Dialogue: Rebel! Rebel!

Red Menace

<mothertongue l="jpn" m="mi-guri" b="We have today " a="? Or wait, this the supesharu-bo-i from foundation organization?"/>

Kerry

Now, we're gonna chat.

Red Menace

Who the fuck are you?

Kerry

The fuckin' guy you robbed.

Blue Moon

Kerry Eurodyne? Kerry-san?!

Kerry

I ain't your san! This ain't a meet 'n' greet, either!

V...?!

V

2AHear 'im out. This's all a misunderstanding – clear it up, and we're gone.

Purple Force

2ABut Kerry-san, what happened? We had a deal, didn't we?

Blue Moon

2AOh my god, is this about that N54 interview?

Red Menace

2AWe, like, didn't mean to offend or anything. "Old" doesn't mean anything anymore!

Kerry

2ANo wonder the truck didn't get to 'em. Even dumber than I thought.

V

2BYou will do what he says. Now. And then you'll forget he was ever here.

Red Menace

2BAnd if we don't?

V

2BDon't, and you can say goodbye to your careers right now. Simple as that.

Purple Force

2BKerry-san, we don't get it... We have a deal. They said you loved us, they said your bedroom was full of--

Kerry

2BOh, hell no. You hearin' this? The fuck are you on? I'd sure like to try it!

V

3AWait, wait, wait. What's this about a deal?

Blue Moon

3AWe signed a deal with MSM to play Kerry-san's "User Friendly."

Purple Force

3AIt's, like, our new single for the North American leg of the tour.

Kerry

3AOver. My. Dead. Body.

V

3BOK, seems like you don't get it. Don't give a shit what you thought. There is no deal, and there will be no deal.

Kerry

3BButcher my song on that stage, you are done in Night City. That's a promise.

Purple Force

But we're going to bring your rock into a new era! Isn't that what you wa--

Kerry

Rock?! You?! OK. Lemme tell ya something. It's been claimed before, but you actually did it. ROCK IS DEAD. And you killed it. Congratu-fuckin'-lations.

Red Menace

Your manager contacted ours. Said you wanted to work with us.

Kerry

Kovachek?! Th-the fuck?! H-he never even asked me! The fucking corpo cuntbag!

Blue Moon

Listen, Kerry-san. That cover is an expression of our love for you. Please, let's work something out.

Johnny

Rock might be dead, but Kerry's blind if he can't see these girls got potential.

V

4ALooks like the label fucked you all. You're their pawns. They're playin' you.

Kerry

4ALooks that way... Fuck.

V

4BOK, enough. Gettin' fucked and milked by the corps – your pleasure, your biz.

4BBut you play that song, I'm gonna have to change my tune.

Kerry

4BHold it, V.

4BThey're not corporags. Didn't know what was happening either. Label fucked 'em over just like it did me.

Had enough of this fuckin' around! Tell 'em the concert's off now!

Blue Moon

Cancel the show... Yeah... Yeah... Just do it. We'll talk later.

Kerry

Now you're gonna call those scopsuckers from MSM, and tell 'em you've changed your mind about the cover. Got it?!

Blue Moon

Whatever you want, Kerry-san.

Kerry

And not a word about this to anyone. 'Less you want V to pay you another visit. Let's go.

Kerry

Best not to leave together.

V

Sure.

Kerry

And thanks. You don't take matters into your own hands, they'll squeeze you dry, chew you up and shit you out.

Later.

Y'know, got nothin' against you. The sich, that's what's fucked.

Johnny

Well, you chained your gonk ass to the corpos, what'd ya expect?

Blue Moon

We'll talk to the label, Kerry-san. But right now, we'll make our displeasure known.

Purple Force

Your song's not in the set. We're calling off the concert and suspending the tour.

Kerry

Seriously? You'll lose millions.

Red Menace

They'll lose even more.

Kerry

Well... OK. You girls, er... You're all right. What I said earlier, I--

Blue Moon

No biggie, Kerry-san. Even monkeys fall from trees.

Kerry

Right... Let's go, V.

Red Menace

Wait, Kerry-san – can we get a pic with you? Just... as a souvenir?

Kerry

Erm, pff, why the hell not. V, do the honors?

V

All right, think we got it.

Purple Force

Thanks, Kerry-san!

Kerry

Um, so... You workin' on any new songs? We could maybe pick one for your single.

Blue Moon

Really?!

Kerry

Gonna stick around some, V. I mean... look at 'em – the girls need help.

Thanks.

V

Mm. Have fun.

Blue Moon

Kerry-san, maybe you'd, like, wanna hear about our new single?

Kerry

About? C'mon, talkin' about music's like fuckin' in a bed of azaleas.

Unnecessary, uncomfortable and ultimately kitsch as all fuckin' get-out.

