The Sound of Silence (2019) - full transcript

A successful "house tuner" in New York City, who calibrates the sound in people's homes in order to adjust their moods, meets a client with a problem he can't solve.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(HORN HONKING)

Twenty-five,

thirty thirty-five, forty

forty-one, forty-two.

Parkinson, make it 42.

The noise in Times Square

deprives us

of 42 percent of our hearing.

(SIREN WAILING)

Stop the phonograph player.

(TRAFFIC BUSTLING)

(CHIMING)

(NO AUDIO)

Hm?

What are you listening to?

I'm not listening to anything.

Nothing?

Right.

These are for hearing nothing.

So, how much longer

is this gonna take, man?

Look, I thought

I was paying you to soundproof

my apartment or something.

It's a B-flat.

- What is?

- Your heating unit.

That's a shitty radiator.

You do hear

the noise though, right?

Your problem

is your heating unit.

When paired

with the low tones produced

by your kitchen appliances,

the note emitted

from your radiator

is contributing

to your... anxiety.

- Really?

- Mm-hm.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Call this number

next Tuesday afternoon

if you have any other issues.

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Hello, you've reached

the answering machine

of Peter Lucian.

If I've given you my number,

you've dialed it correctly

but at the wrong time.

Please briefly describe

your situation

and leave a telephone number.

(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS)

Hey, Peter. This is

Brian Mosden, down in Tribeca.

Listen..

You know, I was

a little skeptical at first

uh, but I honestly haven't

slept this well in months.

Thank you for whatever you did

to my blender.

(BEEPS)

Hi. I got your number

from my friend Alex.

I'm looking to set up

an appointment for..

Well, whatever you did for Alex.

He and his girlfriend

are getting along

great right now.

My number is 6-4-6-2-4-0-0-0-8.

(RECORDER WHIRRING)

The radiator is contributing

to your anxiety.

You do hear

the noise though, right?

It's a B-flat.

- What is?

- Your heating unit.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Field test. Central Park.

G Major.

(JAZZ MUSIC)

(CHIMING)

(MELLOW MUSIC)

(JAZZ MUSIC)

(DRILL WHIRRING)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

You're punctual.

I'm actually early.

- I guess you're Peter?

- I am.

I'm Ellen.

Do you wanna go inside?

Actually, I would prefer

to ask you some questions

outside the apartment first

before we enter.

Oh. Okay.

You wanna have a seat?

Uh, it's helpful for me

if I record this

if you don't mind.

Sure, that's fine.

This is a lot more formal

than I expected.

I... I've found

that when clients talk

about their homes

when inside them

they, they tend to speak less

directly about the issue.

Right, it can be difficult

to talk about

a relationship problem,

in this case, your apartment

with the, the partner present.

Never thought about it that way.

So, to begin..

You describe to me your person.

My person?

Yourself.

Oh, like, um, say my name

introduce myself,

like that kinda thing?

As you wish.

Um, well,

my name is Ellen Chasen.

- I am from Ohio.

- Mm-hm.

But now I live in New York.

Perhaps, uh, you could describe

your issue to me now.

I, um, I am always tired.

Exhausted, actually.

By the time I get

to the office in the morning

I'm tired again.

And where do you work?

Um, I work at a non-profit

um, for low-income families.

It's in Midtown.

- And do you walk to work?

- Yeah.

I get to help people every day

so, watching them

they, they get

to start their lives over

I get to see that.

- It's nice.

- No, no.

I, I asked,

"Do you walk to work?"

Oh, uh, sorry.

Um... no.

It would be, like, 40 blocks.

(DOOR OPENS)

I'll need an extended period

of time in each room.

Specifically, kitchen,

bathroom, bedroom.

- Yeah, it's no problem.

- Mm-hm.

Can I get you some water

or anything?

Actually,

I need it just like this.

No additional sounds.

- No additional appliances.

- Oh.

No, thank you.

(RECORDER BUZZING)

(HUMMING)

Kitchen.

(WATER SPLATTERING)

Faucet.

(BLENDER WHIRRING)

Faucet and blender.

(WHIRRING STOPS)

(FAUCET SQUEAKS)

(DOOR OPENS)

Refrigerator.

Three hundred and ninety.

