Dialogue: Violence

Lizzy Wizzy

Started to think you wouldn't show.

V

Shouldn't have, to be honest.

Lizzy Wizzy

Why not?

V

Normally only work with fixers. Clients that avoid 'em tend to be bad news.

Lizzy Wizzy

I just care about my privacy.

V

1AEveryone wants their privacy.

Lizzy Wizzy

1AMaybe. But not as much as me.

V

1BMhm. And why's that, if I might ask?

Lizzy Wizzy

1BThis is why.

V

Holy shit... you're…

Lizzy Wizzy

Yup. Lizzy Wizzy. None other.

V

Saw you at the Black Sapphire – hella gig you put on…

Lizzy Wizzy

Listen, I don't generally brag about visiting that place, so... our little secret, OK?

Anyway… enough of that.

Grab a seat, please. Let's talk.

I think you can guess. I'm in trouble.

V

Uh-huh. And what kind?

Lizzy Wizzy

Hah. Gooood question.

Been a rough year. Creative block. Can't even say the last time I made anything worth listening to, and to make things worse...

I fell in love.

V

2AI'm so sorry.

Lizzy Wizzy

2AHm. And why's that?

V

2ASooner or later, love'll only let you down.

Lizzy Wizzy

2AGuess it'll be sooner.

V

2BNot the worst thing in the world.

Lizzy Wizzy

2BIt is to me.

2BI have something to say. And that – it's a distraction. I need to focus on my art.

V

So – we're talkin' a man? Woman?

Lizzy Wizzy

Oh shit, these hands... Sometimes seems like I just brush something, and sparks fly…

Ugh. Anyway, a man. His name's Liam, Liam Northom. Been together a few months, but... I think he's cheating on me.

V

3ASo what's my role here? What do you want?

Lizzy Wizzy

3AProof. And then I'll end things. For good.

3ALiam goes to Riot all the time. Think he meets someone there. I wanna know who.

3AYou'll find out for me?

V

4ACan count on me.

Lizzy Wizzy

4APerfect.

4ARemember, I want specifics. Details. Recordings or pics if you can.

V

4ASure, keep it in mind.

Lizzy Wizzy

4AGood. Now go.

5ARemember, I want specifics. Details. Recordings or pics if you can.

5AProof. And then I'll end things. For good.

V

4BGotta think it over.

Lizzy Wizzy

4BI understand. It's good to think things through – not act first and regret it later.

V

4CNot so fast. The scratch?

Lizzy Wizzy

4CYou'll get it.

V

4CSure hope so. Question is, how much?

Lizzy Wizzy

4CGod, how mundane. No idea. Scads 'n' scads of scratch. You happy?

V

4CUh-huh. Y'know, for us mere mortals, the mundane matters. Sometimes means the difference between life and death.

Lizzy Wizzy

4CDon't lecture me. You want the job or not?

V

3BLiam Northom.... Nope, don't know him. Tell me about him.

Lizzy Wizzy

3BForty-ish. Sensitive. Guy who never wanted for anything. You know the type.

V

3BI heard they exist. How'd you meet?

Lizzy Wizzy

3BHehhh... He's my manager.

3BI know, I know how it sounds. I never meant to. He's not even my type. But...

V

3BBut?

Lizzy Wizzy

3BYour body can be chrome... but the heart never changes. It wants what it wants.

V

3COK – why the suspicion?

Lizzy Wizzy

3CUgh... It's so clichéd, it's embarrassing.

3CWhispered phone calls in the bathroom. Strange receipts. Secret meetings in the middle of the night.

V

3CAny specific event come to mind?

Lizzy Wizzy

3CHah. My mind. That's... that's a touchy subject.

V

3CWhy?

Lizzy Wizzy

3CDon't know each other well enough for that, V.

V

3DYou talk to him at all? Tell him to his face?

Lizzy Wizzy

3DHah! You're adorable.

3DImagine this – we're never alone, not really. Always surrounded by assistants, PR reps, makeup artists...

3DI stop smiling at him for one millisecond, it'll be all over every screamsheet in this town.

V

3DUnderstood.

Lizzy Wizzy

3DNo – you don't understand. Not until you've lived it. Millions of eyes, trained on you, constantly. It can be beautiful... and terrifying.

V

6AOK... So what's this about?

