Dialogue: Following the River

River

V, how ya been?

V

Been all right.

River

Was thinking – you could drop by for dinner, maybe?

Joss has worked up a hankering to cook for the family.

V

1AHow could I say no?

River

1ARight, great! See you at Joss's then.

V

1ASounds preem.

1BI apreciate the invite, River, but gonna have to pass. Another time, maybe.

River

1BShame. Joss and me, we cook up a mean stew, you know. Me especially…

V

1BDon't doubt that at all. It's just... now's not a great time, sorry.

River

1BEh, it's all right. But I won't take "no" for an answer next time.

V

1BSee ya 'round, River.

1CHm, haven't forgotten I exist after all.

River

1CI had to sort some things out, help my sis...

1CRandy's still in the hospital. Someone has to keep an eye on the kids when Joss visits him.

V

1CRelax, don't need to explain.

River

1CRight... So, you gonna stop by?

Hey, V. You been feelin' all right, I hope?

V

'Course. Why, what's up?

River

Just callin' to invite you to Joss's for dinner.

I'd love it if you swung by. Whaddaya say?

V

2ABe great to see all you guys.

River

2APrime! Heh… Joss'll be thrilled.

V

2ASounds great.

River

2AI've missed you, y'know, heh…

V

3AActually missed you too, River.

River

3AI'll see you at Joss's?

V

3AI'll see you at Joss's.

River

3APerfect. Till then... then!

V

3BPlease, River... Hasn't been that long since we last saw each other.

River

3BAh, that's true, I guess... Anyway, you'll come by, right?

V

3BI'll come by, River. See ya then.

2BI apreciate the invite, River, but gonna have to pass. Another time, maybe.

River

2BAh, shame…

V

2BHands're tied, sorry.

River

2BI've missed you, y'know, heh…

V

4AI miss you too. Just now's not the best time – of which I have squat.

River

4AI getcha. We'll see each other soon, though?

V

4ADefinitely. Talk to ya later, River.

4BHey, uh…. c'mon. Secret handshake another day, OK?

River

4BRight, I get it. Another day, then.

V

4BSee ya, River.

2CHere I feared you'd forgotten about me.

River

2CAbout you? Oh, come on, never. Just been swamped.

2CRandy's still in the hospital. Someone has to keep an eye on the kids when Joss visits him.

V

2CRelax, don't need to explain.

River

2CRight... So, gonna stop by? Or gonna make me grovel?

V, hey. What's up?

V

Mentioned not so long ago you wanted to meet? You and Joss?

River

Yeah. Why, what? Got time?

V

How's today sound?

River

Sounds perfect. Gonna go tell Joss! See ya!

Hey, V. What do I owe this to? What's up?

V

Still plannin' that family dinner? Wanna have me over?

River

S'that a real question?

V

M'kay… Today work?

River

Yeah, absolutely! Head over! I'll tell Joss.

See you soon!

V

This an ancient Ward family secret?

River

Uh-huh. Onions, paprika, thyme…

Just need to mince some celery and garlic. But you stir, please. Stir.

V

I'm stirrin', I'm stirrin'.

River

Bet my socks you've never had better jambalaya.

V

2ADon't mean to spoil a nice day, but I gotta ask...

2AWhat about Peter Pan?

River

2AYou're asking if I killed him.

2AWe'll talk later, OK?

V

3ASure, no pressure. It's just I... y'know.

River

3AI know.

3AAll right, I think you've stirred enough.

3AMind grabbing the rice from the kitchen?

V

3AYes, sir.

3ABasmati, nice.

River

3ATomatoes in next...

3ANow you can toss in the rice.

V

4ARice is in.

River

4AOK, now this has to bubble and brew. Patio?

4AGrab a chair… and a beer or something else.

V

4AIt's nice out here.

River

4AYeah. It seems all good, like nothing bad ever happened.

V

4ATell me now? About Harris?

River

4AI paid him a visit at the hospital.

4AI wasn't sure that was what I really wanted.

V

4AOne shot to the head. Quick and clean.

River

4AI had the same thought. It would be so easy…

4AI pressed the gun to his head and…

4ARemembered something…

V

4ARiver...?

River

4AHow my parents died. Sure you want to hear this…?

