One Problem at a Time

I couldn't get much information about Dango from Volo. Fortunately, Einar, accompanied by two girls, was passing by us at that moment.

Metzi, the barefoot girl who had reprimanded me on the first day. While the other one is Anemone, she has been working with Dango these days and I noticed that sometimes she taps her fingers like him, but the tic that induces the tapping seems different. Dango does it when he can't think of something important or gets agitated, while Anemone seems to do it more naturally, when she starts, it ends after a few minutes.

From what I've understood in these days, it seems that Einar is one of the most intimidating people, if not the most intimidating. And I can see why, I still find it suggestive to be near him.

So I decide to seize the moment to add them to the discussion. «Excuse me for interrupting, I'd like to ask you something.»

They turn to me calmly with a slight smile. Together, they reply in an uncoordinated way.

E: «Sure, tell us everything.»

A: «What do you need to know?»

M: «Go ahead!»

I look at Einar for a moment. Indeed, it doesn't inspire confidence to stand in front of such a mountain. I think it would be difficult to find someone he might fear.

«What can you tell me about Dango?»

At my question, all three of them start giggling as if I had told them a joke. Anemone is the first to answer. «He's my and Metzi's son.»

«…Eh?»

Seeing me confused, Metzi intervenes to explain «Don't worry, he's not really our son, but it's like he is.»

Anemone picks up the conversation excitedly «Yes! He's a very special and random person! In fact, whenever you see him staring into space for a long time, you should ask him what he's thinking about.»

After her, Einar starts talking. «He's the strangest person I know, and believe me, there are many strange people out there! Imagine one time, after an event, we all slept in one room, at 4 in the morning, I woke up and saw one of the most disturbing things that ever happened to me. I found him sitting on his cot staring into space. At that moment I said to myself "Better leave him alone and go back to sleep".»

Dango manages to scare someone like him?!

We continued talking for a few more minutes, and gradually other animators joined in. Apparently, he is a person who manages to get people talking a lot about him. Yet, the previous evenings, I saw him mostly silent and staring into space.

However, apart from something he said and did in particular during work, it seems that no one knows what he does when he's not animating, except for the fire-eater. I managed to speak to him alone for a few minutes. Apparently, being an open person, Dango told him some... private things. I would have preferred not to know, but now those images are planted in my head like a rusty nail. Maybe it's better not to investigate further into certain confidences.

He turned out to be a mystery not only for me, but also for his colleagues. Perhaps I'm the only one who knows him better.

The next day we spent dismantling the event. In the evening, we finished and returned home. However, as Dango and I were flying back to the Lower City, we were stopped by security. Two men dressed in black uniforms and jet helmets to hide their identity. To distinguish their law enforcement rank, the neon color and the pattern on the uniform.

The window of their vehicle that was alongside us lowered. Dango's did too.

Both officers scrutinized us for a moment. The officer closest to us proceeded to ask us some routine questions. «May I see your license and registration?»

Dango took both from the glove compartment and gave them to the officer. «Good evening!»

«Good evening. Do you reside in the Lower City?»

«Yes.» he replied calmly, not the least bit agitated by the situation. I would understand in normal circumstances, but we had crossed the border illegally.

«Have you been to the Upper Town?»

«Yes.»

«Why did you go there?»

«For work.»

«Could we see your pass for added security?»

«Certainly.»

With a quick flick of his wrist, Dango produced the pass in his left hand and handed it to the officer.

When did he take it? I hope it's not a fake document.

The two men looked at each other and raised the window for a moment, they seemed to be saying something, but the windows must be soundproof, I can't make out their voices.

As soon as they lowered the window again, they handed all the documents back to Dango. «Everything seems to be in order.»

He proceeds to put the documents away, but before leaving, the officer asks an unexpected question. «Could we ask you a few more questions?»

«Sure.»

«Is that android yours?»

The question turns out to be more awkward than I had anticipated... because my body started to vibrate micro.

