Voicemail/Tip Box

[tanteiotaku]

Communicator Voicemail box

"You've just missed Shotaro Hidari. I'm probably fighting those that make the city cry. I'll get back to you as soon as I'm done."

Tip Box
The box is cardboard, mostly purple with some black bits. The top has a standup part on it that reads "Hidari Detective Agency". The message on it says: Need help? Know someone that does? See something weird you want someone to look into? Leave me a note here!

Comments

[decideformyself]

I should be writing these jokes down. You're brilliant, Shotaro. Here, let me make a footnote.

[unquestionable]

Who you should trust isn't something I'm here to tell you. I'm only asking what has you so convinced that you've found someone you can.

[tanteiotaku]

[He considers for a second. Getting his head back on straight was coming easier.] My instincts, I guess. And if I don't trust people first, then they're never going to trust me. And a detective people can't trust is worthless.

[tanteiotaku]

I guess I see too many making bad decisions in my line of work.

[unquestionable]

[ Ryu shook his head as if to hide that he nearly looked halfway impressed. ]

If it weren't so naive of an idea you'd almost sound admirable saying something like that.

[yokubo]

[ Even if it wasn't the same thing, he couldn't help but be reminded of Ankh. ]

What do you do when you run into people like that?

[tanteiotaku]

The people that just run instead of staying to help, I can't say I blame them. Not everyone can deal with a cornered Deadman.

As far as the people making trouble, I do what I need to to stop them. Sometimes people can't help it, and they've lost control of themselves. Then, it's a matter of keeping them from hurting anyone until they calm down.

[tanteiotaku]

[He shrugged. But it seemed to him that Terui might be cooling off from the hot rage he had when he first got here.] That's from the Boss.

[unquestionable]

[ It wasn't so much that he wasn't still angry but more that he was finding other places to direct it.

He nodded solemnly, knowing he should have expected Hidari repeat things from Sokichi Narumi. ]

I read a lot about him. [ He hesitated for a brief second before adding something else. ] Was he like everyone said he was?

[yokubo]

Doing that kind of thing must be really hard.

[tanteiotaku]

Depends on if you asked his clients or the guys he helped put away. [He put a small smirk on his face.] But yeah. The most hard-boiled detective that ever lived.

[tanteiotaku]

Sometimes it is. That's why it takes a hard-boiled detective to make those kinds of decisions.

[yokubo]

I really hope I can help people out like you do someday, Hidari-san.

[unquestionable]

I shouldn't have expected you to say anything else.

[ For some reason it almost made him crack a smile. Maybe because of how palpable his admiration for the man was.

As much as he hated to admit it to himself, it seemed like a foolish notion that he had believed for even a second that Hidari had been the one to kill him. ]

[tanteiotaku]

[How was it that Terui was making him feel better? Guess he was right to follow his gut on this guy.]

I'm going to get us all out of here, Terui. And I'm going to pick up where the boss left off at the Narumi Detective Agency. While, strictly speaking a private detective doesn't need help from the police, I feel like this time I could make an exception.

[unquestionable]

[ At that he gave the hint of a wry smile. ]

Are you sure your partner wouldn't have issues with that?

[ He wasn't about to say yes or no yet, though he had begun to wonder if cooperation between them would bring him closer to the finish line of his more personal goals. ]

[tanteiotaku]

[He shakes his head.] I don't think so. If he's holding a grudge about that punch you just have to let him sock you one back.

[unquestionable]

[ Ryu scoffed, though he did unfold his arms. ]

Unless there's something else you need, you should get some rest.

[ He took a step towards the door, but stopped short. ]

I'll consider your offer.

[tanteiotaku]

No, I think I'm okay for tonight.

[Just before he actually leaves.] Thanks, Terui.

[unquestionable]

[ He nodded at his thanks, exiting the cell. ]

[group text to the aibous]

[yokubo]

Are you two okay? Please let me know!

voice

[decideformyself]

Shotaro? I've been reading about ethics. Have you heard of the "runaway train dilemma"?

Re: voice

[tanteiotaku]

[Well, that couldn't be a bad thing for him, but what exactly is there that could be studied about ethics?]

No, what's that?

Re: voice

[decideformyself]

A train has lost control of its breaks. Three men happen to be sitting on the tracks, unaware of their impending doom. A railway operator has the ability to switch the train to another track, where it will collide with a single person.

Which is the ethical course of action: To change the train's course, saving three people but actively killing one, or to let it continue, passively allowing three people to die?

Re: voice

[tanteiotaku]

Isn't there a horn on the train?