(this is filler, and apparently I have a limit to edits???)
(i’ll just have to add the links to the top post later I guess)
(anyway, case 3 now.)
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 1
: The pale moon in the sky cries for your blood!
: The moon? No, it is you who should gaze upon the moon… For it will be the last moon you ever see!
: See you in hell, Evil Magistrate!
: The warriors’ swords gleam and strike in the moonlight! One has fallen… but who? Only the moon knows! Don’t miss next week’s exciting episode: “The Dark Messenger Returns!”
: “See you in Hell, Evil Magistrate!!!”
: Whoa! Stop waving that broom around!
: Oh, Nick! I didn’t know you were here!
: Of course I’m here! What was that surreal show you were watching?
: Young…? Like, how young?
: Umm… 10 years old?
: Then what the heck are YOU doing getting all excited!?
: Hey! I’m only 17!
: Hey! Don’t talk to me like I’m your grandpa or something. I’m only 24 myself.
: Then watch it with me! He’s really cool! And… it’s really popular!
: When they asked grade school kids what they wanted to be, “Steel Samurai” was no.1!
: I really worry about kids these days.
: Gramps!
: Well, the Steel Samurai’s over. I guess it’s time to close up the office.
: I guess… Wish we had some clients!
: Mia’s murder was the talk of the town for some time… But no one paid any attention to the Wright & Co. Law Offices… How am I going to pay the rent this month?
: I’m sure some big client is just around the corner!
: Hmph.
: H-hello? This is Phoenix.
: N-N-Nick!!!
: Maya? What? It’s still early…
: I-it’s the Steel Samurai! The Steel Samurai got arrested!
: Huh? You mean the guy on that show?
: Yes! They’re saying that the Steel Samurai killed a villain!
: … Umm… Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?
: Yeah, on TV!
: Yeah, on TV.
: No! I mean, he actually did it! In real life! He skewered a villain with his Samurai Spear!
: I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
: Just come to the office, quick! Please, Nick!
: (Maya’s here… watching television.)
: The actor Will Powers was arrested yesterday. Powers plays the lead role in the popular kid’s show “The Steel Samurai: Warrior of Neo Olde Tokyo.” He was arrested on suspicion of murder. The victim was Jack Hammer, who plays the villain known as the “Evil Magistrate.” His body was found still inside the Evil Magistrate costume. The “Samurai Spear” was also found stuck through the body. Police believe this was the murder weapon, and are investigating further.
: …
: This has to be a joke.
: No, no, no! It’s a nightmare! The Steel Samurai is over! The world is over!
: Yes… Wright & Co. Law Offices. …
: What!? Nick! I-it’s the Steel Samurai!
: W-what!?
: Yes… yes, of course! We’ll be right there!
: Let’s go, Nick!
: Go? Go where?
: They have the Steel Samurai down in detention!
: So what!?
: So, I’ve decided this will be our first case!
But before that, let’s take a look around.
: It’s a nice day outside. The hotel across the way is always full these days. There’s the bellboy, happily cleaning the room.
: Mia’s favorite potted plant. Maya has been watering it so much lately it looks a little… swollen. She’s either trying to make it grow… or she’s perfecting her water torture technique.
: Mia’s desk. Actually… it’s my desk now. Sitting here always makes me feel like a professional.
: A poster of an old movie that Mia liked. I was thinking I should go see it myself. Then I realized that the poster doesn’t actually say the title of the movie.
: There’s a horrendous amount of legal books here. Scarier still is the thought that I have to read all of these now.
And we can chat with Maya. Usually, Maya has some vague advice on the current situation, but I doubt I’ll ever remember to check back in with her between investigation events beyond those that bring us back to the office.
: Well, what should we do?
: What should we do!? How can you just sit there like that!? We have to get down to the detention center and meet the Steel Samurai!
: (Does she want to investigate this case or just do some sightseeing, I wonder? My money’s on sightseeing.)
: We don’t have enough information to make a case yet.
: Just admit it: you don’t have a clue what happened.
: No! We just don’t have enough information!
And the badge…
: You like showing that off, don’t you, Nick?
: (My poor, poor ego…)
And let’s check the Court Record.
Okay, let’s get moving.
: …
: What’s wrong, Maya? It’s him! In the flesh!
: Umm… Is that guy really him?
: Whaddya mean “that guy”? Of course it’s him! Will Powers, our client! That’s him.
: Um, maybe I shouldn’t be saying this…
: But he definitely did it. Murder. At least once. Maybe twice.
: Whoa whoa whoa! What are you saying!?
: Y-yes!?
: Something wrong…?
: N-no! No!
: (This is getting off to a great start.)
: D-disappointed!? Oh, no. Oh no.
: No, it’s okay. This is the real me. When I got the part of the Steel Samurai, with that mask… I decided I would never show my face in public until the job was over. It’s the kids, you know. I didn’t want to wreck their dreams.
: Oh…
: I guess it didn’t matter. So much for dreams. I wonder what they think of the Steel Samurai now. sniff Uwaaah!
: Nick!
: What?
: He’s a good guy! I mean, he’s good!
: Yeah.
: He didn’t do it!
: …
So, let’s get cracking.
: Smile for the camera…
: This guard monitors the visitor’s room. He seems frozen in awe of Will Powers.
: Maybe you could start by telling us what happened.
: Y-yes. Of course. It seems like it was only yesterday. Actually, it was only yesterday. The cast had come down to Global Studios for a run-through. We went through a few action sequences at 10:00 that morning. There was a rehearsal scheduled for 5:00 in the afternoon. But when 5:00 came around, and the staff gathered at the studio… The Evil Magistrate was found lying in a crumpled heap near the set.
: And discovered that it was Jack Hammer… dead! He had been expertly skewered with the Samurai Spear.
: The “Samurai Spear”…?
: Yes, it’s a long spear that I… that the Steel Samurai uses as a weapon.
: Maybe you could explain to me just what “the Steel Samurai” is.
: Nick! How could you say such a thing?
: I-I’m sorry, sir, I apologize for my partner!
: He’s new to this, and a bit OUT OF TOUCH with the world.
: Hey! Who’s “new to this”!?
: No, it’s alright, really.
: The Steel Samurai is the lead character in a popular kid’s show. He walks the streets of Neo Olde Tokyo… Fighting battle after battle against the Evil Magistrate and his minions. Of course, he never really defeats the Evil Magistrate.
: Although… I guess he did defeat him this time… sniff Uwaaah!
: I-I see. (Neo Olde Tokyo…? Who comes up with these names!?)
: Now, where were you on the day of the murder?
: Well, that morning I came to studios at 9:00.
: Rehearsal was to begin at 5:00, but I was a little tired.
: When I woke up, it was after 5:00! I was late for the rehearsal!
: They arrested me on the spot, and brought me here.
: (So he was sleeping the entire afternoon of the murder? Some action hero!)
: What will the kids think? sniff
: I think I should probably check out the scene of the murder…
: Right… Global Studios. I’ll draw you a map.
: Wow! Nick! Let’s go!
: (I’m willing to bet 10 bucks she asks for autographs.)
Naturally, we end with the badge.
: I… I see. …
: (Let me guess… this guy wasn’t the top student in improv class.)
: Wow! So this is where they make the Steel Samurai show!
: Awesome! Aren’t you excited!?
: You want in, you gotta go through me!
: O-oh… s-sorry! W-we’re, um, lawyers.
: And it’s my job to make sure that gawkers like you stay OUT.
: G-gawkers?
: Gawkers! Sightseers! Tourists!!! I know the type. You heard about the incident and came to snoop around.
: Umm… Nick?
: Will I grow up to be like her? Please say “no.”
: I dunno! It’s possible.
: Hey!
: Listen when you’re being spoken to! Youths today!
As always, our first task is to poke around.
: The main entrance to the studio. There was a big scene here yesterday with onlookers pressuing up against the gate.
: An overhead map of the studios. Right from here is the Employee Area. To the left are the actual film studios.
: The computer that runs the studio security cameras.
: The security guard station. That security lady must like junk food., There’s a mountain of it on the desk in there. I can see the computer that runs the security cameras.
: Looks like a studio van. They probably use it to carry around film equipment.
: So, what do you do here at the studios?
: At Global Studios, we make children’s dreams come true!
: No! You were a star!?
: Only a little twinkle between the stars here, I’m afraid, dearie.
: Wo… wow.
: This place has really gone downhill, you know? But 10 years ago, now that was a studio of dreams!
: Hammer was a big star back then too, he was…
: Hammer…?
: The victim, dummy!
: The Evil Magistrate!
: He’s been reduced to playing villains now. Not exactly the best material to work with…
: Can you tell me about Mr. Will Powers?
: He’s not a bad kid, but don’t be fooled by his mask!
: You wouldn’t want him on the silver screen without it, believe me. Little old ladies watching would lose their lunch!
: That’s probably why he thought that the Steel Samurai was his “big chance.” No one thought he was capable of doing what he did to poor Jack Hammer…
: We don’t know for certain that Will Powers is guilty!
: Powers? Of course he’s guilty!
: How do I know? I know everything! That’s my job.
: What kind of person was Jack Hammer?
: What “kind of person”? Oh… if you only knew!
: Jack Hammer will live on in many hearts as the ultimate action hero!
: (Should I have heard of that…?)
: But… there was an accident during filming five years ago. He got an unlucky break after that. Reduced to playing the villain on a children’s program! What’s more, I heard they were paying him peanuts. It’s enough to make you cry.
: Why are you so certain Mr. Powers is the killer?
: I was standing right here yesterday, I was. I was here from 1:00 in the afternoon, to 5:00, when they found the body!
: Now the studio where the murder took place is to the left here. So if you want to go to the studio, you have to pass by me!
: Only one person went by here between 1:00 and 2:30, when the murder took place!
: And… that person was Mr. Powers?
: Yes. I saw him!
: But Mr. Powers says he was sleeping in his dressing room.
: Oh, I’m sure he would say that. He’s no fool! But he was the only one that walked by.
: He’s the killer, you can bet your biscuits on it. Isn’t it about time for you to be heading home?
: There’s nothing to see here. Move along.
: Um, actually, we’re here at Mr. Powers’s request.
: Hmph! I thought you were suspicious lookin’! Show me a “letter of request.”
: And maybe I’ll just let you in.
: This lady here thinks she owns this place, obviously.
Well, at least we have some new Court Record entries.
And a badge, of course.
: What’s that? You giving that to me?
: (Absolutely not!)
So it looks like we’ll have to go back to Will and get a letter before she’ll let us in.
Next time: We do that thing.
[quote=Nevada Rev. Stat. Subsections 642.470, 642.480, on unprofessional conduct of funeral directors.][U]nprofessional conduct includes:
- Misrepresentation or fraud …
- Solicitation of dead human bodies by the licensee or his or her agents, assistants or employees, whether the solicitation occurs after death or while death is impending, but this does not prohibit general advertising.
[…] - Gross immorality.
[…] - Using profane, indecent or obscene language in the presence of a dead human body, or within the immediate hearing of the family or relatives of a deceased whose body has not yet been interred or otherwise disposed of.[/quote]
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 2
We left off having to go get a note from Will before we could get into the studio.
: They all think I did it, don’t they?
: N-no, not at all! Isn’t that right, Nick?
: Right, not at all. At worst, you’re a suspect.
: sniff
: Mr. Powers, you aren’t hiding anything from me, are you?
: W-what? No! I’d never do that!
: Just now you said that you were sleeping in your dressing room after lunch.
: Yes. Like a baby.
: But the security lady said she saw you that day. She says she saw you heading towards the scene of the crime!
: W-what!? That’s not possible! I… I really don’t know what to say! I was sleeping, I promise!
: Mr. Powers, if you want me to help you, you have to tell me the truth. I’m new to this lawyer business, and I need every advantage I can get.
: I know… I-I’m sorry. sniff But, I swear to you on my momma’s grave, I was sleeping. Maybe the security lady only thought she saw me?
: (What did she see…? He doesn’t seem to be lying.)
: Umm… about the security guard at the main gate to the studio…
: Oh, the security lady?
: She’s terrible! She called me “suspicious lookin’”!
: Y-yes… actually, she’s said the same thing to me before. “Take off that mask!” were her words, I believe. She sucks up to all the bigwigs at the studio… But let her see you stumble once and she’ll never let up on you.
: Grr! She’s got some nerve!
: Do you think you could write up a letter formally requesting my representation?
: Of c-course.
: (I just hope this will get me past that security lady.)
Let’s find out.
: Hmm…? Yes, yes. I recognize the bold, childish scrawl.
: To think he would entrust his fate to youths of such unreliable appearance…
: Really!
: Really?
: Anyway, you may pass. But only left from here, toward the studios! No going to the right. That’s the Employee Area.
: “No one allowed inside, pal” were my instructions. The good detective told me himself.
: Hey, hey, Nick.
: Huh?
: Hey! Not bad!
: 50 cents!
: Aren’t you that murderer from the other day!
: Hey pal, you know Prosecutor Edgeworth is all upset, and it’s your fault!
: Umm… so?
: Hey! If he’s depressed, it’s all your fault for doing sloppy detective work!
: !!! … … …
: Um, Detective?
: I think you hurt his feelings.
: Oh no! I… I’m sorry!
: Well, I think his feelings are easily hurt.
: You’re right, pal. It’s all my fault. I can blame other people all I want, but I know the truth in my heart!
: Hey, hey! Don’t take it so hard! There’s always the next case!
: Yeah, I suppose you’re right.
: Hey!
