Part 34: Taking a Walk to the Park

Music: Razzle Dazzle












That's a longer intro than usual.

Music: Mulling It Over




Last night on the phone she said, "Scarlet Star? No, I never heard your father say that."



I decide to take a stroll to a small park I know two blocks from here.

Music stops (just some car sounds)


Not pictured: a park or a bench.

It definitely helps to wake me up a little more.



No matter how hard I try, I just can't get that mysterious order sheet out of my head.



(I think it's about time I checked out the fourth floor.)

Mr Hyde, hold it right there!





(Betty?)

Music: Dancing Cat
Are you ignoring me, Mr Hyde?
I was walking behind you for ages.
I tried calling out to you several times, but you wouldn't even turn around!
Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.
(Looks like you're not as alert as you used to be, Kyle. Maybe there was some truth in what Rex said, after all.)

Yeah, that's what the thread also thought.

So, have you found a new place to live yet?
Haven't even started looking.
You're taking it very easy for someone who'll be out on the streets shortly.
How about you, when do you plan on moving out?
I'm all set to go on Friday.
I'll be here for Christmas though!
After all, I wouldn't want to miss Santa now, would I?
If I moved away before that, how would he know where to deliver all my presents?
Are you kidding me?



Wait, who?

He what?
I know, isn't it great! He even said he'd get me the Bella Regina handbag I've been dreaming about!
Bella Regina? That a person or something?
Come on, Mr Hyde, everyone knows Bella Regina! It's the brand that's taking the world by storm.
Clothes, handbags, that brand has everything a girl could want!

Including food?

The prices are a bit high, but it's all so gorgeous!
And you seriously think Tony's gonna come through and get this for you?
Sure. He keeps saying how he's going to be getting some serious cash any day now.
Serious cash? Him?

Is he talking about that attempt yesterday? I'm still not over that!

After seeing a movie last night, he asked me what I wanted for Christmas.
I thought it would be rude not to accept his offer to get me something.

Just say that all you want for Christmas is him. Oh wait, that song doesn't exist yet.

I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, Betty. He set his sights on you. You shouldn't lead him on if you don't care about him.
You don't have to worry about me, Mr Hyde...



Somehow I really doubt that.

Oh, did you hear the news? About the jewellery robbery that happened nearby?
Yeah, I heard.
It happened at a jewellers very near where I work.
I couldn't believe it when I heard.

Music stops
(That reminds me, I wonder who that woman in the hat was...)





These are the same scenes from the intro.

(Maybe she was paying a visit to one of the tenants here.)

Music: Dancing Cat
Hey, Betty, did you see a woman wearing a hat hanging around on Thursday night? She might have been visiting someone living here.



Can't say I did, sorry.
Never mind, then.
Okay, see you later, Mr Hyde.

Betty says goodbye and makes her way up the stairs.

Music: Overstepped Memory


Before we do anything...



Let's buy a drink first! I'm buying Cool Pop this time because we might win the prize this time.





I open the bottle and glug the whole thing down.

I drink this all the time, but it's just as tasty as ever.
But this time it might come with a prize.
This bottle cap...



I put the winning bottle cap in my pocket.

We can give the prize to Sidney or Mags, but I'll hold onto it. For responses sentimental reasons.





Speak of the devil.

Music: Blue Lady
Greetings, Mr Hyde!
Good morning, Mrs Patrice.
Have you been out?
Yeah, just went for a short stroll.
Really, is that so?
I'm glad I caught you. I wanted to thank you again for settling your rent.
It may not have been as prompt as desired, but at least I got the money in full.
If only some of the others could follow your example and do the same.

Tony probably could pay his rent if he didn't spend his money on gambling, movies, or stuff for a friend that's not interested in him.

Ms Rivet in 206, for example, She called to ask if I would wait a little longer...

Is Marie typically called Ms Rivet instead of Mrs? I just noticed this.

And Mr Wolf, well, he's preformed his usual disappearing act.
I mean, this is the busiest I've ever been since coming here,
And having unreliable tenants is a burden I'd rather not have to bear.
Yeah, I imagine it's a pain.
It certainly is, Mr Hyde! Oh, by the way, there's something I have to mention.
What is it?
Before we vacate the building, we'll be cutting the power to rooms that aren't in use.



The power to the hallway will be off too and I'd like you to refrain from going there.

Why would you even put working power if no one is allowed to go there?

Mrs Patrice, can I ask you something?
That depends. What's it about?
Would it be possible to see the rooms up there before the power is cut off?
And why would you want to do that, Mr Hyde?
Do you have a valid reason?
Not really, just wanted to satisfy my curiosity.
There really is nothing of interest up there. It was never renovated like the other floors, so it's just as it used to be.
I imagine that, by now, the rooms are literally covered in dust as well.
Surely there's no reason why you need to go and see those rooms.
Actually, I've been wanting to take a look around up there since moving in.
When I heard we'd all be moving out, I just thought this would be my last chance. I know it must sound strange, but I'd really like to take a look around.
Would you make an exception, just this once?
I'm sorry, Mr Hyde. That area is off-limits for a reason. It's in a state of disrepair and if an accident were to befall you, I'd be responsible.
Don't cause any unnecessary trouble for me. I have enough to deal with as it is.
Yes, of course you do.
In fact, I'd be grateful if you could avoid mentioning this again.
The fourth floor is strictly off-limits to tenants. That's one of the reasons the fire door was installed.

Again, why put power there in the first place?



The new owners were quite clear about their wishes.

(New owners?)

Personally, I find it ridiculous. Why would you want to see those rooms at all?
Okay, point taken.



It would have been far more practical to have converted them along with the rest.

(Why didn't you convert them?)

Music: Gusty Town


Show $5
Your rent is already paid up, Mr Hyde.
Show winning bottle cap
Take a look at this.
*Takes a look* I see. You received a winning bottle cap from the vending machine.
Congratulations! Here is your prize.

This is our reward for buying drinks. I'll get more into this later.
I understand that it's a newly-released handheld game of some sort.
Show Pinkie Rabbit Land
I hear this game is rather popular at the moment. I hope you enjoy it.