V

5AYou know, probably not the best time now?

5AWe were gonna do the nice, relaxing thing. Uh, sounds heavy, this.

River

5AOK, yeah. You're probably right.

V

5AJust… Harris – what did you do? Had the gun to his head and…?

5BWhat… happened?

River

5BOld man had a farm, like Harris' dad. But when business took a turn, well…

5BMy parents managed to open a small grocery. We lived on the floor above.

5BA loud noise woke us one night…

5BThey wanted cash, register was empty, so they stormed upstairs.

5BForced us all to kneel and demanded my dad tell 'em where he hid the money.

5BMostly I remember my mom cryin' while my dad swore they'd found all we had…

5BOne was skezzed out of his mind. He fired first, blew half my dad's skull off.

V

5BJesus, River... I'm sorry.

River

5BHe was erratic, went rabid. Handed me his gun and ordered me to aim it at my mom's head.

5BI still can see her tear filled eyes at the end of that barrel to this day.

V

5BWhat'd you do?

River

5BNothin'. I stood frozen.

5BFinally he just snatched the gun back, shot my mother and they left. Police never caught 'em.

5BThat was why I joined the force. I couldn't agree with scum like that roaming free, no one to hunt 'em.

V

6ACan't tell you how sorry I am.

River

6ASo when I stood over Harris in that hospital bed, barrel to his brow…

6AI was that kid again... But I was also the junkie who shot my parents.

V

7AI understand.

7BDidn't kill him, then?

6BWas Joss there too? Saw all this?

River

6BMhm. And I think, when she looks at me, she still sees that boy holdin' a gun to her mom's head.

5BOK, yeah. You're probably right.

V

5BJust… Harris – what did you do? Had the gun to his head and…?

V

8ARiver, you don't gotta go on…

River

8AHeard sob stories enough?

V

8ANo, just… this is tough, I can tell. You really don't need to rehash it now.

River

4AI've ended a few lives in my time... but never like that. Never an execution.

4AI slipped outta the hospital quick, told myself the case was closed.

V

4AThat's good. But what now? You're not goin' back to the PD?

River

4A"PI" has a nice ring to it. Who knows – we'll see.

V

9AWhat're we gonna play, Uncle River?

Kid Boy

9AYou'll see!

4AUncle River, you said you'd play with us!

Kid Girl

4AYou promised!

River

4AAll right, all right. Let's go. V, join us?

4AYep. In a strange slumber between life and death. An empty shell in a hospital bed.

V

10AYou flatline him?

10BHe still in a coma?

V

13AHow's Randy?

Joss

13AStill in the hospital, still in shock. But he's makin' progress.

13AHaven't had the chance to tell you just how grateful I am.

V

14AIt was all River. I just helped.

14BWhat matters is it's over now.

Joss

13AI just don't know... how to repay you... If Randy had--

V

13ADon't owe me a thing, Joss.

Joss

13AHeh. I'm so quick to break down.

13AAnyway, the rice is… right there.

13AThank you.

13ARiver's out back. Y'know, he can't seem to stop gushin' about you.

V

13BThanks for havin' me over.

Joss

13BI should be thanking you.

V

13CLookin' good, Joss.

Joss

13CReally think so? Thanks.

4AReally nice of you to come.

4ANo, Randy's always been that way. But I'm sure this didn't help none... You know, his father was a difficult man, too…

4AThat's exactly what I told 'em. But I always got the same speech back. Nobody cares about these kids who don't exactly fit the mold.

4AIn those words, yeah. Wanted to tear my hair out every time I heard 'em.

4AAnd when can I visit again?

4AThat's great, 'cause I really wanna bring him something. He loves music so... Sorry?

4ANo, I'll remember. Just tell me.

4AThanks so, so much. You've been wonderful, a huge help. Mhm... Yes, talk again soon.

V

15AUm, where'll I find the rice?

15BHow you doin', Joss?

Joss

4AI'll call you back later.

V

2BHow's Randy holdin' up?

River

2BHe's looking for his old self.

2BPhysically, though – it'll be a long road before he's back to full health.

V

2BAnd mentally? That was some experience…

River

2BWhat Harris did to him – fucked as this might sound – might've helped the kid.

