THE ONE WHERE AN APOLOGY IS ISSUED

[whippings]

Franziska sighed as she lowered her phone. This was the place where she'd arranged to meet with Scruffy: a small cafe not far from the district courthouse. It had been some years since she'd last been to Los Angeles as her work now took her all over the world. More consultant than lawyer these days, Franziska could not help but have a certain nostalgia for those years past, even if she had been younger and angrier back then.

Time had changed her. Not for the better or the worse; she was just... different, now, or at least that was how she liked to think about it.

She had been seated at a small table with a sensible floral arrangement placed in a vase at the centre. Franziska had always despised those places that never left enough room for one to comfortably peruse the menu. What did she feel like drinking? Was this a situation that called for coffee, or for something stronger?

Franziska's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

Comments

[trenchdoting]

Framed in the doorway was Scruffy- er, Detective Gumshoe himself. He's now somewhat older, wiser and scruffier than the last time he had directly worked with the prosecutor. He had managed to rise through the ranks of the police department, but some things never changed. He was still known for his share of blunders, and he still wore the same timeworn trechcoat.

It wasn't a cafe that he's been to often. He frets and looks around, taking a moment to scratch at his head as he scans the area. "Aw jeez..." He groans aloud. "I hope this isn't the wrong place." He's sure that he'd never hear - or feel - the end of it from Franziska von Karma if he showed up to the wrong cafe.