NNina
Oh a letter! Who are you writing to?
Eh! Ah! A person it doesn’t matter!
Oh! It’s to Winry, isn’t it?
Hey! It’s just a simple report! Just passed the alchemy exam! How’s the weather, that whole thing, ok?
NNina
Winry’s a pretty name! Is she your girlfriend?
AAAHH! She’s not! She’s not! She’s not! She’s not! We’re friends!
NNina
I know I’m going to write a letter to my mommy too!
So your mom lives far away, doesn’t she Nina?
NNina
That’s right! She told my dad, ‘He was a good for nothing alchemist, who couldn’t do anything right. Hopefully, she’ll send a reply this time…
[Havoc and Edward are in a car with Havoc driving.]
What’s the matter, chief? You look like the sky’s falling down. Don’t let the Lieutenant Colonel get to you, his mind’s in on a case now.
Serial killer, only targets women.
Eh… Sounds like police business, why does he care?
It’s the Military’s backyard, it’s dishonorable. Mustang cares about that stuff.
Or wants a promotion. [Havoc suddenly stops the car.] Uhh!
It’s true kid, Mustang’s no political novice, he’ll do whatever he has to, to move up the chain around here. But if that’s all he was about, we wouldn’t follow him.
Tell me then, what else is he about?
You’ll learn soon enough.
BGBasque Grand
Don't they just eat at you? I hear when that kid showed off his transmutation abilities without the use of a circle, the king actually opened up his mouth and complimented him. Now that upstart Mustang is getting points for discovering him. My points, Tucker!
I...I'm sorry if they caused trouble for you, sir.
BGBasque Grand
I smoothed things over for you last year when you turned in that pile of trash and called it research. Fail it again and then I'll get the heat for endorsing you.
BGBasque Grand
What, Tucker?! Would you rather the alternative approach? You wanna pass the title of Sewing-Life Alchemist to that boy and go back to your old life? Drifting the streets of some backward town with ideas and an empty stomach? Your assessment's in two days; it's time to show or roll over.
When was the first time you made one of these...human-speaking chimeras?
I thought I told you. It's been two years now.
And when exactly did your wife leave you?
And those letters...that Nina wrote...did any of them ever reach her?
What are you...getting at?
Tell me this... Where have Alexander and Nina gone to?!
[Sighs] I hate prodigies like you Ed. Too damn perceptive.
[Edward throws Tucker against a wall.]
This guy used his own wife, Al!
HIS DAUGHTER!....and his dog! He transmuted them into that...THING! An easy process when you use people, right?!
Why are you getting so upset, Edward? It's the nature of scientific progress: animal testing, experimentation, trial and error! All advancements have -- a price.
SHUT UP! I'm not gonna let you rationalize this, you monster! That was your own family, damn it! You've been toying with people's LIVES!
Toying with lives? What?! Like your arm and leg there? Or your brother's body? Or trying to bring your mother back? That's toying, isn't it? You don't really think you are any different from me, do you, Ed? [Edward punches Tucker, sending him to the ground. Tucker chuckles. Edward prepares to punch him again but is stopped by Alphonse.]
Why, Mr. Tucker? The whole point was to pass the assessment and continue your way of life. But now your family's gone. What life is left?!
That's the funny thing, I didn't have a reason. I fully understood, no matter what I did, my life would be ruined. I could either do it with the science, or without. And so I chose science, to see if I could.
When you have the power to do something, it's hard not to try. Isn't that what we agreed on, Ed? Aren't we so much alike?
Sure...part of me did it for respect and this house. Just as you partly did it for your mother. But there's more. You're desperate to put your mind to use, Ed. To see what you're capable of, to put the world under your fingers...that's the essence of alchemy. You did it for knowledge...control. Above all, you did it just to prove you can. [Edward punches Tucker again]
You're wrong. Alchemy isn't meant to be... I'm not like you! [Edward repeatedly punches Tucker.] I'M NOT! NOT! I'M NOT!
Brother, you'll kill him!
