Part 72: Getting Framed

Music: Overstepped Memory


Oh boy. Time to meet Dylan again.

Knock



Have you got a moment?

Music: Ace of Diamonds
Sure, what can I help you with?
Could you lend me your magnifying glass?
My what?
You know, the thing you use to check precious stones. I heard you got one.
Well you heard right, I've got one, but...
Why would you want to borrow it?



I want to check out a jewel

I want to check out a jewel.





Yeah.
Forgive me, but that sounds a little odd coming from you.
What would you be doing with a jewel?



I'm looking after one for Betty

I'm looking after one for Betty.
She wants me to see whether the stone is a genuine diamond or not.



I'm sure we all know where this is going.

I've got one alright...
But you do know that simply using one of these won't answer all your questions.
Are you serious?
Very.
That's not what I was hoping to hear.
Tell you what, why don't you let me take a look? I'm pretty sure that if it's a real diamond, I'll be able to tell.
I don't know...
Don't worry about secrecy, I won't tell Betty a thing.
You can let her know the result yourself and she'll still think you checked it.
That's not a bad idea.
Okay, I'll leave it to you.
It's going to be in good hands.
Now, let me take a look at the ring in question.
Here you go. *gives the ring*



Mr Hyde...
Is something wrong, Dylan?

Okay, if you could just wait for a little while...
I'll check out the jewel now.
Right now?

Dylan finishes talking and takes the ring into his room.

Music: Overstepped Memory
We can't go anywhere else right now, so we'll just knock Dylan's door again.



Knock There's no reply from inside the room.

Dylan!
Hey, Dylan! Open up!
(What the hell's taking him so long?)
Dylan!

*footsteps*







I'm getting a déjà vu here.

Music: Blue Lady
Oh, it's you.
May I ask what you're doing?
I've got some business to take care of with Dylan, but he refuses to come out.
Maybe he's not in.
No, he's there. I just spoke to him before he went inside.
I know he's still in there.
Then perhaps he no longer wishes to speak to you.
Surely he'd answer if he did.
I don't know what you and he talked about, but perhaps you should try again later.
I can't do that.
Just leave me alone, will you!



You're really quite rude, Mr Hyde.



Suddenly, the door to room 304 opens.



Music: Ace of Diamonds
Mr Raver, you're going to want to see this!
Huh?
What is it, Dylan?
It was Mr Hyde...
What about him?
He stole it!

Um...

What did he steal, Dylan?



Music stops


What the fuck, Dylan!?

Is this true, Mr Hyde?
It's all a big misunderstanding.
There's no misunderstanding here!
And there's no use trying to deny it, either. I guarantee you this is the ring that rightfully belongs to Marie. I'd recognise that ring anywhere! I've seen it enought times!
The ring's Marie's, I'll give you that...
So you admit it!
I never thought you were that kind of person, Mr Hyde!

Music: Joke's On You
Pitiful.
I appreciate you used to be a detective, but that doesn't mean you can break the law.
I'm not a thief!
You're a real disappointment, Mr Hyde.
I never imagined you were that kind of person.
I told you, you've got it all wrong. This is a mistake!
Give it a rest, will you! We're not interested in your excuses!



You lousy thief!

Music: Dream's End
(How'd it get to this? Reduced to talking a punch from Dylan, of all people...)





I should've known better than to let that busybody in on it.




Tony: 7
Dylan: 5
Frank: 3
Mags: 2
Charles: 2
Rex: 1
Marie: 1
Betty: 1
Sidney: 1
Punch: 6

Yep. This one can be seen coming from a mile away.

Music: Ace of Diamonds


Well, it is Christmas soon!

Well, it is Christmas soon!
That's true, but...
I bought a ring as a present for somebody.
And I'd like to check the condition before I give it to them.
Yes, I can see why you're keen now.
I've got one alright...
but, do you know how to assess the quality of jewels, Mr Hyde?
Of course I do!



Crystals and stuff?

Yep. Please don't think about how Kyle never even mentioned about your collection the few times we go into his room.

I never had you pegged as that kind of person, Mr Hyde.
Well, you know.
I had a magnifying glass of my own a while back, but I lost it.
That's a shame.
Anyway, Betty told me.
She mentioned that you were into this kind of stuff and I figured I'd ask.
She got that right.
I just can't get over the fact that you're a fellow enthusiast, Mr Hyde!
This has made my day!
Glad to hear it, Dylan.

Well that's nice and all, but let's see what other lie Kyle can come up with.



I want to check out a crystal

I want to check out a crystal.
Huh?
What would you be doing with a crystal?
You know me, I'm full of surprises.
Let's just say I have certain interests.
Well, I must say, I had no idea.
I've kept it to myself.
I thought I'd mention it to you as I heard you're a fellow collector.
That's right, I'm really into crystals.
How did you get into it?
It's a long story.
It began during my time in Manhattan. I had some time on my hands and decided to take a trip to the natural history museum.
Really?



I'd give anything to take a trip there one day.
You really know your stuff.
Glad someone's finally noticed.

Both choices converge here.

Please come in, Mr Hyde.
We can talk more inside.
Sure.