$94-04-49-04-1-0 [soundStopAll] [charaSet A 7027300 1 "Amazones CEO_Normal"] [charaSet B 1098119600 1 "Amazones CEO_Pulley"] [charaSet C 6008000 1 "Madam Cosmotic Beauty"] [charaSet D 98002000 1 Fou] [charaSet E 5044000 1 "Mister Chen"] [charaSet F 1098155400 1 "No. 9685"] [charaSet G 99502600 1 Mash] [charaSet H 3016000 1 Hektor] [charaSet I 2035000 1 Paris] [charaSet J 5009000 1 Effect] [scene 65500] [charaPut J 1200,1200] [charaEffect J bit_talk_10_LowLevel] [fadein black 1.5] [wait fade] [bgm BGM_EVENT_2 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 11] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO Our delivery backlog is being[sr]cleared out at a good pace. [k] @A:Amazones CEO At this rate, it may not be much longer before the shipping system is back to its old self. [k] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_2 1.0] [charaFace A 4] @A:Amazones CEO No... First, I must find my missing employees, or I will simply find myself back in the same situation. [k] @A:Amazones CEO I cannot outsource my delivery operations to all of you forever, after all. [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [bgm BGM_EVENT_90 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 0] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Good question. I've been checking in with Egyptian HQ periodically to see if our intelligence has heard anything new, but so far, nothing. [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty We have agents throughout the Servantverse,[sr]so I thought we would have heard something by now... [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Looking back, it's hard to believe that initial blast of information pertaining to this incident even took place. [k] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 0] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO Then it seems more and more likely that somebody leaked that initial information intentionally. [k] [charaFace A 15] @A:Amazones CEO (Sigh) I knew that the bigger my company grew, the more ire it would draw from rivals jealous of our success... [k] @A:Amazones CEO ...but I never imagined that one of them would use such convoluted methods. What could they be thinking? [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 0] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Heartily agreed. Manipulating another company into attacking a competitor when they're down... [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty What a brilliant, elegant way[sr]to make trouble for a rival! [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty And the best part is, you don't even have to get your own hands dirty! [k] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 13] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO ... [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 3] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty That doesn't mean I'm the one behind your employees' disappearance, mind you. Whoever this person is, I'm just admiring their handiwork. [k] ?1:Maybe we should just focus on the job at hand for now. ?! [charaFadeout C 0.1] [wt 0.1] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_90 1.0] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 8] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO Indeed. These deliveries certainly[sr]aren't going to make themselves. [k] [bgm BGM_EVENT_2 0.1] [charaFace A 11] @A:Amazones CEO Let's see... Our next customer looks to be a company by the name “Cordiality Inc. Temp Agency.” [k] @A:Amazones CEO This package needs to be delivered to their employee training center. It should be right around here... [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk D] [charaFace D 0] [charaFadein D 0.1 1] @Fou Fou, fou? [k] [charaFadeout D 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 0] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty I can see a group of people over there.[sr]Perhaps that is the place? [k] [messageOff] [wipeout rectangleStripLeftToRight 0.4 1] [wait wipe] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [charaTalk off] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 0] [charaFace F 5] [charaFadein F 0.1 2] [wt 0.4] [wipein rectangleStripRightToLeft 0.4 1] [wait wipe] [wt 1.5] [wipeout rectangleStripRightToLeft 0.4 1] [wait wipe] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [charaFadeout F 0.1] [wt 0.4] [wipein rectangleStripLeftToRight 0.4 1] [wait wipe] [charaPut J 1] [charaTalk on] [charaTalk G] [charaFace G 15] [charaFadein G 0.1 1] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_2 1.0] @Mash That looks like... [k] ?1:Those glasses seem kind of familiar... ?2:Something about this is setting off major alarm bells for me. ?! [charaFadeout G 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaPut