As I walk up to the giant statue, I hear various denizens of Columbia make reference to some sort of celebration. Whatever is being celebrated, this will hopefully provide the necessary cover with which to carry out my rescue.
Looming over the square is a giant billboard baring the golden angel of Monument Island. "The Tower Protects The Lamb From The False Shepherd" it reads. This confirms my suspicion: now I really have to find Monument Island.
Now would you kindly head to Ryan's office and kill the son of a bitch?
Do not think like that Jack! This is different: your mind is no longer under control. In any case, you are not here on a hit job. You are here to save a life.
And to bring it to The Lutece Twins. That is the problem: I honestly do not know if I can or should trust them. They tortured and murdered a man in cold blood, just to send me a warning. How do I know they do not mean to do the same thing to Elizabeth once I hand her to them?
Jack, you have to finish the mission. Your daughters are depending on you! Cross that bridge when you come to it.
Placing my internal anxiety aside, I make my way down the streets and try to avoid drawing attention to myself. If it was not for the danger both Elizabeth and I are in, it would actually be a pleasant day. The sun shines brightly from a cloudless sky, children play merrily with a busted fire hydrate, a father carries his son upon his shoulders, people enjoy their lunches from outdoor tables, and an odd mechanical horse pulls a colorful red cart and the rider inside. In a way, I wonder if Rapture was like this before everything went to hell; before the collapse did children laugh and play in the streets there as well?
You saw how Rapture treats its children; never forget that!
When I reach the edge of the street, I find that the road onward is literally not connected. A man in a police officer's uniform is stands in front of a red Level Crossing gate, ensuring nobody tries to cross (you'd think the fifteen-thousand-foot-drop would have been deterrent enough, but it is possible that some poor bastard has fallen to his death attempting to jump the gap).
On bloated air balloons, propelled by what appears to be windmill fans, are three wooden floats bearing images of this city's leader. Ok, even Andrew Ryan didn't throw parades for himself while he was still alive (at least I don't think so). Whoever this Comstock man is, it's quite clear he's a Grade-A Egotist.
As drums beat rapidly, the booming voice of an unseen announcer describes each float.
"After the victory at Wounded Knee, the Angel Columbia did present herself to Father Comstock, and show him a vision of the future!"
This is how the announcer describes the first float, which shows an angel in flowing white robes appearing before Comstock. Just to ensure that even the most dense observers got the message, the words 'A Vision Of A Great City' were plastered on the side of the float beneath the imagery.
"And so Our Prophet lead the people away from The Sodom Below. Up, up into the city, where they created An Even More Perfect Union!"
This image is Comstock pointing to a city in the clouds. Not really getting 'humility' from this. But what crazy city would be complete without irrationally paranoid hatred of those living on the surface.
"But it was The Miracle Child, the lamb, that is the future of this city. For The Prophet said that she in the tower will lead The Sodom Below into Righteousness!"
Right at this moment my blood boils over. Elizabeth is as much a slave here as I was in Rapture. Now it is no longer a matter of simply putting bread on the table; now I am personally invested in setting her free. I will help Elizabeth win her freedom, just as others helped me win my own.
The drawbridge opens up, the Level Crossing Gate opens up, and the police officer gives us leave to continue onward. "All clear. Good luck at the raffle folks."
I make my own luck.
With my heart resolved and my mind sharp, I head through the streets. Though I feel as though I am sticking out like a sore thumb, nobody seems to pay much attention to me. It seems with all the commotion surrounding the fair, a man in a sweater carrying an electrified wrench can go unnoticed.
I only stop to scavenge. I pilfer coins from the floor, from unguarded wallets, and from anywhere else this city's currency can be found. Resourcefulness is one of the things that saved my life in Rapture, and if all goes well it will save my life in Columbia. If not, I still have my Wrench.
After looting a grocer's donations box (it was protected only by an honor system - while I am sure it is for a good cause, the fact is that I need the money more), I come across a large poster on the side of the building. It depicts a figure in a black robe, guiding a lamb down a path leading away from the Monument Island Statue. The words read "The False Shepherd Seeks Only To Lead Our Lamb Astray".
We all need ADAM... and we all need the Little Sisters ...
Unimaginable evils become reality when the individual is sacrificed for the perceived good of group. But this poster is right: I have every intention of leading Elizabeth away from this flying deathtrap.
I head onward, cold with resolve.
During this whole time, a bell ringing in the distance causes my heart's beating to accelerate. I do not know how these people deal with conspirators like myself, but throwing them off a ledge to the splatter on the surface fifteen thousand feet below is not out of the question.
It is when I finally pass under a marble archway that I see it.
Looming over the entire city is the statue, wings outspread and gaze unwavering. This tower must be Monument Island, this tower must be where I can find Elizabeth.
Now I just need to reach it, scale it, find Elizabeth, and escape this flying deathtrap of a city with her in tow. Should be simple enough.
Almost immediately, a young boy runs up to me with a paper card.
"Telegram Mr. Wynand!" he announces as he holds it out for me. "Telegraph for you sir!"
As soon as I take it, he runs away as rapidly as he arrived. I look over the card to see what it says.
"Wynand STOP Do not alert Comstock to your presence STOP Whatever you do, do not pick #77 STOP Lutece"
While I appreciate them warning me in advance, this does not necessarily make me trust them. Atlas helped me survive in Rapture some time ago, but only so he could wedge a knife in by back once my purpose was served. I have no intention of allowing The Lutece Twins to do the same.
Hoping to find a path to Monument Island, I decide to search around the fair.