[ voice ]

[philosopher]

[The voice being recorded is both hushed (out of respect for the speaker's present environment) and weak (for reasons yet to be explained).]

Diane, it's... 6:36 pm on May 17, 2012. By my calculation, that means I've been asleep for... two hundred and seventy-nine months. Twenty-three years have passed since my last recording, Diane, and I have to say: I look pretty great for my age.

The last time I remember speaking to you, it was from the floor of my room at the Great Northern Hotel and I had just been shot. I don't remember a whole lot else, but the doctors tell me I've lost quite a bit of blood so that's to be expected. I feel both frustrated and grateful. Grateful to be alive, and frustrated because the investigation is facing yet another setback.

"Setback" may be an understatement. Diane, you are not going to believe this. As I just told you, it's been twenty-three years. That's twenty-three years in the blink of an eye. They tell me I've traveled through time, and that's apparently a common occurrence around here. Here being the city of Siren's Port, Canada - that's an island off the coast to the west of Vancouver, Diane. Have you ever heard of a place like that? I sure haven't.

The frustrating part is that my ticket was one-way. Preferable, yes, to the other one-way ticket I was facing - but gosh I really felt it. I was on the verge of something. Will I ever know who killed Laura Palmer?

[There's a pause and murmuring in the background, along with the squeaking of a cart being rolled into the room.]

- Ah, more on that later, Diane. Nurse Irene is here.

[Click.]

Comments

[philosopher]

How long have you been here, Edgeworth?

[ergomaniac]

Two years, arguably.

[philosopher]

Those two years have been difficult for you, haven't they?

[ergomaniac]

...It is difficult even for those who have been here for but a few hours.

[philosopher]

It is the pain caused by yearning. The pain of attachment.

[ergomaniac]

...I beg your pardon. I rather think it's the pain of seeing one's fellows murdered and seeing frequent, gross miscarriages of justice, but I can see how you might become confused.

[philosopher]

I was referring to those who were upset upon their arrival. I have no doubt your experiences have been far more complicated after two years in a place like this.

[ergomaniac]

...Quite. Apologies; I lost my temper.

[philosopher]

Please, no need to apologize. I must sound arrogant.

[ergomaniac]

Merely because of the misunderstanding.

[deductives]

[For getting shot, he seems rather complacent. Almost naive. None of the cynicism well placed in twenty first century Americans.]

Quite evident by your overconfidence in your case, and the American tendency to turn every investigation into a film noir narrative.

[philosopher]

What was that you were saying about the state of justice in this city?

[ergomaniac]

...Quite. It is...flawed, to say the least. The police are corrupt and the courts little better. We've made steps towards cleaning it up, but small ones.

[philosopher]

Overconfidence?

[philosopher]

Who is "we"?

[ergomaniac]

A number of newcomers. Some citizens, as well.

[philosopher]

And you? Are you cleaning up the police or the courts?

[ergomaniac]

...The courts. To the best of my ability.

[inthejunk]

Y-yeah.

[Crap. Where is the spoon again? Oh, right. In his hand. Good. Okay, cool.]

Where did you, uh...you know. Get shot? Who did that? How did it happen?

[philosopher]

In my hotel room. I can't remember the face of the perpetrator.

[philosopher]

A prosecutor or a judge?

[ergomaniac]

...Defense attorney. Though that is...comparatively new. I spent the first span of my stay here as a prosecutor before I was dismissed from my position.

[philosopher]

Dismissed?

[ergomaniac]

No; perhaps that's unfair. I was asked to resign, and I did.

[philosopher]

Why would they ask you to resign?