Dialogue: Both Sides, Now

V

Hey, Judy, what's up?

Judy

V... can you come over, stat?

V

Something happen?

Judy

Yeah. Just come.

Judy

In the bathroom!

Johnny

Bird offs herself to express her undying gratitude to you for saving her ass.

Judy

I was-- I was only gone an hour…

V

1BChecked her pulse?

Judy

1BV. She's gone.

V

2BChecked her pulse?

Judy

2BV. She's gone.

V

2CHow did this happen?

Judy

2CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

2CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

2CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

2CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

3BChecked her pulse?

Judy

3BV. She's gone.

V

3CHow did this happen?

Judy

3CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

3CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

3CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

3CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

3DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

3DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

3DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

3DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

V

4BChecked her pulse?

Judy

4BV. She's gone.

V

4CHow did this happen?

Judy

4CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

4CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

4CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

4CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

4DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

4DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

4DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

4DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

2DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

2DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

2DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

2DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

V

5BChecked her pulse?

Judy

5BV. She's gone.

V

5CHow did this happen?

Judy

5CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

5CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

5CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

5CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

5DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

5DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

5DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

5DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

1CHow did this happen?

Judy

1CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

1CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

1CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

1CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

6BChecked her pulse?

Judy

6BV. She's gone.

V

6CHow did this happen?

Judy

6CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

6CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

6CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

6CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

6DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

6DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

6DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

6DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

V

7BChecked her pulse?

Judy

7BV. She's gone.

V

7CHow did this happen?

Judy

7CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

7CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

7CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

7CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

7DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

7DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

7DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

7DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

1DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

1DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

1DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

1DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

V

8BChecked her pulse?

Judy

8BV. She's gone.

V

8CHow did this happen?

Judy

8CI don't know! Told you... Evie was lying in bed, like always, when I went out.

8CAnd I got back to… augh...

V

8CHuh. Fuck.

Judy

8CIf I'd just known I'd've…

V

8DDon't blame yourself. Won't solve anything.

Judy

8DI should've sensed something, that it was off, augh!

V

8DStop, couldn't watch her twenty-four seven…

8DShe'd made up her mind. Would've found a way. Always.

Gotta do something with her.

Judy

Don't want any trouble – I'm callin' the badges.

Can you carry her to the bed?

Johnny

As if that'll change anything...

V

9ANot sure we should move her before the badges get here.

Judy

9AShe's just another dead whore to them – nobody'll care.

9ALeast we can do is treat her with some dignity.

V

12AY'know... to you she's your best friend, so it's a terrible tragedy.

12ABut... they must get dozens of calls like this every day.

Judy

12AWhat are you – their fuckin' PR rep?

V

12ANo, just sayin'.

12BAll things considered, you let 'em off pretty light.

12BHad it been me, they'd've gotten an earful like nobody's biz.

12CThey're short on people, have trouble keepin' up.

Judy

12CBig surprise. Who'd wanna be a corpo-fattened pig in Sty City?

V

12DWelcome to Night City.

12DWhere your address says more about you than anything else.

Judy

12DWe shoulda never come here.

11AGonna put somethin' on her. Rather she look like a person than a body.

11ACould you wait outside?

11AClose the door, V. Please.

Judy

9AYeah, I-I need to report an accidental death. Northside, Jackson Street.

9ANo. No imminent danger. A suicide.

9ATomo-- No! Today! Ugh, what part of "dead" don't you understand?!

9ANo, she was not pronounced dead by Trauma Team. If she'd've had coverage, we wouldn't be talkin'.

9AAn' fuck you! If you don't wanna move your asses, why don't I come down the precinct and trash it into bits?

9ANow will you come and arrest me, you pussies?

9AFine! I don't give a fuck what you write me up for!

9AThey'll be here soon.

9APsh. Told me to keep her on ice until tomorrow. Can you believe the balls?

V

14AStop talking.

Oh fuck...!

Judy

Fwoo, uh... bum a cig?

V

Didn't know you smoked.

