Conversation · Kim Kitsuragi

"I get it -- You're one of those old school detectives." (Nod respectfully.)

"So, what? That makes you the new school? Gods spare us..."

"For real detective work, nothing beats a good notebook by your side..."

"Kim, you're wearing a revolutionary air brigade jacket, aren't you?"

"What, this?" he zips up the large collar. "It's just seasonal clothing."

"And those look like airman pants. Good for storing tools in."

He looks at his pants. "Where is this going?"

"You see, Kim. I have this place in my head." (Point to your head.) "Where I develop new ideas and connections."

"Interesting. I think it's called a brain."

It's no mere brain.

"Yes. A brain."

"Okay. And something happened in that brain?"

"Yes. My brain suspects that you have some kind of thing with the revolutionary air brigades."

"I do not have a thing with revolutionary air brigades in particular."

"Just air brigades then?"

"Okay. I wanted to become an aerostatic pilot. Then I turned ten and realized we no longer have an air force."

"Are you sure the revolutionary has got nothing to do with this?"

"Absolutely nothing."

The revolutionary must have added a little lustre to it, for a ten-year-old Kitsuragi. He will never admit it though.

The revolutionary must have added a little lustre to it, for a ten-year-old Kitsuragi. He will never admit it though.

"Thank you. My mind is satisfied." (Point to your head again.)

"Good." He glances impatiently at his electronic wristwatch.

"Absolutely nothing?"

"Okay, I admit to it. The Revolution employed a more forward-looking eight-rotor design. Their blades were foldable and their pilots were better trained and motivated."

He corrects his glasses. "I say this from a purely tactical standpoint of course."

It is not from a purely tactical standpoint. We are not ruling out that the lieutenant had a little... rebel phase in that past of his.

"I've noticed -- and okay. The Revolution employed a more forward-looking eight-rotor design. Their blades were foldable and their pilots were better trained and motivated."

"That's all. I just wanted you to know I have this thing." (Keep pointing to your head.)

"And now I do," he nods.

"No, it's more than that. Anyway."

"Anyway."

"In this special place I have come to suspect that you have some kind of thing with the revolutionary air brigades."

"No, normal people don't have this. It's like a mind laboratory. A spiritual R&D division. No, a pallet! No, better yet -- a painter's atelier of concepts!"

"Okay, Art Cop."

"Okay indeed. And in this atelier I have realized that you harbour some kind of sentiment toward the revolutionary air brigades."

"I do not harbour a sentiment for revolutionary air brigades in particular."

"Nowhere. Let's change the subject -- but still keep it on you."

"Let's not."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"I don't see how my life is pertinent to the investigation."

"You're right. What's there to know about a lame binoclard?"

"Binoclard? Is that how they do things over at the 41st? No wonder your clearance rate is so low."

"We'll work better together if we have more rapport."

"Hmmm, that's a fair point. Alright, for the good of the investigation, what do you want to know?"

"Come on, lieutenant, open up a little."

He sighs. "If you insist. What do you want to know?"

"I have big news, Kim." (Tell Kim about how you no longer obsess over your sexuality.)

"Okay."

"Nothing. Actually, as I'm saying this, I realize I would not be telling the truth."

"Okay -- was there anything else?"

He's not the least bit curious about what you planned to say.

"I have managed to stop obsessing about my sexuality."

"Great. Imagine all the time you'll have for work now -- matter of fact, we should get back to it right now."

"Yes."

"Mhm."

"Just one thing though..."

"What?"

"Are you part of the homo-sexual underground?"

"You didn't stop at all, did you? You're just obsessing about other people's sexuality now."