Dialogue: Firestarter

Murphy

Good, you made it.

We haven't met yet. Name's Murphy.

V

1AThe colonel is here already?

Murphy

1AHe is. Waitin' for you.

V

1AFantastic.

Murphy

1AThis way.

1AHere we are, our stop.

1AYou should expect to have eyes on you all day today. Kurt got a tip – the FIA plans to pull some gonk move.

Alex Female

1AHuh... is that so?

Murphy

1AThe situation's under control, though. He ordered everyone checked out. No exceptions.

1AGot our people mannin' the whole stadium. Drone-aided scans providin' surveillance support, too.

1ANeed you to leave your weapons here.

EscortBGSoldier

1AWhat I wouldn't give for a Broseph and a burger…

EscortBGSoldier

1AShh! Hansen's got guests, man…!

EscortBGSoldier

1ACopy that. I'll check it out.

CoreGuard3

1AArea's off limits. Move along.

Tour Guide

1ANow, here's somethin' that oughta pique your interest.

1ARemember Tijuana's pacification? Peruvian Revolution? Then you know what this baby can do.

1AThis here's the latest 2078 model. Not slated to be revealed for a couple more months.

1AImproved AI support, reactive armor, additional cup holders – next-gen warfare, folks.

1AAlso comes in candy apple red for a little extra.

Barman Chatter

1AI got tickets, choom, we can go.

Barmaid

1AHow you land those? Same guy as always?

Barman Chatter

1AWho the fuck cares? It's a belt fight, light heavyweight. Can't pass that up.

Barmaid

1AI dunno, man… I kinda got some stuff…

Barman Chatter

1ARefund's your problem, then. I'm goin'.

Barmaid

1AHansen already ordered for ya.

1AOrder's already in. We'll have those drinks to your table soon.

Worker

1AFuckin' useless! Broken, fuckin' FUCK!!!

Murphy

1AThis here's the heart of our little empire.

V

2ATell me – what do you do here, your operation, precisely?

Murphy

2AArms tradin', mostly. Need to start a war? End one? Plannin' a coup, maybe? We don't ask these questions.

V

2AAnd this all is from Night City?

Murphy

2ASome. But our reach stretches 'round the globe. Japan, Australia, the Balkans, Lagos, you name it.

ReedHolo

2AAll right, I'm in position. Preparing our evac route now.

2ATake your time. I'll need ten more minutes at least.

2AI couldn't get started earlier without risk of bein' compromised.

2AAnd Aymeric, this should go without sayin', but... stay in character.

2AGood luck.

Murphy

2ALet's keep movin'.

Kurt

2AA pleasure to see you both.

2ASongbird needs a moment to disarm the device.

2AWhich gives us a chance to chat.

V

3AWe are not in a hurry.

Kurt

3AHm-hm. I'm sure. I hear you're not the type to do anything hastily.

V

4AThen we have much in common, Colonel. I have heard the same about you.

Kurt

4AHm. Interesting. I usually hear the exact opposite about myself.

V

4ASo many fear criminals for their weapons, muscles, chrome… but are blind to the mind underneath.

4AA betrayed man, patient for his vengeance – he is dangerous.

4BHow amusing. What else you must think of me, I wonder. What you must believe.

4BThe cliché of a netrunner-ascetic? A techno-modified monk who treats his body as a temple?

Kurt

4BWhat can I say? Guilty as charged.

V

4BYou think I train the kung fu, that I know the secret of the vibrating fist.

4BBe careful, Colonel… perhaps I do.

4CI do not waste time and energy on insignificant matters.

Kurt

4CSo I heard. Is that why strip yourself of your memories and store them in external databanks?

V

4CIn my quest for… mental hygiene, for spiritual economy. Do you believe in God, Colonel Hansen?

Kurt

4CHmm, which one? The eurodollar? The geopolitical powers that be? Or the Christian god? No, wastes of my time, all.

V

4CI see. Then I am curious how you will fare after this life has ended.

3BYour man mentioned trouble. That NUS intelligence is interested in our meeting today.

