act27side

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?

I have a friend who's Infected too.

It is almost closing time at the museum. There are no tourists, but the audio tours continue to play on loop. The massive mountain boulder remains silent in the empty gallery.

'The Naumanns left behind thousands of photos and samples...'

'The rebuilding of the villages around Mount Unna...'

'They visited more than a hundred volcanos across numerous countries...'

Did you really see it?

Yes! I saw the ice cream come in here!

You just wanted to come to the museum.

I knew we wouldn't find it. He was lying to us. He didn't go to all those places...

How did you get in? Admission is closed.

Sorry... we'll be going.

Have you seen my dad?

Your dad?

We're looking for a... er... er... adventurer?

He went to a lot of places! In the photos he sent us, there were volcanoes, snow mountains, hills in nomadic cities...

His photo might be in the Volcano Museum!

What's your father's name?

Chuck!

I've never heard of a volcanologist by that name. Maybe you should ask elsewhere.

I may know your dad.

What are you doing here, Adele? And you look awful...

You've seen him?

You said your dad was an adventurer?

Where has he been?

I don't know... he always sends back photos when he visits a place.

I think the last one was from Sargon.

Sargon! I knew it.

My parents were volcanic researchers. They told me a story about when they were surveying in Sargon...

They quickly lost their way in the thick branches and leaves of the rainforest, and it felt like they were wandering around the stomach of a great beast.

Just as they thought they would never get out, they saw a man with leaves all over him.

'Are you lost? Do you need any help?'

He pointed the way for them and took them out of the rainforest. They even saw a sight of sunny rain. My parents were really thankful.

'Thank you so much for helping us out of there! What is your name, sir?'

The man brushed off the leaves, took a photo of the rainforest, and said, 'No need to thank me. The name's Chuck. I'm taking this photo to send to my kids.'

And that's how the photo made it to you.

Really? Sounds made-up...

Of course it's true!

I think I have a photo here somewhere...

Adele digs through the papers and takes out a photo of the Naumanns smiling at the camera, with a few blurred figures behind them.

Look, here's your dad.

(I'm still not sure that's actually my dad...)

(I can't see him clearly, but...)

(I hope he's my dad! That means he helped other adventurers find their way and sent us a photo! What a cool dad!)

(I didn't know you were a storyteller.)

(Just repeating something I heard from mom when I was little, with a few adjustments here and there.)

(There's no reason for a professional volcanic survey team to accept help from an amateur. The story sounds entirely unscientific.)

(Science exists to bring hope to people, doesn't it?

Well, we can't have them running around the museum like this. If their parent or guardian isn't here, I'll take them home.

You look tired, Adele. You should get some rest too.

Come, kids, I'll take you home.

Kahn, I think I should do it.

But you...

It's fine. Let me do it.

They look lonely... I'll keep them company.

Enis!

Enis!

Where did you go?

I found out where dad went!

Make sure you tell your family the next time you go out.

It's you...?

Huh? You're...

I, I...

I'm the one who ran into you today and knocked you out... I'm Enis. I'm their brother. Are you okay? Any dizziness? Dr. Ceylon said... er, she said...

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to run off, but I had to go to work. I'll pay your medical expenses—