act38side

There's no need to thank me, Umberto.

You saved Luchino yourself, by convincing Venezia Senior to not pursue the matter any further.

Is he still shutting himself in the room? I haven't seen him. Don't tell me he's ran away again.

If he runs away, just let him. So much has happened over the past couple of days, and he's still young. He needs time to process things.

Perhaps I've been too strict.

Maybe he's just struggling with how to view you, his own grandfather, an old tailor, and once the terror of Siracusan dons.

Well, that's not important. What's important is how he views himself after he stood at death's door and learned about all these things in the past.

And he needs to figure it out. I don't have that much time left.

Well, Signora Venezia, I bid you addio.

You already know, don't you?

What?

The culprit who hurt your daughter.

And why would you say that?

Did you forget I was once a killer too, Signora Venezia?

Your weapon is sharp. It needs no honing, and you are not in the habit of doing so.

When a killer starts polishing their blade, they're either planning to put it away forever, or planning to put it in someone.

Fair point.

More conjecture than proof at this point... but at least I have something. That's why I said you don't have to thank me.

You came to Nuova Volsinii and stayed here at de Montano to learn about the truth—who planned the assassination, and hurt Signorina Lisa.

This was your agreement with Vargo, but if you have learned the answer, there's no reason to continue it.

Besides, I don't have any troubles left to deal with.

The game is not over yet. The Fangs are still in the city. I've crossed blades with them. They may be young, but they fight well.

If I can find them, they can find you.

You're old and frail, Umberto. There can only be one end.

It's an end that already looms large. There's nothing you can do.

Tonight, at least, I wish to be alone, and have a moment of quiet to myself.

<p=2>November 9th, 1100 4:00 P.M.</>

Alright, we'll be going—

Hey, new face. Where's the old dispatcher?

...Shift changed half an hour ago. He's probably in rehearsal right now.

Huh?

Didn't you know? He used to be a saxist at the Teatro di Milano. They recruited him for the parade.

I see. He's keeping you in the dark so he can show off tomorrow when his face is in the newspapers!

Stronzo!

So you're on duty tonight?

Yup, I'm the new guy. On the bright side, the harbor's gonna be rather quiet because of all the festivities.

I'll turn the radio up and feel the festive spirit from here.

I would go now if I were you... if you want to get a good place in the procession.

Alright, be seeing you.

Phew...

You almost let it slip.

How about you do it, then?

Hey, I don't got the acting experience. You're the one who's an extra in the mayor's promotional video.

It ain't the same thing. I was just being myself in the promo, and we could always do another take. Screw up just now, and all of Antonio's plans would've been blown.

This is an important night for you, for me, and for all of Venezia.

Once this city is firmly under our control, Antonio will be as good as his word. He'll support you in... what's the wording? Restoring the glory of Sicilia?

I just hope I don't end up like Carle...

What about our musicista?

Playing his saxophone in hell. In that container over there. We'll deal with the body once the dust settles.

You got the dispatch station, then.

Don't worry.

Every vehicle that goes in and out of the port has to go through special checks. Venezia Trucking's trucks have been added to the list.

The nomadic city's positioning system has been turned off, with the exception of a single encrypted channel. Other than the famiglia's landship, no vehicles will approach the city tonight.

The rest of the boys are outside. Once the landship approaches the city and starts docking, everybody in Nuova Volsinii Port who ain't part of this is gonna disappear.

What about Antonio?

You think the boss needs us to worry about him?

A few hours left... enjoy the night, Nuova Volsinii. Enjoy the true Carnevale.

Bit trite for an opening speech, don't you think?

The voice came from above.

The White Wolf looks down at them from atop a crane, amusement on her face, surprise and shock on theirs. She frowns, like a listener who can no longer tolerate the performance.

Who are you? Have you been here all this time?

Do her in, Gambino!

Gotcha.

I thought you said it was trite. But you're clappin'.

You just gave me the first twist, didn't you?

You know, I was kind of hoping you would try to—how did he put it? 'Do me in.'

I wanted to, but I ain't about to do somethin' doomed to fail.

Fair enough. Where's your little friend?

Capone? Helpin' Venezia Junior with some other stuff.

Sicilians been busy, eh?

Whaddya want, Lappland?

We've done enough for you. I can't—

Hm?

Uh, I mean...

Venezia Junior has put everything the famiglia's built over the past year into this. At this point, even if you wanna sabotage it, there's not much I can do to help.

You still think you know me, Gambino. Why would I make things hard for an old, er, friend?

Just do the job that your boss told you to.

What he's trying to do doesn't conflict with what I'm trying to do. Maybe I'm even trying to help him?

It's Carnevale, after all. The night when all the wonderful dreams we have about this city come true.

That's why you didn't even need to kill this guy on the ground—oops.

You really shouldn't be so eager to prove that you're a villain. No wonder Capone's racking up citizen points so much faster than you.

*Sigh*

What else do you want me to do?

I dropped something at the Villa Venezia. Bring it to me.

What is it?

A gift box.

You mean, the one that the little tailor was—

Uh-huh.

And get me a bunch of ribbons, balloons, spotlights, that kind of stuff. Hurry!

(The Long Carnevale)