J 1200,1200] [bgm BGM_EVENT_5 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 4] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty To be honest, I feel a sense of déjà vu as well. I think I recognize that man, but I can't place him... [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Perhaps we met at a party? [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Whenever I dress up and go to a party with my husband... [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty ...there's always no end of men kneeling before me begging me to let them kiss my feet... [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Maybe he was one of them? [k] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 0] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO I don't know who he is, but on first impression, I don't care for those glasses or that he's obviously never truly worked a day in his life. [k] @A:Amazones CEO He seems to me as though he is simply trying to play up his intelligence. [k] [charaFace A 12] @A:Amazones CEO Well, if he thinks a pair of glasses is all it takes to look like an intellectual, he could not be more wrong! [k] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_5 1.0] [charaFace A 9] @A:Amazones CEO ...Oops. It would seem he is the customer for this delivery. All right, CEO, you can do better than that. [k] [charaFace A 0] @A:Amazones CEO After all, one of the best things about Amazones.com is how, certain notable exceptions aside, anyone anywhere can use it. [k] [charaFace A 9] @A:Amazones CEO Business is business; my personal preferences are not relevant when engaging in customer relations. All right, time to plaster on my most winning saleswoman smile and get to work. [k] [messageOff] [charaFace A 0] [wt 1.0] [wipeout rectangleStripLeftToRight 0.4 1] [wait wipe] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 0] [charaFace F 7] [charaFadein F 0.1 2] [wt 0.4] [wipein rectangleStripRightToLeft 0.4 1] [wait wipe] [bgm BGM_EVENT_2 0.1] [wt 0.3] [charaFace E 1] @E:??? Ahh, I'm so glad this day has finally arrived. [k] @E:??? You did very well making it this far,[sr]Registration No. 9685. [k] [charaFace F 0] @No. 9685 Thank you for everything you've done for me, Teacher! [k] @No. 9685 Not gonna lie, as a guy who used to run around doing space piracy under the name Blackbeard Binks, your temp training program was really tough for me to get through! [k] @No. 9685 But now that I'm done, I'll finally get to be[sr]a full-fledged member of society! I can't wait! [k] @No. 9685 Now I won't have to spend every waking hour of my day running away from bounty hunters! [k] [charaFace F 3] @No. 9685 (Sniff) Thank you so much for not giving up on me! [k] @E:??? Now, now, no more tears. This is more than just your graduation. It's the first day of a whole new life. [k] [charaFace F 6] @No. 9685 Thank you, Teacher. Though you know, I never did get why I had to stand as close as possible to those grenades to practice enduring their explosions. Why would a temp like me need a skill like that, anyway? [k] [charaFace E 0] @E:??? (Avoiding the question) Now that you've managed to withstand this difficult training... [k] @E:??? ...you should be able to handle any temp position at any company anywhere. [k] @E:??? They may be in administration, sales,[sr]development, management, or making tea... [k] @E:??? ...but whatever they are, and wherever you go, I guarantee you will now be the right person for the job. [k] @E:??? I only wish I could be there to see the magnificent fruits of your labors for myself. Ah, what a shame. [k] [charaFace F 5] @No. 9685 Teacher... You really do care about me![sr]Well, don't worry! I promise I won't let you down! [k] [charaFace E 3] @E:??? Indeed, be sure that you don't,[sr]otherwise it'll lead to some trouble. [k] [se ade134] [wt 0.6] [charaFace E 0] @E:??? Oh my, it would seem congratulations are in order. [k] @E:??? Cordiality's temp worker database has already found the perfect company for you. [k] @E:??? Once we take care of the paperwork, you could begin working immediately. What do you say? [k] @E:??? Don't worry, it's very simple. [k] @E:??? All you have to do is sign away your rights[line 2]That is, this labor contract, and you'll be all set. [k] [charaFace F 5] @No. 9685 Really? Sounds good to me![sr]There, signed and sealed! [k] [messageOff] [wipeout rectangleStripRightToLeft 0.4 1] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_2 0.6] [wait wipe] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [charaFadeout F 0.1] [wt 0.4] [wipein rectangleStripLeftToRight 0.4 1] [wait wipe] [wt 0.5] [bgm BGM_EVENT_72 0.1] ?1:Anyone else catch that troubling throwaway line? ?! [charaTalk D] [charaFace D 0] [charaFadein D 0.1 1] @Fou Fou fou, fooou. [k] [charaFadeout D 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 4] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty A temp agency...?