在夢中行動

Taking Action Inside the Dream

他們都開始享用食物，包括女神和女祭司。在他們吃飯時，瑪蒂爾達再次轉向他們說：「現在，為了比較，我們來試試對他人做壞事，看看會發生什麼。」然後，她選了一位修女，轉向她，給了她一個響亮的耳光。

They all began tucking into the food, the diva and the priestess included. While they were eating, Matilda turned to them all again and said, “And now, just for the sake of comparison, let’s try doing something bad to others and see what happens.” Then, picking one of the nuns, she turned to her and gave her a good slap round the head.

「看，我做了件不好的事。雖然不太痛，但還是不愉快，對吧？」 「是的，」修女回答。

“There, I did something nasty. Not that painful but still unpleasant, right?” “Yes,” the nun replied.

「現在對你旁邊的姐妹做同樣的事。」修女對她的鄰座做了同樣的事，然後依次傳下去。

“Now do the same to the sister next to you.”The nun did the same to her neighbor who copied her and so on around the circle.

修女們開始用力拍打彼此的頭，打得太投入，以至於瑪蒂爾達費了好大力氣才讓她們停下來。

The nuns began slapping each other vigorously round the head and got so carried away that Matilda had a job getting them to stop.

「夠了！夠了！停下！現在大家感覺不好嗎？」 「是的！是的！」修女們齊聲回答。

“Enough! That’s enough! Stop! Does everyone feel bad now?” “Yes! Yes!” the nuns answered in unison.

「為什麼大家感覺不好？」 「為什麼？為什麼？」

“Why does everyone feel bad?” “Why? Why?”

「因為如果你讓別人感覺不好，這種感覺會回到你身上。明白嗎？」

“Because if you make someone else feel bad, it comes back to you. Understand?”

「我們明白，我們明白！」她們點頭說。

“We understand, we understand!” they said nodding.

「你看到對他人做好事和做壞事如何回到你身上嗎？你應該得出什麼結論？」 「什麼結論？什麼結論？」

“You see how doing good and doing something bad to another comes back to you? What conclusion should you draw?” “What conclusion? What conclusion?”

「我已經告訴過你們。你們絕不能傷害他人。你們必須照顧他人。明白了嗎？」

“I’ve already told you. You must never hurt others. You have to look after others. Got it?”

「明白了，明白了！」

“Got it, got it!”

「為了加強這個教訓，我們要學習互相親吻。這是我們承諾的。你們想要嗎？」

“And just to reinforce the lesson, we’re going to learn to kiss each other. That’s what we promised. Do you want to?”

「是的，是的！」

“Yes, yes!”

「那麼，」瑪蒂爾達轉向一位修女說。「用你的嘴唇碰觸你姐妹的臉頰，她會對坐在她旁邊的修女做同樣的事，依次傳下去。開始吧！」

“You, then,” said Matilda turning to one of the nuns. “Touch your lips to your sister’s cheek and she will do the same to the nun sitting next to her and so on around the circle. Go!”

女神和女祭司觀察了一會兒，看著變化後的修女們吸收新的體驗。修女們似乎很享受，再次不容易讓她們停下來。

The diva and the priestess observed for a while watching the transfigured nuns absorb the new experience. The nuns appeared to enjoy it and once again, it was not easy to get them to stop.

「現在，」瑪蒂爾達說，「我們要重複一下我們到目前為止學到的。瑪娜必須做什麼才能保持瑪娜？」

“Now,” said Matilda, “we’re going to repeat what we’ve covered so far. What must manas do in order to remain manas?”

「為他人做好事！」修女們友好地回答。

“Do good for others!” the nuns responded amicably.

「如果瑪娜對彼此不好，她們會變成什麼？」 「華麗搖滾人偶！」

“And what will manas turn into if they are bad to each other?” “Glamrocks!”

「你們想成為華麗搖滾人偶還是瑪娜？」 「瑪娜，瑪娜！」

“Do you want to be glamrocks or manas?” “Manas, manas!”

「太好了！」瑪蒂爾達帶著成就感宣布。

“Excellent!” Matilda announced with a sense of accomplishment.

「不過，這還不夠，」伊特夫特插話道。「瑪娜還會做什麼？」 「她們做自己想做的事？」學識淵博的瑪娜-莉莎猜測。

“That’s not all, though,” Itfut chipped in. “What else do manas do?” “What they want?”guessed the learned Mana-lisa.

「她們做任何她們選擇做的事，」女祭司補充道。「你呢，瑪娜-莉莎，你選擇做什麼？」

“They do whatever they choose to do,” the priestess added. “You, Mana-lisa, what do you do of your own choosing?”

修女想了一會兒，然後似乎恍然大悟。「我縫紉！」她高興地喊道。

The nun thought for a moment and then it seemed to dawn on her. “I sew!” she exclaimed in delight.

其他人羨慕地盯著這位幸運的修女。「那我們呢？我們做什麼？」

The others stared enviously at the lucky nun. “And what about us? What do we do?”

「不是你們所有人，而是每個人個別的！」伊特夫特糾正她們。「問你自己！」瑪蒂爾達試著幫助她們。

“Not you altogether but each one of you individually!” Itfut corrected them. “Ask yourself!” Matilda said trying to help them.

