Gotham Memoirs: 2-13 Dangerous Transaction

< Previous

Next >

The investigation stagnates. Although I don't want the truth to be buried, Mr. Puzo's suggestion makes me uneasy.

Info

• Style:
• Recommended: Light and Dark, Flashback
• Perfect Score: ~2,125
• Rewards: 3,000 , 3 Reader's Coupons, Blueprint: Philosophy, 1 Gift Material, 1 Crafting Material

Dialogue Choices

No dialogue choices.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• It's been two days since I last met Mr. Puzo.
• Though I've been working as usual, my parents' situation is making me worry.
• I flounder like this usual...
• You: Hello, Gotham Times.

• ???: It's me, Elizabeth!

• You: Mom!

• Hearing mom's voice makes me excited and apprehensive.
• Has Mr. Puzo kept his promise?
• Mom: Liz, about your father borrowing from loan sharks...

• For some reason, Mom pauses here. My heart skips a beat.
• You: (Goodness, I hope the situation hasn't gotten worse!)

• You: (Breathe, Elizabeth, breathe... Mrs. Puzo promised to help. It'll be fine.)

• My grip on the receiver tightens, sweat drenching my palms.
• Mom: It's over! Your father is alright!

• I heave a sigh of relief. A great burden has been lifted off my shoulders.
• You: That's great!

• Mom: But it'd odd. Those goons just said they wouldn't be pursuing it further.

• You: (Looks like Mr. Puzo kept his promise.)

• Mom: I've been racking my brains over this... Why would they suddenly let us off the hook?

• You: (I couldn't possibly tell her I got the Mafia to settle this...)

• You: Err... I-I have no idea. Who knows what they're thinking?

• Mom: It was resolved soon after I phoned you, I thought maybe you got a friend to-

• You: Stop the wild guesses, mom.

• Mom: Alright, alright. Anyway, it's over!

• I can breathe easy now that it's been resolved.
• I talk to mom a bit more before hanging up.
• Mom's call chases away the foggy uncertainty plaguing me. Everything seems brighter.
• All thanks to Mr. Puzo's help.
• You: But why is he adamant I stop my investigation?

• You: I don't understand his motives, but I have to tell him my answer.

• I call Mr. Puzo and thank him. I invite him to meet at the Restaurant Vesuvio tomorrow night.
• I leave work early the next day to prepare for the dinner with Mr. Puzo.

• You: I should dress more splendidly as I'm meeting Mr. Puzo as the Restaurant Vesuvio.

• You: This should be fine...

• You: Thank you so much for your help, Mr. Puzo. My family's problems have been resolved.

• Vittorio Puzo: I was just keeping my promise.

• You: Let me treat you to dinner tonight, Mr. Puzo.

• Mr. Puzo smiles at my words.
• You: About what you said before, I actually...

• Vittorio Puzo: That we are here tonight speaks of your determination. I understand.

• You: My determination has never changed. I will continue investigating.

• Vittorio Puzo: I fear you will be disappointed.

• You: What do you mean?

• Vittorio Puzo: Rossi is dead.

• You: What? Are you joking?

• Vittorio Puzo: Unfortunately, Miss Colvin, I am not.

• The news hits me as hard as a wrecking ball.
• I shake my head, trying to clear it.
• You: When did this happen? How did he die?

• Vittorio Puzo: Last night. He was shot in his house.

• You: Who killed him?

• Vittorio Puzo: They don't know. They haven't found any clues.

• I don't know what to say.
• I thought Rossi would give me more leads... But there's nothing left now.
• Vittorio Puzo: ...Will you still continue your investigation?

• Mr. Puzo's question disconcerts me. I string my thoughts together.
• You: Rossi may be dead, but there are other leads to chase...

• You: I don't know that I'll find anything, but it's worth a shot.

• Vittorio Puzo: You have no idea what you're up against.

• Mr. Puzo is suspiciously calm...
• You: (Why does he say that?)

• You: Do you know what I'm up against?

• Vittorio Puzo: A girl like you, from a prestigious college. Your future is bright.

• Vittorio Puzo: Why take this dangerous path? Why put yourself in constant harm?

• I have no idea what he's talking about. I have no intention of stopping halfway.
• I don't want Jessica's death to be a mystery the rest of my life.
• You: Seeking the truth may be difficult, but I won't give up, Mr. Puzo.

• You: My hard work speaks for itself.

• Vittorio Puzo: The Juliano family is involved.

• You: I know they are the most powerful Mafia family...

• Vittorio Puzo: Well, for now.

• You: But I don't know much about them. Only what I've read in the news.

• Vittorio Puzo: Before he was a union chairman, Rossi was Francesco Juliano's confidant.

• Mr. Puzo says it casually.
• You: Rossi took his marching orders from Francesco Juliano?

• You: Could Juliano have killed him?

• Vittorio Puzo: Probably, but that's for you to investigate.

• You: What are you saying, Mr. Puzo?

• Vittorio Puzo: The best way to get to the bottom of this is to get close to Francesco Juliano.

• You: Get close to him! Who, me? Impossible.

• Vittorio Puzo: It's entirely possible... as long as you assume a new identity.

• Vittorio Puzo: I can help you.

• I look at Mr. Puzo in mild surprise. Under the light, his features appear penetrating and chiselled.
• This isn't a joke. He's serious.
• You: Why would you help me?

• Vittorio Puzo: You're as sharp as I thought you'd be, Miss Colvin.

• Vittorio Puzo: We run businesses. And Juliano has broken some rules of the business.

• Vittorio Puzo: A price must be exacted for this.

• As he speaks, Mr. Puzo's eyes flash like an unsheathed dagger.
• You: Why do you need me for this?

• Vittorio Puzo: Juliano is very cautious, but he has some of the same bad habits most men do.

• Vittorio Puzo: Underestimating a woman, for example.

• Vittorio Puzo: An intelligent and tenacious woman like yourself is an ideal partner in this endeavour.

• I take a deep breath, sorting out my thoughts.
• You: What would you need me to do?

• Vittorio Puzo: Get close to Juliano, gain his confidence. When the time comes, give me the necessary information.

• You: You want me to be a spy? You want to disguise me as Mafia?

• Vittorio Puzo: Heh, no. Women can't--No, I have another identity for you. You're going to be a dancing girl.

• A dancing girl? What is he talking about? And why does he think I'll go along with this?
• You: Why would Juliano trust a dancing girl?

• Vittorio Puzo: He'll trust you, Miss Colvin. I'm certain of it.

• My reactions are dulled. This is not what I was expecting out of this dinner.
• You: (Pretend to be a dancing girl to get close to Juliano? That's preposterous...)

• But this preposterous idea gets me thinking, calculating its probability of success.
• Vittorio Puzo: This is not an easy decision to make. Think carefully.

• Vittorio Puzo: There is a price to pay for working with me.

• My heart thumps in my chest.
• Vittorio Puzo: But you'll get what you want.

• Vittorio Puzo: It's entirely up to you.

• Mr. Puzo waves for the waiter, and pays for dinner.
• Vittorio Puzo: You don't need to answer now. Take your time and think it over carefully. I'll send you home.

• I think about what Mr. Puzo offered all the way back to my apartment.
• If I choose to infiltrate Juliano's inner circle, I will lose many things...
• I'll need to quit my job, which I love, and I may come face to face with evil itself.
• But I can't give up the investigation.
• What should I do?