Baccano! - Volume 12 - Chapter Pr

Epilogue I

Now, then…

All right. If we’re going to talk about what’s brought us to this point, it’s necessary to mentally shift gears.

Now, then is a very casual phrase, slipped into conversation as easily as the sugar you put in your morning coffee, but it’s a truly important one. It marks an end to everything that came before it: conversation, action, thought, focus… In fact, you could even say it cuts them loose completely. My point is, it’s a very meaningful phrase.

Now, then…

Let’s move on to the main topic: this recent chain of events.

Those who weren’t involved may end up treating it as single incident, rather than a sequence. Although I don’t know what’s going to happen from here on out.

It was a marvelous cruise, wasn’t it? A luxury cruise ship is its own type of closed world, drifting on the ocean. It is at once a hotel; a fortress; and, should things go awry, a coffin.

And if it sinks, its passengers will be spared the trouble of conducting a burial at sea. It’s a world that encompasses the whole of life and death.

Now, then.

Let’s review the current situation.

Ah, I’m disappointed. I’ve used the phrase Now, then three times already, and yet you haven’t been shifting gears with me. I’d really rather the person listening to my tale underwent some sort of change, too.

The despair on your face is the same, as are your attempts to crawl away from me and the whimpers from your throat…

And your fate. That, too, remains unchanged.

Now, then.

It’s about time we continued the interrogation.

That said… You don’t need to tell me anything. After all, there’s nothing in particular I want to ask.

If I must spell it out for you, then let me hear you scream, if you would.

Please don’t hold back—if it proves irritating, I can simply crush your throat.