REVERSE: 1999 STORY LOGS

Introduction | An Old Photo

Melania: All of our memories are here in the album.

…

Melania: Do you remember this? Four years ago, we won our first trophy.

Ms. Acey: Sure.

Melania: Mainedonty … the antique coin unearthed at the Maine site in 1957. People only treated it as a quirky trinket, and a scribe got it for just a hundred pounds. It’s probably the best deal he has ever made in his life … Its mystery hasn’t been solved by the arcanist academy so far. In the early 1960s, it fetched a whopping £13,000 and was on exclusive exhibition at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. This was where it all began. At that time, Ramirez had not been dissolved, and I was … just a student.

Disc of Turin

[Interview of the “New Humans”]

Iverson: Friends of the London security industry, I can now prove to you we are facing an unprecedented crisis. Just as The Times criticised, we are bamboozled by the flashy arcanum, and deceived by the so-called imagination of a security officer. We racked our brains to predict what the thieves were thinking, trying to keep up with their imagination. In the past five years, we almost turned security officers into thieves.

Iverson: But what have we achieved? Defeat! The Rimet Cup was replaced by a counterfeit during the exhibition! While exhibition security is just the most basic work of security! We concentrated too much on the show, on the cat and mouse game with the thieves.

Iverson: But we forgot our foundations: strict security checks, sound plans, and advanced equipment. The lost Rimet Cup was not only a failure of Ramirez, but a humiliation to the entire industry.

Iverson: Fortunately, it’s all over now. Because we, New Humans Security, have recovered the real Rimet Cup! I, Iverson Edwards, solemnly declare. We will retrieve the tradition of rigour and rationality in the security industry, and bring it back to the path of rules and regulations! We will publish Guidance on Security. All the security flaws will be strictly checked! All the ways to commit crimes will be documented! The tragedy of the Rimet Cup shall not happen again! The grandstanding arcane security will be eliminated! We must save the industry from the humiliation of Ramirez!

…

The impassioned speech is not necessarily welcomed by some people. Say, the target of this criticism.

…

Melania: Ms Acey, why have you had the magazine? I haven’t finished it!

Ms. Acey: Nonsense.

Melania: Are you worried about me? Trust me. I don’t care anymore. At least the report represents what the public expects from the security business.

Fiennes: Glad to see you are still paying attention to the security business, Melania.

Melania: Mr. Fiennes …!

Fiennes: Don’t, just call me Uncle Fiennes like the old times. Look at you! Last time I saw you, you were still a little girl. Now already a grown up.

Just like every relative you are not familiar with will do, the first thing he does is to take an awkward small talk. Melania grasps the handle of her shoulder bag firmer.

Melania: I assume you’re not here to catch up with me, are you?

Fiennes: … Then I’ll just come to the point, Melania.

Fiennes sits in front of Melania with a serious look.

Fiennes: I’m thinking that you can take over the Ramirez. I know you’ve suffered tons of pressure after your father committed suicide …

Melania: …

Fiennes: But, please listen to me, Melania. Ramirez needs you. Our reputation collapsed after the Rimet Cup case. I took over your father’s place but can barely maintain the business. For the past six months, New Humans was taking absolute advantage and we cannot even compare to them.

Melania: People no longer trusted Ramirez, as was to be expected.

Fiennes: No, that’s not the problem. We still have some regular customers who still trust us … It is the direction we lost. Your father─he had a special style in the security field─unique may be the better word. After his death, no one can match his place in Ramirez. We in no way will follow Iverson’s style. That would smear Ramirez’s reputation. And you know that your father wanted you to be his successor …

Melania: Why not make a transformation, Mr. Fiennes? As long as the exhibits can be guarded. Arcane security or traditional security, they’re all the same.

Fiennes: … Have you watched Iverson’s speech? He said we are a humiliation.

Melania: Yes, I’ve read it all. But you have to admit that part of Mr. Iverson’s idea is correct. Father never made any security plan, nor did he let anyone know what he was thinking. He just let the worst happen, and then miraculously caught the thief and recovered the exhibit. It was thrilling, exciting, and full of drama. It made him a hero of the media. But what if miracles don’t happen every time? What if we had registered visitors … What if we had a sound security plan … What if Father had not been so conceited about his imagination … “Rimet Cup” wouldn’t have been stolen! And we wouldn’t have to say these to his ashes!

Fiennes: Melania …

Melania: I’m sorry, Mr. Fiennes. That’s too harsh.

Fiennes passed his handkerchief to her.

Fiennes: No … I’m the one who reminds you of the sad things. I know it’s not for me to say this, but … As your father’s friend and colleague for years, I’d like to say this for him. Ramirez was everything to him. He didn’t mean to put it in this way. It was his choice to survive. I wouldn’t put the pressure all on you. Just … your joining may bring us new energy.

Melania: Thank you for the afternoon tea. But please forgive me for declining, Mr. Fiennes. I am not interested in the security business.

Melania stands up. It is the time to end this conversation.

Fiennes: … What if you are the one to lead Ramirez? You can decide everything. Customers, orders, security plans and patrol route … It’s all your call.

Melania: No, Mr. Fiennes. This is crazy … I’m still just a student …

Fiennes: Melania, you are our last hope. If you abandoned Ramirez too, Ramirez no longer has to exist. It’s just some random traditional security business company like any other one, even the New Humans. And your father’s legend will fade with its reputation. Are you going to let this happen? Let one failure defeat you forever. Never have the chance to rise again.

