Smokey ripped up the letter in anger and tossed it aside.
Smokey:
Did that kid trick me?
Gangster:
Don’t hit me. I’ll pay you anything!
Smokey:
Weren’t you trying to blackmail a girl just a few seconds ago? What now? Come on, let’s see that cocky smug of yours again! You think you run this place? You think I’m joking when I said absolutely no harassing any female?
Gangster:
I... I’m not local! Please have mercy and spare me. I won’t cause any trouble here again!
Smokey:
Not local? Okay, point for originality. So I’ll give you thirty seconds to tell me where you’re from, what are you doing here, and who sent you. If you tell me what I want to hear, I’ll let you go. Otherwise... I’ll break a finger of yours every thirty seconds. Got it? First finger starts in 30, 29...
Gangster:
No, let me go! I just do deliveries! I’m not a bad person! You can’t blame me for that girl wearing so little! I’m just on an errand. Nobody sent me!
Smokey:
10, 9, 8...
Gangster:
I’ve told you everything! What else do you expect from me?
Smokey:
Snap, crack.
Gangster:
Aww! My hand! You lunatic! That’s two fingers! What’s wrong with you?! You lunatic! Lunatic! Aww...
Smokey:
One finger because time’s up, another for lying.
Gangster:
I was really... sent here just for delivery, damn it...
Smokey:
Give it to me.
Gangster:
No way!
Smokey:
Are you sure? It’s time for the third finger... 5, 4...
Gangster:
I can’t! They’ll kill me!
Smokey:
ZERO.
Gangster:
Aghhh! Huff...
Smokey:
And you think that I wouldn’t? Either you die now or die later, your choice.
Gangster:
Okay, okay, just let go! Here, all yours, you lunatic!
Smokey:
Just a letter? What’s in it?
Gangster:
I suggest you give it back to me. It’s for somebody big. It won’t work out for either of us if you have it!
Smokey:
Too late. Now I’m curious to see what this is.
Smokey:
What's this Celestial Coast? Is this a treasure map?
Gangster:
You read it?! Now we’re dead!
Smokey:
I’m the one asking the questions!
Gangster:
I don’t know, either. All I know is they’re a dangerous lot! They seem to be planning some sort of ritual to summon doom upon the world! Give it back to me, I don’t want trouble!
Smokey:
Hmm, I didn’t hit you on the head, did I? What nonsense are you spewing now? The more you say, the more I want to get involved. I’ve made up my mind to see it for myself!
Just like the letter said... What I search for are three walls of lament What I seek is rebirth from the ashes
Rain of blood falls at dawn Painting the sunset with howling tears Until the time of judgment, the end of days
When the Monarch shall awaken
Smokey:
What’s this crap? A riddle? Don’t tell me I came here for nothing...
Knock, knock.
Smokey:
Come in.
Bonacie:
Hello. Miss Smokey Manticore from Umbraton, I presume?
Smokey:
You know me?
Bonacie:
Of course. I know who you are, I understand why you are here, and that the letter in your hands doesn’t belong to you.
Smokey:
Tell me what you want.
Bonacie:
Ha ha ha!
Smokey:
...?
Bonacie:
Pardon me, but that was quite funny, no? Why would I want anything? I’m only here to invite you to the Ocean Sovereign as the host.
Smokey:
That's it?
Bonacie:
That's it.
Smokey:
You are from The True Order. I don’t trust you guys.
Bonacie:
Even if I’m with The True Order, I’m still allowed to be a host, no? Besides, materialism is needed to pursue The Truth, and this job pays very well. So, would you like to join? Maybe the winner’s prize includes the very thing you are seeking. Even if you lose...
Smokey:
Stop right there. I won’t lose, and I am not interested in the consequences of losing. Is that errand person one of your people?
Bonacie:
How would I know that?
Smokey:
I’m here already, so you might as well come clean. I want to see what you’re trying to pull under my nose.
