Timeline - Day 44
L died in the ghost event at the very end of Day 43, but woke up feeling just fine. At least, that's what he's telling himself.
First Shift: Keman and Indiana Jones: Keman marvels at L's remarkably lifelike appearance, and Indy introduces himself.
Second Shift: Shower: L's shower is short. He ruminates on not-being-dead and thinks about the peculiar "public privacy" that sometimes happens in situations involving communal nudity.
Second Shift: Tony Stark: Scant time for conversation. Woe!
Third Shift: Klavier: L meets a prosecutor over an unappealing salad. Topics discussed: how people are abducted before being brought to the Institute (impossible scenarios), the ghost event the previous night.
Fourth Shift: Lunge: Team Lars catches up in the Arts and Crafts Room.
Dinner: Gale: Gale is hiatused for this shift, alas, so L's mun cheats and does a quick post that all takes place before Gale gets back to the room. L is given some vegetarian food, thinks about his day (not productive enough for him), and ruminates on his plan to look for his patient file.
Night Shift:
M21-M30 Hallway - L ruminates on the last two intercom announcements of the day ( Dusk and Beginning of Night), his first experience of Landel's usual presence there. He notes that Landel has chosen bulletin board censorship rather than using the information against the patients, then wonders if it's possible that the Head Doctor suffers from some kind of dual personality (day and night personas). More information is needed. He pushes aside his lingering trauma from the previous night and briefly fantasizes about revenge.
M-A Block Hallway - ... but only a moment later, comes to the conclusion that he doesn't yet have a chance. An attempt to confront Landel would only result in his own injury or sedation, both of which would be a waste of time.
West Wing, South Hall 1-A - L looks for the previous night's visual disturbances and doesn't see them. He wonders about Landel's remarks about upgrading security both in terms of the staff and in terms of technology. This leads him to consider what kind of security system the Institute might have; he puts aside as impractical an idea to find its power source and disrupt it. More trauma over his "death" begins to surface; he thinks of it as torture. Also, his "performance" theory makes another appearance -- how much "evidence" can he believe? Little can be taken at face value.
Main Hallway, 1-West - L runs into Indiana Jones, an interesting acquaintance from earlier that day. His impression was generally positive. Because their conversation was disrupted by the end of the meal, and because L is intensely curious about the ruined town near the Institute, he strikes up a conversation. They agree to team up to go to the patient file room, the file storage room, and the morgue (safety in numbers, L thinks, and an opportunity to see more of the building). L also asks Indy why some of the people around the Institute wear different clothing at night.
Main Hallway, 1-Center - Conversation about clothing continues, and they reach the Entry Room.
Entry Room - L theorizes that the clothing is a random attempt to cause tension between patients. As they prepare to break the lock on the File Room door, Kroenen awakens and readies his attack. L and Indy get into the File Room as quickly as possible. Indy has to do most of the more physical stuff.
File Room 1 - Indy knocks over a cabinet to block the door, they find their files, and L has the idea to use the file drawers as shields.
Entry Room - They rush past Kroenen and out of the room. Kroenen throws a small knife, which is mostly deflected, but scrapes L along his right calf as he gets out of the room.
Main Hallway 1-Center, Main Hallway 1-East, Stairwell by Waiting Room/Lobby 2 - Down the hall and up the nearest set of stairs, as L's leg bleeds.
Main Hallway, 2-East - They pause to check out L's leg, which isn't too bad. Indy bandages it.
- Does Indy have anthropological observations about Landel's? (L thinks his opinion might be valuable partly because of his academic credentials.)
- L thinks his original "petty control or torture" theory is too limited.
- Indy has been around for about a week.
- Carefully-selected targets are brought in across time and dimensions.
- Overarching psych or bio experiment? L is less interested in what than in why, for the time being.
- Ditches file drawer here.
East Wing, Hall A (2nd Floor) - Preparing to enter File Storage; Indy warns of possible bugs. L decides to go into the file room anyway.
