Case #42: Video

[19centconstable]

[George is in his room, but out of his uniform. There's a very small pin in the lapel of his grey suit. It probably looks like the outline of a star, or a diamond. It isn't either.]

I thought I might ask, since we've gained so many new faces, if anyone else on board has ever rolled their trouser leg?

[And apparently that confusing query is not all George has for you this evening.]

Also, I do keep thinking about those ninjas we had. It's a shame they were so, well, unfriendly, and that they had to be disappeared so suddenly. We might have learned so much from them, and their ways.

[George gazes dreamily off, perhaps imagining a world where people and ninjas live together in pajamas and harmony.]

On the other hand, I suppose it is for the best that they didn't stick around. There were simply far too many of them. Our hallways would have been crowded with them. They might have taken to busking.

Comments

[scentbombed]

In Ankh-Morpork, we used to have street performers killed. [Just by way of making conversation, here.]

What do you mean, rolled your trouser leg?

[19centconstable]

I think that's going a bit too far.

Oh. Oh, it's not important.

[Sorry Angua, no girls allowed in the Lodge.]

[scentbombed]

Yes, well, now it's only mimes, and they're allowed a chance if they can escape the scorpion pits.

Why? What does it mean? [Hello, instant curiosity. Angua is a card-carrying member of the Boys' Club, having essentially bulled her way in, but this isn't one she recognizes.] I just tuck mine into my boots...

[19centconstable]

Scorpion...pits?

It's just a sort of code for something. An organization. If you were a part of it, you'd understand.

[scentbombed]

Yes. In the palace.

Oh, for-- is this one of those things where you muck about wearing robes and talking about the ancient policeman's order or something like that?

[trenchcoatedly]

I had a.... friend who would sometimes roll up his trouser legs as to avoid getting mud on them.

[19centconstable]

I'm afraid that isn't quite what I meant, but it's very practical of him.

[trenchcoatedly]

.. Oh. It was a figure of speech.

{Awkward.]

I apologize.

[19centconstable]

No need, Mr.-...? It's more of a code, really.

[trenchcoatedly]

Castiel.

[lastmanstanding]

...What?

[frown]

...Kids roll up their pants man.

[19centconstable]

They do, but I meant something else.

[lastmanstanding]

What did you mean?

[Are you all right.]

[19centconstable]

You've never heard of it? Being asked to roll up your trouser?

[lastmanstanding]

No.

[beat] ...Is this some kind of 1800s cop thing?

[darknessb4me]

They were shades, they couldn't even talk.

[19centconstable]

That doesn't mean we couldn't learn from them.

[darknessb4me]

Learn how it feels to die with a throwing star in your eye, maybe.

[19centconstable]

I was thinking of something slightly more useful.

[darknessb4me]

[Ha. Arthas likes this guy. Very dry.]

Like what?

[surfaceshine]

So. Normally I try to avoid conversations about other mens' pants as a rule, but I just have to ask: busking? What the hell is that, and is it really worse than what they actually did?

[Sorry George. It had to happen. Typist needs you in Dean's life, for the lulz.]

[19centconstable]

Busking? It's performing on street corners for money. Very, very little money.

[surfaceshine]

Yeah? What, you don't think it'd be hilarious to see a ninja pyramid or synchronized star-throwing? Oh. Juggling katanas!

[19centconstable]

It would, but I just don't think we have the means to support that sort of thing financially.

[surfaceshine]

Maybe we could set up a barter system.