Conversation · Inland Empire

Rust peels off the bent iron posts of the swing. The wind whistles through the skeleton of the small house behind you. There's desolation... everywhere.

Yet someone used to live here. Laugh here. Thought it was a good idea to build a swing even...

"What happened here?"

"In this yard?" The lieutenant looks at the small building. A flock of grey swallows takes off in the distance.

He's assessing the situation. How long ago was it abandoned.

"Someone thought they could have a summer house in a bloc obscur. For cheap. It didn't work out. They abandoned it about a decade ago."

"So this part of the coast is a bloc obscur?"

"Practically. It's not an official term in any way, but..." he spreads his arms, "look around -- no sewage, broken power lines, crime, drunks... Life is tough in the blocs. It's no place to build a summer house."

"Maybe they left something useful behind?"

"Yes -- for you to pick up as part of the Jamrock shuffle." He gives you a weary smile.

It's not meant as nagging, just an observation.

"We should move. I don't think our suspect is in this particular yard. No place to hide, and besides, it's too close to Martinaise."

"We should move. I don't think we will solve the murder with forays into the urban hinterland. At least in this phase of the investigation."

"At least they left some old music behind." (Tap on the tape you picked up)

"Yes -- and you picked it up as part of the Jamrock shuffle." He gives you a weary smile.

"You're right -- it's no place. Let's go." [Finish]

"Wait, what's a bloc obscur?"

"A black bloc, a part of the city left unrenovated after the war. Or one that has fallen to gang violence. Or has become inhospitable in some other way."

On aerial photos, bloc obscures look like dark squares. Hence their name.

[Discard thought.]

What happened here?

In this yard? Someone thought they could have a summer house on the beach. For cheap. It didn't work out. Looks like they abandoned it.

A long time ago, someone used to live here. Laugh here. Thought it was a good idea to build a swing even... an intense loneliness comes over you.

This is a good place for a nice sad drink. Uncork a velvety bottle of red wine and think about life for a moment. Really philosophise.