Operation story: CV-4

Operation

Story

Previous CV-3	Next CV-ST-2
Characters
Benny Franka Helena Jessica Jessica (flashback) Leone Liskarm Miles Sylvia Woodrow Bank Employee Bank Manager Boorish Brute Bored Bank Employee Indifferent Bank Employee Rude Ruffian Anxious Elderly Woman
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Before operation

“

The water pipes inside the diner burst, causing serious property damage. However, Helena's insurance claim application is rejected by the bank, so Jessica steps in to help. In the evening, everyone gathers around the dinner table to reminisce about the good old days.

”

<Background 1>
[While Helena cleans up the table...]
Helena	I feel weird saying this, but if the heating's still chugging along and the stove's lit too, why does it feel so cold? The bank's not up to something again, are they?
Woodrow	I hung them up all night and my socks still ain't dry.
[The sound of water dripping is heard.]
Woodrow	Hm? What's that noise?
Helena	How many times do I have to tell you to shave, Woody? Every time you take a sip of water, you spill droplets all over the table.
Woodrow	What are you on about? I ain't had a drink since I came in.
Helena	Then where did all these water stains come from?
[The water drip gets louder.]
Woodrow	Your diner's just getting old and rickety. Just like my brain these days... Like, am I remembering this wrong, or has there always been a huge water stain over there?
[Water leaks out from a nearby pipe before it bursts, prompting Helena to check it out.]
Helena	The pipes— The water pipes ruptured?! Oh my god... No way my run-down old floorboards can handle all this water damage!
Woodrow	Go and turn off the valve, then look for something to catch the water leaking in. I'll take care of things upstairs!
[fades out and in]
[Helena returns after patching up the pipes.]
Helena	My poor waist... I can barely even stand up straight. How're things looking up there, Woody?
Woodrow	I suggest you grab a chair and sit down before I tell you. You ain't as spry as you used to be.
Helena	Spare me the theatrics and just lay it on me. I've seen it all by now.
Woodrow	It's flooded up to my knees, and all the furniture's ruined.
Helena	...What about my clothes in the wardrobe? Are they okay?
Woodrow	Your favorite color is red, right?
Helena	I hope this is good news...?
Woodrow	Mm, perfect. The water from the pipe's all rust-colored, so I'm guessing all your clothes will be, too.
Helena	...So, what the hell were you doing up there all this time?
[Woodrow puts a box in the table.]
Woodrow	Grabbing all this.
Helena	Oh... I almost forgot about this box. Where'd you find it?
Woodrow	Where else? In the wardrobe. Not like you have anywhere else to hide stuff. I also grabbed a few things off your nightstand.
Helena	*sigh*... At least there's no water inside. Now let's take a look... ...Here's the insurance policy. Should cover today's damages. Also the deed to the land, the house, and... my passbook.
Woodrow	Why're you still hanging onto that? You know you'll never touch none of that money.
Helena	Would you throw it away, if you were me?
Woodrow	...
Helena	See, you get what I'm talking about, don't you? What he saved up all these years wasn't just the money. It was his conviction too.
Woodrow	Tch. Sentimental old fool.
Helena	We're all old fools here, Woody. Compared to the fickle future, the pieces of the past we've built up over the years hit that much closer to home.
Woodrow	Says you.
Helena	...Look, it's the novel that was sitting on the nightstand, too. Ain't been opened for the longest time.
[Woodrow takes a look at the novel book.]
Woodrow	The same old clichéd love story about a rich girl and some farmer.
Helena	Why you gotta be so grumpy? Ain't got nothing nice to say?
Woodrow	I've got plenty. Like, good luck at the bank tomorrow.
Helena	...You should thank your lucky stars I've mellowed with age. So, what about you? Any plans for tomorrow?
Woodrow	I'm gonna bring Jessica along to have a talk with someone.
Helena	A talk?
Woodrow	Yup, just your normal talk.
<Background 2>
[The brute cowers as Woodrow loads his gun.]
Boorish Brute	P-Put the gun down, yeah? If you've got something to say, old man, I'm listening.
