Conversation · Acele

"Acele."

"And your surname?"

"Why?"

"Why indeed? Forget it."

"I'm from the police. It's for the paperwork."

"Okay..." She hesitates. "It's Berger."

A very common name.

You have little reason to doubt that's her real name, but... she's not all that surprised by this cop-show questioning, is she?

"Acele who? I'm not a young suitor, this is official police business."

Her hair is dyed blonde, with dark roots showing. There's a coarseness to her features, some masculinity below that timidness.

"Okay."

"Actually, do tell me about yourself."

"Me?"

"Actually, no."

"Yes, better that way..."

"Yes, I forgot. Tell me about yourself."

"I'm a silver bird."

There's that phrase again. It really reminds you of... something.

"What does that mean?"

"It means I don't answer questions about myself."

"There's more to you than you let on. What am I not seeing?"

"Alright." She picks up the tape recorder and looks you in the eye...

"There is."

"Fair enough."

"Thank you."

"But I'm a police officer. You have to answer me."

"Is there a law that would stop me from lying, though?"

"That would depend on the circumstances." The lieutenant taps his foot.

"Okay, lets leave it at that then."

Hang on, that phrase. You're suddenly reminded of... something.

"Tell me about Soona."

"Uh... she's a bit odd, I have to say. Doesn't talk much. I'm not really sure how to vibe with her, y'know? Seems like she's not in a very good mood most of the time."

"But earlier today she told me about... welkins?" Acele grimaces, as if it's the first time hearing the word. "And she seemed oddly happy. Like she had had some idea with those... little creatures. Some artistic idea. I didn't really listen, I was busy with my mic."

"What do you think of the crab-man?"

"Oh, the crab-man." She shudders. "Still gives me the creeps, the way he moves... But he doesn't actually come down that much, just climbs around the rafters."

"I just try to stay away from the crab-man, but he talks to Noid. They seem to have some 'thing' going on."

"What does he do up there?"

"Who knows?" She shrugs. "He doesn't really answer our questions, see. Not that it's easy to ask them. What are we supposed to do, yell up at the tower?"

"Thanks. About the others..."

"Who do you want to know about?"

"Oh, he talks to Noid? What for?"

"Beats me... Noid said they get along, somehow. They're both crazy enough, I guess."

"Thank you. Some other questions."

"What's the deal with Egg Head?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me about the others."

"What does he think he's doing when he yells all that stuff?"

"Oh, that... he's the party boy."

"What's a party boy?"

"Anodic music doesn't really do vocals in the traditional sense. Vocals are thought of as rock. That's to say they're a bit backward. No offence if you like rock music, though. Rock music is cool by me."

Ptew ptew! Sweeesh! Your credentials as the resident Futureman of Revachol are being questioned. Show her you're hip with the times, gramps!

"No offence taken, go on."

"Anyway, even if you don't have vocals you still need someone to say something every now and then, right? To urge things on. That's where the party boy comes in..."

"He basically just stands on the stage and dances and yells how awesome everything is. It's very catchy."

"I understand. People are usually afraid to do things if others aren't already doing them. Dancing makes you dance like sneezing makes you sneeze. Or yawning makes you..."

"Anyway..." He looks around, a little embarrassed of the enthusiasm of his interjection.

"Tell me more about Egg."

"What do you want to know?" She smiles a little.

"We certainly saw that in practice, didn't we?"

"Yes, I suppose we did."