Judy

Uhh. Quit, been years. But right now I need something 'sides air in my lungs. Please, V, just one.

V

1AFine, here.

Judy

1AThat was her smoke case.

V

2AShe smoked some strange, boutique brand.

Judy

2AThat's Evie. Whenever she pulled on a new face, it was down to the details.

V

2ALotta people know the real Evelyn, who she really was?

Judy

2ANo, nobody.

V

2BWanna hold on to it?

Judy

2BNo, you seem to like it, keep it.

2BKinda glad it's you that has it, actually.

1AFuck, Evie...

1AI let her down. I thought if I gave her some space or time she'd get back on her feet…

V

3AI can't wrap my head around it... Never saw Evelyn as the type to give up...

Judy

3AC'mon, what she went through? I wouldn't call it giving up.

V

3BI dunno know what to say. Never was any good at this stuff.

Judy

3BAh, you don't need to talk. Did more for her than anyone else.

V

3BI had a motive to find her, Judy. You know that.

Judy

3BIt's what you bring that counts. You gave her the freedom to choose.

V

3BYeah, maybe. Just never imagined she'd choose this.

3CStay strong, Judy. Don't let this tear you down.

Judy

3CKnow what? Let's just not say anything for a minute, 'K?

1A'Member Fingers, how he said Evie was with 'im for four days?

V

1AMhm... did say so.

Judy

1AShe disappeared from Clouds a week before you turned up, Tom told me later. Couldn't sleep at night, knowin' that.

1AKept thinking – what the hell happened to those other three days, so... I did some more diggin' in her virtus. Ehh – found Woodman.

1AHe kept her. Had his way with her. The things he did... And once he got bored, he pawned her off.

V

4AHad no idea that guy was such a monster. Saw him as your average tricksy sleazebag.

Judy

4AYeah, puts on a convincing facade. I knew him, but I never thought him that sick in the brain.

4AGotta be somethin' I can do about it.

V

4ALike what?

Judy

4ADon't know yet. Think I'll call Suze... Hehh, thanks, V. Sorry, but, uh, I'd rather be alone now. Promise to keep in touch.

V

5AAnything comes up, holler on the holo.

5BSure you don't need anything?

Judy

5BNo, but sweet of you to ask.

V

4BI zeroed Woodman. Didn't plan on it – just how the chips landed.

4BGlad I did, though.

Judy

4BMe too. I can't even imagine.

4BStill, it's not enough... There're so many more like him.

V

4CWait, so you found other recordings?

Judy

4CHad another look at the corrupted ones. Lots of static – hard to pick up anything, really.

4CAt some point I... stumbled on something like an echo of the spat we'd had... Last time we saw each other. But I know she wasn't scrolling.

V

4CThen why was it saved as a virtu?

Judy

4CTsh, got no explanation for it.

4CMaybe she recalled it later, relived it, almost?

4CImplant could've been on when... Y'know, as a defense mechanism – escapin' into the past so as not to live the present.

V

4DWhat'd Woodman do to her? Did you see it?

Judy

4DYeah... and I really wish I could unsee it.

1AHer condition – couldn't think about anything else… Tech-wise she was clean, doll shard was operational, uncorrupted…

1ASo, psychological trauma – had to be that. Did some more diggin' in her virtus. Found Woodman.

1AHe kept her. Had his way with her. The things he did... And once he got bored, he pawned her off.

V

1BSorry, no can do.

Judy

1BCheapskate.

V

1BYou could get hooked again – I don't want that on me.

Judy

1BV, just give me a fucking smoke.

V

1CSorry, fresh out.

Judy

1CShit try, V. I know you're not.

V

1CHow?

Judy

1CDon't piss me off, not now.

V

Hey, Judy. How ya feelin'?

Judy

Shitty. But somethin' came to me.

V

1ASo what'd you come up with?

Judy

1AThe Mox dive, Lizzie's Bar, used to be a joyhouse. Tyger Claws killed one girl too many, so people took matters into their own hands... Belongs to us, now.

1AClouds could stand to get the same makeover.