Woodrow	What're you so scared of? If you ask me, I'm as gentle as they come. So, you wanna chat? Let's chat. You and the bandits out there have been meeting up in secret these last few days. How about you share what you talked about?
Boorish Brute	Let go of me, old man! I said... I said...
Rude Ruffian	You spineless wimp!
Boorish Brute	I...
Woodrow	Give him a good kick, Jessica.
Jessica	Umm, okay...
[Jessica pushes her shows to the ruffian's pants.]
Rude Ruffian	What are you doing? Wiping your shoes on my pants?
Woodrow	...Forget it, Jessica. How's your aim?
Jessica	N-Not too bad, I think.
Woodrow	Perfect. Can you thread a bullet right between his ears?
[Jessica steps back, takes aim, and fires the gun at the ruffian, narrowly missing him.]
Rude Ruffian	Aaaaaargh!
Jessica	S-Sorry, sir, my hand is... still a bit shaky. But it's not like I hit you with that last one, so you can stop screaming.
Woodrow	It's fine. You'll get it after a few tries.
Jessica	A-Alright!
[Jessica loads the gun, scaring the ruffian into confessing.]
Rude Ruffian	It... It was...
Woodrow	It was what?
Rude Ruffian	It was because they've been short on manpower these days, so they're trying to recruit us. I figured, seeing how none of us on the plate can repay our debts anyway, might as well give some folks a chance to dig themselves out.
Woodrow	You're talking about converting people to a life of banditry?
Rude Ruffian	It's.. It's not like I forced them or anything. They were ready to jump ship before I even finished talking.
Woodrow	C'mon, like I said, what are you fellas so afraid of? Just tell me the truth.
Rude Ruffian	...Says the man waving a gun in my face. What if we say something that pisses you off?
Jessica	Where are those bandits hiding now?
Rude Ruffian	H-How would I know? They're so damn slippery...
Woodrow	... That's enough, Jessica.
Boorish Brute	Just let us go already, old man. You can take anything you want from this room, please...
<Background 3>
Woodrow	Color me surprised. These punks actually have some pretty nice stuff. Even got some bottles of beer and champagne in the corner.
Jessica	Did we seriously just... let them walk away scot-free?
Woodrow	All I care about is finding those missing people. If these punks wanna leave the plate, that's their call. I'm ain't gonna judge them for it.
Jessica	But, I think...
Woodrow	Want something to drink?
Jessica	I think I'll pass.
Woodrow	...Hm. Mellow, full-bodied fragrance of hops, and a refreshing aftertaste... Where the hell did they get such quality booze?
<Background 4>
[A bank employee returns to Helena.]
Helena	...
Bank Employee	My sincerest apologies, Helena, ma'am. After a preliminary review and discussion, we cannot accept your compensation application. The damage to the water pipes in your incident photos is clearly manmade.
Helena	Manmade? Wait... You mean, someone's messing with us again?
Bank Employee	Considering your restaurant's revenue and liabilities, we have ample reason to believe that you deliberately damaged your own water system to cash out on the insurance plan.
Helena	...You think this is insurance fraud?
Bank Employee	No, ma'am, we're simply saying it's a reasonable conclusion to make. As long as you can provide professional proof that eliminates that possibility, we'll be able to move on to the claims process.
Helena	How the hell am I supposed to find a judge or a lawyer on this damn plate?! It's been ages since they all left!
Bank Employee	My apologies, but we're simply following procedure. If that's all, then I'd like to assist the next customer. There's a long line behind you.
Helena	Then... Withdraw the money from this passbook.
Bank Employee	This passbook... Yes, this jogs my memory. You've already applied several times before, but can you prove that you came by this source of income legally?
Helena	He sent me this passbook along with a letter, but by the time I arrived in Davistown, he'd already passed away! All his neighbors can attest to that!
Bank Employee	Do you really expect that to hold up, legally speaking?
Helena	...Just gimme back my stuff. I'm leaving.
Bank Employee	All your belongings are right here. Remember to take them with you, ma'am. Also, may I offer you a little reminder?
Helena	What is it?