「你，瑪塔-塔莎，」伊特夫特對修女說，「問你自己，你做什麼？」

“You, Mata-tasha,” said Itfut addressing the nun, “Ask yourself, what do you do?”

「我做什麼？

“What do I do?

「立刻回答，不要猶豫！」

“And answer straight away without hesitating!”

「我洗衣服，」她起初困惑地回答，但隨後更自信地說。「我洗衣服！因為我選擇這樣做！」

“I do the washing,” she answered at first perplexed but then more confidently. “I do the washing! Because I choose to!”

「你呢，瑪娜-貝拉，你選擇做什麼？」 「我做什麼？我做清理！因為我選擇這樣做！」 「你呢，瑪娜-莉娜？」

“And you, Mana-bela, what do you do of your own choosing?” “What do I do? I do the clearing up! Because I choose to!” “And you, Mana-lina?”

「我做飯！因為我選擇這樣做！」 「你呢，瑪娜-塔娜？」

“I cook! Because I choose to!” “And you, Mana-tana?”

「我照顧他人！因為我選擇這樣做！」

“I take care of others! Because I choose to!”

所有加爾默羅修女依次被詢問，結果發現每個人都選擇了自己的職業。此時，太陽已經開始下山。在超現實中又一個艱難而多事的一天即將結束。最後，女神和女祭司決定詢問這個奇異世界的居民，她們對這個地方到底了解多少。

All the Carmelites were interrogated in turn and it turned out had each had chosen her own occupation. Meanwhile, the sun was already beginning to set. Another difficult and eventful day in meta-reality was coming to an end. Finally, the diva and the priestess decided to ask the inhabitants of this strange world what they actually knew about the place.

「那麼，姐妹們，」瑪蒂爾達對她們說。「我希望，現在，你們不會再攻擊任何來到這裡的人。」

“So, sisters,” said Matilda addressing them. “I hope, now, you will no longer attack anyone else who turns up here.”

「我們不會！我們不會！」她們回答。「那你們會怎麼對待他們？」 「我們會對他們好！」

“We won’t! We won’t!” They responded. “And what will you do with them?” “We’re going to be nice to them!”

「太好了！但我和瑪娜-法塔也是這裡的陌生人，我們現在需要離開。」 「不！不！」修女們喊道。「我們希望瑪娜留下來！」

“Bravo! But Mana-fata and I are also strangers here and we need to leave now.” “No! No!” the nuns called out. We want the manas to stay!”

「我們必須走了，」伊特夫特說。「我們不屬於這裡。沒有我們你們也能過得很好。你們有巨石給你們的食物。瑪娜-莉娜，你知道怎麼獲得食物嗎？」

“We have to go,” said Itfut. “We don’t belong here. And you will manage fine without us. You have the food the megalith gives you. Mana-lina, do you know how to get food?”

「是的，是的！」

“Yes, yes!”

「而且，你們每個人都有自己的活動，」瑪蒂爾達說。「現在你們都有事情可以做了。」

“And also, you all have your own activity,” said Matilda. “You’ll all have something to be getting on with now.”

「我們會的，我們會的！」

“We will, we will!”

「那之前，當你們是華麗搖滾人偶時，你們做什麼？」伊特夫特問。「我們閱讀胡言亂語！」

“And before, what did you do when you were glamrocks?” asked Itfut. “We read gibberish!”

「就這樣？這就是你們一直做的？只有這個？」 「這就是我們一直做的。」

“That’s it? That’s all you ever did? Just that?” “It’s all we ever did.”

「夢境卡住了，」伊特夫特對女神低聲說。「這大致相當於一張靜止的圖像，沒有觀察者，一切都停止了。」

“The dream was stuck on it,” Itfut whispered to the diva. “It’s roughly the same thing as a still image where there are no observers, and everything has stopped moving.”

「是的，這裡唯一的不同是夢者來了，」瑪蒂爾達回答。

“Yes, the only difference here is that dreamers have arrived,” replied Matilda.

「這座城市是什麼？」瑪蒂爾達問修女們。「它什麼時候建的？誰建的？」 「我們不知道，」修女們回答。「它一直都在這裡。」

“What is this city?” Matilda asked the nuns. “When was it built? Who built it?” “We don’t know,” answered the nuns. “It’s always been here.”

「那你們呢？你們對自己還記得什麼？一切是怎麼開始的？」

“And what about you? What do you remember about yourselves? How did it all start?”

「我們不記得了。我們一直存在。所有事物一直存在。」 「而且總是一樣的，完全相同？」

“We don’t remember. We’ve always existed. Everything’s always existed.” “And always the same thing, identical?”

「總是一樣的，完全相同。」

“Always the same thing, identical.”

「蒂莉，這就是在沒有觀察者的超現實個體區域中應該有的情況，」伊特夫特說。「這就像電影膠片的一段：拍攝到什麼就有什麼。在這裡，永恆和一瞬間是等同的概念。」

“Tili, that’s how it should be in an individual sector of meta-reality where there are no observers,” said Itfut. “It is like a segment of the film strip: what’s filmed is what’s there. Here, eternity and a single moment are equivalent concepts.”

