cop_an_attitude | 01 | [Voice/Action]

[For a moment, nothing happens. The camera is focused on a patch of grass. There are rustling sounds and a woman's voice mutters indistinguishably to herself, and eventually the journal is righted so that the camera focuses on Sally's face. There is a leaf in her hair. She does not look happy.]

Right, I think I've worked out what this thing does, and I just want to say that if this is someone's idea of a joke, I'm not laughing. See this? [She lifts up a police badge containing her ID.] This is a police badge. It's my police badge, yeah? It says I'm Sergeant Sally Donovan of London PD, which means that when I find out who's responsible for this, for...this [She gestures down the length of her body, at the dress that isn't hers] and for this [She turns the journal to take in the unfamiliar surroundings] and I don't even know how to start about this [She jerks her thumb over her shoulder at the pair of dark brown wings that definitely aren't supposed to be there] that person or persons are in a world of trouble.

My advice to you, whoever you are, is to come forward immediately. That's less trouble on my part and a lighter sentence for you, so it's in everyone's best interest. Do not make me find you.

[Sally fumes silently for a moment, and when she decides her point has been made, the recording ends.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You're from London too? [Any misgivings evaporate at the prospect.] I thought you must be, from your voice. Before my time...?

1945, where I'm from.

...Oh, come off it.

Perfectly serious.

But that's not possible, unless you're talking about...well, you don't sound like an old man.

...But then, I suppose I should stop thinking about what is and isn't possible.

Only thirty-eight.

Right. And you're really from 1945? Just because I'm ready to believe anything at this point doesn't mean I'm ready to have a laugh about this.

I am. [He doesn't dare give his job. Too possible that it could be connected with who he really is.]

...Right. Well, assuming I believe you...who are you, then? Are you an officer too?

Left MI-5 for another job just before I was brought here, actually.

MI-5? Really? [Sally's suitably impressed, if still a little skeptical.] And you left? What for?

I was... [a soft sigh] tired. Very tired. [Burnt out.]

...Happens to the best of us, mate.

I'd been in it, in some way or another, since just after university. A few tasks... got to me. Add the war onto that...

It was time to leave.

I maintained most of the friendships I forged there.

That's good, then.

The war...

God, this place is mad.

They tried to call it "the War to End All Wars."

Optimistic. And stupid.

Optimism usually is.

Better that there are still some optimists in the world, though. [A faint chuckle.] Just pessimists would make for a depressing place.

There's a difference between a pessimist and a realist, you know. But I guess ignorance is bliss for some people.

Sometimes it's better for them if they don't know everything.

I guess you would say that, Mr. MI-5.

Job didn't help that, no. But I've always... I've got a friend. Sometimes... things happen that it's... best if he doesn't know everything about them.

Oh. [She regrets the teasing tone, now.] Yeah, it's...it's hard to bring work home to someone you care about in...some cases.

Work, personal life. All of it. [He chuckles again, perfectly at ease.] Sometimes it helps to have a few secrets.

Mm. I usually date guys on the force; fewer secrets, similar schedules. But it's probably true when they say you can't help who you fall in love with.

[audio]

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