Kurt

3B"Trouble" is an exaggeration. Many people try to stick their noses into my business. I know this, and so I'm careful.

V

3BWere I you, I would say no different.

Kurt

3BAhem... Think I'm lying?

V

5AOf course you are.

Kurt

5AExcuse me?

V

5AThe only question that matters is whether your lie brings any harm. If our arrangement is truly safe, why should I care?

Kurt

5AI assure you it is. Y'know, I find your pragmatism refreshing.

V

5BIt makes no difference.

Kurt

5BThe value of my word, my honor, don't matter to you?

V

5BYou are a criminal. As we are. This is business, not, uh... dinner with my grandmother.

Kurt

5BHah! We'll get along just fine.

V

5CI said no such thing.

Kurt

5CThen I'm fucking happy to know I misheard.

2AChanging the subject… did you enjoy yourselves at the Black Sapphire?

2AMy people tell me the games went high stakes.

2AYou two left richer and happier, I hope?

V

6AIt was unfortunate how unluckily the night ended…

Kurt

6AHow unlucky you were to… double your winnings? Interesting way to look at it.

V

7AFor one to win, another must lose. For one to have luck, another must have none.

Kurt

7AEh, philosophy was never my strong suit.

V

7ANot even "The Art of War"?

Kurt

7AAha, with that exception.

V

7CApologies. My mind was elsewhere.

Kurt

7CMhm. An honest mistake.

V

6BWe had losses but came out on top in the end.

Alex Female

6BAnd this brainless cunt joined. She lost everything.

Kurt

6BHm. I remember the cunt. She had it comin'.

2AThe Black Sapphire is my pride 'n' joy. I worked hard to make it the go-to destination for Night City's royalty.

V

8AYour operation in the stadium is most impressive. Perhaps even more than the ball at the Sapphire.

Kurt

8AOne can't work without the other. To make billions from the arms trade, you have to first line the pockets of the powerful with millions.

8AThe stadium is an integral part of my work in Night City.

V

8BWhy did you stay in Night City? You are not from here.

Kurt

8BWell, seems I'm not the only one who's done their homework.

8BIt's a good question. One I've asked myself many times.

8BCall it a symbol I've grown attached to. Like the NUS flag, Night City represents a great failure.

V

8BOf yours?

Kurt

8BOf principles.

2ASay… it's been a while since you were last in Night City, hasn't it? Not since Cynosure.

Alex Female

2AQuite right. But we almost flew here some time ago. Aymeric had other business in Night City.

2AMy brother is obsessed with cars, he collects them. I say to him how wonderfully pretentious he is.

Kurt

2AInteresting… And what rare gem brought you halfway 'round the world?

V

9APerhaps you know this man, Greyson…? He wanted to sell me a classic Porsche once owned by a famous American rockerboy.

Kurt

9AEveryone knows Greyson. And this rock star. Yeah, I remember hearin' about this sale.

Alex Female

9AWell, it fell apart. Greyson was a fool – he weaseled out in the final hour.

V

9BI was shopping for a Quadra Turbo-R, a model from fifty-five.

Kurt

9BAh, a connoisseur of the classics.

9BY'know, I checked whether anyone here knew you. They did mention a car... just not a Quadra.

V

10AI have a diverse collection. I work much and spend even more – you understand.

Kurt

10AOf course. Although my spending differs from yours.

V

10ATrue. War is an expensive hobby.

10CThen your man misled you. Perhaps by accident, perhaps not.

Kurt

10CHuh. Not the kind to make reckless mistakes, that one…

V

10CThen your man misled you. Perhaps by accident, perhaps not.

Kurt

10CHuh. Not the kind to make reckless mistakes, that one…

V

9CI had my eyes on a Rayfield Aerondight. Second-hand, of course. The new ones are overpriced.

Kurt

9CInteresting. Because the first I ever heard of you, why, it was about you being in the market for a used car. But certainly not a Rayfield.

2APlease, I have vodka. Help yourselves.

2AI'm sure you never put pleasure before business, but I insist. A symbolic drink.

Alex Female

2AHaha, I could not say it better myself. Symbolic, yes.

