totter

Open the door, you lousy scammer!

Open the damn door!

I know you're there! Open this blasted door already!

Good morning, Mr. Haller. You shouldn't be so loud; it'll disturb the others, you know.

(Grabs Totter by the collar)

Do you take me for a fool, you son of a bitch?!

You said you'd have it done by Friday! It's Friday, and all you've done is pack up and get ready to leave!

Patience, my friend. I'll explain afterwards.

(Pulls away Haller's hand)

Explain? I don't need a goddamn explanation. I need results, you understand? I need the heads of those bastards on a platter, <i>now</i>.

(Glances at watch) Just give me a little more time.

You said five days. I gave you five days. What now?

The plan is going well. You'll have your results soon enough.

Plan? What have you been doing the past four days?

You drank coffee on Monday, played poker on Tuesday, went to the market on Wednesday, and slept through Thursday. Now it's Friday, and you haven't even moved your ass one inch from your room.

(Glances at watch)

Stop looking at your goddamn watch!

It’s not time yet.

What? Are you telling me to calm down?

...I guess so?

Easy for you to say, you son of a bitch! It wasn't you who lost everything to those bandits!

Oh, believe me, I could tell how little you had left by the amount you were offering.

...Yeah, if I had any left over, you'd be worrying about your own head instead of anyone else's.

My, and here I thought we had a good partnership going.

(Slumps against the wall)

I should've died along with my wife... At least then I wouldn't have to deal with this shit.

Would you like some hot water? I can get you a cup.

You—forget it. Why should I talk to <i>you</i> about it? You don't know how I feel.

Not quite... I do know, to an extent.

Then do something. I'm begging you.

(Glances at watch)

(Shakes head) *Sigh*...

It's time. Would you like to come with me?

For what?

Blood for blood, just like you asked.

Here we are. Have you hidden your burdenbeast?

Yes... Wait, why are you the one giving the orders, when I'm the one hiring you?

My apologies, Mr. Haller. Would you like me to go tie it up again?

No need. I'd rather you explained why you brought me all the way out here.

Take these.

Binoculars?

Look over there.

I don't see anything.

Further. There's a convoy coming towards us from the horizon, flying blood-red flags with black skulls on them.

I see it! It's them! It's them!

(Draws crossbow)

You don't need binoculars?

No.

But it's so far away.

Shh. Quiet.

Done.

So quick?

Yeah... Unless there was something else?

What?

I mean, I'm not too keen on desecrating corpses, but if you insist...

You... you're sure there are no survivors?

By the size of the explosion, I would say the odds are slim.

They're dead. They're all dead. Good.

You don't sound as happy as I expected.

I thought I would be, but... it all happened so quick. Almost like it wasn't real.

Now, maybe this isn't the best time to bring this up, but as for the other half...

(Tosses out a bag of gold coins)

Take it.

(Picks up the bag)

Don't you have anything to say?

...Thank you for your business?

Those eggheads spent a month trying to track that group down and came up empty-handed. How did you do it?

How did you know they would show up right here, right now?

Actually...

Ach, let's talk someplace else. I need a stiff drink.

I wouldn't recommend drinking in your current state.

Ha... what would you know about it?

Apparently, the people in this town drink in the morning to celebrate the sunrise. I ordered two drinks. Which one do you want?

They're not exactly the same size.

Yeah, the big one's mine.

Why did you ask me to choose, then?

To be polite.

I'll take the small one then, thank you.

(Guzzles half the mug)

Argh—burp.

So can you talk now? How did you do it? You didn't prepare anything the last few days. You just showed up there, pulled back your crossbow, and whoosh—

They're gone.

What the hell was that? Future sight? Did you bribe one of them?

Come on, tell me. I just don't understand. I was sure you were scamming me when I found you last night, but now...

Let's just say that if you wanted me to lick your boots, I'd get on my knees this instant.

You're getting a little too excited.

I've had something to drink.

It wasn't so hard. It's all about having a good plan, and following it step by step.

(Takes out a notebook)

You complained that I spent all Monday in a cafe, but the cafe in this town plays an important role.

It's sort of an information exchange for traders passing through.

It's where all the news spreads, true or false.

Have you managed to get your spices out? I've tried other routes, but it seemed like they always knew where we were going.

Still thinking about what to do. I might just throw my hands up and hire mercenaries to guard the goods. Better than letting it rot in the warehouse.

When is the lord ameer going to do something about this? I can't afford any more losses.

Hello, what can I get for you?

A cup of coffee, please.

Our coffee is strong by most places' standards, so it comes with a plate of honey dates to balance out the bitterness.

Thank you. I like my coffee bitter anyway.

By the way, could I ask where the town doctor lives?