CR-ST-3: Galería Restaurant

CR-ST-3 Galería Restaurant	Operation Lucent Arrowhead: Roaming the Exhibition Previous CR-8 (Story)
"Tour? Oh, him. Yeah, he's a smooth talker alright. We wanted to put him in charge of procurement, but we haven't seen him since the first day."

Characters
Tequila Catapult Ela Fuze Tachanka Ash Blitz Iana Frost Doc Reynell Diaz Candela Miłosz Tecno Community Artist Destitute Noble Community Resident Mayor's Bodyguard A General Chamber of Commerce Employee
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5

Summary Reynell is deported, El Capitán goes on trial, and the Galería unexpectedly falls into the community's hands. Team Rainbow is stumped as they think on how to get home, and their future on Terra.
<Background 1>
[Someone enters the cell.]
Reynell	If I recall correctly it's my lunch break now, so any interrogation will have to wait until—
Tequila	I'm not here for that.
Reynell	It's you... What now? Does Rhodes Island want to trample on my corpse too? By all means.
Tequila	I'm only here on behalf of Ms. Candela to inform you of Dossoles's decision on how to handle you. The Dossoles Mayoral Office has determined that they will not try you for your crimes.
Reynell	Let me guess. You're handing me over to the Coalition government? Mateo's an idiot, but he's still the Coalition's representative in Dossoles. Hmm... I've toyed with him so much the Coalition is probably itching to tear me apart.
Tequila	That's an accurate reading of your situation. The Coalition government wants to haul you to La Unidad for a trial, just like Mateo.
Reynell	A public trial? Great, I'm looking forward to it.
Tequila	No, Señor Reynell. You're being sent back to Kazimierz.
Reynell	...Come again?
Tequila	The General Chamber of Commerce is pressuring Candela to send you back to Kazimierz.
Reynell	COME AGAIN?!
Tequila	Your father's KGCC contacts pulled some strings, and you no longer have to remain in Dossoles. So instead of heading to La Unidad, you can go home.
Reynell	No... I'm not going back. I'm not going back to that utterly despicable, depraved, and deplorable...
Tequila	You don't have a say here, Señor Reynell. It's your own reckless actions bringing you wherever your final destination may be. You have to swallow your medicine, be it sweet or bitter.
Reynell	Old man... You're never going to leave me alone, are you?
Tequila	Right, there's one more thing. You need to decide where your assets are going.
Reynell	You say it like I have a choice in the matter. Hasn't Candela already used all the methods at her disposal to move them elsewhere?
Tequila	There are some... fixed assets that nobody dares to take... Just write any name on this transfer contract.
[Tequila hands him a piece of paper.]
Reynell	Fine... I'll just write the name of whoever wanders by next—
[Just then, Diaz passes by.]
Tequila	Señor Diaz, what are you doing here?
Diaz	Identifying Mateo's men. The ones who were playing hostage earlier. And you? What did you call me for? Need something?
Tequila	N-No.
Diaz	Adios, then.
[Diaz leaves.]
Tequila	Say... you... anyway, you haven't given a name yet, right? You can always take back what you—
Reynell	I never go back on my word. Besides... this isn't such a bad choice. Let a genuine art lover have it.
[Reynell signs the paper.]
<Background 2>
Candela	Reynell really put that old firefighter's name on it?
Tequila	Yes. I confirmed it one last time as I was escorting him out of Dossoles, and he didn't change his mind.
Candela	He really inherited none of his father's qualities.
Tequila	Honestly, he would probably appreciate that evaluation.
Candela	Of course, but I didn't mean it as a compliment.
Tequila	Haha...
Mayor's Bodyguard	Lady Candela. Your coffee, as well as Ernesto's.
[The guard sets down the drinks.]
Tequila	The aroma is so strong! What beans did you use for this, Señor Booker?
Mayor's Bodyguard	A triple dark roast blend Lady Candela has been drinking lately. Please enjoy.
Candela	Any plans to catch up with old friends now that everything has died down?
Tequila	I wasn't intending to bother anyone before I got to the city, actually.
Candela	Indeed you wouldn't have, if that whole ruckus didn't happen. But you know how it is in Dossoles. Never a quiet day for us.
Tequila	...Yeah.
Candela	Just like now, Reynell's antics have dealt a heavy blow to the Coalition government's influence. La Unidad has been issuing letters of protest, but they can only dream of getting Reynell and his assets. Dossoles is not at their beck and call. The other two factions are also itching to get their hands on him— Oh, look at me. I seem to have slipped into a meaningless ramble.
Tequila	No, not at all, this is very important information.
Candela	Alright, Ernesto. Have a taste and see if this blend is to your liking.
[Tequila takes a sip.]
Tequila	It's so strong... but the texture is fantastic.
Candela	Do elaborate.
Tequila	I can discern each bean's species and aroma, but I can't tell which bean has the biggest ratio in the blend. All three aromas are fighting to come out on top, but soon they all converge into a strong and unified caramelized flavor.
Candela	Precisely. The main selling point of this blend is that the blend ratio isn't set in stone, but you still get that caramel flavor as long as their proportions are roughly balanced.
Tequila	I see.
Candela	So, does it suit your taste?
Tequila	I...
Candela	Still can't decide?
Tequila	...
Candela	It's alright, the shop is just over there. You can always try a second cup, as long as you come back. They'll even modify the blend to your ideal ratio, or you can ask them to brew you a cup with sparkling water.
Tequila	Haha, you're joking.
Candela	A joke? I wouldn't say so. Because I really am looking forward to seeing what you choose, Ernesto.
<Background 3>
Catapult	Yo, Ernesto. Your chat with Mayor Candela took forever.
Tequila	I had no choice. We go way back and have too many things to talk about.