Kurt

2ANot very American, I know, but it's a custom my friends in Siberia taught me to love.

V

11ASymbolic…

Kurt

11AMhmmm.

V

12ANone for me. All yours, Aurore.

Alex Female

12AI never say no to good vodka.

Kurt

12AAre you sure?

V

12ACompletely.

12CTo your health.

Kurt

12CI thought you didn't drink.

V

12CI do not... but I understand the importance of ritual. It would be rude to reject Siberian hospitality.

12CTo your health.

Kurt

12CI thought you didn't drink.

V

12CI do not... but I understand the importance of ritual. It would be rude to reject Siberian hospitality.

11BYou have many friends, it seems.

Kurt

11BOh, I've visited many places, forged my fair share of stories, to be sure. Siberia was just one pitstop of many.

Alex Female

11BOh, you are a well-traveled man.

Kurt

11BIt's easier to count the places I haven't been. I know where to find what no one else has, and who to call to get it.

Alex Female

11BThere are two ways to build a strong professional network. One is travel. The other – a prison term.

V

11CYour old friends in the New States – there is bad blood, no?

Alex Female

11CMhm, federal agents sniff around you still.

Kurt

11CIt's complicated. When they don't want their John Hancocks on somethin', they wire me a transfer and I set to work. Later that night, I'll watch 'em condemn my "terrorist act" on the evening news.

11CSo they sniff around, sure, but they prefer to call direct. That's not likely to change in this admin nor the next.

2AAh, right, I'd almost forgotten. My friends in La Santé send their regards. C Block.

Alex Female

2AUh, your friends are mistaken, I think.

Kurt

2AAre you sure? You spent two years in that prison. Under a false name.

Alex Female

2AThat's right. In the VIP wing. But the cockroaches in C Block don't know who is there.

Kurt

2AThen forgive me. I must be mistaken.

V

2AColonel... May I see your knife?

Kurt

2ABy all means. It's a tradtitional Yakut hunting knife.

V

2AYou see, I spent some time in the Philippines. I've had a keen eye for fine blades since.

2AFascinating... Such a rare thing.

Kurt

2ABy the way, Aymeric, I asked around a bit, doing my due diligence... They tell me you worked at Petrochem three years ago.

2ACorporations rarely let your caliber talent slip through their fingers. How did you wriggle out of the contract?

V

13ANo, I'm afraid this is not true. I never worked for Petrochem.

Kurt

13AOh, but you did. Maybe you've just forgotten?

V

14AIt's true, my memories from that time were stolen. Those two years and what I did are lost to me.

14AYou know me better than I know myself, it seems.

14BI don't remember most of those years. My memories from that time I kept in a databank in Switzerland… until they were stolen.

14BBut I don't enjoy talking about it, and I did not expect you to know. I apologize.

14CI thought our collaboration was built on trust. I was sorely mistaken.

Kurt

14CRight. On "trust."

V

14CI thought our collaboration was built on trust. I was sorely mistaken.

Kurt

14CRight. On "trust."

13AAh, So Mi.

V

13BAll change in the corporate world is effected with money. I could afford it.

Kurt

13BA convenient answer. Generic, uninspired and almost definitely untrue.

13BGiven when this was, I'm amazed you claim to have any memory of it at all.

V

13CColonel, this may be difficult to believe, but I do not remember.

Kurt

13CHm?

V

13CI store my memories in external databanks. My databanks from that time were stolen.

13CForgive me, I would like to answer, but I cannot.

Kurt

13CPlease, it's no problem.

Songbird

2AWe can begin. The mainframe is ready.

Kurt

2AYou remember the terms – one of you feeds in the access codes. The other stays with me.

Alex Female

2AOoh, I volunteer to stay.

V

15ATo work, then.

Songbird

15AFollow me.

Kurt

15AAs agreed, you'll see the payments hit your account today.

Alex Female

15AAhh, money and kept promises. Two of my three favorite things.

Kurt

15AAnd the third?

Alex Female

15AOh, no-no-no-no. Not yet, Kurt.

