Combing through everything he needed to say in his head, Lee finally got the words out of his mind and into the room. Bill curled an eyebrow, listening in with full attention to the man in front of him.
"I understand that you have some prior history with Rebecca, Alvin, and the rest of Luke's group. What I don't understand is treating the rest of us like prisoners. My group only made it as far as it has because we trusted one another implicitly. From the outside looking in, what you're doing is building dissent. You bring back people like Pete and Carlos into the fold, who want nothing to do with you and your people and throw them in a prison. Do you think they won't want to escape again? A good leader can't rule through intimidation alone. If they fear you, and their only options are fight or flight, do you want to bank on the fact they won't pick a fight?" Lee questions. Carver tries to speak, but he's not done yet.
"And then there are my people. Even ignoring forcing Kenny to hit his son, which obviously won't make him respect you, I've got a bigger concern. I talked with Molly before bed last night, and I heard from her that your main man Troy almost raped her. I don't care why it happened; the fact that you're not just allowing him to talk to her, but putting Molly on shifts with him is fucking stupid. What the hell are you going to do if he actually rapes her? Are you going to just allow him to do it? Do you expect Molly to not retaliate? And the fact that he appears to be your second in command speaks a lot about the ship that you're running. I doubt that Molly is the first person Troy's made moves on here. I can tell you one thing: my people will not tolerate that kind of behavior directed towards our own."
"Troy's our loose cannon. He's a tough, loyal worker with something messed up on the inside. I'd never actually have him do anything to hurt anyone unless they deserved it, and Molly deserved it. It's basic crime and punishment, Lee. It's half the reason Molly's here instead of with the rest of your family outside the pen. Besides, nothing really happened to her. Sorry, continue." Carver links his hands together, placing them on the desk. Lee nodded.
"It's the little things that are building up. The previously mentioned hitting of Duck and sexual assault of Molly obviously, but also not allowing Walter to give his goodbyes to Matthew, stepping on Pete's foot, and whatever the hell happened in here between you, Christa, and Alvin. I get that we started in opposition due to only having the perspective of Luke's group to work off of, but it obviously doesn't have to be that way." Lee leans forward. "Let me help you get my people under control. If you're insistent on being the bad cop, you need a good cop. Let me be the good cop and help you before you lose control of your people. There are nearly twenty of us. We can be a resource to you if you just allow me to get them under control."
-404
Putting a hand to his goatee he scratches himself, scanning the room and Lee's figure, his eyes squinting. He doesn't seem angry, no. If anything he seems kind of open to the idea. "I'll be honest, nobody's ever really brought it up to me in a way I could respect. Pete was far too gung ho about his perspective and preserving the lives of those who don't concern us, while Carlos just wanted a fight, I'm sure. Pete used to be the 'good cop' but I found his tactics.. Useless, to be frank. People were still fooling around, messing up, ruining supplies, getting tracked back to camp and so much more. I had to remove him when he proposed we stop my way altogether. We got too weak with a good cop. What kind of good cop would you be, exactly?"
"One who can advise you to make a decision that's tough but fair." Lee answers, looking him directly in the eyes. Bill nods, relaxing his arms.
"I'll consider it. Anything else?"
"Yeah. Why do you rule by fear? Remember this, Pete's group ran away in the first place because they didn't trust your leadership-"
-Doggo
"It wasn't just that. They ran away because of my strength, sure. They couldn't handle it. But there's also another factor at play: emotion. Alvin and Rebecca were married for years before I found 'em. He was a substitute teacher at a local high school, she was a pretty little secretary. You know, for a while, Rebecca and I were friends." Lee nearly scoffs, but holds it back.
"Seriously? You and her?" Lee questions in disbelief.
"How else do you think she got knocked up, Lee? We were friends, and back then I was just the same as I am now. The way I run things isn't the problem if you're strong. You know that. Clementine and Carley know that too, that's why they don't interfere with my strategies. Anyway, the reason that Pete and his group decided to run is because 'Becca had second thoughts about our little arrangement. I'm sure she's told you the story by now, of how little Carver Jr. was conceived?"
"Bits and pieces."
"That's enough then. She realized she wanted Alvin after all. But that's my son, Lee. I had to keep her here. I owned him just as much as she did. They definitely didn't appreciate my approach, but what choice did I have? Look me in the eyes and tell me what you'd do differently."
"I wouldn't have screwed the man's wife in the first place." Lee challenges bitterly, memories creeping back into his head.
"Oh really? What if you had?" Carver challenged.
Lee hesitates. "I.. I would have let them go. It's not my relationship to mettle in."
"I'm not sure I like the idea of you being a good cop if we have contradicting ideals, buddy. We're done with this one. Next?" He says with folded arms, a stern look on his face.
Moving on, Lee begins thinking about Carver's ranks. "I mean it, man. I'll cut off Troy's dick if he does anything to Molly, or anyone else in my group."
-Kuma
"Troy doesn't do anything drastic unless I give the go-ahead, or unless I think it's deserved. Relax." Bill replies nonchalantly.
