❧ I shot the sheriff! - Act 2

[luministimods]

[every CAT device in town activates just in time to hear the thunk of something large hitting the ground. the shop shown on the broadcast may be somewhat familiar to some. the butcher's shop is a wooden building, full of exposed wooden panelling, and though the CAT is broadcasting in the back room, a doorway can be glimpsed over the transmission that leads into the shop proper--a bit of the front window and part of the counter is visible through the open door.]

[but what really stands out about this transmission is Sheriff Iussus, standing in the back of the room, in uniform this time. he has one hand on the door of the meat freezer and the other holding his gun. he finishes opening the freezer door and--]

Aw, shit on shingle...

[from this angle, it's difficult to see details, except for a pair of frosted legs sticking out from within. the sheriff starts heading in but the video feed cuts out just before any more of the body can be seen. the CATs continue to broadcast through audio only]

Guess we found someone who didn't like your sausage... All right, you know the drill. Perimeter first and let's make sure we keep the civilians away this time? Nobody else has to fucking see this. And you! Quit lazing about and put a call in to Ern--Resarci. My god, what are we paying you for, anyway? And no, I don't care what he's working on, he's coming here right now. And tell him I want every single insignificant fucking clue he thinks he can find on this body in a file in my hands yesterday! You got that?

[the muffled voices of the deputies aren't quite clear, but whatever they say, it's clearly in agreement and involves a chorus of "Yes sir"'s before the sounds of their footsteps grow faint, replaced with the clicking sounds from a camera.]

Good. Now, are we sure it wasn't one of the residents? I don't quite understand this new program of Cal's, but I bet it didn't involve any kind of security check. I--oh, look, I already know what you're gonna say. And I want to know, if it's not them, then who hell else could it be!? There's no fucking protocol for this! It's not supposed to be--

[abruptly, the CAT feed cuts out, going silent. about 15 seconds later, it returns]

-ou'd better get out of here. I don't want those people or anyone else near here. If even one person gets in or if I hear a single gasp in alarm, your ass is grass, deputy. Do you understand?! I don't know what sort of ship Teger was running around here, but you've all become lazy and complacent! And that's going to--[Sheriff Iussus falls silent again and the transmission cuts again, giving off a loud hiss of static. only it comes back a moment later once more.] Oh, this damn thing! It'd figure he'd give me a fucking broken one. There can't be any signal interference when nobody's--

[the transmission cuts out completely, this time. but several seconds later, a new transmission begins. the Sheriff's voice is, thankfully, a bit fainter now, but he seems unaware that the CAT is on again and transmitting] Oh would you--that's no way a fine cut of beef should be treated...


[ooc: Please feel free to talk and interact with the Sheriff!]

Comments

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[guess who's back in action? that's right, this guy] Oi, Sheriff! I could get you your clues yesterday if you got me my TARDIS. [which is probably not going to happen, but hey, it's worth a shot :|b]

[luministimods]

What the hell, who--aw fuck me.

[there's a sound of the CAT device being picked up, as well as someone clearing his throat]

Sir, I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about. What exactly is a TARDIS?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

My ship! My time ship, specifically. TARDIS stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space. Only I haven't got her here, and I can't seem to leave, which is a big problem.

[luministimods]

[there's a pause before he speaks]

If you arrived here in a ship, then I'd think you should be able find it. Unfortunately, I don't see how a lost ship is a bigger problem than two dead bodies.

Actually, was this matter reported to the Sheriff's office?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

I didn't arrive here with it, that's the whole point! If I could leave this stupid town and find it, fixing this mess would be much easier.

But since that's obviously not gonna happen, I'll have to find your clues the normal way. And speaking of clues, there's a reason you can't see that phone booth.

[luministimods]

Well, I'm sorry to hear you've been separated from it. Had you reported your lost property to our office sooner, my predecessor just might have been able to set Deputy Drew on the task, but until we've found our suspect, we'll have to keep a search for your "TARDIS" on the back burner.

[he let's out a soft groan] Again with the phone booth... [somewhat impatiently] Yes, what exactly do you think there is for seeing a phantom phone booth?

not late at all, really >>

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

Stupid ape. It's not...oh never mind. You can't see it 'cause it's got some sort of cloaking technology covering it up. Sort of like a perception filter, but not quite. Can't tell exactly what it is, actually.

[luministimods]

[a slight pause] Tell you what, why don't you come down to the station in a couple days. I should have a bit of time by then to talk. And I do want to hear more about this perception thing you mentioned.

You'll know when I do have the time. For now, have a good day.

[cuts the transmission]