: What exactly are you two doing here?
: Um, well…
: We’re on this case too, pal!
: Huh!? Hey! You can’t just go saying “pal” like that! That’s MY endearing character trait!
: I’d say he’s a character alright…
Let’s take a look around.
: Detective Gumshoe, what’s down the path to the left? It looks like a tree fell down over the path…?
: Oh, yeah. That way’s kind of dangerous. You should stay out, pal. There’s nothing down there, anyway.
: That’s where Studio Two used to be, they tell me. They don’t use it now, though.
: Hey, there’s a camera here.
: That’s the security camera. It takes photos of people going to the studio.
: All you have to do is look at the data and you can see who went where!
: There’s a number plate on the camera… [ST1-307]. That must be the camera ID number.
: I’m a little bushed. Maybe I’ll take a short rest here.
: Hey, good idea, pal!
: Detective! Aren’t you on the case?
: W-well, yeah, but… Hey, us detectives get tired of standing around too, pal!
: There’s a big welcome sign above the path.
: Yeah, apparently the studio’s fallen on tough times. They’ve started letting people in on days they aren’t filming. They make a bit of extra money by charging for admission.
: Huh. You sure know a lot about this place, Detective.
: You know, you could always quit being a detective and work here?
: Yeah! And what perfect timing, with the monkey’s neck broken and all.
: Huh? Just what’s that supposed to mean, pal!?
: The studio mascot. I guess it’s a monkey of some kind. But what kind of monkey has a nose like that? He’s holding a sign in his hand. [Right: To Studio One. Left: To Studio Two.]
: Oh, the wind was pretty strong yesterday, and the head broke off. It took that tree down with it, too.
: The entrance to Studio One. This is the studio where they found Jack Hammer’s body.
: Let’s go in and check it out, Nick! …
: Hey! It’s locked!
: Looks like you need a cardkey to get in. It makes sense that they would want to keep the non-employees out.
Now we can question Gumshoe.
: So, how is your investigation going, Detective?
: Well, it’s… Hey! I can’t tell you that, pal.
: Nick… Maybe you need to be a little more indirect with your questions?
: Right. So, Detective, mind if I take a look at what you got?
: What I got?
: The autopsy report! The latest version, if you please…
: Hmm… right, right. Sorry about what happened last time, pal.
: Why was Mr. Powers arrested?
: Simple, pal! The murder took place right over there in Studio One.
: Now, the victim entered Studio One at approximately 1:00 PM. At that time, there was no one other than the victim in the studio. According to the autopsy report, the time of death was 2:30 PM.
: Only one person went to the studio between 1:00 and 2:30!
: No one else, pal! If you think I’m lying, ask the security lady at the main gate.
: Nick! If that’s true…!
: Anyone would think that Powers did it with that kind of evidence!
: Thanks for cheering me up…
: About the security lady…
: Oh, that sweet old lady. What a charmer!
: Huh? A-are we talking about the same person?
: When I showed her my badge she gave me a donut and some coffee!
: Remember what Powers said. She’s a sucker for authority.
: She even gave me a piece of valuable evidence!
: What kind of evidence!?
: Well, that, er, photo.
: The photo of the Steel Samurai heading toward the scene of the crime!
: See the camera up on that gate, pal?
: The gate? You mean the one with the welcome sign?
: Yeah. Whenever someone walks by, that camera automatically snaps a photo of them!
: Nick, he has evidence! We’re finished!
: (Funny, for someone with hard proof he doesn’t look too happy.)
: …
: What’s wrong, pal? You seem down.
: Don’t look so happy when you say that.
: Oh hoh hoh hoh hoh!
: Umm… We’d like to ask the employees here some questions…
: Sure thing, pal. Go wherever you like. Of course, you’re not going to find any clues I haven’t already found! Hah hah hah!
: (I’m glad someone around here seems to be enjoying themselves.)
: Nick, let’s go! We’ve got a free pass to the place. Now’s our chance to check things out!
And hey, let’s try the badge for the road.
: Uh huh? Don’tcha think it’s a little sad when you have to explain what your badge means, pal?
: Real men show their P.D. badge and that’s that!
: I’ll admit the design of my badge leaves a lot to be desired…
: Maybe it should just be a big “L” for “Lawyer”?
: Hmm… I’m not so sure about that.
: That security lady is in the guard station stuffing her face with donuts!
: I guess all cops like their donuts!
: Yeah, and they’re soft enough she doesn’t need teeth to chew them…
: Hey, you!
: Well? Are you satisfied Powers is guilty yet?
: (Urk! She had to make my life harder by giving that photo to Detective Gumshoe…)
: Why didn’t you tell us about the security photo, ma’am?
: Hmm? Oh, that? I just thought it would be more thrilling to talk with the detective himself!
: These things are important, you know.
: It’s my job to check the photos every day, you see.
: This guard station is in a central position. No matter where you go here, you pass by my station first! Now poor Hammer, he went to the studio just before 1:00. The murder happened right around 2:30, see?
: The only one I seen go through here between 1:00 and 2:30 was Powers himself! The security camera got a good look at him too.
: If he’s not the one what did it, I don’t know who is!
: Maybe… it was you?
: Gyah hah ha hah! Good one, sonny.
: (She thinks I was joking.)
: Was the victim, Mr. Hammer, a popular actor?
: Oh, he was the biggest star in the studio!
: (“Was”? Past tense?)
: Oh yes! He was great as the “Bearded Samurai”!
: That too, yes. He shone the brightest! Back in the day.
: Making a star like him play the “Evil Magistrate”… It’s a disgrace, I tell you! Hammer took it pretty hard, and who can blame him?
: About the security camera…
: Oh yes, the camera.
: Then it snaps a photo! Apparently, it records the time when it takes a picture too.
: But I don’t bother myself with those details. I just view all the photos on the computer over in the security guard station. I check 'em every day before going home, I do.
: Nick!
: This is where they do all the behind-the-scenes stuff!
: Hey! Look! There’s Powers’s dressing room!
: No one’s here this soon after the murder I guess.
: Let’s take a look around!
An excellent idea. There’s no one here to talk to, of course, but there’s plenty to look at.
: The door to the dressing room. It’s not locked.
: Hey, Nick! Let’s take a look inside! Maybe we can find something as a souvenir…?
: What do you mean “find”!?
: You never know! There might be something like… the Samurai Spear!
: We don’t need a spear! (And that’s the murder weapon for crying out loud!)
: There’s a sign on the dressing room door. “Mr. Will Powers”… it must be neat to be the star and have your own room like this.
: A window into the dressing room. The glass is frosted, so I can’t see inside.
: Let’s see… cola, candy, chips, gum… Huh. It’s so… normal. I was expecting some cool theme snacks or something. Popcorn, at least!
: W-wait! Look! “Samurai Soda”! Nick! Try this!
: (Ladies first…)
: That must be the storage room. That’s where they keep all the film equipment.
: Wow, Nick! You know a lot about the industry!
: Umm, what else would they keep in a film studio?
: The remains of yesterday’s lunch are scattered around. Everyone was probably too shocked to clean up.
: Mmm! T-bone steak! That would have hit the spot.
: You just had a burger!
: Yeah, but I have a second stomach just for steaks.
: i[/i]
We move over to the other half of the area.
: Looks like one of those electric-powered bicycles. I dunno about these. I mean, what’s the point?
: It makes it a lot easier to go up hills!
: Don’t people cycle to get exercise!?
: There’s a half-finished backdrop for a stage here. Looks like a castle. Probably “Neo Olde Tokyo Castle.”
: The metal grate on the drain here has been taken off. That’s a pretty big drain. A kid could fit through there, I bet.
: Yeah, if you snuck in that way you wouldn’t have to pay at the gate!
: Well, if you want to leave that way, be my guest.
: Right!
Nothing left to see here, so…
: (Powers’s dressing room… So this is where he was sleeping? Or at least, this is where he claims he was sleeping.)
: No one actually saw him taking a nap here, did they?
: Right, and there’s a picture of him near the crime scene. (I hope he’s telling the truth… for his sake!)
Let’s get to work.
: Hmm? This must be Powers’s bag.
: Hey, don’t open that.
: An employee cardkey. That must be Powers’s. It says “Studio One.”
: Let’s take it, Nick!
: Borrow it. You mean borrow.
: There’s a vast array of cosmetics here.
: Ooh!
: This is the wig he used in “Samurai Boogey-Woogey”! Nick! Try this on!
: No. And how can you tell the name of a show just by looking at a wig!?
: I, um, kinda like samurai movies.
: i[/i]
: There’s some regular suits in among the costumes here. Those must be his own clothes.
: It’d be fun to wear one of the costumes…
: (I’d say you were already wearing one, myself.)
: There’s a bunch of snacks on the table. They must give these to the employees. Some tea and cookies…
: Nick… I’m hungry!
: You just had a burger!
: Yeah, but I have a separate stomach for sweets!
: (How many stomachs does this girl have!?)
: It’s locked. Looks like he doesn’t open his window much. I guess it is kind of dusty outside.
: Looks like someone was sleeping here. Maybe Powers did take a nap here yesterday…
Well, that seems to be all we can get from here today.
Next time: Studio One.
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 3
Why are we back here? Well, we have the Studio One keycard now.
: The entrance to Studio One. This is the studio where they found Jack Hammer’s body.
: Let’s go in and check it out, Nick!
: I wonder if this cardkey we borrowed from the dressing room will work…
: It opened!
: Alright! We’re in!
: (She’s way too happy for someone visiting a crime scene.)
: …
: What is it?
: …
: You’re real quiet all of a sudden.
: Doesn’t it give you the shivers, Nick?
: That white tape! It’s so… so real!
: Well, the Evil Magistrate did die here. And the Steel Samurai killed him. The murder weapon was the Samurai Spear. Sounds pretty real to me…
Time to look around.
: Looks like a backdrop for a stage. This must be used in the Steel Samurai show.
: Of course! That’s the mountain, Neo Fujiyama!
: Doesn’t the Steel Samurai take place in Olde Tokyo? Can you even see Mt. Fuji from there?
: Not Olde Tokyo, Nick! “Neo” Olde Tokyo!
: Oh. Right.
: Wow, look at that camera! That must cost a ton!
: Yeah! So don’t touch it!
: Whoa! It’s heavier than I thought…
: Ah, um, sorry, my partner is kind of, y’know…
: “Y’know”!? No I don’t know!
: Umm… who are you?
: Who me? I’m an assistant here. I help with props and stuff. Moving them aorund, ordering new ones, et cetera.
: We’re lawyers representing Mr. Will Powers.
: Oh, you’re WP’s people.
: “WP”…? Oh, Will Powers. W.P., I get it.
: I don’t envy you guys one bit! But… do what you can for WP, okay?
: Don’t worry, leave it to us!
: They outlined where Jack Hammer’s body lay with tape. His body was found still inside the Evil Magistrate costume. I guess that’s why the head part looks like a helmet. Funny, I expected a spear stabbing would leave at least a few bloodstains. I guess the costume must have absorbed most of it…
: Look, a ladder!
: That’s a “step”-ladder.
: So? What’s the difference?
: You need to stop judging things based on narrow-minded cultural assumptions, Nick!
: R-right… sorry. (This girl is OUT there!)
: Hey! Look! That’s the chair the director sits in! I’ve always wanted to sit in one of these.
: Hey Nick, take a look at that. One of those black-and-white boards they clap at the start of filming!
: And look! A megaphone! A real live megaphone!
: …
: Ready, Nick? Action!
: (This girl is more troubled than I thought…)
: What’s this?
: That’s for reflecting light. They call it a reflecting screen or something like that. The assistant holds it during filming.
: Huh.
: What? Where’s your enthusiasm for all things entertainment?
: Well, lighting is fine, but I’d want to be the director. Or maybe the Steel Samurai!
: (I think she’s being serious…!)
Now, let’s question that assistant.
: Could you tell me anything about the day of the murder?
: Yes. I was in the studio the whole day. I was the only assistant on staff that day, you see.
: Only one assistant?
: Yes, well, the studios aren’t doing so well right now. And yesterday was only rehearsal for our action sequences.
: I see. Neat!
: WP and Hammer were there, along with everoyne else.
: The employee area–that’s where Powers’s dressing room is, right?
: Yes, that’s the place.
: Then I saw WP go into his dressing room. But I didn’t see either of them after that.
: Did you know that Mr. Powers was sleeping in his room?
: No! I wouldn’t go in there unless I had some urgent message for him… I mean, it’s his private… What kind of a girl do you think I am!?
: W-what kind…? No, no, I’m sure you’re a fine girl. Um, sorry. (So much for getting a confirmation of Powers’s alibi.)
: What do we do, Nick? We haven’t found anything. If WP was the only one who came to the studio…
: Then he has to be the killer! They even have a photograph…
: Hmm…
: Umm… Sorry… I know you’re busy.
: Not really.
: Actually, there’s been something bothering me.
: Ah hah! That’s what I’m talking about! A clue! A lead!
: Well, I don’t know about that, but that day, just after noon, I sensed someone was here…
: You “sensed”?
: Yes, several times.
: Some other studio employees, maybe?
: No, I don’t think so. The only thing we had scheduled was an action scene run-through. I was the only assistant here that day.
: I have a feeling it was someone from… outside.
: R-really!?
: But wait, if someone had come in here…
: Wouldn’t that security lady have noticed them?
: Yeah, you’re right.
: I’m sorry I don’t have any better information than that.
: No, thanks! That helps us a lot. Anything helps.
: Let’s go put that security lady on the spot!
