Shadows of London: 3-2 Making a Difference

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Caroline and Priscilla hold a fundraiser to aid those affected by the lockdown.

Info

Style: Album Art: Angel Outside the House Recommended: The Choir, Poets' Corner, Henry VII Chapel Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Her Life

Her Life

Dialogue Choices

About us speaking up for the residents of the Eastern District?

• I completely agree
  • Priscilla goodwill up
• It's overly idealistic
  • Story continues

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Kitchen Maid: Breakfast is ready, miss.

• You: Thank you, Alice.

• My aunt took Anna with her to France, leaving the daily household chores to be taken care of by other maids.
• Alice, who used to help out in the kitchen, is now delivering meals to us. She is timid and shy, and still not fully accustomed to this task.
• For example, she's still lingering around after setting down the plates, and that hesitant expression tells me she must have something to say.
• You: Is there anything else?

• Kitchen Maid: Um, well... Mrs. Robinson was wondering when Jack might be coming back?

• Kitchen Maid: She needs to prepare the servants' dinner in advance.

• My heart sinks.
• You: Jack... is severely injured and will need to stay at the clinic for a while longer.

• You: Ask Mrs. Robinson not to worry. If he comes back, I'll definitely let her know in advance.

• Alice breathes a sigh of relief and turns away.
• I start pouring tea and distributing snacks with a heavy heart. Priscilla, who had been listening to our conversation, looks pensive.
• Priscilla Barnet: Caroline, didn't you tell them what happened?

• You: All I said was that Jack and I were attacked late at night. He got injured while trying to protect me, so now he's receiving treatment at the clinic...

• Priscilla Barnet: But this lie can't last much longer. In a few more days, how will you explain his absence?

• I am speechless. Priscilla sighs.
• Priscilla Barnet: Can't you just be straightforward? What happened to Jack wasn't your fault.

• You: How can I bring myself to say it?

• Jack was attacked because I have the blood of the Blood Clan flowing through my veins. He is an innocent person who just happened to get involved.
• You: And even though Jack's been transformed, he's still alive.

• You: Maybe... there's a way to turn him back into a human...

• Roger Evans: I'm sorry, but I think that's practically impossible.

• Roger lifts his gaze from the newspaper and presents me with a page.
• Roger Evans: Read this, Caroline. It's not good news.

• You: What good news would there be in the papers these days?

• I start reading the article he pointed out, which says that a broken corpse was found in a small alley in the Western District.
• After some examination, they identified the victim as Inspector Dudley, who had been missing from Scotland Yard for several days.
• You: ...

• But as I continue to read, my sadness and guilt gradually turn into anger.
• The writer of this news article vividly describes how Inspector Dudley upheld justice and fairness during his lifetime, and showed no mercy when dealing with lawbreakers...
• Their words imply it was the criminals he previously arrested and the infected that sought such brutal and merciless revenge on him.
• These words of righteousness, which seem written with absolute certainty, are so hypocritical that they make me want to throw up.
• You: Do journalists nowadays all embellish the truth so?

• Roger Evans: In the eyes of some, if the truth is likely to cause widespread panic, it must be kept hidden.

• Roger Evans: If you've been reading the newspapers, you'll realize that the media's goal now is to put the blame on the infected.

• Roger Evans: Everything, from the Eastern District lockdown to the shortage of clothing and food, or even the death of a cat, is blamed on the infected.

• Roger Evans: This is how they're setting the stage for the next step of the policy.

• You: The next step?

• Roger flips the newspaper back to the first page and points at the headlines.

Violence Resurges: Stricter Lockdown Measures Are Inevitable

• You: They're implementing even stricter measures?!

• You: Is the government really unaware of how angry the residents of the Eastern District are?

• Roger Evans: Bingo, Caroline. They've turned a blind eye entirely.

• Roger Evans: The only ones they'll notice are the gentlemen and ladies of the upper class, or at most, the middle-class residents.

• Priscilla Barnet: That's precisely what I've been thinking about for the past few days.

• Priscilla suddenly speaks, and our attention is drawn to her.
• In the face of such unfair policies, she, who is usually so prone to anger, is uncharacteristically calm.
• Priscilla Barnet: I think it's our turn to speak up now.

• You: Our turn? You're saying that we should speak up for the residents of the Eastern District?

• Priscilla Barnet: It's not just us two, Caroline.

• Priscilla Barnet: Any discerning individual can see that the current situation is unsustainable.

• Priscilla Barnet: Even my mother, who is usually indifferent to everything except gossip, secretly complains about how difficult life is.

• Priscilla Barnet: So what would other people think about the current situation?

• You: ...

• Roger Evans: Do you really think that the rich would speak up for poor souls, Priscilla?

• Roger Evans: The Western District isn't under lockdown. Just complaining a little in private is easy to do.

• Roger Evans: I bet that nine out of ten people would refuse to publicly criticize the current policies.

• Priscilla Barnet: So let's go find the one out of ten!

• Priscilla Barnet: I know that the upper class is filled with selfish, hypocritical, indifferent, and self-centered jerks and idiots.

