Sophie & Marc Veterini

Sophie and Marc Veterini, a couple, are two of the many passengers you can pick up in Night Call. They cannot be picked up seperately, but can be dropped off individually.

Passidex entries

 * You have met Marc & Sophie.
 * This is unmissable. You'll get it upon your first interaction.


 * You dropped Sophie off.
 * Pick the first option: (Turn the heat up)


 * You'll drop off Marc first (at the hotel), followed by Sophie a moment later.


 * You dropped Marc off.
 * Pick the second option: (Turn the heat all the way up)


 * You'll drop off Sophie first (at the hotel), followed by Marc a moment later.

Transcript
«'' Palais-Royal, please. ''»

You stop in front of 'La Pierre', a famous Michelin-starred restaurant. Your next two passengers are extremely well dressed... expensively so. The man gives you an address and turns with a sigh toward the woman. You start driving as they converse in the back. A conversation filled with moments of silence.

MARC: "...that's why I think you should do Jean-Luc's collection."

SOPHIE: "Jean-Luc only wants me to do his collection to annoy you."

MARC: "And it's not working. I couldn't care less about Jean-Luc. He is utterly uninteresting. What matters is that he asked you to do his collection. It could be your big break."

They speak in cordial tones but you can hear the other notes hiding behind the words.

MARC: "I don't believe I need you to point out what my big break might be. Jean-Luc won't last long. And I would just as soon not be on his team when they show him the door. You and I both know exactly how this works. A house like Jean-Luc's will never promote someone who comes from a beheaded team..."

MARC: "True enough."

SOPHIE: "Therefore, I'm not going to work with Jean-Luc."

She clenches her jaw, giving her face a harsh, intransigent look for a second.

MARC: "As you wish."

He doesn't budge, like he's made out of stone.

SOPHIE: "Yes, thank you."

Silence. They look in opposite directions. Suddenly, the woman leans over to you.

SOPHIE: "Could you please turn the heat up? I'm freezing."

(Turn the heat up.) (Turn the heat all the way up.)

A warm breeze floats through the car.

Burning hot air flows through the car. The woman nods her head slightly in thanks.

Silence fills the cab. The two passengers ignore each other a while longer.

SOPHIE: "Marc?"

His answer is a barely audible muffle.

MARC: "Yes?"

SOPHIE: "I think we should call it quits."

He slowly turns toward her.

MARC: "I was thinking the same thing."

SOPHIE: "I'm tired of trying so hard... And even more tired of seeing you try so hard. You deserve better."

He shrugs.

MARC: "You deserve better too. I've been out of sorts lately... Stressed... filled with negative vibes."

SOPHIE: "I barely recognise you."

You're trying not to invade their privacy but you can't believe your ears.

MARC: "The collection is finished. Let's take a few days to empty our place?"

SOPHIE: "I don't want anything."

MARC: "The artwork is yours."

SOPHIE: "Yes, but... if you want to hold onto them..."

He nods. And you wonder just who these people in the back seat are.

MARC: "Only if it makes you feel better."

She makes only the slightest face. You've seen breakups in your cab before but they usually come with a fair share of crying and screaming.

SOPHIE: "I don't know. I like the art, but it was also a gift from your parents."

MARC: "I think they'd like it if you kept them."

SOPHIE: "Perhaps."

You swallow silently. The woman gives you a strange look, then brings her attention back to her partner.

SOPHIE: "We'll also have to figure out what to do with our chalet in Courchevel."

MARC: "We could keep it and rent it during ski season."

SOPHIE: "Good idea."

Silence, once again. You feel like you're watching the World Championships of Good Manners.

MARC: "I'll call the lawyer tomorrow if that's okay with you."

SOPHIE: "Yes, that's an excellent idea."

It's like each sentence is from a different discussion, between different people. Like actors reading through a new scene.

MARC: "I can ask Florence to handle my affairs."

