Arknights story · Operator Records
Happy Place
In search of a place where she can truly be happy, Caper arrives in Dossoles only to find that the word 'happiness' has a whole different meaning in this so-called 'City of Pleasure'.
1 scenes, 293 lines
1. Interlude
293 linesI've done this 'Wobbly Champagne Flute' ten times, and I didn't throw up!
I did the 'Shaking Overalls' twenty times! I didn't throw up, either!
Okay, okay. Hand me all your raffle tickets.
Let's see... ten 'Wobbly Champagne Flute' runs, twenty 'Shaking Overalls' runs. You get three draws.
Alright, let's do the draws now. Goood luuuck.
If I win the grand prize, I'm buying that two-story house across the street. That way, I can hit the casinos every day just coming downstairs.
Fourth prize isn't so bad either. That's the newest yacht from Box Inc.! I could at least pay off the protection money I owe the Snaptooths.
I put my mother's store up as collateral! And I'm still short some money!
I don't even care what we end up getting as long as it's not another 'Thanks for playing!'
As long as I win something... All this spinning and holding back my urge to barf... will be worth it...
There! Let's see what we got!
Hold up. I'm still kinda dizzy... Can't see very well...
Whoa! Super! You two are real lucky, you know that?
Felicitaciones! Today's special grand prize! Tickets for 'Another 100 Tries'!
Today's special grand prize? 'Another 100 Tries'?! So I get 100 more draws? Awesome!
No, no, no. That wouldn't be much fun at all...
Hah, anyway, these are my tickets!
In your dreams! I did all the hard work here!
Okay, okay. Calm down.
'Another 100 Tries' means you get to try 'Wobbly Champagne Flute' and 'Shaking Overalls' another hundred times!
A total of hundred times more for the two of you! That's plenty of fun for everybody!
What?! Bluggh—
Ugh. Dodged that just in time. Almost got that puke all over me...
Sorry about knocking you out so long, señora receptionist. Here's your uniform, good as new! Now, time for a shift change!
Doesn't look like those two liked the special grand prize, though. Aren't they here to have fun?
They could've had so much fun for no money at all. What a couple of weirdos...
Hello, there, I'd like a 'Double Sunrise'.
Save it, Pelirrojo. I don't remember coming up with a lame password like that.
Well, actually, I really want to give that drink a try. The guys here with their pockets full of protection money all love it. Is it really that good?
I'm off work, if you know what I mean. Wait till this señora here wakes up, if you want one.
Alright, forget that... I've got some info, seriously. Let's find a place where we can talk.
What's the word? You manage to dig up any dirt on the protection racketeers?
Yeah, I followed a couple of them and found their hideout... Took me longer than I thought.
Turns out the biggest gang in the barrio, the Snaptooths, are behind the protection racket.
So, if we want to chase them out of the casinos here, we'll make an enemy of the entire gang?
More precisely, if we want to stay in town, we'll have to follow their rules.
Heh, perfect. I love breaking rules.
Carlie... let's just mind our own business.
We can keep having fun here, even if they keep collecting protection money, right?
As long as they aren't taking our money, we don't really have to drive them out.
No, we're doing this.
......
Look, I told you before.
I came to Dossoles to find a place where I can really be happy.
Yeah, it's fun hitting the casinos, but it bothers me to see these pendejos ruining the fun here.
I can't stand them threatening people, just trying to profit off them.
Yeah, I can't agree more!
If I were their boss, I wouldn't let my boys do anything like this!
I know! Who cares if he's a veteran or working for the mayor? Just gotta beat them till they give up, right?
Ay, why are you always so reckless? Try to use your head for once, alright?
I've met the guy. I'd even put all the honors I earned in the army on the line. One-on-one, I could take him down easy.
All thanks to you signing me up for the service, way back when.
(Murmurs) But if he's actually working for the mayor, even if you took him down, how can you be sure no one's gonna come looking for trouble later?
What?
Never mind... And here I thought you were still mad at me.
If I didn't trick you into hopping on that army recruiting bus, you probably could've spent a couple more years running those barrios.
Heh, I thought it through, and I don't blame you. If I hadn't gotten on that bus, I probably never would've made it to Dossoles.
If I hadn't gotten on that bus... I probably would've ended up wasting my whole life away as a slum gang boss.
Caper can feel the Originium crystal under her red gloves.
She thought she had gotten used to it, but every now and then, she finds herself unable to ignore it.
Never mind... Not like we have a choice.
Carajo! Who did that?!
Hm? Did you kick that can at me, chica?
How is that any of your business? I—
Let's not waste time on this guy, Carlie.
Why else? I'm taking back all the money he stole from the old man.
Oh, then you gotta give it back to him.
Give it back?
It's not all from the old man, you know?
......
Alright, fine. Don't look at me like that. I'll buy a couple balloons from him. That'll work for you?
Let's split up here. I got other business.
Alright, do what you gotta do.
Where did Pelirrojo go...? I haven't seen him all day.
He did give the money back to the old man, didn't he?
Never mind... Better leave him be.
Carlie...
