Dialogue: There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Bill jablonsky

That's them! Step on it!

There they are! Step on it!

There they are! Step on it!

That's them! Step on it!

They're supposed to pass down this street. We just sit tight till they show up and follow 'em.

I wanna see the light in that motherfucker's eyes go out.

V

Whoa, why?

Bill jablonsky

So he can smell his own fear before he dies.

V

1ANothin' to do but wait, then.

Bill jablonsky

1AWhat's your name?

V

2AV.

Bill jablonsky

2ALet me tell you something, V.

2AThat sack of filth took the life of someone I loved.

2AI can't live with the thought that he--

V

2BUnimportant.

Bill jablonsky

2B"Unimportant," huh.

2BThe same thing they told me when I wanted to know his real name.

2BThe dirtbag who killed her.

2BI...

V

1BPlan sounds half-baked. Honestly, don't like it.

Bill jablonsky

1BWhat's that supposed to mean?

V

1BFirst up, don't execute in public, don't need an audience. Second, they could get away.

Bill jablonsky

1BYou don't get it... I spent my life savings on this!

V

1CWant him dead why, exactly?

Bill jablonsky

1CThat's not your concern.

V

1CRather know what I'm getting into.

Bill jablonsky

1CStephenson murdered my wife. They convicted him, put him on death row…

1CBut the slimebag found a get out of jail free card. Over my dead fuckin' body.

V

1DWait, Stephenson won't be alone? Could've prepared better knowin' that.

Bill jablonsky

1DNo one else needs to die today, only him.

V

1DWho's his entourage? They gonna be packin'?

Bill jablonsky

1DOrdinary people. Once we scare 'em, let 'em know we're serious, they won't lift a finger.

V

1DHow do you define ordinary?

Bill jablonsky

1DCorporats who got him out of the can. They'd sell their own mothers to save their own skins. Just don't fire at them.

Bill jablonsky

3AHuh?

V

4ABill Jablonsky?

Bill jablonsky

4AMm. Did Okada give you the details?

V

4BWakako sent me.

Bill jablonsky

4BIs that the Okada lady? Did she tell you how this is supposed to happen?

V

5AMy info's I'm supposed to off someone.

Bill jablonsky

5ANo, not just ANYONE. Joshua Stephenson – a fuckin' murderer.

V

5BDidn't go into a whole lotta detail, no.

Bill jablonsky

5BJoshua Stephenson. You and me're going to give that murdering fuck what he deserves.

3AI'll tell you more inside. Get in. You're driving.

Bill jablonsky

Stay on 'im, don't let him get away!

Watch out!

Fuck!

We can't lose him!

Ugh!

Fuck!

Bastard's gone, got away!

Beat it, get the fuck out! You're useless!

V

7AHere we are... Guess I just gotta wait.

Bill jablonsky

Those are people!

What the hell're you doing?!

Silent type, are ya?

Ziggy Q

Good evening, Night City! My very special guest tonight is braindance producer Rachel Casich. You may remember her from such BDs as "Maxwell's Rehab" and "Cyb3rpsych0sis."

Rachel's been known to rustle a few hornets' nets, and she's at it again with her latest project – "The Passion of Joshua."

Did your publicist tell me right? You want to recreate Christ's crucifixion?

Rachel Casich

That's exactly right, Ziggy.

Ziggy Q

Complete with nails, spears, thorns – all the gory details?

Rachel Casich

Right again, Ziggy. Just as the Bible describes it.

Ziggy Q

Were you only taking auditions from actors who have experience in coming back from the dead? Zombies maybe?

Rachel Casich

Hahahaha! No, unfortunately that wasn't something we hoped to achieve with this project.

Ziggy Q

In that case, I'm guessing you didn't have many actors eager and lined up for the role.

Rachel Casich

No, no... Our search began in the prison system, with people on death row. Seeing as how they were destined to die soon anyway, well...

Ziggy Q

Why not die... for you?

Rachel Casich

No, not for us. Their death would help others. We hope the experience will awaken something in people, give them insight and direction in their lives.

Ziggy Q

And you have no issue casting a loathesome criminal as the savior of the universe?

Rachel Casich

I'll answer you with a piece of wisdom from Saint John Chrysostom – "Be ashamed when you sin, don't be ashamed when you repent."

Our actor, Joshua Stephenson, has committed horrible crimes, it's true... But he deeply regrets them, and he seeks redemption.

Ziggy Q

If it's not too early, what's next for you after this? Saint Lawrence burned alive on a spit? Saint Cassian stabbed to death by children?

Rachel Casich

That depends on the success of this project. We're always eager to make sequels.

