I've learned something about Jamie Graham. She's dead too. Lisa? Do you know something about this?
I don't know anything. Like I said, I just suspect. Don't come back unless you know more.
I've learned something about Gavin and Jamie.
You have?
Can I come in? I'll tell you about it.
Yes.
Her body was found in a dumpster a few streets away.
Poor girl. Jamie was such a quiet, shy thing when she came here. She put herself under too much pressure. She spent her whole life doing what was expected of her. But she couldn't decide what was right for her. The girl was paralysed. Coming to this city, with all its possibilty, it made her question the point of everything.
And you gave her answers?
She was so determined to fail. I couldn't help her.
So you sent her to Gavin?
Yes. I did. Her. And the other one. And others.
How many others?
I never saw them again. I never knew what happened to them. I could tell myself I wasn't doing any harm, but now that I know for sure...
Why did you do it, Lisa? Was it money? Did Gavin pay you?
No, it's part of the deal. If you want to operate a shop like mine, you need to make an arrangement with someone like Gavin.
So it's a racket.
Does this mean there are others like you?
They are *all* like me. If you refuse, you don't last very long. I've got to leave town. This is getting too big.
Not before you tell me where to find Gavin.
You really want to do this? Even if you succeed, there are others like him.
In another life, Rosa was named Frank Castle
He killed my friend.
And you were close?
We might have been. It doesn't matter. I can't go to the police. There's nobody else but me.
... my grandfather died today. He is the only family I had left. I have nothing holding me here.
I'm sorry.
Spare me. I'll arrange a meeting with Gavin, but give me a few days. I need to leave the city. I don't want to be here when this goes down.
Your grandfather would be so proud.
Don't judge me here. I'm not brave, I'm just living.
That's all any of us are doing.
She's helping us, Joey.
Helping herself, more like. Don't forget, that lady is a scam artist.
I haven't forgotten.
She tried to scam three people that we know of. She tried to scam you.
But she didn't, did she?
Dammit Danny, how could you let this happen?
Joey...
All that we went through, just so that SHE could exist?
Joey!
What? Ah.
A smug Eric Clapton enters the scene.
Of course, in this city, who would care?
Who the hell are you?
You are probably wondering who I am. But I have a feeling you already know.
You look like another silly hobo to me
No. I have no idea who you are.
You honestly don't know? My name is Gavin.
They said that you were smart. But maybe they were wrong.
What are you doing here?
Well, you spent so much effort trying to find me, it's the least I could do.
Truth is, we've known there was another of you at work for some time now. We just didn't know who you were. It's been quite a race to see who would find you first. Someone would have found you eventually, but since you've put yourself under my radar, I decided to come to you.
Well? I'm here. What do you want with me.
We are all fascinated by you. A channel between this world and the next? The potential is just waiting to be tapped. You are a commodity. One I plan on using.
Is this guy serious?
I'm no lab rat.
Well cock, he's sweating bullets.
So you'd kill me. Like those girls. Like Jeremy.
I FED on those girls.
Fed?
Omg noobs, you all fed Gavin, now he's OP.
They had all the potential in the world to be happy, but no. They wasted it. Squandered it.
So I channelled all that positive energy out of them and took it myself. If they weren't using it, why shouldn't I? There are people who go out of their way to sabotage their own happiness. I merely helped them.
That's... sick.
It kept me alive for two centuries.
WUT
Which is more than I can say for you.
He shoots
...
Red? Red, talk to me!
Spirit guide? Are you there?
You are damn right, I'm here.
She's not dead. It's just a tranquiliser. I need her alive.
You don't know how lucky you are.
It's a shame we can't get to know each other further.
Lisa? I have a package for you.
Fade to black...
hey, take it easy.
Urf, I can't move. What happened?
You got hit with a knockout drug. You are tied up. Don't worry, I'll get us out of here. Somehow.
JC! The NSF took Tong hostage. Your primary objective will be to locate him!
I'm tied up pretty good. No way I'm getting loose on my own.
There's a glass here. Barely on the edge of the shelf.
Joey blows on it, it falls down and breaks into pieces. Whatever good that did.
Let's go out and scout.
Sup, Lisa. Nothing interesting behind that door in the centre.
She's just sitting here. Awaiting orders like a good little soldier. *sigh* It didn't have to be this way, Danny.
Moving down...
Hm. Familiar territory.
Looks like Gavin is using Lisa's phone. I think I can just get close enough...
Joey steps close in to overhear the conversation.
Some woman's voice. Can't recognise it, and I probably would given how Bwitish it is.
Must we go over this again?
If she is, you are welcome to her. But if you are mistaken...
I'm not mistaken. I'm sure of it.
Then I hope you are correct. You know the havoc they cause.
