Dialogue: The Beast in Me: Badlands

V

Hey, I don't think I know you.

Claire

I'm Claire. Might not remember me… Bartender at the Afterlife?

V

Uh-oh, forgot to close my tab?

Claire

Bar's abuzz about you lately. As the merc who's reliable, gets things done. And since I need help…

V

OK...

Claire

Need a driver – for street races. Drop by my auto shop, I'll tell you more.

V

1AYour garage – where is it?

Claire

1AIn Arroyo, on Valley. Lovely spot, you can't miss it.

V

1AAll right, try not to.

Claire

1AIf I’m not there when you arrive, just hang, I'll show up after my shift at the After.

V

1AOK, see ya, Claire.

1BY'know, I think I'll pass.

Claire

1BMmm… shame, that. Well, if you change your mind, swing by my garage on Valley. See you!

Claire

C'mon, baby...

V

1AUh... Claire?

Claire

1AUnder the rig!

V

2AHey, Claire. Helluva machine.

Claire

2AHm, you know your shit, and you've got good taste.

2AMeet Beast – my pride and joy.

2ABeer in the fridge if you want any.

V

2BHey, Claire. V?

Claire

2BOh, yeah, yeah, great. Uh, just gimme a sec?

2BMeet Beast.

2BBeer in the fridge if you want any.

V

Thanks. So what's this about?

Claire

Need a driver. I thought you might do.

V

3AA driver, huh? With you as my navigator?

Claire

3ANot exactly. This kinda racin' involves drivers and gunners.

V

3BWhat's the race like? Any special rules?

Claire

3BLack of 'em, actually. You race in pairs – driver and gunner.

V

So, you a turret guru or a driver's ed dropout?

Claire

I'm more an engine tuner – good at it, too. And I shoot, but I'm no rally racer.

I trust you're capable behind the wheel?

V

4ASure, Claire, I'll be your driver.

Claire

4AOK, we got four races. First one's in City Center.

4AThat'll be followed by the Badlands and Santo, then Watson to finish.

V

5AWhen do we start?

Claire

5AThere's a qualifying ladder – need to climb it to reach the finals.

V

5AHow high?

Claire

5ATop three in at least two rallies gets our ticket stamped.

5ALet's meet in City Center. I'll snap you the specifics. Hear the roar of overtuned monsters – that's the place.

V

5ASee ya there.

5BIf I'm drivin', why not use my wheels?

Claire

5BThink it's got what it takes? This isn't just about speed. It's a gauntlet of twisted steel.

V

5BRest easy. I don't drive a soap box racer.

Claire

5BYour car, mine... You'll be on the pedals, you decide.

V

5CThere a carrot we're chasin' after?

Claire

5CFirst place gets a payout. That happens, we split it fifty-fifty. Sound fair?

V

5CGot goosebumps already.

4BDoesn't really seem like my thing, Claire.

Claire

4BOh, beg to differ. Seem like the ideal prospect to me.

4BLightning speed, rush of adrenaline, the roar of engines… Willing to let all that fun pass you by?

V

6AUgh… Fine. You brought me around.

6BYeah, I'm willin'. You have fun, though.

Claire

6BDamn shame…

V

4CBut this won't be your first time out, will it?

Claire

4CDon't worry. Done my fair share o' rounds.

V

4CAnd your last driver? They quit?

Claire

4CIn a way. Died in a race a year back.

V

4CAh, sorry...

Claire

Used to ride with my husband, Dean. But then, 'bout a year ago…

There was a cock-up.

Keep tellin' myself he died quickly, didn't suffer. Best way to go.

V

Wow. Really sorry, Claire…

Seems like you've turned over a new engine, though.

Claire

True, people're like cars. We gotta keep movin'.

...

...

Claire

V! D'ya change your mind about my offer? The job?

V

A job...?

Claire

You know, rally racing?

I'm Claire, remember?

V

1AYeah, let's talk street racing.

Claire

1ASure, but not here. It's mayhem.

1AI'll be at my garage after my shift. Swing by?

V

1ANova. Talk there. Have a good one.

1BSorry, stopped by for somethin' else.

Claire

1BOh... gotcha.

Hey, loverboy! You're spillin'!

Yeah, you! Drenched the whole bar!

Just get your drunk butt home, will ya?!

