#eugene abrams

You feel it too, don’t you? We’re the freest we’ve ever been, despite our situation. I’ll never understand why you turned yourself in, by the way-.. and I bet you regret it, but it’s too late now.

I can’t say that I’m proud of how long it took me to decide what to do with my own freedom, but at least I can say that I don’t have any second thoughts.

Obviously, I can’t go into detail about what happened; let’s just say that I tried my best to right our wrongs and leave it at that. No doubt you’ll see or hear about it in the news anyway.

It’s always been a game, hasn’t it? I guess I just got tired of playing.

You were tired too. I knew it, Arturo knew it, your mother knew it; I think everyone did. Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad you killed her, and I’m sorry for what she did to Leah. I know how much you loved her.

I’m sorry for being cruel to her too, but the fact that she didn’t care almost made it fun; besides, she was never on our side. If anything, we should have been on hers. I’m sure you miss her most of all…

I don’t think I’ll ever know how it feels to love someone quite so much, but that’s okay; I think I ought to be alone.

I won’t be sticking around, nor will I be handing myself in-.. I think you’ll agree by now that it’s pointless. I don’t know when, or if I’ll ever see you again; though I doubt we’ll miss each other much.

I know it’ll be a while yet, but if you ever want to, I think you’ll know where to find me.

Raina: Uh, sir? [SNORING] Raina: Eugene!

Eugene: Mhph, wha-.. I’m awake! Raina: Did you pull another all-nighter? Eugene: Perhaps. What’s up?

Raina: We had a very interesting call earlier. Eugene: Oh? Raina: Yup, we have his address.

Eugene: Who called in? Raina: [shrugs] Anonymous. Eugene: Is it like all the other addresses..?

Raina: I think this one’s legit. Eugene: Hm, we’ll look into it. Raina: They also mentioned some sort of “holding house” downtown; two women reported inside, one’s only eighteen.

Eugene: If this is a hoax-… Raina: I don’t see how it could be, it’s not like our investigation is public knowledge. Eugene: True, true.

Raina: What do you wanna do? Eugene: Book him. Raina: We don’t have enough eviden-…

Eugene: Bah! Frame him for all I care, just keep the bastard in custody until we can get him questioned. We’ll find all the evidence we need later. Raina: Seriously?

Eugene: Yup! Raina: Surely, we’ll need a warrant? An anonymous tip is hardly-… Eugene: [sighs] I suppose I’d rather not ruffle any feathers whilst I’m here.

Raina: I think it’s a little late for that, sir. Eugene: Hah! Never mind-.. go n’ find Roger, we’ll get to work. Raina: On it!

[Eugene curses, almost dropping his phone]

Courtney: You don’t think he sleeps too much? Oscar: Nah. Courtney: I thought he’d cry more.

Oscar: He’s happy; and sleepy. Courtney: He’s so sweet, I wanna squeal every time I look at him. Oscar: [laughs] Do it, I doubt he’d wake up.

[DOORBELL] Courtney: Who’s that? It’s early… Oscar: Dunno.. clearly not family, they’d just walk in.

…

[DISTANT CHATTER]

?: Would you say they lived a rather lavish lifestyle? Oscar: With that much money, who wouldn’t? ?: I understand you recently spent some time in a rehab facility?

Oscar: That’s a bit personal, ain’t it? ?: Should I assume the drugs came from them? Oscar: I doubt it’s your job to assume things.

?: I know he paid for your treatment, it must have been expensive; why would he do that? Guilt? Courtney: It was for alcoholism; you can buy liquor anywhere. ?: Ah, hello-.. that’s very true.

Courtney: Why are you asking these questions? ?: I’m just trying to paint a picture; one last thing, do you know where I might find a Miya Foster? Or Marco Rios? Oscar: No idea.

?: Right, well.. I’ll see myself out, and thank you for your time. Oscar: No worries. ?: Congratulations, by the way. Shame about the hair though-.. aha! I’m kidding, I’m kidding.. my wife’s a redhead!

Oscar: ..Bye. [DOOR CLOSES] Courtney: Asshole.

Oscar: [sighs] Better get used to that, buddy. Courtney: Really? No one ever gives you grief for being ginger. Oscar: Because they quickly realise, I don’t give a shit; people get bored easily.

Courtney: Hm… Either way, I don’t like whatever that was. Oscar: I said about as much as I’m gonna. Courtney: Hopefully that’s it.