: So you sensed that someone other than the regular film crew was in the studio?
: Yes… I think.
: (“I think” doesn’t cut it in a witness testimony.)
: Nick! What about that security lady! If someone else came into the studio, she must have seen them!
And there’s Penny’s profile. As for our badge…
: Um, any thoughts about this?
: Sorry… I… don’t really want to think too much about what happened just yet.
: What? You’re still here?
: Really! You look as though you’ve seen a ghost!
: What? I saw that suspicious look on your face!
: I wanted to ask you again about yesterday… You came here at 1:00 PM, correct? And the estimated time of Hammer’s death was 2:30. Are you sure that Powers was the only one to go through here between those times?
: Sure as can be!
: But we have a witness who thinks there was “someone from outside” here that day.
: What!?
: Are you absolutely sure you were here watching hte whole time?
: …
: Ma’am?
: Who was it?
: Who told you that? Who dares question ME!?
: Eek!
: Alright you better tell me and tell me quick, you spiky-haired cretin! Someone’s been complaining about the work I do, eh!?
: Uh… um, we were just talking to the assistant in Studio One.
: Her! She’s not even a full-time employee!
: She left…
: Well, Nick?
: This is our chance to do what we can without her looking over our shoulders!
: The computer that runs the studio security cameras.
: Nick! Maybe we can see that photo of Powers with this computer!
: Yeah, maybe.
: Okay. Let’s give it a try.
: You know how to work these things, Nick?
: Looks like I just have to enter in a few numbers. Let’s see… first, I need the date of the murder. (It looks like the camera turned on at 1:00 PM that day… 1:00… That was when the security lady arrived at the guard station.)
Getting it wrong just has Maya and Phoenix talk about how they should go back and check the camera, not even a joke in there.
: There! Entered! …
: Let’s see what we got…
: … Huh?
: How is this a picture of Will Powers?
: Well, he is the one who always wears that suit… I guess that’s why the security lady thought it was him.
: I don’t imagine the detective was very happy with this photo as evidence.
: Huh? [Oct 15, 2:00 PM, Photo #2]
: What does that mean?
: Maybe there’s more photo data from that day?
: Nope–that’s the only one in the computer.
: Hey, hey, Nick! Can’t we use this photo as evidence for the trial?
: Yeah.
: We’ll put that security lady in her place with this!
: Right, we’ll put her in her place…
: Let’s show her this photo and see what she says!
: Wait. Let’s not.
: Why not?
: It’s never a good idea to reveal your hand to the enemy too soon.
: Nick! You’re craftier than I gave you credit for.
: Why, you could be the next… Evil Magistrate!
: Hey! Why do I have to be the villain.
That’s not my typo.
: Relax, it was just a joke! So, are we done for today?
: Still, it’d be better if we had some idea who the real killer was! Maybe it realy is that security lady…?
Next time: Trial.
[quote=“North Carolina Gen. Stat. Section 20-136”]Section 20-136. Smoke screens.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to drive, operate, equip or be in the possession of any automobile or other motor vehicle containing, or in any manner provided with, a mechanical machine or device designed, used or capable of being used for the purpose of discharging, creating or causing, in any manner, to be discharged or emitted, either from itself or from the automobile or other motor vehicle to which attached, any unusual amount of smoke, gas or other substance not necessary to the actual propulsion, care and keep of said vehicle, and the possession by any person or persons of any such device, whether the same is attached to any such motor vehicle, or detached therefrom, shall be prima facie evidence of the guilt of such person or persons of a violation of this section.
(b) Any person or persons violating the provisions oif this section shall be guilty of a Class I felony.[/quote]
(filler)
(some more filler)
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Trial (Day 2) - Part 1
: The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Will Powers.
: The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.
: The defense is ready, Your Honor.
: Very well. Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement, please.
: The prosecution will show the court that at 2:30 PM on October 15, the defendant, Mr. Will Powers, killed fellow actor Jack Hammer at Studio One of Global Studios. It is impossible for anyone else to have committed this heinous crime. The evidence presented during the trial will all point to this fact.
: Hmm. I see.
: Very well, I would like to move on to your testimony.
: Mr. Edgeworth, the prosecution may call its first witness.
: First, I would like to call a familiar face, Detective Gumshoe, to the stand.
: Detective, if you would briefly describe this case to the court?
: Yes sir! I’ll explain with the guidemap here.
: Now, jump ahead to later that day… 5:00 PM. The production staff came to Studio One to perform a rehearsal.
: The “Samurai Spear” found lodged in the victim’s chest was the murder weapon.
: That’s the case, in brief. Anyone like to hear that again?
: (I think I can probably remember that…)
: How… medieval!
: Your Honor. This case is quite simple if you ask one question:
: And that question is:
: Understood.
: Let’s call this security officer to the stand!
: Will the witness declare her name?
: …
: My, aren’t you a handsome fellow!
: I’m afraid I’m a bit flustered!
: Y-your name, please!
: Oh, dearie! No need for you to be embarrassed! Just call me “grandma.”
: YOUR NAME, PLEASE!
: (Seems Edgeworth has a bit of trouble getting his witnesses to say their names…)
: Wendy Oldbag, dearie.
: O-objection! I… object to the witness’s talkativeness.
: Objection sustained!
: The witness will refrain from rambling on the stand.
: I was just getting to the good part, dearie!
: Perhaps we can get to the testimony?
: Now, the witness was stationed at the main gate on the day of the murder, correct?
: Yessey I was.
: And to get to the scene of the murder, someone would have to pass by you?
: You know your stuff, dearie!
: …
: You may begin your testimony.
: (She sure is one hell of an Oldbag…)
: You saw the defendant, then? Hmm…
: Very well. Let’s begin the cross-examination. Mr. Wright?
: Yes, Your Honor.
: So up until that time, anyone who wanted to could go into the studio?
: Well, there wasn’t a security guard at the gate, no. But the main gate was locked, dearie.
: (Right… the cardkey that I have. So, what she’s saying is no one who wasn’t supposed to be there could get in.)
: Was there anyone at the studios when you arrived at the guard station?
: A “run-through”…?
: They were working out a scene between the Steel Samurai and the Evil Magistrate.
: They got the basics figured out by noon, and were to use the afternoon for practice. Rehearsal was to start at 5:00.
: That’s why poor old Hammer went to Studio One in the afternoon.
: (So Powers was in his dressing room sleeping… when he was supposed to be practicing!)
: (Talk about a laid-back hero…)
: If there was a run-through in the morning, why did you only get there after noon?
: What kind of “errands”?
: Oh, well, you know.
: Answer the question!
: O-observing? Weren’t you supposed to be at the guard station?
: Whippersnapper! I told you I locked the gate, didn’t I? I did my job!
: (I’m not sure your boss would see it that way…)
: Anyway!
: I always watch Hammer’s run-throughs. Always!
: Never missed one in all my years.
: Wow! I want to see a Steel Samurai run-through too!
: You could quit being a spirit medium and take up guard duty.
: Not a bad idea…
: Did you see the victim then?
: Did I see poor old Hammer? Nope. He’d already gone to the studio before I got back to the guard station.
: Tell us what happened next.
: So you were watching there the WHOLE time? No breaks? Not even a second?
: O-of course! I am a professional, you know! Or are you criticizing how I do my job!? Whippersnapper!
: No, it’s just, after seeing you eating those donuts in the guard station yesterday…
: I can watch the gate and eat donuts at the same time! Snipperwhapper!
: “Snipperwhapper”…? Old windbag is losing it, Nick.
: Why don’t you raise an objection?
: So, the witness was on duty through the afternoon, the whole time. Very well.
: What did you see?
: How did you know that?
: Oh hoh hoh. I have my ways! That over-dressed young detective told me. I fed him donuts and he talked and talked… If you ask me, that detective isn’t cut out for his job.
: …
: (Poor Detective Gumshoe, getting chewed out by a security guard…)
: 2:00? You’re sure?
: Sure as spit!
: Well, who was the man!?
: Really, you should try not to get so excited at your age. You might strain something.
: …
: Now, now, don’t get your skivvies all in a bunch. I’ll tell you who it was!
: So you saw Mr. Powers?
: That’s what Is said! Got wax in your ears, sonny?
: Nick, this is your chance!
: Yeah, time to pull out hte secret weapon…
: I’ll say it again! It was him!
And loop.
: Nick…
: Windbags love gossiping about other people’s misfortunes.
: Ugh. Can’t she get her kicks somewhere else?
This one’s not too hard.
: Let me get this straight, old bag! Er, Ms. Oldbag!
: You’ve been saying since yesterday that you “saw Mr. Powers,” correct?
: J-just a moment, Mr. Wright. Let me see that photo!
: What is this, exactly?
: None other than the Steel Samurai, defender of Neo Olde Tokyo.
: Ms. Oldbag!
: Of course! Didn’t your momma teach you any sense, sonny? Anyone can plainly see that’s Powers! Right?
: … Umm… well. I wonder?
: True, Mr. Powers does play the role of the Steel Samurai!
: But that doesn’t mean Mr. Powers IS the Steel Samurai!
: I… I know that! I wasn’t born yesterday!
: No one in this court is accusing you of that, Ms… er, witness.
: (He’s having trouble calling her “Oldbag” apparently…)
: However, you do not have proof that the person in this photo is Mr. Will Powers, do you?
: Humph! Nosy old man!
: Of course I have proof!
: (Even Edgeworth is surprised!?)
: The prosecution would like to ask the old… the witness.
: Please make known all the information in your possession ahead of time!
: How was I to know everyone would be so nosy! You should be ashamed, all of you! Anyway, I showed that photo to the young detective.
: He told me “this isn’t any good as evidence, pal.”
: He didn’t even give it a second look!
: (Wow, old windbag has left even Edgeworth speechless. She’s good!)
: Let’s hear about your proof, then.
: Hmm. So he had sprained his ankle…? Very well. Mr. Wright, you may cross-examine the witness.
: (She’s got to be hiding something… I’ll press her until she squeals.)
: Umm…
: Whippersnapper!
: (Hey, I haven’t said anything yet!)
: I’ll have you know I’m not pointing fingers at anyone behind their backs!
: Mr. Wright! Please, for all our sakes, try not to upset the witness!
: (I think Edgeworth has met his match…)
: Who was present at the run-through?
: Well, let’s see… There was Powers, he’s the Steel Samurai… Then poor old Hammer, the Evil Magistrate. And…
: me.
: And what exactly were you doing?
: Observing! Just… observing.
: Oh, she was off moving backdrops around and such.
: (So she didn’t see the run-through, then…)
: “Trip and fall”…?
: So Powers sprained his ankle. I helped make it better for him, of course.
: You… helped make it better?
: I kissed it where it hurt.
: L-let’s just skip over that part, shall we?
: Oh, her? She was cleaning up backdrops, I think. She didn’t know about Powers’s ankle.
: i[/i]
: You may continue your testimony.
: He broke a prop?
: (His Samurai Spear… the murder weapon!?)
: Luckily I was there with my duct tape to fix it.
: (This strikes me as a significant detail… I’d better write this down in the Court Record.)
: Was Mr. Power’s ankle badly sprained?
Not my error on Powers’ name. Game’s.
: Not so bad that he couldn’t walk around. He went to his dressing room to rest up after lunch.
: (Thus the nap…)
: Anyway, I saw him dragging his foot when he walked.
: (Dragging his foot… okay.)
: I think we’ve heard enough!
: Haven’t we, Your Honor?
: Well, there is one thing that bothers me.
: Which is?
: Where is this “Steel Samurai” costume now?
: Umm… hmm.
: Actually, well… We couldn’t find it. We’re looking, though.
: Hmm…
: Anyway, that’s not important! The witness did see the Steel Samurai, yes.
: And it is clear that the person in the Steel Samurai suit was Mr. Will Powers!
: Hmm… I suppose that’s right.
This is getting a bit long, so this is a good cliffhanger for today.
Next time: Objection?
[quote=“Oregon Rev. Stat., Section 811.205”]811.205 Carrying child on external part of vehicle; penalty.
(1) A person commits the offense of carrying a child on an external part of a motor vehicle if the person carries any child upon the hood, fender, running board or other external part of any motor vehicle that is upon a highway.
(2) The offense described in this section, carrying a child on an extenral part of a motor vehicle, is a Class B traffic violation.[/quote]
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Trial (Day 2) - Part 2
: (I think I’ll wait and see where this goes.)
: I suppose, since there weren’t any additional crew members at the studios that day… It’s quite likely that it was the defendant inside that costume.
: I see no problem with this evidence.
: (He still doesn’t seem that convinced to me… I hope.)
: Hold it right there! We keep talking possibilities, but we have to agree that this photo shows the Steel Samurai!
: Nowhere in this photo can we see Mr. Will Powers!
: Hmm…
: The defense has a point. I also wonder if someone else not caught on camera could have killed Mr. Hammer. We have to consider that possibility, also.
: Then allow me to remove that doubt from your mind, Your Honor…
Convergence.
: Will the witness continue her testimony, please?
: No need to ask twice!
: Hmm…
: So, if no one else went to the studio…
: Then it would have to be this “Steel Samurai” who did it.
: Mr. Wright, you may cross-examine the witness.
: How do you know that?
: Eh? Didn’t I just explain? I gave donuts to the young detective.
: And then, after some rubbish about it being a “secret, pal” he told me everything.
: (I see Detective Gumshoe shares his fellow officer’s fondness for donuts.)
: Are you absolutely sure!?
