[22] - Voice

[doctor_j_crane]

I have a specimen that I think has lived in a bucket for a little too long. I would like a proper enclosure for it. Admiral, it can be plastic if you don't think I can be trusted with glass. [Crane sounds thoroughly unimpressed by this. He's referring to a non poisonous huntsman spider, that appeared in a Rom Com cupboard with Eddie and himself.]

[Crane pauses before continuing.] I'm rather surprised that the murder in the garden was handled so well. Was it because the culprit was reasonably obvious or due to actual police work?

[Private - Rose]

The garden is less quiet than I would have expected. I trust that you weren't affected by the recent events?

[Private - Hayley]

I want to show you some instructions. I need to know if you're capable of performing them.

Comments

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

Just the touch-up your room needs.

Oh yes, you did. A rather sensitive one. My synapses tell me the intended message is 'vague irritation'.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I imagine that it should improve the atmosphere.

Edward, I'm hurt. Really. I ask genuine questions about your worldview, and your instant response is anger.

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

A painting of Teotihuacan would do about the same.

Avoid questioning my value of human life, or at least be straight forward about it, and I'll gladly exchange views with you.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

Yet wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.

In that case, I'll be straight forward. How much do you value human life?

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

I beg to differ.

Very highly. Only a fool would disregard the revolutionary changes that have come from the human race's will to live. If someone had killed Poe for being poor, or Salvador Dali for being unorthodox, where would we be?

We all have potential, and I'm not one to snub that out needlessly. Does that answer your question?

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

It does, to a greater or lesser extent. I also note that you haven't asked me the same question. Perhaps due to my similarities with my counterpart in your universe?

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

You experiment on people for a living. That doesn't exactly speak of respect for the average persons life.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

Technically speaking, my living was being a psychatrist and such experiments were a hobby that happened to stray into my work hours.

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

I hate to be the one to tell you this, Jonathan, but the technicalities don't make you sound any less sociopathic.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

Really? I never would have realized. Thank you, really, for enlightening me.

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

As always, you're welcome. Paper versions of that brief psychoanalysis are forthcoming.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I would be interested in seeing such a hypothetical report, if only to examine your laughable skills.

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

How embarrassing for you to have been figured out by an apparent 'novice'.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I doubt that you've 'figured' me out in any meaningful way.

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

You doubt wrong. If you've been trying to keep yourself surrounded in mystery this entire time, you've done a terrible job of it.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

There's a vast difference between knowing and understanding.

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

As I've managed to accomplish both, I'm very familiar with those differences.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

I sincerely doubt that you have. You've certainly achieved quite the ego.

[puzzleprince.livejournal.com]

Allow my well deserved ego to alleviate your doubts.

[doctor-j-crane.livejournal.com]

The well deserved aspect is rather debatable.