002 | AUDIO | CALLSIGN: DI481O | LATE MORNING/EARLY DAY 003

[salamanca]

[ There's a click and static of the walkie turning on, and then... nothing. Just breathing. Each breath is slow, heavy, and labored, like the person on the other end is gearing up to say something, but it's too hard. The walkie clicks off.

Then back on again. One more deep breath. The voice on the other end is quiet, soft, ashamed. Lalo is trying to seem less hysterical than he was trying to come off when he first messaged Jet, but still sad and forlorn. Who knows if he's actually accomplishing that goal, but that's what he's going for, anyway. ]

Hello, everyone. This is Ben.

[ The voice on the other end is slightly warm, but low and sad; very very faint Mexican accent, if you're familiar with what a Mexican accent sounds like, barely there unless you really listen for it. ]

I have a confession to make. I —

[ Another pause. ]

I let two of you down last night. I'd like to promise that it won't happen again, but I can't. The thing is — the last thing I remember before I woke up here, some perp attacked me with an electrical cattle prod. Last night, I encountered one of the drones, and when I saw it coming at me, crackling with electricity, I — I — I — it was like I couldn't think straight. My whole world collapsed. I was able to keep it together for a little bit, but it was like that sense of helplessness, those awful feelings came rushing back.

I'll never forgive myself. I'm not asking any of you for sympathy. Or for forgiveness. I say this only because I believe it's only fair that all of you know this before trusting me with anything again.

Thank God for Jet. If anyone is wanting to know about Martin, Jet is with him now. In the building with the drones...

He's working to rescue him. We're keeping in touch.

Kokichi is with Jet too. Kokichi, I am sorry I failed you. I will never forgive myself.

[ There's yet another brief pause. ]

Please be careful, everyone. Stay safe.

Comments

voice

[ichoosefight]

[ ... ]

Sorry? What do you think social services is gonna do?

voice

[salamanca]

[ Heavy sigh. ]

Probably not much, in your situation. I'm sorry. I was hoping maybe I could find some way to help. Anything at all. But if you ever do need clothes, food, even advice on scholarships for school-- let me know. I'll recommend what I can.

You ever think about becoming a cop? You sound like you'd be good at it.

[ Maybe it's a bit presumptuous to assume she's on the younger side, but the way she talks about her mom like they're still a family unit makes Lalo believe she skews young, especially taking into account that she said she's an American. So probably somewhere between 15 and 23, give or take... ]

Re: voice

[ichoosefight]

It's a sweet thought, but we do okay. I'm actually on a scholarship already. Haven't declared a major though. Maybe nursing school? I'd make a terrible cop. I don't take orders well.

[ Also she's a masked vigilante. But, you know, details. ]

voice

[salamanca]

Whatever you do, it should be something you love. If I were you, I'd take time, explore different options, take different classes and see what interests me. Then I'd pursue what I knew I was good at.

You do go into nursing school, make sure it's because you want to be a nurse and not just because it feels like what you should do.

Me, I went straight into the family business without thinking about it, and I've always regretted it.

voice

[ichoosefight]

Yeah? Why not quit, then?

voice

[salamanca]

Well, I did! How do you think I became a cop?

Just wish I'd done it sooner. Don't make the same mistake I did.

voice

[ichoosefight]

Oh, I assumed the family business was police. I know that's the kind of thing that runs in families.

voice

[salamanca]

It does! You're right. But uh, no, no — actually my family, they're all small business owners. Turns out sales just wasn't for me. I wanted to do something more with my life. I wanted to help people.

voice

[ichoosefight]

[ She can see why he might be taking his failure hard if that's his goal. ]

You seem like you're feeling a little better now.

voice

[salamanca]

Hey, it's like you said, right? Dwelling on being miserable won't help anybody. I've just got to keep focusing on the next right thing to do.

Thanks, Steph. I owe ya.

voice

[ichoosefight]

I'm glad I could help.