Page 119 of Nearly Roadkill
Scratch:Tell me: Is there a crime in having different IDs?
Ms. Budge:There’s no legal precedent for that, no.
Scratch:So why go along with it then? Do you really believe we’re breaking the law?
Ms. Budge:Too much around me changes all the time. I like things stable.
Scratch:That’s why you’re a cop. Good guys, bad guys, real clear lines.
Ms. Budge:You think because I like things nice and slow and predictable I’m a bad guy?
Scratch:No, I’m saying cops love black and white. Sorry, pal. Some good people break the law, some bad people are real sweethearts.
Ms. Budge:Hey, don’t start talking to me about criminals with hearts of gold.
Scratch:I don’t think your heart is really in this investigation.
Budge pauses as he notices they have both typed the word “heart” at the same time.
Scratch:Hey, Ms. Budge, do you know what a simulpost is?
Ms. Budge:Huh? No. What is it?
Scratch:Forget it.
Ms. Budge:I spoke with your buddy just the other day.
Scratch:Which buddy?
Ms. Budge:I need to tell you, Scratch, he’s not going to last too long.
Scratch:Who?
Ms. Budge:Don’t play cute. Winc.
Scratch:What about Winc?
Ms. Budge:Winc’s flighty, doesn’t have the stamina to keep running. You know I’m right.
Scratch:We’re not running. We’re living. Don’t you get that? Why does that bother you guys so much?
Ms. Budge:Your life is starting to run mine, and that bothers me.
Scratch:I’m so sorry.
Ms. Budge:Come on in, Scratch. Bring Winc with you. I’ll get you a fair deal.
Scratch:A fair fucking deal for what? We did nothing wrong!
Ms. Budge:My point, exactly!
Budge cringes at the burst of honesty, cursing himself for typing it.
Scratch:If you know we did nothing wrong, then stop the chase.
Again, he has no answer.
Ms. Budge:Look, this thing has gotten a lot bigger than you and me.
