Conversation · Acele

"Alright, I got some questions for you."

"Sure."

"I wasn't going to --"

"Okay, fine."

"I really wanted to say: thanks for getting me and my friends in here. And we even found some new... associates, such as they are."

"And no, it's got nothing to do with Contact Mike."

"But that's not really what I wanted to talk about. I wanted to thank you instead."

"Makes sense. I've likely deserved some praise and adoration."

"Yeah, so thanks for getting me and my friends in here." She ignores your vapid egocentrism. "And we even found some new associates, such as they are."

"What for?"

"For getting me and my friends in here. And we even found some new... associates, such as they are."

"Gotcha."

"Oh, is that what the device is for?"

"This?" She taps on the electronic device. "Yeah, it's a portable recording device. For field recording. Low quality, but still."

"And the wires?"

"Actually just one wire, I picked on it 'til the braiding came loose. The wire leads to a contact microphone."

"What is a contact microphone?"

"A contact mic is a microphone that records sounds from inside things. Like all this wood."

"Okay, it's an odd hobby, but who am I to judge."

"Yeah, well... actually, it's not important. I actually wanted to thank you."

"Why would anyone do that?"

"It's... it's not important, actually. Never mind, I actually wanted to thank you."

Why does that trill sound familiar?

"Hey there." The girl with an electronic recording apparatus turns to you as you approach.

"Thanks for helping us out. My associates and I are settling in here nicely. Even found some new associates." She turns back to her work, whistling softly...

Why does that melody sound so familiar?

"What are you doing?"

"Recording the audio coming through the wooden framework. I bet it's pretty cool. Creaks and stuff. Sounds like when you're underwater, you know?"

"Gotcha. I have some questions for you."

"I'm listening." She puts the device down and props herself up a bit, waiting for you to speak.

"Oh, is that what the device is for?" (Point to it.)

"This?" She taps on the electronic device. "Yeah, it's a portable recording device. For field recording. Low quality, but still."

"And the wires?"

"Actually just one wire, I picked on it till the braiding came loose. The wire leads to a contact microphone."

"What is a contact microphone?"

"A contact mic is a microphone that records sounds from inside things. Like all this wood."

"Okay, it's an odd hobby, but who am I to judge."

She shrugs, obviously eager to go back to whatever she's doing.

"I just need a few minutes of your time. Police business."

"I'm listening." She puts the contact mic down and props herself up a bit, waiting for you to speak.

"Well, if it's not that important, you won't mind if I ask you a few questions."

"I'm listening." She puts the contact mic down and props herself up a bit, waiting for you to speak.

"I'll leave you to it, then." [Leave.]

"Why would anyone do that?"

"Because... Listen, man, why does anyone do anything?"

"You're Acele."

"Yeah," she responds, turning back to her device.

"Is this about the hat again?" She looks up at you, distracted. "I don't see you wearing a hat..."

"I should -- and I do." (Point at your hat.)

"Oh, I didn't notice that."

"It's nice. You should wear one, too, if you plan on staying outside in this weather."

"Yeah, well..." She tries to think of something to say. "Look man, fuck the hat."

Your pulse rises.

What did she just say? That's not how a civilian is supposed to address an officer of the law.

"Is that kind of language really necessary?"

"I'm sorry I said 'fuck the hat.' I was concentrating on something else..."

"My whole family swears and it rubbed off on me..." There's a pained expression on her face. She'll answer your questions now.

Regain authority in her eyes.

Your eyes are fixed on her as everything gets very still -- dangerously so...

"Excuse me, what did you just say?"