Dialogue: Leave in Silence

V

Bein' awful quiet. Everything all right?

Reed

I think I'm all outta words for you.

V

1AWhat happened back there… can tell it's eatin' at you. Wanna talk about it?

Reed

1AYou wanna know what's eatin' at me? That I didn't get to her first. Ahead of you.

V

1AReed...

1BThink it's my fault, don't you? Think I'm the reason she's dead?

Reed

1BI'd like to think you are.

V

1BReed...

1C'Kay, then say nothin'. Not like I care.

Reed

It should've been me down there with So Mi, not you.

I should've looked her in the eye, heard her say she wanted out of life… I could've changed her mind.

V

Really think so?

Agent Bg Lane

Copy, I have eyes on 'em. Stand by to secure target.

V

2AIt's no one's fault, Reed.

Reed

2AStop. Just stop.

V

2ASo Mi chose this path. Nothin' was gonna change that.

Reed

2AShame we'll never know if there's any truth to that.

V

2AChoice wasn't yours to make, Reed. Wasn't your fault.

2AIt's no one's fault, Reed.

Reed

2AStop. Just stop.

V

2BBlamin' yourself for her death 'cause you think you had a say. 'Cept you didn't.

2BNot everything depends on you, Reed.

Reed

2BClearly.

V

2BBlamin' yourself for her death 'cause you think you had a say. 'Cept you didn't.

Reed

2BOf course.

V

2CGet a grip, Reed. Almost there.

Reed

2CDon't worry. I'm fine.

V

2COh yeah, that's clear…

2CGet a grip, Reed. Almost there.

V

3AThink you did. Think you saved her then, hope we'll save her again now.

3AWe're in the same boat – clock's tickin' for both Song and me. Just hope the FIA's up to the task.

Reed

3AOf course.

V

3AThink you did. Think you saved her then, hope we'll save her again now.

3BWish I could say, Reed. But don't blame yourself. No guarantee, none at all, that there's a way out for us.

3BStill got this itch, bothers me. So Mi said that it's too late, that she's beyond savin' already…

3CStill got this itch, bothers me. So Mi said that it's too late, that she's beyond savin' already…

Reed

3CShe's wrong. The best specialists work for us, world's top surgeons. We'll find a way.

V

3CWish I could say, Reed. But don't blame yourself. No guarantee, none at all, that there's a way out for us.

3DReed, Song's alive, neural matrix – we got it. That's what counts. A chance at life for her, and for me.

Reed

3DYeah...

V

3DReed, Song's alive, neural matrix – we got it. That's what counts. A chance at life for her, and for me.

Reed

3DYeah...

We did good, did the right thing. We'll get her help. But I can't…

I can't help stop seein' the same scene, like it's burned inside my dome.

We're in a car, moving, leaving Brooklyn. She refuses to turn, look back.

No tears, no sobbing. Just a statement – "Seems like you saved my life." She doesn't believe it, I can hear she doesn't believe it.

Would she say the same now…?

V

4AWanna talk? Y'know, 'bout what happened?

4BCan't beat yourself to death over this, Reed.

4BWhat matters is she's alive, we're alive.

Haven't said a word the whole way. What's eatin' you?

Reed

Dunno... I dunno, V.

Secret Service Main

Step out of the vehicle, please.

V

5AReed...?

5BHey, don't worry. Plan to stick with you till the end, all right?

Secret Service Main

5BPlease step out of the vehicle.

V

5BReed…?

Secret Service Main

6AFIA special agent Terry. I'll have our people take the body.

Reed

6ANo. V, could you carry So Mi...? Please.

V

7AI got 'er.

Ripperdoc

8APlace her here.

8ARight here, ma'am. Easy does it.

Myers

9ATake good care of her.

Secret Service Reward

9AV? The President would like a word.

9AV? The President would like a word.

Reed

9ADo what they say, V. We don't have time.

Ripperdoc

9AI don't need you hanging over me.

9AJust gonna stand there?

