- 1 day ago
The Silent Polyglot
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:05I'm Annie Smith, a junior translator at White Global Trading Co. LuDid.
00:00:09I've been here for three years, and make $24,000 a year.
00:00:13Pretty ordinary, right?
00:00:14But in fact, I'm fluent in eight languages.
00:00:17English, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Arabic, and Italian.
00:00:23Nobody knows that.
00:00:24My father was a diplomat, and mother was simultaneous instructor.
00:00:27Five years ago, they died in a car accident.
00:00:30I've never wanted to show off because of these skills.
00:00:33I just want to keep my head down and be a small, unassuming translator.
00:00:36Let's welcome Mr. White to the stage.
00:00:41Everyone have worked hard over the past year.
00:00:44Thank you for your dedication.
00:00:46In the new year, we will...
00:00:49It's been ten minutes.
00:00:51And I'm down here counting how many times he says thank you while he's giving the speech.
00:00:56Nanny, you better win the lucky draw later.
00:00:59If you do, dinner's on me.
00:01:02Sure, why not?
00:01:04That's my everyday life.
00:01:05Elon is my only friend at work.
00:01:08She doesn't know I speak eight languages.
00:01:11But she does know one thing.
00:01:15Also, I have another one.
00:01:18Everyone here, who speaks German, will receive a 70% Gehandserröhung.
00:01:2670%.
00:01:27My salary would go from 24.000 to 4.800.
00:01:31But it has nothing to do with me.
00:01:33I told myself, it has nothing to do with me.
00:01:40Annie, did you understand that?
00:01:43No.
00:01:44I don't speak German.
00:01:46Right, of course.
00:01:47You only have a certificate in Spanish.
00:01:49What could you possibly understand?
00:01:52Poor thing.
00:01:55Starlet, majoring in German, French, and Spanish, is the head of translator team.
00:02:00She got promoted in just three months.
00:02:02And has been riding that high ever since.
00:02:07Anyway, the raise has nothing to do with you.
00:02:10Just keep doing the basic work.
00:02:13Oh, and remember to translate the annual meeting press replaced tonight.
00:02:17I didn't say anything.
00:02:19A 70% raise.
00:02:21The German translation team consists of four people, plus Scarlet.
00:02:24Only five people would get it.
00:02:25What did that have to do with me?
00:02:27Nothing.
00:02:28Really, nothing.
00:02:33Anne, stay right there.
00:02:35I'm coming over right now.
00:02:40Annie, why didn't you raise your hand just now?
00:02:42Raise my hand for what?
00:02:45You definitely understood that, German, right?
00:02:4770%?
00:02:48You only make 24,000 a year.
00:02:50After the raise, that's 4,800 a year.
00:02:53No, I didn't get the meaning.
00:02:55I don't speak German.
00:02:58Who are you trying to fool?
00:02:59Your French is already that good.
00:03:01You expect me to believe you don't understand German.
00:03:03Are you kidding me?
00:03:04I really don't understand German.
00:03:07Anne, that crappy place you rent barely have working heating.
00:03:11Sometimes, you even can't bring yourself to go and we go out for a drink on Friday.
00:03:14Can't you stand up for yourself for once?
00:03:16Eileen caught me reading a French book in the pantry last year.
00:03:19I told her I'd studied a little bit French.
00:03:22She's been holding it in for almost a year.
00:03:24I don't want to expose.
00:03:30Oh my God, Annie, what are you afraid of?
00:03:35Fine, keep pretending.
00:03:37I'm done.
00:03:38But, Annie, I'm telling you.
00:03:40You're going to suffer with that kind of personality sooner or later.
00:03:45Alright.
00:03:51Guter Schaßhug, oder?
00:03:53Schließlich können das nur die Leute aus dem deutschen Team verstehen.
00:03:56Das bedeutet, dass sich nur dem Kern-Team eine Gehens-Erhöhung gibt.
00:04:00Alle anderen werden einfach denken, dass ich einen motivasiere Schrey halte.
00:04:05Sehr brillant, Mr. White.
00:04:08Abross.
00:04:09Wem schäden wir nächste Woche für das Projekt der Crown Bell Group?
00:04:14Scarlett.
00:04:15Sie spricht am besten Deutsch.
00:04:19Ich habe gehört, dass Präsident Anderson von Crown Bell ziemlich schwierig ist.
00:04:22Letztes Mal hat er das gesamte Übersetzungsgrund von Meridian aus dem Sprengsraum hinlang gefrogen.
00:04:27Das sollte kein Problem sein.
00:04:28Scarlett kommt damit klar.
00:04:33Leute, auf Andersonville sollten wir diesmal nicht mitmehnen.
00:04:36Sie könnten das Meeting ruinieren.
00:04:40They didn't know I could understand them.
00:04:42They thought I was just a small translator.
00:04:46But that's only to be expected.
00:04:48I haven't shown what I'm capable of either.
00:04:50Annie, send me the proofread version of last week's contract tomorrow.
00:04:55Yes, Mr. White.
00:05:01I placed the proofread contract on Brian White's desk the next day.
00:05:05It was a 30,000 word Spanish contract.
00:05:08And I had corrected 47 mistakes in the original translation.
00:05:12The original translator was Scarlett.
00:05:14But my name would never appear on the proofread version.
00:05:16It would only show translation department on the surface.
00:05:20Scarlett never knew her translations had been corrected by me.
00:05:23She thought she was the top.
00:05:27Annie, did you hear?
00:05:28Hear what?
00:05:29Scarlett is going to handle the Crownwell International next week.
00:05:32I heard.
00:05:33Do you know President Anderson of Crownwell?
00:05:40Who?
00:05:44Louis Anderson.
00:05:4532 years old.
00:05:47President of Crownwell International Commerce Group, Lydian.
00:05:49He ranked 98th on last year's Global Wealth Rankings.
00:05:51They say he's fluent in five languages, but notorious for his bad temper.
00:05:54He even chewed out the entire Meridian's translation team and drove them out of the meeting room.
00:05:58What does that have to do with me?
00:06:00You don't think Scarlett can handle him?
00:06:03Even if she can't, that's not my business.
00:06:08Annie, seriously.
00:06:09You're way too good at putting up with things.
00:06:12Boone left.
00:06:12She doesn't get it.
00:06:13I'm not putting up with it.
00:06:14I just don't want to get involved.
00:06:16It was an Eric supplier quotation.
00:06:18Technically, it should have gone to someone on the Eric group.
00:06:21But the Eric team is out of the office today, so Alex Wood casually dumped it on me.
00:06:25Annie, didn't you say you took a little Arabic course in college?
00:06:28Just do a rough translation.
00:06:29Sure.
00:06:30I did tell him I'd taken a little Arabic.
00:06:33But in fact, I lived in Saudi Arabia for two years.
00:06:36Arabic is basically my fourth native language.
00:06:38It took me 15 minutes to finish the translation.
00:06:40I left two tiny mistakes in proposal just to pretend the work of someone who had only taken a little
00:06:45Arabic.
00:06:51Not bad was actually good enough for me.
00:07:00Annie, organize these materials for me.
00:07:02I need them for Crownwell's project next week.
00:07:04This is background materials on Crownwell International Commerce Group Loa, all in Spanish.
00:07:09About 50 pages.
00:07:10This isn't my job.
00:07:11How is it not?
00:07:12You're in the translation department, and I'm your leader.
00:07:15Is there a problem with me assigning you work?
00:07:17She had been promoted to team leader last month, so of course was at the peak of her arrogance.
00:07:22Fine.
00:07:25Oh, and there's a department meeting tomorrow.
00:07:27We'll be discussing the handover plan for the Crownwell project.
00:07:30You don't need to attend.
00:07:32I know.
00:07:33You're only responsible for basic proofreading.
00:07:35A major project like this isn't something you get to be part of.
00:07:38I know.
00:07:45I heard everything in the pantry.
00:07:47Who does she think she is talking to you like that?
00:07:49What does she mean by not something you get to be part of?
00:07:51I'm used to it.
00:07:52Can't you just clap back for once, and then what?
00:07:55She's the boss.
