a book (which he cannot remember the title of) that Amy had mentioned recently, and also says that she should get a copy for herself.

## Letter to Bernice Jones

The third letter is sent to Bernice Jones, Minister for Culture in the North American Region. Michael compliments Bernice on the planning and execution of the midsummer festival and its events.

He follows up with inquiring about the spending cutbacks of the culture department due to some members of the government choosing to prioritize spending for more practical concerns. He emphasizes his support for the continued work of preserving culture, and states that the unity that is brought by culture does not correlate to nationalism. He pledges to further support Bernice’s department, as well as lending the support of his loyal contacts. He ends the letter by inviting Bernice over for dinner with him and Vivienne, as he believes it would strengthen their personal and professional relationship.

### Note to Amy

Michael asks Amy to dismiss further inquiries from the journalists from Vancouver, and asks her to bring him any documents regarding their office and Vancouver as he doesn’t understand her filing system.