Ziggy Q

Hohoho! I just hope we have enough convicts to go around! Thank you, Rachel, and until next time Night City!

Karina Lee

Hey all, Karina here – your BD M.D. Have you relived "The Passion of Joshua" yet?

If that's a "no," then drop everything and slip that wreath on!

Now, I've come across a lot of emotionally powerful BDs in my time. Birth, death of a loved one... even rape, as horrible as it sounds.

But this... Wow! This is on another level! Like a revelation, a true-to-life miracle!

I felt like I was touchin' heaven, like God spoke to me. I was bawlin' like a baby, I'm serious!

I'm tellin' ya, it's a BD experience everyone oughta relive. Today. Right now.

"The Passion of Joshua" is already available on all feeders for only E$39.99. And it's worth every enny!

Be right back with more BD news from around the world after the break!

Joshua

Have you ever experienced anything that changed the meaning of existence? Changed your life?

V

1ACould say that, sure.

Joshua

1AThen you will understand exactly what I'm trying to do.

V

1BCan't say I have, no.

Joshua

1BToo bad. We should all have a moment like that. I've had mine.

V

1CDon't feel like talkin' about it.

Joshua

1CHm. Then let me speak.

V

1DFuck... the hell possessed me to get in…

Joshua

Twelve years ago I was sentenced to prison for armed robbery.

And other sins. I shot and killed several people in cold blood, and it didn't mean anything to me at the time.

But behind bars, you get all the time in the world to think. And I thought to correct the errors of my ways.

V

2ASpelling mistakes you can correct. But murder's murder.

Joshua

2AYou can make amends to the families…

2AYou can lead others away from the path of darkness.

V

2ASpill already. What do you want from me?

Joshua

2AStay with me for the day. And I'll pay you what you were promised to kill me.

Rachel

2AUh, excuse me – with what money?

Joshua

2ANot mine. The studio's. And the studio will pay.

V

3AJust till the end of the day?

Joshua

3ATill the end of the day.

V

3AI sense anything goin' wrong, I'm out.

Joshua

3ANo one will force you to stay.

Rachel

3AWe're almost at Gloria El-Ahmar's.

Joshua

3AGive me a moment, I need to prepare.

V

3BNot likin' this one bit. Lemme out, I'll be on my way.

Joshua

3BIt's easy money. Just, uh... give it a thought.

V

3CStill got no idea what it is you want from me.

Joshua

3CRemain by my side and talk to me. That's it.

V

4AYou don't like Rachel? She's got the gift of the gab, surely.

Joshua

4AI'm merely a springboard for her career. Heh, a high-value asset.

4AYou're the one I want to talk to.

V

4BTry Vasquez. You can probably get him to speak if you dangle a dog treat in front of his nose.

Vasquez

4BGo fuck yourself.

Joshua

4BVasquez sees me as nothing but a liar, scum that should've fried in the electric chair.

4BYou're the one I want to talk to.

V

4CWhy? Are you lonely?

Joshua

4CYes, I am.

4CI truly need you.

V

3DYou know, still got that contract to kill you. What's to stop me from fulfilling?

Vasquez

3DMe. One strange twitch, I kill you.

Joshua

3DHey, there's no reason to upset Vasquez. Your fixer will get what they want. I'll make sure of it.

V

3DHow you figure that?

Joshua

3DTrust me. Everyone will be satisfied. I guarantee it.

V

2BStill don't get why you're tellin' me this.

Joshua

2BI want you to understand what I am about to do.

V

2CA tale of repentance, redemption and rebirth? Been on TV thousands of times, probably. I'm usually asleep before it's half over.

Joshua

2CThis won't be TV. This will be entirely different.

V

2DWhy'd you shoot 'em?

Joshua

2DI was holding a gun. I didn't like the way they looked at me, and I had the power to stop them.

2DI still see their faces just before I... Ahem. Frozen in time. God... give me strength to never forget.

Just wish I could've talked to Gloria, explained everything…

If somehow I thought... I-I thought she'd find it in her heart to forgive me…

Rachel

Huh, time to grab a bite to eat.

V

5AWho could blame her? Not easy to forgive your son's murderer.

Rachel

5AStephenson, we all knew how that would end.

V

5BHey, probably would've forgiven you if that had been me.

Vasquez

5BBut you're not her, are you? Nobody killed your son.

Rachel

5BVasquez!

Joshua

"If you forgive anyone their sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." Pff... ugh.

V

6AYou really wanna do this? Get nailed to a cross?

Joshua

6AYes.

V

6BReally aim to spin a virtu of your crucifixion?

Rachel

6BUgh, yes, really.

V

6BYou'll be kickin' up a shitstorm...

