- 9 hours 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 outpour,
00:12:41that you're opening a name in us
00:12:42for yesterday's day's day's day,
00:12:43was a temporary tariff angle
00:12:44of the standards from 2000,
00:12:462001.
00:12:47We have now 2024.
00:12:49What should 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 German.
00:13:05I have asked German.
00:13:05So please answer them in German.
00:13:07I don't want to waste time.
00:13:08I have no time to waste.
00:13:11That was only a first end.
00:13:14We will update the data.
00:13:16Update?
00:13:17Someone has been in your case
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 3 and 7
00:13:24are directly 50% of your support players.
00:13:26Did you know that?
00:13:28She didn't know.
00:13:30But I did.
00:13:31Because that policy change
00:13:32was mentioned in the background materials.
00:13:34I had specifically marked it in the summary.
00:13:37But Scarlet obviously hadn't read it carefully.
00:13:41They...
00:13:42they...
00:13:42I muss das erstmal intern infitieren.
00:13:47Haben Sie sich ge 330%
00:13:48bevor Sie hierher kommen Siss?
00:13:51Nie.
00:13:51Sie haben dreierl die falsche Deutschwahniste verwendet.
00:13:55Beim ersten Mal hab ich nichts gesagt.
00:13:57Beim zweiten Mal auch nicht.
00:13:58Beim dritten Mal...
00:14:11The legal director beside Anderson gave a slight shake of his head. The meaning was obvious. This negotiation was about
00:14:18to fall through.
00:14:33My hands froze about the keyboard. Two voices were speaking in my head. It's none of your concern. You're just
00:14:38here to fetch coffee and serve drinks. This is Whitworthid Global's biggest deal of the year. If we lose it,
00:14:43they'll probably be layoffs by the end of the year. And junior translators like me will be first on the
00:14:46chopping block.
00:14:58President Anderson, 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. The one who always takes notes beside and serves coffee.
00:15:29Five minutes.
00:15:34The new three effected the standard for six-six of eight-stelle HS-Cates.
00:15:39Artikel, these are in the three, zeigen our day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to
00:15:42-day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to-day.
00:15:47The White Global is a bucket of costs in the WAO, which is the free hand of the Comprofifessions,
00:15:52will be a 30% of the agreement of the HS Group and Verducing Kostenschevon compisiert.
00:15:57The nette Ausbildung in type 2012 was.
00:15:58Louis Anderson's legal director lowered his head and flipped through the files,
00:16:02as if he was checking whether I was right.
00:16:04Where did you learn German?
00:16:05I lived in Berlin for a while.
00:16:07Your honorifics are very precise.
00:16:10And you said you were the junior level?
00:16:11Yes.
00:16:12Your five minutes are up.
00:16:14But I can give you ten more, on one condition.
00:16:17From here on, you meet the negotiation.
00:16:21She can't...
00:16:22I said she leads.
00:16:24Or you can lead right now.
00:16:28Scarlett, should I take over?
00:16:32Then let's restart from the first part of the proposal.
00:16:35This wasn't because I had prepared in advance.
00:16:37While sorting that 50 pages material type for Scarlett, I had memorized every word.
00:16:41Plus, I grew up in a diplomatic family.
00:16:43The basics of international trade are as natural to me as breathing.
00:16:45On the news market.
00:16:47If a customer doesn't talk about the price, but only about tailing, how would they do that?
00:16:51How would they do that?
00:16:51That's why I'm going to do that.
00:16:52You speak Arabic too?
00:16:56A little.
00:16:57The Japanese supply chain is 6% cheaper, but the supply chain is unstable.
00:17:01How do you decide?
00:17:01Die erschreckende japanische Angosuznummer leist J.P.E.K.A.T. 0427.
00:17:06Ich würde nicht das nierigste Auversoch wählen, sondern die Läusung mit dem kleinsten Gesamtereskop.
00:17:14The framework works.
00:17:15I'll have my legal team follow up with you on the details.
00:17:19The hand was warm and strong, and the grip was just right.
00:17:22Annie, right?
00:17:23Yes.
00:17:24You're wasted in the junior level.
00:17:31You lied to everyone!
00:17:34What?
00:17:34You said you only spoke Spanish.
00:17:41I do mainly work in Spanish.
00:17:43What you did in there today, that's what you call mainly working in Spanish?
00:17:46Your German is better than mine.
00:17:48Where did that Arab come from?
00:17:49It's not even on your resume.
