Part 20: Episode Ten: Pimp my Protagonist!

Sonny, I cannot believe you just did that.

You were the one telling me she liked me and trying to build up my self-confidence!



I said she liked you, not that you should suck her face off in the goddamned prison.

I was caught up in the moment. Anyway, you're just jealous.

Sonny, the depth of your self delusion at this point is-



Wait, I remember this one. 187... is a murder victim?

Yeah.



And it's... someone you know?

Yeah, it's going to be. Damn it. I'll let them know we're on the way.



Sorry, Sonny. Who do you know who might b-

I don't want to think about it. I'll find out in five minutes anyway.



Two squad cars already. Must be bad.




Officer Steve Johnson greets you upon your arrival at Cotton Cove.



Arrested?

Yeah, arrested. Since you're the guy who booked him, we hope you can identify him.

Oh. Oh! Yes, I'll try. Let me see him.




I'm not sure. What do you think?

I can't see him real well. You're in the way. I think you know how you can be sure, though.

I guess that's true.


God, he reeks. Okay. I have to step away for a second here.



I'm not entirely sure how to feel about this.

I am. Someone was killed in my city. I'm going to find the killer and stop him.

But weren't you going to try to get this guy the death penalty anyway?

This is different.

How? He's just as dead either way. And this way there's no paperwork.

He's a mess from the river, but it was pretty obvious that he was shot in the head at close range. Do you know what the term "execution style" means?

Not... really, no.

They say it a lot on the news to make things sound scary. But this is what it means: the victim was murdered while incapacitated in some way, generally at close range.

I see.

Taselli ran from us straight to the people who were his friends, who he thought would protect him. They probably put him in a car and took him somewhere safe. And then they tied him up. Maybe roughed him up a bit to find out if he'd told us anything. And then they shot him and dumped his body in the river like it didn't even mean anything. That's not how this should be. Nobody will ever know his crimes now. There won't be any investigation. It was all done quietly, in the dark. But justice has to be done in the light, so everyone knows it really is justice. I would have shot him myself if I had to, but it's not my job or any one person's job to decide in cold blood that he has to die when he's incapacitated and harmless. That power belongs to the people, not some thugs in a sleazy back alley somewhere.

You've got a point. And I think we can hazard a guess who did this.

Who else but his old buddy from Chicago, Jesse Bains?

So he's the Death Angel.

I'd bet money on it.

So let's stop wasting our time here and nail his ass. Stop and cover that body back up first, though.




Thanks for calling me, Steve. See you later.

Take it easy, Sonny.



So why would he kill Taselli?

He's a liability. We know his face and his name and we have solid evidence on him. If we got our hands on Taselli again, we might be able to squeeze him into giving evidence on his partner. Much simpler to get rid of him and get new muscle.



But we already know about Bains and where he's holed up.

Sure. But Bains doesn't know that yet. I suspect that's why we're on an accelerated schedule for this one; we have to capitalize on that before he moves again.



I wonder why he needs Sweet Cheeks to establish your cover.

Guess we'll find out.




Valjeeeeeean, at laaaaaast, we seeee each other plain

...

It's set up like a confrontation in here, see.

...

It's called "The Confrontation"!

The joke failed. Just let it go.



So what's the plan, sir?



I have devised a plan to infiltrate the gambling scene at the Hotel Delphoria. Sonny, I want you to check into the Hotel under the name of Jimmy Lee Banksten. Meet Sweet Cheeks in the hotel cocktail lounge. Signal Sweet Cheeks that you're ready to begin the operation by ordering a drink. She'll pretend to recognize you as 'Whitey,' an old friend recently released from prison. She'll introduce you to bartender Woody Roberts, whom we believe is the contact man for the back room hustle. You'll be carrying a large sum of money (in marked bills, of course), and will pretend to be eager for action. Since Laura developed your disguise, I'll let her fill you in on its details.



Laura came up with it? Oh, this is going to be good.

Alright, hit me.

Sonny, I've picked out a white suit for you and, by the way, we've decided your hair must be bleached!