Lizzy Wizzy

6ASit, please. Let's talk.

6AV? Sit.

V

Fuck me. It's you.

Lizzy Wizzy

It's me. Lizzy Wizzy.

Sit, please. Let's talk.

V

Fuck me. It's you.

Lizzy Wizzy

It's me. Lizzy Wizzy.

Sit, please. Let's talk.

Riot Barman

Hey, why the long face?

Staff

Eh, caught another disaster in the VIP room. Three hours, wipin' up that mess. Vom on the ceiling, seriously.

Riot Barman

Christ. Fuckin' animals.

V

1AEy, you work here, right? Lookin' for one of your regulars. Name's Liam Northom.

Riot Barman

1AAh, that one. Fuck, can't stand that gonk.

V

1ABad tipper?

Riot Barman

1AUh-huh. Plus, he's a jackass. Output's even worse.

V

1AOutput, huh? Hm, interesting. Anyway, where's he at?

Riot Barman

1AYou know I can't tell you that.

V

2ALook, I'll pay. Make up for all those bad tips.

Riot Barman

2ACome by when the club's open... and stop in the VIP room. But, uh... didn't hear it from me, yeah?

V

2BCan't, huh? But know what I can do? Crush your skull like a can of Nicola.

2BThink if you really wanna say no. Use that skull sponge while you still got it.

2CIt's important.

Riot Barman

2CSure it is. You don't look like someone gets caught up in bullshit. But... I can't. Seriously. Sorry.

V

3ALookin' for Liam. Liam Northom.

Riot Barman

3AAh, that one. Fuck, can't stand that gonk.

V

3ABad tipper?

Riot Barman

3AUh-huh. Plus, he's a jackass. Output's even worse.

V

3AOutput, huh? Hm, interesting. Anyway, where's he at?

Riot Barman

3AYou know I can't tell you that.

V

4ALook, I'll pay. Make up for all those bad tips.

Riot Barman

4AIn the VIP room with some new output. Ordered champagne, so it's a party. But, um... ya didn't hear it from me, yeah?

V

4ASure.

4BCan't, huh? But know what I can do? Crush your skull like a can of Nicola.

4BThink if you really wanna say no. Use that skull sponge while you still got it.

4CIt's important.

Riot Barman

4CSure it is. You don't look like someone gets caught up in bullshit. But... I can't. Seriously. Sorry.

V

3BBusy night, huh?

Riot Barman

3BReal busy, yeah. You lookin' to spill your sorrows, this ain't the time.

Girl

7AWait, isn't he with what's-her-name, oh, y'know...?

Girl

7AUh-huh. Saw 'em together at the premiere.

7AAn' here he is, with a new one. Seriously.

Girl

7AUgh, total skeeve.

V

7ALookin' for Liam. Liam Northom. Know him?

Girl

7ACould say I know of him. What about him?

V

7AIs he around?

Girl

7ASaw him drive up to the door, but that was, like, half an hour ago? No idea now.

Riot Barman

Hey, Linda! Champagne to the VIP room, stat!

Staff

OK, just lemme give three their check.

Riot Bouncer

You got a ticket for the gig? No? Then get lost.

V

8ALookin' for a guy. Name's Liam, Liam Northom. Know where I could find him?

Riot Bouncer

8AKnow you can fuck off, merc. I ain't talkin'.

V

9AOh, so you know Liam. You do time together? Share a bunk? Smoke blunts on the back stairs?

Riot Bouncer

9ANo.

V

9AOf course not. He's a rich, 'ganic fuck. Typical suit, doesn't even see peeps like you or me – or if he does, it's just to spit on us.

9ASo why you takin' his side? Why make this harder for me?

Riot Bouncer

9A'Cause it's my job. What they fuckin' pay me to do.

V

9APay you to keep the peace. And I'm an easy, peace-loving choom. In and out, nobody'll even see me. And, well – it's important.

Riot Bouncer

9ACheck the VIP room. Usually sits in there.

V

9BBetter rethink that. Or you'll regret it.

Riot Bouncer

9BOne more word outta you and I'll scrap you so bad even Trauma won't know your ass from your elbow. Delta, now.

V

9CListen, it's important.

Riot Bouncer

9CI'm sure. To you. Me, couldn't give a flying fuck.

10AHm. You look OK. Go in, no messin' around.

