level_act38side_08_beg

<p=2>November 8th, 1100 2:17 P.M.</>

Texas, you're back.

With me...

What? Am I not welcome here?

...Lappland?

Let's not overreact here. What if we disturb the patient's beauty rest?

Texas, quick. Tell our dear judge here I'm just here to deliver some documents.

(Nods)

Here, Your Honor.

We met a judge at the door who wanted to pass you this. The mayor's ward can't have too many people in here, so Texas and I took it for you right before we walked in.

Arson of Nuova Volsinii Port, Emergency Court Hearing, Defendant... Eirene?

The driver lady's your friend, right? Relax, just flip to the back. She was acquitted on the spot.

Texas and I happened to sit in that court hearing. So exciting. The Venezias—

Haha, sorry, sorry. I mean the Venezia Trucking and Saluzzo Vino bosses both testified and vouched for her innocence, and even fought over who got to send her home after the trial...

Tsk, tsk. A popular girl to be sure!

The way she walked out of the courthouse reminded me of how the famiglie would take a courthouse trip as proof of maturity.

<p=2>November 8th, 1100 11:35 A.M.</>

Sign to confirm, receive the verdict, leave the court. The process went smoothly, but Eirene is still a little dizzy. The sunlight stings her eyes, and she lowers her head—

On the huge court square are two cars parked on her inevitable path. Both car hoods sport a special emblem—patterns one can see everywhere in Siracusa.

Even if she didn't recognize the Saluzzo Vino logo or the Venezia family crest, there is no way she could possibly fail to recognize the two men before their respective cars.

Eirene knows they're waiting for her—Famiglia Saluzzo and Famiglia Venezia.

Congratulations, Signorina Lavazza.

...There's nothing worth congratulating.

Signor Saluzzo, the fire yesterday was an accident, but my worries have indeed been solved, albeit in a confusing way.

I had been thinking I shouldn't cause you any further trouble, since I ended up asking you to meet with me for nothing.

But you showed up today, which means you just declared to everyone—

The Saluzzos want to help the Truckers' Union, of course.

Our present situation does mean some deals are no longer on the table, but I'm sure we both know how valuable a friendship can be in Siracusa.

Our agreement remains, Signorina Lavazza.

*ahem*—Zio Alberto, I hope I'm not disturbing you?

Signorina Lavazza helped us transport our tires, and since something has happened to them, I have to work out compensation with her.

Signor Venezia...

Don't worry. Today we've properly met for the first time, but we already have a good understanding between us.

You said nothing at all in court, which was wonderful.

I think we have a lot to talk about, such as the Truckers' Union and many other matters.

Get in the car, I'll drive you back.

Venezia Junior—

A loud horn interrupts the conversation between the three, and a truck drives between the two cars, coming to a steady stop before Eirene.

The driver's door opens, and Eirene sees Lyudmila get off the truck.

Lyudmila!

What's wrong?

Let's go. I came to take you back home. There's a lot back at camp waiting for you to make the call on.

Alright, let's go.

Once we're home, we have to quickly figure out a way to send Sommer away for a time. He's not safe in the city right now.

Something on your mind, Lyudmila?

Lyudmila says nothing and hands the lighter she's holding to Eirene.

Huh...? Isn't this Sommer's?!

He did everything he could.

I should have understood long ago the famiglie will never allow anyone who might pose a threat to them to live.

Eirene looks through the rear view mirror and meets the two mob bosses' eyes.

She suddenly understands why they had confidently testified for her, and why they had both waited for her in the square.

Venezia Junior was right. Her silence and their voices means the three parties had reached a tacit understanding in court.

Where's Sommer?

I'm sorry, I couldn't find him...

Eirene's grip tightens on the lighter.

So things did exceed everyone's expectations, and they had no choice but to come down here and protect me.

But the price paid...

They want the guys at city hall and the courts to know that the Truckers' Union and the famiglie are on the same boat.

Those two earlier... they were basically fighting over a territory.

The court hearing does not mean the matter has come to a close. It is only just beginning.

For a long time to come, the famiglie will become a thorn in the Truckers' Union's side, and she will have to struggle against these people to maintain their tacit, disgraceful understanding.

The truck gets farther and farther away from the court square. She looks at the lighter in her hand, and her fear suddenly dissipates somewhat.

It's not over yet, Alberto, Antonio...

When Sommer and I had just moved here from Volsinii, we really thought we left the famiglie.

...Heh. What a joke.

I'm sorry, Sommer. I'll never trust any of them ever again.

