Dialogue: No Easy Way Out

Referee

Who hasn't bet yet? Last bets, last bets!

V

1AAaron Waines – which one's he?

Referee

1AAah, Aaron? Aah... Orange shorts.

V

1AAnd the other's...?

Referee

1AWill Correy. Dogtown, born and bred, baby.

1ABets are an even hundy. Want in? Last chance.

V

1AFine. Bettin' on Aaron.

Referee

1AThat'd be that! It’s over!

1AWaines by KO! Too damn strong!

Boxer

1ANice not to have to take a dive for a change, huh?

Aaron

1AFuck you, Will.

V

3ADecent hook ya got.

Aaron

3AThanks.

V

3BAaron Waines?

Aaron

3BYeah. Autograph seeker?

V

1AName’s V. Fred sent me.

Aaron

1AWow... Old man said he got someone. Was sure he was lyin'.

1ALook, V... Got a thing I need to care of. Dangerous people involved.

1ANeed tough huscle to watch my back, won't run from trouble. Interested?

V

4BGot a few things cookin' in Dogtown. Put you on the list, but this'll have to wait.

Aaron

4BNot too long, I hope. Got another fight comin' up, don't want this cloudin' my soul.

4BMake up your mind, come see me.

4BSo how're things, V? Feelin' any more helpful?

V

5BHaven't forgotten. I'll free up some time, be back.

1AOK, gonna help. Need detes to start.

Aaron

1AScav base, clinic, home to a ripper – Damir.

1AMet him back in my days runnin' with the Animals. Our crews were tight, did biz together.

1AFight I got comin' up's important. Should see Damir before I hop in the ring. Need you to help me with the latter.

V

6AListen, this Damir – you sure only he can help you?

6AI mean, need a good ripper, I know a few. All easier to get an appointment with.

Aaron

6AThink I didn't consider that? Damir’s my one option.

6AFuckin' shitty story all in all, V. I’ll finish it once we're there.

6ASo... we agreed, all good?

V

7A‘Kay. Got a deal, I'll help.

Aaron

7APreem fuckin’ news, V. So listen, got some things to figure out, tend to here, but then I'll meet you at Terra Cognita.

V

7BMentioned the Animals... You really leave the street to box?

Aaron

7BGang supported me at first. Paid for my coaching, implants…

7BBut I got tired of splitting my time, compromising. I chose boxing. They weren’t happy, obviously.

7BBy the time we parted... we weren't choomy.

V

6BNeed protection from scavs? Puzzling. Said you've done biz with 'em.

Aaron

6BNot me. My gang did. Ex-gang to be precise.

6BBut Damir's good people. He'll help me, I just know. Once we reach him.

V

6CWho you slated to fight?

Aaron

6CVince Marino. Heard of 'im?

V

8ANo idea who he is.

Aaron

8AWell... Vince is a former heavyweight champ. Good technique, great distance control.

8APast his prime, but still packs a punch like a fucking hammer. Horror show for a fighter like me given my style.

V

8BKnow the name. Got a good friend, real chatterer slash boxing aficionado.

8CSolid Steel Vince – who hasn't heard of 'im?

8CHeavyweight champ once. Heywood gangoon who worked it, made it to the top.

8CValentinos see 'im as a legend. Shame his whole story's horseshit.

Aaron

8CWha?

V

8CHuge pile of bodies – his leg up on his way to the top. Gang offed anyone who stood in his way.

Aaron

8CHuh. Know him better than I do.

V

6DGettin' a ripper to overclock your chrome before the fight?

Aaron

6DWhat makes you say that?

V

6DKnow some boxers, been around a few brawls. Rarely in proper rings, though.

Aaron

6DAh, Fred's paradin' you through his side hustle. Slapped down anyone I'd've heard of?

V

6DRazor Hughes.

Aaron

6DMh, really? Trained with Razor a while. Weren't many others had the balls to step in the ring with him.

V

6DUltimate prize fight – still in the works.

Aaron

6DHah. Lots of that goin' around, same here.

V

1AI know this racket. Bookie rakes in a hundred eddies and a win nets me... what on top? Ten? Twenty?

Referee

1ATwenty-five.

V

1ANot how we do it in Heywood. How ‘bout this? Three hundred on Aaron, you pay out double or nothing. Deal?

Referee

1AUm, uh... Fine, you got it.

V

1AThanks, think I’ll pass.

