act27side

Though in that event, I imagine it'll be tough on him to lose a business partner, and tough on me to lose my job...

Assigning blame is secondary. I first need to ensure nothing like this will happen again.

It looks like... people really aren't welcoming MountainDash's plans for the new plate.

I'm glad that I can still be wholly face-to-face with you to coordinate business.

...Excuse me?

Er, given that having the residents here accept redevelopment isn't meant to be part of your work at all.

MountainDash Logistics's future collaborations with Siesta can't stand independent of their support. I don't want the people to deem the redevelopment a form of unilateral imposition.

That you're concerned at all is really gratifying.

Things being what they are, I'd appreciate city hall keeping an eye on security work around the warehouse. Fingers crossed no accidents like this will be happening again.

Alright, I'll pass on your comments, and I'll make sure they lead to some action.

For my job, my rent, and my worried fiancee's sakes, I thank you, Mr. Bison.

If you have no other arrangements here, I'll be continuing my efforts to talk the commercial district into signing the relocation LOI.

Miss Swire, I'm deeply sorry I couldn't show you the proper hospitality when you paid a visit earlier.

How has your impression of New Siesta been, over your tour these past few days?

Very clean, very eye-candy—but missing a little sense of amusement, possibly even stiff. To be honest, I more prefer how it used to be.

Very coincidentally, my daughter said much the same thing.

But Siesta's been forced to leave its golden shoreline, which means it's only a matter of time before tourism fails as our economic backbone.

Oh, pity. I was quite fond of that 'Old Siesta Fashion Street' and all...

You're very much confident about partnering with MountainDash Logistics, I take it?

I have just as much hope in the differing solution you provide, Miss Swire.

On that note, your family's group maintains its clarion reputation. It was—a surprise, though, that their candidate for investment executive was you.

I also just happened to learn that you've apparently registered a new business here in Siesta, operating in the construction, cultural and recreational fields...?

It appears your trust isn't <i>quite</i> in me, Mr. Mayor. You think I don't hold enough clout in the conglomerate yet?

Of course not—the future is always in your hands as the young ones. Just, the dealings we had with the 'corporation' from Victoria happened to pop into my head. That was thirty-plus years ago by now.

Freeing itself from the swollen ambitions of Victoria wasn't a casual affair for the Siesta of then. Anyone even remotely familiar with Siestan history would understand that.

And the sheer capacity you demonstrated in the dispute, Mayor Herman, still has politicians abuzz today.

For my part, you don't need to be too anxious—I'm not here in any convoluted capacity. Besides, all I've brought are sincere partnership, and more business opportunities.

You, Miss Swire, intend to contest MountainDash Logistics for rights to develop the newly constructed plate. I, of course, am willing to see friendly competition from both sides, and Siesta is always welcoming of partnerships in good faith.

I very much look forward to the proposals you submit at bidding, and wish you pleasant journeys for the rest of your time in Siesta.

After you're back in Lungmen, please, send your grandfather my regards.

I'm not signing this thing!

We've already moved once before, and you're still putting us through this rigmarole... And how do you expect us to make a living once you shut our place down, anyway...?

If the Mayor can't give us a clear explanation, we're not even thinking about relocating.

Or are you going to force us?

Costa, you wormed your way into city hall! Those bigwigs don't even live in the same universe as us, and now all you can do is jump when they say jump? You can't figure something out with us?

Even if you're not here to take over your grandpa's coffee shop, we still need this street to make a living.

*sigh*... We've been wracking our brains looking for a way to spark business here again... Help us think of something, okay?

Ooh, if it isn't Mr. City Hall himself? Here to kick us off our street again? Forget the moment you wore that fancy uniform just where you came from?

I'm ashamed for your grandfather.

I hate my job...

Excuse me, is my ice cream ready?

Coming right up!

Sorry for the wait. Here, your quadruple-scoop.

By the way, that man who got his head chewed off—who's he?