[sr]Something about this feels familiar... [k] [charaFace C 2] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty ...(Gasp) [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty I-I just remembered! [k] [charaFace C 5] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Egyptian's marketing department periodically sends me a blacklist of people not do to business with. [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty That's where I've seen his face. [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty The toxic company he runs, Cordiality, is the most ethically questionable temp agency in the Sapphire Galaxy. [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty He operates it firmly in the gray zone, skirting the law without technically breaking it. In fact, I think he actually is a wanted man in some star systems. [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty He's been quasi-legally racking up huge profits by deceiving and brainwashing unwitting Servant resources into working for other companies until they literally blow up. [k] [charaFace C 2] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty His name is Mister Chen, though he's more commonly known by his terrifying alias...The Explosion! [k] [imageSet D cut146_box02 1] ?1:Shouldn't that be “The Exploder”? ?! @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Don't ask me! I didn't make it up! [k] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen Oh? And who might you be? [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 11] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO ...I am from Amazones.com. [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 1] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen Ah, yes. I did order something from you, didn't I? [k] [charaFace E 0] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_72 1.0] @Mister Chen Just a moment, please. I still need to put the finishing touches on[line 2]That is, finish my new employee's graduation. [k] [bgm BGM_EVENT_2 0.1] [charaFace E 3] @Mister Chen Registration No. 9685, now that you are about to leave the company and set out into society... [k] [charaFace E 0] @Mister Chen ...I have a little present for[sr]you to commemorate the occasion. [k] @Mister Chen As someone who has been a part of your new lease on life, even if only for the duration of your training... [k] @Mister Chen ...it's the least I can do to cheer you on. Here. [k] [messageOff] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [se ad77] [seVolume ad77 0 0.8] [wt 0.5] [seStop ad77 0.2] [wt 0.5] [charaFace D 0] [charaFadein D 0.5 0,-200] [wt 2.0] [charaSet H 6031001 1 Osakabehime] [charaFadeout D 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk F] [charaFace F 7] [charaFadein F 0.1 1] @No. 9685 Oh man, Teach, you've already done more for me than I can ever pay you back for, and now you're giving me a present, too? I don't know what to say! [k] [charaFadeout F 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 1] [charaFadein E 0.1 0] [charaFace F 7] [charaFadein F 0.1 2] @Mister Chen It's quite all right. Just say you'll take it.[wt 0.5][charaEffect E bit_talk_starshine 31,132][se ade126][seVolume ade126 0 0.6] [k] [charaEffectStop E bit_talk_starshine] [seStop ade126 0.2] @No. 9685 Well, if you insist... (Sniff) You're the best,[sr]Teacher. I'm so glad I got to meet you. [k] [charaFace E 0] @Mister Chen Now, listen closely. You are only to open this gift while at the company you are temping for, and only when things are looking truly dire. [k] @Mister Chen Do not open it under any other circumstances. [k] @Mister Chen If you ever find yourself in desperate straits with no hope of escape, the contents of this box will save you. [k] @Mister Chen For example, if you happen to see something you shouldn't have, or done something that the tyrannical company president will literally have your head for... [k] @Mister Chen ...and you wish there was a way to turn the tables on the nearby bad guys and really blow them away. [k] @Mister Chen That is when I hope you will remember this box. Oh, and it will be especially effective if you can open it in close proximity to said company president. [k] @Mister Chen Also, make absolutely sure never to drop it, and be careful not to store it in moist, damp environments. Is that clear? [k] [charaFace F 0] @No. 9685 You got it, Teach! [k] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_2 1.0] ?1:Oh come on, it's obvious what it is! ?2:Don't let him fool you, Blackbeard! ?! [charaFadeout E 0.1] [charaFadeout F 0.1] [wt 0.1] [bgm BGM_EVENT_72 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 2] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty I knew it! You're deceiving innocent(?) pirates[sr]and exploiting them for your own gain! [k] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen Oh? Hehehe, now that's odd. I could have sworn I made the delivery out to Cordiality Inc. [k] @Mister Chen I didn't think Amazones.com was so unprofessional as to violate its customers' privacy. [k] @Mister Chen Indeed, it's all the more egregious when considering that you regularly set foot into other people's homes by nature of your mail-order business. [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk B] [charaFace B 0] [charaFadein B 0.1 1] @B:Amazones CEO I guarantee that we are in total compliance with all galactic privacy laws, and any personal information acquired in the course of performing our work duties is kept strictly confidential. [k] @B:Amazones CEO However, just to confirm: while Amazones.com proudly accepts orders from customers of all stripes... [k] @B:Amazones CEO ...we draw the line at purchases we believe may have been made by criminals, or that may be used in criminal activities. [k] [charaFadeout B 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen Criminal? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. Cordiality is every bit on the up-and-up. [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk C] [charaFace C 5] [charaFadein C 0.1 1] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty Oh really? Then how do you explain all the young workers your agency deploys... [k] @Madam Cosmotic Beauty ...who are trained to work until they can no longer move before they ultimately end up exploding!? [k] [charaFadeout C 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen You're mistaking the results of our process for our aims. At Cordiality, we try to cultivate a strong work ethic and a fierce sense of loyalty in all of our associates. [k] @Mister Chen Yes, we have been so successful with some of them that they've ended up making the ultimate sacrifice to help their assigned company, but that was a choice they made of their own volition. [k] @Mister Chen All I can do is give our devoted associates one of these secret microwavable tools for when they decide to take matters into their own hands. [k] @Mister Chen That way, when it goes off,[sr]I can at least try to recoup my losses. [k] @Mister Chen What's wrong with that? [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk B] [charaFace B 0] [charaFadein B 0.1 1] @B:Amazones CEO Do you really need to ask? Employees are the most precious resource a company has. [k] @B:Amazones CEO Business models like that are only feasible when the company lacks any sense of ethics or responsibility. [k] @B:Amazones CEO And quite frankly, your choice to use it also strikes me as one profoundly lacking in creativity or innovation. [k] [charaFadeout B 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen Oh? That's quite the accusation from someone whose own company is currently suffering from a dearth of employees. [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_72 1.0] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 0] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO What did you just say? [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaPut J 1] [charaTalk G] [charaFace G 15] [charaFadein G 0.1 1] @Mash So you've heard about what's[sr]going on at Amazones.com too!? [k] [charaFadeout G 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaPut J 1200,1200] [charaEffectDestroy J] [bgm BGM_EVENT_5 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 3] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen Indeed I have. You see, I didn't make this order just to have an item I need delivered. [k] [charaFace E 0] @Mister Chen No, my true goal...was to make you a proposal. [k] @Mister Chen I was hoping you might consider using some of Cordiality's hardest working young associates... [k] @Mister Chen ...to bolster your company's[sr]ranks during this time of need. [k] @Mister Chen Of course, you are the up-and-coming CEO of Amazones.com who has grown your company at a truly astonishing rate. [k] @Mister Chen So I trust you can understand why I figured making an order would give me a better opportunity to talk business with you. The matter of obtaining an appointment with you is no easy feat, after all. [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 0] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO Oh? So you want me to employ the workers you've trained as delivery people? [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen That's right. [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_5 0.5] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 2] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO [f large][messageShake 0.07 7 5 0.3]Absolutely not!!! [k] [messageShakeStop] ?1:No hesitation at all! Love it! ?! [bgm BGM_EVENT_48 0.1] [charaFace A 0] @A:Amazones CEO Did you truly think I would jump at such a proposal? [k] [charaTalk depthOff] [charaTalk off] [charaDepth B 1] [charaDepth A 2] [charaFadeout A 0.2] [charaFace B 1] [charaFadein B 0.1 1] @B:Amazones CEO I understand that labor has taken numerous forms as of late, and that temp workers are one of them. [k] @B:Amazones CEO However, temp workers also bring a host of problems.