What's happening in Seattle? [for Cities and Memory]

A surreal exchange of words by the Aurora Bridge, near the railway. A dialogue between unlikely spies that makes a mockery of spy stories with irony and nonsense.

The scene is set by the historic bridge in Seattle, known for its striking presence over Lake Union. This audio work reimagines the soundscape of the Hannover Hydroelectric Power Plant. It is part of the Cities and Memory project, blending place, story, and sound to invite listeners into a playful world of coded secrets and hidden meanings.

Created for Cities and Memory using the 'Hydroelectric power plant, Hannover' recording by Jurgen Morgenstern-Feise.

Photo by Nationaal Archief on Unsplash

What is Art, in all the wrong places?

Characters who can't always be trusted. Because they often don't see the difference between sound and noise, between countryside and abandoned building, between fiction and reality.
I explore sound, speak languages and talk to strangers. This is my work.
AIR Member. www.cristinamarras.com

Mary-Jane: 00:17

Hey, Jim. What's happening in Seattle?

Jim: 00:20

You know very well, Mary Jane. We are here for the exchange.

Mary-Jane: 00:26

Yet another spy exchange?

Jim: 00:29

No. A railroad exchange.

Mary-Jane: 00:32

I should have anticipated so much. Believe me, Jim, this is music for my ears.

Jim: 00:40

Oh, yes, Mary Jane. A nice swing.

Mary-Jane: 00:43

Leave these the swingers aside, Jim. You know that my husband is very jealous.

Jim: 00:50

Don't worry, Mary Jane. Weeping willows never laugh.

Mary-Jane: 00:55

Stop using the code on me, Jim. You know that it makes me nervous.

Jim: 01:01

Mary Jane, but that's the truth. I'm not making anything up.

Mary-Jane: 01:08

Tell me rather, Jim, what's going on with the Wicked Fang? Is he still around?

Jim: 01:14

Sure. I remember the Wicked Fang. We met at seven.

Mary-Jane: 01:19

Seven o'clock?

Jim: 01:21

No. Seven-Eleven. But I cannot tell you what he was doing. We are teammates, yes, but I have certainly not forgotten about the Aurora Bridge.

Mary-Jane: 01:34

Jim, don't try to be smart with me. I know you are cheating. Aurora is Italian for 'dawn', but the appointment is set for sunset. Don't try to change the cards on the table.

Jim: 01:47

No one is changing the cards, Mary Jane, especially not when we are in the middle of a game of poker. And what's more, I am winning. And the Aurora Bridge is part of it.

Mary-Jane: 01:59

Water under the bridge, Jim. Water under the bridge.

Jim: 02:03

Sure. The bridge of my nose.

Mary-Jane: 02:07

Jean, what's happening in Seattle?