act21side

I won't run away, nor will I avert my eyes.

For so long, she has told herself as much.

But this time, her words fail her.

Look at the bodies on the street, Lavinia. Listen to the shouts and cries in the distance.

What can you do?

The only advice I can give you is the same I gave to Cellinia.

Run.

The farther, the better.

Even if your past is going to catch up to you, you'll at least enjoy a moment of peace.

Otherwise— you <i>will</i> die.

But, I...

I still don't want to.

Her past kicked down her door.

It might've been against her will at first, but she was forced out only to find nothing changed—

Maybe she'll decide the things she ran away from weren't actually all that bad.

Her life in Lungmen... might've been a slightly extended vacation.

And now, the one most intimately connected with her family and her past... is standing right in front of her.

That's what you wanted to tell me, right?

Yeah.

If that's the case... I will respect her decision.

Even though you're her best friend?

Because I'm her best friend.

Darn tootin'.

Unless— the pizza in Siracusa becomes inedible.

My grandfather was a sentimental man. He sent me to Siracusa, hoping I would remember my roots.

I lived there for a while.

People there told me all the time that I fit in, like a Siracusan.

But for me, I was just doing what I'd always been doing.

The way I lived my life in Columbia was no different than the way I lived in Siracusa.

And what I saw in Siracusa was no different from what I saw in Columbia.

You might know the story of Famiglia Texas like the back of your hand, but I saw it with my own eyes.

Life isn't a play where every move is sprinkled with a little heroism or villainy. What happened was just an undignified slaughter.

My father bought a counterfeit gun from Blacksteel. When he pulled the trigger, it exploded and did a number on him.

My grandfather fell to the ground. My father drew his knife with his injured hand, but the first stab went wide.

I heard everything from the doorway. Hoarse curses, groans of pain...

The commotion lasted for a long time before it finally ended.

In that moment, I was exhausted. Exhausted with everything.

So I decided to leave.

Are you telling me that Lungmen is your home now?

I don't know. I can't say for sure.

But, I at least know I had a pretty good time there.

You're just like you were back then. Blunt, and straight to the point.

Looks like I'm the one getting ahead of myself.

Here I was thinking you came to ask for my help.

Or at least, you'd want to catch up with me.

But in the end, you're here to tell me... that we can never go back—

You know, Cellinia, that's awfully heartless of you.

I was shocked when I heard you were still alive.

But you went ahead and stamped out my hope, all over again.

I'm sorry, Giovanna.

I don't want to be Siracusan, or Columbian.

I just want to be Cellinia Texas.

This is your last chance.

If you walk through those doors, you'll be my enemy. The Rossatis' enemy.

You'll be in our way, and I, as Donna Rossati, have a responsibility to eliminate everything that stands in our way.

Don't make me do this.

We're just too sentimental, Giovanna.

The most unremarkable Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare...

And its popular but underappreciated segretario.

At this point, men like Carracci, who were propped up to maintain balance between the major famiglie, are no longer needed.

What you need is a puppet that is safe and useful.

Am I wrong?

Signor Segretario, a truly safe and useful puppet would never refer to himself as such.

I just happen to be a bit more self-aware than others.

Haha. And mightily self-aware you are.

You're right, Rubio. You <i>are</i> the best candidate to replace Carracci.

But, if you're willing to be so frank with me, I might as well share something with you.

I'm listening.

My associates killed Carracci.

You've got guts, and I like talking with men like you.

So I'm willing to give you a chance.

Turn around and leave this room, forget what you just said, and no harm will come to you.

Then, go back home and spend some time with your wife and daughter. Savor the last moments of peace in this city.

Doesn't that mean you'd need a puppet like me all the more?

Hm?

You're after this chaos. What's happening all around us.

You want to overturn the law laid down by Signora Sicilia. But you don't care if she rules, or if we go back to the old ways.

The conflict among famiglie never had anything to do with us commoners.

When something happens, we just wait to see the result.

It makes no difference to the commoners whether Signora Sicilia rules, or you do.

But, the winner will need someone to maintain the facade of order.

As the don of a famiglia, surely you understand this principle—

It isn't impossible for the commoners to survive without the famiglie, but the same cannot be said for the famiglie without the commoners.

You're telling me that you hold the real power?

No. I'm making a self-serving justification for the weak.

A good justification at that.

But it doesn't tell me what you're really after.

Power, Don Bernardo.

Since I was a kid, everyone's looked down on me, because I'm weak. And I look like, you know, this.

The oppression I felt from the people around me was more real than anything the famiglie ever did.

I've suffered that my entire life, waiting for this chance.

You tell me you're one who had Carracci killed? All I can think is: thank goodness I came at the right time.

You may not want to hear this, but if you're going up against Signora Sicilia, it's probably not going to go your way.

But who cares? Doesn't matter to me if you win or lose, in the end—

But power is something Signora Sicilia can't give me. It's gotta be you.

You're an honest man, Rubio. I like making friends with honest men.

Hm?

Don Bernardo... (*whispers*)

Give my order. Tell them, that's enough for today.

Of course.