Marius "Eye of the Beholder"/Rewards

Story Summary

Marius invites the MC to help with a test run of "It's Big Brain Time," an upcoming variety show created by Marius and intended to raise money for Alzheimer's patients. The goal of the show is for contestants to go to the Stellis CBD and earn enough money to buy a particular target item, using only their own skills, within three hours. When the MC arrives, Marius reveals the two are doing the test run as contestants, so they try to find a temporary job in the CBD only to be rejected repeatedly. When the crew breaks for lunch, the two look for a place to rest.

The owner of a nearby dessert shop thanks Marius and the MC for helping with Alzheimer's funding and treats them to free sweets. Marius, having seen a gallery as they'd searched for a place to rest, has an idea of how to earn the money for the expensive amethyst accessory that the show has chosen as the target item: With some difficulty, Marius convinces the gallery owner to buy his next painting. An hour later, Marius' painting is complete: an abstract piece representing the MC.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Marius has drawn himself reflected in the eyes of the MC; he titles the painting "The Most Beautiful Scenery," and the gallery owner, awed, agrees to buy the painting for exactly the amount required to buy the show's target item. As they're about to leave the gallery and purchase the item, a panicked woman named Amanda barges in pleading for help finding her mother, an Alzheimer's patient who has gone missing. The test run is paused, and the crew is redirected to search for Amanda's mother.

Amanda's mother is eventually found at an area that used to be a photo studio, where the family had a photo taken ten years prior; Amanda's mother is confused and expresses concern that if she doesn't have the photo, she'll forget her family. When the show resumes, Marius rushes with the MC to the shop that sells the target item; they fail to make it in time, but Marius decides to thank the MC for her help by buying her one of the amethyst accessories she'd express fondness for earlier that day. The MC grudgingly agrees, choosing the cheapest of the shop's accessories, a necklace Marius says represents everlasting love.

Having noticed Marius seems to have an unusual emotional investment in both Amanda's situation and the show in general, the MC asks whether Marius has a special reason for doing all this. He asks her to go with him to a nursing home, where Susan Wellington, a patient with advanced Alzheimer's disease, is being cared for. Marius discusses his fondness for Susan and her relationship to the von Hagen family, and the three have a short conversation.

After Susan is led away for a checkup, Marius reveals that he blames himself for not paying enough attention to her symptoms to get the care that could have slowed the progression of her disease. While he hopes the show will help advance Alzheimer's research, his greater hope is to raise awareness of the condition to prevent others from having similar regrets in the future. The MC suggests changes to the show to help with the awareness aspect; the show is highly successful, and a second season is quickly negotiated.

Illustrations

Family Secret"If it weren't for his dashing looks, I wouldn't have told Mr. von Hagen my family secret so easily."
He puffed his chest with pride as he said that, but there was a hint of hostility in his voice.

My Memory of YouMemories might fade, but I will never forget my love for you.

Video Call

Video Call		Marius: Eye of the Beholder (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Marius: Evening. Am I disturbing you?

Marius: The suit? Oh... I was at an interview with Stellis TV and didn't have time to change.

Marius: It was nothing really, just a few questions about a show that they're making in collaboration with Pax.

Marius: Most of the questions were boring, except for one.

Marius: Hmm... The question was, if there was anything or anyone that I would never want to forget.

Marius: My answer? Why don't you take a guess?

Marius: I'll give you a hint. Look into my eyes, the answer lies in there.

Marius: So? What do you see?

Marius: You haven't noticed? It's just as what you did before, but now...

Marius: You're all that I see. The person that I would never want to forget, is you.

Marius: Fufu... don't be shy. Miss Big-Shot-Themis-Attorney.

Marius: Ehh, don't hang up. I meant everything I said.

Marius: The reason? Well it's simple. I feel happy and relaxed when I'm with you.

Marius: Thank you for all the beautiful memories you've given me. Will you also be with me to make more memories in the future?

Marius: We have a lot of time. Don't try and sneak off on me, Miss.

Story Locations

Stellis Central Business District
Central Business District

Main Character's Residence
Your Residence

Stellis Central Business District
Dessert Shop

Stellis Central Business District
Movie Theater

Stellis Central Business District
Dessert Shop

Stellis Central Business District
Gallery

Stellis Central Business District
Teahouse

Stellis Central Business District
Former Photo Studio

Stellis Central Business District
Accessory Shop

Stellis
Nursing Home

Pax Group
Marius' Office