Where are they now?: David Banks Part 2

Dawn of the David. 
The Davening. 
David's Day Off! 
Look whose David now!
Three Men and a David. 
A Song of Fire and David. 
David Who. 
The Good, the Bad, and the David. 
My Little David: Rape is Magic.

I think that last one might be my favorite. I should have enslaved myself to the Wooden Girl. She runs a TV channel. I think I would have made for a great producer or director.

Not that she'd let me make any decisions. Real catch 22 that one.

In all seriousness though, we do have a little something special for you tonight. Another interview with David. 

As I explained last time, David's gone rogue. He's out there in the streets. But why? I sent Sloth to see if the moron couldn't persuade David to come back to us but Sloth had very little success. Worse yet, Sloth survived their little talk. It was a waste of time all around.

So this time we sent someone far more confident and capable. That is to say, we sent me.

And why not? I was invited to after all.

"If Fracture ever wants to talk to me himself, he knows where I am."

            -David Banks

So without further ado, I present to you 'My Little David: Rape is Magic'. Act 1 of 1.

So I called David and arranged a meeting at my favorite little cafe. My little slice of heaven away from home by the name of 'Bitter Stuff'. Gotta love a place with a sense of humor. That said, I almost never get a coffee... and when I do I bring my own creamer.

I arrived first, sat down, ordered myself a tea and patiently waited for David to arrive while I modified my tea with various things from home. I almost didn't notice David when he came in.

He was handsome and radiant as ever, which always surprises me. Especially now considering his age, his recent change in life style, and of course... what he recently lost. Although I would expect nothing less of David Fucking Banks. Living legend for a reason.

He came in and immediately sat down in front of me. Kind of hard to miss the guy in the lab coat in an empty cafe I guess.

[David]
"I assume you're who I'm looking for."

[Fracture/Me]
"I believe so. Mr. Banks I presume?"

[David]
"That's me. Good to finally meet you Fracture."

[Fracture/Me]
"I couldn't imagine so but I'll take your word for it. It's good to finally meet you Mr. Banks. A living legend in the flesh."

And with that I extended a hand out to shake with Mr. Banks and he extended a hand in kind. He has quite a bit of scaring on his hand alone. I could see it when he reached out and I could feel it when we shook.

So many life lessons etched into that hand alone...

[David]
"You've made some impact yourself."

[Fracture/Me]
"Bah. I can't even keep my labrats under thumb. My Free Market charity is about the only notable thing I've done."

[David]
"Still. I've heard good things. Now, shall we get down to business?"

[Fracture/Me]
"Yes, lets."

And with that I quickly chugged down what was left of my tea and braced for the third most intense conversation I've even had.

"You're not going to join me."

[David]
"Not with a sales pitch like that."

I could see David's expression immediately sour and it was clear that I had not told him what he wanted to hear.

[Fracture/Me]
"I've no way to Free you. I wouldn't want to if I could. This is no land for heroes. Not then, not now, not ever. There are no outs dear Banks. I can make your life easier, I can give you pleasures and offer you less horrific work, I can offer up protection for yourself and others, and hell, I can offer you a shot at revenge, but I can't give you back what you lost and the only out I can offer is a bullet."

[David]

"Just give me... a reason to stay. That's what I really need. Not protections or concessions. One reason. That's it," he continued to plead growing more and more desperate sounding.

I was a little caught off guard by the whole thing... it was a little disturbing.

[Fracture/Me]

I decided if I was gonna give this an honest try, I should start with pushing what happened to Ronan in his face. That seemed like it should have been the only necessary motivator but what do I know?

"He died for this. Trying to serve. He died because he served. Are you going to prove her right in his death and cave because she took him from you? Isn't that reason enough? To be on the other side of the line as she? I heard you rape and pillage and murder because someone did not show you enough respect but this person took from you what you tried with all your might to protect. And your answer is to join her?" I said pausing to for dramatic effect.

"Have you no respect for what you lost?"