00:17:53Scarlett, the project was saved, wasn't it?
00:17:55You did this on purpose!
00:17:56You hid your skills just waiting for a chance like this to show off!
00:18:01What do you think will happen just because you impressed Louis Anderson once?
00:18:05When we're back at the company, you're still just that junior translator.
00:18:09Annie, just you wait.
00:18:17Suddenly, I felt a little tired.
00:18:21How did the negotiation go?
00:18:22Did Scarlett crash and burn?
00:18:24The project was saved.
00:18:25How was it saved?
00:18:26Wasn't she...
00:18:26Wait, was it you?
00:18:28I'll tell you when I get back.
00:18:30Annie, you finally made a move!
00:18:33Standing at the exit of the underground garage, I felt the autumn wind blowing in.
00:18:38It was a bit cold.
00:18:39I didn't want to show off.
00:18:41I really didn't.
00:18:42But I didn't want to lose my job either.
00:18:53Mr. White, Annie spoke out of turn during negotiation and completely ignored the company hierarchy.
00:18:58Was the project saved?
00:19:00Yes, but that was...
00:19:01Then that's all that matters. The Crown Will deal is worth $40 million.
00:19:04If it had fallen through yesterday, the entire translation department could have packed up.
00:19:10One 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.
00:19:23You can get by?
00:19:24I heard you handled the entire negotiation in German without any problem at Crown Will, and you even used Arabic?
00:19:28My German just everyday level?
00:19:30Do you know if the company hired a multi-language translator like you, the starting salary would be at least
00:19:33$96,000 a year?
00:19:34I have no issues with my current salary.
00:19:37Fine. Come to the meeting room at two this afternoon.
00:19:39We need you involved in the follow-up coordination for the Crown Will project.
00:19:43Mr. Wood! I'm the one in charge of the Crown Will project!
00:19:46We'll remain in charge, but Annie will be involved in the coordination. That's Mr. White's decision.
00:19:54Happy now, Annie?
00:19:56Scarlet, I just...
00:19:57You just what?
00:19:59You think because you showed up once yesterday, you're on the same level as me now?
00:20:02That's not what I meant.
00:20:03I've been here for seven years. I worked my way up from intern to department leader.
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 Will project team.
00:20:25Okay.
00:20:26But your position will remain junior, and salary will stay the same.
00:20:29We'll evaluate it again after the project ends.
00:20:31Got it.
00:20:31Crown Will's 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?
00:20:46Since she joined this company, she has only ever worked as a Spanish translator.
00:20:48We don't even know her actual German level.
00:20:50What 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, and another hour and a half to finish the Spanish
00:21:03version.
00:21:06You're translating that fast?
00:21:08Aren'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?
00:21:32Hello?
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.
00:21:45It's the most accurate German business translation I've seen in the past three years.
00:21:50You'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.
00:21:58It involves partner selection for the Middle Eastern market.
00:22:00I need an Arabic-speaking interpreter there.
00:22:02This should go through the company.
00:22:03I know.
00:22:04But I'm asking you directly.
00:22:06Would you like to come?
00:22:07Okay, I will.
00:22:10Annie, maybe you're going to be exposed after all.
00:22:13I 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.
00:22:23The man leading the meeting looked about 50, wearing 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 Charlotte were here, she would probably ask, where did your ablick 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.
00:22:43I lowered my head in height, as if I were picking notes.
00:23:02Then 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.
00:23:06They'll switch to suppliers.
00:23:08Louie Anderson's eyes stayed on the screen for one second.
00:23:11His expression didn't change at all.
00:23:13But in the negotiation that followed, his strategy clearly shifted.
00:23:16Let's cut the chase.
00:23:17Our final offer is 10% below the current market price.
00:23:19Take your lead.
00:23:25Your abhishek is excellent.
00:23:27Not that good.
00:23:28Just 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 today.
00:23:39Annie, how many languages do you speak?
00:23:41German, French, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Arabic, and Italian.
00:23:44Eight in total, plus English.
00:23:45Mm-hmm.
00:23:46And you're a junior level translator at White Global.
00:23:48Mm-hmm.
00:23:48Do you think that makes sense?
00:23:49It was my choice.
00:23:50Would you be interested in coming to Crownwell?
00:23:52I can start you at $400,000 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.
00:23:59I'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.
00:24:06It 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?
00:24:32You never said you were that good at Arabic.
00:24:33What else are you hiding, Charlotte?
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, Japanese, and Korean.
00:24:48Things I did when I was bored.
