Wesley works backstage at a small city theatre. He is a stagehand. He moves the chairs and the tables. He pulls the ropes. He also makes the rain.
韦斯利在一家城市小剧院的后台工作。他是舞台工作人员。他搬椅子和桌子，拉绳子，还负责制造下雨的声音。
The rain machine is a long wooden box. It is full of dry rice. Wesley turns the box. The rice falls and makes a soft sound. The audience thinks it is rain.
雨声机是一只长长的木箱，里面装满了干米。韦斯利转动木箱，米粒落下，发出轻柔的沙沙声。观众以为那是雨声。
Rhea works in the next room. She makes the costumes. All day she sews dresses and coats. She hums when she works. Wesley can hear her through the wall. He likes the sound, but he never says so.
蕾雅在隔壁房间工作。她做服装，整天缝裙子和外套。干活的时候她会哼歌。韦斯利隔着墙能听见。他喜欢那歌声，但从来没说过。
Tonight is the first night of a new play. Wesley checks the rain box twice. Then Rhea comes in. She has a green coat in her hand.
今晚是一部新戏的首演夜。韦斯利把雨声箱检查了两遍。这时蕾雅走了进来，手里拿着一件绿色外套。
"Hi," she says. "Is this the famous rain machine?"
“嗨，”她说，“这就是那台有名的雨声机吗？”
"Yes," says Wesley. His voice is small.
“是的。”韦斯利说。他的声音很小。
"Can I hear it?"
“我能听听吗？”
He turns the box. The rice falls. Rhea listens with her head to one side.
他转动木箱，米粒落下。蕾雅侧着头听。
"It is nice," she says. "But it is quiet. The people in the back rows will not hear it."
“挺好听的，”她说，“可是声音太轻了。后排的观众听不到。”
Wesley frowns. "The director likes it soft."
韦斯利皱起眉头。“导演喜欢轻一点的。”
"Soft is good. But thin is not." Rhea looks around the room. "Do you have beans?"
“轻是好事，但单薄就不好了。”蕾雅环顾房间，“你有豆子吗？”
"Beans?"
“豆子？”
"My grandmother makes rain with dry beans. They are heavier. Try a few."
“我奶奶就用干豆子做雨声。豆子更重。试几颗吧。”
Wesley laughs. It is a strange idea. But he finds dry beans in the kitchen. He puts a handful in the box. He turns it again.
韦斯利笑了。这主意真奇怪。可他还是在厨房里找到了干豆子。他抓了一把放进木箱，又转动起来。
Now the sound is full and deep. It sounds like real rain on a roof.
现在声音饱满而低沉，听起来就像真的雨打在屋顶上。
"Oh," he says. "Oh, that is much better."
“哦，”他说，“哦，这好多了。”
Rhea smiles. "I told you."
蕾雅笑了。“我说过吧。”
The play starts at eight. Wesley stands in the dark by the stage. His hands are cold. The rain cue comes in the second act. He waits.
戏八点开演。韦斯利站在舞台边的黑暗里，双手冰凉。下雨的提示在第二幕。他等着。
Someone touches his arm. It is Rhea. She stands next to him in a black sweater.
有人碰了碰他的胳膊。是蕾雅。她穿着黑毛衣，站在他旁边。
"I want to see the rain scene," she whispers. "Can I stay here?"
“我想看下雨那场戏，”她小声说，“我能待在这儿吗？”
"Yes," says Wesley. His heart is fast.
“可以。”韦斯利说。他的心跳得很快。
On the stage, an actress opens a window. She looks out. The light turns grey and blue.
舞台上，一位女演员推开窗户，向外望去。灯光变成了灰蓝色。
"Now," whispers Rhea.
“现在。”蕾雅低声说。
Wesley turns the box. The rice and beans fall. The sound is warm and strong. In the dark theatre, people lean forward. Someone near the front says, "Ah."
韦斯利转动木箱。米粒和豆子落下，声音温暖而有力。黑暗的剧场里，观众都向前倾身。前排有人轻轻“啊”了一声。
The scene ends. The lights go down. Wesley lets out his breath.
这场戏结束，灯光暗了下来。韦斯利长长地呼出一口气。
"It was perfect," Rhea says.
“太完美了，”蕾雅说。
"It was your idea," he says.
“是你的主意。”他说。
"It was our rain," she says.
“是我们的雨。”她说。
After the show, the director comes backstage. She looks at Wesley and shakes his hand.
演出结束后，导演来到后台。她看着韦斯利，和他握了握手。
"The rain was wonderful tonight," she says. "Who changed it?"
“今晚的雨声太棒了，”她说，“是谁改的？”
Wesley looks at Rhea. Rhea looks at Wesley.
韦斯利看着蕾雅，蕾雅看着韦斯利。
"We did," they say together.
“是我们。”他们异口同声地说。
Later the theatre is empty. Wesley puts the chairs away. Rhea folds the green coat.
后来剧院空了下来。韦斯利把椅子收好，蕾雅叠起那件绿色外套。
"Next week there is a storm scene," he says. "It needs thunder. Do you want to help me make it?"
“下周有一场暴风雨的戏，”他说，“需要打雷的声音。你想帮我一起做吗？”
"With what?" asks Rhea.
“用什么做？”蕾雅问。
"A big metal sheet. It is very loud."
“一块大铁皮。声音很响。”
Rhea smiles. "Only if I can stand next to you again."
蕾雅笑了。“除非我还能站在你旁边。”
Wesley picks up the metal sheet. His ears are red. He carries it into the light.
韦斯利拿起铁皮，耳朵红了。他抱着它，走进了灯光里。