Bank Employee	Based on the photos you provided, we can only guarantee one thing: the flooding to your restaurant has significantly reduced its value. Meaning it is no longer enough to offset your existing debts. If you don't want to enter the compulsory liquidation process, I recommend you consider the following—
[Helena slams the table...]
Helena	I've heard enough... Just keep your trap shut, bastard.
[...before leaving, just as Liskarm and Franka enters the bank.]
Liskarm	Helena?
[In her anger, Helena is oblivious towards Liskarm and Franka as she walks by them.]
Franka	Looks like she didn't notice us.
[Liskarm and Franka keeps walking.]
Franka	Why are there so many people here today? What's the bank up to?
Anxious Elderly Woman	This is the collection notice I received earlier this morning. It says that I'm insolvent and will be declared bankrupt soon, but I've been making my payments...
Bank Employee	Ma'am, we've been extending your loan term so far, but we're no longer able to grant you leniency. The good news is that after liquidating your existing assets, your remaining balance will be only two thousand gold certificates. Which I'm sure you'll have no trouble procuring?
Anxious Elderly Woman	Please, can you extend it just another two months? No, one month is enough.
Bank Employee	Unfortunately, no. We can't push it back even a single day. If you're unable to make your payment, we'll have no choice but to begin the compulsory process. All your property will be confiscated, and you'll have to leave Davistown within the time allotted. While continuing to pay your debt of roughly ten thousand certs, of course. Failure to do so will result in criminal liability.
Anxious Elderly Woman	But I can't afford that! Whether it's two or ten thousand! Please, I beg you, just one more month's grace!
Bank Employee	If you truly have no other options, then please take a look at this. ...The Pioneer Plan. If you apply now, you'll be able to enjoy a certain amount of loan forgiveness.
Anxious Elderly Woman	But I'm already so old. Even if I went out the frontier, what could I possibly do?
Bank Employee	Are you in any position to worry about that? Will you continue to carry your debt at the risk of criminal liability and lose the roof over your head, or would you rather shed some of your debt and start a new life on the frontier? ...Do you really need to hear my opinion?
Anxious Elderly Woman	... I'll sign it.
Bank Employee	Excellent. Please head to your right. My colleagues there will help you get signed up. Next customer!
Franka	What... What the hell is this...
Bank Manager	If you two are here to discuss business, please get in line— Oh, if it isn't Miss Liskarm and Miss Franka. How are you doing? Have you finished looking over the list?
Franka	You've got some explaining to do! Why are you forcing people out into the barrens?
Bank Manager	By signing the agreement, they can shed a lot of their existing debt and start over without that weight on their backs. Isn't that the best possible outcome?
Franka	...And what about the list? How are any of these people supposed to be bandits? They're just a bunch of destitute old folks who don't want to be run out of their homes!
Bank Manager	Once they go bankrupt, their houses no longer belong to them, but rather to us, the creditors. What else would you call it when someone takes advantage of the lack of police to squat on someone else's property? Is that not a crime?
Franka	So your so-called "law and order" is just driving out poor people who can't pay up?
Bank Manager	There's nothing "so-called" about it. That is law and order, Miss Franka.
<Background 1>
[While Helena is cutting vegetables and tells her story with Jessica listening...]
Jessica	Insurance fraud?! ...They're declaring you bankrupt?!
Helena	That's why I didn't wanna talk about it. I feel like I'm gonna pop a blood vessel.
Jessica	If the bank is purposely depreciating the value of the diner, how much are they slashing it by?
Helena	I've been going back and forth with them for a while now, but seems like they're settling at fifty thousand certs.
Jessica	If it's only fifty thousand, I can... lend you the rest.
Helena	Just like you secretly "lent" money to Leone?
Jessica	Sylvia told you?!
Helena	It's been eating her up inside, so she told me this morning. Don't worry though, I can keep a secret.
Jessica	...
Helena	If you want to lend me money, of course I'd accept it. But who knows how long it'll take to pay it back, if ever.
Jessica	I don't mind, even if you never pay it back.
Helena	No, stop it... Don't say things like that. I'll definitely find a way to return the favor someday.
[Jessica wrote a cheque.]
Jessica	Here. When the bank comes to collect, give them this check. Sorry...
