Page · 4 panels
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Layout — 4 panels
[art pending]
Across the warehouse — against the far wall — a piece of equipment the size of a refrigerator. Stencil on the chassis: AMP BOX 5000 — DECICORP ACOUSTIC PROCESSING — DO NOT SHIP. A volume dial labeled 1 to 10. A small brass plate underneath: PROTOTYPE — DECOMMISSIONED 2247.
- JESSE…Dev.
- JESSEIs that what I think it is.
- DEVThat is exactly what you think it is.
- DEVThat is DeciCorp's own prototype. The one they built to test the Quiet Grid's upper limits. The one they had to mothball because it was —
- JESSE— too loud.
- DEVToo loud, Jesse.
[art pending]
The brothers cross to the Amp Box 5000. They examine it. The pilot light is amber — standby. The plug is in the wall.
- DEVIt's plugged in.
- DEVThey never even unplugged it.
- DEVThat is the most arrogant equipment-storage decision I have ever seen.
- JESSEThat is also — kind of perfect.
[art pending]
Dev, with a small wry smile, reaches into his pocket and pulls out the USB. Holds it up.
- DEVYou know what?
- DEVI'm starting to think we can play the show from in here.
- JESSERight now?
- DEVWhy not.
- DEVThere's an amp.
- DEVThere are instruments hanging on every wall.
- DEVThe whole city's worth of confiscated gear is in this room.
- DEVThis is, structurally, the loudest possible room in 2260.
[art pending]
Jesse, beginning to smile.
- JESSEDev.
- DEVYeah.
- JESSEI love you.
- DEVI love you too.
- DEVLet's plug —