Man, thought you'd be off the clock by five,
they keep you on call. Shitluck.
Cap said I could leave my gun and badge
if I went home to listen to my old lady
go on and on about her online shopping or whatever the hell she did all day.
That’s what you get for choosing the life of a public servant.
It just had to fucking rain.
Hmm? What the hell you doin'? Back it up.
Looking to get shot?
Got us a cyber psycho!
Raise MaxTac now!
We need to fry the system fast.
Freak's supporting military-grade ICE!
Meaning that our tech isn't? Get to it!
So, what do you think?
Still warm, that. Couple hours old.
Lifted from the edgerunner who scrolled it.
Straight off the street.
So, what!
Doc, hey, you gotta tell me who keeps feeding you these nuggets.
Kurosaki. Who else?
Ain't no other editor who churns out BDs that sweet and preem.
Won't pull nothin' like that off the shelf, neither.
No shit. Brain's still buzzing. Gonna be sick.
Slow, deep breaths, choom.
Just left the head of a skezzed-out chrome junkie.
Cyberpsychosis ain't no joke.
Anyway, either hurt or don't, got more chips for you to slot.
Really? What?
Something special.
Huh? Cut the shit, man!
Huh?
Cycle suspended due to insufficient funds.
-Geez, not again. -Cycle suspended due to in--
It was a tragic scene in Westbrook today
when a corporate convoy
-was ambushed by 6th Street… -God, Mom.
Morning, Miho.
If you keep sleeping on the couch,
gonna get early onset arthritis.
I know. Just dead after my night shift, is all.
You and the washing machine both. Forget to re-up it?
Yeah.
I'll take care of it later, 'kay?
Oh, money, right. You mentioned a reef update for class.
That happen yet? When did you say you need it?
No, no. It's fine. Got Doc to handle it.
-What do you mean "handle it"? -I'm good. All set.
Don't go cutting corners, D.
Already cashed my paycheck. You'll get it updated right. Hear me?
Mom, seriously! Just feed the washer, alright?
I forgot this time. I told you.
Promise me you'll buy the update.
Okay, okay.
And you're really going to school dressed like that?
Uniform’s soaked.
A military-grade implant…
-…was found missing from the body -Hmm?
of Lt. Col. James Norris, shot dead by MaxTac…
Mom, you're on TV! Nova!
Not Nova, David. A bloodbath.
-Go on. Off to school. -Bye.
Love you, Miho.
Maine? It's Gloria.
Hmm…
Trauma Team. Clear a path immediately.
Emergency evac underway. Emergency evac.
All AVs, vacate the airway.
Trauma Team. Clear a path immediately. Trauma Team. Clear a path.
Don't walk.
Walk. Walk. Walk.
Walk. Walk.
Huh?
Good morning to you, class.
Today's attendance. Zero absences.
Martinez, David.
You are not in compliance with the Academy's dress code.
Yeah. Real sorry about that.
Afraid my uniform's still at the cleaner's.
Do you have a spare uniform?
Yeah. Spare's there too.
Understood. Please submit a Uniform Exception form after class.
Now, let us begin today's lesson.
-You will observe… -Gutter rat. Rat off the street.
Me? Nah. Wouldn't show my face.
Cray-crazy, I know, but some of us here to learn to learn.
With that fossiltech?
Updates, man. Bet it's not compatible.
I made it compatible.
Huh? How?
How I had to.
Life's gotta be gotta be shit
when a two-bit wreath costs your life savings.
At this time,
I ask all students to log into the Green Room for meditation.
Countin’ on ya, Doc.
-Seriously? -What?
Martinez again!
Not again!
I’m so sorry for the inconvenience my son has caused.
I wouldn't call this a matter of money, Mrs. Martinez.
Although I must say it was quite an expense for us to restore the system.
Of course, and I will pay for the repairs.
Hmm?
As I understand it, Mr. Martinez modified his headset
with backalley software to avoid paying for the licensed update.
This is not behavior befitting a pupil from a financially stable home.
It's not a problem, really. We can afford it.
Be that as it may,
I see an opportunity here to improve David's situation.