1APuttin' my scratch on Will.

V

‘Kay. Got a deal, I'll help.

Aaron

Preem fuckin’ news, V. So listen, got some things to figure out, tend to here, but then I'll meet you at Terra Cognita.

Aaron

1AV!

Aaron

2ATerra Cognita. Impressive, as I see it.

V

2AMeh. City Center post-apocalypse or Pacifica on steroids.

Aaron

2APacifica’s a rotting corpse. Dogtown’s vibrant with Terra Cognita as its crown fucking jewel.

V

3AMust really like the place.

Aaron

3AHung out in DT while my dad worked construction here. When that all went bust, we moved outside the wall.

3ABack inside 'bout a year ago. When I left the gang.

2ABig building there. Damir’s clinic's around the back.

1AS good to see you. This way.

1AHold up... one other thing I need to say.

V

4AGo ahead, spit it.

4BPeeps like you, always more to your stories. Never fails.

Aaron

1ATruth is... Animals fixed my fights.

1AAngie, Animals' alpha, she'd decide which round I’d go down in.

1AChip in my head lets her do that.

V

1AFuck...

Aaron

1AInner ear disruptor. Flip the switch, I flop over like a fish stood on its tail.

V

5ASo, afraid of other rippers botching the job. Want the chip removed by the guy who installed it.

Aaron

5AYeah. And want it done today, too.

V

5BThink Angie'd pop the blocker durin' your fight with Vince?

Aaron

5BNo idea, V... But gotta assume she would. Big fight, high stakes.

1AWanted to be a boxer, they turned me into a punchline.

1AI take a dive now, nobody'll wanna get me another fight. It’s my last chance.

V

1ALet's make sure it's not wasted, then.

Aaron

My dad worked construction here, y'know.

Used to say Terra Cognita'd be the biggest expo in history. Stuff of legend…

V

Whereas… it's where rusty old tech comes to die. ‘S what usually happens to legends in NC.

Whereas… it's where rusty old tech comes to die. ‘S what usually happens to legends in NC.

Aaron

My dad worked construction here, y'know.

Used to say Terra Cognita'd be the biggest expo in history. Stuff of legend…

V

Quite a place – what is it?

Aaron

Leftovers of a future that never happened.

V

Quite a place – what is it?

Aaron

Leftovers of a future that never happened.

V

Daaamn. Preem view.

Aaron

Careful. Got a guard.

V

Daaamn. Preem view.

Guard

We have a fresh batch from Europe. Damir wanted it right away.

Guard

Why are you waiting? Take it to him.

Guard

Cool your heels... I want to take a look first.

Damir won't care if he gets one thingy less.

Guard

Fuck off or die, your choice!

Aaron

Scavs got tons of bodies guardin' the place. Any idea how we get in to see Damir?

V

Not yet. But I’ll figure somethin' out.

Aaron

Damir's clinic – top floor.

Damir's clinic – top floor.

Almost there. Just a hop, skip and a jump.

Almost there. Just a hop, skip and a jump.

This is it. Now comes the tough bit.

This is it. Now comes the tough bit.

Damir

Aaron...

Aaron

Damir. Been a while.

You know why I’m here.

Damir

I told you not to come, man. Ever.

Yet you do, and with protection? Who the hell is this?

V

1ARelax. Just here to make sure Aaron leaves in one piece.

1BAaron expected trouble. Hired me to keep things, uh… trouble-free.

Damir

You don’t get it... If Angie finds out, I'll end up in the bay, a hole in my face, cement shoes on hands and feet.

Aaron

Damir, you're the best ripper in this part of Dogtown. Angie won’t touch you.

Just help me with the chip, please, you gotta.

Damir

Ugh... Fuck!

God fucking dammit. Fine. We do it quick. Chair, let's go.

Aaron

V...

Listen… need to be sure I'll wake up after this.

Can you wait here? Please?

Damir

2AThere, finished. The blocker is inactive. Kid will wake up soon.

V

3AAll good, no complications?

Damir

3ADifficult procedure, but a successful one. Aaron’s built like an ox. He'll get back on his feet in no time.

V

3BHope you didn’t pull any stunts.

Damir

3BI've known Aaron years. He trusts me, so you should. It’s done.

V

3CChip's just inactive? You were gonna remove it…

Damir

3CTrue, but…

V

3C…chip's buried in the inner ear. You'd have to get invasive. Receptor muting's safer, less risky.