Rachel

6BHaters gonna hate.

Joshua

It is something I must do.

For if this won't shake the world to its core, and wake us from our collective nightmare, then nothing will.

Rachel

Ehh, take Stephenson inside, grab us all a table.

Need a word with our stowaway here.

V

7AWhere're we eatin'?

Rachel

7AUhh, PieZ.

Vasquez

7AThey do a great cup of coffee.

V

8AGot a killer cheesecake at PieZ…

Vasquez

8AI'm lactose intolerant.

V

8AHow 'bout vegan avocado ice cream, then?

Rachel

8AHow well do you know the city?

V

9ACan't know Night City well, ever. It's always changing... always surprising. Part of its charm.

Rachel

9AHm, true that.

V

9BWhy does it matter?

Rachel

9BAh, just curious. Happen to like it out here is all.

Karina Lee

Hey all, Karina here – your BD M.D. Have you relived "The Passion of Joshua" yet?

If that's a "no," good. You haven't seen a steaming pile like this in your feeder's BD library in a while.

It's just that same juiced-up ride we've all had before, playing at emotional extremes. Problem is – no depth.

The feel is cranked all the way up, but it comes across as forced and insincere.

And y'know the big death scene they hyped so much in the trailers? It hurt like hell, but man did it feel hollow.

I give it 2 stars, and that's being generous. I honestly expected more from a Rachel Casich production.

After the break, I'll be back with more BD news from around the world!

Rachel

Hey, it's Rachel?

The, uh, "Passion" project? BD?

V

Oh yeah. What's up?

Rachel

We've got a crisis on our hands. Could reeaaally use your help.

Stephenson's had a breakdown. Nothing any shrink can do about it.

Can you come here, to the studio? Just to... talk to him?

V

1BSorry, can't. Tied up with other stuff.

Joshua

1BI need you here, V. With me. Please.

Rachel

1BDon't worry, you'll be paid extra for your time.

V

2BSorry. You guys're on your own.

Fine, sure. On my way.

Rachel

She said she'll come.

Huh, thanks, V.

Wakako

V, how ya doin', honey? Listen, got a golden opportunity for you.

V

Word on the street's that when Wako says golden, it's usually a turd wrapped in crepe paper.

Wakako

It's a... sticky situation.

V

3ASo, what's the spec?

Wakako

3ACaroline Jablonsky – set off any buzzers for you? Murdered in cold blood. Made waves a few years back.

3AThey locked the guy up... but now there's a chance he could walk.

3AJablonsky's family wants to balance the scales of justice, for good. You'll finish him.

V

4AThe perp been proven guilty? Meanin', he deserves to die, truly?

Wakako

4ADo I look like a criminal prosecutor to you?

V

4AWhat'd he do, exactly?

Wakako

4AI'm not a beat reporter, neither. You want the job or not?

V

5AAll right, I'm in.

Wakako

5AGood. Client'll be waiting for you by a car at the corner of Sixth and Brandon.

V

5AHuh, in a car?

Wakako

5AClient wants to tag along, be there in person when you put a bullet through the guy's eye.

5AGood luck!

V

5BSorry, got too much on my plate as it is.

Wakako

5BOf course. So you give me a call when you change your mind.

5BPutting this one on hold for you. You're the only one I trust with it.

V

4CSo you want me to murder someone?

Wakako

4CWait, this isn't the Dalai Lama? Must've gotten the wrong number!

4CYou didn't arrive in this pond yesterday, V. You know how the fish gets sliced.

V

3BSticky? Wow, you're really sellin' this, Wako.

Wakako

3BJob's like any other. Just the client's, well, demanding.

V

3BClients got every right to be demanding. What makes this one any different?

Wakako

3BWants everything to go exactly as planned. Willing to break the bank for it, too.

3BJob like this needs your magic touch, V. Anyone less experienced'd just fuck it up.

V

3BHuh, thanks for the vote of confidence. Now I'm sure it's a turd in crepe paper.

Wakako

So, whaddaya say? Gonna do the hit or not?

V

6AYeah, I'll do it.

Wakako

6AGood. Client'll be waiting for you by a car at the corner of Sixth and Brandon.

6AClient wants to tag along, be there in person when you put a bullet through the guy's eye.

6AGood luck!

V

6BDon't got the time, still.

Wakako

6BAll right. Be holding it just for you, then. Lemme know.

V

7ASo, what's the spec?

Wakako

7ACaroline Jablonsky – set off any buzzers for you? Murdered in cold blood. Made waves a few years back.

7AThey locked the guy up... but now there's a chance he could walk.

