On the Thousandth Night

A sound like the bellowing of a yak emerges from behind the flickering campfire.

A circle forms around the flames. Cooper the Healer and Maich the Peddler nestle into some cushions. They exchange a knowing glance.

Maich furrows her brow with a smile and nudges Cooper's shoulder, urging her to pay attention to Edgardo.

Edgardo scans the group gathered around the fire. Everyone has settled in their usual spots.

The conspicuous emptiness of certain seats is a stark reminder of their absence.

Maich stands up with a nod, while Cooper blushes behind her swaying skirt.

Edgardo waves his hand, as though to banish the discomfort from his thoughts.

Some gaze wistfully into the distance, only to lower their eyes in regret before refocusing on Edgardo.

Edgardo starts to pluck at the guitar in his hands, gently playing a series of monotonous yet poignant tones.

The group's eyes shift to Mercuria. Edgardo's bulky frame makes her look even more petite.

She is swarmed with applause, and a few calls for a speech.

Her composed and delicate voice fails to dampen the fervor of the crowd, as the applause and acclamation persist.

Edgardo segues the music into its second phase.

Eyes scout around for Legers as the clapping and cheering wind down.

The group's inner gloom seems to lift as they catch each other's eyes, affirmed by each other's presence.

But this serene interlude is fleeting.

A timid voice comes from behind them.

Dexter the Unlucky One, juggling two buckets of drink, stumbles into view.

Perhaps the load is overwhelming or is obscuring his footing.

As he walks, liquid spills over the sides, like he's some kind of farmer attempting to evenly water his field.

Mercuria reaches out as she tries to give him a hand.

Despite her warning, Dexter's right foot lands squarely on a crystal ball.

Before they know it, he's lying on his back, and both buckets have emptied their contents over the now-smoldering campfire.

The people's ease is extinguished as quickly as the fire.

The people's concern quickly shifts from Dexter to the campfire. They peer at the blackened wood.

Dexter lies there, dazed, covered in a mix of drink and dirt.

Edgardo puts down his guitar and guides Dexter over to a crate.

Cooper and Maich get up to look for dry wood.

And those who were doused in the drink return to their stalls to get changed.

Everyone moves so adeptly that it's clear they've done this many times.

Phoebe's voice emanates from her tent.

Maich responds loudly.

Edgardo mimics their derisive tone.

In the silence that follows, Dexter can hear the hums and sighs of the people.

He thumps his forehead with his palm.

Mercuria, still sitting, has already prepared the white sage. The smoke spirals lazily in the air, veiling her gaze.

Dexter leans over in front of Mercuria. She circles the sage around his head.

…

A peculiar, serene energy emanates from Mercuria. It gradually intensifies as its rhythm harmoniously synchronizes with the breath of everyone at the camp.

She chants in a low tone while the sage quietly burns.

Phoebe returns, her hair still wet, while Cooper and Maich reconstruct the woodpile.

One by one, they reconvene in the plaza, collectively enveloped by Mercuria's aura of tranquility.

...

The attendees fall into a hushed silence as their collective focus falls on Mercuria.

At this moment, the plaza is as placid as a lake under the glow of moonlight, where the smallest breeze could cause its surface to quiver.

Enveloped by the energy field they've created under Mercuria's direction, the crowd's woes start to dissipate.

Time seems to slow down with each passing breath. There is nothing but the gentle sound of distant cars and the occasional chirping of insects.

The bundle of white sage has almost burned out, marking the end of the ceremony.

As the final remnants of the sage descend to the earth, the plaza transitions from tranquility to bustle.

Dexter covers his face in a gesture of piety. Behind him, the fire has been reignited.

He picks up his guitar once more. Cooper and Maich scooch up beside each other to avoid the soaked end of the mat, and Phoebe finds a dry, sandy spot to sit down again.

Embarrassed by the need for everyone to adjust their seats, Dexter deliberately sits a little away.

Dexter gets up, shuffles closer to the fire, then drops back down.

