This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:07] Iyvon Edebiri: Hello everyone. Welcome to the Parsnip Ship. My name is Iyvon E, and it's a very special one to end our 2022 recordings with. We are recording tonight's reading at the Mark O'Donnell Theater at the Entertainment Community Fund Art Center in downtown Brooklyn. Thank you for hosting us and supporting the Parsnip Ship. Tonight we are hearing the wonderful play, Sea Longing by Nina Ki, directed by Cara Hinh, and we will have Will Bug as our musician tonight. Nina is part of our Radio Roots Writers group. And after three years of development and pandemic delays, Nina Ki's Sea Longing is the first presentation of work from the inaugural cohort. I have Nina up here with me to get things going tonight. And we like to start our night by asking our playwrights one question before we go into our first song of the evening and the play. Nina, what would the world be missing if it didn't have this play?

[1:18] Nina Ki: Um, I think that it would be missing compassion for other people, for the natural world around us that is all around us, right next to us. Um, I think it would be missing Korean American stories. I think it would be missing more sea lions, which I think we could use more of.

[1:39] Iyvon Edebiri: Yes, yeah. We love that. All right, so first up, we have our musicians for the evening.

[1:48] Will Bug: (musical performance)

[1:48] Teresa Langford: Hello, guys, my name is Teresa Langford. I'm going to be playing Nancy Pup Friend and Denise.

[4:52] Brittany Anikka Liu: Hey, my name's Brittany Anikka Liu, and I'll be reading for Pup.

[4:57] Jully Lee: Hi, I'm Jully Lee. I'm reading for Mama and Sea Lion Mother.

[5:03] Phoenix Ra: Hello, everyone. My name is Phoenix Ra and I'll be playing Teddy.

[5:09] Estelle Lee: Hi, I'm Estelle Lee. I'll be reading Haimoni and Tokto Sea Lion.

[5:14] Sarah Shin: Hi, I'm Sarah Shin, and I'm reading Mrs. Chi, Hillary, and Jinju.

[5:19] Teresa Langford: And this is Sea Longing by Nina Ki.

[5:27] (play begins)

[5:27] Terry: Wow. Oh. Oh. Read the sign. See. Lion. Chi Lion. Oh. Oh. But it doesn't look like a lion. That's just it's a name. It doesn't have a lion tail or paws or I'm sorry.

[6:07] Mother: Well, for what, Terry? I made you cry. Oh. Are you having a fun day, Terry? Do you like it here? Except for the sea lions, I mean.

[6:19] Terry: Oh, I didn't say I didn't like the sea lions. Just that they don't look like lions.

[6:24] Mother: Okay. Yes, I like it. But why did we come here?

[6:29] Terry: What do you mean?

[6:31] Mother: Yesterday. You weren't supp— You were supposed to be sleeping.

[6:35] Terry: I was sleeping, but I heard you yelling and daddy yelling. How come Daddy didn't come here to see the sea lions with us?

[6:50] Mother: Um, ma, you have to be strong, Terry.

[6:56] Terry: Why?

[6:56] Mother: Oh, you ask so many questions. For once, Terry, I want you to say yes, mommy, without asking so many questions.

[7:04] Terry: But is this what you are like at school too? Always asking your teachers so many questions?

[7:08] Mother: Well, Miss Chi says questions are good. She says people like Einstein asked a lot of questions.

[7:13] Terry: Einstein?

[7:15] Mother: What do you know about Einstein?

[7:16] Terry: Miss Chi says he's like one of the smartest people in the world, and smart people ask questions, so we should—

[7:21] Mother: Mrs. Chi this, Mrs. Chi that. You really love your teacher so much. You listen to everything she has to say.

[7:27] Terry: I listen to you too.

[7:29] Mother: Oh, oh. You know how you go to school, and then after you learn a lot of things, you can go on vacation, and you don't go to school for a while? Like now, coming here.

[7:40] Terry: Yes, yes, that's right. That's what I'm going to do.

[7:45] Mother: You're going to school?

[7:48] Terry: No, on vacation.

[7:51] Mother: Where? Am I coming?

[7:52] Terry: I go again. So many questions.

[7:55] Mother: All you need to know is that I'm going to be gone for a little while. But I will come back.

[8:01] Terry: But how long will you be gone? When are you leaving?

[8:04] Mother: Peddy, enough. I'm only telling you as much as you need to know. It's for your own good.

[8:14] Terry: I'll miss you, mommy.

[8:17] Mother: I know. And when you do, I want you to remember this day. I want you to remember how much fun you had. And I want you to remember how much I love you.

[8:36] Terry: Oh. Oh. Oh, oh. Oh.

[8:48] Sea Lion: Mother. Mother. Mother. There you are. I have been looking.

[8:56] Sea Lion: Mother. Mother. I have been hungry.

[9:01] Sea Lion: Eat, eat. I swam many, many miles I swam. Past the rocks and gossiping birds. Past the busy reefs, past the black waters, where the whales sing their songs of longing and joy.

[9:17] Sea Lion: Further, further than I had ever swum to find the fish to feed you with, my love. The seas are getting smaller. The fish swim further and further away.

[9:31] Mother: Were you afraid?

[9:33] Sea Lion: More afraid to return with nothing.

[9:37] Mother: You were gone for so long. Longer than ever before.

[9:44] Sea Lion: I thought no love.

[9:47] Mother: I came back. I will always come back.

[9:50] Sea Lion: But what will we do when the seas change too much too fast? When the fish swim too far away to catch?

[10:00] Mother: That is trouble for another day. Today we are together. And today, like all other days, you will eat and sleep and wake to feel the sea's salty blessings upon your skin.

[10:18] Sea Lion: The moon.

[5:30] (sound effects)

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[10:18] Unknown speaker: Its climb, and it is time for the sun's journey to find its end.

[10:31] Unknown speaker: Under my thin before the sea was sea before the earth was earth there was water and salt and with these things blood became blood and flesh became flesh and you of my body will always be my blood my flesh for before we were separate we were one and to one we will always return.

[11:31] Unknown speaker: I love you, mother.

[11:33] Unknown speaker: I love you too.

[11:35] Unknown speaker: Now sleep.

[11:49] Nancy: Hi, Nancy. What are you doing?

[11:53] Unknown speaker: Swinging.

[11:55] Nancy: Oh, okay.

[11:59] Unknown speaker: That sounds like fun.

[12:01] Nancy: Yeah.

[12:02] Unknown speaker: Can I swing on the one next to you?

[12:05] Nancy: Yep.

[12:06] Unknown speaker: Kong.

[12:15] Unknown speaker: My mom told me that your mom went back to China.

[12:19] Nancy: Korea.

[12:20] Unknown speaker: She went to Korea. She's coming back.

[12:23] Nancy: Oh.

[12:26] Unknown speaker: She said that the president of America is making America be better by sending away everyone who's not supposed to be here, and that was your mom.

[12:33] Nancy: No, that's not true.

[12:34] Unknown speaker: That's what my mom said.

[12:35] Nancy: That's not true. My mom's supposed to be here.

[12:38] Unknown speaker: She lives here, and she's my mom.

[12:40] Nancy: Okay, but she's coming back. She just had to leave for a little while.

[12:46] Unknown speaker: Like a vacation.

[12:47] Nancy: She's not supposed to.

[12:49] Unknown speaker: My mom says that people like your mom are liars.

[12:51] Nancy: My mom's not a liar.

[12:53] Unknown speaker: Well, my mom—

[12:54] Nancy: I don't care what your mom said. My mom's not a liar.

[12:57] Unknown speaker: Your mom's a liar.

[12:58] Nancy: No, she's not.

[12:59] Unknown speaker: Yes, she is. She's lying and saying mean things about my mom, so she's a mean, lying mom.

[13:04] Nancy: You take that back.

[13:05] Unknown speaker: Liar.

[13:06] Nancy: Liar.

[13:06] Unknown speaker: Liar.

[13:07] Nancy: You're being mean.

[13:09] Unknown speaker: I'm telling on you to Misses Cheat.

[13:11] Nancy: Go ahead.

[13:11] Unknown speaker: I'm gonna tell her that you're being mean and saying mean things and lying too.

[13:16] Nancy: Fine.

[13:16] Unknown speaker: Fine.

[13:33] Unknown speaker: Girls, what's going on? What happened?

[13:37] Unknown speaker: Terry hit me.

[13:41] Unknown speaker: Why did you? She's coming back.

[13:43] Unknown speaker: My mommy said she's coming back.

[11:31] (dialogue)

[11:35] (dialogue)

[11:49] (dialogue)

[12:01] (dialogue)

[12:15] (dialogue)

[12:19] (dialogue)

[12:33] (dialogue)

[12:43] (dialogue)

[12:56] (dialogue)

[13:04] (dialogue)

[13:11] (dialogue)

[13:35] (dialogue)

[13:41] (dialogue)

[13:43] (dialogue)

[14:11] Sea Lion: Wait, friend, wait.