9ACan’t loiter here.

V

10AGood to see you, Madam President…

Myers

10AI wish I could say the same.

V

10AGood to see you, Madam President…

Myers

10ALikewise. Congratulations – I see the operation was a success.

V

10BRosalind.

Myers

10BV.

V

10BHello, Rosalind.

Myers

10BV. Congratulations, you did fine work.

V

10CWon't shake your hand, Myers. Not after all this.

Myers

10CSurely, if there's any blame to lay here it would be at your feet, not mine.

V

10CWon't shake your hand, Myers. Not after all that happened.

Myers

10CAs you wish. In any case, congratulations are in order. You did good work.

V

11AKnow you'd rather have had her alive.

Myers

11AIt seems I have only myself to blame. I should have considered your abilities first. My apologies.

V

11BYou're the reason So Mi's dead – know that, right? That if you hadn't pushed her, past the Blackwall, off a goddamn cliff…?

Myers

11BI did not let that girl drag me around Dogtown by the nose simply to put her down. You know that, don't you?

V

11CWhat'll happen to So Mi now?

Myers

11CFIA Special Agent Song So Mi was killed in the line of duty.

11CI'll make sure that's how she's remembered.

V

11CMh, and how'll you remember her?

Myers

11CAs my failure.

11CI could've done more for her, perhaps. Maybe all of us could have.

V

11DSo what happens now?

Myers

11DWe say our goodbyes. You will return to your life, in Night City. I trust you'll find more success there than you did in Dogtown.

V

12ADid what I had to do. Don't regret a thing, conscience couldn't be clearer.

Myers

12AMaybe you can tell me what that feels like someday.

12AHere's what I do know – you can only fool yourself for so long.

V

12BLook, sorry for how things turned out.

Myers

12BDon't be. You're another victim of this whole mess in a certain sense.

V

12BDon't feel like a victim.

Myers

12BThat would explain quite a lot, wouldn't it?

V

12CSong opted to die rather than fall into your hands. Know that, right?

Myers

12CDeath is never the answer. I've seen too much of it already. Were I in her shoes, I would've chosen life.

V

12CYeah, well, you weren't.

Myers

12CIf I'm not mistaken, neither were you?

V

13AFake smile, hollow phrases, patronizing tone... See why you keep getting reelected.

13A'Cause at day's end, it's just politics to you, isn't it?

Myers

13AYou'd be wise to remember who you're speaking to.

V

13AAn' who would that be, exactly?

13BRosalind, truly hope one day you'll understand. Understand me, So Mi, Reed…

Myers

13BI'd wager I understand more than you think. Much more.

V

13CLiked you better when I was rippin' that tracker outta your neck. You were just... you, then.

Myers

13CI'm still me, and the president.

V

13CMhm, how could I forget.

13DGet why Reed didn't wanna work with you again.

Myers

13DAre you suggesting that your failure is my fault?

V

13DNo. Just makin' sure you know you're a shitty boss.

13EFuck you, Myers, done with your bullshit. Let's wrap up this charade.

Myers

9AAll right… I can't deny you tried to help her.

9AThank you… for your service to the NUSA.

V

14ARosalind, wait.

V

15AAnd… my reward? Remember being promised some help.

Myers

15AYou were promised assistance for bringing So Mi in alive. If you failed to deliver your end of the bargain, why should we deliver ours?

15AIn fact, we should charge you for the harm you've brought to the agency and the NUSA.

15ABut the federal government isn't petty. As for compensation…

V

15BDon't contact me again. Ever. That clear?

Myers

15BContact who? This op never happened, remember?

15BYour compensation. We thank you for your service.

Nusa Soldier

14APlease do as instructed.

Nusa Soldier

14APlease do as instructed.

Nusa Soldier

14APlease do as instructed.

Foreground Lane Soldier

14AKeep moving.

14APlease do as instructed.

Foreground Lane Soldier

14AKeep moving.

14APlease do as instructed.