• Priscilla Barnet: But not all of them are like that. Even if there aren't many of them, I believe there are people with good intentions and a conscience.

• Priscilla Barnet: We have received a good education, we grew up being taught manners and etiquette, and we understand civilization and morality.

• Priscilla Barnet: We - the class we belong to, what you call the "upper class" - are not as terrible as you think!

• Roger Evans: ...

• I have never seen such a complex expression on Roger's face.
• After a moment of silence, he stands up and walks out without saying a word.
• You: Roger!

• I try to ease the tension as I am caught between the two, but Priscilla interrupts me abruptly.
• Priscilla Barnet: Leave him be, Caroline.

• Priscilla Barnet: I've been holding onto these words for a long time, but they need to be said.

• You: But you don't seem happy either.

• Priscilla Barnet: Even if speaking my mind makes him angry, I would still say it without hesitation.

• Anger and sadness are equally present in her voice. However, she quickly calms down again.
• Priscilla Barnet: Let's not talk about that for now. What do you think about my suggestion?

• You: About us speaking up for the residents of the Eastern District?

I completely agree

• You: I definitely agree with your proposal, Priscilla.

• You: But what's important is not that we've decided to speak up, but rather how we speak up.

It's overly idealistic

• You: I understand you want to do something to help the residents of the Eastern District.

• You: However, this approach may not necessarily yield any results.

• You: You probably remember the last time we went to the Eastern District and got surrounded by the infected.

• You: Our living environments are so different from theirs. It's hard for us to truly understand each other.

• You: For example, what are they thinking? What is it that they lack?

• You: In the face of the ongoing and ever-tightening lockdown measures, what do they truly want? We have no idea.

• You: How can we even speak up for them? At best, this is all just self-indulgence.

• You: We are not truly thinking about the residents of the Eastern District.

• Priscilla Barnet: Does that mean you oppose my proposal, Caroline? Are we just going to stand by and watch the Eastern District deteriorate further?

• You: No, that's not what I mean.

• You: Why don't we organize a charity fundraiser?

• Priscilla Barnet: A charity fundraiser?

• You: Material assistance may only provide temporary relief, but it can at least alleviate the immediate crisis they're facing.

• You: As long as this fundraising campaign is successful, aid supplies can be delivered to the residents of the Eastern District...

• You: That instead of empty slogans will truly convey our goodwill.

• You: And outside of the social season, a charity event is sure to capture the public's attention.

• You: Many gentlemen and ladies must be bored from being stuck at home every day. They won't miss the chance to have a little fun.

• Priscilla Barnet: That's right! My mother will definitely be willing to donate some money as long as she can attend a social event!

• Priscilla Barnet: And the money raised from the fundraiser can also be used to purchase essential medications, which Doctor Grey will surely need!

• She winks at me.
• You: Um, well... First, we need to create a plan for a charity fundraiser. I don't have much experience in this area...

• Priscilla Barnet: Madam Petit previously organized similar events. Perhaps you can write to her and ask?

• Priscilla Barnet: I'll check her books...

• I find Roger in the greenhouse while making my way to my aunt's study to look up information about holding a charity event.
• He's seated in a chair with a complex expression on his face. There's a cigarette held between his fingers as he gazes blankly at the sky.
• You: Are you okay, Roger?

• His back trembles slightly. He quickly extinguishes the cigarette, and turns around to look at me.
• Roger Evans: Have you two finished discussing your righteous plans?

• You: We're planning to hold a charity fundraiser. But that's not important.

• You: If you have any objections, Roger, I hope you can express them more objectively than resorting to mockery.

• You: We're all friends, aren't we? We can be honest with each other.

• You: Even if you don't think of me as a friend, please consider Priscilla's feelings.

• You: She has her pride and self-esteem, and attacking the class she belongs to will not improve your relationship with her.

• You: As a friend to you both, I don't want to see you turning against each other.

• Roger looks away again, instinctively trying to take another drag of his cigarette. As he raises his hand, he suddenly realizes that the cigarette has already been extinguished.
• Roger Evans: ...I don't want to be at odds with her either.

• Roger Evans: It's just that sometimes, I feel inferior when I'm around her.

• Roger Evans: She possesses certain qualities that I'm jealous of... She's honest, upright, and wilfully kind.

• You: (Wilfully kind...)

• Roger Evans: She's witnessed the ugliness of human nature and is sensitive to various aspects of the world. However, she remains courageous.

• Roger Evans: She might make mistakes and do some foolish things, like joining a strange club... but she never stays still.

• Roger Evans: Sometimes... I'm afraid that she'll leave me behind, and that I won't be able to keep up with her.

• Roger Evans: Someone like her can thrive even when they're alone. It doesn't matter to her who she loses.

• I sit quietly beside him and turn to look at him.
• You: I think Priscilla is capable of living alone, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't matter if she loses someone.

• You: For example, if she hadn't met you, she might still be that gloomy girl who only reads Poets Laureate.