[14:13] Unknown speaker: What?

[14:14] Sea Lion: We were having so much fun.

[14:16] Unknown speaker: We were playing.

[14:17] Sea Lion: Yes, but it's my mother.

[14:19] Sea Lion: She's calling.

[14:20] Unknown speaker: But I want she has food.

[14:22] Sea Lion: And I'm hungry.

[14:24] Unknown speaker: I am hungry too.

[14:26] Sea Lion: She only has enough food for me.

[14:29] Unknown speaker: Sorry.

[14:30] Sea Lion: I I know I wasn't.

[14:32] Unknown speaker: Don't worry.

[14:33] Sea Lion: Your mother will come too.

[14:34] Sea Lion: But now I have to go.

[14:36] Sea Lion: Goodbye.

[14:52] Sea Lion: She said she would return.

[14:55] Sea Lion: She said she would always come back.

[15:01] Sea Lion: But it is so late now.

[15:04] Sea Lion: All my friends have gone.

[15:06] Sea Lion: And I'm the only one left.

[15:13] Sea Lion: She said the seas are getting smaller.

[15:16] Sea Lion: Didn't she?

[15:19] Sea Lion: The fish swim further and further away.

[15:29] Sea Lion: Mother Mother Where are you?

[15:38] Sea Lion: Mother Mother, where are you?

[15:43] Sea Lion: Are you coming back?

[15:46] Sea Lion: Mother Please please please come back is that you mother Pop Mother You are bleeding There were sharks two of them they too were hungry and looking for something anything to eat Mother Mother You've fallen It's all right it is all right Oh puff Mother Mother Hush now Pop Stop crying Everything is all right I am all right Come under my fin that's better Now tell me before the sea was sea Will you always say it It is your turn now Tell it Tell it to me Before the sea was sea before the earth was Earth There was water and salt good Go on with these things blood became blood and flesh became flesh and I of your body will always be your blood, your flesh.

[17:48] Sea Lion: For before we were separate, we were one and two, we will always return.

[18:02] Sea Lion: That's right, pup.

[18:05] Sea Lion: We are one, and to one, we will always return.

[18:25] Unknown speaker: Hello.

[18:27] Teddy: Teddy, Teddy.

[18:29] Mother: Hi, mommy.

[18:30] Mother: How are you?

[18:31] Teddy: Teddy.

[18:32] Mother: How would you school?

[18:35] Teddy: Teddy?

[18:37] Teddy: When are you coming back?

[18:39] Mother: What do you mean?

[18:40] Teddy: When are you gonna come back and stop being on vacation?

[18:45] Mother: Why are you missing me so much?

[18:47] Mother: You need me to come back already?

[18:49] Teddy: I thought you were a big girl.

[18:51] Mother: Huh?

[18:53] Teddy: Don't laugh at me.

[18:56] Mother: Okay, okay.

[18:58] Mother: Your daddy is taking good care of you though, isn't he?

[19:02] Mother: You're eating enough?

[19:03] Teddy: When it's uh is going to be a little longer.

[19:09] Teddy: How much longer?

[19:11] Mother: Like Friday, Sunday, Saturday?

[19:14] Mother: Ah, Teddy.

[19:15] Mother: Your daddy told me you were learning that in school.

[19:17] Mother: It's a Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

[19:20] Teddy: Not Friday, Sunday, Saturday.

[19:22] Teddy: Okay.

[19:22] Teddy: Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

[19:25] Mother: But no.

[19:27] Mother: A little bit longer than that.

[19:28] Teddy: Longer?

[19:29] Teddy: Like January, February, March?

[19:32] Mother: Oh, Mrs.

[19:33] Mother: She taught you months, too.

[19:35] Mother: Smart girl.

[19:37] Teddy: Maybe.

[19:39] Teddy: Or it could be longer.

[19:41] Teddy: How much longer?

[19:43] Mother: Hmm.

[19:46] Mother: You know your birthday?

[19:49] Teddy: March 29th.

[19:50] Mother: That's right.

[19:53] Mother: It could be two more birthdays.

[19:55] Teddy: When Teddy is eight years old.

[19:58] Teddy: Two?

[19:59] Teddy: Two more birthdays?

[20:01] Mother: Yes.

[20:04] Teddy: Why don't you just come back sooner?

[20:06] Teddy: Why do you have to be on vacation for so long?

[20:09] Mother: Don't you miss me too?

[20:10] Mother: Uh, Teddy, what kind of question is that?

[20:13] Mother: Of course, mommy misses you.

[20:15] Mother: I love you.

[20:17] Teddy: Then why do you have to be gone for so long?

[20:19] Teddy: Why can't you just come back?

[20:20] Mother: Don't cry, Teddy.

[20:22] Mother: Really?

[20:22] Mother: Mommy, you're just so stressed.

[20:24] Mother: I can't.

[20:25] Mother: I just wanted to call you and hear you talk about what you're doing.

[20:29] Mother: I don't want to hear you cry.

[20:34] Teddy: Nancy's mom said America sent you away because you're bad and you're lying.

[20:38] Mother: Who said this?

[20:39] Mother: Who?

[20:40] Teddy: Nancy.

[20:40] Teddy: Nancy and her mom said.

[20:42] Mother: Wait, what does she mean?

[20:43] Mother: America.

[20:44] Teddy: She said that the president is making America better by sending all the bad people away.

[20:49] Teddy: And she said it was you.

[20:50] Teddy: You did a bad thing, and now the president sent you away.

[20:56] Mother: Ah, Nancy.

[20:58] Mother: I remember Nancy now.

[21:00] Mother: The little ugly one.

[21:02] Teddy: She's not ugly.

[21:04] Mother: Yes, yes, she is.

[21:05] Mother: She's too short, and she doesn't have enough hair in her ponytail.

[21:08] Mother: Looks like a little string.

[21:11] Mother: And her mom always puts her in the ugly pink clothes, like a Pepto Bismore.

[21:16] Teddy: She wears other color clothes.

[21:18] Mother: Nah, but I came to your spring sing and she had on the ugly pink dress.

[21:21] Mother: Not flattering at all.

[21:25] Mother: You have to have a nunchi.

[21:27] Mother: Better judgment.

[21:28] Mother: Being smart is not just what you learn in school.

[21:32] Mother: You have to learn about people too.

[21:34] Mother: Be smarter.

[21:35] Mother: You cannot listen to people like ugly Nancy.

[21:39] Teddy: It was her mom.

[21:40] Teddy: Her mom said.

[21:41] Mother: Or ugly Nancy's mom.

[21:43] Mother: Then why can't you just come back home?

[21:48] Mother: You know your mommy, right, Teddy?

[21:52] Mother: You know.

[21:53] Mother: I'm not bad.

[21:55] Mother: I don't do anything bad.

[21:57] Teddy: Then why did the president send you away?

[22:00] Mother: Oh Teddy.

[22:01] Mother: I'm talking to some lawyers, okay?

[22:04] Mother: They're building my case and they're looking for ways to help me uh establish the citizenship.

[22:10] Teddy: Citizen?

[22:10] Teddy: Is that like when Miss Chi says we have to learn to be good citizens in the classroom?

[22:16] Mother: Uh never mind.

[22:19] Mother: Listen to me, Teddy.

[22:21] Teddy: What?

[22:22] Mother: What did I tell you before?

[22:23] Mother: That day we saw the she lions.

[22:26] Teddy: That you love me.

[22:29] Mother: Yes, yes, of course.

[22:31] Mother: What else?

[22:33] Teddy: I have to be strong.

[22:34] Mother: That's right.

[22:36] Mother: Strong for me, strong for your daddy, strong in front of your classmates.

[22:42] Mother: It's different for you than other children.

[22:45] Mother: You understand, right?

[22:48] Mother: You have to be strong.

[22:50] Teddy: Say it again.

[22:53] Teddy: I have to be strong.

[22:54] Mother: That's right.

[22:56] Mother: Again.

[22:58] Teddy: I have to be strong.

[23:00] Teddy: I have to be strong.

[23:04] Unknown speaker: Oh.

[23:12] Unknown speaker: Oh.

[23:11] Unknown speaker: Oh, oh.

[23:21] Sea Lion: Mother.

[23:23] Sea Lion: Mother.

[23:25] Sea Lion: Pup.

[23:27] Sea Lion: I'm hungry.

[23:29] Sea Lion: So hungry.

[23:32] Sea Lion: I have nothing for you.

[23:34] Sea Lion: I haven't eaten since you last left.

[23:37] Sea Lion: When will you swim?

[23:39] Sea Lion: When will you go find something?