7AJablonsky's family wants to balance the scales of justice, for good. You'll finish him.

Rachel

Hey!

Seen the opening numbers? Stephenson's a hit!

V

8ACongrats, I guess.

Rachel

8AYou, you were great!

V

8BThat BD? Shouldn't've released it, really.

Rachel

Forget all that shit I said to you. Eddies'll hit your pocket soon.

And should I mention there'll be a bonus? Enjooooy!

You stupid fucking cunt! You happy?!

V

What's your problem?

Rachel

YOU! You fucked everything up sideways!

He doubted! Hesitated! We didn't get that... that damn "oomph"!

V

9ASorry, I guess?

9BCouldn't give the slimmest shit.

Rachel

9BWhy?! Why'd I even let you talk to him?!

9BYou softened him up!

I'll burn you to the fucking ground!

Good luck ever finding another job!

V

Job with Jablonsky – it's done. Stephenson's in a better place now.

Wakako

And? Think anything of it?

V

Professionals don't sit around and think – they do.

Wakako

Well said, V. Eddies are on their way.

Rachel

You stupid fucking cunt! You happy?!

V

What's your problem?

Rachel

YOU! You fucked everything up sideways!

He doubted! Hesitated! We didn't get that... that damn "oomph"!

Joshua

Zuleikha..?

Zuleikha

You're... late!

Joshua

I... found a companion along the way.

Zuleikha

Someone from the studio?

Joshua

Do you remember what you wrote me in your last letter? She is everything you spoke of.

V, meet Zuleikha.

V

1AV. Pleasure.

Zuleikha

1AMmm.

1AYou are a friend of Joshua's?

V

2ARecent acquaintance, more like.

2BIt's a long, strange story…

2CNope. We are not friends.

Zuleikha

1AHehh...

1AMama isn't... back yet. We can talk inside until she returns. Come in.

V

1BWouldn't mind knowin' what's goin' on here. Anyone?

Zuleikha

1BYou haven't told her anything?

Joshua

1BWe just met. There wasn't time.

Zuleikha

1BYou really are insane…

1BMama isn't... back yet. We can talk inside until she returns. Come in.

Vasquez

Hurry up. I'll be waitin' outside.

V

3ALooks like someone doesn't enjoy waiting patiently.

Vasquez

3AFuck off.

Zuleikha

Please, sit down.

Can I offer you anything, a drink?

V

4AUh, glass of water.

Zuleikha

4APlease.

V

4BThink I could have something... stronger, maybe?

Zuleikha

4BWe do not serve any alcohol under this roof. We have none.

V

4CI'm good, thanks.

Zuleikha

In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.

Joshua

Zuleikha is the sister of the man I killed.

She wrote me letters while I was doing time.

That is how we two were united. Through forgiveness.

V

5AMean to say you let the man who killed your brother off the hook?

Zuleikha

5A"Judge not, and you will not be judged. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

5AWhether it finds enemies or neighbors, God's love knows no bounds on Earth, and neither should ours.

V

6ANot buyin' it. Not at all.

6AYou believe in a merciful God. Yet he allowed for your brother's murder. Let it happen.

Zuleikha

6AI grieved for Ruben. You cannot know how much. I wanted him back... But then God showed me his plan, and I found peace.

Joshua

6AThe Lord knows I regret killing Ruben, but... if not for him, I never would have found the path to God.

V

7AYep, still not buyin' it.

Joshua

7AI guess, then... you don't believe in the Creator?

V

7BWe can't know the paths of Divine Providence.

Joshua

7BDo you believe in God, V?

V

6BNot every day you run into a true believer in Night City.

Zuleikha

6BIt was Providence that brought you under my roof. We met because of Him.

Joshua

6BTell me, V. Do you believe in God?

V

5BYou're the reason Joshua found redemption?

Joshua

5BIt was her letter that started everything.

Zuleikha

5BI lost a brother. God gave me another.

V

8ASure, I believe.

8BCan't say I do.

8CFor all I know there could be a higher power out there, but nobody's been able to prove it. No one ever will.

Zuleikha

8CFaith is something no one but you can prove.

V

8DWhy're we even talking about this?

Joshua

Zuleikha and I have a... a running dispute. I was thinking you could help us resolve it.

Zuleikha

No, no, I never agreed to anything like this!

V

9AI'm all ears.

Zuleikha

9AJoshua, he... he thinks he's the Messiah and wants to end his own life.

Joshua

9AThat is not true – I never said I was any sort of messiah.

Zuleikha

9ASuicide! Do you really think that's what the Lord could ever want from you?

Joshua

9AIt won't be suicide.

V

10AI still don't get what's happening here, Zuleikha.

