EXSILIUM - contact.

[hostage]

UNIT№409



_“ Hey, it's me. Wait for the thing. _”

Comments

[hostage]

[Silence on this end, but he hasn't hung up.]

[5055034455]

[His next words sound a little strained.]

Please give this a chance.

[hostage]

[The silence continues for another few seconds. Then Jesse takes a breath, and he finally answers with a defeated:]

Okay.

[5055034455]

[It's not like Saul expected Jesse to agree, but this is better than nothing. He sighs, albeit silently, shoulders relaxing.

He didn't realize he was so tense.]

Thank you. 10:30, tomorrow morning. You want me to bring Mike along?

[hostage]

No.

[5055034455]

Okay. Do you need anything right now? You hungry?

[hostage]

No.

[5055034455]

Well, if there's anything you need, even if it's just company, give me a call whenever. Otherwise, I'll see you in the morning.

[A beat.]

Love you, kid. Get some rest.

[hostage]

Saul.

[5055034455]

Yeah?

[hostage]

What story do I give her?

[5055034455]

You tell her the truth. Whatever you say, it's between you and her and me. Or you and her, if you don't want me in there.

[hostage]

That really how you wanna go?

[5055034455]

Jesse, this is for you. Not me. I'm not gonna give you a script or tell you to lie — I'm done with that. This won't do you any good if you're not honest.

[hostage]

Okay.

[5055034455]

And if you decide you don't wanna do it, that's fine. Just give it a try, see what Dr. Hoffman thinks. Beyond that, I won't force you to do anything.

[hostage]

Okay.

[5055034455]

...okay.

[Saul's getting the feeling Jesse doesn't want to hang up.

Maybe he's just projecting.]

When everything's worked out, I'm taking you on vacation.

[hostage]

Yeah. Sure.

[5055034455]

Seriously. Where do you wanna go?

[hostage]

As far as I can go.

[5055034455]

Okay, let's brainstorm. What's another planet we know of that isn't caught in the middle of some turmoil? What about, uh... oh! So, in Dune, there's this planet called Tupile. It's kinda like a sanctuary, meant to be secret. [In sing-song:] I bet they've got a beach or two.

[hostage]

[...Now it's puzzled silence.]

[5055034455]

What, you've never read that series?

[hostage]

Like, books?