Conversation · Kortenaer

Shoot Kortenaer.

A plume of smoke and fire erupts from the gun and your hand goes numb from the explosion...

'I feel it in my fingers... I feel it in my toes...'

Look at Kortenaer.

There is a hole in his cheek. Blood gushes out as he stumbles backward, eyes filled with rage and disbelief -- gurgling, muttering something unintelligible...

His lips -- moving, swollen with fear -- are trying to say: 'Shoot him, shoot him!', but he can't.

Look through the smoke rising from the barrel.

The smoke drifts west with the wind. You hear the plaza erupt in violence, slow, like a waterfall in reverse.

A small explosion expels the bullet from the chamber. With a puff of smoke it hits the man square in the chest -- producing a soft clicking sound in the armour.

Like dice rolling.

The kinetic energy of the 9mm front-loaded bullet is distributed evenly across the chest piece and into his hands.

"Go ahead. Give it another try." The man doesn't even move. He’s smiling.

Do nothing.

He turns to his left and says: "Kill him."

Throw the gun at him: "Die!"

The weapon bounces off his shoulder. He turns to his left and says: "Kill him."

Shoot him again.

This time feels different. You aim higher -- as if pulled by a magnet. Your hand goes numb from the explosion and a plume of smoke erupts from the gun...

Another soft explosion, like a firecracker goes off in your hand. Another soft click from the gleaming white cuirass.

"They teach you to shoot the chest in copland? Stupid fuck..." The man shrugs and turns to his left and says: "Kill him."

"It didn't do anything?" (Look at the gun.)

"Do it, primitive..." He points to his chest. "Take me out."

"Why did I not find my lost gun..." (Just stand there.)

Stand there quietly; hope nothing bad happens.

"What's the matter, loincloth? Mouth full of dick?" He croaks. "Think I'm gonna fucking spare you?!"

"What's the matter, loincloth? Got your mouth full of dick?" He croaks. "Think I'm gonna spare you?! My brother is dead..."

"The Wild Pines rep does not approve of this!"

"Where is Klaasje? She can explain this."

"Who is that?" (Point to the man) "I didn't know you had a third guy."

"Listen! They didn't do it!"

Talk about hanged man.

I'm barely keeping you together here. If you talk to him, he will rattle you, not the other way around.

Yes, yes! Just throw the bomb at him. I'm barely keep you together here -- no time to talk. He will only rattle you.

Even if it comes to a fight it's a good idea to get under his skin first.

The leader gives a small nod to the helmeted man. Suddenly the grip of your side-arm feels comforting and warm in your hand. Feels like it's saying: Do it!

Shoot him in the mouth. Shoot him before he shoots you.

No, wait! It's good you have that gun. It really is. Just soften him up first. Present an argument!

If you waste time people will die.

No. We can do this. Drag it out a bit. Get under his skin.

I don't know about this getting under his skin. What if he gets under yours? I'm barely keeping your hand from trembling here...

Peace. Always peace -- it has worked thus far. Start with the first idea you have, then move down from that, please...

Whatever you do -- stop wasting your time thinking about it.

I'm barely keeping you together here... this is it. The big one. If you talk to him, he will rattle you, not the other way around.

Yes, yes! Just shoot him. I'm barely keeping you together here -- no time to talk. He will only rattle you.

Even if it comes to a fight it's always a good idea to drag it out first. Get under his skin.

The leader gives a small nod to the helmeted man. Suddenly your fingers holding the grip of a gun, that has just taken a life, tingle... Go for it, it seems to say.

The leader gives a small nod to the helmeted man. You feel your fists contract, as you stand there, between these men -- all carrying real weapons.

No, no. It's okay. Soften him up and trust the others to attack if it comes to that. Make him talk! Present an argument!

If you waste time, people will die. And they will still attack you later.

No. We can do this. Drag it out a bit. Get under his skin.

I don't know about this getting under his skin... He'll only get under yours. I'm barely keeping you together here. This is it.

Peace. Always peace -- it has worked thus far. Start with the first idea you have, move down from that, please...

Whatever you do -- stop wasting your time thinking about it.

I'm barely keeping you together here... this is it. If you talk to him, he will rattle you, not the other way around.

I'm barely keeping you together here. The more you talk the harder it will get, I'm afraid...

Even if it comes to a fight it's always a good idea to drag it out. Get under his skin.

You really, really should have a gun in your hand by now -- or something dangerous. This feels scary.

"I can see you're drunk."

"Oh yeah, welcome to the fucking party." He looks around. "You're probably gonna get killed too, I don't give a shit if you're cops."

"One wrong move and I'm taking you out."