Conversation · Sunday Friend

"Actually, I was wondering what you're doing out here."

"Mm, well that's très simple. I was visiting the fishing village just north of here. They have applied for a series of micro-loans to revitalise the old market, and well, I wished to see the situation first-hand..."

"And then, well, I had some extra time on my hands, so I decided to stroll down here. It's quite peaceful, isn't it?"

"It's not quite my scene."

"Well, you know what they say, 'In matters of taste, there can be no dispute'! For my part, I find it quite invigorating."

"Did you see all the bullet holes in that wall over there?"

"Ah, is that what those pock marks are? I might've guessed. Fascinating, how much history is contained right here, if only one knows where to look for it..."

You feel like there's something you could say here, if only you really knew what was going on...

"Actually, there was something else I wanted to ask you about."

"Ah, bon? I'm all ears, officer."

"You do know there was a mass execution right over there?"

"Really?" The man frowns. "Here? How can you be sure?"

"For one, that wall over there is covered in bullet holes."

"Ah, is that what those pock marks are? I might've guessed. Fascinating, how much history is contained right here, if only one knows where to look for it..."

Are you just going to let him get away with these generalities and euphemisms?

"Ugly work, but at least someone had the balls to do what had to be done."

"A rather brutal perspective on history." He frowns slightly. "I personally take the more nuanced view that it was regrettably harsh, but perhaps necessary to end the war..."

"What's certain is that we must do everything to prevent such tragic events from ever happening again. The answers lie in debates, not in violence."

"Really, it's the property damage that most offends me."

"Now, now. Human life is always more important than private property..."

"Though, I do hope whoever was responsible at least compensated the building's owner appropriately."

"I'm sure the communards who were killed here take a different view."

"Yes, the loss of human life was truly catastrophic... This is why the Coalition is so focused on preventing another war. Our peacekeeping mission is a testament to this..."

"Thankfully, the region is becoming more and more stable. I'm confident that atrocities like this belong in the past. The future is..." he snaps his fingers, "tranquilou bilou!"

Tranquilou bilou? Let's not get into this, you can't argue with someone who uses words like 'tranquilou bilou'.

"You're right. It's so complex and fascinating I can't even begin to think critically about it."

"Well said. Let us just be grateful that we don't live in such fascinating times."

You feel like there's something you could say here, if only you really knew what was going on...

"It's sort of a gift I have. I can reconstruct things that happened in the past. High-end detective stuff."

"Ah, a very useful gift for a police detective, I'm sure. Fascinating, how much history is contained right here, if only one knows where to look for it..."

(Look around.) "Yeah, it's lovely."

The man takes a deep breath. "Yes, there's nothing like a stroll along the coast to lift one's spirits."

"Thank you for your time." [Leave.]

"Already leaving?" He shakes his head merrily. "À tout à l'heure, officer!"

"Let's get right to it. I have something to say."

"And what is that, officer?" He turns to face you.

"Mr. Villedrouin..."

"I must admit. I did not take you for a sightseer. What do you want now?"

"Listen, about what happened earlier..."

"Yes?" He turns to face you.

"I've been looking all over for you."

"Is that so? Have you come to enforce an arrest warrant?"

[Leave.]

"Ah, super, here you are again, officer. How can I help?"

As you approach, the man turns and greets you with a polite wave.

He appears completely at ease, like a common holidaymaker.

"Ah, super, it's the officer! I was not expecting to run into you again, but things have a funny way of turning out, no?"

"What brings you down to the scenic Martinaise coast?"