Conversation · Coupris Kineema

The soft purr of electrical kittens -- radio waves cast far and wide over the metropolis. A woman's voice greets you through the static:

"This is Precinct 57! Hello, lieutenant, how may I assist you?"

"Hello, Alice, please assist our colleague from the 41st Precinct here. I'm putting him on."

Operating the radio is easy. Just be confident -- you've probably done it a thousand times.

"Come in dispatch, come in dispatch!"

"This is Officer Alice DeMettrie, Precinct 57. How may I assist you?" You could swear she was friendlier with the lieutenant.

Under the green PRIMELINE a yellow SAVED button catches your eye... You wonder what the lieutenant's default radio station is?

"This is Officer Alice DeMettrie, Precinct 57. How may I assist you?" a voice replies in the radio.

"Come in, Delta-Ten, this is Firewalker, copy."

"Hi, Alice, this is the officer from the 41st Precinct speaking. Nice to meet you."

"Hi, Alice, I'm a policeman too. Nice to meet you."

"Who is this?" There's a pause. "My records show this channel is used by Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi."

"This is... Harry. I guess. Lieutenant Kitsuragi is my partner on a case."

"Mr. Harry, do you have permission to call from the lieutenant's vehicle? Where is he?"

"He's investigating a lead on his own. Listen, I need help."

"Why aren't you using your own radio to contact your precinct?"

"Reasons... uh, for one, I don't know where my radio is."

"That is a pretty big problem, yes." She seems to sigh. "Alright. Next time, have Lieutenant Kitsuragi with you."

"I'll contact him later for a full report." Her voice hasn't become any friendlier. "For now, I'm Officer Alice de Mettrie, how can I help you?"

"It's a long story. Bad shit has gone down."

There's a pause. "Alright. Next time, have Lieutenant Kitsuragi with you."

"That's one of the things I may need help with." (Cough.)

"A-ha. Sounds like trouble." She seems to sigh. "Alright. Next time, have Lieutenant Kitsuragi with you."

"I don't know, it's not like we're joined by the hip. Anyway, I need assistance."

"He's resting. It's been rough around here. Listen, I need assistance."

"Lieutenant Harrier Du Bois, reporting in. I'm on a case with Lieutenant Kitsuragi."

"Affirmative, Lieutenant Du Bois." There's a pause, tense with anticipation.

"From the 41st Precinct. Where is Lieutenant Kitsuragi?"

"I prefer to be called Tequila Sunset. Kim's my partner. We're solving a case."

"Right... Mr. Sunset." Her voice does not sound friendly. "Do you have permission to call from the lieutenant's vehicle? Where is he?"

"Uh, the name's Mr. Costeau. Raphaël to friends. Kim's my friend."

"Mr. Costeau... if that is your real name, unauthorized use of a police officer's radio is a major crime. I will have to alert my colleagues."

"No, wait! We're solving a murder case in Martinaise."

Her voice does not sound friendly. "Where is the lieutenant?"

Hang up quickly.

"Yes, I know Kim! He's my partner."

"Oh. Do you have permission to call from the lieutenant's vehicle?" Her voice doesn't sound very friendly. "Where is he?"

"Operating a radio is easy." (Speak into the microphone:) "Come in Delta-Ten, this is Firewalker, copy!"

"Yes, hello? Who is this?" There's a pause. "My records show this channel is used by Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi."

"Hello... hello... hello...." (Mimic echo.) "Is there anybody out there?"

"Kim, what are we looking at? What is this machine?"

"Yes, it's my patrol vehicle. You can use the toolbox and the radio if you'd like." He nods at the cabin.

Motor carriage, motor carriage... Something bad with a motor carriage.... A dark lump rises in your throat.

Look around the cabin again.

What is this sinking feeling I have with the words motor carriage?

Nothing. Nothing. It's probably nothing, forget I brought it up. Please proceed with the carefree lollygagging.

"Do all policemen in the RCM have such cool motor carriages?"

"The Coupris MotorCorp does provide most of our patrol vehicles, yes."

But this is different -- this is a sports model.

"I might be wrong, but this one is a sports model, right?"

"You're right." A vainglorious smile spreads over his face as he pats his machine. "I didn't take you for a motorcar enthusiast. Do you also like TipTop, detective?"

The TipTop Tournée is an interisolary racing series, mostly known for its high speeds, ludicrous sponsorship deals, and high death toll. In Revachol it's held quadrennially on the prestigious Zéro Carrousel racing circuit.

"No, I don't care about motorcars, I just know about random things."

"Oh." He looks visibly disappointed. "I guess it's not for everyone."

"TipTop? Adore it!"

"Really?" the lieutenant looks at you. "Well, I'm not indifferent on the matter either." He adjusts his glasses, visibly pleased to have found a fellow fan.

"I'm pretty sure I like neither motorcars or any 'TipTops'."

"What's TipTop?"

"An interisolary racing series. You should definitely give it a go if you like motor carriages -- it has fantastic competition." He smiles again.

(Squint your eyes) "Okay, but what is a motor carriage?"