Dialogue: Lucretia My Reflection

Q302 Hobo F1 Talking

I dunno… It's askin' for trouble.

Just think. Buildin's been empty for years. Why? 'Cause Hansen--

Q302 Hobo M1 Talking

Hansen this, Hansen that – I'ma fuckin' lose it, choom.

Think BARGHEST checks every dilapidated shithole, pissin', markin' their territory?

Cunt's squeezin' the 'hood by the balls 'n' chooms don't got no place to live. An' no one does a damn thing! Ya'll treat him like some fuckin' Dogtown boogeyman!

Q302 Hobo F1 Talking

Did you ever think it might be the reason we're still kickin' about? Hmph, food for thought.

Q302 Hobo M1 Talking

Yo! Watch where you goin'!

Q302 Hobo F1 Talking

If you're not using those optics, I have a buyer for 'em.

Reed

So this is the place…

Eighth floor?

V

Yeah.

Reed

Lead the way.

If anyone had tried to extract her forcibly, this whole level'd be in shambles. No way she would've gone quietly.

Take point.

V

1AOpen up. It's me.

Myers

1AIs this how you greet me?

Reed

1AUhh…

1ASorry. Rosalind - are you all right?

Myers

1AI'm fine. But I heard shots…

V

1AJacob and Taylor… They tried to defend…

Reed

1AWe arrived too late.

Myers

1AShit, I… huh…

Reed

1AMh. You remembered my number.

Myers

1ASome numbers you never forget.

Reed

1ALevel with me, Rosalind. You never intended to call that line.

Myers

1AWell, I found myself in Night City with a bounty on my head…

1ASo it seemed the right moment to reach out, have a tête-à-tête, reset an old friendship.

Reed

1AI'd offer to sit down and chat over coffee, but the clock's tickin'.

1AI need to arrange passage for you to Washington.

Myers

1ANo, Reed. We need to talk first. All three of us.

1AHere.

Johnny

1AThe president, a merc and a special agent walk into the Oval Office…

1AQuestion is, where do I fit into this joke?

Myers

1AYou've seen the news.

Reed

1AUh-huh. Hansen's spinwork never fails to amuse.

Myers

1AHe's not acting purely on his own initiative. Someone from our camp's propping him up.

V

2AHansen – any idea who he's in bed with?

Reed

2ARosalind has more enemies than you can count.

V

2BSo, a cast of hawks squawking for war?

Reed

2BFor some, the war never ended.

Myers

1AThis shit runs deeper, Reed.

1AI wasn't alone on that flight.

Reed

1AI heard So Mi was on board.

1AWhere is she now?

Myers

1AV was the last person to talk to her.

V

3APost crash, Songbird vanished.

3ASaid she'd meet us here, and... has given no sign of life since.

Reed

3ASo what do you think happened?

Myers

3AWe have no idea. We're treating her as MIA.

V

3BShe was coordinating our escape, guiding us. Something happened mid-op.

Reed

3BElaborate.

V

3BLike… she was attacked? Dunno, hard to describe.

Myers

3BWhatever the case, it's fucking bad news.

V

3CMost likely scenario - got caught in some ICE on the combat bot when she hacked it.

3COne little mishack, happens even to the best. But... no way to know for sure.

Myers

3CMhm. Unfortunately, we need hard evidence, not speculation.

1AReed, I needn't remind you what this means for the NUS's national security.

1ABesides… She's your prodigy, Sol. You taught her all your tricks, hell, even "recruited" her.

1AAnd she and V have a unique... bond. It's a lead, our only one for now.

1AYou two have to find her. Together.

Reed

1AI already died for the cause once. Not enough?

V

4ASmellin' some real bad blood between you two. Time to settle this beef?

Myers

4AReed doesn't trust me. I can't say I blame him.

4AI abandoned him in NC seven years ago. He's been stuck here, paid a high price.

Reed

4AUh-huh…

Myers

4AThe NUSA crushed his career, while Arasaka tried hard to have him garrotted.

V

5ALemme get this straight… You abandon Reed in NC, leave 'im for dead, and now expect 'im to jump right back into shit?

5ANewsflash, Madame President – got a helluva debt to pay.

Myers

5AYou're right.

5AI'm sorry, Reed. For those seven years.