- Are some of their experiences smoke and mirrors, meant to keep them too busy to effectively investigate what's really going on?
Main File Storage - They look through some files.
- Dates have been blacked out, so there's no good evidence of a possible purge of patients (the bodies in the town's ruins).
- Were "reasons for discharge" related to visitors?
- L skims the "Daniel Laurier" file and finds it annoying.
- Indy's visitor was his father and their interaction mirrored the contents of Indy's file.
- L helps find the file for "Harry Lucas, Sr."
- Indy points out that the doctors' offices have working computers which might give L more info, "if you can use a computer," which tips L off to two possibilities: either Indy can't use them himself, or it's common for people at Landel's to lack the ability. Or both.
- L -- who accepts the temporal anomalies because he has no other choice (Matt, etc) -- realizes that his assumptions about the world will have to be questioned if he is to be successful in figuring out what's happening at Landel's.
East Wing, Hall A (2nd Floor) - Quick pass-through; L's leg itches.
Main Hall, 2-East - L figures out that the file he found was Indy's "father's" file and that it was not Indy's initial reason for visiting the file room.
Main Hall, 2-Center - L is zealous in his desire to point his flashlight into all dark corners, just in case. Indy isn't quite sure about why his father doesn't have a full patient file; possibilities are discussed.
Main Hall, 2-West - Indy gets annoyed with L's flashlight-fu. L is exasperated and wonders where one finds respectful subordinates these days, then forces himself to come to terms with the fact that Indy has to be treated as an equal, and explains that he's guarding against surprise attacks. He also tones down the business with the flashlight.
West Wing, South Hall 2-B - L continues the conversation.
- Is there any reason why anyone in power at Landel's would be interested in Henry Jones, Sr.'s specialties (medieval studies, grail lore)?
- Why would Indy interest them more? Treasure hunting? Indy doesn't know.
- L points out that rational explanations have to be eliminated before he can give much consideration to supernatural ones, and that he's interested in Indy's broader experience of stuff around the Institute.
West Wing, North Hall 2-B - Conversation continues.
- L has a rare flash of amusement at the idea that the imprisoned patients are there for any purpose other than "to be controlled."
- So, what is the reason why anyone is brought there?
- Randomness (in selection of patients) would depend on the nature of the mechanism used to bring them to the Institute.
- What does this mean to him in terms of the Kira case? Will it kill him, save him, something else?
- He feels like the Institute is already eroding his identity, from "detective" to "rebellious patient."
- Indy rejects "supernatural" explanations for events.
- Has Indy's treasure hunting been successful?
- In response to Indy's request for more info about L, in terms of figuring out why L might have been brought there....
Morgue - ... L admits that "Ryuuzaki" is an alias and that the nature of his work makes it necessary to conceal his identity, then says, "Later," because they've reached the morgue. It's occupied by Heiji Hattori and Kudoh Shinichi (of Detective Conan/Case Closed fame). They are checking out a body in a drawer, someone who ostensibly died in Doyleton, and being cagey and defensive about it. L hassles them while Indy checks out the room.
- Heiji recognizes L from "about two weeks ago." L has never met Heiji. Indy is suspicious and L is confused.
- L admits to himself that the possibility of having been there before in some way, and not remembering it, has to exist.
- Upon introductions, L recognizes Heiji and Kudoh from the names and descriptions they left on the bulletin board earlier that day.
- LECTURE TIME. He calls them out on their "investigation" -- he's not impressed with their methods, which jeopardized them without actually making their investigation any more effective. He believes they should have involved some of the professionals around the place, like Lunge or Javert.
- They are resentful at the lecture, claim to be very effective investigators ("dozens of successful cases"), and claim to be able to handle themselves.
- L's initial analysis is that the two of them are self-aggrandizing, but when they begin to mouth off at him, they leave a larger clue: they're working for someone who wants them to keep the investigation secret. "Privately contracted" and "not authorized to consult anyone outside of the case."