00:24:50If she saw those...
00:24:53Annie, what exactly did you do at Crownwell today?
00:24:55Scarlett was losing her mind in the office all afternoon.
00:24:57She went through your computer.
00:24:58I know.
00:24:58You know?
00:24:59Why are you reporting her?
00:25:00Report what?
00:25:01I don't have proof.
00:25:02You are way too...
00:25:03Forget it.
00:25:03I heard something today.
00:25:04Do you want to know?
00:25:05Go on.
00:25:05There's something going on between Scarlett and Alice Wood.
00:25:07What do you mean?
00:25:08I handle reimbursement forms in Advent.
00:25:10Over the past six months, Scarlett has gone out alone with Alex Wood to talk about work 17 times.
00:25:13Every single time I was at that hotel on the website of the city, think about that.
00:25:16That has nothing to do with me.
00:25:17How does that have nothing to do with you?
00:25:18Alex Wood made Scarlett to park the theater because of that relationship.
00:25:26The message basically said the company found 10 employees failed to truthfully fill in personal
00:25:31skills 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 was answered straight to you.
00:25:44Of course I knew.
00:25:45When Scarlett went through my computer, she found those multilingual translation exercises.
00:25:49She must have gone to Alex Wood.
00:25:54Annie.
00:25:54Did you see that email?
00:25:57So what?
00:25:58Are you planning to update your profile?
00:26:00I'm still thinking about it.
00:26:02I suggest you do it soon.
00:26:04If they find out you hid something, that'll be a very serious matter.
00:26:09Thank you for the reminder, Scarlett.
00:26:16It 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.
00:26:32First, the Crownwell project has finished the initial handover.
00:26:36Mr. Anderson is very satisfied with our translation work.
00:26:39Bonuses for this project will be issued next month.
00:26:44Second, regarding the update of employee profiles.
00:26:52Mr. White, I have a question.
00:26:54Go ahead.
00:26:56If an employee deliberately hides their skills and causes the company to make the mistakes
00:27:00in allocating human resources, does that count as a violation?
00:27:10Then let me give an example.
00:27:12Say an employee only lists Spanish on her profile, but in fact she is fluent in multiple languages.
00:27:16The company assigns her position and salary according on the standard for a Spanish translator,
00:27:19and she never raises any objection.
00:27:21Over three years without knowing the truth, the company loses out on a huge amount of usable
00:27:24human resources.
00:27:25This kind of behavior.
00:27:26Enough.
00:27:30Scarlett, get 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 because the position I applied for was junior Spanish
00:27:42translator.
00:27:43I have never made a mistake during the work.
00:27:46As for the other languages, you 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, then where does that leave you, Scarlett?
00:28:02This has nothing to do with my place.
00:28:03It does.
00:28:05Because what you're really worried about isn'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.
00:28:15I'll say it again.
00:28:17Not listing on my profile does not mean hiding.
00:28:20The skills section does not say all skills must be listed.
00:28:23I chose to show only the skills required for the job I applied for.
00:28:26That is my right.
00:28:31Fine, then let me ask another question.
00:28:33Mr. White, the bonus for the Crownwell 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, she 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 to mund money instead.
00:29:00Well, Scarlet does have a point.
00:29:02Annie joined halfway through.
00:29:04Louie Anderson specifically requested me.
00:29:08Mr. Anderson, what brings you here?
00:29:11I came to deliver the contract.
00:29:13I heard your meeting.
00:29:14The door wasn't fully closed.
00:29:16The 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 $8 million in profit margin.
00:29:25How your company distributes bonus is your business.
00:29:28But I suggest you figure out who really is the key person in this project.
00:29:38One more thing.
00:29:39There is a clause in this contract.
00:29:40From now on, all translation handover work for Crownwith will be handled by Annie.
00:29:45If she is no longer at White Global, this contract automatically becomes void.
00:29:53Mr. Anderson, you mean, I've made myself very clear.
00:29:57This contract is worth $80 million a year.
00:30:00The handover translator is Annie.
00:30:03If you replace her, the contract is void.
00:30:07$80 million.
00:30:09Annie.
00:30:10Mr. White.
00:30:10Starting today, you are no longer on the junior level.
00:30:14Then which level I'm in?
00:30:15Deputy Director of the Translation Department.
00:30:17As for your salary, you'll discuss it privately.
00:30:21Mr. White.
00:30:22She's only been here for three years.
00:30:24I've been here for seven.
