Reading OTWTAS, Episode: Shinra...
So Rufus is stuck in the emergency shelter and needs to figure out the code to get out. He thinks it has to be something that would have significance to both him and his father. He tries his mother's birthday and the day she died, but those failed.
There's one number he hasn't tried yet. His father has been trolling him by marking the escape button with a "L" for "loser" along with marking the boxes of potions and medicine with a "L" and even putting it on the ceiling. Rufus doesn't want to try this number because it would mean his old man won again. Well, he tries it and it works. Reno and Rude find him. Rude looks inside the room and sees the numbers still blinking on the display...
There was no way for Rude to know it, but the code number was the same number the previous president had used for all his devices. It was a series of numbers he would never have forgotten -- his son's birthday.
Now hold the phone. He has two other sons as well, but he uses Rufus' birthday. He's not even his first son. Rufus was guessing the code could only be something of significance to both of them. Rufus didn't consider his birthday to be of significance to his own father. Yes, this is father still trolling him, but why use it for all of his devices?
Earlier, Rufus spent his time sliding down into the room contemplating his childhood and relationship with his father.
...it had struck him that he had always been seeking his father's approval, trying desperately to surpass the old man. But he'd gone about it all the wrong way, with petty acts of rebellion and disloyalty that incurred his father's wrath rather than respect.
Here's my crazy thought: Deep down, like deep down, did his father have regrets? Did he maybe wish he could have had a better relationship with Rufus?
I know. Crazy. But I'll be thinking about this for a while. Ugh.
And in case that's not enough...
"Tired. Injured. Fast asleep. But alive."
The president's breathing was deep and even.
"Guess he figured he could relax, once he saw the calvary had shown up." But his attempt at levity felt hollow.
"Good," Rude replied, then headed outside. He meant it, too.
Aight. Imma head out and go cry somewhere.