00:07:57If you showed everyone what you can really do, what kind of boss would she even be?
00:08:03I don't want to.
00:08:05What exactly are you afraid of, Annie?
00:08:07What am I afraid of?
00:08:09I don't know either.
00:08:10Maybe I'm afraid of being noticed.
00:08:12Afraid that people will dig into my past and will look at me with pity.
00:08:16Or maybe I'm just too tired to care.
00:08:23An annual salary of $24,000.
00:08:26In this city, after rent and utilities, there isn't much left.
00:08:36Hello?
00:08:37Hello.
00:08:38Am I speaking with Miss Annie Smith?
00:08:40Yes.
00:08:40This is Attorney Wills from Kirkland and Ellis Law Firm.
00:08:43There are some documents regarding the settlement of the overseas assets left by your parents,
00:08:47and we need you to sign in person.
00:08:49I've said this before.
00:08:50I don't want any of it.
00:08:51Donate everything.
00:08:52Mrs. Smith, there is a sum in your parents' account in Zurich.
00:08:54I don't want it.
00:08:55Attorney Wills, thank you, but please stop calling me.
00:09:05The Translation Department had a meeting on a Monday morning.
00:09:07I wasn't told to attend, but my desk was right next to the meeting room.
00:09:11I could hear every word through that glass wall.
00:09:13Louis Anderson is fluent in German and French.
00:09:15There are also someone who can speak Mandarin and Japanese in his team.
00:09:18This time, we're discussing a supply chain partnership for the Middle East market.
00:09:22Anything involving Arabic will be handled by their side.
00:09:25We only need to cover the German communication.
00:09:27Can you handle that?
00:09:27Of course.
00:09:28I studied in Germany for three years.
00:09:30The business negotiation like this is exactly in my comfort zone.
00:09:32To be fair, Charlotte's German is decent.
00:09:34Daily conversation is indeed a piece of cake for her.
00:09:37But I've reviewed her previous translations.
00:09:39Her business German has one fatal habit.
00:09:41She relies too much on literal translation,
00:09:43and often misses the level of formality required in German business correspondence.
00:09:46In everyday conversation, that's not a big deal.
00:09:48But if the person she faced is extremely sensitive to details,
00:09:52never mind.
00:09:52Not my business.
00:09:54Finished sorting everything?
00:09:56Yes.
00:09:57I made her a summary classified by project type,
00:09:59cooperation history, and key personnel.
00:10:01I also marked the changes of carrot policies and the risk points.
00:10:04All she had to do was a glance through,
00:10:05and she was exactly to expect.
00:10:06It'll do.
00:10:12Scarlett!
00:10:13Scarlett.
00:10:14He rarely came down here in person.
00:10:17Scarlett.
00:10:18Crown will move the schedule up.
00:10:20Anderson will be here tomorrow afternoon.
00:10:22Are you ready?
00:10:22Move up.
00:10:25I've gone through all the materials.
00:10:27No problem.
00:10:28Good.
00:10:28Bring someone with you tomorrow for on-site interpretation support.
00:10:32I'll take Zach.
00:10:33His German is decent, too.
00:10:34Zach is still on leave.
00:10:39Annie!
00:10:40You come with me tomorrow.
00:10:41Me?
00:10:41I only speak Spanish.
00:10:42You'll just take notes and serve coffee.
00:10:45I'll handle the professional part.
00:10:47Her?
00:10:48Don't worry, Mr. White.
00:10:50She's more than enough as an assistant.
00:10:52I got dragged into Crown Millions business negotiation
00:10:54as an assistant and a note-taker.
00:10:57Someone who can serve coffee at the same time.
00:11:00I sent Elin a message.
00:11:01I will go to Crown Mill tomorrow.
00:11:03Scarlett is taking you?
00:11:04Doesn't she always get down on you?
00:11:06As the errand girl.
00:11:07You just agreed to that?
00:11:09What else am I supposed to do?
00:11:11Annie!
00:11:23Are you from White Global?
00:11:24Yes.
00:11:25I'm Scarlett, team leader of the translation department.
00:11:28This is my assistant, Annie.
00:11:29Oh, she called me assistant.
00:11:31I didn't correct her.
00:11:35Please wait.
00:11:36President Alexandring is still in a meeting.
00:11:39Scarlett reapplied her lipstick twice
00:11:40and adjusted her hair three separate times
00:11:42in just these 15 minutes.
00:11:44Annie, when we go in,
00:11:45just sit on the side and take notes.
00:11:47Don't speak unless you're asked.
00:11:48Got it?
00:11:49Got it.
00:11:49Also, when you address Mr. Anderson,
00:11:52be formal and respectful.
00:11:54Don't let your eyes wander.
00:11:56People at his level hate unprofessional behavior.
00:11:59Okay.
00:12:02Miss Scarlett,
00:12:03President Anderson will see you now.
00:12:1632 years old,
00:12:18about 6 foot 1,
00:12:19gray suit,
00:12:19no tie.
00:12:20The top button of his shirt was undone.
00:12:22His face was cold.
00:12:23Not the kind of cold people put on to look cool.
00:12:25He was genuinely cold.
00:12:26Sit.
00:12:29Two other people were sitting next to him.
00:12:30A legal director
00:12:31and a lady who looked very, very young.
00:12:33A translation device sat in front of her.
00:12:39In the last outfit,
00:12:40that you were standing next to us
00:12:42yesterday,
00:12:43was a direct tariff on the standards
00:12:45from 2000,
00:12:472001.
00:12:47We have now 2024.
00:12:49What does that mean?
00:12:50He spoke so fast.
00:12:52Every word was sharp.
00:12:53She understood him,
00:12:54but she clearly didn't expect him to open like that.
00:13:01I...
00:13:02I...
00:13:03I...
00:13:03I mean...
00:13:04I have asked in German,
00:13:05so please answer in German.
00:13:07I don't want to spend time with the
00:13:08over-and-sit.
00:13:11That was only a first end-up.
00:13:14We will update the data.
00:13:16Update?
00:13:17Is someone in your key
00:13:19with the new software
00:13:19for the import of the EG
00:13:20in the near 60th of 2014?
00:13:22The changes in Article D3 and 7
00:13:24betreiben direct 15%
00:13:25of your Avos-Spielers.
00:13:26Do you know that?
00:13:28She didn't know.
00:13:30But I did.
00:13:31Because that policy change was mentioned
00:13:33in the background materials.
00:13:34I had specifically marked it in the summary.
00:13:37But Scarlet obviously hadn't read it carefully.
00:13:41It is...
00:13:42I have to do that in the internal manner.
00:13:47Do you have to wait to see it before you come here?
00:13:51No.
00:13:51Do you have to do that before you come here?
00:13:52Do you have used three of the wrong German
00:13:53languages?
00:13:55For the first time, I said nothing.
00:13:57For the second time, I said nothing.
00:13:58For the second time, I did not.
00:13:58For the third time, I did not.
00:14:00For the third time, I did not.
00:14:01Do you know what is in the business life
00:14:02Is it when you use the wrong form of the wrong use?
00:14:05It means either that you don't respect me or that you don't know your truth.
00:14:09Which is it?
00:14:11The legal director beside Anderson gave a slight shake of his head.
00:14:15The meaning was obvious.
00:14:17This negotiation was about to fall through.
00:14:25Mr. Anderson, I pray for many reasons.
00:14:28Excuse me.
00:14:29If this is the meaning of White Glover,
00:14:31I'm going to feel like I'm going to shake another partner.
00:14:33My hands froze about the keyboard.
00:14:35Two voices were speaking in my head.
00:14:37It's none of your concern.
00:14:38You're just here to fetch coffee and serve drinks.
00:14:40This is Whitworthid Global's biggest deal of the year.
00:14:42If we lose it, they'll probably be layoffs by the end of the year.
00:14:45And junior translators like me will be first on the chopping block.
00:14:58President Anderson, please give us five minutes.
00:15:14And you are?
00:15:16I'm Annie, junior translator at Whitmore Global.
00:15:21Junior translator?
00:15:22Yes.
00:15:24The one who always takes notes beside and serves coffee.
00:15:29Five minutes.