「顯然問她們這些是沒有意義的，」瑪蒂爾達說。「但等等！她們曾經是華麗搖滾人偶，然後變成了加爾默羅修女。這必須意味著我們已經在另一卷電影膠片上了，對吧？」

“It’s obviously pointless questioning them about it,” said Matilda. “But hang on a minute! They used to be glamrocks and then they became Carmelites. That must mean we’re already on another film roll, right?”

「很有可能。」

“Quite possibly.”

「但這是怎麼發生的？她們是以華麗搖滾人偶的身份入睡，然後以加爾默羅修女的身份醒來的嗎？」

“But how did that happen? Did they fell asleep as glamrocks and just wake up again as Carmelites?”

「是的，可以說我們喚醒了她們。」

“Yes, you could say that we woke them up.”

「所以這意味著她們都在不同的夢中醒來了。」 「她們仍然是沉睡的角色，但她們的夢境改變了，是的。」

“So that means that they have all woken up in a different dream” “They are still sleeping characters, but their dream has changed, yes.”

「那麼，我們需要什麼來改變我們的情況？」瑪蒂爾達問。

“So, what would it take for something to change for us?” asked Matilda.

「等一下！」伊特夫特驚訝地說。「你是說我們需要入睡然後再醒來？但我們已經這樣做過了。」

“Wait!” said Itfut startled. “You’re saying we need to fall asleep and then wake up again? But we’ve already done that.”

「是的，那次是重新啟動一個已經停止的夢境。如果我們入睡並在一個已經運行的夢境中醒來會怎樣？至少應該有些改變，不是嗎？」

“Yes, once, only that time a dream which had stopped was being relaunched. What would happen if we fell asleep and woke up inside a dream that was already running? At least something ought to change, didn’t it?”

「問題是什麼會改變。雖然在我們的位置上可能沒有其他選擇。」

“The question is what. Although in our position there’s probably no other option.”

「這意味著我們必須嘗試。」

“Which means we’ve got to try.”

同時，修女們已經勤奮地把所有餐具歸還給巨石，現在聚在一起，好奇地看著她們的頂級瑪娜。

The nuns meanwhile had diligently returned all the crockery to the megalith and were now huddled together looking inquiringly at their top manas.

「那麼，姐妹們，」瑪蒂爾達對她們說。「一天結束了。你們會上床睡覺嗎？」

“So, sisters,” said Matilda addressing them. “The day has come to an end. Do you ever go to bed?”

「是的，我們會上床睡覺！」修女們回答。

“Yes, we go to bed!” the nuns replied.

「然後你們醒來，一切又是新的相似？」 「是的，又是新的！」

“Then you wake up and everything is newly similar again?” “Yes, new again!”

「好吧，從現在開始，一切都會不同。會更好，更有趣。可能明天我和瑪娜-法塔會像我們之前的其他人一樣消失。」

“Well, from now on, everything’s going to be different. It’ll be better, more fun. It might be that Mana-fata and I disappear tomorrow like the others before us.”

「不！我們不希望你們這樣！我們希望瑪娜留下來！」

“No! We don’t want you to! We want the manas to stay!”

「別難過，姐妹們！」伊特夫特試著安慰她們說。「我們可能還會回來，再次見面。」

“Don’t be sad, sisters!” said Itfut trying to cheer them up. “We might return yet and see each other again.”

「是的！是的！」瑪蒂爾達喊道。「我們一定會回來看你們！我們只是需要先弄清楚如何在這個現實中移動。」

“Yes! Yes!” shouted Matilda. “We will definitely come back and visit you! We just need to figure out first how to move about in this reality.”

「瑪娜們會弄清楚的！瑪娜們很聰明！」修女們說。

“The manas will figure it out! The manas are clever!” said the nuns.

「同時，我們還有另一份禮物給你們，」瑪蒂爾達舉起雙臂，做出祈禱的手勢說。「願星星永遠閃耀！」她說。

“In the meantime, we have another present for you,” said Matilda throwing up her arms in a sign of invocation. “May there always be stars!” she said.

此時，黑暗而空曠的天空被無數不同顏色的星星點亮。修女們歡呼雀躍。連伊特夫特也感到驚訝。

At that moment, the dark, empty sky was lit with a myriad of stars in all different colors. The nuns burst into shouts of rapture. Even Itfut was surprised.

「哇！蒂莉！」

“Wow! Tili!”

「現在，讓我們告別吧，姐妹們！」瑪蒂爾達說。

“And now, let’s say farewell, sisters!” said Matilda.

「再見了，親愛的朋友們，很快再見！」伊特夫特揮手對她們說。

“Bye for now, dear friends, see you again soon!” Itfut said waving at them.

修女們互相對視，然後同時鞠躬，齊聲說：「謝謝你，瑪娜-蒂達！謝謝瑪娜-法塔！謝謝你們！」

The nuns exchanged glances and then simultaneously bowed speaking in chorus: “Thank you, Mana-tida! Thank Mana-fata! Thank you!”

說完，她們都散開，朝著各自的房子走去。

And with that, they all scattered wandering off in the direction of their houses.

---

* * *

「還有一個問題，芙蒂，」瑪蒂爾達在她們獨處時說，「也許是所有問題中最重要的一個。」

“Just one more question, Futi,” said Matilda once they were alone, “perhaps the most important of all.”

