CHASER: Phoenix is sealed tighter than the paper on the wall.

HOSS: We rolled Bakersfield didn’t we? That was tight.

CHASER: Tight but not sealed.

HOSS: We scorched Stockton.

CHASER: Yep.

HOSS: San Berdoo?

CHASER: Verdo.

HOSS: So Phoenix ain’t iron ball.

CHASER: So it’s back to the rumble?

HOSS: Don’t get dramatic. It’s temporary. Just temporary til we shake this Gypsy flash.

CHASER: I wouldn’t riff it so light, Hoss. Some a these boys have built tough hide out there, circling the wagons all this time.

HOSS: What do you know about ’em? You heard some drift on these Gypsy dogs?

CHASER: They been lurking. Shinin the walls. I catch ’em out the mirrors sometimes, on surveillance cruise. Sneering like they mean something.

HOSS: How did Meera know? How do you figure?

CHASER: Just tuned to the cycle I guess. Elsewise he was taking a wild stab and hit home.

HOSS: Chaser, we were Warriors once. What happened? We ain’t Markers no more. We ain’t even Rockers. Just punk chumps, cowering under the Keepers and the Refs. We ain’t flying in the eye of contempt! We’ve become soft, chewable, expendable muck lickers. What happened to our Killer heart?

CHASER: Still pumpin, Hoss. Still pumpin.

HOSS: For what?

CHASER: A taste a that gold.

HOSS: So yer backin down then? Backin down for a wall token. A tin badge?

CHASER: I’m just playing the Game, Hoss. I’m playing this one right here til a new one comes along. Now we best tighten up for this renegade. You don’t wanna be sittin here in La-La when he comes knockin.

(CHASER exits.)

HOSS: (alone) Solo. Solo ain’t the word for it. It’s gettin lonely as an ocean in here. Little Willard’s my last chance. Him and me. He’s runnin without a driver, so can I. The two of us. Just the two of us. That’d work. That’s enough against the Root Force. Fox this Gypsy altogether and head for Phoenix. (Pause.) You’re not runnin, just strategizing. You’re not running! You’re not turning tail!

(BECKY enters. HOSS jumps.)

HOSS: You get Willard?

BECKY: No hook, Hoss.

HOSS: What! I told you to snag him! I need him now, bad!

BECKY: Blew himself away.

HOSS: No!! Willard? He was on the verge. He was choogin, just like me. He was in the top ten and rising!

BECKY: Found him slumped over an intersection somewhere in New Haven. Radio was still runnin.

HOSS: Why’d he wanna go and do a thing like that?

BECKY: Couldn’t handle the bounce, I guess.

HOSS: Becky, I’m Marked! What am I gonna do? I was countin on Willard to make a move. The two of us. I can’t just sit here and wait for this Gypsy to come tap on my hickory. What am I gonna do now?