Day 50: Patient Library (3rd Shift)

[vstheworld]

Given a choice, as should have been implied by the whole "Free Choice Day" thing, Scott would have gone straight for the Game Room. Maybe it didn't have the greatest selection of games, but he was raring for another epic Tetris match with Indy or anyone else who cared to challenge him. Unfortunately for him, however, his nurse was already onto his line of thinking.

"Now Bryan, I know how much you love your games, but don't you think some more time away from them would be good for you?" the woman asked him in a soothing tone, gently taking his shoulder when he turned toward the Game Room.

"Uh, why would I think that?" he asked, blinking at her in honest confusion.

"Well, I know your family was worried about more than just your condition before you came here. They're hoping you can start to wean yourself down to a more healthy level of enjoyment with your games, too," the nurse explained with continuing gentleness.

"Yeah. And?" Scott raised an eyebrow. "It's Free Choice Day, isn't it? Don't I get to choose and stuff?"

"Of course, Bryan. But I'm still here to make suggestions, and I think you'd do well with a different activity today." The woman smiled at him, genuine care and concern in her expression. "You can always come here later in the week. It'll probably be more rewarding if you wait, too."

Scott was silent, considering the advice. He raised an index finger. "Well, I suppose... Uh, yeah no. Please to be going to the Game Room now, thanks."

The nurse frowned.

Five minutes of irritatingly gentle coaxing later, and Scott found himself in the patient library. "Stupid guilt tripping never even talked to my real mom and dad I bet I could be playing Tetris right now they don't even have any cool books in here..." he grumbled to himself under his breath as he lazily perused the shelves. He picked a book completely at random, The Oxford Book of English Verse. He was half-hoping that maybe pulling the book out would trigger something more exciting, like a secret item appearing, a bonus stage unlocking, or a new shortcut tunnel opening. But no, Landel's reality was boring as ever. "Maybe there'll be an awesome poem or something in here, at least," he told himself as he headed over to an empty seat with a short sigh.

[Unknowingly waiting for Sam]

Comments

[lawful_perfect]

While von Karma waited for "Gant" to give his testimony, he watched him tug and pull at that unruly lock of hair that the prosecutor had always nagged him to have snipped off. That hair style and associated habit of Gant's -- both were unfitting to one who held an esteemed leadership position in law enforcement! Yet as von Karma fixed his disapproving glare at the man's yanking upon that coarse white strand, it was all he could do to force himself to deny that this absolutely had to be the blasted Chief of Police instead of a very well trained actor. Little did he realize how mutual this sentiment was.

Finally, the buffoon quit playing with his hair and got right down to business. Just like Gant. von Karma had already known long ago just how canny his colleague could be... that the usual tomfoolery was little more than a garish veneer of farce overlaid upon a dark slab of cold granite. It was the only reason von Karma even tolerated Gant's presence for as long as he had. That, and of course, the decisive evidence the detective had quite the knack for "unearthing."

Hn. Just as expected. So far, there was nothing contradictory in Gant's testimony. The implicit accusation against that pesky defense lawyer was an excellent touch. However, also as expected, the statement was rather vague. "Hmph. This all sounds correct. However," he opened his eyes and once again met that piercing green gaze, "the details are lacking, Gant. You forgot to mention one very important thing." A sly glint emanated from his eyes, and one corner of his mouth quirked upwards.

"That late January date was precisely one month after the final day of State vs. Edgeworth: December 20, 2016."

[gargantuanlaugh.livejournal.com]

"Oh, details," Gant chuckled, waving his hand a bit, but something stopped him from totally denying his knowledge. Something was wrong with what Manny had said, and he never said anything he wasn't 100% sure of. Unless....!

"Oh, I know this one!" Gant clasped his hands together eagerly, his grin stretched to capacity. Manny had every reason to be suspicious of anyone here, heck, even Gant couldn't believe half the things he had seen, and it looked like for now he was still trying to verify what knowledge Gant had of the case. Okay, if he needed more proof, Gant would give it to him. "Precisely one month after December 20, 2016, that would be... January 20, 2017!"

Gant remained smiling for a moment, letting Manny think he had been duped. But then Gant became serious, almost reaching up to grip the nonexistent medallion clasp he usually had fastened to his tie. He really missed his suit. These rags really lacked in the presentation department. Well, at least it didn't retract anything from his winning personality. "But I think you've underestimated me, Manny. Worthy is no small name around the precinct. If he ever managed to get into trouble, I would know about it almost immediately. And I know he was accused for a murder that took place on December 25th, a murder that was later ruled to have actually taken place on December 24th. Therefore, it is impossible for the last date of his trial to have been on December 20, 2016."

"Really, Manny, who do you think I am? Even after death, I'm sure you would know better than to doubt little ol' me." The disarming smile returned, but his voice never faltered from his smug, commanding tone. His "chief's voice" the boys used to call it, not realizing he had ears everywhere that would report back just such talk. He shook his head, but his eyes remained sharp. "And speaking of which, tell me, why aren't you dead?"

There really was no running from it now. No one else could be Manfred von Karma, no one.