「那是什麼超級重要的問題，蒂莉，蒂莉？」

“What super important question is that, Tili, Tili?”

「在我們入睡後，你和我會不會在不同的世界中醒來？」

“After we’ve fallen asleep, could you and I end up in different worlds?”

「嗯，上次我們在同一個地方一起入睡，我們也一起醒來了。」

“Well, the last time we fell asleep together in the same place we woke up together too.”

「是的，但首先，我們並不是同時醒來的，其次，當我們醒來時，之前的夢已經停止了，所以我在想這次會發生什麼？」

“Yes but firstly, we did not wake up together in the sense of it being at the same time, and secondly, when we woke up, the previous dream had stopped, so I’m wondering what might happen this time?”

「我不知道，但出於某種原因，我覺得我們會在一起。我們已經在夢境空間，而不是人們通常做夢時離開的日常物質現實中。」

“I don’t know but for some reason I think we will stay together. We are already in the dream space and not in the everyday physical reality from which people usually depart when they dream.”

「你昨晚做夢了嗎？」 「沒有。」

“Did you dream last night?” “No.”

「我也沒有。不過我還是有點害怕！我們為什麼不問問門檻呢？」

“Me neither. I’m still scared though! Why don’t we ask Threshold about it?”

「他的回答不太直接，但好吧，試試看，」伊特夫特同意。「嘿！門檻，你在那裡嗎？！」伊特夫特仰望天空喊道。像往常一樣，一陣風聲響起，似乎從四面八方傳來低語。

“He’s not very forthcoming with his answers but, all right, let’s try it,” Itfut agreed. “Hey! Threshold, are you there?!” shouted Itfut looking up at the sky. A rustling wind picked up as usual and a whisper arose which seemed to come from all directions at once.

「我在這裡，也在各處……在這裡，也在各處……」

“I am here and everywhere...here and everywhere...”

「只有一個問題！」瑪蒂爾達喊道。「不要馬上飛走！回答我們！拜託！如果我們在這裡入睡，我們會被分開嗎，還是會在同一個地方一起醒來？」

“Just one question!” shouted Matilda. “Only don’t fly off straight away! Answer us! Please! Will we be separated if we fall asleep here or will we still wake up in the same place together?”

「你們會一起醒來……一起……」門檻的低語回應道。

“You’ll wake up together...together...” came Threshold’s whispering response.

「我們有可能回到物質世界嗎？如果可以，什麼時候？」伊特夫特問。

“And is it possible for us to return to the material world and if so when?” asked Itfut.

「時機成熟時……時機……」風聲低語。

“All in good time...time…,” the wind whispered.

「我們能一起回到同一個世界嗎？」瑪蒂爾達喊道。「拜託！我們想在一起！」

“And can we both return to the same world?” Matilda shouted. “Please! We want to be together!”

「光是想要還不夠……不夠……」風中的低語再次響起，然後開始消退。

“It’s not enough to want it... not enough...” came the windy whisper again before beginning to subside.

「那還需要什麼呢？還需要什麼？」瑪蒂爾達追著風喊道，但沒有回應。

“What else will it take, then? What else?” Matilda shouted after the wind but there was no answer.

「看吧，還是老樣子……」伊特夫特說。「問題多於答案。」

“There you go, same as always...” said Itfut. “More questions than answers.”

「最重要的是它回答了我們的問題。我們會一起醒來，」瑪蒂爾達說。

“The most important thing is that it answered our question. We will wake up together,” said Matilda.

「看來是這樣。來吧，我們去睡覺吧，蒂莉。我好累！」 「我也是，走吧。」

“Seems like it. Come on, let’s go get some sleep, Tili. I’m so tired!” “Me too, let’s go.”

女祭司和女神進入巨石，直接躺上床，甚至沒有停下來脫衣服。

The priestess and the diva entered the megalith and fell straight into bed without even stopping to undress.

「不要脫衣服，蒂莉，」伊特夫特說。「你永遠不知道醒來時會有什麼在等著我們。」

“Let’s not undress, Tili,” said Itfut. “You never know what will be awaiting us when we wake.”

「我正想著同樣的事，」瑪蒂爾達說。「不過我還是有點害怕，芙蒂。我們把床推到一起，牽著手吧。」

“I was thinking exactly the same thing,” said Matilda. “I’m still scared though, Futi. Let’s push the beds together and hold hands.”

「是的，這樣做吧。」

“Yes, let’s.”

當她們把床重新擺放好並躺下時，她們才注意到巨石的圓頂變得透明，透過它可以看到無數美麗的多彩星星。女神和女祭司靜靜地凝視著閃爍的夜空，太累了，無法再聊天。一分鐘後，她們都睡著了。

Only once they had repositioned the beds and lay down did they notice that the dome of the megalith had become transparent and through it shone a myriad of beautiful multi-colored stars. The diva and the priestess stared silently up at the twinkling night sky too tired to chat any longer. A minute later they were both asleep.

