2002 (Side A): Bullet Garden/Prologue 2—The Sleep-Deprived Hound

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Synopsis
Angelo, the gunman who shot Death, walks into the bar. He has brown skin, unkempt clothing, and stubble on his jaw, and he appears thirty years old. In each hand he hold the same type of pistol as the corpses on the floor. He identifies himself as the sniper who'd been taking a nap. Asked if he's a guard dog for the people in the restaurant, he replies that he is a "hound" who will seek and kill his prey even if his master dies. While saying this, he shoots two of the businessmen who'd drawn their weapons, doing this so quickly his hands don't seem to have moved. The businessmen hide behind the overturned table, but Illness just stands in the open. She proudly says that Death was the weakest of the team and that Angelo shouldn't get cocky, throwing the insults of the businessmen back at them. The businessmen don't respond, expecting her to be shot. Angelo asks if Illness is saddened by Death's demise. She says that since getting killed at any time is common in line of work, she doesn't really feel sad. She wonders aloud how she is supposed to react in this situation, while pointing her gun at him. Angelo says he knows what she means and apologizes for the insensitive question. Simultaneously, he takes cover from shots by the businessmen and retaliates, killing two more.

Illness lowers her gun and asks why Angelo didn't shoot her. He responds that he doesn't kill women and children. Impressed, she asks her allies what to do about this 'cool' guy. The businessmen angrily respond to her, and complain of Angelo's 'sexism and ageism'. When one tells Angelo to stop acting like Chuck Norris in Hitman, he replies that he's more of a John Wayne. A debate over whether Wayne said such a thing is interrupted by Angelo saying that even if Wayne hadn't actually said such a thing, he might as well have. The businessmen grin and say they'd get along with Angelo, and he agrees that it's unfortunate they have to be enemies. One businessman comments that Angelo is more like Antonio Banderas. They throw a smoke bomb to hide their position. At that point, Angelo hears a rumbling engine, indicating the Demolisher has arrived. He dives out a window, and turns to see a gigantic truck destroying the restaurant. He runs a hundred meters and hides behind a building before an explosion finishes destroying the building. Despite this, Angelo is convinced the businessmen escaped. Talking to the Demolisher through a walkie-talkie, Angelo states that his job of kicking them out the restaurant is done, and the Demolisher puts Angelo's boss on the line.

Several days later, on North America's west coast, Angelo is in a bar looking at the cruise ship Entrance. He receives a call on his cell phone from the Demolisher. The Demolisher is described as a freelance killer whom Angelo has rarely seen in person and only occasionally worked with when in trouble, though he still counts as a frequent contact by Angelo's standards. They'd come to know each other through battles against the organization Angelo is fighting, and the Demolisher had provided information, most recently that the group would be on the Entrance. The Demolisher says that Angelo's organization won't last much longer; Angelo is unfazed, saying that his mission is only to pursue the group's enemies. The Demolisher says that he'll be on board and promises that Angelo's guns will be smuggled onto the ship. Angelo tells the Demolisher not to do anything that might harm civilians, as their only mission is to find the organization's leader and employer. He asks why the Demolisher won't show his face, which the Demolisher brushes off. Angelo thinks that the people on the boat aren't the organization itself, but a team of mercenaries known as the Mask Makers for the masks they wore during their crimes. Reflecting on his high chance of dying, Angelo thinks of his son Carlos, whom Angelo has not yet met despite Carlos turning three this year. He mumbles to himself that after the job is over, he should head to his family in Spain and take them on vacation in Venice.

Cultural References
John Wayne

Antonio Banderas

Characters in Order of Appearance
Angelo

Illness

Demolisher