00:15:34The new three are the standard for six to eight pieces.
00:15:39These are the two main words.
00:15:41Our day-to-day is about five %,
00:15:42and we're going to be 15 %,
00:15:44and we're going to be 15 %.
00:16:03where did you learn german i lived in berlin for a while your honorifics are very precise thank
00:16:09you and you said you were the junior level yes your five minutes are up but i can give you
00:16:14ten
00:16:15more on one condition from here on you meet the negotiation she can't i said she leads
00:16:24or you can leave right now scarlet should i take over
00:16:32then let's restart from the first part of the proposal this wasn't because i had prepared in
00:16:36advance while sorting that 50 pages materials i for scarlet i had memorized every word plus i grew
00:16:41up in a diplomatic family the basics of international trade are as natural to me as breathing
00:16:45off in the news mark when a customer longer nicht über den preis spree sondern nur über
00:16:49tailingen wie würden sie damit umgehen
00:16:52you speak arabic too a little der japanische lieferständ ist sechs prozent günstiger aber
00:17:00die lieferzeit ist instabil wie entscheiden sie die erschreckende japanische ango suchnummer
00:17:04the framework works i'll have my legal team follow up with you on the details the
00:17:19hand was warm and strong and the grip was just right annie right yes you wasted in the junior
00:17:30level you lied to everyone what you said you only spoke spanish
00:17:41i do mainly work in spanish what you did in there today that's what you call mainly working
00:17:45in spanish your german is better than mine where did that arab come from it's not even on your
00:17:50resume scarlet the project was saved wasn't it you did this on purpose you hid your skills just
00:17:58waiting for a chance like this to show off what do you think will happen just because you impressed
00:18:03louie anderson once when we're back at the company you're still just that junior translator annie
00:18:09just you wait
00:18:17suddenly i felt a little tired
00:18:21how did the negotiation go did scarlet crash and burn the project was saved
00:18:25how was it saved wasn't she wait was it you i'll tell you when i get back
00:18:29annie you finally made a move
00:18:33standing at the exit of the underground garage i felt the autumn wind blowing in
00:18:37it was a bit cold i didn't want to show off i really didn't but i didn't want to lose
00:18:43my job
00:18:44either
00:18:53mr white annie spoke out of turn during negotiation and completely ignored the company hierarchy
00:18:58was the project saved yes but that was and that's all that matters the crown will deal is worth 40
00:19:03million dollars if it had fallen through yesterday the entire translation department could have packed
00:19:07up one look at her face and i knew this wasn't over
00:19:19annie how good is your german exactly
00:19:21i can get by
00:19:22you can get by i heard you handled the entire negotiation in german without any problem at crown well and
00:19:27you
00:19:27even used arabic my german just everyday level
00:19:29do you know if the company hired a multi-language translator like you the starting salary would be at least
00:19:33ninety six thousand dollars a year i have no issues with my current salary fine come to the meeting
00:19:38room at two this afternoon we need you involved in the follow-up coordination for the crown well project
00:19:43mr wood i'm the one in charge of the crown well project we'll remain in charge but annie will be
00:19:48involved in the coordination that's mr white's decision
00:19:54happy now annie
00:19:56scarlet i just you just what you think because you showed up once yesterday you're on the same level as
00:20:02me now
00:20:02that's not what i meant i've been here for seven years i worked my way up from intern to department
00:20:07leader
00:20:07and you a liar who's been hiding everything
00:20:13just you wait
00:20:18annie mr anderson specifically requested you as the translator for the follow-up coordination
00:20:22starting today you'll be temporarily transferred to the crown well project team
00:20:25okay
00:20:26but your position will remain junior and salary will stay the same we'll evaluate it again after the project ends
00:20:30got it
00:20:31crown well supply chain project is divided into three stages
00:20:34the preliminary framework was already discussed yesterday
00:20:36next comes the translation of the detailed terms and contract documents
00:20:39all files will need english spanish and german versions
00:20:42annie can you handle all three language versions at the same time
00:20:44yes
00:20:45three languages since she joined this company she has only ever worked as a spanish translator
00:20:48we don't even know her actual german level what if something goes wrong
00:20:51yesterday's negotiation showed exactly what her level is
00:20:54any other questions
00:20:58it took me two hours to finish the english version
00:21:01and another hour and a half to finish the spanish version
00:21:06you're translating that fast
00:21:07aren't you afraid of making mistakes
00:21:09nope
00:21:10you better pray you don't make any
00:21:18both the speed and quality excited expectations
00:21:21annie what exactly have you been doing for the past three years
00:21:31hello
00:21:33annie
00:21:33it was louis anderson
00:21:35this is louis anderson from crown well
00:21:37mr wood gave me your number
00:21:38mr anderson what can i do for you
00:21:40i read the 62 pages you translated today
00:21:42was there any problem
00:21:43no problem at all
00:21:44it's the most accurate german business translation i've seen in the past three years
00:21:48thank you
00:21:49you're not someone who belongs in a junior position
00:21:52that is my current position
00:21:53i know
00:21:54that's why i'm curious
00:21:55crown well has an internal meeting tomorrow afternoon
00:21:57it involves partner selection for the middle eastern market
00:22:00i need an arabic speaking interpreter there
00:22:01this should go through the company
00:22:03i know
00:22:04but i'm asking you directly
00:22:05would you like to come
00:22:07okay i will
00:22:10annie
00:22:11maybe you're going to be exposed after all
00:22:12i knew this day would come eventually
00:22:15but i just didn't expect it to come this soon
00:22:20they were from a construction materials group in the uae
00:22:22the man leading the meeting looked about 50
00:22:24wearing a white robe with a siri expression
00:22:26a young arab woman sat beside him should be his interpreter
00:22:29you're here
00:22:31today i may need you to do an interpretation between eric and english
00:22:35okay
00:22:35if starlet were here she would probably ask
00:22:37where did your ab look even come from
00:22:38the answer is i lived in cairo for a year and a half
00:22:40during that time my roommate was even an egyptian diplomat's daughter
00:22:59i lowered my head in height as if i were picking notes
00:23:01then i turned my laptop slightly so louie anderson could see the storm line as he wished
00:23:05they said they want to push the price down by 20 work they'll switch to suppliers
00:23:07louie anderson's eyes stayed on the screen for one second
00:23:10his expression didn't change at all
00:23:12but it's in the negotiation that followed his strategy clearly shifted
00:23:16let's cut the chase our final offer is 10% below the current market price
00:23:19take your lead
00:23:25your abishik is excellent
00:23:26not that good just the daily level
00:23:29you heard what he said to his interpreter just now
00:23:31then you warned me
00:23:32i just thought the information might be useful for the negotiation
00:23:35without that warning from you this deal would have cost us at least 8 million dollars today
00:23:38annie how many languages do you speak german french japanese korean spanish arabic and italian
00:23:44eight in total plus english and you're a junior level translator at white global
00:23:47do you think that makes sense it was my choice
00:23:50would you be interested in coming to crownwell
00:23:51i can start you at four hundred thousand dollars a year
00:23:53if you're willing to head the international business department there's no upper limit
00:23:57mr anderson thank you for the offer i'm not planning to change jobs for now
00:24:00for now
00:24:01for now
00:24:01you can change your mind to any ground
00:24:03only one line of text louie anderson and a phone number
00:24:05it didn't even say president crownwell international
00:24:08this kind of card is usually given to people who already need to know who you are
00:24:20what are you doing
00:24:21i i i was passing by and saw your computer was still on
00:24:24it was off when i left
00:24:26you went to crownwell again today
00:24:27louie anderson asked you to go didn't he
00:24:29it was needed for the project coordination
00:24:30what kind of project needs you to interpret arabic you never said you were that good at arabic
00:24:33what else are you hiding scarlet
00:24:35what did you see on my computer
00:24:38i didn't see anything
00:24:39she had opened my personal folder
00:24:41what was inside
00:24:42some translation exercises
00:24:44casual translations in french
00:24:46japanese and korean
00:24:47things i did when i was bored
00:24:50if she saw those
00:24:53annie what exactly did you do at crownwell today
00:24:55scarlet was losing her mind in the office all afternoon
00:24:57she went through your computer
00:24:58i know you know why are you reporting her
00:25:00report what i don't have proof
00:25:01you are way too
00:25:03forget it i heard something today
00:25:04do you want to know
00:25:05go on
00:25:05there's something going on between scarlet and alicewood
00:25:07what do you mean
00:25:08i handle reverse foot forms in adven
00:25:10over the past six months
00:25:10scarlet has gone on loan with alicewood to talk about work 17 times
00:25:13every single time i was at that hotel on the west side of the city
00:25:15think about that
00:25:16that has nothing to do with me
00:25:17how does that have nothing to do with you
00:25:18alicewood made scarlet department leader because of that relationship
00:25:26the message basically said the company found some employees failed to truthfully fill in personal skills during onboarding
00:25:32all staff must update profiles within a week
00:25:35concealment or classification will be dealt with as a violation of company regulations
00:25:41this email is entered straight to you
00:25:43of course i knew
00:25:44when scarlet went through my computer
00:25:46she found those multilingual translation exercises
00:25:49she must have gone to alicewood
00:25:54annie
00:25:54did you see that email
00:25:57so what
00:25:57are you planning to update your profile
00:25:59i'm still thinking about it
00:26:02i suggest you do it soon
00:26:04if they find out you hid something
00:26:06that'll be a very serious matter
00:26:09thank you for the reminder scarlet
00:26:17it had a pure black background with handwritten words on the back
00:26:22i never noticed it before
00:26:24it hasn't come to that yet
00:26:29there are two things to discuss today
00:26:31first
00:26:32the crownwell project has finished the initial handover
00:26:35mr. anderson is very satisfied with our translation work
00:26:39bonuses for this project will be issued next month
00:26:44second
00:26:45regarding the update of employee profiles
00:26:52mr. white i have a question
00:26:55go ahead
00:26:55if an employee deliberately hides their skills
00:26:58and causes the company to make the mistakes
00:27:00in allocation human resources
00:27:02does that count as a violation?