在夢中行動

Taking Action Inside the Dream

他們開始狼吞虎嚥地享用食物，天后與女祭司也一同用餐。吃飯時，Matilda再次轉向大家說：「現在，為了做個對比，我們來試試看對他人做壞事，看看會有什麼後果。」說完，她選中一位修女，轉身狠狠給了她一記巴掌。

They all began tucking into the food, the diva and the priestess included. While they were eating, Matilda turned to them all again and said, “And now, just for the sake of comparison, let’s try doing something bad to others and see what happens.” Then, picking one of the nuns, she turned to her and gave her a good slap round the head.

「看，我剛才做了一件壞事。雖然不至於讓人太痛，但感覺確實不舒服，對吧？」 「是的。」那位修女回答。

“There, I did something nasty. Not that painful but still unpleasant, right?” “Yes,” the nun replied.

「現在，請你對旁邊的姐妹也這麼做。」那位修女照做，她旁邊的姐妹也效法，於是圍著圈子大家紛紛模仿。

“Now do the same to the sister next to you.”The nun did the same to her neighbor who copied her and so on around the circle.

修女們開始瘋狂互扇耳光，激起一陣陣喧鬧，直到Matilda不得不出面制止她們。

The nuns began slapping each other vigorously round the head and got so carried away that Matilda had a job getting them to stop.

「夠了！夠了！停下來！現在大家都感覺難受了嗎？」 「是的！是的！」修女們齊聲回答。

“Enough! That’s enough! Stop! Does everyone feel bad now?” “Yes! Yes!” the nuns answered in unison.

「那大家為什麼會感覺難受呢？」 「為什麼？為什麼？」

“Why does everyone feel bad?” “Why? Why?”

「因為當你使別人感到難受時，那種負面情緒也會反彈回到你自己身上。明白嗎？」

“Because if you make someone else feel bad, it comes back to you. Understand?”

「我們明白了，我們明白了！」她們邊點頭邊回答。

“We understand, we understand!” they said nodding.

「你們看，無論是做好事還是做壞事，最終都會回到你身上。那麼，你們應該得出什麼結論呢？」 「什麼結論？什麼結論？」

“You see how doing good and doing something bad to another comes back to you? What conclusion should you draw?” “What conclusion? What conclusion?”

「我已經告訴你們答案了。你們決不能傷害他人；你們必須照顧他人。明白了嗎？」

“I’ve already told you. You must never hurt others. You have to look after others. Got it?”

「明白了，明白了！」

“Got it, got it!”

「而且為了鞏固這個教訓，我們將學習互相親吻。這正是我們所承諾的，你們願意嗎？」

“And just to reinforce the lesson, we’re going to learn to kiss each other. That’s what we promised. Do you want to?”

「是的，是的！」

“Yes, yes!”

「那你，」Matilda轉向其中一位修女說，「吻一下你姐妹的臉頰，然後她也要吻坐在旁邊的修女，以此類推，圍成一圈。快去！」

“You, then,” said Matilda turning to one of the nuns. “Touch your lips to your sister’s cheek and she will do the same to the nun sitting next to her and so on around the circle. Go!”

天后與女祭司觀察了一會兒，看著那些脫胎換骨的修女們體驗這個新奇的過程。修女們似乎十分享受這一體驗，結果再次證明讓她們停下來並不容易。

The diva and the priestess observed for a while watching the transfigured nuns absorb the new experience. The nuns appeared to enjoy it and once again, it was not easy to get them to stop.

「現在，」Matilda說，「我們要重溫一下迄今所學。mana們必須怎樣做才能保持成為mana的狀態？」

“Now,” said Matilda, “we’re going to repeat what we’ve covered so far. What must manas do in order to remain manas?”

「為他人做好事！」修女們和氣地回答。

“Do good for others!” the nuns responded amicably.

「那若mana們彼此作惡，會變成什麼？」 「光彩耀人的玩物 (glamrocks)！」

“And what will manas turn into if they are bad to each other?” “Glamrocks!”

「你們想成為光彩耀人的玩物 (glamrocks)還是mana呢？」 「mana，mana！」

“Do you want to be glamrocks or manas?” “Manas, manas!”

「太棒了！」Matilda帶著滿滿成就感宣佈。

“Excellent!” Matilda announced with a sense of accomplishment.

「但這還不止於此，」Itfut插話道，「mana們還會做些什麼？」 「他們隨心所欲地做自己想做的事？」博學的Mana-lisa如此猜道。

“That’s not all, though,” Itfut chipped in. “What else do manas do?” “What they want?”guessed the learned Mana-lisa.

「她們會做任何她們選擇去做的事，」女祭司補充道，「那你，Mana-lisa，你又會做什麼呢？」

“They do whatever they choose to do,” the priestess added. “You, Mana-lisa, what do you do of your own choosing?”

那位修女沉思片刻後似乎豁然開朗，「我縫紉！」她欣喜地叫道。

The nun thought for a moment and then it seemed to dawn on her. “I sew!” she exclaimed in delight.

其他人嫉妒地看著那位幸運的修女，「那我們呢？我們該做什麼？」

The others stared enviously at the lucky nun. “And what about us? What do we do?”

「不是你們整體，而是你們每個人都要獨立思考！」Itfut糾正道。「問問你自己！」Matilda試圖幫助她們理解。

“Not you altogether but each one of you individually!” Itfut corrected them. “Ask yourself!” Matilda said trying to help them.

