Dialogue: Who Wants to Live Forever

Reed

V, have you decided yet?

V

Straight to biz, huh?

Reed

We have nothing else to discuss – no need to pretend.

V

1AOK, yeah, I'm ready.

Reed

1AAn FIA AV can pick you up stat. I just need a meeting point, preferably secluded.

V

1APlace called Misty's Esoterica. Roof of the building.

Reed

1ARight. We'll be standin' by.

1AAn FIA AV can pick you up stat. I just need a meeting point, preferably secluded.

V

1APlace called Misty's Esoterica. Roof of the building.

1ARaise you on the holo when I arrive. Need a moment to get there.

Reed

1ARight. We'll be standin' by.

1ASo... I'm dispatchin' an AV. Where will they find you?

V

1APlace called Misty's Esoterica. Roof of the building.

Reed

1AIt won't be long, now.

1AGood luck, V.

V

1AThanks, Reed. For everything.

1BBe honest now – how successful this stand to be?

Reed

1BThis hemisphere's top surgeons're waiting to help you. It'll work, rest assured.

V

1CTime for the next leg of the journey. I'm ready.

1DSo, the engram… any way to avoid damaging it during excision?

Reed

1DNo. Your mind needs reconstruction, V. The matrix needs to wipe the Relic, all data.

V

1EHow long will this take? W-what're we talkin' – procedure, rehab…?

Reed

1EWe really don't know. Might be a week, might be a month.

1EWhatever the case, cat and plants – find someone to take care of 'em.

V

1FKnow what? Need to think still.

Reed

1FFine. Holo once you're sure, yeah?

V

1FDo just that. Thanks, Reed.

Reed

V, have you decided yet?

V

Great to hear you, too, Reed.

Reed

Meeting point – are you there?

V

Bet I am. Actually eager to be clinic-bound.

Reed

AV's on its way. It won't be long, now.

Good luck, V.

V

Thanks, Reed. For everything.

Reed

Our neurosurgeons have devised the right neural matrix command. You ready to kick that construct to the curb?

Our neurosurgeons have devised the right neural matrix command. You ready to kick that construct to the curb?

Our neurosurgeons have devised the right neural matrix command. You ready to kick that construct to the curb?

Fia Agent

James Weiss, FIA. I guess you're V, is that right?

If I may…

It's an honor to meet the woman who rescued the President of the NUSA.

V

1ARight, thanks.

1AWhere's Reed? Didn't make the trip with you?

Fia Agent

1AHe got held up, on assignment.

1ANot to worry, you're in good hands.

1ACome on inside. Doc Lozano'll evaluate your condition, make sure you're stable...

V

2AKinda nervous, not gonna lie…

2BGood hands – gonna hold you to that.

2CExpectin' nothin' but the NUS's finest, Mr. Weiss.

Fia Doctor

1ALet's start with a quick nervous system scan. You mind givin' me your personal link?

V

3ASo... how's it lookin', Doc?

Fia Doctor

3AHm. I'd say the prognosis is good. Neural network degradation looks reversible.

V

3BHope there's enough of those tatters left to scan…

Fia Doctor

3BThe damage is apparent but… looks fixable.

Johnny

1AWas thinkin'... wanna get one last look at Night City, that beautiful, old bitch…?

1AWhaddaya say?

V

4AI wanna bid the city goodbye. Mind openin' the door?

4BYet another new lease on life…

4BMind openin' the door? Wanna enjoy the view.

Fia Agent

1ADon't worry. You'll be back here in no time.

V

1ACan never be too sure. Just open it?

1AYou shook my hand, Weiss. Indulge me?

Johnny

1AThere it is. Night City – at your feet.

1AWas it always that small, or did you just get too big for it?

V

5AWas a long road, but I fuckin' made it.

Johnny

5AFought long, fought hard, V. You deserve this.

V

5BWas just fightin' to survive. Nothin' more.

Johnny

5BSo was I, 'cept your fight made all the difference.

V

5CReally, Johnny… Don't need to do this.

5CDon't deserve to have you by my side…

Johnny

5CWhen has telling me what to do ever worked, huh?

1A'S OK, V. You're allowed to be a little proud of yourself.

V

6ASo you sayin' you 'n' me… we're good?

Johnny

6AMade our peace at the oil fields. Nothin's changed since then.

V

6BSo... no hard feelin's? Know this... this ain't the outcome you hoped for.

Johnny

6BHoped for a lotta things in my time. And people I cared about got hurt. Don't need that happenin' again.