Helena	*sigh*... And why are you apologizing? It ain't like you're the one borrowing money.
[Helena takes the cheque.]
Helena	By the way, one other thing. Leone was too embarrassed to tell you himself, but he wanted me to pass this on.
Jessica	He found out about the money?!
Helena	You silly girl... I told you, your secret's safe with me. Why would I tell him? He just wants to treat you to a meal. Seems like bandits ain't the only thing Woodrow's been tracking. He's got a good catch of fowlbeasts. Miles and Benny'll be there too.
Jessica	Oh, okay then...
Helena	You don't sound too happy about it.
Jessica	That's because... Actually, I saw a lot of people outside the bank on my way here. They were signing agreements... to head out to the frontier. I asked around, and it seems like it's a way of shedding some of their debt. But why do they have to abandon everything and risk their lives to start over in a place with nothing, just for a little bit of debt relief? Can they... even survive that ordeal?
[Helena didn't answer as she continues cutting the vegetables.]
<Background fades out and in>
[Helena returns with a plate of meal.]
Helena	And last but not least, the main course. Garlic-crusted fowlbeast with roast potatoes.
Jessica	Whoa, that smells amazing...
Woodrow	I'll have this piece.
Helena	Put it down, Woody. That's for Jessica.
Leone	You heard her. She's the star of tonight's feast.
Jessica	It's no big deal. I just saw what was going on in Davistown and felt that I couldn't sit back and watch... As for the food, I'm fine with whatever, really. I even had some biscuits earlier, so I'm not that hungry.
Woodrow	See, she's fine with it.
Helena	No means no. Benny, this one's for you.
Benny	Oh, wow... Th-Thank you very much.
Woodrow	Tch...
Jessica	...
Woodrow	What's so funny?
Jessica	N-Nothing. It just occurred to me how different you seem, compared to when we first met.
Miles	Yeah... He's been like that for ages. When he first strolled in town, he immediately pissed off pretty much everyone in the mines. We all thought that this grumpy, sharp-tongued asshole was here to cause trouble.
Jessica	And what happened after that?
Miles	Then, he met Helena.
Leone	He really should be thanking her. If it weren't for her warmth and willingness to put in a few good words for him with those unlikable fellas... But chat a bit today, and you'll find common ground tomorrow. In the end, she discovered his more... charming side, and showed it off to the others. There was even a song going around at that time, probably written by one of her admirers. Still remember how it goes, Miles?
Miles	Oh yeah, I almost forgot... Right, there was that song. I think it's coming back to me.
Leone	Give us the intro, and let's sing it together—
Helena	Who gave you jerks permission to sing in my restaurant—
<Background fades out and in>
Leone	♪I wandered here alone, not a penny to my name♪ ♪My hometown far behind me, miles and miles away♪ ♪The barrens stretch before me, as far as I can see♪
Miles	♪And who's waiting at the end, who indeed but she♪ ♪She spread her arms, spread her heart, showed me that pretty face♪ ♪And from that moment on, I found my dreams in her embrace♪
Jessica	Is this song... about Helena?
Woodrow	Who else?
Jessica	If you ask me... the 'her' it mentions might not be a specific person, but rather a broader idea.
Leone	What sort of idea?
Jessica	Maybe this "she" is a home filled with everyone's dreams. Davistown itself.
Helena	Hey, that makes sense! Think about it. The second verse talks about her "body," right? That's the energy tower. Her "hair" is the white smoke coming from it, and her "burning heart" must be the plant's furnace. And, in that section you fellas just sang, with her "arms" and her "embrace"? Ain't that just like those two long railroad tracks... embracing everyone here? So many pioneers carved out this piece of land, bit by bit, with the tools in their hands. It'd become the place they started their families and businesses in. And after that, even more youngsters arrived with their dreams and aspirations, following the footsteps of the previous generation and pitching in their youth and passion. "She," and only "she," is worthy of everyone's admiration.
Leone	I knew it... I knew it! It all makes sense now!
Helena	Anyhow, no way in hell anybody's pinning all their hopes and dreams on my body.