• You: That's what she told me herself.

• You: You are important to her, Roger.

• You: She may be able to walk alone, but she'd be more than willing to hold your hand too.

• Roger listens to my words in silence, his face gradually growing calmer.
• When he speaks once more, his voice resumes its usual playful tone.
• Roger Evans: Not bad, Caroline. The two of you are like soulmates. What a heartwarming friendship you share.

• You: Priscilla is "honest, upright, and wilfully kind", after all.

• You: When she shines so brightly, it's hard not to love her.

• Roger's face freezes for a moment. I suppress a laugh, get up, and curtsy gracefully to him.
• Then I walk out of the greenhouse with light footsteps, leaving him standing there in a daze.

• The following week turns out to be an extremely busy week.
• Even though there aren't many upper-class residents left in London, it's not easy to invite them all.
• Once again, I use the list my aunt left me, and after much difficulty, I finally manage to make all the necessary preparations.

• Gentleman A: Oh, Miss Rayes! What a successful party. London hasn't been this lively in weeks.

• Gentlewoman: That's true. Violet must be very pleased.

• You: Thank you very much, both of you.

• Priscilla Barnet: Good day, Madam Winslet.

• Gentlewoman: ...Priscilla Barnet. You're quite a rare sight.

• Gentlewoman: I always thought you were a quirky girl who doesn't enjoy socializing.

• Priscilla Barnet: Well, sometimes I might have more important things to do, Madam.

• I quickly put on my standard social smile and seamlessly join their conversation.
• You: I couldn't have managed today's party without Priscilla's help.

• You: Why don't you try the desserts over there, Madam?

• Madam Winslet looks at Priscilla again, smiles, and leaves without saying another word.
• After she leaves, I nudge Priscilla with my elbow and whisper to her out of the corner of my mouth.
• You: Remember the purpose of this party.

• Priscilla Barnet: I want to greet people with a smile, Caroline! But just look at the expressions on these people's faces!

• I sympathetically pat her back. The ton in London has long labeled Miss Barnet as peculiar and unsociable.
• It must be said that this may also be one of the consequences she suffers for her rebellious and wilful attitude.
• You: Let me handle the task of entertaining the guests. You can go to the kitchen and watch over the work there.

• Lady A: Oh my goodness! Isn't that Miss Barnet?

• Lady A: Am I mistaken? Is Miss Barnet actually attending a party and even taking the initiative to greet people?

• You: (...It's too late.)

• Lady B: Don't be so mean. Miss Barnet just managed to figure things out, that's all.

• Lady B: It's not easy to get back on track as a London lady, so she might have to undergo a complete transformation.

• Two noble ladies who had once bullied Priscilla at the ball strut arrogantly towards us, and even cast a malicious glance in my direction.
• Lady A: Miss Barnet has finally realized the virtues of being an "angel in the house" and is trying to please Madam Winslet.

• Lady B: However, Madam has a discerning eye and may not necessarily be impressed by her insincere attempts.

• Priscilla can no longer contain herself and is about to retort.
• Countess: Please don't tell me you're fighting among yourselves, ladies.

• You: Good day, Countess.

• Startled, the two young ladies turn around to curtsy to the Countess. Priscilla and I bow our heads as well.
• Countess: This is such a delightful event, Caroline. Thank you so much.

• You: It's my pleasure, Madam. And I owe a lot to my friend, Miss Barnet, for her assistance.

• I gently push Priscilla forward. The Countess understands and kindly extends her hand to her.
• Countess: Thank you, dear. It seems like I just heard someone mention an "angel in the house." Was that you?

• Priscilla Barnet: In fact, Madam, I would rather be an angel out of the house.

• The Countess blinks in surprise. I can't help but look at her in astonishment, and the two young ladies widen their eyes.

• Priscilla Barnet: I know what society expects from women like us.

• Priscilla Barnet: I know countless families who eagerly await a responsible homemaker.

• Priscilla Barnet: But as time marches on, women are also moving forward.

• Priscilla Barnet: I don't know why, but even with the enactment of the Married Women's Property Act, some people still believe that women are subordinate to their families.

• Priscilla Barnet: Of course, I'm not criticizing people who choose to be an angel in the house.

• Priscilla Barnet: If they do it of their own free will, then it is worth respecting.

• Priscilla Barnet: But I don't want to. I'd rather use my abilities for society at large.

• Priscilla Barnet: If I had to be an angel, I would love to soar beyond the confines of home!

• The charity fundraising ultimately raises an amount far beyond my expectations. They quickly transform into food and medicine, swiftly flowing into the Eastern District.
• But that's not even the most significant thing about the event.
• The Countess and other noblewomen form a charitable group that focuses on the situation in the Eastern District. Social opinion also calls for strengthening assistance to the Eastern District.
• Two days later, the title "Angel out of the House" graces the front page of the morning paper.
• Priscilla's call spreads gradually throughout England, helped by the distribution of newspapers from London.
• ...I won't go into detail about how much I asked Mr. Erskine about how to use the media to aid our cause.