V

6CDrop the charade, Johnny. This ain't no happy ending. Stop pretendin' it's all peachy.

Johnny

6CMind's made up – gonna stick with you these last moments. Allow me that much.

1AJust glad you'll pull through. And that I got the chance to call you my friend.

V

7AAll right, have it your way.

Johnny

7AFirst thing you'll do once they discharge you – go.

V

7ADrink to my comrade in arms.

Johnny

7ADamn right you will.

V

7BCan't help wonderin' if I can still call myself your friend.

Johnny

7B'Course you can. Got my blessing.

7BBeen in your head some time, V. Know you well enough that it ain't even a question.

V

7CThis isn't OK, Johnny. I'm basically killing you.

Johnny

7CC'mon, we knew it'd end this way. Was either you or me. When all's said and done – it's your body.

V

7CI... I don't want you to die.

Johnny

7C'S OK, I know. Better this way, though.

V

8AWonder how things would've turned out if we'd never met.

Johnny

8AFirst, bullet to the brain would've ended you on the spot. Second, woulda never survived the rest 'thout my expert advice.

V

9AI wanted to crack a lame joke, put up some saccharin-sweet lie, but looks like you beat me to it.

Johnny

9ATruth is, I don't know, V. Maybe you'd've lived a quiet, normal life... or gotten shivved in a jail cell.

9ABut sweet lady fate brought us together an' put us through some shit. 'S what counts.

V

9BKnow you're kiddin', but... it's actually true. You saved me.

Johnny

9BRelic was your life support, but what saved you was courage, the will to survive.

9BUs meetin' – coincidence. Shit we went through together, though? That's what counts.

V

8BHow're you doin' this? Bein' so damn... calm about it?

Johnny

8BDied once already, y'know. Gettin' used to it.

V

8BJokes aside, though...

Johnny

8BHonestly, always felt death breathin' down my neck... 'S why I lived like every day was my last.

8BBut now, first time in fucking forever, I feel at peace.

V

10AThink I understand. My first near-death experience scared me shitless.

10ABut fear's like a well. More you draw, drink from it, the less is left.

10BYou genuinely not afraid of death?

10BWas the one feelin' I couldn't shake the last few weeks. No matter what I did.

10CSayin' that to comfort me. But I know the feeling of dying. Moment right before the blackout.

10CIt's terrifying. Cold 'n'… numbin', the nothingness. Worst imaginable feeling.

Johnny

8BScares me I can't stick around to see what happens – to you, the world.

8BBut honestly? Thought of you gone so I could live always scared me more.

1AThink this is it, kiddo.

V

1AGuess... so.

Johnny

1APromise me one thing, will ya?

V

11AI promise. No idea what, but... I promise.

11BHave to be a true jackass to say no now.

Johnny

1ANot askin' you to never give up. Sometimes you gotta let go...

1AJust don't let anyone change who you are, 'kay?

V

1AJohnny... I...

Johnny

1AG'night, Valerie. Today was a good day.

Fia Doctor

1AI've got readings spiking – strong emotions.

1ALet's do this… We want your brain burden-free, never know how stress might affect it.

1AI've got readings spiking – strong emotions.

1ALet's do this… We want your brain burden-free, never know how stress might affect it.

Johnny

1AAh, good ol' Night City. Most reliable of late capitalism's human meat grinders.

1ASurvived it once, do well to remember that... if you're ever tossed back in again…

V

12AThink I'll wanna remember anything you've said? That's adorable.

Johnny

12AWhat you want's got nothin' to do with it. Your conscience'll catch up.

V

12AAnd what exactly should I feel guilty about again...?

Johnny

12AV, ya crapped out.

V

12BDon't feel like I lost, though.

Johnny

12BShame. Maybe you oughta.

V

12BWhy? 'Cause I finally got what I fought tooth 'n' nail for?

12C'M sure I'll handle it. Slipped-up occasionally, but learned a buttload over the last few weeks.

Johnny

12CInteresting. 'Cause I see someone who's come all this way 'thout learnin' shit.

1ACongrats. Can feel proud of what you've become.

V

13AIf it was your call, wouldn't think twice about havin' me killed.

Johnny

13AHow the fuck would you know? Never bothered tryin' to understand who I am, what I'm about.

V

13AUnderstand you well enough. You're a fuckin' narcissist.

Johnny

13ALook who's talkin'. Go ahead, pin the blame on me – keep that conscience clean an' sparkly.

V

13BWhat the hell you want from me, Johnny?