A ripple of laughter spreads among the crowd.

Edgardo gently pats Dexter's shoulder. Dexter's expression sits somewhere between tears and laughter.

A hand slowly rises among the group.

The group looks toward the voice. It belongs to someone they're not quite familiar with.

Eight months ago.

Amidst the clamor of the marketplace, Mercuria appears to be searching for something.

She navigates through the crowd with a bundle of herbs in her hand.

She spots a little ball of energy curled up in a corner and hurries over to it.

She crouches down and presses her forehead against the small cluster of energy.

With a flick of her fingers, Mercuria disperses the energy. It slowly reassembles.

Footsteps approach from behind her.

The woman's shadow casts over Mercuria's own. Mercuria turns and gazes upward, her eyes narrowed.

In the sunlight, her hair appears singed, dry, and rebellious.

Her facial features are distinctly Germanic, making her Romani attire seem almost like a costume.

Having gained Mercuria's attention, the woman turns her head to the side and shouts.

Bianca, the tarot reader, is sitting at a nearby open-air bar, savoring a glass of tequila.

She responds with equal volume.

Bianca glances at Mercuria and brusquely spits out the slice of lemon she'd been chewing on.

Bianca sets down her glass and walks over to Soraya, rubbing her palms.

Bianca pulls out a deck of tarot cards, shuffles them, and draws three.

Amidst their exchange, Mercuria quietly lights up the herb bundle in her hand.

Under the smoky haze, the ball of energy starts to fade away.

Mercuria scans her surroundings, ensuring the energy has completely vanished.

She swiftly locates some that have eluded capture.

Mercuria extends her hand and lightly taps the hem of Soraya's skirt.

Soraya gently caresses her cuff, as if suddenly recalling something.

Amidst their dispute, Mercuria has already trotted away.

Mercuria makes her way to a faded hemp tent. The sounds of disorder emanate from within.

Dexter is attending to a visibly irate man. He seems resigned to absorbing the full brunt of his complaints.

Dexter's left leg begins to quiver. He's nervously rubbing his hands together.

The customer hits the table so hard that the basket on top of it goes flying into the air.

Dexter recoils, enduring this furious storm.

With a final slap of the table, he departs.

Upon the customer's exit, Mercuria approaches.

Mercuria's voice, though emotionless, is more pleasant than the customer's bellowing.

Dexter rises unsteadily, pressing his hand to his forehead.

He heads over to a low camping table. Mercuria follows close behind.

On the table sits a capsized teapot, its tea pooling on the table's surface.

This is clearly a common occurrence, based on the plethora of other stains that have long since penetrated deep into the wood.

There is also a collection of fast-food boxes, a smattering of half-eaten snack bags, and a pile of flattened disposable cups.

Dexter has somehow managed to precariously balance them in a sort of crumpled tower.

Dexter strokes his chin, abashed by the disheveled state of his tent.

But Mercuria's attention is directed elsewhere.

Mercuria squats behind Dexter, suffusing something with the herb bundle.

Mercuria rises, a perplexed look in her eyes as she observes Dexter.

Dexter's eyes widen in astonishment.

Mercuria gently touches the energy ball in her hand.

Mercuria brings her hands together and up to Dexter's ear.

Dexter shivers. It seems he heard something.

Dexter, bewildered yet gracious, softly pushes Mercuria's hands away.

Dexter stretches out a finger. A glowing ball forms at its tip, quickly transforming into a little figure.

It clings to Dexter's fingertip, looking sad.

Mercuria wiggles her finger at the figure. It scurries away onto Dexter's palm.

Mercuria apologizes to the little figure.

He's caught on to her now.

Mercuria doesn't argue.

She just looks into Dexter's eyes, as calm as ever.

She lifts her hand, placing her palm on Dexter's cheek.

Barbara pulls a keychain from the basket on the table and thrusts it into Dexter's hand.

Dexter, peering at the keychain in his palm, seems to awaken to the peculiar nature of this exchange.

Maich pats Dexter's back, signaling him to search faster.