: Oh, quite, quite, sonny. Nobody suspicious lookin’ passed by at all.
: (Nobody suspicious lookin’… Right.)
: What about before you got to the guard station?
: You mean before 1:00?
: Not to mention…
: Are you sure!?
: The witness has answered the question!
: That’s right, sonny!
: You let 'em have it, Edgey-boy!
: i[/i]
: …
And we loop.
: Old windbags have a way of skipping over important details, after all… Or, for that matter, entirely forgetting them.
: How convenient.
: (Something for you to look forward to, perhaps?)
So, where’s the problem?
: Hold on!
: Yesiree, sonny.
: So, whenever anyone passes by here, it automatically takes a picture?
: And here I thought you didn’t know your head from a hole in the ground.
: It’s also true that the computer in the guard station records all security cam data.
: Ooh! You know, if you wanted to work at the studio, we might have an opening.
: Note that on the back of the photo are printed the words: [Oct 15, 2:00 PM, Photo #2]
: Even I know that means it was taken at 2:00 PM on October the 15th! Really, sonny!
: Actually, I knew that too.
: The issue here is the bit at the end where it says: “Photo #2”…
: “Photo #2”…?
: Don’t you think that’s odd?
: Shouldn’t this photo be “Photo #1” if it really was the ONLY photo!?
: Order! Order!
: Please tell the court what you mean by this, Mr. Wright!
: Actually, that’s what I want to ask the witness.
: This evidence shows that not one, but two people went to the studio that day. Yet there is only data for one of the photos! Who could have erased the data for the other photo?
: Only someone with access… the security lady herself!
: The only person I saw that day was Will Powers!
: But the camera on the gate fired twice! That means two people went by!
: Umm… well, yes… that’s what it would seem to mean…
: Can the witness explain this to the court?
: Umm… E-Edgey-boy! Help!
: B-believe me, I want to, but I don’t know what this means either.
: Humph! Some help you are! You’re a whippersnapper too! …
: Whippersnapper…?
: Something the matter, Ms. Oldbag?
: Ah! That’s right!
: I… I just remembered something!
: Let me guess…
: Someone else passed by the gate… someone other than the Steel Samurai?
: Er… well, yes, I suppose you could put it that way.
: sigh I see.
: Your testimony, please.
: M-Ms. Oldbag! This is the first I’ve heard of this!
: Well, of course, sonny! I’ve only just remembered it.
: Right… anyway, Mr. Wright, please begin the cross-examination.
: Well, I’d say this was a turn for the unexpected, but I kind of expected this…
: Another “job”?
: T-that’s right. I check all the people that passed by the main gate that day. I look closely at every one of the photos that security camera takes.
: Do you backup all of the security camera data?
: Well, they keep telling me too, yes.
Not my misspelling there.
: But those computers are just so frustrating.
: How exactly do you determine what isn’t “suspicious lookin’”?
: Oh, you can tell by looking at their faces. For the most part.
: F-for the most part?
: This is a murder trial, Ms. Oldbag!
: Well, I didn’t touch that suspicious lookin’ Will Powers’s photo, did I?
: (I think she’s missing the point.)
: Well, who in the heck was in that photo you erased!?
: Humph. A fanboy.
: F-fanboy?
: Steel Samurai fanboys. Real freaks, if you ask me. They get information about the rehearsals from gosh-knows-where.
: They’re always hanging about. One was there that day.
: W-wait a second! Didn’t you just say no one else could get in!?
: “I locked the main gate so no one could get in”… Those were your words!
: Well! If you must know, there’s a drain that goes into the Employee Area.
: It leads outside, and well, that’s where they come in.
: They come in through the drain?
: I told you they were freaks. Oh, and…
: And…?
: They’re kids. Children. Whippersnappers.
: So, on the photo that you erased…?
: It was a boy. Probably 2nd or 3rd grade.
: O-order! Order!
: Let me get this straight. You saw two people pass by the gate on their way to the studios that day? One was the Steel Samurai, dragging his leg. The other was a boy who looked to be in about 2nd or 3rd grade?
: Oh yes, well we see his type there every day. Can’t stop 'em. Can’t catch 'em.
: A boy in 2nd or 3rd grade? Hmm… I assume it would be hard, if not impossible for a young boy to wield the Samurai Spear?
: Impossible, I’d think. It’s quite heavy.
: Right! As I said, I didn’t pay him much mind. That’s why I erased the data.
: Um, Nick? What’s going on?
: Yeah, and they’re already trying to “un-suspect” him.
: I’d like to take a five minute recess.
: I want the defense and the prosecution to consider this new information… And no forgetting vital information this time!
: Y-yes?
: Tell me straight: were you really in your dressing room? You didn’t go to the studio?
: I-I didn’t go to the studio! I was s-sleeping, honest.
: So who was the “Steel Samurai” in that security photo?
: How should I know? The Steel Samurai costume was off in the corner of the dressing room. Anyone could have walked in and taken it, really.
: I couldn’t imagine anyone would want to steal a Steel Samurai costume! So… where does thi leave me?
: It doesn’t look good…
: sniff
: You’re the only likely suspect, right now.
: Nick!
: W-what are we going to do!?
: First, we play for more time. We’ll start targeting someone else that could conceivably have done this!
: And it’ll take them so long to shoot us down that we can get another day!
: Right… but if we pick the wrong person, we might lost on the spot.
: You… don’t sound very optimistic.
: I’m not optimistic at all, actually.
: Hey, Nick. It’s time.
: Okay. Let’s go. sigh
: What does that men… Please don’t sigh like that! sniff
Next time: Back to trial.
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Trial (Day 2) - Part 3
: Mr. Edgeworth, will you present the prosecution’s thoughts on this matter?
: The prosecution’s thoughts are simple.
: Nothing has changed. The other person who went to the studios was a boy of roughly 10 years of age. The photo we do have may not be hard evidence…
: But there is still no one else that could have committed this crime! I call for a verdict of “guilty” for the defendant, Mr. Will Powers!
: Hmm…
: Very well. Mr. Wright, your thoughts?
: The defense disagrees with the prosecution’s claim.
: There IS another person who could have committed this crime!
: Order!
: Interesting… Let us hear who you have in mind! However…
: Be aware that this court does not look kindly on accusing the innocent. If you accuse someone who is obviously innocent, you will be penalized.
: (Right. Great. As if the stakes weren’t high enough.)
: It was the assistant! The Steel Samurai costume was in his dressing room.
: So you’re saying the Steel Samurai in the picture is really the assistant?
: That’s correct, Your Honor!
: If you’re serious, you’ve got guts, Mr. Wright.
: Wasn’t the Steel Samurai a little lame!? He was dragging his foot!
: Oh. (Uh oh. Bad feeling time.)
: Remember the testimony concerning Powers’s injury!!!
Brief fade to black…
: Powerrs and poor Hammer were at the run-through.
: Oh, and me.
: What about the assistant?
: Oh, her? She was cleaning up backdrops, I think.
: She didn’t know about Powers’s ankle.
And we fade back.
: The assistant knew nothing of Mr. Power’s injury!
Whoops, typo there.
: She could look the Steel Samurai look with that costume…
: But she couldn’t walk the Steel Samurai walk! She wouldn’t have limped!
: That kind of takes the legs out from under that case…
: Mr. Wright. I’m afraid I have to penalize you, as I warned.
And we lose one of our strikes.
: (Nobody knows… the trouble I’ve seen…)
: May we move on, Mr. Wright?
: (Grr… this fight isn’t over yet!)
: If you would, Your Honor, one more chance, please.
: Very well. Go ahead.
: It was the grade-school boy! … …
: Why isn’t anyone saying anything?
: Bah! Are you seriously suggeting the boy did it, Mr. Wright!?
: “Grade-school boy kills veteran action star with spear!”
: Would you care to explain just how the boy was involved?
: (Hmm… maybe that was a dumb move on my part.)
: “Maybe”? “Maybe”!? How about “absolutely,” Nick!
: Mr. Wright. I’m afraid I have to penalize you, as I warned.
And we lose one of our strikes.
: (Nobody knows… the trouble I’ve seen…)
: May we move on, Mr. Wright?
: (Grr… this fight isn’t over yet!)
: If you would, Your Honor, one more chance, please.
: Very well. Go ahead.
: It was the security lady! Wendy Oldbag!
: That means whoever was in the suit knew about that morning’s injury. Maybe because… they had been watching the action scene run-through!
: There was only one person other than Powers and Hammer who knew about the injury.
: W-what!? Whippersnapper!
: Order! Order!
: I-is this true, Oldbag!?
: Oldbag!? That’s Ms. Oldbag to you!
: Ms. Oldbag was standing guard alone at the main gate.
: She was by herself… in other words, she has no alibi! She could have briefly left her post to steal the Steel Samurai costume…
: Then slipped into Studio One, the scene of the murder!
: W-why would she go through the trouble of wearing the Steel Samurai costume!?
: Simple, Your Honor.
: If she was in his costume, she could point the finger at Mr. Powers!
: I see!
: Excellent deductive reasoning, Mr. Wright.
: (Ohhh yeah, right here! Sherlock Holmes II, baby!)
: …?
: (That’s odd. Isn’t this the part where Edgeworth pounces…? Doesn’t he usually jump up with an objection and some new damning evidence…?)
: Well, Mr. Edgeworth? Does the prosecution have an opinion on this matter?
: … The prosecution has no meaningful objections at this time.
: Oh, so you all think I did it? Is that it!?
: Edgey-boy! Don’t just sit there, do something!
: (I guess this does kind of make it look like she’s the killer.)
: (Funny, I feel bad for her all of a sudden.)
: Hmm…
: It’s true that the witness could conceivably have committed this crime. Yet we must not forget that the victim was an action hero.
: As formidable as her personality may be, I doubt she’d be strong enough.
: (Uh oh! If he removes her from consideration, that means Mr. Powers is it! Sorry, windbag… but I don’t have choice.)
And we pick up where the other option starts.
: The very same reasoning that makes Mr. Powers a suspect in this case…
: can be used to cast doubt on Ms. Oldbag’s actions on that day!
: B-but why would I do something so horrible to poor Hammer!?
: You forget that Mr. Powers lacks a clear motive, too.
: Hmm…
: Indeed.
: (That did it. Now windbag is one of the suspects. No hard feelings… I hope.)
: Wait just a minute!
: What about the other person who went to the studio!?
: The boy! The one whose photo I erased!
: He’s only a grade schooler though, as you said. 2nd or 3rd grade, was it?
: Th-that doesn’t matter!
: When I was that age, I could pin my old man in 10 seconds, tops!
: Hmm… Your thoughts, Mr. Wright?
: That boy is not the killer.
: What!? How can you be so sure!
: Oh, or is it be nice to the kids and mean to your elders day? Whippersnapper!
: I have proof.
: Indeed? Then let’s see this proof, Mr. Wright.
: Your Honor!
: How could the boy have taken the spear? It’s impossible!
: I see!
: Well, would the witness care to comment on this?
: Mrph.
: (The windbag… speechless. This has got to be a first.)
: Very well!
: This court will suspend proceedings on the current trial for today.
: Mr. Edgeworth, please find out more about your witness, Ms. Windy… what was her name?
: Something “Oldbag,” Your Honor.
: Then the prosecution will look further into this Oldbag before we continue!
: That is all. The court is adjourned!
: I’m not going to just sit here while you run off barking up the wrong tree… me!
: I’m talking!
: Ms. Oldbag! What is this all about?
: Have you omitted something from your testimony?
: Actually, if you must know,
: there’s something I was told not to talk about.
: By whom!?
: (Huh? You mean it wasn’t Edgeworth who told her not to talk…?)
: W-well, testify!
: M-Ms. Oldbag! This is crucial information! Why did you keep this from the court until now!?
: Ain’t you been listening?
: They told me to shut my trap, and I always do what I’m told.
: …
: (No, this isn’t a bad dream, Your Honor. Witness the power of the Oldbag…)
: Mr. Wright… Your cross-examination.
: So, you were told not to talk?
: That’s right! By the studio and TV bigwigs, no less!
: Why didn’t I hear about this!?
: Don’t be too hard on yourself, sonny. We were all in on it.
: W-who were these people!?
: Well, the director and the producer, for starters…
: The… director?
: We should have known something was fishy! How could they have done a run-through of their action scene without a director?
: Of course!
: Yes, well, I was surprised no one asked about it.
: So, where were these people?
: He joined the producer around lunchtime and they had a meeting after that.
: Where!
: Oh, in the Studio Two trailer.
: S-Studio Two…!? (There was a Studio Two…?)
: Well, if you look at the guidemap…
: You go through the gate and all the way to the left.
: Well, Mr. Wright… Would you like to continue the cross-examination…?
: Ms. Oldbag! This is a trial for murder!
: I know that, silly!
: Still, they were pretty convincing about having nothing to do with it.
: And… they gave me a little bonus on the side.
: (So, you got your “bonus” and you still talked…)
: (I guess there’s no harm in getting as much info as I can!)
: So they were actually in the studio!?
: Yes, the whole day.
: When they heard about the murder, they beat it before the cops came.
: grumble (I’ll kill this woman, I swear it…)
: (I feel sorry for Edgeworth, almost. She really left him hanging on this one.)
: “Them”…?
: W-who were these people!?
: Well, the director and the producer, for starters…
: The… director?
: We should have known something was fishy! How could they have done a run-through of their action scene without a director?
: Of course!
: Yes, well, I was surprised no one asked about it.
: So, where were these people?
: He joined the producer around lunchtime and they had a meeting after that.
