Susato Mikotoba (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
booksleeves) wrote2021-10-11 09:23 pm
booksleeves) wrote2021-10-11 09:23 pm
memshare 7: the unspeakable story
Musical Cue: Local Prison - Rhapsody in Gloom and Ryunosuke Naruhodo - Objection!
Video: 8:16 to 11:21, 20:59 to 23:53, and 6:10 to 16:47.
You arrive at a prison cell, damp and unpleasant. Naruhodo and Iris have accompanied you to visit the cell where your friend Gina has been imprisoned for the crime of murder. No matter what anyone has said, Gina has refused to talk about what happened, or to agree to allow Mr. Naruhodo to represent her in court. She insists she will be fine on her own.
Your heart is heavy, as you know you must leave soon, and Gina is still in terrible danger. But you want to try, somehow, to fix this before you go.
Though not all the dialogue is audible, you can make out enough of what's happening.
"You can come as many times as you like, but I ain't got nuffin' more to say to you," Gina says, not able to meet your eyes.
"Gina, I wonder if you might hear me out?" you ask quietly. "I'm sorry to say that I must reluctantly bid you farewell. Tomorrow, I must begin my journey back home. To Japan. I fear we may never meet again." Gina seems startled by this, though she is trying to pretend it doesn't matter. You smile. "I have had the pleasure of meeting so many lovely people here in London. I have so many wonderful memories. And yet, as things stand now, it will be a glum parting indeed. Poor Iris is so miserable."
You glance over to the young girl, with tears in her eyes, knowing it is sure to tug at Gina's heartstrings, too.
"Well. . . that ain't my business," Gina insists stubbornly.
"Both Iris and Mr. Naruhodo believe you to be innocent, Gina. They've put their faith in you. But somehow. . . you can't find it in your heart to put your faith in them."
"Yeah!" Gina shouts. "That's right, I can't! Wot of it?"
"It grieves me greatly to have to say goodbye to my friends when they are so clearly unhappy. . . " you expression is stern as you turn to her, ". . . because of you."
"Wot? It's my fault?" Gina protests.
"Yes," you say simply. "So I have one final request, Gina, before our paths never cross again. Right here and now. . . I want you to show both of them that you don't deserve the faith they've invested in you. Only by doing that will you really be as alone as you claim to be."
Naruhodo, Iris, and Gina are all shocked by your blunt words.
"You've claimed that everyone lies," you scold her, "so prove it! By admitting to one of your own untruths! You must tell Iris and Mr. Naruhodo the truth now. That is my last request before I leave."
Iris, tearing up, points out that Gina had once claimed to have told them unforgivable lies - what about that? Gina clutches her coat to her chest, unable to meet their eyes, miserable, as she protests that she can't possibly talk about it.
The rest of the conversation is muffled, but it's possible to make out enough. Gina admits she has been hiding the truth behind the case where she met Naruhodo, Iris and Susato. In that case, Naruhodo represented a man named McGilded who was accused of murder. Gina was a witness in the case whose testimony helped prove McGilded's innocence. But now, Gina admits the truth - that she had witnessed McGilded talking to the victim alone that night, and when discovered, he threatened her and paid her off into agreeing to lie about what she saw. Afraid of what a wealthy man like McGilded could do to her, Gina helped him get away when accused of murder -- and therefore had been complicit in causing Naruhodo to unknowingly use false evidence in court.
"I bet yer ready to string me up, eh?" Gina asks, after explaining the whole story. She admits McGilded threatened she'd make it so she and the other street urchins couldn't live in the East End anymore. He knew enough about the slums and made enough money that he'd be able to throw them out. "But I'm for it now! Go on, admit it! You must be livid!"
"Well, you can make amends for it by doing me a simple favor," Naruhodo says. "Sign the representation papers for tomorrow's trial. If you don't actually want me to represent you, you can rip them up later, but we need them to investigate. You see, Mr. Sholmes was shot, and we want to investigate the scene."
Gina worries whether Mr. Sholmes will be alright, and quickly agrees to sign the paper. You are distracted with many different worries, but when prompted hand it over to her. "But I don't need nobody to stick up for me or nuffin'" she adds stubbornly.
You leave to investigate, and return to the prison later that day. Gina admits, when shown evidence, that she was only at the crime scene because she wanted to find out whether Sholmes had told Iris the truth about one of the stories she'd written. Gina says she never had a father, but also knew Iris wrote her stories as a way to feel closer to her own father, who had gone far away. They're not only stories about the great detective Herlock Sholmes, but rather stories about Sholmes and his trusty partner - Iris' father. So Gina wanted to help Iris learn what had happened to her manuscript.
