The serenity of dusk settles over the entire city, turning the voices from the communicator into distant whispers of fireworks.
Semmelweis: Please contact the police and have them send someone to rescue the hostages.
Female Foundation Staff: Miss Semmelweis, you've already captured The Beyond, why didn't you contact the Foundation to detain her? Why did you decide to let her go?
Semmelweis: I trust that you will take her to a better place.
Semmelweis: But she can't be detained just yet; she still has some unfinished business to attend to.
Female Foundation Staff: If she endangers any civilians, you'll be held responsible. I don't need to explain the consequences of releasing The Beyond without proper authorization.
Semmelweis: I understand, and I'll take full responsibility. But with her strong will, I felt the Foundation wouldn't have been able to hold her anyway.
Female Foundation Staff: Strong will?
Semmelweis: When someone follows their wills, they don't need to "turn over a new leaf."
Semmelweis: Sometimes, things aren't as black and white as you thought.
Semmelweis: True evil is rare, but weakness is common, you learn to look inside yourself and to adapt.
Semmelweis: In my report, I'll say that I went to Vienna on vacation and merely assisted the local police during the festival, and that the so-called missing persons case was just a small group of artists taking an impromptu trip.
Female Foundation Staff: An impromptu trip?
Semmelweis: Yes, the "spur of the moment" kind of thing.
Semmelweis walks along the Ring Road as the festival's final hour approaches. The crowds are a mix of cheer and exhaustion.
A familiar figure stands by the dessert display, lost in thought, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
Semmelweis: One slice of sachertorte, please.
Semmelweis: Hmm, this texture, it's quite unique. Sprinkling a bit of pepper on it would add a nice spicy kick.
Pavia: This time, Janette used bourbon-soaked almonds in her sachertorte. It's smoother and richer than the usual filling.
Pavia: Bourbon whiskey, they make it in the south of the United States, it all comes down to the source of water, this one uses the best distilled water out there.
Semmelweis: Obsessing over water sources is such a strange thing, it is all water. Properly sanitized, it provides the same hydration. Anything else is just price.
Semmelweis: And price is only a matter of negotiation.
Pavia: Just say you're not into desserts, sunshine. Anyway, this particular lusciously mouthwatering cake is highly sought after.
Semmelweis: Is it? Perhaps I should purchase a slice or two and see if I develop an interest.
Pavia: Just a slice? Let's go by the "toughest guy goes first" rule and split it all!
Semmelweis: Whatever do you mean?
Pavia: It's a rule I made up myself, and I'm sticking to it. Kind of like how the toughest guy shows up last.
Semmelweis: Well, it seems you've managed both, as the store is about to close.
Semmelweis: Might I get another serving, please? Oh, and a bit more pepper, if you don't mind. Thank you.
Semmelweis: Sorry to take any more of your time.
Pavia: So, what's up?
Semmelweis: Can't a blood-sucking monster just drop by to say hello to a fellow colleague?
Semmelweis: Fine, I only thought you should know that the police have rescued the hostages, that both have confessed to the schemes and violence they perpetrated on Nora. And that she has, by the way, promised to rush the Timekeeper's order.
Semmelweis: Though it may be delayed a few days, so I'm afraid you might not make the Timekeeper's deadline.
Semmelweis: When we talked about motives earlier, you said I should follow the "money." I didn't quite understand at first, but now I see your point. You were right, although not so much about the kidnapper, so much as yourself.
Pavia: Nah, it's the same for everyone. Always is.
Semmelweis: I believe you mentioned before that you submitted your resignation to the Timekeeper?
Semmelweis: Do you have any new job prospects? Maybe some security firm or debt collection agency? I'm certain that debt collectors are always in need of someone with your "legal background."
Semmelweis: Of course, those same companies may not appreciate your record of "unexplained absences" and "insubordination."
Semmelweis: Perhaps I could introduce you to some more tolerant employers, but I'm quite sure you don't need my help.
Semmelweis hands a slice of the sachertorte to Pavia.
Semmelweis: I prepared this one just for you. Consider it my treat.
Pavia: Is that all? Got any other blabber for me?
Semmelweis: That's everything. Goodbye.
Pavia takes a bite of the cake. The effect is immediate. His muscles twitch, and his teeth begin to grind as he holds back, until he gradually loses all control.
He glares angrily at Semmelweis. His lips attempting to form what is, in all likelihood, a string of Italian curses, but he has already lost control of his tongue.
Semmelweis turns without another word, striding toward the Danube River. Passing a corner, she takes the health report buried in her pocket and tears it to shreds with a smile.
"Fishbowl Face" had mentioned to Semmelweis that she was working on a research article about pleasure and fear responses.
Apparently, serotonin sources are often unpredictable, and subject to declining returns, thrills lose their luster, highs lose their heights.
Though there is a source that almost never declines substantially, the serotonin spike that comes with a near-death experience. To face death head-on, it seems, never loses its edge.
However, this was far from an ideal solution to long-term satisfaction, thankfully, "Fishbowl Face" found another source that while not quite so powerful, proved equally reliable. It was this that prompted Semmelweis' third awakening.
She now holds it in her hands.
Semmelweis steps off the train, taking in a deep breath of the warm air.
Reaching deep into her coat pocket, she pulls out a piece of chocolate and pops it into her mouth.
The chocolate sways and melts on her tongue, causing a strange yet delightful tingling sensation in her temples that spreads throughout her body. And despite everything, she smiles.
Emil: Sorry I'm late again, Captain. The traffic here is just, haha ... on the map, it didn't seem far, but ...
Semmelweis: It's a miracle you didn't get into an accident.
Emil: Haha, maybe so. You seem to be in a good mood, Captain.
Semmelweis: I had a good sleep. Are the aftereffects of the mycelium still bothering you?
Emil: Haha! Let's not talk—ha, about me now! Look at the weather, what a sunny day we're having. Ha.
Semmelweis: Is it? Well then, I'll try a different approach this time.
Emil: Ha, looks like you are wide awake now. Well then, Captain, "Happy Hunting."