00:27:10then let me give an example
00:27:11say an employee only lists spanish on her profile
00:27:14but in fact she is fluent in multiple languages
00:27:16the company assigns her position and salary
00:27:17according on the standard for a spanish translator
00:27:19and she never raises any objection
00:27:20over three years without knowing the truth
00:27:22the company loses out on a huge amount of usable human resources
00:27:25this kind of behavior
00:27:26enough
00:27:30scarlet
00:27:31get to the point
00:27:32the person you're talking about is me, right?
00:27:35so what?
00:27:36yes
00:27:36i only listed spanish on my profile
00:27:39because the position i applied for was junior spanish translator
00:27:42i have never made a mistake during the work
00:27:46as for the other languages
00:27:47as for the other languages
00:27:49you hid your ability
00:27:50you let the company spend high salaries hiring people for the german, french, and arabic teams
00:27:54when you alone could do all of their jobs
00:27:56isn't that damaging the company's interests?
00:27:58if i alone can replace all of them
00:28:00then where does that leave you scarlet?
00:28:02this has nothing to do with my place
00:28:03it does
00:28:04because what you're really worried about
00:28:06isn't the company's interests
00:28:08it's the fact that you found out i'm more capable than you
00:28:11and now your position doesn't feel so secure anymore
00:28:14you
00:28:15i'll say it again
00:28:17not listing on my profile does not mean hiding
00:28:19the skills section does not say all skills must be listed
00:28:22i chose to show only the skills required for the job i applied for
00:28:26that is my right
00:28:31fine
00:28:31then let me ask another question
00:28:33mr. white
00:28:34the bonus for the crown well project is distributed among the team members right?
00:28:38yes
00:28:38annie was added to the team later on a temporary basis
00:28:41the part she took in was just translation handover
00:28:43she wasn't on the original team list
00:28:45so when the bonus is distributed
00:28:46she shouldn't receive the full amount
00:28:49that was a vicious move
00:28:50she stopped attacking me over the hidden skills issue because she knew she couldn't win that fight
00:28:54so she switched
00:28:55to mund
00:28:56money instead
00:28:59well
00:29:01scarlet does have a point
00:29:02annie joined halfway through
00:29:04louie anderson specifically requested me
00:29:08mr. anderson
00:29:10what brings you here
00:29:11i came to deliver the contract
00:29:12i heard your meeting
00:29:14the door wasn't fully closed
00:29:15the core negotiation of this project was completed by annie
00:29:18on the day we first met she saved the entire conversation in the final five minutes
00:29:21during the meeting with the uae client she used arabic to win me eight million dollars in profit margin
00:29:25how your company distributes bonus is your business
00:29:27but i suggest you figure out who really is
00:29:30the key person in this project
00:29:38one more thing
00:29:39there is a clause in this contract
00:29:40from now on
00:29:41all translation handover work for crown with will be handled by annie
00:29:45if she is no longer at white global
00:29:46this contract automatically becomes void
00:29:53mr. anderson you mean
00:29:55i've made myself very clear
00:29:56this contract is worth eighty million dollars a year
00:30:00the handover translator is annie
00:30:02if you replace her
00:30:04the contract is void
00:30:07eighty million
00:30:09annie
00:30:09mr. white
00:30:10starting today you are no longer on the junior level
00:30:13then which level i'm in
00:30:15deputy director of the translation department
00:30:17as for your salary
00:30:19we'll discuss it private
00:30:20mr. white
00:30:21she's only been here for three years i've been here for seven
00:30:24scarlet
00:30:25sit down
00:30:30the translation department was in an uproar
00:30:33she actually speaks eight languages
00:30:36she stayed in the junior level for three years
00:30:38how did that happen
00:30:40didn't you hear louis anderson's contract
00:30:41he specifically asked for her
00:30:43eighty million
00:30:46scarlet's face looks amazing
00:30:48i mean the color
00:30:52that line in french
00:30:53you understood it
00:30:54i did
00:30:56what did you think
00:30:59i'm thinking about it
00:31:01take your time
00:31:05annie
00:31:05let's have a chat
00:31:09you hid for three years
00:31:10and now everything is out in the lopen
00:31:12do you really think your life here will be easy from now on
00:31:16are you threatening me
00:31:17i'm reminding you
00:31:18do you think becoming deputy director solves everything
00:31:20the translation department's connections
00:31:22client relationships and internal resources are all in my hands
00:31:26you're a newcomer who just got promoted
00:31:27you won't be able to handle any of it
00:31:29what are you trying to say
00:31:30give me your position
00:31:31you can keep working as the handover translator
00:31:33and take your project bonus
00:31:35i'll manage the department and you handle the business
00:31:37we both get what we want
00:31:39what if i don't want to
00:31:40then i'll let you know
00:31:42ability isn't the only thing that matters in reality
00:31:50it tasted awful
00:31:51scarlet was right
00:31:53ability isn't the only thing that matters
00:31:55but there is one thing she's wrong about
00:31:57thinking she was the only one who had the connection
00:32:03on monday
00:32:04something major happened at white global
00:32:05the company had received a new project
00:32:07a fashion brand from neon france
00:32:09it required a full set of french to english brand translation
00:32:13and market localization services
00:32:15alex wood had brought this project back through an old client
00:32:18the amount was not huge
00:32:20but it mattered a lot for the company's brand expansion
00:32:23the problem was
00:32:25one of the two translators on the french team had just resigned last month
00:32:29the other was on maternity leave
00:32:32there's no one left on the french team
00:32:34what are we supposed to do with this project
00:32:38annie
00:32:39what level is your french
00:32:41it works
00:32:42what do you mean by that
00:32:43can you handle high-end french brand localization
00:32:45yes
00:32:46good
00:32:47then you're taking this project
00:32:51the director of the french side
00:32:53personally called brian white after looked through
00:32:58is your translator french
00:32:59the language feels incredibly authentic
00:33:02yes we have a dedicated french translation team
00:33:09annie
00:33:10the french side is extremely satisfied
00:33:12they've added another project
00:33:14the full translation of their product manuals
00:33:16it's worth three million dollars
00:33:19okay
00:33:19i'll approve your project bonus for this month separately
00:33:22thank you mr white
00:33:27please note everyone
00:33:28project assignments in the translation should follow department procedures
00:33:31no one should skip the leader and take projects directly
00:33:46annie
00:33:47do you really speak eight languages
00:33:49yes
00:33:49do you know how rare someone like you is in the translation industry
00:33:53i know
00:33:54then why did you
00:33:57forget it
00:33:57there's something i should tell you
00:33:59scarlet has a real problem with you
00:34:01she's brought it up with me several times already
00:34:03i know
00:34:04you better be careful
00:34:07she has certain
00:34:08connections in the company
00:34:10mr wood
00:34:11about you and scarlet
00:34:12what about us
00:34:15nothing
00:34:21annie scarlet
00:34:22and i don't have the kind of relationship you might be thinking of
00:34:25she got promoted to team lead because she had been here long enough and knew the business well
00:34:30that's all
00:34:32i thought of the 17 hotel reinforcing claims elan had mentioned human nature really is an interesting thing
00:34:41the way people looked at the way people looked at me was strange it wasn't admiration or envy it was
00:34:46more like avoidance
00:34:47something happened
00:34:49what happened
00:34:50scarlet reported you to brian white
00:34:52reported me for what
00:34:54she said you privately leagered white global's internal pricing strategy to crown rec while you were translating for them
00:34:58that's a false accusation
00:35:00i know
00:35:00but she has evidence
00:35:02what evidence
00:35:03she said she found a file on your computer
00:35:05screenshots of a chat between you and louie anderson's assistant frank young