「你，Mata-tasha，」Itfut對那位修女說，「問問你自己，你做什麼？」

“You, Mata-tasha,” said Itfut addressing the nun, “Ask yourself, what do you do?”

「我做什麼？」

“What do I do?

「然後立刻回答，千萬不要猶豫！」

“And answer straight away without hesitating!”

「我負責洗衣服，」她起初略顯困惑，隨後更有自信地回答，「我負責洗衣服！因為我選擇 (Choice)如此！」

“I do the washing,” she answered at first perplexed but then more confidently. “I do the washing! Because I choose to!”

「那你，Mana-bela，你靠自己選擇會做什麼？」 「我做什麼？我負責打掃！因為我選擇 (Choice)如此！」 「那你，Mana-lina？」

“And you, Mana-bela, what do you do of your own choosing?” “What do I do? I do the clearing up! Because I choose to!” “And you, Mana-lina?”

「我負責煮飯！因為我選擇 (Choice)如此！」 「那你，Mana-tana？」

“I cook! Because I choose to!” “And you, Mana-tana?”

「我負責照顧他人！因為我選擇 (Choice)如此！」

“I take care of others! Because I choose to!”

所有加爾默羅修女 (Carmelites)依次受到詢問，結果發現每一位都已選擇了自己的職業。同時，夕陽已開始西下，又一個充滿挑戰與變故的元現實日子即將結束。最終，天后與女祭司決定詢問這個奇異世界的居民們，她們究竟對這個地方了解多少。

All the Carmelites were interrogated in turn and it turned out had each had chosen her own occupation. Meanwhile, the sun was already beginning to set. Another difficult and eventful day in meta-reality was coming to an end. Finally, the diva and the priestess decided to ask the inhabitants of this strange world what they actually knew about the place.

「所以，姐妹們，」Matilda對她們說，「我希望，從今起，你們不再攻擊任何出現的人。」

“So, sisters,” said Matilda addressing them. “I hope, now, you will no longer attack anyone else who turns up here.”

「我們不會！我們不會！」她們齊聲回答。「那你們打算對他們怎麼辦？」 「我們要對他們好！」

“We won’t! We won’t!” They responded. “And what will you do with them?” “We’re going to be nice to them!”

「太棒了！但是Mana-fata和我在這裡也是外來者，我們必須立刻離開。」 「不！不！」修女們叫道，「我們希望mana們留下來！」

“Bravo! But Mana-fata and I are also strangers here and we need to leave now.” “No! No!” the nuns called out. We want the manas to stay!”

「我們得走了，」Itfut說，「我們不屬於這裡。而且，你們沒有我們也能照常生活。你們有那座巨石 (megalith)提供的食物。Mana-lina，你知道怎麼獲取食物嗎？」

“We have to go,” said Itfut. “We don’t belong here. And you will manage fine without us. You have the food the megalith gives you. Mana-lina, do you know how to get food?”

「是的，是的！」

“Yes, yes!”

「而且，你們每位都有自己的工作，」Matilda說，「你們現在各自都該有事可做了。」

“And also, you all have your own activity,” said Matilda. “You’ll all have something to be getting on with now.”

「我們會的，我們會的！」

“We will, we will!”

「那以前，你們作為光彩耀人的玩物 (glamrocks)時做什麼？」 Itfut問道。「我們讀些胡言亂語！」

“And before, what did you do when you were glamrocks?” asked Itfut. “We read gibberish!”

「僅此而已？你們就只做這些？」 「的確，我們只這麼做了。」

“That’s it? That’s all you ever did? Just that?” “It’s all we ever did.”

「夢境就停滯在那裡，」 Itfut低聲對天后說，「大致上就像一張沒有觀察者、萬物靜止的靜態影像。」

“The dream was stuck on it,” Itfut whispered to the diva. “It’s roughly the same thing as a still image where there are no observers, and everything has stopped moving.”

「是的，唯一的不同就是夢者已經到場了，」Matilda回答。

“Yes, the only difference here is that dreamers have arrived,” replied Matilda.

「這個城市是什麼？」Matilda問修女們，「它何時建立？又是誰建造的？」 「我們不知道，」修女們回答，「它一直存在。」

“What is this city?” Matilda asked the nuns. “When was it built? Who built it?” “We don’t know,” answered the nuns. “It’s always been here.”

「那你們呢？對自己有什麼記憶？一切是如何開始的？」

“And what about you? What do you remember about yourselves? How did it all start?”

「我們不記得了。我們一直存在，萬物也一直存在。」 「而且始終毫無變化，完全一樣？」

“We don’t remember. We’ve always existed. Everything’s always existed.” “And always the same thing, identical?”

「始終都是一模一樣。」

“Always the same thing, identical.”

「Tili，在沒有觀察者的元現實 (meta-reality)個別區段中，情況就應該如此，」 Itfut說，「就好比膠卷的一個畫面：拍攝下來的，就是現實。在這裡，永恆與瞬間是等同的概念。」

“Tili, that’s how it should be in an individual sector of meta-reality where there are no observers,” said Itfut. “It is like a segment of the film strip: what’s filmed is what’s there. Here, eternity and a single moment are equivalent concepts.”

