Conversation · Annette

"Hi, ace detective." She smiles warmly. "Are you here for more books?"

"Who are these... famous people?"

"Oh, kings and queens and generals of old, or artists and writers, or musicians, those kinds of people. There's usually something extraordinary about them." She scratches her cold-reddened cheek, then continues:

"I think that's why people read them. To find the secrets of their fame."

Seems like most people who read those books fail to get more famous from reading them.

"Reading those doesn't make the readers more famous, does it?"

"But it does make the famous people more famous!" She smiles gleefully.

They're all dorks.

"These famous people sound like a bunch of dorks."

Annette's expression remains ever so helpful, but she doesn't say anything.

"Never mind... I literally had nothing else to say."

"Okay!" She looks at you with her wide eyes.

"Yeah, you heard me. Only losers waste their time with that garbage."

"Isn't that kind of a childish thing for a grown-up to say?"

When she grows up, and if she grows up to be clever, she'll discover there's no such thing as a 'grown-up.'

These people deserve to die.

"Maybe...?"

She gives you a quizzical look, not understanding the reasoning behind your odd outbursts.

"What makes you think I'm grown up?"

"You look all wrinkly and hairy, like an old person!"

You also feel old: tired, hardly able to catch your breath, your joints aching constantly.

"Yeah, I'm old. That's just what happens to people."

"I wonder how I'll be when I get old..." She mumbles. "Maybe I'll also get all wrinkly..." She giggles to herself.

"Hrm! I'm not that old, I'm doing just fine, thank you very much."

"If you say so, sir!" She beams you a piercing smile.

"I look Harry? That can't be me, not Harry -- what are you talking about?"

"Hairy, sir. I said hairy. Covered with hair..." She sways on her feet, puzzled.

"If you grow up to be clever, you'll discover there's no such thing as a 'grown-up.'"

"Okay... sir."

She doesn't know what to make of that. But she'll remember it.

"Maybe I should start killing these famous people. Hunt them down."

"Sir?!" She looks at you, eyes wide in shock.

"They deserve punishment for all the things they had to do get so famous."

"Okay..." She coughs. "Maybe buy some books then?"

"Haha, never mind, girl. I'm quite the joker. I would never do something like that."

"That's not a funny joke. At all."

"So I can absorb their essence. All their fame will flow into me."

"I don't think that's how fame works, sir..."

"Fame is... for vain people. I have better things to do."

"Okay, sir!" She stamps her feet, waiting for what comes next.

"Fame sounds delicious. Maybe someone will write a book about me one day."

"Why would they do that, sir?"

"Because I'll be a superstar cop, in the papers and everything! That'll show 'em."

"That's so cool! Maybe they'll make you a book cover picture and everything! Standing over a dead body, holding a gun..."

"Hmm... why indeed? I'm just an old, tired cop. What use am I?"

"You're not that old... maybe you'll do something really important. Something that wows the world!"

"Thanks, girl. You are very kind."

"Yes, sir!" She smiles and takes a sip from her vacuum bottle.

"You think so?"

"Yes! There's hope... a lot of famous people got famous late, or even after they died."

Yeah, you're certainly the type who might find fame posthumously. Who knows, you might even get famous for the manner of your death!

"That sounds like a nice story to tell yourself at night. Maybe fame isn't that important after all."

"Maybe not! No one needs a book written about them anyway." She grins. "It's always better to read books!"

"But what if I get famous only through dying? I couldn't enjoy the fame at all."

"I don't think you should live life with that fear." She stamps on her feet. "Just try to be the best you can!"

"Some can't get noticed, others can't get properly forgotten. That's life for you."

"I think you just have to live a happy life!" She rubs her nose. "No need to worry about fame or think bad thoughts!"

"Right, I had a different question in mind."

"Mhm!" She stamps her feet, waiting for you to say something.

"Can I become famous by reading one of those books?"