act20mini

You hear something?

It's a busy street, it's <i>all</i> something.

What I'm more worried about is this smell.

The goods got all packed up, and stashed in the cellar. Shouldn't be any smell at all...

Hah, well, if you find anything loose, I could go for a taste.

Don't even think about it. They say this stuff's the cream of the crop.

But that scent is makin' me wanna quit this job.

You wanna quit workin', or wanna quit work <i>here?</i>

What's the difference?

Either way, we're stuck roamin' this street, keepin' watch and hopin' nobody comes lookin' for trouble.

That red paint from last night ain't washin' out. Once we get paid, I'm buyin' a new coat for my ride.

Suit yourself. I'm savin' my share. The company's gonna need more guys for later.

What's with the look?

Nuova Volsinii really is a goddamn miracle, turnin' a Sicilian like you into a responsible businessman. This fat Kazimierzian pays way more than Antonio ever did, right?

How was I supposed to know runnin' a taxi company had all these costs?

Even drivin' a taxi's a lot more exciting than patrollin' this street, though.

What kind of dipshit with too much time on his hands would try to mess up this 'Red Wine Championship', anyway? I got nothin'.

Fuhgeddaboudit. We're done with this street, let's head back to the theater.

Y'know, why'd the Kazimierzian come to us with this event security job anyway?

Beats me. Maybe a referral from some kind soul.

Ladies and gentlemen, if I may occupy a moment of your time.

The lighting in the theater is almost a little too bright, as if trying to light up every face in the building. A well-dressed businessman stands in the center of the stage, lightly tapping the glass of red wine in his hand.

The crisp note is not loud, but it still gets the guests to quiet down.

I know you're all looking forward to the wine and the music, and to the moments ahead that will be worth remembering.

But we'll get to that. First, I'd like to say a few words: hosting the Red Wine Championship here in this city means so much to us.

Nuova Volsinii is a promise of order. And ever since we selected this place for our competition, that promise has been proven beyond doubt.

Wine takes time.

And time demands stability.

The Kazimierzian businessman continues on once the applause dies down. He talks of the year of the vintage, how it was made, and of course, intercity cooperation and logistics systems.

Every word falls into place, with nary a syllable wasted.

Naturally, without the support of Nuova Volsinii City Hall, this championship might never have come together so quickly.

It is our honor to be working with you, Mayor Bellone.

Nuova Volsinii welcomes all foreign partners willing to abide by our city's laws.

So long as you are here to do respectable business, nothing will stand in your way.

Haha, of course, of course.

I'm not here to flatter you.

In Nuova Volsinii, I have no fear of the famiglie trying to get a hand in my business, no need to search for any 'hidden meanings' in the deals I sign.

Such clarity in business is truly priceless.

It sounds like you have a very positive opinion of our city.

Exactly, that is why we wish to bring the finest wines here, alongside some much-needed cooperation.

In that case, <i>we</i> find ourselves honored.

We're still waiting here, when are we getting started?

Yeah, I wanna see how good Kazimierzian wine really is!

A few rude voices force their way out of the crowd, and begin to spread throughout the audience. But under the bright lights, the businessman's face shows no signs of displeasure.

Haha, I suppose I've droned on too long and tested our guests' patience.

Then I would like to invite Nuova Volsinii's famed orchestra to the stage! Their performance shall serve as the opening ceremony for the championship finals!

As the lights dim, Czarek takes the opportunity to accompany Leontuzzo off the stage, to appreciate the performance from some nearby corner.

Leontuzzo, however, does not look to the stage. With no glaring lights to blind him, he can see the man calmly walking up to him.

<i>Mi dispiace.</i> My associates aren't used to this sort of thing, so they got a little excited.

It's fine. There'll probably be plenty more events like this coming to Nuova Volsinii.

Guess I'd better teach them to behave soon, then.

And who might this gentleman be?

Signor Demetri Bellone, a local wine merchant, also participating in the competition.

Ah, your reputation precedes you—the young, promising head of Saluzzo Vino.

A pleasure. Though there's one thing I've been meaning to ask—

Everyone is here tonight just for the tasting session, right?

Haha, of course, of course.

The question of a wine's quality is ultimately answered by the tongue.

Good.

I was worried this championship would be decided by whose background was cleaner or who had the nicer story to tell.

Haha, the story behind a wine is important, but if the wine cannot stand on its own two feet, then even the prettiest words will not prop it up for long.

You're right. I'm sure the victor will be crowned based solely on its flavor.

It sounds like you won't be disappointed, even if your wine doesn't make it to the finals.

You're a funny man, Mayor Bellone.

You look the very picture of a businessman now.

Were you hoping I wouldn't be?

I've heard Kazimierzians have great faith in 'fair competition'. I'm eager to see it for myself tonight.

But I have the feeling the real results will make themselves known very quickly.

Haha, sounds like I have something to look forward to. To witness a fair competition in Nuova Volsinii, a city no longer bound by the old rules—

Why, that's the entire reason we're here.

You hear something?

You asked me that when we were heading out the door.

What could be makin' noise down in the cellar, unless it's someone stealin' wine?

This is all the wine they got for the competition? Just this one row?

Yeah. I gues' the guests get to drink the entries once it's over. You'd hafta be missing a few screws to try n' steal some right now.

So can we drink some?

Yeah, sure, lemme pour you a glass. Of course we can't, <i>idiota</i>.

Shame.

You said you wanted to try some, right? If you pour yourself a glass, I won't snitch.

As soon as the words leave his mouth, footsteps ring out from between some shelves around the corner.

A Caprinae with a hood obscuring his face lowers his head as he walks through the shelves, heading for the stairs leading up. Soon enough, he has left the cellar.

He's gone.

Probably didn't hear us...

From that distance? He wouldn't have even seen us. Long horns like that, gotta be a Caprinae. I figure he's with the orchestra.

Why would an orchestra guy be down here at a time like this? They're goin' on in a minute, right?

Maybe he's just calming his nerves. You got your own tics, y'know? Every time you're holdin' your piece, you keep scratchin' at the safety with your nail.

<i>Cazzata</i>, I ain't done that in years—

Gambino shuts up the moment he hears more agitated footsteps.

Another Caprinae appears from the shadows, following the echoing footsteps of the orchestra member from earlier. She, too, quickly leaves the cellar.

This time, both Capone and Gambino saw suspicion on the blonde girl's face.

Hey, I know that ragazza. She's the daughter of the lady who runs the orchestra, gave me my security pass.

When was the last time I saw this many Caprinae in Siracusa?

I figure the whole orchestra is from Leithanien.

What, you gonna say something like 'just like the Sicilians'?

Nah. Was just thinkin' how Nuova Volsinii's gettin' too crowded. Kuranta, Caprinae, hell, if I came across an Ægir on the street, I wouldn't even bat an eye anymore.

I'm hopin' for fewer strange-looking passengers through the door.

Let's do one more lap around the cellar. The performance oughta be startin' up there.

The orchestra takes the stage, and the lights dim once more.

The strings begin with restrained, gentle tones. Soon, they are joined by the woodwinds. Though the melody can hardly be called brash, it serves as a vector to reveal the notes in their most perfect forms.

The audience lifts their glasses, slowly swaying them along to the music. Leontuzzo sits in the front row, watching his neighbor Demetri refuse yet another glass of red wine from an attendant.