2BCould be wrong, but... it feels like a clean break for him.

V

2CSomehow look different than usual today.

River

2CIs that so?

V

2CYeah… different, meanin' normal. As if you got a good night's sleep.

River

2CMh. Well, wanted you to see this side of me, too.

V

2DHonestly? Thought you were kidding about the cook-off.

2DOr that Joss'd sweat away in the kitchen, while…

River

2DHow? Joss doesn't know the first thing about cooking.

2DActually, I like to torture foodstuffs, heh… Haven't had many opportunities lately.

V

16ANot comin'?

Johnny

16ANot really my jam, picnics. But you have fun.

16ASpinnin' a new song anyway. Rather focus on that.

River

Over here!

Glad you're here. I need your help, cookin'.

V

What's on the menu?

River

Jambalaya. C'mon, you can stir the meat.

V

Um, soymeat? OK.

V

18ADunno... Maybe Joss'd be more help.

River

18AJoss did her bit. Just grab the damn spoon and start stirring.

V

19AHey. How's it goin'?

Kid Boy

Hi!

Kid Girl

Oh, hey!

V

Hm, I think it was here…

River

Gotta keep mixin' if it's not gonna burn.

Still stirrin'?

Girl

Dorian! We're playin'!

Boy

Yeah! "Big Trouble in Heywood!"

Girl

Grab your set.

Sobchak VR

1AWell? Whaddaya think?

V

2AAlways wanted to try a game like this.

2BCould be fun.

Sobchak VR

1AWell, well, nice firepower there.

Girl VR

1AThis is no time to get distracted. We can't let that filth get away!

V

1AWho? Oh… well look at you.

Sobchak VR

1AV, allow me to introduce Captain Joan McClane and Lieutenant Henry Callahan.

1AThey're our precinct's best and brightest. Wouldn't want to get in their way.

Boy VR

1AI always work alone. No exceptions. Even for you.

Girl VR

1AYeah, me too.

V

3AAll right, let's get to it.

Sobchak VR

3ARight, all we gotta do is track down El Chamuco Endiablado and take out his lackeys along the way.

Boy VR

3AHe'll pay for his crimes.

Sobchak VR

3AWe play like two teams, us and the kids. But we work toward the same objective.

3AThe team with the best result wins.

Girl VR

3AYou don't stand a chance.

Sobchak VR

3AHey, V… Just go easy, OK? It's their favorite game.

V

3ASure.

River

3AWell? Kids're waiting. You know how to put that on, don't ya?

Sobchak VR

3AOh, there he is! Get him!

Bandit Leader

3AThis city's mine. You'll never take 'er from me.

3AHahaha!

Boy VR

3AHe's fast. But not fast enough to escape justice.

Girl VR

3AWatch out! It's his cronies!

3ANext round, next round!

Boy VR

3AThis way. It must be their rat-infested hideout.

3AI could smell the moral decay from a mile off.

Girl VR

3AHmm… Quiet. Too quiet…

Sobchak VR

3AIt's a trap! They were waitin' for us!

Girl VR

3AOK, that's all of 'em. But next time we gotta be faster.

River

3AWell? Kids're waiting. You know how to put that on, don't ya?

Boy VR

3AOut of the way, citizen! Obstructing justice is punishable by law!

Girl VR

3AThis is your last warning!

Neighbour

3AEasy there, captain! I'm just passin' through.

Girl VR

3ANot far now.

3ADon't charge in there, Callahan. I can't afford to lose one of my best men.

Boy VR

3ADon't worry about me.

3AOK, I think we got 'em all.

3ABut it's not over yet…

Bandit Leader

3ASome last words?

Boy VR

3AFine. Out with it, scumbag. I wanna see you squirm.

Bandit Leader

3ANo. YOUR last words! Hahaha!

Boy VR

3AOh c'mon… Another ambush?

Sobchak VR

3AOK, so now--

Joss

3ALunch's ready!

Girl VR

3ABut mooom, we almost had him!

Joss

3AOh, you'll get 'im next time.

Boy

3AAt least we beat the grown-ups!

Girl

3AWe're the best!

River

3AThanks for lettin' 'em win. They had fun.

V

4ANah, they're great kids. It's no problem.

River

4ASeems they took a liking to you, too.