Hey, V!

V

Claire... right?

Claire

You come to talk about my offer?

V

2AYeah, let's talk street racing.

Claire

2ASure, but not here. It's mayhem.

2AI'll be at my garage after my shift. Swing by?

V

2ANova. Talk there. Have a good one.

2BActually, dropped by for somethin' else.

Claire

2BNo worries. Swing by my garage when you get a minute?

V

2BNova. See you there.

Claire

What the hell was that?! Maelstrom?!

V

Knew somethin' like this'd happen...

Claire

Gotta crash 'em out before they target us.

V

I'll take that.

Racer 6Th

Dean Russell – knew 'im, didn't you? He owe Matt some scratch? That why they put that dog down?

Racer 6Th

Pff, Russell wa'n't put down. Russell put himself down – didn't let up, didn't know when to.

Sure, he owed Matt four thou but that had nothin' to do with it. I mean, think... dead man can't pay you back, can he?

Aaand, Dean was lookin' for the prize money to settle his debt. You know... boom or bust? Heh, wound up bein' the latter.

Racer 6Th

Carlos! My man! Fancy seein' you here! Oh! Just remembered I gotta take the trash out today! Thanks!

Crowd Civ

D'ya see the bird? The Russian…?

Crowd Civ

Uh-huh... Reaper lady, yeah?

Crowd Civ

Raggedy-ass bastards're lyin' in wait along our route. Hopin' for wrecks and loot…

Crowd Civ

Bag the bodies, then straight to a chop shop. Motherfuckers fear nobody.

Crowd Civ

Kick ass out there! Sixth Street trumps AAAALLLL!

Claire

Hey, V. Gonna take a look under the hood before we start. See if all's OK.

But stay close, just in case.

V

1AOur chances – how do you see 'em?

Claire

1AWell, s'gonna be tough to beat out Luigi. And he's got Margot ridin' gunner today…

V

1ARight, so?

Claire

1AGirl loves poppin' flats. But don't get hung up on it, let it mess with your head.

1AJust focus on the route, let me handle the entertainment.

1ASorry, need a minute to kick the tires before we get movin'.

V

1ASure.

1BThis race's givin' me all the wrong vibes…

Claire

1BWhy's that?

V

1BGot 6th Street, The Mox... gangs're well repped.

1BJust a matter of when a temper goes nuclear.

Claire

1BIt'll be fine, don't worry.

V

1CNot worried this'll get you killed?

Claire

1CWhat, today, the race – why?

V

1CNot askin' about just today. Could be, though, or the next one, one after that…

Claire

1CChoom of mine got shocked and killed by a faulty toaster in her own kitchen.

1CSo, y'know... It is what it is – que sera, sera.

Crowd Scv

Let's go, guys, get going! How much longer?

V

Claire.

Claire Phone

V! Ya ready for the next race?

V

Already here – ready and waiting.

Claire Phone

Wanna use your own ride or am I bringin' Beast?

V

2AWe'll take my ride.

2AFeels more natural to me, you get it.

Claire Phone

2ACourse, yours it is.

V

2BBeast – time to unleash her.

2BCan't keep a spit-shined animal like that caged up in your garage.

Claire Phone

2BWell said.

V

Meet there, yeah? Rancho?

Claire Phone

Be right there. See you then.

Claire

Big turn comin'! Cut it sharp!

Watch our back. They're movin' to pass.

V

Dare 'em to try!

Claire

Outta seeds in this spitter! Reloading!

We can win this, V!

Another one gnawin' tarmac!

One up front – see 'im? Luigi. After him!

Announcer

Start your stallions!

C'mon! I wanna smell that CHOOH-two burn!

Let 'em roar, make my ears bleed!

Oh yeah, I like that!

Let's count it down!

Three!

Two!

One!

...

Claire

Sit down for a spell over there, 'kay?

C'mon, V. We need to talk, I need to.

Hmm... V?

V

1AWow, quite the view.

Claire

1AYeah. Me and Dean – we liked to come here.

V

1AWanted to tell me something?

Claire

1AI mentioned Dean before... my husband, yeah?

V

2AWheel to your heat, right?

2BGimme a quick refresher?

1AWere you married long?

Claire

1ATwelve years. Dean used to laugh that for our fifteenth…

1ASaid he'd finally talk me into my first implant. Was prepping some surprise.

