The Nightmare's End: 1-5 Among Purple Daisies

< Previous

The Nightmare's End

Next >

Young people benefit from having a more mature friend. Older people, however, often find the opposite to be true.

Info

Style: No dress-up component Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 1 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Women Together

Women Together

Dialogue Choices

There are no dialogue choices in this stage.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Young Edward: Why don't we have a competition, Danny?

• Dennis: What kind of competition?

• Young Edward: Look at the lilacs over there.

• Dennis: And?

• Young Edward: Did you know? Most lilacs have four petals.

• Young Edward: But occasionally there are some purple with five petals. The person who finds the fifth petal will receive lucky love.

• Dennis: Really?

• Young Edward: Yep. So let's see if you can find one with five petals first...

• Dennis: Or if you finish the book first?

• Young Edward: Exactly. Are you ready? Three, two, one—

• I found it, Edward!
• What about you?

• Edward Grey: Hngh!

• He suddenly opens his eyes, breathing heavily.
• In the silent darkness, his dim emerald eyes contract in fear, looking up at the ceiling.
• Edward Grey: *gasp gasp*...

• Slowly, his rapid breathing calms.
• His contracted pupils slowly relax. He tries to blink and then raises his right hand to shield his eyes.
• Moonlight shines through the glass window into the room. Light and shadows flow rhythmically with the night breeze.
• He struggles to sit up and realizes that his back and chest are covered in cold sweat, soaking his pajamas, so he gets out of bed expressionlessly.
• There is another set of the same pajamas in the closet. He skillfully takes off his clothes and changes into the dry set, throwing the dirty clothes into the laundry basket.
• The nightmare still lingers in his mind. To escape, he pulls out the latest medical journal from the bookshelf, turns on the light, and starts to read.
• Edward Grey: ...gangrene... appendectomy... sepsis.

• He murmurs, running his fingers over the index, trying his best to focus on the terms.
• But the contents do not enter his mind at all.
• He sits in front of the desk, his head tilted slightly, as if waiting for a certain voice to speak.
• ???: Gang...rene. Appen... dectomy... sep...sis.

• In the darkness, the voice appears.
• ???: Gangrene. Appendectomy, sepsis.

• ???: Gangrene! Appendectomy! Sepsis!

• The childish voice pronounces the words more skillfully as he repeats them, and the clapping grows louder.
• The child giggles, as if happy that he has mastered these difficult medical terms.
• Dennis: I learned them, Edward! I know it all now.

• Dennis: Can you play with me now? You promised.

• He wants to tell himself that it's just a hallucination, but his breathing grows heavy again.
• Dennis: I found a lilac with five petals too. Look!

• Dennis: Edward? Come on, look!

• Strong floral scent emanates from every corner of the room, enveloping his body.
• There seem to be human faces growing out of the tiny petals, all grinning at him.
• He closes the journal roughly and reaches into the deepest part of the drawer.
• To his relief, the revolver is still there.
• Dennis: You want to shoot me again, Edward?

• Dennis: I know that's why Father left you the gun.

• Dennis: He likes you. He wants you to be just like him...

• Edward Grey: ...shut up...

• Dennis: Just like him!

• Edward Grey: Shut up!

• He turns his head suddenly, the revolver's muzzle swaying in panic, but there's no target to shoot at.
• He's the only one in this room.
• The voice doesn't appear again. After a long time, he finally relaxes.
• Edward Grey: ...Ah... Hah...

• Cold sweat trickles down from his forehead into his eyes. He slowly relaxes, letting out a choked sob.
• It's over. In the end, he still had to use the revolver to end this nightmare.
• The voice will appear again another night. But at least it's disappeared for now.
• He puts the revolver back into the drawer and wearily closes his eyes.

• Do you really think this is over?

• Edward lies on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
• The sky is getting bright, and his alarm clock shows it is eight o'clock now.
• The sounds from the kitchen downstairs drift up. He listens for a full ten minutes, convinced that he isn't caught in yet another dream.
• He really can't bear having that dream again.
• Edward Grey: It's time to get up... You must get up, Edward Grey.

• He mutters to himself, then slowly sits up from the bed like an old man.
• The bouquet of lilacs that Jesse gave him a week ago is placed in a vase on the decorated shelf.
• Their color is no longer bright, but the fragrance still lingers.
• Edward ignores the bouquet of flowers and begins to get ready after waking up.

