Paths Taken

But, why me?

I used to be a truck driver for Sommer's grocery store, albeit a good one.

In Volsinii, there are only a few government employees who haven't accepted bribes from the famiglie—you could count them on two hands.

That's because...

I'm sorry, Eirene. I privately looked into your and Sommer's past. I know about that tragic incident, and I truly apologize.

I was thinking, if you simply hate the Famiglia that set fire to your supermarket, you could have easily accepted help from another family to carry out your revenge...

But you didn't do that.

It's just a little speculation on my part. Forgive me if I offend you.

Thank you... Judge Lavinia.

Eirene, regardless of whether you are the best choice to head the Truckers' Union, I believe you are a kind woman.

Please give this invitation some serious consideration, okay?

...

Signorina Lavazza, please wait a moment. Judge Lavinia is still holding court. She will come see you when she is finished.

A—Alright. No rush.

Those documents you're holding, are they for Judge Lavinia? I'll give them to her.

No! At least, not yet. I'll give them to her in a little while.

May I ask you, that case the judge is handling, is it some dispute between the corporations or that car crash that happened last night?

Neither.

Strictly speaking, it's not a trial, but an appeal that even Judge Lavinia might not be able to handle.

The main litigant is a Nuova Volsinii civilian, but it's a unique situation.

Judge Lavinia is the Supreme Justice of Nuova Volsinii. What kind of case would she not... can I go listen in?

Of course. You can sit and listen to the proceedings while you wait for the judge.

...I'll contact the Montelupe municipal government right away and ask them to help us catch the culprit.

In the meanwhile, we will apply for Nuova Volsinii to take jurisdiction of this case.

Do you think you'll be able to do it?

...

I'll do everything I can. This isn't the first change of venue request we've submitted this year.

But all your previous requests were denied, right?

...Even if they deny our request, I'll push hard to ensure my colleagues in Montelupe conduct a fair trial, so that the murderer is punished.

Fair?

Judge Lavinia, we all know what's going to happen if you do that.

They'll say it was my big brother who got drunk in the bar and started this. They'll claim the mafiosi were acting in self-defense, when a terrible accident occurred.

You know that's not what happened!

He went on a business trip to Montelupe because of Carnevale and somehow offended the mafiosi there. They beat him to death in a dirty alley...

Your Honor, I heard the mafiosi have already taken the judges and court workers out to dinner. You're telling me you can make sure there's a fair trial?

I—

My brother was a good man. He never did a bad deed in his life. We were among the first citizens to apply to live in Nuova Volsinii. Everyone loved my brother.

I am very sorry.

You don't need to be sorry. This sort of thing happens in Siracusa all the time, does it not?

Your Honor, I want revenge.

I'm going to do this my way, by a method that is tried and true in our beloved Siracusa. I'm going to sell my possessions and hire an assassin or go seek refuge with another rival Famiglia that holds a grudge against them.

But if I do that, will I be violating Nuova Volsinii's laws?

Will you pass judgment on me? Will Nuova Volsinii banish me forever?

Yes, as required by the New Urban Management Act.

Nuova Volsinii's laws are very strict and very effective. However, they only apply within Nuova Volsinii's borders.

Don't you find that to be funny?

...

I know it sounds cruel, but that's how the laws were written. Nuova Volsinii is a very special place, and its laws are what make it special, but they are also its greatest shortcoming.

But please believe me. I will do everything I can to help you.

No, Your Honor, my brother was wrongfully killed...

I want to... revoke my Nuova Volsinii citizenship and return to Montelupe.

...

How could this have happened?

*sigh* There is nothing we can do about it.

Nuova Volsinii is a special city. The New Urban Management Act, both in its content and its applicability, conflicts with Siracusa's historical traditions.

In a sense, it is completely alien to the country as a whole. This is precisely why the law must stand.

This is not the first time we've seen something like this happen this year. Sorry, I should not tell you these things.

No. Thank you for sharing this with me.

Eirene, the union can't help me fix this.