Dexter is half-plunged inside Maich's crate as he searches its contents.

Dexter stands up, his face black as if he'd just stuck it up a chimney.

Maich casually reaches into the crate and pulls out a brand-new Ouija board.

Dexter hesitates, eventually giving a reluctant nod.

Across from the tent, Mercuria stands quietly by her sign.

"Purification Ritual—Banish the darkness, soothe the soul, and welcome the light of calm within."

Dexter glances at Maich, who is still looking over at Mercuria.

A look of satisfaction spreads across Maich's face as she recalls the ritual.

Dexter gives a noncommittal shake of his head.

Dexter fiddles with the Ouija board in his hands. He flips it over several times.

Dexter looks like he has more to say, but he bites it back.

She gives Dexter a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Dexter shrugs, leaves some cash, and takes off.

Evening has arrived, signaling the commencement of the ritual. A crowd congregates in the plaza.

Their collective focus is captured by the newly ignited bonfire.

This phrase ripples from the front of the crowd to the back as everyone prepares their tools for the ritual.

Everyone but Dexter. He hangs back at the edge of the group.

Everyone raises their implements, ready for the ritual.

Having noticed Dexter's vacant expression, the participant graciously gives him half of their sage.

Dexter looks in the pointed-out direction and sees a small stall.

Beside it, the sign reads "White Sage, White Crystals."

Dexter's agitation mounts.

The participant turns back to face him.

The participant turns away, edging a little further from Dexter.

Mercuria's voice drifts from the front, quiet but audible.

Dexter taps the participant beside him.

They've already moved on, focused solely on the crystal in their hand.

There is a faint sense of unease around Dexter.

As his heart starts to thump harder, the unease around him grows into a ruckus. It's spreading from where he's standing.

The crowd recoils from the scream, leaving the participant in their own little circle.

Having noticed the disturbance, Mercuria approaches.

The kindled bundle of herbs leaves a trail of smoke as she walks.

Mercuria picks up the fallen pendulum from the ground and returns it to the participant.

Dexter's legs go weak.

Dexter backs away, trying to blend into the crowd.

But Mercuria spots him instantly.

He backs away.

She comes closer, still holding the burning sage.

Dexter can almost see the energy dissipating under her feet.

Maybe he'll be the next to vanish.

The crowd has already cleared the area of scattered spiritual energy around Dexter. He slips and falls to the ground.

Dexter curls up, as if it would allow him to burrow underground, to a place where Mercuria can't find him.

But a cold hand brings his world back to quiet stillness.

Mercuria raises her voice as she moves to guide the ritual participants.

Like a ruler drawn over uneven sand or a straw sweeping away the foam above the rim of a cup.

Dexter fits snugly into the container that is himself.

Dexter's breathing gradually regulates, like a crumpled piece of paper opened and pressed flat.

Mercuria smooths out every crease. Soon, Dexter is so relaxed that he can barely open his eyes.

Those were the last words Dexter heard that night.

Present day.

The little aromatherapist perches on her toes, leaning over the sandy ground next to the bonfire.

Cooper takes Maich's hand to her left and Leah's to her right.

Dexter rolls up his left sleeve, revealing a number of jingling bracelets.

Suddenly, she gets an idea.

Dexter parts his coat to reveal a belt adorned with not only horseshoe trinkets but also several rabbit's feet.

Dexter lets his coat fall back into place.

Maich nods in agreement.

She grabs a scented candle and sets it down next to Dexter.

A hush descends as everyone contemplates how else to help him. Maich quickly devises a solution.

The group exchanges glances.

Leah claps a hand over her mouth.

Dexter shifts uncomfortably.

He despairingly smears the clump of mud from his hand onto his clothes.

The group's focus turns to the long-silent Mercuria. She's basking in the moonlight, cradling a crystal in her hands.

He starts to panic again. Even the others start to feel uneasy.

Mercuria instinctively waves away the spiritual energy spilling from Dexter's anxiety and lights another bundle of herbs.