V

4BHuh? Oh, no, they had me flat beat.

Boy

3ADid you see the score? That sucked.

Girl

3AI hate this game.

River

3AYou two did great! It was really close!

3AShould've let 'em win. They take this game pretty serious.

V

5AYeah, sorry. Kinda let myself get sucked into it.

River

5AAh, well… Least they had a little fair competition.

V

5BAh, c'mon, it's just a game.

River

5BHmph… Sure.

3AWell? Kids're waiting. You know how to put that on, don't ya?

3AWell? Kids're waiting. You know how to put that on, don't ya?

Girl VR

3AAaaah! Behind us!

River

3AWell? Kids're waiting. You know how to put that on, don't ya?

Boy VR

3AHey, I have better aim!

3AToo slow! Too many donuts!

Sobchak VR

3ANot done yet!

Boy VR

3ATake that!

Sobchak VR

3ANot half bad!

Girl VR

3AHe's hit! He's hit!

Sobchak VR

3ANot half bad!

Girl VR

3AHe's hit! He's hit!

V

3AIs that all you got?

Girl VR

3ANuh-uh! Watch this!

V

3BGot a crash course, anything I oughta know?

Girl VR

3BThe entire city is sick with crime and corruption. Lawlessness rules the streets.

3BAnd we're no saints either. Even the police are haunted by the sins of their past.

3BBut the city's without hope. No one else would ever dare face... El Chamuco Endiablado.

Boy VR

3BOho, he's the worst! But I know we can beat 'im!

Girl VR

3BThe city's most evilest mastermind ever…

V

3COoh, I've heard of cops like you. The lone wolf type.

Sobchak VR

3CThat's right. Thorns in their commander's side. Rebels who play by their own rules.

Boy VR

3CI've been suspended one time, retired two times and kicked off the force three times.

3CI'm gettin' too old for this.

Girl VR

3CBut something always drags you back.

Boy VR

3CThe city needs me.

Girl VR

This is no time to get distracted. We can't let that filth get away!

V

Who? Oh… well look at you.

Sobchak VR

V, allow me to introduce Captain Joan McClane and Lieutenant Henry Callahan.

They're our precinct's best and brightest. Wouldn't want to get in their way.

Boy VR

I always work alone. No exceptions. Even for you.

Girl VR

Yeah, me too.

River

Well? Kids're waiting. You know how to put that on, don't ya?

V

Unemployment's bein' good to you, ya seem good.

Joss

River's discovering the joys of family life.

River

That and police duty – never a good mix. This here's a way to get some of those years back.

Joss

I haven't seen him this... untroubled in a while.

What about you, V? You got a family, or just relations?

V

2AUsed to see family as baggage, something that'd hold me back. You know, career first.

2ADidn't do any better for not havin' one, though.

2BUsed to be a nomad, but the family fell apart.

2BYears ago, feels like.

2CGrew up in Heywood. Whole street was my family.

2CNeighbors helped each other out, thought nothin' of it.

2DFamily's a breeding ground for pain. Not sure I'm cut out for it.

2DCan barely take care of myself as is.

2EDon't have one, don't want one.

2ENo place for me in one, and I just don't need it.

2FIf the future allows it, I... I'd like to have one someday.

2FIf for no other reason than that I love get-togethers like this.

Joss

Nothin's more important to me than my kids.

I've made mistakes, life's gone off the rails sometimes, but I had my kids... I got my kids.

V

3AJoss, you see me bein' a parent, ever?

Joss

3AI mean, I don't exactly look like good mom material myself, so…

Kid Girl

3AYes, who says yes?

V

4AI do!

Kid Girl

4AHaha, she raised her hand herself! Hihi!

Joss

4AV, are you seeing someone, involved? Fess up, please!

V

4AUmm...

River

4AWell, that's decided.

V

4AGot an 11-99, officer needs backup.

River

4AC'mon, pull you outta this ambush.

4AHere we are.

V

4AWhat're we lookin' at?

River

4AA water tower. Great spot.

V

4AGreat for what?

River

4AHavin' a drink, shootin' the shit.

4ALemme give you a boost. Climb over, open it from the other side.

River

5AOn our way…

5AArea's not bad, actually. Unlikely to dazzle, make a good first impression, though.