00:35:09the chat mentions white global's internal pricing
00:35:12there is no such file on my computer
00:35:14she says there is
00:35:15and she already showed it to brian white
00:35:17brian wants you in his office tomorrow morning to explain yourself
00:35:21that so-called chat record
00:35:23is fake
00:35:24i sneaked a look at it
00:35:25the chat time was last wednesday at 2 p.m
00:35:27but you were at the department meeting last wednesday afternoon
00:35:30everyone can prove it
00:35:31then how did she
00:35:32she edited the time in the chat
00:35:34photoshopped it
00:35:35but she forgot one thing
00:35:36there's a battery indicator in the top right corner of the screenshot
00:35:39that battery display doesn't match your phone model
00:35:41you use a samsung
00:35:43that screenshot is from an iphone
00:35:47ellen i need you to do me a favor
00:35:48name it
00:35:49you're in administration
00:35:51can you pull the attendance records
00:35:53and meeting room usage records from last wednesday afternoon
00:35:56yes pull them
00:35:57also scarlet's reimbursement records
00:35:59the 17 hotel ones
00:36:00do you have them
00:36:01i do
00:36:02are you finally going to use them
00:36:03not to attack her
00:36:04but to protect myself
00:36:05if she comes after me
00:36:07i need brian white to know her credibility has problem
00:36:09got it
00:36:20every file had a time stamp and sending record
00:36:23my real chat history with frank young was all on teams
00:36:26with server backups
00:36:29scarlet could fake screenshots
00:36:30but she couldn't change server data
00:36:41i heard you were reported
00:36:44news travels fast
00:36:45frank told me
00:36:46do you need help
00:36:47no
00:36:48i can handle it myself
00:36:49are you sure
00:36:53yes
00:36:53fine
00:36:54if you can't handle it
00:36:55just tell me
00:36:58it won't
00:37:05annie
00:37:06scarlet reported that
00:37:08you privately leaked our pricing strategy to crownwell while you were translating for them
00:37:12these screenshots are the evidence she provided
00:37:14is there anything you want to say
00:37:16it was exactly as aline had described
00:37:18my profile picture
00:37:19my name
00:37:20a conversation with frank young
00:37:22the content did involve white global's pricing
00:37:24but the wording was extremely unnatural
00:37:26like it had been made up by someone who didn't understand formal business conversation
00:37:30these screenshots are fake
00:37:33of course you would say that
00:37:34i can prove it
00:37:37this is my full chat history with frank young
00:37:40it has server backups and time stamps
00:37:42please compare them
00:37:45the times don't match
00:37:47the screenshot scarlet provided show that the conversation happened last wednesday at 2pm
00:37:51but the team's record show that annie and frank young had no conversation at that time
00:37:56she could have deleted teams has server backups
00:37:58even if an employee deletes the chat on their eye
00:38:00the server still keeps it
00:38:01also from 2pm to 4pm last wednesday
00:38:04i was attending the department meeting in the company
00:38:05the attendance and meeting room booking records can prove it
00:38:08one more thing
00:38:08this screenshot is from an ios interface
00:38:11i use android
00:38:12scarlet your phone is an iphone isn't it
00:38:14that proves nothing
00:38:15maybe you changed phone
00:38:17i've been here for three years
00:38:18the device binding records from it show
00:38:21i have never used an iphone
00:38:27scarlet where did these screenshots come from
00:38:29i i found them on her computer
00:38:32after you went through my computer last week
00:38:34i reset the password
00:38:37these screenshots were never on my computer
00:38:41you never saw these snapshots on my computer
00:38:43because they never existed in the first place
00:38:45you made them yourself
00:38:49scarlet do you have anything else to explain
00:38:53mr wood
00:38:54say something
00:38:56scarlet you went too far this time
00:38:59faking evidence to falsely accuse a colleague is a serious violation
00:39:02scarlet your position as the department leader is revoked immediately
00:39:05mr white
00:39:05also your year-end performance rating will be downgraded by one level
00:39:08if anything like this happens again
00:39:09your employment will be terminated immediately
00:39:11annie are you happy now
00:39:13scarlet from beginning to end
00:39:14you were the one causing trouble for me
00:39:15i never went after you first
00:39:17because your very existence is a quotation
00:39:19you speak eight language and you hid it for three years
00:39:21you made my seven years of hard work look like a joke
00:39:26on the surface no one in the translation department said much
00:39:30but the group chat had completely blown up
00:39:32she should have been removed ages ago
00:39:34her translation skills were just average
00:39:37she only got there through connections
00:39:38you guys didn't know
00:39:40every translation she submitted had been corrected by annie
00:39:43what
00:39:44i am serious i have seen the proof peating records
00:39:47then how many has annie corrected over the past three years
00:39:50a conservative estimate
00:39:51over a hundred
00:40:01excuse me
00:40:02which one of you is annie
00:40:05me
00:40:05hello
00:40:07i am victoria hayes
00:40:08a producer at harbor light media
00:40:10we are preparing a large-scale international documentary project
00:40:14and we need a multi-linguished translation consultant
00:40:16how did you find me
00:40:18industry recommendation
00:40:19the crown well project and the french brand project you worked on recently have attracted
00:40:22some attention in the field
00:40:24harbor light media
00:40:25a top team production company
00:40:26mrs hayes what kind of project is it exactly
00:40:29a documentary about the strait of garol and global trade
00:40:31we need simultaneous interpretation and subtitle proof feeding across five languages english french italian spanish and arabic
00:40:38we contacted three translation companies but none of them could provide one person who covers all five languages
00:40:45then someone told me that white global has a girl who speaks eight languages
00:40:49who told you that louie anderson he is one of the investors in this project
00:40:52louie anderson again what is the consulting fee for this project
00:40:55fifty thousand dollars a month the estimated period is three months
00:40:59one hundred and fifty thousand dollars that is about six years of my salary at white global
00:41:03if you take it you will need to travel for two months the middle east and europe
00:41:14a bank account in zurich a property in munich and a small apartment in the 16th compartment of paris
00:41:20the total value was close to ten million dollars language was the thing my parents loved most in their lives
00:41:27my mother used to say
00:41:29language is the best bridge
00:41:31my father said
00:41:32if you can understand a person in their mother tongue
00:41:35you can understand their heart
00:41:37they carved the languages of the world into my blood
00:41:40then they left
00:41:41so i hid those languages away
00:41:43along with my memories of them
00:41:45because every time i speak one of those languages
00:41:47i remember what they looked like when they were by my side teaching it to me
00:41:51german was in berlin
00:41:52my dad taught it to me
00:41:54while taking me for ice cream in front of the bransberg gate
00:41:57french was in paris
00:41:59my mother read malpouceau to me in the original french by the san
00:42:03arabic was in cairo
00:42:05the three of us were on a boat on the nile
00:42:08my father counted the stars while teaching me how to say
00:42:11wahid, ethwan, flatha
00:42:13every language was a memory
00:42:15and i didn't want to open those memories
00:42:17but i
00:42:23has mrs hayes from harper light reached out to you
00:42:26she has
00:42:27why did you introduce this to me
00:42:29because you need to step out of it
00:42:32you do not know me
00:42:34i know your parents were diplomats
00:42:35i know your background
00:42:38you investigated me
00:42:39before i decide who to work with
00:42:41i learn about them
00:42:43annie, your parents were remarkable people
00:42:46you do not need to lock yourself in a corner just to escape their shadow
00:42:51go take a look at harbor light's project
00:42:53the strait of jurada the bridge between europe and africa
00:42:56maybe you should see it for yourself
00:43:03maybe he was right
00:43:07mr white i need to take two months off
00:43:11for what?
