Dialogue: Gig: Freedom of the Press

V

Take care, Max.

Max Jones

Yeah, you too.

V

Take care, Max.

Max Jones

Yeah, you too.

Regina

I know about Max. I know what happened. Been wondering what to say, what words would hurt the most.

But you know what? Not worth it. I should've known a merc like you wouldn't be up to the task.

I know about Max – that you left him there. This was the one real chance to help, but now… you scared him off. To hide somewhere else.

Corpos will probably track him down before I can. Guess you can work out what that means…

I should've known a merc like you wouldn't be suited for a task this sensitive.

Thanks for the help! Glad you got through to that stubborn mule. Looks like I'm up to bat with him now. Gig closed.

Obviously, I know Max is safe, but... from his state I can tell there were some complications. Ehhh... guess that was to be expected...

Contract shut.

Regina

Guy named Max Jones needs help. He might disagree, but if you don't get to the stubborn gonk first, he's as good as dead.

Max is a media and a good friend of mine. Need you to bring him to me – if he puts up a fight, you're cleared to use force. Like I said – he's stubborn. Detes attached.

Veteran A

Shrapnel from a grenade tore straight through my thigh.

Veteran B

Me? I got blowed up.

Max Jones

By...

Veteran B

Just your usual IED – Improvised Explosive Device.

Veteran A

We're barely out of the ICU when they roll up, cameras scrollin' fresh footage for the corp.

Veteran B

Put our faces on T.V. – told us what to say. Wanted to show people how much they care about vets.

Max Jones

The show – "In Blood We Serve."

Veteran B

Tha'ss right. They gave us nova implants, preem med-care, even the big cats from the board showed up...

Max Jones

Then they packed up their cameras and forgot all about you...

Veteran B

Psh, yeah...

Veteran A

And get this – those implants? We had to give 'em back.

Replaced 'em with these first-gen pieces o' garbage...

Veteran B

They did us dirty, yo. Took everythin' from us. Tossed us like... like...

Max Jones

It's OK. I understand.

You a corpo?

Tell me or I shoot!

V

1ANot a fucking suit. Name's V, Regina sent me.

Max Jones

1ARegina? Pssh...

1ATell her she can get fucked.

V

2AThere's a death-warrant out for you, but you probably already knew that.

Max Jones

2AUh-huh.

V

2AYeah, I could give a shit, too. But Regina wants to help you out.

Max Jones

2AHelp me out? She's the one who needs help.

2AShe was the best media I knew! Shit, she was my mentor! And now? Pssh – sold right out.

2ABut I won't be bought! Not me!

V

3ARegina was your mentor?

Max Jones

3ANot just mine. She was the best war reporter in Night City.

V

3ABut then she turned fixer.

Max Jones

3AYeah. Like I said. Sold out.

V

3B"Never ever sold out." That'll look great on your tombstone.

Max Jones

3BBetter than "sellout bitch."

V

3BYou really hate Regina that much?

Max Jones

3BWas talking about you... D--... doesn't it bother you? The PR machines, 24/7 lies, the cover-ups...?

2AThings used to be different... a media's word fucking meant something.

2AWe tracked those sons-o'-bitches' every dirty move.

2AAnd now? You can prove Holt's in Arasaka's pocket, and nobody gives a flying turdfuck.

V

4AC'mon, let's go. You go the way of the gonk here – won't change a thing.

Max Jones

4ARunning won't change anything either. I'll manage without your help.

V

4AThis all out of spite for Regina? You got something to prove to her?

Max Jones

4APsh, you don't know jack.

V

5AYou got an itch for the truth, don't ya? If you wanna know who Regina is now, what she really fights for – just go and see her.

Max Jones

5AMhm.

V

5AAt the very least, it'd mean a lot to her.

5AMax?

Max Jones

5AI'll talk to her. But that's it.

V

5AThat's all I ask.

Max Jones

5A'Kay. Just gotta download a few things.

V

5ADo what you gotta do.

5B'Kay, you're startin' to bore me. Let's go.

Max Jones

5BI'm not going anywhere.

V

5BThen I'll make you.

Max Jones

5BHeh, good luck.

V

4BYou think you're hot shit, but you might as well be a fly buzzing in a corpo's ear.

Max Jones

4BSo I'll keep buzzing.

V

4BIt's not medias they're losing sleep over. It's fixers with razor-sharp intel. The kind that'll slit your throat.

Max Jones

4BYeah, 'cause I'm sure Regina's the one keepin' Yorinobu up at night.

V

4CPut you in touch with some nomads. Join 'em, ride with 'em, let this blow over. Give yourself a break.

Max Jones

4CA break from what? From responsibility?

4CSorry, but that's not my style.

V

4DSo why do that veteran piece? If we're all so fresh outta fucks to give?

Max Jones

4DSo that people'd start asking questions. Start wondering. Just like you, now.

4DMaybe that little grain of discomfort will grow into dissent. Who knows? Figure it's worth a try.

V

2BThat loaded?

2CWhy the suicide threats, huh?

Max Jones

2CThought you were a corpo, sent to silence me.

V

2CSo you woulda died anyway.

Max Jones

2CBut on my own terms! The bastards control everything, but me, I get to decide when I go! I do!

2CTell Regina that, too. Not gonna break, not like her.

V

2DHeard your interview on the way up.

Max Jones

2DStarted broadcasting the moment you showed up on the feed.

2DIt wasn't finished, not like I wanted it... But, at least people got the truth.

V

2EWhen did medias become crack-explosives experts?

Max Jones

2EYou mean the mines? Courtesy of the vets you just heard over the PA.

2ELittle token of gratitude for listening and actually giving a fuck. They were trying to protect me.

V

1BMax! Drop that iron, let's talk!

Max Jones

1BNo...! You assholes won't take me alive!

Driver

Regina sent me. Toss him in!

No time to waste – let's go.

Max Jones

A chauffeur? What's next? Champagne? Black market synth-cigars?

V

Sorry about this, Max...

Johnny

You make some sharp points, V. I even got a title for this scene – "A Jab at the Truth."

V

Shut it.

Johnny

And here I thought I was bad with medias.

V

Shut up.

Johnny

You got him? How heavy's the burden of free speech?

V

Johnny. Please.

Johnny

Sure, I'm gone. Just like your conscience.

V

Christ, you're stubborn. It's getting on my nerves.

Max Jones

Stubborn? In my line of work, that's a compliment.

People nowadays... they don't get that...

...

Things used to be different... a media's word fucking meant something.

We tracked those sons-o'-bitches' every dirty move.

And now? You can prove Holt's in Arasaka's pocket, and nobody gives a flying turdfuck.