Dialogue: The Damned

Bennet

Report the position of all VIPs to me. I need to know if anyone not on the guest list makes contact with them.

Kurt guard

Almost all are located already.

Bennet

Roger that. Remember – our guests' comfort is top priority. The party goes on – no disruptions.

Concierge

Is something happening?

Jago

Hmm... People are checking... Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?

Concierge

Actually... The laundry room area, I think someone was there. But earlier…

Jago

Come on. Show me where.

Boulder

May I see your invitation, ma’am?

Party guest

Um... sure... is everything in order?

Boulder

No need to worry – routine verification. Please enjoy your evening.

V

Son of a bitch said I'd find Reed downstairs…

Alex

Yeah, heard 'im – wasn't crazy about his tone.

Alex holo

Thinkin' about what that prick said…

V

1AGuy knows, got some dirt on Myers.

Alex holo

1ACan't imagine it happening, but if the public learns the NUS president willingly broke international laws governing cyberspace use…

V

1ANUSA’s fucked.

Alex holo

1AMyers'll either have to take the fall, let herself be buried in dirt for this, or she'll defy the world and spark another war... Fuck me!

V

1BSongbird’s a walkin', talkin' WMD. And Hansen’s got her on a tight leash.

Alex holo

1BAnd he can prime her for use whenever he wants…

1BListen, V. We need to get her out. For everyone’s sake.

Ugh… Just once, I'd like to see things go smoothly, as planned.

This feels so very, very wrong.

ElevatorGuard

You and your choom best be headed the fuck out now.

Straight on from here. Gonna walk you two out.

Reed

Come on, V. No reason to hang.

V

2AI'm goin', I'm goin', sheesh…

ElevatorGuard

2A'S right you are. And no funny biz while you're at it.

V

2BOh yeah? Make me.

Reed

2BNo, V, let's just go.

V

2CThink you can stand there and bark orders at me? Fuck the fuck off.

ElevatorGuard

2CUmm… I meant, uh… Please make your way to the exit…

Tech floor soldier

Hold the fuck up… You the ones who busted your way in…

Through them tunnels like eels or somethin'…

V

3BWhatcha gonna do about it?

Tech floor soldier

3BTook out some o' my chooms. We fuckin' served together…

V

Uh... Got us confused with someone else, man.

Tech floor soldier

Yeah... Yeah, it's you.

Took out some o' my chooms. We fuckin' served together…

Maybe Hansen let you walk, but we won't.

And since he's not here, who knows what's gonna happen…

V

4ATry me, motherfucker.

Tech floor soldier

4AWith pleasure.

V

4BFor what it's worth, I'm sorry. Know how you feel…

Tech floor soldier

4BDo you?

4BGet the fuck outta my face.

4BGot nothin' to say, bitch?

Reed

Follow me.

How'd things go, V?

V

Got everything, all set.

Reed

You got thorough scans of the 'runners? Both of 'em, yourself?

V

I said we got everything.

Reed

Well, well… And then you, uh, excused yourself, stepped away, disappeared?

V

5AHansen showed up, we chatted. Threats were made, actually. Said if Myers doesn’t let up, world'll learn about Songbird, about piercin' the Blackwall.

Reed

5AHe clearly knows what So Mi means to the president.

V

5APersonal WMD, you mean? Yeah, Hansen knows all. Need to get 'er the fuck out, Reed, really.

Reed

5AI was afraid o' this... OK, V, Alex and I have work – we need to analyze the data from Songbird. Might take a day or two.

V

5APreem. Open comms line, then?

Reed

5ASure. We’ll work out a game plan, get back to you ASAP.

5AOh, and V – bang up work.

V

5BHow 'bout you spill where you been, what happened? Had us worried.

Reed

5BThe op was underway, I didn't want to jeopardize it. So when confronted, I behaved.

5BThey cornered me, got me before we could meet up. Forget the rest.

5BHow’d it go at the table? Anything to worry about?

ElevatorGuard

It's your lucky day, you two-faced shits. Fuck outta here.

No stoppin'. Le'ss go, fuck off.

Checkpoint guard

Or you can stick aroun'…

Get down on all fours, twerk it and work it…?

Reed

Ignore 'em, we'll be out in moments.

Checkpoint guard

Leavin' already?

How was the party? You have a good time?

V

6AReed…

Reed

6ANot the time, V.

V

I'm goin', I'm goin', sheesh…

Alex

Time to evac, V. Best not tempt the Fates.

Head to the elevator, ride down to one. Need to know what's up with Sol.

Reed

That's our cue to leave!

Now run!

V

7AHey there, Lizzy.

Lizzy

7AV? What're you doing here?

V

7ACould legitimately ask you the same…

Lizzy

7AHah, yeah... I might be a little out of place, but I get around…

7AAnd Dogtown, well… it always gets my blood coursing…

7AFortunately, I have darling Avi here. Avi's my new bodyguard. The best I’ve ever had, if a little too... overprotective.

V

7APleasure, Avi.

V

8AHey, how ya holdin' up? Last we saw each other was… y'know…

Lizzy

8AI'mmm… doin' great. Really inspired lately. Never felt better.

8AYeah… Never felt better.

V

8AHope it stays that way. Enjoy your evening, Lizzy.

Lizzy

8ATake care, V. And you keep skatin' along that edge. So fun!

Lizzys fan

8AI'll be ready to bug outta here in five. Up to you, though.