I told you, everything is under control.
Just be discreet, is all I'm saying.
I've lasted this long, haven't I?
And what about Ms. Tenzin? You've reported she's been acting... erratic. Can you be sure of her loyalty?
I'm not sure, to be honest.
Then you understand what has to be done?
I understand.
Take care of it once the Bestower is in custody.
I'll see to it personally.
Then I leave it all in your hands.
Are we done? Must I go over this another time?
No. I think we're done.
Goodbye then.
He hangs up and sits down on the sofa.
We go back to Rosa.
And yell at the door to get Lisa's attention.
Hello? Hello!
Shut up.
Lisa?
I said shut up.
Let me out of here!
It's too late for that.
I thought you wanted to help me.
Things have changed. All I can do is help myself.
Helping yourself. Yeah, you are good at that, aren't you.
Trying to guilt me again? I learned long ago that life is too short for guilt. I should have remembered that.
Why did you change your mind?
Because Gavin is downstairs, and if I don't do what he says, I'm dead. Fair enough?
Gavin has... abilities, Lisa. He's not entirely human. At least, not anymore
Suffer not the mutant.
I don't want to know. I was happier not knowing. I just want you gone.
What does he want me for? Why lock me up like this?
I don't know. Apparently you are a threat to Gavin. And his people. That's what you get for making waves.
What is this organisation anyway?
I don't know. I just deal directly with Gavin. I just refer him the occasional client and I'm left alone.
Gavin is going to kill you.
Really? And you know this how?
You should know it by now. I'm a medium. I have a spirit guide. And he overheard Gavin talking.
Even if you are what you say, how can I know you are not lying?
Fine. Forget I said anything. In fact, stay right there. I want to be here when Gavin kills you.
... I liked my job, you know. It might not have been respectable, but I was good at it. Now what am I going to do?
Yes. Good at lying to people, leeching money off them and then sending them to their deaths. P. cool job, where do I sign up?
Let me out of here! We'll take on Gavin together!
Are you kidding? He's armed. Escape is the only option. There's a fire escape in my bedroom. It's the only way.
Great, let's go. ...
Silence falls.
Lisa?
Dammit.
Well, it would appear Elvis has just left the building.
And so did Eric Clapton. Weird.
Joey gives Rosa his tie.
What are you doing?
I've got an idea. Just take it.
Pull to the right twice, then to the back wall.
Now Rosa can press her bum against the glass.
/slit wrists
Urf, this is tougher than it looks. Almost there...
Nice going. Now let's see about getting out of here.
Let us leave this place of evil!
... or not.
Hi.
Crap.
Please. My ears are burning. I just want to have a civilised chat. I really, really don't want to use this again. But I need time to decide what to do with you. You can either pass the time pleasantly or pass it unconcious. Your choice.
Rosa can take it head on
Fine. Let's talk.
Wonderful! Have a seat. So, another Bestower. After all this time. You have given us quite the runaround.
Bestower?
It's what we used to call your kind, a long time ago. A bestower of eternity. Poetic, isn't it?
I prefer medium.
Suit yourself. Personally, it makes you sound like a steak.
What exactly do you know about us?
I know that you are a rarity. A spiritual quirk. Something that was never supposed to exist. A link to the next world that is passed on through generations. Mysterious, isn't it?
Maybe. Why should I believe a word you said? How many people have you killed?
You insist on thinking of me as a murderer. If I tell someone to jump off a bridge, and they do it, does it make me a killer?
It is if you eat them afterward
They would have died anyway.
You believe that?
I've been alive a long time. And there are always people who go to extreme lengths to avoid their own happiness.
And Jeremy? What about him?
Yes, I do regret that one. Normally, I would just refuse to talk to him. But I had my orders. We all have to answer to someone. It's a shame Lisa didn't understand that.
Where is Lisa anyway?
Don't tell me you don't know. Running away like that. Such a mistake. Some people just can't ignore their basic instinct for survival. Not that I can relate, of course.
Did you kill her?
She was trying to escape. To betray us. That isn't allowed.
I... see.
She didn't. Remember that.
I have nothing more to say.
Amicable silence it is, then.
He's got that peashooter aimed right at her. Damn it, I gotta do something.
Joey goes down the staircase. And (not pictured here), in a typical example of a Desperate Adventure Game Protagonist Using Everything On Everything, he blows the photo off the table. It lands on the ground. Joey blows again, it goes into the next room.
Wat.
Oh...
Lisa? Is that you?
Yes. I am Lisa Tenzin. Please take a seat.
What are you doing here?
I'm glad you asked.
Yeah?
I work with life energy, mostly.
Yeah, I've heard this speech already.
Positive energy keeps your spirit alive and healthy, while negative energy blocks it.