Oscar: Geez, I should check my phone more oft-.. oh shit, Ivan finally woke up! I need to go n’ see him. Courtney: Awh, take Robin with you! Oscar: You gonna be okay on your own? You should come-…

Ivan: What’s wrong with a good ol’ fashioned burger or somethin’. Bruno: They’re not exactly healthy. Ivan: I know I sound like a brat, but I’m fuckin’ starvin’.

Bruno: Eat your food, brat. Ivan: [snorts] You eat it. Bruno: I’m not the one recovering from major surgery.

Ivan: I’d rather recover at-… Bruno: At? Ivan: I was gonna say home, but it ain’t like we’ve really got one.

[KNOCKING] Ivan: [quietly] The fuck? ?: Good aftern-.. ah, I didn’t expect to find you here Mr Clarke.

Bruno: Surprise. ?: I’d like to speak with Mr Harper alone, if that’s okay? Ivan: Uh-…

Bruno: Sure. Ivan: Who the hell-… Bruno: [whispers] Keep it short; you don’t know shit, you were just a bouncer-.. say you’ll be fine.

Ivan: I’ll be fine. Bruno: Alright, I’ll be outside. Ivan: ‘Kay.

?: You’re a hard man to find, Mr Harper.. no fixed abode? Ivan: Nope. ?: No? Your name is still on the tenancy of a very upscale apartment owned by Mr Flanagan.

Ivan: It shouldn’t be. ?: You weren’t aware? Ivan: No? Maybe he just wanted t’make it look like it wasn’t empty.

?: Why might that be? Ivan: [shrugs] ?: How’d you wind up here?

Ivan: I shot myself; chest holster-.. what’s your name? Eugene: You know, you’re the first person to ask me that. It’s Eugene. Ivan: The first outta who?

Eugene: Where did you meet Mr Clarke? Ivan: [sighs wearily] I dunno, it’s hard t’pinpoint the exact time n’ place. Eugene: Through work, I assume?

[MUFFLED CONVERSATION]

…

[DOOR CLOSES] Eugene: You didn’t go far… Bruno: He’s not well enough to be mithered.

Eugene: You’re very protective, aren’t you? I don’t bite. Bruno: He’s important to me. Eugene: Of course, I’m sure you’ve been through a lot; I’ll leave you be.

Norma: I think he’s protecting his brother. Eugene: Mmh.. there’s much more to uncover here, I’m sure of it. Norma: I find it hard to believe no one knew what was going on.

Eugene: They’re just protecting their jobs. Did you speak to Woodall-.. Ames? Norma: He said he wasn’t involved; Ames retired. Eugene: Earlier than I would’ve imagined…

Norma: Uh-huh. Eugene: We oughta pay her a visit. Norma: We oughta trace the supply back to those farms first, shut it all down before word gets out.

Eugene: The drugs are only half of it. Norma: Let’s go with what we’ve got for now; should we take all this back to the office? Eugene: [snorts] But it’s lovely here.

Norma: It’s depressing. Eugene: Mmh, I don’t trust any of these buffoons either. Norma: Good point.

Eugene: [sighs] Norma: Cheer up, we’re finally getting somewhere. Eugene: Commissioner Gomez n’ co. aren’t gonna be happy, think of the press!

Norma: Fuck ‘em. Eugene: Gladly. Norma: What’re you thinking..?

Eugene: These three know more than they’re letting on. Norma: Wanna put eyes on ‘em? Eugene: It’d be wise.

Norma: Agreed. Eugene: Have I told you how much I missed working with you? Norma: It might’ve come up, feel free to tell me again though.

?: Mr Clarke! Can you spare a moment? Bruno: No. ?: I believe you were employed by the Flanagan’s?

Bruno: I said no. ?: [sighs] The distinct lack of official documentation is making it hard to paint a picture of their financial history. Bruno: That ain’t my problem.

?: But you were employed by them. Bruno: I was a bouncer. ?: Where? Lucie’s?

Bruno: Various places. ?: They ran multiple establishments requiring security? Bruno: Sure.

?: Like? Bruno: Listen, I don’t know what they got up to n’ I don’t care; pester someone else-.. or better yet, do your own fucking job. ?: Well.. thanks for your time.

…

Mack: He’s been hanging round like a bad smell all day, I tried-… Bruno: Uh-huh. Mack: How’s Ivan?

Bruno: They’re gonna move him n’ take him off the ventilator, see how he does. Mack: That’s good, right? Bruno: [shrugs]

Mack: Bruno-… Bruno: Don’t start. Mack: Why don’t you stay for a while, get some rest?