Foreground Lane Soldier

14AKeep moving.

14APlease do as instructed.

Nusa Soldier

14AKeep moving.

Nusa Soldier

14AKeep moving.

Foreground Lane Soldier

14AKeep moving.

Foreground Lane Soldier

14AKeep moving.

Foreground Lane Soldier

14AKeep moving.

Secret Service Main

14AProceed to the designated area immediately.

Reed

14ADo what they say, V. We don't have time.

Secret Service Main

14AMa'am! Get back here immediately!

V

16AYou all right?

16BThink I know how you're feelin', Reed… Know the pain.

Reed

14AShe asked me once if I… if I'd always be at her side when she fucked up. I said I wouldn't miss it for the world.

14AShe didn't believe me, just smiled. She shook her head, she wasn't buyin' it, I could tell. Then, she dropped this bomb.

14A"Lost all my friends when you recruited me," she says. "Now, don't you become my enemy, that's all I ask."

14AWas I a friend or an enemy... Fuck…

14AShe asked me once if I… if I'd always be at her side when she fucked up. I said I wouldn't miss it for the world.

14AShe didn't believe me, just smiled. She shook her head, she wasn't buyin' it, I could tell. Then, she dropped this bomb.

14A"Lost all my friends when you recruited me," she says. "Now, don't you become my enemy, that's all I ask."

14AI wonder now if she was right not to believe me. Or did I keep my promise after all?

V

17AMaybe all of you… ah, shit, sand's fuckin' hot…

17AThink you were all lookin' for something different, but… you weren't her enemy, Reed. Pretty darn sure of that.

Reed

17AYeah. At least one of us is sure of something.

V

17BReed, I know that… shit, sand's fuckin' hot…

17BKnow you'd prolly rather not hear this now, but…

17BMaybe becoming her enemy was the sole way you could save her? Risked everything, both of you…

Reed

17BAnd we both have to pay the price?

V

17CThey were-- shit, ground's hot…

17CThey were her choices, Reed. Her mistakes, not yours.

Reed

17CI should've seen the consequences before it was too late.

V

17CWell, she did. Knew 'em and came to terms with 'em.

17DListen, there any way-- shit, sand's fuckin' hot…

17DThere any way I can help?

Reed

17DI need to help myself. I just don't know how.

14AI failed her.

V

18AKnow what it's like to lose someone close.

18AAll the questions you think of, then mull, with no prospect of ever getting an answer.

Reed

18AMh. Questions without answers. About summed up my whole life there.

V

18BCan't beat yourself up over this. Reed. Need time, is all.

Reed

18BI've had time, V. Seven goddamn years.

18BLong enough to start bein' honest with myself.

V

18CSo Mi didn't blame you, and neither should you.

18DYou failed her. Prolly not even the first time.

Reed

18DThanks.

V

18DBut that's also what saved her. She chose her own path. Not yours, not Myers'.

Reed

18DAlways her way or the highway. Fuck. I just didn't think there'd be a four-hundred foot drop at the end of it.

V

14AY'know, Reed… got to know So Mi 'bout as well as you knew her. Ever wanna talk…

Reed

14AMhm.

14AYou're goin' home, So Mi. Be seein' you soon.

14ASo Mi... For all it's worth, I hope you're at peace.

14AI think it's high time you headed back to Night City.

V

19AArgh, sand's fuckin' hot…

Reed

19AYou know So Mi got the same medal? Just after her first FIA op.

19AShe gave it to a homeless man on Twenty-First. The guy just pinned it to his jacket like it was nothin' and asked for spare change.

19ADammit, V. Just damn.

V

20A'S just the kind of person Song was…

Reed

20AUnpredictable or uncompromising?

V

20AWalked her own paths only and always.

Reed

20AIt's a shame we didn't know where they'd lead.

V

20BReed, if Myers is lyin', if she doesn't save So Mi…

20BMeans we gave Song somethin' worse than death…

Reed

20BYou think I don't know that?

