Case #8: Video

[19centconstable]

[George is COMPLETELY DRESSED. So dressed. He also looks slightly pink and wrinkly, like he's spent too long in the bathtub.]

I've been in the tub.

[For two days, apparently. And still so unclean. His hair is also not parted and slicked down as usual, and is currently making a sort of wild, fluffy, dark halo around his face. The ends curl a bit. George's hair may eat combs. George is too sulky to do anything about it. This flood has tested even his unwavering positivity.]

I want to apologize for...

...

...everything.

[A curt nod, and the camera is switched off.]

...

[Then switched back on again.]

I would just like to say, also, just so you know, that I am never...unclothed, not even underneath my clothes.

...I'm getting back in the tub.

[The camera is switched off.]

...

[Aaaaaaand switched on again. He's here, he might as well. George clears his throat.]

Who...does...the art?

Comments

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

Yes, but you can't call a man who it's not illegal for a criminal for doing it. The explosions, I'll give you.

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I can certainly call him a pervert.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

That, you certainly can do.

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

A blooming giant pervert.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

But I know you're not one. That's what really counts, doesn't it?

[paaaaaaaaaause]

He, uh, didn't, um, do it with anyone whilst you were him, did he?

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I don't believe he did.

And I'm going to go on not believing it, even if it turns out I'm wrong.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

Good plan. I'm glad you were spared that, at least.

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I'd rather to have been like you, and have gotten spared not being here at all, Sergeant.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

...I'm not sure I was spared, really. That one's... complicated.

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Well nobody can say you've dressed up as a bear.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

Well, no. He might not have looked like me, or had my name, but he was like me in other ways. Bear nonwithstanding.

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I don't think he was like you at all.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

Perhaps not in personality. But...

Well, he had the bear suit. I had Punch.

[He knows this is making no sense, but there's only so much a Howie can take at once.]

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Punch?

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

As in Punch and Judy Punch. Fool, and king for the day.

That was my stupid costume.

[pause]

Much more symbolic than a bear, now I think about it.

[sorry, more weird allusions without an answer.]

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Why were you dressed up at all?

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

Same reason he was. We were... undercover in a pagan ritual.

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Ah! That's a good reason, then.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

There's usually a good reason behind a stupid costume.

Unless you are the pagans in the ritual.

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Well they're doing a ritual, aren't they?

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

Mm. [someone sounds unenthused.]

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

And it's not a proper ritual if you're not wearing an outfit.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

Because we all have to wear costumes to murder. It's the done thing.

[can you hear the bitter?]

Re: private

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Rituals aren't strictly about murder, now.

Re: private

[kingfor-aday.livejournal.com]

They still were in 1973.

And, by the looks of things, 2006.

Maybe I just got the wrong sort of ritual.