Liberi Reader

Miss Stone! Is it true we're heading straight toward a Catastrophe?

Even if we're outside of town, shouldn't we be getting warnings from Wrankwood's intercity net? Why haven't we gotten anything on our terminals?

So all those times I lost signal weren't just my bad luck—

Someone sabotaged our comms!

Enough with the baseless speculation!

Baseless?

I found a few strips of paper in your office. When you put them together, they form a Catastrophe forecast from Trimounts University... and a storyboard.

Signed by you, Greta Stone. What are you planning?

Let me see that.

No one told me about any of these new scenes. Aren't I supposed to be the director of photography?

And why do we need to set up cameras at the edge of the plate? There aren't any sets out there... wait, I get it.

What the Ford, Greta?! You planned all this! Why did you hide it from us?

......

Calm down, Abner... Maybe she just didn't have time to update you on the new schedule, in the chaos following Shelly's death...

You're still defending this lunatic? She wants to get the plate close to a Catastrophe to film it! Putting all of our lives at risk!

I've had enough of this shit! I'm leaving this place NOW!

As impulsive as ever, Abner.

Real persuasive coming from a goddamn lunatic!

How much of your own money did you put into this, to make up for the box office losses of that movie five years ago? You're counting on this one for your comeback after all those failed investments...

So if this film flops, are you gonna use Dalton and Shelly's accidents too, the same way you used that girl who fell to her death?

Calm down, Abner.

I see you've been closely following my career, but what about yours? How many films have you worked on in the last three years? This is the first, isn't it?

Sloppy, short-tempered, unprofessional... Camera equipment is expensive—what other film crew would even give you a chance? You wouldn't even make it as a freelance event photographer.

You want to leave? Fine by me. I'll even waive the contract penalty, for old times' sake. But where do you think you can go, Abner?

Does it matter? Worse comes to worst—

What, you leave town? Change jobs? Spare all those poor camera lenses from your abuse? Say whatever you like, swear as many oaths as you want—

If that's really how you feel, why are you even here?

......

So are you leaving? Or not?

Have you calmed down?

Look on the bright side. If we do finish this movie, maybe you'll win a few more awards for Best Cinematography. Feel free to reject me once the other offers start rolling in.

Dream as big as you want, Greta.

I stopped dreaming five years ago.

......

Now, these latest two accidents have reminded some of us of the tragedy we've experienced together, and led others to be taken in by half-true rumors.

So I'd like to take this chance to lay everything out on the table, for the sake of our cooperation on the rest of this project.

Most of the crew here also worked with me five years ago, when an unfortunate accident occurred due to aging equipment—

A young actress, Laura, was killed.

Feel free to look up the police reports. Everything is out in the open. I have nothing to hide.

But the only connection that incident has to my decision to film a Catastrophe is that it taught me a lesson.

What we lack is not skill. It's courage.

Of course, by no means have I disregarded your safety.

Before our plate departed central Wrankwood, I visited expert Catastrophologists at Trimounts University.

I obtained a detailed report, and tested the data in the plate's navigational system multiple times. The studio plate will keep a safe distance from the Catastrophe.

Access to the emergency escape landboats will remain unrestricted. Any staff member who feels their life is in danger may use them at your own discretion.

And I will be the last to leave this plate.

If there are no further questions. Dismissed.

Not you. Stay.

M-Miss Stone...

I-I won't apologize for telling everyone!

No need to be anxious. I just wanted to know how you got the documents.

Like I said, I did it myself—

Don't lie to me. You have no talent for it, and I have no time.

...I'm obliged to protect the identity of my informants.

Disturbing the peace of the studio is a violation of the second and fifth clauses of your contract. Would you like to see the outcome of that reflected in your bank account?

But there are exceptions made under exceptional circumstances—

(Whispers) It was Lucian.

......

......

You said Michael came to see you last night?

...Yeah.

But we kept going after Shelly left, didn't we? We watched a Yanese jiangshi movie next. ...Wait, come to think of it, you did leave the room for a little while.

Michael sent me a message on my terminal. He said he was waiting for me in the studio, because he had some important questions.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left in the middle of our movie night. Please don't be mad...

I'm mad alright...

Tippi...

I'm mad you didn't ask me to come with you.

Huh?

What if Michael tried to assault you? That sleazebag wouldn't know morals or self-restraint if they hit him in the face. Or, what if he was frustrated about the shoot getting interrupted and wanted to take it out on you? You're, like, a magnet for bullies.

Hey, I don't bully girls.

Yeah right. You're an asshole even to Marion, never mind other girls.

Heh, even the kid sees right through you.

......

I wanted to ask you to come, but he said I had to come alone...

I've been in a few film crews. I could guess it was some kind of prank. But I didn't want you to get caught up in it too.

Molly...

I've been in Wrankwood way longer than you have, and I know way more jobs. Next time you meet someone like that, just tell me, and I'll help you think of a way to get back at them.

Alright.

Well, what now, Detective? With Moira's testimony, can I take it I've been cleared of suspicion?

Maybe it really was a coincidence that he ran into Shelly.

We saw how she was when she left last night...

Like she wasn't all there, right?

Yeah. Maybe she was at her limit...

But...

Thank you for testifying on my behalf, Moira.

I know it took courage. After all, Tip might be even more protective of you than your actual sister...

Speaking of which, is she still working as an actress? If she's as cute as you... do you think you could give me her number? Maybe I could help her land a role or two.

Seriously? Even after getting accused of murder?

Come on, babe, I'm just trying to lighten the mood.

Whatever. Don't change the subject.

You still haven't told me why you were looking for Moira.

Yeah, I wanna know too.

I think they deserve to know, Michael.

Moira, don't—

He asked me if there was a way to sneak off the plate.