Lizzy

8AOh, it's up to me?

Lizzys fan

8AC'mon, don't act like you enjoy the jawing of these podium-pounders and career criminals.

8AYeah, thought as much.

8AIn that case, I'm gonna holo the landing pad. Unless... there's anyone else you wanna talk to...?

Lizzy

8AWell, I was hoping to have a word with Kurt 'bout that... other biz.

Lizzys fan

8AI can talk to him for you.

Lizzy

8ANo, don't bother. Another time, I suppose.

Lizzys fan

8AY 'know, you shouldn't be talking to him at all. That man means danger. Even for Lizzy Wizzy.

8AYou know my thoughts on this.

Lizzy

8AAll too well.

Lizzys fan

8AThat mean you'll listen?

Lizzy

8AAvi, please…

V

8BHeadset’s nova, Lizzy…

Lizzy

8BLike it? Here, it's yours, then.

V

8BFor real?

Lizzy

8BSure, got loads of 'em. You’ll look like you’re on Team LizWiz. It's liable to take you places…

8BI want you to have it.

V

8BWow. Thanks, Lizzy.

8CLookin' like you’re about to delta outta here…

Lizzy

8CMakin' my exit soon, yeah.

8CBut, from one party on to another! A choom of mine from Lagos is throwin' one on his yacht. Friends, fireworks, diving, a private fashion show…

8CHmm... shame. Some R'n'R out on the water would do you good. But I'm sure you're, like, super busy.

8CPlus, knowing him, there's gonna be drama, so I'm totally sparing you.

V

8CTotally. Thanks.

8DNext release – planned, maybe in the works already?

Lizzy

8DKinda... For now, though, I'm obsessed with galaxies, nebulae and sea turtles.

V

8DUh-huh. Care to elaborate?

Lizzy

8DV, with that you know more than my producer! Patience, please, you'll just have to wait.

V

7AHey there, Lizzy.

Lizzy

7AOh, it’s you… Some nerve you have just chatting me up.

7AAfter leaving me high and dry with a rotting corpse…

Lizzys fan

7AIs there a problem, Lizzy?

Lizzy

7ANot at all, Avi. This... nobody... was leaving.

V

7AWhatev.

7AHey, Liz Wiz, famed singer, right?

Lizzy

7AAnd you are…?

V

7AV. Just. V. Nice to meet ya.

Lizzy

7ANice to meet you, “Just V.” Perhaps we’ll meet again someday.

V

7AWe just might! Enjoy your evening.

Lizzys fan

7AYou're going to eat something, Lizzy, no buts. You can’t run on empty forever.

Lizzy

7AOh, let it go, Avi. I'm a firecracker on an empty stomach, you know that. And the night is young.

Lizzys fan

7AI just don’t want you to pass out.

Lizzy

7AJust tell me where we're off to after we’re done here.

Lizzys fan

7ARight... We AV out to the island, where we'll hop onto a plane and fly out over the Pacific.

Lizzy

7A“The Pacific” – not a terribly precise destination, Avi…

Lizzys fan

7ATo a private, aircraft carryin' yacht. With its own tracking system, so we’ll be flying full auto-pilot.

Lizzy

7AAh, adventure! Yesss. Hope you’re as excited as I am!

V

9ASure you got everything from the Frenchies? Nothin' else needed?

Alex

9ADefinitely got enough to work with. 'Sides, can't really squeeze 'em for more. Too risky.

V

9BAlready? Was just startin' to feel the groove.

Alex

9BMhm, right. Ass in gear, now.

V

Got the sky above. Still got a tail to shake…

Reed holo

I'm out of the woods, too. See you soon, and watch yourself.

Split up, then regroup. I'll contact you later.

Reed

Look left!

They're regrouping! They'll come from the right!

We got company! Look to the main gate!

Snipers! Watch out!

They're thinnin' out, V! Pile on the pressure!

Now's our chance, before they send more!

Turrets you hacked! They're really doin' it for us!

Solid work on those mechs! They're shreddin' Hansen’s men!

Bad news – mechs incoming!

Head down, V! Got it? Stay low!

Bennet

I need to go see what that Ziggy asshole wants.

ElevatorGuard

Move it, let's go!

Reed

We hold our position and wait for a window!

Tech floor soldier

Got nothin' to say, bitch?

ElevatorGuard

'S right you are. And no funny biz while you're at it.

Reed

V, what's your status, all good? Alex said you went at the ‘runners on your own, got the scans.

V

1AHansen showed up, we chatted. Threats were made, actually. Said if Myers doesn’t let up, world'll learn about Songbird, about piercin' the Blackwall.

Reed

1AHe clearly knows what So Mi means to the president.

V

1APersonal WMD, you mean? Yeah, Hansen knows all. Need to get 'er the fuck out, Reed, really.

Reed

1AI was afraid o' this... OK, V, Alex and I have work – we need to analyze the data from Songbird. Might take a day or two.

V

1APreem. Open comms line, then?

Reed

1ASure. We’ll work out a game plan, get back to you ASAP.

1AOh, and V – bang up work.

V

1BHow 'bout you spill where you been, what happened? Had us worried.

Reed

1BThe op was underway, I didn't want to jeopardize it. So when confronted, I behaved.

1BThey cornered me, got me before we could meet up. Forget the rest.

1BHow’d it go at the table? Anything to worry about?