Whoa!
What are you doing, squatting here? What's with the empty beer cans...? How much have you been drinking?
Hahaha, yeah, I have no idea myself...
Did you know? Back in the slums... my papa had to shine twenty pairs of shoes before he'd buy himself a can of beer.
What happened? Hah, you know what kind of things happen to people in Dossoles...
Carlie... You saw it, right? I knocked out a street thug with a single punch today.
The protection money he got... was enough for this much beer...
Heh, I mean, that's true, but... having all the money we could ever spend, isn't that the happiness we're chasing?
Carlie, once we take down the Snaptooth boss, let's take this barrio for ourselves. The two of us!
We can collect protection, too. We'll have more money than we could ever spend...
......
Then, I'll buy my old man a new house, right by the pub! He'll get to drink till he drops!
You could bring your mamá here, too. We'll run a big factory! Hah, it'll be glorious!
I'm here, Carlie.
Phew... Mamá, I really miss you...
How have you been? Did those bad guys come back again for protection money?
......
I'm so sorry I never write you...
I've been looking for a place we can really be happy... to live a happy life together...
A place where no one wants me gone, and no one wrecks your workroom...
A place where I won't be a burden to you even if I caught Oripathy...
But I still haven't found that place.
It's okay, Carlie.
I'll get you treated, even if I have to spend all my savings.
No, Mamá, don't say that...
I just want you to be happy.
The next day...
That's way too pushy. Where did you learn to write?
Try something like this. Start with, like 'To The Most Honorable Gang Boss,'
No... your handwriting's terrible. Do it over!
Alright...
Okay, I know what to put after that.
'Be ready. We'll fight, one-on-one.'
Do it over. Now, at the very end—'Would you perhaps have time for a one-on-one meeting?'
Fine...
I don't get it. We're challenging him to a fight. Do we have to be so polite?
We're making it sound like we're afraid of him.
If he actually thinks we're scared of him, that'll make it even more fun.
Alright, whatever you say.
When the time comes...
When the time comes, I'll make a little commotion in the casino.
That'll get all their guys over there, and while their hideout's all empty and undefended, you go find el jefe.
You're sure you can take him?
Of course!
I got my weapon primed and ready for a while now. Heh, I tell you, it's a real treasure.
When we're done, we'll be the Snaptooths' new bosses, and we'll run the casinos in this town... Maybe, we'll even end up running all Dossoles!
......
Honestly... When I ran into you, I really was thinking about beating a taste of all my army trouble into you.
But I thought it through. You're a lot smarter than me, and we've known each other a long time... Better make you a friend than an enemy.
And now I'm sure of it, Carlie. I made the right choice sticking with you.
Hmph. Save it for when this is all over.
Don't mess anything up.
Ugh... Get him started and he just keeps rambling on and on. Did his mamá never teach him to go to bed before ten?
And he's too confident about our plan. How does he sleep that soundly?
If we go with the first plan, he'll never become the gang boss.
No, actually, he probably won't even make it out of the hideout alive.
Never mind... The letter's already sent... If we're gonna make a ruckus, might as well make it a big one.
It's a perfect opportunity to show everyone in Dossoles what real fun is.
Let's see... The weapon he's bringing with him... Should be around here, right?
Haha, perfecto. This is gonna be so much more fun!
......
Right, I gotta book us a good spot.
Hola, is this the Sirus Rooftop Restaurant?
My tickets! Where are my tickets?!
I finished twenty 'Wobbly Champagne Flute' runs for them! Somebody stole my tickets!
My bag! My bag! What is it doing hanging from the chandelier?!
What the... Who poured popcorn butter all over the ground?! These are signed, limited edition sneakers! You people better pay for this!
Please, everyone, stay calm!
There are intruders in the casino. Please stay calm and follow our instructions to evacuate!
(Woman's Voice) Ta-da! Buenas tardes, everyone. Please follow the safety instructions and proceed to the entrance plaza. We've prepared a little gift for everybody.
(Woman's Voice) Make sure you have your sunglasses, watches, high heels, and all your belongings with you. If you leave anything in—
(Man's Voice) Hey! How'd you get in—
*whack*
(Woman's Voice) Ahem, anyway, enjoy your evening!
A gift? I wonder what that's about.
No idea, but let's go check it out!
Hey, are you blind?! Don't step on my shoes!
C'mon, let's not just stand around. Go out and get yourselves a good spot for the show!
......
(Whistles)
Okay... It's my turn now.
It's been hours already. Where's our gift?
Dammit, where is the staff? Why are they keeping us waiting out here?
Yes, I followed one of them out here, but it's so crowded, I can't find her now!
Yeah, yeah... What?
There's a situation over at el jefe's?!
Damnit...
Oh, don't be so impatient. It's almost time.
Yep... Cinco, cuatro, tres, dos, uno. It's showtime!
So you're the cabrón who smashed the truck in here?
......
A truck has bored into the Snaptooth hideout. Its rear is still sticking out of the building.
It's quite an impressive entrance, Pelirrojo thinks to himself.
