36 Bullets: Redux36 Bullets Redux logoAct 1: “Killing Strangers”

A man with a gun and a suitcase, Allen Mauck, approaches three individuals in Resistance gear. The man in the middle, Fogarty, tells Mauck he's late and that he should know by now they don't like him flashing his piece around in their meetings, then asks Mauck if he doesn't trust him. Mauck puts down the suitcase but keeps the gun, telling Fogarty that no, he doesn't trust him, and that Mauck was getting ready to retire from this business but Fogarty brought him back again. Fogarty complains that it's really rude that Mauck keeps doing it but Mauck tells him Fogarty called him and if he doesn't like how Mauck does things, they're done here. Fogarty handwaves the matter and asks his associate, Brown, to hand him the file.
Fogarty extends Allen Mauck the file, telling him his target is a Combine sympathizer named Barnes, whose description is in the file. Fogarty explains that Barnes is said to know more than he needs to about the Resistance so it is imperative that he be taken out. Fogarty points to a duffel bag next to him, saying it has a high-powered sniper rifle that Mauck can use to take Barnes out at his apartment complex. He concludes by telling Mauck to just read the file and that it's one last, easy job before Mauck can go do whatever it is he wants to. Mauck asks what the payment is and Fogarty lists them: double the usual meal tickets, the erasure of all information of Mauck with the Resistance and finally, a counterfeit relocation card of Mauck's choosing. Mack reacts in surprise and Fogarty notes he knew that would peak his interest and that it's his chance to leave the city.
Mauck tells Fogarty that for those conditions and those conditions only, he has a deal, and after this he's done and he won't hear from Mauck again and Barnes will be dead. As Mauck turns to leave, Fogarty tells him he's a disgusting human being but he does respect him and that it will be a real shame when he's gone, he did some real good here. Mauck turns back to stare at him and simply states he will be back to collect his payment and his relocation card. As Mauck sneaks his way back into the city, he thinks to himself how the hitmen, assassins and hired guns are ex-good guys these days. He notes how a singular thought can grow and expand like a parasite and make things complicated, with the assassin starting to care about the person they're supposed to kill. He reflects that he fought the Combine for a while like everyone else, was even former military and a good guy, but who knew killing anyone for a price was so lucrative. Mauck reflects on how he's tired of it after thirty-three kills, which may not sound like much, but tell that to the Combine that have branded him a terrorist of the highest degree, or the Resistance which considers him a murderer. He notes on how it's the only way to survive and that today will mark the end of his career. A thirty-fourth kill to end his story and an easy job for him to end on, everyone wins.
Mauck approaches the building that the file on Barnes suggested to overlook the apartment building, planning to use the roof as his shooting platform. He complains in his head about jumping through windows and dodging Combine patrols as he makes his way up. At the rooftop, Mauck goes over the steps in his head, following his routine that is almost like a second nature. Step one, assemble his weapon and don't fuck it up because he only gets one shot. Step two: reposition himself. Step three: the hunter waits for the hunted. Mauck spots the building that was on file but notices Civil Protection activity that wasn't accounted for. He reasons he shouldn't be surprised since Barnes is a sympathizer, but also that it's too open and doesn't make sense. He realizes that something feels different about this job and can't shake the uneasiness, but then spots his target, Barnes, in green, leaving the building as a prisoner. Mauck realizes it wasn't protection, it was a raid and Barnes was snatched up too.
Mauck holds his gun as he wonders whether to shoot, as the man fits the target description to the letter, but motivations seem far more complicated than usual. Barnes is held against a wall by the Combine as Mauck wonders why Fogarty wants him dead, then remembers that it's this hesitation that gets shooters killed. Just then, a woman in rebel gear catches him off-guard from behind, aiming a gun to his head and stating that something tells her he's not supposed to fucking be here. Mauck kicks himself mentally for slipping and fucking up. Mauck tells the woman that there's a man down there that he needs to kill and she is closing his window of opportunity to do so. She replies that then every second she takes away from him gives another man another second to live, which means she is doing her job. He asks her what she knows about Barnes, but she retorts that she is the one with the gun to his head and tells him to drop the rifle. He does so and raises his hands as she asks who sent him to kill Barnes. He replies he can't say as it would be bad for business. She tells him to turn around and face her. As he does so, he reflects that he never thought he'd go into retirement facing down the barrel of a gun. He sarcastically notes this was one last easy job. End of act one.

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