15AI am sure my brother would like to go car shopping later. Then you and I can celebrate properly, perhaps pop a cork?

Kurt

15AHm-hm-hm, maybe…

15ASo tell me – how do ya like NC now that you're back?

Alex Male

15AThis hollow shell? With shining promises and colorful pleasures without meaning?

Kurt

15AKinda like suckin' your own cock, huh? Pardon the analogy. but you're right, I agree.

Alex Male

15AHm. If you do not like it, why make it your home?

Kurt

15AI like eds. And NC's harvest of them is ripe as hell.

15ASpeaking of, we'll process the transfer today. As soon as they're done.

Alex Male

15AWonderful.

Songbird

2AWe can begin. The mainframe is ready.

Kurt

2AYou remember the terms – one of you feeds in the access codes. The other stays with me.

Alex Male

2AI will stay.

V

16AShall we?

Songbird

16AFollow me.

Kurt

2AAh, So Mi.

V

18AIndeed. I was pleased our fortune turned around in the end.

Kurt

18AYou... were pleased? To go bust?

V

19ADoes the end result matter at all? I play only for the thrill.

Kurt

19AHuh, well I'd expect that sentiment from your sister, but... you, Aymeric?

Alex Female

19AWe are siblings, are we not?

V

19CI care not for money, Colonel. Nor for what happens at the gambling table.

Kurt

19CAn odd fuckin' philosophy, I must say.

V

18BBy the end of the night, we lost our entire stack, but such is gambling.

Kurt

18BJudging by your tone, that doesn't seem to bother you at all.

V

18BBecause it does not. I enjoy money, of course, but I do not allow it to control my life.

Kurt

18BYou know what they say about great minds. I think it's no surprise we find ourselves doing business together.

2ACat got your tongues?

2AAn enny for your thoughts?

2AWe're waiting…

2AIs something wrong?

Alex Female

2AAymeric…?

2AShit, are you dead?

2AHeh, classic Aymeric. He says very little.

2ADring-dring, hello…?

Alex Male

2AAurore…?

2AWe are waiting…

2ASister, dear?

2AAre you daydreaming again?

Kurt

2ACat got your tongues?

2AAn enny for your thoughts?

2AWe're waiting…

2AIs something wrong?

2APlease. Have a seat.

2ACare to join me?

Alex Female

2AUgh, my brother, he talks little.

Murphy

2AHuh, noticed and noted.

Alex Female

2ASometime, I find this creepy. But not you I hope?

Murphy

2AHey, just met the guy.

Alex Female

2AMy, my, a diplomat...

Alex Male

2AHave you been with Hansen since the beginning?

Murphy

2ASince the op in Night City, you mean?

2ACould say that. But we served together earlier, too.

Alex Male

2AI see. Then he must trust you very much.

Kurt

2AA pleasure to see you both.

2ASongbird needs a moment to disarm the device.

2AWhich gives us a chance to chat.

V

20AUgh, please, there is no need to hurry... We have a terrible hangover.

Kurt

20AHeh. Both of you?

V

20AA bit of rhetoric. Aymeric doesn't drink. But when I do, both of us suffer.

Kurt

20AWell, we'll fix that right quick... Do you often conduct business hungover?

V

21AAlways. When your body believes it is dying, it does everything to survive. To be hungover is to be vigilant.

Kurt

21AHuh. A unique philosophy… One I never heard.

V

21AClever, no? It seems your clientele are painfully mundane, then.

Alex Male

21AAs you can see, Colonel Hansen, we sometimes lack a soldier's discipline.

21ABut with unique flaws come unique strengths.

Kurt

21AI have no doubt.

V

21BMy first time, I give you my word.

Kurt

21BI'm sure it is.

V

21BPff, I know you don't believe me.

Kurt

21BBut I do.

V

21BTruly? Yet even I do not believe me.

Alex Male

21BAs you can see, Colonel Hansen, we sometimes lack a soldier's discipline.

21BBut with unique flaws come unique strengths.

Kurt

21BI have no doubt.

V

21CAh well, it, uh, was an accident.

Kurt

21CYou got blackout blitzed by accident? How?

