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

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[Um.

Hoffman instinctively takes a step back. Lessons drilled in over two years of hard work in dark alleyways don't leave you easily. So he doesn't say anything else and just studies his outfit.]

. . .A little early for Halloween.

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

It is. If you'll step inside, I can explain.

[George gestures kindly.]

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[Hoffman follows a little warily-taking a look around again for anything suspicious, anything different.]

Have to find you a Ninja girlfriend maybe.

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

I don't believe ninjas come in...that.

Detective Hoffman, have you ever heard of the Freemasons?

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

The guys in the Da Vinci Code?

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

The who?

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[He holds up a hand] never mind. I think it might have been somebody else. Are you one of these..

Masons?..

[It's really hard not to notice the robe]

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

I am.

[George tries to keep the "obviously" out of his voice.]

And I wondered if you were interested.

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[He studies the robe] What would I have to...do?

[He studies the robe] That's a nice outfit actually. I'm not kidding about it.

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

I would give you some reading material, if you'd like, but being a Mason is really about being a part of something, of brotherhood, of doing good deeds and charitable works, and taking part in rituals to enforce proper morals. Freemasonry makes a good man better.

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[Hoffman studies him. Doing good deeds? Being part of something better? Like a secret society?

....He's unaware of how interested he looks]

And wearing a robe and sitting in the dark asking...what? Talking to God?

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

It's not a religious organization. You have got to believe in something, but the what is up to you.

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

.......So you believe in Law?

[beat] could you believe in it?

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

I believe one could say that.

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[Hoffman's voice is quiet.]

.....And you don't have to kill anyone?

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

Goodness no! That's grounds for expulsion, as well as arrest.

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[The longest of pauses]

...Tell me more?

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

I'm afraid I can't go into any real detail on the rituals until you're a member. What else would you like to hear?

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

...How do you become a member?

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

If you don't know the Lodge members already, you petition them, and you are investigated and voted on, and then your degree of initiation is scheduled.

Re: Spammity.

[lastmanstanding]

[he laughs at that, hands in his pockets] why do I feel like I'd be instantly disqualified?

Re: Spammity.

[19centconstable]

Well. Normally that would be the case, but I feel confident that you want to be the sort of man who wouldn't be. Which I believe to be worth something.