May 6, 2026
my translation of the 56th story (out of 99) of 夢で会いましょう [Meet Me in a Dream] by Haruki Murakami and Shigesato Itoi, not guaranteed to be accurate. see the intro post to read more!
—What am I, a rat? You trying to smoke me out? The cigarette!
—Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll put it out. [huun]
—Window! You gotta open the window. The car’s gone all fogged up. How’m I supposed to see ahead to merge? [skriiii]
—Ain’t that a bit dangerous there?
—Ah, come on. I’m running a business here. Don’t I got mouths to feed? [huuuu-huun]
—I guess the AC’s got me a bit cold. On edge, whatever.
—You’ll be outta here soon enough. Don’t be so selfish. I’m the one in here all day you know, sweating my ass off. [huuuuuun]
—Yeah, fair enough. I’m sorry.
—Sorry, sorry. Again with sorry. Apologies meant anything, we wouldn’t have the cops. [skrriiih] Ok, we’re here.
—Wait. I said Omote-sando. This is Aoyama.
—This is Omote-sando.
—No, I wanted Omote-sando station. This is Omote-sando an Meijidori. Different place. [huuu]
—That’s where we are, Omote-sando. You’re telling me there’s another Omote-sando? [huuuuuun]
—There is! It’s a whole street. Omote-sando. We’re where it crosses Meijidori.
—Then where’s the Meijidori shrine? You see that sign there? What’s it say? [huun]
—Omote-sando, I know, I get it. Just take me to Meijidori shrine, huh. [huuuuuun] I’m keeping the window open, it doesn’t close. Do whatever you want with the air conditioning.
—Sure. 900 yen.
—Here, fine.
—Five thousand? I don’t have change for that. I’m a busy guy. Too many customers, large bills.
—So then I can’t pay? What is it with you?
—Oh, come on. Old cabbie’s joke. Lighten up.
—Is that really how you treat a customer?
—Fall on your principles, huh? Customer’s always right? I know your type.
—God, just go and get my change already.
—Fine, asshole.
—What!? [clink. clink. shkkukkah]
—Ah, ouch, shit, fine. I don’t need change anyway. Stop hitting me.
—No. I got the money. [bwwp. clank. chinkah] Might as well get use of it. Go on, call the police if you so want.
–I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Please. Just stop.
—If you’re apologizing, why stop there? Why not just stop being an asshole? Ain’t that better?
This above may only be a story, but as I’m sure you see, it has a message. I am happy to have shared it.
translator's note: translation? no. localization. more or less. obviously i kept street names and currencies, a bit about tokyo locations as best as i could translate (i dont know tokyo that well), but Itoi really has such fun a voice, i cant resist the urge to americanize. he is voicey, i am voicey. you judge yourself if i changed whos "in the right"