(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)

Hillary.

We're right around the corner.

Hi, yeah, sorry,

I... I can't talk

'cause I have, uh,

company right now.

Do you have

a man over there with you?

No, that's not why.

Yeah. Okay, I'll see you later.

Okay. Bye.

Sorry.

So, at this point, I'll need

to go into your bedroom

if that's alright

with you, Ellen. Yeah?

I typically save

this visit for last

since it is the most personal,

but hopefully, you feel

a little more comfortable

with me by now?

Of course. By all means.

Can I watch?

Mm.

Mind if I lie down?

Is that typical?

You mentioned over the phone

that you're having trouble

sleeping at night.

- Is that right?

- Yes.

(SIGHS)

It helps me if I recreate

your morning routine

as closely as possible.

Would you say

you're a side sleeper?

- No.

- No.

(SIGHS)

I'll have to review

my materials to be certain

but I think your problem

is in the kitchen.

Do you eat bagels every morning?

Uh... uh, no.

S... sometimes,

but usually toast.

- Mm-hm.

- With some fruit.

Okay. I think you need

a new toaster.

That should do it.

I noticed your toaster

produces an E-flat.

And your refrigerator

hums at a clear G.

Now, the foundation note

is a subtle but convincing C

throughout the entire apartment.

Here.

(MOUTH ORGAN MUSIC)

You hear that? Hm?

That mechanical sound?

Or, uh, perhaps

it's... it's wind patterns

on the East Side.

It's remarkably consistent.

Well... anyway

a new toaster should

solve your problems.

You really think

it's that simple?

Technically, your refrigerator

is a perfect fifth.

And the minor third created

by your toaster

combined with the tonic

from your neighborhood

and, uh, you've got

a depression.

So, I'll have a new model

sent over. Soon.

But we should talk

in the next few days.

Yes, of course.

Alright.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(DRILL WHIRRING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(SIGHS)

(WINGS FLUTTERING)

(CARS HORN BLARING)

(SIREN WAILING)

(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

(OPERATIC SINGING)

(AUDIENCE CHEERING)

(SIREN WAILING)

(HORN BLARING)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

He loves this old shit.

- I think it's nice.

- It is nice.

Everything in here

is really nice.

Hm.

Maybe I should just

move to Brooklyn.

- Wanna swap apartments?

- Don't yell.

- Cleo's still napping.

- Sorry.

I know, it's nice, it's great.

But sometimes it's a little

weird living there.

Apartment's a little big.

And I still get Patrick's mail.

I hate that.

Anyway, it's cheap.

So, why should I leave?

Right.

Here's to rent-stabilized

apartments.

- Shit!

- Oh, here, let me get you a...

- No, it's okay.

- Let me get you a...

I'll... I'll... I'll grab

a towel.

There's some towels

on the counter there.

Okay.

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

Why is everything unplugged?

- Oh.

- Yeah.

- That's Landon's latest phobia.

- Phobia?

He's afraid the apartment

will catch fire

when we're not at home.

Or when we're asleep.

Or when we're eating dinner.

- Or when we're having sex.

- Okay.

It's not a phobia,

it's a safeguard.

So, you just leave it

all unplugged?

Spontaneous electrical fires

are way more common

than you think, okay?

Especially in cities.

I read about them all the time.

It's his OCD.

So, where are you

reading about this?

The internet.

So, how'd it go

with that house tuner

we set you up with anyway?

- And Landon loves that guy.

- I love that guy.

Yeah, it was, um,

it was a little weird.

- Weird how?

- Why? Is he a creep?

No, no, no, no.

Not creepy at all. At all.

Although, he did lay on my bed.

- That sounds creepy.

- But not in a creepy way.

Not.. He's not a creep.

He was actually very polite,

and very professional.

He told me that, um,

I need to get a new toaster.

- What?

- Why is that so funny?

Maybe that... maybe that's

helpful.

It sounds ridiculous,

but he was talking to me about

the tonic of my neighborhood

and how my refrigerator

is contributing

to this oppressive chord.

- Yeah.

- What?

Yeah, that's his thing. Right?

Here, look. This is

from "Talk Of The Town."