5AIs that enough... to get us a fresh start?

Reed

5AI'm here, I'll help. But I'm doin' it for So Mi… and my country. Call me naive if you like.

5AAs for you, V… You said in the car Songbird hired you, correct?

5AI don't know how much she's paying, but you'd better ask yourself – is it worth it?

V

6ASongbird's my only shot at survivin'.

6AGot Arasaka's Relic in my head, slowly, surely poaching my brain.

6BSome things're more important than eddies, Reed.

Reed

6BThat we agree on.

V

6BWe all got our reasons. Mine's even got a name – the Relic. If I don't find So Mi, I'm literally a dead woman.

6CKnow what, Reed? You're right.

6CSomethin' real wonky 'bout this. I'm out.

Myers

6CNow listen close, V. I'm only gonna say this once.

6CSongbird promised you help with the Relic. Now I will use any and all NUS assets to fulfill that promise. Consider it my contribution to your deal.

6CWalk out of here, and the deal's null and void – understood?

Johnny

6CNot a bluff, V.

V

7AFinally showin' me your true face.

7AThat the way of things? Hard pass from me, then. If I gotta die, I'm not gonna die fightin' someone else's war.

Myers

7AI see. Well, we'll manage without you.

Reed

7AMhmm.

Myers

7ADon't let the door hit you on the way out.

Johnny

7AHuh. Gotta be the shortest FIA career ever. Might not be an agent, but you're definitely special, V.

Reed

7AAlright, I need to make some calls.

V

7BBlatant fuckin' blackmail, as I see it.

7BBut fine. It worked.

Myers

7BGood. I'm glad.

Reed

5AIt seems we're all on the same page now, V.

5AWhich means we can help each other, too.

V

8AAgreed. Think so too, Reed.

Reed

8AIf we want to find So Mi, we gotta dig deep. I mean actual reconnaissance, no stone unturned.

8AWe need contacts, informers not afraid to sing, who might see somethin' in it for themselves.

8AYou'll need to earn their trust.

V

8AAgreed. Think so too, Reed.

8BGotta wait and see, won't we?

Reed

8BIf we want to find So Mi, we gotta dig deep. I mean actual reconnaissance, no stone unturned.

8BWe need contacts, informers not afraid to sing, who might see somethin' in it for themselves.

8BYou'll need to earn their trust.

V

9ABig ask in Dogtown. Won't be easy.

9BRest easy. Can be real persuasive when I need to be.

Reed

9BZeal's good, but don't wreak havoc. Not too much, not yet.

5AI need to arrange a safe passage to Washington for Myers. Expect my call soon, V.

Myers

5AThanks. For everything.

V

10AStay safe, 'n' don't let the bastards getcha.

Myers

10ASame to you, V.

10AMay we meet again in more favorable circumstances.

V

10BBuy me a nice dinner sometime.

Myers

10BHah! You do this often – invite presidents out on dates?

V

10BOften enough.

Myers

10BOkay. Dinner it'll be.

V

10BJust gotta survive till then…

V

11AGotta evac soon. Watch yourself out there, Jacob.

Jacob

11ANaw, the world better watch out for Jacob! Hahah!...

V

11AJust remember to knock 'fore you enter shady-lookin' digs.

Jacob

11ASee, if I came knockin' last night, I'da missed a chance to meet my babe Rosalind. And you, I s'ppose.

11AAhhh… that's life for ya, V.

11AThere a lesson in all this, don'tcha think?

V

11BAll good, Jacob?

Jacob

11BDoggone fairytale, V…

11BThis Rosalind chick? Piece o' work if I eva seen one. Thinkin' we mighta had a "moment."

11BShame she ain't finna stay longer.

V

11CSaw an army of drifters outside. Hell's up with that?

Jacob

11CWord got out place's got electricity 'n' shit, I reckon.

V

11CWord just stood up and got out on its own?

Jacob

11CBeats me, choomita!

V

12AGonna boost soon. Keep an eye on J, will ya?

Taylor

12AOne shitty nanny I'd make.

12AEh. Keep it real, V.

V

12BYou'll have to excuse my friend, he's... sometimes... excitable.

Taylor

12BRiiight… You ought to teach him about the value of initial impressions.