Hmph, a broken wall. Now we have even more to worry about than our leaky ceiling, huh?
So what do you want? You wrecked my reception room. You better have an explanation for this.
......
(What the heck?!)
(Didn't we agree on a one-on-one fight? Why are there so many guys here?!)
What's this about?
Uh, umm...
(Screw it...)
Pelirrojo quietly opens the truck's rear compartment.
On the battlefield, this Originium cannon—which he got from one of his old pals in the military—has blown many enemies to pieces.
There's no doubt it is a formidable weapon.
One man... or a whole bunch... Makes no difference.
He remembers what Caper told him.
'Try not to talk. Keep a mysterious vibe. Then, give them a real surprise.'
At the time, he didn't understand why Caper spoke of his formidable weapon like it was a piece of candy.
With the compartment open, he rubs his eyes, thinking he is seeing things.
......
Coño!
He finally gets it.
The Originium cannon that was supposed to be there is nowhere to be seen. Instead, some colorful cardboard boxes sit quietly in its place.
There are cartoon drawings on the boxes, and the sealing tapes are labeled 'Fun Times'.
He also sees a timer and a lit fuse. What's even worse is that the fuse has only mere centimeters left...
One after another, bursts of fireworks surge to the sky and bloom radiantly.
Some are shaped like flowers, some hearts, and some fowlbeasts... In an instant, the night sky over Dossoles is lit up with different colors.
......
......
Hah, what do you think? Beautiful, no?
It took a lot of work to put together a fireworks show this great!
What? That's our gift? And what the heck, it's so loud!
Yeah, way too loud...
Come on, don't say that. The fireworks are beautiful. It's a shame there are so many buildings here blocking our view, though.
They really should've given us a heads-up and arranged for a better view.
Ah, whatever. This is lame. Can we go back inside?
......
I really don't get these Dossoleans.
All they have to do is look up to enjoy the fireworks... Isn't that good enough?
Back in the slums, every time they had a fireworks show in the city, Mamá and I would watch together... That was a happiness even people like us got to share.
Whatever... They don't get it.
But... I'm sure Pelirrojo and the guys over there loved the surprise.
A few days later...
Out of the way! Coming through!
Whoa, what a scene.
All these cars with flowers and balloons. Even their license plates are in order...
Suddenly, one of the cars leaves the motorcade and stops next to Caper.
The driver door swings open, and a familiar man steps out.
Carlie! There you are. Finally!
Where have you been the last couple days? Didn't even go to the casino, and that's your favorite hangout spot!
Uh, it's el jefe's car.
Oh, right. You didn't know. I joined the Snaptooths.
You see...
......
(Oh... So it's fireworks... They were fireworks!)
Oh no... I'm done for...
Are you done?
Ay, dios mío! Cariño, what an amazing fireworks show!
I didn't expect this at all. I thought you were starting another fight... but you had a surprise for me!
Hm? Oh... Yeah, that's right! I've been planning this for a long time!
And you helped me plan the whole thing, didn't you?
Huh? U-Uh, yeah...
Okay, sweetheart, hurry up and get changed. We're gonna have one hell of a dinner.
Wonderful! Thank you, cariño! I'm looking forward to it!
Um... Do you... still need me for anything else?
No, this was more than perfect.
Guess I had you all wrong.
Uh... No... sorry... I'll figure out a way to pay you back for the wall! I promise!
Pay me back?
You want to pay me back?
You took care of a huge problem for me. Why would I want you to pay me anything?
I've been worrying about when to propose to my girl, but looks like today's the day!
Somebody, book me a table at the restaurant with the best view in Dossoles!
Jefe! We got a call from the Sirus Rooftop Restaurant! They want to know if we're showing up for our reservation tonight!
Huh? We already have a table booked? Your doing again?
Uh, maybe...?
Impressive, chico. I won't forget this.
Quick! Get the car! We're heading over now!
That night, the girl couldn't stop talking about the fireworks, then... el jefe proposed, and she said yes.
He was so happy, he inducted me right into the gang.
The wedding's tonight, and all these cars are heading there.
Oh, well that's a happy ending alright. Guess my plan was a success, huh?
Yeah, it couldn't have gone any better. I didn't expect you to come up with a crazy idea like that.
Hah, honestly, I was real nervous! If you were there, you probably could've heard my sweat hitting the floor!
But well, now that you're part of them, you can climb the ladder quick. Then, get the punks to stop their protection racket.
Uh... Let's not worry about that for now.
Hurry, get in! I'll take you! You can join the gang too!
......
Nah-ah, that sounds kinda lame.
Even if I did join, I'd just make trouble. Nobody's gonna like me there.
Besides, I'm leaving Dossoles.
Huh? Why?
Think about it, Carlie. If we both join the gang, we'll get to waltz right into the casinos, and no one would bother us at all!
......
What's wrong?
Isn't this the happy place you've been looking for?
Suddenly, the balloons on the bridal cars are all released at once. They slowly take to the sky, floating upwards amid the children's cheers and the crowd's gaze.
By the time Pelirrojo looks back down, Caper is nowhere to be seen.