V

2ATakin' control of Clouds? That's your plan? Feels like you're missing a component or two.

Judy

2ALike what?

V

2ALike a beginning and a middle. You've got the end, that's all.

Judy

2AMiddle's in place. Meanin', literally got someone on the inside. And the beginning's you.

2AWill you help?

V

3AFine. Got me on board.

Judy

3AWoo, yes!

V

3AOK, so... what's the plan?

Judy

3AFirst up – we gotta talk to Maiko Maeda. If she's not with us, might as well throw our hands up in the air.

V

4ASure Maiko's gonna wanna join forces?

Judy

4AIf I was sure, I'd be on the holo to her, and we wouldn't be havin' this conversation.

V

4ALet me rephrase. Any chance she'll slap us around, then shove us out her megatower window?

Judy

4A'Course, sure.

V

4AGuess I can work with that.

V

5AWhen're we doin' this?

Judy

5AEarly morning, Clouds'll be closed – hardly a soul lurkin' at that time.

V

5AHow early?

Judy

5ABefore eight. I'll be by the entrance... Nah, scratch that – the balcony above Clouds.

5AWe'll sneak in – no one needs to know we're there.

V

5AOn the balcony. Got it.

5BHow well do you know this Maiko?

Judy

5BToo well.

V

4BMaiko Maeda... who is she, exactly?

Judy

4BGirl who unofficially runs Clouds. Good at it, too.

V

4BWhat's she do officially?

Judy

4BShe's a doll. So she's a nobody.

V

4CEvelyn, Maiko... seem to know your way around Clouds.

Judy

4CUsed to work there. Helped 'em out with their behavioral chip, perfectin' it.

V

4CWhy'd you leave?

Judy

4CDidn't like the vibe. Place reeked of exploitation.

V

3BI can't – not right now. Too much shit goin' on as it is.

Judy

3BI get it, V – it's OK. I'm not gonna lie, this'll take a good chunk of time...

3BBut when your hands're free, gimme a shout, all right?

V

3CCan't be a part of this, Judy. It's just a bad idea.

Judy

3CGot any better ones?

V

3CNo.

Judy

3CSo you're gonna do nothin'? People are dyin' at Clouds.

V

3CPeople'll die if I help you, too. Sorry.

Judy

3CUgh. Guess no means no.

V

2BGot the Mox to agree to take over Clouds?

Judy

2BNo. I'm tryin' to get you. Know someone at Clouds who'll take our side.

2BWill you help?

V

2CI'm familiar with the story. Things did not go that smoothly.

Judy

2CI didn't say they did, didn't say they would.

2CBut Evie thought Clouds would be safe. You saw how far that got her... how she ended.

2CV... I can't stand by and let things go on like this.

V

2DSure you've thought this through, Judy, carefully?

Judy

2DPff, haven't thought it through at all.

2DAll I know's the Mox didn't turn things around by sitting on their tanned and toned asses, doin' nothin'.

V

1BGotta give yourself time to grieve, Judy.

1BExperience all its stages, feel 'em, let 'em play out. Shock, anger, depression…

Judy

1BI'd say I'm on anger. Gonna stay here for a while, too. I can work with anger.

V

Wanna tear Clouds outta the Tyger Claws' paws. Dolls should own it, control it.

Maiko

All right... this has been fun and all, but... I think it's time you got going.

Judy

We gotta do something! Or everyone'll end up like Evie. Woodman raped her while she was unconscious, then sold her like she was so much scrap.

Maiko

Mess with the Claws, blowback'll hit every one of the dolls in here.

V

1AHeh, this is a waste of our time. Come on, we'll get by without 'er.

Maiko

1AJude, be sure to gimme a call once you're done mourning and wanna get back to reality.

V

2AYou picked the wrong side, Maiko.

Maiko

2AI'll be the judge of that.

V

2BI'm not your enemy here.

Maiko

2BAnd I didn't ask for your opinion.

1AAnd so you don't think I'm brushing you off completely... Forrest'll be on the maintenance level in a couple minutes. Alone.

V

3ASo, you won't help.

