Metro 2033 - Chapter 5

Chapter 4

Chapter 5 - Market

Simon: Holster your weapon at once! Who’re you? Come into the light! Slowly, slowly. I’ll be damned--Bourbon! Hey, guys, we’d better search these two. So, you old drunk, what are you carrying this time around? And who’s the boy?

Bourbon: Look here, boss, I’m sure we can work this out…

Simon: Sure, let’s go and chat a little. And you keep an eye on this one.

[They leave and Artyom stays with the guard.]

Guard: Don’t move. Stand still, I’m talking to you!

[Note 1]
Yes, I'd never get here without Bourbon. He's at home everywhere and he knows everyone. Sure, as I suspected, the locals did have some old gripes with him, but looks like Bourbon sorted it out. Which is hardly surprising, since Prospekt Mira belongs to Hansa, a trading union of the Circle line stations, the richest of the Metro's "states". The citizens of Hansa, their wealth ensured through trade with other "states" and free stations, understandably value profit above anything. I think Bourbon had betrayed their trust before, and now he surely had to promise he'd pay them back with interest. The only problem is that there's a saying: "Better to be indebted to the Devil than to Hansa". He's going to have one tough time paying them back…

[After a while, Semyon and Bourbon return.]

Simon: Ok, these two may pass. Welcome to the Market.

Bourbon: Let’s move our asses--or would you like to enjoy their company a little more?

Simon: Hey!! Watch your tone!!!…

[Artyom and Bourbon enter the station. Artyom looks around.]

Man: We’re in deep shit. No way I can pay back those railcar guys. We’ll be lucky if they let us shovel shit for the rest of our days.

[Artyom catches up with Bourbon.]

Bourbon: Well… We can’t go to Hanza. Look, here’s some cartridges, go get a couple of filters, will ya? I have an idea… I'll go have a talk with a certain someone. We could either meet at the local bar or I can find you elsewhere.

[Artyom explores the local market stalls, which are noticeably larger than at his home station. He buys new equipment and replenishes supplies.]

[Note 2]
>Filters, filters, filters… It seems like the Stalkers never talk about anything else. They keep droning about filters being all but unobtainable now, not just the unused, but even adequately refitted. That the refitted, being the bastards that they are, don't put enough coal into them, and that you have to reach for a new one as soon as you finish attaching the previous to your mask… But whatever they say about the filters, Stalkers value them more than the bullets. No wonder, that, too: you might sneak on the Surface without ever being found out by the mutants, but there's no escaping the poisoned air…

[After shopping, Artyom finds Bourbon.]

Bourbon: Well, I made an arrangement with a guy here. He’s a greedy asshole, but we can’t do anything about that. Great… let’s go then… I think you already know the way.

[They walk to the turnstile, with military personnel standing next to it.]

Bourbon: Take my spare filter - we need to get up to the surface…

Guard: Bourbon?

Bourbon: As if you don’t know…

Guard: Cough up and get out.

Bourbon: I’ve already paid Mike…

Guard: You didn’t pay me. But, if you don’t want to go through…

Bourbon: Shit--a pleasure doing business with you…

Guard: Alright-alright, just kidding.

[They shake hands.]

Guard: Get ready everyone, the gate’s opening!

Guard 2: Are you sure, commander?

Guard: Take your positions, cover me!

Guard 3: (smoking) Damn, I hate it so much.

[The guard opens the massive door and looks around, holding his weapon at the ready.]

Guard: It looks clear!…Go!

Bourbon: Thanks! (Спасиба!) We need to move our asses.

Guard: Bourbon! Hold it! Get them!

Bourbon: Move it, kid.

[They end up in the ruined lobby of the station and put on masks.]