BCBarry the Chopper
She seems to like taking things apart so I thought I'd do the same to her! Watch closely and maybe you'll get to see what makes her tick!
You sick...why are you doing this?!
BCBarry the Chopper
Why? Hmm...what a strange little question that is. I guess it's because I enjoy it. The first person I killed was my wife. She was nagging me about something and without meaning to, I chopped her to pieces. But when I saw how finely I could slice her, I wanted more. To reduce people to their most basic building blocks, and I wanted everyone to see...
That's stupid. Why would someone kill for such a ridiculous reason?
BCBarry the Chopper
[looks at Edward insanely] Because they can! Given the slightest provocation, anyone can do it.
BCBarry the Chopper
Men have morals, but send them to war and they have no problem slaying each other in the most brutal fashions. Now why do you think that is?
BCBarry the Chopper
[cuts Edward's shoulder slightly] 'Cause deep down inside we all want to kill, most just need the go-ahead from their society. Like the State Alchemists I saw in a village, slaughtering helpless people. Splat! Big fountains of blood!
Alphonse Brother, it turns out the Philosopher's Stone may very well be real. But all the clues we need to find it are off limits to everyone except State Alchemists. Since I no longer have a mortal shell, I can't feel the terror you felt, thinking you were going to die. I'm sure it must have been painful, and lonely. I want my body back, brother. I want to be able to feel what you felt. To feel human again. If we find the Philosopher's Stone, I can have that.
When I was certain he was going to kill me, my mind went blank, and I didn't have any hope anymore. And the only thing I could do was scream my lungs out. I felt so helpless, I couldn't even bring myself to believe someone might save me. Then you showed up, Al. And I realized that if we don't take care of each other, no one else will. So I'll do anything in my power to get our bodies back, even if it means being the military's lapdog. And we'll just have to hope our powers are good enough to help us rise above our own limits. [cries into his hands] 'Cause we're not gods. We're humans. Tiny, insignificant humans...who couldn't even save a little girl.
DDriver
Edward Elric? Yeah, I heard of him!
So what do you know about the guy?
DDriver
Well they say is that even though he’s one of those state alchemist guys he’s still a friend of the common man.
Wow, he must be a man of great stature then, huh?
DDriver
Actually I’ve heard he’s surprisingly short, like a dwarf or something!
WHO ARE YOU CALLING A DWARF?!?
COME BACK HERE AND SAY THAT TO MY FACE!!!
If you keep scaring away cab drivers, we'll never reach Liore!
AHHH! Come on hurry up! EEEPP! (Rushes in store) I’ll take the chrome steel spanner set. (Grabs a wrench) This hydraulic cork wrench! (Points at glass) And can I take a look at that micrometer please!?
Oh! And please throw in whichever ultra hard tipped drill that you think is the best!
It’s everything I dreamed it would be! Central sure puts our small town selection to shame! Oh! And I just can’t get over how good this walnut handle on this screwdriver feels on my skin!
Are you almost done in there, Winry?
Don’t you think you have enough souvenirs for one trip?
WHAT?! But you said you’d buy me anything I wanted today! Isn’t that right, Ed?
Ed, I love these high carbon chrome steel cutting sheers, they’ll cut through anything and never rust! Can I have these too?
(To clerk) Sir? Could you add this sowing machine oil to my tab?
Here… (To Ed) This is for you… Without me around you’ll have to take care of your own auto-mail.
SSoldier
Mr. Elric. Mustang wants to see you.
There’s a mission for me?
Yeah, now that you’re a real state alchemist you have to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. It’s our life… Second lieutenant, Hawkeye?
RRiza
Yes, sir. (Walks to Ed and hands him some papers) Here are your orders and case file.
(reads aloud) Fullmetal alchemist, Edward Elric, you are hereby ordered to inspect the coal mine at Yusewell… (Turns to Roy) Is this kind of thing really a job for a state alchemist?
RRiza
It entails inspecting the mine resources, as an alchemist you do have knowledge of minerals, don’t you?
Seeing as it’s your first mission I’ve decided to keep the training wheels on, but that won’t mean that you can take it easy…
