The man's eyes are closed. He is completely still.

The man's eyes are closed. He is completely still.

"Hello?"

He raises a hand in greeting, but keeps his eyes closed.

"You alright? Having a pensive moment?"

He raises a hand to show that he's fine, but keeps his eyes closed.

Leave him be.

He continues in his stillness, undisturbed.

"Isn't it wonderful?" He faces the tree, cheeks ruddied by the wind, eyes welling.

The day the leaves fall from the ginkyo is a day of transformation -- he told you himself.

"This is a special day for you?"

"Yes, the Luzian day of transformation. We think back over the past year and shed ourselves of all the weight it carries, just like the tree."

"Oh, look at that." He wipes a tear from his eye. "The sight of the leaves falling holds many memories for me."

Whatever makes him weep, it's not from the past year -- it runs much deeper.

"You're remembering someone from long ago."

"My father. We used to walk together under the falling leaves each year, until his death." A small sigh. "He went young, didn't even make it to my current age."

Despite that, his dad always feels much older than him. Aged through wisdom.

"I'm not sure how, but he always seemed to know what to do. He had a great sense of purpose. I can only aspire to that..."

"You're just a late bloomer. You'll figure it out."

"I fear I'm too old to bloom now. More and more I feel myself starting to shrivel."

He traces the veins on the back of his hand, under the thinning skin.

"That's the real fear in me -- that it's all too late, that I've wasted my time..." He chokes. "Oh dear. If you'll excuse me, I must turn to my thoughts."

He closes his eyes and shuts himself off to the world.

"Chasing purpose in life is pointless. It all means nothing."

"I've had this thought myself. On one hand, I find it to be a bleak outlook, on the other it steers me towards finding happiness in the present. I waver back and forth."

"If you'll excuse me, I will turn to my thoughts now -- I must find my path." He closes his eyes and shuts himself off to the world.

"Thanks for sharing. Did it help?"

"Yes, a little, but that's enough for now. If you'll excuse me, I will turn to my thoughts." He closes his eyes and shuts himself off to the world.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Hmm, I don't think so. This is a time for thinking, not burdening others with my worries."

Push him.

"Tell me. It will do you some good."

"It's my father. We used to walk together under the falling leaves each year, until his death." A small sigh. "He went young, didn't even make it to my current age."

I'll leave him be.

"In that spirit, if you'll excuse me, I will turn to my thoughts." He closes his eyes and shuts himself off to the world.

"Looks like you could do with some privacy. I'll leave you to it." [Leave.]

"Very kind of you. You're right, I should turn to my thoughts, I've got a lot to mull over." He closes his eyes and shuts himself off to the world.

"Are you crying?"

"Yes, I suppose I am." He wipes a tear from his eye. "The shedding of the ginkyo holds many memories for me."

"Yeah... wow. It's beautiful."

"The shedding of the ginkyo holds many memories for me, for all Luzians, lots of emotion." He wipes a tear from his eye.

"Average at best. I've seen trees do this before."

"It's what it represents that matters, remember? It marks the Luzian day of transformation. We think over the past year and try to shed all the weight it carries."

"Yes, but not this one," he says, perturbed. "It's special to me, to all Luzians, as it marks the day of transformation. We think over the past year and try to shed all the weight it carries."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend."

"I'm sure you didn't. Still, it's reassuring to hear that."

"Appropriate." (Run a finger over your holstered gun.)

"Sure."

"I'm glad to be able to take part in it this year."

"Isn't it wonderful?" He faces the tree, eyes welling, raindrops rolling down his face.

"Isn't it wonderful?" He faces the tree, bracing himself, eyes welling.

"Hello again."

"I thought you were quitting."

"I'm still considering it. I thought perhaps if I stared a while at this tree it would help clear my head."

"And, has it?

"No, not entirely," he sighs. "But that's not the tree's fault."

"Just do it. Be bold. It's been giving you a hard time."

"If only I were that kind of person. To unknot myself from responsibility and service my whims." He rubs a course thumb over his fingertips. "No, I'll have to think about it some more."

"It seems like a stupid idea, to be honest."

