Case # 37: Video

[19centconstable]

[Someone is holding the communicator carelessly in one hand, as though they don't know it's on. The floor passes by slowly under the camera's lens. Whoever they are, they're walking hesitantly toward something. Bathroom tile appears, and then: the base of the toilet.]

Sweet wounded Jesus. I've died and gone to heaven.

[It's a boy speaking; his voice soft and high, his accent somewhere between Irish, British, and Pirate.

In other words: George Crabtree.]

Comments

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

That's a potty silly! A toilet. You go poop in there.

[This is...the greatest most hilarious thing ever so he'll just be over here laughing hysterically]

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

A potty...silly...

[You Americans have no idea how to speak propperly.]

Oi, what's so funny?

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[That sobers young Hoffman up] Don't wanna say.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

How old are you? Where's your mother and father?

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[That makes Hoffman's eyes go wide] ...I dunno.

[shuffle foot. shuffle shuffle. He twists a little bit to the side and rubs his runny nose]

....I dunno they're gone and I hads a lady and then she went away and I went away so I'm walking around..

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[George takes this to mean that they have died, and seems properly ashamed for having brought them up.]

Well, you'll get on alright, I'm sure. You seem like a...sturdy lad.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[Oh to be five again. Hoffman's mouth twists] Huh?

...I got candy! You want some candy?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[Oh you hopeless posh, poncy baby: you have no street smarts, telling everybody about your treasures. this world will eat you alive, George thinks.]

Yeah, okay. Where did you get candy floss? Is there a fair?

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

Santa brought it! [frown] he brought a bunch of stupid girl dolls too but the candy's the good stuff.

[He'll be over here stuffing his face]

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Another American boy got dollies as well. He seemed rather pleased by them.

[George does not sound as though he'd seem pleased.]

Where are you?

Spam?

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

Dollies are for girls. [pssshhh.]

'm [gives a common room location.]

Yes spam.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Right. I'll locate you.

[Spam.]

[It takes a bit longer than it usually would for George to show up. He's shorter and quite skinny, and looks generally bewildered and slightly dirty.]

Re: Yes spam.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[Mark Hoffman is allowed sweets and treats pretty often, but this time there's no one to take it away and tell him to save some for tomorrow. So he's sucking on a candy cane with a blissful contented look on his face.]

[Then.]

...Hi. [slurp.]

Re: Yes spam.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[If you think George is that responsible at twelve...sorry, he's not even that responsible at thirty-one. Because sweets are delicious.]

Hello. I'm George.

[And he's eying your sweets longingly.]

Re: Yes spam.

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[Santa knows his audience. Hoffman's got quite a bit of candy in his pudgy hands. He pulls the candy cane out of his mouth and stares.]

...'m Mark.

[There's some sweet floss right at the front there. Hoffman is oblivious. He has four candycanes on his lap. FOUR. Finishing off his current one quickly, he reaches for chocolate before ?looking...chagrined. Or as Chagrined as a boy can manage. Tracy Hoffman did spoil her son-but she also taught him manners.]

...oo ant me andy?

[It could be "you want some candy maybe" ]

Re: Yes spam.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

[George nods eagerly, and squats down beside him.]

So you're from here?

[Spam]

[expectremorse.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't seem to notice the older kid for a moment, fixating on the candy. It's shaped like a frog. And it's delicious and...]

[he shakes his head] ...New York.
[beat] 1722 Thebes Way Queens New York City 9- [and so on and so forth]

Don't eat the KitKats. [frown] they're mine.

Re: [Spam]

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

What's a KitKats?

And good, because this place is awfully queer. I woke up in some policeman's room.