20BThe FIA'll save her. She'll be all right.

V

20CSo Mi's safe. Need to start lookin' out for yourself now.

Reed

20CMeanin' what, exactly?

V

20CYou know what. Meanin' not gettin' sidelined, benched. Doubt you could take another seven years of that.

Reed

20CYou're right, I couldn't.

V

20DIt was a sign, Reed. Should never've recruited her, tried turning her into something she wasn't.

Reed

20DI didn't care if she was a patriot. I needed an agent.

V

20DThere a difference?

Reed

19AListen, I need a few days to put together what we promised you. I trust that's no problem.

V

21ASure, I can wait. Few days won't kill me.

21BRather you hurried up. Kinda livin' on borrowed time here.

Reed

21BI'm aware.

19AMedal and coin from Myers... they're tokens of important memories, never of regrets.

V

22AHeh, sure. If ever there're moments I chalk this up to some crazy dream, they'll serve as proof – that we really did go to hell and back.

22ASo thanks, Reed.

22BCould end up as souvenirs. Or a warnin'. Only time'll tell.

22CDon't take this the wrong way, but I'll probably, uh, give it away, like So Mi did. Or sell it.

22CGonna need serious scratch after you patch up my head.

Reed

22CIt's all yours, do what you will with it.

19AThe medal they tried to offer you... So Mi got the same one. Right after her first FIA op.

19AShe gave it to a homeless man on Twenty-First. The guy just pinned it to his jacket like it was nothin' and asked for spare change.

19ADammit, V. Just damn.

Ripperdoc

14AWe're all set to go.

Myers

9AYou took an oath, V – purely symbolic, as patriotic rituals go. But that's why I'm doubly impressed.

9ABecause you risked your life to help me – to help our nation.

V

23AUh.. didn't expect this…

Myers

23AThank you, V, for your aid. I won't forget this.

V

23BMhm. This bauble a thinly-veiled attempt to buy my loyalty? My silence?

Myers

23BIt's merely a token of my appreciation. I won't forget what you did for us, V.

V

23CDidn't do all this for a medal, but because I had no choice. Tryin' to survive, not collect scrap.

Myers

23CI see... Very well, then. In spite of everything, I appreciate your help. It won't be forgotten.

V

24ASo what happens now?

Myers

24AWe say our goodbyes. You will return to Night City. Take pride in what you've achieved here, V.

V

24BSo Mi's alive, maybe she'll get better, but... this isn't what she wanted.

24BMaybe we should've listened to her.

Myers

24BIt's nothing to dwell on.

V

24BEasy for you to say.

Myers

24BWrong, V. It's never easy.

24BBoth of you saved So Mi's life, V.

24BYou can't put a price on that, but I'll try.

V

25AThanks. 'S all I wanted, needed to hear.

Myers

25AI know.

V

25CCountin' on you, Myers. Don't disappoint.

25DCool, so is this it? Gettin' down to brass tacks, droppin' the act, sendin' the paparazzi packin', wherever they are?

Myers

25DRest assured no recordings of this meeting will appear anywhere. Officially, it's not taking place.

V

24CYou can help her... you're sure?

Myers

24CRest easy, she'll be in excellent hands, receive the best care available on the continent.

V

24CShe'd better, Rosalind, she'd better.

24DThat's right, you won't. And I'll never forget how So Mi begged me to end her life.

Myers

24DPoor girl.

V

24DShe wanted to die, you know, over returning to the fold?

Myers

24DShe's in pain, she's suffering. More than we can imagine.

24DBut I've seen too much death – it's never the answer. I'm on the side of life.

V

24DThink she'll have a change of heart?

Myers

24DI know she will.

V

9AWhat about the help you promised me?

Myers

9AThe medal is purely symbolic, of course.

9AYour actual compensation will be more practical. Reed will fill you in on the details.

V

26ASo long, Rosalind.

Myers

26ABest of luck, V. Perhaps one day you'll be called on to serve again.

