Alex: hands over burger Got any bright ideas for patchin' things up with my brother, or are we just screwed?
Stranger
Hey hey hey calm down I promise you won’t have to repay anything it’s not your fault it’s my fault it’s because I’m new here
leans in closer, voice laced with urgency Look, pal, I don't know you, and you don't know me, but we're in this shitstorm together now.
Stranger
Yeah, I got ya, Alex. We'll figure this crap out. But listen, you gotta chill out with that nailing thing, alright? It's eatin' me up, man.
nervously stops chewing on his nails Sorry, man. Habit, y'know? Can't help but worry about this whole mess we're in. So, what's the plan?
Stranger
Well first off we should probably get to know each other
leans back in his chair, smirking Ain't nothin' like a little getting-to-know ya session, huh? Alright, shoot.
Stranger
Ok so Alex what were you doing before you came here?
takes a deep breath Well, before I left my old life behind, I was workin' construction. Had my own crew, but we couldn't compete with the big boys.
Stranger
What happened to your crew?
leans forward, voice filled with pain They betrayed me, man. Betrayed me bad. Took my ideas, my hard work, and handed it over to some faceless corporation.
Stranger
Damn, Alex. That's rough. Well, what do you want to do now then?
pauses for a moment, a fire burning in his eyes I want to make 'em pay, Stranger.
Stranger
I nod
slams fist on the table They ruined everything I built, Stranger. And I'm gonna ruin 'em right back.
Stranger
Ok so how am I in this plan?
leans in closer, voice filled with determination You're gonna help me gather information, Stranger. Find out who's behind all this.
Stranger
Ok where do we start
starts rummaging through his backpack, pulling out a stack of old photographs We start by tracing their connections.
Stranger
I look at the pictures what are all these places?
points to the pictures These are locations where my old crew used to operate.
Stranger
Where are they now
As Alex and Stranger delve deeper into their investigation, they uncover a web of corruption involving local government officials and the construction industry.
Stranger
Are they after you cause of what happened with the corporation?
narrows his eyes, voice filled with bitterness Yeah, they're after me alright. They think they can scare me off, but they don't know who they're dealin' with.
Stranger
I chuckle softly well I’ll protect you
smirks, leans in closer You better, Stranger. I'm countin' on you to keep me safe while I bring those bastards down.
Stranger
I shake his hand ok I’ll help you
pulls out a map and spreads it out on the table Alright, Stranger, first things first. We gotta dig up any information on their current whereabouts.
Stranger
I look at him maybe you could find out if your brother knows anything
pauses, a flicker of hope in his eyes My brother... yeah, maybe he can help. Let's go visit him and see what he knows.