「明顯地，去質疑這些已無意義，」Matilda說，「但等一下！他們曾是光彩耀人的玩物 (glamrocks)，隨後變成了加爾默羅修女 (Carmelites)。這是否意味著我們已經處於另一條膠卷上了？」

“It’s obviously pointless questioning them about it,” said Matilda. “But hang on a minute! They used to be glamrocks and then they became Carmelites. That must mean we’re already on another film roll, right?”

「很有可能。」

“Quite possibly.”

「但這到底是怎麼發生的？他們是否先以光彩耀人的玩物 (glamrocks)沉睡，而後再次以加爾默羅修女 (Carmelites)甦醒？」

“But how did that happen? Did they fell asleep as glamrocks and just wake up again as Carmelites?”

「是的，可以這麼說，我們喚醒了他們。」

“Yes, you could say that we woke them up.”

「那是不是代表他們已在另一個夢中醒來了？」 「他們仍是熟睡中的角色，只不過他們的夢境變了，對吧？」

“So that means that they have all woken up in a different dream” “They are still sleeping characters, but their dream has changed, yes.”

「那麼，究竟需要什麼才能讓我們有所改變？」 Matilda問道。

“So, what would it take for something to change for us?” asked Matilda.

「等一下！」Itfut驚叫著說，「你是說我們必須先入睡再醒來？但我們已經這麼做過了！」

“Wait!” said Itfut startled. “You’re saying we need to fall asleep and then wake up again? But we’ve already done that.”

「是的，我們曾經做過一次——那時一個停滯的夢境被重新啟動。你想過如果我們在一個正在運行的夢中入睡再醒來會怎樣嗎？至少應該會出現些變化，對吧？」

“Yes, once, only that time a dream which had stopped was being relaunched. What would happen if we fell asleep and woke up inside a dream that was already running? At least something ought to change, didn’t it?”

「問題在於會改變什麼。雖然就我們而言，恐怕沒有其他選擇。」

“The question is what. Although in our position there’s probably no other option.”

「這就意味著我們必須試一試。」

“Which means we’ve got to try.”

與此同時，修女們已經勤勉地將所有餐具歸還到那座巨石 (megalith)旁，現正圍在一起，好奇地打量著她們的頂尖mana們。

The nuns meanwhile had diligently returned all the crockery to the megalith and were now huddled together looking inquiringly at their top manas.

「所以，姐妹們，」Matilda對她們說，「今天結束了。你們平常都會睡覺嗎？」

“So, sisters,” said Matilda addressing them. “The day has come to an end. Do you ever go to bed?”

「會的，我們會睡覺！」修女們回答。

“Yes, we go to bed!” the nuns replied.

「那你們醒來後，一切又會恢復如初？」 「是的，一切都會全新開始！」

“Then you wake up and everything is newly similar again?” “Yes, new again!”

「那麼從現在起，一切都將不同。事情會更好、更有趣。也許明天Mana-fata和我就會像以往那些人一樣消失。」

“Well, from now on, everything’s going to be different. It’ll be better, more fun. It might be that Mana-fata and I disappear tomorrow like the others before us.”

「不！我們不希望你們離開！我們希望mana們留下來！」

“No! We don’t want you to! We want the manas to stay!”

「姐妹們，別難過！」Itfut試著安慰她們說，「我們也許還會回來，再次見面。」

“Don’t be sad, sisters!” said Itfut trying to cheer them up. “We might return yet and see each other again.”

「是的！是的！」Matilda大聲喊道，「我們一定會回來看你們的！只是我們得先弄清楚如何在這個現實中自由穿梭。」

“Yes! Yes!” shouted Matilda. “We will definitely come back and visit you! We just need to figure out first how to move about in this reality.”

「mana們一定會想出辦法的！mana們最聰明了！」修女們說道。

“The manas will figure it out! The manas are clever!” said the nuns.

「同時，我們還準備了另一份禮物給你們，」Matilda雙手高舉，以祈願的姿態說，「願星辰永照！」

“In the meantime, we have another present for you,” said Matilda throwing up her arms in a sign of invocation. “May there always be stars!” she said.

此時，那漆黑而空曠的夜空中突然閃耀著無數色彩斑斕的星辰，修女們被這美景驚得齊聲歡呼，連Itfut也露出了驚訝的表情。

At that moment, the dark, empty sky was lit with a myriad of stars in all different colors. The nuns burst into shouts of rapture. Even Itfut was surprised.

“哇！Tili！”

“Wow! Tili!”

「現在，姐妹們，我們來道別吧！」Matilda說。

“And now, let’s say farewell, sisters!” said Matilda.

「先這樣再見了，親愛的朋友，下次再見！」Itfut邊揮手邊說。

“Bye for now, dear friends, see you again soon!” Itfut said waving at them.

修女們相互交換了眼色，隨後齊聲鞠躬說道：「謝謝你，Mana-tida！謝謝Mana-fata！謝謝你們！」

The nuns exchanged glances and then simultaneously bowed speaking in chorus: “Thank you, Mana-tida! Thank Mana-fata! Thank you!”

說完，她們各自散去，走向自己家的方向。

And with that, they all scattered wandering off in the direction of their houses.