«Yes.»

«How could you afford it, if you already have a vehicle? They're not two easy things to buy at your age, especially if you're from the Lower City.»

Damn! What do they think, that Dango stole me? I want to say something. I want to help him. But I can't, there's something blocking every movement and preventing my voice from coming out. I feel like a weight in a vacuum in my chest.

Dango hands the officers another document. «The vecle-» he made a mistake! I hope it's not interpreted as insecurity or a lie. «The vehicle belonged to my grandmother, while I bought the android recently. You know, I've wanted one since I was a kid and since then I've never spent a penny to save up to buy one.»

To support what he said about the vehicle, the document attests to the change of ownership. But this is not enough to prove what he said about me.

«That would be a valid excuse, if it weren't for the fact that it's one of the latest models and is not yet available for sale to those living in the Lower City.»

Here it gets bad! They're right, someone like him shouldn't own an android like me. I never had a problem with it, but apparently, it's the problems that are coming from him because of my negligence. However, Dango hasn't stopped smiling for even a moment, does he have something in mind?

With a sigh, he begins the sentence with a guilty tone. «It's true, I didn't buy it myself, unfortunately it was too expensive and the other models weren't suitable for my needs. I'm ashamed to admit it because for me to ask someone for something is like being a burden to them, but I asked Batro- Branto- Bartolini Vincent for help to buy it.»

«You would know Bartolini Vincent?»

«Of course!»

«Could you call him to confirm what you said?»

«Sure, give me a sec.»

Dango proceeds to search for the number on the central panel. As soon as he finds it, he calls Vincent. Incredibly, he answers, I wouldn't have expected it after the way he welcomed us at his house.

The call lasts a few minutes and Vincent confirms what Dango said without the officers saying anything specific to put words in his mouth. Once the doubts have been dispelled, Vincent hangs up the call.

«Well, you're lucky, kid, to know a celebrity of his caliber. You can go.»

Before they leave, Dango stops them. «Wait! Why did you want to know how I got the android?»

«No comment.»  they reply without even looking at us, leaving with their vehicle. His question had a simple answer, why did they answer so ambiguously? This seems suspicious. But Dango doesn't seem worried, and he starts again.

Now that the worst is over, my body has stopped vibrating and the weight I was feeling has disappeared.

«Dango, where did you get the pass?»

«It seems obvious, I got it from the company's warehouse before we left. Don't you remember?»

«You mean that shady warehouse is where you keep all the equipment and scenery?»

«Of course. And there's also the office where they gave me the document. Oh, and before I forget, we have to go back there to return it. Luckily the police reminded us.»

I don't think they stopped you to remind you of that.

«How did Vincent know the story you made up?»

«I expected this to happen sooner or later, but I didn't know when. So the night before we left for the animation, I called him to agree on this story.»

«And if he had been busy doing something important, what would you have done?»

«Well, I don't usually call or text anyone, especially Vincent. He knows that if I call him it's for a matter of some importance.»

…

Incredible… Dango had planned everything carefully, while I… I hadn't bothered to think about anything. I was caught off guard and if Dango hadn't been so meticulous now… I don't know what would have happened.

I owe him a lot and I haven't done anything for him yet.

***

As soon as we stopped in front of the warehouse, I immediately asked Dango «Can I come in too?»

«Sure!»

As soon as I set foot in the warehouse, I was speechless. Before me, a labyrinth of corridors opened up, each one neat and full of all sorts of materials. Holographic signs of various colors floated above them, indicating the contents.

There's one with weapons and armor, another with stationery, oh! And another one with various costumes!

Every corridor seems so interesting, I don't know where to look. It seems that, no matter how hard he tries to appear normal and tidy, the warehouse doesn't lose the magic of the events, on the contrary, it's the very cradle of that magic.

Dango stops to greet and help the warehouse workers who are already tidying up the materials used during the event. There's still a lot of mess scattered in an area set aside for unloading.