11AWhere you goin'? Club's closed.

Where you goin'? Club's closed.

Hm. You look OK. Go in, no messin' around.

V

Lookin' for Liam. Liam Northom.

Liam

About that... Once you made the backup, can you tweak it to remove... undesirable traits?

'Cause Lizzy... ever since her conversion, she... she hasn't been herself.

Technician

I'm afraid that's impossible. Engrams saved in the Secure Your Soul program cannot be edited.

But... how significant would these edits be?

Liam

Significant. Sometimes... Sometimes I don't even recognize her. Other times...

Eh, never mind. Let's have a drink. To our partnership.

I know you don't often agree to use the Relic, but... well, you don't usually make an engram of a living person, either.

Technician

Aw, come on... Arasaka's taken a keen interest in Lizzy's career.

Be a shame if it ended prematurely. A backup copy seems to be the most sensible solution.

Champagne? Nice surprise.

Liam

Uh, consider it a token of my gratitude.

'Ey! What the hell are you doing here?!

V

1AOh, sorry. Wrong room.

Liam

1AVery wrong. Get lost, before I call security.

V

1BUh... you ordered champagne?

Liam

1BYes. And we'd like to enjoy it in peace.

V

1BOh, OK. Sorry, system said the order was still open...

Liam

1BI couldn't give two fucks about your system. Get out.

V

1CIsn't it obvious, Liam? Listenin' in on you two.

Technician

1CLook, I don't know who you are, but I can assure you – you'll regret this.

V

1CRisk of regret must be why they're payin' me.

Liam

1CHuh? Who sent you? Tell me – now!

V

2ALizzy. Y'know, your output.

2AThe one you wanna put on a shard... without her knowledge.

2AShe'll be interested to hear about this chat of yours. Very interested.

2BWouldn't you like to know? Well, chill. All in good time.

2BI'll tell whoever needs told about you two lovebirds... Expect things to heat up.

Liam

1CHey, hey! Wait! Wait one fucking second!

1CListen, I'll... I'll pay you, OK? Whatever you want. Just... forget everything you heard, all right?

V

3AOh, so that's how you make problems disappear, huh? Throw money at 'em... And poof – they're gone.

3A'Fraid it won't work this time.

3BSure, send me cred. Better be a lot.

Liam

3BSure, sure. I get it! Transferring now.

V

3BI'm out. Oh, and drink up. Bubbly's no good warm.

3CSure, maybe I'll say yes. But first, wanna hear your why.

Technician

3CLiam, no. Arasaka was very clear--

Liam

3CFuck Arasaka.

3CI'm afraid for her. Lizzy... she wanted to go full conversion, right? Change her whole body to chrome. She did it... but something went wrong.

3CAt first, it was just little memory problems, concentration, but now... She's changed.

V

3CWe all change, Liam. All the time. Usually for the worse.

Liam

3CYou don't get it. When I talk to her, I'm scared. There's something... something in her. Shit, I can't describe it.

V

3CIt's fine. I'm not the one you owe an explanation.

Liam

3CNo, wait, wai--! I'll pay whatever you want, just don't tell anybody. I am begging you.

Argh, fucking hell... No privacy.

Security! Intruder! Over here!

Get the hell out. Or I'm gonna call security.

Johnny

Oh, fuck... You heard what I just heard, right?

Relic... They wanna do her like they did me...

V

Not exactly. They wiped you. Here, they just wanna make a backup.

Johnny

A backup! V... we're talkin' about a person, not your vacay snaps. Guy didn't even ask, he's just going behind her back.

He's got no right to do it. Nobody has that right.

V

Specially without her knowing. Ah shit... How do I even tell her?

Johnny

Don't have to. Camera in there... Where there's a cam, there's footage.

V

Uh-huh. Guy's cheatin'. Bet my life.

Johnny

Dunno... I mean, he's up to somethin', no doubt... But that back there? That was about somethin' else.

V

Yeah, minor detes. Either way, she'd better keep away from him.

Johnny

She might not take you at your word.

V

Uh-huh. That's why I gotta klep the security cam footage.

Lizzy Wizzy

V? Need your help.

Same spot as last time. Don't make me wait.

V

1AWhat is it? Hello? Lizzy?

1AShit...

Lizzy Wizzy

Hello? V? What's up?