00:43:12a documentary project wants me as a translation sultan
00:43:14i need to travel to the middle east and europe
00:43:16two months?
00:43:17what about crownwell's project?
00:43:19i have already completed all the translation drafts for crownwell's second phase
00:43:22the third phase will not start until three months later
00:43:24are you resigning?
00:43:25i will come back
00:43:27fine
00:43:28i will approve two months for you
00:43:30thank you
00:43:33scarlet?
00:43:34scarlet had clipped and transferred to administration as a clerk
00:43:36the old shine was gone
00:43:38you are going on a business trip?
00:43:40mm-hmm
00:43:40for how long?
00:43:41two months
00:43:42you know when i joined the white seven years ago
00:43:44i only spoke one language too
00:43:47later i learned french and spanish while working here
00:43:49i went from intern to the department leader
00:43:52i thought i had worked really hard
00:43:54you did work hard
00:43:55but without doing anything you were already above me
00:43:57eight languages
00:43:58what gives you the rights?
00:43:59my parents
00:44:00they paid for it with their lives
00:44:05that was the last time we spoke in this building
00:44:07at the airport
00:44:08i unexpectedly ran into someone
00:44:10louie anderson
00:44:11he was wearing casual clothes
00:44:13it was the first time i had ever seen him out of a suit
00:44:15annie?
00:44:16what are you doing here?
00:44:18crownwell has business in dubai
00:44:19life only coincidence
00:44:20yeah
00:44:21what a coincidence
00:44:26business class is pretty empty
00:44:27why are you sitting here?
00:44:29i bought an economy ticket
00:44:32about the inheritance
00:44:33your parents left you
00:44:34you even know about that?
00:44:35the law firm has worked with us before
00:44:37attorney wills once mentioned a client
00:44:38who refused to inherit in the state
00:44:40the industry is only so big
00:44:41so the whole world knows?
00:44:43not the whole world
00:44:43just me caring about it
00:44:45i turned to look at him
00:44:46and my heart skipped a beat
00:44:47the sunlight in dubai was completely different from back home
00:44:49dry, fierce
00:44:50almost as if it could burn straight through your shadow
00:44:52so you are annie?
00:44:54the one who speaks eight languages?
00:44:55yes
00:44:55let's do a test
00:44:56translate a section for me first
00:44:58martin handed me an arabic interview outline
00:45:00okay, i'm annie smith
00:45:01a junior translator at white global trading cov
00:45:04i've been here three years and make $24,000 a year
00:45:07finally, she is the one
00:45:09she is better than those three translation companies combined
00:45:12martin, she has not even given us a quote yet
00:45:16no need
00:45:16it's her
00:45:18the first stop was the antique market in old dubai
00:45:20the documentary was going to cover how the straight of kormos connects global trade
00:45:24there was a persian carpet shop here that had been open for 40 years
00:45:27and the owner was a third generation iranian merchant
00:45:48in casablanca i interviewed a historian in french
00:45:59He said, on the street of Jawali, shipping and trade are a way of having a dialogue.
00:46:04People may come from different backgrounds and speak different languages, but their hearts
00:46:07are connected.
00:46:09My voice, but their hearts, was a little halcy, because my father had said almost the exact
00:46:12same thing.
00:46:14Okay.
00:46:15That night, the team had dinner at the hotel.
00:46:19Annie, Mr. Anderson asked whether your work went smoothly today?
00:46:22It went smoothly.
00:46:23No need to worry about me.
00:46:25Mr. Anderson asked me to tell you that he is in the office on the 58th floor of this hotel.
00:46:28If you need anything, contact him anytime.
00:46:33Hello?
00:46:35Have you eaten?
00:46:37I am eating now.
00:46:38The food here may not really suit our taste.
00:46:40If you want something else...
00:46:42Mr. Anderson, why are you telling me this?
00:46:45Because I care about you.
00:46:46I do not need your concern, thank you.
00:46:48Okay.
00:46:49No more concern.
00:46:50Good night.
00:46:51Over the next few weeks, we went a lot of places.
00:46:53On the flight from Istanbul to Cairo, I received an email.
00:46:56Sender, Scarlet.
00:46:57Subject, no subject.
00:46:59After you left, they laid off the French team and the German team, because Brian White
00:47:03said you alone would enough.
00:47:04Seven people lost their jobs because of you.
00:47:07Are you happy now?
00:47:08I looked at the email and deleted it.
00:47:11Do not believe, Scarlet.
00:47:12The French and German teams were cut because they were already at the bottom in performance.
00:47:15It has nothing to do with you.
00:47:17She is just trying to mess with you.
00:47:18I know.
00:47:19Are you okay?
00:47:19I am fine.
00:47:25Cairo, the third stop of the documentary.
00:47:27I lived here for a while.
00:47:31When the plane landed, I looked out at that familiar city, and my heart started beating a
00:47:35little faster.
00:47:36In Cairo, the team was filming a section about the history of trade between the Middle East
00:47:41and Europe.
00:47:42They needed Arabic interpretation.
00:47:55Are Zakt, is Gipdainen providing similar in Cairo?
00:47:58Der Besitzer dieser Seisung war ein Diplopat.
00:48:00Er ist vor fünf Jahren verstorben.
00:48:02Seine Tauta erhält die Seisung als Erbe, ist jedoch nie erstehen.
00:48:07Der Besitzer dieser Seisung war ein Diplomisi.
00:48:10Ich bin Michael Smith.
00:48:14Michael Smith.
00:48:16Das war mein Vater.
00:48:20Nach der Interview, ich stand allein auf den Straßen von Cairo.
00:48:24Ich sah auf den Skogen, es war grössig.
00:48:28Ich erinnere mich noch den Pistachio-flagenden Ice Cream.
00:48:36Hallo?
00:48:37You arrived in Cairo?
00:48:38Yes.
00:48:41What happened?
00:48:42Your voice sounds off.
00:48:44Nothing.
00:48:46I flew to Cairo this afternoon.
00:48:47If you have time...
00:48:48Why do you always show up wherever I am?
00:48:50Because Victoria has your itinerary.
00:48:52She is running a project I invested in, so I have the right to see you.
00:48:55That is called stalking.
00:48:57That is called paying attention.
00:49:02There is a difference.
00:49:04The next afternoon, Louie Geranderson went with me to a private warehouse on the outskirts
00:49:08of Cairo.
00:49:09It was not big, but the temperature and humidity were carefully controlled.
00:49:13The kind of place used specifically to store antiques.
00:49:18After the manager opened the door, I saw three full shelves.
00:49:24Every piece had a handwritten tag hanging on it.
00:49:28It was my father's handwriting.
00:49:31An 18th century style Meissen porzeln vase.
00:49:35Purchased at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, 2008.
00:49:39With Annie.
00:49:42I was eight years old, in Istanbul with my dad.
00:49:45He took me to the Grand Bazaar.
00:49:47I kept asking for Turkish ice cream, and he said we would go after looking at that little
00:49:51stall.
00:49:51That stall was selling these old porcelain pieces.