"I know it is. But I'm so... unfulfilled. I can't go on like this. At least, I don't think so." He rubs a course thumb over his fingertips. "I'll have to think about it some more."

"Any leaves fallen yet?"

"Still nothing. But I have a feeling it'll be soon..."

"Still nothing."

"Seen any leaves fall off this tree?" (Point at it.)

"Nothing yet. Even in this wind they cling steadfast to their branches."

"Nothing yet. Even in this rain they cling steadfast to their branches."

"Nothing yet. The weather doesn't seem to want to test them, either."

"Do you know anything about this tree?"

"Peaceful, isn't it?" The technician looks over at it, then back over at you.

"I feel connected to this tree, I don't know why."

"Many people do. For Luzians, it's a symbol of both resilience and transformation. Are you going through something that requires these traits?"

(Sigh.) "My whole life."

"I know the feeling. But a sense of connection with the tree right now suggests something is coming your way. When that time arrives, make sure you're ready to..." He pauses in thought."

Die?

Shoot?

Kill?

"... make true on any sacrifices."

"Without a doubt."

"Makes total sense. When that time comes, make sure you're ready to..." He pauses in thought.

"Not particularly."

"Hm, might be a sign that you soon will be. When that time comes, make sure you're ready to..." He pauses in thought.

"This tree makes me think I might be part techno-fascist."

"Wielding a 'Sixty-Six Wolves' sword certainly suggests you've been swayed."

"True. I've been getting into fascism lately, big-time."

"It has its obvious allures. I just hope you can also see what hides behind them."

"That's just accessorising. It means nothing to me."

"Glad you can enjoy our culture without getting into the politics of it all!"

He clearly doesn't believe that's possible, even as he says it.

(Whisper to yourself.) "Affirmative. The disguise is working."

"What was that?" He looks at you inqusitively.

"It was a private comment."

"Oh, of course. Sorry I asked." His eyes glance off of you.

"I said the disguise is working."

"Right." He looks away, unsure of how to react.

"The Ultra Violeta shirt certainly suggests you've been swayed."

"The 'Sixty-Six Wolves' cup certainly suggests you've been swayed."

"I've been around a lot of them in my lifetime and I'm not picking up any signs of that from you."

"Your radar's off then. I've been getting into fascism lately, big-time."

"Good. As it should be."

He gives a short, affirming nod. Nothing more.

"Yeah I fucking hate those pricks."

"Understandable," he says, with a shrug.

"It makes me think of an explosion."

"Interesting. I never would've seen that myself, but I suppose everyone sees the world their own way."

"It's very pretty."

"Taking my breaks under this tree might be the part of my job I most look forward to now."

"It doesn't look at all like the other trees." (Proceed.)

"Because it isn't native to Portofiro, or really this part of the world at all. The old Luzians planted it back when this place was a penal colony."

"Under the first Illuminated Empire, they planted these trees wherever they settled. If you see one, it means the old Illuminated Empire was here."

"What kind of tree is it?"

"The Old Luzian Ginkyo."

"What makes it special to you?"

"All Luzian ginkyos are effectively clones of a single original. It's this quality that causes them to shed their leaves simultaneously, no matter the latitude or season."

"It's a major feast day in Luzian culture. Of course, no one knows exactly when the leaves will fall."

"Just that they will..."

"My abuela used to take me to the shrine to Canopus outside our town. There would always be local officials there, making political speeches."

"Anything that stuck with you?"

"No, I used to hide in the shrines while they talked. I thought they were very boring."

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SUBLIMINAL MESSAGING AND PASSIVE LEARNING.

"Anyway, I've found myself paying more attention to things like this tree lately. It seems to be calling to me."

"Indoctrination always starts early."

"It wasn't so bad. I used to hide in the shrines while they talked -- didn't take any of it in."

"You poor kid."

"Do you get down with techno-fascism?"

"No, not at all. But I'm still Luzian at heart, so when I see one of these ginkyos, I can't help but think of home."

"How does it make you feel?"

"It's a complicated mix of yearning and fear. I think everyone feels the yearning -- for the lands of their youth, the innocence. But the fear... that might be unique to where I'm from."