Maiko

3AI thought I expressed myself clearly.

3AGonna pretend as if you two weren't ever here. For old times' sake, Judy.

3ALiterally moments from now security's gonna figure out you're here. Got two options – go out the way you came in, or get thrown out.

3AAnd that's not a threat or figure of speech. Just a friendly heads up.

Judy

3AHad enough.

3AI'm leavin'.

Maiko

3ASmart move.

Judy

Hey, V. Thanks for showin'.

Talkin' with Maiko's like a game of 3D chess – don't let her derail you.

V

4AI'm ready, let's go.

Judy

4AHold on. I'll open it.

V

5ALooks like you've come this way before. More'n once.

Judy

5AHm. I have, on occasion.

V

5BLock like that – no way you cracked it open on your first try.

5BKnow how to get around their systems?

Judy

5BAppears so. Was hopin' they hadn't run any updates since I left.

5BLooks like I was right.

4AEasy as paella.

4AFollow me.

Maiko

4AThought you'd hit rock bottom when you joined the Mox.

4AGuess you've managed to stoop even lower, now.

4AYou somehow never fail to lower my expectations.

4AFirst you settle for the Mox, now murderers. I shudder to think what's next.

4AYes, V – I mean you.

V

6ACame to Clouds for info, left with info.

6AWhat happened in between is what happens when people refuse to work with you.

Maiko

6AEver heard of a little something called "compromise"? Should try it sometime.

V

6ACompromises take time I just don't have.

Maiko

6AJust what exactly are you after?

6AGonna go and harass another doll?

V

7AStartin' to think blowin' hot air's all you're good at.

Maiko

7AA pathetic attempt at getting under my skin.

7AWhat's next? Threats?

V

8AWe're not done talkin'. But you'd do well to hear Judy out, or we'll make sure your worst fear comes true.

Maiko

8AOh? Stand to lose my youth, eddies and influence?

V

8ASomething's gonna happen. But you'll be the last to know.

Maiko

8AHuh.

V

9BWe need you. Can't do what we wanna do... without you.

Maiko

9BYou mean making better life choices?

V

9BWe wanna help the dolls.

Maiko

9BDolls make more eddies than anyone else in the industry. Thanks to the chip, they experience no trauma. Every whore in Night City wants to work here.

Judy

9BIt's the Tyger Claws that're the problem, and people like Woodman. He raped Evelyn while she was unconscious, then sold her off like so much scrap.

Maiko

9BWhat you two're out to do is... impossible. Completely beyond your means.

V

8BWell, can't ever rule violence out.

Judy

8BYou two done bickering over diddly squat?

8B'Cause if you are, I'd like to get down to biz.

Maiko

8BHere's the thing – literally in moments security'll figure out you're here. Got two options – go out the way you came in, or get thrown out.

8BAnd don't get me wrong, Jude. I'd gladly sit and catch up. Been quite a while since we last talked.

8BBut you're not safe here at Clouds. Especially not with her at your side.

Judy

8BHad enough.

8BI'm leavin'.

Maiko

8BSmart move.

V

7BJudy has a proposal... about Clouds.

Maiko

7BWanna come back? Done. Always valued your skills, you know that. Just don't get why you had to drag this... loose end in here.

Judy

7BStop treatin' dolls like meat and I'll consider it. But first things first – Clouds needs to be taken from the Tyger Claws.

Maiko

7BOK, look. It's clear what happened to Ev was… traumatic.

Judy

7BHuh? I was convinced you didn't know.

Maiko

7BThat girl was askin' for an unhappy ending. I was just surprised it took so long.

Judy

7BWe gotta do something! Or everyone'll end up like Evie. Woodman raped her while she was unconscious, then sold her like she was so much scrap.

Maiko

7BYeesh, you've always been unstable.

7BOK, since you seem more reasonable, care to explain what this is about?

V

10ACalled me a murderer. You're right – I killed Woodman. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

10AAnd if I'd known what he did to Evelyn when she needed help, I wouldn't've have gone so easy on him.