This is Nuova Volsinii. Its laws bend for no one.

...

Signorina Lavazza, Judge Lavinia is handling the paperwork for this case. I'll go talk to her. You wait for me here.

...

...

Judge Lavinia, are you doing OK?

I'm fine. Where's Eirene? Didn't you say she's been waiting for me for a while now?

That's weird. She was just here.

Did she tell you anything new? Did she find the missing truck?

(Shakes head)

Knowing her, she probably discovered some new evidence all of a sudden and rushed out without saying goodbye. She'll get in touch with us soon.

By the way, the police station just called.

That Certaldo guy you were asking them to find...they located him.

...

Boss, you stuffed those vinyl records in your suitcase... aren't you afraid they'll get scratched?

Like I got a choice!

I don't like Siracusan smooth jazz. Sounds nice and fancy at first, but it might as well be tails brushin' the dirt while a pack of wolves gnaw at each other.

Carnevale, parades, concerts... there's gonna be music everywhere. I just wanna see some old friends, I ain't out to get my ears violated.

Old friends? You mean your people are going too?

We used to go all the time. Now the Siracusans are throwin' another theme party, after all these years, I mean, they definitely gonna show up.

Hey, Texas! You say you ain't into it, but you got your bags packed quicker than I did!

I didn't have much to pack.

We won't stay very long. We'll be back as soon as it's over.

Sounds like you sure somethin's definitely goin' wrong this time.

Look, Zaaro lost his game, your deal's null n' void.

You n' Siracusa, n' those old friends, they run some games I got no interest in, but everything that needed seein' to, got seen to.

The Last Texas ain't nothin' no more. You don't got no high hopes for Siracusa, so what's it matter to you if it gets better or worse?

...

You don't wanna say? Or you dunno?

Forget it. I mean, I'm sayin' you can stay in Lungmen to watch the house.

...

Lappland.

Where you headed?

The Trucker Camp.

Uh... never heard of it.

500 Viale Alito, Torino.

It's very far from here, on the farthest plate. It's not surprising that you've never been there.

Tough day, huh?

Uhuh...

You're the gloomiest customer I've picked up since arriving in Nuova Volsinii.

Why are you so sad? The Carnevale parade is just a few days away. Everyone is happy about their new lives in this new city, no?

...

Speaking of which, I love this new city.

Look at these festively decorated streets, the wonderful parties, and the carefully prepared food. There are no famiglia around, and it hardly ever rains. The air, and our tails, are always dry.

Signorina, could we cut the chatter? I don't really feel like talking right now.

What is it that's got you so upset? Let's chat about it. Maybe I can help you?

...

I made some mistakes. No, I should say, I failed to do some things. Or rather, I trusted the wrong people... In any case, I let people down.

Whatever. There's no way to solve my problems anyway.

No no no, in Siracusa, no problems are unsolvable.

If you can't untangle the rope, you can just cut it. If you can't unlock the chest, you can smash the lock with a hammer. There is a solution for every problem.

Many times, all you need to do is change your perspective and screw up your courage. Then you'll find that all the problems will resolve themselves.

Are you speaking from experience?

More than you can imagine.

After all, before becoming a taxi driver, my main job was helping my best friend solve problems.

Now that was someone who knew how to get into trouble, tsk.

Claiming to be able to 'solve' problems—it sounds just like something the famiglie would do.

Then you've got me all wrong.

This is a new place; the old ways do not apply. Believe me.

Look, everyone's full of energy, everyone's full of love, and also, everyone's wearing a festive mask. How fun.

Sometimes I really wonder, what are hiding behind these masks?

I don't understand what you're saying.

It's simple—wearing a mask 'imposed' on you can make it hard to breathe.

Many times, you actually know what to do; the answer is right there, crystal clear. It's just that for various reasons, we refuse to face it.

But if it could make things easier for yourself... then why not?

....Sorry, but could you stop for a second?

I'm not going to the Trucker Camp. I want to go somewhere else.

Your wish is my command.