act38side

But the expression on the face of the old man before her never changed, from the moment she walked into the Tailor de Montano, to this very instant. Red was finally certain that he was not disguising himself.

Was the man really who grandma said he was?

The true wolf died before the huntress, but not by the huntress' hand.

Doubt fills Red's heart.

'Where will you go from there? What will you do?'

I don't understand, Grandma...

<p=1>Fifteen minutes until parade arrives at Court Square</><p=2>November 9th, 1100 11:30 P.M.</>

Seems like you hate Siracusa even more than I do.

Ha, you think I'm doing this for revenge?

No?

I've already said goodbye to my past, Texas.

Maybe there wasn't a formal ceremony, but that doesn't make it any less serious.

I didn't tell you how I became a taxi driver, did I?

I never asked.

Hahahaha.

Zaaro and I came across this pile of scrap metal in the wilderness—

The two of you got together?

Not many people would interrupt me like this, you know—yes, he's my lackey now.

A few Siracusans came to Nuova Volsinii together, but started brawling out in the wilderness for no reason, and the car ended up in front of me.

Siracusa invited, so I had to answer, just like you had to return to Volsinii last year.

Are you absolutely sure you're not just recalling the plot of a radio program?

Hey, I would be happy to sell the story to a radio station or filmmaker. I think it'll make a good road movie.

One year ago, I was sitting at that table in the Grey Hall with you when you won this new nomadic city from that Befana Sicilia.

You could call me one of the startup investors in this youthful dream of a new Siracusa.

Of course I needed to be here at the one-year anniversary of Nuova Volsinii, to celebrate with my friends!

You know, I think I deserve some gratitude for all the problems I dealt with behind the scenes to make sure the festival proceeds without a hitch.

Like scattering weapons across the square?

Haha, much more than just that.

Such as?

Such as my dear father, who is quite, let's say, ambitious about his plans for the new city.

I thought Alberto was in custody.

Oh, come on, haven't you spent enough time in my family to know what a stronzo the Saluzzo don is?

He wouldn't tolerate the thought of anything being outside his control, despite his failure at Volsinii, despite the vigilance of Nuova Volsinii's City Hall and courts against his interference.

What did you do?

Took a few things out of his control, that's all...

You'll find out soon enough.

Are you SURE you're not doing this for revenge?

Well, I guess that's a matter of interpretation.

Oh, and these masked dudes on the square. You remember seeing their boss, that cheerful Perro, in court?

Venezia Junior...

It's often those who despise the game the most who understand the rules most thoroughly.

He and his Venezia Trucking have never been in violation of the New Urban Management Act. As a matter of fact, he is a two-time winner of the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur award...

He might hate Siracusa more than either of us, Texas, but he know how to read the winds better than most wolves.

But...

But what?

I don't like his hairstyle. Too oily.

I prefer Vulpos who aren't so much like wolves.

A Vulpo mother from a distant land, who returned to Siracusa to seek justice for her Oripathy-afflicted daughter... Touching story, isn't it?

Besides, I happened to know that mother.

What did you do this time?

Helped her find the culprit. Super easy, barely any inconvenience.

I'm sure you would have done the same.

Sounds like the City Hall should give you a medal for outstanding citizenship.

What better time to do that than tonight? You can do the honors.

Nah, it wouldn't sit well with my conscience.

After all, things have gotten to the point where they are, even with all the 'business' that I threw a wrench into.

Now, let's get back to that wager.

Two packs of wolves, increasingly antsy... the end is approaching, Texas.

<p=1>Ten minutes until parade arrives at Court Square</><p=2>November 9th, 1100 11:35 P.M.</>

...I'm glad you're here, Ingrid.

The White Wolf of Saluzzo has disrupted our plans. I'm going to the port to deal with matters, lest she ruin everything that Venezia has built in Nuova Volsinii.

I returned my emblem a long time ago. Whatever happens to the famiglia is none of my business.

Drop the act, Antonio. You know why I'm here.

How did you know it was me?

When you told me you knew the truth.

But it was your reaction just now that removed the last vestige of doubt.

Why did you think the Sicilian betrayed you the moment you saw me?

Ah. You tricked me.

Did I?

I had my suspicions, Antonio. If the Tancredis wanted to assassinate the Venezia don, doing it through a child was a highly unreliable method, to say the least...

No matter how intricate their plan was, they could not possibly have prepared a doll that Lisa had only fallen in love with half a month ago because of a movie.

There never was an assassination attempt. You hurt Lisa to agitate me, in order to run me out of the famiglia.

If that was so—

Oh, you spared no expenses to make sure that Lisa wanted for nothing when I brought her back. She called you the 'really nice Perro uncle'.

And the way you beseeched me to come home, after I arrived in Nuova Volsinii...

You wore your mask perfectly, Antonio. You put on such a natural act that it would put the real thing to shame.

No, no, it was all real.

Lisa. Lovely, clever child. I was happy from the bottom of my heart when she called me uncle.

But you were in my way, Ingrid.

I could never have risen in the familglia with you around, much less rise to my present position.

The struggle between Venezia and Tancredi had reached the point where nothing was off-limits. It was a chance I could not afford to miss. Lisa was your only weakness.

As for why I tried to bring you back after chasing you out from the famiglia, the answer is even simpler...

Times have changed, Ingrid. Be it within the famiglia, or in Nuova Volsinii, Venezia Junior needs a strong right hand.

I even made preparations to sponsor Rhodes Island under the name of Venezia Trucking, in order to allow them to devote their full effort to Lisa's treatment.

The Don took us in, and we lived together as Venezia for more than a decade. But somehow, you have it in you to hurt the people closest to you—

Are you going to chastise me for lacking in 'decency', Ingrid?

I'm curious: Do you truly agree with what the old man says, or are you just playing dumb?

We keep emphasizing 'decency,' acting like we're principled, pretending we're filled with love, and claiming we're so different from the other famiglia!

But we're no different, are we? Just a bunch of stronzo with blood all over our hands.

That tailor, Umberto. He's done dirty work after dirty work for the old man, just because he owed the old man one back in the day.

If decency was really about the famiglia, why did he leave the famiglia to focus on his suits?

That scar on your face. Is it a mark of honor, or shame? Behind the scar, how many lives were taken in the name of the famiglia?

Who's really decent in this swamp they call Siracusa?

No one amongst us, at least.

Good. This is the right distance for stabbing.

You really are forthright, Antonio.

I just believe we shouldn't expect something unrealistic from one another.

What the Siracusans should do is be prepared to lose everything, including those they love the most. That's what I used to admire you for.

A bright flash of light.

The alley they are in is separated from Court Square by a high wall. Only a few dim street lamps illuminate the dark street. The sudden flash of light dazzles Ingrid momentarily.