act21side

Ciao!

Lavinia gets back in her car and prepares to step on the gas.

Blurgh...

Huh?!

Hahaha, the two of us have a lot of catching up to do, so we're gonna keep drinkin'. Thanks in advance for taking the lightweight home for us!

Uh... I'd like to ask a favor of you, Lavinia.

You're still a judge, right?

Yes.

Perfect.

Back in school, I never took you seriously... My grades weren't any worse than yours, so how did you get an appointment so quickly?

Later on, I heard them say... You're actually supported by a famiglia. A big one too. Turns out, it was the Bellones!

So I was thinking to myself, hah... Of course. That's the only way you could've become such a powerful judge. Hmph.

What's your point?

I'm too scared.

Of what?

You leaned on your connections to become a judge. So I thought to myself, why couldn't I do that too?

But when those guys, those wise guys came up to me...

I was scared half to death. Barely a second passed, and I already had to give up talking to them.

The Code of Law in my hand was just an ordinary book. Actually, it wasn't even as good as a book, considering I've knocked a cazzo in the head with a notebook before. But when I saw those wise guys, I couldn't even muster the courage to open my mouth.

Forget the whole justice thing... What the hell is that even? They're obviously criminals, but if they ever asked me to do them a favor in prison or even in court, I'd never be able to refuse.

The backing of a famiglia... I'd be lying if I said I didn't have anyone backing me. But, it's not like that's a good thing either.

Maybe... I never should've listened to him in the first place—

I know... You've actually been doing things your own way. You're much braver than me, Lavinia.

Also, I heard that Bortolotti is dead, right?

His hand brushes against Lavinia's codex, the thorns around it pricking his fingers and leaving spots of blood behind.

You're all much braver than me...

We're here. You can get out now.

Oh... Sorry, I got your codex dirty.

Lavinia takes back her codex, its surface stained with the blood of another judge.

Do you plan to keep doing it?

Yes.

Lavinia recalls what happened at the Saluzzo estate today.

Now is not the time to throw in the towel.

That's great. And I mean it, Lavinia.

Maybe one day, I might also go back to the law.

Are you... Signorina Lavinia?

I am. And you are...?

I'm your underclassman! I heard the speech you gave at school, and... actually, I didn't take you seriously at the time.

I just thought it was another woman coming by to talk a big game.

But with everything going on lately, I've been looking into some things myself, and the court bailiffs told me everything you did. Now I believe what said in that speech came from your heart.

I appreciate you going out of your way to tell me that.

No, I'm the one who should be thanking you! I've already figured out what I'm supposed to be doing next!

Are you busy moving right now?

Yes, I'll be living in the new city.

Let me help you then. Oh, before that, there's something I wanted to give you!

He takes out a neatly-written resume.

My CV. I've decided that after I graduate, I want to work with you.

Working hard for the sake of the new city that you talked about was the reason I went to law school in the first place.

And those flowers...

He looks at the bouquet of withered flowers among her luggage. On it is a tag with words of thanks written by a citizen.

Lavinia, I'm gonna get flowers from the people, just like you.

Once you have, I'll accept your application. How does that sound?

Though, I do want to reiterate—are you sure about this? If you decide to work with me, it'll be a lot more difficult than if you decided to stay in Volsinii.

...I can't even say for sure what it is I should be doing next.

This is not an easy path to tread.

I know, I've already made up my mind.

I'm... very glad to hear that.

All your stuff is packed. Are you ready to leave?

Yes... Actually, before that, I need to go mourn someone's passing.

Oh, I guess I'll leave you to it then.

Actually, I'd like you to come with me.

He's not just an old friend. You could say that he was an old friend to this entire city.

I'm sure you can already guess who I'm talking about—the new Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici who died during his inaugural speech.

When he left us, there was still so much uncertainty in the air. But now that things are winding down, I should go and see him again.

That gentleman... Why did he...?

He made up his mind.

To some people, there's nothing worth paying the ultimate price for, let alone a future so distant and uncertain.

But I've been thinking—the greater the turmoil, the more worthwhile the determination. He may have been alone when he left us, but he's not the only man to walk that path.

I'm sure he'll be glad to see you when we get there.

But at the same time, it still upsets me. I'm upset with myself.

If the awakening of a new group can't be inspired without the lives of those who led the way, I myself must not have been conscious enough.

I used to resent Leon—he didn't even notice the corpses along the streets until they personally affected him as part of the Ministero dei Lavori Pubblici. But how am I any different? I didn't wake up until a man I respected paid the ultimate price.

I wouldn't say that, Lavinia. Even now, many people are still reluctant to take that step.

After all, I'm the only man who came today. There are still many more watching and waiting, and I can only say from my own position that I made the right decision.

But who knows how things will look in a decade or a century? Maybe we'll be hailed as heroes. Maybe we'll be mocked. More likely, we won't be remembered at all.

Everyone wants to live in the present. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that.

But, Lavinia, there is one last thing I want to say.

The young man suddenly turns serious.

Leontuzzo Bellone. I still can't trust a wise guy like him, even when he says he's given up his famiglia.

After all, the two of us come from completely different walks of life. If anything ever comes up, I'll stand on your side.

...What?

Tip: If you are missing an item, head to 'Critica Artistica.'

A banquet, not particularly grandiose.

Signor Ministro, we could take care of this, easy. And it'd be awful nice if I didn't need to lean on the old ways of getting you to pay me back.

We'll cover some of the expenses, and use our connections in the government to handle this for you. In return, someday, and that day may never come, we will call upon you to do a service for us.

The man sitting across the table is in no hurry to speak, swirling the wine around his glass.

If I make this deal with you, the public servants who currently show me great respect might change their minds about me.

Their respect hinges on me acting without self-interest.

My reputation is very important to me.

That's... unfortunate, Signor Ministro.

It saddens me that we can't see eye-to-eye.

A man is walking briskly along the road, and behind him follows a youth dressed in black.

Among the crowd, they subtly fall into sync.

Signor Ministro, I wanted to talk about your thing.

I'm thinking it's something you'd wanna take care of quickly. Wouldn't want it plastered all over tomorrow's tabloids. In a few days, it might even get adapted into a burlesco.

I really don't want to lean on the old ways here. All I need is an agreement that you'll return the favor when the time is right.

His lips curl with the faint joy of a persuaded man, but he quickly suppresses it with the proper expression of one being threatened.

...I have no idea what you're talking about.

Please don't bother me again, especially not in public.

Leontuzzo pushes open the door of the study. There are already mafiosi inside waiting for his response.