Conversation · Coupris Kineema

"Kim, didn't Garte give you Sylvie's number?"

"Yes, hold on..." the lieutenant takes a look at his notes. "Her number is 005 1944 298."

"Received. Hold on, officer."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Start slapping a marching rhythm on your thighs.

"Give it a minute, she might be busy at the moment... takes a bit to get to the phone."

Just wait. Relax.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Officer," she finally returns. "I have Sylvie Malaìika on the line for you."

"Yes, hello!" A female voice greets you through static -- it sounds like she's million miles away from here.

Wait patiently.

Lieutenant Kitsuragi slowly begins to tap a little rhythm with his right foot. Quite a lot of time has passed.

"Actually, let's not do that right now." (Back.)

"Officer?" You hear phones ringing and people talking in the background.

Change of plans -- her number.

Damn it -- the lieutenant had the number and he's not here.

Ignore Alice and press the button labelled "Saved".

"...AS ALWAYS IT'S DJS MESH AND FLACIO AND YOU'RE LISTENING TO S-S-S-SSS-SSSPEE-EED FREAKS FM, BRINGING YOU THE HOTTEST, THE NASTIEST, THE MOST VULGAR..."

A flock of seagulls takes off nearby, startled by the roaring radio.

Right away the lieutenant reaches into the cabin and turns off the radio. He's not looking at you as he says:

"Someone must have been messing with the radio, or maybe it picked up a random frequency... You wanted the primeline, right?"

He's still avoiding your gaze -- and his ears glow red.

"Sorry about it, I wanted to contact the dispatch." (Pick up the radio and turn it back to PRIMELINE.)

"That's DJ Mesh! That was Speedfreaks FM!"

The lieutenant is resolutely silent. Staring at the console.

A look of betrayal. The secret has been revealed!

Go for it -- turn the radio back on while it's still on the Speedfreaks FM!

"It's okay to like what you like, Kim."

"I don't like it." He shrugs very slightly. "I don't know how that channel got marked."

He's too stiff. Like a grunt during a military inspection, hoping their commanding officer overlooks them.

Why the fuck can't he just admit it? Don't let this go. Hound him until he admits it.

Just leave it alone. He clearly doesn't want to share this with you.

"Right, you don't want to get into this, no problem."

"Nothing to get into really, but sure, let's focus on the important things." He pats the motor carriage.

"This is Precinct 57. Can I connect you to someone?" The voice on the shortwave repeats.

Pick up the radio again.

"...SSSSOUPED UP MOTOR CARRIAGE FOR ONE BAD BAD MOMMA'S BOY, F-F-F-FFFOR THE H-H-HEAVY OF F-F-F-FFFOOT AND FREAKY IN..."

"God-damn-it!" The lieutenant moves quick as a viper as he switches off the radio and sets it on primeline. Then he turns to you:

"Look, it helps me to stay alert on long nights, okay? It's a method. I'm not some kind of speed-freak or..." He shakes his head, furiously staring at his feet.

"Sure, you don't have to explain yourself. I'll just forget about it."

"Thank you." His eyes glide over the plaza, making sure that no one heard the sudden blast from the radio, before he turns back to the cabin.

"What about heavy of foot?"

"You would be too if you had this motor carriage," he snaps half-seriously.

"But seriously, let's quit joking around, alright? We have a case to investigate." He turns back to the cabin.

"You lying to me right now, Kim?"

"Excuse me?"

"C'mon, man! You can tell me!"

The lieutenant raises an eyebrow. The ocean wind blows, bringing in the smell of salt.

That eyebrow! He's using his Authority against you... you... can't resist...

"I... gah..." (Grab your head.) "I'm... sorry, Kim."

He remains silent.

This has gone far enough. You're going to show dignity toward your fellow officer and apologize.

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Mhm." The lieutenant frowns at you.

"I said, are you fucking lying to me?"

"Aw, man! You should have told me you liked them! I could have asked for a shoutout."