• Edward, feeling confident that no one would notice the fatigue from his nightmare the night before, pulls himself together and goes downstairs to have breakfast.
• Edward Grey: Good morning, Mrs. Thomas.

• Mrs. Thomas: Oh! He's here.

• Besides Mrs. Thomas, who is making tea, there is also a girl sitting at the dining table.
• Edward Grey: Are you... Janet?

• Janet: Good morning, Doctor Grey.

• The maid of the Lindvall family smiles somewhat reservedly.
• Janet: I'm sorry to come so early—

• Edward Grey: Has Jesse's cough worsened again?

• The maid looks embarrassed and shakes her head repeatedly. Edward breathes a sigh of relief, but his confusion deepens.
• Edward Grey: Are you feeling unwell?

• Janet: Um, actually, it's not for me. I just... I need to get some burn ointment...

• Janet hesitates. Edward patiently listens to her words.
• Edward Grey: What kind of burn is it? From the stove, or did you touch a hot pot, or spill boiling water on yourself?

• He speculates on various situations maids might encounter, but Janet's quiet answer is completely different from what he had expected.
• Janet: It's a cigar burn.

• Edward Grey: Cigar?

• Edward Grey: A burn on the mouth or...?

• Janet: It's a burn caused by hot cigar ashes. You don't need to ask for details. Just give me the medicine.

• The maid lowers her head gloomily, her tone pleading.
• Edward says no more. He quickly writes a prescription and hands it to the maid.
• The moment she reaches out to take it, he stares at her.
• Edward Grey: Has Jesse not gone out lately?

• Janet is so frightened by his deep and oppressive voice that her hand trembles, causing the prescription she's holding to fall to the ground.
• She looks up at Edward in horror. His emerald eyes stare at her unwaveringly.
• Janet: ...please...

• After a while, she speaks with a trembling and tearful voice.
• Janet: Please help Master Jesse, Doctor Grey!

• Janet: I don't know why, but Master Henry has been upset ever since you took him to see the cricket match last time!

• Janet: He and Master Jesse had another big fight. It was so fierce that even Master George was alarmed, and both of them were grounded.

• Janet: Master Jesse's health had improved a lot, but now it has worsened again...

• The maid starts to cry, and Edward hands her a handkerchief.
• Edward Grey: I just asked you if Jesse's cough had worsened, and you denied it.

• Edward Grey: Is it because you were ordered not to mention this to others?

• Janet nods with tears in her eyes.
• Edward Grey: Thank you, Janet.

• He bends down to pick up the prescription and hands it back to her.
• Edward Grey: Now, hurry home. The sooner the burn is treated, the better.

• Edward Grey: Don't worry. Cigar burns aren't difficult to heal.

• Janet sniffs and nods, then walks out of the door.
• Edward watches the maid walk away, his face darkening uncontrollably.
• Mrs. Thomas: Sounds like a terrible situation.

• Mrs. Thomas tidies up the tea tray, peers at Edward's expression, and mutters loudly.
• Mrs. Thomas: It's not unusual for this sort of thing to happen to wealthy families. If I were you, I would stay out of this matter.

• In the days they spent together, he has already learned the life wisdom of this authentic London woman.
• Maybe he should listen to her, Edward thinks as he puts scrambled eggs into his mouth.
• By the time he finishes his breakfast, he has made up his mind.
• Edward Grey: Mrs. Thomas, do you know which street Lindvall Bank's office is on?

• Mrs. Thomas, who was washing the dishes, lets out a long sigh, throws the dishcloth into the kitchen sink, and rolls her eyes secretly.

• Secretary: Mr. Lindvall?

• George Lindvall: Come in.

• Edward Grey: Thank you for agreeing to meet me in your office, Mr. Lindvall.

• George Lindvall: What's the matter?

• The other person looks stiff. Edward asks with his eyes if he can sit down and he reluctantly nods.
• Edward Grey: I heard that Jesse has been in poor health recently and canceled some scheduled social activities.

• George Lindvall: Yes, he isn't feeling well.

• Edward Grey: As a doctor, I think that his condition is relevant to me.

• George Lindvall does not answer immediately. He takes off his glasses, wipes the lenses, puts them back on, and looks coldly at Edward.
• George Lindvall: Doctor Grey. As you can see, I am in the banking industry.

• George Lindvall: To be successful in this industry, you need a lot of friends. And I do have a lot of friends.

• George Lindvall: A few days ago, Jesse made some inappropriate remarks in public when he went out to watch the game.

