Case # 12: Video

[19centconstable]

[George is in his room. He looks slightly dazed and has a damp washcloth pressed against his head. There is a bruise blooming underneath it.]

I'm afraid I was...indisposed.

[George shuffles his feet and there is the sound of broken glass crunching.]

But I've managed to find my trousers now. Has something happened?

Comments

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I got nearly eaten by a plant.

Turns out that wasn't the worst thing that could happen. You alright?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Oh, come now. Plants haven't even got mouths.

I'm going to bruise.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

It's a yatevo. It ate my communicator.

...It could be worse.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

Then how are you speaking to me? Don't tell me it also excreted your communicator. I know plants don't do that.

At this point I don't believe things could be.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I borrowed Jane's and asked for a new one.

A bruise is just a bruise. Or is it something else?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I've failed in my duty.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

...which duty, specifically?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

A murder was done, practically under my nose.

I told the Sergeant that nothing would happen to her.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

And he told us the same, didn't he?

You can't always... do you know whether anyone who actually suffered blames you?

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I blame myself. I should never have gone to bed last night.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

You're allowed to sleep.

Nobody holds it against you, I'm sure, and neither should you. At least talk to them about it.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I certainly plan to apologize to them.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

You might want to see if you've got anything to apologise for.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I feel I do.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

You got knocked out. I wouldn't blame you.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I would blame anybody else, either. But I'm not anybody else; I'm me.

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm sure they'll accept your apology.

[19centconstable.livejournal.com]

I do appreciate you saying. I hope so.