- So, the question is, who has the clout to pull something like that? (Also, all the opinions: what's their agenda? From his point of view, there's something fishy about it.)
- Big clue: Why does Heiji have a katana?
- L decides that any attempt of his to use the two of them in the future will require them to think they're acting autonomously.
- Ultimately, he doesn't care enough to keep up the argument.
- Gets a scalpel and a pair of postmortem shears.
(Oh my god. Hugest summary ever.)
Bulletin Posts:
Posted:
Team Lars check-in (Lunge, 1st)
Replied:
Spidey's SC Apology (Spidey, Keman - not anonymous)
Harvey's Serious Inquiry (Harvey Dent and some heavy theorizing - anon)
Sakura's Death Map (added his location - anon)
Derrida (no reply, but he's following this with interest; doesn't like potential puns on "deconstructionism," given what he saw and experienced)
Shinichi's Investigation of Doyleton Murder (anon, pulled in by "detective," interested but not sure by how much -- a single murder is a minor case compared to the larger mystery of the place itself. while he might try to solve it if he were bored, he has other concerns, and does not necessarily want to stand out to the general population as "a hero." also relevant: later "Hattori" post discussing the body.)
Honey's Friendship Umbrellas (anon - while it's certainly convenient for L if everyone else wants to make public lists of all their relationships, it's still a bad idea overall. What is it with these kids and their total disregard for security?)
Fountain of Human Blood (anon - L harasses Teresa about identifying the fountain as human blood. Sure, it's blood, but why not the blood of any of dozens of other animals? How do patients "just know" it's human blood? This is in line with L's theory that the Institute's horrors involve a degree of showmanship. He wants to encourage other patients to think things through in a critical manner, even when the supernatural is a factor.)
Howl Asks After Ryuuzaki's Health (Not anon, third shift. I was going to put up a "Hey Howl, I'm still alive. Anyone seen Misa or Matt lately?" post between third and fourth shift -- GMTA! :D )
First Shift: Keman and Indiana Jones: Keman marvels at L's remarkably lifelike appearance, and Indy introduces himself.
Second Shift: Shower: L's shower is short. He ruminates on not-being-dead and thinks about the peculiar "public privacy" that sometimes happens in situations involving communal nudity.
Second Shift: Tony Stark: Scant time for conversation. Woe!
Third Shift: Klavier: L meets a prosecutor over an unappealing salad. Topics discussed: how people are abducted before being brought to the Institute (impossible scenarios), the ghost event the previous night.
Fourth Shift: Lunge: Team Lars catches up in the Arts and Crafts Room.
Dinner: Gale: Gale is hiatused for this shift, alas, so L's mun cheats and does a quick post that all takes place before Gale gets back to the room. L is given some vegetarian food, thinks about his day (not productive enough for him), and ruminates on his plan to look for his patient file.
Night Shift:
M21-M30 Hallway - L ruminates on the last two intercom announcements of the day ( Dusk and Beginning of Night), his first experience of Landel's usual presence there. He notes that Landel has chosen bulletin board censorship rather than using the information against the patients, then wonders if it's possible that the Head Doctor suffers from some kind of dual personality (day and night personas). More information is needed. He pushes aside his lingering trauma from the previous night and briefly fantasizes about revenge.
M-A Block Hallway - ... but only a moment later, comes to the conclusion that he doesn't yet have a chance. An attempt to confront Landel would only result in his own injury or sedation, both of which would be a waste of time.
West Wing, South Hall 1-A - L looks for the previous night's visual disturbances and doesn't see them. He wonders about Landel's remarks about upgrading security both in terms of the staff and in terms of technology. This leads him to consider what kind of security system the Institute might have; he puts aside as impractical an idea to find its power source and disrupt it. More trauma over his "death" begins to surface; he thinks of it as torture. Also, his "performance" theory makes another appearance -- how much "evidence" can he believe? Little can be taken at face value.