Melania: …!

Fiennes: Melania, if you think your father made a wrong decision, then prove it. Prove you’re different to him. Prove that you can do better than him! You will be the leader … of the new Ramirez.

…

Ms. Acey: You never forget it.

Melania: Of course. I always remember what Uncle Fiennes said to me. He really fulfilled his promise. I was the one to lead the new Ramirez. It was a great time … Wonderful, but short.

Mainedonty

[Methodist Central Hall]

Melania: … You’re right. We have never ordered these before. But I guarantee they will all work! The security companies on King’s Road have all introduced CCTV monitoring system. As long as the tapes are changed continually, everyone coming through the door can be recorded and …

Security Guard A: These are useless to Ramirez. Melania, you are too young. This is not how Ramirez works. The only thing your dad would do is to put a broom at the door. We hear the sound of it falling down, we go catch some thieves. That’s how security works.

Guards of the Ramirez start laughing. Melania has to wait till they stop before she talks.

Melania: Mr George, of course I remember that legendary broom which helped us catch the Great thief, Johnny … Father applied an auto-reset spring on it and covered it with flashlight cruciate flower pollen. You checked everyone touching it and caught him in the tube station. But the little trick won’t work for another time. We can’t tell the clients that our security plan is about a broom!

Their laughter only grows.

Security Guard A: No no no, those fancy “plans” are not what we need … The name of Ramirez speaks for itself, miss. Don’t waste your money on devices! Just use your brain and put some brooms.

Melania: Of course! As an arcanist, of course I could imaginatively put the sticky balls in the ventilation ducts to gum up every thief who tried to invade … and I did that too! Yet do you know what the world is saying about us these days?

Ms. Acey: Unplanned, unprofessional, sensationalism. Values their performance more than the safety of custody.

Melania: Thank you for the prompts, Ms. Acey. Ramirez desperately needs to shake off the negative image from the last failure. We need more conventional means and more rigorous planning. We need CCTV, cameras, and 24/7 patrol rotation …! Gentlemen! We can no longer rely on brooms!

Fiennes: What’s happening here?

The guards shut their mouths immediately. They turn back to work in a haste. Meanwhile, a person walks across Fiennes out of the blue. Even his footsteps sound cocky.

Iverson: Well, the professionalism of your staff needs to be improved.

Melania: Mr. Iverson from the New Humans …?! Uncle Fiennes, why …

Fiennes: He had to come in here.

Iverson: Humph … Don’t tell me you didn’t get my mail. I’m here to give you this.

…

Iverson takes a handbook out of his briefcase.

Melania: Guidance on Security?

Iverson: First edition. Ramirez’s transformation speaks for itself. As the union representative for the private security industry, I am glad to see you finally wake up and go back to the right path. I heard that you even received an order to protect “Mainedonty” …?

Fiennes: You jealous?

Iverson: *Chuckling* Don’t get me wrong. New Humans will never be interested in such an arcane exhibit of unknown origin. I am here to invite you … invite Ramirez to join the editorial board of Guidance on Security.

…

Melania: Editorial board …?!

Sadly, her surprising face looks inappropriate among all people in Ramirez.

Fiennes: Fantastic. A new job falls into my lap, even before an unemployment claim. Is it possible to have pennies from heaven?

Iverson: No worries. There are experts to review and compile. All you need to do is to provide some references for the entries to be complete. For example, your security plan, ordering channels … and strategies to deal with unexpected situations.

Fiennes: Sounds like trade secret to me.

Iverson: Peer assistance. Our plans will also be documented in the Guidance. If you have a basic understanding of the word “sharing”, you should know it’s fair.

Fiennes: But what can we learn from your useless plan? When Ramirez was here, you paid countless efforts to steal it from us. This is just another excuse. Save the paper to wipe your arse, Iverson.

Fiennes snores, waving his arms trying to throw the handbook of Guidance on Security in the air - - But he gets interrupted.

Melania: Wait, Uncle Fiennes.

Fiennes: Leave it to me, Melania, I know how to …

Melania: You asked me to decide, didn’t you? Ramirez needs more peer support, rather than getting angry about the past.

She takes one step forward.

Melania: Mr. Iverson, I think your proposal makes a lot of sense. I would like to join your editorial board.

Iverson: … Huh, who are you? A relative of Finnes? Is Ramirez running out of talent like this? Put a bird in charge?

Her hand awkwardly stops in the halfway.

Ms. Acey: Should I bite him, Melania?

Melania: It’s okay, Ms. Acey … Mr. Iverson, I really like your vision for Guidance on Security. It reminds me of Hilbert’s axioms of geometry. To build an unbreakable theoretical edifice, where there is no loopholes for thieves to exploit. A rigorous security plan is born out of countless hours of liberation, and we do need peer review. I’m looking forward to work with you.

She reaches her hand further.

Iverson: … Couldn’t believe it, I’d hear of “rigorous” and “plan” in Ramirez one day. You’re determined not to repeat the mistakes made by the last head of security. Am I right, Miss?

Melania: … Yes, I am. I will lead a new Ramirez.

Melania gets that handshake from Iverson. What a seemingly good ending to a story.

Iverson: Fantastic, young lady. I believe it would be a pleasure to work with you. I can’t wait for the day Guidance on Security is published, with your name on the cover.

Melania: …Wait a minute. Published? You mean, you’re going to publish the guidance?

Iverson: Of course! It is necessary to let the public know how rigorous and pioneering our private security industry is. It will also raise the profile of the industry.

