Conversation · Suggestion

Well, now you've done it. Let's see if you can talk your way out of this one.

"Relax, I was practising the time-honoured technique known as the 'lie'."

"I suppose that's a relief. Just be careful how often you avail yourself of this 'technique'. A lie may be useful in the short-term, but they have a way of catching up with you later."

We know a lie, sire. And it didn't feel like one to us. He chooses to believe though -- for now.

"And one more thing -- as you've seen, these sorts of attitudes are quite common in Martinaise. So I expect this to happen again. And again..."

"I've had this conversation enough times in my life. From now on, I'm going to stay out of it. How you choose to respond is your business." He concludes: "But be careful. Now, let's move on."

"I don't really want to talk about it." [Leave.]

The lieutenant looks at you in silence, though you cannot discern if he's judging you or not. "I suppose your reasons are your own."

"Let me say just one more thing. As you've seen, these sorts of attitudes are quite common in Martinaise. So I expect this to happen again. And again..."

"I've had this conversation enough times in my life. From now on, I'm going to stay out of it. How you choose to respond is your business." He concludes: "Now -- let's get back to the task at hand."

"I was just trying to convey that I understood his grievances and wasn't judging him for having them."

The lieutenant narrows his gaze. "So you don't find his views... say, unbefitting of a police officer?"

Okay... feels like this is going to be a discussion now.

"It's not about me. As police officers, we gain nothing by staking out the moral high ground over him."

"Our position in Revachol is already precarious: Many people think we're vigilantes as it is. I can't have them thinking we're racist vigilantes to boot."

"You're right. I didn't mean to cause trouble. Sorry about that."

"Apology accepted, detective." The lieutenant relaxes. A weight seems to have been lifted from his shoulders.

"That's good to hear. I don't want there to be any unnecessary friction in our relationship during this important case."

"Well, actually..."

Wait a second. Are you sure you want to go there? Even if you succeed, you're going to fail.

What do you mean? I'm in the right here.

Are you sure about that?

Forget it, this was a dumb idea.

Now you're thinking sensibly.

Yes.

Hoo boy, we're really doing this.

"It's basic biology."

The lieutenant says nothing, waiting for you to continue.

"It's only rational for a society to select for the most desirable traits. That's how it works in Nature."

"And what exactly do you think should happen to those with undesirable traits?"

"Wait, am I becoming some sort of Death's Head Racist suddenly?!"

"I don't know what you mean by death's head but it certainly looks like you're becoming a racist, officer."

"I've got nothing against them, but we have a responsibility to future generations."

"Wonderful." The lieutenant falls silent. His expression is hard to read, but it certainly doesn't look happy. Then he speaks...

(Shrug.) "Let Nature sort them out."

"Well," he says after taking a moment to collect himself. "You've made your views on the subject quite clear..." Another little pause.

"Everyone thinks they're better than other people. Some people are just particularly crude about it."

"There's a difference between saying something crude -- and an ideological racist."

Okay. You think there's a way out of this.

"That doesn't mean they don't have rights. If they're perpetrators, then we punish, if they're victims, then we help. That's all there is."

The lieutenant falls silent and looks down at his boots. Whether he thinks you have a point or not, he isn't saying. It's unclear what this means for your relationship. Then he speaks...

Here we go. Zoom in on the mixed races part. It's the best one.

"Look, what happens when the races get all mixed up?"

"I'm going to stop this conversation." He makes a sudden hand gesture. An open palm. "This is Martinaise. People have certain attitudes here. You will find plenty of citizens to agree with you. As for me..."

On second thought, maybe I don't.

"Stop right there. I know what you're going to say. Don't. Also -- these attitudes are quite common in Martinaise. So I expect this to happen again. And again."

"Of course. But he's also not entirely responsible for them. I haven't been in this world for long -- already I'm a product of my environment."

"There are tens of thousands of people who grew up in Martinaise and somehow managed to avoid becoming racists who yell 'Come here, saffron picker' at passers by."

"Maybe he's got a point."

"And what point would that be?"