12BAt least his kind goes guns blazing. I mean, screw those "stab-ya-in-the-backsters."

V

12CSo, what's the future hold in store for J and T?

Taylor

12CTwo options. We die in Dogtown, or we hit the road, scoot far, far outta here.

12CI guess it comes down to our dear Madame Prez. Will she keep her word?

Reed

5ADone. We should leave.

5ABest if we weren't together. V, you'll go five minutes after we do.

Myers

5AGood luck, V.

5ASo, how do we get out of this little corner of paradise?

Reed

5ALet's just say it'll be a bumpy ride.

Myers

5AHeh. Just like old times, isn't it?

Reed

5AI sincerely hope it isn't.

5AFive minutes, V. We talked about this.

5AV, you're compromising everyone's safety. Move.

5AThe elevator's staying put till you leave.

5AAlright, I need to make some calls.

5AIt's me. I need a cab, two people. Long ride.

5ANo, no papers. Not this time.

5AYeah… Dogtown. Waterfront, usual spot. Thanks.

5AAnd you, V… whatever "bond" you two have fails to explain why you're here in the first place.

5AI don't know how much they're paying, but you better ask yourself – is it worth it?

V

13AEvery moment we spend poutin' here, our chances of finding So Mi alive drop. Hard.

13ABarely know ya, but you don't seem like a choom who would leave their agent out to dry. She won't survive without backup.

Reed

13ADon't know me well, but well enough, I guess. I wouldn't.

13AI'm here, I'll help. But I'm doin' it for So Mi… and my country. Call me naive if you like.

13AAs for you, V… You said in the car Songbird hired you, correct?

13AI don't know how much she's paying, but you'd better ask yourself – is it worth it?

13AAnd you, V… whatever "bond" you two have fails to explain why you're here in the first place.

13AI don't know how much they're paying, but you better ask yourself – is it worth it?

V

14AWhaddaya mean you "died" already?

Reed

14AWhat has Myers told you about me?

V

14ASaid you'd led an intelligence cell here, went into hibernation at war's end.

Reed

14ASo she omitted the fact that Arasaka tried to smoke me?

Myers

14AAhem…

Reed

14AThat I ended up in intensive care with three bullet holes?

14AThat six months had passed before I could take a shit on my own?

V

14AMight've... slipped her mind…

Reed

14AConvenient. Well now you know.

Myers

1AThis shit runs deeper, Reed.

1AI wasn't alone on that flight.

1ASongbird was on board, too.

Reed

1ASo Mi…?

1AI had a bad feeling about this. But now… now I see why…

1AWhere is she now?

Myers

1AV was the last person to talk to her.

Johnny

1AThe president, a merc and a special agent walk into the Oval Office…

1AQuestion is, where do I fit into this joke?

Myers

1ACome on, we should talk in private.

1AI'm good. Glad to see you are, too.

Reed

1ADon't move a muscle!

Jacob

1AFuck's sake… again?!

Reed

1AWhere is she?

Myers

1AThat's enough, gentlemen!

1APut your tools away, gents. Compare length and girth when I'm not around.

Jacob

1AYou the boss.

Reed

1AAre you sure?

Myers

1ALook around. Positive.

Reed

1AMh. You remembered my number.

Myers

1ASome numbers you never forget.

Reed

1ALevel with me, Rosalind. You never intended to call that line.

Myers

1AWell, I found myself in Night City with a bounty on my head…

1ASo it seemed the right moment to reach out, have a tête-à-tête, reset an old friendship.

V

1AOpen up. It's me.

Jacob

1AYeah, yeah, comin'…

Reed

Some things never change.

V

What?

Reed

Wherever she goes, people get hurt, bodies drop.

V

15AMust've tagged us off metro camfeeds…

Reed

15AA mistake. Happens to everyone.

15ALet's hope we can correct it.

V

15BEh, shit… Shoulda wiped those camera recordings. My bad.

Reed

15BA mistake. Happens to everyone.

15BLet's hope we can correct it.

V

15CSomebody ratted us out. Got my suspects already.

15CCouple of guys came in last night, saw us.

Reed

15CAnd you let 'em live?

V

15CUh-huh.

Reed

15CPacifism has a price, V.

Honestly? This is not inspiring confidence.