Melania: But it also allows everyone to buy it. If a thief gets it, he or she will have an idea of the security plan of all the security companies, right?

Iverson: No. Guidance on Security is flawless. Even if the thieves know … they will have to surrender to the strict security measures. Publication is a deterrent for them.

Melania: But there are flaws in every system. Even the most rigorous mathematicians and logicians face the challenge of the first incompleteness theorem. Mr. Iverson, I think …

Iverson: Enough! Don’t act as a student. We are security officers, not armchair strategists. There’s no way that a thief can compete with Guidance on Security … Just like a prisoner could never escape from the Gatling machine guns and the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, even if he had a map of Alcatraz.

Fiennes: But what if that kind of thief really exists? Like the one who committed two crimes in London and in Paris simultaneously … the international thief, Sean?

Fiennes comes back with a newspaper in his hand─this devoted security officer has already taken a patrol in the exhibit hall.

Iverson: Huh? Are you talking about that little arcane thief? Wasn’t he caught five years ago?

Fiennes: Clearly, according to the newspaper, he was not. Melania, you better check this too.

…

Melania takes the newspaper from him, confused. The headline catches her attention immediately.

Melania: “Silent for five years, the international criminal ‘Sean the Great Thief’ comes back … More than ten media outlets have received warning letters of crime simultaneously … He is going to steal the Mainedonty on display at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster.”

…

That news stuns her. She puts down the newspaper.

Melania: Isn’t that … the exhibition we need to protect this time?

…

Melania: One week to go before the exhibition ends … Ms. Acey, we caught a lot of thieves, burglars, and copycats these days, but none of them was Sean. Is he really coming? Or is it just a prank?

Biting her nails, the new person in charge of the security company walks back and forth. The shoulder bag gently pecks at her student.

Ms. Acey: Calm down, Melania. He is waiting for us to make mistakes.

Melania: I know. I can’t panic. But the more I tell myself that, the more nervous I am!

Ms. Acey: You’re reinforcing it. Some sleepy popping beans may be helpful. You’ve been awake for too long.

Melania: No. I prefer a green fluffy balling excitant, the maximum dose. I keep thinking about where Sean would intrude, and where to escape … but even if I exhaust every corner of the hall, I always feel like something is missing. I heard about Sean.

Melania: Five years ago, he stole all over Europe. Only Father could stop him. Nobody knows how Father made it … but he predicted every move Sean made.

Melania: But I … I can’t even think as Father did! I could come up with a plan and another, but they’re all dead. I can’t breathe life into them, and make them go beyond imagination. They’re just too common, too mediocre. They won’t stop Sean! Gosh. We’re dealing with an arcane thief who can be in London and in Paris at the same time!

Melania: What if he finds the blind spots in CCTV? What if he breaks through the magnetic-inductive line of defence in the drains? What if he escapes the trap of sticky balls in the ventilation ducts? What if he casts an arcane skill that we don’t know? Like …

Melania reaches her hand into the shoulderbag.

…

When she takes back her hand, an antique coin lies quietly in her palm. However, the Mainedonty in the exhibition case behind her is nowhere to find. Instead, a pack of Walnut sleepy popping beans lies on the silk surface in the case, looking at her with the funny face on the pack.

Melania: Like … a telekinetic arcane skill?

Clap, clap. Applause rings out in the hall without warning.

Fiennes: You could have won it if you were Sean the Great Thief, Melania.

Melania: Uncle Fiennes! My apologies … I, I was just checking if the exhibit is safe …

She stuffs the antique coin into her shoulder bag. The Mainedonty goes back where it belongs─the cabinet, safe and sound. She is lucky. The security guard didn’t pay attention to her but focusing on the outside.

Melania: … Would … would you like a sleepy popping bean …?

Fiennes: Thanks, but no thanks. I brought you coffee.

Fiennes passes her a paper cup. It does somehow reduce the awkwardness in the air. However …

Fiennes: Was that your arcane skill, Melania?

Melania almost spills all her coffee into Acey’s mouth.

Melania: I … *sound of drinking coffee*

She gulps down the coffee as if this can help her escape from this situation. Obviously, she failed. It only ends up with a scalded tongue.

Fiennes: Don’t be nervous. I’m just curious. The exchange incantation the Ramirezs passed down through the bloodline …

Fiennes: I watched your father pulling the trick many times in the past. He tried it with many things, like his peer’s wig, a staff’s lunch bag, or the sugar cube in an unfortunate business partner’s coffee cup. As you can imagine, your father wouldn’t give us any explanation on how he did it or why. He would hate to diminish his image as a genius. But I’m glad to see you doing the old trick, Melania. Increasing your incantation’s range through a handbag … That’s clever.

Melania: Please don’t joke about me, Uncle Fiennes.

She clears her throat awkwardly.

Melania: It’s been years since I cast this arcane skill in front of others … The last time was before Ramirez was founded.

Fiennes: That should be five or six years ago. Weren’t you young back then?

Melania looks down with her heel rubbing the ground as if a stain on the marble tile suddenly became the most interesting thing in the world.

Melania: At that time … I used to play the game of treasure hunt with Father. I would hide and he would find, just as an arcane skill exercise. But not a single time did I win. When I checked the hiding place nervously, all I could find was a note left by Father. It read, “You lost!” He was always proud, “You’re ten years too early to defeat me, Melania!”

Fiennes: … Classic Ramirez.

