Case #48: Video

[19centconstable]

[It's formal announcement time! George stands in his cabin with his helmet tucked under one arm. The brass buttons on his uniform are particularly shiny.]

It's my duty to inform you all that Detective Hoffman is no longer my inmate.

[George lets that hang vaguely in the air for a moment, before continuing:]

Because Detective Hoffman has graduated! Please do heartily congratulate him. He has earned it.

Comments

[made_a_choice]

That about fucking figures.

[19centconstable]

I do sympathize, Miss, but he wouldn't have been graduated if he didn't deserve to.

[made_a_choice]

And I'm sure to anyone else that might be more believable.

[19centconstable]

I do suppose so.

Private

[made_a_choice]

Did you tell him to talk to me?

You did, didn't you?

Private

[19centconstable]

We did discuss it...

Private

[made_a_choice]

And what made you think it was a good idea?

Private

[19centconstable]

Because you deserved to know the truth, miss.

Private

[made_a_choice]

No, what I deserved was to be left alone.

I wasn't looking for answers.

Private

[19centconstable]

But surely you weren't looking to be lied to.

And suppose that you had heard it from someone else.

Private

[made_a_choice]

What part of 'I didn't need to know' do you not understand?

If it meant that I could get on with my job instead of reliving what happened to me every time I pass that bastard in person or on the network? Especially now that -- what? -- he's going to be a Warden? And I'm going to have to see him every day trying to "help" someone, after he "helped" me?

Yes, fucking lie to me!

Private

[19centconstable]

But it would have come out, miss. That's what the truth does. And it should do. Lying is wrong, and it oughtn't to be encouraged, particularly by us.

I won't speak for him, but I do truly believe he isn't that man anymore. Perhaps you can at least take some consolation in the fact that you have helped to save a man's soul from eternal damnation?

Private

[made_a_choice]

You haven't heard a word I've said, have you?

Private

[19centconstable]

I'm afraid that I have.

Private

[made_a_choice]

Then you're just as bad as he is.

Do me a favor and walk away if you see me around the ship. I don't need you or him fucking up my job here any more than you already have.

Private

[19centconstable]

I'll do my best not to upset you further, miss, but I do have as much right to be anywhere as you do.

I wish you the best of luck with everything of course.

Private

[made_a_choice]

You can keep your well-wishes. I've already experienced what your good intentions do firsthand.