26AWe'll have our eye on you.

V

26BGood thing it'll be Reed. 'Cause I sure as shit can't stomach much more of you.

Myers

26BYou should work on how you express gratitude, V. Good luck nonetheless.

V

26CWhen So Mi's better, you'll send word?

Myers

26CNot to worry – she'll recover.

V

26C'Kay, but you'll let me know, right? Let me talk to her?

Myers

26CI'm afraid that will be impossible.

26CNational security demands that all that has transpired here will be classified top secret.

9AV, you risked your life to help me – to help our nation. That merits recognition.

8ADon't worry, So Mi. We'll help, this'll be over soon.

Songbird

8AUngh...

Secret Service Main

8AArea secured. All clear for landing.

6ALet’s go. Out of the car. Now.

Reed

6AStand the fuck down! Can't you see she needs help?!

6AV, I need you to help her.

V

27AI got it.

Songbird

27AAgh...

27AEkh ekh...

27AArgh...

Convoy Agent

6ALookin' lost. Better turn right around.

6A'Ey!

Secret Service Main

6AMa'am! Get back here immediately!

Convoy Agent

6AKeep back.

6AHuh?

Secret Service Main

6AMa'am! Get back here immediately!

Convoy Agent

6AStep back right this second!

6ATurn back and follow all instructions.

Convoy Agent

6AWhat the hell's that? Not allowed!

6AYou hear me?!

Convoy Agent

6APlease step back.

Foreground Lane Soldier

6ANo passage.

6AStop right there.

Foreground Lane Soldier

6ANo passage.

6AStop right there.

Foreground Lane Soldier

6AKeep moving.

6APlease do as instructed.

Nusa Soldier

6APlease do as instructed.

Secret Service Main

Pull up here.

V

Riiight…

Secret Service Main

Stretcher over here, stat!

Reed

Good.

Secret Service Main

Please step out of the vehicle.

Everything all right, ma'am?

Reed

Come on, V, she needs help.

Get it together, V.

Ripperdoc

Is there a problem?

Secret Service Reward

It's yours now, ma'am.

Myers

Not to your liking?

Secret Service Main

We're losing time.

Ripperdoc

Ma'am, please, don't interfere.

Myers

At ease, V. No need to be formal. All's well that ends well.

You've nothing to say to me, is that it?

Should I take your silence to mean something?

Don't keep me waiting.

Is everything all right, V?

Is anything the matter?

My time is valuable, you seem to want to waste it…

V, where to? We really should talk.

Reed

Do what they say, V. We don't have time.

V, what're you waiting for?

V, I need you to help her.

Myers

Well? What is it?

You're wasting my time.

My time's worth millions, V.

Here you are.

V

Sure, I can wait. Few days won't kill me.

Reed

Good.

Johnny

Y'know...

Ever since the start of this whole FIA business, been tryin' to pin down a strange feelin'…

This fear gnawin' at my insides, yellin' louder and louder, yellin' that I should delta as far away as possible. Think I've finally figured out what it was.

V

1ASo Johnny of you. Ghosting the second shit gets complicated. Or uncomfortable.

Johnny

1AFuck off. How's that for bein' Johnny?

V

1AJust look at your relationships.

Johnny

1AOK, enough.

1ASome stories don't get a happy ending 'fore the credits roll. Leavin' questions you're never gonna find answers to.

1AQuestions you'll lug around till the day you croak.

V

1ASounds about right.

Johnny

1ABetter believe it.

V

2AStory's over, Johnny. You're beatin' a dead horse.

Johnny

2AWhat if it's not actually dead?

V

2APast's the past. Do yourself a favor and let it rest in peace.

2BCan turn into a self-fulfillin' prophecy, y'know – dwellin' on past mistakes…

Johnny

2BHow do you mean?

V

2BYou try so hard to run away from 'em, you forget you're goin' around in a neat, little circle, headin' for a head-on.

Johnny

2BAnd fuckin' bam.

