I can't believe you have such a well-equipped workshop right next to your place, Deuce Spade! I'll definitely be able to make my own White Rabbit costume here.
Kinda surprising you actually want to dress up. Hopefully they'll lend us a 3D printer and the necessary parts... Guess we won't know until we ask. I think this is the intercom...
I remember you! Always runnin' around at night with those other punks, causin' trouble! You know how much grief you've caused the people of this town? You have any idea? I don't care how many times your poor mother apologized for ya, I ain't helpin' ya! Get out!
That's right! I need a costume so I can participate in White Rabbit Fest. But I can't wear clothes like a normal human. I need to make my own special gear.
Workshop Owner
You know, I've seen a ton of robots in my day, but none that could talk so naturally like you! And you're here in Clock Town for the White Rabbit Fest, you say? Warms my heart... But I can't risk havin' Deuce mess up my workshop! The answer is NO!!
Do you really think Deuce is just acting polite in order to make you drop your guard? I promise, Deuce is not smart enough to think of a plan like that, let alone pull it off!
Workshop Owner
...Now that you mention it, he never was much for schemes. Just caused a ruckus. So you're really just here to use the workshop? You'll be good?
Hmph. You know, if anyone finds out I let you work in here, it's gonna damage my rep. I don't need any money from ya. Just make what you need and skedaddle. Also, come in through the back way. You know where it is, right?
Just kinda...hating myself. After I enrolled in Night Raven College, I decided to try and be an honor student. Devoted myself to my studies and my club. I feel like I've changed a lot, but that doesn't erase everything I did in the past.
Of course. That's why I'm here. Though I gotta say, Ortho, I'm impressed how you managed to talk the owner down. He was so mad. I thought for sure we'd have to go somewhere else.
Considering he works on blastcycles, I imagined he must be interested in all manner of machines, including robots. So I played up the humanoid angle, suspecting he was bound to be curious.
Now that you mention it, his demeanor totally changed as soon as he heard that. ...Must be nice, being able to think ahead like that. Wish I could. We wouldn't be in this mess if I'd been able to think ahead back in middle school.
We wouldn't have had to if you hadn't run off. But we all decided we could use some free time. We're going to meet by that stall we were just at in an hour. Make sure you're not late.
Well, it's no surprise you haven't heard. You look like good kids. I bet you'd never get mixed up with HIS sort. He had these awful frosted tips, and a real mean look about him. He was always tearing about on his blastcycle.
Passerby A
And when he got into fights, he'd summon a cauldron and flatten his enemies! Gives me chills just thinking about it.
Haven't heard much about him lately... But I'm sure he's just as awful as ever, wherever he is.
Passerby A
I remember things were so bad, one of the cops kept an eye out for him-even on days off! Point is, you don't want to get tangled up with someone like that. So just be careful out there.
Ugh, I was hoping we could drop it... Fine... I guess I can tell you, [MC]. Those women just now... The truth is, they were talking about me. It's been a while since I left for Night Raven College, but I guess people still talk about me. And still think I'm "just as awful as ever"......
...You know, I had a similar experience when I went to the workshop with Ortho earlier. Even people who knew me back then seem to think I haven't changed. ...At least my family always believed in me. And at least one other person, too. Remember the cop those women mentioned? The one who was always keeping an eye out for me? They were posted at the station just across from the park. They really seemed to care about me.
Are they still at that station?
Let's go show them how much you're changed over the years!
You have no idea how much I wish I could... But that's the thing—they got transferred to another town a while ago. Made quite the name for themselves, from the sound of it.
I should have seen them off when they got transferred, but at the time I was too stubborn. I swore I'd turn my life around and show them how much I'd improved when I saw them again. Things don't always work out the way you want, though, do they?
Like today. I wanted to show you all around my hometown. But it turns out I don't know anything about the place. Some tour guide... I never even thought to find out more about my hometown until Epel chided me about it. Maybe I haven't really changed all that much after all.
Sorry! You didn't come here to watch me mope! Ah, and look at the time! We should head back to our meeting spot. Wouldn't want to keep everyone else waiting!
Oh, yeah... Whoa! Look at that huge line! There's way more people signing up than I expected... Well, it's not getting any shorter. Let's find the end and add ourselves to it...
???
Ah, carrot sticks! They're never gonna let us register now...
I could've sworn I put our rabbit ears in my bag, but they're not here! Where did I leave them...?
Workshop Owner
Wait—is THAT what those headbands on top of the 3D printer at the shop were? I'd say go and grab 'em, but registration will have ended by the time you get back. Guess we can't race this year...
Rabbit ears on a 3D printer... Oh! I remember seeing those when I was there with Ortho! I bet I could summon them with my magic. I never did get to thank the owner for letting us use his workshop... I should see if he'd accept my help. Um, excuse me.
Workshop Owner
Huh?...No way-Deuce?! Whaddaya want this time? Come to cause trouble for my workers too?
Listen, Deuce is really thriving over at Night Raven College! He even made the podium in a track and field meet. Sent me a picture and everything. As for his magical studies... Well, he's trying his best, but he's getting there! He's even asking after me. Worried about how I'm doing, if you can believe it. And he's made friends too. Seems like he's really having a good time. I couldn't be happier.
To be honest, I never put much stock in what she had to say about ya... But I was wrong. Thanks, Deuce. Me and my crew would've had to sit this year out if you hadn't stepped in.
Thanks. I've been worried this whole time that I'm still the same old Deuce. But I feel a little better now. You know, all along I'd been planning to take this trip alone. I'd see Mom, check out the fest, maybe go for a blastcycle ride or two—but then head straight back to school. If you guys hadn't been here, I'd never have had a chance to actually talk to people like this. I'm really glad you came.