[23:41] Sea Lion: Anything for us to eat?

[23:44] Sea Lion: I'm tired.

[23:46] Sea Lion: So very tired, my love.

[23:48] Sea Lion: And my fin by my side.

[23:53] Sea Lion: I am sorry.

[23:55] Sea Lion: I'm frightened.

[23:57] Sea Lion: What will we do?

[23:59] Sea Lion: We must.

[24:01] Sea Lion: We must keep trying.

[24:05] Sea Lion: I can't.

[24:06] Sea Lion: I'm sorry.

[24:08] Sea Lion: What will we do?

[24:10] Sea Lion: What will we do?

[24:14] Sea Lion: Go.

[24:16] Sea Lion: You must go.

[24:17] Sea Lion: Go.

[24:19] Unknown speaker: What do you mean?

[24:20] Sea Lion: Go.

[24:22] Sea Lion: Try.

[24:23] Sea Lion: On my own?

[24:25] Sea Lion: It's your turn now.

[24:27] Sea Lion: My turn?

[24:28] Sea Lion: To seek.

[24:30] Sea Lion: To find.

[24:32] Sea Lion: I am sorry it must be so fast.

[24:35] Sea Lion: So soon.

[24:37] Sea Lion: Before you are big enough.

[24:40] Sea Lion: Before I have taught you enough.

[24:42] Sea Lion: No.

[24:45] Sea Lion: You are right.

[24:48] Sea Lion: We must eat.

[24:50] Sea Lion: Yes.

[24:53] Sea Lion: We must eat.

[25:00] Sea Lion: I will do it.

[25:03] Sea Lion: I will go.

[25:05] Sea Lion: I will seek and I will find the food to sate my hunger and give you the strength to get better.

[25:14] Sea Lion: I will do it.

[25:16] Sea Lion: I will do it.

[25:18] Sea Lion: Go then.

[25:19] Sea Lion: And be brave, my love.

[25:22] Sea Lion: I will.

[25:29] Sea Lion: I will.

[25:31] Sea Lion: I will be brave.

[25:54] Sea Lion: Brave.

[25:55] Sea Lion: I have to be brave.

[25:58] Sea Lion: I am brave.

[26:00] Sea Lion: I am brave.

[26:02] Sea Lion: I am brave.

[26:13] Unknown speaker: Can you move your hand?

[26:14] Unknown speaker: I can't see.

[26:15] Unknown speaker: Oh my god, don't cheat.

[26:16] Unknown speaker: That's cheating.

[26:17] Unknown speaker: That's against the rules.

[26:20] Unknown speaker: No, you can't look at mine.

[26:21] Unknown speaker: I did all the work myself.

[26:22] Unknown speaker: I know, but I did too.

[26:24] Unknown speaker: I just don't, I forget how to do it.

[26:25] Unknown speaker: Helps.

[26:25] Unknown speaker: You're gonna be doing yourself.

[26:26] Unknown speaker: Baby C on.

[26:30] Unknown speaker: I before O makes the I see.

[26:34] Unknown speaker: So it's lie.

[26:36] Unknown speaker: Only lie on.

[26:39] Unknown speaker: This word was in your flashcards.

[26:41] Unknown speaker: Your flashcard has a picture of a cat on it.

[26:43] Unknown speaker: A big cat with a mane.

[26:46] Unknown speaker: Lion, sea lion.

[26:48] Unknown speaker: Very good.

[26:48] Unknown speaker: Good remembering.

[26:50] Unknown speaker: Dr. Cruz helps the baby sea lion.

[26:55] Unknown speaker: Drink from a bottle.

[26:58] Unknown speaker: I've seen one in real life, you know.

[27:00] Unknown speaker: Have you?

[27:01] Unknown speaker: Yes.

[27:02] Unknown speaker: Not a baby one, but a big one.

[27:04] Unknown speaker: It did tricks and it ate fish.

[27:05] Unknown speaker: Did you see it at an aquarium or uh the zoo?

[27:05] Unknown speaker: An aquarium.

[27:10] Unknown speaker: My mommy took me to see.

[27:12] Unknown speaker: Ah.

[27:15] Unknown speaker: Where is this sea lion's mommy?

[27:18] Unknown speaker: Hmm.

[27:19] Unknown speaker: The baby sea lion.

[27:20] Unknown speaker: The doctor is feeding her, but where's the mommy?

[27:23] Unknown speaker: Why isn't the mommy feeding her?

[27:25] Unknown speaker: Well, the book doesn't tell you exactly.

[27:29] Unknown speaker: But what kind of animals does it say Dr. Cruz takes care of at her clinic?

[27:31] Unknown speaker: Sick and hurt sea animals that she's rescuing.

[27:36] Unknown speaker: That's right.

[27:37] Unknown speaker: So, what do you think might have happened to the mommy?

[27:40] Unknown speaker: Maybe the mommy got hurt or sick.

[27:43] Unknown speaker: Yeah, probably.

[27:45] Unknown speaker: Those are really good ideas.

[27:47] Unknown speaker: Or maybe the mommy got lost and couldn't take care of the baby anymore.

[27:51] Unknown speaker: Hmm.

[27:52] Unknown speaker: Yeah.

[27:55] Unknown speaker: Well, Terry, it's almost time for me to read with another child now.

[27:59] Terry: Okay.

[28:00] Unknown speaker: But before you go read on your own, I wanted to ask.

[28:04] Unknown speaker: Uh how are things going at home?

[28:06] Unknown speaker: It must feel different to be at home with just your dad.

[28:10] Terry: It's okay. My mom calls sometimes.

[28:13] Nancy: That's good. It must be nice to talk to her.

[28:15] Terry: Sometimes my Han Muni's house is loud because my aunt and uncle live there, and the family is renting like the back of the house too. They have two daughters, and one of them is my age.

[28:23] Nancy: That sounds like a lot of people. Sometimes the kids are playing and laughing, so it's like so hard to hear her. Sometimes there's a bad connection, so we can't do video chat.

[28:32] Nancy: That sounds like it could be really frustrating. Does she send you videos of things she's doing in Korea or send you things in the mail?

[28:41] Terry: Yes. Uh, she texts my dad and he shows me, and she sent me a Korean book.

[28:46] Nancy: That's great. Maybe you can show it to me sometime. My mom is teaching me to read in Korean when we can video chat. And look, this is my name.

[29:01] Nancy: Wow, that's so special. I don't know how to read or write in Korean, so that's very cool that you're learning to in two languages.

[29:11] Terry: Yeah.

[29:14] Terry: Miss Chi?

[29:15] Nancy: Yes, Terry?

[29:17] Terry: Why do presidents make people go away?

[29:20] Nancy: You mean leave the country?

[29:23] Terry: Yes.

[29:24] Nancy: That's uh difficult to say. You can talk to your dad more about it, I think. But you remember how last week we talked about how different people have different ideas about things?

[29:41] Terry: Yes.

[29:42] Nancy: And you know how I say that every one of you matters.

[29:45] Terry: Yes.

[29:46] Nancy: It's very, very important for me to teach each and every one of you how important you all are. You know, Einstein was once a child. And Catherine Johnson and Grace Leabogs. Each of you is doing amazing, wonderful things. And when you all grow up, you'll continue to do even more amazing, wonderful things. But it all starts with what I tell you all every single day. We're special and important. And our job is to be good citizens and take care of ourselves, each other, and the earth.

[30:21] Terry: That's absolutely right, my love. I'm very proud of you for remembering. Because sometimes even adults can forget.

[30:29] Terry: Is that what happened to the president?

[30:31] Nancy: Well, yes.

[30:33] Terry: Then how can we help him remember?

[30:36] Nancy: Well, that's an important question. But it's one that I don't have the answer to.

[30:42] Terry: I don't know.

[30:44] Nancy: It's a puzzle we have to keep solving.

[30:46] Terry: That's right, darling. Okay. Do you know if my mommy's coming back home soon?

[30:56] Nancy: Oh, Terry, yeah. I'm sorry, my love. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question either. I talked with Nancy, and she told me what she said to you on the swings.

[31:11] Terry: Okay.

[31:13] Nancy: And I wanted to tell you, your mother is not a bad person. That's not why she's in Korea right now. And if anyone else says anything like that to you again, I want you to let me know right away, okay?

[31:27] Terry: Okay. It sounds like your mother thinks about you all the time.

[31:32] Nancy: She says she misses me.

[31:34] Terry: I'm sure she does. I would.

[31:40] Nancy: Go tell Robbie I would like him to come to the reading table. Would you?

[31:43] Terry: I will.

[31:44] Nancy: Thank you, Terry. I love you.

[31:50] Terry: What was that?

[32:08] Sea Lion: Oh, look, he's coming too. Right on schedule.

[32:12] Sea Lion: Uh uh. Oh, he's scared.

