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The ship docked at the port of Port Fran after the sun had set. The glow of the lamps shimmered across the surface of the sea.
The girl looked out of the ship's window and said:
"Oh, how splendid this place is! I see the sea in its deep blue. How I wish I could dive in and swim for just a few minutes."
The pilot and his companions disembarked, heading toward the reception office. They collected their bags, left the port, and waited for a taxi to take them to the capital, Sofia.
Nearby, a car was parked with a sign that read Capital Line. The pilot hurried to it and asked:
"Will you take us to the capital?"
The driver replied:
"Yes, you're right next to the car station. I only parked outside to check the lights."
Pilot: "Oh, we passed by and didn't notice it. And how are the lights?"
Driver: "They're working fine. Come on, get in."
The pilot and his companions entered the car, and they set off toward Sofia. When the girl heard the name "Sofia," she said:
"That's a girl's name."
Taxi driver: "Yes, well said."
Pilot: "You're a smart girl. Driver, tell us why it's called that."
Taxi driver: "Ah, so you're tourists."
Pilot: "Yes. We're looking for a hotel there to spend the night."
Taxi driver: "Which country are you from?"
Pilot: "Japan."
Taxi driver: "Ah, you Japanese are kind-hearted people. Peaceful."
Kasha: "My sister, Akemi, spreads peace to you and to the world."
Taxi driver: "We live in peace as well."
Pilot: "She means peace in the modern, developed world."
Taxi driver: "Oh, you mean that when the world advances in technology, it may also fall into wars. That's true, and it could happen in the future."
Pilot: "I understand what the girl means, indeed. But tell me — how long is our ride?"
Taxi driver: "It will take about five hours."
Pilot: "So we'll arrive around midnight."
The captain then asked the driver to turn on the music in the car. The driver laughed and said:
"Now I've heard your voice! I thought you couldn't speak at all."