Dexter lowers his head, inhaling the smoke from the sage.

Edgardo, not usually one to butt in, cuts Dexter off.

Dexter looks up at Mercuria, but she doesn't react. She's waiting for him to decide.

The sage is burning unusually fast. Perhaps because there's an unusually large amount of energy to cleanse.

Dexter stands still, running his fingertips over the grooves on the crate.

Everyone nods in agreement. Maich has voiced the question on everyone's mind.

Mercuria closes her eyes. Slowly, her right hand rises, and her finger points. Her forehead gradually tilts in the same direction.

Mercuria opens her eyes and looks at her companions by the fire.

Dawn. Mercuria sits on the ground.

Her stall is as empty as it was when she first arrived.

Mercuria has distributed her belongings among the members of the market, except for the worn map of America that she now holds in her hands.

Her fingers glide across the map as she feels the energy beneath them. It's like she's searching for veins.

Like the path created by the fallen leaves of a tree or the echo of a cheerful little tune.

The bow slides joyfully against the strings. Whether in four or eight beats, its sound is sustained.

Then, it lands ever so softly, without stirring a single speck of dust.

Her fingertips land precisely on the name.

Mercuria looks over at Bianca's trailer. It's been parked there for ages.

The yellow paint has long since flaked off, and the remaining patches have been obscured by dust.

It no longer serves as a vehicle, but its structure is intact enough to shelter Bianca from the elements.

After watching for a moment, Mercuria stands up.

She pats off the dirt on her backside, folds up the map, and begins her journey.

Just outside the bike rental shop, Mercuria stands by the roadside, watching the traffic.

A thin sheen of sweat covers her face. Her fingers tap a gentle rhythm on her thigh.

She is listening intently, focusing on the faint voice of the necklace amidst the symphony of the world.

She watches the passing cars as she murmurs to herself.

A car passes by.

She turns her attention to the next vehicle.

She shakes her head as the light turns green, and she crosses the street.

Mercuria reaches out to feel the flow of energy, her steps quickening.

On these bustling streets, everyone knows their path.

But Mercuria simply waits to embrace whatever comes her way.

Suddenly, she stops.

She seems to have suddenly understood something. She hails a white sedan.

This is a crescendo. It clarifies the necklace's energy.

Now's the time for the first movement to meet the second.

Mercuria leans into the open car window, the tassels on her clothes catching the sunlight.

But Mercuria doesn't hop in. She turns back, searching for something.

Mercuria calls out into the crowd.

A woman wrapped in a headscarf reluctantly emerges from behind a bus stop sign and enters the sedan.

The car's interior is much livelier—or rather, chaotic—than Bianca anticipated.

Three brown hens and two white roosters strut around in the back, occasionally taking flight and landing on Bianca and Mercuria's heads.

A white bulldog with a swollen head lies leisurely at the passenger window, enjoying the breeze.

After the white rooster's third aerial show, Bianca can contain her irritation no longer.

Bianca wails as Alexander lands on her head for the fourth time.

Mercuria gently picks him up and places him on Bianca's lap.

Alexander promptly settles down.

Bianca gives an awkward response, and the car quickly falls quiet.

Bianca decides to voice the question that's been lingering in her mind.

Mercuria nods.

Bianca takes Mercuria's map and eventually finds Washington, D.C. on the other side of the continent.

She quickly rejects the idea.

Bianca hesitates before rubbing her hair in frustration.

Mercuria leans forward to come face-to-face with Bianca.

Mercuria's eyes show no emotion. They're like shiny glass beads reflecting Bianca back on herself.

Bianca waves her hand in resignation.

The hand poised to pry open a bottle cap pauses, seemingly surprised at her name being mentioned.

Then she goes ahead and opens it.

Bianca casually flicks the cap into a nearby trash bucket.

Bianca takes a swig, still unsure of where to hide from him tomorrow.

If her father finds her, it'll be yet another round of begging and stealing.

But why didn't I bail when I had the chance?

