Wherewhere and Erewhon

Hoo has just driven over the Taihape to Napier Road and is pretty pleased with himself.

...

Hoo: I’d never done it before.

Wat: You sixty and you never been Taihape Napier?

Hoo: My father say people go missing. They start at Taihape but they never arrive in Napier. Now I know why.

Wat: You know why?

Hoo: They all went off down Wherewhere Road. No Exit. Massive graveyard at end.

Wat: I heard it because they all end up at Erewhon.

Hoo: Erewhon.

Wat: Nowhere spelled backwards. Well, half backwards.

Hoo (shrugging): Who knows?

...

Going home

Midnight: Raymond and Russell are sitting on the Marine Parade. Russell has a dilemma.

...

Russell: It’s nice city. Nearly ideal, in size, in climate, in amenities.

Raymond: So why don’t you move back and live here?

Russell: I know, I was born here. But it’s not that easy. I haven’t finished doing other things.

Raymond: Other things?

Russell: In other places. Learning other skills, meeting other people, learning other languages that can’t be learned here.

Raymond: But your parents?

Russell: I know. They won’t be here forever and I should try to work things out with them.

Raymond: So what’s the problem?

Russell: Maybe it's like you all say, that, I’m restless. But I like to travel. I sometimes think I may even be part-autistic. But I also think that when I move back, that will be it. The end of the day, curtain drops, like now, my midnight.

...

La Citta Ideale

Leonardo is asking Piero about his concept of an ideal city.

...

Leonardo: So is your idea of a city an architectural ideal or is it closer to the social activities in a particular community?

Piero: Both. Both! Interesting conversations in a stimulating environment.

Leonardo: But you have put no people in your painting.

Piero: When I visited Urbino, no one was up.

Leonardo: Now you see, Piero, if I were to visit your city, I would suggest they don’t commercialize it, make it into a theme park for tourists.

Piero: No?

Leonardo: Another thing. I would invite Okinawa musicians like the Nenes to give a concert. Broaden its appeal and encourage visits across borders.

...

Gone to Napier

12:30 PM
I'm leaving in 20 minutes.

1:00 PM
I'm leaving in 10 minutes.
For sure?
Dead positive.

1:30 PM
Can you tell them I'll be a bit late. Say 30 minutes?
I'll tell them 15.

1:45
I'm leaving, right now.
Yeah?
...