Yeah, yeah, I know.
Think of it like exercise for the soul. Just like maintaining a healthy body, you need to maintain a healthy spirit.
Jesus. She's given the same spiel so many times, she's even saying it in death.
I can tell that your spirit is weak and you need my services.
Look. I don't have time to pussyfoot around this. You are dead.
Say no more.
Eh?
Being confronted with death - any death - makes you confront your mortality.
Yeah, nothing says mortality like being dead.
But if you aren't careful, it can produce negative energy that damages the spirit.
Lisa... what the hell happened to you? The last I saw you, you were high-tailing it out of here.
Your blockage is strong, but not insurmountable. I can meditate tonight on the problem. That way, the best course of action will be revealed to me.
Weak spirit? I *AM* a spirit, lady, and so are you.
Yes, something indeed is blocking your spirit. It can't function like it normally would.
I'm functioning fine. Can't say the same for you. Look, Gavin sent me here, he wants you to come with me right now.
Gavin?
Yeah, you know Gavin, don't you?
No, I can't talk about Gavin. That's just not done.
Did Gavin kill you?
I don't know any Gavin, sorry.
Sure, you do. Think harder.
No... no. I can't talk about Gavin. That's just not done.
There was a redhead today. You talked about Gavin and some girls you referred to him?
No. No, I don't think so. If that happened, I don't remember it.
Of course you don't. Look, I want to talk to you about Danny Marconi.
... sorry, I don't know who you are talking about.
Danny Marconi? Your grandfather?
No. Sorry, I don't talk about my grandfather. That's how it all started.
How what started?
...
Please, won't you have a seat?
DING DING, SYSTEM REBOOT.
We were talking about him earlier, don't you remember?
I have never seen you before in my life.
That's because you were... oh right, nevermind.
I...
Don't play dumb with me now.
That... shouldn't be in here.
How did this get in here?
Doesn't matter. We are talking about him.
He's dead. He was a weak man.
You take that back. Right now.
It's true. No denying that.
And what makes you say that?
He told my mother and me stories. Stories about when he was young. He told us about a man he once knew. A man who died to save my grandfather's life.
Curiouser and curiouser
Really.
It ate away at him. The guilt. It tore his heart apart. Made him weak. Till the day he died, he never felt he deserved to live.
That's... just stupid.
Every day. He told us every day.
Told you what?
That we weren't good enough. None of us were good enough to be worth that man's sacrifice. My grandfather spent his whole life feeling guilty. My mother? The same. But not me. Oh no, not me. Life is too short for guilt.
Well, wonder who is That Man, huh
And now you send innocent girls to die.
No. I made my choices.
Yes, you did.
I will not end up like my mother.
Well, congratulations. You didn't.
...
What happened on that fire escape, Lisa? Tell me!
Nothing! Please!
No. You don't get to die in ignorance. Not you. You will remember if I have to drill it into your dead skull. Fire escape! What happened?
I was climbing... then, what are you- ...
She starts flickering.
So, was it worth it, Lisa? All the shooes you conned, all the sob stories who died. Was it worth it? Now, at the end of it all, can you look back and say, 'yeah, my life was worth living'?
Leave me alone.
Wish I could, sweetheart. But like it or not, I'm here to save you.
I guess you could say old habits die hard.
I need to lie down. Please, come back tomorrow.
Sorry, sister. I know an aware spook when I see one. You can't hide from this.
No. I'm tired. So tired.
You might say you are... dead tired
She leaves the room.
Joey follows,
Wat
Where's Gavin?
I handled him. He won't be a problem.
Ha! So all those karate lessons did not go in vain.
You handled it.
Is that so surprising?
Yeah, frankly. So what happened?
...
Red?
Eh?
Rosa grabs Joey by the tie and pulls him in!
What the hell, Red?
Joey, you missed it. I didn't fall this time.
Yeah, bully for you. Now what's your game?
No, Joey, you don't get it.
I. Didn't. Fall. I always fall through that door, but I didn't this time.
It's all about mental control.
Gavin was right.
Fuck.
Gavin? Did he put you up to this?
This is my own choice.
I don't believe that for a second. Kid. Stop and think. You got whammed. Gavin slipped you a mental mickey. You are not yourself.
No. I've got a life, Joey. I need to start living it. I can't stay in the shadow of a ghost anymore.
Just what exactly are you gonna do?
Good bye, Joey.
She starts going towards the exit...
Hey, get back here!
Uhm.
Huh?
What the-? Hello? Red?
This isn't funny.
Anybody...?
Oh yeah, it's done. You were right, I don't think I've ever felt so...
Free?
Yeah.
He was holding you back. Why don't you take a seat? We've got a lot more to discuss.
Fade to black...
and...