: Where!
: Oh, in the Studio Two trailer.
: S-Studio Two…!? (There was a Studio Two…?)
: Well, if you look at the guidemap…
: You go through the gate and all the way to the left.
: Well, Mr. Wright… Would you like to continue the cross-examination…?
: Your Honor. We have learned that there were others at Global Studios on the day in question.
: The director and the producer and, er, some bigwigs, were all present.
: Yet, as we stand here, they have not been questioned!
: I hold that it is impossible to declare a verdict on the defendant, Mr. Powers!
: Hmm…
: The court acknowledges the defense’s point.
: The prosecution will gather more information about the witness, Ms. Oldbag… and more information about these other people we have just been told of!
: … I understand, Your Honor.
: This ends the day’s proceedings in the trial of Mr. Will Powers. That is all. The court is adjourned!
: I was right to ask you to defend me.
: Aww, really, it’s nothing. grin
: Oh, or should I… sniff
: We’ll be going down to the studios to do some more investigation. We have to find out more about the director and producer. They’ll be turning up in the next trial as witnesses for certain. So now’s my chance to get material for the cross-examination!
: So, Nick… Have we figured out just who it was in that Steel Samurai costume?
: Could it really have been old windbag?
: What do you think, Mr. Powers?
: I don’t think it was her, really.
: Neither do I, Nick.
: Y-yeah, I know! Look, I was just buying time back there. Someone had to be the bad guy for a bit to take the pressure off Mr. Powers.
: Poor old windbag… I feel kinda sorry for her.
: Well, she wasn’t winning any points in there, with or without my accusation. Okay, let’s get down to the studios.
: Right! We’ll be back to visit you soon…
: Th-thanks. Thanks, guys. sniff
Next time: Back to investigation!
[quote=“South Carolina Code Ann. Section 16-17-420”]It shall be unlawful:
(1) for any person wilfully or unnecessarily (a) to interfere with or to disturb in any way or in any place the students or teachers of any school or college in this State, (b) to loiter about such school or college premises or © to act in an obnoxious manner thereon; or
(2) for any person to (a) enter upon any such school or college premises or (b) loiter around the premises, except on business, without the permission of the principal or president in charge.
(B) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction thereof, shall pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than ninety days.[/quote]
(filler posting is good for mobile viewing, i’m told)
(sorry for importing like 80% of a completed LP, it’s gonna take a bit)
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Investigation (Day 2) - Part 1
: Say, you think WP’s got a chance?
: I guess that really depends on the people we found out about in today’s trial.
: The director and producer…?
: Yeah, them.
: Well, what are we doing here then!? Let’s get to the studios!
Nothing new to look at that’s new, but we can talk to Maya!
: What do you think we should do?
: W-what do I… huh!? Why don’t we do what you just said!? We gotta get the scoop on this director and producer.
: Oh, right. Then there’s no point hanging out here.
: Hmm. We don’t have enough information to make a case yet.
: That’s exactly the same thing you said yesterday! Just admit it: you don’t have a clue what happened.
: There’s not enough information!
So let’s get moving.
: No one’s here.
: Right, now that they have Ms. Oldbag in custody. I guess they don’t have anyone else to replace her…
: H-hey! In the guard station! Look! She left her donuts! …
: … What? I wasn’t going to eat them!
: The computer that runs the studio security cameras. Huh? It looks like it’s been turned off for the day.
No surveillence photos for us! So, instead, we head off to find more things to poke at.
: Hey, Nick.
: It looks like Detective Gumshoe isn’t here today.
: You’re right. He’s probably up to his neck in paperwork after the commotion at today’s trial.
: So, Nick… Remember that “Studio Two” we heard about at the trial today? It was down that path with the fallen tree, right?
: Yeah, I think that’s what they said.
: Maybe the director and the rest of them are there today?
: Now’s our chance, Nick! Let’s check it out!
An excellent idea.
: This… is Studio Two?
: I thought so…
: It doesn’t really look much like a “studio,” does it?
: No, that it does not.
: It looks pretty sturdy for a movie set trailer.
: Are we sure this is a studio?
Time to poke around.
: There’s some flowers here.
: Wow, so pretty! They’re taking good care of these.
: Don’t get to close. That fence looks dangerous.
This case seems to have a bunch of typos.
: On closer inspection, this trailer looks like it’s been here for a while. I don’t think this is part of some temporary film set.
: These look like materials for making a movie set.
: They’ve been sitting here for quite some time. This might as well be a junkyard.
: There’s a big “2” painted here.
: Probably because this is Studio Two?
: Probably… Though it doesn’t look anything like a studio.
Over to the other side…
: There’s nothing left on the plates.
: Hey, so they ate t-bone steaks too.
: What is it with steaks around here?
: Hey! There’s always room for steak!
: But… something does seem out of place…
: What?
: I… don’t know. It just feels “odd.”
: An incinerator. Apparently they just put this one in. It’s already covered in soot. They must not clean it much.
: A light van for moving staff and equipment around. They’ve kept it in pretty good shape. Looks like it’d run fine.
: Well, lets go for a drive!
: Sure… if I had a license.
: Nick! You don’t have a driver’s license!?
: Why are you showing me your attorney’s badge, Nick?
That’s all there is to see around here, though. Let’s check out Studio One.
: I… don’t really want to be in here.
: Yeah… It is a murder scene.
: I want to go someplace else. Nick?
: i[/i]
Okay, maybe not.
Maybe over here?
: Look, it’s that assistant girl. Hey!
: I heard about the trial! Great job, guys!
: Oh? Oh hoh hoh. Don’t mention it.
: Is it true they caught the security lady!?
: Oh! Oh… oh hoh hoh!
: Actually, she just called me.
: She told me to cover up that drain…
: You mean that one?
: (Wow, what a mess…)
: I… I know… I’m not so good with handiwork. Some assistant, right?
: Yeah, but you do work on the props, and the backdrops, right?
: R-right. Just… lots of times they end up looking worse than they did before I fixed them.
: Oh? Oh! Well, I’m sure these things happen. Nothing to worry yourself about!
: You’re right! I won’t!
: (Personally, I think she should worry at least a little bit more…)
: Um, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to the guard station. I’m supposed to fill in for Ms. Oldbag.
: Right! See you later, then!
: Good luck with your investigation.
She leaves. Let’s check her handiwork.
: So, the fanboy they were talking about in the trial today…
: He came in through that drain?
: So it seems. I guess they covered it up in a hurry.
: Hey… Hey, Nick!
: If that drain’s covered, the boy won’t be able to get in.
: Uh, yeah. I think that was the idea…?
: I feel kinda sorry for him, though. Don’t you?
: What, you want to rip the grate off?
: Really, Nick? We can!?
Petty vandalism to cause problems for random people for no reason? Sure, why not!
: Well, I guess some things are just made to be broken.
: Yay! You know, Nick, you’re pretty swell sometimes.
: i[/i]
: There. That should make the kids happy.
: The things we do…
: This is where the Steel Samurai costume was, on the day of the murder.
: That’s what Mr. Powers says, at least. I guess they snuck in and took it while he was sleeping.
: But Nick, what if Mr. Powers hadn’t been sleeping? I wonder what the killer was planning on doing then?
: Huh… (She’s got a point!)
Not much else in here…
: Ho hoh! You look a little out of place.
: It’s the clothes, isn’t it? I thought my camo vest might do the trick…
: Kind of an “alternative guard fashion” thing.
Now we can question her!
: So, how are the studios doing?
: There’s police wandering around everywhere, it’s terrible. They won’t even let me clean up. Don’t want me “disturbing evidence.”
: I haven’t even cleaned up our lunch plates from the day of the murder!
: You mean those plates with the steak bones left over on them in the employee area?
: Yeah. Can you believe it?
: Do kids sneak in here a lot?
: Well…
: I don’t think there’s that many of them, but I do see one in particular a bunch. He’s always gawking at the sets, or snapping pictures. You should see Old Windbag’s eyes flash when she sees him.
: She has a bit of trouble catching him though…
: I heard something at the trial today. They said that the director and producer were here the day of the murder…
: Oh, sorry… I was in the prop storage room, so I didn’t see them. I guess they were here, though.
: The studio head seemed pretty eager to keep us quiet.
: So they were trying to protect the director?
: More the producer, really.
: The producer’s our real star here. She saved these studios from the brink of disaster and kept them running.
: I don’t think we’d still be in business if it weren’t for that producer!
: (The producer, huh?)
Well, that was informative! We should check in with Will, though.
: Oh, Mr. Wright! Thank you for earlier.
: Not at all. We got lucky, to tell the truth.
: You can say that again!
: Let’s not.
: So, WP! Do you have any leads that might get us going in the right direction?
: Hmm… S-sorry, but no.
: Be sure to tell us anything that comes to mind, no matter how small.
: We can’t rely on getting lucky again tomorrow.
: Y-yes… sniff
: Do, er, “fanboys” sneak into the studios often?
: No, not that I know of. That security lady’s pretty strict with them.
: But, in today’s testimony, didn’t she say they were often hanging around?
: The kids really, really love the Steel Samurai. They sneak past when she’s not looking, I guess.
: Was the director present at the morning run-through?
: Y-yes, yes he was. He was directing how the Steel Samurai and the Evil Magistrate should move.
: Why didn’t you tell us that before!?
: W-well, just, the studio asked us to keep quiet…
: That has nothing to do with this! I hate to repeat myself, but Nick here is a newbie lawyer! Fresh off the bar! When he loses, he’s going to lose big!
: I… I see. sniff
: (Whose side is she on!?)
: You aren’t hiding anything else from us, are you!?
: N-no, I sure hope not.
: Yes?
: Is it heavy, that spear?
: It’s pretty hefty, yeah. I don’t think the average person would be able to swing it around effectively.
: Hmm…
: And… that’s the spear that broke or something during the morning run-through?
: Oh yes, I goofed on a round kick, you see… I broke the spear. The security lady fixed it for me right away though.
: With duct tape. We heard.
Now, for lack of other ideas, let’s check out Studio Two again.
: (This place is deserted…)
: Eek! N-N-Nick! W-w-what was that noise!?
: Someone must be inside…
: H-Hello? …
: No answer.
: Pretty suspicious, if you ask me, Nick! Let’s go in!
: I’m not sure we should be barging in… …Huh. It’s locked.
: What? Don’t we have a key?
: No. But there’s probably one in the guard station at the main gate.
: Then what are we waiting for? Let’s borrow it!
: (If they’ll let us…)
So, back to the main gate!
: The security guard station. I can see the computer that runs the security cameras.
: Oh, please don’t touch anything in there.
: The security lady would knock the stuffing out of me if she knew.
: (I really want the key to that trailer… Maybe next time…)
No dice. Maybe there’ll be a key in Powers’ dressing room?
: Wait, you first! Who are you!?
: You look pretty suspicious to me!
: Whatever, l4m3rs! How can j00 not know the great Sal Manella!? I make teh L33T SH0WZ! The Steel Samurai? Mine! RTFC! (Read The Film Credits!)
: I’m so sorry! I, just, you looked so… Sorry!
: …
: W-what is it?
: You know, on closer inspection…
: Hey, do j00 do a lot of “cosplay,” coz that costume r0x0rz!.. drool
: Huh? Mmph! LOL! Buffer overrun! pant
: You’ve triggered my CR34T1V3 P0W3RZ! Yes… yes, it’s coming to me! “Pink Princess”! The sequel to the Steel Samurai… “Pink Princess: Warrior of Little Olde Tokyo!”
: ROFL… LMAO!
: P-“Pink Princess”…?
: Why’s it gotta be “Little” Olde Tokyo!? Why can’t it have a cool name, like “Neo Olde Tokyo”!?
: Maya, we really need to talk about “cool”…
I…yeah. Sal Manella. Let’s…let’s question him. Maybe it won’t be horrible.
: Did you notice anything unusual on the day of the murder?
: Oh, I know who j00 d00dz are. That security lady told j00 about us, eh?
: That’s right.
: It was a pretty regular day. We had a run-through for an action scene in the morning. Then a meeting from lunchtime in the Studio Two trailer.
: Heh. I was so busy I didn’t even get a chance to eat lunch! 
: A t-bone steak, was it?
: Yeah… sux0rz! I hate missing out on food…
: Nick… what does “Sucksores” mean?
: No idea…
: Anyway, I was in a meeting from noon till after 4:00.
: With the producer, and some bigwigs from the network.
: (Mr. Hammer’s time of death was estimated at 2:30 PM. If he’s telling the truth, that meeting gives him an alibi…)
: About the producer who was at the meeting with you…
: Oh, you mean Dee Vasquez? She’s a genius. M4d sk1llz, all the way. Scary, though. sweats She brought these studios back from the brink of destruction. She’s the one who made it possible for me to make the Steel Samurai!
: You had a meeting with her on the day of the murder, right?
: Yeah, we were together from noon to 4:00 PM, the whole time.
: Who exactly are these “bigwigs” people keep mentioning?
: Oh, the boss over at the network, and some sponsors. Also a few production guys. They piled into a limousine and got her right around noon.
: Major tension! sweats
: Were all of them with you the entire time?
: Yeah, unfortunately. They’re all gray-haired geezers… scowl
: (Hmm… sounds like they’d all be reliable witnesses.)
And let’s show him our badge.
: I try not to pay much attention to things that don’t interest me. LOL.
: W-why are you staring at me like that…?
…ugh.
Next time: Talking to someone that isn’t a fat, stinky pervert.
