Disclaimer: All of these characters are borrowed from the game Bioshock Infinite, and I do not own or have any rights to them. Oh, and there are major spoilers in this story. Don't read unless you've finished the game.
Second Run - A Bioshock Infinite Fanfiction
Chapter 4: The Party
By ck-pasta
Booker headed back towards the market district and looked around. He saw a couple of signs pointing the way to a nearby bank and followed them until he came to it. The Bank of the Lamb. Must be a branch off The Bank of the Prophet. He looked around the street and noticed three men in top hats and large bags in their hands. He figured they'd be the ones who would be doing the heist, but they were just standing there. No course of action showed.
Booker circled around the men, making sure he had a nice view of the bank whilst also being able to keep an eye on the gentlemen. He waited for around thirty minutes, then an explosion set off within the bank. People poured out of the building, and soon enough a few men dressed in red ran out guns blazing. The polices showed up and the Vox led them away, meanwhile the three gentlemen nonchalantly made their way inside the bank.
Booker followed them closely, but made sure to keep his distance as to not give himself away. When the men entered that building, he waited a few moments before stepping inside himself. He heard them conversing and laughing amongst each other while they were in the vault packing their bags with bars of silver and gold.
He walked into the vault openly, and the three men pulled out their pistols. Booker put his hands up in the air. "Hello there gentlemen. I'm not here to fight, I merely saw an opportunity and chose to take it. I don't believe that those bags could hold all the money in this vault, now can they?" The three men look at each other and lowered their weapons. One pointed to the clock and rushed to get more gold into the bags. Booker stepped to the sides of the vault and started to fill his wallet with money.
His hands were buried in silver eagles as he shoveled them into his wallet. Once that was full, he grabbed some gold bars and put them in his pockets. By the time Booker was done, the three men had already left the vault and he could hear the police coming back. He hurried to get outside the vault and get to the entrance.
Once at the main doorway, Booker saw the three men poking their heads out of the doors and windows in an attempt to get a view of where the cops were. They looked at Booker and gestured him to come close. "You got any vigors on you? We don't think we'll be able to get out without another user's help."
Booker crouched down beside him and responded, "All I have is Bucking Bronco and Possession, but I don't have any salts on me though." One of the other men grabbed into their bag and started to shuffle items in it around. He pulled out a large vial of Salt and threw it at Booker's direction. Booker drank the entire thing and he could feel his energy coming back.
All three men nodded and made a rush out of the door. One of them was using Undertow and washing away some of the guards, while the another was using Shock Jockey to paralyze them. The third was using Murder of Crows to attack the cops. Didn't think anyone else here in Columbia had it in them to use vigors.
Booker stepped out and used Bucking Bronco towards large groups of cops. The other three men were holding them off, but Bucking Bronco cleared a path for them to escape through. All four of them ran underneath the floating cops whilst trying to hold off the rest. Once they passed the large group, they all sprinted towards the market district.
The three men made their way to the same railway used by Booker and James earlier, and hopped on using Sky-Hooks similar to Booker. He jumped onto the rail, but went the opposite direction going back to the inn he had stayed at earlier. He turned around and saw cops hopping onto the rails, but they were going in the other direction.
Good thing those men lead them away. I don't think I have the heart in me to kill any more cops, I did plenty of that last time. Booker rode the skyrail until he returned to the Residential Complexes. From there he walked back to his inn. Okay, I should probably get to Hudson's first and buy myself a Tuxedo. Better hurry, getting kinda dark.
He walked pass the stage where the raffle was held and then through the park. Booker had remembered first walking down these streets, but then again, who wouldn't? Once he made it back to the giant statue he saw Hudson's clothing store once more.
The store owner gave a welcoming smile as Booker walked in. "Hello again my friend! Are those gloves treating you well?"
"Yeah, you could say that. You got any tuxedos for sale?"
"Lucky for you I have one left! Many people were buying it in celebration of Ms. Comstock's 21st birthday. That where you headed tomorrow?"
"Sure is, how much do you think the tuxedo will cost?"
