Brian: Everything that happened that night vanished almost as abruptly as it appeared.
Brian: Except for the card that remained pressed against my chest.
Brian: Due to a number of events, I never did go looking for that woman named Winnifred. Of course, I continued to collect everything I could about vampires, despite the rest of the world seeing this as a total waste of time.
Brian: Eventually, even the ribbing from my comrades quietened down. Some died on the battlefield, while others went missing, never to be heard from again.
Brian: It seemed as though everything around me was silently saying that our previous encounter was nothing more than an ephemeral shadow. Something not even worth remembering.
Brian: The war raged on, shoving one young life after another into the fray. They rushed to the battlefield and never once looked back.
Brian: And of course, that included yours truly.
Brian: It wasn't long before I, too, felt the effects of war. During an offensive on an enemy outpost, I caught a stray bullet to the chest.
Brian: And of course, that included yours truly.
Brian: I was rushed to a field hospital, but to the doctor's surprise, the wound wasn't serious. Other than some scrapes and the usual chronic joint ache from too much marching, I was fine.
Brian: It was the card nestled against my chest. It stopped the bullet.
Brian: When the bullet struck, there was a warm sensation in my chest and a kind of soothing vibration.
Brian: I spent a long time after that racking my brain.
Brian: But I could never remember ... On that night, when the mysterious Winnifred handed that card to me, had it been as solid and lustrous and with such a deep sea-blue sheen as it was that day when I was shot?
Brian: For a moment, the steady ticking of the clock on the wall is the only sound in the room.
Illia: You never told us any of this before.
Robin: Right! These stories are amazing! A card that protected you in the heat of battle. Boy! How I wish I could've seen it!
Brian: The boy's face is alight with wonder.
Brian: cough, cough
Brian: I'm sorry, my boy. You'll probably never get to see it. I lost it sometime later during my work.
Robin: Oh ... Was that when you were a director?
Brian: The old man's eyes close, as if sifting through decades of trivial memories.
Brian: I don't think so. Back then, I was busy trying to make ends meet. I carried my notebook everywhere, hoping to find a job.
Robin: But later on, you made it, didn't you?
Brian: Robin cocks his head up, full of pride in his father.
Brian: That, too, was fate, my boy. In the face of the divine, all we can do is accept God's plan.
Brian: Ever since I survived on the battlefield, I never doubted the mission God had bestowed upon me. He inspired me to continue my search for vampires until the end of my life.
Brian: As he speaks, a rare flush colors the old man's face, reminiscent of his once reckless and stubborn self.
Illia: ...
Illia: Don't you think you should rest for a bit?
Brian: Brian shakes his head.
Brian: Time stops for no one, my dear. And right now, it's not on my side.
Brian: He turns to the next page in his notebook.
Brian: When the war ended, I was discharged.
Brian: It was then that I enrolled at the University of Southern California to study film.
Brian: I had hoped to create a film—one that belonged to the vampires and to me.
Danny: Now listen, Brian, tomorrow's your big shot—your first solo shoot. Don't screw it up, capisce?
Brian: Huh?
Danny: ...
Danny: These highfalutin' dames wantin' their own silver screen moment—they're out of our league, man. They don't give a d**n about your vampire flick fantasies, and they sure as hell ain't planning to play a part in your picture, d'you savvy?
Brian: Yes, Mr. Danny.
Danny: If the brass gets wind of any more beef where you're concerned, you'll be out on the street—and you can take your cockamamie dreams with ya!
Brian: Brian quietly tucks his notebook into his pocket.
Danny: Buckle down, 'cause tomorrow's client is loaded. The film industry's in the pits right now, and scratching up a job ain't a walk in the park. Without the dough from this job, you'll never get your dreams off the ground.
Brian: He gives Brian a symbolic slap on the shoulder.
Brian: ...
Maid: Mr. Brian ... Mr. Brian?
Maid: The lady of the house is ready for you. She's waiting in the drawing room.
Brian: Ah, thank you—I'll be right there.
Brian: He shakes his head, hastily putting away his notebook.
Brian: He takes a deep breath and hurries to the drawing room.
Brian: And as they turned, the noise nearly deafened me.
Brian: knock, knock
Brian: Ma'am, are you in there?
Brian: I'm Brian from Divine Union Pictures. I'm here to shoot your film.
???: Enter.
Brian: It seemed that this was just another one of God's little jokes.
Brian: When I least expected it, the gears of fate locked in place once again.
Brian: And as they turned, the noise nearly deafened me.
Winnifred: Nice to meet you, new guy.
Brian: N-Nice to meet you.
Winnifred: Hm? Mr. Danny didn't come with you? What a shame. I thought we worked quite well together.
Brian: ...
Brian: Brian opens his mouth, but finds himself speechless.
Brian: The figure before him is both alien and familiar, like a beautiful bubble one cannot bear to burst.
Winnifred: Oh well. I trust your company. And you won't let me down, will you?
Brian: Of course not, Ms., ah ... Winnifred.
Winnifred: Haha, it's a pleasure to work with you.
Winnifred: She extends her hand.
Brian: You look ... as young as ever.
Winnifred: Have we met before?
Winnifred: Instead of waiting for an answer, she gives a nonchalant chuckle that turns into a gentle yawn.
Winnifred: Heh, I get that a lot. Usually from discerning customers angling for a bargain on whatever treasure they have their eye on.
Winnifred: But a little flattery can't easily sway those of us seasoned by time. I will accept the compliment, however.
Winnifred: Just know that you'll have to do much more than that if you're looking to get a bonus from me, young man. You need to show a little more heart.
Winnifred: Hmm. If you send me the footage a week early, or maybe extend its duration to ...
Winnifred: She earnestly haggles to herself.
Brian: Do you really not remember me?
Brian: Back at that officers' club ...
Winnifred: Hmm?
Winnifred: ...
Winnifred: A heady silence fills the air.
Winnifred: I'm truly sorry. As you can see, I've tried my best to recall.