[32:19] Sea Lion: He'll be fine. I wonder where his mom is. He was way too young to be out there by himself.

[32:25] Sea Lion: Dead, probably. They usually don't go out foraging like that if the mom is still around. Poor little guy.

[32:33] Sea Lion: Look, he's exploring. Strong swimmer. The charts say he's got a pretty clean bill of health, except for being a little undernourished.

[32:48] Sea Lion: I could watch these little guys all day. It's lucky we found him before a shark did.

[32:55] Sea Lion: Yeah. He'll make a really strong contender for the program. Well, I'm going to go make the rounds, all right? You'll start weaning.

[33:06] Sea Lion: Yes. Oh, wait. What?

[33:09] Sea Lion: What about his name?

[33:10] Sea Lion: Oh, right. Poppy seed.

[33:14] Sea Lion: Seriously? You're gonna name him after the type of bagel you had this morning?

[33:18] Sea Lion: I don't know. You come up with one then.

[33:21] Sea Lion: What about Sawyer?

[33:26] Sea Lion: Sawyer?

[33:27] Sea Lion: Yeah, like Tom Sawyer. You know, out there, like having adventures by himself.

[33:35] Sea Lion: Oh, that is so sweet. You like it?

[33:41] Sea Lion: I love it.

[33:45] Sea Lion: You big softy. Naming sea lions after wayward children in classic American literature. If only everyone knew this about the side of you.

[33:56] Sea Lion: Don't.

[33:56] Sea Lion: Denise Mora. Big softy.

[33:59] Sea Lion: I am your commanding officer.

[34:01] Sea Lion: An eggle baby waby Tom Sawyer.

[34:04] Sea Lion: Hillary.

[34:05] Sea Lion: Okay, fine. Go on your rounds then. But I want to see some of that big softy energy when I see you at dinner tonight.

[34:13] Sea Lion: Oh, you know you will. See you then.

[34:23] Sea Lion: All right, little Sawyer. What are we to do with you?

[34:27] Sea Lion: Where am I?

[34:30] Sea Lion: Oh, you're talking. There was water and waves and the humpback whales song.

[34:39] Sea Lion: Chabby little fella, aren't you? And rocks. A big one. That hurt. I got lost in the storm. Where am I? And where's my mother?

[34:53] Sea Lion: Oh, it's all right, little pup. Mother! Mother!

[34:58] Sea Lion: Uh-oh, don't get all worked up now. Shh! Calm down.

[35:03] Sea Lion: Fuck, of course, this would happen as soon as she leaves. Uh, that hinter never puts things back the way I tell him to. Where is that case?

[35:11] Sea Lion: Oh, Sawyer, come on. I'm you don't want to do this. You don't want to hurt yourself. Where are those fucking tracks?

[35:21] Sea Lion: Ah, fuck yeah. Fucking intern. All right, little Sawyer. Let's make this as easy as possible for the both of us, okay? I am not going to hurt you. I'm just going to whoa, you almost got me there.

[35:39] Sea Lion: Mother! Help me!

[35:41] Sea Lion: Okay, hold on. Hold on, little guy! Mother! Almost there, just relax. I've got it. Mother! Wait! I'm coming for you! Just relax. Everything will be fine. I'll bring you food. You need food. Relax. Just relax, little Tom Sawyer. You're in good hands. Relax. One. And two, one. We will. We will always no more.

[36:55] Sea Lion: She do muta so I don't.

[37:29] Sea Lion: Oh, I guess I'm not sure. Wait, is that fuck? It died. That's what I get for leaving it on airplane mode instead of turning it off. Yep, of course, forgot my charger too.

[37:54] Teddy: Teddy Teddy.

[38:01] Harmony: Oh, okay. Oh, don't cry.

[38:08] Teddy: Teddy. This one yours. You're gonna make me cry.

[38:17] Harmony: I go ahead, put on me. Why did you come all the way out here to get me, Harmony? I could have found your house all by myself. You didn't have to trouble yourself.

[38:28] Harmony: No, no, no. You don't want them. Uh said. Hi, Money.

[38:48] Harmony: Oh, you drove here, Han Moni. Wow. Oh, okay, I guess I'm following you. Go harmony house. We're gonna go to your house and we're gonna eat food there.

[39:05] Harmony: Oh, Kratzy. And sleep there. And then tomorrow, Uma's funeral, right?

[39:19] Teddy: Her other family is gonna be there.

[39:23] Harmony: No, no, it's it's okay. You don't have to do that. I'm not I mean, I guess I am a little bit sad. I I guess obviously it's a funeral. But you don't have to worry. I'm okay.

[39:53] Teddy: Korea. It's been such a long time. The last time I was here, I was like, what, sixteen? It even smells different.

[40:15] Teddy: Oh man. I haven't thought about this in forever. But all the noise, it reminded me. I remember when Umar and you Han Money and me, there was like a busy street, and the two of you would take my hands on either side, and we'd play this game where you'd count like one, two, three, and then we both pick me up and I'd laugh and I'd laugh. Do you remember that, Hanni? Where was that?

[40:44] Harmony: Oh, it's okay. It was such a long time ago, you probably don't remember anyway.

[40:58] Teddy: No, umak to honey. Um, music.

[42:05] Sea Lion: Do you think he's shhoot it? Lost my find a teeth. All clear. Yes!

[42:18] Officer Thompson: He cleared that entire section of the Gulf all by himself.

[42:21] Officer Thompson: That's our boy, our Sawyer.

[42:27] Unknown speaker: Officer Thompson, a word?

[42:29] Officer Thompson: Ah, yes, of course, Commander.

[42:34] Unknown speaker: Hey, um Hillary.

[42:39] Unknown speaker: Listen, uh about Sawyer.

[42:41] Unknown speaker: You did such a great job, right?

[42:43] Unknown speaker: And the Admiral Bull was even here to see possibilities of how successful this program could be.

[42:49] Unknown speaker: What?

[42:51] Unknown speaker: I'm sorry to have to tell you this.

[42:54] Unknown speaker: What?

[42:54] Unknown speaker: Just spit it out.

[42:56] Unknown speaker: That was Sawyer's last run.

[43:00] Unknown speaker: What are you talking about?

[43:02] Unknown speaker: Well, you know how those animal rights groups have been.

[43:06] Unknown speaker: So the US Navy is going to cave from some pressure from dolphin advocacy groups?

[43:13] Unknown speaker: Come on.

[43:14] Unknown speaker: We've been battling them in court for years now.

[43:17] Unknown speaker: I don't understand why.

[43:18] Unknown speaker: Animals require upkeep.

[43:20] Unknown speaker: It costs money to But you just saw him.

[43:22] Unknown speaker: The admiral just saw him.

[43:24] Unknown speaker: And Sawyer's our best.

[43:27] Unknown speaker: He can do so many things, and he's had so many successful missions under his belt.

[43:31] Unknown speaker: You have to convince them, Denise.

[43:33] Unknown speaker: You have to.

[43:34] Unknown speaker: They've already hired contractors for unmanned sub drones.

[43:38] Unknown speaker: The Navy Marine Mammal Program is getting shut down.

[43:44] Unknown speaker: I just I can't believe this.

[43:48] Unknown speaker: All the work we put into training these animals, all that time and effort.

[43:54] Unknown speaker: And what will happen to Sawyer?

[43:56] Unknown speaker: He's worked so hard for us for so long.

[43:59] Unknown speaker: He spent his whole adult life with us.

[44:02] Unknown speaker: What's going to happen to him and the other 140 animals?

[44:06] Unknown speaker: I don't know.

[44:09] Unknown speaker: But I do know that not all of them can be rehabilitated to sustain themselves in the wild.

[44:16] Unknown speaker: So the US government is just going to throw them out and let them die?

[44:20] Unknown speaker: Hillary.

[44:21] Unknown speaker: They have worked for our country.

[44:23] Unknown speaker: They're they're goddamn patriots.

[44:26] Unknown speaker: We've asked them to risk their lives to help us fight terrorism.

[44:29] Unknown speaker: They'll be honorably discharged.

[44:32] Unknown speaker: A sanctuary, maybe.

[44:33] Unknown speaker: Where?

[44:34] Unknown speaker: How?

[44:34] Unknown speaker: With with what money?

[44:35] Unknown speaker: If the Navy's too cheap to keep this project going, why would they spend millions of dollars to build a sanctuary for over a hundred animals?

[44:42] Unknown speaker: Animals are not going to use anymore.

[44:44] Unknown speaker: Times are changing.

[44:45] Unknown speaker: Things are different now.

[44:47] Unknown speaker: They sure are.

[45:06] Unknown speaker: I don't have to do anything I don't want to do.

[45:10] Unknown speaker: There's a program in South Korea.

[45:17] Unknown speaker: What program?

