Conversation · Evrart Claire

"They sure as hell aren't hanging out in the open with beers in their hands for the cops to question." He bursts out laughing. "They're pros, Harry."

"Now I know why you've been so forthcoming."

"No, no, Harry, what we have is real. We're working men. This here..." He taps his chest, then points to you. "... is real."

In there, under pillows of winter fat, his stress-ridden heart still beats furiously.

"You used me." (Proceed.)

"That's wild how you got me to do all that stuff." (Proceed.)

"It's okay, Harry. I'm just thankful you delivered my message."

"What message?"

"You wanted me to deliver that message to her..."

"No, it looked like a boat sailing away from the coast. No need to be overly dramatic."

"You wanted us to relay all this information to her..." the lieutenant cuts in.

"You're right, Harry. There's is no need for that." He laughs, but his laughter is void of joy. "I guess what matters is that my message got across."

"What message?"

"Yes, it sort of did look like that. A bacteria. Growing smaller and smaller."

"You wanted us to relay all this information to her..." the lieutenant cuts in.

"I bet it did, I bet it did." He laughs, but his laughter is void of joy. "I guess what matters is that my message got across."

"What message?"

"Mr. Du Bois! I hear the meeting with Titus was a glowing success." His grin widens. "That's such a relief. Titus can be a handful sometimes."

"Now, what can Evrart Claire do for you today?"

"Mr. Du Bois..." He looks at you with surprise. "Why on earth are you dressed like my recently deceased security guard?"

"Oops... maybe this isn't entirely appropriate..."

"Stealing the clothes of a security guard who'd only just died of old age?" He seems to ponder it for a moment. "Well, maybe not entirely. But -- you had business to discuss with me, Harry?"

"Well... look at it! I mean, cool, right?"

"A deceased security guard's uniform? Oh yeah, in the extreme." He covers his mouth with a sweaty hand. "Now how can I help a cool guy such as yourself today, Harry?"

"I'm honouring a great man."

"From where I'm sitting, it looks more like you've robbed a dead man, Mr. Du Bois." He leans back. "But as this matter is far below my pay grade, I'm just going to ask: how can I help you today?"

"It's a political statement. Revachol is for Revacholians."

"Very powerful, Mr. Du Bois. This is a very powerful statement." He grins far and wide like he doesn't actually think your statement is powerful at all. "Now, how can I help you today, Mr. Political Statement?"

"Mr. Du Bois, 'Every worker...'?" He leans toward you, waiting for your to complete his sentence.

"... a member of the board?"

"That's right, Mr. Du Bois!" He nods in approval. "I see the socialist-democratic fervour now burns in your heart too. How can I help you today?"

"... for himself!"

"... and for his fellow man! That's right, Mr. Du Bois! You're turning out to be quite the individualist there..." The last sentence is spoken more to himself than anybody else. "So, you had business with me?"

"... is an organ in the great state organism of war! Also, looks just like me."

"Eeeh... why the hell not?" He chuckles merrily. "Now, how can I help you today?"

"... is a living god!"

"Hahaha... Mr. Du Bois..." His amusement seems genuine. "So be it! How can I help you today?"

"Mr. Du Bois! The word in Martinaise is a certain police officer is once again happily reunited with his service weapon." He winks at you. "Congratulations, my friend!"

"I prefer my police officers old-fashioned like that... with a gun. You can do so many things with a gun that you can't do without one. Now, what can I help you with?"

"Titus sent Elizabeth away and said her services were no longer needed."

"Oh yes. She came to see me. Said Titus Hardie is the most stubborn man she's ever met and you..." He shakes his finger at you. "You are on a whole new level of difficult."

"Honestly, Harry," he says with a chuckle. "Jamming a wedge between a man and his legal counsel is no small achievement. Sounds like you're handling this like a supercop."

"This is how I operate."

"Goddamnit, Harry... Please warn me first if I ever make it to your shit-list. And I promise to extend you the same courtesy." He laughs.

"To tell you the truth, I'm actually quite interested to see how this whole thing between you and Titus is gonna play out. You guys really deserve each other."

"She was trying to help Titus, but the man just didn't want to listen."

"That's Titus Hardie alright." He starts laughing. "They say no man is an island, but Titus Hardie is definitely an island. And a big one at that. At least he thinks he is."

"I needed to talk to Titus man to man and she was getting in the way."

"Oh, I can imagine that. Lizzie is tenacious like a little pitbull. Underneath the law degree and sophistication, she's still a Martinaisian through and through."