(Ester and Cloud are riding up the elevator to the Gold Saucer.)
Ester
"Hmm, so that's what
happened. I'll talk to Dio directly. You just concentrate on the race."
"Oh yeah, getting
back to the other thing, there are many different types of Chocobo jockeys.
It's not only for criminals."
"Some people compete
for the fame, some people compete for the money, some only for glory...
And then there are people like you."
"Oh yeah, I'll teach
you how to ride a Chocobo."
<CHOICE>
All right
Not interested
***Cloud
All right
Ester
"Ummm... First use
the [Select] button to choose either AUTO or MANUAL."
"In other words, either
you control the Chocobo or let it run on its own."
"But it's pretty hard
to make the Chocobo run the way you want it to. If the Chocobo doesn't
like you, it won't listen."
"You can't really
help on this one."
"But, most of the
Chocobo's that I'll provide you with are mellow and you should be able
to handle them."
"When you're riding,
use the Square button to Speed Up and the X Button to Slow Down."
"But, it you go faster
than the Chocobo can handle, it'll lose its stamina really fast."
"And use the Directional
button to move the Chocobo left and right, use the O button to get a boost
of speed."
"Of course your stamina
runs out faster though."
"There are some bad-tempered
Chocobos that can't pace themselves and they'll lose their stamina pretty
fast."
"For there kinds of
Chocobos, you should set the controls on Manual and slow it down."
"Finally, some advice
for the restless, once the first and second Chocobo cross the goal line,"
"Push the [Start]
button to end the race."
<//>
(They arrive at the top of the elevator and enter the jockey's lounge.)
Man
"You new?"
Ester
"Hi, Joe."
Joe
"Hey, Ester, you're
looking pretty as usual."
Ester
"Thanks."
"Let me introduce
you, Cloud."
"This is Joe, one
of the top Chocobo Jockeys."
Joe
"Nice to meet you,
Cloud."
"If you're with Ester,
then..."
Ester
"Right! He's an up
and coming jockey."
"He's only been down
here for a day and already he made it up here!!"
"What!?"
Joe
"Oh, I see..."
"So what did you do
down there?"
"Sorry... you're not
supposed to ask about the past here..."
"Pretty interesting....
I have a feeling that we'll meet again."
"Then, until we meet
again, Cloud."
(He leaves)
Ester
"I'm going to check
on the Chocobo. You just wait here for a while."
(She leaves. There is a loud tone on the intercom system.)
"The race will start
in a few moments. Will the jockeys for the next race, please proceed the
the paddock."
"I repeat..."
(All the jockeys at the table rise and leave.)
Ester
"Cloud."
(She arrives in the lounge)
Ester
"Thanks for waiting.
I registered you in the next race."
"This is a Chocobo
I prepared myself. He won't lose easily."
"Oh yeah... You know
how to ride one?"
<CHOICE>
Uh, how was it again?
Yeah, I got it
***Cloud
Yeah, I got it
<//>
Ester
"Then, good luck."
(Cloud rides his Chocobo [and hopefully wins!])
Ester
"Congratulations!!
Now you're home free!"
"Oh yeah, the owner
told me to give this letter to you when you won."
Dio
"Boy, if you're reading
this letter, then you must have won. And won a victory that I am sure you
earned."
"I heard about Dyne
from Ester. Now that you are victorious, I promise that you and all your
friends will get a full pardon, and you will all be set free."
"And also, by way
of apology, I prepared a little gift for you to use on your journey."
"Sorry I couldn't
be there to tell you this in person, but I'm a very busy man. Sincerely,
Dio"
Cloud
"A gift?"
(The PHS rings. Cloud answers)
Aerith
"Cloud, isn't this
great!? The assistant manager just stopped by and dropped off a 'buggy'
for you!"
"Now you can go over
'deserts' and 'rivers' no problem."
"OK, Cloud. I'll be
waiting outside."
Cloud
(Hmm? The letter continues...)
"P.S. I just recently
met Sephiroth. He must have a lot of fans with boys your age."
"Why don't you get
his autograph? It seems he's headed toward the South of the river, towards
Gongaga."
Cloud
"Sephiroth..."
Ester
"I guess this is goodbye."
"Yeah. Well, if you
ever get your own Chocobo, come race again."
"I'll take care of
your registration and everything. I'll see you again."
(Cloud exits the Gold Saucer and drives south on his new buggy, towards
Gongaga.)
phoenixgenesis@game-developer.com
Continue to Part 8 Scene 64