00:30:25Scarlett, sit down.
00:30:27Tu mérites mieux que ça.
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.
00:30:44$80 million.
00:30:46Scarlett'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, let's have a chat.
00:31:09You hid for three years, and 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?
00:31:21The Translation Department's connections, client 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, and 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?
00:31:41Then I'll let you know, ability isn't the only thing that matters in reality.
00:31:50It tasted awful.
00:31:52Scarlett 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, something major happened at White Global.
00:32:06The company had received a new project, a fashion brand from Léon, France.
00:32:10It required a full set of French-to-English brand translation and market localization services.
00:32:15Alex Wood had brought this project back through an old client.
00:32:19The amount was not huge, but it mattered a lot for the company's brand expansion.
00:32:24The problem was, one 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, what 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 personally called Brian White after looked through.
00:32:58Is your translator French?
00:33:00The language feels incredibly authentic.
00:33:02Yes.
00:33:03We have a dedicated French translation team.
00:33:09Annie, the French side is extremely satisfied.
00:33:13They've added another project, the full translation of their product manuals.
00:33:16It's worth $3 million.
00:33:19Okay.
00:33:20I'll approve your project bonus for this month separately.
00:33:23Thank you, Mr. White.
00:33:27Please note everyone.
00:33:29Project assignments in the translation should follow department procedures.
00:33:31No one should skip the leader and take projects directly.
00:33:46Annie, do 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.
00:33:58There'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.
00:34:06She has certain connections in the company.
00:34:10Mr. Wood, about you and Scarlet?
00:34:13What about us?
00:34:15Nothing.
00:34:21Annie, Scarlet and 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 Elon had mentioned.
00:34:36Human nature really is an interesting thing.
00:34:41The way people looked at me was strange.
00:34:44It wasn't admiration or envy.
00:34:45It was more like avoidance.
00:34:48Something happened.
00:34:50What happened?
00:34:51Scarlet reported you to Brian White.
00:34:53Reported me for what?
00:34:54She said you privately leakered White Global's internal pricing strategy to Crownweck while you were translating for them.
00:34:59That's a false accusation.
00:35:00I know.
00:35:01But she has evidence.
00:35:02What evidence?
00:35:03She said she found a file on your computer.
00:35:06Screenshots of a chat between you and Louis 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 is fake.
00:35:24I sneaked a look at it.
00:35:25The chat time was last Wednesday at 2 p.m.
00:35:28But 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.
00:35:37There's a battery indicator in the top right corner of the screenshot.
00:35:39That battery display doesn't match your phone model.
00:35:42You use a Samsung.
00:35:43That screenshot is from an iPhone.
00:35:47Ellen, I need you to do me a favor.
00:35:49Name it.
00:35:49You're in administration.
00:35:51Can you pull the attendance records and meeting room usage records from last Wednesday afternoon?
00:35:56Yes, pull them.
00:35:57Also, Scarlet's reimbursement records, the 17 hotel ones, do you have them?
00:36:01I do.
00:36:02Are you finally going to use them?
00:36:03Not to attack her, but to protect myself.
00:36:06If she comes after me, I need Brian White to know her credibility has a problem.
00:36:09Got it.
00:36:20Every file had a timestamp and sending record.
00:36:23My real chat history with Frankie on those all on teams, with server backups.
00:36:29Scarlet could fake screenshots, but 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.
00:36:50Are you sure?
00:36:53Yes.
00:36:54Fine.
00:36:54If you can't handle it, just tell me.
00:36:58It won't.
00:37:04Annie.
00:37:06Scarlet reported that you privately leaked our pricing strategy to Crownwell while you were translating for them.
00:37:12These screenshots are the evidence she provided.
00:37:15Is there anything you want to say?
00:37:16It was exactly as Aline had described.
00:37:18My profile picture, my name, a conversation with Frank Young.
00:37:22The content did involve White Global's pricing, but the wording was extremely unnatural.
00:37:27Like 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.
00:37:35I can prove it.
00:37:37This is my full chat history with Frank Young.
00:37:40It has server backups and timestamps.
00:37:43Please compare them.
00:37:45The times don't match.
00:37:47The screenshot Scarlet provided showed that the conversation happened last Wednesday at 2pm.
00:37:52But the team's record showed that Annie and Frank Young had no conversation at that time.
00:37:56She could have deleted Teams has server backups.
00:37:59Even if an employee deletes the chat on their eye, the server still keeps it.