[45:18] Unknown speaker: On a place called Dokto Island, something like that.

[45:22] Unknown speaker: Uh the South Korean Ministry of Environment is looking for California sea lions to help replenish their sea lion population there.

[45:31] Unknown speaker: I guess it's some sort of near extinct subspecies.

[45:37] Unknown speaker: We could send some of them there.

[45:43] Unknown speaker: Fine.

[45:45] Unknown speaker: That's good.

[45:47] Unknown speaker: If they have to go, it might as well be someplace like that.

[45:52] Unknown speaker: Why do you care so much?

[45:55] Unknown speaker: They're our animals.

[45:58] Unknown speaker: We've spent a decade training them, feeding them, cleaning up their shit.

[46:02] Unknown speaker: I mean about Sawyer.

[46:06] Unknown speaker: You know, some days I wish.

[46:09] Unknown speaker: I wish you'd get half the attention you give to him to don't don't, don't do that.

[46:15] Unknown speaker: Please.

[46:18] Unknown speaker: Fine.

[46:22] Unknown speaker: This program and Sawyer.

[46:26] Unknown speaker: They're the closest thing we'll ever have to a child.

[46:29] Unknown speaker: Hillary, come on.

[46:31] Unknown speaker: You have to stop blaming me.

[46:33] Unknown speaker: I don't know how else to explain my feelings to you.

[46:36] Unknown speaker: Just listen to me.

[46:37] Unknown speaker: The way we raised him, invested our time in him, the way he's been our pride and joy.

[46:43] Unknown speaker: I told you over and over again.

[46:46] Unknown speaker: I can't deal with the disappointment of trying over and over again with nothing.

[46:52] Unknown speaker: It just doesn't seem to me like there's anything else holding us together.

[46:57] Unknown speaker: Are you serious?

[47:03] Unknown speaker: I'm sorry.

[47:06] Unknown speaker: I can't.

[47:07] Unknown speaker: I can't believe this.

[47:10] Unknown speaker: After 14 years.

[47:12] Unknown speaker: We've been separated for months.

[47:14] Unknown speaker: Things haven't been working between us for a long time.

[47:18] Unknown speaker: I mean, I know you feel like I gave up.

[47:22] Unknown speaker: And maybe I did.

[47:23] Unknown speaker: Just on having kids.

[47:25] Unknown speaker: Not with you.

[47:27] Unknown speaker: I never gave up on you or on us.

[47:33] Unknown speaker: I can work on it.

[47:35] Unknown speaker: Whatever you need.

[47:36] Unknown speaker: Or maybe you need more time.

[47:39] Unknown speaker: I can give you time however long you want.

[47:41] Unknown speaker: Just as long as I'm sorry, okay.

[47:41] Unknown speaker: I'm sorry.

[47:48] Unknown speaker: Please, Hilary, don't.

[47:51] Unknown speaker: I'm sorry to.

[47:54] Unknown speaker: But I don't think I don't think this is working anymore.

[48:03] Unknown speaker: Goodbye, Denise.

[48:29] Unknown speaker: So this is where you lived when you left Hama.

[48:38] Unknown speaker: Huh, this book case seems so much bigger on the screen when you video chatted me.

[48:47] Unknown speaker: Wow.

[48:48] Unknown speaker: Look at this photograph.

[48:51] Unknown speaker: You look so young here.

[48:55] Unknown speaker: Probably as old as I am now.

[49:00] Unknown speaker: Look at me talking to you like you're still here.

[49:10] Unknown speaker: Hello.

[49:11] Unknown speaker: Oh, hey, um, hi, Chinju, right?

[49:15] Chinju: Yes.

[49:19] Chinju: Wow, look at you just coming in here sitting next to me.

[49:22] Chinju: I went just okay.

[49:24] Unknown speaker: Yeah.

[49:26] Unknown speaker: I guess you could take that just out of my hands, you know, nice.

[49:29] Unknown speaker: Cool.

[49:30] Unknown speaker: We have this picture at my house too.

[49:33] Chinju: Do you?

[49:34] Unknown speaker: That's cool.

[49:35] Unknown speaker: It's from the day my I mean our mommy and my daddy met.

[49:39] Chinju: Oh, so not 22 in this picture then, much older than the day we met.

[49:44] Unknown speaker: Wow, that's just wonderful.

[49:50] Chinju: Do you not like us?

[49:52] Unknown speaker: What?

[49:53] Chinju: During the funeral, my dad wanted us to sit next to you, but you pretended like you didn't see him.

[49:59] Unknown speaker: Oh, right.

[50:00] Unknown speaker: No, I just I I really didn't see him there, honestly.

[50:03] Unknown speaker: I had no idea.

[50:03] Unknown speaker: I was so busy talking to Hanwuni.

[50:05] Chinju: You're lying.

[50:07] Unknown speaker: My teacher says you shouldn't lie.

[50:10] Unknown speaker: Yep, I can see why Umma found that so annoying now.

[50:16] Unknown speaker: So, your teacher, huh?

[50:19] Unknown speaker: Sounds like a great one.

[50:20] Chinju: Is that how you speak English so good?

[50:23] Unknown speaker: Well.

[50:24] Unknown speaker: What?

[50:25] Unknown speaker: Speak English so well.

[50:32] Chinju: And no.

[50:33] Chinju: Our mommy spoke with me in English all the time.

[50:36] Chinju: She said I needed to learn because you weren't very good at Korean, and she wanted me to talk to you.

[50:42] Unknown speaker: Uh that sure sounds like her.

[50:45] Unknown speaker: Something sweet paired with like a backhanded insult.

[50:48] Chinju: How come you never came to visit us?

[50:50] Unknown speaker: What's that visit?

[50:52] Chinju: Mommy said you used to come visit her every summer before daddy and she got married.

[50:57] Unknown speaker: I did.

[50:59] Unknown speaker: Yeah.

[51:00] Unknown speaker: Wow, your grammar is impeccable.

[51:03] Chinju: She used to make us clean the house.

[51:05] Chinju: Just in case you came.

[51:07] Unknown speaker: But you never did.

[51:08] Chinju: I heard daddy say it was a waste of money to buy you a plane ticket every year.

[51:13] Unknown speaker: I I don't know.

[51:15] Unknown speaker: I have a very busy life in America.

[51:21] Chinju: Hey, what are you doing to my hand?

[51:24] Chinju: Two exes?

[51:27] Chinju: For every time you lie.

[51:28] Chinju: The third gets you a time out.

[51:31] Unknown speaker: I see.

[51:34] Unknown speaker: I've always wanted an older sister.

[51:37] Chinju: That's funny.

[51:40] Unknown speaker: Actually, I always wanted more siblings too.

[51:43] Unknown speaker: I thought I would be less lonely.

[51:45] Chinju: I have a younger sister, Hanu.

[51:47] Unknown speaker: I know.

[51:48] Unknown speaker: I met her.

[51:49] Chinju: It's still lonely sometimes.

[51:53] Unknown speaker: You look a lot like mommy.

[51:55] Chinju: I know.

[51:56] Chinju: Everyone's been telling me that.

[51:57] Unknown speaker: Well, it's true.

[51:59] Unknown speaker: You do.

[52:01] Unknown speaker: Hold on for a minute, okay?

[52:03] Unknown speaker: I wasn't gonna give it to you now, but because you weren't following the rules, but just hold on, okay?

[52:09] Chinju: Uh okay, sure.

[52:15] Unknown speaker: Here.

[52:16] Unknown speaker: Uh stuffed sea lion?

[52:19] Chinju: Yes.

[52:19] Chinju: Hanu has the same one at our house, but this is mine.

[52:23] Unknown speaker: I wanted to give it to you.

[52:25] Chinju: Oh.

[52:26] Chinju: Thanks.

[52:27] Unknown speaker: We have a lot of sea lion dolls at our house.

[52:30] Unknown speaker: Mommy kept buying them for us.

[52:32] Unknown speaker: She liked them, I guess.

[52:33] Chinju: Even though we didn't really.

[52:35] Unknown speaker: I like owls.

[52:37] Chinju: That's good to know.

[52:44] Unknown speaker: Well, I have to go eat now.

[52:47] Chinju: Bye.

[52:48] Unknown speaker: Bye.

[53:09] Unknown speaker: Where am I?

[53:10] Unknown speaker: Where have they taken me?

[53:13] Unknown speaker: They taught me so many things, asked me to do so many things.

[53:17] Unknown speaker: I learned and did them all, so where are we going now?

[53:21] Unknown speaker: Where is Hillary?

[53:23] Unknown speaker: My human?

[53:24] Unknown speaker: Why isn't she here with me?

[53:27] Unknown speaker: Hello.

[53:28] Unknown speaker: Hello?

[53:29] Unknown speaker: Yes!

