Act 1, Part I & II, Maverick and Koi

Act I Part I: Maverick Sirlax’s Dialogue

December 18, 2065

“maverick!!”

“Maverick!”

“MAVERICK!! ”

I opened my eyes to a familiar face; A too familiar face, perhaps.

“Maverick, we’ve been given a mission! This time, it’s big money! Big money!”

“Well, you sure do say that every time.”

“They said the reward was 60,000 marcs! Six-tee Thou-sand!”, he said, as if to emphasize that this time, it would be different.

I knew about Koi’s tendency to over exaggerate the most trivial of things. Ever since I met Koi when we were primary students, I had quickly learned to turn a deaf ear towards anything he said. You knew something was up if he began to scream your name and break down each part of the sentence.

I gave a long yawn. “Thanks for the heads up, but I think I’ll just go back to sleep. Wake me up an hour before my next shift.”

“Wait, wait, wait! Murdock assigned the mission! It’s Mur-dock!” Koi said.

I jolted up. “Hold up, you’re saying it's Murdock who assigned you this mission?” I said.

“Yes, it’s Murdock! And he said that he thinks we are best for this job!” Koi excitedly blabbered, clearly overjoyed that, for once, I had listened to him.

“Alright Koi, let’s go. But, if you waste my time I’ll strap you to the balcony and throw you off.” I warned Koi.

Koi seemed to ignore what I had just said. “Do whatever you want! Get dressed and go!”

And so, I got dressed. And so, I went with Koi.

Act I, Part II: Koi Roystone’s Record

Well, I sure finally convinced Maverick to come with me! He’s way too cautious and with those dead fish eyes, no wonder why he’s always so stoic whenever I tell him something. Maverick’s been this way since primary school. I really do wonder why we’re still together now.

When I heard Murdock was the one who assigned this mission. I knew I had to learn more! Especially, since it was Murdock! The billionaire Murdock! The one who heads the Onus Insurance Corporation in the center of Isola City! Rumor has it that he even has ties to the Mayor Leporge. The one who no one has seen before. Legends say that Leporge quietly instigated a coup against the former mayor, even though the news simply said the former mayor had “health issues”.

As Maverick and I approached the bullet train station a couple blocks away from home, Maverick hurriedly whispered, “Hop the ticket barrier. Quick! Before anyone sees us!”

Maverick speedily hurdled over in one graceful motion, but when I took to the hurdle, one foot just didn’t make it past the barrier.

You cannot be serious right now.

As the security guard and I locked eyes, almost as in slowmo, the guard’s eyes widened. I yelled to Maverick,

“Runnnnn! Go for the bullet train! It should be here any moment!”

“Hey you two, come back here!”, the guard shouted at us before turning to his watch. “I need backup! There are two fare dodgers currently running down the station. Requesting backup! Over!”

“What in the world are you doing! We have to make it to the train! Look! Its doors are opening!” Maverick turned around. Clearly he was pissed. That meant no good.

As we weaved through the crowd that had begun to gather at the entrance. I turned around, and sure enough, ten or so guards were gathered at the entrance, ready to find the culprit.

As the neon green train, with its stained black windows began to show up, we quickly shoved our way through. The guards tried to catch up, but with the sheer amount of people, there was nothing they could do even if they pulled out their tasers and shocked every human.

Thank goodness it was rush hour. Otherwise, our asses would be locked up, and we would have to wait until someone we knew could gather the ten thousand marc fine and send us free.

As I caught up to Maverick, his eye slit narrowed and he hissed, “The world were you doing, trying to get us deeper in debt?”

“Sorry,” I muttered. I knew Maverick was upset, but he couldn’t be for long. He would have to put on a smile when we meet Mr. Murdock.

As the neon train went through the dimming sky. I began to drift into my thoughts. Drifting and drifting and drifting and drifting until…

“koi!”

“Koi!”

“KOI!”

I opened my eyes to a familiar face; A too familiar face, perhaps.

“Koi, we’re nearing the stop”, Maverick said.

As I took a look behind me, I saw the myriad of high-rise neon buildings appearing and disappearing. Jemno Inc, Callint & Co, and the tallest of them all, with its bright orange sign blinking at the top of the one hundred or so story skyscraper, Onus Corporation. The cream of the crop. The dream of every entrepreneur when they arrive at Isola City.

As the train slowed down, the PA announcement welcomed us, “Welcome to Isola City Center, the City of Opportunities.

“You ready, Maverick?”

“You ready, Koi?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”