Johnny

13BAcknowledgement. Decency. A sprinkling of regret. And an apology.

V

13BWant an apology for me choosin' to save my own life?

Johnny

13BNo, V. An apology for fuckin' ending mine.

V

13CLet it go. Don't deserve this abuse.

Johnny

13CPeople rarely get what they deserve, V.

V

13CWhy, Johnny? Last time we're ever gonna talk, this, so you're gonna do your damndest to make me feel like shit?

Johnny

13C'Cause it's my last chance to make a difference. If not in the world, then in you.

V

14ASpent your whole life livin' on a whim, lookin' out for your ass and your ass alone.

14AGot no right to lecture me, Silverhand.

14BEven now, all you can think is to bicker?

14BIs it so damn hard to say "Look, V, didn't see eye-to-eye 'n' everything, but least it was nice knowin' ya"?

14CJust wanna live, Johnny. Been clear about that from the start.

Johnny

14CThere were options. Could've gone with Alt, blasted our way into Mikoshi…

V

14CBut I didn't. Can't fault for me pickin' the safer route.

Johnny

1AYou want me to act like this, us, was just a big nothingburger. An' we'll just drift off into sweet slumber.

1AExcept only one of us is wakin' up.

V

15AYou deserve it. Goin' out like this.

Johnny

15AHow the fuck so? Enlighten me.

V

15AFor starters, you're a narcissist and sociopath.

15AOnly way you can live with yourself is by believin' you never do anything wrong, pinnin' the blame for your mistakes on others.

15AKnow the worst part, though?

Johnny

15ANah, but guessin' you do.

V

16AActually could've been the "fuck the system", gung-ho, rebel king you so like to think you were…

16ABut you self-destructed. See, I didn't kill you, nor did Arasaka. Your sheer, fucking arrogance did, Johnny.

16AAlways were your worst enemy. You, your hubris.

16BProlly think yourself a revolutionary, a fuckin' hero.

16BHate to break it to ya… You're just a sad excuse for a man who thinks the world's gotta suffer along with him.

16BThat's your legacy, Johnny. Remember that as you go.

Johnny

15AYou done?

V

17A'Bout sums it up, yeah. Said my piece.

17BReally, really hope I'll never see you again.

Johnny

15AMade mistakes, I admit it. We all do.

15ABut if you think I wanted to be a hero, then you don't know jack-shit about me.

Fia Doctor

15AI've got readings spiking – strong emotions.

15ALet's do this… We want your brain burden-free, never know how stress might affect it.

V

15BI'm sorry, Johnny. Sorry you couldn't go out on your terms, the way you wanted.

15BShouldn't be like this, I know.

Johnny

15BYou're just spewin' words.

V

15BFine, yeah, but I... I wanted you to hear 'em.

Johnny

15BCould've been solid-ass chooms in another life.

15BWonderin' why we weren't in this one.

V

18AThink we were just too different. And we refused to put in the time to understand each other.

Johnny

18AFuckin' unbearable… bein' stuck inside someone with different values.

18ANever occurred to me you're entitled to your own. Like everyone.

V

18BWe were too much alike. Stubborn to a fault, iron-willed.

Johnny

18BGlued to our principles, you an' I...

18BThink that's what I respect most about you. Stickin' to your guns.

V

18BGood to hear.

Johnny

18BNo tellin' what we'd've achieved if we'd really put our heads together. No pun intended.

15BThink this is it, kiddo.

V

15BGuess... so.

Johnny

15BThink we can find it in our heart to forgive each other?

V

19AYeah... I can. You?

Johnny

19AThink I can too.

V

19BNo. But that's OK too.

Johnny

19BYou're right. Fairer this way, for us both.

Fia Doctor

15BI've got readings spiking – strong emotions.

15BLet's do this… We want your brain burden-free, never know how stress might affect it.

V

1BSo, hang on – everybody know about me and Myers? What about plausible deniability, buryin' shit, whatnot?

Fia Agent

1BOfficially nothing happened, but water cooler talk goes deep within the FIA. Word spreads.

V

1CWhere we goin'?

Fia Agent

1CAn agency clinic in Langley. Got our best specialists stationed there.

V

Yeah, that's right.

Johnny

21ASay you... told the FIA to stick their offer where the sun don't shine?

21AJust… don't make the call to Reed. We'll find another way.

V

21ADo what, now?

Johnny

21AMessage – didn't see it? They wanna wipe me. Need me to explain the ins and outs?

V

22AShit was clear as the summer sky already. D'ya think they'd suck you outta one head, drop you in another?

