These Violent Delights

Roma and Juliette go to Archibald’s hangout, the Mantua, which is a seedy brothel and bar. They ask his questions about the Larkspur, and he agrees to give them information if they drink a shot of alcohol for each question they ask. He reveals that he has never met the Larkspur, but he picks up his deliveries. He also shares that the Larkspur is giving some people a real vaccine and giving others a fake one. Archibald insinuates that the Larkspur must have already known how to make a vaccine against the madness before it even started to spread in Shanghai.

By the time he finishes answering their questions, Juliette and Roma are drunk. Roma falls over, and Juliette helps him up. The police raid the place, and Juliette and Roma flee to a room in the brothel. Juliette makes Roma hide underneath a blanket and then intimidates the police with her reputation as the Scarlet Gang heir. After the police leave, she and Roma kiss. Juliette demands that Roma tell her the truth about why he betrayed her, even threatening him with a gun. He claims that he “had no choice” (350). Hearing this, Juliette leaves.