Cateye Wisen: cries Boss! What's in it for you to join the Foundation?! You know they're all liars!
Cateye Wisen: Those, those holier-than-thou officials, they never tell us what's really going on.
Cateye Wisen: Besides, if Legers is taking over the restaurant—
He clutches at J's clothes, unwilling to let go.
"Razor" Soldier II: Hey, watch your mouth, kid! Your boss would've been hacked to pieces if it weren't for us!
J bends down and places his hands on the boy's shoulders.
J: Wipe your nose, kid. Legers will be a good boss. Promise.
J: He'll clean up the mess on Haight Street. And after that, the poorhouse staff will get you into school.
J: And Hollick's bike ... It's yours now.
Everyone falls quiet.
Cateye Wisen: So, what're you gonna do now?
J: Me?
J: I'm gonna jump into the sea and try to swim.
Cateye Wisen: What do you mean, boss? I thought you didn't know how to swim.
An all-too-familiar face emerges on the bed beside them.
Becket: Shut up, you noisy bastards! I'm trying to sleep here!
Gio: You shut up! Your snoring could cause a freaking earthquake!
The two men with their heads bandaged bump foreheads.
"Thud!" The bouquet sent by Legers is knocked to the ground.
Nurse: Everyone shut up! Make any more noise, and I swear I'll anesthetize you so you sleep for the entire month!
All: ...
They sheepishly retreat under their covers.
J extends his hand toward another Foundation staff member.
J: I owe you one, "Razor."
"Razor": No, you owe Maich one. If she hadn't led us to the door, we wouldn't have been able to stop that girl in time.
Maich the Peddler: As it turns out, Mercuria foresaw the whole thing and took action before anyone realized what was going on.
Maich the Peddler: She always does this. Once she's fixed on a goal, she never considers her own safety.
Maich the Peddler: But, despite her courage, she's still a living person who can get hurt.
Maich the Peddler: Please, promise me you'll bring her back.
"Razor": ...
"Razor": It's a shame we couldn't arrest that girl. If only we'd had a little more time to prepare.
J: Cheer up, man! You saved my life, didn't you? That'll get you pretty far on Haight Street.
J: By the way, where's Matilda? She's supposed to take me to the Foundation today.
"Razor": ...
He hesitates over his response.
"Razor" Soldier II: She's been summoned to report on the operation, I guess.
"Razor" Soldier II: It's gonna be rough. There were a lot of civilians involved, and she didn't follow her commands.
"Razor" Soldier II: She might even have her position revoked.
J: What? But we wouldn't have gotten anywhere without her!
A pair of hands come up again to stop him.
Pioneer: J, that's how things work over there. If you're really planning on joining them, you'll have to learn to follow their rules.
J: ...
J: Where's she now?
"Razor": We're not authorized to request that information.
Matilda: Achoo! Ugh. What's wrong with my nose? This isn't even allergy season yet.
Bernard: Ms. Bouanich, are you alright?
She stands before her temporary supervisor, preparing herself for the debrief.
Matilda: Oh, I'm fine. Please, continue!
Bernard: I read your report last night. I must say that your judgment has given us some very important information.
Bernard: According to your report, the missing assets are in the possession of Eternity, aside from the most important one, which is now in the hands of Manus Vindictae.
Bernard: Luckily, the man in control of the girl is one of their insignificant "believers." For the time being, there's a limit to what he can do with her. This, at least, is good news.
Bernard: You've caused quite a stir among senior management, Ms. Bouanich. It seems you're starting to make a name for yourself.
Matilda: chuckles Thank you, Mr. Bernard!
Matilda: By the way, I would like to apply to leave the Foundation during my vacation.
Matilda: I want to go visit my mother in her safety house.
Matilda: That merchant, Eternity, and the peddlers in that lair mentioned her name several times.
Matilda: I deem it necessary to confirm her safety.
Bernard: No problem. Give me the application form. I'll arrange it for you.
Matilda: Oh, thank you!
She takes an excited step forward.
Bernard: Oh, wait.
His tone dampens the girl's excitement.
Bernard: Someone told me to give this to you. He said you left it in San Francisco.
Matilda: That's odd. I don't remember leaving anything.
Bernard opens the drawer and places the item into her hand.
Bernard: He said that it's proof of your promotion.
???: So, what you're saying is that you're not going to turn me back into a toy?
???: Hmmm. Does that mean I can go hunting by myself? And I can choose my own prey?
Cellar Guardian: roars Kill ... Kill!
There is no sense in his words and as such; no clarity to her purpose.
???: Oh, no, I mean ...
But she realizes something.
???: Could you sit down for a moment? Don't worry. All you have to do is say "yes" or "no."
Cellar Guardian: roars
???: Yes or no?
Cellar Guardian: roars Kill!
The brutish believer swings his hammer wildly.
He runs from one side of the forest to the other, racing east and west with manic energy.
???: Okay, okay! I get it! I know what you need. This is great!
Her eyes brighten with clarity.
She doesn't need a sensible response; in fact, she doesn't want one. There is a crack in the window; a path to freedom through his madness.
???: I'll kill whoever you want! As you wish!
???: Let's decide on our next destination first, shall we?
Cellar Guardian: roars
???: I see, I see!
She nods eagerly, responding earnestly to his meaningless roars.
She knows that this is a chance for a new beginning.
???: Then, let's go where you want to go!
Cellar Guardian: roars
She picks up a long, curved branch, using it as makeshift reins to guide the believer to his "desired destination."
From time to time, she glances back, trying to spot the toy on him ...