[quote=“South Carolina Code Ann., Subsections 16-15-60 and 16-15-80”]Any man or woman who shall be guilty of the crime of […] fornication shall be liable to indictment and, on conviction, shall be severally punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars no more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than one year or by both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.
[…]
“Fornication” is the living together and carnal intercourse with each other or habitual carnal intercourse with each other without living together of a man and woman, both being unmarried.[/quote]
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Investigation (Day 2) - Part 2
: You again!
: Eeeek!
: How rude, acting like you’ve seen a ghost!
: You… certainly got back to your post quickly.
: Oh the police took me away, they did. They pulled out a spare Steel Samurai costume! Told me to “put it on.” Can you imagine? How could I, a sweet little old lady, wear a giant suit like that?
: Mr. Powers is pretty tall…
: As soon as they saw there was no way I could wear it, they let me go.
: (I guess that would rule out her being the murderer.)
: Anyway!
: Know this, whippersnapper! This old lady NEVER forgets a slight or insult! And you won’t get any information out of me! My lips are sealed!
: You sure are talking a lot for someone with sealed lips.
: Starting now! One, two, three, mmmph!
: (This lady’s too much…)
: Umm, about that kid you said you saw…
: If I see him again, I’m taking him down!
: N-Nick! Look at her eyes! She’s serious!
: About the director, the one who was here on the day of the murder…
: If I see him again, I’m taking him down!
: Nick! I think she’s losing it!
: H-hey! Wait!
: Hey, um, kiddy-o! What’s yer name, sport?
: I’m not a kid, so don’t talk to me like that!
: H-huh!?
: But you… You are a kid! What a rude little brat. That’s no way to talk to an adult!
: I don’t see no adults here! Hippie fashion chick!
: H-hippie fashion…?
: Nick… I think I’m being mocked.
: (You got to hand it to Maya, she’s pretty sharp. And pretty mad…)
: I’m Cody! Cody Hackins.
: So you’re a fan of the Steel Samurai?
: How dare you utter that name, evildoer!
: What do you mean? We’re on the Steel Samurai’s side!
: H-hah! Hah hah! You can’t fool me!
: Okay… then what’s the last line said by the innkeeper in Episode 8?
: Hmph… not bad, kiddy-o.
: Watch it!
: (What are they doing!?)
: Say, you heard anything about the incident the other day?
: You were here, weren’t you?
: …
: Did you see anything…?
: He… he…
: ?
: He… always… The Steel Samurai always wins! Always! Yeah, I saw 'em! I saw everything!
: What!?
: But… but no way am I telling you losers!
: Wha–!? Wait…
: Lemme go!
: … He’s gone.
: Huh?
: Something fell off the table when he bumped into it on his way out.
: Why was this sitting there, I wonder?
: Anyway, what was that kid saying?
: He “saw everything”…
: Where’s that old windbag?
: Odd of her to leave her post…
: Nick! That was her!
: Y-yeah. Sounds like she’s chasing after that boy.
: Uh oh, she tripped!
: (Maya sure looks happy…)
: Hey, hey, Nick. Now’s our chance! Let’s check out the guard station!
: Good idea.
: …
: Oh!
: This is it, Nick!
: The key to that trailer in Studio Two!
: We’ll be borrowing this, right, Nick?
: … It opened.
: Great! Let’s go, Nick!
: (She seems eager all of a sudden…)
: Well, you first, Nick!
: (Ah, not THAT eager.)
: Eek! S-someone’s in here!
: Names.
: O-our n-names? Um, w-we’re WP’s lawyers, and, um…
: I see. …
: A-and who might you…?
: Dee Vasquez. The producer.
: (Dee Vasquez… She’s quite beautiful.)
Let’s take a look around.
: An old movie poster. “‘Dynamite Samurai’ starring Jack Hammer.” I guess Mr. Hammer used to be quite the star.
: “‘Samurai Summer’ starring Jack Hammer.” This poster’s quite old.
: Wow! It’s been years since I saw that show! It was one of those typical summer romance stories… but it was great!
: A typical summer romance… with a samurai on a horse?
: Another old movie poster. “‘The Singing Samurai’ starring Jack Hammer.” What the hell do samurai sing about? Chopping off heads?
: Oh. My. God. That movie was the best! It’s about a samurai who sings his way to fame and fortune!
: Mr. Hammer was a very accomplished singer, you know.
: Singing samurai stars… What’s next? Ninja ballet?
: It looks like they were designing a set to use for the Steel Samurai show. They’ve got some figures for how much the set costs… I can’t believe they spend that much money on these sets!
: The glass is frosted. I can’t see outside. This far into October, the dimming daylight makes it feel like winter’s coming.
: This is where they had that meeting. There are documents and paper cups scattered around.
: Nothing in here that could be a clue. Just some paper cups and crumpled documents.
Now, let’s question the producer.
: I was wondering if you could tell me about the day of the murder.
: … …
: M-Ms. Vasquez?
: Script.
: E-excuse me?
: Script. I’m looking for a script.
: A s-script?
: “The Steel Samurai, Episode 13.” I need it.
: Umm… could we ask you a bit about the day of the murder?
: I need to read it. …
: …
: … (We’re getting nowhere fast.)
: Um, w-we’d really like to ask you about the Steel Samurai!
: … …
: Ms. Vasquez?
: It’s on TV. Every week. That’s all I have to say about that.
: N-Nick! She’s telling us to go watch TV!? The nerve of her!
: Hey, don’t get mad at me.
: About the director… Sal Manella, was it? What, er, exactly is his role here…?
: Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear? I’m looking for a script. I can’t be bothered with anything else. …
: Nick?
: Are all people in the entertainment business this… weird?
: It’s startin to look like it.
: Nick, let’s get out of here. Isn’t there someplace else we have to check?
: Y-yeah.
: Wait.
: Y-yes?
: W-why do we have to do your errands…!
: …
: …
: …
: I… I don’t think I like her. sniff
: Don’t cry. She’ll take it as a sign of weakness. Alright. We’ll give it to him if we see him.
And the badge…
: I’m not interested.
…oh. Well…I guess we might as well deliver that note.
If we present the memo…
: Huh? “Bring the script for Episode 13”? Episode 13… where did I put that one? …
: I must have left it somewhere… sweats U-uh oh… My ass is p0wned if I don’t find it… shakes
: Nick…
: It might be quicker to just look in all the places where he’s likely to have been.
: I agree.
Well, that was unhelpful. At least there’s some stuff to look at that I forgot last time.
: Mr. Powers’s bag. I wonder what’s inside?
: Hey!
: Supermarket tabloids? Wow. I’m kind of shocked.
: Maya! Leave those alone! (Wolf Men Found On Mars…? I’ll have to buy that issue!)
: There’s a bunch of snacks on the table. They must give these to the employees.
: H-hey! Nick!
: W-what now?
: Th-the snacks! There was twice this much here before!
: Ah. I, uh, I ate them. They were past their expiration date anyway. ROFL!
: …
: (She’s biting her lip and staring at me with tears welling in her eyes…)
Anyway…
: Let’s find what we need and get out of here quick, Nick.
: Hey! Look! That’s the chair the director sits in! I’ve always wanted to sit in one of these.
: (The director…!) Maya… Take a look around that chair for me, would you? Remember that script the director was talking about? Didn’t he say he’d left it somewhere?
: Ahah!
: Good work!
We present the script…
: Ah.
We hand it over.
: …
: … Umm… uh… You’re not going to talk to us?
: Quiet. I’m reading.
: …! Just you hold on! What’s the big idea!? Who do you think you are anyway!? And, and do you even know who we are!?
: … Powers’s lawyers?
: Umm… right.
: Am I a suspect?
: N-no, it’s just, well, no, but…
: … You wanted to know about the day of the murder?
: Y-yes. Anything you could tell us would be a big help.
: … You know there was a meeting here at noon?
: Yes. With the director and the people from the network…
: Correct. Now, listen closely. None of the people in this trailer that afternoon went to Studio One. It was impossible for us to leave.
: Impossible? Why?
: The path was blocked.
: The… path?
: On the day of the murder, the path that leads here was blocked?
: You saw Mr. Monkey on the way here, correct?
: M-“Mr. Monkey”?
: The monkey with the broken head.
: They didn’t start moving the head out of the way until after 3:00. It was after 4:00 by the time the path was unblocked. Capice? Everyone in this trailer was stuck here until the path was cleared. Stuck in this trailer. Stuck until after 4:00. Hammer died at 2:30. Thus, none of us could have gone to Studio One.
: W-what!?
: It’s true. A crane came just after 3:00 to move the head. We called some people in to clear the way. I’m sure they’d corroborate my story,
: B-but wait! What if the head fell over after 2:30? Then you could have gone to Studio One!
: 2:30… the time of death. … Very well. Come.
: When it wasn’t broken, it announced the time… in “ooks.” One “ook” per hour. Ook ook ook ook. Always with the ooking.
: (It IS a monkey, after all.)
: Check its head. The clock inside stopped when it broke.
: …! Nick, it’s stopped at 2:15.
: 2:15…?
: That’s right.
: Therefore, we’re innocent.
: Mr. Hammer died in Studio One at 2:30…
: See? Good bye.
She leaves.
: What do we do, Nick?
: There isn’t anyone besides WP who could have killed Hammer!
: It’s over… We’re finished!
: (It sure doesn’t look good. Guess we should head back to the office and plan our strategy…)
Next time: Doomed?
[quote=“South Carolina Code Ann., Subsections 63-19-2420 and 63-19-2430”]Loitering in a billiard room.
It is unlawful for a person under eighteen years of age to loiter in a billiard or pocket billiard room or to play billiards or pocket billiards in a billiard room unless accompanied by the person’s parent or guardian or with the written consent of the person’s parent or guardian.
[…]
Playing pinball.
It is unlawful for a minor under the age of eighteen to play a pinball machine.[/quote]
Case 2 - Turnabout Samurai
Investigation (Day 2) - Part 3
: Now what… We’re fresh out of clues. Everyone’s alibi is watertight. We don’t even have any promising leads. Things are looking pretty grim.
: It’s a little early for giving up, don’t you think?
: Huh?
: You’ve got one lead…
: What took you so long!?
: Sorry, Phoenix. Maya has trouble calling me unless she’s really in trouble.
: Right! Oh, wait. I guess that means we’re really in trouble.
: I’d say so.
: What did you mean, we have one lead…?
: The boy, of course.
: I dunno. He didn’t sound like he was going to help us at all.
: I’m sure you can find some way of bringing him over to your side.
: Either way, we should get back to the studios. That boy is our last hope, Phoenix.
: (Thanks, now I’m more worried than I was before…)
Oh, and some new witness profiles got added!
Now, let’s chat with Mia!
: So, what’s the best thing to do from here?
: We need to get to the studio and talk to that boy.
: So, do you have any ideas about who might have done this?
: We don’t have enough information to make a case yet.
: (Where have I heard that phrase before? So THAT’s where Maya got it from…)
And the badge…
: Showing me that isn’t going to do any good.
: You know what they say, “Dead men don’t tell tales.”
: (You sure are talking enough!)
: Huff… puff… huff… puff… whih… whippersnapper!
: (She’s been chasing that boy this whole time.)
: Huff… puff… when… when I ca… catch him… I… huff
: (Sounds like she hasn’t had any luck catching him.)
: Huff… puff… I… I got a hostage now, whippersnapper!
: (A “hostage”…!?)
: Umm… what happened to the boy?
: I-if I see him a-again, I’ll… huff! L-lay him flat! Huff… puff…
: Actually, I met with the director just now…
: Eh? Hah… my heart, it don’t feel so good.
: (Is she okay!?)
: B-before I go, I’d like to v-visit the place where poor H-Hammer died…
: (Right… she was saying she wanted to visit the studio where he died.)
: What’s this about a “hostage”?
: Huff… huff… W-when that boy was running away… …he dropped this, a-and ran! Huff… huff… H-he’ll come back… huff… huff… for this one!
: (It’s kind of hard to understand her with all that huffing and puffing.)
: Phoenix! That “hostage” might be what we need! Cody might talk to us if we gave him that!
: (Good idea!) Ms. Oldbag! Might I…
: No!
: I’m catching that brat if it’s the last thing I do!
: Phoenix. Do you have anything you might trade with her?
: (A trade, hmm… I wonder…?)
As it happens, we might.
: That’s a card… huff… Studio One?
: Right. A cardkey to Studio One.
: Huff… puff… I… I could visit poor Hammer… I’d like to visit… huf… he died… whew. I was his… his fan.
: You don’t have your own card, Ms. Oldbag?
: Studio One isn’t my turf. Huff… huff… You’ll let me borrow… borrow it, then?
: Why don’t you let her borrow it, Phoenix?
: I guess it can’t hurt. Her you go, Ms. Oldbag.
: … Listen to me, sonny. I don’t like having debts to no whippersnappers.
: What’s this…? A Steel Samurai trading card?
: That sneaky kid dropped it! I figure it’s pretty important to him, though.
: Thank you, I may have a use for this. (This must be the “hostage” she was talking about.)
: Right. I’m off.
: (There she goes, hobbling off toward the studio…)
: … Phoenix… Was that the boy?
: Yeah. His name’s “Cody Hackins.”
: I think he ran into the dressing room.
: He’s sure to be in here somewhere…
: Dammit! He’s getting away!
: Come back! … There. He’s back.
: …
: Hey there. Would you mind helping us out? Please?
: …
: I-I’m Cody.
: Hello, Cody. I’m Mia. Mia Fey. Nice to meet you.