Meaning what, exactly?
David is not a good fit with his classmates.
He could benefit from a change in environment.
No! Wait, please. I mean, he has to stay here.
He deserves this education as much as every other child in this school.
What happened? Didn't I tell you to get the upgrade?
Yeah. Doc's damn fault. Gave me a faulty port drive.
You tried to get around the system, didn't you?
Now, it'll cost us ten times more.
Sorry.
If it's something you gotta apologize for,
maybe don't do it in the first place, hey?
You said you didn't have the eddies when I asked, so…
I was waiting for payday!
You know we don't got that kind of cash just lying around.
Can't you sit still a minute?
You know, I've been thinkin’ lately.
About what?
Maybe I drop out. Find some work or whatever.
Do you hear yourself?
C'mon, seriously. You know we can't afford those repairs.
Plus, you got no idea just how bad I stand out compared to all of them.
Anyone sides a true blue corpo gets shit on.
Even if I do graduate, they'll never accept me.
No kid from Santo will ever be a suit.
I don't wanna be one anyway.
So, you tell me.
What have I been busting my ass for then, huh?
Everything I do, I do for you, D.
Don't you see that?
You're breaking my heart, Miho.
Wait. What?
My sweet baby boy. So smart, so talented.
You're everything to me.
I want to give you a fighting chance in this city and a good education.
It's why I put in all of those hours. Why I'm never home.
Uh, I'm sorry.
Shouldn't have brought it up. Don't cry, Mom.
Think I don't know how they treat you?
Think I don't get treated the same way?
But that's why you gotta prove them wrong.
You have to work hard and rise through the ranks.
My son at Arasaka Tower top floor! I can just see it.
You've got this, D. You're my son.
Yeah, well, easier said than done.
Huh?
Fuck 'em up!
-Don't let 'em get away! -Suit's limo's titanium plated!
The hunt's on, my beastbros!
No one fucks with the Animals!
-Suckers… -Mom! Brake! Brake hard!
Watch out!
Mom? Mom!
Is that the Trauma Team? Oh, thank Christ.
He's not a client.
Neither is she.
Hey, wait!
Secure the policyholder. Leave them to the city meat wagons.
-Copy that. -What?
What the hell? Hey! Where are you going?
Shit!
No way. Just gonna leave us here?
Mom! Momma!
Mom, wake up!
Fucking piece of…
Mom! Dammit, get off me!
Shit. Get the fuck off! Dammit!
Mom!
Fuck!
Surgery was a success.
Your mother hasn't come to just yet, but she's stable.
Need her to stay a few more nights.
Oh. Then, is it okay if I see her?
No can do, buddy. Visitation ain't part of your package.
Oh. Right.
Anyway, I should get started on the paperwork.
Brought your mom's things.
And don't forget to zip us those eds. Got three days.
-Uh… -Yeah.
There's a reason everyone in Night City
wants insurance.
Stay safe now.
Yeah, hoop ship. Version back.
Is that all? You low-balling me? Huh?
Nah, forget it, choom.
Dammit! Hmm?
What the fuck?
Another account. Christ.
Just enough. She saved so much. Never knew.
So, that, it settled the medical.
Still gotta cover rent. Huh?
Doc? Hey, you get the still I sent? Listen.
Don't think I'd forgotten I owe you a kick in the nuts for that shoddy bootleg.
But check this.
Cyberware.
Yeah, looks, uh, military, doesn't it?
How do you think it would fetch
if I was interested and the price was right?
Not selling. Just want an estimate.
Nah, fuck that noise. No way it's that cheap.
Oh, come on, choom.
Whatev! Wasn't selling anyways.
By the way. Don't expect me to push your XBDs at school anymore!
Any pinchin' hack had taken me for a gonk.
A Sandevistan.
No serial number and what? Military-grade, this thing, really?
It definitely ain't legal. But whatev.
Whoa! The hell are these specs?
Huh? Ah!
Little piece of advice, Martinez.
-Learn to take a hint. -About what?
Our class. You're not welcome. Got it?
Huh? If this is about yesterday--
-Who said anything about yesterday? -What?
