Don-chan Look! There he is, da-don! Mr. Snake!

Hakuko And he’s alone…

Hakuko He’s smoking a cigarette. It’s a grown up thing, don’t worry about it.

Don-chan Smells nasty, da-don… he must not be very happy if he’s doing something that smells so yucky…

Hakuko This doesn’t look like a good time, maybe we should head back –

Don-chan No! We’ve been searching for so long, we can’t turn back now, don!

Don-chan We have to go talk to him!

Solid Snake You know I can hear you.

Hakuko Oh! Y-you have very good ears, Snake. I’m sorry, we won’t bother you…

Solid Snake No, it’s alright. You’re not disturbing me.

Hakuko …ok… if you say so.

Solid Snake You should go back inside, it’s cold.

Hakuko N-n-o, we’re used to the cold! I trained with seals and military birds in weather c-c-colder than this!

Hakuko Not a problem at all!

Solid Snake Military birds… huh.

Solid Snake …Neither of you are obliged to apologize. If that’s why you’re here, that is.

Hakuko Oh, no no no, it’s not that…

Solid Snake What is it, then?

Don-chan We wanted to make sure you were okay, da-don!

Hakuko Yes! You lost! And… we’re sad! It’s such a shame…you put in so much effort, and especially after everything you’ve been through… you lost in the first tournament, and now you’ve lost so soon in this one…

Don-chan And we’re the ones responsible… da-don…

Solid Snake It’s not your fault that I lost, it’s mine.

Solid Snake No. It was my responsibility to succeed, and I didn’t. It doesn’t have anything to do with either of you.

Solid Snake This isn’t up for negotiation.

Don-chan You were awesome! You rocked! You were so amazing, da-don! You can’t say you failed! It’s not true! I don’t care how many votes you got!!

Hakuko Don-Chan! Are you okay?!?!

Hakuko Snake, how could you?!

Solid Snake I-I’m sorry – it was out of instinct…

Hakuko I don’t care how upset you are, it’s wrong for you to take out your feelings on us!

Solid Snake Hrrgh… I don’t have time for this.

Hakuko W-wha-? Now hold on just a minute!

Solid Snake What the-

Hakuko What’s your problem? You think you can just assault Don-Chan like that and walk away?

Solid Snake I have a code to follow and a unit to get back to.

Hakuko Oh, so your “code” is to attack the people you’re mad at?

Solid Snake I’m not– This is a huge misunderstanding, Hakuko!

Don-chan …Hakuko-san… why did he… hit me…?

Hakuko Because he’s a ruthless animal who can’t control himself!

Hakuko …come on, Don-Chan. It’s late. Let’s go back to our room.

*Outside. It’s night. It’s cold.**They stand there for a moment in awkward silence. A breeze picks up.**Silence**Silence.**Don-chan leaps out of Hakuko’s arms at Snake, going in for a hug. Snake, unprepared, reflexively defends himself and punches the incoming Don-Chan, sending him flying.**Don-Chan lands a short distance away. Hakuko rushes to him.**Hakuko is nearly in tears.**Snake turns the other way and sighs.**Snake turns and heads back inside.**Hakuko grabs Snake’s arm.**Snake looks at Hakuko and Don-Chan briefly, but quickly turns away.**Snake walks away, leaving a hurt Hakuko and Don-Chan. Hakuko picks up Don-Chan.**Hakuko heads back to the Gaylord, holding Don-Chan. In the cold wind, a shadow emerges. He watches the two enter.*