3CChip's dead, Aaron'll recover quickly. Good work, Damir.

Damir

2AAh, fuck...

2ALook, Angie... you know how it goes. They come in, guns, fists ready – what was I to do…?

Angie

2ADamir, you can fuck off for now. We’ll talk later.

2AThere he is. Our little Aaron. Wonder what he’s dreamin' about.

2AApparently used his brain for once – didn’t come alone.

2ASo... we gonna have a problem?

V

4ANot gonna, already got one. Though it's solvable in a heartbeat.

Angie

4AHey, chill. Let's talk, there's time.

V

4BLike to solve problems not cause 'em.

Angie

4BSame. Pragmatism – like it, like others to like it.

V

4CHow'd you find us? Have us followed?

Angie

4CWe have people here.

4CMatters not at all, though. Let's focus on what does.

2ANow, got any idea who you’re protecting?

V

5AA boxer you're out to ruin, end his career.

Angie

5AAaron built what he has on our eddies. He owes us, fights thanks to us.

5ABefore that, he did… other things.

V

5BA cornered animal lookin' to bite its way out of a trap.

Angie

5BHeh, rich… Funny that Aaron tells it that way.

5BNo truth to it, though.

V

5CA former gangoon, out to make amends.

Angie

5CAmends, huh? Far too late for Aaron to make any.

2AAaron was our heavy. Good at it, too. Busted debtors' legs, set house fires... It's who he is.

2ABut wild violence like that needs honin', nurturin'. So we invested in implants, training.

2AAaron owes us. We just want him to pay off his debt. Need him to throw the Vince fight, that's it, and we'll be even.

V

6ANope, sorry. Debt's paid. Guy's been your cash cow for years. It ends now.

Angie

6ACash cow? He's made us scraps so far. Finally lined 'im up a different fight, a good fight. Involves high rollers.

V

6BFight of his life, it's s'posed to be. And you want him to take a dive.

Angie

6BAaron's mixed it up a dozen times till now. Most of his fights were fixed. It’s nothing unusual.

V

2AWhat'll you do? Just flip the switch, watch 'im flop?

Angie

2AMean the blocker? Never used it. He always went down on his own, when we asked.

2AIt's worked out well for him. Could for you, too.

2ALet it go. We'll make sure Aaron goes down, you’ll net ten percent of the winnings..

V

7AYou deserve each other. Not about to help you air your dirty laundry.

Angie

7AWise. And convenient. We'll ping you after the fight.

7AI'll get word to the scavs to let you pass. My word's good here.

7AAaron’s not your problem anymore. We’ll take it from here. You should go.

Damir

7AJust go. Quick and quiet. I've enough troubles without you complicating them, too.

Aaron

7AUgh. Fuck.

7AOoh... Fuck me... Angie...? What the hell happened?

7AWouldn’t recommend head surgery to anyone. Ugh.

V

9AYour chooms came by. We, uh, didn't quite see things eye-to-eye.

Aaron

9AFuckin' Angie. Never was one to let shit go.

9ANot a problem anymore, thanks to you.

V

10AAngie told me a bit about your past.

10AA little rippin's no way to solve all your problems.

10AThis ain't about your boxing career. Stakes are different, you get it?

Aaron

10AYeah, I think... Guess I know what you mean. Thanks, V.

Damir

10AHm, impressive. I haven’t seen Angie shut up like that. Still, you should probably leave. The scavs will let you pass.

10AFucking... fuck! What did you do? Get out, now! The scavs will let you pass. I have this mess to clean up…

V

10BEarned yourself a second chance. Don’t blow it.

10CThink you'll heal in time for your fight?

Aaron

10CShould, yeah... Ears're ringin' ever so slightly, but that's it.

10CHave my destiny in my own hands this time, finally.

10CA little rippin' and I’m free... Can’t quite believe it.

V

10CThink you'll heal in time for your fight?

Aaron

10CShould, yeah... Ears're ringin' ever so slightly, but that's it.

10CHave my destiny in my own hands this time, finally.

10CA little rippin' and I’m free... Can’t quite believe it.

V

9BYour friends swung by while you were out cold. Had us a little chat.

Aaron

9BShit. And?

V

9BAll good. Convinced 'em to leave you alone.

Aaron

9BFuck. Not good. Them comin' here means one thing – they'll come by after the fight, too.