Bianca murmurs to herself.

Bianca rests her chin on her hand. She watches as they finish chatting, extinguish the bonfire, and disperse.

The New Age Market falls silent.

But Mercuria's steps remain sprightly.

Mercuria pulls out the map but hesitates to pinpoint their location.

Bianca stops and looks around.

The road winds upward through the mountains and disappears into the distance.

50 minutes ago.

Having arrived in San Lucas, Mercuria and Bianca exit the sedan, brushing feathers off their clothes.

Bianca holds the egg up against the sun to see if there's an embryo inside.

Mercuria points nonchalantly at a building with a rooster on the roof.

Bianca, eager to fulfill the promise she made in the car, is ready to take the lead.

She closes her eyes and spins around, stopping just before she falls.

She points to a dirt road.

Bianca cradles the egg in her palm once again as she declares her decision.

Bianca leans forward, placing her hands on her knees as she tries to stretch her legs.

Bianca plunks herself down on the ground.

Bianca lies down by the roadside.

Mercuria lies down next to Bianca and closes her eyes. Her silver hair blends into the grass.

A grasshopper lands on her nose. She gently rubs her nose, causing it to hop away again.

Bianca's nose is filled with the smell of fresh grass.

Mercuria turns her body away from Bianca as she prepares to take a nap.

Bianca doesn't know what choice to make.

So she just closes her eyes ever so tightly.

Bianca turns her back to Mercuria.

The two remain silent. After a while, Bianca struggles, as if trying to break free from something.

She sits up and pulls out her tarot cards, but after a moment, she puts them back.

This sentiment drives Bianca to the brink of frustration.

Seriously? How—or when—are we gonna get there, then? Huh?!

The vagueness of Mercuria's statement prompts too many questions.

Not free ...

Bianca brushes the hair from her forehead.

Mercuria opens her eyes to look at Bianca.

Bianca stares into the distance at the road disappearing into the mountain.

Bianca points just past the furthest point of the path that she can see.

Bianca pulls Mercuria to her feet, and together they return to the path.

After what feels like an eternity.

Every step Bianca takes feels like wading through thick sludge.

She forces herself to keep walking, but she's hardly making any progress.

Bianca raises her head, realizing how far she still is from the highest point of the road.

Mercuria, however, shows no signs of fatigue. She's already at the summit, looking out over the landscape.

Once she's close, Mercuria reaches out to Bianca and helps her up the final ledge.

At the foot of the hillside, by a dark road, sits a little red house.

Mercuria shakes her head.

Bianca reads the sign as she walks into the yard. There's an "Open" sign hanging on the door.

She shades the glass on the door with her hands in an attempt to see inside.

The shopkeeper emerges from the backyard. Her apron is covered in soil. She must have been tending to her garden.

Bianca pulls the door open. Its bell rings.

The thrift shop is filled with a wide variety of goods, each with its own level of quality—likely a result of the bantering among its customers.

The shopkeeper doffs her apron as she enters from the back door.

Bianca produces a small basket from her waist that she weaved from the threads of her hem during the long walk.

The shopkeeper retreats before returning with a small flashlight.

She shines it into the egg, revealing the unformed body within.

Bianca carefully takes the egg from the shopkeeper and puts it back in the basket.

Bianca nods to the egg in the basket.

The shopkeeper strikes an elegant pose, as if on camera.

She looks fondly at the items in the shop.

She opens the cash register and pulls out a wad of bills.

She flicks on the overhead lights, and the place lights up.

Bianca scans the shelves. There are all kinds of oddities.

Mercuria's voice rings from the shelf near the shop entrance.

Bianca follows the sound to find Mercuria holding a gown from the shelf.

It's a bold, vibrant red dress with a backless design that would make its wearer the center of attention at any party.

Bianca takes the dress from Mercuria, draping it over her shoulder to see how it looks.

Bianca examines herself in the mirror, picturing herself dancing in the gown at a disco.

With a hint of pity, Bianca hangs the dress back up.