Johnny

22AWell, thought I'd get packed and shelved. And in the best of all possible worlds, that you'd help me hop on the Net.

22ANot that they'd excise me, like some fuckin' tumor.

V

22BEh, yeah, it's just… I didn't put the facts together till now.

Johnny

22BHm. Convenient. But say I go along with that.

22BQuestion is, what're you gonna do with the facts?

V

22CC'mon, you knew I'd fight for my life to the end, no matter the price. As obvious to you as it was to me.

Johnny

22CCall me a chump, but I never thought I'd be that price.

22CC'mon, V. Don't make the call.

V

23AFigurin' out somethin' that might work versus a surgical procedure. Choice is clear, Johnny.

23ARaisin' Reed on the holo.

Johnny

23ASo this is how it ends…

V

24ASorry, Johnny, I am. Just… FIA's powerful, gives me the best chance.

Johnny

24AI get it, I do. Your choice to make, not mine.

24AJust need… a moment to think.

V

24BGotta be livid with me…

Johnny

24BNah, forget about it. Been in it for you to succeed for a while, now…

24BJust need… a moment to think.

V

25AWe gonna argue about this again? Can we please not?

Johnny

25AGot my pride, V. Not about to beg for my life.

V

25BHow else did you see it playin' out? It's my body.

Johnny

25BMh, and it's my life.

V

23BAh shit, agreed. Can't do it, wouldn't be right.

23BFuck the FIA.

Johnny

23BHah. Good to be seein' eye to eye again.

23BThanks, V. Truly.

23BYou serious? Wham-bam and no dice?

V

23BWham-bam and no dice.

Johnny

23BHm. Fuckin' shockin' turn of events.

23BI-- uh, thanks, V. Just... thanks.

Fia Doctor

Lozano, pleasure. I'll be among those operating on you.

Fia Agent

Not to worry, you're in good hands.

Shall we?

V?

Fia Doctor

Sit, please.

Johnny

So this is how it ends…

Fia Doctor

Patient stable, pressure normal.

Let's dive in, folks.

Johnny

You're right. Fairer this way, for us both.

Judy

V, hey.

Ruined my plans, you know that? female V only

Was gonna leave Night City in the dust, for good. Even started packing. female V only

But now I think... Think I gotta stay. female V only

If there's anything I can do… and I mean anything. All you gotta do's holler.

Voices? Didn't hear anything but you just now.

Panam

V... I wanted to speak with you.

You scared me, you know that?

I think you had nightmares. You screamed a few times.

I don't know what I would do without you.

And I would not want to cock this up.

Wake up, V.

River

You hear me?

So, I been thinkin'...

Last night… you an' me… is this goin' anywhere, y'know – longer term?

Are you willing to give this a shot?

I like you, V.

OK. I'm gonna stay, observe a little. Thanks, V.

Kerry

V, uh, everything all right? You sound strange. male V only

Where are you? Which hospital? male V only

Fuck, V... I just don't want to lose you. There, said it. male V only

You shake things up, V. 'Fore you came along... I was stuck in the mud – scared to look at my own shadow, even. male V only

Take care, V. I'll be in touch.

New beginnings. And life's loops.

Takemura

You are awake.

I feared they had caught you.

You should not have returned! You will die here with me!

I did not know I could trust you. The circumstances have changed.

V, stay with me!

It is the duty of the living to atone for the dead.

Jackie

Woah, V! Tsk, you get your beauty sleep? Hah, no matter. Time you got up!

It'll be all right, V, you'll see.

'S important to have people you can turn to. Y'know, like, uh, family. Maybe you'll find your own down in Night City.

Sweet dreams, then.

Afterlife – see you there!

Viktor

V? You in there?

Take care, V.

You weren't dreaming, V. Those were memories.

Johnny

And you? Who're you?

Jackie

It'll be all right, V, you'll see.

Woah, V! Tsk, you get your beauty sleep? Hah, no matter. Time you got up!

Panam

I think you had nightmares. You screamed a few times.

I don't know what I would do without you.

I'm sorry. I'm not very good at this, speaking of my feelings and so forth.

And I would not want to cock this up.

V... I wanted to speak with you.

Viktor

We'll work something out. Right now, I'm just out to make sure you get back in one piece – eddies in hand.

That's what friends're for.

You've come to a critical juncture.

You weren't dreaming, V. Those were memories.

Judy

V, hey.

If I'd just known I'd've…

If there's anything I can do… and I mean anything. All you gotta do's holler.