"According to Peter Lucian,

the silence is full of sound

"as his practice offers

solutions

"for depression,

anxiety, fatigue

"all of which are triggered

by the sonic details

"of our homes, he explains.

"After an impromptu tour

of the converted.

Cold War-era fallout shelter

he calls home.."

This guy's so fucking cool.

"Lucian points out

the meticulous labels

"attached to each appliance

bearing notes

and musical chords."

Weird, but kind of sexy.

- Is he single?

- Are you serious?

Only you would find that sexy,

by the way.

So, what do you think?

You gonna give it a whirl?

I'm fine. Really.

I mean, I think all this therapy

is just too much.

- It's not for me.

- Really?

I just need to find a

way to get some rest.

When Landon was training

for his marathon last fall

he found a great acupuncture

place in Greenpoint.

That was for my IT band.

Yeah. That's what I'm saying.

So, maybe it's worth taking

a look at.

But that's..

Those are different things.

Yeah, but acupuncture.

(CREAKING)

(OPERATIC SINGING)

(SINGING CONTINUES)

(WINGS FLUTTERING)

(SINGING CONTINUES)

(CHIMING)

(SINGING CONTINUES)

(CREAKING)

Do you think it's a problem?

I'll see what I can do.

Uh, go on. Robert is waiting

for you in the study.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

My data is supported. Maybe

they just can't comprehend it.

It's all good feedback, Peter.

I encourage my students

to ask tough questions

in the critique sessions.

I think they're maybe caught up

a little bit in your..

In your lack of formalities.

But I'm close, though.

And you understand

the significance.

Listen, I've read it.

Don't rush yourself.

This work takes time. Years.

Well, it's been years.

This is a universal law

that I've discovered

and the scientific community

needs to know about it.

You know, there's a trap

in science

that I talk

to my students about.

One always sees exactly

what one's looking for

not because it's there

but because one desperately

wants to believe

that it's there.

Are you saying my research

is faulty?

No!

I'm just cautioning you not

to make it too personal

perhaps even obsessive.

One must be obsessive

in this field of ours

but we have to be careful

of too much, um

faith... in our own ideas.

Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt.

Peter, this is Samuel Diaz,

my TA.

I'm advising him on his thesis.

So, are you still thinking

of leaving academia?

- Formally, yes.

- Mm-hm.

Uh, I need to get

my student loans paid off.

Mm-hm.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

I thought your research

was really fascinating.

- Me?

- Yes.

Thank you.

They pick everything apart.

Anyone without a Ph.D.

gets run through the gauntlet.

I could, if you'd like

uh, refer you

to some standard guidelines

for formatting and publishing.

Or perhaps Peter could be

a person to talk to

about that lab position

that, uh, you're after.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

"Welcome back

to "The New American Journal

of Sound Radio Hour."

I'm your host,

Dr. Elizabeth Brookings.

On today's show, we're

discussing the feature story

from our latest issue

about new findings concerning

the "Windsor Hum."

And how does this all relate

to the apartment tunings

you conduct?

Are you familiar with

the concept of a macro-scope?

You mean a very big microscope?

Um, it's a way of seeing things

that are larger

so, in this case,

it's a way of seeing patterns.

Once the predominant harmonies

are determined..

They're translated here.

So, all of this, in a sense,

is a macro-scope.

Typically..

I know the solution

to a client's issues

before I even arrive.

And it always works?

D, F, A.

D minor.

- That's amazing.

- You read music?

I took piano lessons

when I was a kid.

- You did?

- Uh-huh.

How's your pitch? Sam?

How's your pitch?

Decent.

Uh, my graduate work was

on, uh, cochlear neurons

in mice.

I love the ear.

Mm..

(LAUGHS)

(WATER SPLATTERING)

You've reached the answering

machine of Peter Lucian.

If I've given you my number,

you've dialed it correctly

but at the wrong time.

Please briefly describe

your situation

and leave a telephone number.

(MACHINE BEEPS)

Hey, Peter.

Uh, it's Ellen Chasen.

I know, I know we didn't have

a call scheduled.

I'm not sure how this works.

I guess, maybe you call me back,

or, um,

thank you for, for coming over.

Uh, God, this, this probably

sounds so strange.

I don't want you to think

that I'm calling you

because I'm crazy

or lonely, or..