Bianca picks up a necklace from the shelf. Its chain is rusted, and the photo inside the locket is speckled with black spots.

Mercuria glides over.

Fully immersed in the joy of her discovery, Bianca quickly looks for the necklace's price tag.

The shopkeeper smiles warmly, perhaps genuinely happy for Bianca's delight.

The shopkeeper's joy turns into the satisfied smile of a farmer with a barn full of wheat.

Bianca searches the shelves, looking for something that won't be too bothersome to take back with her.

Bianca picks it up, weighs it, and puts it down again.

Her eyes keep landing on the red dress, but she continues to peruse the shop.

The allure of the red dress persists, but she has virtually no occasion to wear it.

Bianca ducks her head below the shelf to avoid seeing it again.

Bianca stares at Mercuria who has picked up the red dress once again.

She can practically hear the spell-binding pitch about to leave Mercuria's lips.

She needs to speak up before she's convinced—maintain some semblance of control.

She gives in completely.

The shop door swings open, and out step Mercuria and Bianca, wearing the red dress.

Bianca is still riding the double high of finding the necklace and getting the dress she wanted.

Bianca strides forward, the movement of her dress revealing a pair of glossy black rain boots on her feet.

Bianca and Mercuria climb out of the car.

Bianca drifts along the sidewalk like a half-deflated balloon.

Leaning on Mercuria and wincing from the blisters, Bianca shuffles into the restaurant on her toes.

The place isn't busy, so they're seated right away, and a server comes over to take their order.

The server places a fortune cookie on the table before heading to the kitchen.

Mercuria gets up to follow her.

Bianca stops cracking open her fortune cookie. She watches Mercuria talking to the manager in the kitchen through the pass-through.

They seem to have struck some kind of deal. Mercuria heads back.

As soon as she sits, Bianca hits her with a flurry of questions.

Bianca looks around, puzzled.

Bianca looks incredulously at Mercuria.

In her surprise, Bianca accidentally pops open the fortune cookie.

Mercuria nods lightly.

Mercuria's reply is serene.

Mercuria nods.

Indeed, she's a free soul.

Bianca reads the message from the fortune cookie: "You will always have true friends by your side."

Bullsh*t.

Bianca crumples it into a ball.

Bianca wraps her fingers around the cookie, pressing it lightly into her palm.

True friends ... What's Soraya doing now, and in which city?

Why can't I be as free as Mercuria?

Her grip tightens.

Why didn't I just leave back then?

'Cause I couldn't do it.

"Bianca, sweetie, come on over to Daddy."

No matter how bad I want to leave ...

When it's time to really hit the road, I just can't seem to take that step.

But for Mercuria, it seems so easy.

"Crack!"

Mercuria grabs Bianca's hand. Her fortune cookie has been reduced to crumbs.

What was once calming now feels like a snake ready to strike.

Bianca pulls away from Mercuria's touch. She realizes her eyes are wet with tears.

Mercuria's hand remains extended, but Bianca can't discern her expression through her tears.

Now that her friend is gone, Bianca finally sees how lonely and trapped she is in San Francisco.

She resents him. The man she once admired is the very same man who's now restraining her—holding her tight in his grip.

But that's not the only reason.

Bianca has calmed down.

Mercuria sits opposite, watching her idly flick corn chips on the table as her emotions dissipate.

She unapologetically snatches Mercuria's taco after finishing her own.

Bianca nods.

Mercuria's hand is still outstretched. She extends the other. Bianca nods and places her hands in Mercuria's.

But Bianca doesn't feel that familiar warmth in her soul. Mercuria is simply holding her hands, not casting her arcane skill.

Bianca smirks.

The two girls wander through Fresno. They pause as music hits their ears.

The busker's song floats through the bustling streets, leading Bianca and Mercuria to its source.

His lazy, raspy voice carries the miles he has traveled.

Strumming his time-worn guitar, he lazily leans on a pile of cardboard and plastic bags.

His fingers are stained, but they still produce a wonderful sound.

