Case 2: Getting to Know P / Closed-ish to Philip and Shotaro

[tanteiotaku]

Shotaro's first night in jail wasn't a good one. Whether he was awake or asleep, all he could think about was the Boss and if only he'd just listened to him. They might still be in prison, or hell, the Boss could be in here with them. But he'd be alive. That would be the most important part of it.

When the announcement woke him up the next morning, he felt like just rolling over again and sleeping in. But his mind went to Philip next door. He didn't know what was going through that kid's head, but he at least wasn't alone.

He pushed himself up out of bed, and took a minute or two to make himself presentable. Appearances were important for a detective on the rise, after all. He still was sore about his missing hat, but he would fix that before too long. And that masquerade thing sounded interesting enough. Or maybe superheroes? The shop would probably have clues for that little mystery. And he had a tip box to check.

He left his cell, and headed next door to Philip's. He leaned against the wall and knocked on his door. "Good morning, Neighbor. Wanna go for a walk with me?"

Comments

[tanteiotaku]

"There could be lots of kinds. Usually around a theme. Historical eras, superheroes, places around the world, things like that." He was holding out for the 20's in the US, himself. Personal biases aside, though, this should be fun regardless.

[decideformyself]

"Ah, that makes sense." Not that Philip had any idea what sort would be most appropriate for a New Year's party. "I'll have to read up on this so as to be fully prepared when the time comes!" And he instantly turned to start walking in the direction of the library.

[tanteiotaku]

Shotaro reached out and caught him by whatever bit of clothing he could get hold of. "Wait! You're investigating with me, remember?"

[decideformyself]

But his research...

"Then tell me everything you know about costume parties," Philip insisted.

[tanteiotaku]

"Later, later," Shotaro told him, and made his way into the shop. Sadly, it didn't appear that the costumes had made it into the shop yet. But this was his first opportunity to really look around.

[decideformyself]

This would not do at all. Maybe he would learn something in the shop, though?

Well... not so much. There weren't any costumes, so instead Philip busied himself by examining items of actual clothing. Fashion sure was interesting. He'd seen other inmates around the prison wearing things besides the jumpsuits and thought it might be interesting to try out for himself, but there was the slight problem of CP.

Sorry, Shotaro, he's totally engrossed in this dorky striped shirt he picked off a rack.

[tanteiotaku]

"Ah, well," he was a little disappointed he'd been wrong, but spending this time with Philip hadn't made it a waste.

He quickly found a fedora, and set to meticulously getting his hair to come out from under it in just the right way. He caught a look at Philip behind him in the mirror. He spun around and plopped it on Philip's head. "It works for you."

[decideformyself]

Philip was too caught up in examining the clothing to notice Shotaro until it was too late. He looked up in surprise, ran a hand along the brim of the hat, and turned to look in the mirror.

So clearly the correct thing to do here was to examine his hatted head from every angle. Hmmm. It didn't look half-bad -- not that he'd really know the difference.

[tanteiotaku]

He let him get a look, and plucked it of of him again. "But, you have to earn it. It's not Windscale, though..." He put it back on his own head.

He frowned a little. He really shouldn't buy it, considering the circumstances. He looked at himself at the mirror a bit longer, and finally put it back on the shelf. He had some work to do first.

"Hey, Philip. I think the first thing you need to learn is who you were named for. It should be in the library if this place has any taste at all."

[decideformyself]

Good. A very logical decision, Shotaro. Philip doesn't really get the appeal -- it looks nice, sure, but how in the world is that worth the CP? (One day he will understand. One day.)

"'A man who solves everything through his decisions'." That's what Sokichi Narumi had said, anyway. "I would like that. Who exactly is this person, Shotaro?"

[tanteiotaku]

"Philip Marlowe. The Long Goodbye. The most hard-boiled detective ever put to paper." Well, he was bound to find out that the hard-boiled detective wasn't actually a thing in this day and age eventually.

[decideformyself]

"Ah. Fiction?" Time to head to the library. Even though Philip already has as many books checked out as he's allowed. "What exactly does 'hard-boiled' mean in this context?" Being literally boiled in water wouldn't be something to brag about, so it must be a metaphor.

[tanteiotaku]

"A nearly impenetrable hard exterior that's tough to crack. And even if you did, it's still firm on the inside."

He headed for the library with Philip. "But you'll have to read for yourself to get the full impact."

[decideformyself]

His brow furrowed in confusion. He supposed he could see how that sort of description would apply to somebody like Sokichi Narumi, though.

"Yes, of course." That could be his research subject for the day while he was working in the library. He could probably finish the entire thing during his shift, negating the need to check it out. "It seems only right to find out what he meant..." Although thinking on the subject of Sokichi Narumi was a bit uncomfortable for some reason. The man had died right in front of him, and honestly, it was partly his fault.

There were feelings Philip wasn't used to happening.

[tanteiotaku]

Shotaro strode into the library and started scanning the labels on various shelves until he found the section he was looking for. "Chandler... Chandler..." he muttered to himself, running a finger along spines.

After another moment or two, he plucked a book off the shelf. "There. That's all you'll need right there to get it."

you gave philip a book. thread over.

[decideformyself]

Following along behind Shotaro, Philip watched curiously as he scanned the shelves. He accepted the book and instantly flipped it open to the first page. "We'll see," was his only response.

Not even a thank you. He's in the zone.

Re: you gave philip a book. thread over.

[tanteiotaku]

He just looked at him for a moment as he started into the book. He smirked a bit, patted him on the shoulder, and took his leave. "See you later," he said, even if the comment wasn't likely to be noticed.