But... guess I should get used to it... Heh, no matter what you do, life's always gonna throw you a curveball.

Voices? Didn't hear anything but you just now.

...h-hear me? You need to wake up!

Ruined my plans, you know that? female V only

Was gonna leave Night City in the dust, for good. Even started packing. female V only

But now I think... Think I gotta stay. female V only

V! Please...

Kerry

V, uh, everything all right? You... sound strange. male V only

Where are you? Which hospital? male V only

All right, all right. Don't worry about a thing. male V only

Take care, V. I'll be in touch.

New beginnings. And life's loops.

So, see you? Soon? male V only

Fuck, V... I just don't want to lose you. There, said it. male V only

You shake things up, V. 'Fore you came along... I was stuck in the mud – scared to look at my own shadow, even. male V only

Wanna bet? I'm done with all the mayhem, shady-ass schemes. Startin' a new chapter – startin' a new me.

Panam

I'm so tense I barely caught a wink last night. It's likely to be the same tonight.

You scared me, you know that?

Take care of yourself. And let me know... Well, just please keep in touch.

River

Hey, V.

You hear me?

D'ya sleep all right? Besides all my talkin'?

Up for a drink?

To friendship.

OK. I'm gonna stay, observe a little. Thanks, V.

So, I been thinkin'...

Last night… you an' me… is this goin' anywhere, y'know – longer term?

Are you willing to give this a shot?

I like you, V.

Viktor

V? You in there?

Take care, V.

Takemura

You are awake.

I feared they had caught you.

You should not have returned! You will die here with me!

I did not know I could trust you. The circumstances have changed.

V, stay with me!

It is the duty of the living to atone for the dead.

Jackie

Woah, V! Tsk, you get your beauty sleep? Hah, no matter. Time you got up!

'S important to have people you can turn to. Y'know, like, uh, family. Maybe you'll find your own down in Night City.

Sweet dreams, then.

Afterlife – see you there!

Reed

Eyes, they're openin'. I think she sees me now.

V. Can you hear me?

V

1AThink I... can hear...

1AUgh... 'n' I can talk.

Reed

1AGood. About time.

V

1BHeard... voices, lots…

1BWas that... you?

Reed

1BMe, doctors, probably some dreams – doesn't matter. You're awake now.

V

2AWas told... you got a new job, new duties, lot's of 'em, busy bear, no time for me.

Reed

2AWho said that? When?

V

2AWeiss. In the AV. You weren't there.

Reed

2ARight, that… Wasn't any reason for me to be there then.

2ANow, yeah, I felt I owed you this.

V

3APretty nice welcome. Just missin' flowers and a "Get Well" card.

3AGiven I'm here, guess things worked out all right, huh?

Reed

3ANever that simple. Docs saved you, you're alive…

V

3AHearin' a big-ass "but" in there.

Reed

3A'Cause there is one – deep invasive work on your nervous system, to cut the engram out safely.

V

4AThat it? A good ripper'll patch it quick and easy.

Reed

4ANot this time.

V

4BWhat's that even mean?

4CTellin' me I wiped Johnny, sacrificed 'im for nothin'?

Reed

4CNot for nothin' – you're alive.

3AYour neurons... can no longer handle most implants, chrome.

3AYour brain can manage your personal link and simple coprocessors... but any use of a combat implant, well... could kill you.

3AI'm sorry, V, but the life you used to know is gone.

3AThere's, uh, one other thing.

3AYou were out for two years. It's twenty seventy-nine.

V

5AFuck. My whole life down the shitter.

Reed

5AIt's rough, I know. It'll take, uh, it'll take getting used to. But it gets better. Trust me.

V

5ATwo years an' zapped nerves... that all your best docs can manage?

5BYou're shitting me.

Reed

5BBelieve me, I wish I could've said it was all good.

V

5BSeventy-fuckin'-nine? Ya takin' me for a ride? This some sick joke? Please say it is.

5BOr... just admit – I-I-I dunno – that you don't know, aren't sure, whatever…

5CYou... fucking hazed me.

5CSaid you'd help me. Instead, you fuckers took it all away.

Reed

5COur people did everything they could, anything possible.

V

5DI see.

Reed

5DThat's it? You're takin' it pretty well.

V

5DLackin' the strength to rage at reality. At least – for now.

5EHuh. Imagined the future'd look a little different.

Reed

5EA joke? Shit, I'm impressed.

V

5EWhat good would it do to rage at reality? Don't see any sense in it.