Blue Moon

Huh, I kinda like azaleas.

So maybe you'd listen to some tracks in progress? We're working on loads!

Kerry

Uhh, no... Rather we didn't get ahead of ourselves. Not that chummy just yet.

Blue Moon

Then, like, at least give this ONE a chance. Just sent it your way.

Kerry

Hmm... Eh, it's not complete tripe... Like the title enough, s'kinda catchy... indirectly metaphorical, hmm...

V

8ASay "synthcheese!"

8BHang on, let's get a selfie.

Kerry

V!

V! Do something! Or I will!

Blue Moon

Whaddaya say we chill, all of us, and figure this out.

This... has to be a case of crossed cables, just that!

What do you want from us actually, exactly?

Kerry

I hear one more word an' I'm 'onna lost it! Dead serious!

Shut the hell up. Our turn to talk.

Blue Moon

This... has to be a case of crossed cables, just that!

Whaddaya say we chill, all of us, and figure this out.

Road Manager

I repeat – for reasons beyond the control of the organizers, tonight's concert has been cancelled.

Please make your way to the nearest exit.

Fan Fem1

Said they'd never let their fans down. Yeah, right.

Fan Fem2

For sure it's not their fault.

Fan Fem1

Bet it's gone to their heads. Champagne in the dressing room was too warm or something.

Fan Male1

What about refunds?! We want our money back!

Road Manager

Retain your tickets to attend the next scheduled appearance of Us Cracks – date and venue to be announced shortly.

You can also opt to receive a full refund of the price you paid.

Fan Fem2

I told you that truck was no accident. Maybe there was a bomb threat or something.

Fan Male2

Naaah. They'd order us to evacuate.

Road Manager

More information on the tour will be made available shortly. Please keep an eye on the media and follow all Us Cracks profiles.

Fan Male1

So we don't get to hear the new song, either. This sucks.

Fan Fem2

And their Kiroshis sold out. Was gonna get a Purple Force pair, and now they're all gone. Ugggghh.

Fan Fem3

Wouldn'ta done this in Tokyo or Yokohama.

Fan Fem1

Us Cracks! We love youuuu!

V

Kerry. Hey.

Kerry

Got any evening plans? Cancel 'em.

Come to Dark Matter on Woodland. Might not know the place, they don't really advertise.

V

What's the occasion?

Kerry

No occasion. Cuntwipes from Us Cracks screwed me over. Still wanna do the cover, even had their lawyers send me a fucking restraining order! Can you imagine?!

Like I'd even wanna breathe the same air as them.

V

Shit, Kerry, I'm sorry.

Kerry

Don't worry. Still helped a lot. Anyway, swing by the club, back door. Don't be late.

V

Kerry. Hey.

Kerry

You got plans this evening? Cancel 'em.

Go to Dark Matter on Woodland. You might not know the place, don't really advertise.

V

What's the occasion?

Kerry

Us Cracks! We never celebrated our little victory.

Go 'round back, tell the bouncer you're with me. Let you in, no problem.

Don't be late!

Doorman

This elevator is out of order. Sorry.

V

1AOut of order for Kerry Eurodyne's guests, too? He's expecting me.

Doorman

1AIn that case, enjoy your evening.

V

1BIt's out of order, why're you here?

Media1

Ladies and gentlemen, Us Cracks and Kerrryyyy Euryodyyyyne!

Kerry

Hey.

Red Menace

Thank you! Thank you, dears!

Kerry

V!

This is V, my, uh... right hand.

V's the little bird that shows up when I gotta wrap up and run. Sorry.

Media1

V! V, quick question! What's it like hanging with Kerry Eurodyne? A living legend!

V

1AIt's a wild and crazy ride.

Kerry

1AV!

V

1ABut hey – can't complain.

1BIf I told you what I had seen and done with Mr. Eurodyne...

Kerry

1BV, what the hell?!

V

1BLemme just say – Kerry'd be rottin' in a cell right now if not for me.

1CWell, as you might imagine, it is... legendary.

1CBut the juiciest details I keep to myself.

1DNo comment.

Kerry

Thanks, but I really gotta run, late for my next thing already.

Let's go. Unless you feel like giving a few more interviews.

Hey. Come with me. I want you to meet someone.

V, Spector. An old friend. Met him walkin' in Memphis, off Beale, ages ago.

V

Hey.

Kerry

HE's got preem stuff. Give you a friends 'n' family discount, too.

Spector Vendor

Of course, Mr. Eurodyne. Special rate for your friends.

V

2ALet's see what you got.

Kerry

2AEh, you can talk biz later. Come with, V, wanna show you somethin'.

V

2BBe back later, we'll talk biz.

Spector Vendor

2BSure thing.

