( The Puritan shakes Alice's hand, staining it red. ) To go with your hair, fair ladies.

Now is revealed the true nature and purpose and power of the game offence. There is cause for alarm, the need for harmful--

( The woman-thing wants to speak. One look from the dark man in the hat stops her. )

The crows shall give you the name. These sin-beds, they are so... Delicate. One man is enough to make them all burn. Let their true skins show at last.

Is she good for it? You have been childish.

You speak my language, sir.

The city they call New Vegas. A hotbed of sin; each man may have his own neon sign there. I do not care for the hookers or the drink, no sir.

Their instruments of violence, the machines. They must be burned. How easy it is to change a story with one death.

( The Puritan is uninterested. His hand is already red. Outside he sees the crows getting bored. )

I am going to speak candidly with You, and You are going to listen. Let us do away with pretense, and talk war, as men do.

( Lights out. He lights a match, and the wallpaper peels at the corner. )

I have traveled a long way to be with you, boy. Stand up and look at me.

A fine specimen. @chewingtobacco.bsky.social

I thought as much.

( He looks around. ) Well? Answer the lady.

( A resounding yes. )

Because my good lady that is a woman's job, yes ma'am, and these here gentlemen may attest that if you so wish. I do not care for simple women, and I know that you find me very persuasive, and wish to keep my attention most closely. You would like to entertain me very much.

Is that so? Then impress me.