-Puts the tape on-

Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea.

No offense to you two, but you stand out quite a bit.

What do you reckon, Dirk?

Dia's Dusty Discussion With Computers

Dia searched away on Norm's computer, contentment showed on her face at first, slowly but surely though faded away as she found jack and shit.

"Nothin' here nothin' there nothin' anywhere" Maxwell tapped at her left shouler with her left hand before sighing.

"Only production stu-wait, what's this? Bible verses? Really? Huh, might as well"

Machina entered the folder before she looked behind her to see what the fuss was about to find Koata crying, she blinked and poked her right cheek with her right forefinger, raising an eyebrow as she spoke with a confused voice.

"Did... Did somethin' happen while I wasn't lookin'? Arrrre you okay there man?"

-Franziska puts a hand on her hips-

Are we interrupting something important? I heard a scream...

Mall

-In time, the off-screen events that happened this day in the Mall Food court would be spoken of in fearful legend; hushed whispers among the staff-

-El Voraz, it would come to be known: The unstoppable force of culinary destruction that tore through their hallowed halls, and consumed and consumed until naught was left but empty bowls and paper plates. The sight would haunt the nightmares of the few who bore witness to it until the day they died.-

-Anyway, Luffy is walking past the Phone Repair Shoppe, finishing a chili dog with a mess of food stains on his face, when he notices his Cop Compatriots within-

...Mm?

-He strolls on in with a curious grin, and slaps Franziska on the back-

Heyyy, Granny! What's goin' on, catch the Killer yet?

—! -nearly falls over, clutching her teddy bear-

Fool-! Do not startle me in such a fashion!

...?

-Luffy peeks down from her irritated face at her Teddy-

...Eh? What's that, a doll?

-it's a little white lion dude...-

This is Junior Prosecutor Lowe. I purchased him at 'Build-A-Bear' Workshop.

-makes the teddy wave at luffy-

....?...

-He stares curiously at the lion Teddy-

-then looks up at Fran-

....

-snrt-

.................

What.

-that ice-cold look ...-

-He glances to the left with a cheeky look on his face, still snickering-

Nothin', nothin'!

Curio Rouge

...Well—... I might stick out a bit, yes, but—... but someone has to see what's inside, yes? And I... Ahhh, I've been dead weight for this entire investigation, I really wish to help...

(Why is someone so sensitive and naive even on the FB—...)

(camera pans to Aichi... brief cutaway to Koata)

(...oh.)

Norm's Room

(oh man the texts are all from his friends and family too OH NO... the last one was a "Cher Bordeaux" wishing him goodnight and telling him she loves him and is "excitey" about breakfast tomorrow.)

…

(Mr. Katrakis looks very slightly saddened by Koata's sudden turn of emotions and reaches into his coat pocket, producing a little packet of tissues.)

...Mm. It will be alright.

...Ahh... The kid's just a bit taken by it, eh...?

(Logan looks to Dia, chewing his lip a bit.)

...Never got used to that part, honestly. Seein' the last traces of... y'know, letters, emails, hearin' recordings of the final calls to the families, when that shit comes up... Always hurts, eh? Always a real bitch, and all ya can do is either cry it out like our little trooper here or go have a stiff drink later on...

(Slowly shakes his head, beginning to take out and light up a cigarette before Katrakis stops him with a disapproving finger-waggle.)

...Ghh, right... Why couldn't you have gotten a smokin' room, Norm...?

(As for the folder marked "Bible Verses"... what lies within... is HORRIFIC, absolutely appalling, why it's—)

(...cutesy pinup art of muscular grey alien men and women in 80s jogging attire. hm.)

Wal-Mart Uber

(The driver nods, letting Reed and Gesicht into his nondescript little car.)

(WHERE TO...?!)

Mall — Breen's Office

...Er... No offence, sir, but I'm not exactly seein' what's fishy about this foota— MOTHER OF PEARL—!

(Just about has his jaw drop right off his old Clancy Brown face when he sees it.)

(Breen goes pale with fright.)

HOLY SHIT—! What—... How... This— this is unaltered...?! No signs of tampering with the equipment...?

