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Claude, Marianne enter the scene
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Claude
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Marianne... Please accept my apologies for my behavior yesterday.
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Marianne
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I'm not sure what you mean.
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Claude
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Asking you about your family like that was pretty insensitive of me. No matter how curious I am, that's no way to treat someone. I'm sorry.
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Marianne
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Oh, no. You weren't being insensitive, I just didn't want to talk about it.
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Marianne
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I don't spend much time talking about myself. Not to people, anyway.
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Claude
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If not people...then with who? Unpeople? Nonpeople?
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Marianne
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Well, yes. I'm much more comfortable talking to anyone who isn't a person.
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Claude
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I was actually joking, but...now I'm mystified. Who is it you like to talk to?
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Marianne
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Dorte the horse.
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Claude
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Ah, of course! Good ol' Dorte. And does he understand what you tell him?
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Marianne
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We understand each other. He tells me when he's sleepy, or when his stomach hurts, or if his nose itches.
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Marianne
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We understand each other. He tells me when he's sleepy, or when his stomach hurts, or if his nose itches.
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Claude
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Sounds like a complainer, that Dorte. But let's table this fascinating discussion for just a moment.
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Claude
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Now that we've gotten in some small talk, I'd like to know what you're hiding. You are hiding something, right? Your lineage, perhaps?
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Marianne
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N-no...
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Claude
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If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. If it's all just idle gossip, that's fine too.
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Claude
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But if it's something silly like, "my ancestors were cursed, therefore I'm cursed," you should know that I won't accept that nonsense.
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Claude
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That sort of thinking is stupid, and that's all there is to it.
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Claude
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Say your ancestors were thieves. Does that make you a thief, even if you've never stolen a thing? Of course not.
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Marianne
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But people have burdens to bear from the moment they're born.
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Marianne
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My burdens are so big that I...I'm sorry. I can't discuss this anymore.
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Marianne leaves the scene
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Claude
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People certainly are born with burdens... She's right about that.
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Claude
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But, Marianne... Don't you know that you can choose not to carry them?