Bitter Times

Bitter Times
"Please don't turn this into an argument."
Level No.	2-XN
BPM	112, 98, 128
Patient(s)	Nicole Ting Cole Brew
Pager
Pre-clear	Patients' heartbeats are elevated in stress. Might be caused by Cole Brew participating in a song contest.
Post-clear	Patients had a heated argument. They seem to both be feeling tense.
Ranks
Pass	Beat the level with less than 35 misses (2 Checkpoints)
Act 2 Night
← 7-1 Blurred 7-X Miracle Defibrillator → 2-X All The Times
"I guess that was our first fight, huh?"

Bitter Times is a level in Rhythm Doctor. It is the Night Shift version of All The Times.

This is the seventh boss level in the game and the last level before the Finale. It is the first level to introduce multiple windows to the Window Dance mechanic and to introduce 7/8 time in oneshots/SVT beats. It is unlocked after beating Blurred.

Transcript

	Hey, intern. Think you can get my heartrate under control?
	I'm crunching hard on a deadline for the Neon Radio Song Contest.
	Whoever wins is gonna get a lot of eyeballs on their work and...ow...the chest pain isn't helping.
	Up until now I feel like I've just been posting songs into the void, barely getting noticed.
	Sometimes it feels like it's time to give up, stop chasing this whole dream, go "get a real job."
	But this is finally my chance! It's within reach, I just have to stay focused to beat this deadline!

[Interlude]

	I'm in the semifinals for the contest now, so I'm going to be busy.
	What contest? You never told me you were in a contest...
	I can't hang out for a while, but you can text me.

[Break]

	There you are. Why aren't you in your room?
	I was just taking a little walk to stretch my legs. Why?
	Well, every time I try to see you, you make a huge deal of needing "no distractions".
	Yeah. And...?
	We have to make a new song for each round of the contest.
	You have time for a walk, but can't drop by the cafe for a minute? Do you still like me?
	Can we not?
	I thought you'd be happy for me. I even wrote the song about you!

First Part

First Failure:

	Ouch. As if my heart didn't already hurt enough...
	Maybe give it another shot?

Second Failure:

	These past few days have been tough enough as it is.
	Do you think you can try again?

Third Failure:

	I think the contest judges will like what I'm cooking.
	I need you to keep my heart pumped so I can make it to the deadline!

Fourth Failure:

	Whether he means to or not...I hate how he makes these things feel like my fault.
	Is it my fault for being lonely? My fault for wanting more from our relationship?
	He rolls his eyes like I'm nagging him...and that makes it all feel so much worse.
	We can't control how we feel when we fall in love. I thought he'd understand that, more than anyone...

Fifth Failure:

	I didn't think we'd feel so attached when we started dating, but...
	...I really miss him. Please help us out if you can.

Sixth Failure:

	I feel like he's avoiding me...
	...but I can't just throw in the towel.

Seventh Failure:

	These chest pains are kind of distracting...
	Please don't give up on us, intern.

Second Part

(TBA)

	Thanks, intern. I feel like I was about to pop a blood vessel or something.
	I need to get back to work if I want to finish this thing before the contest deadline.
	So, uh...tell Nicole she can still text me. I probably won't check it until later though.
	I need to, you know, actually get work done.
	...I'm standing right here.
	After that, tell her I'm not, like, "mad" or anything. I just didn't know this relationship was going to be so..."high maintenance".
	I gotta go. Catch you later.
	...seriously?

6-X Completed:

	...did you see that, intern?
	He acts so innocent, but he can be just as passive-aggressive as anyone else when he's in a bad mood.
	No different than anyone else I've dated. Go figure.
	But, anyway, thanks for helping me out with my heartrate. I feel like it was through the roof.
	So, uh...tell Cole he can still text me. I wasn't trying to step on his creativity or his dreams or whatever he thinks I was doing.
	After all the songs we've written together...I just don't get why I wasn't allowed to be part of it. We could've entered the contest as a team, working together.
	Whatever. He's being weird. And trying to make me look like a jerk.
	See you around, intern.
	Phew! Okay. I'm back.
	How was the rehab meeting? Hopefully it went smooth, I really don't have time to be checking in on them.
	I thought the Rhythm Nurses would help with running tests and checking in on all the rooms...
	...but now patients keep coming to me with complaints about how the robots get stuck in the doorways.
	And since they keep running in and out of the rooms to find me, it triggers the Rhythm Security Guards' sensors!
	So then I have to explain to the security that it's okay for patients to move around, and...well...
	Well, whatever! I don't even have time to figure that out because Lucky wants an update on his recovery schedule, and Mrs Stevenson too.
	Plus I still need to look into the virus so I can finish work on my...on my...
	Phew. I, uh...I think I need to take a breather for a second. My head is getting hot.
	I'm going to step outside to get some air. C-Can you come too?