00:49:54I did not remember any of it, but my dad did.
00:49:57For three years, I hid everything about them away.
00:49:59The languages, the inheritance, the memories.
00:50:02I thought as long as I did not touch any of it, I could pretend they had never left.
00:50:06But they had always been with me.
00:50:09Your father was an extraordinary man.
00:50:13I know.
00:50:15Then you should become someone extraordinary too, instead of hiding yourself in a position
00:50:19far below your level.
00:50:24That night, I called Attorney Wills.
00:50:27Attorney Wills, I will handle the inheritance.
00:50:30Ms. Smith, finally.
00:50:31Donate the Xur accounts and the properties according to the original plan.
00:50:34But I am keeping the porcelain collection in Cairo.
00:50:37Understood.
00:50:37That is wonderful.
00:50:38I will arrange it right away.
00:50:39One more thing.
00:50:40Go ahead.
00:50:41Did my father leave any letter or document for me?
00:50:43Not a legal document.
00:50:44Something personal.
00:50:46Yes.
00:50:46A letter.
00:50:47He noted that it should be given to you when you came to collect the antiques.
00:50:49Send it to me.
00:50:51Attorney Wills sent the letter to my hotel.
00:50:53I sat in my room for 10 minutes before finally working up the courage to open the letter.
00:50:59The letter was not long.
00:51:01Annie, when you see this letter your mother and I should no longer be by your side.
00:51:04Knowing your personality I guess you will probably run away for a while.
00:51:08You may seal away the memories connected to us, along with all those languages.
00:51:12Maybe it is because every language is tied to us.
00:51:14One sentence in German will remind you of landscape in Berlin.
00:51:17One sentence in Arabic will remind you of the stars in Cairo.
00:51:20But Annie, language is not a chain.
00:51:22Language is wings.
00:51:23Your mother spent her life building bridges.
00:51:25I spent mine planting seeds.
00:51:26You are that bridge of seed.
00:51:28Don't shrink yourself into the dark.
00:51:29You are exceptional.
00:51:30You are smart, gifted, and you should do what you are really good at.
00:51:32Trying to plant seeds in your own way.
00:51:34You are our pride.
00:51:35Mom and dad will always love you.
00:51:36There was a water stain on the paper.
00:51:38I did not know whether he left it when he wrote the letter or whether I had just left it.
00:51:42My dad was right.
00:51:43Language is not a chain.
00:51:44It is wings.
00:51:48In Madrid, I interviewed a flamenco dancer in Spanish.
00:51:52Cada idioma tiene su propio ritmo.
00:51:54Una vez que tu cuerpo lo memoriza, nunca lo olvidarás.
00:51:57She says every language has its own rhythm.
00:51:59I wrote that sentence down in my translation notes.
00:52:02The final stop was Venice.
00:52:04Omar.
00:52:05Omar, the Arab Old Bookseller.
00:52:07He had his own antique bookshop in the best spot on the busiest square in Venice.
00:52:12He was in his 60s and had lived in Italy for 30 years.
00:52:16And the story of him moved me the most.
00:52:18I arrived in Italy at 24 years and I didn't even know a word of the local language.
00:52:22I left me on the road.
00:52:23I couldn't understand anything.
00:52:24I couldn't read anything and I couldn't even ask for instructions.
00:52:27I had to manage the gestures and speak contemptuous with people.
00:52:30I thought I was a fool.
00:52:32What happened after that?
00:52:33I had 10 years to speak Italian and over 10 years to make sure that everyone in that
00:52:37way would call me Mr. Omar.
00:52:40La Lunga non serve solo a tradizione.
00:52:42È il modo in cui si fa rispettere.
00:52:47Keep this part.
00:52:48Original audio with subtitles.
00:52:53Annie.
00:52:54Your translation almost made me cry.
00:52:57In Venice, I completed the final three interviews in Italian.
00:53:01Two months, two continents, and eight languages.
00:53:04My dad was right.
00:53:05Language is not a chain.
00:53:07It is wings.
00:53:13The day I came back, it was late December.
00:53:17New York's winter was cold, but the air carried a familiar scent.
00:53:22Annie, the director position in the translation department is open.
00:53:26I want you to take it.
00:53:30What is the salary?
00:53:32$200,000.
00:53:34Okay.
00:53:34And just like that, in less than half a year, I went from a junior role to the director of
00:53:39the translation department.
00:53:42On the day I officially took the role, I stood in the meeting room and made a speech to the
00:53:47people in the translation department.
00:53:51I know many of you have questions about me.
00:53:55Why does someone who hid for three years suddenly get to become director?
00:53:59I am not going to explain.
00:54:01From today on, results will do the talking.
00:54:03I will personally proofread everyone's translation drafts.
00:54:06I have only one standard, accuracy.
00:54:07If you cannot do it, I will teach you.
00:54:10If you still cannot do it after that, you will be replaced.
00:54:13That is strict.
00:54:15Translation is not a word game.
00:54:17One wrong number in a trade contract can mean tens of millions in losses.
00:54:21Strictness is the bare minimum.
00:54:26Hello?
00:54:27Director Smith, congratulations on the promotion.
00:54:30$200,000?
00:54:31Mm-hmm.
00:54:32I offered $400,000 before.
00:54:34I know.
00:54:34Still not considering it?
00:54:35Not for now, but thank you for all your help.
00:54:37The offer, the Harbor Light Media Project that day in Cairo.
00:54:40You don't need to thank me.
00:54:41Those weren't favors.
00:54:42Then what were they?
00:54:43Things I wanted to do.
00:54:44Are you free this weekend?
00:54:46For what?
00:54:48Dinner.
00:54:48No work, no projects.
00:54:51Okay.
00:54:51He was driving a very ordinary gray sedan.
00:54:54Not the kind of luxury car I had imagined.
00:54:56Your car doesn't really match your status.
00:54:58Cars are for driving, not for showing off.
00:55:00I'm taking you to a Japanese restaurant.
00:55:01It only has eight seats.
00:55:04You're paying?
00:55:05Obviously.
00:55:07This place has the best sashimi in the whole city.
00:55:10How do you know?
00:55:11I've tried every Japanese restaurant in the city.
00:55:14This man.
00:55:16Annie, I'm going to be direct.
00:55:18Since that day in Cairo, or maybe even earlier, since the first time you spoke German at Crownwell, I...
00:55:23You what?
00:55:24I knew you were someone I didn't want to miss.
00:55:26Right now, you're the only person in my mind.
00:55:30You really are way too...
00:55:32Too what?
00:55:32Too direct.
00:55:33You don't like it?
00:55:34I didn't say I didn't like it.
00:55:38That night, he drove me home.
00:55:40Downstairs, he said...
00:55:41I'm flying to South Korea for a business trip tomorrow.
00:55:44How long?
00:55:45A week.
00:55:46Okay.
00:55:47Will you miss me?
00:55:49No.
00:55:51Liar.
00:55:52Maybe a little.
00:56:18You should have put Annie on it from the start.
00:56:22After Scarlet resigned from White Global, she became a director at a small translation company.
00:56:27Three months later, that company face had its mass tariff compensation claim.
00:56:31A German contract had its tariff glosses mistranslated, causing the client to lose $20 million.
00:56:37That translation was done by Scarlet herself.
00:56:40Her problem with German honoratis had finally been exposed on a bigger stage.
00:56:44When the news reached White Global, some people started mocking her in the group chat.
00:56:49I only said one thing.
00:56:50Stop talking about it.
00:56:53Everyone has to take responsibility for their own choices.
00:57:05Hello?
00:57:06Annie?
00:57:07It's Uncle George, your father's old colleague.
00:57:10Uncle George?
00:57:11I saw you on TV.
00:57:13Translation consultant in five languages.
00:57:15Annie, your parents must be so proud of you in heaven.
00:57:17Uncle George, how did you see...
00:57:19You look exactly like Michael.
00:57:21And your Arabic, that Cairo accent of your father's, I recognized it the moment I heard it.
00:57:25Annie, before your father passed away, he said something to me.
00:57:28What did he say?
00:57:30Annie will become a better bridge than I ever was.