: And I’m Phoenix Wright!
: Who asked?
: Phoenix, you can take it from here.
: (I’m not so sure I’m qualified…)
: The Steel Samurai’s so cool. I think he’s the, um, the “bomb.”
: Hah! What would a lamer like you know about the Steel Samurai!
: H-hey, watch that attitude!
: Phoenix, you really shouldn’t yell like that. He’s only a kid.
: Yeah! Don’t yell like that I’m only a kid!
The game seems to be short on punctuation suddenly.
: So, do you know anything about what happened here? Could you tell me, please?
: I don’t know nothing!
: (Hmm… looks like a little persuasion’s necessary. Maybe a bribe…?)
: Hey! My UR!
: “You are”… huh?
: “U.R.” You know, “ultra rare”! That card’s really hard to get!
: Man, for a grown-up, you sure are dumb!
: I’ll give you this… IF you help me.
: But that’s my card! By offering me something I already own, you’re in effect eschewing the very basis of our consumer society, namely the principle of fair trade! Man, for a grown-up, you sure are dumb!
: (W-what do they teach these kids in school these days!? Quantum physics!?)
: Whatever, I don’t need that card.
: Huh?
: I got a double.
: Just keep it. It’s yours.
: (What!? After I went through all that trouble…)
: If you want to ttrade, find me a REALLY rare card!
: “Really rare”!? You mean there’s something rare than “Ultra Rare”!?
: Ultra Rare Premium cards are way rarer than plain Ultra Rare cards! Come ON!
: Man, for a grown-up, you sure are dumb!
: Premium… rare… why do I feel like we’re talking about steaks?
OBviously, the place to look for one of these is Studio Two. Clearly.
: Hello. What brings you here?
: Oh, well, I had to arrange some stuff… Umm…
: Yes?
: They, um, girl with you. Doesn’t she seem a little different? Like, is she even the same person as before?
: Um, nope! She’s the same as always.
: Same as always.
: Okay… whatever you say…
: Have you seen the boy since then?
: Nope. You missed it, though.
: The security lady was chasing around after the boy so fast I thought she’d collapse. Of course, he got away in the end. Boy, was she mad!
: Actually, we saw them. How’s the old windbag doing?
: She was squeezing donuts through her clenched fists back at the guard station.
: (Some people take their jobs a little too seriously.)
: Are all the posters on the wall here of Hammer?
: Yes. It’s really a terrible loss for the studios.
: But… his popularity had been waning recently, right?
: That’s true.
: Then again, after what happened…
: After WHAT happened?
: Y-you mean, you don’t know about Hammer…?
: No, what?
: I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.
: Wait, now you have to tell me. What happened with Hammer?
: I-I’m sorry. I’m probably not the one who should tell you.
: (Uh oh. Why do I get the feeling something’s being covered up here?)
Well, no matter. May as well see if she knows who might be into Steel Samurai cards.
: Do you know anything about this?
: I collect those, actually. I’m one card away from a complete set!
: A complete set?
: Yeah, a set of one of each card.
: Huh…
: … Wait… Waitwaitwaitwait!!! That’s it!!! That’s the card I need! You don’t know how long I’ve been looking for it!
: Uh…
: I don’t care what kind of girl you might think I am, I need that card!
: T-trade with you?
: Yes, trade cards!
: Trade me a… huh?
: Yes, it’s a good deal for your Ultra Rare! Please!!!
: Phoenix! Can’t you see she’s desperate?
: Okay.
: Really!? Th-thanks!!! Then this is for you. Yaa-hoo!
: (And there she goes…)
: Doesn’t doing good things like that make you feel great?
: Yeah. Yeah, it does.
Now, back to Cody.
: See this card?
: That’s the last Ultra Rare Premium card I need! C’mon give it to me, please! You gotta give it to me!
: (Wow, I’ve never seen him so… eager.) R-right! Okay! How about a trade?
: You’re on!
: No no no no… not that kind of trade. I don’t want cards. I want information.
: Huh? You sure? Fine by me!
We hand over the card.
: Okay, Phoenix. Let’s hear what he has to say. If he knows something that could help us, we can have him take the stand tomorrow.
: So… you like the Steel Samurai.
: He’s so cool!
: You’re judging him by his looks! You have to look at his actions, at his life!
: (I’m being lectured on life by a grade schooler…)
: You like him too, don’tcha?
: Uh… Oh, me? Y-yeah! I, um, love the Steel Samurai.
: R-right… (C’mon, think of something!) I really like his, um, his kind nature. What a guy!
: Totally! He looks so tough, but inside, he’s as gentle as a kitten!
: Yeah…
: So what else do you like about him?
: (Don’t tell me I have to keep this act up…)
: W-well… (I’ve never even seen a full episode of that dumb show.) A-actually, I’m kind of a fan of Will Powers…
: Whoa! That’s totally hard-core!
: (You’re calling ME hard-core?)
: So what else do you like about him?
: (Don’t tell me I have to keep this act up…)
: (Got to think of something…) I like it when he, uh, he vanquishes his foes!
: Yeah! Whizzam!
: The Steel Samurai always wins! Always! Check this out! It’s my fan album!
: I go to every live performance!
: (Those stupid publicity stunts where they beat each other up in public…?)
: I always take a picture when the Steel Samurai lands the final blow! Whizzam!
: I got 'em all! I never missed one! A perfect collection!
: Wow, that’s very impressive. The newest model, isn’t it?
: You bet, lady! I just got it for my birthday!
: The Steel Samurai always wins! Always!
: Hey, if you want this, you can have it, lady.
: Really? Are you sure?
: Yeah, I took these with a digital camera. I got all the data at home so I can always make another one.
: Well, then I’m happy to accept! Thank you.
: (What’s with people always giving stuff to Mia? What a life!)
: ?
: You were here on the day opf the… incident, right?
: Yeah…
: Did you see anything unusual?
: …
: Cody.
: !
: Cody, he needs to know because he’s fighting for justice. Isn’t that the Steel Samurai’s motto? “For great justice”? You have to help us fight for great justice, too.
: I… I saw… I saw everything!
: (Well, well… We might get some useful information out of him yet.)
: Cody… I need to ask you something very important. What did you see on the day of the incident?
: …
: I got here that day around 2:00… I had to come in through the woods out back so that old lady wouldn’t see me.
: I got kinda lost, though. I was in there for maybe a half hour or so. Then I finally got to the studio. After that…
: What is it, Cody?
: He used his Samurai Spear! Just like always! One shot, one kill! It happened so fast… I got scared. I went home after that.
: I… I see. It must have been hard for you.
: Man, you say those nice things but it’s so obvious you aren’t speaking from the heart.
: (Umm… right.) Mia?
: Yes?
: I think we can say for sure this means the Steel Samurai did it.
: True enough.
: And the director has an alibi, so it wasn’t him.
: Indeed.
: So… the only person left who it could have been is Will Powers!
: … I have to admit, it’s kind of a shock. But if you put this boy on the witness stand, your client iwll be “guilty” for sure.
: Let’s not call him then…
: I think that would be wise. Best to leave this one alone.
: Not so fast, pal!
: And he’s under police protection, starting now! C’mon, son.
: You’ve got a rendezvous with me down at the precinct!
: No! I ain’t going! Waah!
: … That didn’t go so well! We’re back to zero leads.
: And now we have a serious handicap in court.
: W-what’re we going to do, Mia!
: Well, hmm… I… really need to be going.
: Don’t worry, Phoenix. I’m sure you’ll be fine!
: Whoa whoa whoa! C-come to the trial tomorrow, please! I need you there!
: Phoenix, can I ask you something?
: (I never expected things to go this badly for Powers’s case… I’m not sure we can win this one.)
: Phoenix? If you don’t believe in him, who will!?
: (Uh oh, she’s mad.)
: Oh well… I’ll see you in court tomorrow then.
: Of course he is!
: … That’s all I wanted to hear.
: Excellent. I’ll see you in court, then.
Convergence.
: Great! Thanks, Mia!
: See you soon.
Next time: Court.
(Filler is apparently also good for the timeline viewing thing.)
(god, this is gonna be a long thread.)
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Trial (Day 3) - Part 1
: …
: Umm… Mr. Wright?
: Yes?
: Why do you look so… unhappy?
: O-oh! Oh, nothing! Eh heh heh. Really, it’s nothing. Right, Mia? (Uh oh. She looks even unhappier…)
: Phoenix. Your client is now practically a dead man walking… Perhaps that’s why I feel particularly close to him.
: This is no time for dead-people jokes, please.
: You know we’re going into this trial utterly defenseless. Yet, if Mr. Powers is truly innocent… We should be able to find something overlooked in the evidence to prove it.
: Something “overlooked”…?
: We have to find something, Phoenix, today. It’s that, or lose the trial.
: (This isn’t going ot be easy.)
: The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Will Powers.
: The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.
: The defense is ready, Your Honor.
: Very well. Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement, please.
: An unexpected fact has come to the attention of the court. Yesterday, we learned that there were other people present at the studios! Today, I would like to show evidence proving they had nothing to do with the murder.
: Very well. You may call your first witness, Mr. Edgeworth.
: (I wonder if that producer is going to come out…)
: The prosecution calls Mr. Sal Manella to the stand.
: (… or that director.)
: Will the witness state his name and profession?
: …
: How r00d can j00 get! J00 don’t know ME!? I’m the director! I make the Steel Samurai, n00b! ROFL!
: …
: Were you at Global Studios on the day of the murder?
: Y-yes, Your Honor.
: Hmm…
: Very well. Please testify to the court about the events of that day.
: Let’s start by picking this testimony apart. If Powers is innocent, you know what that means. Someone in the trailer on that day did it!
: R-right. (She doesn’t waste any time putting on the pressure!)
: Hmm…
: The time of Mr. Hammer’s death was 2:30 PM. And according to your testimony, you were in a meeting at that time.
: Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross-examination.
: Yes, Your Honor.
: Is that when you always come in to work?
: Oh, oh no. I come in all sort of hours. It’s the “industry” way.
: (Yeah, I know all about the freaks in your “industry”…)
: Still, FWIW, I was pretty busy all that day.
: Tell us more about that.
: In the Employee Area?
: That’s right. It was a fight scene between the Steel Samurai and the Evil Magistrate.
: Was anyone else at the run-through?
: Oh, yeah. That security lady was sitting there watching the whole thing. LOL. She was cheering on Hammer, if you can believe it.
: (She certainly has the lungs for it…)
: Anyone else?
: Nope, just us four.
: Why did it go on so long?
: Um, I’m pretty sure j00’ve already heard about this… But WP twisted his ankle during the run-through, see…
: (Oh, right, thus the limp.)
: Which of course led to me missing my lunch. ROFS!
: (ROFS? Rolling on the Floor… Starving?)
: What exactly did they have for lunch?
: T-bone steak! The assistant cooked some up.
: (Come to think of it, there was a plate with some bones on it in the Employee Area.)
: “Everyone else” meaning that the witness did not eat with them.
: So, in the end, you didn’t get to eat?
: Yeah. No steak, at least! Can j00 believe it?
: That must have been tough.
: Phoenix.
: Yeah?
: Well, no, not really. Seems pretty straightforward.
: Actually, there is something bothering me.
: Mr. Manella, just now you said, “steak, at least.”
: So you ate something other than steak?
: Yeah, good call!
: I had some chocolate in my pocket, which I used to stave off starvation!
: I see…
: (Is that all? I was sure I was on to something there.)
: Yeah, it does seem odd, now that you mention it.
: Mr. Manella!
: H-hmm? W-what do j00 mean? sweats
: When I went to that trailer, I saw something on the table. There were two plates on the table–the same kind of plates as in the Employee Area.
: Who ate lunch there?
: No, er, ah, um, eh heh. Good call! sweats I, er, I was embarrassed so I didn’t mention it…
: But I did eat, after all.
: A t-bone steak, you mean?
: Yeah, well, I mean the assistant went through all that trouble…
: I brought it to the trailer, thinking I could eat it later.
: (Clearly a man who likes to eat. I’d suspected as much…)
: So, when exactly did you eat it?
: We took one break during that meeting.
: I, er, wolfed it down then. drool
: (A mental image I will carry with me to my grave…)
: (Wait a second…! If they took a break in that meeting, that contradicts his testimony!)
: (I’ll press on that one a bit more…)
: What were you discussing?
: The Steel Samurai story, and our budget.
: Get this! The sponsors turn to me and say, “Mr. Manella. Those scripts of yours are not appropriate for children.” Can j00 believe it!?
: (Actually, I kind of can.)
: So, nobody left the table during the whole meeting?
: You didn’t take a single break?
: Er… well…
: Y-yeah! Not a one! sweats
: (Hmm… what’s he sweating so much about, I wonder? If only I had an idea… Wait a second…)
: Wait a second! Mr. Manella, you’ve just contradicted yourself!
: Didn’t you just tell the court that you ate that t-bone steak during a break?
: Well?
: Umm…
: Mr. Manella, what’s this all about?
: W-well, yeah, I guess we did take a little break.
: Phoenix! Great job! If they took a break, one of them could have gone to the studio during that time!
: Your Honor! I call on the witness to testify to the court about this break!
: Very well. Mr. Manella, your testimony, please.
: Urk!
: Heh heh heh…
: (Uh oh. Edgeworth is laughing…)
: Hmm…
: I don’t think it would even be enough time for that, but that’s just me.
: Very well. You may begin the cross-examination.
: What time exactly did you take this break?