Maiko

10ATyger Claw bosses rule this place. Know how much I mean to them?

10AAbout as much as you two and your problems mean to me. Read, negligible.

V

11ADoesn't make you wonder why you even work here?

V

10AYou aware what Woodman did to Evelyn when she was desperate for help? You sit by, let that happen?

V

10BJudy's idea – think about it. Could work.

Maiko

10BWell, well, Jude. See you've found a true and loyal fan.

V

6ACame to Clouds for info, left with info.

6AAll the while, I did my best to make sure no one standing in my way ended up in a garbage bag.

Maiko

6AAppreciate it. Now what exactly are you after?

V

6BAh, don't mind me – just here to blend into the decor.

Maiko

6BThat's no reason. Why come at all?

V

6BTo make sure Judy gets what she came for.

Maiko

6BJude woulda had a better chance without you.

V

6CSounds like I left a mark on this place. Good.

Maiko

6CIf by "mark" you mean buckets o' blood, then yeah – congrats.

V

6CGuess I left a lasting impression. Good.

6CPaid you one visit and you remember me?

Maiko

6CMy job, among other things, is to remember unsavory customers. Naturally, I take it upon myself to deal with them, too.

6CNow, how'm I to deal with you?

4AConsorting with a common thug…

4AConsorting with a persona who is very non grata…

4AJudy Alvarez. I'd say it's great to see you but I've never been one to lie.

4AAlso I never liked surprise parties, which you know.

Judy

4AYup, bet I even know why.

4ACome on, let's go.

V

4BCare to be a bit more specific? Wouldn't mind knowing what to expect.

Judy

4BExpect everything. Miss a beat, she'll wrap you 'round her finger, get you on her agenda while thinkin' you're the one in control.

V

4BHm... Heh, guess I know the type.

4CSo, in brief, I'm just here as your huscle, right?

Judy

4CNever said that. I just know the woman better.

V

4DHow you aim to get her over to our side?

Judy

4DBy tellin' the truth. About Evelyn – what happened and why.

V

4DThink that'll cut it?

Judy

4DNo. Have to improvise from there.

V

4ESome detes about her could be useful, when I talk to her, don't you think?

Judy

4ENo, leave the talkin' to me.

V

4FYou seem a bundle of nerves.

Judy

4FI've a mind to kill the bastards with my bare hands.

4FSo yeah... you could say I'm a teensy bit nervous.

V

Urgh, sure ask a lot of questions.

Judy

That went... smoothly.

She totally blew us off!

V

1AProlly needs some time to think. Couple days, tops.

Judy

1AYeah, you might be right. I'll call her tomorrow.

V

1BKnow what I think? She's scared stiff. She'd have lots to lose if things went sour – everything, in fact.

Judy

1BSo she'll just let things go on as usual?

V

1CDon't worry, she put on an act.

1CFew days down the line, she'll call and tell you her plan to take over Clouds, as if it were her idea.

Judy

1CYou might be onto something.

V

1CNeeded to show who's boss. We took her by surprise – she couldn't do anything but throw us out.

1CShe'll call soon enough and ask what we actually wanted.

You two have a history?

Judy

Why do you ask?

V

Felt a little tension 'tween you two.

Judy

Tension? Psh. Try straight pissed off.

V

Can't trust people that see everything as a numbers game.

Line between patting you on the back as their friend, and planting a knife in you as their enemy, is down to a decimal.

Judy

But still... honest or crooked, we need her.

Huh, just think, coulda gone divin' this mornin'…

V

A little unwindin'd do you good. Do me good too, actually.

Judy

It wouldn'ta been unwindin', not exactly. Got an idea buzzin' in my head, workin' it, but I can't say if it'll amount to anything.

V

Yeah, you, a deckchair and a Mai Tai with a cocktail umbrella – somehow I don't see it.

Judy

Nope! Me in a deckchair's me mullin' over coulda, shoulda, wouldas – somethin' I avoid right now.

W-wait a sec.

What about Woodman?

V

2ADon't have an ounce of sympathy for that motherfucker.