[53:29] Unknown speaker: Is someone there?

[53:31] Unknown speaker: Where are we?

[53:32] Unknown speaker: I don't know.

[53:33] Unknown speaker: They gave me this stinging prickle that makes sleep.

[53:36] Unknown speaker: I woke up here in this small dark space like you.

[53:39] Unknown speaker: We sound different.

[53:42] Unknown speaker: Are you different?

[53:44] Unknown speaker: Do I?

[53:45] Unknown speaker: What do I sound like?

[53:46] Unknown speaker: I don't know.

[53:48] Unknown speaker: Like strange.

[53:53] Unknown speaker: But you smell familiar.

[53:55] Unknown speaker: Have we met before?

[53:57] Unknown speaker: Which waters did you swim in?

[53:59] Unknown speaker: I don't know.

[54:00] Unknown speaker: I don't remember.

[54:01] Unknown speaker: I never noticed I sound any different.

[54:03] Unknown speaker: My human never minded.

[54:05] Unknown speaker: Your human?

[54:07] Unknown speaker: Humans are not ours, and nor are we theirs.

[54:11] Unknown speaker: But they feed us.

[54:12] Unknown speaker: Yes, they feed us and care for us.

[54:16] Unknown speaker: But also, but also they take us away from our homes, force their will on us, trap us in small waters that barely taste alive.

[54:25] Unknown speaker: No.

[54:26] Unknown speaker: The best way is to live apart.

[54:29] Unknown speaker: They belong to the land, while we belong to the sea.

[54:29] Unknown speaker: Belong to the sea?

[54:35] Unknown speaker: But of course.

[54:37] Unknown speaker: Oh no, no, I I I couldn't.

[54:39] Unknown speaker: The sea is a frightening place.

[54:41] Unknown speaker: I don't go there unless my the humans ask it of me.

[54:45] Unknown speaker: There's storms out there and rocks that hurt.

[54:48] Unknown speaker: Don't be ridiculous.

[54:50] Unknown speaker: A grown sea lion like yourself, frightened of the sea?

[54:55] Unknown speaker: Preposterous.

[54:55] Unknown speaker: Just preposterous.

[54:56] Unknown speaker: I'm just wary of the sea's danger.

[55:02] Unknown speaker: Though sometimes.

[55:09] Unknown speaker: And a voice calling out to me.

[55:13] Unknown speaker: They must have taken you early.

[55:15] Unknown speaker: My whole life has been with the humans.

[55:19] Unknown speaker: I see.

[55:20] Unknown speaker: It's not your fault.

[55:23] Unknown speaker: They took me many moonfalls ago, and every day since I have dreamed of going back.

[55:30] Unknown speaker: Of living free with the smell, the taste, the splash of the ocean's warm waters, like an embrace around me.

[55:39] Unknown speaker: Perhaps that is where we are going now.

[55:42] Unknown speaker: The ocean?

[55:43] Unknown speaker: One can hope.

[55:44] Unknown speaker: No, don't wish for that.

[55:45] Unknown speaker: I won't be able to survive.

[55:47] Unknown speaker: Nonsense.

[55:49] Unknown speaker: Trust me.

[55:52] Unknown speaker: Before the sea was sea.

[55:57] Unknown speaker: Before the earth was ours.

[56:01] Unknown speaker: There was water and salt.

[56:06] Unknown speaker: Yes.

[56:07] Unknown speaker: There.

[56:08] Unknown speaker: So you do remember.

[56:11] Unknown speaker: You do not stop belonging just because you've been away.

[56:16] Unknown speaker: We are the sea's children.

[56:19] Unknown speaker: And the salt is in our blood.

[56:55] Harmony: Oh, harmony? Where are we going? I thought we were going over to visit some aunts and uncles.

[57:01] Sea Lion: Yes.

[57:04] Harmony: No. Oh, we're eating again?

[57:09] Sea Lion: America.

[57:15] Harmony: Very funny. Eat pig.

[57:19] Sea Lion: No, I'm not hungry. I just never mind. I'll just follow you. It'll be a fun surprise.

[57:28] Harmony: Sit down.

[57:30] Sea Lion: Oh, shopping. We're going grocery shopping, probably for dinner, right?

[57:36] Harmony: Oh, okay.

[57:45] Sea Lion: No, thank you. I don't need any underwear.

[57:51] Harmony: Wait, harmony. Oh nyah. What is this? This orange fruit?

[57:56] Sea Lion: Um you go. Ah, tastes good.

[58:01] Harmony: Chego. You want to eat?

[58:05] Sea Lion: Yes, please. Try. Try now. You taste.

[58:19] Harmony: We used to eat this, didn't we? Mm, Gratzi. Wow, I remember now. We should come here all the time. Do you remember? When I used to visit every summer, and then we would walk down the street and you would each take me by the hand.

[58:56] Sea Lion: Oh daddy. You scared.

[59:01] Harmony: Hi money tarara. Yogianza.

[59:15] Sea Lion: Okay. Okay now. Yes. I'm sorry I cried. Just reminded me of the accident.

[59:39] Harmony: Did you ever talk about me, Harmuni?

[59:57] Sea Lion: And I know she tried, but she was just I don't know. Sometimes she was just a difficult person.

[1:00:35] Teddy: No, no, Teddy.

[1:01:09] Harmony: And I missed you too, Harmoni. I'm seeing you every summer. Growing up in America was terrible harmony with all those awful things happening. Even the other kids. Hard. Very hard.

[1:01:44] Sea Lion: Yeah, it was. Sorry, Terry. Harmony. So so sad. Said for you. And Oma.

[1:02:08] Harmony: Shika need. Maning geekrenes equippundo.

[1:02:19] Sea Lion: I'm sorry, I didn't catch any of that. But this come, you're talking about this fruit.

[1:02:52] Sea Lion: Oh, the lab results look good. He has a clean bill of health. Thank you, doctor. Will you be at the island tomorrow when we uh release him?

[1:03:00] Harmony: I uh I I don't think so.

[1:03:02] Sea Lion: Ah, okay. Well, I'll let you say goodbye then. Thank you.

[1:03:12] Harmony: I guess this is it, little Sawyer. I guess the trank's wearing off. I was going to say goodbye to you while you were unconscious, but it's fitting, I suppose. This is how we started, and now this is how we'll end.

[1:03:32] Sea Lion: Where? Where am I?

[1:03:35] Harmony: Shh. It's alright. It's all right, honey. Hello, Ree, my human.

[1:03:40] Sea Lion: Yes, it's me. I'm here. Alright, alright, I'll give you some fish for old time's sake.

[1:03:56] Harmony: You really enjoyed that, huh? Tastes different. I wonder if fish tastes different in Korea. But good. Not that you'd care, you little vacuum cleaner.

[1:04:11] Sea Lion: Where are we? Why did you put me in the dark box and bring me here? I wish you could tell me. I wish. I wish we could be together forever. Is that stupid to say? I guess it could sound pathetic. I'm a 35-year-old woman with no children and no partner. No job, unless I want to get reassigned somewhere. With only a trained sea lion for company. And soon not even that.

[1:04:41] Harmony: I talked to another sea lion. He sounded different. Did I ever sound like that to you? Sometimes I wonder about my life before you and the other humans. I know you feed me and you teach me things. I can feel I can feel that you care for me. But I've loved having you with me, Sawyer. You've been my sanity through through all this. I told Denise that you were the closest thing that we had to a child. And it's true. You are. But the sea lion talked about free waters that tasted alive. He talked about me being taken early. Is that true? Did you and the others take me away? I don't remember.

[1:05:42] Sea Lion: Do you think we sea lions are only meant for the sea? I guess I just want to say I've been grateful for every experience, every joy, every moment we've had together. It's meant so much. Small things.

[1:06:27] Harmony: Telling me Be brave my love. Because now I have to let you go. It's time for you to be on your own. Have I been brave? Brave enough. I think I have. But maybe maybe there's even more brave to be. I'll miss you. I'll carry you with me every day. I'll dream of a happy life for you.

[1:07:10] Sea Lion: Oh, you're sad. Why are you sad? Don't cry. I'll try to be brave too. I love you.

[1:07:22] Harmony: I love you. My little Tom Sawyer.

[1:07:34] Sea Lion: Oh. I can't see up there. Are there are they releasing the sea lions yet?

[1:07:48] Harmony: Shh. Alright, alright. Jeez. I mean, it's not like you live here or anything. You can come see the sea lions anytime or anything.

[1:08:12] Chinju: I don't understand. Chinju, what are they saying?

[1:08:14] Harmony: Just about the island, Japan, over hunting, blah blah blah.

[1:08:19] Chinju: Oh fine. Hatsiman uner mingou hangbunin. Uren tung mingi. Kelly Ponya Padas had Hummer Bada Tidio is how Tomboxyroke.

