Conversation · Medicine Cabinet

The cabinet is cleaned out, emptied.

Probably Garte's work. After she was arrested.

The medicine cabinet has been cleaned out. Nothing remains, not one pill or bottle.

Pity.

"She's really cleaned this out."

"Mhm," the lieutenant nods. "She certainly had her priorities straight when she was packing."

"Smart chick." The kid nods. "Cuno never leaves shit behind either. Cuno's a pro."

You're just talking to your reflection in the cabinet doors now... Things are not good with you.

[Close the cabinet.]

"I was kinda hoping the gift would be in here."

"Of course you were." He nods. "How does that work anyway?"

"How does what work?"

"Amphetamine -- does it make you a better detective?"

There is little condescension in his phrasing, more measured curiosity.

Be honest. He's not grilling you, he just wants to know. Ask if he's ever wanted to take it too.

"Honesty, it makes me the detective I am. Have you thought of taking it too?"

"Maybe I should?" He lets out a little pensive hum, rubbing his shoulder...

It's not insincere. He's actually giving it thought.

The beating he took must be more serious than he lets on.

"Doesn't the... pupils and the gurning jaw, the sweating... doesn't it become tiring after a while?"

"I understand it's unbecoming but if I don't perform this job well I am nothing. It's the price I pay."

"Right. I'll give it some thought." He seems satisfied with your answer. "Should we go?"

"Looking like a beast in heat is a serious downside, yes."

"I thought so." He seems satisfied with the answer. "Should we go?"

"Nah, man, the jaw grinding and the sweating -- that's the best part. Shows the medicine is working."

"Right. Thank you for this information." He seems satisfied. "Should we go?"

"I'm too high on pyrholidon to notice. Before you ask -- pyrholidon is used for radiation sickness."

"Yes, but... did you know you don't have radiation sickness?"

"Yes, that does sound dangerous now that I think about it."

"There's always a price..." He looks out the window.

"It gives me fiery visions. A window into the heart of things."

"Right." He seems satisfied with your answer. "I can see how that can be useful."

"It has no effect on my performance, I just take it to feel good."

"Hmh." He lets out a little pensive hum. "Thought so. Let's go?"

So... the good lieutenant was looking for an edge, was he?

"It keeps me going -- in the short run."

"Hmh." He lets out a little pensive hum... "That's what I thought. Let's go?"

"Narcomania is a disease, lieutenant."

"It may be -- but I asked if it makes you better at your work?"

"What are you talking about? I don't take amphetamine, don't be ludicrous!"

"I was just curious. Anyway let's go."

"Better? No. It makes me worse."

"Hmh." He lets out a little pensive hum. "Thought so. Let's go?"

Say nothing.

The lieutenant does not pursue the subject further, looking out the bathroom window instead.

"I always took you for more of a drunk than a chemical abuser," he says as though it's self-evident. "Anyway."

"Nah, pig..." the kid says looking around like a young wolf. "That'd been too easy. Let's keep looking."

This medicine cabinet is stocked with drugs, plus an old toothbrush, and...

Look at the medications.

Pharmaceuticals line the shelves. Sheet upon sheet and pill bottle next to pill bottle: acetylic acid, APAP, eye drops, blood thinners...

Search the bottles.

Pill bottles rattle like bones as you search the cabinet: paracetamol, histaperidol, something in a foreign language you can't read... Behind them: an unusually shaped nasal spray. Its label reads 'NACRA'.

NACRA? This is used to treat opioid overdoses. Always handy to have around.

Keep it to yourself.

The lieutenant glances at the rows of pills -- then at the door.

You could say he's on the lookout.

(Whisper.) "NACRA, opioid antagonist."

"Interesting. That's used for diamorphine overdoses..." The lieutenant nods -- then looks at the door.

(Whisper.) "What's NACRA?"

"An opioid receptor antagonist. It's used for diamorphine overdoses."