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You're finally able to spit out a single question to the TV MAN. "Can I get a hint on how to handle him, then?" The smile he gives you when you ask him that is WRONG on so many levels. Humans shouldn't have so many teeth.
[UNSTABLE] "He likes toying with his victims. When you hear the sound of a metal baseball bat being dragged across the floor, you know he's close by. <span class="mu-b">Hide when you hear it.</span>"
[UNSTABLE] "Don't die on me just yet, Nicole! You're my most loyal viewer!" Before you can question him for more, the TV MAN fades away into the murky red abyss of the puddle. All you see now is your own reflection now.
"Nicole?" You damn near fall into the blood puddle out of shock when you feel a cold, metallic hand on your shoulder. "Nicole? What are you doing?" You turn your head around to see Kiara staring at you. Her LED eyes shine with worry. "You okay?" Maruyama and Gregory are standing by the exit of the filming building.
"Yeah, yeah. Had to talk to an old friend." The look of sheer confusion Kiara gives you is nearly indescribable. She simply nods her head before pointing you to the others. You soon join with the rest of your allies and, after regaining your senses, you clap your hands.
"We're going to the first bar we find after getting out of here. Something cheap and quick. I think after everything we've been through, some relaxation would be nice."
Kiara coos, "Excellent! There's always someone new and weird to interview at those places. Some ethanol based fuel wouldn't hurt either." She winks. "Alas. If only I could get drunk."
Maruyama wipes his brow with a sigh, "Great. I need a fucking drink after everything." <<span class="mu-b">"Especially after dealing with this cunt."</span>>
Gregory nods with an oddly excited smile, "It's been a while since I've done...what do they call it? Slumming it? My granddaughter has been doing a lot of-" He instantly gets cut off by Maruyama throwing his briefcase to the ground. A loud THUD echoes through the room. His body is tensing up with impotent, seething rage. His knuckles are whiter than the snow of your home district from how tight he's clenching them.
Your allies are, rightfully, shocked at the sudden outburst. Kiara is backing away while the still recovering Gregory slowly blinks, as if processing what's going on. "...Mind coming with me for a moment?" You grab onto Maruyama's arm and drag him outside of the building. "Gladly." He doesn't resist.
The two of you keep walking until you're where the tollbooth and barrier gate blocking entrance towards the Movie Studio would be. You let go of his arm as you try to think on a proper way to address this. "Fuck it." You mutter before turning to look him right in the eyes. "What the hell was that about, Maru?"
Maruyama unclenches his jaw. "Am I the only one who's upset at...fuck, all of this?" He shudders out a long, pained exhale. "At everything that's been going on the last few hours? Am I? Have I finally gone insane?"