00:57:33That night, Louis Anderson came back from South Korea and went straight to my building.
00:57:38Come out.
00:57:39For what?
00:57:41I want to take a walk with you.
00:57:45The street was cold, and the streetlights stretched our shadows long across the pavement.
00:57:50I watched the documentary.
00:57:52How was it?
00:57:54Not good enough for your translation.
00:57:56The director was average.
00:57:57Don't say that about Martin.
00:57:59But your parts were excellent.
00:58:00You weren't just translating in the interview.
00:58:02You were carrying the emotion across.
00:58:05My father once said, if you understand someone's mother tongue, you can understand their heart.
00:58:09You did that.
00:58:12We walked for a long time until we reached a river.
00:58:15Annie.
00:58:16Yeah?
00:58:17Crownwell is setting up an international cultural exchange department next year.
00:58:20We'll focus on cross-border cultural projects, documentaries, publishing, exhibitions, forums.
00:58:24I need someone to lead it.
00:58:25You're trying to poach me again.
00:58:26I'm not poaching you.
00:58:27I'm building a position for you.
00:58:29What do you mean?
00:58:30You're not meant to be just a translator.
00:58:32Translation is a tool, and you should use that tool to do something bigger.
00:58:35Your father's porcelain collection could become an exhibition about the history of global trade.
00:58:39Use your eight languages to tell that story to the world.
00:58:40What's the salary?
00:58:42Name your price.
00:58:43You don't think I'm taking advantage of you?
00:58:45Then let me take advantage of you.
00:58:47What?
00:58:48Be my girlfriend.
00:58:49No salary needed.
00:58:51Louis!
00:58:51I'm joking.
00:58:53One million dollars a year, plus project dividends.
00:58:55But the girlfriend part is serious, too.
00:58:58The street light fell across his face, softening cold lines he usually carried.
00:59:04Two days later, I gave him my answer.
00:59:07I said yes to both.
00:59:08Brian White personally locked me to the entrance.
00:59:11Annie, you are the most underestimated employee in White Global's history.
00:59:15Mr. White, you also gave me the opportunity.
00:59:18You earned that opportunity yourself.
00:59:21Speaking of which, what I said in German at the annual meeting?
00:59:24The 70% raise?
00:59:25You understood it back then, didn't you?
00:59:28I did.
00:59:29Then why didn't you...
00:59:30Forget it.
00:59:31I wish you all the best.
00:59:34Three years.
00:59:35A $24,000 salary.
00:59:38A junior level position.
00:59:39I had repaid what needed to be repaid.
00:59:42It was time to start over.
00:59:49Crownwell's International Cultural Exchange Department was officially established.
00:59:53I became its first director.
00:59:55The first project is an international touring exhibition.
00:59:57The core exhibits are the 40 Blubber antiques my father collected from around the world.
01:00:04The exhibition will open simultaneously in five cities.
01:00:07Berlin, Cairo, Istanbul, Paris, and New York.
01:00:12I'll personally translate the narration for each city into the local language.
01:00:17On opening day, more than 300 people came to the New York venue.
01:00:21Uncle George stood in the exhibition hall, looking at my father's handwritten labels on the Portland pieces, tears streaming down
01:00:27his face.
01:00:28Michael, your daughter made it.
01:00:34Annie, how about turning this exhibition into a second season of the documentary?
01:00:40We can talk about it.
01:00:42I told you, you were never just a translator.
01:00:47Louis Anderson stood in the corner of the exhibition hall, staying away from the front.
01:00:50He was wearing a black suit, hands in my pockets, watching me give interviews under the spotlight.
01:00:54That look in his eyes.
01:00:55You are someone I didn't want to miss.
01:01:03Mrs. Smith, you are fluent in eight languages, but I heard you spent three years as a junior translator at
01:01:08a trading company, making only $24,000 a year?
01:01:13Yes.
01:01:14Why did you hide your abilities?
01:01:17Because I was running away.
01:01:19Every language was tied to memories of my parents.
01:01:22I thought if I hid them away, it would stop hurting.
01:01:25But later I realized that languages do not disappear just because you refuse to speak them.
01:01:29They stay in your blood, waiting for you to speak.
01:01:32What finally made you decide to speak up?
01:01:35A letter.
01:01:37My father wrote it.
01:01:38He said if I have the ability to make a difference, I should use it.
01:01:41On the second day of the exhibition, someone unexpected showed up.
01:01:46Scarlet.
01:01:48What are you doing here?
01:01:50I saw it on the news.
01:01:52Your father collected these?
01:01:54Yes.
01:01:56They are beautiful.
01:01:58Annie, I owe you an apology.
01:02:00You do not have to.
01:02:01Let me speak.
01:02:03I was jealous of you.
01:02:04I had been jealous since the first time you opened your mouth and spoke German.
01:02:08It took me seven years to climb up to Team Leader, but you were already above me without even trying.
01:02:12I could not accept that.
01:02:14So you chose to frame me.
01:02:15Yes.
01:02:16And then I paid the price.
01:02:18After I left White Global, that German contract at the translation company, you heard about it, right?
01:02:22I did.
01:02:24Because you used to correct my work, I never knew what my real level was.
01:02:27Once you were not there anymore, I finally realized...
01:02:28Scarlet, your hard work was real.
01:02:30Those seven years of German were not wasted either.
01:02:32You just chose the wrong direction at certain moments.
01:02:34You don't hate me?
01:02:35No.
01:02:37The four screenshots are in the past now.
01:02:40You really are different from before.
01:02:42Back then, I could not even face myself.
01:02:45The exhibition is wonderful.
01:02:46Your father must be very happy.
01:02:52The exhibition ran for two months across five cities, with more than 120,000 visitors in total.
01:03:07After the closing ceremony, Louis Anderson found me on the Hotel Terrace.
01:03:11Tired?
01:03:13A little.
01:03:14Five cities, two months.
01:03:16You handled all the narration translation work across every language by yourself.
01:03:19I am used to it.
01:03:21Do not get used to carrying everything alone.
01:03:24This is not a proposal, so don't be nervous.
01:03:28It's custom made, because you said your father once told you that you were the bridge.
01:03:34There is a line engraved on the bridge.
01:03:37It has the word bridge engraved in nine languages.
01:03:40The ninth language is Russian.
01:03:42I studied for three months just to learn one word.
01:03:45The Cairo night wind swept across the terrace.
01:03:48In the distance, the banks of the Nile were bright with lights.
01:03:53Louis Anderson, you really are.
01:03:54What?
01:03:57Too good at this.
01:04:00Only with you.
01:04:08Five years later, Crownwell's International Cultural Exchange Department had become an industry Denmark.
01:04:13It ran more than 20 cross-cultural projects every year, with revenue exceeding 200 million.
01:04:18Revenue is up another 30% this year.
01:04:21Your salary should be adjusted this year.
01:04:23To how much?
01:04:25Can you tell me?
01:04:26One dollar.
01:04:29Seriously?
01:04:30Put the rest into a scholarship to support young people studying languages.
01:04:34Name it after my parents.
01:04:35The Michael Smith and Evelyn Chen Language Scholarship.
01:04:38How do you know my mother's name?
01:04:40I am your husband.
01:04:41How could I not know your mother's name?
01:04:44Outside the window was the skyline of the whole city.
01:04:46It was no longer that rental apartment with the broken heating.
01:04:49But sometimes I still think of that window, and the nights when I crouched there eating soup.
01:04:54Back then, I was fluent in eight languages, made $2,000 a year, and rejected a $10 million inheritance.
01:05:00I hid myself in the deepest corner, thinking that as long as I stayed silent, it would not hurt.
01:05:04In his letter, my father wrote,
01:05:05Be brave enough to be brave enough to be yourself.
01:05:08It took me a long time to understand that.
01:05:12But luckily, I did it.
01:05:17I am a good looking doctor.
01:05:18Even morears are new.
01:05:18I'm a good nurse.
01:05:19I'm a good nurse.
01:05:19I don't believe it or not, I do not feel like it.
01:05:19Lyons, I willop.
01:05:19Now let me know yourself.
01:05:19mujer involved tomorrow.
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