I don't know what to do, but I feel the need to be useful. So I approach a pile of materials and start arranging them, imitating the others and checking the lists that indicate their contents. 

Meanwhile, I have a better opportunity to observe the warehouse. There's a large counter covered in colored fabrics, with a sewing machine, brushes and various tools, which they probably use to create the sets. A little further on, an area entirely dedicated to wood with beams, sticks, Saxon tents, tables and benches stacked carefully. At the back, I see special machines for woodworking. Near the entrance door, there is the office area, next to two different bathrooms, one service and one with dryers and washing machines for washing the hoods, chenilles and curtains.

Time flies. After a few hours, it's getting late. We stop working, even though there's not much left to finish. Seeing as there's no one in the office area now, Dango leaves the pass on one of the desks.

Back in the vehicle, we head home.

«Can you take the computer bag and turn it on?» Dango asks me.

I nod and do as he says. The computer turns on, the operating system logo appears, and then the desktop.

«Access the shared folder and fill out the work form for these days.»

«How should I fill it out?»

«There's a file in the event group messages. You'll find everything written there.»

After a few attempts, I finally find it. I start filling in the attendance file for October, following the instructions. But something doesn't add up. This is the only event he's done this month. And it's already over.

I start calculating, checking the numbers several times, but the result doesn't change. What he's earned isn't enough to cover all the expenses, the total doesn't add up.

I turn to him, trying to explain the problem. «Excuse me for interrupting. The income for this month is not enough to pay the bills and buy food for the next few days.»

Dango smiles serenely. As if the problem were just a joke to him. «Don't worry, you won't starve.»

«I know, I don't need to eat, but you do. How do you think you'll manage with so little?»

«At most, I'll try to find food that costs even less. And maybe I'll cut back on my rations a bit.» He even starts laughing. «Actually, I need to lose a couple of pounds.»

I don't like his answers. I don't understand how he can be so, so... indifferent.

«You can't take it so lightly! There's not enough money, what are you going to do?»

Dango shrugs, as if he doesn't care about what I'm telling him. «Forget about it, the problem will solve itself. Rather, aren't you talking like that because you're tired?»

«No.» I answer him dryly.

«It must be. You seem pretty nervous.»

His words, instead of calming me down, make me even more agitated. I don't understand how he can be so calm in such a critical situation. He's risking going broke!

... There's something that doesn't add up. I try the calculations again.

The result doesn't change, but this is impossible. Nobody can become poor...

But what if it turned out to be possible? I have to face the problem before I find out. I have to do something. Anything!

... At least to solve the food issue. For Dango!

The following days we didn't do anything, or at least, Dango didn't do anything.

Instead of writing, he seemed to have no intention of doing so. Even when I asked him insistently and sat next to him with the computer on, he would reply lazily "No, I can't" or "I don't feel like it now".

He even stopped cooking and left me to do it. Apparently for him, playing video games all the time is more important than anything else. What's wrong with him? He's never done this before. He seems to have broken down. I'm tired of this situation. It's clear to me now, to solve every single problem there's only one way.

Decided, I walk to the door and go out. It's still early morning, and Dango won't wake up until 1 pm.

To warn him in case I can't get back on time, I left him a note.

“Dango, I'm going out to run some errands. I don't know when I'll be back. In case I'm not, I've cooked something with the few things left in the fridge.”

I return home around 7 pm, happy to have achieved my goal.

As soon as I enter, I put away the groceries and then go to the living room to find Dango.

«I'm back.»

«Hi. What's for dinner?» he replies without taking his eyes off the screen.

«Could you pay attention to me for a moment?»

He pauses the game and turns to me, rubbing his eyes.

«Tell me everything.»

As soon as he opens his eyes again his face completely changes expression. I really think he was in disbelief with emotion. His face has even turned burgundy.

«What the hell?!»