You probably figure I give you a hard time 'cause you're poor. Simply untrue.
I'm rather charitably inclined.
Not your fault you were born on the wrong side of society.
There's no rule that says a street kid
can't make it at the Academy,
provided they pay their way.
What cracks my chrome is something else entirely.
-Know what? -Look, choom.
I haven't understood a single thing coming out of your mouth.
-That right there! -Hmm…
Time to get gone. Just drop out, why don't ya?
-Huh? -You're a misfit, an anomaly.
Human but trash, and there's nothing that can change that.
Rot in you runs as deep as your bones, Martinez.
Best you can do is not spread it to the rest of us.
Did I just short-circ?
Said you didn't care as long as I paid tuition.
I heard your mommy came in to see the principal,
ask forgiveness for your little stunt.
Caused quite a scene,
crying for her baby boy, begging for him not to get expelled.
So shameless.
You know, since we're chatting, I've just always wondered.
How could she afford to send you to Arasaka Academy anyway?
Care to explain, Martinez?
Go on. Tell us. How does Mommy pay your way?
What's any Night City bottomfeeder
do to make a quick eurobuck, huh?
Oh! A couple of pretty salacious things come to mind.
Tired of this shit.
-Hold on, choom. Who said we were done? -Fuck off!
Huh? Oh? What?
Huh? Ha!
Got anything slotted? Anime freeware maybe?
Hmm? Hmm. Aww!
I knew it.
Nothing like the Strongarms 400 to bring out the best in your kung-fu chipware.
Organic knuckles? Seriously?
Wanna try me again? I suggest you pack some serious chrome.
Or just drop out.
You know what I'd prefer.
Mr. Martinez?
I'm calling in regards to Gloria Martinez's condition.
-Huh? -She was stable this morning,
but then her vitals began to nosedive really out of nowhere.
But you said the surgery was successful.
True. But only so much we can do on the discount package.
Worn down as she was, I doubt she'd had lasted much longer.
Overworked, seemed to me.
Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you we offer some burial options.
People in Night City want corpo gigs for a reason, kid.
Greetings, valued customer. We are sorry for your loss.
To ease things at this difficult time,
we can deliver the body of your dearly departed
to your home or to a funeral home.
Would you like to learn more?
I got a choice?
Is our budget-friendly cremation service right for you?
Waive those pesky delivery fees and bring your loved one home today.
Don't walk.
-Good day, Mrs. Martinez. -Don't walk.
-We've received a quote for the repairs -Don't walk.
-to our system infrastructure. -Don't walk.
As agreed, I've sent you an e-mail with the payment details.
Also, perhaps you've had time to think?
Do let me know.
Just say the word and we'll begin making arrangements
for David's transfer to another institution.
Please note. To maintain your utilities contract,
you must pay a penalty of 500 euro-dollars
in addition to any past due amounts and late fees.
If you cannot pay by the deadline,
your services will be terminated in the following order…
Trauma Team. Clear a path immediately.
-…medical… -Ding-ding, Martinez!
Me again. Time's up.
Rent's long past due.
Keep this shit up and I won't just change your lock,
I'll throw your ass out on the street. You feel me?
The implant I showed you, you said you'd take it off me for 10K?
Six now? Said ten yesterday, choom!
Come on. That's just one fucking day.
And we both know that it's worth way more!
Hell yeah, I looked into it, and I--
Oh, yeah? Well, fuck you too! Bitch.
Katsuo here. I heard about your mom.
I could offer my sympathies, but find it hard to sympathize.
God only knows what she had to endure
to send her delinquent son to an Academy he doesn't belong at.
Her methods couldn't have been noble
if she died in a car accident. So mundane.
But you know?
Karma. There's a lesson in this, David.
Your mother tried to live beyond her means and died.
Don't make the same mistake.
Christ. The hell. Who is that?
David, hey.
That the big bad Sandy?
Not a badge or fixer in town who's not looking for that beauty.
I told you though…
ain't gonna find anyone that's willing to take it off your hands.
I'm not here to sell.
I want this fused here. 'Bout time I chrome the fuck up.