Conversation · Authority

Okay, this turned out better than expected.

"You're right, I don't."

"Good boy."

Say nothing.

"Okay, enough about it then." (Conclude.)

"Yeah -- whatever."

"What was her relationship with the mercenary?"

"Relationship?! There was no fucking relationship! He raped her, that's their relationship!"

Something is off here. His anger is... possessive.

"It was like that karaoke incident all over again. Or like some of the other girls he was harassing."

"Okay, enough. All of this is irrelevant to your stated investigation."

"You said you partied. What did you mean?"

"What do you think I meant?"

"Sex, drugs, and karaoke?"

"Yes -- yes -- and no." He looks you straight in the eye. "Got something to say about it?"

"So you're saying the two of you were... close?"

"No. We just fucked, that's all," he states matter-of-factly. "I'm not gonna give you any details if that's what you're after. So put your dick away."

He really went out of his way to seem comfortable with this topic. That's all you're gonna get for now.

He's doing a good job here. A commendable performance of I don't give a shit.

"Another question."

"Goddamnit, get it over with already..."

"Sex?"

"Yeah. Pretty much."

"Karaoke?"

"Yeah, tons of it. All the songs."

"Drugs?"

"Yeah. We did them. What's that to you?"

You inexplicably add "cool" after the victim's name -- with your eyes bulging like some wild beast. Your fingers are fidgeting and sweat starts forming on your brow as Titus looks at you oddly.

"I don't understand what's so cool here."

"Nothing." He gives you a sideways glance. "We just have a few more questions -- then we'll be on our way."

It sounds like you're having a heart attack -- whatever you said, it couldn't have been that bad. Please relax.

"Miss Oranje Disco Dancer?"

"Sure -- why not. You've probably seen her around." He nods upstairs.

"K-Klaasje?"

"Yeah -- blonde. Tall. Two rooms over from yours." He nods upstairs.

Shit! The girl... the girl upstairs?! That can't be her. She knows you drank so hard you forgot you were a cop...

(Nod.) "What is her name?"

"It's not about who did it, it's about the victim. She needs help."

"Titus..." He looks at her.

She stops mid-sentence. That's it -- you got him. He's going to give it up, but on his terms.

"You wanna help her, cop? Fine, I'm, gonna let you help her -- but you treat her with respect."

"If you don't -- if you question her, harass her..." Titus taps his chin with his fist. "...a freight train of pain, buddy."

"Someone's been raped. She needs counselling -- we need to talk to her."

"Titus..." He looks at her.

She stops mid-sentence. That's it -- you got him. He's going to give it up, but on his terms.

"You wanna talk to her, cop? Fine. I'm gonna let you talk to her. But you treat her with respect."

Actually, the graffito isn't quite off yet is it?

What are you talking about? Don't say that, this is no time to nitpick.

"Congratulations. All I see is you sitting around talking about Monica's titties -- while there's a rape victim."

"You may have missed a spot there with the graffito."

"Man, I've been to Jamrock. The place looks like a modern painting. Kids as old as ten with guns on the street -- you got eight different mobs vying for power..."

"No, I'm also a big fan of beer -- and jerking off instead of helping people."

"You saying we don't help people?" He puts the beer down. "I've been doing this job for ten years! Martinaise was a dump before we put this outfit together."

"They don't know, man -- they weren't here." He turns to you. "We had three shootings a week, kids dead, fuckin' graffito everywhere -- you cops haven't shown up since the Thirties."

"No, no. I'm drunk on the job too. I don't give a shit, just like you guys."

"Speak for yourself, buddy." He puts the beer down. "We've been giving shit for ten years! Martinaise was a dump before we put this outfit together."

"They don't know, man. They weren't here." He turns to you. "We had three shootings a week, kids dead, fuckin' graffito everywhere... You cops haven't shown up since the Thirties."

You have so many bad options ruled out it's insane! There is no way in the world you won't do it this time!

"First you tell me someone's been raped, and then you don't say who. That's bullshit!" (Stomp your feet.)

"Stop shitting your pants. You don't need to know, alright? We took care of it."