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Dear Miss Susie Glitter:

Thank you for your bulk purchase of our 'Bright Future' silky smooth shampoo products.

We are excited to announce our new promotional campaign, featuring a grand prize of two thousand Victorian pounds. Your recent purchase qualifies you for entry, and we have included a ticket for our prize lottery. We encourage you to try your luck!

Should you be one of our fortunate winners, please visit our factory headquarters in Caladon to claim your prize.

Thank you for your continued support.

Hmm~hmmhmm♪

Let's see... A ceiling star projector for Quercus, the wind chimes on the mailbox for Kazemaru...

I still need things for Grani, Haze, Skyfire... the Doctor, Amiya, and Dr. Kal'tsit...

Better get moving if I want to squeeze in time to visit my mates. It's been a while since I've been back at Caladon, wonder how everyone's doing.

Then there's this ticket. Even the smallest prize is twenty pounds, and there's an 8% chance of getting that, apparently...

I can't believe you need to collect your prize in person! If I hadn't come back to visit, I would've missed the chance.

Oh, it looks like the fancy ice cream shop over there's having some kind of promotion!

(Gulps)

My luck can't be that bad, can it? Let's wait until I get that twenty quid, then I can have a scoop. Just a scoop. That's all I need...

Alright, let's give it a scratch.

Twenty... Well, there it is. Wait, is that another zero at the end?

Two hundred... No, thousand...

Twenty thousand?

Twenty thousand?! The first prize?!

Susie rubs her eyes, holding the ticket up to the light.

It says, plain as day: '20000 pounds: Congratulations on First Prize!'

Oh... Oh lord, this...

(Lowers her voice) No way! (Flustered) Okay, calm down... This is a lot of money. I-I need to...

I need to get back to the office right away to find Bitter Root, then we'll head to the prize exchange straight after.

Though her mind urges her to return to the Rhodes Island office, her legs have a will of their own and lead her to the ice cream shop.

Welcome! We're having a big sale today! 20% off a scoop, 50% off two!

If I get two scoops... can I get different flavors?

Of course! If you'd like to try even more, then I'd say our variety bucket's your best value for money.

Nope, I'm done. This bucket's too much for me, the brain freeze won't stop.

Heheh...

Look, we confirmed it's real, so you can stop checking it and giggling.

The shampoo factory says their finance's on leave until next month, so you've got until then to put together a proper plan for how to spend that much money.

First, I'll send half of it home. Ten thousand pounds should be enough to buy a much bigger and prettier house. Then, whatever's left can go towards business...

Hmm... Maybe I'll donate a bunch of hairdressing equipment to Rhodes Island? The kind that could give even Spot a haircut he likes in under ten minutes?

(Burst out laughing)

How about putting yourself first? Ten thousand pounds is not that much for a company, but it's life-changing for a person.

Darn, the convoy's here...

Forgot to tell you Susie, but I've to go on a trip. I'll be back next month, then we can go claim the prize together, yeah?

Where're you headed to next? The convoy might be able to give you a ride.

I was going to look for James and the others, so... maybe I should check the pubs?

Sure, though ever since the accident with the Green Spark, the Infected community's workers haven't had a pub to go to.

I've heard some pubs outside let them in on the down-low for an extra fee. I figure they'll drag you there to celebrate your return.

Just take care not to get exposed. Last time someone got found out as Infected, those lousy drunkards beat him half to death.

I won't. I'll make sure everyone else is careful, too.

How much did you say that was again, Susie?

(Whispers) Twenty thousand pounds.

Twenty thousand pounds?!

Shut up! Don't you think Sparky's got enough troubles without you opening your gob?!

(Whispers) Sorry 'bout that...

(Whispers) Let's not chat about this here. It's too risky.

Speaking of which, didn't they pass a bill for improved treatment of Infected workers before I left?

The bill's all well and good, but it'll take more than a piece of paper to change things.

If it could, we wouldn't have to sneak around just for a drink now, would we?

Ah!

I'm really sorry, mister, I didn't mean to—

Hold on, Susie. Is that... a knife in his hand?

You bloody little... static freak!

Terribly sorry about all that. We've sent someone to chase the pickpocket.

Everyone gets a glass of our special, on the house. Please don't let his tomfoolery give you the wrong idea about our fine establishment.

Hold up a sec, I remember you. Ain't you the git who shakes down the Infected the hardest just for wantin' a pint? Didn't have enough on me last time, so you—

Perish the thought, sir! Please don't joke about such things! How could you possibly be an Infected?

