TC Ep 272 Script

272

reamer outside hon’s closed bar, watching it. Reik walks up behind him, wearing a noticeable amount of jewellery. 

Reik: They got out, you know. Those Hybrid chicks. The Doves were pissed when their raid turned up nothing. How’d you figure they were planning one?

reamer: (hand starts shaking, clenches to fist) they…escaped?

reik: Apparently there was some secret back tunnel. Who knew? Luckily the Flamingo had a tip-off.

reamer: I assume you’re to thank for it?

reik: (hands up) you know how word gets around down here. It’s not like those Doves are subtle once they start movin’. 

reamer: that is…good to hear, i suppose. the less the Dole have go right for them the better. Come. I’m late for a table booking, we can continue the rest at the club.

reik:...club??

arrive at a swanky bar, 1920’s decor, people dressed well, everyone staring at reik.

reik: director’s son be dammed, i ain’t allowed in this kinda joint -

maitre d’ walks up: Mr. Imperius, how good to see you. I am afraid your…companion is prohibited from this establishment. 

reamer: if you wish this establishment to continue to exist, I would rethink that statement

MD: Sir, the other patrons - 

reamer: will get over it. he’ll be on his best behavior. Show us to my table.

MD: y-yes Sir, right this way.

(seats them at a secluded table, it’s dark with red lighting, fountains surround them cutting them off from view. the MD makes reik wear a dinner jacket)

reik: (looking around in awe) I knew the other half were livin’ it up, but this is somethin’ else. 

reamer: please, it’s just a club.

reik: nah, any corvid would slash their own wing to come to a place like this.

reamer: (flashes of suki/scra)... indeed? (takes a drink)

reamer: What other news do you have?

reik: there have been confirmed sightings of those Resistance idiots popping their heads out of their little hidey-holes, but no big moves from them yet. The Sparrows are mobilizing too, although to do what I don’t know. Nothing to report from the Crows.

reamer: (skeptical) really? nothing at all?

reik: (shrugs) they’ve been quiet since the BlackAsh Murder got nabbed, no one wants to be next on the gov’s radar I guess. I do have something that might interest you though -

(pulls out phone, shows video of brek’s dad, and clips of civilians overpowering soldiers and bits from tiraa’s wedding)

reik: the resistance is blasting this on the Corvid encrypted lines, some kind of recruitment ad seems like. They’re using clips from the uprisings…as well as footage from your wedding, where your bride to be ran off with the BlackAsh Boss. 

reamer: a poorly-planned coincidence on her part -

reik: it’s causing a buzz regardless, and now it’s getting shared to the non-corvid population too. People are talking. Some are agreeing with what’s being said. Everyone loves a forbidden romance story. 

reamer: forbidden ro - in what sick world are people living in -

reik: i dunno, with that big “the rest of the world exists and the government’s lying to you” bomb that was dropped by the chief commissioner himself, people are starting to ask questions, you know?

reamer: i am the chief commissioner

reik: of course you are, chief. I’m just sayin’, us Corvids already know the government’s lying about everything, it’s only a matter of time before everyone else catches on, and then I imagine the Resistance is just waiting to swoop in and hold their hands as they overthrow your mommy from her throne. 

reamer: no one’s getting overthrown, the Government has a highly-trained army and multiple military academies for backup should it come to it, nothing a ragtag militia could hope to overpower. 

reik: especially if you’ve got the Corvids under your wing too, thanks to me.

reamer: …If only your influence would extend to the Crows, too. I've heard most of the escaped ones have sided with the resistance instead of you and the other Corvids?

reik: Crows only follow who they consider the most powerful, most of ‘em would turn on their own kind in a heartbeat if they showed any kind of weakness. Show ‘em you’re strong.

reamer: (thinks to neekia telling him no crow would turn on their own, especially not for some eagle)...of course. And how do you propose I do that?

reik: (is surprised at being asked, puffs out chest more) I’d make an example of Cyras, if it were me. that Crow’s been top dog for too long, people should know his time is over. Crows always need a leader, they just need to be shown their options.

reamer: but surely the Crows would no longer idolise him, after his betrayal and subsequent capture, if they don’t follow the weak?

reik:...cyras has always had this weird hold over everyone, even those not in his Murder. They didn’t even elect him to head the Gathering of the Flocks, he just showed up and started talking, and people listened. Bastard only wanted peace this and peace that, even when the government and the doves were picking us all off one by one, he told us not to retaliate. Not until it was gettin’ so bad he had no choice but to do somethin’ or the Corvids were gonna rebel against him. i don’t understand why no one saw him for the coward he was.

reamer: perhaps he knew it wouldn’t go well for you all, if you did try to fight back?

reik: it’s about our pride, and being loyal to our kind. we shouldn’t have to settle for a life at the bottom of the heap, amongst the trash. 

reamer: it’s fortunate for them you made a deal with me to keep your people in-check in return for compensation then, isnt it? perhaps now you can buy yourself a taste of this life (gestures around). 

reik: A life i could afford, but never have access to, you mean. 

reamer: the dilemma of the nouveau-riche. money cannot always buy respect, I’ve been told. 

reik: (stands) why’d you bring me here? another sick little power-play?

reamer: please, even i get tired of constant scheming. maybe I wanted to remind you of your place in society. Maybe I wanted to show you what you can never achieve. maybe I wanted to reward you for your work. or maybe i was just tired of drinking alone, for once. sit down, I challenge you to see just what your money can buy you. Surely a bottle of champagne can be exchanged for anyone’s money, regardless of ownership. 

reik: champagne? please. (gestures to waiter) you - your most expensive bottle of whiskey.

reamer: here in this booth, in the dark, in this space, everyone is equal, after all. 

(reamer at home breaking down in bathroom, champagne bottle smashed on the floor, chanting “they got out, they got out, they got out”)

godddd i've been waiting to drop this one for a while tbh, suki still has a hold on this poor boi fr lmao