<Background fades out and in>
The engineer has nothing more to say. His eyelids droop and his head tilts back slightly, the restaurant owner's words whisking him back to the past.
He remembers the soot-stained faces of his coworkers when they went home after a long shift. He remembers how his neighbors would greet him in the morning when he left for work. He remembers the cool and refreshing beer foam escaping from the rim of his glass, and the warmth on his cheeks from the children's kisses. His thoughts are wild and turbulent, but they fill his heart with warmth and comfort. Just like the song he is humming right now. Completely tuneless, yet moving nevertheless.
<Background black>
Leone	♪And who's waiting at the end, who indeed but she♪ ♪She spread her arms, spread her heart, showed me that pretty face♪ ♪And from that moment on, I found my dreams in her embrace♪
The others in the room stop what they are doing, and make no other sounds. Only the engineer's voice is allowed to fill the entire restaurant. After a while, the boiler worker's coarse voice joins the song, and the restaurant owner begins to hum along softly. Even Woodrow, whose attention had been seized by the food on his plate, cannot help but tap his fingertips against his knees to the beat. Only Jessica feels gripped by an inexplicable unease, as if there is a dark shadow in her heart that will not go away.

After operation

“

In the middle of the merriment, Leone's son suddenly announces that he is leaving Davistown. The atmosphere instantly chills over, and everyone leaves unhappy.

”

<Background 1>
Leone	♪She spread her arms, spread her heart, showed me that pretty face♪
Miles	♪And from that moment on, I found my dreams in her embrace♪
Helena	I still remember when you fellas got together to sing that, back in the day. Your voices lit up the entire room... Felt like your singing cleared up the winter fog that year.
Jessica	Always the same song as just now, ma'am?
Helena	Haha, hardly. They knew all sorts of songs. The miners came from all over, bringing so many songs in so many languages.
Jessica	Umm... Does Woodrow also know how to sing?
Leone	He ain't much of a talker. Whenever we all get together, he just stuffs his face. Like now.
Woodrow	*cough* *cough*... Helena, when are you gonna crack open the bottle of champagne I brought back?
Helena	Shoot, I really am getting old, huh? Nearly forgot.
Jessica	Umm, about Miles... He...
Leone	Don't worry about him. Said he wanted to take a stroll, so he did. Just pop the cork and pour him a glass. We can toast when he comes back!
Helena	Alright, without further ado—
The cork shoots out with a pop, golden wine and silver foam splashing out at the same time. The sweet aroma spreads across the room, and wondrous befuddlement sparkles in the eyes of everyone at the table.
Helena	Here, Jessica, you're the star tonight, so the first glass is for you.
Jessica	Thank you...
Helena	Next up is you, Woody. Thanks for helping her talk some sense into that stubborn old burdenbeast.
Woodrow	Don't mention it.
Helena	This one's for Miles... This one's for me... And last and definitely least is you, Leone. For killing us with worry all this time.
Leone	Okay, I deserved that. To be perfectly honest, I actually—
Helena	If you got something to say, better wait for Miles. You ain't gonna leave him out like that, are you?
Leone	Ah, yeah, makes sense.
The table that had been lively all evening falls quiet, and the spilled champagne seeps silently into dark, unseen places. Past bowls and plates.
Benny	Excuse me...
Jessica	What is it, Benny?
Past cups and saucers.
Benny	Actually... there's something I wanted to announce to everyone...
Leone	Was wondering why you were so quiet today, but I guess you had something brewing. Waiting to snatch the spotlight from your dad at the dinner table?
Helena	Benny, why don't you wait for Miles too?
Past empty wine bottles.
Benny	No... I think now's the best time. I...
Until it flows over the table's edge, and seeps into the floor.
Benny	I'm leaving.
Leone	Hah, guess you finally got sick of us noisy old farts. Can't you wait for Miles to get back, so we can share one last drink before we say goodbye?
Benny	No... I meant I'm leaving Davistown.
Leone	Look at this kid, getting drunk without touching a drop of champagne.
Benny	No, I'm perfectly sober. It's something I've been meaning to get off my chest... But I never got the chance, so I'm saying it now.
Leone	......
[Miles returns.]
