Conversation · Authority

Establish authority in their eyes.

As you look around this room full of sweaty men, swearing, drinking, spitting out tobacco.... does this look familiar?

Where have I seen this before?

You believe the place was called Precinct 41 -- it was also filled with (almost exclusively) men, sitting on desks, talking shit and wasting time.

"You seen Apricot -- old Pidieu's daughter?" asks Lieutentant McCoy. "Uh-huh," replies Torson. "The ass on that one..." McCoy shakes his head in appreciation. "A bit strange the old man named her Apricot, but, I mean -- who am I to judge? Wanna hit the kebab joint?"

"I get it, Titus. You guys really are the authority around here."

"Huh?"

"You must be -- you're just like real cops. Drinking beer and sitting around with your dicks in your hand."

He leans in. "You got a problem with beer now?"

Not quite there yet -- push on.

"I have a beer-problem, but not a problem with beer. I also have no idea how to do my job. Like you."

"Speak for yourself, buddy." He puts the beer down. "I've been running this outfit for ten years now. You shoulda seen Martinaise before we started. It was like Jamrock now."

"They didn't see shit, man," he turns to you. "Kids getting shot, we had three shootings a week, fuckin' graffito everywhere -- you cops haven't shown up since the Thirties."

"Congratulations on the graffito removal." He turns to Titus. "All I see is you sitting around talking about Monica's titties -- while there's a rape victim."

"So what? What do you want from me? We took care of that fuck." He picks the beer back up.

Don't let him drink that. One more push, quick!

Just don't antagonize him, you have this already.

"I've asked this before -- why are you hiding the victim?!"

"Titus is hiding nothing." She turns to the hulk of a man. "Titus..."

He's too angry to drink. "You wanna talk to her? Fine, talk to her! I got nothing to hide."

Everybody has something to hide. He certainly does.

"So long as you treat her with respect. No questioning, no harassing -- or you got the freight train of pain heading your way." He grinds his fist into his palm. "You understand?"

"What is her name?" The lieutenant takes out his notes.

"Klaasje Amandou. She's staying here at the Whirling-in-Rags. A real pretty one, silvery jumpsuit, blonde." Titus adjusts his cap. "That's Amandou with an O-U."

Shit! The girl... the girl upstairs?! That can't be her! Remember what you said to her? You told you wanna have...

Oh, it's her. It's definitely her. It's Miss Oranje Disco Dancer.

"Klaasje Amandou. Cool." (Keep your cool.)

You inexplicably add "cool" after the victim's name -- but no one notices. Your spine is too damn straight. None of these people would ever suspect you've met her.

Whatever you do, do not to tell him you know her. That would sound off.

Calm. Normal. Try to forget this little hiccup.

"Thank you, we'll talk to her." (Conclude.)

"Remember what I said: freight train of pain." He points his beer can at you.

"When did the rape happen?"

"He did it before we killed him. He's not gonna do it again." He crushes his half-empty beer can. "So what does it matter?"

"It would help if we establish a timeline."

"Alright. Two weeks maybe? I don't know... I need another beer." He turns to Glen.

"Here you go, boss!" The tall blond throws him a can. Titus cracks it open.

"Alright."

"You don't have a beer in your hand." The tall blond throws Titus a can. "Here you go!"

"We could establish a timeline."

"What is your relationship with her?"

"I know her." He looks around and an uncommon silence fills the room.

"How well do you know her?"

A small twitch in the corner of Kim's mouth. He has a hunch about what knowing means.

"Well enough, copper. We partied. She's been here for a few months." He crosses his arms.

He tries to make it sound real casual -- but the muscles on his neck tighten.

"I see. Another question?"

He rubs his left temple. "If you must."

"So she's not from around here?"

"You mean Revachol? Nah. She's an immigrant or a drifter of some sort. Been staying here over the winter."

"Don't you give her any more trouble!" the fat guy blurts out. "She's just had some bad luck, that's all."

"Shut up, Angie!" He slaps his forehead. "She doesn't need your help..."

Titus gives them both a look. They fall silent.

What's with all the silences? It's like these guys don't know how to feel about this. You should keep picking at it...

And what was up with the partying she and Titus did? It sounded fun.

"Okay. How well?"

"I think I know her."

"You don't know her."

"You're wrong, I do."

"Not the way I do."