Zuleikha

10AWhen they put Joshua away, the screamsheets devoted space to him on page five.

10ABut when they discovered he'd found God, suddenly he was on primetime TV.

Joshua

10AWhat's wrong with using a platform to tell people about my faith, and God's grace, hm?

Zuleikha

10AWe are way past that, Joshua! Instead of being executed in prison, he agreed to let braindance studio vultures record his agony as he's being crucified!

V

11AWhat exactly's going on here, Joshua?

Joshua

11AWhen the media learned I'd found God in prison, the next day my face was on the cover of every screamsheet.

11AA braindance studio took notice. They sent representatives to make me an offer.

Zuleikha

11AEgh, bloodsuckers...

Joshua

11AI was facing the electric chair. Now, with the studio's help, my death will be more than a state-sanctioned murder.

Zuleikha

11AThey want to scroll a braindance of Joshua being crucified – an execution like any other, just garbed in holy robes!

V

9BEh, religious debates – not my thing.

Zuleikha

9BThere's nothing to debate. Those BD studio hyenas convinced Joshua to trade one execution for another – his own crucifixion.

9BHe wants everyone to experience his agony! Feel his pain and suffering!

V

12AThis is insanity, pure and simple.

Zuleikha

12AIt's the one thing worse than insanity – blasphemy.

V

12BW-why the braindance? What's in it for you?

12CHang on. A... a BD studio changed how a convict's going to be executed? Doesn't the law say something about that?

Joshua

12CCorps write the laws. Corps choose the judges. All it takes is a sit-down between the studio's CEO and a state's attorney.

12COfficially, I'm here on a supervised, one-day furlough. But no law can prevent me from spending that with new acquaintances.

V

12CCorruption's a sin, too, isn't it? And corruption got you here.

Joshua

12CThis is much bigger than the laws of man. With this braindance, I'll take God's message to billions.

Gloria

Joshua Stephenson... we meet again. And who are you?

V

13AMy name is V.

Gloria

13AGo. You are not welcome here.

V

13BThis who we've been waiting for?

Joshua

13BYes.

Mrs. El-Ahmar... I have come to beg you for forgiveness.

Gloria

You... You murdered my son!

That is something I can never forgive.

Joshua

I truly do regret the pain I have caused you…

Gloria

Out of my house, now!

Zuleikha

Just go, please...

Gloria

Out! All of you!

V

14AWe should leave. Really.

Joshua

14APlease, Mrs. El-Ahmar!

Gloria

14AMurderer!

Zuleikha

14AIt's OK, just go.

Gloria

14AYou took my Ruben from me…

14AMy child, my son…

Joshua

14ALet's go back to the car.

V

14BHad enough of this, Josh.

Joshua

14BWait!

V

14BNope, count me out.

Gloria

14BYou killed my child!

14BMy Ruben...

Joshua

14BMrs. El-Ahmar! Please!

Zuleikha

14BJust go, please...

Just go, please...

Gloria

My child, my son…

You took my Ruben from me…

My Ruben...

You killed my child!

Zuleikha

It's OK, just go.

Joshua

Zuleikha transformed me into a child of God. It's time I repaid that debt.

I want to bear witness to love's existence – in a manner that all the lost souls on this wretched earth can understand.

V

Why love?

Joshua

If unconditional love exists, then so must God! It's time the world was reminded of His divine presence.

Think of the millions jacked into their feeds like livestock, the children growing up in gang-infested streets. Do they know love?

Think of the joytoys on Jig-Jig Street! Coked-out corpos in their offices, an' murderers who stalk the streets! I want to reach them. I will reach them!

And think of paid killers like you, V. Have you known love? Do you know what it is?

Zuleikha

Uh, mother's home!

V

Why're we here? And who're we waitin' for?

Joshua

Tell me, V. Do you believe in God?

Zuleikha is the sister of the man I killed.

She wrote me letters while I was doing time.

That is how we two were united. Through forgiveness.

Rachel

Vasquez, keep an eye on them. I'm gonna stay in the car.

Keep it short. We're on a tight schedule.

Joshua

Tell me, V. Do you believe in God?

Zuleikha

Please, sit down.

Joshua

When the media learned I'd found God in prison, the next day my face was on the cover of every screamsheet.

A braindance studio took notice. They sent representatives to make me an offer.

Zuleikha

Egh, bloodsuckers...

Joshua

I was facing the electric chair. Now, with the studio's help, my death will be more than a state-sanctioned murder.

Zuleikha

They want to scroll a braindance of Joshua being crucified – an execution like any other, just garbed in holy robes!

Is everything all right?

Hello?

Is everything all right?

Hello?