Conversation · Cuno

"No, you really, really don't. That is a twelve year old boy. His opinion of you doesn't matter."

"You don't fucking matter, book-gimp!"

"You're right, Kim, you're right, of course." [Leave.]

The lieutenant's eyes inspect your face for a while, then his posture relaxes. "Okay, let's go."

"I'm still going to mark it down as something I need to do..."

"But... but... why?" He looks truly puzzled. "You're turning this into a huge thing."

Say nothing. [Leave.]

"Uh... okay..." The lieutenant looks worried. "I might understand if you told me, but, sure... let's not waste any more time here." He turns to leave.

"It's just very hard for me to let things go. I know it doesn't matter, but I need to make this right."

"Uh... okay..." The lieutenant looks worried. "If you absolutely need to." He shakes his head. "But right now let's move out."

"In punching, someone always ends up being someone's bitch. Don't you know anything about male power structures, Kim?"

"You're totally unraveling, officer."

"All will be well as soon as I get this 'being Cuno's bitch' situation off my back." (Don't wait for the lieutenant to answer.) "Let's get to work, Kim!" [Leave.]

"Don't worry, lieutenant -- I got this. Now, let's go." [Leave.]

"Perhaps I could interest you in some speed?" (Show him the stuff.)

"Put that away. Right now." He stops you.

The lieutenant's opinion of you has definitely lowered.

"What a fucking pooper..." Cuno points at his heart. "Bitch doesn't have the pump for it. Old bitch, pump's bust. Cuno has the pump for it. Cuno has a giant pump."

Don't ruin it for Cuno. Can't you see Cuno's pump can still take it? Can still pump the good.

What the fuck are you talking about? Those are barely words. Anyway... this didn't work.

"Really? Shit... let Cuno sample it then, pig." He almost starts grabbing for it, but then rebounds and runs his hand through his hair.

"Fucker! Cuno ain't buying that entrapment shit. Takin' kilo from the pigs... what, you think Cuno's green shit?"

"You think Cuno's shit is green?" the little whatever-it-is behind the fence shrieks.

"You need to rethink your tribute to Cuno. Cuno's not taking the cage just because you fucked yourself in the face!"

"I don't have anything... What can I offer you, Cuno?"

"Please don't waste time on nonsense."

The lieutenant does not approve of this. At all.

"Don't listen to the blind fuck, piggo, you're doing the right thing here, trying to get Cuno to like you again." He pauses to think.

"You can pay tribute to Cuno with drugs. Or cigarettes... or some wheels. Cuno could use some wheels. Motorized carriage shit."

"You can pay tribute to Cuno with drugs or cigarettes..." He pauses. "Gets Cuno to like you again... Some giant-ass wheels would be nice too."

"Got you a little set of wheels, Cuno." (Throw him the keys to the abandoned truck.)

With a quick motion the lieutenant stops your hand before your palm opens. "Are you crazy?"

"Class-A fucker..." Cuno shakes his head. "Blind fucks are always ruining it for everybody."

"You fucking with Cuno?" The boy is looking at the A6 logo on the key chain like he can't believe his eyes.

"I don't know what got into me... Giving keys to a 20-ton motor-lorry to a child -- give 'em back!"

"Too late, pig! Thanks. I... fucking thanks!" For a moment he seems at a loss for words.

"Don't trust the f****t oinker, Cuno!"

"Ease off, C!" He turns to you. "Thanks, pig -- we're cool now. You punching yourself in the face worked out real good for everyone."

He really likes this. This motor lorry shit makes Cuno happy. You could say you interfaced with his good side.

"Believe it. I am the miracle worker. The bedazzle-man. Around me, dreams come true."

The wide grin above his clenched jaw agrees. His heavy breathing, his dilated pupils, it all speaks of one thing -- this was a really good idea!

"Please be careful with it. And don't actually drive it anywhere, okay?"

The wide grin above his clenched jaw, the heavy breathing, the dilated pupils... It all speaks of one thing -- this was a really good idea!

"Punch yourself in the face again!" The other one won't even let you talk to Cuno.

"KILL YOURSELF!!! Cuno, make him kill himself!"

"Look, you're on my crime scene. I can't have uncooperative civilians here."

"Whoah-whoah!" The boy hovers in your face. "What's this psycho shit? You gonna pretend like nothing happened?"

"He's tryin'a forget it Cuno. Don't let him forget it just like that."

"Reminisce with Cuno: first you try to fiddle this -- then you punch yourself in the face? What was up with that?"

"Yeah, Cuno!" The sycophantic pipo-wearing pup behind the fence agrees. "What was that?"

"How are you gonna make Cuno forget that shit, huh?"

A material offering is implied. He wants stuff. Only stuff can make it okay again.

"Yeah, I don't have the time for this." [Leave.]

"That's right. Just fuck off."

"Look..." (Play along.) "I want to make this right with Cuno. Make amends."

"Ame-fucking-what, pig?"

"It may not look like it now, but you may have vital information."

"Oh, so that's what this is about. You need a snitch-bitch. You need Cuno --" he pauses for clarity " -- to be your sweaty little snitch bitch."

"You lost your shit in the booth, tried to beat a confession out of Cuno... and pissed yourself?"

"That's right, Cuno. You're right." The sycophantic pipo-wearing pup behind the fence agrees.