Conversation · Visual Calculus

The red thread bisecting the room shows the trajectory of the bullet.

Where does it come from?

From the roof outside -- location A prime. The glass fractures around the bullet hole. Shards face inwards like a corona behind the woman's back...

The red thread bisecting the room shows the trajectory of the bullet -- Klaasje has done some amateur ballistics here.

The golden light melts away into the blue, glassy darkness of your mind. In it are two neon lit shapes: a man and a woman on the single bed.

No. We're not failing this. You didn't get shot for nothing. Close your eyes and open them -- you can do this. You've done it before.

Look around.

The golden light melts away into the blue, glassy darkness of your mind. In it are two neon lit shapes: a man and a woman on the single bed.

The golden light melts away into the blue, glassy darkness of your mind. In it are two neon lit shapes: a man and a woman on the single bed.

You don't know when to quit, do you?

"This is bullshit. Bullshit window."

"It is." The lieutenant touches the window. "We're beating our heads against this -- let's go do something more useful."

"No. On the contrary, this whole room could be very useful if we could read it." He looks down the stairs. "Maybe later."

Say nothing.

The window stands mute in the frame. The wind picks up outside.

"Tell me again Kim, what are we looking for here? Ballistics?"

"I'm not exactly sure either, to be honest. My imagination has a way of failing me."

"It's a weakness," he admits after a pause, looking in the direction of the stairs.

Again with this. You're not some kind of super-detective. Question people, bust a lip open. Leave this glass cathedral of ballistics to the smart boys.

A vague sense of disappointment fills you. The glass shimmers as if taunting you with its secrets.

You get the feeling this room would tell you something crucial if you only knew how to listen...

"This window was recently replaced."

"Looks like it, yes." He adjusts his glasses.

You know which window has not been recently replaced?

What is this, guilt now?

Whatever it is, it's messing with your concentration.

Stop distracting him, he has work to do -- plus, if I recall, the window had been giving him shit ever since he got here.

Didn't we establish that someone else did that?

I was being sarcastic. It was established that you did it. Anyway.

I think it was established that you did it. Anyway.

The one I smashed in my room?

Yes, that one. Cold wind is seeping in right now -- just one floor below you, messing up your concentration here.

[Leave.]

"Shit I know this..." His voice is excited as he nods approvingly. "Cuno gets this shit. Ballistics shit, science shit."

You need to understand where that shot came from -- once and for all.

This window is pristine, at least on the inside. A red thread has been taped to the glass using adhesive tape. It trembles ever so slightly in the cold wind.

"This is ballistics. She's left a trajectory for us..." The lieutenant tests the thread with his finger. Drawn taut, it rebounds instantly.

"Oh, oh!" The kid gets excited. "Cuno knows this shit -- ballistics shit, Science Radio shit. Shows where the shot came from."

This is amateur ballistics. She left a trajectory for you...

This window is pristine on the inside -- unlike the one next to it. Light from the desk lamp reflects off the glass in an untarnished golden halo.