[the video is a portrait of contrast. Sam Merlotte looks haggard, worn... and a little apprehensive. He seems like he's trying to decide if he should be addressing anyone at all
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[Now that's a little more human than the cheerful, presumably constructed work-face he met the man with. Reigning in the urge to golf-clap, he instead raises his glass of bourbon in demonstration.]
I hadn't realised you were so close to completing your time. Congratulations.
[It's not that simple. Even if Sam wanted to explain it - and he doesn't - he wouldn't have the first idea how to. Because he doesn't know himself. He can't explain why he actually resisted other people's efforts to free him, or why the thought of freedom sent him into panic and paranoid visions of re-capture and torture simply at the thought of leaving Madara's onsen. Why was he so accepting? Why would he act like that? Why would he fight to stay someone's pet?]
I'm gonna go back to managin' my own bar. That's enough to keep me busy for now.
[he pauses then, awkwardly looking Tonegawa over. He doesn't remember ever meeting this man, but Tonegawa is acting almost familiar with him. Maybe he came by the onsen once, and it's just been so long he can't remember.]
[He breaks off, the rest of Merlotte's answer catching up with him. Hold on a moment.
Tonegawa peers at the man through the screen, trying to work out what he's possibly getting at- but no, there's no reason why he would want or need to pretend not to know him at all. But this most certainly was the same man who served him at the bar that night. They'd even, miracle of miracles given that the man had been waitstaff, had a conversation.]
You don't remember me? I was there the night of the recruitment party, earlier this month.
[he looks openly confused, trying to place Tonegawa's face and failing.]
You sure it was me? [he scratches at his hair; Gizmo whines, and he shushes her.] ...Shit, this is awful, I really can't remember talkin' with you. Man, I'm sorry. You remember what time it was? If it was close to 6:30 or before? Maybe I just got distracted with closin' the bar back down.
[And that is genuine confusion- he's seen that face enough times to know that there's no faking it.]
You closed the bar at six thirty? [Now it's his turn to frown.] I was there all night- you definitely served me after then. You don't remember anything about that?
[he remembers being told some guests would spend the night, but Sam's sure he didn't serve any of them past Sirens. He shakes his head, looking a little sympathetic because the man's obviously confused.]
... hmm. [The frown deepens for a moment- there's no way he could doubt himself with something like this- but then he shakes his head.] It doesn't matter. At any rate, my name is Tonegawa Yukio. I manage Imperial Finance, in sector one.
I hadn't realised you were so close to completing your time. Congratulations.
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I'm gonna go back to managin' my own bar. That's enough to keep me busy for now.
[he pauses then, awkwardly looking Tonegawa over. He doesn't remember ever meeting this man, but Tonegawa is acting almost familiar with him. Maybe he came by the onsen once, and it's just been so long he can't remember.]
...So I take it you've been by Uzushio?
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[He breaks off, the rest of Merlotte's answer catching up with him. Hold on a moment.
Tonegawa peers at the man through the screen, trying to work out what he's possibly getting at- but no, there's no reason why he would want or need to pretend not to know him at all. But this most certainly was the same man who served him at the bar that night. They'd even, miracle of miracles given that the man had been waitstaff, had a conversation.]
You don't remember me? I was there the night of the recruitment party, earlier this month.
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[he shakes his head.] Sorry - the place was pretty crowded, and I'm not all that good with faces unless I talk with a person.
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As a matter of fact, we did speak. You served me a gin and tonic, if my memory serves me well.
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You sure it was me? [he scratches at his hair; Gizmo whines, and he shushes her.] ...Shit, this is awful, I really can't remember talkin' with you. Man, I'm sorry. You remember what time it was? If it was close to 6:30 or before? Maybe I just got distracted with closin' the bar back down.
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You closed the bar at six thirty? [Now it's his turn to frown.] I was there all night- you definitely served me after then. You don't remember anything about that?
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