Main Hallway, 1-West - L runs into Indiana Jones, an interesting acquaintance from earlier that day. His impression was generally positive. Because their conversation was disrupted by the end of the meal, and because L is intensely curious about the ruined town near the Institute, he strikes up a conversation. They agree to team up to go to the patient file room, the file storage room, and the morgue (safety in numbers, L thinks, and an opportunity to see more of the building). L also asks Indy why some of the people around the Institute wear different clothing at night.
Main Hallway, 1-Center - Conversation about clothing continues, and they reach the Entry Room.
Entry Room - L theorizes that the clothing is a random attempt to cause tension between patients. As they prepare to break the lock on the File Room door, Kroenen awakens and readies his attack. L and Indy get into the File Room as quickly as possible. Indy has to do most of the more physical stuff.
File Room 1 - Indy knocks over a cabinet to block the door, they find their files, and L has the idea to use the file drawers as shields.
Entry Room - They rush past Kroenen and out of the room. Kroenen throws a small knife, which is mostly deflected, but scrapes L along his right calf as he gets out of the room.
Main Hallway 1-Center, Main Hallway 1-East, Stairwell by Waiting Room/Lobby 2 - Down the hall and up the nearest set of stairs, as L's leg bleeds.
Main Hallway, 2-East - They pause to check out L's leg, which isn't too bad. Indy bandages it.
- Does Indy have anthropological observations about Landel's? (L thinks his opinion might be valuable partly because of his academic credentials.)
- L thinks his original "petty control or torture" theory is too limited.
- Indy has been around for about a week.
- Carefully-selected targets are brought in across time and dimensions.
- Overarching psych or bio experiment? L is less interested in what than in why, for the time being.
- Ditches file drawer here.
East Wing, Hall A (2nd Floor) - Preparing to enter File Storage; Indy warns of possible bugs. L decides to go into the file room anyway.
- Are some of their experiences smoke and mirrors, meant to keep them too busy to effectively investigate what's really going on?
Main File Storage - They look through some files.
- Dates have been blacked out, so there's no good evidence of a possible purge of patients (the bodies in the town's ruins).
- Were "reasons for discharge" related to visitors?
- L skims the "Daniel Laurier" file and finds it annoying.
- Indy's visitor was his father and their interaction mirrored the contents of Indy's file.
- L helps find the file for "Harry Lucas, Sr."
- Indy points out that the doctors' offices have working computers which might give L more info, "if you can use a computer," which tips L off to two possibilities: either Indy can't use them himself, or it's common for people at Landel's to lack the ability. Or both.
- L -- who accepts the temporal anomalies because he has no other choice (Matt, etc) -- realizes that his assumptions about the world will have to be questioned if he is to be successful in figuring out what's happening at Landel's.
East Wing, Hall A (2nd Floor) - Quick pass-through; L's leg itches.
Main Hall, 2-East - L figures out that the file he found was Indy's "father's" file and that it was not Indy's initial reason for visiting the file room.
Main Hall, 2-Center - L is zealous in his desire to point his flashlight into all dark corners, just in case. Indy isn't quite sure about why his father doesn't have a full patient file; possibilities are discussed.
Main Hall, 2-West - Indy gets annoyed with L's flashlight-fu. L is exasperated and wonders where one finds respectful subordinates these days, then forces himself to come to terms with the fact that Indy has to be treated as an equal, and explains that he's guarding against surprise attacks. He also tones down the business with the flashlight.
West Wing, South Hall 2-B - L continues the conversation.
- Is there any reason why anyone in power at Landel's would be interested in Henry Jones, Sr.'s specialties (medieval studies, grail lore)?
- Why would Indy interest them more? Treasure hunting? Indy doesn't know.
- L points out that rational explanations have to be eliminated before he can give much consideration to supernatural ones, and that he's interested in Indy's broader experience of stuff around the Institute.