Bianca kicks off her rain boots, grabs the hem of her skirt, and dances barefoot before the singer. A small crowd starts to gather.

Mercuria can't help but join the dancing.

This will be the most beautiful scene in Fresno tonight.

Two figures, one in red and one in silver, ignoring the world around them and dancing out their zest for life.

Bianca sings wholeheartedly, not wanting the night to end, not wanting this free-spirited dream to fade.

She believes it. Tomorrow will be better.

A night of wild dancing has left Bianca utterly exhausted.

It's five in the morning, and the dawn chorus has begun. Birds flit from branch to branch, chirping to one another.

But it is not yet time for the New Age Market to awaken.

Most stalls sit empty, while a few contain people in deep meditation as they quietly make the most of the morning.

Edgardo's words are cut short.

Edgardo looks at her up and down.

He hesitates before continuing.

He's choosing his words carefully.

It's hard to tell if he's more shocked that Bianca ran into Mercuria or that she was traveling with her.

Bianca drags herself back to her trailer.

She falls into a deep sleep.

In her dream, there's no pain in her feet, no sad farewells, no trivial family matters.

Only peace. An indescribable peace, like a crystal lake nestled in the boundless mountains.

Bianca wakes up. Not wanting to leave the serenity of her dream, she lies in bed with her eyes closed, reliving it in her mind.

Outside the car window, a bonfire burns gently under the night's sky.

She pulls herself out of bed, bandages up her feet, and gives the egg a pat before heading out.

As soon as Bianca shows up, she's bombarded with questions.

Bianca takes the necklace out and passes it to Dexter.

Dexter opens the locket, touching the little photo he knows so well.

He flings it around his neck.

Elsewhere, at this very moment.

Skunk Salsa Restaurant.

He lifts his keychain. There are more decorations than actual keys on it.

Without another word, she pulls the man out of the restaurant.

But the two walk right past her. Mercuria watches them as they go.

Mercuria walks to their table and wipes it down.

She notices a wisp of gray-white energy at her fingertips.

But the man was clearly not Dexter. Mercuria looks at the item on the table.

She recalls when she first met Dexter.

There was a woman waiting anxiously outside the tent that night, right after that furious man left.

Mercuria peers out the restaurant window, watching the backs of the two who just left.

Barbara is hurriedly pulling the man to the other end of the street, but the man seems to remember something. He stops her, searches himself, and insists they return to the restaurant.

The energy at Mercuria's fingertips dissipates.

An out-of-control car rushes past where Barbara was moments before. It veers off the road and collides with a wall.

If it hadn't been for the man's return for his wallet, Barbara's fate would have been sealed.

Mercuria heads over to the phone and makes an emergency call.

Barbara sits paralyzed with fear on the ground. The man helps her up and walks her back to the restaurant.

The man enters with Barbara. She's shaking like a leaf.

Barbara's eyes are wide. She stares firmly at her feet, horrified by what would have happened if she'd taken one more step.

The man guides her back to her seat.

Sirens blare in the street. The blue and red lights of the police car illuminate the chaos of the figures outside.

Mercuria brings a cup of hot chocolate to Barbara.

Mercuria gently strokes Barbara's head.

Under Mercuria's soothing touch, Barbara's breathing steadies, and her face loses its look of terror.

Mercuria gives him a nod.

The man trembles as he picks up his wallet from the table, pulls out a business card, and hands it to Mercuria.

The group lingers on the story of Bianca and Mercuria's unexpected journey.

Cooper is leaning back with her eyes closed. She seems to be lost in some kind of fantasy.

Dexter stands up excitedly, touching the necklace around his neck.

Everyone encourages him.

Dexter looks hurt.

There's a gentle collective jeer, followed by a break into other conversation.

He asks in a low voice.

Something occurs to her. She puts her hand on Edgardo's shoulder.

Bianca is trying to choose her words carefully.

He gives Bianca a pat on the shoulder before going back to his guitar.

I hope that every night from now on ...

Can be just like tonight.