(Both old fucks are bewildered...)

...So... Okay... What do y' think it is, then...?

Mall — Phone Repair

(Cher stops just short of grandpa-hugging Kintobor to gawp at Franziska and this chili dog-monger.)

...Oh, uh—... It's—... it's kind of hard to explain, ma'am, but—

(JUST THEN, a small thunder of footsteps echo outside of the phone repair, and two stern-looking women in a distinctive uniform◊ storm in.)

Agent Von Karma, you must come with us immediately.

(this gal... she don't sound happy...)

-blinks in surprise, holding her lion tight-

You... what is the meaning of this?!

....?

-Luffy looks over at the Three Cops, blinking in surprise and taking another bite of his 'dawg-

...Who're theshe guys? Friendsh of yoursh?

Mall — Phone Repair Store

(The ruthless she-cops get on either side of Franz, one of them taking a judgmental glance at the cutesy little lion plush.)

You were given strict orders not to terrorize these uncivilized barbarians they call "Texans" nor the FBI operatives with your bullwhip.

You may be a prodigy in your field, Von Karma, and the Organization has indulged you a good deal...

(Firmly nudges her forward.)

But this... This we cannot permit. You will withdraw your involvement from this case at once and speak to the Secretary General once we arrive back in Germany.

-Shotaro just decides to find something to lean against at the moment, not finding anything particularly interesting to check out while he's here-

Well... guess we've just gotta kill time until we can talk to him alone. He claimed yesterday he went out for dinner with his coworker and the victim, then they all went their separate ways. We could probe him deeper on his alibi later.

-bristles, looking at the two of them with eyes growing wide-

... -she nods, curtly, saying nothing-

That fool, Norman Jayden... Curse him!

... -she points at Luffy-

You. You shall be my instrument of vengeance.

Whatever else you do... destroy the fool known as Norman Jayden.

-He watches this unfold, and looks at her as she points at him-

....Who?

It's just—he's had so much to live for and everything...

-take that tissue and wipe those tears away laddeh-

-and yet he keeps looking, for something relevant to the case-

...-

You know. The detective. With the annoying accent. And the glasses.

....Oh, him!

Didn't you whip him a bunch?

I whipped a lot of people. A lot of people indeed...

-he's pickin' his nose nonchalantly-

Well, it's your own fault for gettin' caught then, innit?

.......

-whips Luffy-

Be quiet! Fool that you are...

Wildlife Center

(if it's okie i'll wait for badge before moving this one, yeh?)

Mall — Phone Repair

(FIRMLY GRASPS Von Karma's wrist, yanking the whip away.)

It is truly a miracle, Von Karma, that the Secretary General did not immediately court-martial you for this behavior. Come, it is a long drive to that squalid little incestuous hell they call "Dallas-Fort Worth Airport" in that maligned blight-spot upon this already sordid nation that is North Texas. It will be the purgatory of your atonement for your most gross and heinous of whip-related misdeeds...

(They begin to walk her out of the store.)

Ah, Franziska, remember me...! We did not know each other for but an afternoon, yet my heart is so woven to yours. Take care, you beautiful creature, and be brave~!

(Claudia tosses Franziska a silken kerchief with the word "CLAUDIA" monogrammed on it... it smells like weed.)

Norm's Room

...Ah, little guy. They always do right before the nasty killer gets 'em, eh? Or the drug-violence cuts 'em down, or their vengeful ex comes back with a hatchet or—... Sorry, uh. The important thing, y'know...

(Steps closer to Koata, resting his grubby mustelid-like hand on the boy's shoulder. He has some big yaoi hands for being such a short little guy.)

...The important thing is that there's guys like us in the world. Guys that bring these assholes who kill bright and promising souls like Norm to justice. I still... Shit, I never wanted to be a fed, eh? But that's who I am now, and I think it's shit like this that keeps me from walkin' out and goin' to live under a bridge and subsist on corn whiskey or somethin'. We're gonna make this right for that guy.

(sadly, Norm's phone doesn't have much else of interest within it... It was worth a look, but it's more or less just a sad memento to who he once was now.)