Melania: But as Ramirez’s business grew, we seldom shared these moments. He stayed in front of the sandbox all day, simulating various incidents. I could do nothing but watching him through the window. It was Ace- A mentor who spent most of the time with me as I grew up. I could never defeat him. Never keep up with him. Not even know what he’s thinking. And Father was always immersed in his own world … Uncle Fiennes, as a friend of Father, you must be tired, right?

Fiennes: I’m just a businessman.

This businessman can’t help sighing when mentioning his old friend.

Fiennes: Your father has led a high-profile life. It had nothing to do with his arcanist identity. He was born this way. A performing artist might be the right word. He has nothing similar to the regular security guards. He outshines all other peers and outstands all ordinary people. Thus he got a bad name in the industry. After all, the existence of genius will only bring comparison and hurt others’ feelings.

Melania squeezes the paper cup in her hand.

Melania: That’s why I agreed to join the editorial board. I make plans, to try to be rigorous, and careful in all things … I do not want to … be like him again.

Fiennes: Don’t push yourself too hard, Melania. You’ve already done a great job. Iverson will also be shocked if he has your plan. It is a plan that his stupid brain can never think of even with all life long efforts.

Melania: But for Sean …

Fiennes: He is also nothing but a thief. Have faith in yourself, your plan and all you have devoted into, Melania.

Melania: …Well. Thank you, Uncle Fiennes. I am not a child anymore. I have to protect everything of Ramirez, in my own way … Going to check the cameras again right now!

Fiennes: Anything for you. I’m heading back to the monitoring room. Another tough night.

…

The two in charge of the security company force themselves to gather strength and go back to their position. Another tough night suffering from the mental torture brought by that thief who took forever on the way here.

…

A breeze, so tender that could hardly be noticed, quietly blows in the empty hall. It is not supposed to be noticed, if everything goes well.

Melania: …? Something’s wrong. Why is there wind … Sean?

She runs to the cabinet the moment she noticed it. But in the next second …

Melania: Um … Oh my … I’m tired …

…

Ms. Acey: … Melania, Melania!

Melania: Um … Ms. Acey … Don’t bite …

…

Melania: … I fell asleep?! When?!

She stands up, stunned. The hall is still clean, bright and tidy. The only difference is the empty cabinet where the Mainedonty should be placed in. That glass cabinet reflects Melania’s face, panic-stricken.

Melania: Impossible! … Where did he come in? The drains? The ventilation ducts? The front door? What trick did he use? Hypnotic spray? Invisible hat? Hover shoes? Why was there no alert? Is it because I took Mainedonty out once … but I did put it back … No way!

The alarm finally works but an inappropiate time. Guards rushed in with panic faces.

Security Guard B: What happened?!

Security Guard C: The cabinet is empty! Sean took away the Mainedonty …?!

Security Guard B: I was at the front gate all the time! There was no suspicious person!

Security Guard C: Miss Ramirez, what on earth has happened here?!

They all turn to Melania, don’t know what to do. The young head of security stands there, like a deer in the headlights.

Melania: I … I don’t know …

Security Guard B: How? You are the one nearest to the cabinet!

Melania: … I … I have no idea … I … saw nothing …

Melania stumbles backwards hastily, grabbing her hair.

Melania: Sure enough. Even with all my planning, something was still missing. I have completely no idea what tricks he used and where he intruded … I … can never think as Father did … There is nothing I can do …

Crystal Skull

Melania: It’s beautiful. Absolutely.

That sandbox inlaid in the suitcase remains silent. With thoughts in mind, people can miraculously form the sand into any shape they want. It can be only limited to one’s imagination. This arcanum product was cherished by the former head of the Ramirez Security Company. Together, they created myriad legends and miracles.

Ms. Acey: Put it on the table, Melania. Now you are more like a head of security.

She has her lips tightly closed.

Melania: But … what’s the point of it?

Ms. Acey: He left you this, together with his career and everything. He had always been proud of you.

Melania: But he never said that while he was alive. And … what can I do with it? If I had gone to the cemetery the day after the funeral, I would have had it already.

Melania: What help can I or Ramirez get from it now? We have to deal with prosecution and bankruptcy, and it’s all because I’m too stupid and arrogant …!

Ms. Acey: We can find the Mainedonty like what he did back then. Deducing, thinking, stimulating, until you find the answer.

Melania: Yeah! He was a genius. He could solve any puzzle with a flash of inspiration! While I’m only a swot who sticks to old rules.

She bends over and finds a pile of files under the table.

Melania: Look at these files, Ms. Acey. I memorised all the crimes committed by Sean five years ago. I drew on Father’s security plan, and took lessons from all the mistakes of others. Equipment was upgraded, patrols were stepped up, and every flaw was fixed. But none of them helped.

Melania: I thought I could bring a new Ramirez … Find a balance between arcane and traditional security to make Ramirez more planned, as well as more acceptable to the public …

Melania: But I was not flexible. Not experienced in making plans. I screwed it up.

Melania: Father was right. Even a broom is better than me. I should never have been a security officer in the first place …!

Ms. Acey: You and your father are exactly the same.

Melania: What …?

Ms. Acey: After the theft of the Rimet Cup, he was also desperate and lost his hope in everything.

Melania: …

Ms. Acey: Melania, you’ve been a top student for so long that you lack a significant experience in your life. Failure. You don’t have the experience to deal with failure, nor learn enough things from it.

Melania: In the end, your excellence becomes your burden, so does your sense of responsibility.