[David]

I could see his eyes hard and his fists clench and I knew I had failed. I'do fed him things he already felt and knew and I could not tell which was truly sadder, that my attempt to sway him didn't work... or that somehow Ronan wasn't a good enough reason.

 "You don't know what you're talking about."

[Fracture/Me]

I guess maybe I didn't. So I pressed on with that reason, if for no other reason than because I wanted to understand why the hell that reason wasn't good enough.

"I know she killed him. She killed him because she did not like the WAY he saved her. No graditude. Shameless betrayal."

[David]

"She did what she always did. What she prided herself on doing. It was her nature. I bear her no ill will."

I...
What kind of shit is that?

[Fracture/Me]

"And just where is your pride, Banks? How is it you suddenly come to give up your nature?"

[David]
"Because it's not my nature. It was given to me. Used by others. I have been nothing but a mindless tool for most of my life."

And we were back to his demand for freedom, his pointless, impossible demand for freedom. I... just wanted to pull out my gun and give him that bullet I promised him as a way out...

But that would be such a horrible waste of well proven potential.

[Fracture/Me]
"As opposed to the territorial animal you present yourself as? What do you even plan to do with this 'Freedom'? That's hardly even a want as it is an unachievable ideal. There is not a man alive who does not owe something one way or another."

[David]
"I will create. And I will protect the ones I love, and I will walk the path that I choose to walk."

What... what? Is... what? He took to being a homeless runner... because that's safer?

[Fracture/Me]
"And it's somehow easier to protect them on that side of the Line with Father at your heels?" 

[David]
"Not at all."

...WHAT?

[Fracture/Me]
"Then why?"

[David]
"I've been given no reason to stay."

And I about flipped the fucking table. So avenging Ronan was somehow not enough? How the hell is father's protection not enough when it is essentially all he needs to secure the one thing he is actively pursuing?!

[Fracture/Me]
"For them. Because they are safer when you are safer. So that not reason enough?"

[David]
"How safe was Ronan?"

Are you fucking kidding me right now? Fine. Lets transition from the dead to the living. I know he's doing all this to protect his granddaughter. Lets address that directly.

[Fracture/Me]
"You both knew what was in her nature. He practically threw himself into the fire. Ronan died after years and years. Just how long do you thing your Granddaughter will last? She's young. She's not built for the hard life of a runner."

[David]
"She's a survivor. Like her mother. And we're in a war. I've abandoned the notion that either side can keep anyone safe."

[Fracture/Me]
"Such is life. People die. I think the proxies stand at better odds. And that's all life is. It's the odds. And where are her odds best, hmmm?"

[David]
"With me. Wherever that is."

[Fracture/Me]
"And your best odds are with us. The runners aren't going to accept you. They won't ever forgive you. You've caused so much pain. You'll drag her into the pool of sharks with you"

[David]
"It's a risk I'm willing to take."

Oh god dammit. Okay, lets address the granddaughter MORE directly.

[Fracture/Me]
"But is she? Have you even talked to her about this stuff? Or are you content to drag her along like mindless baggage. A tool to give yourself purpose."

[David]
"We've talked rather extensively about it actually."

Of course they had.

[Fracture/Me]
"And I can guess at what her thoughts were."

[David]
"Can you?"

[Fracture/Me]
"My guess is she thinks you should run."

[David]
"Not a bad guess."

Figured. He said it himself, he's a mindless tool.

[Fracture/Me]
"Must be fun trading hands when you want to trade purpose. I can see I'm probably talking to the wrong person here."

[David]
He didn't even say anything in response to that one. He just snarled, like the animal on leash he was.

[Fracture/Me]
"Don't give me that. You've traded your leash from Father's to that of a little girls. You tell me when you figure out what it means to be Free. Then we'll see if we can't help you."

[David]
And with that the fucker just punched me. Just fucking punched me like it was the thing to do. Like an animal.

Something was... wrong. I-I needed to maintain composure.

[Fracture/Me]
"Cute," I forced out.

"Goodbye Mr. Banks," I said pulling my hat and casually rushing out of the cafe.