"Hard to relax when the man has such a-
"Creepy vibe around him? Yeah, I know. That's what makes him such a strong officer. People are scared of him, as they are scared of me. We have our nice guys in the ranks too, you know. Stan's a great man, used to be a husband and father before the lurkers roamed. Bonnie's a sweet girl, lot's of trauma on that one. Wyatt and Eddie are good workers with good senses of humor. Sometimes you just need a villain." He's got him there.
"Alright then. What's your story? You've heard mine, what's yours?"
-Guest
Bill's eyes widen briefly before he begins to lean back in his seat, taking a look at his dog gnawing at a bone. "My story? Hm. Don't get asked that too often. I'll make it short and sweet for you, though." He turns back to look at Lee. "Before this, I owned my own business contracting people's homes and other projects that needed good, strong men on the field. I didn't have much family. I had a wife, if that matters."
"I'd say it does. So did I."
"Well I'm sorry for your loss. I went to college and trade school, got a bachelors in project management, started up my business and became wealthy, not that that matters anymore. My wife and I settled down in Texas."
"Long way from home, huh?"
Carver sighs. "Yeah. I had to get away. The lurkers started appearing one day while I was at work. I was the first to kill one. I dismissed everyone from work and sped off back home, only to find my pregnant wife growling and hissing at me with another corpse just a few feet away from her. He must have broken in, or.. I dunno. I put a bullet in both of 'em. That imagery hardens an already hardened man. Don't you think?"
Lee was at a loss for words. "Jesus.. I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault. I dealt with them and moved on. I'm glad to have found such strength in such a hopeless moment. Now I have the power to deliver hope to people. I keep people alive and comfortable. Think about that next time you criticize my methods."
Lee nods slowly. "I will. I gotta ask.. What happened at the river?"
-Guest
"Pest control. Bandits will do anything for a bite to eat. I didn't have a choice but to put them down when they started shooting first."
"All of those people were bandits?"
"..does it matter? It's none of your business. I survived because of what I did. Move on."
"Alright, I guess.. Why did you follow us? To the lodge, I mean."
-alishaa93
"You know why. You'd do the same if Carley and Clementine ran from you one day too. They're my family, Lee. I can't lose them. Not my son or daughter." Bill answers.
Lee can't even say he disagrees. He would have done exactly what Bill did in order to get back his family. The thought scares him. He gulps. "Fair enough."
"Anything else?"
"Just two more. I have to say, ruling by intimidation and fear is only gonna lead to more fallout, especially if you're hitting kids."
-Betternatethanlever, Shadow Ninja 287
Carver sighs in frustration, leaning forward. "How many more times do I have to explain my philosophy to you? It works. I slapped Duck, now he's not as disrespectful, I asserted dominance over Pete and the hardware store is still standing, I shot that Matthew kid and now Walter doesn't have to see him as a lurker. Get it through your skull."
"It just seems barbaric at times. I never put my hands on Clementine and she turned out wonderful."
"Yeah? Did her parents?"
"I don't think so, no."
"Well then, not everyone can be as blessed with good manners as Clementine, sorry to say. One more, then we need to get you back to work."
"Okay, okay. When we first met eye to eye, you've said that I've got "it" too. What were you referring to?"
Bill stands up, pulls a small cannon-like pistol out of his holster and points the barrel directly at Lee's chest. The amputee gasps, but immediately after looks up at him with an angry glare, burning a strength into his retina. "Drop it." Lee whispers threateningly, his voice grizzly and impatient. Bill laughs.
"There it is. You've got that look in your eye. Carley had it, Clementine had it. Now I know where they get it from." He puts his gun away, offering a hand. "Get up. You'll be with Danny, Stanley and Becca outside, protecting the wall. They'll show you the ropes of watch duty."
Lee looks at Bill's hand. He feels as if this is a symbolic gesture. If he takes his hand, Lee will show his respect to Carver. He'll be telling him that he agrees with his strategy, though he can still try being a good cop when the time comes. If Lee takes his hand, he'll be going down the path of joining Carver as a leader at Howe's. If Lee rejects the hand, he'll be making a statement, that he disagrees with Carver and won't let his ideals into his head. He'll be telling him that he doesn't want to rule beside him.
This decision holds significant weight on the story going forward. Please consider your options.
Choices
A: Take his hand
B: Reject his hand and get up by yourself
Relationships
Clementine: 15/15
Carley: 15/15
Christa: 11/15
Molly: 12/15
Chuck: 15/15
Kenny: 5/15
Ben: 11/15
Duck: 11/15
Walter: 3/15
Sarita: 5/15
Luke: 11/15
Pete: 12/15
Nick: 11/15
Carlos: 9/15
Sarah: 6/15
Alvin: 13/15
Rebecca: 11/15
Reggie: 8/15
Danny: 7/15
Bonnie: 7/15
Carver: 7/15 (This decision will permanently alter your relationship with Carver. There may be no going back one way after this)
Tavia: 6/15
Stan: 6/15
Shel: 6/15
Johnny: 6/15
Shawn: 7/15
Troy: 5/15
Justin: 6/15
Wyatt: 5/10
Eddie: 5/10
Shel: 5/10
Becca: 5/10
Sam: 6/15