SOPHIE: "No, no. Things are fine as they are. Florence is a lovely person, but I think it's better if we manage this on our own."

MARC: "She adores you too."

The silence is back. It is calm, muted. The taxi feels like a library... or a monastery.

MARC: "I think it'd be better if I slept elsewhere tonight..."

SOPHIE: "Come on... Marc. There are the guest rooms."

MARC: "I know."

He leans over to you. His voice is distant and cold.

MARC: "There's a hotel on our street, right on the corner, if you could stop there."

SOPHIE: "Marc, it's really not a problem."

MARC: "The beds aren't made... Plus, it'll be easier for everyone."

They look at each other.

SOPHIE: "Whatever you want."

MARC: "It doesn't bother me, you know."

SOPHIE: "Fine. Let's do that then..."

A rather brutal pause ensues.

SOPHIE: "You can come get your things now if you want. It's no bother."

He shakes his hand.

MARC: "Don't worry about me."

More silence. You keep driving and say nothing. When you turn onto their street, you immediately see the hotel they're talking about. Luxurious is an understatement... Small, discrete, but luxurious nonetheless. You pull over.

MARC: "I'll call you tomorrow... around 10, so I don't bother you."

She smiles calmly.

SOPHIE: "You won't bother me. Come by whenever you want."

MARC: "I'll call beforehand."

SOPHIE: "Understood."

He slips away without another word. You watch him as he climbs the steps of the hotel. He has a dignified air and has slipped one hand into his pants pocket. You start driving. ...only to pull over 50 metres further up. Their building is just as luxurious as the hotel. The lobby is amply lit with a huge chandelier. Even the sidewalk in front seems to glow more brightly that the rest of the street. Your passenger pays her fare, her mind elsewhere. She lays her hand on the door handle and freezes.

SOPHIE: "I... I'm terribly sorry you were forced to listen to our... ...fight."

« Good luck. »   « Fight? »   (Say nothing.)

TBA

See below...

TBA

SOPHIE: "That must have been frightful. We really have to learn to keep our act together in front of the children."

She grants you the tiniest of smiles and gets out without saying goodbye. You watch as she enters her building lobby. For a brief moment she shops, shivers... and keeps going. You sit in silence for a minute... and start driving again.

MARC: "The beds aren't made..."

SOPHIE: "I'll go to the hotel."

MARC: "It's not a problem for me either..."

SOPHIE: "No, I'll go to the hotel."

They look at each other.

MARC: "Fine. But I want to be clear that it doesn't bother me to..."

SOPHIE: "I know. I feel like it."

More silence. You keep driving and say nothing. When you turn onto their street, you immediately see the hotel they're talking about. Luxurious is an understatement... Small, discrete, but luxurious nonetheless. You pull over.

SOPHIE: "I'll call you tomorrow if that's okay?"

MARC: "You can call any time."

She smiles and gets out of the car. You watch her walk away. She holds her head straight and high, tilted slightly back. You start driving. ...only to pull over 50 metres further up. Their building is just as luxurious as the hotel. The lobby is amply lit with a huge chandelier. Even the sidewalk in front seems to glow more brightly that the rest of the street. Your passenger pays. He takes his time, checks the meter before before handing you his fare. He appears to have lost some of his chic, as when he goes to open the door, his voice breaks.

MARC: "Th... thanks. And apologies... for... well... you know..."

« I hope you'll work things out. »   « No problem. »   (Say nothing.)

See below...

TBA

TBA

MARC: "That's very kind of you... but as you so unfortunately heard... our differences are irreconcilable. That's a fact."

And in a whisper, he adds...

MARC: "I just hope the kids will understand."

He grants you a pathetic smile and slips away. You watch him walk towards the lobby of the building. He stands frozen in front of the mailbox for a second. He doesn't open it... just... looks at it. Finally, he disappears into the elevator. You sit in silence for a minute... and start driving again.

[The conversation diverges here - choose an option above to see how it plays out.]