V

3AWhy tell me about Dean? M-meanin', why now…

Claire

3AHe died durin' a race last year. The final.

3ANot your standard fatality, though.

V

4ASayin' you feel at fault for his death?

Claire

4AMe, at fault? Why would you think that?

V

4BThis have something to do with our race?

Claire

4BSort of. Thing is... Dean was murdered.

3AHe was flatlined by a corpo-ego-weasel – Peter Sampson, exceptional walking rot.

V

3AWhat's the corpo's deal?

Claire

3ADoesn't really matter. Was only ever another adversary to me. But to Dean…

3ADean and Sampson had a history goin' way back.

V

3ASomethin' happen 'tween 'em?

Claire

3ADean never admitted anything, but yeah… yeah, there was some kind of strife.

3ASomething personal to their rally rivalry. When Sampson came first, Dean got hot and bothered.

V

6AYou a hundred percent sure the killing was deliberate? Not your emotions talkin' now?

Claire

6ANo, saw them argue till the crack of the starting gun... Gonna kill that bastard.

V

6ADuring the race?

6BRight, so this isn't business as usual. For you, this isn't about winning.

Claire

6BThat's right. Fuck winning. I want Sampson dead.

V

6BAnd this your best plan for vengeance?

Claire

3AFolks die on the track all the time – won't seem unusual at all.

3AAnother day at the races, in line with the rules.

V

7AAnd me? Guess you want my help to zero him?

Claire

7AKilling Sampson matters more than taking first. If we have to make a choice…

7ASorry I lied to you, V.

V

8AMeans a lot to you, this... so yeah, let's bury the bastard.

Claire

8AThank you. This… it's important. I need it.

V

8ASee you for the final?

Claire

8AThat's right. Till then, V.

V

8BIf Sampson dies by the rules of the game... all right.

8BBut I won't help you execute the guy. Can't count on that.

Claire

8BThat's fair, I can agree to that.

V

8BIt's all I can promise. And trust me... revenge don't soothe your soul.

8BJust makes you a killer, that's all.

Claire

8BNot the way I see it. But fine, till the final, V.

V

8CWant no part in this, Claire. I'm out, sorry.

Claire

8CThat's it? Gonna walk? You sure about that?

V

9AFine, I'll drive. With winnin' as my sole objective.

9BI'm sure. Just not what I signed up for.

Claire

9BI get that. OK, guess I'm done here.

V

9BWill ya look for another driver?

Claire

9BI will. But if I can't, I'll go it alone. Goodbye, V.

Claire

7ASo? Whaddaya say?

V

7BAnd if Sampson doesn't show for the race, what then?

Claire

7BPff. He'd never miss a chance to puff out his chest. He'll race.

7BCircuit champ last year. No way he'll let that go, not try to repeat.

V

3AYour husband, how'd he die exactly?

Claire

3AWe'd just powered into the final straight, Sampson peelin' up the tarmac ahead of us.

3AWas clear we couldn't win, so Dean let up on the chooh…

3AAnd then that snake slammed on the brakes. Dean also had to. He lost control…

V

3ABut… isn't that how this race works?

Claire

3AYou don't get it. Road was clear to the finish line! He woulda won. It was premeditated!

V

3BMind if I ask why you don't sport any chrome?

Claire

3BI love machines, V, I do, but I don't ever wanna become one. That weird?

V

3BA little, I guess. But it's fine.

Claire

3BDean – only person who coulda convinced me to chrome up. But... guess we'll never know if he'da managed, huh?

1ASweetest man I ever knew. We were friends before my gender transition.

1ABrought daffodils to the hospital... To new beginnings, he said…

V

1AWere you married long?

Claire

1ATwelve years. Dean used to laugh that for our fifteenth…

1ASaid he'd finally talk me into my first implant. Was prepping some surprise.

Announcer

Congratulations to Luigi and Margot!

Claire

Fuck!

V

Ah, sorry, Claire...

Claire

We cocked it up!

V

14AThere's always next year.

Claire

14ANext year? Ugh... you don't get it.

V

14BGave it our best, can't deny that.

Claire

14BSo what? Not how this was s'posed to be…

Whatever, let's roll outta here. Wanna get home.

V

Yeah.

Ah, sorry, Claire...