I got the toaster.

Um, and I... I'm just wondering

if there's anything else

I could be doing, you know?

And when I can expect

the prescription to work, or..

I'll see a change.

Okay, thanks. Bye.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Anyway, a new toaster

should solve your problems.

You really think

it's that simple?

(TAPE RECORDER WHIRRING)

Your refrigerator hums

in a clear G.

Now, the foundation of..

(TAPE RECORDER WHIRRING)

Have you remodeled recently?

Put in any major changes?

Uh, no, just minor stuff.

I mean, no, uh,

new coats of paint

or, um, redecorating

or anything like that

if that's what you mean.

That's what I mean.

How would you describe

your place?

My place?

Yeah, your apartment.

Perhaps we should go

upstairs now.

Field test recordings.

Financial District.

D minor.

Confident. Reckless.

Carnegie Hall.

(TUNING FORKS CHIMES)

E minor. Calm, precise.

Lower East Side.

(TUNING FORK CHIMES)

A-flat. Dissonant.

Grand Central Station. Off peak.

(TUNING FORK CHIMES)

B minor.

(CHUCKLES)

Gentle, patient.

(BUSTLING)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

Welcome to Sensory Holdings.

Please select an atmosphere

while you wait.

(BEEPS)

Desert air.

Oops. He-he!

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

And you must be the house tuner.

- Peter.

- Har... Harold Carlyle.

Uh, we're really glad you

finally accepted our invitation.

Your assistant mentioned

potential for financing

my research.

Of course, of course.

The... the recent

"New Yorker" article

really piqued my interest.

So, uh, my assistant pulled

materials

for our meeting.

And it turns out,

we've actually used

some of your designs.

How do you mean?

Well, the Echo Decay Timer.

I understand, at least I heard

it was born

in the basement of the Met.

Well, I had a position

in the Preservation Department.

Was maintaining period

instruments

for musical performances

to be historically accurate,

and..

I mean, we've significantly

upgraded the device

in the last decade,

but the EDT-1 was..

It was a cornerstone

for concert recording.

It was never intended

for that purpose, so..

Oh. Well, excuse me. I, um..

What was it for, then?

I was studying

harmonic resonance.

And the manufacturer

retained my patent

in exchange

for custom fabrication.

But I never wanted it

to be marketed for the public.

Well, it was

a revolutionary product.

Tool.

"Tool." Of course.

I no longer engage

with outside fabricators.

Well, our clients

are Fortune 500 creatures.

You're more of a provider

for houses, right?

Homes.

"Bespoke domesticity."

That's what friends

of mine call it.

But really, that's what

we're interested in.

The market is changing,

and we want

to cater our products

to our customer's private lives.

I... I'm offering you

an opportunity, Peter.

Uh... how is

Equilibrium delivered?

Well, it's wall colors,

fragrances, soundscapes.

And our technologies

allow our specialists

to survey

entire homes virtually.

Virtually?

Well, I mean, it's, uh,

currently just

a web chat,

but, honestly, you know..

The virtual component

isn't bulletproof

but the clients love it.

Our technologies, and our muscle

could give you a chance

to create an entire atmosphere.

Yes, I... imagine the ability

to influence like that.

I think that I've had

a very positive influence

on the lives of my clients.

(METAL CLANKING)

We bought the matching set

when we moved in.

I thought you lived alone.

I do. I... I do, yeah.

This is a very long time ago.

Mm-hm.

Didn't think it mattered.

It shouldn't.

So, you've been

using this every morning?

Every morning.

(SIGHS)

You've got a problem here.

What do you mean?

Mm, your feelings continue?

Yes, my, um,

my feelings continue.

(SIGHS)

Perhaps I should visit

your work.

Really?

To understand what you're doing

that might be

conflicting with the results.

Does anyone have to be there?

Well, ideally it would be

in the morning.

But I could visit

in the afternoon

then try to replicate

a morning scenario.

It's just,

it's a very unusual thing

to have to explain.

You know, I... I... I like

to keep things

at my job kind of...

Discreet. I understand.

Um, maybe I could come by

next week?

Okay.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(SIGHS)

What does red mean?

It's just an anomaly.

Does it affect the research?

Of course not.