Bruno: I’m fine. Mack: [sighs] Kian called. Bruno: I saw the news…

Mack: I’m sorry, son; he said it was his mother’s doing… Bruno: … Mack: You can’t keep on like this, you’re gonna make yourself ill.

Norma: Why would he promote a lowly pusher such as yourself-.. your words. Ivan: [shrugs] I was good at it? Eugene: Were you pleased at the time?

Ivan: It felt good t’be praised, I s’pose; it’s all smoke n’ mirrors though, ain’t it? I guess he was bankin’ on me being a nutcase. Eugene: Are you? Ivan: Uh, not in the way he wanted.

Norma: So, Kate.. you said she started it all? Ivan: I mean, I told Oscar we were fucked-.. n’ him stumblin’ into that just proved the point. He couldn’t sit on it. Norma: You weren’t privy to that information beforehand?

Ivan: Nah, we were too new for ‘em t’trust us with that. Eugene: What about Mr Clarke? Ivan: Oi, I said I ain’t here t’talk about him.

Eugene: What was Mr Flanagan’s reaction once Oscar found out? Ivan: He threatened him. The whole thing fucked him up t’be honest, I didn’t get the full story until way later. Norma: Fucked him up enough to end up overdosing?

Ivan: How d’you know that? Eugene: We’re good at guessing, but medical records are also a thing-.. speaking of, did you actually shoot yourself? Ivan: No…

Norma: What happened? Ivan: Artie shot me, by accident. Norma: How by accident?

Ivan: He was aimin’ for Bruno. Norma: Because? Ivan: Don’t ask me how that dudes mind worked.

Eugene: Mr Finch and yourself weren’t the only ones who betrayed him, what’s the difference? Ivan: [shrugs] Beats me. Norma: How long had Mr Clarke worked with Mr Flanagan?

Ivan: For him, not with-.. n’ I said what I said. Norma: Alright, alright. Eugene: He’s outside, right?

Ivan: He won’t talk t’you. Eugene: We’ll see. Joslyn: You’re wasting your time.

…

Eugene: Mr Clarke, we’d really-… [Bruno rolls the window up in Eugene’s face, folding his arms and refusing to acknowledge him] Eugene: You’re not in any trouble, we’re just after your side of the story.

Eugene: I understand that you’re dubious, but I think you could tell us a great deal more than Mr Harper, or Mr Finch. … Eugene: I’m not sure why you’re so against helping us put a stop to the trafficking of innocent people.

[Bruno frowns, rolling the window down a smidge] Bruno: Don’t paint me as the villain to further your own agenda, Mr Abrams. Eugene: Aha, you’ve done your research! Come on, can’t I tempt you to humour my nosiness?

Norma: You’re bored? Levi: They don’t do anything. Eugene: They must do something.

Levi: Yeah.. boring stuff. Norma: Be specific. Levi: Eating out, getting coffee, food shopping, dog walking, visiting family, fishing, fucking picnics.. you get the idea.

Eugene: Quaint. Levi: Boring. Norma: What about work?

Levi: I dunno if he’s employed or not, but Harper seems to help out as a mechanic at Mack’s Garage. Norma: Mr Clarke? Levi: He doesn’t have a job.

Eugene: Well, it can’t be easy to find work when you’re an ex-con. Levi: [shrugs] I think he volunteers at a counselling centre for addiction. Norma: Oh?

Levi: Yeah.. I presume he’s a sponsor or something. Eugene: He’s definitely not dealing? Levi: Nah, I made sure.

Norma: What about Mr Finch? Levi: As far as I can tell, he works from home as a freelance programmer. Eugene: Are you sure he’s just a coder?

Levi: Uh-huh.. I heard him trying to explain it to Harper, they keep talking about building a robot. Norma: What kind of robot? Levi: [sighs] One for his son to play with.

Norma: Hm. Levi: I’m telling you, these guys ain’t crooks; they don’t get high, don’t drink, deal, fight, or do anything remotely interesting. Eugene: Write it up.

Levi: Does this mean I get a new assignment? Eugene: I’ll find you something more exciting once there’s a report on my desk; and write it yourself this time. Levi: I still get a bonus, right?

Norma: Wha-.. I didn’t say anything about that. Eugene: Personally, I think I deserve a bonus. Norma: No one’s getting any bonuses!

Eugene: Pfft, fine.. anyway, report time! But hey, at least it won’t take long. Levi: Very true. Norma: Thanks, Levi.. we’ll find you something juicy soon, I promise.