I... h-had to run. They find you if you don't move. Constantly move. I have to move. I have to find the tall man. He... he's gone. I have to find him again.

[David]
"Wait!"

Called out an unfamiliar voice. D-David? Wh-Why do I... shhh.... calm down... I'm back Franky... shh... Lets get back to work.

[Fracture/Me]
"Talk and walk Mr. Banks. I'm a busy man."

Yes... we're quite busy, Aren't I?

[David]
He followed after me rather desperately trying to keep pace.

[Fracture/Me]
"What is it?"

[David]
"I think you have missed the entire point of why I'm here."

[Fracture/Me]
"And why is that?"

[David]
"I'm waiting for you to convince me."

This is a waste of time. This man isn't a living legend. Not anymore. He's a begging animal. If the reasons I put forth aren't enough to make him come back... then I'm not sure I even want this rabid creature on my side anymore.

[Fracture/Me]
"That's contrary to what you want Mr. Banks. You want to be your own man? Be your own man. Quit latching onto people to make your decisions. If that leads you and those around you to ruin, then so be it. If you can't find the conviction do what you know will make her safest, I won't be the one shove it down your throat."

And with that I finally turned to David so I could say it to his stupid fucking face.

"And I won't be your fall guy if this doesn't work out again. You knew she was dangerous, you admit it was in her nature and you let Ronan walk into that wall of knives."

[David]
And then something unthinkable happened. Something I couldn't have imagined in over 100 years.

David started to tear up... he started to cry...

[Fracture/Me]
"She wants to run but you know better. Are you gonna let her follow Ronan right into that wall?"

[David]
And with that he stopped crying. Like I had flipped a switch. I was so close. I shouldn't have brought up Ronan.

"What were you like? Before he found you?"

[Fracture/Me]
... I got the sense that 'I was a terrified child desperately looking for him' wasn't quite the answer David wanted...

"I was a so young. I wanted to know everything about the world. I ran out of of books and I started out thinking my teachers. They held me back. I was getting to far ahead of the other students."

[David]
"Should have known. He likes them bright. Eager. I imagine you were so full of light, then. Like Em. Like I imagine I used to be."

...Like Em...? Emily has it easy.

[Fracture/Me]
"They all came for me. I asked to many questions. I drempt of too many impossible things. But when I saw Father, I saw him protecting children. Leading them. So when I met him we made a deal. He keeps them out and I will be his."

Like Em... Elaine kept Emily like a daughter...

[David]
"My loyalty shall always be with the slender man," he reassured me, "But I'm afraid you're going to have to start hunting me down now."

David Kept Elaine like a daughter...

[Fracture/Me]
So Emily would be... his granddaughter... Son of a bitch.

"I will not strike down a loyal servant to Father... but I know he can and will. Good luck David. I really do hope, on some level, that this one works out."

[David]
"Yeah, well, so do I."

Fucking asshole. Tipping your hand to fucking tease me.

[Fracture/Me]
"One more thing, Mr. Banks."

Oh well... this is more for Ronan than David at this point.

[David]
"Hmmm?"

[Fracture/Me]
 "A memento for your loss, courtesy of my craftsmen."

And with that I pulled out the baseball bat I had been hiding this whole time. A handcrafted masterpiece, with the word 'voices' written out on the side.

[David]
"Oh, he would have loved that," David said laughing.

Felt a little sickening. Ronan meant so much to him... yet revenge for him wasn't a good enough reason to stay...

Guess the living out weigh the dead and he has a little girl to look after now... I knew this was a waste of time.

[Fracture/Me]
"I bet. Farewell."

And with that, we both made are departures. 

I wish it wasn't you who had her David. I wish he didn't want her so bad.

I don't know whats gonna happen.... but I will be sorry about it. Probably.

And with that we should get back to business.


I'm putting a $100,000 bounty on David. Not as a threat, but as a precaution to all agents and affiliates.

Do not pursue David. I repeat, DO NO PURSUE DAVID.

And if you do, and by some fucking miracle you win, you deserve that bounty.

Happy hunting you poor bastards.

Fracture out.