Miles	What's wrong? Why's everyone look like it just started raining?
Benny	Miles, I...
Helena	Benny just said... that he wants to leave Davistown.
Miles	Wh-What?
Woodrow	How long you been thinking about this, boy?
Benny	About a year or so... Last month, Ms. Selena from next door came over and said that her daughter in Ironforge City managed to find a caravan willing to come through here. She said she was planning to go with it to follow her daughter. She asked if I wanted to come. She thought it'd be a waste of my talents to stay. No matter how much I learn here, I wouldn't have a place to use any of it. She told me... she didn't want me to become the next Sylvia.
Helena	What about your living expenses? Tuition? Where are you gonna live?
Benny	Don't worry, there are plenty of boarding schools in Ironforge City willing to provide scholarships so I can study there.
Miles	Benny... why wait so long to discuss this with us? It's a big decision... You know better than that.
Benny	...I'm sorry, Miles.
Woodrow	He ain't asking for our input. Just letting us know the decision he's made.
Helena	...Have you thought this through? Weighed the pros and cons? Who knows, this place might perk up once it gets moving again. You can always decide then.
Benny	I don't want to wait that long. The only reason you're all willing to stay put and pray things get better is because you remember the good old days. But I don't. This place has been a dump for as long as I can remember. ...My adoptive father worked so hard for this place, throwing away everything else without hesitation. My brother took his place as a pillar of the family, and wanted to join a mercenary group when he came of age. To earn money to send back home. But a few years later... Those people sent his belongings back, with no explanation in the attached letter except a few lines saying they're sorry. There should've been another path for him back then. Just like... there should be one for me now. ....Am I wrong?
Woodrow	So when are you leaving?
Benny	...Tomorrow. I know I shouldn't have waited this long to tell you, but if I don't say it now... I'll never get another chance.
The boy glances across the table at his father, mustering the courage to look him in the eyes. He desperately hopes to see anger and resentment. That would make him feel a little less guilty, a little less conflicted. But his father simply hangs his head and remains silent, completely at a loss for words.
Helena	Leone...
Leone	It's fine... It'll be alright... It's not a bad idea... You should leave... You deserve it...
Helena gives Leone a few pats on the shoulder, but he simply continues to mechanically repeat a few words of approval, prompting her to shake him a bit harder.
Leone	It's fine, Helena. I'll be alright... This is how it should be...
Woodrow	Then, I wish you a safe journey. Take care of yourself, kid.
<Flashback starts here>
<Background 5>
[A campfire burns as a Blacksteel mercenary sits in front of it.]
???	Why's it so damn cold here? I picked up some wood we can burn. Feel any better yet? Judging from how you curled up into a ball, I'm guessing you've never been through anything like this? *sigh*... How could your folks think you'd make it as a mercenary? Huh? You decided on it yourself? But why? Did you get in a fight with your family? Oh... There are people you want to protect, and problems you want to solve, huh? Mm, sounds pretty ambitious, if you ask me. I'm a bit jealous, to be honest. Most people you see out here in these ruins, on the battlefield, were pushed here by circumstance. Myself included. Driven by poverty. By injustice. By darkness and violence. We often pick up our weapons and rashly open fire, without worrying about what we're aiming at. Right up until we finally step in a puddle of mud and look down at our footprints, only to realize that what we just stepped in... was a river of blood. When that happens, I'm sure there's some noble ideal that can keep you from collapsing in defeat. Too bad I never found out what it was... I was only in it for the money. My family owes a lot of money. And my little brother, well, he's damn smart. If he'd been born rich, he'd be at the top of his class. But if he stays back home... the only future he's got is as a debt collector.
Jessica	...... I... I don't think that counts as being in it only for the money. You're doing it for your family... That's noble too.
???	Eh, who can say? But for now at least...
[Sounds of explosion and people cheering are heard in the distance.]
???	We're doing it just to survive.
Jessica	The attack's about to begin...
<Flashback ends here>
<Background 1>
Helena	Stop drinking already, Leone.
Leone	...Can I sleep at the diner tonight?
Helena	If you want.
Miles	(*whispers*) Poor fella... Just look at him... *sigh*...
