Conversation · Joyce Messier

"The performative experience has ended. Good -- what can I help you with?"

"What can you tell me about this lynching?"

"Of course," her back straightens. "Anything to help."

"I'm afraid I can't say any more until we've taken care of formal protocol."

What kind of arrangement would it be?

I mean favours for favours. A dirty alliance of some sort.

Consider this -- perhaps she has been planning it all along? That you convince yourself into colluding with her?

Perhaps she even knew beforehand of your affliction? A sudden pinch of paranoia comes over you...

"You'll never guess what I found. My badge!" (Show her your badge.)

"Did you? Wonderful!" She inspects the piece of blue plastic, the faded green pearls of her eyes scanning left to right.

Quickly, methodically, like an electric printing machine.

She's memorizing your badge number.

She hands it back to you: "It is a relief to see a double-yefreitor here. The situation is precarious to say the least. It needs a quick solution, or we will have a blood bath on our hands."

"Then I'll find it somehow. Let's talk about something else until I do."

"Of course." She grabs the mainstay and leans toward you. "But before we do, officer -- let me be perfectly clear..."

"The situation is extremely volatile. The sooner we can speak about this lynching business, the better for all of us."

How do I negotiate my way out of this?

She's a negotiator. Just float a favour at her. Insinuate.

"Surely there's some other way to demonstrate my law enforcement credentials."

"I will be frank with you." She puts down her thermal cup. "If I'm going to break protocol I need to be able to justify it to my superiors. They're going to want to see something very tangible."

You're in, but expect her to drive a hard bargain.

"Like what?"

"Reports from inside Terminal B suggest it's a hub for the local drug trade. This is an open secret in Martinaise. The Union controls the terminal, so it goes to reason..."

She wants you to help her gain leverage to re-start negotiations with the Union.

"The company has tried looking into this matter before -- to no avail. Perhaps someone with your authority and resources might turn over the right stones?"

Remember those bold, new exotic revenue streams Evrart said he was going to fund his harbour with? You should go back and ask him about that.

"Or..." She picks the cup back up. "You can recover your badge -- though if I may be blunt with you, it sounds like that may be a lost cause."

"Detective," the lieutenant closes his notebook. "A word in private before we continue."

"Excuse us for a moment, madam." [Leave.]

... they're profiting from this trade.

Feelings will guide the way.

"But, madam, I need to know about this lynching. It's very important to me. It's the case I'm solving."

"I assure you it is no small matter for me either. We all share the responsibility for disarming this situation -- I hope you have a badge for me as soon as possible."

"You have so much else. I have only this." (Spread your hands) "This is the entirety of my existence."

She's silent. The wind flaps the sail above her.

"This boat, for example. And a home somewhere! I only have this case."

"Officer..." The carbon fibre hull creaks.

"I don't remember anything except this lynching. There is only this coast -- and this lynching."

"You know..." she puts her foot on the guardwire. "I don't mean to sound cold, but if you want something, you have to give something back. More than just guilt."

You're doing it! Despite your own best efforts you're still getting in, somehow...

"I'll be frank with you. If I'm going to break protocol, I need to be able to justify it to my superiors. They're going to want to see something tangible."

"Like what?"

"The Union is conducting drug trade out of the harbour. It's an open secret in Martinaise. Surely it must not come as a complete surprise to the RCM either. Perhaps it's time to look into it?"

Remember those bold, new exotic revenue streams Evrart said he was going to fund his harbour with? You should go back and ask him about that.

"Or you can find your badge, which, honestly, seems like a lost cause."

"This case is what I will be known by!"

"You don't understand. It's not like a side-case for me. This is my main thing."

"Trust me, officer, I am fully committed to resolving this impasse. This isn't some side gig for me."

"I'm afraid I can't say any more until we've taken care of formal protocol."

"Some artist types stole my badge. It was a mistake to trust them."

"You mean someone stole your badge?" Her brow is slightly arched.

"They said it was for a performance. You know how artists are nowadays."

"I don't, in fact." She shakes her head. "I'm afraid what I need to tell you is wholly unrelated to art. I really need to discuss it, however. With the RCM -- and I need your badge for that."

Unbelievable, sire. Even the performance artists didn't work.

"Some damn clown stole it from me. It's a long story."

"You mean someone stole your badge?" Her brow is slightly arched.

"I'd rather not get into it, but yes: a bunch of clowns -- and some arlecchinos -- stole my badge."

"Some arlecchinos you say?" She shakes her head. "I'm afraid what I need to tell you is anything but fun I really need to discuss it, however. With the RCM -- and I need your badge for that."

Unbelievable, sire. Even the arlecchinos didn't work.

"Remember when I told you I literally cannot remember even the most basic facts about reality?"