6-X Missed:

	Wait, wait, hold on!
	I know that this isn't quite, you know...my business...
	...but I think it's worth noting that you might be having a hard time focusing because of your history of relying on caffeine!
	In the past, when you've worked hard on music...you've always associated that process with caffeine. It helped you focus, it brought you comfort.
	By being thrown into a high-stress deadline and not having that comfort...I think it's natural for you to feel antsy and distracted.
	But, more importantly! I think for the sake of your, um, relationship...you two should take a little bit of time by yourselves to collect your thoughts!
	Between Cole's deadline and Nicole's job...you're not going to be able to get things done and also hash this all out. Right?
	So better to take your time. I'm sure it will work out. It's best not to say anything you'll regret just because you're mad.
	At least, that's how I see it.
	...
	...
	Yeah, you're right.
	I'm sorry, I just didn't like how you were-
	No, no, I get it. And I was just starting to get annoyed that you kept pushing me away.
	Go work on your thing. You know where to find me when you have some free time.
	Great!
	Ada, do you have a second?
	What's wrong?
	A few of the other patients keep asking me if you're free to help them out.
	I'm a bit busy because Edega really wants me to do something. Which is really distracting because last night I almost finished something really important-
	Are you okay? You're going to wear yourself out.
	Let's step out for some fresh air, alright?
	Intern, you can come with us!

	Those two have had the knives out for each other all day.
	I saw it all coming from a mile away! But the boy's too oblivious and the lady's too impatient.
	They were bound to butt heads eventually. The flirting phase is the easy part, the hard part comes when you have to get along.
	Nobody can read minds, right? So you've gotta sit people down and tell them what you're feeling!
	I guess today will go down in history as the coffee couple's first fight.
	But, y'know... there's nothing wrong with fightin' every once in a while as long as you keep it cordial and patch it up afterwards.
	A little fightin' is healthy! It means you're confident enough to stand up for your feelings.
	That said... good luck to them! If they start fighting again, I'm leaving early for the day.

Lyrics

[Refrain]
(All bit-bitter, bitterness)
(All bit-bitter, bitter times)
(All bit-bitter, bitterness)
(All bit-bitter, bitter times)

[Verse 1 - Nicole, Cole, Both]
All the times
That I've tried, still
can't get through to you
All the times
You and me
Our love grows wordlessly

All we do is write songs
Songs catch what words can't say
Can't say I found the perfect one

Turns out we're the perfect pair
Turns out love is never fair
Now I'm craving much more of you

[Chorus]
Still I'm holding on
Our love is stronger than this
Our love is strong
I'm holding on
Til it's better

[Refrain]
(All bit-bitter, bitterness)
(All bit-bitter, bitter times)
(All bit-bitter, bitterness)
(All bit-bitter, bitter times)
(All bit-bitter, bitterness)
(All bit-bitter, bitter times)

[Verse 2 - Nicole, Cole, Both]
Just a muse
To be used
Just when you need me
That's not true
I love you
Give me a chance and see

But you're never really here
I can't focus when you're near
Could not care less if you write more (Care less and just write more)

You know how much this means to me
Please sort out your priorities
When did our love get so bittersweet?

[Chorus]
Still I'm holding on
Our love is stronger than this
Our love is strong
I'm holding on
Til it's better

[Instrumental Break]

You always need to be right
You always make it a fight
We're never going far
If this is what you really are!

[In unison]
You tell me you're fine, then turn, and whine, when will it - STOP
You tell me you're fine, then turn, and whine, why cant we- STOP

[Outro, in unison]
(Go and write your songs and leave me, all you say is how you're sorry
What more do you want from me, I already said I was sorry)
(Go and write your songs and leave me, all you say is how you're sorry
What more do you want from me, I already said I was sorry)
(Go and write your songs and leave me, all you say is how you're sorry
What more do you want from me, I already said I was sorry)
(Go and write your songs
What more do you want)

Trivia

• Bitter Times is the second boss stage to be part of an act other than what it represents, after Super Battleworn Insomniac.
  • However, Bitter Times is the only boss stage (or night shift of a boss stage) that is not the final level of an act, as it is presented as the second level of Act 7, while Miracle Defibrillator (Cole's Song) is the final level.