: Hmm… I’d say it was from around 2:30 or so until 2:45.
: i[/i]
: (That’s the time of death! So he could have gone to Studio One, killed Hammer, and come back…)
: (I guess it’s possible, time-wise…)
: …
: What were you doing for those 15 minutes?
: Eating my t-bone steak! What else!?
: There were two plates on the trailer table…?
: Oh, right. The other one was Diva’s… sorry, Dee Vasquez’s plate.
: (Dee Vasquez… the producer.)
: To eat a t-bone steak in 15 minutes… that’s quite a feat.
: Why is that?
: Haven’t we had enough of this pointless line of questioning?
: Your Honor! The testimony to this point has made one certain fact painfully clear: The people in the trailer had nothing to do with the murder!
: It was impossible for any of them to go to Studio One!
: What!?
: Something wrong, Mr. Wright?
: Surely you aren’t suggesting one of the people in the trailer went to Studio One!
: Hmm…
: Well, Mr. Wright?
: Phoenix, this is critical! Think about it before you give your answer!
: (If I agree to let everyone in that trailer off the hook then the trial is over… Mr. Powers will be found guilty for sure!)
: The victim was murdered at 2:30, the exact time of the break in the meeting.
: With 15 minutes, murder is certainly a possibility!
: Hmm…
: I suppose you might say that…
: (Alright, I’ve got the judge thinking now!)
: Tsk, tsk, tsk…
: Never a dull moment with you, Mr. Wright!
: What’s your point, Edgeworth!
: You’ve been doing your homework, haven’t you? Look at the Court Record.
: The Court Record…?
: Surely, you knew that from 2:15 to 4:00 the path between the studios was blocked? Mrs. Monkey’s head had fallen across the path!
: However! The path from there to the scene of the crime was blocked!
: … (It’s actually “Mr. Monkey,” but Edgeworth has a point… And somehow, I feel no desire to correct him.)
: No counter-argument, Mr. Wright?
: (I don’t want to write off so many possible suspects… But I can’t keep claiming the impossible, either…)
: I agree that it was impossible for anyone in the trailer to go to the studio in that time.
: Ha hah!
: I thought you might be thoughtlessly treading on thin ice again! But I see you had at least an inkling of the truth.
: What do you mean, Mr. Edgeworth?
: It’s quite simple…
: True, the break in the trailer meeting came right at the time of death… However! The path from there to the scene of the crime was blocked!
: Ergo! When the people in the trailer took a break at 2:30, the way to the studio was blocked. Blocked… by Mrs. Monkey’s severed head!
: … (It’s actually “Mr. Monkey,” but Edgeworth has a point… And somehow, I feel no desire to correct him.)
Convergence.
: I believe we have seen enough evidence.
: I would like to relieve Mr. Manella from the stand.
: (Wh-what? It’s over?)
: Very well. The court’s opinion on this case is as follows: We have found that there were several other people in Studio 2 on the day of the murder. However, it is also clear that none of these people could have gone to Studio One. They therefore have no relation to this case.
: Given the size of the costume, no one other than Mr. Powers could have worn it that day.
: All that is lacking is decisive evidence that he is the one who did it. If we had that, I’m afraid I would have to find Mr. Powers guilty.
: Your Honor.
: The prosecution is pleased to announce that we indeed have decisive evidence: a witness.
: Who is this witness, Mr. Edgeworth?
: My witness saw the very moment when the Steel Samurai skewered the victim!
: Order! I will have order!
: I see. The court will take a 10 minute recess, after which we will hear your witness.
: Court is adjourned for recess!
: What do we do now, Mia? If everyone in that trailer has an alibi…
: … I’m sorry, Phoenix. I guess I was wrong.
: M-Mia! Don’t tell me you’re giving up! If you give up, what hope do I have…?
: …
: Don’t get me wrong. I’ve never given up on a trial before, not while there was a chance. Only one thing became clear in your cross-examination.
: The people in the trailer could not have gone to Studio One. I thought there was more to it than that… But I was wrong.
: That’s all there is.
: Umm… Er… What’s going to happen to me?
: It kinda seems like everyone in that courtroom thinks I did it… They think I’m a murderer!
: Don’t worry, Mr. Powers. If you are innocent, we will prove it. I guarantee it. Leave it to us, and… be yourself. Be strong.
: You are the Steel Samurai, hero to children everywhere, after all.
: I… You… Thanks. sniff
: Okay, Phoenix. This one’s for the kids!
: Let’s do it!
Next time: The witness.
Case 3 - Turnabout Samurai
Trial (Day 3) - Part 2
: Court is back in session for the trial of Mr. Will Powers.
: The prosecution has a concern. As our witness is a grade schooler of tender years, and this is a murder case… We worry that the defense might cause unnecessary trauma with his cruel questioning!
: (Nice to see Edgeworth taking the moral high ground…)
: However, we have no choice. The prosecution calls Cody Hackins to the stand.
: Your Honor. Perhaps you could arrange a box for him to stand on?
: Oh, r-right.
: Guard, please bring him a box. One of those donut crates should do.
: Will the witness state his name and grade in school.
: …
: Witness!
: What!? Just 'cause you’re all grown-up don’t mean you can push me around!
: Mrph…
: Cody? Answer his question, okay?
: H-hey, it’s you! The nice lady! I’m Cody Hackins. I’m in 2nd grade!
: (I get the feeling this is going to be a long, long day.)
: Mr. Edgeworth. Please remember that you’re speaking to a child. Try to be gentle.
: M-mrrrrph!
: Witness! Er, I mean, Cody.
: (He’s having trouble with this “gentle” thing.)
: You were present, er, you were at Global Studios on the day of the, er, incident?
: You got a problem with that!?
: Please tell us what you saw that day.
: What, pops? You want me to tell you and gramps with the beard over there?
: Just… Mr. Edgeworth will be fine.
: I prefer “bearded gentleman” myself.
: (A very long day…)
: Incidentally,
: photographic equipment is strictly forbidden in this courtroom.
: M-mpht!
: M-my apologies, Your Honor. He said he wouldn’t testify if he couldn’t bring it… I’d like special permission, if that’s possible.
: Wait, so you’re saying you had to bargain terms with a kid… and you LOST?
: Don’t really know how to use it all that good yet! But I bring it with me wherever I go!
: Phoenix. I wonder if he had that camera on the day of the murder… You’d better make a note of it in the Court Record.
: Very well, Cody.
: Please testify to the court about what you saw the day of the incident.
: Hmm…
: Very well. The defense may begin its cross-examination.
: And, be gentle. Remember you’re talking to a child.
: …
: (This kid is tougher than most adults we see in here, honestly…)
: You really like the Steel Samurai, huh?
: Course I do!
: And I go to all the live performances!
: That’s impressive.
: Have you been to the amusement park?
: Course! Duh!
: My Dad always takes me!
: (Poor, poor Dad…)
: Was that day the first time you’d been to the studio?
: Uh, actually I’ve been a couple of times. I never manage to get there on a rehearsal day!
: And that security lady’s always yelling…
: Right, right. Please continue.
: Chill, pops! I’m getting to it!
: How am I supposed to talk with you cuttin’ me off all the time? Geez!
: …
: “Off the path”…?
: Yeah, you know how the studios are in a valley there?
: I see.
: Anyhow…
: Did anything unusual happen on your way to the studio?
: “Unusual”?
: Oh, you mean Mr. Monkey? Yeah I saw him, but his head wasn’t busted!
: So you went straight to the studio?
: You got lost in the woods?
: Yeah. I couldn’t figure out which way I was walking.
: Man, was I relieved when I saw the blue studio doors.
: But guess what happened next!
: The Steel Samurai?
: Yeah, he was standing by the studio gate. It looked like he was thinking about something before going in. Then he opened up the gate and went inside.
: I see. What then?
: What sort of “bad guy” was it?
: A guy. A person. Kinda tall. Skinny.
: Are you sure it was a guy?
: … I dunno. He was kinda far away.
: (Huh, he’s being awfully vague…)
: …
: What happened to the bad guy?
: Huh?
: Well…
: Well, he kinda didn’t move. Not a bit. Like he was dead.
: I-I guess he’s a real pro! What a great actor!
: Y-yes, I suppose he was.
: “If” you had your camera? You mean, you weren’t carrying your camera then?
: N-no, I wasn’t.
: I-it’s not like I have it all the time!
: i[/i]
And we loop.
: (I guess seeing the killing freaked him out and he went home…)
: Phoenix. Remember, he’s a child.
: Use gentle words… but be firm.
: (Easy for you to say…)
Can you spot it?
: Cody, what you just said seems, well, a little strange.
: Didn’t you say before that you always bring your digital camera wherever you go?
: You were quite clear about that.
: Cody, you shouldn’t lie here. You understand that, right?
: Mr. Wright! A word with you…
: (Uh oh… was I putting the pressure on too much?)
: What is this “digital” camera contraption you’re talking about?
: It’s umm… a digital camera, Your Honor.
: It’s kind of a new sort of camera. (How do I explain that!?)
: I see.
: Anyway, Cody…
: I can’t believe you wouldn’t bring your camera on a trip to the studios!
: You did bring it, didn’t you?
: Mr. Wright! How cruel you are, to terrorize a poor child so!
: I don’t care if he’s a child or a prosecuting attorney! No one should lie in court!
: What do you mean “or a prosecuting attorney”!?
: Well, Cody?
: Wh-what! Yeah, so I had my camera. So what!?
: You got a problem with that!?
: So, you did have a camera? And did you use this camera?
: W-why would I use it?
: I… I was too busy watching.
: Hmm…
: Very well. Please testify to the court about what you were so busy watching.
: Hmm…
: Ah? Is that all?
: Well, that was brief.
: Mr. Wright, your cross-examination.
: So, why didn’t you use it?
: He’s getting to that! Relax and listen.
: Umm…
: I didn’t use it 'cause I was too busy watching the real thing!
: So you were watching the Steel Samurai. Did you watch the whole fight?
: Y-yeah, of course!
: You didn’t turn away, not even once?
: N… no!
: Okay, then tell us exactly what happened.
: Y-yeah! I’m getting to that!
: So the bad guy attacked him first?
: Yeah!
: What sort of person was this “bad guy”?
: I told you, a person. He was a person.
: How was he dressed?
: … I kinda don’t remember. I was too busy watching the Steel Samurai!
: I see. And what happened next?
: Why?
: Huh? Whaddya mean, “why”?
: Why wasn’t the bad guy moving?
: W-well 'cause the Steel Samurai brought him to justice!
: And how exactly did he do that?
: (He’s still being vague about this…)
: What! Don’t gimme that look, pops!
Just for now.
: (Yeah… If I press too hard now, the judge might keep me from continuing.)
: (I’ll sit back and see how the rest of this goes.)
: What did you do after the bad guy fell, Cody?
: … Um, actually… The fight was so… so intense that I got kinda scared. So I went straight home.
: (Something isn’t adding up here…)
And we loop.
: (Something about his account doesn’t seem right…)
: Phoenix. It doesn’t seem right because he’s being deliberately vague! Press him on the facts, Phoenix! Find out what he saw!
So, back to that thing above.
: Cody.
: Wh-what!?
: Something’s bothering me. Before you said that you “couldn’t take your eyes off” the action.
: Y-yeah? So what?
: Yet you missed the most important part!
: What is the meaning of this? The witness has stated what he saw quite clearly…
: You know as well as I do that he’s being vague!
: M-mmph!
: My point is this: Cody, you may have seen some of the Steel Samurai’s fight…
: But you missed the most important part: the killing blow!
: Order! Order! Mr. Wright! How could this be? Can you explain how he might have missed something so vital?
: Um, well… er, that’s the thing…
: Phoenix! I believe you’re on the right track with this!
: Think: why didn’t Cody see the climax of the fight? I know you! You can figure this out!
: Mr. Wright, your answer! We have ascertained that this young boy is a great fan of the Steel Samurai…
: Because he couldn’t watch it! How could he calmly watch a murder taking place at his age!
: Just a moment, please…
: One thing has become quite clear in this boy’s testimony. He did not believe he was witnessing a murder! He was watching the Steel Samurai fight, like on TV.
: The more real the fight, the more he would have watched!
: Umm… huh.
: I have to agree with Mr. Edgeworth. Well, Mr. Wright. Do you have another explanation? We have ascertained that this young boy is a great fan of the Steel Samurai… Why wouldn’t he watch the climax of the fight?
: He missed the climax of the fight…
: Because he was looking at something else! Probably!
: “Probably”?
: “Something else”?
: Mr. Wright, explain yourself! What could possibly distract this boy from seeing his idol, the Steel Samurai, fight!?
: What do you claim he was looking at?
: O-ooof! (C’mon, think of something… think of something… Nothing.)
: Mr. Wright! Please refrain from making baseless claims!
: Y-yes… Sorry, Your Honor.
: Do you have another explanation? We have ascertained that this young boy is a great fan of the Steel Samurai… Why wouldn’t he watch the climax of the fight?
: Your Honor, I have evidence.
: “Evidence”…?
: Yes, Your Honor.
Next time: Do you know why?
[quote=“18 U.S.C. Section 7”]The term “special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United State,” as used in this title includes:
(6) Any vehicle used or designed for flight or navigation in space and on the registry of the United States pursuant to the Treaty of Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, while that vehicle is in flight, which is from the moment when all external doors are closed on Earth following embarkation until the moment when one such door is opened on Earth for disembarkation or in the case of a forced landing, until the competent authorities take over the responsibility for the vehicle and for persons and property aboard.[/quote]