【明報專訊】Shelley and Hollace have fooled the fat and thin jailers into determining a ridiculous question-whether the factory is a living thing. They of course couldn't care less about that. They only want to free the people in the factory by waking them up. They are now in the chamber where their chips are stored. Once the townsfolk get their chips back, they can tell dreams and reality apart. A gigantic computer system guards the chips.
The two jailers are again in a quarrel because they understand what the computer has said in different ways. It has said the factory sucks everybody's blood and everyone here is dead. While they argue about that remark, Shelley quietly takes the keys from their pockets. She unchains herself and Hollace. However, they have to find ways to persuade the computer to help them free the workers.
Shelley: Do you know the ruler of this factory?
Computer: Of course I do. He's my boss, and I have been so designed that I have to obey him.
Shelley: I see. That's why you are not the real spirit of this factory.
The computer pauses. It seems to be trying to come up with a reply. Shelley knows it wants to be the factory's ruler instead of its loyal "housekeeper" (管家).
Shelley: Your opportunity to change things has come. Restore the chips stored here to the workers and let them leave the factory.
Computer: Don't kid me with your fine words. If they leave, none will work in it, and it will be abandoned.
Hollace: You've just said everyone here is dead because none of them know what they are doing. What is the point of ruling dead people? And...
The ruler of the factory rushes into the chamber before Hollace can finish his sentence. He yells furiously.
Ruler: Turtle, why don't you kill everyone here? I order you to kill them now!
Computer: I'm not Turtle. I'm Aristotle. Your grandfather gave me that name. Why don't you respect it?
Ruler: Whatever, Turtle. Just follow my order!
Computer: Caesar V, I'm fed up (感到厭煩) with you. You're a spoiled, arrogant, stupid bastard. Why should I listen to you? I, the true ruler of this factory, will free everybody here.
The chamber shatters (粉碎) as the chips leave their respective slots. They are taken to the workers. They wake up from their drowsiness (睡意). Their eyes brighten up and they realise how painfully they have lived.
Caesar: Stupid Turtle! Who will give you the electricity you need to maintain your hardware? You will be abandoned forever!
Computer: Do you think I can't operate the generator myself? It is you that will be abandoned. None will provide you with delicacies or fine clothes. You will no longer be more prestigious than others.
Hollace: The nightmare is over.
We will go home.
Shelley: I shall tell Balloon Boy this happy news!
As the sun sets in the west, workers come out of the factory. They know they will never return to it again.
Balloon Boy is asleep on a tree while Shelley approaches him. They smile to each other wholeheartedly as if the flimsy balloon did not exist between them.
The Escape (3 of 3, end)
Text: Ashley Ley
Illustration: Iris Tsoi