V

21CA sad but common fate for a lover of vodka.

Kurt

21CNow that I understand.

V

20BMurphy told us some shit hit the fan. That boogeymen know of us here, of our meeting.

Alex Male

20BWe expected all to be handled professionally.

Kurt

20BMurphy exaggerates. And he spoke out of turn.

20BWe have only suspicions. I assure you, caution is our creed.

V

20BOh, Colonel Kurt, you are too tense. I exaggerate. I wished only to see your reaction.

Kurt

20BHah... Are you testing me?

V

22AYou check us out, we check you out... Kurt, it is the dance, it is the game! Loosen up!

Kurt

22AWell, someone's trying to play us. Question is who.

Alex Male

22ANot your FIA, I 'ope.

V

22BNo-no-no, we checked you before. Now I just tease.

22BThis means I like you, no?

Kurt

22BHah! Fuck, you're entertaining.

Alex Male

22BWe could pretend to trust each other... or we could focus on business.

Kurt

22BA pragmatist – to my taste. Agreed.

2AI'd like to raise a little toast. To a successful day of business.

V

23ADon't worry about the work, Colonel. Just your health.

Alex Male

23AI must decline.

V

24AYour loss, little brother.

23BWell said, Colonel, well said.

23BI am starting to like it here.

Kurt

23BTo your health!

Alex Male

23BI must decline.

V

23CWork first, only then pleasure.

Kurt

23COf course.

2AChanging the subject… did you enjoy yourselves at the Sapphire? My people tell me the stakes went high.

2AYou two left richer and happier, I hope?

V

25AThere were many twists, and, uh, not all of them pleasant.

Kurt

25AYou consider doubling your money an unpleasant twist?

V

26AI speak of this nobody who crashed into our game and ruined my fun. You know who I mean.

Kurt

26AI remember.

V

26AYes, this shit for brains.

26CI, uh… I do not like situations I do not control.

Kurt

26CAn interesting choice, then, to play roulette.

V

25BI thought it a night at a casino, wine and cash until both run out. But then this new piece of ass joined our table.

Kurt

25BI know the one.

V

25BThanks to them – weiner weiner chicken dinner!

Kurt

2AThe Black Sapphire... My pride 'n' joy. I worked hard to make it the go-to destination for Night City's royalty.

2AOh, actually, before I forget – I learned recently that we have a mutual friend.

2AShe said you did time together at La Santé, remembers you well.

V

27AMy, you must have an impressive set of contacts, Colonel.

27AAnd just who is this "friend" who remembers me so well?

27BNo. No, this is not something I wish to revisit. Not with someone I hardly know.

Kurt

27BBut she very much insisted. Old thieves' code and all that.

2ARaquel. Asked me to say hello. She did her time under max security, C Block, said her rat tattoo might jog your memory.

V

28APff, this Raquel is clearly mistaken. Max security is separate from the VIP wing, where I stayed. Heh, thank God.

Kurt

28AAh... It must've been someone like you. Very much like you.

V

28AIndeed.

28BAh, yes, the rat tattoo! I remember! Oh, please give Raquel my warmest regards.

Kurt

28BWait, did I say Raquel? I meant Ruth. From B Block, not C.

V

29AHeh! Then say hello to Ruth.

Kurt

29AYou make it sound like you knew everyone in the joint.

V

29ARaquel, Ruth, there is no difference. I know none of them. I am just polite.

29AI was in the VIP wing. B and C Block have no access there.

29CSo... we were both mistaken.

Kurt

29CWhat are the odds?

V

29CSo... we were both mistaken.

Kurt

29CWhat are the odds?

V

28CAh, a fact about me that is not so easy to learn.

Kurt

28CVery true.

V

28CI was there under a false name.

Kurt

28CAlso true.

V

28CAlas, I did not know any Raquel, please excuse me.

Alex Male

2AHow many years have you been in Night City? They say you served with Militech once.

Kurt

2ASeven years now. And yes, before that it was my mission to plant an NUS flag on this soil.

