PRISON BLACKOUT

[weeabird]

[One of the many important safety features of the LA County Maximum Security Prison is that when the electricity goes off, all of the doors lock down.]

[It doesn't usually last more than a few hours.]

Comments

[thefaceofjustice]

[It's one of those typical earthquake-followed-by-blackouts that sets the stage for the usual Ace Attorney murder. But that's not the case this time. There's just a detective in a cell with the inmate he was going over autopsy reports with, on one of those chilly dark Los Angeles nights.]

[The Phantom doesn't even flinch when the ground rumbles, though he does throw up his hands in exaggerated surprise. Terrestrial forces of nature don't scare him. But that moonlight coming in through the bars as the only light source bothers him a little.]

Looks like the lights were knocked out. Prosecutor Blackquill, are you okay?

[weeabird]

Of course I am. I'm not the one trapped in a small, dark room with a madman.

[Simon cackles darkly.]

[thefaceofjustice]

What do you mean trapped? Just because the power went out--

....Oh. [Right. Electronic locks.]

[Hang on. Stuffing the autopsy report back into the court record and then taking out his visitor band to try it on the door anyway. ...Nope.]

[weeabird]

Inconvenient, but it's for the best. Can you imagine if there were a fire? Why, if they could open the doors then they'd have to let us all out.

[thefaceofjustice]

[Simon's sarcasm gets no response. Bobby is quietly gripping the cell door bars, arms tense and trembling with the useless effort to pry them. There's not much expression on his face, except his eyes are a little wide.]

[weeabird]

[Pauses for a moment to watch him.]

...Afraid of the dark, Fool Bright?

[thefaceofjustice]

Huh?

[Snaps out of it. Or into it? But his hands are still clenched on the bars.]

Like you said, what if there were a fire? It wouldn't be very just if I couldn't carry you out of here to safety!

[weeabird]

...It is not my legs that are shackled...

[thefaceofjustice]

[Pouts while looking out through the bars.]

I think the guard on tonight's shift clocked out early. I don't see anyone patrolling.

[weeabird]

They tend to be slightly more responsible than that. More likely he's trapped in a workroom or some other closed-off location. For his sake, let's hope he's alone.

By the way, do you happen to have a flashlight?

[thefaceofjustice]

[Finally gives up pulling on the bars and backs off until he's next to Simon's bed.]

...A flashlight? Nope. [Fishes through his holster until he pulls out a lighter and flicks the flame on.] But I have one of these.

[weeabird]

Aren't all officers meant to have department-issued flashlights?

[Holds his hand out for the lighter, though. Pls give a source of flame to this death row inmate.]

[thefaceofjustice]

[Passes it while it's still lit.]

Handle it carefully! I wouldn't want you to get burned.

[Or to discover that the emblem is a button.]

[weeabird]

Bah, I'm not a child.

[As Simon is allowed to work on cases, he is also allowed to have a small metal trash bin to dispose of unnecessary paperwork. He pulls it to the center of the cell and sets its contents on fire before offering the lighter back to Fool Bright.]

There we are. A cheery little bonfire to chase away your blues.

[thefaceofjustice]

[Really, Blackquill.]

I guess it is pretty cold in here...

[Sits down on the edge of the bed, watching the bars instead of the fire.]

[weeabird]

Enjoy it while you can. Like so many of us in here, it will soon burn out and disappear.

[Takes his own seat on the bed, as far as he can away from Fulbright, which is to say not far at all. It's a small bed.]

[thefaceofjustice]

That's alright. I'm sure the power will come back on and let me out soon.

[Just ignore the drop of sweat going down his neck. He's fiiiiine.]

Then I can start my nightly hero of justice patrols and let you get your rest!

[weeabird]

Last time it was out all night. The warden reasoned that since we were already all snug in our cots, there was really no reason to spare the expense of turning on the backup generator.

[thefaceofjustice]

Oh.

[Well then.]

...So this is what being locked in death row is like.

[weeabird]

To an extent. One would normally be by oneself, after all.

[thefaceofjustice]

That's true. Well, not being alone, it seems that you have me for much longer than usual if you need anything! We could work on your rehabilitation, or go through the autopsy reports again...

[weeabird]

Perhaps we should err on the side of not igniting crucial pieces of evidence.

[thefaceofjustice]

Then that leaves rehabilitation. Want to talk about your feelings?

[weeabird]

No.

[thefaceofjustice]

Hmm... not sure how to interpret that.

[weeabird]

Have you not heard the word "no" before? It's one of the most basic and fundamental words of the English language.

[thefaceofjustice]

But why reject it so quickly? Is something troubling you deep down?

[weeabird]

Hmph. Even if there were, there is no purpose in giving words to the troubles of a walking dead man.

[thefaceofjustice]

Don't give up hope, Prosecutor Blackquill! I still believe in you. If you have troubles, let justice take care of them!

[weeabird]

[Irritably shifting in place.]

That's your answer for everything.