act32side

I thought...

Collection No. 257, antique music box, starting price 15 million gold certificates. Any bidders?

Shh... I have to focus.

(Raises bid card)

20 million! Anyone else? 20 million!

(Raises bid card)

Er... same bidder to 25 million?

(Raises bid card)

There's no one bidding against you.

(Raises bid card)

I don't care what anyone else bids. I just want to raise it to the price I think it's worth.

I-I apologize for my rash decision...

But we didn't think they would have the nerve to openly insult Coalition government forces that...

I-I understand! Next time—there won't be a next time!

I'll accept any punishment if this happens again! You can fire me, court-martial me, anything!

Capitán...

Shut up. Now the brass knows about that stupid truck driver.

They stripped him naked and dropped him at our front door. The brass considers it an open insult to the Coalition government.

They asked whether our relationship with Reynell can continue, whether there is hope of obtaining the land. What am I supposed to say?

Stupid, incompetent idiots.

Capitán, Reynell's secretary is here... do you want to see him?

Show him in.

If you're just here to complain on Reynell's behalf, you can save it.

Of course not, Mr. Mateo. Reynell is satisfied with your efficiency. You were just a little... reckless.

There are many Infected in that community. Stealing their medicine is one way to take them down. But you must understand that, if many Infected die because of it...

Making a big mess does none of us any good.

We understand. What else did he tell you?

What he means is that, if you were too reckless before, perhaps a more cautious approach now can bring about a peaceful resolution.

We've gotten to this point, and you want me to negotiate with those people?

No, Mr. Mateo. There's no need for you to worry about it. Mr. Reynell has already sent someone to do it.

Who?

Miss Ela and her squad.

You're familiar with them, no? Your men have had dealings with them, and people have even confused them with your men.

We have an agreement, Miłosz. Don't forget it.

No need to get excited, Mr. Mateo. Reynell doesn't intend to terminate his cooperation with you. He just asks for cooler heads.

We can talk about the land once you're calm enough to do so.

Is there any message that you would like me to deliver to Mr. Reynell?

I take my leave, then.

You were playing games with me, weren't you, Reynell?!

You're dead, Reynell, DEAD, if I don't get that piece of land from you!

150 million? He bid a music box to 150 million on his own?

He may be eccentric, but he shows respect to what he considers art, in his own way.

It sounds like you're starting to change your mind about him.

I've never made up my mind about him, Meijer. He's not easy to make up your mind about.

Is that what makes him interesting?

I'll admit that he's not your traditional, boring art dealer.

That's saying quite a bit, coming from you. You're not big on compliments usually.

What now? Will you continue to work with him?

I'm not sure... but I'll think about it.

Come to think of it, we couldn't have adapted to this place so quickly without his help.

We did save his life, so we're even on that.

*sigh*...

Hey, Ela... do you have a moment?

Of course. What is it?

Papá wants to see you.

Mr. Diaz? Why?

He has some questions for you.

Very well, I'll go and see him.

And just so you know... he might act pretty... angry.

He wants to intimidate me.

He may not admit it, but... yes.