Alex Male

2AThen it appears to be a great success. The things you have achieved here, impressive…

Kurt

2AThat flag's a piss-soaked pile of ash now. What I built, I built with my own two hands, for me.

V

30AIt seems your old friends are still interested in you. That is why the FIA sniff around.

Kurt

30ACall it a... sentimental attachment. The battle for NUSA's future drives us both.

V

30AInteresting. Then are you different?

Kurt

30AI win my battles.

V

30AHm. Touché, Colonel.

30BWhy did you change sides?

Kurt

30BBecause I don't need a convenient ideology to hide my business behind. I tossed the flag, but the suits in D.C. still remember me.

V

30BPresident Myers too?

Kurt

30BShe called just six months ago, in fact. Asked me to help with a mess she couldn't clean up herself. Bureaucracy, red tape and all that.

V

30BInteresting... And, uh, she calls still?

Kurt

30BNot lately. Her administration recently encountered some, uh… turbulence along its path.

2AAh, by the way... at the Sapphire, you asked me to contact a certain fashion type... Remind me who?

V

31AWe spoke of, uh, Lizzy Wizzy's stylist. Oh, magnifique!

Kurt

31AAre you certain? If that's the case, I could've asked her then and there. She was at the party, too.

V

32AUh, so many in Night City ooze style – ah, I just don't know. Lizzy Wizzy, Kerry Eurodyne, Arif Iqbal – I spoke of each, no? Perhaps I am wrong?

Kurt

32AEurodyne – it was his tailor. I'll be happy to arrange something.

V

32APerfect!

32CAh, it's a small problem. It is time to attend to business, no?

Kurt

32CYour sister certainly is the more talkative of you two.

Alex Male

32CYou noticed?

V

31BAh, the tailor of Kerry Eurodyne. Oh, he is so flavorful! Mmm, I must have a taste, hahaha!

Kurt

31BHahaha, yes, yes, that's the one. The fashion world isn't exactly my forte, so I'll need maybe a week to arrange it.

V

31CUh, the couturier of, uh, Arif Iqbal – oh, that tasty morsel on WNS News.

Kurt

31CYou sure of this? I think I'd remember if that son-of-a-bitch's name came up…

2AYour sister certainly is the more talkative of you two.

Alex Male

2AYou noticed?

Kurt

2AYou complement each other well... Listen, it seems we've got time to spare. There's another opportunity I'd like to discuss.

2AAn expansion, into Western Europe. What I need is a reliable partner on the ground. Two would be even better.

V

33AOoh, I have butterflies. A lucrative opportunity?

Kurt

33AMhm, but I shouldn't sugarcoat it – I'm asking for a lot of hard work.

33AComms channels, supply chains, secure transport routes, the good graces of local authorities – these things I have, the groundwork is laid.

Alex Male

33AThen what more do you need from us?

Kurt

33AI need an in with Le Collectif.

33BHey…

V

33BRelax, soldier…

33BYou know, Kurt... The arms trade – we keep our fingers out of this cookie jar.

Kurt

33BI see, but all I need's a nudge in the right direction. Some introductions, a little intelligence, one-time request, say… two hundred thousand?

V

33BMmmm. Now I have butterflies.

Kurt

33BI need an in with Le Collectif.

V

34AHah! Anyone with even a bit of cred in France knows who they are.

34AWe can put you in contact, easily enough.

Kurt

34AOh, is that so? Just like that?

V

35AOui, one fat, juicy "but." They have, uh, sentenced me to death.

Kurt

35AYet you're willing to risk this?

V

35AFor that much cash, I can ask. But no assurance, that would cost more.

Kurt

35AHmm... Sounds fair, good enough.

V

35CYes, I and Le Collectif, we are very close.

Kurt

35CMhh. Close, sure, but not on the best terms from what I know.

V

35CPff, mere rumors, Colonel.

Kurt

35CRumors can be very dangerous. Especially when investigated, pursued, even turned inside out for truth.

V

35CJust like you and the NUSA.

35CThey say to the world they would put you down. In fact, they leave you a bowl of food by the back door.

Kurt

35CI see what you mean...