V

2BExactly.

2CY'know… people come and go through your life, leave questions like a shit on the living room floor. 'S just how it is.

2CSometimes they carry the stink o' truth, sometimes they don't. You just gotta let it go, Johnny. There's no other way.

Johnny

1AAhh… One way or another, shit always ends up fucked.

1AFirst Saburo, then Yorinobu, now Myers... Got a knack for gettin' in dangerous peeps' way, you know?

1AFor real, though... How's it feel, y'know, with all that's gone down?

V

3ADid what So Mi asked me to do. Why, wrong call, ya think?

Johnny

3AWith you on the decision itself, but...

3AStill, ain't gonna be me strugglin' to sleep, thinkin' maybe there was some way to save the chick.

V

3BWasn't about to let So Mi fall into Myers' hands, to be a lab rat to poke 'n' prod.

Johnny

3BA-fuckin'-men. Saw Myers at the border yourself. A human suit, with something inhuman buttoned up in her skin.

V

3BHey, think Garry the Prophet mighta been right – 'bout Myers bein' a reptilian?

Johnny

3BHah! That or a techno-necromancer. One thing's sure – you unfucked a mess 'thout gettin' too fucked in the process…

3BCouldn't hide it if she tried. Meanin' that somehow, some way, you managed not to completely fuck things up for once.

V

3CDidn't feel like I had a choice. That mean it was right?

Johnny

3CYou'll never know, not really. Just like we won't know what Myers'll extract from the chick's brainpan. 'Cause extract she will.

V

4ANot helpin', Johnny.

4BYeah, just sit there and criticize me when it wasn't you making the tough calls. Fuckin' typical.

4CGo fuck yourself, Johnny.

Johnny

1ANot makin' your life any easier, I know...

1ABut thinkin' about Songbird, 'bout Reed... finally startin' to see why I did all the shit I did.

1AWhy I went AWOL durin' the war, then set off on the warpath against Arasaka. Why I called Kerry a fuckin' pussy so many times.

1AThink finally I understand why I couldn't bring myself to trust Reed.

1ACause I know his type. Idealist, like me, who can't see that what he believes in'll devour everyone he cares about.

1AJust one thing sets us apart.

1AUnlike me, he saw his shit through to the end – price be damned. There, fuckin' said it.

V

5ANo, no comparison, Johnny. Reed was makin' up for his past, correctin' his mistakes. Fought for a second chance – for himself and Song. You…?

5BThought you 'n' Reed had a lot in common. 'Cept when it comes to bein' blinded by ideals, well... can skin that cat a dozen different ways.

5BHe did everythin' he could to save her. 'S why he'll eventually accept her bein' gone. Whereas you...

Johnny

1AGuess I was never chasin' ideals, not really. Life – that's what I was runnin' from.

V

1AAnd? Still runnin'?

Johnny

1ADoes it matter? I'm still breathin'... sort of. Just don't know what the fuck for.

V

6AGotta keep remindin' yourself.

Johnny

6AI'll start by taking a good look at myself in the mirror.

6AAlready know I'm gonna fuckin' hate what I see.

V

6BKnow what I think? Sometimes you're better off not knowin'.

Johnny

6BSayin' the truth don't always set us free? Ignorance can be bliss? Maybe.

6BOr maybe it's just time to grow the fuck up.

V

6CGave up on your ideals, huh? Now? Finally?

Johnny

6CNo. Just saw that behind everything we believe, there's an ugly truth we don't wanna face.

1AAll right – good talk. Get up.

V

7AKnow what? Glad we talked, Johnny. You've changed.

Johnny

7AFor better or worse?

V

7AGuess we'll find out. C'mon, let's go.

7BThose thoughts, feelings... Didn't expect that from you, Johnny.

Johnny

7BProlly 'cause you think you've got me all figured out.

V

7BNo, just... didn't realize that under the prick rockerboy exterior you're nothin' but a big ol' softie.

Johnny

7BYeah, fuck you too.