"The fear is in me, too."

"Guess I was wrong about that." He looks at the ground. "Strange, I thought that would bring me comfort, but somehow it's made it worse."

"So glad I don't have to deal with that."

"Me too." He smiles. "Though you probably also feel a fear spread by my people. I can only apologise for that..."

"You've got nothing to apologise for."

"Perhaps not, but I can feel bad on behalf of my people, for the things that have been done in our name."

"You call that an apology?"

"I know it's not enough. But what else can I do except say sorry on behalf of my people? For the things that have been done in our name."

"Thank you for saying that."

"A small thing. But it all goes towards trying to make up for the things that have been done on behalf of my people."

"You'll all be saying sorry soon enough."

"Yes, we're due a comeuppance. I, for one, welcome the day that we can make up for the things that have have been done on behalf of my people."

"Nothing compared to the terror that your people spread elsewhere."

"Yes. I apologise for that. I can hardly imagine how awful it can get..."

Say nothing.

"Wish I was Luzian..."

"Strange..." he says, taken aback. "Don't think I've ever heard someone say that. Maybe some of the kids in the Bazaar, but they lack the context -- the invisible gun pointed at the world."

The one that you carry.

"Never mind." He waves the thought away. "Point being, I've found myself paying more attention to things like this tree lately. It seems to be calling to me."

Rivalled only by the gun you must acquire.

"Are you also alienated from the natural world?"

"Perhaps I was for a long time. When you live on the moon, there are no trees anywhere, just a few plastic shrubs in the dormitories. That caused me great distress."

Across the whole universe, it is humans that actually end up being the unnatural ones.

Can't be complaining about the state of another gäng's territory. That's bad form.

"All the same, since I returned I've found myself paying more attention to things like this tree. It seems to be calling to me."

"Why this tree in particular?"

"I hear they all lose their leaves all at once, no matter where they are."

"Do you know a man called Tempo?"

"Unusual name. May have heard it on the wind once or twice, but no, I don't know him."

"What the hell are you talking about -- 'on the wind'?"

"There's something in the back of my mind telling me I've heard that word being shouted somewhere nearby. That's all."

Tempo had that effect on his surroundings. Often spoken about, rarely seen -- unless he had a use for you.

"Thanks anyway."

"No bother. Sorry I can't be more help."

"Any doctors around here?"

"None that I know of. Which reminds me, I really should get around to registering for a GP..."

It won't do him much good. His body's reaching the point where aches and pains are par for the course.

"Have you seen a guy running around in a suit and glasses?"

"You'll have to more specific. Seen a couple of guys who match that description, not that I pay much attention to them."

"He's got a bald spot."

Alternative wording

"He's got a bald spot. Feels good to rub."

"They do, don't they? Have to give mine a good itch every now and then with this helmet on and all."

Your fingertips crawl with sensation, craving the flaky scalp.

"Do you want me to rub it for you?"

"Very kind, but no, thank you. I have a certain way of doing it. Like how a cat can be particular about how it gets stroked."

"As to your guy -- I don't think I'm tall enough to see other men's bald spots. They're quite common as well, you know."

"Just tell me if you've seen my guy."

"I don't think I'm tall enough to see other men's bald spots. They're quite common as well, you know."

"I don't think I'm tall enough to see other men's bald spots. They're quite common as well, you know."

"White shirt, brown trousers."

"The uniform of all those type of men. You'll have to give me something else."

"Where did you last see any of them?"

"Hm, good point. It's been a while since I saw them -- long enough that I don't remember where." He shrugs.

PSEUDOPOD wouldn't have been here a while ago.

"Never mind."

"Right you are."

"What do you know about the Miracle Line?"

"I can tell you that it's Renotel's longest-running and top-performing fixed-line."

Technical talk for a landline. It's connected to the network by copper wire.

"How long has it been running?"

"Must be just over a decade at this point. A testament to the reliability of the old wired systems."

"Must be just over a decade at this point. It's actually the last payphone in Portofiro to still be running the old way now they've all gone wireless."