Kerry

2BCome with, V, wanna show you somethin'.

Show you one of my favorite spots in Night City.

Don't come here often, but when I do... it's important.

V

Should I feel special?

Kerry

Don't let it go to your head.

Told 'em to shut the place down for the day.

Ahh... Can't get enough of this view. I love lookin' at this city from above.

V

3ASometimes wonder if I'll ever see anything more beautiful...

Kerry

3AI have. Doesn't matter, though. Night City's not somethin' you ever forget. Just doesn't letcha.

V

4AThink I know what you mean.

Kerry

4AYou ever feel like the city doesn't give you a choice? You either burn alive in it, or you never existed at all. Shit.

V

4AKerry. What's wrong? Tell me.

4BWhaddaya mean? C'mon, can tell something's wrong.

3BKerry? Can see something's eatin' you.

3CGlad we get this moment to ourselves.

Kerry

3CMhm. Brought you here 'cause I wanted to talk. With someone outside that whole shitshow downstairs.

V

3CWhat's up?

Kerry

Keep thinkin' about our conversation at Caliente.

V

Us Cracks, you and the slaves to the corpogrind?

Kerry

Mhm. Guess I wasn't completely honest with you. Or myself, for that matter.

V

5ATalk to me.

Kerry

5ASee, thought I was afraid everybody'd think me another corposlave. But I was just afraid I'd be in someone's shadow again.

V

5AAgain?

Kerry

5ALived in Johnny's for years. Part of the scenery, machinery, helpin' 'im shine brighter.

5ANever believed I'd make it on my own without Silverhand.

Johnny

5AThat why he left Samurai? Fuck…

V

6ABut you did make it. Big, too. Only diehards remember Samurai now. You – everybody knows your name.

Kerry

6AYou think that changes anything?

6AWake up with the same thought every damn day – that I might somehow fade into this town's steam, stench, murk. For good.

V

6BJohnny figured you chickened out. Couldn't take the pressure, so you left Samurai.

Kerry

6BYeah, I know. But he was wrong. Decided to start fightin' for myself. Still keepin' that up.

5ANight City's a city of shadows. Done everything I could to walk clear of 'em for years. Fuck...

V

7ATime you stopped bein' afraid. Don't need to be.

Kerry

7AThink it's that simple?

V

8AI'll even protect you from yourself.

8BShadows'll fade. I can feel it. male V only

8CYou'll be fine… without me, too.

Kerry

8CFuck. Yeah, sure hope so.

V

7BI still got a lot to prove to this city, but you... you're at the top. City's yours. What's there to be afraid of?

Kerry

7BEh, we'll talk about this again someday. Once you're in my shoes.

V

7BThink it's in the cards for me?

Kerry

7BYou're strong. City couldn't swallow you if it tried.

V

9AHold you to your word on that.

Kerry

5AFuck, s-sorry, V. I like you lots, but we-- this ain't goin' anywhere.

V

5AAh... Oh.

5AUmm, no worries. Sorry, never mind.

Kerry

5AThanks, though. For everything.

5AAhh... I'm gonna stay up here a sec longer.

5AYou go ahead, downstairs. Drink to this city. And to me in it.

V

10AOK. See ya.

Kerry

5AIs he...? male V only

V

5ADoes it matter? male V only

Kerry

5ANah, not anymore. male V only

5AIt's just all so fucking crazy. male V only

5AHere with you, lookin' at the city – want this moment to last forever. Want it to hang, frozen in time, bathed in these gorgeous neon lights. male V only

V

5AMoment's gonna pass, isn't it? male V only

Kerry

5AAnd we'll gladly go back to the chaos down below. male V only

Johnny

5AKerry never did get it – only one thing worse than unfulfilled dreams. male V only

5ADreams that come true. male V only

V

5ALet's delta. Chaos awaits. male V only

Kerry

5AAhh... I'm gonna stay up here a sec longer.

5AYou go ahead, downstairs. Drink to this city. And to me in it.

V

5BKerry, really don't have it in me to hash this out now.

Kerry

5BYou got something more important to do?

V

5BSomethin' lots more important.

Kerry

5BUh-huh. OK, sure, I get it.

V

11ALook, whatever happens, I'm sure you'll stay afloat. It'll be fine.

Kerry

11AHope so. Thanks.

12AAhh... I'm gonna stay up here a sec longer.

V

Should get back. Everyone downstairs is waiting... for you.

Kerry

I know, I know. Aim to knock back a few to this town tonight. And to me in it.

But I'm gonna stay up here a bit longer. You go ahead.

V

13AOK. See ya.

Kerry

Thought the whole Us Cracks thing was me bein' afraid. Of being exposed, of people finally seeing me as another piece of merch, another cog in the corpomachine.