Never mind him. Just an ill omen trying to tear our homes down.

Got what I asked for?

Yes, ma'am.

Did anyone notice you coming here?

Officer, I'm sorry to report, Lut and Liv saw me!

What?!

*ahem*... Alright, is that out of our systems? You can hand me the stuff now.

Did you get down with insiders like this as a cop too? It's kind of cool!

This bag has general info on every shop in the commercial district. How many live at each, roughly how their business is doing, the personalities of the owners you asked about, I've noted you down a little of all that.

In this bag is a series of MountainDash's recent maneuvers. Something about some kind of purchase of Siestan specialties, and they say they're selling them off to Victoria and Columbia. In pretty decent quantities, too.

Well, good going! How did you even get your hands on these MountainDash files?

Totally simple. Just had to apply to be a freight trucker with them.

Well, signs say that Bison kid's trying to buy out the people's will this way... Yes, that <i>does</i> seem his style.

Suppose he manages to build a new distribution center here. Would the populace here want to switch jobs?

Enis, gimme a curaçao!

...You got it.

What's got you moody? I can tell, actually. You're sick of it too, no? Hanging the sign back up again and all—you guys doing a little protesting that way?

All this crap is a killer. The lovefowls next door were all over each other at first. Now they're arguing day by day about the rehousing...

Here's your drink, one curaçao!

...There's <i>negative</i> interest in moving on this street.

For the most part, yeah... Moving means planning a whole new life from scratch. We only just moved aboard the nomadic city, even, and a lot of us are still getting used to it.

Even tourists are a rarity now, after all. Business is hard enough as is, and plenty ended up unemployed. Move again, and life gets even harder...

Enis shakes his head, and gives up on the subject.

Enis, if I wanted to run a place like yours, how much would upkeep be on average?

Per month, about... five hundred gold certificates, just under that?

Hm? That little?

I can buy a lot of stuff second-hand elsewhere, or just make it myself. Plus with how we usually conserve on utility bills, it adds up to a lot less than you think.

Sometimes it really makes me wonder... Have rich people like you just gone your whole lives without much worry?

Does a person just need enough money, and everything in life shakes out how they want?

...Money's a hassle-killer, but not an issue-solver.

*sigh*. If we have to move, if there's no other choice, then what are you thinking? Once you get contracted for this plate, what are you going to build here?

I'd rather ask <i>you</i> first. If a rebuild is guaranteed, then what would <i>you</i> want this high street to become?

Strictly in fantasy terms?

Mm-hm.

...A giant waterpark.

We'd build the land's biggest waterpark, second to none. Maybe it might even draw in some tourists. That way, we wouldn't need to let this bar go either. Probably.

And plus, my little brother and sister have been hounding us forever about going to a waterpark.

Ooh, good idea.

Is that all it takes...?

You make me feel like you're not even here to compete for real, versus the MountainDash boy...

Hmph. Plenty who've vied with me thought the same thing.

And?

They all rolled over and lost.

Pfft. That's some kind of power.

Enis! Help me paint the shop sign here. The trade fair's right around the corner, and we need our storefront looking the best it can.

Coming!

Y'know, we still have paint left over from last time, and I bought a couple string lights for cheap a few days ago. Want me to go put those up in a bit?

Sure, and if there's any paint left after that, give the tables and chairs and picture frames a new coat too. Lut and Liv were saying they learned how to draw from someone, right? Can you tag them in too?

Sure, will do now!

Hey, Enis!

Paint the sign in orange. I have eyes you can trust—this'll draw in more customers than before, guaranteed.

Costa forgets how he even got here.

At some point since moving to New Siesta, this atypically architected building cropped up on his route home from work. Buried somewhere in him is the impression he'd handled its paperwork.

The Volcano Museum? Why would people go to all the effort to put a museum for <i>this</i> on this luxurious plate? What's to study about volcanoes?

Stop it!

Nuh-uh! I wanna see the big rock! I wanna see the lava!