1AThink I finally understand why, despite all that's gone down, I feel for Reed.

1ACause we're one and the same. Idealists fightin' for a cause, blind to the fact it'll put everyone we care about in the ground.

1AOnly thing sets us apart is his faith in the system, in its principles. 'Cept the line 'tween believing in an ideal and bein' plain naive is, well…

1APretty fuckin' thin.

V

8AThat's where you're nothin' alike. Reed did everything he could to keep Song alive, sacrificed all, even himself. You, on the other hand…

V

9AWay I see it, had to believe some version of the truth. Settled on Reed's.

Johnny

9AWrong. You settled on a version of a lie, V.

V

9BZeroed plenty of people, but with her? Just couldn't find it in me.

Johnny

9BHad a choom durin' the war. Cole. M-9 shredded 'im, was bleedin' out in my lap.

9BThere I am, holdin' his stomach, tryin' to stop his guts from spillin' out, tellin' him it's gonna be all right, we're gonna get 'im home...

9BHe tells me to let go and give him a smoke.

V

9BSo you let him die?

Johnny

9BI gave the man his smoke.

V

9CSo Mi didn't have to die back there. Did what I thought was right.

Johnny

9CRight for you? For her? For me?

V

9CSong'll get better. It'll work out for the best in the end.

Johnny

9COh, what, how's that? Shit's so hollow, could swear I heard an echo.

1AWelp, least you got a medal.

V

1BDemons of your past come tuggin' at your balls?

Johnny

1BTenacious, the motherfuckers.

V

1CLemme guess, you saw all this comin' from the start, you and your unrivaled, rockerboy's intuition?

Johnny

1CFigured that was obvious, didn't think it needed statin'.

V

1DKnow what, Johnny…? Just rather not get into this right now.

Did what So Mi asked me to do. Why, wrong call, ya think?

Johnny

With you on the decision itself, but...

Still, ain't gonna be me strugglin' to sleep, thinkin' maybe there was some way to save the chick.

V

Wasn't about to let So Mi fall into Myers' hands, to be a lab rat to poke 'n' prod.

Johnny

A-fuckin'-men. Saw Myers at the border yourself. A human suit, with something inhuman buttoned up in her skin.

V

Way I see it, had to believe some version of the truth. Settled on Reed's.

Johnny

Wrong. You settled on a version of a lie, V.

V

Zeroed plenty of people, but with her? Just couldn't find it in me.

Johnny

Had a choom durin' the war. Cole. M-9 shredded 'im, was bleedin' out in my lap.

There I am, holdin' his stomach, tryin' to stop his guts from spillin' out, tellin' him it's gonna be all right, we're gonna get 'im home...

He tells me to let go and give him a smoke.

V

So you let him die?

Johnny

I gave the man his smoke.

Welp, least you got a medal.

But thinkin' about Songbird, 'bout Reed... finally startin' to see why I did all the shit I did.

Why I went AWOL durin' the war, then set off on the warpath against Arasaka. Why I called Kerry a fuckin' pussy so many times.

V

Didn't feel like I had a choice. That mean it was right?

Johnny

You'll never know, not really. Just like we won't know what Myers'll extract from the chick's brainpan. 'Cause extract she will.

V

So Mi didn't have to die back there. Did what I thought was right.

Johnny

Right for you? For her? For me?

V

Song'll get better. It'll work out for the best in the end.

Johnny

Oh, what, how's that? Shit's so hollow, could swear I heard an echo.

V

Gotta keep remindin' yourself.

Johnny

I'll start by taking a good look at myself in the mirror.

Already know I'm gonna fuckin' hate what I see.

V

Know what I think? Sometimes you're better off not knowin'.

Johnny

Sayin' the truth don't always set us free? Ignorance can be bliss? Maybe.

Or maybe it's just time to grow the fuck up.

All right – good talk. Get up.

V

Not helpin', Johnny.

Yeah, just sit there and criticize me when it wasn't you making the tough calls. Fuckin' typical.

