You: I know I can get history back on the right track.

René: The "right track"? This is the right track! The only track. (he gets visibly annoyed) This is the world we shaped, a reflection of what we are: cowardly, ugly, and numb. And there are no second chances. We don't deserve them! You just can't go back and restart — that would make everything MEANINGLESS! (a shadow of pain comes over his face)

Empathy: There's something substantial moving in him, trying to get out.

Volition: He would sooner die than let it surface.

You: What is it?

Empathy: Regret.

You: Regret about what?

Pain Threshold: (as the camera zooms in on Gaston) Him.

You: Him?

Pain Threshold: There's tenderness in the carabineer's look. Tenderness that's curdled into pain or something darker.

You: Ex-love, ex-tenderness...

Pain Threshold: Even worse, a love aborted and smothered, stamped beneath his brilliant boot heel.

René: (you catch the old carabineer's gaze slowly leaving his opponent's wrinkled face as his dark eyes meet yours — whatever turmoil raged in him a moment ago is quelled for now)

Conceptualization: Like the last rays of the evening sun gently kissing the day goodbye, before giving way to unfathomable darkness.

Volition: Willed back into the darkest unexplored depths of his mind — never meant to be shared, seen or confronted.

Composure: A true master of his emotions.

Inland Empire: Hopelessly alone behind the unbreakable walls he spent a lifetime erecting. No one will ever know him.