00:38:02Also, from 2pm to 4pm last Wednesday, I was attending the department meeting in the company.
00:38:06The attendance and meeting room booking records can prove it.
00:38:08One more thing.
00:38:09This 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.
00:38:16Maybe you changed phone.
00:38:17I've been here for three years.
00:38:19The device binding records from IT show I have never used an iPhone.
00:38:27Scarlet, where did these screenshots come from?
00:38:29I found them on her computer.
00:38:32After you went through my computer last week, I reset the password.
00:38:37These screenshots were never on my computer.
00:38:41You never saw these snapshots on my computer because they never existed in the first place.
00:38:46You made them yourself.
00:38:50Scarlet, do you have anything else to explain?
00:38:53Mr. Wood, say 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.
00:39:06Also, your year-end performance rating will be downgraded by one level.
00:39:08If anything like this happens again, your employment will be terminated immediately.
00:39:12Annie, are you happy now?
00:39:13Scarlet, from beginning to end, you 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 hit 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.
00:39:33She should have been removed ages ago.
00:39:35Her translation skills were just average.
00:39:37She only got there through connections.
00:39:39You guys didn't know?
00:39:40Every translation she submitted had been corrected by Annie.
00:39:43What?
00:39:44I am serious.
00:39:45I 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.
00:40:03Which one of you is Annie?
00:40:05Me.
00:40:06Hello.
00:40:07I am Victoria Hayes, a producer at Harbor Light Media.
00:40:10We are preparing a large-scale international documentary project
00:40:14and we need a multilinguish translation consultant.
00:40:16How did you find me?
00:40:18Industry recommendation.
00:40:19The Crownwell project and the French brand project you worked on recently
00:40:22have attracted some attention in the field.
00:40:24Harbor Light Media, a top-team production company.
00:40:27Mrs. Hayes, what kind of project is it exactly?
00:40:29A documentary about the Strait of Barole and global trade.
00:40:31We need simultaneous interpretation and subtitle proof-feeding across five languages,
00:40:36English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic.
00:40:38We contacted three translation companies,
00:40:41but 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?
00:40:50Louis Anderson.
00:40:51He is one of the investors in this project.
00:40:52Louis Anderson again.
00:40:54What is the consulting fee for this project?
00:40:56$50,000 a month.
00:40:57The estimated period is three months.
00:40:59$150,000.
00:41:00That 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,
00:41:17and a small apartment in the 16th compartment of Paris.
00:41:20The total value was close to $10 million.
00:41:23Language was the thing my parents loved most in their lives.
00:41:27My mother used to say,
00:41:28Language is the best bridge.
00:41:31My father said,
00:41:33If 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 Malpouseau 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,
00:42:12Wahid,
00:42:12Ethwan,
00:42:13Flatha.
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 Harbor 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,
00:42:43your 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,
00:42:54the bridge between Europe and Africa.
00:42:56Maybe you should see it for yourself.
00:43:03Maybe he was right.
00:43:07Mr. White,
00:43:08I 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.
00:43:33Scarlet?
00:43:34Scarlet had been transferred to administration
00:43:36as a clerk.
00:43:37The old shine was gone.
00:43:38You are going on a business trip?
00:43:39Mm-hmm.
00:43:41For how long?
00:43:41Two months.
00:43:42You know,
00:43:42when I joined the White seven years ago,
00:43:44I only spoke one language, too.
00:43:47Later,
00:43:47I 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,
00:43:56you were already above me.
00:43:57Eight languages.
00:43:58What gives you the right?
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.
00:44:08At the airport,
00:44:08I unexpectedly ran into someone.
00:44:10Louie Anderson.
00:44:12He was wearing casual clothes.
00:44:13It was the first time I had ever seen him out of a suit.
00:44:16Annie?
00:44:16What are you doing here?
00:44:18Crownwell has business in Dubai.
00:44:19What's one of a 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 your 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 who refused to inherit in this state.
00:44:40The industry is only so big.
00:44:42So the whole world knows?
00:44:43Not the whole world.
00:44:44Just 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.
00:44:50Dry, fierce.
00:44:50Almost as if it could burn straight through your shadow.
00:44:53So you are Annie?
00:44:54The one who speaks eight languages?
00:44:55Yes.
00:44:56Let's do a test.
00:44:57Translate a section for me first.
00:44:58Martin handed me an Arabic interview outline.
00:45:00Okay, I'm Annie Smith,
00:45:02a junior translator at White Global Trading Co.
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.
