Conversation · Gary, the Cryptofascist

"Try not to shit yourself Gary. It's just an open door."

"What could it be about?" He frets to himself, not taking your advice. "I probably talked too loud. In the Whirling. About some theories I had. Whatever it is, I'm done with it."

"I won't do it again." He looks around nervously. "If there's anything I can do to assist you -- or the Union -- just ask, okay? I'll try to help if I can."

(Nod grimly). "Our discussion on this topic is over, Gary."

"Of course. Of course." He looks around nervously. "I won't do it again. If there's anything I can do to assist you -- or the Union -- just ask, okay? I'll try to help if I can."

"Really, I don't even know what it was about, I just opened the door."

"Whatever it is, tell him I'm silent as the grave." The man thinks. "I was probably talking too loud in the Whirling the other night, about some theories..."

"Relax. Evrart doesn't like the article you wanted to write. Don't write it and it'll will be fine."

"Yeah, I don't know what it was, but he doesn't like you."

"I was probably talking too loud in the Whirling the other night, about some theories... Stupid... Shouldn't have run my mouth loud like that."

"Yes, Mr. Claire really wanted me to open your door. And then I couldn't help looking around. Please accept my apologies."

"Mr. Claire must be very angry with you."

"Mr. Evrart...?" The colour drains from his face.

"Yes, he insisted that I open the door to your apartment."

"Have you found your door open lately?"

"In my home, yes, when I was going to..." His face turns pale. "How did you know?"

"Mr. Evrart Claire thought it necessary to unlock your apartment."

"Mr. Claire unlocked my apartment?"

"No, I did. Took a look around, too."

"No, I did. Don't worry, I didn't go in." (Lie.)

"No, I did, per his request."

(Nod.) "Don't worry, I didn't go in."

"Nothing. Just wanted to ask if your door's been unlocked lately. Now I have."

"Is this about... the Union? Did the big man open the door?"

"I opened it for Mr. Claire. Figured I'd also take a look around."

"And you're a big Man from Hjelmdall fan?"

"How...?" The colour drains from his face.

"I saw the poster in your apartment. You know, I'm a Hjelmdallermann fan myself."

"But... why were you in my apartment, officer?"

"Just doing Mr. Claire a small favour."

"Mr. Evrart Claire asked me to get your door open. I figured I'd take a look around while I was at it."

"Mr. Evrart Claire thought it necessary to unlock your apartment."

"Mr. Claire unlocked my apartment?"

"I saw that ridiculous poster in your apartment, along with all your other colonialist memorabilia."

"We'll return to this later. For now, let me ask you something else."

"Of course. Of course."

"You were surprised to see my colleague, Lieutenant Kitsuragi."

"I'm sorry for what I said," he replies, then falls silent.

Short means sincere in these things.

This man is truly sorry for underestimating the honour and military might of the Seolite man.

"Not many Seolites here, or anywhere, other than Seol. I meant no offence, truly."

"Do you remember how when we met Measurehead and I said the next racist will be the really good one?"

"Yes."

"Well..." He gestures toward Gary as though he were presenting a work of art. "This is that racist."

"I don't know. I liked the previous racists better."

"Hey, man." He blushes. "All I meant was there are not many Seolites around here. I'm just stating a fact."

"The lieutenant is a native of Revachol."

"Oh, yes, of course he is. I was just speaking about his... connections." He flashes an impenetrable smile. "Let's change the subject, okay?"

Sounds like some conspiracy topic. You might be able to discuss it with him when the lieutenant isn't here. If you can remember it.

Return without the lieutenant -- for this? Your balance organ thinks it's a waste of time.

Your gut feeling tells you it'd be interesting.

"Yes. What are they doing in that Seol of theirs? Scheming?"

The lieutenant looks up at you, almost sadly.

"Oh no. Nothing like that. Definitely not scheming." He flashes an impenetrable smile.

"Do you have a problem with Seolites?"

"No, no problem at all." He flashes an impenetrable smile at the lieutenant.

"Because they're not really human, right?"

The lieutenant looks up at you, sighs, and goes back to his notes.

"That's not what I was implying at all..." He eyes the lieutenant nervously. "But, of course, you're just kidding, officer."

Oh yeah, he's definitely one of us. Smart one too, tactical. He might very well know how to turn back time. Ask him!