You have arrived at Eszti's doorstep.

You have arrived at Eszti's doorstep.

It's dark, you won't endear yourself to her by knocking now. Come back in the daytime.

The last time you spoke was the day your network blew. You never called her back like you said you would.

I'm pretty sure I did...

CASCADE: I just need an hour. I'll call you back. ESTOC: Hershel, I'm serious. CASCADE: Me too. Get off my dick. I'll call you.

I hate this.

She is quite old; you could probably convince her that she abandoned you.

Should probably start apologising right now.

I should have brought a card. And flowers, maybe.

Lillies for funerals, roses for love, what for abandonment and betrayal?

A card would have been a good start. One reading 'Condolences We Met'.

She's not going to be happy to see me.

Five long years of seething are about to come to a head. Or maybe she's forgotten all about it.

Never forgotten. Fear. Invader. Defend turf.

YOU WILL APPEAR TO HER AS A VISION, A WARD TO CAPITAL'S ENCHANTMENT. THE PARTY CALLS ONCE MORE. YOU ARE SAVED.

Look around the door.

You avert your gaze from the door to the shoe rack.

Knock, coward.

Look at the shoes.

They're shoes. Two pairs.

A man and a woman, comfortable and understated -- a quiet life lived on a well-beaten track.

What else is here?

A little sweeping brush.

Looks normal. (Back.)

Nothing left to do but apply knuckle to door.

Knock on the door. (Proceed.)

Soft steps approach the door, then stop. The loud click of the bolt echoes through a cavity in your molar.

Just explain how sorry you are, find some common ground. She might even thank you for her recent career success.

She should be the one grovelling to the gäng. For being a bitch in our midst.

THIS EXPANSION OF YOUR BORDERS IS PURELY DEFENSIVE IN NATURE. YOUR FORMER ASSET PROVOKED THIS CONFLICT BY NOT APOLOGISING FIRST.

"This is a defensive incursion!" (Kick the door.)

"He-llo. For Eszti?"

The old man beams at you, adjusting a dial attached to a gadget on his right ear.

Looks like a hearing aid, or cochlear implant.

Seems like it's attached to his skull; this asset could be wired up.

"You must be Eszti's husband?"

He watches your lips, then smiles and nods twice.

"Please, call me Pascal. Nice to meet you. You are?"

SUBJUGATE THE DIPLOMATIC ENVOY.

"I'm just here to speak to Eszti."

"Come in, come in. Eszti's in the kitchen."

He steps back and waves you in with a loose hand.

"The physical embodiment of shame, here to beg for release."

"Yes?"

He nods encouragingly, but the crinkles around his eyes stiffen.

He thinks we're weird! First impression in wreck and ruin!

"I see your wires so I'll tell you who I'm not -- an ally to the augmentoids."

Alternative wording

"I will not be the first victim of the augmentoid wars. Don't get any ideas."

"Yes. Funny funny."

He glances past you into the hallway, still smiling.

"A courier of death, come to collect those sworn to my aid."

"Oh, good, good."

"A shadow from a past unknown to you."

"You ladies. Always dramatic."

He shakes his head playfully, still smiling.

"For the Head of Human Capital."

"Ah, work. Nice to meet you, I'm Pascal."

"Are you part of her portfolio?"

He watches your lips, confused, then bursts into laughter.

"I'm Pascal, Eszti's husband... and you are?"

"I don't work with her, I have a soul."

"Bet you turn that thing off whenever she goes off on one."

"She...?"

He watches your lips, confused, then bursts into laughter.

"Ahaha! Yes. Funny. I'm Pascal, Eszti's husband. You are?"

"Don't leave, please. I need a human shield."

"Shield?"

"I see this place has fallen to the augmentoids."

"Augmen...?"

"Eszti, it's me. Look, first off, I'm very sorry..."

Meet her with silence.

CASCADE: I just need an hour. I'll call you back. ESTOC: Hershel, I'm serious. CASCADE: Here I am, Eszti, calling you back like I said I would. How are you? ESTOC: Much better now that I hear the authoritative yet reassuring voice of my lead.

That's not what happened, is it?

Of course it is, that's the official transcript. No one can argue with the official transcript.

Knew it, all fine, all cool.

There you have it -- the official transcript. Nothing to worry about.

I said I would try to call her back.

CASCADE: I just need an hour. I'll try to call you back. ESTOC: Hershel, I'm serious. CASCADE: I'll try my best for you, my prized asset whose contributions I respect so much.

No, no, she was supposed to call me back.

CASCADE: I just need an hour. Call me back. ESTOC: Okay, Hershel, I'll call you within the hour. [An hour passes] CASCADE: I wonder where Eszti is? She never called, I am very hurt.

The last time you spoke was the day your network blew. You definitely called her back like you said you would.