[ 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]

An entirely different world...

That's even more wondrous, isn't it?

[ergomaniac]

Do not worry. Though perhaps it is now alarming, it will quickly come to seem commonplace.

[philosopher]

Oh, I'm not alarmed.

[ergomaniac]

...Most likely shock speaking.

[philosopher]

I very much doubt it. Edgeworth, I must be willing to let go of the life I had planned in order to accept the life that's waiting for me.

[ergomaniac]

You...Perhaps you do not comprehend. There is no way back.

[philosopher]

I do understand.

[ergomaniac]

Then why are you taking this so well?

[philosopher]

I do admit to some frustration at leaving certain things unresolved, but it's better to accept the inevitable. As the river flows over pebbles.

[ergomaniac]

Well...Very well. Good for you.

[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.

[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]

Who is "we"?

[ergomaniac]

A number of newcomers. Some citizens, as well.

[philosopher]

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