Dialogue: War Pigs

Frank

Hey, V. Frank here. Arasaka, 'member?

V

Hey, yeah, sure. Damn, you ol' bastard, been a while since--

Frank

Listen to the whole message, please.

Abernathy's purging the dep. Anybody not a hundred percent with her is out.

I'm on her list. No idea why. You know how it is. No prisoners, no dismissals.

Not about to sit around, wait for the executioner. I'm putting together a file. To fuck up her life.

Got all the documents in a, uh, hidey-hole. If I don't manage to make use of 'em, you'll get this message and the coords.

I know you'll know what to do with 'em.

V

Fuuuck…

Johnny

Huh. Miss the warmth of the corporate lap? That unique thrill of internal power struggles?

V

1AWhat? Got a score to settle is all.

Johnny

1AA-hah. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. Rat's still in the race.

V

1ADon'tcha need to be somewhere else? Your piece need oilin', guitar need tunin' maybe?

1BButt out, not your biz.

Johnny

Hm, I get it, fine. I'm gonna go take a piss.

V

2AEmpty… Heh. Damn.

Frank

2AHello, V. Man, time flies.

V

2AInferred death just ain't what it used to be…

Frank

2AKey word – inferred. But Abernathy is purging the dep. Purged me. They took my house, accounts, implants…

2ABut I'm not done. Gonna prove she was wrong about me, shove it down her throat.

V

2AAh, so you make your move steppin' on me. Gonna serve my head up on a silver platter – and you think Abernathy'll welcome you back, arms outstretched?

Frank

2AThat's about the size of it. Now turn, hands on your head, hop to it.

V

2AListen, Frank. I'm nobody to Abernathy. Prolly doesn't know I exist, if she ever knew.

Frank

2AYou had it in for her, V, were setting her up. People don't forget shit like that.

V

2ANo, wa'n't me. That was Jenkins' thing. Used me as his tool.

2ASo, what? Back to the office? Recently fired employee walks in, gun in hand. They'll shoot you, then put me down.

Frank

2AMaybe. But see, V, the problem is I have nothing to lose.

V

2AClearly won't change your mind, but... not about to die with you, either.

Johnny

2ANothin' like runnin' into old friends and reminiscin', huh? Ah, the golden olden days…

V

2ANot in the mood, Johnny.

Johnny

2AShould be. Look at your luck. I mean, coulda wound up all jittery like him.

2AHave a nice night, V. I'll be at home.

2ANothin' like runnin' into old friends and reminiscin', huh? Ah, the golden olden days…

V

2ANot in the mood, Johnny.

Johnny

2AShould be. Look at your luck. I mean, coulda wound up all jittery like him.

2AHave a nice night, V. I'll be at home.

2ANothin' like runnin' into old friends and reminiscin', huh? Ah, the golden olden days…

V

2ANot in the mood, Johnny.

Johnny

2AShould be. Look at your luck. I mean, coulda wound up all jittery like him.

2AHave a nice night, V. I'll be at home.

2ANothin' like runnin' into old friends and reminiscin', huh? Ah, the golden olden days…

V

2ANot in the mood, Johnny.

Johnny

2AShould be. Look at your luck. I mean, coulda wound up all jittery like him.

2AHave a nice night, V. I'll be at home.

2ANothin' like runnin' into old friends and reminiscin', huh? Ah, the golden olden days…

V

2ANot in the mood, Johnny.

Johnny

2AShould be. Look at your luck. I mean, coulda wound up all jittery like him.

2AHave a nice night, V. I'll be at home.

2ANothin' like runnin' into old friends and reminiscin', huh? Ah, the golden olden days…

V

2ANot in the mood, Johnny.

Johnny

2AShould be. Look at your luck. I mean, coulda wound up all jittery like him.

2AHave a nice night, V. I'll be at home.

Frank

2AYou're not goin' anywhere!

V

2A'Member Joey Livani? Gonk from mergers and acquisitions? Pissed himself the day he was fired.

2AHis knees were shakin' so much he couldn't even walk. Guards had to drag 'im out to the curb.

Frank

2AWhat the fuck are you talking about?

V

2ASaw him as the most pathetic guy ever at Arasaka. Not so anymore. You just took that title.

Frank

2AAlways were arrogant. No, no time to chat, too busy with something super important.

V

2AWhoa, about to piss yourself, too. Can smell it comin'.

Frank

2AFuck you sideways, V. You and this whole rotten city.

2AYou really don't care if I end you.

V

4AGo ahead an' try, Frank. C'mon. Lemme see what you're capable of.

4BOpen your eyes, Frank. Arasaka threw you out like so much trash... and you're gonna go back and beg for mercy, knowing they have none to give?

Frank

4BLots of people have gone back.

V

4BLots – nah, some – sure. To a good brain cleansing, just in case. That what you really want?

2AIt's a closed book, Frank. Gotta refigure your life. Game over, start again.

Frank

2AStart again… Got nothing to start with, less!

V

2AGot iron and a full clip. Add a little gumption – you're good to go in NC.

2AKeep it together, Frank.

V

5ADunno. And frankly, don't give the slimmest shit.

Frank

5AThanks for your honesty, V. Good to know exactly where I stand.

5AYou're right. Going back to Arasaka... it's suicide, one way or another.

5ASometimes the simplest solutions get it done.

V

5AHeh. Fuuuck…

2AShoulda checked my schedule. Got plans for this evening.

Frank

2AMhm. Namely?

V

2A'Bout to find out.

Frank

2ASo what'm I supposed to do? Huh? What the fuck can I do?