July 2nd

#### **Plot**

Atop a building stands Johnathan Lane, who finally decides he should be attending the meeting inside Knox. Inside, Clair was drafting a plan on how to attack the Graduation Hall. Entering the building and going over to her, he asks how the plan's coming along. Clair admits being stumped on how to assault them with the resources they have considering how fortified the Graduation Hall is. Johnny says they simply need to acquire more resources and that they can get them from the warehouses all over the map. He informs Clair that a few of them have valuable items, such as a hacking gun from the Future Foundation. He says that he's even got a contact inside Future Foundation that could help them out. Inquiring what a hacking gun is and how it works, Johnny explains to her how it releases electromagnetic signals that manipulate what a robot does. With this, he says they'll be able to counter the Grad Hall's turrets and mech.

Accepting these ideas, Johnny further explains that some of the warehouses have mechs that they could steal and try to learn to control, despite how convoluted they are to pilot. Clair dismisses it for the time being, saying they need to focus on enlarging their fleet. Johnny agrees, saying he's waiting on his mole to get back to him on which warehouse is the least protected. Since they can't do anything until they have such information, Johnny suggest Clair to relax. Disgruntled, she replies she can't with half their fleet destroyed and their family dead. She asks if Johnny doesn't want to get back at them for that, to which he certainly does, but there's just nothing to do right now. Clair continues gazing down at the map, to which Johnny aggravatedly questions if she'll just stand around looking at it. Clair responds that it's the least she can do while the warehouses aren't getting attacked.

Not accepting this, Johnny advises Clair to have fun instead to spite the Graduation Hall people. She expresses wanting to get down to business instead of having "fun". Losing his cool, Johnny repeats the fact that there's nothing for them to do. Sighing and giving in, Clair asks what he wants to do then. He suggests something along the lines of hitting the city, drinking, or playing poker. Pointing out that there's no city to go to since it's destroyed, Clair is countered by Johnny's statement that a destroyed city is still a city. The mob boss doubts there's any places left to drink or play poker at. Johnny grins, revealing that he knows a few spots and will sure her where they are. Beckoning her to come with him, she sighs and goes along. Before leaving, Johnny calls out to the other members of the mafia, asking if any of them want to go out, saying they've earned it. All of them decline, leaving Johnny shrugging and telling them to suit themselves before heading into town with Clair.

Going through back alleys, a commotion nearby is heard. Inquiring what all the racket is, Clair is told by Johnny that it's a place called Clever Bobby's. Knocking on the door resulted in the opening of an eyehole, which closed moments later and thus the door opened, revealing the place to be a speakeasy. Johnathan explains to her that it's where he hung out to get drunk, met a few contacts, and made his way as a gun for hire. Despite money no longer matters in the world, he remarks that the occupation ultimate pays off in terms of gathering favors and information, which is what the modern post-Tragedy world deals in. Calling over Slick, the bartender, Johnny orders a honey jack on the rocks while Clair orders a shot of gin, commenting she needs a distraction from what's been going on. Shortly, they receive their drinks alongside refills.

Johnny remarks that he's missed Clair, getting the latter to point out that he says that to her every week. Before downing her shot, she asks how much he really misses her. He explains that he considered offing himself when he thought her to be dead, but kept going only because he knew she'd consider that stupid of him to do. Anytime he looked at the rifle, he'd think of her he explains. In response to Clair not knowing when he got all sentimental, he elaborates it was when he thought everybody he considered family was dead. In his words, he's always been like this, it was just now affecting him. Stating that she was alive and back, Clair asks if he was happy. "Over the fucking moon" is what he said, clarifying afterward that he wasn't being sarcastic.

Clair then attempts dismissing herself from the fun to continue working, to which Johnny quickly puts a stop to. Reminded by her that she doesn't like sitting around doing nothing, Johnny makes it clear that they aren't doing nothing and that she needs to learn how to have fun and relax. She explains that planning scenarios and taking inventory is all she knows, thanks to how her father raised her. Johnny tries getting her to understand that there's more to her than her work. Sighing, she gets up and begins walking away, saying she's going back to work. Arguing that there's nothing for her to do at the moment, Johnny grabs her hand, attempting to keep her around. Ultimately, she breaks free and leaves, exclaiming that she's going to avenge the family and is already nuts. Johnny rambunctiously bursts out that he won't watch somebody he loves destroy themselves. Fortunately, in his eyes, Clair doesn't react to his outburst and exits the speakeasy. After punching the wall, he chases after her, getting in the car and driving alongside her as she walks.

Asking if she's truly this stubborn, she sighs, asking in return if he seriously believes she'll take it easy just because he said so. Uttering a "no" and remarking that he knows her better than that, he expresses how he can't bear seeing her like this. Clair keeps walking. Johnny tells her to at least get into the car. It's brushed off and he's told to drive back to Knox, she'll walk there. He rejects that proposal, sticking to driving beside her until she gets into the vehicle.