１０。受容

SCENE #10 "ACCEPTANCE"

SETTING: STRESSIN' STREET, CELL 2 SCENE: After fleeing from Arson Street, the game fades out for a few seconds. Following a moment's pause, the Man begins to monologue, although the screen is still entirely black, other than his dialogue box. Man (...) Man (So this is Hell.) Man (Or at least something close enough to it.) Man (...I suppose that, in retrospect, it could have been obvious. But there are conclusions that one never wants to draw, words one never wants to utter.) Man (With all of this in accumulation, however, I see no other explanation. I have left the world I know, and I don't suspect I'll be waking up from this nightmare any time soon.) The screen fades in to show the Man sitting on a bench somewhere on Stressin' Street. His head hangs in spiritless defeat. Man (Where do I go from here? Is there even a hope of escaping this place?) Man (...) Man (That solicitor.) Man (Could this have been the "really important" something she pulled me aside to talk about?) Man (Hindsight is 20/20, they say...damn it all.) Man ...I shouldn't have assumed the worst in her. Man (The words escape my mouth in bitter acquiescence to the helpless nature of my circumstances.) There is a moment's pause. ??? It's okay, mister. I'm sure she'll understand! Man .....Eh? The girl from in front of the convenience store materialises on the seat next to the Man, her ghostlike features (including her telltale tail) now in plain sight. She beams at him with an expectant smile. Man ... ??? ... Man So you're a ghost. ??? W-Wow, you didn't even flinch. Man ...I take it that this is what you were going to tell me about, miss? ??? Eheh, yes...I couldn't help but worry about you, so I kindasorta...followed you here in secret. Man (...She's unusually chipper for a ghost in Hell. But I suppose I'm not one to judge. The truth is, I'm overjoyed to see a friendly face in a time like this, no matter how questionable their character.) Man I...apologise for rejecting you earlier. I realise now what a fool I was. ??? Don't be sorry, mister. You weren't wrong about me working there -- but, um, one of the perks of my job is that I get to do this! Man Thank you for understanding, then. I had written you off as garden-variety street pedlar. Man (Which was the logical conclusion to draw, but...this is clearly a place that defies logic.) ??? Besides, I'm a little out of practice, and you really seemed to be in a rush, so... Man "Out of practice"? Is this a frequent occurrence? ??? Every so often, someone from...your world will come here through that train station. ??? But our world can be pretty dangerous! So I do my very best to help lost human friends -- that's you! -- find their way home. Man That's a truly admirable mission. Man ...So I take that to mean that...there is a way out of this place? I can return to the life I knew? ??? That's right, mister! ??? But... There is a moment's pause. ??? The truth is, it would be a lot safer if you had someone with you. That's...part of why I wanted to get your attention earlier, eheheh. Man That's... Man (...Loath as I am to accept the help of strangers, let alone strange ghosts, I'm up the creek without a paddle, here. I suspect that, if I go my own way, I'll end up looking not unlike that telephone booth from earlier.) Man That's a very generous offer, and I accept. I'm in your care, Miss... Man ...Ah. May I ask for your name? ??? Oh! Of course! I'm Takami! Takami the ghost! Man The pleasure is mine, Takami. I'm... The Man's words trail off into silence, before he tries introducing himself again. Man I'm... Man (...What is going on? Why can't I finish that sentence...?) Takami ...Can't remember, can you? Man ...No. Takami Try not to worry, okay? That...happens to everyone from your world who comes here. Takami Phone contacts, notebooks, ID cards...anything with identifying information, anything that would help you remember who you were, get erased too. Takami It's part of the "magic" of this place. Man What kind of terrible magic even is that... Takami But don't worry! I'm sure that once you go home, everything will be all better! Man I...appreciate the reassurance. Takami For the meantime, let's think of a nickname! Like, back home, what did you do? Is there anything you remember? Man What did I do... The Man strikes a thinking pose, bringing a hand to his chin. Man (Try as I might to remember, my recollections of the life I knew are now like a distant dream.) Man (What was I even doing before I got here? Something about a...company party?) Man (...The only thing I can vividly remember is that, whatever job I did, I hated it. But she doesn't need to know that.) Man I...guess I was a regular office worker. A salaryman. Takami Then that's what I'll call you. Takami Nice to meet you, Mister Salaryman! Takami does a twirl and strikes a triumphant pose. Salaryman ...I suppose that'll do, "Takami the ghost". Thank you. Salaryman (Although something feels...wrong about a moniker like that, it's neither here nor there to criticise her naming sense.) Takami Ah! I almost forgot. Salaryman Hm? What is it? Takami Before we get going, though, there's something I really need to teach you about -- and to do it, I need someone else's help. Would you mind following me for a li'l? I promise it'll be worth your time! Salaryman Sure. Lead the way. (It's not as if I'm in a position to refuse.) Takami Okeydokey! Right this way, then. Follow me!! Takami floats ahead energetically, beckoning the Salaryman forth. Salaryman Right behind you. The Salaryman follows behind her, before Takami floats out of view of the camera. After she's off-screen, the Salaryman pauses, turns and looks out in the direction of one of the flickering street lamps. Salaryman (A treacherous hellscape full of ghosts, skeletons and feral animals, where you can't even remember your own name...) Salaryman (Am I really going to survive an ordeal like this?) The Salaryman turns back in Takami's direction, and walks off-screen himself.

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