Judy

2ASo... we goin' there?

V

2ADamn straight. Let's end him.

Judy

2AWe'll take the elevator. Quickest way.

2AMaintenance level.

Woodman

2AThe fuck you two doing here? Where's Maiko? Why'd she fuckin' call me here?

V

3AWhen Evelyn needed help, you raped her.

Woodman

3ACould've also broken her neck – hung up her head like a chandelier till it started to rot.

Judy

3AAh-pthu!

Woodman

3AInstead, I took her to a ripper. Was due a little something in return.

3AShe should be grateful. And so should you.

Judy

3AHm, here's my token of gratitude.

V

3BEvelyn's dead.

Woodman

3BCome here just to tell me that? It's fucking kind of you to remember.

3BHere. Go light a candle.

Judy

2AGround level? You lettin' Woodman off?

2AI gotta get back to Maiko with somethin' big.

V

2AAppealing to her sense of justice wasn't big enough?

Judy

2AMaiko only works with specifics.

V

4ASo – what now?

Judy

4AGotta think. We need more bodies, that's for sure. I'm gonna talk to the dolls.

4AI'll call you when I've got something.

4ASee ya later, V. And thanks.

V

4AFor a minute there, thought you were about call it quits.

Judy

4AV... I go for days tuning virtus in a basement. Know what the chances are of somebody blowin' my head off down there?

V

4AMiniscule?

Judy

4ASame as Maiko's empathy. Unlike you, I don't put myself out there.

4ABut this ain't over – not yet.

V

4AY'know... I'm also partial to specifics.

Judy

4AUh-huh, so that's what matters. How many you'll drop, how much ammo you'll use, how many eddies it'll getcha?

V

4AArt and dreams of freedom can't be everyone's food.

4ASometimes... you gotta deal with the dirt.

Judy

2AReally don't understand what tits have to do with sellin' that garbage.

Johnny

2ACan't say no to tits – rest can go fuck itself.

V

5AHey, if it works... Blame the corps all you want, but at the end of the day, says more about us than them.

5ABiz is biz 'n' tits're biz.

Judy

5AIt's like junk food... people don't buy it 'cause they're gonk – they're just poor.

V

6ASecond you react with your dick 'stead of your head, you give 'em exactly what they want.

Johnny

6ADoes it look like I give a shit?

V

6ADoesn't matter – they already flushed one down your brain.

Judy

2AWhy'd you let him go?

2ASometimes I really don't understand you, V.

V

7ASelf-defense is one thing. You get backed into a corner – you do what nature taught you, survive.

7AEhh, but killing in cold blood...

Judy

7AWhole 'nother ball game. Fine, I get it.

V

7BWoodmans of the world're like mushrooms – always rear their ugly heads from the dirt if conditions're right.

7BDrop one, someone else'll take his place. Someone worse.

Judy

7BYou gotta rip 'em outta the ground, root an' all... I guess you're right.

2AAlmost felt like the world'd be a better place once he died.

2AAnd the feeling... it was so fuckin' strong.

V

8AY'know... revenge isn't ever really worth it.

8APeople wanna believe it'll be the miracle pill for their grief, but... that's not how it works.

8BWorld did change, though.

8BAll the people he could've hurt – they're all safe now. Think of that.

8BThey'll never even know they were in danger.

Johnny

2AYou know what's worse than a corpo? A wannabe corpo bitch.

V

2AYou mean Maiko.

Johnny

2APiece o' work, that one. But I'll give her credit – she's dead-on about your chances of pullin' this off.

Judy

2ASo... we goin' there?

V

2ADamn straight. Let's end him.

2BNo point bothering about him.

Judy

2B"Bothering about him"? Who knows how many people he's treated like Evelyn…

2BHow many more he has lined up…

2BJust gonna let him get away with that?

V

9AEh... you're right. Hm. Can't let him get off easy.

Judy

9AI should say so.

V

9BI don't wanna kill him – won't. Sorry, but... ya can't ask that of me.

9BSelf-defense – that's one thing. But execution? Judy, it's bad karma.

