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[vaccination]

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[vaccination]

I think we're going to get along just fine as coworkers.

[bcpd]

Good. Because if we're going to get rid of this fucking cell [ is that a descriptive or intensifying fuck? yes. ], we're going to have to back each other up.

[ A pause, and then, with the air of making a list: ]

So. No fucking in Zero. No inmates in Zero unless they're in a cell. And not to fuck. Anything else that needs to change?

[vaccination]

No favors. Same treatment for everyone, and that means... no contact unless it's a warden coming to let their ass out.

[bcpd]

Good.

[ Unconsciously, she's already treating it like a partnership, albeit one where Ellie's a rookie still feeling out her options. ]

Do they get their devices down here?

[vaccination]

They can. I've been playing it case by case, but I don't mind saying no altogether.

That said, guess I should be upfront. I find the warden-inmate thing to be pretty bullshit. People are people, some are shitty and some are less shitty. I don't treat inmates different from wardens. If you're being a dumbass in this place, you belong in Zero.

audio

[dog_eat_dog]

[Here's Tess, sounding a little warm.]

Hey, kid.

I know the Admiral's not doing off-barge trips right now for fun, but when he is... I'm thinking you and I should take a little trip.

[Hint hint.]

audio

[vaccination]

Uuh. A trip? You and me?

audio

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah. You don't like the idea?

audio

[vaccination]

No, it's just--

A trip. You and me. Keep talking.

audio

[dog_eat_dog]

It's only a matter of time before our world is safer to travel, without having to worry about Infected... and even then, if we didn't want to deal with that, Arthur's setting up a ranch in his time. Lot of countryside to explore. Or we could...

[She cuts herself off. It's less about place than time together, isn't it?]

I know we're probably going to drive each other crazy at least part of the time, but I think it could be a good time. Get to know each other a little better outside of this place.

audio

[vaccination]

Holy shit. Okay, are you just skipping over the important part, here?

audio

[dog_eat_dog]

[Well, there's that too. Tess sighs, almost relenting.]

I graduated.

[Humbling, actually, that she was ever an inmate to begin with.]

[vaccination]

Holy shit, you actually did it--not that I didn't think you'd get there, but--wow. Holy shit. Congrats. Arthur must be relieved.

[dog_eat_dog]

But it took a lot longer than either of us expected.

[Making it is all that matters.

Thanks. And he's over the moon. Gonna have a good week before I help pack him up to head home.

[vaccination]

How's it feel?

[Having graduated, or Arthur going home. Or both. Ellie knows they're close.]

[dog_eat_dog]

Overwhelming. Shitty.

[The second one needs clarification:]

It has to stick this time.

[vaccination]

What do you mean?

[dog_eat_dog]

I know what god awful shit I’m capable of, and old habits are easy to go back to. I can’t fall back on that anymore, but it’d be easy to.

[vaccination]

... wow. Did Arthur make you write that on a chalk board 100 times to graduate?

[It's a joke!!! She's laughing!!!]

[dog_eat_dog]

Jesus, no, but he managed to stay on the good track for me, so… I can figure it out too.

[vaccination]

Aww.

[Be serious, Ellie.]

But... really, I'm happy for you. You'll be a good warden.

[dog_eat_dog]

[Aww, kid.]

Thanks. I hope so.

How you holding up?

[vaccination]

All right. Waiting for shit to get worse, but what's new?

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah… I doubt this is just a one time thing.

[Not when it’s happened before.]

But hey, it’s two of us now working on one deal. We just have to finish it and we can get out of here.

[vaccination]

Yeah. I, uh.

[--don't talk about emotions much.]

Really miss Dina and JJ. And Joel too, obviously. I think I finally figured out what I'd say to him.

[Getting your throat ripped out kind of puts things in perspective.]