Melania: … You are right. But what else can I do …?

Ms. Acey: The reason your father caught Sean is because he knew his enemy well. But you still didn’t know anything about Sean even after reading all his files. You were focusing on what guards should do. You treated Sean as a test. You thought you could work it out as long as you have enough experience and data.

Melania: …

Ms. Acey: I understand why you are so into the Guidance on Security. To you, it is a reference with all the answers in it.

Ms. Acey: But security is not only about devices and plans. We are dealing with living thieves. They come and go without a trace, their minds are full of lunatic ideas. Spending a whole month digging a tunnel outside the exhibition hall, or folding themselves to hide in a cabinet for a whole week are not surprising.

Ms. Acey: To take down your opponent, you must …

Melania: … Go “beyond the imagination of any thief”. But I’m not Father. Even if I put myself in his shoes, used the same tools, and spoke as he did … I could not be him. Arcanum will not make me think like him. Neither will it allow me to recover stolen exhibits.

Ms. Acey: No, Melania. It’s the opponents we are talking about. Your father, in this case, is nothing but a peer.

Melania: Opponent …

Melania gets lost in her contemplation. An idea strikes her like lightning.

Melania: Ah…! I got it, Ms. Acey! It’s like playing chess! If I have no way out …

Ms. Acey: … then put yourself in your opponent’s shoes.

Melania: Think about it. If I were Sean …

Ms. Acey: How would you avoid the encirclement and go unseen?

Shoulderbag swipes the dust on the file of Sean with a strip of cloth from her mouth.

Ms. Acey: I think this Crystal Skull Theft five years ago will be a perfect start for your stimulation.

The Football Match | Perfect Answer

[Ramirez Office]

Melania: *chuckling* Ms. Acey … I totally get it … This is the perfect solution. So this is what security looks like from a thief’s point of view … I even enjoy being a thief now. Oh please, do not remove that sprinkler! I’ll have to change my route again!

Ms. Acey: There is always an accident. Don’t let your guard down.

Melania: Then I’ll take advantage of that security officer who has a stomachache.

Ms. Acey: And replace him from this shift.

Melania: Fine .. but everything is still as planned!

Sun rises …

…

and falls. For now time means nothing to Melania. The puzzle of attack and defence is the only thing in her world.

Melania: I get it … The security guards strive for perfection, but they’re not always good at setting test questions for thieves. They all make mistakes, of which thieves take advantage. Father never set questions; he just improvised.

Melania: So the thieves have no choice but to intrude as they’re used to. Settling questions was not Father’s thing, but he left the job to the thieves, turning them into question creators.

Melania: So Father’s unreasonable action actually meant so much …!

Ms. Acey: My Years with Ramirez. Chapter One. Distract your opponents away from the field they’re familiar with. Authored by Melania.

Melania: Chapter Two. Get your opponent into the field you’re familiar with. Authored by Acey!

Melania: I’m not experienced in setting questions either … but I’m very good at giving answers.

Melania: I’m so close … so close to answering the question given by Sean …

The door is opened unexpectedly. Coming into the room are Fiennes and other security guards.

Fiennes: Melania? Are you here for your father’s stuff?

Security Staff: Miss, put down that thing in your hands, please.

One of the guards, with no mercy, takes over the sandbox in her hands. He stuffs it into a paper box and seals it. Another one clicks the shutter.

…

Melania: Wait. Where are you taking it?

As if they are deaf, the guards just keep listing each item in the room.

Fiennes: They are from the court.

Melania: The court?! For sheriff’s sale, this place?

Fiennes: Well, since we can’t pay the second compensation, I think so.

Melania: But, why did it happen so quickly …?

Fiennes: Owing to the Rimet Cup theft, the whole private security industry is now being questioned by society. And now the second theft of this … Iverson … Or say, the industry committee asks us to have some self-consciousness and don’t humiliate the industry anymore.

Fiennes: Go, Melania. Go back to college.

Melania: …I will, but not now.

Fiennes: Where are you going?

Melania: …I swear on the honor of Ramirez. I will make up for my mistake. By the way, sir, it’s New Humans’ handbook. May I take it?

She waves the Guidance on Security in hand. The guard only gives it an indifferent glance and takes it as something negligible.

Melania: Goodbye, Uncle Fiennes.

Melania goes down the stairs, smiling. In the room, Fiennes casts a puzzled eye on the office table she just sits by. A news cover is stuck on the table, red lines, and more red lines were drawn.

Fiennes: “Ramirez Security thrust into the limelight again after Mainedonty theft. The head of New Humans, Iverson speaks out forcefully as Ramirez is expelled from the Guidance on Security editorial board.”

Fiennes: “Sean the Great Thief returns. His next target is the painting The Football Match guarded by New Humans … This is the first time Sean has taken a shot at an artifact outside the arcanum antiquities, what exactly is the deeper meaning of this act …”

He puts the paper down.

Fiennes: Iverson’s treasures Guidance on Security is soon going to have its own test. Another long night.

…

[Roof, Methodist Central Hall]

Melania: Guidance on Security. Article 41: The cameras shall be placed at the vertexes of a triangle to eliminate blind spots …

Melania: Flaws. Tests have shown that cameras placed at the vertexes of a triangle in an arched hall would result in more than one blind spot.

Melania: Guidance on Security. Article 120: Check whether the ventilation ducts are clear before the hypnotic gas is used to avoid accidents. Double-edged sword. Tests have shown that it’s perfectly possible to intrude from the ventilation ducts. Security measures are highly recommended to be taken in the ventilation areas.

