Conversation · Drama

"It was a transcendent event. I saw behind The Veil."

"... and realize the man-body, with you in it, is just a husk now. All memories -- erased."

"... and realize you've pushed yourself too far. Past the point of no return."

"Imagine knowing nothing but the sweet oblivion only to wake into unbelievable pain..."

"Imagine waking up with a terrible headache."

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything worth mentioning among your achievements. You should resort to good old lying.

Unless you wanna tell him how you took Cuno down. The decisiveness you exhibited in that situation would surely impress a man fond of order and discipline.

"René..." (Lower your voice.) "I'm ex-army too. Special Forces. Black ops. Secret soldier."

"Really?" Suddenly it feels like he's entitled to question you. "What was the unit?"

Something with colours and headwear. Soldiers identify with those things.

Say it's classified. An old soldier should understand.

"The Cyan Berets."

"I'll stop you right there, son." He raises his hand. "I'm old, but I'm not stupid. I know a soldier when I see one."

"We'll get back to our game now if you don't mind."

Strange, he didn't buy it.

"This information is classified."

"That's what I thought." He nods. "We'll get back to our game now if you don't mind, officer."

Strange, he didn't buy it.

"Harry's Hounds."

"Mhmh..." He nods. "We'll get back to our game now if there isn't anything else?"

"Actually I don't wanna resort to lying after all."

"Good call." Not a muscle in his face moves as he slowly nods. "Think we can get back to our game now?"

Mumble incoherently.

"That's what I thought." He nods. "We'll get back to our game now if you don't mind."

Odd, he didn't buy it.

"The 5th?"

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

"Telling."

"Asking?"

"You tell me."

"I uh... I had a dog -- 'Fifi'. Took her fishing late one autumn but the boat rocked and she fell in, so I jumped after..."

The carabineer stares at you with a frown. Doesn't look like he's buying it.

"The boat capsized and sank. Fifi was already tired. She was almost 11. I took her on my back and started swimming..."

"Please stop."

"It took us nearly seven hours. Fifi died in my arms, when the water was only knee deep... She was a good dog."

"Son..." He's slowly shaking his head. "I don't know why you're feeding me this horse shit, but I'm not biting. Can we get back to our game now?"

"You're right, this isn't very believable, is it?"

"I'm not gonna dignify this with an answer." He frowns. "We're gonna get back to our game now if there isn't anything else, officer?"

"Actually nevermind, I don't wanna lie."

The old soldier shakes his head in disapproval. "What do you want, officer?"

"I knocked Cuno out" (Point to the yard.) "The kid needed discipline."

"The twelve-year-old junkie, whose alcoholic father beats him?" His eyes light up. "Why did you do that?"

Well, if you phrase it like that it doesn't sound too good.

"He was screaming that I'm trying to molest him, while I clearly wasn't."

"Officer," he says with obvious disdain, "this is unacceptable for anyone bearing an insignia. A man should lead by example, not terror."

For a moment frozen in time this old soldier is your superior officer, inspiring you to be a better man. It feels good. Comforting.

"If you don't have any more questions we'll return to our game now." By the looks of it he's still trying to wrap his head around what you told him.

"I needed to make him respect me."

"You're right, I shouldn't have hit him."

"No, okay -- we're actually cool now. I even stole some drugs from his dad."

Lying just isn't my style. I'd rather get back to questions.

But of course, sire. Looks like they're waiting for you to speak.