Act Fifteen - Interlude: Uninvited Guests
'I really don't think Alex gives enough credit to the people of Paradigm city, or to me. But then, it is his blindness to the strength of those that surround him that makes him so susceptible to his own weaknesses. After I realized that the android wouldn't be deterred from the Ball, I felt it necessary to introduce a few of my own players to even out the odds. I already had it on faith that Schwarzwald would attend, the next person on the list to throw off my dear Alex was someone he thought would be out of the game for a while. Beck Gold.'
"Hey, hey! Watch thuh suit, it's very expensive!"
The officer guiding Beck down the corridor of the penitentiary rolls his eyes slightly at that implication and continues to shove him forward.
"Maybe where you're coming from, Mr. Gold, but your visitor will most likely remain unimpressed."
"Oh yeah? Who's 'my visitor'?"
"She said you'd remember her when you saw her. Claims to be your sister."
Beck wisely closes his mouth at this point and walks calmly along into the visitation room.
The woman seated regally at the chair, blond hair up in a neat bun on the top of her head looks about as far from being his sister as could be imagined. And then she moves, letting out a squeal and moving to embrace Beck, despite his handcuffs. "Play along. Call me Penny," she says in a low voice.
Beck nods and smiles, hugging her with his chin. "Penny, how long has it been!"
"Too long, big brother! I haven't seen you since we were hip deep in the harbor at fourteen and you got your first sight of the treasury. You always said you'd make the family rich, brother, but I never thought you were serious!"
Skeptically, the guard closes the door on the two of them, and 'Penny Gold' sits at the table, near her 'brother' Beck. "So, sis," Beck replies, leaning close to her, "just who are you really and why are you here to see me?"
"I'm here to help you escape."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I have an interest in you attending the Saint's Day Ball."
"No way, I show there and I land myself right back in here."
"Let me take care of that, would you?" 'Penny' smiles beguilingly at him, and adds, "When I hug you, I'm going to slip something into the back of your jacket. Get out of here and meet me in the tunnels beneath Paradigm's dome."
"If I do decide to do this, lady, what makes you think I won't just run?"
"Simple. I know you want to get back at the Negotiator."
The guard knocks on the door glass at the two of them and 'Penny' smiles. "Well it was wonderful to talk to you, brother, I'm sure I'll see you again real soon, right?"
"Oh, of course, Pen."
'Penny' hugs her brother again and then allows the guard to escort her from the room.
Beck complacently returns to his cell.