• George Lindvall: This matter has given me a headache.

• Edward Grey: I understand what you mean.

• George Lindvall: That's good.

• George Lindvall looks like he is about to instruct his secretary to see the guest off, but Edward speaks.
• Edward Grey: While he is home, can I come and check in on him?

• Edward Grey: It's difficult to recover from his old illness. If he doesn't go out, his condition may worsen.

• Edward Grey: As his father, you surely would not want him to grow weaker.

• George Lindvall: Weakness is a flaw, but stubbornness is never a good thing, Doctor Grey.

• George Lindvall: Especially young people who are stubborn, self-righteous, and immature.

• George Lindvall: I regret that the youth of today are often incited by wrong ideals and enjoy overturning traditional morals.

• George Lindvall: I will not allow my son to become like that.

• Edward Grey: I understand your thoughts—

• George Lindvall: No, you don't understand, Doctor Grey. In my opinion, you are young enough and perhaps arrogant enough.

• George Lindvall: I don't want you to become a new window for Jesse to acquire the wrong ideas.

• Such impolite words cause Edward's eyes to sharpen instantly.
• He wants to get up and slam the door immediately for a split second.
• But something holds his shoulders, forcing him to face George Lindvall's malicious words.
• Edward Grey: I said I understand your thoughts, Mr. Lindvall.

• He takes a deep breath, trying to exhale the resentment and anger in his heart, then he lifts his head and looks directly into the other person's eyes.
• Edward Grey: I don't deny that I am very young and have also questioned traditional beliefs. So, I can understand Jesse.

• Edward Grey: But at the same time, I can also understand your thoughts. I'm not just being polite by saying this.

• George Lindvall: Really?

• The middle-aged man smiles faintly and looks at him suspiciously.
• Edward Grey: You are a talented entrepreneur who started from scratch.

• Edward Grey: All the glory of the Lindworth family today in the banking industry and even in London's upper class owes its glory to you.

• Edward Grey: Compared to you, Jesse is just an ordinary rich kid who grew up being pampered. His knowledge and experience are far inferior to yours.

• Edward Grey: Therefore, his naivety and immaturity are obvious. This does not prove that he is a bad kid.

• George Lindvall: He certainly isn't. But without good education and guidance, he might be.

• Edward Grey: Yes. But without exposure to the real world, children will not grow up.

• George Lindvall: ...

• Edward Grey: Jesse is currently under your protection, he doesn't worry about food or clothing, and leads a comfortable life. He doesn't understand the cost of all this, nor does he know what you have sacrificed for it.

• Edward Grey: He loves his family and wants his loved ones to be happy.

• Edward pauses. Next, he has to bring up Agnes.
• Edward Grey: So, he finds it difficult to accept his sister leaving the family and getting married to someone else.

• Edward Grey: It's childish, but I think he's sincere and such emotions are worth cherishing.

• George Lindvall: ...I agree.

• George Lindvall absentmindedly plays with the white paper on the desk and mutters softly.
• Edward notices the change in the other person's mood. He clears his throat and then makes a request in a sincere tone.
• Edward Grey: Mr. Lindvall, I have no intention of interfering in your family affairs.

• Edward Grey: But if your daughter's marriage is already a foregone conclusion, someone needs to help Jesse come to terms with it.

• George Lindvall: Are you saying you can become this person?

• Edward Grey: If you permit it.

• The office falls into silence for a moment. George Lindvall is still playing with a piece of white paper, lost in thought.
• After several minutes, he slowly speaks.
• George Lindvall: You understand human nature better than Jesse, Doctor Grey, and know how to deal with people.

• George Lindvall: Either you are eloquent, or you have experienced hardships and learned how to smooth out your edges and become more polished.

• Edward feels his expression stiffen slightly. Fortunately, George Lindvall isn't looking at him at the moment.
• The middle-aged man's gaze is lowered, and his thoughts seem to be in a distant place. Edward even feels that the words he just said may not have been meant for himself.
• George Lindvall: All right. Jesse needs someone more mature than his peers.

• George Lindvall: You can go take care of Jesse and persuade him to be more sensible.

• George Lindvall: Can I trust you, Doctor Grey?

• Edward Grey: I will do my best, Mr. Lindvall.

• Edward Grey: Thank you for your permission.

• Edward stands up, politely nods to George Lindvall, and then leaves the office.
• When he walks out the door, he frowns inwardly, hoping that the other person did not detect the dissatisfaction and sarcasm implied in his final words.