"Unfortunately, it'd have to be 1,500 silver eagles."
"Don't worry, I got the money this time." Booker gave a smile to the store owner while pulling out two bars of gold. "How much does this cover?" The store owner's eyes widened at the sight of the gold. "I would ask where you may have acquired such large amounts of money, but I'd rather not pry. I'll only need one of those bars."
Booker grabbed one of the bars and put it back in his pocket while following the owner towards the back. The owner pulled out a coat hanger with a nicely pressed tuxedo on it. Booker walked close and took the hanger into his hand. He patted down the tuxedo and walked out to the front of the store.
Booker gestured the owner a thank you and walked out of the store, tuxedo on his shoulders. It was getting dark really fast, so he had sped up his pace a bit. By the time he arrived back to his inn, the sun had set and the moon started to make its way up.
He walked to his room and hung up his tuxedo on the railings of the window. He sat facing the window for some time, just watching the city move around at night. It really is beautiful. I can see why the people love it here. Beautiful sunny days, no bad weather, and an amazing panoramic view of the skyline at night.
The next morning he went to the bathroom and washed himself up. Don't wanna smell like blood and sweat for my little girl's 21st birthday, now do I?
Once he was done freshening himself up, he took the tuxedo and started putting it on. He'd only worn tuxedos a few times in life, but a man never forgets how to tie a tie. He looked in the mirror to make sure everything was alright, but the tail at the back of the jacket was bothering him. Who designed tuxedos? Honestly, this tail just does no justice to anyone.
"Doesn't he look dashing."
Booker continued to look in the mirror and fixing himself up. He knew who it was, the woman's voice was something you can easily remember after a few conversations.
Robert nodded at Rosalind and looked back at Booker, "Most certainly, though I must ask, why on earth did you pick black?"
Booker fixed up his tie and turned around to face the Luteces, "It was the last one they had in stock. Didn't really have an option."
Robert grabbed the insides of his jacket and pulled them down to straighten them up, "How depressing, we prefer a light brown, maybe even tan, to be honest."
"And I prefer to wear normal clothing, not something that makes me look like a penguin," Booker said as he pointed at the back flap of his suit.
Rosalind approached Booker and pushed his face up from his chin, "Chin up, not every man gets to see his daughter turn twenty-one. Most of them are off fighting in war."
Robert raised an eyebrow and looked at Rosalind. "Are you referring to World War I? America doesn't join for a few more years in this universe."
"Are you certain? The one we just came from was already participating in it."
"Yes, but Germany also wins in that universe."
"Ah, I see what you mean."
Booker stepped over to his old clothing and pulled out all the money he had been able to take. Seven gold bars and 843 silver eagles, not a bad haul.
Robert gestured Rosalind towards Booker's money. "We see you've taken our advice. That should be an ample enough of money to buy whatever weapons or vigors that you should desire."
"And before we take our leave, one other piece of advice for you. Try not to tell Elizabeth your name. She knows it as the False Shepherd, and will not hesitate to bring you to Comstock."
Booker was putting some money in his pockets and organizing it so that he could bring as much money as he could. "Thanks for the tip. And one question, do you two have any way of knowing how I can convince her that Comstock is the bad one here, and not me?"
Robert and Rosalind looked at each other before responding, "We would gladly help you..."
"But we figured you'd know more about it than us. To be honest, children are more much of an obscurity to us. We'd never had any children."
Booker sighed and turned around. "Alright, I guess I'll have to think of somethi -" But the Luteces were already gone. You'd think they'd give you a notice when they're coming and going at least.
He stepped out of the inn and made sure to see if Monument Island had moved or not. To his luck, it didn't. He made his way back to the Residential Complexes and took the skyrail back to the market. He went slow to ensure to avoid any damage to his current appearance.
He landed back on the market district and made his way to Monument Island. Booker walked to the ticket salesman and dug through his slacks and pulled out his wallet. He carefully counted 500 silver eagles and laid them in front of the salesman. He was given a ticket with a seat number and was told to ride the lift.