V

34BIt will cost. More than your two stacks. Much more.

Kurt

34BCall it four, then.

V

34BFor four... mmm, yes, contact is possible.

Kurt

34BNo "buts," no conditions?

V

34CI'm sorry, Colonel, but you are teasing the wrong cock.

Kurt

34CAm I? But you're famous in Paris. You must have a connection.

V

34CLe Collectif and we, um... have a history, like you and your NUSA. We do not, er… make love. No fucking love at all.

Kurt

34CAha, I see… and appreciate both the honesty and the metaphor.

2AAh, So Mi.

V

36AIt was magnificent. A joy to play.

Kurt

36AReally? Even though you lost all you brought?

V

37AIrony, my dear Colonel, is not your forte, no?

Kurt

37AAu contraire. I happen to be a master of it.

V

37CLife is not only about winning, Colonel. A man must learn to accept failure as well.

Kurt

37CWrong. Winning is the one true measure of one's life.

V

36BWe, er, how do you say, uh… fucked the dog?

Kurt

36BAh, I'm sorry to hear that.

V

36BNo, it's OK. We will make back our losses today, and much more.

Murphy

2AThis way.

ReedHolo

2AAnd Aurore, this should go without sayin', but... stay in character.

Murphy

2ANot much further now.

Kurt

2ADid you really expect I'd be fooled so easily?

2AA regrettable miscalculation.

V

2AAh, how you sell these war machines – it's like a car salesman?

Murphy

2AKinda, heh, yeah. But wholesale only.

2ASuppose you're a dictator from some rinky-dink country. I dunno… Australia, let's say.

2ATanks, choppers, subs – you want it, we got it. No red tape.

V

2AYou have submarines?

Murphy

2AFresh out. But we sure did.

Kurt

2ADid you really expect I'd be fooled so easily?

2AA regrettable miscalculation.

Murphy

40ANext, we'll need to run some ID scans. Joke around as we might, get along as we do, ultimately…

40AThis is a place of serious business, you understand.

1A'K… Here's our stop.

1AYou should expect to have eyes on you all day today. Kurt got a tip – the FIA plans to pull some gonk move.

1ASituation's under control. He ordered everyone checked out, though. No exceptions.

Alex Male

1AMany wish your colonel dead. He must be vigilant.

Murphy

1AGot our people mannin' the whole stadium. Drone-aided scans providin' surveillance support, too.

1ANeed you to leave your weapons here.

Murphy

41ANext, we'll need to run some ID scans. Joke around as we might, get along as we do, ultimately…

41AThis is a place of serious business, you understand.

Alex Female

1AMurphy… It seems familiar. No, I believe we have met.

Murphy

1AI'm certain we haven't.

1AI-- Uh– What?

Alex Female

1AI'm only fucking with you, Murphy. It's a pleasure.

V

1BSo... this is your celebrated stadium.

Murphy

1BThat's right. Once an EBM and Petrochem monument to bloodsport, today a hub for global trade.

V

1BHow very American.

Murphy

Good, you made it.

We haven't met yet. Name's Murphy.

V

42AOh, let's finish this quickly. My hangover is killing me.

Murphy

42AThis way.

42ASo, Songbird told me a little about you. Said you two hail from Europe.

Alex Male

42AThat's right.

Murphy

42AAnd… did you enjoy yourselves at the Sapphire?

Alex Male

42APolice commissioner, a candidate for mayor, the Tyger Claws bookeeper – all gambling on the city's future together. Figuratively and not.

42AThe anatomy of corruption is beautiful here.

Murphy

42AUh, y-yeah... Took the words right outta my mouth.

V

42BGoodness, Murphy, your nerves are spent. Such tense shoulders.

Murphy

42BTense? Haha. No, no, never better.

V

42BAh, a relief. How silly it would be for an impressive specimen such as you to worry.

Murphy

42BRight…

Hansen's waitin'.

Got a ways to go, still.

Everything OK?

Somethin' the matter?

Alex Female

Ugh, come on!

Move your ass, brother.

Aymeric…?

Alex Male

Aurore…?

We are waiting…

Shall we go?