Good.

Because I already notified

"The Journal"

to expect your submission.

Can I help you with that?

No.

You know, I was actually

thinking that I could process

the tapes a lot faster

with the university servers.

Uh, our computers there

are very efficient.

Well, everything here

works just fine.

Yes, but it would

help speed up the workflow

and save me a lot of time

because obviously,

I'm still looking

for a full-time position

elsewhere.

Beyond publishing,

I... I think there'll be

a lot of other applications.

You know, once people

understand the patterns

and, uh, the influences

you can do so much with this.

- How do you mean?

- I don't know.

Well, I... I..

Well, I guess, urban design,

architecture

home products.

This is about

universal constants

not commerce.

I... I'm sorry. I just..

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

- Stick out your tongue.

- My tongue? Really?

I can see things on your tongue

that can help me.

Do you exercise regularly?

Sometimes.

Okay.

You can go to the Blue Room now.

Uh, yeah, where should... where

should I change?

(SITAR MUSIC)

(GULPS)

How long do I have

to keep these in for?

The feeling is deep

but the needles are not.

Okay, but..

Thirty, sometimes sixty minutes.

(SIGHS)

(SITAR MUSIC)

(BUZZING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(DOOR SQUEAKING)

(DOOR LOCK CLACKS)

(DEVICE CHIMING)

Please select an atmosphere

for your ride.

(BEEPS)

Ocean Breeze.

Budget surplus over 130K.

That's really great, you guys..

The bad news is,

we still have to tend

with the mayor's office.

I know, I know. It is bullshit..

Feel free to have a seat.

Ellen's just wrapping up.

(FAX MACHINE WHIRRING)

(STATIC)

Sorry. I'm a little late.

My meeting went long.

(ELLEN SIGHS)

Is everything okay?

Honestly, I don't normally

work in offices.

There's just so much..

(SIGHS)

So, I think I got a good sense

of this space.

Um, well, you know, I..

I actually cleared my afternoon

so, maybe we can, uh,

go somewhere

and... and discuss this further?

Yeah, well,

I know some place close.

(PIANO MUSIC)

More hot water, Peter?

Ah, yes. Certainly.

Thank you, Albert.

Yes, thank you.

You've really constructed

a unique little world

for yourself

in the city, haven't you?

I've lived here

for over a decade

and I don't know

I still feel

like there's so much

that's unfamiliar to me.

Like, someone else built it up.

He was very organized

about things.

The matching nightstands.

He always had an idea

or an opinion

about everything.

It was nice, you know?

To not have to make choices

for myself.

It sounds silly, but..

I remember after he was gone..

The remote felt so odd

in my hand, like..

I didn't know what

any of the buttons were for.

Sorry, that's probably

way too personal.

It's fine.

What about you?

I'm very consumed with my work.

Actually, I'm, I'm publishing

a piece on human behavior..

How sound influences

the way that people connect

with each other.

Well, I mean, you obviously

have a, a calling.

You know, just to see you study

and observe,

the way that you do.

I'm a little envious, honestly.

Did you study science?

No.

Music Theory.

So, I learned by dissection

how a piece of music works,

what are its parts.

You know Bach,

the composer Bach?

His ability to trick our ears

into believing

that we're hearing

multiple instruments

from a single violin.

Or Stravinsky... and his

dissonance

designed to alienate an audience

or, or Beethoven,

this use of suspense

and... delayed gratification.

But all of these composers were

using neurological techniques

that scientists

hadn't even defined yet.

And once I understood that

and, um..

How their music functioned

um, I guess I just went on

from there.

To tuning people's apartments?

(CHUCKLES)

Yes. Yes, but no.

I.. It's, um..

It's the influence of sound.

The power it has

over people's lives..

Hm... they may not even know it,

you know.

Yeah, it's, um, so complex.

- I'm intrigued.

- Hm.

I have a very, very close friend

who's a neuroscientist

at Columbia.

And his students are reviewing

my findings next week

in a group session.

It's very informal.

And if you're interested

in learning more, um..

I don't know.

(WHIRRING)

(TRAIN CHUGGING)

(TUNING FORKS CHIMING)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(RECORDER WHIRRING)

Battery Park City, F major.

