Note: Most of the dialogue in this section was transcribed directly from one of the scenes in the game. These words belong to Obsidian.
Before Mike Thorton and Steven Heck found themselves fucking in a rundown motel in downtown Taipai, Mike had just prevented the assassination of Thailand's president, Ronald Sung. During Mike's scuffle with Omen Deng, Sung was shot by an unknown sniper, but he survived due to the bullet-proof vest that Mike had suggested he wear. Riots broke out despite news stating that the President was still alive, as Sung had decided not to post extra security despite the risks Mike had warned him about. The death toll was approaching triple digits, the number of injured was well over three hundred. Mike wondered if his decision to stop the assassination was the right thing to do - after all, wasn't the death of one man preferable to the deaths of hundreds of civilians? Besides, it had done fuck all to stop Leland's plans.
Mike was watching the news with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He didn't want to acknowledge that there really wasn't anything he could have done. The whole situation felt like it was out of his hands, and Mike didn't like the feeling. His thoughts were interrupted when the news program cut out and Steven Heck appeared on the screen.
"Heck calling Thorton, come in Thorton."
"Yeah, Heck. I'm here."
"Just a heads up, Mike. There's some folks out there that really hate you, pal."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"So this VCI guy comes to me and he says to me, 'Steve, I've got a proposition for you.'"
"I always figure the VCI has the 'offer you can't refuse' types..."
"So after I pop three of his fingers off for calling me Steve I said, 'And what proposition might that be, my good man?'"
"Heck..."
"This guy says to me, 'Oh god! Please don't kill me! I just came here to offer you five million dollars to give Michael Thorton up as Ronald Sung's assassin!"
Mike lowered his voice and fixed Heck with an unbelieving stare, certain he was messing around. "Tell me you didn't."
"Not gonna lie, buddy. I was really tempted for a minute there. But ahh, I kinda like you, so I told him to piss off. Then I set him on fire to make sure he got the point." Heck chuckled.
Mike sighed with relief and relaxed his arms by his sides.
"Shouldn't you have stabbed him to make sure he...got the point?" Mike joked.
"I figured his cronies would try to find someone less scrupulous than myself, so I went ahead and called some news stations to keep them off your back for awhile."
"Thanks Steven. I appreciate it." Mike managed a smile. Heck looked him over.
"You alright, pal? You look like someone tied a brick to your balls."
"It...it's nothing. Just not too happy with how everything turned out."
"Oh. I thought it would be something interesting. Like you really do have a brick tied to your balls."
Mike grinned in spite of himself and spoke suddenly, without thinking.
"Do you want to go get a drink or something?"
Steven appeared to seriously consider the offer.
"Well, I was gonna lay low for a while but...yeah, why not. You could definitely use it, Mike. Meet me at the Pig in the Shihlin district in an hour. See ya later, buddy."
Heck disconnected without waiting for Mike to respond, leaving Mike frozen in place. Did he just suggest going out for drinks with Steven Heck? He definitely trusted him more than a few of his contacts, despite his questionable mental state. Maybe he really needed to just relax during his last night in Taipai, to forget everything, even if it was for just a brief moment of time.
