Conversation · Encyclopedia

By the way, where is home? The address is coming up blank and this place sure isn't it...

I really don't remember.

But you've been at this hostel-cafeteria for only three nights. Where were you before? You had to be somewhere.

I don't know... near? South maybe.

You don't really know, do you?

I don't. Does this mean I'm homeless?

"South maybe" doesn't sound like somewhere you can stay if you run out of money.

Could I trace the way back somehow? To the exact street, the exact number on a building...

You can try. Run some addresses in your head when you get the time. Maybe a street or an apartment will appear.

I'll live in a dumpster, I don't care. Fuck everything. Hobocop.

Entertain the thought when you get the time. Maybe being a hobo and a cop has its advantages?

I have only a vague, blackened image.

A vague, blackened image doesn't sound like somewhere you can stay if you run out of money.

Far away?

In time or space?

In time.

That doesn't sound like somewhere you can stay if you run out of money.

In space.

Both.

Up on Marvel Hill.

Why did you say that?

These are just synapses firing. It doesn't mean anything.

You don't really know, do you?

I don't. Does this mean I'm homeless?

Something produced by the random firing of synapses doesn't sound like a place you can stay if you run out of money.

I have only a vague, blackened image.

A vague, blackened image doesn't sound like somewhere you can stay if you run out of money.

The name must have some meaning for me.

The old thesaurus comes up empty. Maybe you should ask the lieutenant.

"Lieutenant Kitsuragi, do you know a place called Marvel Hill?"

"No..." He thinks for a moment. "But isn't that an expression, not a place?"

"An expression?"

"A saying. Up on Marvel Hill -- a great, high place. One that is impossible to climb back to."

As I said, I don't think I have one.

Do I even have one?

[Discard thought.]

I have no idea.