Vir Cotto, Londo and others in “The Long Night”

Vir Cotto

[slurring] I was toasting Emperor Cartagia. And since he wasn't here, I drank for him. And then, I couldn't be rude, so I had to drink with him. And so first it was me drinking for him—[drinks] and then him drinking for me—[drinks again] and then I kinda got into this kinda cycle. And then, here comes Cartagia, his glass broke, and—maybe it was my glass. Would you like some? Because you know what, I think this is Cartagia's glass after all, so it would be quite appropriate, don't you think?

Londo

You're drunk.

Vir

Absolut—positive—oh, you betcha. I figured it always worked for you, Londo. Let me—lemme ask you something. [puts a hand on Londo's shoulder and leans in] How much more before I can look in the mirror and not see myself? Because I keep looking and I'm always there. And right now I don't want to see me.

Londo

[pulling away] You're behaving like a fool! You did what was necessary. You saved the lives of millions of our people. He had to be stopped. He—

Vir

[anguished] Don't you understand? I've never done anything like this before! I close my eyes and I always see his face! [crying, he sits on a couch] Don't you know that all I ever wanted was…was a good job, small title, nothing fancy. A wife I could love, maybe even one who could actually love someone like me. I never wanted to be here. I never wanted to know the things that I know, or to do…to do the things that I've done.

Londo

I know. I know, Vir. I never wanted you in that hole. I never wanted you to… I remember when you first arrived on Babylon 5. You were so…full of life, innocent. I was not kind to you. I treated you poorly. I think that I did that because I was envious of you. Envious that you had come so far and were still innocent in your way. You still believed. I, on the other hand… I cannot tell you that your pain will ever go away. I cannot tell you that you will ever forget his face. I can only tell you that it was necessary. You may have helped to save our people. You did a hard thing. But you still have your heart, and your heart is a good one. You would not be in such great pain otherwise. It means there is still hope for you. And for that, I find I still envy you.