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But I can't afford that! Whether it's two or ten thousand! Please, I beg you, just one more month's grace!

If you truly have no other options, then please take a look at this.

...The Pioneer Plan. If you apply now, you'll be able to enjoy a certain amount of loan forgiveness.

But I'm already so old. Even if I went out the frontier, what could I possibly do?

Are you in any position to worry about that?

Will you continue to carry your debt at the risk of criminal liability and lose the roof over your head, or would you rather shed some of your debt and start a new life on the frontier? ...Do you really need to hear my opinion?

I'll sign it.

Excellent. Please head to your right. My colleagues there will help you get signed up.

Next customer!

What... What the hell is this...

If you two are here to discuss business, please get in line—

Oh, if it isn't Miss Liskarm and Miss Franka. How are you doing? Have you finished looking over the list?

You've got some explaining to do! Why are you forcing people out into the barrens?

By signing the agreement, they can shed a lot of their existing debt and start over without that weight on their backs. Isn't that the best possible outcome?

...And what about the list? How are any of these people supposed to be bandits? They're just a bunch of destitute old folks who don't want to be run out of their homes!

Once they go bankrupt, their houses no longer belong to them, but rather to us, the creditors. What else would you call it when someone takes advantage of the lack of police to squat on someone else's property? Is that not a crime?

So your so-called 'law and order' is just driving out poor people who can't pay up?

There's nothing 'so-called' about it. That <i>is</i> law and order, Miss Franka.

Insurance fraud?! ...They're declaring you bankrupt?!

That's why I didn't wanna talk about it. I feel like I'm gonna pop a blood vessel.

If the bank is purposely depreciating the value of the diner, how much are they slashing it by?

I've been going back and forth with them for a while now, but seems like they're settling at fifty thousand certs.

If it's only fifty thousand, I can... lend you the rest.

Just like you secretly 'lent' money to Leone?

Sylvia told you?!

It's been eating her up inside, so she told me this morning. Don't worry though, I can keep a secret.

If you want to lend me money, of course I'd accept it. But who knows how long it'll take to pay it back, if ever.

I don't mind, even if you never pay it back.

No, stop it... Don't say things like that. I'll definitely find a way to return the favor someday.

Here. When the bank comes to collect, give them this check. Sorry...

*sigh*... And why are <i>you</i> apologizing? It ain't like you're the one borrowing money.

By the way, one other thing. Leone was too embarrassed to tell you himself, but he wanted me to pass this on.

He found out about the money?!

You silly girl... I told you, your secret's safe with me. Why would I tell him? He just wants to treat you to a meal.

Seems like bandits ain't the only thing Woodrow's been tracking. He's got a good catch of fowlbeasts. Miles and Benny'll be there too.

Oh, okay then...

You don't sound too happy about it.

That's because... Actually, I saw a lot of people outside the bank on my way here. They were signing agreements... to head out to the frontier.

I asked around, and it seems like it's a way of shedding some of their debt.

But why do they have to abandon everything and risk their lives to start over in a place with nothing, just for a little bit of debt relief?

Can they... even survive that ordeal?

And last but not least, the main course. Garlic-crusted fowlbeast with roast potatoes.

Whoa, that smells amazing...

I'll have this piece.

Put it down, Woody. That's for Jessica.

You heard her. She's the star of tonight's feast.

It's no big deal. I just saw what was going on in Davistown and felt that I couldn't sit back and watch... As for the food, I'm fine with whatever, really. I even had some biscuits earlier, so I'm not that hungry.

See, she's fine with it.

No means no. Benny, this one's for you.

Oh, wow... Th-Thank you very much.

Tch...

What's so funny?

N-Nothing. It just occurred to me how different you seem, compared to when we first met.

Yeah... He's been like that for ages. When he first strolled in town, he immediately pissed off pretty much everyone in the mines. We all thought that this grumpy, sharp-tongued asshole was here to cause trouble.

And what happened after that?

Then, he met Helena.

He really should be thanking her. If it weren't for her warmth and willingness to put in a few good words for him with those unlikable fellas...

But chat a bit today, and you'll find common ground tomorrow. In the end, she discovered his more... charming side, and showed it off to the others.

There was even a song going around at that time, probably written by one of her admirers. Still remember how it goes, Miles?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... Right, there was that song. I think it's coming back to me.

Give us the intro, and let's sing it together—

Who gave you jerks permission to sing in my restaurant—

♪I wandered here alone, not a penny to my name♪

♪My hometown far behind me, miles and miles away♪

♪The barrens stretch before me, as far as I can see♪

♪And who's waiting at the end, who indeed but she♪

♪She spread her arms, spread her heart, showed me that pretty face♪

♪And from that moment on, I found my dreams in her embrace♪

Is this song... about Helena?

Who else?

If you ask me... the 'her' it mentions might not be a specific person, but rather a broader idea.

What sort of idea?

Maybe this 'she' is a home filled with everyone's dreams. Davistown itself.

Hey, that makes sense!

Think about it. The second verse talks about her 'body,' right? That's the energy tower. Her 'hair' is the white smoke coming from it, and her 'burning heart' must be the plant's furnace.

And, in that section you fellas just sang, with her 'arms' and her 'embrace'? Ain't that just like those two long railroad tracks... embracing everyone here?

So many pioneers carved out this piece of land, bit by bit, with the tools in their hands. It'd become the place they started their families and businesses in.

And after that, even more youngsters arrived with their dreams and aspirations, following the footsteps of the previous generation and pitching in their youth and passion.

'She,' and only 'she,' is worthy of everyone's admiration.

I knew it... I knew it!

It all makes sense now!

Anyhow, no way in hell anybody's pinning all their hopes and dreams on my body.

The engineer has nothing more to say. His eyelids droop and his head tilts back slightly, the restaurant owner's words whisking him back to the past.

He remembers the soot-stained faces of his coworkers when they went home after a long shift. He remembers how his neighbors would greet him in the morning when he left for work.

He remembers the cool and refreshing beer foam escaping from the rim of his glass, and the warmth on his cheeks from the children's kisses.

His thoughts are wild and turbulent, but they fill his heart with warmth and comfort.

Just like the song he is humming right now. Completely tuneless, yet moving nevertheless.

♪And who's waiting at the end, who indeed but she♪

♪She spread her arms, spread her heart, showed me that pretty face♪

♪And from that moment on, I found my dreams in her embrace♪

The others in the room stop what they are doing, and make no other sounds. Only the engineer's voice is allowed to fill the entire restaurant.

After a while, the boiler worker's coarse voice joins the song, and the restaurant owner begins to hum along softly.

Even Woodrow, whose attention had been seized by the food on his plate, cannot help but tap his fingertips against his knees to the beat.

Only Jessica feels gripped by an inexplicable unease, as if there is a dark shadow in her heart that will not go away.