Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Stand Clear of the Closing Doors was an altered representation of one of Bastiano da Mezzo's genetic memories.
Intro[edit | edit source]
Bastiano used to hang about in the rough areas of Venice before he was accepted in the Brotherhood. He was therefore chosen to secure an old abandoned palace on the lagoon which allows the guards and Templars to infiltrate the neighbourhood of the Assassins' Headquarters. Bastiano and the members of his group must reach the heart of the tightly watched palace, eliminate the enemies and seal off access to the palace using an old central mechanism controlling the gates.
Objective[edit | edit source]
Seal off access to the palace.
Debrief[edit | edit source]
Bastiano and his group were tremendously effective! The palace has been condemned, thus allowing the Brotherhood to develop their Headquarters in Venice in complete safety. The armor of a former captain of the guard, probably hidden there by thieves years ago, will he very useful in future endeavors. Pushing the doors to the exit, Bastiano cannot help but take one last look at the great hall. The palace is in runs. The rain that has been pouring down on the decrepit building has finally penetrated the slowly rotting roof structure. The sound of water hitting the stage resounds through the hall up to the entrance. Acoustics have always been the forte of Venetian architects. In the darkness, the rows of upholstered seats are the sole spectators of the tragedy that once played out here.
Screams are echoing across the stage. Laughter erupts from everywhere. The crowd massed in the theater is on the verge of hysteria. The young teenager takes advantage of the din to go backstage. He knows what he is looking for: The Harlequin mask that Vito promised him. He is enraged that Vito gave it to a one-night stand: Giulietta, who shines on the stage tonight, like a star!
Bastiano eventually finds the artists' dressing room. He slips in incognito. The room is so dark... He lights a candle on a chandelier. There's the mask! As he observes the simple beauty of the accessory used for the jester's face, the door opens with a loud crash that throws Bastiano to the floor. Giulietta stops abruptly, watches the teenager roll on the ground, take the mask and rush towards the window. But her eyes have already turned away from the thief and have-been drawn as if captivated to the light of the candle that has fallen to the the ground. The flame stretches out, setting the costumes ablaze in an instant. The light turns into heat. Only then does a piercing scream pierce the silence of the intermission. "Fire!".
Bastiano flees. his precious trophy in hand. When Giulietta's cry reaches him, he freezes and slowly turns around, as thick smoke emerges from the window he just used. He looks down. His hand is clutching the candlestick, the one that carried the candle. He realizes... Fire!
He dons the Harlequin mask, rushes to open the theater doors and helps the spectators get out. "Giulietta! Giulietta!" The actors call out at the top of their voices.
She hasn't come out!
Bastiano stands in front of the window from which is spewing black smoke. He knows he has no other choice. He walks in. He's struck by the horror of the fire consuming everything. He's looking for the young woman. She is trapped in the flames. Bastiano pushes back a burning beam, frees the unconscious Giulietta. He carries her to the window. A pair of arms grab her. He's about to come out when a curtain catches fire and collapses on him. She is safe! This thought erases the pain of the fire's deep bit on Bastiano's face. The Harlequin mask is also consumed by the flames.
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
The name of the memory is a phrase commonly said by public transport operators warning civilians to be careful after boarding or exiting the vehicle.