Noire: You mean to say that you're a stuntwoman? Seriously?
Noire chuckles and shakes her head before turning her wheelchair in disinterest.
Noire: Thank you, officer. Well, judging by your uniform, you're from the Vigiles Bureau, aren't you?
Noire: I appreciate the gesture. It's true that we may be able to attract more viewers if we have a vigil on the cast list.
Noire: But filmmaking isn't as easy as you think. Maybe I can fit you in next time.
Rejection. But refusal is not an option in this operation.
Liang Yue: I'm familiar with movies, especially yours. I'm actually a big fan.
Liang Yue: And I saw the performance just now. Not to be rude or anything, but I think I can handle the stunt.
Liang Yue: "For the betterment of the movie." That's what Ms. Latham said you were after. Is that right?
Her words stir up a storm.
Actor: What? Does she even know what she's talking about?
Crew Member: Hmph. That's some pretty big talk.
Even Noire can't help but let out an amused chuckle at Liáng's words. Even so, her wheelchair comes to a stop.
Noire: That's true, but are you certain that you'll make my movie better?
Liang Yue: Yes.
To be honest, no.
Liáng knows that filmmaking is far more complex than it appears. Her answer is far from the truth.
But if she's going to uncover the truth, she has to act the part.
Noire: Hmm. Interesting.
Noire: Since you insist, let's give it a try. Show me what a vigil can do.
It isn't a particularly clever trick, but fortunately, Latham's words weren't false.
Noire would never turn down an opportunity to improve her films.
COMBAT
Noire: Exactly as you claimed, no, even better. Really spectacular work, a perfect take.
Liang Yue: I'm flattered, director.
Noire's eyes glisten as she watches the playback of the shot. Meanwhile, after nearly twenty failed takes, Liáng returns to the dressing room, her costume drenched in sweat.
When she emerges back in her Vigiles uniform, a bottle of water is handed to her.
Actor I: Here. It's not open.
Liang Yue: Thank you.
Actor I: Didn't expect you to pull it off. That was a dangerous stunt. Scared the crap outta me.
Actor I: Alright, alright, so you did a good job one time. But let me tell you, it takes a lot more than that to win recognition in this industry.
Actor II: You've really gotta hone in on the dramatic scenes if you wanna move out of the stuntwoman box. You're good-looking, and you took that scene pretty seriously. You interested in doing that?
Actor II: If you are, then I'll suggest you be a little more humble. There's always room for improvement, you know.
Liang Yue: I ... You're right. I'm sorry.
Liang Yue: But I'm not even a stuntwoman, let alone an actress. This is all just a bit of fun for me.
Noire: Is that so? Oh, what a shame.
The queen of the set rolls over in her chariot, stopping beside Liáng.
Noire: I appreciate your sincerity, but I'd be even more appreciative if you were willing to do a few more scenes.
Liang Yue: If it's just for a short time, I'd like to help in any way I can.
Noire: Fantastic! Follow me. We can have dinner and look at the script together. I have a few changes I want to make to the story.
Noire: Trust me, the audience will be more than happy to hear a line or two from you.
Liang Yue: Lines? Okay.
Things seem to be taking an unexpected turn.
Noire: That's all. Well? Have you memorized them?
Liang Yue: Yes, every word. But ...
Liang Yue: Aren't there too many?
The blank spaces in the script spread out on the table are filled with Noire's flamboyant pen strokes.
Assistant: She's got a point, director. The investors might not approve them. They already told us not to change the script like we did in Hong Kong.
Noire: Relax. We've done this before. They never read the script anyway.
Noire: Besides, I'm not exactly asking for a monologue here. It's only three lines. Just what's needed to make the character complete.
Lin gives a helpless sigh. She knows all too well how pointless it is to try and change Noire's mind.
Liang Yue: I'll keep practicing until filming starts.
Noire: I look forward to your performance.
Liang Yue: By the way, I saw some deity dolls and sedan chairs on the set. The Dùshuò Festival is coming up, right? Is the crew joining the Shèhuǒ Parade?
Noire: Those are our props.
Noire: Our final scene is set at the Shèhuǒ Parade. I already spoke with the organizers in Chinatown. They've allowed us to shoot during it.
Liang Yue: Really? The last C07 movie ended with a Shèhuǒ Parade, too.
Noire's eyes light up. She smiles.
Noire: Good memory. Looks like you meant it when you said you were a big fan.
The restaurant owner serves their meal, pausing their script discussion for the time being.
Noire and her assistant pick up their chopsticks, but Loggerhead remains still.
Loggerhead: So, did you find anything?
Loggerhead: You said that your beastie friend could detect things tainted with evil, right? So did it sense anything wrong with the director?
While Loggerhead speaks in a hushed tone, the conspicuousness of her head makes talking in secret a near impossible task.
Feeling Noire and Lin's subtle glances, Liáng squirms in her seat.
Liang Yue: No, but that doesn't mean—
Loggerhead: Yes! I told you she'd never do that.
Liang Yue: Hey! She can hear you, you know.
The situation is already beyond repair.
Noire: I'd never do what?
Liang Yue: ...
