act38side

You could stand up and vouch for her, etcetera. The court might be lenient on her if it's you.

I know what you're thinking, Lappland.

Nuova Volsinii's laws absolutely cannot be trampled upon or scorned like that. They strove to make these rules a reality.

Then I fear you can only sit back and watch everything unfold, or...

Lappland sends Texas a provocative look, eager to try something.

<i>I</i> could care less for your boring rules. Want me to help you out?

*ahem* Please hold on. The court has just received a supplementary list of new witnesses who would like to provide testimony.

Uh... A-Alberto Saluzzo?

What's wrong, Your Honor? As a legal citizen who has completed his identity registration in total compliance with the New Urban Management Act, surely my testimony will be valid in court?

O-Of course. Please proceed to state your testimony for the record.

Signor Saluzzo, are you intending to provide evidence to the court to prove that Eirene was indeed related to the fire?

Alberto does not answer. His gaze falls on the opposite site of the witness box. Venezia Junior and the other Venezias are sitting on the left side of the audience.

Alberto's eyes turn to the seat behind Venezia Junior—there sits his own daughter, the banished Saluzzo.

She crosses her legs, grins, and waves to him as if no one else is in the room.

Next to her is Texas.

(Ciao.)

Texas, my dear father is watching us. Stop being so reserved and wave along.

Signore? Signor Saluzzo? Please continue with your testimony.

Hmph.

I was there as well, and I can attest that Signorina Lavazza did not start the fire.

Terza Zona... should be here...

Sommer?

The boss made us wait here for you.

Come. He wants to see you.

Are you from the Venezias? Or the Saluzzos? Or the Medicis...?

Tch.

This'll help Eirene, right?

Right up ahead.

The container in that corner. Just open the door and go in.

Alright.

Eirene. I'm sorry for not telling you, but I already made arrangements for Guri.

You know how I kept asking for more shifts and saved quite a bit of cash. It should at least be enough to pay for two years of Oripathy treatment and her school fees.

The school isn't too far from our camp, so it'll be easier to look after her this way too.

I did take you in at the start, but compared with all the help you've given us all these years it's hard to say who has helped the other more. Eirene, it's not fair they've got a spotlight on you now.

It's time you think about yourself too, haha.

I wanna say I've never been much of an idealist. After all, I've seen enough in this life, I know very well what I can do or can't...

I'm just a tiny supermarket owner and driver who hopes we can all live a peaceful life... this is also why I was willing to follow you here.

The shop's no more, but we can always move to a new place and figure out a new way of life. There's no need to waste our time on those guys who ruined our lives. Everyone gets their share of bad luck, so there's no need to blame anyone.

We just have to stay far away from the troubles.

Fortunately, you helped us all find a good spot.

I bet Guri will like it here.

I guarantee you my testimony is absolutely true. As I said earlier, she was with me the whole time from yesterday before noon until the fire happened at the port.

Two Saluzzo Vino vineyards will soon welcome our first harvest. I hope the Truckers' Union will allocate a fleet to help transport our fresh grapes.

This is why we were at the port to check things out. My employees can vouch for us as well.

(Sounds of agreement)

In other words, Signorina Lavazza has a strong alibi.

(Claps) Magnifico.

My astute padre has tied the Truckers' Union to the Saluzzos.

That poor driver will have to do his bidding in future.

I don't think it'll end just like that.

The truck came from your union. We checked the shipping schedule and it wasn't slated with any arrangements for the last two days. So why did it show up at the port and become one of the floats?

Signorina Lavazza, even if you truly did not start the fire, as the head of your union it is your responsibility to explain the illegal usage of this car.

I can testify for Signorina Lavazza on that point.

Signor Venezia?

Your Honor, please take a look at the customs declaration form in the supplementary evidence you received earlier. The truck was transporting tires for Venezia Trucking.

This is it. Go in.

He's waiting.

The shipping container door lies ajar, and all Sommer can see is a faint light flickering inside the dark interior.

So, who on Terra is helping me... and Eirene?

Enough questions, vecchio.

Go in and you'll find out at once.

You want to help that driver, and so do we. That's all you need to know.

Sommer puts his hand on the door, and hesitates.

Can you guarantee—

There is no one available to answer him. The mafiosi already left, leaving him on his own.

Eirene, I don't have brains or guts like yours.

Which is why I was so surprised but also worried when you promised Judge Lavinia and Mayor Leontuzzo you'd be the head of the union.

It meant we were going to get into tons of trouble... and sure enough we did.

But back then you told me what we were starting wasn't actually a 'union' to help city hall handle the famiglie, but an 'association' to provide mutual aid to anyone in a similar situation as us.

You always say I was the one who took you in, but we all know it was you who gave me another chance at life.

I'm not saying we're even now, I owe you so much.

Eirene, if a day comes where I can help you out, I won't hesitate at all.

I don't want Guri to think her papa as an ungrateful person.

I tried to be a good role model for her.

Signor Venezia, I'm sure you're clear what your statement means, right?

Signor Saluzzo claims he submitted testimony out of his responsibility as a citizen, but this incident actually involves Venezia Trucking.

The demand for our vehicles here has spiked in the last two months because of Carnevale, and we had to order an impromptu shipment of automotive consumables from the other cities.

This newly-arrived batch of goods has already cleared custom, and the Truckers' Union was helping us do a last-mile delivery. It was an impromptu request, which is why they haven't updated this job to their schedule.

Signorina Lavazza, do correct me if I got anything wrong.

You're right, we do have the paper trail, if needed.

As for why that truck was found at the port amongst the parade floats, we don't know who did it yet, so I implore the police to continue their investigation.

Though at least, the Truckers' Union did not use their truck illegally, and Signorina Lavazza was merely a bit negligent in this whole affair.

We'll verify the information.

Oh, the poor driver's pretty lucky. We're so close to the end of the tunnel.

The pivotal testimonies from my father and Venezia Junior are enough to clear Eirene of suspicion. Nothing will happen to her.

But the suspect has now become an outsider.

Eirene's the actual person involved, but she can't even get a word in. The courtroom's turned into an exclusive stage for the Venezias and Saluzzos.

These two factions are clearly fighting under the table, but they seem to have a tacit understanding once they're in court.

Everyone knows that's how the mafia works.

They want to claim complete innocence, and seize the Truckers' Union for themselves at the same time.

Of course. After all, we haven't found the actual person who started the fire.

Unless... they'll never find the person ever again.

Hahaha, the famiglie never consider what the persons involved are willing to offer when they want something in return.

...I have to contact Lavinia.

He takes in two deep breaths, pushes the shipping container door open, and goes in.

...Nobody's here?

Inside is a sole lamp and chair with no one else.

Sommer is stunned.

He decides to wait. As long as he can help Eirene this way...

He's willing to wait.