[ video ]

[hostage]

[Here's a guy who looks like shit. Not like he's been beaten up or injured or anything like that. The kind of "looks like shit" that comes with recovering from a meth bender curled up on the floor of some catacombs while there's a war raging outside. His body needs sleep desperately but the chaos has kind of prevented that, so he looks pale and sick with dark circles around his eyes and he's subtly shaking - which means the camera is shaking as he holds it.]

Hey, so... Hey. I know we're busy cleaning up and all, but I need, um... I'm just wondering if anybody could bring me some cigarettes. Or, like, anything else to smoke.

[Vague because he's not sure what's legal here.]

I'll pay you back or, you know, whatever. I'll owe you.

And, um, Nananea? You're probably busy with all them hurt people, but - that thing we talked about? I'm ready when you are.

[Despite looking like he should spend the next two weeks in bed.]

Anyway, yeah. Thanks in advance.

Comments

[hostage]

It's all dead ends with me. I don't think where I am's ever gonna change that.

But you seem pretty smart. I bet you could do a lot more than just fight in a stupid war.

[payback]

You shouldn't talk like that. Maybe you can help fight through this and get somewhere else. How old are you anyway? There's plenty of time for you to figure out something...

[hostage]

Twenty-six and I'm pretty sure I lived too long already.

[payback]

Why would you say that?

[hostage]

You want people to miss you instead of wishing you were gone.

[payback]

Well... maybe this world should be a place where you can change things. I mean - is anyone from your home even here?

[hostage]

No. I don't think so.

[Thank god.]

[payback]

Well then maybe that's a good thing. You could fight out this war, maybe, and go wherever you wanted.

[hostage]

There's nowhere I wanna go.

[payback]

Why not?

[hostage]

I dunno. There just ain't.

[payback]

... You just got here, anyway. You could put in your time and then maybe you'll feel better...

[hostage]

Yeah. Maybe.

[He's humoring her.]

[payback]

[She can kinda tell.]

I know it looks bad here. And it is bad. But it could be even worse.

[hostage]

I know.

[payback]

We'll be fine.

[hostage]

You know, you don't gotta convince me.

[payback]

... Alright.

[hostage]

I appreciate it, though.

[payback]

It's fine.