[1:08:45] Sea Lion: Look on me, look at that one. I wonder if you would stop shoving your elbow and already nothing. One of the dump dust sea lions! They're in love.

[1:08:56] Harmony: I can't see. Oh, someone just stuck on my foot. Ju, this is not what I envisioned when you said you wanted to help me make my last day here special.

[1:09:11] Sea Lion: Hello? Hello. Where are we? Is this the open ocean? Why are we here? What's slow down? It's hard for me to understand.

[1:09:23] Harmony: Oh I traveled. I traveled far. Far. Very far, I think. And now your friends and you are here. Welcome. Welcome to our warm waters. It is good. It is good to be here.

[1:09:57] Sea Lion: I was so afraid to come to live in open waters. I thought I would have to be brave. Hilary. Hilary. What is that?

[1:10:15] Harmony: My human. She was here before, but she hasn't come again to see me. I think maybe sh the humans here are nice enough.

[1:10:31] Sea Lion: They look at us. Study us, I think. But we don't really... They are not yours. Yes. It is different where you are from. Yes. Like I said, I was afraid. But now that I'm here, it almost feels like returning home. Well, let me show you the island. Then you can truly call it your home. Come. Come. Ow. Oh. Oh. Teddy and me. Did you know that sea lions have ears and that they use their front flippers to swim? Don't like a bunch of animals have ears? They have their ears on the outside, like us. It's not that special. It is. Is not. I can name a whole bunch of animals that have their ears on the outside. Dogs, cats, hamsters, bears, lions. And sea lions. I think we already established that. You know fun.

I'm gonna go play with Hannah. How many an appa? I see, so everyone except me is what you're saying. Yes! If I had a marker, I would put an X on your hand. Well, so glad you don't then. Oh! Oh! Holy shit. That scared the crap out of me. What are you doing so close? Are you going to bite me? Should I tell someone? Um wait, wait, wait. I don't want to start a bit. It could charge. Damn it, where's that little nerd when you need her? Hello, human. Okay, okay. Hello there. Um, I guess I guess you're just really tame. I thought you might be Hillary, but I guess not. Oh, you're actually pretty cute close up. Wow, this is even closer than the one time Ummah took me to the aquarium. Those eyes. Maybe this is my new life.

Maybe she is gone. Fuck sorry, pal. I know this is weird, but I just lost my mom. She died in a car accident very suddenly. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you? I miss her. Fuck, maybe you do. It's rough out here, isn't it? Survival of the fittest and all for sea lions and humans both. The sea lion said, Hillary and the others took me away. She wasn't a very nice mom sometimes. And I felt for so long she abandoned me. Part of me still does. But I miss her. Actually. I miss them both. My family here keeps talking to me about Chong. You ever heard of it? Is it possible to miss someone you barely remember? It's like the connection you have with someone or something like that, like love or something.

But anyway, sometimes this person is so connected to you that it's almost like they become a part of you, and when they're gone, a part of you is missing too. Must be. Oh. You were sad too. Yes. I see. You understand. You feel it too. How do we even begin to fill this space? Friend, come. Come quick. There is a tasty school of fish. Yes, I will. I'll be right there. Perhaps this will help you. It is something someone dear said to me once. A long, long time ago. A way to live, to grieve, to remember. A piece of the sea's song to her children as we sea lions remember it before the sea was sea before the earth was earth there was water and salt and with these things blood became blood and flesh became flesh and you of my body will always be my blood my flesh for before we were separated we were one and to one we will always return Goodbye now friend.

[1:15:28] Teddy: Hannah! Tours hit one two three Hi Money Terrian Turko Isaiah Casa Kentuckin Sicasa Papa Teriani are you okay you're crying again told everyone on the island you look kinda ugly when you cry Your nose gets all red and your forehead gets all scrunchied up little.

[1:17:24] Sea Lion: Oh, do me now, and they do me.

[1:17:26] Teddy: You're too big.

[1:17:26] Sea Lion: I'm not, just do it.

[1:17:29] Teddy: Fine. Okay, give me your hand. One, two. Three. God pop to do we're like lifting a rock.

[1:17:39] Sea Lion: I told you you're too heavy.

[1:17:40] Teddy: Again, again in Korean this time.

[1:17:43] Sea Lion: You do know how to count in Korean, right?

[1:17:46] Teddy: Of course I do.

[1:17:48] Sea Lion: In great. Come on.

[1:17:51] Teddy: Hana.

[1:17:51] Sea Lion: Wait on me. I wasn't ready.

[1:18:14] Unknown speaker: End of play.

[1:18:35] Unknown speaker: There's a little thing in there. Can tell you what it is. I've always had it with me. Pardon me that's what it is whisper I know too well, wanting a chance to come outside, sneaking back into her shell, meaning to high, and we grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, oh, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow.

[1:19:16] Unknown speaker: It grows with me.

[1:19:27] Unknown speaker: Then there's you always by my side.

[1:19:33] Unknown speaker: Once had no clue, but now it cry.

[1:19:39] Unknown speaker: And I grow, grow, grow, grow.

[1:19:45] Unknown speaker: I grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow.

[1:19:56] Unknown speaker: I grow and grow, grow, grow, grow.

[1:20:07] Unknown speaker: Just like that grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow, grow.

[1:20:18] Unknown speaker: We grow together and learn.

[1:20:47] Iyvon Edebiri: Just before we get started, want to say major thank you, round of applause to that beautiful cast. They were so bad. They did such beautiful work. Um, how are you feeling?

[1:21:01] Unknown speaker: Good.

[1:21:02] Iyvon Edebiri: Am I yes, this is working. I am doing this. I'm I'm doing it. Thank you.

[1:21:08] Unknown speaker: I'm good.

[1:21:10] Iyvon Edebiri: You're good. Um, feeling good.

[1:21:12] Unknown speaker: Yeah, also like deeply in my feels.

[1:21:15] Iyvon Edebiri: I feel very emotional play.

[1:21:17] Unknown speaker: I can cry. I can cry right now.

[1:21:19] Iyvon Edebiri: Yeah, everything is so beautiful.

[1:21:20] Unknown speaker: Yeah, no, I was tearing up at the end.

[1:21:23] Iyvon Edebiri: Um, so uh, I guess to get us started, uh, what inspired you to tell this play?

[1:21:30] Unknown speaker: And I guess before we get into that, this was um a commission from for the Radio Roots Writers Group, which uh was created in 2019.

[1:21:41] Unknown speaker: Um, and we had four wonderful writers, and we were like, let's teach them how to write audio theater.

[1:21:49] Unknown speaker: And this was before the pandemic, um, by the way.

[1:21:53] Unknown speaker: We were like, let's teach them how to write audio theater, and then we're gonna do some new commission plays in June 2020.

[1:21:59] Unknown speaker: And clearly that did not happen.

[1:22:01] Unknown speaker: In fact, the weekend before everything shut down, we had a writer's retreat.

[1:22:07] Unknown speaker: Oh my god.

[1:22:08] Unknown speaker: State New York.

[1:22:09] Unknown speaker: We were living normal life outside of the city, and then we got back into the city and we were like, what happened?

[1:22:16] Unknown speaker: We're gonna like wow, three two years.

[1:22:24] Unknown speaker: Two and a half years later, yeah, it's here.

[1:22:26] Unknown speaker: I have to say, I've loved my extended membership.

[1:22:28] Unknown speaker: Yes, writers group.

[1:22:31] Unknown speaker: Um strong.

[1:22:34] Unknown speaker: RWG forever.

[1:22:36] Unknown speaker: Yeah, we've done other things besides this one.

[1:22:39] Unknown speaker: Um, yeah, so you've been you've been like pretty pretty busy and active, and um, I guess we'll get to that, but like what outside of us commissioning this uh a play, a radio play, what what um what inspired you to tell this story particularly?

[1:22:57] Unknown speaker: Yeah, um, if if you can recall, uh 2019 and the years in the pandemic were quite eventful.

[1:23:05] Unknown speaker: Yeah.

[1:23:06] Unknown speaker: The years before that were also somewhat eventful.

[1:23:09] Unknown speaker: Yes, it was a time.

[1:23:10] Unknown speaker: Uh and still time.

[1:23:14] Unknown speaker: Still time, still time, definitely.

[1:23:15] Unknown speaker: And I think uh some of those things that were happening, um, people being deported, um, certain leaders of things.

[1:23:26] Unknown speaker: Well, the United States of America, yeah.

[1:23:29] Unknown speaker: Uh, we're also doing things.

[1:23:32] Unknown speaker: Uh, and you know, so that was kind of the climate that I was writing in.

[1:23:38] Unknown speaker: My parents are also immigrants, um, and so I know how much uh even though I haven't you know gone and lived anywhere and set up a new life anywhere, that um I know how much in immigration has impacted me.

