Conversation · Man with Sunglasses

"Jean, he's obviously suffering..." The woman stops mid-sentence.

The man with sunglasses looks at her -- then back at you: "Okay, superstar. Talk to me, what do you want? You want a pat on the back?"

"I knew it! I knew I was someone well known. A superstar."

"Wait, I'm famous?"

"Oh yes, big time." He nods enthusiastically. "Who hasn't heard of the Far Out Son of Liver Failure?!"

"Hold on, who's Son of Liver Failure?"

"Far Out Son of Liver Failure -- the supercop who voluntarily enters an alcohol induced delirium to solve crimes."

The woman has a slight smirk on her face.

She's trying to keep a straight face.

"Fine."

"No, not entirely." It's impossible to say what his eyes behind the shades are doing.

"I knew it, Kim! I knew I was a superstar."

"I fear..." The lieutenant lowers his voice. "I fear you're misinterpreting this situation."

"Talk to me, superstar. What do you want?"

There's a joke you're not getting here. Could have something to do with the brain damage.

"Okay then. See you around!" [Leave.]

"Watch out for yourself, loser!"

That voice... so very familiar... Did you hear it when calling to your station and reporting your badge missing?

"Wait, your voice... I recognize it."

"Oh really?! I wonder where?!"

"I lost my badge recently. When I called in to report it missing, you were there."

The lieutenant goes pale. 'No badge?' he mouths to himself silently.

"That's where you remember me from?"

"Khm... I have a bit of..." (Point to you head.) "Memory trouble."

"You don't say?" He turns away from you. "Good bye then. The voice thing was a coincidence. Run along, asshole."

"Maybe..."

"Okay then. It's probably a coincidence. People sound alike. Good bye."

"Yes. I haven't seen you before."

It's probably nothing. [Leave.]

Again he provides no reply, instead seemingly trying to get a better look of your attire through his sunglasses.

Good luck, these look darker than welding glasses.

The man doesn't reply. He's too busy furiously squinting at you.

Trying to get a good picture of your jacket, no doubt.

Can he even see through those glasses?

"Let's talk about the hanged man again."

"Okay, why not. Let's do the whole thing over again. We're not wasting time. There is no time!"

"Look, I just have to ask: are we from the same police station?"

"I'm going to say... no. Just to see what you'll say to that. What do you say?"

"Okay."

"Okay?!"

"Jean, he said okay, give it a rest."

Okay. I was clearly wrong. He is a firefighter, male nurse, animal control agent -- something of that kind. Not a cop. Go on with your cop work. Don't let me stop you again.

"Yeah. Probably not. I don't remember you from anywhere."

"God fucking shit..." He pinches the root of his nose.

None of this is great news for him.

"Kim... who is this guy?"

"Mkm." He shakes his head. "I'm not getting involved in this."

It's not my style, he thinks, glancing at the man in sunglasses. And the woman beside him. Ooo boy, they're mad at him. No wonder. He just doesn't recognize them.

"Cool shades. Are you wearing a disguise?"

"Yes. It's a hobby of mine." He looks at you inquisitively.

As if waiting for some kind of reaction, or response -- something to click. It's not happening though. Who is this guy?

"Let's talk more about that hypothetical Station 41 you mentioned."

"Oh, the Hypothetical Four-One. Yeah, let's fantasize about that." He blinks aggressively. "I'm not busy, you're not busy, let's just play around!"

"So what would our relationship be in this alternate universe?"

"Let's be crazy... let's say you and I are partners. How's that for a thought experiment?"

"You seem like a bit of a drag. No offence, but I could do better."

"None taken, my friend -- none taken." He waves his hands. "Let's be honest, there's been some purely fictional talk in our imaginary station in regards of who'd even be worthy of your partnership..."

"... and the conclusion is that a man with your calibre should form his own one-man-policing-unit." He nods eagerly along. "Anyone else would just slow you down."

"You seem like a cool guy, I'd love to have you as my partner."

"Would you now?! Or would I be cramping your style?" The man bites his lip, then waves his hand. "Never mind... partner."