The last bastion of an antiquated system. He speaks of it like a beloved relic.

"Why hasn't it gone wireless yet?"

"The line cannot go down, not even for a second, which means it cannot be serviced or upgraded -- first thing they taught me when I joined."

A single thread, fraying.

He shouldn't be telling you this.

"The reason being, or so I've heard," he leans in, reducing to a whisper, "is that Renotel would incur a bill of such whopping proportions that it could risk the whole company going under."

"That seems ridiculous. Can't be true."

"Maybe it's not," he shrugs. "But it's what people say."

"The 'unrealised loss', they call it. The company's big secret, gnawing away at its foundation, like a rat in the shadows."

Bitemarks and ignorance. The downfall of many a ship.

"We stride forth boldly into the immaterial future."

"Strange, isn't it? We can send telephony data through the air now using radiophonics."

"Renotel is developing a range of products with this technology, including portable phones, intercoms, headsets, and cordless scanners."

You may have been on ice for five years but the inexorable march of progress certainly has not.

"The Miracle Line isn't wireless, though, is it?"

"That's the exception, as we discussed."

"Yes, that's the only exception -- it still runs on good old-fashioned cables."

"Even the Miracle Line is wireless?"

"No, actually. That's the only exception -- it still runs on good old-fashioned cables."

"Why is that?"

"Sometimes you just can't beat the old ways."

"Yes, it's my favourite of all our payphones."

"Due an upgrade, then."

"Technically, yes. However, the line cannot go down, not even for a second, which means it cannot be serviced or upgraded -- first thing they taught me when I joined."

"I heard the Miracle Line still hasn't gone wireless?"

"That's right, it's the only exception. Still running on good old-fashioned cables."

"So how do these arteries work?" (Proceed.)

"Anytime you pick up a Renotel payphone, the data travels through the air from where you are, into one of these boxes, and is then routed to whoever it is you're calling."

"What if I'm using a non-Renotel payphone?"

"There are no non-Renotel payphones left in Portofiro. Mr. Reno has an exclusive contract."

The result of non-competitive bidding and a bit of self-dealing on the part of the city's governing elite.

"A monopolist, he should be put to the sword."

"I don't see a problem with it as long as you get the good service you expect. Which is what I'm here trying to ensure."

Naivety like this is the problem. Healthy competition is what pushes technology forward and society along with it.

"The brave leader, charging toward our techno-fascist destiny."

"I think he's a liberal, actually." The man gives you a slightly uncomfortable look.

"As long as the payphones work, I don't really care."

"Hm, I guess so. Doesn't make my job any easier, though."

"Who's Reno?"

"The owner of Renotel. The rich guy at the top of it all -- the company is named after him. Imagine being the one man in charge of telecommunications across the city..."

"A secret powerful enough to efface an entire corporation. What else do you know?"

"No further details, unfortunately. It's just one of those stories that gets circulated among the staff."

"I just realised I don't care about this."

"Oh, that's a shame. I quite enjoy a little scandal. But each to their own."

"I heard that it still hasn't gone wireless yet. Why is that?"

"How is it performing so well?"

"That'll be down to Duchess and the service she provides." He raises his brows, suggestively.

The way he said 'service'... like he meant...

"It's a sex line?"

"Yes. Operated by Renotel, manned by the unimitable Duchess."

"Service?"

"Sorry, I thought it was obvious... it's a sex line. Operated by Renotel, manned by the unimitable Duchess."

"Why have you become a creep all of a sudden?"

"Sorry, I forget how that can come across. Please, ignore that." He clears his throat. "The Miracle Line is a sex line, operated by Renotel, manned by the unimitable Duchess."

"Have you used it yourself?"

"No-no, that kind of thing isn't for me. It's just part of the job to know about it, make sure it stays operational." He leans in. "You know why now..."

He really wants you to believe that.

"No-no, that kind of thing isn't for me. It's just part of the job to know about it, make sure it stays operational."

"Do you know where Duchess operates it from?"

"Not a clue. The address has been scrubbed from all records, even for us staff."

Every path to her erased, like an ancient treasure being guarded.

"Where I can find this 'miracle'?"