[1:23:52] Unknown speaker: And um to be in this state of being where uh that was I feel not great is like such a simple way to put it, but like you know, it it felt, yeah, I mean it felt like an attack on people of color.

[1:24:11] Unknown speaker: It felt uh, you know, everybody was there. We all knew, we all know what was happening.

[1:24:15] Unknown speaker: Um, but yeah, I I just it felt it put me in my feels.

[1:24:20] Unknown speaker: Um at the same time, uh, I think emotionally um I had lost my dog, and I'm uh I'm very uh like a smother about my animals.

[1:24:29] Unknown speaker: Like I love them very, very, very much.

[1:24:31] Unknown speaker: And it brought it brought up a lot of things for me about living and grieving and life and loss, and um I think all of those kind of connected to make this play.

[1:24:42] Nina Ki: And you know, you were mentioning the what a time that we're still kind of in. Um and I know it's been such a long delay. How does it feel to like actually have this play now out there or will be out there in like a month after this gets edited? But it's still technically out there, at least I sure have heard it. Um I think you know, it's I okay, first of all, I love you all, the Parsnip Ship. Oh you all so much. Um I feel like from beginning to end the experience has been so wonderful. Um learned so many things with the writers group, but um more to the point. Um it is this whole rehearsal process, you know, being able to see you and Al again in person has been so lovely. Um it's also such a rare, I mean, maybe it's not so rare because I keep writing things this way, but to form this community of Korean American, um queers, fans, you know, like to and to have that sort of communal vibe going, um, especially with this type of play, it's been really, really beautiful. And I can't wait to um I was very excited to share it with all of you out there in the audience. And I'm very excited for other people to be able to experience it as well.

[1:26:05] Iyvon Edebiri: Yes, of course. And what feels like the most resonant themes in the play? Which ones felt like the most joyous to write versus the most difficult to write?

[1:26:17] Nina Ki: Yeah. Um I honestly don't know if I had any difficult to write moments about it. I mean I think in general in the writing process there's always that time where you're like oh shit like are we allowed to curse by the way?

[1:26:30] Iyvon Edebiri: Yeah, it's fine.

[1:26:31] Nina Ki: Oh shit, okay great. It's not good. You know where you're like oh shit like is this gonna fucking work? Like am I am I a loser? Am I like am I never gonna write anything great again? I thought this was a good idea. But you know, once I hit that spot I got after I got over that hurdle, it wasn't really that hard to write. I think it came from a pretty emotional place and um it just kind of poured out of me. So in terms of the things that were easy to write, um I think some of my own experiences are definitely in there. My own harmony like uh that all those stories about like being in the Sijang with her like walking down in those street markets like that those are real that actually happened. Um and yeah all those little pieces that um that were these precious memories that were like very easy to share. I love that.

[1:26:49] Iyvon Edebiri: And um how since we started in 2019 how have you felt like your writing has developed? Especially um through this uh the radio routes, but also the disruption in our field, which gave us a lot more time, but also less time in different ways. How have you felt like your writing has changed?

[1:27:53] Nina Ki: Yeah, I honestly started writing a lot of horror in the pandemic. I know, right? You're like, oh, Elon! So lovely. And you're like, ah. But yeah, I started writing a lot of horror. And it was a time, like I am now kind of maybe getting out of that, but also maybe not. I'm not sure. Because I don't know. I guess I could like turn around and write another one. Such a writer. But yeah, it was a lot of um it yeah, it was a lot of freaky stuff. And I think maybe it was just like the feeling of anxiety, the feeling of uh being afraid. Um I did uh write this one play that later on I realized I was like, oh, it's because I was like, they're trapped in in this house with a monster, like a Kishin, like trying to kill them.

And I was like, is that how I feel about like the outside world? Like not just COVID, but like, you know, all the anti-Asian stuff and all that. I was like, oh shit, like my psychology is like writing something in my deep. That unconscious, yes, that unconscious playwright.

[1:29:01] Iyvon Edebiri: Yeah, yeah.

[1:29:02] Nina Ki: Um and so uh have two last questions to wrap us up. Um where so this season, as folks heard, this season um was originally for um or season five, which this has been now is officially part of, is um dedicated to and has all plays by um uh female, femme identifying, transgender, nonconforming um folks. And so I want to ask, where do you see the future of gender equality in a hundred years?

[1:29:39] Nina Ki: Oh my god. Oh it's a question about possibilities. You know what? Yeah, okay, possibilities. Um, something that was really like it was something that was going around, right? Like uh when not speaking about anti-Asian hate and the pandemic and everything, um, there's something that was going around, and I'm gonna quote it terribly. I'm I'm so sorry, but it was something like in the future our elders will be safe and like cared for and supported, and uh they won't have to be afraid anymore. And um, I would like to say the same for gender equality for trans folks, for gender non-conforming folks, for all of us like everywhere on the spectrum. Um I deeply hope for, uh, invite us all to work together for a space where we can all be safe and supported and be able to live our lives as our best selves. And I am gonna manifest that shit right now.

[1:30:48] Iyvon Edebiri: Yeah, it's on podcasts.

[1:30:51] Nina Ki: Yes, right? This is recorded for posterity. We're all manifesting this energy right now. And it's sooner than a hundred. This was the moment. Right? And even sooner. Like maybe like 2050.

[1:31:06] Iyvon Edebiri: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[1:31:07] Nina Ki: It's a little sooner than that.

[1:31:09] Iyvon Edebiri: Yeah, yeah.

[1:31:10] Nina Ki: That'd be nice. Nice to see. Um, and last question. What did you have for breakfast this morning?

[1:31:16] Nina Ki: I had the breakfast of champions. No, it's called the Lazy Korean meal. And the lazy Korean meal is I have some rice. I have some kimchi, and I have whatever protein is available to me. And this morning it was leftover meat and Taiwanese sausage that my partner had made. So nice.

[1:31:39] Iyvon Edebiri: Yeah.

[1:31:40] Nina Ki: Yes. Breakfast of champions. Throw it all together. Breakfast of champions, yeah. You got your carbs, you got your protein. That is successful.

[1:31:50] Iyvon Edebiri: Yes. Thank you so much.

[1:31:53] Iyvon Edebiri: Well, thank you, Nina. Um, we're just gonna um just give some thank yous to our artistic collaborators who are part of this episode. So to our wonderful cast tonight. Um, again, Phoenix Ra, Brittany Anikka Liu, Julie Lee, Estelle, Sarah Shin, Teresa Langford. Woo! You're fucking amazing. Our live Foley tonight was by Tori Ashley Matos and Al Parker. Woo! This episode was directed by Cara Hinh. Woo! We love you! See cool! And our musicians are Will Bug and Caitlin Star. Woo! Sea Longing was written by Nina Ki. Thank you to our sound engineer and editor, Luke De Cola. And a thank you to our TPS team and co-producer, Business Lunch Productions. BLP is a leading creative agency based in New York City, working with creatives all over the world. And thanks to the Mark O'Donnell Theater at the Entertainment Community Fund Art Center for having us in their space in downtown Brooklyn.

[1:33:23] Iyvon Edebiri: And before we get to our last song to close out the night, we want to say thank you again for listening to The Parsnip Ship. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at The Parsnip Ship NY. If you would like to help support The Parsnip Ship, please help us grow and reach new audiences by sharing your experience and episodes across social networks. Please use hashtag The Parsnip Ship. When you do, you can listen to all of our past episodes on iTunes, Spotify, Broadway Podcast Network, and anywhere you hear your podcasts. Our season five episode Nanai by Molly Olus Crossed, Luciana Gas by Javier Rivera de Bruen, and an eco fable by Robin Rice will be available soon. Thank you in advance for joining us for our next live recording. Join us in the new year here again on Monday, January 30th for American Spies by Sam Hamashima. This episode was produced by The Parsnip Ship and Business Lunch Productions. New plays, new music, this is how we hear theater.

[1:34:30] ♪ Musical number ♪

[1:34:57] There's an emptiness or mess somewhere in my body, somewhere unknown. I can feel it. I don't know how. Don't need to deal with the fun of the night. I'm quite certain when it comes to now, but then my mind just circles back and say.

[1:35:51] I think I want to try again.

[1:36:12] Turn the lights on. I can move my body. I think again. Time pass by. Time just passes by. At the end of the night, we'll do it again.

[1:36:43] Yeah, I say things that sound just about right. Don't need to deal with the fun of the night. I'm quite certain when it comes to now, but then my mind just circles back and say, I think I wanna try again.

[1:36:52] I think I wanna try again. I think I wanna try again. I think I wanna try again.

[1:37:45] I'm quite sick when it comes to now, but then my mind just circles back and say, I think I wanna try again.