Riddle 012: What'cha gonna do when they come for you?

[questionauthority]

[Edward just stares at his letter, still blown away, before picking up the phone.]

[Filtered from Grady/Drones/Etc.]

Well, it appears I've finally been given a job once again. To anyone who's had the pleasure of being one of my students, I'm sorry to say I will not be returning to my teaching position.

However, I, Edward Nigma, will be serving... under this town's police force. An unexpected choice for a new vocation, to be sure. Though considering my status as a private investigator back home, not entirely unsurprising. Hopefully, this will serve to aid my ongoing investigation of this town's secrets.

[Filter to Harley/Joker]

...well. This certainly changes up our plans.

Comments

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

W-wait! Did you say the police?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I did, Crowe. Certainly a far cry from the English lectures you're used to.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Indeed. But... police? Really? There's never been any other police officers in Mayfield besides Grady, right? This is... this is suspicious, don't you think? I'm guessing it was given to you without your consent, too.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Of course it was. Alhough I've not met Grady personally, I've heard enough horror stories about him to be just a little on edge.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

He's... quite powerful, honestly. But I'm sure you'll be careful. Are you the only new officer, or are there others?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

At this point, I only know of two other officers that have "joined the ranks," so to speak. One of them I know well enough. The other, I'm unfamiliar with, although I have assurances that he's a decent man.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I see. I wonder what Grady's plan is. I'd never think something like this would happen.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Nor I. Undoubtedly he's planning something sinister. The only thing to do now is to lay low and wait until Sunday. That's when my, ah, training begins.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Well good luck to you. Hopefully you can find some things about Mayfield, yeah?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Naturally, I will.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

The police?

[Riddler will be privy to the rare sight of a dumbfounded Susan. Enjoy.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Indeed, Susan. The police.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

That's absurd. Reject it. Claim sickness. Feign death.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

And lose the perfect opportunity to find out the secrets of Mayfield? From the inside? Clearly you don't give me enough credit.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

I highly doubt you'll find out anything from that madman except perhaps the appearance of your limbs when they're separated from your body.

[Is that . . . heavier breathing than normal? Perhaps she has firsthand experience.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Believe me, Susan, skirting around the authorities is nothing to---

[He notices her heavier breathing. But misunderstands it.]

Are you... actually worried about me?

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

Don't flatter yourself. I just ran from the kitchen the moment I heard what you said.

[Actually she is. But only marginally.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Trust me. I'll be absolutely fine.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

Well. Don't expect me to help when you're nothing more than a head rolling about on the ground.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

There'd be no need for your help in a scenario I don't see at all likely.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

[Susan rolls her eyes, turning away with a 'tch' and an unintelligible mutter -- 'that's what I thought'.]

Do as you like.

I suppose your chore load can be lightened when you begin work. The toilet's still yours to clean, though.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[He opens his mouth for a snappy retort, but immediately closes it upon hearing about his chores.]

Oh. Goodie. So thoughtful of you.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

My altruism surprises even me sometimes.

. . . What was it you did at home again?

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

You can spare me the humor, Susan.

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

Honestly. I can't remember.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Har har.

At least I'll be making an income now.

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

[Someone's a little sad....Red.]

Yeah, I guess it does.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...you don't sound like your usual chipper self.

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

Red's still droned.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...I'm sure Pamela will be just fine.

After all, you'd thought I was gone, didn't you?

[He doesn't quite say it as sensitively as he'd like, considering that he'd rather be anywhere BUT Mayfield at the moment, but you can tell that he's trying.]

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

Well yeah. But you're the only person who ever came back.

[Which is Harley speak for why she will be even more clingy.]

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Will her hugs become even more bone-crushing and painful?]

...well. If she is truly gone, then I suppose we should be happy that she made it back home.

["...and not me," he wants to bitterly add, but he holds back for Harley's sake.]

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

[Yes]

I guess. But we don't even know if she's back home. She could be trapped in there. Like that Smith lady!

[Becoming panicked.]

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

You're overthinking this. Calm down.

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

It's not fair! Everyone leaves.

I don't even know why I bother trying to make friends any more.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

That's a little bit of a selfish statement to make, wouldn't you say?

[Like he's one to talk.]

Everyone's trying to get home. Don't you want to get back to Gotham, too?

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

You try being stuck here for over a year and see how you like it.

[Sulk.]

Well yeah.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

This new job as an officer will undoubtedly be instrumental in planning out an escape. Grady's not somebody to trifle with. I know that. But you know as well as I do that I could run circles around Gordon, Bullock, and the rest of those shmucks in the GCPD. In due time, I'll figure out what happened to Pamela. I'll figure out why we're here. And I'll find a way for us to return home.

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

.......

Okay.


[Sighs]

Just tell me when you need my help.

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I will. And I'll be sure to share with you anything I find out while on duty.

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

Awesome!

[Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Training begins on Sunday; you can expect a full report then.

[Filtered]

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

Great!

Come over and I'll have Christmas cookies!

[She's getting better at cooking as well.]

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[While Eddie and Miss Susan are discussing things, Slugger studies the acceptance letter. He turns it over in his hands, squints at the paper, even brings it to his nose and sniffs.

Nothing but ordinary ink on ordinary paper. Mildly disappointed, he drops the letter onto the nearest counter top and stares at Eddie.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[After Eddie's done talking things over with Susan, he makes his way into the room with Slugger.]

I take it you've just read the letter?

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

No one's ever been inside that place.

[Slugger recalls a time when he went to the police station, placed a hand on its outer wall, and stood debating whether or not he should attempt a break in. Fear had prevented any further action.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Nobody that I'm aware of, anyway.

Needless to say... this is quite a terrifying opportunity.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

You should take it.

[Better you than him.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I'd be a fool not to.