转载于:http://www.geocities.com/starlightxpres/xpc/eng2000.htm
Priscilla's 1998 album, " Time in a Bottle " includes a small booklet which contains a short story. The gist of the story is outlined below, but many of the descriptive parts which makes the story so touching (the "juice") are not included as this page is intended as a summary. If you find that the story does not penetrate deep into your heart, the problem does not lie in the story, but in the translation. (My favourite quotation : " My 'England' is not that 'powderful' ".) The best solution is to BUY the album and experience the tear-jerking??
moments yourself. Enjoy ....? 字串6
(No, the story does not begin here. There is something before this ....)?
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THE NEW NEIGHBOUR ....?? 字串9
C. Nam is an employee of a provision shop for a few months. She had just broken up with her boyfriend.??
She had a new neighbour who moved in recently. From the landlady , she learnt that he leaves for work early in the morning and return late at night. His job is related to computers.??
Their first indirect contact was established when , as a kind gesture, she made a simple meal for him while he was at work one day, leaving him a memo. The next morning, he left her a thank-you card, done by computer graphics and a beautiful name-card sticker. It was signed by B. Noh.??
This form of indirect contact continued for some time. As time goes by, Nam's urge to meet Noh in person became stronger.??
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THE MAN WHO SELLS HIS CLOCKS ....?
During this period of time, another man came into her life. Their first interaction started when he asked her whether she was interested in buying his cuckoo clock for the provision shop. Thereafter, he became a regular patron, frequently bringing his personal clocks for sale. Nam was amazed by his clock collections. From their conversations, she learnt that his health is not good.??
One morning , while the landlady was cleaning Noh's room, Nam happen to catch a glimpse of Noh's room. It disappointed her as she could not see any photograph of Noh.. She left a memo expressing her wish to meet him in person.??
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FACE TO FACE WITH NOH ....?
Her wish was realised when Noh appeared at the provision shop ....??
He gave a short introduction of himself. His name is Chan Yat Noh.??
But Nam was too focused in struggling to come to terms with the fact that Noh is the same man who had often brought his clocks to the shop for sale.??
That fateful day, Nam knocked off from work early. With Noh by her side, they walked home. Along the way, they chatted. Nam was shocked when Noh revealed that he had leukemia. But she was willing to let Noh enter her life. Noh also expressed his liking for Nam.??
From then on, their relationship grew. But Noh still feels that he is "trading Nam's happiness for his short-term happiness" even though his love for Nam intensified as the days go by. Although their working times do not coincide, both parties made every effort to be with each other.??
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LOVE FOR 300 HOURS ....? 字串1
On the day when their love reached its 300th hour, Nam made a butter cake with Noh's favourite toppings and stayed up to wait for him. But when Noh reached home, Nam is already asleep due to fatigue. Quietly, Noh took a guitar from his room and played Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" beside the sleeping Nam. Though awakened by Noh's amatuerish performance, she dared not open her eyes lest she cried (she was really touched ....), but Noh noticed her tears streaming out of her closed eyelids. He paused, unable to play on. Silence reigned .??
"Thank you" was Nam's first response which broke the silence. But this simple ice-breaker was enough to make Noh the happiest person on Earth.??
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THE FORTUNE TELLER ....? 字串1
Once, during their holidays, when they were enjoying themselves at Victoria Peak, they came across a fortune teller. He told them that their relationship is short-lived. Nam is anxious to find a solution to advert this, but Noh took the words calmly.??
As time goes by, Noh's health deteriorated gradually, to the extent that he had to quit his job.??
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EXCHANGING MEMORIES ....?
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One night, Nam brought back a digital camera, telling him excitedly that they will have something to remember in the future. Then she stopped short as she realised that her words are like a needle bursting their beautiful "balloon" relationship. In an attempt to get out of this embarrasing situation , she suggested that they exchanged their childhood photographs, so that by looking at the photographs, they will , virtually, "participate" in each other's childhood. Little did she noticed Noh's agonised expressions....??
Unknown to Nam, Noh was agonised over his medical report which was released to him that day, as it reflected the fact that his days with Nam is numbered, and is coming closer ....??
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LOVE FOR 2000 HOURS ....?
Two days before Mid-Autumn festival, which is the day their love will reach its 2000th hour, Nam applied for half day leave. By then, Noh's condition had deteriorated to the extent that he is confined to bed most of the time.??
When she reached home, Noh is nowhere to be seen. In his room, which is tidied up, he left behind a very special gift for Nam. Within the gift, he left a message for Nam,??
" My past, present and future have become beautiful because of your presence. I thank you for everything. "??
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(No , the story does not end here, there are more to go.... )?
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What is the gift? Nope , it is NOT a letter (which is present in the lyrics of one of the songs in the 1998 album) but something more special.??
Will their relationship end there just as forestalled by the fortune teller at Victoria Peak???
The answers can be found in Priscilla's 1998 Cantonese album "Time in a Bottle" .??
BUY it, listen to the songs, feel the emotions expressed by the songs through Priscilla's voice, coupled by linking the story to the songs, and you will be touched by it. If you doubt my words, feel free to consult anyone who have bought and listen to it and you will feel the urge to buy it.??
Still doubtful? BUY it and listen to the album and gauge it yourself.?
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