By the way... what? Wait, what's this about bleach?

You'll walk with the aid of this special cane. Its handle is really a detachable, .22-caliber magnum Derringer. When the need arises, you will carry a voice transmitter disguised as a plain-looking ballpoint pen. That's all I have. Sweet Cheeks, do you have anything to add?

Uh, I want to hear more about this bleach.

Shhh, Sonny. They're going to give you cool spy gear. Don't jinx this.



In an excited voice, Sweet Cheeks says, "Oh, Sonny, I'm so happy I get to work with you! Why, it almost brings a tear to my eye! I'm looking forward to spending tonight working with you at the Hotel Delphoria, my Precious!" She winks at you.

Guhh...

Amazing contribution, Sonny. You're earning that extra detective money now.

Sweet Cheeks, why don't you head on over to the hotel. Sonny will follow shortly.



Focus, Sonny.

Right.



Thanks for your help, Laura. That's all for now.



Later, boys. Don't have too much fun without me.



Sir, I really am not comfortable with this idea of bleaching my hair.

Sonny, we want to try to make you a bit less recognizable. You were just in the paper not too long ago. I don't want you getting shot.

Can't I just... wear some sunglasses or something? Something that won't take months to get rid of?

Well, maybe...



Sergeant?




It is my regretful duty to inform you that I've just received a phone call from Jack Cobb. His daughter, Kathy, just died without ever regaining conciousness. Effective immediately, Jack is on extended family leave. Jack's taking this really hard. His brother is staying with him and he requests no visitors. I'm sure our sympathy goes out to Jack in his time of need.

Thank you, John.





Give me the bleach.

Sonny?

Are you sure?

Give me the damn bleach. Sir.

Here you are. Sonny, the sooner you get into the scene at the Hotel Delphoria, the sooner we can neutralize those blood suckers.





Sonny, I'm sorry.

We've had this talk already. I know what I'm doing.

If you say so, Sonny.




At least it's easy to use.

Hopefully quick, too.





Not the time.

Hey, that wasn't me.

Then who was... never mind. What's one more voice in my head?



You're being a bit too hard on yourself, Sonny. You've got a good reason for wearing this outfit. So let's see it.



...

I know. It's ridiculous. If it works, I don't care.



Duly noted, RJ.

Don't go rushing off. You still have to talk to Morgan again.

Right.





Sir.



Got something to drop off.

Guess that radio does make it a bit obvious.

For the last time. It's not a radio. It's just an extender.



Where are you going?

Just one more thing to do before I go.




You offer your condolences to the Cobb family.

Thank you so much, Sonny.






Not a word.

I wasn't going to say anything. Make sure to check out your cane thing before you go, though.



Looks fine. Let's move.

Right with you, Sonny.

I... don't suppose your boy Dick had anything clever to say about this situation?

Kind of. I didn't finish reading you what he said before.



I loved them all. Here is the list, to whom I dedicate my love:

To Gaylene: deceased
To Ray: deceased
To Francy: permanent psychosis
To Kathy: permanent brain damage
To Jim: deceased



To Val: massive permanent brain damage
To Nancy: permanent psychosis
To Joanne: permanent brain damage
To Maren: deceased
To Nick: deceased
To Terry: deceased
To Dennis: deceased
To Phil: permanent pancreatic damage
To Sue: permanent vascular damage
To Jerri: permanent psychosis and vascular damage

...and so forth.



In Memoriam. These were comrades whom I had; there are no better. They remain in my mind, and the enemy will never be forgiven. The "enemy" was their mistake in playing. Let them all play again, in some other way, and let them be happy.

Could you pull over for a minute?

Sure, Sonny.




All set?

Yeah. Yeah, we can go. Does it mess up my disguise?

Well, everybody knows pimps don't cry. They'll see the red eyes and just think you're high.

Heh.

Heh.

Hahahahahaha.

Hahaahahahaha!

Hahahahaahahahahaha!

Come on, Sonny. Let's take this guy down.



Next time on Police Quest: The Angel of Death

It all ends tonight.