Conversation · Inland Empire

Was that -- could it be -- the Col Do Ma Ma Daqua?! No. It's probably just your imagination ringing in your ear...

Probably not. [Discard thought.]

Is it? Is there a ringing? (Listen more closely.)

There seems to be. An extremely high pitched ring. Ultrasonic. Lena said it was very high-pitched, right? It's like something tickles your ear.

Lena also said that it couldn't be heard by any other animal -- including humans. What you're hearing must just be a regular bird.

But you're not a regular animal. You're not even a regular cop. You see -- and hear! -- beyond the veil.

Listen closely first.

There it is again! You are about to re-discover a long-lost species!

Yeah, but how are you going to catch it?

Keep listening.

It must be very close... maybe, just maybe it will come toward you...

Keep still! It might perch on your shoulder.

What are you doing? You're a police officer, not a pansy ornithologist. The only birds you should be looking for are healthy women of child-bearing age.

"Wait, Kim, do you hear a high pitched noise?"

"No. I don't hear the Col Do Ma Ma Daqua -- and neither do you."

Of course he doesn't. He's DEAF.

Hold very still and hope the bird comes to perch on your shoulder. (Proceed.)

Oh no! The sound -- it's moving away, somewhere over there -- go after it!

No... Too late. It's gone... There is no ringing anymore. Just the sound of the streets.

Go then, leave! Leave like everything else! (Don't.)

So it does. It's gone. All that's left for you -- is the disco.

Remember that asshole Roy who wanted you to take me off? He didn't like music, only sounds. What a loser. It's good you're not like him. You and disco will be together forever.

Don't be a weirdo like that Roy at the pawnshop who doesn't like music. You don't need sounds when you have beats.

No, come back, please! (Listen more.)

Keep your ears peeled, then. If the species really has migrated to Martinaise, you're sure to hear it again.

That pawnbroker -- Roy -- was into natural sounds too. Maybe you could talk to him.

Move your head toward the sound. (Proceed.)

Honestly, your ear isn't hearing a whole lot. The distant hum of the industrial harbour. The traffic. But, admittedly -- there is a high pitched noise somewhere there too. But then, isn't there always...