No one listens to the barman, but no one is avoiding the Infected like they usually do either.

Twenty thousand? You serious?

Hey, isn't that the girl who exposed Councilor Bishmer's scheme? Susie Glitter?

I've got a relative who won two hundred grand buying a terminal the other day! I heard they quit their jobs the very next day, then went to Siesta for some R&R...

Why else would the girl install some electric gadget to protect her wallet?

Hmph. That much money is wasted on the Infected anyway. If I had that kind of money...

We better get out of here.

Move!

*yawn* Morning already... I sure had a lot of nightmares last night.

The ticket... Still here.

That slip of the tongue back in the pub... I'm sure nobody believed us.

I still have plenty of time to think over how I want to spend this money.

Miss Glitter? Rhodes Island's Miss Susie Glitter? I've put your mail in the letterbox, do make sure to check it!

Mail? For me?

Oh, the mailman's gone. Let me see...

Oh my goodness! Why're there so many letters in there?!

And... they're all for me?!

'Got a windfall burning a hole in your pocket? Leave it to the investing guru certified by the Duke of Gododdin himself to double your wealth...'

'Dear Susie, I hail from Boschendal, just like you. I even held you when you were just a baby. You might not remember me, but...'

'Please help us, Miss Glitter. Our stores in the Boil have been running at a loss year after year, but with a single investment from you...'

I didn't realize I was quite so famous.

'To the Hero of the City, Miss Susie Glitter. I am glad to hear of your return to the city, for I am a great admirer of your bravery in standing up in the name of justice for the common man, and would like to invite you to my humble abode...'

What is even happening...?

Well, as long as I don't fall for any of that, I should be fine.

I can't let this money ruin my plans! Cheer up, Susie, there's still plenty of friends to see and gifts to pick out!

Wait, I should find somewhere safer to keep this ticket first.

*sigh* It's already noon... What should I get Grani? Weapon maintenance lubricant?

Excuse me, would you happen to be Miss Susie Glitter?

You needn't be so on guard, we met once at the Green Spark.

That's a pub for the Infected. You sure you've been there before?

This should do. Grani's sure to be happy with it.

Is that really you, Susie?! It must be! C'mere already, am I glad to finally meet you in person.

Do I... know you?

No, but does it matter? We just need some time before we're the best of friends. Want a drink? My treat.

No thank you.

Please, I've got four kids to feed, and the factory let me go just yesterday. I've got nothing...

Here, five pounds. Please, just take it...

I should really get back to the office now. I think there are even more people coming my way...

D-Did someone try to mess with the lock?!

Oh no! Rhodes Island's medicines are in there too!

Phew... No one's come in, thank heavens.

I better keep the door shut tight!

Wh-Who's there?! D-Don't come in!

Susie, it's me, Bean.

Mr. Bean? Are you here to... ask for money as well?

(Awkwardly clears throat) No, nothing of the sort.

Look, we're terribly sorry, Susie. I'm here to apologize on Stone's behalf too. We've caused nothing but trouble for you with our big mouths.

No, it's okay, it wasn't on purpose.

Actually, I came here to...

Discuss something with you.

Go ahead.

Now that you're well-off, we were wondering if... we could rebuild the Green Spark, right where it used to be.

That's...

I know we're asking too much and it's not our money to begin with. I... Just forget I said anything. Where's Bitter Root by the way?

On a work trip.

Well, he better come back soon. I don't like how a young lady's alone with that much money on you.

Bah, what's the point of me going on about all this? Anyways, you get some rest now.

Mr. Bean, how much would it cost to rebuild the Green Spark?

Huh? Uh...

Let me see... The lot's still there, no extra cost for that. A hundred quid to the city council and we can start working.

Rebuilding the interior should be about... a thousand and five, maybe six hundred. Add in the council's cut and some odds and ends, and I reckon two thousand pounds should do. Shouldn't be any higher than that.

Look, Susie...

Well, go ahead and call the council, then.

R-Really?

Of course. I'm doing alright for myself at Rhodes Island, so I think it's better I put all this money to good use helping everyone out before it turns my entire life upside down.

'All this money'? No way, surely we couldn't possibly need that much?

It's fine, really. See the mailbox outside? It'll be much better than dealing with all these people from heaven-knows-where sending me letters.

Then, I'll go tell the lads the good news?

Yes! On the double!