00:45:13Martin, she has not even given us a quote yet.
00:45:16No need.
00:45:17It's her.
00:45:18The first stop was the antique market in Old Dubai.
00:45:20The documentary was going to cover how the Strait of Hormos connects global trade.
00:45:24There was a Persian carpet shop here that had been open for 40 years,
00:45:28and the owner was a third-generation Iranian merchant.
00:45:48In Casablanca, I interviewed a historian in French.
00:45:58He said,
00:46:01On the Strait of Jewelry, 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 are connected.
00:46:08My voice that their hearts was a little halseyed, because my father had said almost the exact same 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. No more concern. Good 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. Subject, no subject.
00:46:59After you left, they laid off the French team and the German team,
00:47:02because Brian White said 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?
00:47:20I am fine.
00:47:25Cairo.
00:47:25The 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,
00:47:34and my heart started beating a little faster.
00:47:36In Cairo, the team was filming a section about the history of trade between the Middle East and Europe.
00:47:42They needed Arabic interpretation.
00:47:47Are you happy?
00:47:55Are you happy?
00:47:57Are you happy?
00:47:59Are you happy?
00:48:08Thalika Di Blomisi?
00:48:11Shmi Michael Smith.
00:48:14Michael Smith.
00:48:16That was my father's name.
00:48:21After the interview, I sat alone on the streets of Cairo.
00:48:24I looked up at the sky.
00:48:26It was gray.
00:48:28I still remember the pistachio flavor ice cream that year.
00:48:36Hello?
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
00:49:06to a private warehouse on the outskirts of 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.
00:49:19After 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 handwritten.
00:49:31An 18th century style Meissen porcelain vase.
00:49:35Purchased at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, 2008.
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 stall.
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.
00:50:00The 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 far below your level.
00:50:24That night, I called Attorney Wills.
00:50:27Attorney Wills, I will handle the inheritance.
00:50:30Miss 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. That is wonderful. I will arrange it right away.
00:50:39One more thing.
00:50:40Go ahead.
00:50:40Did my father leave any letter or document for me?
00:50:43Not a legal document. Something personal.
00:50:46Yes. A 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.
00:50:54I sat in my room for ten 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.
00:51:05Knowing your personality, I guess you will probably run away for a while.
00:51:07You 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.
00:51:27You 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.
00:51:52Every language has its own rhythm.
00:51:54Once your body remembers it, you will never forget it.
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, 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 lost myself for a 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 contemporaneously with people.
00:52:30They thought I was a fool.
00:52:32What happened after that?
00:52:33I took 10 years to speak Italian and over 10 years to make sure that everyone in that
00:52:37street 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.
00:52:55Your 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.
00:53:26Mm-hmm.
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.
00:54:51Strictness is the bare minimum.
00:54:52You're driving a very ordinary gray sedan, not 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
00:55:22Crownwell, 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...
00:55:42I'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.
00:56:02Over the next three months, many things happened at once.
00:56:05The Crownwell project successfully completed its third phase, and White Global brought in
00:56:11nearly $80 million in revenue from it.
00:56:14When Brian White reviewed the monthly report, he said to Alex Wood,
00:56:18You should have put Annie on it from the start.
00:56:22After Scarlett resigned from White Global, she became a director at a small translation company.
00:56:27Three months later, that company's base 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 Scarlett 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.
00:56:51Stop talking about it.
00:56:54Everyone 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, translation 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.
00:57:37Hmm.
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.
00:57:53How 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?
00:58:17Crown Law 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.
00:58:51Louie!
00:58:52I'm joking.
00:58:53One million dollars a year, plus project dividends.
00:58:55But the girlfriend part is serious, too.
00:58:57The streetlight 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.
00:59:48Crownwell'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.
01:00:16On 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.
01:01:04Mrs. 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.
01:01:30Waiting 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.
01:02:13So 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 Forge Screen Shops are in the past now.
01:02:40You really are different from before.
01:02:42Back then, I cannot 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.
01:03:06After the closing ceremony, Louis Anderson found me on the Hotel Terrace.
01:03:11Tired?
01:03:13A little.
01:03:14Five cities, two months.
01:03:15You 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.
01:03:34This...
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.
01:04:20Mm-hmm.
01:04:21Your salary should be adjusted this year.
01:04:23To how much?
01:04:25You 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.
01:04:53Back 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,
01:05:06Be brave enough to be yourself.
01:05:08It took me a long time to understand that.
01:05:12But luckily, I did it.
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