Setting: The Chief has run out of money, and he is in Chinatown begging for spare change on the side of the street when Mona runs into him. He decided to go to Chinatown because he liked all the different foods and people passing through.
Chief: Spare change? Could anybody spare some change?
Mona: *walking by the Chief* Oh, here, I have a couple dollars I can give you.
Chief: *smiles* Thank you so much.
Mona: It’s funny, my parents thought that once they got to America there would be no beggars anymore.
Chief: Well, the Combine has a way of draining people’s independence one way or another. I consider myself lucky to be on the street.
Mona: Wait, what is the Combine? What are you talking about? *starts to subtly slide away*
Chief: The Combine is society, and it is a rough place. When I was around your age, the Combine destroyed my tribe and it’s home, and took me to an awful place. *starts to get really passionate* It’s all just a machine, and you’re one of the working parts! You’re gonna graduate school and get a nice house and a good job and you’re gonna become just another part of the Combine, I can tell.
Mona: *kind of freaked out* I don’t know what you’re saying about the Combine, but I promise I’m not a typical American like you think I am. My parents want me to be just like that, but I’m different.
Chief: *shushes her, casting shifty eyes around the street* Don’t say that out loud! The Combine will hear and replace the parts that make you different!
Mona: Well they can’t take me away! I know kung fu. People like me, anyway. They won’t let your Combine come for me.
Chief: *is still nervous* Okay, but keep your guard up so you can stay an individual.
Mona: Listen, I don’t want to be just another American housewife like you said. I want to do something important, like become a nurse.
Chief: *raises hands placatingly, but flinches at the word nurse* Be careful what you wish for. Nurses can be cruel and corrupt.
Mona: I don’t think you understand what nurses do. They help people.
Chief: Some of them. If you do become a nurse, don’t let them make you into a machine.
*Parents come over* Mona! We need to go buy the rest of our food for our special dinner tomorrow.
Mona: *whispers to the Chief* I would rather have turkey pot pie….
Chief: *waves* Thank you for the money and the conversation. And don’t forget what we talked about!
Mona: Okay, I won’t...
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