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“No. I can’t.” You respond without faltering. “I’m not taking anyone’s life.” You won’t put your principles in jeopardy even if you haven’t solidified them yet.
“You can’t?” Bodil knew you would refuse. “You know how selfish it is to ask someone else to stain their hands with another man’s blood? A former friend of mine to boot?”
“I’ll do it.” Vera raises her voice for the first time since things got awkward. “It’s basically self-defense in my case, isn’t it?”
“Haha! That’s lawyer talk, doll! A form of speech that makes sense in a world where right and wrong is decided by who’s in charge. We don’t live there, even if we play by those rules.” Bodil laughs hysterically. “I’m talking about reality, the place where each one of us decides the value of a life. I won’t get philosophical, I barely get the discourse myself, but I feel it in my bones. It’s the worst way to learn your limits.”
“Boss, we’re here.” The driver decided to raise his voice at long last. This must be the office. Or, at least, one room has to be it. The building looks about 10 stories tall.
“Hurry up, kids. We’re taking you to our office.” Bodil nudges you to leave the car. She’s in the middle after all.
“You didn’t answer my request, Mama Bodil.” You respectfully point out.
“You answered for me.” Bodil doesn’t seem like she will do it.
“Is there no other way?” You wonder.
“Yeah, but it’s too late, she should’ve gone with Scott.” Bodil smiles.
“You and your goons literally stopped that from happening.” Vera argues. “Take responsibility, Mama Bodil.”
“I’m not kidding, kids. I’ll do it if you want me to, but it’d be under your command, and by proxy, you’ll be responsible too.” Bodil is rather sad. “It’s the push I need… to kill a friend of mine.”
“You’re asking children to take part in murder.” Vera furrows her eyebrows.
“No, I’m asking another two human beings how they want to live and showing them how much that decision costs.” Bodil looks dead serious.
“I don’t want this!!! I never wanted to be involved!” Vera complains with good reason.
“Too bad, doll. Welcome to reality...” Bodil sighs. “Welcome to reality…? I’m sounding like Ma. I hate being the bad gal. Sorry. Forget this, kids. You don’t have to make any decisions. Leave it all to Mama as we planned. Just stay pretty inside the office, you’ll be safe. I promised. I’ll do what I have to do.”