V

5ACertainly no Corpo Plaza.

River

5ANo, but life's livable here. Know of worse places to raise kids.

V

5ARandy's problems with the law? Those didn't pop outta thin air…

River

5ATrue, but Randy takes after his old man. He'd find trouble in a nicer neighborhood, too.

5AApparently the worst city between the Atlantic and the Pacific.

5ABut I sure do love this view. Find it calming.

V

5AView's to die for. Great spot, indeed.

River

5ATold ya…

5AGot something for you.

V

6AYour piece?

River

6AHad her a long time. Too long. I think it's time she found a new owner.

V

6ADunno what to say...

6BWow. What's the occasion?

River

6BAimin' to close a door, a stage of my life is done. This thing holds too many memories, won't let me do that. It'll serve you better.

V

6BThank you.

River

5AJust promise you won't blow your foot off.

V

5AOddly specific request.

River

5AJoss's husband did it. Drunk. This very spot.

V

5AWhich made this your special spot! Family landmark?

River

5ASomethin' of the kind.

5AOK, that'd be about all the funny stories I got tonight.

5ANow for the highlight of the evening.

5AUp for a drink?

V

7ASomethin' strong's sure to hit the spot.

River

7ANow that I understand.

V

7BGot some lemonade, anything in that vein?

River

7BLemon--? Heh… well, sure, but seriously?

V

7BWas supposed to be a family dinner. Wasn't expecting... hard lubrication.

V

8ATo friendship.

River

8ATo friendship.

V

8AGot any more of that?

River

8ATwo bottles of whiskey and a case of beer oughta be enough.

V

8AWe'll see about that.

River

8ABuckle your liver in. Gonna be a long night and a longer morning, heh.

8ASure you don't mind me drinkin'? Probably lots more?

V

8ANo, you kiddin'? Your spot, this, your customs.

River

8AYou'll hang with me, though? I can be awfully charming when drunk.

V

8AHm. We'll see.

8BHere's to Joss and the kids.

River

8BYeah, to family.

V

8CHere's to that fuckin' city.

River

8CTo Night City.

V

8DTo us.

River

8DWhoooa... V... What're you doin'?

V

8DSorry, I--I thought...

River

8DRight... Listen...

V

8DLook, no need to explain. I get it. And it's fine.

River

5AAll right, V. You know why we're here, don't ya? Say you do.

5APlease don't string me along.

V

9AThat the pick-up line you settled on?

9A'Cause, maybe heard three in my life that were worse, and just a little at that.

River

9AWouldn't mind hearin' 'em.

V

9AYeah? Happy to oblige.

V

10A"Way you swallow – beautiful."

River

10AHah… You serious?

V

10AThis guy and I, sitting at a diner.

10AFive minutes he gapes at me, not a word, then drops that bomb.

River

10AOof...

V

10BSo I'm at a bar and this gonk taps me on the shoulder and says, "Here I am, baby. You got two wishes left."

River

10BWhat'd you say?

V

10BSpoke my second wish – that he would fuck off.

River

10BWas there a third?

V

10BMhm. Wished him a speedy recovery. Broken arm – merciful, I'd say.

10C"I'll fuck you for free."

River

10CHahaha... what...?!

V

10CGot a contract – to pull info out of a gigolo in a techmink fedora.

10CIt was weird, he was spilliiin'… And then he pulled that one out of his hat.

River

10CA candid and generous proposal, V. You should've at least considered it.

9AOK, last one was good.

9AY'know, woman once told me I have sexy calves.

V

9AThat's it?

River

9AJust like her boyfriend's... before he lost his legs in the war.

V

9AYiiikes.

River

9AShe was right, though. I do have great calves.

V

9BEver feel alone?

River

9B'Course I do. But doubt I'm cut out for relationships.

V

9BI doubt you know who you're talkin' to. Me, I'm a master of disastrous relationships.

River

9BI'll need some evidence.

V

11AWas only ever in love once. I was a shithead, while he was... he was great.

River

11ABuuut...?

V

11AWell, he had...quirks, between the sheets, I mean. Found that out later.

11ACouldn't get hard without a mask on. And not the Venetian carnival kind, but US presidents. A closet full.