Reed

3AI wish I could help you, V. But I can't.

V

6ANeed some air.

6AUgh...! Legs're... jelly. Can barely stand...

Reed

6ABeen laid up for two years, V.

V

7ANeed to get outta here. NC – when can I go back?

Reed

7AToday, if that's your wish. But you should ask yourself--

V

7APreem. Where's my stuff?

Reed

7AV, listen to me. Your body… it ain't goin' back to what it was.

7AAnd NC's a city where you just won't manage. Not anymore.

V

7AMe and a Langley gig… Pff.

Reed

7AI know it's not the job of your dreams, but it's a decent prospect.

V

7AWhy the hell you care?

Reed

7AWe truly appreciate what you did for us. We can set you up with a job here at Langley.

V

8AAn' what would I do? Be your assistant, errand rover?

8AI know you're tryin' to help, but you damn well know that's not for me.

Reed

8AI know I'd feel better seein' you off the street.

V

8BDon't need your pity.

Reed

8BNo pity here, V. It's an appreciative gesture from the NUSA.

V

8BFuck that kind of gratitude.

Reed

8BNobody's pitying anybody. We're grateful, so it's a favor to a friend, that's it.

V

8BReally don't need your favors…

8CNah, offers like that – not ready for 'em yet.

Reed

8CUnderstood. I still wanted you to know right off that you had the option.

V

8CLook, my world just shattered, like, into splinters. Really think I can plan my next career move? Besides…

7AThis isn't my life, Reed.

Reed

7ABut it could be, given your old one is long gone.

V

9ADunno, someday, maybe. Need to think. But now, goin' home to NC, definitely.

9ADidn't escape death just to waste away here.

Reed

9AUp to you.

V

9BPlease stop pretending you care. You don't want me here. Neither of us does.

9BGoin' home, back to NC.

Reed

9BEhh, sure... Your call.

V

9BReed, please. Just... won't work.

9BGoin' home, back to NC.

Reed

9BEhh, sure... Your call.

7AOnce you know where you're headed, call the nurse.

7AAn' if you change your mind, you know where to find me.

V

10AReed?

10AThis... story – we do the right thing? Could we have done better?

Reed

10AI don't know, V. And... I won't try answerin'. Just plain afraid.

V

10BReed.

10BThank you.

Reed

10BNo need, V. You've got no reason to thank me.

Receptionist

7ABack on your feet – it's nice to see that, finally.

Receptionist

7AMa'am, your AV is waiting.

Reed

7APlease understand. I'd like to spare you that disappointment at least.

V

7AGreat. And what comes next?

Reed

7AWe truly appreciate what you did for us. We can set you up with a job here at Langley.

V

7BDamaged my nervous system... can hardly believe it. W-why didn't they use nanobots?

Reed

7BNeural matrix – apparently it reduced your cells' regenerative capacity.

7BWe tried everything. Really.

V

7CWhat... what about my chrome?

Reed

7CYour implants have been deactivated. It needed doin'. Your survival depended on it.

V

6BSame shit, always. Peeps wantin' to help me… never bein' able to. Why?

Reed

6BAre you… you all right?

V

6BI need… I need…

3BPutting in a personal appearance – bad news, gotta be.

3BJust tell me. Surgery was a bust, right?

3CHow'd you know... when I'd wake?

Reed

3CDoctor's estimates. You were supposed to be conscious by today, tomorrow latest.

3CThey started bringing you up a few days ago. Controlled process.

V

3DSo, how's life, how's things?

Reed

3DAh, paperwork, trainin' recruits – nothing to write home about.

V

3DNot your style of work, sounds like.

Reed

3DI couldn't manage field work anyway, not anymore.

V

3ENeed to ask... how's So Mi? Everything work out all right?

Reed

3EI've been... cut off from updates for a while, now.

3EShe's alive, that's all I know.

2AAh, right, right... Well, I'm not as busy anymore. 'Sides, I plain wanted to see you.

2AAnd the docs said you needed to see a familiar face. Now in particular, so, yeah…

V

2BReed, uh... 's that you? Seem... different somehow.

2BEven almost look like… uh…

Reed

2BStay at Langley long enough, it, uh, makes you its own. I'm no exception.

V

2CNice... nice view?

Reed

2CWhat?

V

2COut the window.

Reed

2CMhm. Greenery, calm, birds chirpin'. Not what you're used to.

V

Thank you.

Huh...

Reed

They started bringing you up a few days ago. Controlled process.

Receptionist

Ah! First storm this year.