Melania: Guidance on Security. Article 342: Security officers on duty are only allowed to have food and drink distributed by the company. Upstream flaws. Tests have shown that anyone can be a working meal vendor of New Humans with a phone call and a costume. The security officers will finish the dinner with Sleepy Popping Beans in it as required by the Guidance.

Melania: Phew …

She shakes her wrist and closes the Guidance with reluctance.

Melania: Mr. Iverson shouldn’t have let us leave the editorial board. There is too much to be revised in his Guidance.

Melania: I’d love to leave my comments on all the articles … but then I wouldn’t be able to finish the essay assigned by Professor Clare.

Ms. Acey: The handbook clearly needs revision from peers.

Melania: Count down the seconds … Five. Ms. Acey, let’s go!

The door to the rooftop is opened. An uninvited guest rushes out of the door like a boarding school student hearing the lunch bell and dashing out of the classroom. Unfortunately, he stumbles immediately.

???: … What the hell. Why’s there a broom?!

The next second, the sticky ball trap above the door is triggered. Black and sticky flurry balls rain from above, blocking his sight.

Melania: Ms. Acey!

Melania throws her shoulderbag at that trapped person. Acey lands perfectly on the man and bites his head.

Melania: Perfect!

She quickly claps and walks toward him with satisfaction. Stooping down, she picks up the wrapped parcel falling on the ground next to him with no effort.

…

Melania: The signature of L.S.Lowry … Yes. This is The Football Match, the painting that New Humans is responsible for.

Melania: Sean the Great Thief, I finally meet you!

The harder he struggles, the tighter these black flurry balls stick on him. Soon he realizes, either living with the shoulderbag for the rest of his life or losing the part above his neck─these are the only two choices he has.

Sean the Great Thief: …Broom? Such a cheap trap? For me …!

Melania: The broom caught the Great Thief, Johnny, four years ago. No shame in losing to it, Mr. Sean. At least you’re not the first.

Sean the Great Thief: … Is that a comfort? Police won’t bother rabbiting. Who are you?

…

Melania: A-hem …

Melania opens her notebook and reads her script written in advance out loud.

Melania: You don’t need to know my name, Mr. Sean. Let’s make a deal. Do you still have the Mainedonty?

Sean the Great Thief: What if I have?

Melania: The Football Match you stole is a counterfeit. I’ve taken the real one in advance. If you give me the Mainedonty, you can have the real The Football Match. Or I’ll hand you over to the police. How about that?

Sean the Great Thief: Oh … A peer? You made these security guards snooze?

Melania: All you have to say is yes or no.

To remain silent was his first choice, but in the end, he nods.

Sean the Great Thief: Fine … count me out. But how did you figure out I’d leave from the roof?

Melania: Because I had all the other security flaws fixed. The only way out without being noticed is the plumbing vent pipes on the roof. I guess it’s better to talk on the roof than in the drains or the ventilation ducts?

Sean the Great Thief: … So, you took advantage of the flaws to steal the real painting, and then helped them fix the flaws, just to trade loot with me? …

Sean the Great Thief: Unbelievable!

Melania: That was part of the plan. And it’s true that Mr. Iverson’s Guidance on Security needs empirical assessment.

Sean the Great Thief: And you’re not giving me The Football Match, are you?

The sarcasm in his voice doesn’t get any less and it even sounds familiar.

Sean the Great Thief: …Even if I give you the Mainedonty, you’ll exchange the real painting with your arcane skill. Am I right, Melania?

Melania: Hmm …?!

Her name isn’t supposed to be known by the one in front of her.

Melania: Wait a minute, Ms. Acey. The voice …

Ms. Acey: …

Ms. Acey: I think you owe us an explanation, “Sean”.

Shoulderbag releases her capture. He manages to stand up, breathing out with great relief. Although black fur is everywhere on his suit, the way he sweeps them can be considered as elegant.

Fiennes: Of course … But please allow me to get rid of these sticky balls first. The usual tool to deal with this is salt water … but personally, I prefer Dr. Papper with mint oil. You can get rid of them and keep them sticky. Recycle.

Fiennes grabs a bottle of spray from his pocket. As he sprays his secret ingredients on them, the sticky balls start dropping like water drops falling from an umbrella.

Fiennes: The combination of sticky balls and broom is an improvised try. But I’ll give you 90% of the mark for this classic move, Melania.

Melania: Fin … Mr. Fiennes?! But how … how could it be possible? It doesn’t make any sense at all!!!

Melania: How can you be Sean?! Sean the Great Thief has been working for Ramirez Security for the last five years?! The head of Ramirez Security stole the Mainedonty himself?!

Melania: It doesn’t make sense!

Fiennes: C’est la vies, full of surprises, isn’t it? Did you see yourself stealing The Football Match a week ago?

Melania: I just … borrowed it! Will return it soon.

Fiennes: That’s our top student. I can return the Mainedonty now as a reward for your high score.

Fiennes: But there is another condition.

Fiennes: You must wait for 3 days until you return The Football Match.

Melania clenches her teeth. She feels anger is outraging her sanity.

Melania: I don’t know if I can still trust you.

He shrugs.

Fiennes: Melania, there ARE reasons for what I have done. But the police won’t give us time to catch up on these …

The police siren from blocks away is wailing from far to near.

Fiennes: I should go now. Thank you for leaving the vent pipe for me. Don’t bother tracing me. You were not even born when I started my career.