Catapult	She must still like you if you guys talked for that long.
Tequila	I guess so.
Catapult	Hmph... always clamping up so fast whenever it's time to talk about you. Fine, since you're so unwilling to talk, I don't have to ask you, hehe...
Tequila	Rafaela won't tell you, even if you ask.
Catapult	How did you know I was gonna ask her? Do you have mind-reading Arts or something?
Tequila	It's written all over your face.
Catapult	Ooh, scary man we have here.
Tequila	By the way, I already knew this morning we would be late, and I appreciate that you've been waiting for me the whole time, but we've already missed our appointment with Diaz, you know?
Catapult	—Oh, shit!
<Background 4>
[An KGCC employee comes to pick up Reynell.]
A General Chamber of Commerce Employee	Well then, Mr. Reynell Kowalski. Please get in the car while I fetch your luggage.
Reynell sits in the back with a blank expression. The door shuts, and it feels slightly warm, so he takes off his coat and leans back as he begins to loosen his collar. A strange noise outside the car interrupts him, and he turns to look out the window. The General Chamber of Commerce employee lies on the ground, unconscious. He then hears a tapping noise from the opposite window, and follows the sound to see a familiar face standing outside the car. Reynell rolls down the window and sees a pair of dark eyes.
Miłosz	Mind giving me a ride, sir?
Reynell	And where are you wanting to go?
Miłosz	Hasn't that always been up to you to decide?
Reynell	You've been following me for a while, so maybe this time you take the lead and decide our destination. Do you really have nowhere you want to go, Miłosz?
Miłosz	It'll be the same as before, no matter where we go, yes?
Reynell	Things are different this time. I'm broke, aside from the two suitcases in the trunk.
Miłosz	Then I'll drive until our fuel runs out, and we'll go wherever the car takes us.
Reynell	Well... fine, you're the one in charge now.
Miłosz smiles at Reynell, and gets into the driver's seat, looking at the other face through the rearview mirror before starting the engine. There is a blend of confusion, delight and a slight hint of hesitation on Reynell's face.
Miłosz	You seem like you have something to ask me.
Reynell	Why did you come back? Why didn't you leave?
Miłosz	Don't you already know the answer?
Reynell	Maybe my question was to confirm that answer.
Miłosz	Don't be so sure. My patience might run out on you and you'll find I leave pretty soon.
Reynell	But not today.
Miłosz	No, not today.
Miłosz looks away from the mirror, starts the engine, and the silver car sets off.
<Background fades out>
Galería Krysztauowa's exhibition hall is still the same as it was the other day. Shattered glass cases, scorched ground, cracks in the walls; colorful spotlights, wanton graffiti, and frantic music going wild... Everything is the same except the additional presence of a big round table in the center of the room. A grill sizzles on the table at the perfect temperature, emanating an enticing aroma.
Diaz	Well, why isn't anyone ordering? Not hungry?
Ela	I didn't expect you to turn the place into a barbecue restaurant.
Diaz	Hah. The building got bombed into a war zone, and the art can't stay here anymore. So I thought, we might as well turn it into a side gig instead of leaving it empty. The TV stations in Dossoles lost their money-maker Reynell, so now they've started sticking their noses here and spreading rumors that none of our artists can cook and just survive on dried cactus. So I have to show them what true Bolívarian cuisine is!
Fuze	Then, I'll have one of those onion and mushroom meat skewers—
Tachanka	Make it two.
Diaz	Coming right up!
Ash	Hmm... Mr. Diaz's really good at this.
Blitz	I have to be honest, we've traveled all over Terra, but this is the first time we've tasted Bolívarian BBQ.
Iana	Where have you all been?
Blitz	We started from the Sargonian desert, and after a brief stay on Rhodes Island where we got our "Team Rainbow" moniker, we each went off to a few more places. The rainforests of Sargon, the icefields of Sami, Columbia's mines and cities, villages in the Ursus taiga...
Frost	Even so, we've only ever set foot on a small piece of these lands.
Tachanka	My only regret is burying Levi Klitschko under the sands of Sargon along with his mad lab. If you're homesick, you'll have to start thinking of a different way to go back.
Iana	Have you found one?
Tachanka	(shrugs) Not even a lead.
Fuze	I guess you wouldn't mind a few more traveling companions on your quest?
Tachanka	Hahaha. The more the merrier!
Doc	Uh, Lord, what is that...?
Blitz	Everyone, let me, on behalf of Lord, introduce this "Ursus Specialty Beverage"—
<Background fades out>
There is a sudden noise outside the window. The members of Team Rainbow turn their heads full of food and drink toward the source of the noise, wondering what kind of trouble has erupted this time— And then, the first one to realize what is going on shrugs in resignation.
<Background 5>
Community Artist	Papá says it's our turn to dance our Vulpo minuet today, so turn off your classical music!
Destitute Noble	But Tecno says she likes our triple meter waltz! Go and ask her if you don't believe me, she's over by the wall!
Community Resident	Yeah, exactly!
Community Artist	Come over here, Tecno. What do you make of this?
Tecno	Hmph, don't bother me with this kinda stuff! If you can spare the time to argue over what music to play, then maybe take a look at my work!
Community Artist	Your work? But your hand...
Tecno	Oh, just come over and you'll see.
Community Artist	Wow! You... you drew this yourself?
Tecno	Haha! I practiced a lot, and I'm finally used to drawing with my left hand—
Diaz	Forget about the doodles and get your butt inside, Tecno! You have to try this "Ursus Specialty Beverage" before they down the last drop of it! It's truly something else!