9BMight not be enough just to deactivate the chip. Fuck, dunno… Ya think…

9B...I should throw the fight after all?

V

11ACareer's not the most important thing. Do well to remember that. Play it safe, I say.

Aaron

11AAnd just blow my chance at making it?

V

11AMaking it in the NC boxing world. Get it?

Aaron

11AI’ll think it over, V. Thanks.

V

11BAnimals, scavs... whatever the name, always someone on your ass. Shit like that don't go away on its own.

Aaron

11BBut...

V

11BWant your freedom? Fight for it. This is your shot.

Aaron

11BThis is my shot...

V

9CHow ya feelin'?

Aaron

9CBetter than these Animals... Wanna tell me what happened here?

9CLike minced shit. But I’m glad it’s over.

V

7BDelivered on a project that was doomed to fail once. Saved my boss' sorry ass. Douche offered me a ten-point bonus.

7BAsked him point-blank if his career wasn’t worth more.

Angie

7BYour point being?

V

7BMy point being: twenty percent.

Angie

7BHeh, hard ball merc. Fine, twenty's yours.

V

7CFuck you and your offer.

7CSure, kid made mistakes. Not a reason for you to fuck up the rest of his life.

Angie

7CShame, really. Woulda been a square deal.

V

7DOne other way to resolve this.

7DAaron will take his sweet time comin' to. Unless you wanna end up like Sasquatch.

Angie

7DDidn't think he could afford a merc in your league. I was wrong, swung above his weight.

7DBut, I advise you to consider what you're gonna tell 'im when he wakes up.

2AGet her, boys!

Damir

Did you hear me?

Did you hear me?

Angie

'Ey, you with me?

Gonna speak, or what?

V

Fuck...

Johnny

C'mon, V, take heart. Guy tried to do the right thing for once in his life.

V

1AAnd you don't feel a thing?

Johnny

1AHeard this song before, V. Know the lyrics by heart.

V

1BMight be right. Speakin' from experience after all, I guess.

Johnny

1BBetter fuckin' believe it.

V

Hey, lookin' for someone. Name’s Aaron. Choom's the size of a Kaukaz truck.

Bartender

Waines, the boxer, sure. He was here.

V

Said he'd meet me here.

Bartender

Man's popular today. These two guys first, now you…

V

Two guys?

Bartender

Chooms, clearly. Same vibe, just bigger'n him.

V

Animals. Not good.

Bartender

Seemed to be goin' for a smoke in the alley. Might still catch 'em.

V

"Was?" He say where he was going?

Bartender

Nah. Two guys came in to see him, while back, that’s all.

V

Hey, s’posed to meet somebody. Big as a Kaukaz truck, goes by Aaron. Seen him 'round by any chance?

Bartender

Waines, the boxer, sure. He was here.

Angie

There you are.

Aaron went down in the third. Clients're happy. Love to see plans work out.

Scratch you were promised, here.

V

1AThanks for the eddies.

Angie

1AGood doin' biz with you. Might do more if you're willin'.

V

1BKnow what, Angie? Given it some thought.

1BYou keep the scratch. In exchange, get that fuckin 'chip outta his head.

Angie

1BTouching. But you earned it. Every last ed. Take it.

1BAs for the chip... we’ll think on it. Maybe once Aaron proves he'll behave, deserves our trust. Till then, we like havin' the option.

V

1CAaron – what awaits 'im?

Angie

1CHe’s our guy. We'll take care of him.

1CGuess he thought he could get rid of the chip and the past.

1CBut that just ain't how it works. I think he understands that now.

Aaron

2AGot nothin' to talk about, merc.

Aaron

Gonna lemme finish?

'Eyo, hold up. Where you off to?

Fuck 'em up!

'S what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Le'ss fuckin' do this!

Fuck, they're gonna smoke us!

We're fuckin' screwed!

Where were we…?

Gonna wrap this up?

C'mon, hurry up.

'Ey, you need a pick-me-up?

You good?

V?

Yeah?

Wha'ss good?

Yo, watch it.

Back it up, aight?

Mq306 Angelica

Yeah?

Want somethin'?

Take the bitch down!

You're shit outta luck!

Bet you're regretting this!

Shit, she's strong!

Enough of this!

Standin' right here!

Sure, just leave why don't you…

Not cool.

'Ey, watch it now.

Gonna continue our convo?

Let's get back to it.

'Ey, you with me?

Gonna speak, or what?