Melania: Wait, Sean!

Fiennes: Oh, this is for you!

Fiennes flips a coin to her.

…

After all the twists and turns … The coin which can decide the fate of Ramirez is here, lying in Melania’s hand with no effort.

Melania: Sean …

…

She looks down the building, astonished. The figure of that culprit has become one with the darkness. Only his voice lingers under the night sky.

Fiennes: Mail The Football Match after 3 days! I’ll come to you then!

Epilogue

[Interview of the “New Humans”]

Iverson: … No doubt. This is a failure. A complete humiliation! The shameless thief stole the exhibit, and sent it back in a package, as if our security was invisible!

Iverson: But this is not a failure of Guidance on Security … but a failure of us, of our security officers. Guidance on Security gives us perfect strategies, but the security officers were sleepy and negligent …

Iverson: When the London Police entered the exhibition hall, they were all sound asleep!

Iverson: New Humans shall not allow this to happen again! We promise that human security officers are to be phased out from today, and something more rational, more efficient, and more rigorous is to be introduced—security robots! Over the next three to five years, we are devoted to developing new types, so that human security officers are completely replaced.

Iverson: We will lead by example and transform the security industry into a future-oriented, science-based, civilised and rational industry!

…

Melania puts down the magazine, astonished.

…

Melania: There are flaws in the Guidance, and their response was to fire everyone? Seems Mr. Iverson has completely ignored the Guidance on Security with comments enclosed in my letter … I pulled two all-nighters for this!

Ms. Acey: I’ve warned you. You should finish Prof. Claire’s essay first.

Melania: And there’s not even a word about Ramirez retrieving the Mainedonty. A lot of journalists were there to interview me …

Fiennes: Iverson has way better connections than ours, after all. A Ramirez retrieving collection’s report, at this time? The New Humans are suffering, they won’t let it be reported.

Melania stands up, alerted.

Melania: Fiennes … No. Mr. Sean the Great Thief.

Fiennes: Call me Fiennes like the old days. I am nothing special.

Melania: You’re being modest. You are the only international thief of the 20th century who has stolen in London and Paris at the same time.

Her voice sounds cold as the winter Thames. Obviously, there is no way this conversation can be that kind of awkward small talk they used to have.

Fiennes: In my defense, I have never committed such a shocking crime. Just two guards lost the exhibits on the same day, and they used me as an excuse.

Melania: … What?

She frowns. It’s not easy to tell if it’s just another lie of “Sean”.

Fiennes: Use your brain, Melania. How would this ever make sense? If my arcane skill is that marvellous, why am I still just a thief? Some security guards make up those stories of international thieves to cover their malpractice. Their imagination can evenly match those of thieves in order not to lose their jobs.

Melania: …

Noticing her being nervous, the Great Thief gives her a smile.

Fiennes: Relax. Well, to be fair, the Mainedonty you have stolen is also a counterfeit.

This is not something she can let go of. Her jaw drops, but maybe too late.

Melania: Wh-What?

…

Fiennes: My arcane skill is to touch something and make a copy of it. Like what you just heard, it only works on one object once. I had copied countless fake antiques with my arcane skill, but at the same time, they would have my arcane mark.

Fiennes: As their price gets higher and higher, I’m afraid someone will find out that they’re all counterfeits.

Fiennes: So I decided to steal my copies. Nothing could stop me back to the days I was in the auctions, exhibitions and museums. I quite enjoyed being unstoppable.

Fiennes: Until your father showed up─My plans fell flat in front of him.

Melania: …

…

Fiennes: I thought and thought but still couldn’t figure out how he predicted my plan. So I applied for Ramirez Security, but only to find that … your father had no plan, no plan at all! I was the one with a plan in the whole little company!

He lets out a long sigh, a sigh for mourning the time he wasted on his former rival.

Fiennes: I worked as a security officer for 5 years with full passion.

…

Fiennes: During that time, I formed an ultimate larceny plan, with all I had learnt from Ramirez. This was going to be a great thievery that even your father couldn’t stop.

Fiennes: But before I can perform this plan, your father committed suicide. I was disappointed, and upset.

Fiennes: However, I do know that he considered you as his successor …

…

Melania: … So, is that a revenge? You asked me to take over the company, and then you stole the exhibition from me, putting an end to Ramirez that almost closed down.

Fiennes opens his mouth as if trying to defend himself. But before he can say anything, Melania has already grabbed her notebook from the shoulder bag and turned to a certain page.

Melania: Now it makes sense…! I didn’t figure out how you stole the Mainedonty before … I thought I had an unconscious bias as the question was set by myself, until I heard about your arcane skill!

Melania: You made a copy of Ms Acey that night, right? You copied my arcane skill! Then you swapped the exhibit like I did!

Fiennes: Yes. I trade the Mainedonty with an ice cube in my coffee. After it melts, there was no trace of exchange.

Fiennes: Usually, I can’t imitate other arcanist’s incantation. But I’ve worked hard for five years, and my effort paid off─I learnt how to do it once. I ought to thank you for that too, Melania, for demonstrating it in front of me.

Melania: Oh my … the answer is so simple!

She drops into a chair, supporting her forehead with one hand.

Melania: So you must have read my plan for The Football Match in the office. I wrote it all down, and arranged the references alphabetically. Right there on the table! But you still came to the roof. I don’t understand …

He shakes his head, interrupts the young girl’s speech with a bitter smile on his face.

Fiennes: You’re like your father, Melania.