(TUNING FORKS CHIMING)

Complacency.

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(TUNING FORKS CHIMING)

So, how do you feel

in the morning?

Um... unmotivated..

Irritated.

(WHIRRING)

I thought you lived alone.

I do. I... I do, yeah.

This was a... very long

time ago.

Didn't think it mattered.

It shouldn't.

(RECORDER WHIRRING)

Your feelings continue?

Yes, my, um,

my feelings continue.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(BUZZING)

(STATIC)

Hello, you've reached

the answering machine

of Peter Lucian.

If I've given you my..

Hello?

Can I help you?

No, he's not in right now.

But I can take a message.

Sensory Holdings, you said?

Uh, I... I'm Sam.

Yes, I work with him.

(TRAFFIC BUSTLING)

Are you Peter's colleague?

- Ellen.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Upper East Side.

C scale,

with an E flat toaster problem.

Oh.

I'd like to think

I have better qualities

than that to describe me.

So, did Peter tune

your apartment?

We're working on it.

You mean it didn't work?

Well, Ellen's entire soundscape

points to a specific trigger

in her apartment.

Um, but... there is,

there is distraction.

So, I've had trouble locating

the specific trigger.

Well, that's interesting.

You make it sound

so complicated.

- It is complicated.

- No, no.

I think what your friend

is saying, Peter

is that you make it sound

too complicated.

But, however, knowing Peter, I'm

sure he could show you a diagram

on the whole G major theory.

- That's right.

- It's a pleasure to meet you.

- And you're welcome here. Yeah.

- Thank you so much.

He told me

you two were old friends.

She was, um, just interested

in seeing the group.

- Oh.

- And my discovery.

Oh, well, it'll be good to have

an outside perspective on this.

- Mm-hm.

- Listen.

Unfortunately,

we had to postpone your review

until the next session.

Um... I'm sorry.

(GLASS CLINKING)

In preparation

of Andrew's thesis defense

we're gonna be workshopping..

Alright, this is me.

Wish me luck.

- Should we, um..

- Yeah.

Before I forget, there's

something I wanted to give you.

Oh.

It will help.

It's something

I've been working on.

So you just plug it

into an available outlet.

It emits a wash.

Uh, preferably one

that doesn't share a circuit

with a microwave

or a hair dryer.

Okay.

- You want me to hold it?

- No, it's fine.

I'll just stick it in my purse.

So, I'm excited to hear more

about this G major theory.

Hm.

And additional analysis

suggests that

uh, incorrect analysis

of interactions

are even more common.

Your honors from Columbia

are very impressive.

Thank you.

And your work with Peter Lucian

did you accompany him

on his house calls?

No.

But we've been working

especially hard

on consolidating his data

on the city as a whole.

Samuel Diaz.

It's a pleasure to meet you

in person.

- I'm Harold.

- Very nice to meet you, Harold.

Uh, you know, we're big admirers

of Peter here.

We were actually just discussing

the new work

he and Sam are doing.

- Oh?

- Uh..

- Well, it's Peter's discovery.

- Mm-hm.

Uh, I assume he discussed the

urban sound patterns with you?

Um, have there been any updates?

Well, uh, yes, actually.

It's... it's,

it's very, very exciting.

(SWITCH CLICKS)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

My biggest client project

to date.

So, these beams... reach

true ground.

What's true ground?

Oh, it means they reach

all the way down to the earth.

It's a hard thing to come by

in New York City

but we designed these so they'd

make contact with bedrock.

And what's the point of that?

Well... grounding current

is really the only way

to achieve

true electrical silence.

That sounds like a total luxury

in this city.

Oh, well, the future tenant

is an electrophysiologist.

And he takes true ground

and silence very seriously.

- Sounds nice, true silence.

- Mm-hm.

And so expensive.

Well, I guess expense

is relative

to perceived value... right?

Please don't tell me

you're gonna make me

ground my apartment.

No.

Look at all that.

You see the order?

In the city?

Well, yeah.

I mean, the grid, right?

And it... it's flawed at points

but there are all these

connections.

Light going from red to green.

Walk, don't walk.

Instructions, right?

But what I've found..

Is that there's something

deeper at work.