Go fuck yourself, Johnny.

Johnny

Not makin' your life any easier, I know...

V

Gave up on your ideals, huh? Now? Finally?

Johnny

No. Just saw that behind everything we believe, there's an ugly truth we don't wanna face.

V

Hey, think Garry the Prophet mighta been right – 'bout Myers bein' a reptilian?

Johnny

Hah! That or a techno-necromancer. One thing's sure – you unfucked a mess 'thout gettin' too fucked in the process…

Couldn't hide it if she tried. Meanin' that somehow, some way, you managed not to completely fuck things up for once.

Y'know...

Ever since the start of this whole FIA business, been tryin' to pin down a strange feelin'…

This fear gnawin' at my insides, yellin' louder and louder, yellin' that I should delta as far away as possible. Think I've finally figured out what it was.

V

So Johnny of you. Ghosting the second shit gets complicated. Or uncomfortable.

Johnny

Fuck off. How's that for bein' Johnny?

V

Just look at your relationships.

Johnny

OK, enough.

V

Demons of your past come tuggin' at your balls?

Johnny

Tenacious, the motherfuckers.

V

Lemme guess, you saw all this comin' from the start, you and your unrivaled, rockerboy's intuition?

Johnny

Figured that was obvious, didn't think it needed statin'.

Some stories don't get a happy ending 'fore the credits roll. Leavin' questions you're never gonna find answers to.

Questions you'll lug around till the day you croak.

V

Sounds about right.

Johnny

Better believe it.

V

Story's over, Johnny. You're beatin' a dead horse.

Johnny

What if it's not actually dead?

V

Past's the past. Do yourself a favor and let it rest in peace.

Y'know… people come and go through your life, leave questions like a shit on the living room floor. 'S just how it is.

Sometimes they carry the stink o' truth, sometimes they don't. You just gotta let it go, Johnny. There's no other way.

Can turn into a self-fulfillin' prophecy, y'know – dwellin' on past mistakes…

Johnny

How do you mean?

V

You try so hard to run away from 'em, you forget you're goin' around in a neat, little circle, headin' for a head-on.

Johnny

And fuckin' bam.

V

Exactly.

Johnny

Ahh… One way or another, shit always ends up fucked.

First Saburo, then Yorinobu, now Myers... Got a knack for gettin' in dangerous peeps' way, you know?

For real, though... How's it feel, y'know, with all that's gone down?

Think finally I understand why I couldn't bring myself to trust Reed.

Cause I know his type. Idealist, like me, who can't see that what he believes in'll devour everyone he cares about.

Just one thing sets us apart.

Unlike me, he saw his shit through to the end – price be damned. There, fuckin' said it.

Think I finally understand why, despite all that's gone down, I feel for Reed.

Cause we're one and the same. Idealists fightin' for a cause, blind to the fact it'll put everyone we care about in the ground.

Only thing sets us apart is his faith in the system, in its principles. 'Cept the line 'tween believing in an ideal and bein' plain naive is, well…

Pretty fuckin' thin.

V

No, no comparison, Johnny. Reed was makin' up for his past, correctin' his mistakes. Fought for a second chance – for himself and Song. You…?

Thought you 'n' Reed had a lot in common. 'Cept when it comes to bein' blinded by ideals, well... can skin that cat a dozen different ways.

He did everythin' he could to save her. 'S why he'll eventually accept her bein' gone. Whereas you...

Johnny

Guess I was never chasin' ideals, not really. Life – that's what I was runnin' from.

V

And? Still runnin'?

Johnny

Does it matter? I'm still breathin'... sort of. Just don't know what the fuck for.

V

That's where you're nothin' alike. Reed did everything he could to keep Song alive, sacrificed all, even himself. You, on the other hand…

Johnny

Why am I not surprised. Ponderin' shit, drawin' conclusions – not worth your brainpower, is it?

V

Says the deserter turned terrorist. Ponder me that, asshole.