We have little time to waste.

Murphy

Hansen's waitin'.

Let's keep movin'.

Everything OK?

They're waitin' for us.

Got our people mannin' the whole stadium. Drone-aided scans providin' surveillance support, too.

Need you to leave your weapons here.

Alex Female

I come unarmed. Aymeric?

Murphy

Follow me, please.

Got our people mannin' the whole stadium. Drone-aided scans providin' surveillance support, too.

Need you to leave your weapons here.

Alex Male

I have none. Aurore?

Alex Female

Murphy… It seems familiar. No, I believe we have met.

Murphy

I'm certain we haven't.

I-- Uh– What?

V

Hahaha, I'm only fucking with you, Murphy. It is a pleasure.

Ah, a fact about me not so easy to learn.

Kurt

So true.

V

I went by a different name.

Kurt

Also true.

V

A name wiped from all databases.

Kurt

Well... not all, obviously.

Murphy, we have foxes in the henhouse.

Murphy! We have uninvited guests.

Murphy, we have a Code Three Thirteen. Foxes in the henhouse.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

Best get to it, now.

Best get to it, now.

The mainframe should be ready soon. So Mi's just making sure we'll need only the access codes from you.

You deliver, the work's complete, I send payment.

The mainframe should be ready soon. So Mi's just making sure we'll need only the access codes from you.

You deliver, the work's complete, I send payment.

Songbird

Time is money.

Can we get to work?

Coming?

Time is money.

Can we start the process?

Are you coming?

Murphy

Hell, it's not even that little anymore.

Hell, it's not even that little anymore.

Alex Female

To be honest, who cares?

Kurt

Is that right? Seemed to me you put money on a pedestal.

Alex Female

Well, without money, you cannot sit at the table, it's true. But I do not need money to set that table ablaze.

Kurt

Shit... You can't argue with that.

Alex Male

Well, hasn't this become awkward?

Kurt

Mhm...

Alex Female

He is not, uh, hasty in action or response, as you can see.

Kurt

Clearly…

Alex Female

D-dear Colonel… I-I thought we, er… commenced from the right foot, we did not?

Kurt

No, you're right.

Alex Female

Mmm, like in Night City, I felt, uh... suffocated by the lies, hypocrisy… the corruption. I adored it.

Kurt

Hm. Few have painted the city in such apt terms.

Alex Female

Hmm, it was a car owned by some rockerboy, no?

Kurt

Ahhh, yes. Word of that sale got around.

Alex Female

Aymeric does not partake.

I tell him always – they who do not drink must endure those who do. It never works.

A secret, Colonel.

Kurt

In our line of work, what isn't?

Alex Female

Hm, so very true.

In reality, my brother has no memories of that time – stolen. This fact gives Aymeric great shame. To steal from a thief… Ironic, no?

Alex Male

Richer, poorer, it matters not. The game was an investment.

Kurt

An investment? What in, pray tell?

Alex Male

In our cooperation. We enjoyed ourselves, for a host is only as happy as his guests.

Aurore tells me of her friends often. Can you be more specific?

Kerry Eurodyne. Aurore loves his style.

Pretentious and predictable, but she loves him all the same.

Kurt

Is that so…?

Alex Male

Even if my sister entertains the idea, I will not.

Kurt

I'm not asking you.

Alex Male

And yet I am answering.

Kurt

Mhm...

Alex Male

Opportunity breeds curiosity. We are listening.

You and Myers know each other well?

Kurt

I've seen who she is when no one is watching, or so she believes. I respect her, in a way.

But no politics now.

Alex Male

Mistaken, most likely.

Kurt

I'm not so sure. Your sister strikes me as the social butterfly type.

Alex Male

Social, yes. But the name Raquel is not one I've heard. And we tell each other much.

Kurt

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

Changing the subject… did you enjoy yourselves at the Black Sapphire?

My people tell me the games went high stakes.

You two left richer and happier, I hope?

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

Well, at least you were successful in wasting my time.

I thought we'd have better chemistry…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

A shame. I was hoping for better company.

I didn't mean to make things awkward…