West Wing, North Hall 2-B - Conversation continues.
- L has a rare flash of amusement at the idea that the imprisoned patients are there for any purpose other than "to be controlled."
- So, what is the reason why anyone is brought there?
- Randomness (in selection of patients) would depend on the nature of the mechanism used to bring them to the Institute.
- What does this mean to him in terms of the Kira case? Will it kill him, save him, something else?
- He feels like the Institute is already eroding his identity, from "detective" to "rebellious patient."
- Indy rejects "supernatural" explanations for events.
- Has Indy's treasure hunting been successful?
- In response to Indy's request for more info about L, in terms of figuring out why L might have been brought there....
Morgue - ... L admits that "Ryuuzaki" is an alias and that the nature of his work makes it necessary to conceal his identity, then says, "Later," because they've reached the morgue. It's occupied by Heiji Hattori and Kudoh Shinichi (of Detective Conan/Case Closed fame). They are checking out a body in a drawer, someone who ostensibly died in Doyleton, and being cagey and defensive about it. L hassles them while Indy checks out the room.
- Heiji recognizes L from "about two weeks ago." L has never met Heiji. Indy is suspicious and L is confused.
- L admits to himself that the possibility of having been there before in some way, and not remembering it, has to exist.
- Upon introductions, L recognizes Heiji and Kudoh from the names and descriptions they left on the bulletin board earlier that day.
- LECTURE TIME. He calls them out on their "investigation" -- he's not impressed with their methods, which jeopardized them without actually making their investigation any more effective. He believes they should have involved some of the professionals around the place, like Lunge or Javert.
- They are resentful at the lecture, claim to be very effective investigators ("dozens of successful cases"), and claim to be able to handle themselves.
- L's initial analysis is that the two of them are self-aggrandizing, but when they begin to mouth off at him, they leave a larger clue: they're working for someone who wants them to keep the investigation secret. "Privately contracted" and "not authorized to consult anyone outside of the case."
- So, the question is, who has the clout to pull something like that? (Also, all the opinions: what's their agenda? From his point of view, there's something fishy about it.)
- Big clue: Why does Heiji have a katana?
- L decides that any attempt of his to use the two of them in the future will require them to think they're acting autonomously.
- Ultimately, he doesn't care enough to keep up the argument.
- Gets a scalpel and a pair of postmortem shears.
(Oh my god. Hugest summary ever.)
Bulletin Posts:
Posted:
Team Lars check-in (Lunge, 1st)
Replied:
Spidey's SC Apology (Spidey, Keman - not anonymous)
Harvey's Serious Inquiry (Harvey Dent and some heavy theorizing - anon)
Sakura's Death Map (added his location - anon)
Derrida (no reply, but he's following this with interest; doesn't like potential puns on "deconstructionism," given what he saw and experienced)
Shinichi's Investigation of Doyleton Murder (anon, pulled in by "detective," interested but not sure by how much -- a single murder is a minor case compared to the larger mystery of the place itself. while he might try to solve it if he were bored, he has other concerns, and does not necessarily want to stand out to the general population as "a hero." also relevant: later "Hattori" post discussing the body.)
Honey's Friendship Umbrellas (anon - while it's certainly convenient for L if everyone else wants to make public lists of all their relationships, it's still a bad idea overall. What is it with these kids and their total disregard for security?)
Fountain of Human Blood (anon - L harasses Teresa about identifying the fountain as human blood. Sure, it's blood, but why not the blood of any of dozens of other animals? How do patients "just know" it's human blood? This is in line with L's theory that the Institute's horrors involve a degree of showmanship. He wants to encourage other patients to think things through in a critical manner, even when the supernatural is a factor.)
Howl Asks After Ryuuzaki's Health (Not anon, third shift. I was going to put up a "Hey Howl, I'm still alive. Anyone seen Misa or Matt lately?" post between third and fourth shift -- GMTA! :D )