For a brief moment, Liáng feels a splitting headache. She shoots a mildly accusatory glance at Loggerhead, causing her to visibly shrink.
Loggerhead: Sorry, I don't like skirting around things.
Loggerhead: Can't we just ask her straight up?
Liang Yue: Not really. If every criminal just confessed to their crimes, the Vigiles wouldn't exist.
No clumsy cover-up will fool the director now. There is nothing for it but to be upfront.
Perhaps this is for the best anyway.
Liang Yue: Actually, I didn't just come here to apologize. There's something I want to ask you about.
Noire: What is it?
A perfectly measured balance of curiosity and confusion, yet no real surprise.
A renowned director having a knack for acting isn't exactly shocking. In fact, it's about as surprising as an amateur failing miserably to do the same thing.
Liang Yue: It's about the strange things happening in Chinatown these days.
Assistant: Wait, so all this was just to butter us up so you could investigate your case?
The assistant, who was all smiles moments ago, suddenly falls silent. Despite her careful preparation, the situation is difficult for Liáng.
Liang Yue: Sorry, madam, but it's my job.
Liang Yue: As I said, strange things have been happening in Chinatown—things that bear a striking resemblance to the "film incident" that you were involved in eight years ago, Ms. Noire.
Liang Yue: The case document stated that the origin of these events is a film reel titled Reunion of the Three Swallows—a movie created by your friend, Hé Rìjūn.
Liang Yue: Ms. Latham said you watched a film with her in her room a few days ago. Do you have any idea where that film reel is now?
Noire: That film reel?
Liang Yue: Did you not know what it was?
Noire: I had no idea.
Noire's expression darkens. Clearly, she's realized why Liáng has brought up that film reel.
Noire: That film we watched together ... Well, to put it mildly, it had nothing of interest. It didn't seem to have any semblance of a story, even.
Noire: It couldn't have been one of Teresa's.
Liáng recalls that the archive on Reunion of the Three Swallows cited "Teresa" as the English name of its creator, Hé Rìjūn.
Noire and Hé Rìjūn had been friends since their days studying abroad, and it seems Noire still uses that name even now.
Rumors, investigation reports, and speculations flicker through Liáng's mind. But seeing the somber look on the woman before her, she decides to set them aside for now.
Liang Yue: Maybe the original content has been contaminated. According to the Foundation's records, the film reel has two abilities: play and record.
Liang Yue: The play ability allows it to conjure its contents into reality in a form similar to a movie image, which accounts for the hallucinations and phantoms the victims mentioned.
Liang Yue: The record ability captures the souls of those in the same effective range as play, and the victims lose a part of themselves, like their sanity or their memories.
Liang Yue: The case document doesn't mention anything about contamination, but my guess is that the souls recorded by the film have polluted the original content of the film.
Noire: Shame on them—whoever's behind this.
Noire mutters a curse, and both she and Liáng fall into silence. Meanwhile, Lin and Loggerhead look utterly lost.
Loggerhead: Wait, wait. What are you talking about? Can you explain it to me simply, please?
Liang Yue: Ms. Noire didn't know that that film was Reunion of the Three Swallows, so naturally, she didn't take it.
Liang Yue: I think she's telling the truth.
Loggerhead: Really? That's great news.
No one responds. Loggerhead looks around and slowly lowers the arm she raised in premature celebration.
Loggerhead: Oh, right. The film's still missing, so it's not great news.
Loggerhead: But, at least, Noire wasn't up to something when she made friends with me, right? That's definitely good news for me.
She turns to Noire.
Loggerhead: That means we're still friends. And friends help each other. Liáng said that the film reel could cause some problems for you. Let me help you find it.
Loggerhead: I'll catch that thief and take the film back to the ACD.
Loggerhead: Then you'll be safe, I'll clear my name, and the problems in Chinatown will be solved. That's three birds with one stone. Genius, right?
Noire: You know, Ms. Latham, this is what I like about you. You always speak your mind.
Her eyes squint a little as she curves her mouth into an unexpectedly gentle smile.
Noire: Our relationships are so complex, aren't they? That's what makes them so intriguing, captivating, really. A constant source of inspiration.
Noire: But sometimes I feel that life is better kept simple. Wouldn't you agree, Ms. Vigil?
Liang Yue: Agreed.
There are certainly simpler ways to say "I'm suspicious of you" and "I have no intention of cooperating."
Liang Yue: May I ask you another question?
Noire: Please.
Liang Yue: The rumors about C07, which ones are true?
Noire: I don't think a few old stories will help you solve the case.
Liang Yue: It's not only for the case, but for my own curiosity.
Liang Yue: I wasn't lying when I said I was familiar with your works. I really like them.
Liang Yue: And this question matters a lot to me as a fan.
Noire: Oh. I see.
Noire ponders for a moment.
Noire: In that case, I really don't think you should know the truth, for your own good.
Noire: I appreciate your love for my works, but it's not a good idea to dig too deep into what went on behind the scenes.
Noire: Just enjoy the stories for what they are. Otherwise, the magic will be ruined.
She gives a slight shake of her head, but a flicker of contemplation passes through her downcast eyes.
Noire: Well, I can tell you one thing that might interest you, though.