Such an interesting scene, like it came straight out of a film. Saluzzo and Venezia fellas, truck drivers, so many people surrounding that driver lady, they took up half the courthouse square...

They called it my coming-of-age ceremony, the first time I went into a courthouse. When I came out, there weren't many people greeting me.

Texas had it even worse, haha. She came to Siracusa as a guest, and accidentally got herself involved in a lawsuit. I was the only one who greeted her after.

Stop bringing up your boring pranks, Lappland.

Signorina Lappland, thank you for coming here and for the reminder. If there's nothing else, please leave the ward.

You're welcome, Just the least I could do.

Carnevale is tomorrow, dear judge. You still have a lot to do.

I was with Lappland the whole time since yesterday noon.

By the time we reached the port, the fire was already dying. She's not directly involved with it.

She spent the entire night after that just being a taxi driver. We went to the courthouse today, and then came here to the hospital...

Right now, I'm not sure what she's planning.

Are you still looking through the file, Lavinia?

Judging from its contents, there was no problem whatsoever with the hearing. But the feeling I'm getting is all too familiar for my liking...

They covered everything in the trial, and the testimony and evidence are stated in detail, but other than getting someone acquitted, it didn't find out any truths or solve any problems.

In Volsinii, and other places in Siracusa, most cases can only end up with a case file like this one.

I had thought such a trial would no longer exist here in Nuova Volsinii.

Lavinia...

You don't have to console me, Texas.

What concerns me more, is when did these people actually start to care about whether a civilian outside the famiglie is innocent or not?

What's more, before this hearing, Famiglia Venezia had a near perfect record in the city you couldn't easily find a reason for criticism, but this time Venezia Junior actually showed up.

From Demetri to Ingrid—I may spent the last two days chasing in the wrong direction.

What is certain, before this trial—or because of this trial, they are now on the same side.

Leon's car accident, the hit-and-run vehicle, and the port fire. These three obviously have a deeper connection...

The Saluzzos, the Venezias, and the Truckers' Union. What are these three forces hiding from us together?

Lavinia closes the file, running her hand over the court emblem, then the 'New Urban Management Act' on the cover.

After a moment, she raises her head.

Texas looks at her friend. She seemed somewhat gloomy and confused earlier, but she is definitely back to her old self now.

Carnevale is tomorrow, but Leon is still in a coma... I'm running out of time to figure out what kind of plans they have in store.

We can't let the situation worsen, let alone stay sitting fowls.

You mean...?

These people still think the New Urban Management Act is something they can use, but I shall show them it is the foundation of order in this city.

<p=2>November 8th, 1100 4:45 P.M.</>

Hey, you! You can't go in there!

Texas?

Bursting into my winery without reason does not seem like something you would do.

Of course.

Told you we'd come find you, Signor Alberto Saluzzo.

These are Saluzzo Vino's qualification documents submitted in the past months.

A group of employees have in the short span of two months, changed their positions in your company's registered profiles several times. First they were security personnel, then winemakers, then technical staff...

We have reason to suspect Saluzzo Vino is employing illegal methods to circumvent the standard background check procedure.

Please come with us to assist our investigation.

Didn't the constant changes happen because city hall keeps changing the requirements?

What's the big idea, digging up these old files so suddenly?

Don't waste your breath, these cops are obviously targeting us Saluzzos on purpose! Vaffanculo, we even paid so much in certification fees!

Anyway, don't let them take away the Don on our turf—

Stop. Don't get in the police's way.

If they're only suspecting Saluzzo Vino of circumventing background checks illegally, then it won't be difficult to resolve... we just need some time.

Listen to him.

Got it, Don Alberto.

This must have been the judge's idea.

What?

Of course, she's aware she can't do much with such a trivial offense, but she can at least keep me in jail for the next few days.

She must have gone to Venezia Junior or Eirene, otherwise you wouldn't be the one standing here right now.

I just happened to be free today.

Making such a swift decision with only just the little information she has. Decisive.

I still remember her looking so weak when she rushed to my place looking for Bernardo last year—she was a completely different person.

Telling me all this won't help. There's nothing to fear if you're truly innocent.

Of course, I'll go with you. I'll do my best to aid your investigation.

I said in court today I'm simply doing my duty as a citizen of the city.

Besides, Saluzzo Vino will not pause operations because of my temporary departure.

Demetri, I'm sure you must be familiar with our work here in Nuova Volsinii by now, yes?

Certainly, Don Alberto.

Take care of my wineries for now, manager of Saluzzo Vino.

Of course.