Judy

9BYou're right... Sorry.

9BUgh. Punch the ground floor. Need to get out of this place.

9BWoodman after all? Even I don't change my mind that quickly.

Johnny

9BYou know what's worse than a corpo? A wannabe corpo bitch.

V

9BYou mean Maiko.

Johnny

9BPiece o' work, that one. But I'll give her credit – she's dead-on about your chances of pullin' this off.

V

2CWell, what do you wanna do?

Judy

2CI want somebody to unload lead into his face till there is no face.

V

2CSomebody?

Judy

2CFine... Want you to do it.

V

2DY'sure he's gonna be there?

Judy

2DYou met Maiko. If that prick still works here, it's 'cause he follows her orders pretty damn precisely.

V

Can't trust people that see everything as a numbers game.

Line between patting you on the back as their friend, and planting a knife in you as their enemy, is down to a decimal.

Judy

I know – right there with you. I... well, used to have a big crush on her. Took me a long time to realize who she really was.

But still... honest or crooked, we need her.

Way back, yeah. Think I just felt lonely.

V

Like everyone in Night City.

Judy

She was different then. And so was I.

Ugh. Punch the ground floor. Need to get out of this place.

Augh, she didn't even let me make my point.

Let's, uh, let's get out of here, V.

Ugh. Punch the ground floor. Need to get out of this place.

I thought I'd, uh... feel more... I'd be satisfied.

Johnny

You know what's worse than a corpo? A wannabe corpo bitch.

V

You mean Maiko.

Johnny

Piece o' work, that one. But I'll give her credit – she's dead-on about your chances of pullin' this off.

Johnny

1AThe Bushido collection in BD format...

V

1AFirst three are collectors' items nowadays...

Johnny

2APerilous Futur. Elektropunk? I'd rather puke out my ears.

V

3ASomeone likes getting their feet wet.

Johnny

3ADon't need to be an expert to tell the gear's pro.

Johnny

4APlace looks like a fuckin' antique museum.

V

4AThen I guess you should feel right at home.

Johnny

4AChick's got taste. 'Cept for one thing. female V only

V

4AAnd what's that? female V only

Johnny

4AWay she looks at you. Don't pretend you haven't noticed. female V only

4AMakes you all mushy inside. I can feel it. female V only

4AChick's got taste.

V

4AThat all you have to say?

Johnny

4AAnd she's nice.

4ASix outta ten.

V

5ADidn't know she dabbled in robotics.

Johnny

5ANow that's fuckin' shimra.

5AThink that's how she winds down?

V

5AAfter a day's work of tuning hardcore smut? Heh, wouldn't be surprised.

V

Judy. So, got a plan?

Judy

Damned right I do.

Come over to mine tonight, gonna lay the groundwork with Tom and Roxie. They're with us.

Maiko'll be here, too.

V

How'd you manage that?

Judy

Got somethin' really big. Tell you everything tonight. Last thing – what do you like on your pizza?

V

7ALocust pepperoni. And lots of extra cheese.

Judy

7A'Atta girl.

V

7BA and A, artichokes and avocado flavor. And zucchini, for good measure.

Judy

7BOooh. Fancy...

V

7CTofu'd tuna and pineapple flavor.

Judy

7CUh, heh. Now there's two things that don't belong in the same sentence, let alone on the same pizza. You're kidding, right?

V

7CIf we're talkin' pizza, then I'm dead fuckin' serious.

7DDon't actually like pizza.

Judy

7DWhat?! W-will ya tell me you don't like breathing next? How can you not like pizza?

V

7DThink you're the first person to give me shit for that stigma?

Judy

So, I'll see you come evening?

V

8A'Course I'll be there.

8BNeed to think about it.

Judy

8BThis plan... it needs you, V.

V

8CY'gonna tell me this big secret of yours?

Judy

8CFigured out how to tweak behavioral chips. Turn dolls into fighters.

V

8CSounds like my kinda plan.

Judy

8CWe'll go over the specifics tonight. You're comin', right?