Conversation · The Deserter

"I have absolutely forgotten to take notes. I hope I remember all of this." He shakes his head in disbelief. "This will be one hell of a report -- thank god we have the photo."

No one would believe you without it.

"I have absolutely forgotten to take notes -- I hope I remember all of this." He shakes his head. "This will be one hell of a report -- they'll think we're insane."

"Yeah-yeah, you see that too?" He looks at the unresponsive man. "Got a little jumpy there didn't you? I know that vibe. I'm off my lightning too..."

"I think he's addicted to that thing."

"Like a drug?"

"He has displayed addict behaviour. And not just to painkillers."

"His pupils appeared to be dilated. They still are..." He examines the catatonic man's eyes.

It's not just chemical.

No, it's not that.

The man shudders lightly, his eyes swallowed up by their pupils.

"It's... as if he's infatuated with it."

"Some kind of oxytocin release mechanism? Would go with the pupils. But this is way above me, detective."

"Whoah, like love?" The kid stares at you. Looks like he's trying to put together a puzzle -- one which he gives up on immediately. "Yeah, no, I don't know..."

"Like, hooked on the lightning?"

"He has displayed addict behaviour. And not just to painkillers."

"True..." Cuno leans into the man's face, stares into his eyes. "He's got those gurn eyes doesn't he?"

"It's definitely toxic -- the phasmid. It told me it is."

"Told you? Yes. Good. During your long staring match. I understand." He looks at the man, then you.

"Told you? When you were doing your long staring thing?" He looks at the man, then you. "You're one crazy cop, you know? Cuno digs it."

"Before -- when I evaluated his state -- he seemed strangely animated."

He nods. "He was energetic and articulate. After all these years alone, with little hygiene or medication I would expect worse."

"Perhaps this animation is induced by something in the phasmid?"

"Hmm..." He looks at the creature...

Spinning in silence -- limbs and antennae, like hair.

"It's three metres tall. An undiscovered species. I'm not ready to believe in anything -- but yes, I'm ready to believe it has psychoactive qualities."

"Which is why we should be very, very wary of approaching it again."

"He does not seem to be animated now it's left..." He looks to the sea. "Honestly, I'm ready to believe anything at this point. Maybe it is psychoactive."

"I mean, why not? It's three metres tall..." He takes off his glasses and cleans them -- when he puts them back on he's still staring at the sea.

"Uh..." He looks at the creature.

Spinning in silence -- limbs and antennae, like hair.

"Fuck it, why not? A big ghost insect like that is probably going to fuck all your shit."

"Yeah-yeah. Because -- look at him now. Not so sharp is he? And it's gone, left. Perhaps it's, like, kept him going like the drink and the lightning keep my old man..."

"Yeah," the kid says, interested. "Cuno knows hobos. And Cuno has never seen a hobo sharp like this, after so many years of hoboing."

"Could it be there's something hormonal in his relationship to the phasmid."

"You mean pheromonal?"

"He seemed... a little off for a man his age. Randy."

"The scope, knowing of her bruises, his disposition toward Miss Oranje..." He nods. "I see what you mean."

"Humans are humans. Do you need... neurological tampering for the glands to work? I don't know..."

"No. Forget it." Inspect the man.

He does not look hormonal anymore. Motionless. His plastic cape flaps in a sudden gust of wind.

"You mean like horny?"

"Yes. He seemed... a little off for a man his age."

"I mean, he was perving on that Klaasje party lady weirdly hard..." He nods. "Yeah... maybe?"

"I don't see how bugs help with that shit... Like? How? Anyway..."

"He can't see it, Kim. It's just the reeds for him."

"That could be part of the shock. But you're right -- something is off here. Mr. Dros..." He touches the man's shoulder.

No response.

No. It's not that.

"Th-the..." The old man stutters. Then another sigh.

"Maybe this is how the phasmid has stayed hidden all these years?"

"Then how did we see it?" He thinks. "Oh, you mean whatever does this, does it over time? Teenagers, kids, drunks -- sightings are brief. And hence not credible. Anyone who spends a long time with it..."

"Yes. You forget it's there."

"Mhm." The lieutenant inspects the man. "Mr. Dros -- have you ever seen a stick insect, pretending to be the reeds?"

"Th-the..." The old man stutters.

"The doctors will have to look at this. I hope your station has better medical personnel than 57. This is... a little advanced for a nurse."

"Maybe this is how the phasmid has stayed hidden all these years?"

"Then how the fuck do we see it?" He scratches his head. "Or -- wait! The longer it's there. Like it needs time to sink in and if you spend time with it..."

"You forget it's there."

His eyes widen, as if to help him take the thought in. He prods the old man. "Yo -- you ever seen a giant fucking insect?"