Gave it our best, can't deny that.

Announcer

Congratulations to V and Claire!

Claire

First place, V! Oh my fuckin' God, we won!

We're finals bound, yeah!

V

Hell yeah.

Announcer

Congratulations to Luigi and Margot!

Claire

We did it, V. We're finals bound!

Crowd End 6Th

Slaughterhouse-bloody means a damn good race! Woohoo!

Claire

Don't stop yet, OK? Move up a bit further.

V

What for?

Claire

Need to talk. Somethin' you should know.

V

OK.

Wanted to tell me something?

Claire

Sweetest man I ever knew. We were friends before my gender transition.

Brought daffodils to the hospital... To new beginnings, he said…

So what? Not how this was s'posed to be…

Announcer

Congratulations to Luigi and Margot!

Claire

Fuck!

We cocked it up!

V

Hey, Claire. Next race – you ready?

Claire Phone

It'll be a tough one. Off-road, lots of lead flying.

We'll take Beast. Wanna try her out in the field.

V

Nova. FYI, I'm already here.

Claire Phone

Perfect. Join you in a sec.

V

Sounds good, see ya.

V

Got it.

Luigi

I really thought you'd stand me up again. I thought Bouli would have to ride shotgun.

Margo

Bouli is a fantastic shot.

Luigi

He is, he is... but he's talking, always. Too much. His mouth never stops running. It's distracting – I take the turns too wide.

Margo

So next time I actually don't make it, there's duct tape in the trunk. Just sayin'.

Claire

Hey, V. Good to see you again.

V

Got another race to run, huh.

Claire

Second of four, I hope. Ready to go off-road?

V

3AThink this one'll be tough?

Claire

3ABadlands, so no fucking around. Anything goes in this race.

V

3ASo you'll have your hands full.

Claire

3AYou too. One mistake and we'll be a four-ton tumbleweed.

V

3AI can do this.

Claire

3AOK, I'm just gonna melt under that sun, sooo… gonna wait in the car.

V

3ASure.

3BLooks like Aldecaldos fronted a solid team.

Claire

3BThis is their race, or so they think.

V

3BAre they wrong?

Claire

3BNomad team usually wins this one, so no, guess not.

V

3CNot a fan-friendly event, is it?

Claire

3CWho'd wanna bake in this sun?

V

3CSpeed, carnage, a crunching metal symphony? Yeah, dull stuff.

Racer Wraith

Listen, kid. You're to shoot holes in those Aldecaldo rat bastards and not give a shit about the rest.

Racer Wraith

Uh, yeah? It's obvious?

Racer Wraith

This is your first time out, kid – nothing's fuckin' obvious. Fail to take them out along the first leg, there'll be no scratch at the finish line, guaranteed.

Racer Wraith

I know, I know... "The Badlands – our lands," "Us or them" and so on... I've heard it, hundreds of times.

Crowd Civ

Out in the Badlands Luigi's the man!

Claire

Bumpy up ahead.

V

Hold tight, Claire.

Claire

They're gaining.

V

Follow a race horse too tight ya might get kicked.

Claire

The guy in front, don't let him pull away.

V

I am trying, you know.

Claire

Hold on, mag's empty, reloading...

It's ours to lose now, V. Stay focused.

V

Got it.

Claire

Good, one gunner down.

V

The sand lie light on his gut.

Crowd Wrt

Hey, guys, remember! Maximum madness!

Announcer

Ladies and gentlemen! Get your pants on right, strap in and fire up your engines!

Thirty seconds and counting!

V

4AYeah, what's up?

Luigi

4AJust wanted to wish you luck.

V

4AThanks.

Announcer

4AThree!

4ATwo!

4AOne!

Luigi

Hey, you!

You hear me?

You there! Hey!

Claire

Ignore him. Luigi tries to get in people's heads.

Fucking sandstorm... Careful, V.

Announcer

...

Claire

It's ours to lose now, V. Stay focused.

Announcer

Our winners today – V and Claire!

Claire

We did it, V, we won!

V

Wasn't easy.

Claire

Drive up to the finish line.

Crowd End Ald

Damn good, gents 'n' ladies, damn good!

Announcer

Luigi and Margot are our winners!

Claire

We're doin' well.

V

Like, chance at the final well?

Claire

Better believe it.

