Ricky bargains with the local slumlord Marcus for papers past the wall.

In return, Marcus wants evidence of Holman’s role in publishing an anonymous Loyalist tract that has complicated his business dealings.

 
 
 
 

TREATMENT

Ricky has landed in Marcus’ estate to speak with the slumlord himself. Marcus says he has heard about Ricky’s termination and sympathizes, but acknowledges their good fortune he was absent for that night’s massacre. Ricky says he was coming to Marcus with information to trade for papers into Boomtown, but Marcus wants something of Ricky’s instead.

Since the printing of an underground, pro-government pamphlet called Blind Eyes on Black Markets, Marcus’ operations have suffered increased Institutional scrutiny. Marcus believes the pamphlet may have been printed at Holman’s Press. Ricky does not believe Holman is a loyalist or would print independent literature, and he denies the paper and ink used for the pamphlet are stocked at Holman’s Press. Regardless, Marcus wants Ricky to earn the papers into Boomtown by searching for evidence against the printer - namely, a book of transactions and activities he believes Holman would keep as a Maker. Ricky says he would rather pay for the papers to make his own way, but Marcus tells Ricky that he’d slipped through the cracks until Holman reported his termination, and now he owes back payments. When Ricky push back at the idea of owing protection money, Marcus shares a cautionary “Wolf of the World story” folk story and forces Ricky to accept the deal, which comes with a time limit - the papers are only good through the upcoming Census Day.

After Ricky leaves, Marcus explains to his confused henchman that he knows Ricky will likely tell Holman what was said here today, and seeing how the printer reacts to the knowledge is the point. Marcus tells him to follow Ricky.

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