act27side

I... I'll go with you to Rhodes Island once I'm done with this... my family can't do without...

A doctor shouldn't be hiding the identity of a patient. I understand your difficulties, but being responsible to your family means being responsible to your own health.

I-I know what to do...

Dr. Ceylon... all Oripathy patients eventually die, don't they?

All of us eventually die, Oripathy or not. The end is simply clearer for people with Oripathy.

What eventually happens to people with Oripathy?

The symptoms exhibited by late-stage Oripathy patients may differ depending on the location of the condition.

For example, Oripathy has damaged the hearing of the girl that you brought. She is almost completely deaf without a hearing aid.

I hate to say it, but your Originium crystal formation is near your heart, and it can be life-threatening if not managed properly.

Well, at least that means I'll have all my faculties until I die.

Say that again, and I'll deliver you to Rhodes Island by force right now.

Just kidding... thanks, Dr. Ceylon.

Here's the money for both of us... I'll be going.

Bye.

The sun casts its rays on the bed. Adele slowly opens her eyes to the sound of muffled conversation.

You're awake. How are you feeling?

You were knocked out after bumping into someone on the street. The young man brought you here and left behind all the money he had. Said it was for your medical bills.

You must be careful, Eyjafjalla.

The reason you passed out was low blood sugar, but I gave you a physical anyway, and I'm sure you can read the data about your Oripathy yourself...

Thank you, Dr. Ceylon. I'm feeling fine now. Can I go?

No.

You're staying here for the rest of the afternoon. No going anywhere.

I have a few patients to visit. You stay put. Rhodes Island will hear if you're not here when I get back.

Guess I lost it...

What was the Little Black Sheep trying to tell me?

Adele sits up on the bed. The photo falls out of her pocket.

'How have you been? I'm doing fine here.'

'It's been a long time. I miss you.'

I'm fine...

How are you?

Vati, Mutti, in a few years, I'll be the same age you were when I was born.

What was life like for you, at the time?

I...

...I...

Thank you so much for...

Drip, drop.

Tears fall on the paper.

Adele stops writing and crosses out what she had written down.

Shift's about to start. Where are you? There's a lot of stuff to move.

Almost there, almost there!

Mr. Enis, the hot springs hotel shop that you asked about is now available for purchase.

You will need to pay a deposit before the end of the month if you're still interested...

Before the end of the month? Alright, I'll get back to you...

Enis, are your brother and sister with you?

Brother and sister?

It's almost dinner time, and they're not back yet. Tell them to come back soon.

I, I... alright!

Dagnabbit!

This, stupid, car—

Frickin hell! Consarnit!

Er... are you okay?

*Pant*—*pant*—

What are you doing here?

Talking a walk.

I followed the tourist guide's recommended route, but the shops listed aren't any different from those in Lungmen, so I was about to go back.

Were you picking a fight with this pickup truck?

The engine's old. Igniter doesn't work well.

Let me take a look.

Someone's blocked the vent with a ball of paper. Who could have done it? Let's see... a flyer?

Must be some kid's practical joke...

Well, I've got to be on my way. Thanks!

One moment.

The mark on that box on the passenger seat, and on the flyer. It's Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, isn't it?

Er...

So this is the Rhodes Island Siesta branch office?

How did you know—

I happen to have a few friends at Rhodes Island.

You're a tour guide, aren't you? Don't tell me you're giving tours of a pharmaceutical company now.

I, I was driving a guest...

Save me the excuses.

It's dangerous for an Oripathy patient to hide his identity, regardless of reason. It's against the law, even in Siesta.

Yes, I know!

But what am I supposed to...?

Then you work so many jobs—and swindled me—because of Oripathy?

...and family.

What happens to me doesn't matter, but I worry about what happens to them when I'm gone.

I just need time... until the shop moves and we have a new future...

Hm...

Don't look at me like that. I'm not asking for your sympathy.

No, I just remembered how much you charged me the other day compared to the average taxi price here.

Well, you lied about being a normal tourist...

Oh? You've got a sharper tongue than one would think.

What do you want?

Let's make a deal.

You saw that chap from MountainDash Logistics the other day, in the bar. He's my competitor.

We're competing for the rebuilding rights in the commercial district, but he has home-ground advantage. I need some local help to even the odds.

You work for me, and I never saw you today. How's that?

You're trying to blackmail—

Now, now, there's no need for such language. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. And don't worry, you'll be paid.

I don't need a handout...

And I'm not giving any handouts. All I want is a fair deal.

What's your deal?

I run a clean business here. We don't do forced relocations and the like. If everybody wins, so much the better.

Now, there's always going to be controversy when it comes to rebuilding. But I promise that I'll do better than MountainDash Logistics.

We've already worked together once, after all. May I count on your vote?

I just want my family's bar to be relocated smoothly...

Deal, then.

Oh, and one little word of advice.

No matter what you have to deal with, Oripathy treatment is not something that can be delayed. You should make up your mind soon.

Aren't you concerned about dealing with an Infected?