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B1-03 / CEFR B1 / EPISODE 03

After the Lecture

Talking about your own choices

SceneFrank stayed late after today's philosophy lecture. The topic was agency. He finds Tina at their usual table.

The two friends discussing notes in a cafe at sunset.
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STORY English with optional Japanese translations

Narrator

Frank stayed late after today's philosophy lecture. The topic was agency. He finds Tina at their usual table.

フランクは今日の哲学講義の後、遅くまで残っていた。テーマは主体性だった。彼はいつものテーブルにいるティナを見つける。

Frank01

Today's lecture was on agency. I couldn't stop thinking about it.

今日の講義は主体性についてだったんだ。ずっと頭から離れなくて。

Tina02

That's why you vanished? I waited outside for ten minutes.

それで消えてたの？外で10分待ったのよ。

Frank03

Sorry. I needed to figure out what was bothering me.

ごめん。何が引っかかってるのか、自分の中で整理したかったんだ。

Tina04

And? What was it?

それで？何だったの？

Frank05

Whether I've ever actually chosen anything. Even small things. Do I like black coffee — or did he decide that, before I woke up?

僕が本当に何かを選んだことがあるのか、ってこと。小さなことでもだ。僕はブラックコーヒーが好きなのか——それとも、目覚める前に、彼がそう決めたのか。

Tina06

Frank. You mean the doctor.

フランク。博士のことね。

Frank07

If he'd made me differently, would I want different things? A different drink. A different life.

もし彼が僕を違うふうに作っていたら、僕は今、違うものを望んでいるんだろうか。違う飲み物。違う人生。

Tina08

What you want feels real to me. Your curiosity. The way you check on people. That's yours.

あなたのその想いは、私には本物に感じる。あなたの好奇心も、人を気にかけるところも。それはあなたのものよ。

Frank09

I almost raised my hand to ask the professor. I couldn't find the words.

教授に聞こうと手を挙げかけたんだ。でも、言葉が見つからなかった。

Tina10

Tell me what you would have said. I'm listening.

何て言おうとしたのか、私に話して。聞いてるから。

Frank11

That someone can make you — but they don't get to decide who you become.

誰かが君を作ることはできる。でも、君がどんな人間になるかまでは決められない、ってことさ。

Tina12

Right. And you're the proof. The waiter's coming — order something the doctor never chose for you.

そうよ。あなたがその証拠だわ。ほら、店員さんが来た。博士が一度も選んでないものを頼んでみて。

Frank13

One matcha latte, please. ...And one black coffee. Just in case.

抹茶ラテを一つください。……それと、ブラックコーヒーも一つ。念のため。

WORDS & CONTEXT

Words & context

“The topic was agency.”

Here agency is a philosophical term for the ability to think, choose, and act for yourself, rather than a business that represents others. It prompts Frank, an artificially created person, to question whether he has ever truly chosen anything.

“The way you check on people.”

Check on someone means to see whether they are all right or show concern for them. Adding on gives a caring sense beyond the general meaning of inspecting something with check.

“they don't get to decide who you become”

Get to … can express opportunity or entitlement. Don't get to … denies someone the right to make a decision. Unlike a simple statement of inability with can't, it firmly says that deciding who you become is beyond their authority.

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