Fuuuuck!

V

Piss poor, that.

Claire

Poor? My fuckin' bank account's poor. That was a fucking DISASTER!

V

1AYour last driver was better than I am?

Claire

1AHe was.

1AA good husband, an amazing wheelman.

V

2AHow did he die, if you don't mind my askin'?

Claire

2AHow do any competitive racers die?

2AWe reached the final last year. We were strong, out in front when…

V

2AMaybe we should change the subject.

Claire

2AYeah.

V

2BSo, you're racin' for him?

Claire

2BHe adored this shit. Had a keen mind for machines, unmatched. He could talk to 'em…

2BWhen he got behind the wheel, it was like he fused with it. But just him – no implants.

V

2BWhaddaya say we win this for him?

Claire

2BI'm countin' on you.

1AWant a lift to my garage?

V

3ASure, thanks.

Claire

3ALet's go.

V

3BFind my own way there, thanks.

Claire

3BAll right, see you.

V

1BHow'm I doin'?

Claire

1BYou're too wide around corners and slow down the last straightaway, but I'm nitpicking.

V

1BSo no regrets puttin' me behind the wheel?

Claire

1BNot yet.

Crowd End Wrt

No way... Just no fuckin' way! Gah!

Crowd End Civ

Why, no way the missus'll believe I bet on the winnin' horse…

Claire

...

...

V

Claire, you comin'? I'm already here.

Claire Phone

Great. Be there in a flash, promise.

V

Right on, see ya soon.

Claire Phone

Wait, hold up – which rig are we usin'?

V

1AMine.

Claire Phone

1ANo argument there.

V

1BYours.

Claire Phone

1BOK, Beast's ready to roar.

Be right over. Later.

Sampson

2AHey, I bet a bundle on our win. Losing's just not an option, eh?

Racer Mox

2AHey, look, Sampson. Fresh meat.

Sampson

2AHmph. Be embarrassing to lose to a rookie.

Racer Mox

2AChill, gonk'll probably crash out on the first bend.

Claire

Hey, V. Good to see ya.

So, how's it look to you?

V

4ANC badges are OK with this?

Claire

4ANC badges can't see a problem around the stack of eddies put in front of them.

V

4ASolve every problem, don't they, eddies?

Claire

4AMmmhm.

V

5AAny tips before we roll?

Claire

5ADon't take your foot off the chooh. My job'll be to slow everyone else down.

5AUltimately, it'll be speed, not firepower, that'll win us this race.

V

5AGo fast. Got it.

Claire

5AOh, take this shard.

Claire

6AWe need to hit all the checkpoints or we'll be disqualified.

6AIf you wanna hang a bit, do. I'll be in the rig.

V

6AWhen do we start?

Claire

6AThe shard. It's all on there.

V

6BWhat's this for?

Claire

6BIt'll show you the route. You'd be driving blind without it.

V

5BNo consequences for corpses in these races?

Claire

5BCops don't care who dies. They just funnel the data through their accident reports.

V

5BA bullet to the brain counts as a traffic fatality?

Claire

5BDepends on the street.

V

4BSeem to be a lot of corpos takin' part.

Claire

4BHow can you tell?

V

4BUsed to be one. Lettin' off steam after hours was key.

4BIt was either that or stress, burnout and a trip in a Trauma Team ambulance.

Claire

4BWell, people don't have heart attacks on the circuit, but ambulances come in handy.

V

4CGive you my take once we cross the finish line. Provided we arrive in one piece.

Claire

4CHey, focus on winning.

V

4CYeah, I'll go heavy on the throttle.

Claire

Heads up! Car a few back's lookin' to ram.

V

Good luck with that.

Claire

Reloading!

Doin' good, V! Keep it up!

V

Don't jinx it!

Claire

Popped the gunner!

V

Want a medal?

Claire

Just a "thank you" would be nice.

Guy in front of us, get on his ass!

V

Think I'll give it a slap instead!

Claire

Don't do anything stupid.

Sharp bend coming!

V

Hold on!

Announcer

Last bets, last bets! Don't miss your chance to win!

First elimination rally comin' up! Everyone ready?

Not like it matters – too late to back out anyway!

Strap in, pray to your gods and get ready to go for pay dirt!

Three!

Two!

One!

Claire

OK, this is the spot.

