What’s in a name? Ms Terri dies — ‘berth’ might be a hint as to the manner in which it happened (something to do with the lake?), but it is definitely a play on words with ‘birth’ leading in to the acts’ overarching theme of death and rebirth. With Ms Terri dead, Hunter’s life can begin.
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>0:00 – 0:03 Instrumental With a dramatic flourish to welcome us to the album, Ms Terri’s death sounds to be sudden.
>0:03 – 0:10 Bitter Suite I Piano The melody associated with Hunter going gaga at the sight of Ms Leading plays very faintly. In this context, it may represent Ms Terri bleeding out or the light otherwise seeping out of her after the initial impact – ‘beauty wilting’.
>0:12 – 0:38 Red Hands Violin ‘Because you can’t be caught red handed if you’re not red handed’. The realisation of misplaced blame? In this context, it may be indicating there’s reason to think Ms Terri is at fault for her death, but ultimately is not to blame and could not have done any different.
What happens? Some years after the end of Act I, Hunter is shaken by the abrupt death of Ms Terri. Furious at her for having left him ignorant, and at himself for having failed to save her, he leaves the Lake and the River for the City. There, he hopes to unveil Ms Terri’s secrets, take control of his life under his own agency, and find something that will soothe the pain of her absence.
He is quickly diverted from this track as he encounters a woman named Ms Leading. Unbeknownst to Hunter, who assumes her to simply be a nice person, she is a prostitute who works at the Dime. Entranced at first sight by her beauty, and by her similarities to Ms Terri, Hunter accidentally agrees to spend the night with her.
Hunter falls deeply in love with Ms Leading. As he pursues a relationship with her, Ms Leading is troubled. Though her profession has long jaded her to prospects of love or goodness, Hunter’s innocent affection has rekindled her own flame, and she is reciprocating despite herself. But Hunter has not realised that she is a prostitute. She is not sure how to divulge this without disturbing him and losing the relationship.
Ultimately, Hunter finds out by walking in on her with a client. He is distraught, heartbroken, and furious. Ms Leading urges that she does not care about her clients, but only about Hunter. Hunter does not believe her and lashes out. However, he then realises that Ms Leading was not lying about her fidelity, and that her profession has been extremely obvious. Mortification snaps Hunter out of his fury, he apologizes, and he runs, too ashamed to face her.
Left with mixed signals from Hunter, Ms Leading calls him to discuss their future together. She knows they are slanting towards a breakup, but hopes for a second chance. Hunter is still too ashamed to face her. Rather than work through the issues, he burns the bridge with a barrage of cruel and insulting letters, and decides to devote himself to the entirely different course of joining the military.
Ms Leading is distraught, failing to catch him again before he boards the ship that will take him to war. Confident that the next chapter of his life must be happier and more peaceful, Hunter departs…
…into the battlegrounds of World War I.
What is the purpose? ms leading
What’s in a name? on the tin. will get back to this
空劫罰 祟りネコ | JP -> ENG / TDH 