V

She's capable of takin' care of herself, you know.

Actually had uninvited guests last night. Ejected via the garbage chute.

Reed

Sometimes that's the only way out…

V

Relax, she ain't alone. Made some new chooms. Locals.

Introductions were a little dicey, but she turned on the charm. Probably has her Dogtown campaign staff by now.

Reed

This keeps gettin' worse and worse....

V

16AYeah. Friend.

Reed

16AI'm sorry.

V

16BDoe'n't matter to him. What's it matter at all?

Reed

A friend...?

Q302 Hobo M1 Talking

C'mon, c'mon…! Don't do this!

Q302 Hobo F1 Talking

Just stop! He's gone, dead, done!

It's your fuckin' fault!

Reed

That all of 'em? Are there more?

Q302 Hobo M1 Talking

Yeah, I-I-I… I think tha'ss all... Came outta nowhere!

Reed

They step foot in the buildin', you hide, y'hear me? Let us handle this.

Come on, V.

Q302 Hobo M1 Talking

This wasn't suposeta happen…

Q302 Hobo F1 Talking

Then why Frank's dead, huh?! Fuck…!

Reed

I need to apologize.

V

For...?

Reed

I fully expected you to walk us into an ambush.

V

17ADon't worry 'bout it.

Reed

17AThanks.

V

17BEver heard of a little thing called trust, choom?

Reed

17BIn my line of work? That's nothing but a character flaw.

Militia soldier

Sergeant!

Militia sergeant

Terminate 'em!

Reed

Elevator. Find cover.

We need to take those fools down and hope we're not too late.

Hansen's gangoons… Must've spotted you, tracks you left.

Come on.

Taylor

Can you drop two?

Johnny

Somethin's off 'bout them. S'like they say – if it ain't about sex, 's about power.

Reed

You earned my trust. It wasn't easy, but you did it.

It feels like we've just seen the tip of the iceberg.

I understand.

Glad I got it wrong.

Come on. Open it.

Jacob

Shit, choom's lookin' like bad news…

Reed

So… an inside job. It's plausible. I see why you reached out.

Johnny

Somethin's off 'bout them. S'like they say – if it ain't about sex, 's about power.

Reed

As for you, V… You said in the car Songbird hired you, correct?

I don't know how much she's paying, but you'd better ask yourself – is it worth it?

It seems we're all on the same page now, V.

Which means we can help each other, too.

It's me. I need a cab, two people. Long ride.

No, no papers. Not this time.

Yeah… Dogtown. Waterfront, usual spot. Thanks.

Done. We should leave.

Best if we weren't together. V, you'll go five minutes after we do.

Q302 Hobo F1 Talking

I dunno… It's askin' for trouble.

Just think. Buildin's been empty for years. Why? 'Cause Hansen--

Q302 Hobo M1 Talking

Hansen this, Hansen that – I'ma fuckin' lose it, choom.

Think BARGHEST checks every dilapidated shithole, pissin', markin' their territory?

Cunt's squeezin' the 'hood by the balls 'n' chooms don't got no place to live. An' no one does a damn thing! Ya'll treat him like some fuckin' Dogtown boogeyman!

Q302 Hobo F1 Talking

Did you ever think it might be the reason we're still kickin' about? Hmph, food for thought.

Reed

Hey. I'm back in town.

What's your status?

V

1AMy status? No real changes, I s'pose.

Reed

1AThen it's time we got down to work. Gotta find our missin' friend.

1AAdd another pair of eyes.

1AAlex, former team member. She's in Dogtown. Under deep cover.

1AShe'll help out.

V

2ARoger that. Got an address?

2BAddin' another cook to the kitchen? Pretty crowded already.

Reed

2BI trust Alex.

1ALongshore Stacks, at a dive bar called The Moth. After sundown, yeah?

V

1AGot it.

Reed

1AAnd senses trained on any potential shadows.

V

1BSniffed around, did some side gigs. No word, no sign from our 'runner friend.

Reed

1BThen we redouble the effort, a'ight?

V

1COur "special delivery" all good? No, uh, delays?

Reed

1CShipped. First leg by sea, then by air. Civilian craft, both.

1CBut it got to its destination fast and undamaged.

1CAny developments here?

You copy?

V, you there?