batmanschmatman | 016 [audio]

So, don't get me wrong, I appreciate that there hasn't been much mass murder and mayhem since we got back from port. Aside from all this politics stuff that I'm not getting into - by personal choice, I trust the rest of you who are actually more involved with the situation to be able to sort it out - I think it's pretty safe to say things have been pretty quiet, all things considered.

And that's fine. Seriously, I'm definitely not complaining about the apparent lack of horrible crisis situations with dozens of people dying or anything like that. Heck, I've even been kind of enjoying having some time to take it easy, I guess.

But it's the excessive down time I really can't figure out what to do with. I mean, sure, it's nice to have some time to relax and hang out in CES or watch movies or whatever, but I'm used to always having something to do with myself. And I don't just mean helping out an inmate or something, like a tangible case or something to work on. People to interview, places to stake out, paper work to file... I was basically living from one difficult case or catastrophe to the next, and without that everything's felt kind of... weird, these last couple days. I guess somewhere between being a cop and coming here I forgot how to just be used to having some free time to kill.

Anyone got any suggestions on how to cope until the next catastrophe?

[Private to Steph]

Sorry I skipped out on lessons without warning you about it. You up for some more practice later tonight?

[Private to Hayley]

This doesn't change anything.

[ooc: So this is an audio because Dick broke his nose. And it's sort of a funny/embarrassing story, the bruises are still really colorful/noticeable, and therefore no video for you, Barge. Infirmary folk would know it happened twoish days ago in CES while sparring with Costigan, who broke/fractured one of his ribs. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. :| ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What do you mean, he's a radical?

I don't fuckin' know. I just mean he's a little intense about his beliefs.

Like, really literal interpretations of the Bible?

Yeah, I guess. Maybe.

You're gonna have to help me out, Costigan, I'm not as up on my religious credo as I could be.

I don't know, guy. I have a bad feeling about him, but I need the shit he's saying. He's right about the pain and the lust and all of it.

If you've got a bad feeling, I'd listen to it. Is there anyone else you can talk to about this sort of thing? What about Howie?

Howie's not a Cathoilc. And no, there's no one else.

So, what's he saying exactly about all of it?

That pain's part of life. That I need to earn what I have and I should turn to the Bible when I'm lustful. If you want to fuckin' read it, just ask.

I don't want to read it unless you want me to.

This might just be a result of my upbringing and years of dealing with crazy people? But I seriously think if you've got a bad feeling about this guy, don't tell him anything, not unless you've got a good reason to trust him. I know it's tough not having people to talk to who really get this kind of thing - believe me, I do - but just because I want someone to talk to about Gotham nightlife related stuff doesn't mean I'm going to open up to Nygma, you know? Why does it have to be someone who's a Catholic? Are you sure this guy even is?

I don't fuckin' care. [A transcript of this conversation is attached.]

You have your fucking brother on board, kid. Don't tell me about not having someone to talk to. No, I don't know if he is, but he knows enough about the Bible to be someone to talk to. None of this "say five Hail Marys" bullshit.

Edited 2011-02-04 19:26 (UTC)

Just because Tim's my brother doesn't mean we talk about stuff that's actually important.

I don't know man, I get a weird vibe from this guy. Anyone who's that religious, not a priest and an inmate kinda sets off a red flag for me. I've seen way too many extremist cult leaders murder people to just brush that off as a personality quirk.

... But as much as I hate to agree with him at all, he's got a point about the keeping busy thing. Maybe you should get a job? Might help kill a couple hours and give you something to focus on besides all this other stuff.

You could if you wanted to. That's my point. He's fuckin' family.

If I acted on bad feelings, I would've been dead years ago. I died when I didn't have one. If you want me to stay away from him, you talk to his warden and find out if why he's an inmate is relevant to his religion. Otherwise? I'm fuckin' goin' back to him.

I don't really have a lot of relevant skills and I'm not interested in learning.

That's not really how we do things. [Anymore.]

Okay, I'll let you know when I've talked with him.

If you're going to say you're tempted by stuff, and you don't want to be, you need to try taking some steps towards coming up with something else to do with yourself. You can't just expect things to get better if you aren't willing to put in the effort and try to make a change.

Your choice then.

Make it sooner than later.

Fuck you. I can distract myself without learning how to fucking garden.

It's complicated.

Sure.

No one's saying you have to garden. What about working in the gym or the engine room or something?

Complicated? He's your fuckin' brother. I'd kill to have someone like that here and you're wasting it. I hope he's fucking gone tomorrow so you can see how "complicated" all your bullshit really is.

..Who's in charge of them and what would I have to do?

Hey, believe me man, I try to get him to talk about stuff with me, but I'm from a while behind him in the timeline. He's... changed a lot in between when I left and where he's from. I won't bore you with the whole story unless you want me to, but seriously, I'd give anything for things to go back to normal.

Claire was looking for people to help out in the gym a while ago, I think Harper's one of the ones in charge of the engine room? In the gym, you'd be making sure the equipment's working and keeping an eye on people working out. I assume the engine room is more making sure everything's running smoothly, but I don't really spend a lot of time down there, so I wouldn't know exactly how things would work.

Have you tried talking to him?

Fine. Sign me up for the gym or what the fuck ever, but expect me to do some fighting.

Yeah. I don't think he really trusts me anymore.

Okay. But if you just start jumping people without warning, I might have to make good on my promise to teach you karate.

I'm sorry, guy. [~~Did you tell him you're no fuckin' cop?~~]

I don't plan on jumping anyone.

It's fine. Sometimes I don't really think he trusts anyone anymore.

Good.

I know the feeling.

I know.

Do you still feel that way?

private

lostundercover - 2011-02-05 05:34 (UTC) - Expand

batmanschmatman - 2011-02-05 05:34 (UTC) - Expand