Sellout Eurodyne, showin' Asian pop starlets a good time for cash, fame and the chance to remind people he's still fuckin' alive.

V

No truth to that?

Kerry

There is. But that's not what's important. Real problem's deeper. Way deeper.

Johnny

Only place you fall asleep thinkin' you're special, then wake up knowin' you're no one.

Kerry

Well?

V

Congrats, Ker. Decent show.

Now that that's behind us, what's Kerry Eurodyne's next mission? Hit on Kovachek?

Kerry

Very funny.

But yeah. Not about to let him get away with it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but the bastard's gonna regret makin' me sign those papers.

V

You try to get outta that deal with the label?

Kerry

Ahhh... Let's be real – say I break contract. Then what?

Who's gonna release my new tracks? Who's gonna deal with distribution, promotion, influencers, media?

Labels've got 'em all in their pockets. You're out with them, you're out period.

V

You'd be free.

Kerry

Seriously? Free to sing until you're blue in the face, nobody hearin' a thing? It's just another kind of cage.

V

I guess Kovachek's got you wrapped around his little finger.

Kerry

See, I thought he was representing me, not the label. Fuck, was I wrong.

V

Nothin' you can do about it?

Kerry

I could wipe him. Other than that? Nada. In the corp's pocket, won't cross 'em. And the corp's got the rights to my songs, my lyrics...

Fuck. If they ever wanna plaster my face on baby helmets, they can. But hey, price of fame, right?

V

14A"Love at first sight," huh?

Purple Force

14AMany different kind of loving. And different beginning!

V

14BYou look great.

Red Menace

14BMrrrow! You do too!

Blue Moon

14BV should be in our next-o video!

Red Menace

14BOr be personal bodyguard!

V

14BLittle busy at the moment, but... I'll call you if I'm hard up.

14CNew track – pretty sweet.

Blue Moon

14CAll thank you to Kerry-san. His rockerboy charm and energy.

Red Menace

14CKerry help us see all what Night City is. Immerse in it. Super awesome fun!

V

14DStill... can't help but think that mess with the single was your doing. You mighta hazed Kerry, but you won't haze me.

Blue Moon

14DOhhh nooo! Do not say such thing, V!

Purple Force

14DIt not true! We never do anything so terrible!

Media1

Kerry, great to see you so on top of your game! You and Us Cracks – SHOCKING! How'd it happen?

Kerry

Simple – rock's not dead. It's evolved, yet again. And I'm part of that evolution.

These girls are energizing, they're electrifying. They asked me to lay down a new track down with 'em... How could I say no? Rest is rock history.

Media2

Kerry, gotta say you look great! Uh, but it wasn't that long ago you were fighting depression, uh, thinking of hanging up your guitar for good? What changed?

Kerry

Did I say that? Goes to show you – you shouldn't trust a word that comes outta my mouth. Sweet little lies. Only way I can get at the truth.

Media1

Girls, how was it to work with the legendary Kerry Eurodyne?

Purple Force

He is wonderful, so sensitive and so, so naughty! Rawrrr! Our Kerry bad boy!

Vip1

Kerry! Over here! Here!

Kerry

Thank you, thank you... You're breathtaking!

Vip2

You're breathtaking, Kerry!

Kerry

Hey!

Hey, sit. Want you to meet someone.

Kerry

15AV, Spector. Old friend. Met him walkin' in Memphis, off Beale, ages ago.

V

15AHey.

Kerry

15AHe's got preem stuff, might be interested. Give you a friends 'n' family discount, too.

Spector Vendor

15AOf course, Mr. Eurodyne. Special rate for your friends.

V

16ALet's see what you got.

Kerry

16AAh, you can talk biz later. Come with, V, wanna show you somethin'.

V

16BBe back later, we'll talk biz.

Spector Vendor

16BSure thing.

Kerry

16BCome with, V, wanna show you somethin'.

V

17ALater, Spector.

17ALittle empty in here.

Kerry

17AClosed today. Wanted some peace and quiet.

V

17ASpeaking of, what's up with Us Cracks? Can't go near 'em, so what? Hit on Kovachek?

Kerry

17AHeh. Very funny.

17ABut yeah. Not about to let him get away with it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but the bastard's gonna regret makin' me sign those papers.

V

17AGuess Kovachek's got you wrapped around his little finger.

Kerry

17ASee, I thought he was representing me, not the label. Fuck, was I wrong.

V

17ANothin' you can do about it?

Kerry

17AI could wipe him. Other than that? Nada. In the corp's pocket, won't cross 'em. And the corp's got the rights to my songs, my lyrics...

17AFuck. If they ever wanna plaster my face on baby helmets, they can. But hey, price of fame, right?

Sit, sit, c'mon.