Helena	(*whispers*) It's just like seven years ago...
Leone	What, you guys gonna talk about Carl now? Don't mind me. No need to tiptoe around it. This is already the second time... The second time... Twice now... So why're you avoiding me? You think... you think I can't handle it?
<Background 6>
[Jessica takes Benny back to Leone's house.]
Benny	Thank you for bringing me here, Jessica. You can head back now.
Jessica	I... still don't feel very good about this.
Benny	I don't think your boss would be happy with how you're always fretting over us.
Jessica	I just... can't bear to stand on the sidelines when there's something I can do.
Benny	Still, you helped Dad keep the house, so thanks again.
Jessica	But the reason he finally sold his shares... was because of you.
Benny	I know. He had to give up what was most precious to him just to keep a roof over my head. But with me gone, he'll finally be free to do what he really wants. In that sense, the house was never the obstacle. It was me and my brother. ...Do you remember my brother?
Jessica	You're talking about Carl? I've heard you and Helena mention him before.
Benny	Yeah, we know him as Carl... But over at Blacksteel, he went by a codename—Blackplate.
Jessica	...Blackplate?
<Background 1>
Miles	It's water under the bridge, Leone. Why dredge it up now...
Helena	No point trying to stop him, Miles. Just let him talk. He never brought it up, so we didn't say nothing. But now that he wants to look back, it's our job to let him.
Miles	...I suppose.
Leone	I didn't ask for these thoughts... But in the dead of night, do I really have any control over what pops into my head? The more I dwelled on it, the more painful it was. The more painful it was, the less it made sense... But, Benny figured that all out a long time ago. He was right. Every step Carl took was never really his own choice. Because I was too stubborn, too arrogant. I ended up running everything dry... our money, our lives, and our choices. When I was little, there was a miner who'd always complain how nothing was easy anymore when you're middle-aged. You run outta energy and can only focus on a few things at a time. So you gotta be smart, gotta keep your eyes on what really matters. Stop being greedy. But when it was my turn to grow old, I just refused to accept it. I grabbed the wrong end of the rope, and held on for dear life. Told myself I was a brave warrior, fighting the good fight against fate itself... And what do I have to show for it? Fought my way into a mountain of debt. Fought for a Davistown on its last legs. Fought for my eldest to die on the battlefield. My second son saw right through me, so why wouldn't he run the hell away?!
Miles	Leone, we all know how much the mine means to you...
Leone	Then tell me, how much?! Because I haven't a damn clue at this point! All I know is that I should've held onto those little hands back then. The hands of my children... I was a damn fool. How could I not see the writing on the walls when I heard that complaint? I should've etched those words into my mind...
<Background 6>
Benny	My dad might be an old fool with the memory of a sieve, but I'm not. I recognized you the moment I saw you. The emblem on your uniform and your gear. It's the exact same one I saw on the bag with Carl's personal affects.
Jessica	He... He was your brother... I never realized...
Benny	Did he never tell you his real name? Or did you simply forget all about him?
Jessica	I remember him... I didn't work with him for very long, but how could I forget?
Benny	You actually worked with Carl?
Jessica	In Chernobog. We were left together to scout out the strength of the enemies hidden in the ruins... I was there when he was injured. I-I was so flustered at the time, my mind went completely blank. I-I...
Benny	You were there when he died.
Jessica	Y-Yes... I was.
Benny	But you still didn't know his real name.
Jessica	Actually...
<Background fades out>
Actually, the time I spent with him was very short. Actually, I was so scared back then that I barely remember a thing. Actually, mercenaries always keep a few secrets close to their hearts, that they don't readily disclose to others. Actually... there is no "actually" at all. Jessica knows this very well.
<Background fades in>
Jessica	...I'm sorry.
Benny	It's alright. That wasn't the point I was trying to make. What I wanted to know is, have you ever seen a silver ring inlaid with diamonds? It belonged to his biological mother, and he always carried it with him. But it wasn't in the bag sent back by your company. If you watched him die... then surely you know what happened to it. Were you the one who took it? If so, give me back my brother's things.
Jessica	No... I-I have no idea. I've never seen him with a ring like that... Maybe it got lost.