Booker made a final attempt to make sure that his clothes were appropriate, and once the lift stopped, he stepped out. A healthy amount of people had attended the party. Many women were wearing strapless dresses, each having their own flair of vibrant colors. The men wore the same black tuxedo that Booker had bought, and it made him feel just a bit less tense.
There was one odd couple out though, they were wearing the recognizable brown jackets, but Booker decided not to approach them. He wanted to find Anna first. He strode across the garden and into the building. There were round tables everywhere, and the room was decorated in white and blue. Each table was dressed in white skirts with a blue trim around the edge.
Guess I know what Anna's favorite colors are. Booker looked around and surveyed the room for Anna. After a while, an announcing system boomed within the room.
"Welcome guests. I thank you for attending this very special party. As all of you know, it's my daughter's 21st birthday! I now urge you to please take your seats that is marked on your ticket."
Booker was annoyed at the sound of Comstock's voice. His daughter? Hardly. He found his seat, and it was set right next to an opening near the band. He presumed this was an area to dance.
"I know present to you the gem of the evening! Elizabeth Comstock!" A spotlight shined on an opening covered by a black curtain. After a few seconds, Anna stepped out between them. She had worn the same dress she had found in the First Lady Airship, except this time her hair wasn't cut, and she wasn't bruised or damaged in any way. She was gorgeous.
People were clapping and men were whistling at her direction. Did she really have to wear THAT dress? It's way too revealing on her chest and it's too tight on her backside. Booker looked around and saw how the other men looked at his daughter. He was disgusted.
The party resumed as normal. Many people mingled while having their drinks and the band played songs that Booker hadn't ever heard of. He got a drink and sat back down at his seat by himself. How am I going to approach her? What am I going to say to her? Seriously, I've killed hundreds of men, traveled across America, and spent over two days with Anna saving her, yet I don't even know how to talk to her. She's my daughter for Christ's sake.
Just then Booker felt a slight tap on his shoulder. He turned around and looked up to see Anna's warm smile looking at him. "I haven't seen you much around here. Well, other than two days ago when you came here."
That many faces seen in one day, and yet she still remembers mine. Definitely a bright girl.
"Ummm, well, yes." Booker stammered for a bit. Anna chuckled whilst putting her hand over her mouth. Booker continued, "Elizabeth Comstock, correct?" What the hell are you doing Booker? Her name just got announced to everyone, and here you are asking if it's her name.
Anna smiled again and replied, "Yes it is, and what might your name be?"
I haven't thought of a name yet?! The Luteces already warned me, yet I still haven't thought of a name?! Booker entered a slight panic state. His eyes darted for an inspiration for a name. He saw a wine named 'Kylar's Tonic' and looked at the table's wood. "Kylar..Uhhh...Birch."
Kylar Birch? What type of name is that?
"Well Mr. Birch, may I ask what brings you here to my party tonight?"
"Well, I figured it might be a perfect place to -" But Booker was cut off by music and both of them turned towards the band. They started playing a song with a much faster tempo than before, and many people started going into the dance floor and dancing with each other.
Anna's faced glowed as her smile became bigger. She started clapping to the tempo before reaching out both hands to Booker. "Isn't this wonderful?! Oh come dance with me Mr. Birch!"
Booker rubbed his arm and looked back up at Anna. "Well, no thanks. I don't really dance."
Anna put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow. "Why not? It's a special day Mr. Birch, I'm sure you could spare a dance with me."
Booker looked up at her face once more, and her smile drew him in. He put his hand on hers, and she led him to the dance floor.
I definitely had a lot of fun writing the party scene. I myself can't wait to get started on chapter five. I think that a lot of people expected a totally brainwashed Elizabeth (like, new personality and everything). I wanted her to keep her personality, but there are changes. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I didn't make Elizabeth innocent and happy.
I'd like to thank everyone who wrote a review. I'm trying to clean up my dialogue, but I haven't really written many stories set in this time period (actually, I've written none). I'm going to read some poems and books written at this time to get a better idea for dialogue.
As per usual, any and all criticism is appreciated!