[sr]Um... Temp problems, essentially. [k] @B:Amazones CEO You know...problems that have to do with how temp workers are treated. I think. [k] @B:Amazones CEO At any rate, it is a crucial issue, and one I take very seriously as the CEO of my company. [k] [charaFadeout B 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk depthOn] [charaTalk on] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 0] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen Your point being? [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 8] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO The one thing I can say for certain[sr]is that trust is essential! [k] @A:Amazones CEO As a matter of fact, Amazones.com is currently working hand in hand with our very first outsourcing partner. [k] @A:Amazones CEO It may appear similar to employing temp workers[sr]at a glance, but I only made this decision because[sr]I trusted [%1] and [&his:her] companions. [k] @A:Amazones CEO Suffice to say, trust is a key priority for anyone we choose to work with, and I do not trust you one bit. [k] @A:Amazones CEO So I have no interest in your proposal, regardless of how much help your workers might be. [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk E] [charaFace E 6] [charaFadein E 0.1 1] @Mister Chen (Sigh) I didn't expect you to be so stubborn. [k] [charaFace E 0] @Mister Chen Come now, think about it. Surely you could use all the help you can get right now, no? [k] @Mister Chen I can provide you with ideal employees. The kind who[sr]work hard, keep their heads down, and never complain. [k] @Mister Chen Furthermore, I can guarantee they would be so loyal that they would gladly show any difficult customer making unreasonable complaints some (literal) fireworks. [k] @Mister Chen But of course, they would never do so in a way that would reflect poorly on your company. If anything, they would only reinforce your dominance over the intergalactic home shopping market. [k] @Mister Chen After all, if word were to spread that refusal to accept a package from Amazones.com resulted in the refuser, say, haha, blowing up... [k] @Mister Chen Well, I imagine you would soon see a very sharp decrease in refusals indeed. [k] @Mister Chen The home delivery industry doesn't get enough respect as it is, so instilling customers with the right...moral incentives should only help. Really, it's about time the Sapphire Galaxy as a whole began a new season, in my opinion. [k] @Mister Chen As for me, all I ask in return for providing you with such valuable employees is reasonable compensation for the time I've spent training them. [k] [charaFace E 3] @Mister Chen Indeed, the more I think about it, the more I think such an arrangement would be nothing but upside for both of us. [k] @Mister Chen Truly, this is exactly what I would call a... [k] [charaFace E 1] [charaEffect E bit_talk_41] [se ad186] @Mister Chen Win-win! [k] [messageOff] [charaEffectDestroy E] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 5] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_48 0.3] [wt 0.3] [charaPut J 1] [charaEffect J bit_talk_v_slash01] [se ad171] [wt 0.4] [fadeout white 0.1] [wait fade] [charaFadeout A 0] [charaEffectDestroy J] [charaTalk off] [charaFace E 1] [charaFadein E 0 1] [fadein white 0.1] [wait fade] [effect bit_talk_impactlanding -300,0] [wt 0.1] [charaMove E 2 0.1] [se bac10] [se ad211] [shake 0.03 7 7 1.5] [wt 2.0] [charaFace E 4] @Mister Chen Oh my, that was close. [k] [charaFadeout E 0.1] [wt 0.1] [bgm BGM_EVENT_3 0.1] [charaTalk on] [charaTalk A] [charaFace A 5] [charaFadein A 0.1 1] @A:Amazones CEO Try to argue the merits of your position all you like. You are still nothing more than a worm trying to take advantage of us in a moment of weakness. [k] @A:Amazones CEO You clearly need a lesson in ethics, and fortunately for you, my morning star and I specialize in teaching from the school of extremely hard knocks! [k] [charaFadeout A 0.1] [wt 0.1] [charaTalk H] [charaFace H 5] [charaFadein H 0.1 1] @Osakabehime Yeah, honestly, I don't think anyone needs a delivery person literally blowing up on the job anyway... [k] [messageOff] [fadeout black 0.5] [bgmStop BGM_EVENT_3 0.4] [wait fade] [soundStopAll] [end]