Horn said, "Alright then. That's all I wanted. Is there something you wish to know?"
Liebe said, "Well—"
Horn said, "Alysa is doing fine."
Liebe said, "What? I didn't even ask yet."
Horn said, "I know. Now, what else do you need?"
Liebe said, "Well, I have been thinking. Maybe it's for the best if I stay off the spotlight."
Horn said, "It would certainly help her forget."
Liebe said, "OK."
Horn said, "I'm certainly enjoying our conversation today."
Liebe said, "Good to know. You may just be the only one in the world with whom I can talk about my fond days with her."
Horn said, "Why? What about Lilith Faust? Why are you excluding her?"
Liebe said, "She is far too naive. It's too much of a risk in case anyone hears."
Horn said, "Alright. And what are you planning?"
Liebe said, "Maybe a tattoo."
Horn said, "I feel like I will regret it, but why?"
Liebe said, "It will be binary code. But that's it."
Horn said, "I want you to consider it for a year—until this day next year. October 12th next year. Remember it."
Liebe said, "Alright then."
Horn said, "But I understand. Also, ginger ale would be great right now."
Mai said, "Understood. A moment, if you would."
Liebe said, "A whiskey for me, then."
Mai said, "Understood."
As Licht joined in and said, "So, what's so important that you two are here?"
Liebe said, "Licht, when did you get here?"
Licht said, "Just now. Thought since I'm so bored right now, might as well help you with the important thing you were going to work on. So, need a hand?"
Liebe said, "No. Stay out of it, Licht."
Licht said, "Come on, pretty please. I'm bored. Because of the fact you were in prison, I actually had to start thinking and working. It was tiring. How did you not die of boredom or paperwork? And that mountain of papers makes you realize exactly how fortunate you are to go to the front lines and risk your lives so that you can get the glory."
Liebe said, "Wow. Our baby torch light finally grew up."
Licht said, "Well, what do you want me to do?"
Liebe said, "Listen, just remember, Licht. No matter what you do here in the Vale Estate, stay out of the 3rd floor hall. That room has something none of you are allowed to see. Got it?"
Licht said, "Got it. We aren't allowed to see it. All of us?"
Horn said, "Well, no. I have seen it. And well, I can see it as much as I want. You are the only one who isn't."
Licht said, "What? Why? Now I want to see it. How come she can see it but I can't? Tell me. Tell me what is in there. Tell me now. I want to see it. No, now I have to see it. Please tell me what it is."
Liebe said, "Do you really want to know that badly?"
Licht said, "Yes."
Liebe said, "Are you strong enough to handle the truth?"
Licht said, "I am."
Liebe said, "There will be no going back."
Licht said, "I understand. Now tell me what's in there."
Liebe said, "My fleshlight collection."
Licht said, "What? Why?"
Liebe said, "What do you mean, why? Can't a man have hobbies?"
Licht said, "I expected your secret or a weapon or something. I don't believe it. Then why is Horn allowed in there?"
Liebe said, "Well, the thing is, I also have a diary in there with the names of people I slept with and a few dildos for Horn. And the thing about my fleshlight collection—she is the one who uses it for me."
Licht said, "I refuse to believe it. Why?"
Horn said, "What do you mean by 'why,' Mr. Tiny Testicles? The view may be too much for your virgin little eyes, Mr. Torch Dildo."
Licht said, "What do you mean by 'Torch Dildo'?"
Licht said, "Fine then. Let's see it."
Liebe said, "Alright then."
As they went to the 3rd floor:
Liebe said, "Are you sure?"
Licht said, "Yeah."
As Liebe used the fingerprint and retina scan:
Licht said, "What is all this security for?"
Liebe said, "In case anyone steals something. These are my treasures, you know."
As Liebe opened the door and Licht went inside:
Licht screamed, "Oh god, oh god! It really was full of fleshlights!"
As Liebe closed the door on Licht and Horn:
Licht said, "Liebe, let me out! Let me out!"
Horn said, "You look delicious."
Liebe said, "Good luck, buddy. Also, don't start begging her after round 55. She doesn't show any mercy."
Horn said, "You look delicious. Let's begin the feast, chicken."
Licht screams, "Let me out! Let me out!"
As he breaks through the wall and comes out:
Liebe said, "Huh? Why did you leave?"
Licht said, "You locked me in a sex room with a psycho, why else, dumbass? I'm saving myself for my marriage. Do you have any idea how scared I was?"
Liebe said, "Yeah. I thought Horn was going to pop your cherry for you."
Licht said, "Frick it. I get it now why you are leader. If you tell me never to touch something, I swear I won't go near it. I learned my lesson."
Liebe said, "You sure?"
Licht said, "Yeah. That room was scary."
Liebe said, "You sure you don't want to enter the room again to make sure what you saw was true?"
Licht said, "No, thank you. Why did I come here again? Frick. Well then, bye." As Licht flew away.
Horn said, "Was that necessary?"
Liebe said, "Your acting was excellent. Might have traumatized him a bit, but it's alright."
Horn said, "So why did you tell him?"
Liebe said, "It was a decoy. Why do you think I said '3rd floor hall' instead of '2nd floor'? This room was bait in case he ever checked. That's why."
Horn said, "The bluff was interesting—3rd floor instead of 2nd. And even if he checked... you truly are a perplexing man, Liebe Faust."
Liebe said, "Honestly, now I want to see if he can check again."
Horn said, "Now you are just being evil."
Liebe said, "Thank you. It's for the best if he doesn't know. And Mai, please get someone to fix the wall."
Mai said, "Understood."
Liebe said, "I will pay for everything at the end of the month."
Mai said, "Understood."
Horn and Liebe went downstairs.
Horn said, "Now, exactly what kind of tattoos are you planning?"
Liebe said, "One big one for my back."
Horn said, "Can I see the design?"
Liebe said, "Sure. I want this design on my back."
L 01000001
I 01101100
E 01111001
B 01110011
E 01100001
A
L
F
A
U
S
T
Liebe said, "This design—I mean, I will make the name on my left side a little more equal, too small and like equal height to the code."
Horn said, "Alright. And why?"
Liebe said, "This code means something to me I can't forget. And this name is something I have forsaken but can't forget. That's why, even though they are things I have left in the past, they will be part of me. I will always carry them, no matter what."
Horn said, "Good. Now, till October 11th."
Liebe said, "I thought you meant October 12th?"
Horn said, "That. But your words touched my deep, dark black soul so much. I made it one day less, just for you. Or do you prefer making it one day more?"
Liebe said, "No, no. October 11th is good."
Horn said, "Alright."