"You're so thoughtful and kind, Ginny," Iris says.
"And we never thought any differently," you add.
"Give it a rest, will ya?" Gina shouts. "I 'ate all this chummy nonsense! I don't trust no one, right? That's 'ow I work! 'cause if you don't trust no one, no one can let ya down! So leave me alone!"
While she's shouting, Naruhodo notices stains on Gina's coat, the coat she received from McGilded the night of the murder. Iris uses an invention that can test for the presence of blood, and they make a startling discovery - the coat is covered in blood, proving once and for all that he had committed the crime.
Naruhodo is distressed by this, admitting that he's known for some time his client was likely guilty, but he had tried to believe in him anyway, because believing in your client is a defense attorney's greatest weapon. He learned this lesson from his dear friend, Kazuma.
You feel sorrow well up when you think about Kazuma-sama, but Gina says "Cor, you in the Empire o' Japan all must be soft! Look at the mess it's got ya into, believin' in people. Well. . . at least you've learnt your lesson now, eh? Believin' in people's never worth it. Someone always stabs you in the back in the end, soon as you let down yer guard."
"Gina, may I ask you something?" you ask. "What would you like us to do with these representation papers for tomorrow's trial?"
"Rip 'em up and chuck 'em away," Gina says stubbornly. "I bet that's what 'e wants now, Mr. I'm-a-Believer lawyer over there. Don't forget it was me in that trial two months ago, I led everyone up the garden path. And you're tellin' me you can believe in me after that? Not likely."
"Gina," Naruhodo says, gently. "Please allow me to represent you in tomorrow's trial. You've not once admitted to committing the crime, and I believe that you're telling the truth."
"Why would you ever trust me now? I just don't get it!" Gina exclaims.
"Gina," you say. "I do understand why you choose not to put your trust in others. But I assure you, there is more to this life than you yet realise. The world we live in. . . is full of people who you would do very well to trust." You smile. "People who won't ever let you down."
"It's true I'm just an inexperienced student," Naruhodo says, "but I can promise you this. Until my very last breath, I am completely on your side!"
Gina can't answer, only wipes tears from her eyes, looking away.
"So it's decided," you say, smiling. "I will take these representation papers and carry out preparations for your trial tomorrow."
Video: 8:16 to 11:21, 20:59 to 23:53, and 6:10 to 16:47.
You arrive at a prison cell, damp and unpleasant. Naruhodo and Iris have accompanied you to visit the cell where your friend Gina has been imprisoned for the crime of murder. No matter what anyone has said, Gina has refused to talk about what happened, or to agree to allow Mr. Naruhodo to represent her in court. She insists she will be fine on her own.
Your heart is heavy, as you know you must leave soon, and Gina is still in terrible danger. But you want to try, somehow, to fix this before you go.
Though not all the dialogue is audible, you can make out enough of what's happening.
"You can come as many times as you like, but I ain't got nuffin' more to say to you," Gina says, not able to meet your eyes.
"Gina, I wonder if you might hear me out?" you ask quietly. "I'm sorry to say that I must reluctantly bid you farewell. Tomorrow, I must begin my journey back home. To Japan. I fear we may never meet again." Gina seems startled by this, though she is trying to pretend it doesn't matter. You smile. "I have had the pleasure of meeting so many lovely people here in London. I have so many wonderful memories. And yet, as things stand now, it will be a glum parting indeed. Poor Iris is so miserable."
You glance over to the young girl, with tears in her eyes, knowing it is sure to tug at Gina's heartstrings, too.
"Well. . . that ain't my business," Gina insists stubbornly.
"Both Iris and Mr. Naruhodo believe you to be innocent, Gina. They've put their faith in you. But somehow. . . you can't find it in your heart to put your faith in them."
"Yeah!" Gina shouts. "That's right, I can't! Wot of it?"
"It grieves me greatly to have to say goodbye to my friends when they are so clearly unhappy. . . " you expression is stern as you turn to her, ". . . because of you."
"Wot? It's my fault?" Gina protests.
"Yes," you say simply. "So I have one final request, Gina, before our paths never cross again. Right here and now. . . I want you to show both of them that you don't deserve the faith they've invested in you. Only by doing that will you really be as alone as you claim to be."
Naruhodo, Iris, and Gina are all shocked by your blunt words.
