Conversation · Sunken Motor Carriage

No! Just nope. Say no to this, Harry.

"OH GOD, IT IS MINE! I DROVE MY CAR INTO THE SEA!!!"

Yes, Harry. You did.

No, no... That's not true! It can't be...

No matter how many times you say it, it won't change the truth.

"No, no, no." (Shake your head.) "No. No. No..."

The sooner you accept it, the sooner you can move on.

How do we get you out?

We don't.

It's sunken too deep.

They're not gonna take me back after this, are they?

After losing every single thing you were entrusted with? I wouldn't hold my breath.

I can fix it.

No, you can't.

The damage is too extensive.

Maybe I was in pursuit of someone.

You were not.

"First my badge and now THIS."

Keep moving. You're a shark. You stop -- you die.

"Well, at least I can see what's in there now." (Conclude.)

An aggressive looking seagull lands on the swing set and stares at you with a murderous look. You really need to keep moving.

Oh please, 41 could mean SO many things. It's not like I own the number.

Even if the motor carriage is mine, literally anyone could have driven it into the sea.

Yes, Harry, it's the number 41. The number of our precinct. I hoped you would come back for me...

"Can you make out the marque now?"

"Detective, I've been able to make out the marque ever since we arrived. I find it odd that you haven't. It's a Coupris, Model 40." His eyes turn to you.

Yes. Why haven't you?

"It is a simple and rugged machine, favoured by working men, government offices..." He pauses to think. "Firefighters, animal control people. You know, those kinds of people."

"Is that a Coupris 40?"

"It is indeed." The lieutenant nods. "Or more accurately was."

"You have a Coupris too. What a coincidence!"

"Actually not a coincidence. The Kineema is the next generation sports edition of the old 'Forty', which was a real work horse. Favoured by the police all over the city..." He raises his finger.

"I think I know now, what my favourite blue thing is." He nods. "Yes, my favourite blue thing is a blue police uniform... or blue police livery."

"Actually not a coincidence. The Kineema is the next generation sports edition of the 'Forty', which was a real work horse. Favoured by the police all over the city." His expression is unreadable.

Can I make out the marque now?

Yes, the emblem, now visible above the waterline, belongs to the Coupris Motor Corporation. Below it stands the model name, 40.

Oh sweet, a Coupris 40. A nice little machine.

It probably used to be. All wet, bent, and broken -- the old work horse has seen better days.

A dim light scatters from the cloud cover above the city. In it you can see the blue and white motor carriage slowly appear from the water -- centimetre by centimetre as the sea recedes...

It's a Coupris Forty. A work horse of the motor park. Favoured by the working men, government offices, fire fighters I guess, maybe animal control people? You know. Those kinds of people.

Yes it is. It feels as the city behind you grows silent in the waiting. Seems like an eternity has passed...

"...all I'm saying is I'm surprised people's skin colour varies so drastically."

"Once again, differences in skin colour are the result of melanin production, liver functions, regional adaptation, and various other factors."

"Mhmh-mhmh..."

"And your eyes also used to..."

"I hope my mom isn't dead..."

"Do you think I will ever find my gun?"

The lieutenant's expression suddenly turns very serious. "God, I hope so."

"I don't think I'm ever gonna find my gun." (Look around.) "The world is so big and my gun is so small..."

"I've been thinking: if I put enough time into eating right and exercising, I could turn myself into a living weapon. Then I wouldn't even need a gun..."

"If you have to side with either the strikers or the shipping company, who would you choose?"

"Luckily, I am already a member of an independent organization, and therefore do not have to choose between a rock and a hard place."

"But... if someone puts a gun to your head?"

"I guess that's just your way of saying you'd side with the company."

"I understand, you're saying you're siding with the Union."

"I don't know who my mum or my dad was..."

"Oh, so both... "

"Would you rather sit on an anthill for an hour or stand in a river of leeches?"

"Well..." The lieutenant rubs his chin. "Historically, leeches have been used to prevent and even cure many ailments..."

'Okay,' he's thinking. 'I can do this. Let's do this. Who'd want to sit on an anthill? There are no therapeutic benefits to..."