Bitter Root! You're back!

I heard all about what happened. Who knew things could have taken such a turn in the two short weeks I was gone?

Oh, no need to sound so negative. I think it's all rather wonderful, really.

James has been dropping by every day to give an update. Sounds like it'll be fully rebuilt in a few days.

Two thousand pounds, was it? Bean's estimate was pretty accurate. Low-ball, even.

Not like there's any more to give. I haven't cashed in the ticket yet, so all I had was that two thousand quid. It really did all go towards rebuilding the Green Spark. Not a single penny's gone towards wages.

Wages, huh... I don't think Bean ever brought the topic up with you. Is that really alright? You might have to take a big chunk out of the ten grand you left for yourself. Not sure how much'll be left after.

It's fine. Everyone's been having a rough time, so it's the least I could do. If it wasn't rebuilding the pub, I'd still be helping them out some other way.

Paying them is the least I can do for their hard work, even if they're too embarrassed to bring it up.

Figuring that out yourself means you've got a good head on your shoulders.

Oh, right, the finance from that shampoo factory should be back from holiday, right? Can't take them longer than building a pub, can it?

May I help you, sir...?

We're here to trade in this ticket.

Oh, a friend of Susie's, I see.

Judging by the grins on your faces, you must have won big! Congratulations, second prize and two thousand pounds should keep you comfortable for quite some time, even if you splurge a bit!

Two thousand pounds?

Right, two thousand Victorian pounds—

Sorry, miss, but mind reading that ticket again? I think you forgot a zero.

Wait, what? What's it say?

Twenty thousand pounds. First prize.

First prize?!

That can't be right... Hold it up for me while I confirm it.

Well, there's certainly nothing wrong with it. How peculiar...

What's going on here? What's all the commotion?

Sir, this young lady's won our first prize, but as I recall, someone redeemed first prize before I went on leave, no?

Hmm? Mind if I see that ticket?

Th-This...

The other first prize ticket's over here... Why are there two tickets with identical numbers?

Well, this one's obviously a phony! Qu-Quick, call the police, and get these two scammers out of my sight at once!

With all due respect, sir, but what the hell are you talking about?

He's right, sir. Miss Glitter here is an upstanding, honest soul. Why, she's even been named 'the City's Hero'! Why would she do such a thing?

The two sides stare daggers at one another, but before things can escalate any further, Susie begins to speak.

Why did it have to be like this... Why...?

I... I can't pay their wages...

She does not cry, but her helpless muttering is more heart-breaking than any sobbing or weeping.

Oh, hey! Bitter Root, Susie! Perfect timing—

Bean, there's something I have to tell you and the others.

What could be more important than this? There's just one last thing we have to do before the job's done: put the Green Spark's sign back up where it belongs!

Would you like to do the honors, Susie?

Susie...?

N-No... I can't...

Why the sad look? Bad memories?

No. I... I'm fine.

I'll hang it up, then! Everyone's been fighting over who gets to do it.

Susie follows Bean to the Green Spark's front door.

The arboretum and lighting store has been restored to the way it was before the fire, with one new addition. Tucked away in a corner of the pub is a mirror, a barber's chair and all sorts of hairdressing equipment.

The gilded lettering across the storefront glints and glimmers, and the entire store is awash with the smell of a newly furnished building.

Bean climbs up a ladder, gingerly hanging up the Green Spark's sign as applause and cheering break out all around him.

Here's to a bar that won't give us the stink eye! Three cheers for the Green Spark!

Hip hip, hooray!

Susie looks around the rebuilt arboretum and lighting store-slash-pub-slash-barbershop.

It should have been the start of a new life for her.

At the very least, its reconstruction could have provided some income for those who contributed.

But why, why did it always come to this?

Upon hearing the cheering crowd, she feels a lump in her throat and her vision begins to blur.

*sob*...

Susie, we know the place holds some bad memories for you, but...

*sob*... *sob*...

Oh, come on now, Sparky, you're breaking my heart with your crying. What's the matter?

The ticket... The head of the factory said it was fake, but it's not... The twenty thousand pounds, my savings, everyone's lives... *sob*...

The ticket? A fake?

You were going to say something to Bean earlier, Bitter Root. What's going on here?

The shampoo factory won't accept Susie's ticket. They say the first prize has already been claimed.

What kind of game are they playing?!

The lottery was obviously rigged, but the boss messed up and Susie ended up with the real first prize ticket. Now they're saying it was a printing error and won't give her a penny.