Racer Corp

D'ya hear about that thing Pete Sampson pulled last year?

Racer Corp

Pete "How-To-Succeed-Guru-I'm-On-The-Cover-Of-Time" Sampson? Talkin' about the finals, his win?

Racer Corp

Naw, naw. First race – Little China, Kabuki, finish line in Northside?

Racer Corp

Oh yeah. But Sampson came second. Not bad, but not tops.

Racer Corp

Not how it played out. Sampson hired Maelstrom thugs to zero the winners past the finish line. Put clever man Sampson first in the end.

Racer Val

So, whaddaya think?

Racer Val

About those rugfuckers? What'm I supposed to think? I piss on them.

Racer Val

Tha'ss good, good. I thought I sensed nerves, know what I mean? And you got to be relaxed behind the wheel, cooler'n liquid nitro.

Racer Val

Hey. I'm chill, holmes. Just, let's…

Let's you an' me show those corpopricks exactly how welcome monochromes are in Vista del Rey.

Crowd Civ

Go Heywood! We at home here, feel me?!

Crowd Civ

Zeigt den Pussies, wer hier das Sagen hat!

Crowd Civ

Best come back to me in one piece, baby! Nothin' missin' – got it? I love you!

Crowd Civ

Bucky! Bucky! I put a hundred down. You squeeze the life outta that wreck! Squeeze it like you love your mother!

Claire

Sharp bend coming!

V

Hold on!

Claire

Where the hell're you going?!

V! Get us back on track!

The hell, V?! Get back to the race!

You fucked us! Get outta my car! Go!

Enough! Get the fuck out!

You fucked us! Just let me out!

Enough! Let me the fuck out!

V

...

Announcer

...

Claire

Need a lift to the shop?

V

1AYeah, sure.

Claire

1AAll right, let's go.

V

1AYeah, sure.

Claire

1AAll right, let's go.

V

1BNah, I'm good. Get there myself.

Claire

1BSure, till next time.

V

1BTill next time.

1BNah, I'm good. Get there myself.

Claire

1BSure, till next time.

V

1BTill next time.

Announcer

V and Claire – our victors! What did we just see?!

Claire

We fuckin' won! First place!

V

You sound surprised.

Claire

First fuckin' place. It's not that I'm surprised, it's just...

V

I know, first place. I heard you.

Claire

Let's hold up at the finish line a minute, just in case.

V

You got it.

Crowd End Civ

Good job, way to be!

Announcer

Congrats to Sampson and Duke for a whopping win!

Claire

Nice work, V.

V

But we didn't win.

Claire

Doesn't matter, placed high enough that we'll make the final if we keep this up.

V

Next time, first place'll be ours.

Announcer

Congrats to Sampson and Duke for a whopping win!

Claire

Oh, V... we really munched ass that time.

V

What now?

Claire

Gotta do better next races or we'll be outta the final.

Fuck...

Announcer

V and Claire – our victors! What did we just see?!

Crowd End Civ

Up your ass, all of you! So much money! Real money! Fuck you…

Crowd End Civ

Oowee! Tidy sum I'da lost, tidy sum!

V

2AYou do this for the eddies? The wins, the glory? Why do you race?

2AIt's like you've got... laser focus.

Claire

2AYou don't like winning?

V

3AThat depends on what I stand to gain. And what I gotta put in.

Claire

3AYeah... The price can be pretty high.

V

3AD'you say you lost your last driver?

Claire

3ACan we not talk about it?

V

3ASure, sure.

3B'Course. Who doesn't?

Claire

3BSee? That we got in common.

3BAnd I always like to finish what I start. So let's win these damn races.

V

3BThat is the plan.

3CMeh. It's the road that matters, not the destination.

Claire

3CSo do me a favor and keep us on that road and out front.

3CYou'll have your journey, I'll have my victory.

V

3COK, was just asking…

2BDo these races every year?

Claire

2BMy fourth time, this. First time out, I won…

2BIt gets you hooked. I can't give it up now.

V

2BCan't or won't?

Claire

2BWhat's the difference?

V

Yeah, sure.

Claire

All right, let's go.

We fuckin' won! First place!

V

You sound surprised.

Claire

First fuckin' place. It's not that I'm surprised, it's just...

V

I know, first place. I heard you.