River

11AThe hell…?

V

11AHad to dump him. Could only fuck Honest Abe so many times.

River

11AHahaha... you made that up. C'mon, admit it.

V

11ANo, no, seriously!

11BSmashed one relationship to pieces along with the fucker's jaw.

River

11BWhy, what'd he do?

V

11BSaid I was too aggressive for him.

11BKidding... He had a side bitch, caught 'em fucking between the sheets I'd bought.

River

11BOof... classic.

V

11CBooked a skydiving experience for this one guy I was dating...

11CAnd he never came back.

River

11CAh, V, I'm sorry... I know what it means when somebody close dies.

V

11CDies? No... no-no-no, just, fallin' outta that plane he fell in love with his instructor.

River

9BNice story, but it don't beat my last serious liaison.

V

9BWhat'd you do?

River

9BI shot her.

V

9BShuddup…

River

9BHad no choice. Found ourselves standing on opposite sides of the law.

9BBut don't worry, never made it a habit. I'm done shooting the women I date.

V

12AI see what you're doin', River.

River

12AAnd how am I doin'? Do I stand a chance?

V

13AJust don't fall in love with me…

River

13AToo late, V.

13AToo late.

V

14BRiver, I… I can't. I'm sorry.

River

14BYou're turnin' down the best damn lover in this whole trailer park.

V

14BFriends?

River

14BYeah... friends.

5AAll right. We can still have a drink.

V

5AListen, River… if you expect this to evolve somehow…

River

5ADon't stand a chance, do I?

V

5AMaybe we keep it at friends.

River

5AYeah. Sure.

V

5AI dunno, River...

5A'Scrapers kinda clutter it up for me.

5AYeah. I like where we are now, right here, outside lookin' in.

5AAway from all the urban chaos. Reminds me a bit of home.

5AOut here, you can't smell the shit the corps dump on the streets.

5ALike the city's their own personal toilet. Shit, flush, repeat.

River

5AHm, poetic, couldn’t'a said it better.

V

5A'Scrapers actually seem pretty majestic from out here, not seein' what goes on inside.

River

5AMemories?

V

5AHigh stress, dirty backstabs, kind of pressure that gives you ulcers…

5ASomehow I just don't miss it.

V

16AOK…!

River

16AJust push. Seems easier to open from that side.

V

5AYeah, OK, good.

5ANo need.

River

5AWhoa, OK! We like leapin'!

4AFor, y'know... the views.

V

4AThe views... Right.

River

17AThanks, Joss!

V

17AYeah, thanks!

17APhew, situation was gettin' dicey.

River

17AThat's what partners are for.

17AYou were about a hair's breadth away from havin' to look at photo albums.

V

17AYou're just gettin' out of doin' the dishes, admit it.

River

17AAlso true. Which gives us two reasons to go.

V

17AThis a romantic stroll, by chance?

River

17ANot about to pick you flowers, if that's what you're askin'.

17AThis way-- Ah, fuck, gate's stuck again. Gonna fix it one of these days.

V

3BSpeaking of, be great if Randy was here.

River

3BWon't be long.

Joss

3BRandy loooves jambalaya.

Well... you brought my family back to me, and I'm grateful.

V

If you say so, Joss...

Joss

And my brother likes you.

River

Joss...

Joss

Well, why hide it?

V

18AC'mon, Joss, you don't see wedding bells in my future, surely.

Joss

18AWhy not?

Kid Girl

18AWho thinks V and Uncle River make a good couple?

V

19AHahah, I do!

Kid Boy

19AHahaha, V just voted!

V

18BProlly asked you to say that himself, didn't he?

Joss

18BWow – how did she know?

Hey! Food's on the table!

Joss

Time to see if this tastes as good as it smells.

River

Grab a seat.

Joss

So, was your game fun?

Kid Boy

Awesome! We kicked their big butts!

Joss

The bad guys?

Kid Boy

Huh? Oh, yeah the bad guys, too!

Kid Girl

It was OK. V's pretty nova, I guess.

Joss

Maybe you oughta play together more often, huh?

Kid Girl

Mhm! But she's on my team next time!

Johnny

Christ, V. Can't believe you're makin' me fuck a cop.

Gonna go plug my ears, gouge out my eyes.