Greetings!
Greetings!
Responses
MEET NATHAN
Hello. I'm Hector Medina, the manager of this apartment.
Greetings! I'm Nathan Kehler.
I often pass by your building, so we'll be seeing a lot of each other.
Do you take walks here?
No. I'm working.
I sell goods and information.
You sell goods on the street?
Why not? Fresh air is good for you.
I like that place. We lived nearby when I was a kid.
I saw Block 6 change. It used to be a luxurious villa!
Too bad it's a communal apartment now.
So you're the sentimental type, huh?
Sometimes, except when it comes to business.
After the building falls completely apart, I want to buy it and build a brothel in its place.
Look at your face... I'm kidding! I'd like to open my own store.
I don't think that will ever happen. I'm not going to let that place fall apart.
Well, you know what they say: man proposes, the Wise Leader disposes.
With your funding, it's just a matter of time before this place falls apart.
TRADE
ASK ABOUT A LARGE SUITCASE
Do you have a large suitcase?
Not on me but I can get one.
How big?
Responses
Big enough to hold... Hmmm... A human skeleton.
A human skeleton?
That's an unusual way of measuring volume. Lucky for you I have what you need.
It will cost you $1,000. I'm giving you a discount because I like unusual requests.
Come back tomorrow.
Please bring the biggest one you can find.
That'll be $2,000. Come back tomorrow.
BUY THE SUITCASE (-$1,000)
Here's your money. Now give me the suitcase!
Money-1,000
Here's the suitcase for that lonely skeleton.
This is my final price. I'm already giving you a discount.
Come back when you have enough money.
BUY SUITCASE (-$2,000)
Here's your money. Now give me the suitcase!
Money-2,000
Here's your super-sized suitcase.
Can you give me the suitcase now and accept payment later?
I'm sorry, Hector, but no. If I did that, my little enterprise would've gone belly-up by now.
ASK ABOUT A PIRATE COSTUME
I have an unusual request. I need a pirate costume.
Can you get one for me?
Unfortunately, I don't have any.
However, the pawnshop owner down the block has been trying to sell his parrot for several months.
That's a brilliant idea! Every pirate needs a parrot!
Okay, I'll try to get the bird, but it will cost you.
There's the price of the bird, the small matter of my commission, the illegal pets fee - you know, the usual stuff...
That's what doing business with you is like, Nathan.
Actually, that's life in this great and glorious state.
BUY THE PARROT (-$5,000)
Do you have the parrot? I'm ready to pay!
Money-5,000
I do! Introducing Beau Joe. Treat him well!
Can you give me the parrot now and accept payment later?
I can't, Hector. That's not even my parrot!
ASK FOR INFO
Hello, Nathan. Can you find out where they took Manishek's kid? He's in an orphanage, but which one?
You said you sell information, too.
You have a great memory for an 85-year-old, Hector!
How did you know?
About you being 85? Or about you not really being 85?
Ahhh... I see what you're doing. You're showing me that you do know things, and are able to sell information. Clever.
Bingo again, my friend.
There's one thing I don't understand, Hector. Pretty soon, you'll be taken to the Euthanasia Center.
So why are you trying to help people?
Soon, nothing you've done will be of any consequence to you, so why do it?
Because it matters to me here and now.
Settling up with your conscience before accepting the inevitable?
Let's cut to the chase, Nathan.
Can you find out where they took Manishek's kid? I need to know the name of the orphanage. It's urgent.
For $500, yes.
FIND OUT WHERE THE CHILD IS (-$500)
Did you find the kid?
Yes. He was taken from the hospital to Orphanage No. 9. It's outside the city limits.
It used to be a foundry - Workshop No. 3. When the Ministry shut it down, they turned it into living quarters.
Money-500
Money first; info second.
ASK ABOUT A SAFE PLACE
Nathan, one of my tenants is in big trouble. You must've heard of the genetic purification initiative...
I did. Are they on the list?
Yes...
We need to hide a woman and a child. Can you help?
It would be complicated and risky.
Let me think...
Have them call 379-974.
Tell them dealing with those people will cost them dearly - perhaps too dearly.
Those are terrifying people, my friend. I'd steer clear of them if I were you.
But they're good at hiding folks.
Thanks.
Don't thank me. That's not the kind of connection for which one should be grateful.
Once again, I urge you to stay away from them.
TALK ABOUT MANISHEK'S FAMILY
What happened, Nathan. Did you help them?
I gave Louisa Manishek a choice and then introduced her to the right people. She agreed to their terms without thinking it through. It's unfortunate.
When you strike a deal with the devil, it's wise to count your fingers.
Then your extremities. And then your relatives.
That sounds horrible!
Hector, life is a deal with the devil someone struck before we were born.
"Horrible" is our norm.
TALK ABOUT MANISHEK'S FAMILY
What Manishek told me is unbelievable! They're holding his family captive!
These people are making him do awful things!
I told you they were dangerous people.
Captivity isn't so bad. No one will find you, so you won't be sent to jail or locked up in a mental ward.
Isn't that what your friend wanted?
Damn! I wanted to help! To make it better!
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Our Great State cares for its citizens and assures their safety.
All we can do is adapt or perish...
To hell with your philosophy, Nathan! Is there nothing we can do?
There's nothing I can do. I'm just a street merchant - a nobody.
And Jacob is their fat milking cow. I doubt they'll ever let him off the hook.
All you can do for his family now is stay out of his way and cover up for him - if you can.
If he gets caught, his family is doomed.
Damn it!