Um... an invisible system,

but powerful, nonetheless

sounds, that, in a sense

guide people through the city.

- Hm.

- Yeah?

I mean, they're not conscious

of it, but it's there.

And it's different

in all parts of the city.

Hm.

In the Financial District,

it's the key of D minor.

And it's frenetic,

it's fast-paced..

Reckless.

And then, Lower East Side

is A flat

once you get,

um... below the dissonance.

(TUNING FORK CHIMING)

And Central Park

is predominantly G major.

It's where I made

my first discovery.

It's the sound of nostalgia.

It's calm..

Idyllic, lyrical.

Field test 14,

Central Park, G major.

(TUNING FORK CHIMING)

(CHIMING CONTINUES)

So, each part of the city

has a different chord?

Well, every part of the city

has its own instructive

atmosphere.

It's impossible

to disconnect the sound

from the collective state

of mind. It a..

It affects the people.

You understand?

Oh, but I, I don't see

the world that way.

I mean, it.. That's so rigid.

I mean, if I'm Downtown

I'm not destined

to feel frenetic.

I can choose to react to that

and feel peaceful.

I can choose to protect myself.

It's not about seeing anything.

It's... it's about acknowledging

what already exists.

Like gravity, or light.

These are just universal laws.

- Right...

- And listen.

These are, these are rules

that define our world.

Why does it have to be

this permanent thing

that controls us?

Why... do people act the way

they do?

Why do people feel the way

they do?

- There's a reason.

- Because they're people.

They can. They choose to feel.

But... but there are rules

guiding their behavior

that they can't see.

There is an order here.

Now, it's complex

because we live in an old city.

And the patterns

are so complicated

but it's, it's been written

and rewritten

but it's there.

It's been there for years.

I... I don't feel like my life

is written by anything.

I feel like I make choices

all the time.

Uh-huh. Well, okay.

Your apartment, C minor.

It's a mundane key.

It's... it's the sound

of resignation.

Okay, well,

I don't feel that way.

And that resignation

causes your restlessness.

And there are unseen forces

that are governing your choices.

What about you?

You're the only person

who's not affected by any of it?

I'm not immune. No one is.

Okay, so then,

how do you trust yourself?

Because I can hear it.

Because you can hear it?

(SCOFFS)

I'm gonna go.

Just.. It's late, so..

(MELLOW MUSIC)

The program of the

Noise Abatement Commission

consists of a series

of noise measurements

to be made in different parts

of the city

at typical places..

And centers of popular interest.

Among these measurements

will be made tests of the

deafening effect of the noise.

I hold the receiver

against the microphone

instead of against my ear.

Now, I increase the intensity

of the test tone

until you can hear it.

(SIREN WAILING)

(RATTLING)

(RATTLING)

How much longer

is he gonna be here?

I have to get up early for work.

I think he's almost done.

(CLATTERS)

Hey, are you almost done?

It's almost midnight.

So, um..

(DISTANT RINGING)

That ringing..

Baby, come on.

Get him out of here.

I'm sorry, I just need to take

a few more readings

and I can handle the rest

in my office.

I just need one more minute.

One more minute.

You know what?

Don't worry about it,

we can figure it out from here.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(BEEPING)

(BEEPS)

Mr. Jajinsky.

Um, I couldn't access

your apartment.

FOR OUR 4:00 p.m. appointment.

Please call me to reschedule

at your earliest convenience.

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

If Sam showed Sensory my work

then they have all of it.

- He wouldn't do that, Peter.

- Oh, fuck!

And you can't fault him

for taking a formal job.

It's a good opportunity.

They're my competition.

It's theft.

I wouldn't paint it so starkly.

I mean..

They're marketers.

You're a explorer.

Look, they can't take credit

for my discovery

if I publish it first.

We put so much emphasis on sound

and thus, overlook the value

of those moments

in between the noise.

And let this remind us

that silence is not empty

but immeasurably full.

(APPLAUDING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(EXHALES)

Enjoy your evening.

- Dr. Brookings.

- Hello.

It's Peter Lucian.

Hi, nice to meet you.

Thank you so much for your talk.

It was fascinating. And for your

contributions to the field.

You know, I've been reading

"The New American"

for just about as long

as you've had the editorship.

