act10mini

Things aren't that simple, though! It's as though they don't even understand the crux of the matter! Reunion isn't just a band of thugs or bandits. There's a reason they started that uprising.

Oi, is it just me or did it get warmer in here all of a sudden?

Yeah, I think it did.

Not again. Cool it a little. Don't burn my store down.

*Sigh*... Never mind.

Hahaha... Calm down, Miss Mountbelan.

You're off work. Try to keep a happier face on, I think.

Here, give these a try.

What do you have here... Sweets?

That's right. Quercus made these vanilla mints herself. Let them calm your rage.

*Sigh*... Thanks...

I was on a holiday in Siesta just a few months ago... and now I'm starting to miss that place.

It sounds like you've really had it tough, Miss Mountbelan. Loosen up some if you can.

At least I have you lot to listen to me grumble here.

You can't do that at Rhodes Island?

You think my case is bad? Everyone has it tough there... Kicking up a fuss at work would only hurt morale.

Don't worry, we're all a bunch of idiots. By the time you finish a sentence, we've gone and forgotten what you said.

So, what conclusion did the lords arrive at?

Well, halfway through the meeting, they started fixating on all those silly rumors.

You mean like the 'sounds in the city underground' and 'criminals have infiltrated the Infected community?'

In the end, it's all the Infected's fault, eh?

Right, it's all just baseless conspiracy theories. It's a mystery to me who's even been spreading them.

Anyway, the meeting devolved into a pointless shouting match after that.

It sounds like a lot of the lords support the Infected community, though?

We do solve a lot of their problems, after all. Some of the lords have made a good bit of dough over the last few years. Likelihood is they're just more amenable to it than most, considering they're directly profiting.

Besides, the community doesn't only concern the Infected anymore. There's plenty of non-Infected working here now, right?

That's true. I'm one of them right here.

Right, that's a fair point... but talking about it all here and now won't change a thing. I still have other engagements tomorrow, so if you'll excuse me.

Be careful out there.

Now setting that aside...

Why are you working here in our community, James? It's strange for me to say, but isn't it a bit risky, on shift with the Infected?

Risky... eh?

Tell you the truth, risks are, in the end, nothing more than an unknown. Putting food on the table, that's the immediate problem.

If worse comes to worst, suppose I actually catch Oripathy, my family are still going to live better than if I didn't have a job.

I've got two little mouths to feed. I can't just leave it to my wife to be the breadwinner. Besides, it's not like she makes much, selling scarves. We wouldn't be able to get by.

My mum's got asthma. It costs an arm and a leg to treat. My dad's got some serious bone disease too. He can't even get out of bed.

I don't have a choice. If only I could find better work...

*Sigh*... How come it sounds like your life's more of a mess than mine?

Why're you so quiet today, Stone? Did something happen?

*cough*... How old did James say his kids are again?

One's eight, the other twelve. Why?

No... No reason. Just thinking.

Come on, if you've got something on your mind, just say it. It's not like we're strangers.

Did you run into some kind of trouble, Stone?

Trouble, huh...? *Sigh*.

I-I got a letter from my wife. She said she'll come pay me a visit with our daughter.

A daughter? You have a daughter?!

Eh? I didn't know you were married!

What?! Is it that strange to you?

No, not like that. Just... an Infected having a kid...

Oh, don't you worry about that. I caught Oripathy afterwards. My wife and daughter are fine.

Isn't that a good thing? Why the long face?

Right, you got Oripathy, and your wife didn't abandon you. Wish the missus cared about me like that.

*Sigh*, look at me. How am I supposed to face them the way I am now?

What's wrong with the way you are?

Right, why look down on yourself like that?

It's true, though. You're not exactly in good shape to see her.

Why don't we get you a haircut? You could at least be a little better groomed?

Alright! If it's a haircut Stone needs...

(Brandishes a pair of scissors and a comb)

Hold your beasties! You know how to cut hair, Sparky?

Now, don't underestimate her! My girl Susie's a master hairdresser.

Ta-dah!

Well, doesn't that look pretty good?

I don't usually cut it so short. Feels all breezy...

Hey, you're looking fresh.

I think you can do a lot for yourself if you pay just a little more attention to your hair, Stone.

*Sigh*. Look at me, though. My life's a disaster. How am I supposed to find time to care about my hair?

Don't think like that!

It's because life's so hard that we should find our own ways to live better.

Right. No one's ever said the Infected have to live in misery.

Chin up. Your wife will be delighted to see you like this.

Take it slow. You come to my room later.

I've got some clean clothes I've been holding onto. Haven't worn them much. Give them a wash and see if they fit.

Eh... You sure about that?

What's to stand on ceremony? Just take them!

Now come on, drink up!

November 23rd, 1097, 10:35 A.M.

Today's the day.

I'm meeting the landlord.

There's a thick stack of cash in front of me.

Six thousand, five hundred pounds. This amount of money was once unthinkable to me.

When I was little, one of my brothers broke an Originium lamp we had. Mum gave him a really good spanking.

That was the first time I saw her get that angry. She needed that lamp to patrol the mineshaft at night.

The lamp was worth a hundred and fifty pounds. It was almost her entire month's salary. That's what got her so angry.

How many Originium lamps could six thousand and five hundred pounds buy?

I assess the enormity of the heavy, foul-smelling pile of sacrifice before me.

All the meals I've skipped over the years. All the hardships I've suffered through.

Six thousand, five hundred pounds.

These sheets of paper are like a bridge I laid myself, brick by brick. On the other side stands my dreams.

Susie! Get it together!

You're just meeting with the landlord! He's just a landlord!

From tomorrow onwards, you'll be the shop's owner! Your dream is coming true!

You're almost there, Susie!

I look in the mirror and give my cheeks a good slap.

How should I greet him?

'Nice to meet you, sir! I'm very glad to...'

No, the smile's too stiff.

My dream is about to come true, but I don't feel the least bit excited. On the contrary, I'm growing more and more afraid of seeing the man about to walk into the shop.

The landlord... What kind of a person is he?