Benny	...How could Carl possibly lose that ring?
<Background 4>
Bored Bank Employee	Finally done with the last one... Let's take a look. Oho, number 120.
Indifferent Bank Employee	With just a few strokes of the pen, a hundred and twenty people have been sent to the frontier.
Bored Bank Employee	Well, you better keep that pen moving or you'll be next.
Indifferent Bank Employee	Sylvia, mind getting the lights? I'm going to go lie down for a sec.
[Sylvia turns off the lights.]
Sylvia	A hundred and twenty people... ......
Sylvia's stress and anxiety make her habitually reach up to fumble around her collar. As soon as she feels the familiar ring resting atop her chest, she hastily gives it a squeeze. The ring's unyielding texture digs into her palm, yet gradually calms her down as well. Just like that embrace seven years ago. It was so tight she couldn't breathe, yet it eventually placated her surging tears.
Sylvia	Carl... What should I do? What else... is there for me to do...?
<Background 7>
Benny	Since you don't know where it is... Head back, Jessica. Thanks for sending me off. Honestly, I'm grateful that you convinced Dad to choose the house. Now, even if I decide to leave... he won't be left with nothing. At the end of the day, those shares did nothing but make him feel a bit better. Not a damn thing.
Jessica	If... If he ultimately wasn't able to keep the house, w-would you still have chosen to leave?
Benny	...I don't know. I don't want to be an obstinate fool, but... I don't want to be an ingrate either. Alright, this is goodbye for real, Jessica.
[Benny walks away, but Jessica follows him.]
Jessica	......
Benny	Why are you still following me? What do you hope to accomplish? What can you even do at this point?
Jessica	I-I'm not sure myself... All I know is... I don't think you should leave like this.
Benny	Please, go back already. I'm begging you. You're holding a golden nail in your hand. It's extremely valuable, but... please don't use it to repair paper houses. In the end, no matter how hard you work at it, all you'll be left with are a few extra holes. Paper that thin will crumble under its weight anyway. Go back to where you belong, the house swathed in silver and gold. Find a place where you can drive that nail in. That's where it truly belongs.
Jessica	......
Benny	So please, just stop following me. Alright?
[Jessica stops following Benny.]
<Background 6>
Jessica	......
???	Has Benny gone back yet?
Jessica	Yes, Woodrow. I saw him home.
[Woodrow reveals himself.]
Woodrow	Then why ain't you heading back, too?
Jessica	I won't be able to fall asleep even if I do. I wanted a little bit of time to myself.
Woodrow	What the hell did that brat say to you?
Jessica	Just something... very reasonable. It reminded me of...
Woodrow	Oh?
Jessica	It reminded me of a few things. A few things I should've already known. ...Ever since I was little, helping others was like grabbing a little yellow toy fowlbeast in a crystal-clear bathtub. All I had to do was extend my hand, and I'd be able to prevent the tub from spilling over. But that's because the faucet built with the wealth and authority bestowed to me only dispensed the warmest, clearest water. That's why everything around me always looked so pristine. But as soon as I stepped out from that bathtub, from my family circle, I came face-to-face with... reality. ...Reality is a murky quagmire. When you reach in, you have no idea what you'll pull out. Or what you'll touch.
Woodrow	There's no reason for you to agonize over this. To be blunt, nothing you did meant a damn thing to Benny's final decision. I watched that kid grow up. He's been full of good ideas since he was little. Great ideas. He... He really takes after someone I once knew. When he sorts things out in his head and makes up his mind, he'll set off in a straight line and never look back. He'll clear a path forward, but no way back.
Jessica	Sounds like... an extremely determined person. Almost irrationally so.
Woodrow	Hardly. He was the most rational person I know: the source of all our problems, as well as the solutions, can only be found on the road ahead of us.
Jessica	I... I'm a bit jealous of people like that. Being that perceptive at a young age must save you a lot of unnecessary detours.
Woodrow	Don't ever envy people for that, Jessica.
Jessica	...Why do you say that?
Woodrow	Because they'll end up bald. Not a single strand of hair.
Jessica	...Thanks for the reassurance.