---

* * *

「Futi，我再問你一個問題，」當兩人獨處時，Matilda說，「也許這是最重要 的問題。」

“Just one more question, Futi,” said Matilda once they were alone, “perhaps the most important of all.”

“什麼超級重要 的問題呢，Tili，Tili？”

“What super important question is that, Tili, Tili?”

「當我們入睡後，你我會分別醒來於不同的世界裡嗎？」

“After we’ve fallen asleep, could you and I end up in different worlds?”

「嗯，上次我們一起入睡，同樣在那個地方也是一起醒來的。」

“Well, the last time we fell asleep together in the same place we woke up together too.”

「是的，但首先，我們醒來的時候並不完全是同一時刻；其次，那次醒來時，之前的夢境已經中斷，所以我在想這次會發生什麼變化。」

“Yes but firstly, we did not wake up together in the sense of it being at the same time, and secondly, when we woke up, the previous dream had stopped, so I’m wondering what might happen this time?”

「我不知道，但不知怎的，我覺得我們會繼續在一起。畢竟，我們已經身處於夢境空間 (dream space)中，而非那種人們在夢中離開的日常物理現實。」

“I don’t know but for some reason I think we will stay together. We are already in the dream space and not in the everyday physical reality from which people usually depart when they dream.”

「你昨晚有做夢嗎？」 「沒有。」

“Did you dream last night?” “No.”

「我也沒有。不過我還是有點害怕！為何不去問問Threshold怎麼說呢？」

“Me neither. I’m still scared though! Why don’t we ask Threshold about it?”

「他通常不太肯直接回答問題，但好吧，就試試看。」Itfut同意道，「嘿！Threshold，你在嗎？！」Itfut邊喊邊仰望天空，此時如往常般，一陣陣微風起，隨之傳來似乎從四面八方湧來的低語。

“He’s not very forthcoming with his answers but, all right, let’s try it,” Itfut agreed. “Hey! Threshold, are you there?!” shouted Itfut looking up at the sky. A rustling wind picked up as usual and a whisper arose which seemed to come from all directions at once.

「我無處不在……無處不在……」

“I am here and everywhere...here and everywhere...”

「只有一個問題！」Matilda大聲喊道，「但請別急著飛走！快回答我們！拜託！如果我們在這裡入睡，會被分開還是會一起在同一地方醒來？」

“Just one question!” shouted Matilda. “Only don’t fly off straight away! Answer us! Please! Will we be separated if we fall asleep here or will we still wake up in the same place together?”

「你們會一起醒來……一起醒來……」Threshold低聲回應道。

“You’ll wake up together...together...” came Threshold’s whispering response.

「那我們有可能返回物質世界嗎？如果可以，又是何時？」Itfut問道。

“And is it possible for us to return to the material world and if so when?” asked Itfut.

「一切都會在適當的時候……時光……」風輕聲低語道。

“All in good time...time…,” the wind whispered.

「那我們兩個能否一起返回同一個世界？」Matilda喊道，「拜託！我們想要在一起！」

“And can we both return to the same world?” Matilda shouted. “Please! We want to be together!”

「僅僅是想要是不夠的……不夠……」隨著風聲漸漸平息，又傳來這樣的低語。

“It’s not enough to want it... not enough...” came the windy whisper again before beginning to subside.

「那還需要什麼呢？還需要什麼？」Matilda在風靜後大聲喊道，但沒有得到回答。

“What else will it take, then? What else?” Matilda shouted after the wind but there was no answer.

「看吧，總是如此……」Itfut說，「問題遠比答案多。」

“There you go, same as always...” said Itfut. “More questions than answers.”

「最重要 的是它回答了我們的問題。我們會一起醒來。」Matilda說。

“The most important thing is that it answered our question. We will wake up together,” said Matilda.

「看起來真是如此。來吧，Tili，我們去睡覺吧，我真累了！」 「我也是，走吧。」

“Seems like it. Come on, let’s go get some sleep, Tili. I’m so tired!” “Me too, let’s go.”

女祭司與天后走進那座巨石 (megalith)，連脫衣服的時間都顧不得，便直奔床而去。

The priestess and the diva entered the megalith and fell straight into bed without even stopping to undress.

「Tili，我們就別脫衣服了，」Itfut說，「你永遠無法預知醒來時會遇上什麼。」

“Let’s not undress, Tili,” said Itfut. “You never know what will be awaiting us when we wake.”

「我也是這麼想的，」Matilda說，「不過我還是有點害怕呢，Futi。我們把床挪近一點，然後牽著手，好嗎？」

“I was thinking exactly the same thing,” said Matilda. “I’m still scared though, Futi. Let’s push the beds together and hold hands.”

「好，就這麼做。」

“Yes, let’s.”

僅當他們將床重新調整好並躺下，才發現那座巨石 (megalith)的圓頂竟變得透明，透過它洩露出無數絢麗多彩的星辰。天后與女祭司也靜靜仰望著那閃爍的夜空，疲憊得已無力再言語，片刻後便一同沉沉入睡。

Only once they had repositioned the beds and lay down did they notice that the dome of the megalith had become transparent and through it shone a myriad of beautiful multi-colored stars. The diva and the priestess stared silently up at the twinkling night sky too tired to chat any longer. A minute later they were both asleep.