Melania: Me … Like him? That’s not possible.

Fiennes: He always said that the job of a security officer is to ensure the safety of the client’s property. Nothing matters except that His world is nothing but the challenge of attack and defence.

Fiennes: You, however, after knowing the inside story of the security field and antique trade, you still focus on your “test questions.”

Melania: No. I’m just used to answering questions …

Fiennes: Most importantly, you all see this as a self-challenge.

Fiennes is caught up in his memory.

Fiennes: Your father was a real artist. Everything became dull after he died.

Fiennes: I have to say, at first it was an act of revenge on Ramirez … but I changed my mind.

Fiennes: Melania, you are smart, inquisitive and detail-oriented. You will not miss any chance. These are valuable qualities, and that’s why I went to the patio and met you.

Fiennes: Would you fancy being a thief?

Melania: Ah…?!

Fiennes: You are talented.

Melania: Mr. Fiennes, I have no interest in illegally possessing others’ belongings!

Melania blushes. Apparently, an offer of crime is not something she had ever expected. Fiennes shrugs. Apparently, this offer is just impromptu.

FIennes: Well, keep leading Ramirez is not a bad choice. You are an elite planner.

Melania: …

Melania: No, I’m neither a good question maker nor a business leader.

Fiennes: Thinking from the aspect of a thief is not a common way. Your father always said, “respect your opponent, and they’ll respect you.”

Fiennes: For that alone, he trumped countless Iversons.

Melania: …

Melania: But it’s unfair. Father respected his opponents but was seen as an accomplice. Both Ramirez and New Humans had lost their exhibits before. When we were seen as a humiliation to the industry, and Father was driven to commit suicide …

Melania: What for New Humans? No one ever pointed out the flaws in Guidance on Security …!

Melania: Everyone was convinced of his statements. They were drawn to the bumbling robots, while as a security officer an ambulance would have been better.

Fiennes: People are short-sighted, that’s not new. They can only see the result. It doesn’t matter whether Guidance on Security is flawless or not. It matters whether people believe it is. If so, even when something goes wrong, Iverson can blame those idiots instead of the Guidance.

Melania: But it’s not the truth!

Fiennes: It’s the truth in people’s eyes. They are the ones manipulating public opinions. One success cannot save the credibility of Ramirez. One theft cannot shake the position of the New Humans.

Once again, she grabs the handle of the bag tighter.

Melania: Then I’ll prove it to them …!

Melania: I’ll point out the flaws in Guidance on Security, and I will show the flaws to everyone … in the same way I did this time!

Melania: If it happens only once, it may be ignored. But what if it happens twice, three times, and ten? No security style is better or worse than another, but truth and justice must be manifested. The Guidance on Security is not the principles written once and for all …

Melania: I must bring it to light …!

This is an answer beyond Fiennes’s imagination.

Fiennes: Is that your choice? Then what would you be? The one who keeps writing the legend of Ramirez, or the one who rewrites it?

Melania: No, Mr. Fiennes … I’m just a student.

The Great Thief looks into the young student’s eyes. The bell at the bar ends this silent competition.

Fiennes: Unfortunately, it’s time for me to head to the wharf. By the way, I used your arcane skill to switch your recording tape. Don’t even think about catching me, Melania.

Melania opens her bag in a hurry … And sadly finds that he is not lying. She immediately drops her shoulder.

Melania: That’s not fair, Mr. Sean. I bought it with my scholarship.

Fiennes: You turned down my offer, so don’t expect me to teach you any lessons. One last thing. Arcanists will leave an arcane mark on their works. Proud as your father was, he has no reason not to.

Fiennes: I have nothing to do with the Rimet Cup case, but I suggest you not underestimate the “imagination of a security officer.”

She hops up, shocked.

Melania: Wait. Are you suggesting that there’s something else about my Father’s case?

Fiennes: I just want to see the legend continue. It should be tired as your father’s daughter, am I right, Melania?

He waved at her elegantly. The next second, he disappeared into the crowd. Sean the Great Thief has completed his revenge.

Ms. Acey: He is strange.

Melania: Yes.

But free …

Melania takes a deep breath.

Melania: Ms. Acey, I know what to do. I can’t be like Father or Sean … and I don’t need to. But I can try to understand them. One day, I will be back and set my own questions. But before that, I need practice, practice, and practice. Until the day when I figure out everything.

Melania: Could you help me?

The shoulder bag gives her student a playful nibble.

Ms. Acey: Anytime, Melania.

…

Weeks later, Ramirez Security Company announces its dissolution. Meanwhile, an advance notice signed “The Great Thief Acey” was sent to many famous newspapers.

…

Dear editorial board of Guidance on Security: Congratulations on the publication. In the past five years, you’ve been traveling together with us in the world of imagination.

And now, you are trying to use a guide full of flaws to solve all problems once and for all. Security, however, shall be art. It requires courage, prudence, creativity and infinite passion. You respect us no more, so we will respond in the same way.

5 p.m., Sunday, I shall arrive and claim the Light Cross in Naval Museum. Good luck setting up a perfect security arrangement according to the Guidance.

Sincerely, The Great Thief Acey.

Melania: Ms. Acey, if Father knew what I was going to do, would he still be proud of me?

Ms. Acey: I think he would say, “Ace!”

Melania: I bet he would.

…

The young thief shoots the hook gun and jumps towards the building. In the exhibition hall full of miracles and legacies, countless shiny “test questions” await her challenge.