That's very kind. Um, thank you

so much for coming tonight.

I'm sorry, but I really must go.

Uh, please enjoy your evening.

Well, actually, um

I recently submitted a piece

for "The Journal."

I know these things take time

but I just thought I would

inquire since I'm here.

What did you say your name was?

Peter Lucian.

Um... I made a discovery

identifying sound patterns

in the city.

And your work... was

just a huge inspiration for me.

I, uh..

I honestly didn't think

we'd have a chance to talk.

Oh. Thank you.

No, I didn't think

you were serious, Mr. Lucian.

I must say, your methods

are, um, most unusual.

H... have you seriously

been researching these...

Sound patterns. Yes.

They are principles

that steer our behavior.

I mean,

it's... it's... it's verified.

It's based off of

multiple field recordings.

Oh, I'm sure you believe

in this.

Listen..

Perhaps you could submit it

for peer review.

Yes, yes.

Uh, I'll tell you what.

Um, we will, uh, give it

a closer look

and we'll send you a proper,

uh, response letter.

- Alright. Alright.

- Okay? Alright? Alright.

Pleasure meeting you.

- It's nice to meet you.

- Take care.

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(TRAIN CHUGGING)

(TRAFFIC BUSTLING)

Tuning your world

so you can live

and work in harmony.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

New York is a symphony

of sounds.

And our experts have identified

the musical keys to the city.

Introducing Urban Equilibrium.

A bespoke service designed

to balance your sonic expe..

Oh, no.

Tuning your world,

so you can live

and work in harmony.

New York is a symphony

of sound..

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

Have you remodeled recently?

Did any major changes?

Uh..

No, just minor stuff.

I mean, no, um,

new coats of paint

or, um, redecorating

or anything like that

if that's what you mean.

(SIGHS)

Something has happened..

That you're avoiding.

What is it?

(TAPE WHIRRING)

No, just minor stuff.

I mean, no, um,

new coats of paint

or, um, redecorating

or anything like that

if that's what you mean.

That's what I mean.

How do you feel in the morning?

How does this change

make you feel?

Unmotivated.

Irritated. Heavy.

(SNIFFLES)

So cliche.

(GROANS)

(TAPE WHIRRS)

And do you walk to work?

Yeah, I get to help people

every day, so, watching them..

They... they get to start their

lives over, I get to see that.

It's nice.

(TAPE WHIRRS)

Do you know what it is?

Yeah, pretty much, I..

Once it's there, it's there.

You know, I can't shake it.

(TAPE WHIRRS)

I don't feel like my life

is written by anything.

I feel like I make choices

all the time.

What about you?

How do you trust yourself?

(TAPE WHIRRS)

What about you? How would you

describe your place?

- My place?

- Yeah, your apartment.

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(WHIRRING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(TUNING FORK CHIMING)

(GROANING)

(CHIMING CONTINUES)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Jesus, watch where you're going.

(MUMBLES)

(CLATTERS)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(CLATTERING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(SIREN BLARING)

Correctly,

but at the wrong time.

Please briefly describe

your situation

and leave a telephone number.

(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS)

Hey... Peter. It's me.

Remember me?

Um... look,

I... I just wanted to call you

and say sorry

for the way things ended.

I've had some good weeks

and I just wanted to tell you

that... you were right.

You were right about this place.

I needed to change something.

I just needed to get rid

of some old things..

Stop surrounding myself

with the past.

I just decided to... be easy

about it.

You could do that, too, Peter.

If you want.

I know it's your work to, uh

help people solve their problems

but the way that you see

the world around you..

I think that you miss out

on connecting yourself.

Actually... I'm so tired

of people telling me

what they think

I should be doing, so..

You do what you want.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

(HIGH-PITCHED RINGING)

(CHAIR CREAKS)

(SIGHS)

(RUMBLING CONTINUES)

(MELLOW MUSIC)

(VOCALIZATION)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(VOCALIZATION CONTINUES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(VOCALIZATION CONTINUES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(VOCALIZATION CONTINUES)

(SIGHS)

Here.

I called you.

I listened.

(VOCALIZATION CONTINUES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(SOFT CHUCKLE)

(CHUCKLES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Mm.

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(TUNING FORK CHIMING)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)