V

2AGot some intel on Liam.

Lizzy Wizzy

2AAnd? Is it what I thought?

V

3AYeah, looks that way. Caught him in the VIP room with some chick. Ordered champagne.

Lizzy Wizzy

3AAnd? What did they talk about?

V

3ACan't say. Don't think they talked for long, though.

Lizzy Wizzy

3AMh. It's not much. But... it's enough.

V

3BNo. Worse, Lizzy. Much, much worse.

Lizzy Wizzy

3BWhaddaya mean?

V

3BListen, dunno the detes, but Liam, he... he wants your engram. Wants to copy you.

Lizzy Wizzy

3BWhat...? But... why?

V

3BHe said... he said he's afraid. For you. And... of you.

Lizzy Wizzy

3BNo... No, I don't believe it. You hear me? Not a single word. You're lying.

V

4AGot the data to prove it. Here. Listen for yourself.

Lizzy Wizzy

4ANo, no... It's... No. Fuck...!

V

4ALizzy? You there?

4AGoddammit...

3BDunno. Gonna have to ask him yourself.

V

Lizzie, what in the--? Fuck. Now I get the rush.

Lizzy Wizzy

V, I-I was angry, I-I pushed him! These fucking arms, these hands! Oh my God…

You ever wake up in the middle of the night... and not know who you were for a second…? Or, I mean... you ever feel like you weren't really "you?"

I... That's how I feel all the time. Every moment. This emptiness, this helplessness... I stopped seeing, creating... Just now, I--

I just wanted to break up with him, you know? Tell him I wanted him out of my life... But I... I don't even know how, when I--

V

1ASo, this is about the body, right? That's why you called?

Lizzy Wizzy

1AYes, I... The media can't hear about this. Got it? That would be... Oohh...

V

1AHuh?

Lizzy Wizzy

1AThe world would eat it up. A tale of the temptation to control another's memory. A grim reminder that a "person" is merely a collection of bytes that can be copied, reproduced, copied, reproduced...

V

1ALizzy, snap the fuck out of it. What about the body?

Lizzy Wizzy

1AI dunno, do whatever. Take it somewhere, burn it. I'll pay you.

V

2AOK. I'll take care of it. You sleep soundly, now.

Lizzy Wizzy

2ASleep? I won't sleep. I don't need to.

2AThank you, Liam. You don't realize it, but... you've given me something beautiful.

V

2AThe hell are you talkin' about?

Lizzy Wizzy

2AGo, V. Go. And take him with you.

V

2ASomeone... Someone should give you a checkup, see if you're OK, Lizzy. Someone you trust.

Lizzy Wizzy

2AI like what's happening to me.

2ALovely to meet you, V. Now go, go.

V

2BNo, not doin' it. Something... Somethin's not right, Lizzy.

Lizzy Wizzy

2BNo, quite the contrary. Everything's finally falling into place.

2BGo, V. And shut the door.

3AYou've played your part in this story. Go.

3AI have nothing more to say to you.

V

4AYou strangled him, Lizzy. Slowly. You crushed his spine.

Lizzy Wizzy

4AI... I was angry... I must've lost control.

V

1AShit... Guy's in shreds...

V

6AGuy got what he deserved.

6BWelp, what's done is done.

6CSo Liam really did have a reason to be afraid of you...

Lizzy Wizzy

6CI didn't mean to, understand?! I didn't mean to!!

V

6CSure, maybe. All the same to him, though.

Karina Lee

Hi! How is everybody! Got some news with some spice. Lizzy Wizzy has just released her first BD. Yes, THAT Lizzy Wizzy!

It's called "Frac-sure Enough" and in it she lays bare her heartbreaking split with Liam Northom.

At first, Lizzy and Northom looked like the perfect pair... But then their little slice of heaven started to grow mold.

"Frac-sure Enough" is a tumultuous journey through the superstar's sadness, disappointment, pain... and then the ecstasy when she exacts her revenge.

When you feel Northom's body fall limp in your hands, with his hot blood streaking down your chrome skin... I mean, wow! Preem catharsis!

"Frac-sure enough" is a braindance masterpiece and proof that Lizzy Wizzy's genius extends far, far beyond her music.

I cannot recommend it enough! "Frac-sure Enough" by the one and only Lizzy Wizzy is available on feeders now! Check it out!