"You've claimed that everyone lies," you scold her, "so prove it! By admitting to one of your own untruths! You must tell Iris and Mr. Naruhodo the truth now. That is my last request before I leave."
Iris, tearing up, points out that Gina had once claimed to have told them unforgivable lies - what about that? Gina clutches her coat to her chest, unable to meet their eyes, miserable, as she protests that she can't possibly talk about it.
The rest of the conversation is muffled, but it's possible to make out enough. Gina admits she has been hiding the truth behind the case where she met Naruhodo, Iris and Susato. In that case, Naruhodo represented a man named McGilded who was accused of murder. Gina was a witness in the case whose testimony helped prove McGilded's innocence. But now, Gina admits the truth - that she had witnessed McGilded talking to the victim alone that night, and when discovered, he threatened her and paid her off into agreeing to lie about what she saw. Afraid of what a wealthy man like McGilded could do to her, Gina helped him get away when accused of murder -- and therefore had been complicit in causing Naruhodo to unknowingly use false evidence in court.
"I bet yer ready to string me up, eh?" Gina asks, after explaining the whole story. She admits McGilded threatened she'd make it so she and the other street urchins couldn't live in the East End anymore. He knew enough about the slums and made enough money that he'd be able to throw them out. "But I'm for it now! Go on, admit it! You must be livid!"
"Well, you can make amends for it by doing me a simple favor," Naruhodo says. "Sign the representation papers for tomorrow's trial. If you don't actually want me to represent you, you can rip them up later, but we need them to investigate. You see, Mr. Sholmes was shot, and we want to investigate the scene."
Gina worries whether Mr. Sholmes will be alright, and quickly agrees to sign the paper. You are distracted with many different worries, but when prompted hand it over to her. "But I don't need nobody to stick up for me or nuffin'" she adds stubbornly.
You leave to investigate, and return to the prison later that day. Gina admits, when shown evidence, that she was only at the crime scene because she wanted to find out whether Sholmes had told Iris the truth about one of the stories she'd written. Gina says she never had a father, but also knew Iris wrote her stories as a way to feel closer to her own father, who had gone far away. They're not only stories about the great detective Herlock Sholmes, but rather stories about Sholmes and his trusty partner - Iris' father. So Gina wanted to help Iris learn what had happened to her manuscript.
"You're so thoughtful and kind, Ginny," Iris says.
"And we never thought any differently," you add.
"Give it a rest, will ya?" Gina shouts. "I 'ate all this chummy nonsense! I don't trust no one, right? That's 'ow I work! 'cause if you don't trust no one, no one can let ya down! So leave me alone!"
While she's shouting, Naruhodo notices stains on Gina's coat, the coat she received from McGilded the night of the murder. Iris uses an invention that can test for the presence of blood, and they make a startling discovery - the coat is covered in blood, proving once and for all that he had committed the crime.
Naruhodo is distressed by this, admitting that he's known for some time his client was likely guilty, but he had tried to believe in him anyway, because believing in your client is a defense attorney's greatest weapon. He learned this lesson from his dear friend, Kazuma.
You feel sorrow well up when you think about Kazuma-sama, but Gina says "Cor, you in the Empire o' Japan all must be soft! Look at the mess it's got ya into, believin' in people. Well. . . at least you've learnt your lesson now, eh? Believin' in people's never worth it. Someone always stabs you in the back in the end, soon as you let down yer guard."
"Gina, may I ask you something?" you ask. "What would you like us to do with these representation papers for tomorrow's trial?"
"Rip 'em up and chuck 'em away," Gina says stubbornly. "I bet that's what 'e wants now, Mr. I'm-a-Believer lawyer over there. Don't forget it was me in that trial two months ago, I led everyone up the garden path. And you're tellin' me you can believe in me after that? Not likely."
"Gina," Naruhodo says, gently. "Please allow me to represent you in tomorrow's trial. You've not once admitted to committing the crime, and I believe that you're telling the truth."
"Why would you ever trust me now? I just don't get it!" Gina exclaims.
"Gina," you say. "I do understand why you choose not to put your trust in others. But I assure you, there is more to this life than you yet realise. The world we live in. . . is full of people who you would do very well to trust." You smile. "People who won't ever let you down."
"It's true I'm just an inexperienced student," Naruhodo says, "but I can promise you this. Until my very last breath, I am completely on your side!"
Gina can't answer, only wipes tears from her eyes, looking away.
"So it's decided," you say, smiling. "I will take these representation papers and carry out preparations for your trial tomorrow."