They got some bloody stones on them. The 'Bright Future' factory, yeah? That's just to the south of the Infected block. Susie's been buying their product from the start, all because they said they'd support our community, no?

Is this the kind of 'support' their chief meant?

Let's go, boys! We're gonna have ourselves a chat!

Yeah!

Hold it, most of you are Infected. If you all head to the factory, wouldn't you...?

Not to worry. We'll be there with them.

We're not looking to start a riot. We're just going to tell that director that if he doesn't honor Susie's ticket, none of us will be buying his product, and we'll go on strike too!

Caladon named her a Hero of the City, for crying out loud! How could they do this to someone like that?

Cheer up, Susie. Let's go give them a piece of our mind together!

Allow me to once again apologize to you, Miss Susie Glitter, and your concerned friends.

While this incident is suspicious, I'm afraid there's no direct evidence that the factory director has been involved in lottery fraud.

He has agreed to compensate Miss Glitter two thousand Victorian pounds, alongside two shipments of 'Bright Future' shampoo. Consider the matter settled. I ask all present to refrain from causing any further complications.

Hold on a sec, this isn't—

*sigh* Bollocks. Typical Infected discrimination. If it was one of those councilors bringing up the matter, he'd be going 'yes, milord' right away.

Stuff it. Talking about it won't change a thing.

At least it's better than coming out empty-handed.

Here, this should be enough to pay off our tab.

Thanks.

Well... Now that that's all done and dusted, we should head back home now. Sorry, Susie, for making things harder on you.

If anything comes up in the future, remember to give us a shout! I'll be the first one over!

Huh...? Ah!

Wait! James, Stone, Mr. Bean, everyone, wait!

Eh? What's the matter, something else on your mind?

Your wages...

Wages? Bean says he talked everything over with you that day.

I was going to use a big chunk of that twenty grand to pay everyone for their time and effort. It was supposed to help improve your lives...

The payout's only two thousand pounds now, and I don't have any more savings on me, so all I can do is divide this up between you all—

Wait, Susie, darling, I think you've got this all wrong.

Bean, what in the blazes did you tell her that day?

Uh, well, Susie told me 'I think it's better I put all this money to good use helping everyone out before it turns my entire life upside down', then I said 'Surely we couldn't possibly need that much'...

That's all?

That's... pretty much it.

Bean, you twat! Can't you understand the words coming out of your own damn mouth?! You made Susie think we were a charity case!

Rebuilding the Green Spark might not be Susie's idea, but it's her money paying for it! Did you have the cheek to mention wages to her too?

Lord no, I didn't mention any of the sort! What kind of shameless bastard d'you think I am?

Still not willing to admit it, are you? Look at how much of a frizzle she's in thanks to you!

Alright, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Apologies, Susie, and everyone else...

Apologies won't cut it! At least give the Green Spark some free work for a month!

Hear hear!

The Infected workers continue to make a fuss, though it's mostly in good-natured teasing.

Bitter Root glances at Susie. The infectious laughter transforms her sad and apologetic expression into one of joy and warmth.

Everyone, wait, I still think—

Consider our minds made up, Susie. If you're still insisting on giving us money, we'd have to consider you and Bean in cahoots!

Huh?

But... I can't just let everyone work for free—

Susie. Just leave that all aside for the moment.

If you say so...

Then, James, could you help move this chair, mirror, and all the hairdressing equipment out of the store?

I mean, sure, but why...?

I couldn't possibly take all this shampoo with me, so it's best I give everyone a haircut right now!

No offense, but I've been meaning to do something about your scruffy hairdos! I won't make you work for free, Mr. Bean, if you sit down nice and quiet, alright?

Hahaha, sure, sure.

Aren't you letting him off too lightly?

Don't think you lot can get away either!

To our Sparky:

We're terribly sorry for all the trouble we caused you. The shampoo factory chief might be a right bastard, but we're hardly any better. We nearly let you spend all your savings on rebuilding the Green Spark.

As for the wages you wouldn't stop bringing up before you left Caladon, we settled on a Columbian approach to the matter:

Since we 'invested our labor' in building the place, we'll take half the pub's income and split it among ourselves. How does that sound?

But for now, we'd like you to have the pub's first month of income. It's yours to do with as you will.

If you ever have the time, do visit Caladon again. Everyone misses you.

And our hair's getting rather long, too.

All the best, the Infected of Caladon