humans mustn't always have it easy. if humans go through life everyday without hardships, they'll slack off and become lazy. we need something in life to keep us from becoming lazy, and that's work!
Kino : i have something to ask you, if you don't mind?
A : what is it?
Kino : did you remove the grass and polish this rail all by yourself?
A : yeah, it's my job.
Kino : it's your.. job?
A : yeah, that's right. i've been doing this for a long time now.
Kino : exactly how long is that?
A : about fifty years.
Hermes : fifty years?
A : i don't know exactly how long, but it's probably been about that long, since i only counted the winters. i joined the rail company when i was eighteen. back then they said there was a track that wasn't being used, but that it might eventually be put to use again, so i was to polish it the best i could. they haven't told me to stop yet, so i just keep working.
Kino : you haven't been back to your home country since then?
A : no, i already have a wife and child when i originally left home. i had to support them in any way i could. i wonder how they're doing now? they should be getting my paychecks, and i think they are living well on them.
Kino : how much longer do you plan on continuing this work?
A : until someone from the company tells me to stop. either that, or until this railroad ends.
....
Hermes: it's much easier to run on now. thanks to that old man we met yesterday.
....
Kino : Eh? hoah,, there's no more railroad.
B : that's right. i removed it.
Kino : why are you removing the tracks?
B : it's my job. i've been doing this by myself for a long time.
Kino : by 'a long time', exactly how long do you mean?
B : well, i think it's been about fifty years. i'm not exactly sure. i joined the railroad company when i was sixteen years old. they didn't need this track, since it wasn't being used, so i was ordered to tear it down. i was very excited about it because it was my first job. and they have yet to tell me to stop.
Hermes: you haven't been back to your home country?
B : yeah, i've got five younger brothers, you see. i'm working to keep them fed, so i can't take any time off.
Kino : excuse me, these tracks are awfully clean for not having been used for years, aren't they?
B : yeah, it's been like this the whole way. strange, isn't it? but it's nice, because it really makes them easier to remove.
...
hermes: it's hard to run here.
...
Kino : eh? aaah.. there's more tracks!
C : hey, traveller! yeah, i did all this.
Kino : is this your job?
C : that's right. of course, i've been doing this forever.
Kino : how long do you mean by "forever"?
C : well, it's going on fifty years now, i suppose. i was fifteen when i joined the rail company. they said they had an old track that they might start using again, so they told me to come out and repair it. i haven't heard orders to stop yet, so...
Hermes: are you doing this all by yourself??
C : oh, it's really no big deal once you get used to it. i've got all the materials i need right here, so...
Kino : you don't seem to have returned to your country.
C : well, my mother become ill and couldn't work, so i had to suport the family.
....
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