Episode 3 of Cowboy Bebop unfolds with a poignant scene, as Spike finds himself on the dusty red expanse of Mars, revisiting an old acquaintance. "I've heard whispers that the sake here is divine, but only when the heavens weep," he muses, his words laced with a cryptic undertone that the vendor instantly recognizes. The vendor discreetly slides over a pair of chopsticks, accompanied by a message etched in their depths: "Vicious Knows." This revelation piques Spike's curiosity, but to unravel the mystery, he must bide his time on this alien soil.
Yet, Jet's mind is elsewhere, consumed by the impending birthday of Kimmie and the frustration of Tharsis City's toy stores being sold out of her beloved doll. His irritation simmering, Jet is eager to depart, but Spike, ever the strategist, springs into action. Scanning the job board, he uncovers a lucrative mark worth a staggering 15 million credits, a sum that instantly captures Jet's attention and keeps him grounded on the planet.
To execute their plan, they enlist the formidable skills of Woodcock, who demands a unique payment: a dinner date with Jet. After a swift negotiation, they're granted access to surveillance footage, revealing their quarry. Spike, a master of the silent language of lips, deciphers the man's menacing threat: "I shall make your precious girl suffer for the atrocities your wealth has wrought upon me and mine." The case escalates from a straightforward hit to a twisted tale of revenge and kidnapping.
But there's more to this than meets the eye. A scar on the man's hand, a telltale sign of face-changers, hints at a deeper conspiracy. Intent on exposing the truth, Spike and Jet devise a cunning plan. They hijack the bounty system, luring Hakim into a trap that forces him to seek refuge at the nearest brothel – a choice between Betty's Boop and Betty's Bottom, sending the duo on a strategic split.
As they wait for Hakim to take the bait, Jet engages in a black-market deal, shelling out a hefty 35,000 credits for the elusive doll that will light up Kimmie's birthday. The exchange is swift, but the tension mounts as their target appears, sparking a fierce rooftop battle. Jet rushes to aid Spike, who finds himself dangling precariously from a neon sign after a brutal punch sends him plummeting. Amidst the chaos, Jet inadvertently loses the doll, which plummets into the waters below, yet he steadfastly holds onto Spike's ankle, their bond unbreakable as they await rescue. Spike, unfazed, casually lights a cigarette, a testament to their resilience and the lengths they'll go to protect those they love.
Meanwhile, within the confines of the club, Ana engages Julia in a hushed conversation, her discontent palpable as she gazes upon Julia's fresh scar adorning her neck, a painful testament to Vicious's latest act of cruelty. Tragically, mirroring the plight of many abuse victims, Ana finds herself blame-ridden.
As Jet and Spike roam the bustling streets in search of a special doll for Kimmie's delight, Spike's eyes alight upon a familiar sight—the food truck, a beacon of contact. His anticipation is validated as his "freshly replenished" supply of sushi arrives, a subtle signal that Vicious lurks nearby. With renewed purpose, he receives a cryptic directive to traverse to a cluster of silos, where a mysterious "package" awaits him at silo number 13.
Their investigation deepens as Spike and Jet uncover the truth behind Hakim's lavish spending. Initially perceived as a wealthy man indulging in canine companionship, they soon unravel a web of deceit. In reality, Hakim was a cunning thief, preying on households to steal their beloved dogs.
Pursuing a tip that led them to a mistress in the vicinity, the duo ventures to the atmo farm where Hakim toils. Their confrontation with the culprit turns into a revelation, as they confront him as the most audacious mark they've ever encountered. Just as they prepare to hand him over to justice, a tragic turn of events unfolds. The police arrive abruptly, guns blazing, and Hakim falls victim to their bullets, his crimes seemingly erased from the record. Spike's anger simmers at this injustice, yet a silver lining emerges as Jet salvages a puppy, a makeshift birthday present for Kimmie. However, the burden of pet ownership proves too great, and the gift is reluctantly retracted due to the exorbitant taxes.
Meanwhile, perched atop a silo, Spike confronts Vicious over the phone, his finger hovering near the trigger. Despite the urge to end the cycle of violence, he hesitates, his voice tinged with a reluctant bond as he addresses his nemesis as "brother." Vicious, arrogant in his belief of invincibility, dares Spike to prove him wrong. With a steady hand, Spike fires, but the bullet merely grazes Vicious's cheek, leaving him unscathed—for now. The battle between the two continues, unyielding and relentless.
