[network] @ASolomons; audio, morning of 127 [open]

[devoutish]

[When the morning comes and Watson is gone, it's not really a surprise - Alfie had woken him up in the middle of the night for a "discussion" at scalpelpoint, after all. He figures that Watson had snuck out as soon as lockdown ended, purposefully not waking Alfie. That's fine. Alfie has warmer clothes now, and better shoes. He needs that far more than he needs company.]

Good morning. How's Kesara's tunnel coming along? 'Cause I'm headed in that direction today.

[And aren't you all just thrilled about that.]

Yeah, I should get there in four or five days. Big discovery like this, I'd guess there's a lot of people in the area, and I thought it'd be a good idea to talk a bit more with all of you - find out who's digging, and who's staying where. Because the thing I do not want, right, is to walk into a pileup - five, six, seven people trying to cram into one house for the night. I would like some confirmation of coordination.

[And he talks, he's heading for the door, giving the little room a quick once-over with the tablet light to make sure he's not leaving anything behind.]

I'm seeing on the map there's two houses very close by, and a few more that are only a bit further. Might I reserve myself a spot in--

[But he cuts himself off, because he's tried the door, and it's still locked. He double-checks the time. It's definitely after lockdown is supposed to be over.

There are a few explanations here. Two stand out to him as being the most likely.]

Right - bit of a problem here, yeah; I'm having a bit of an unexpected issue. Either lockdown has been extended and Dr. Watson has been spirited away in the night, or he's found a way to lock me in. So I ask you - are any of the rest of you experiencing this, or should I be considering it a punishment for my very naughty misdeeds?

Comments

[harlequinofhate]

Lil' bit after.

Got woise a few days ago.

Oh, right around the time I offed someone else...

That's not what's causing this, is it?

[Groan]

[devoutish]

Have you caught the Murderer's Plague, Joker?

[harlequinofhate]

Maybe.

Needs further testing.

Quick, fetch me someone to kill!

[devoutish]

Yeah? All right. Tell me where you are and I'll send someone over.

[harlequinofhate]

Oh, sounds like you're volunteering! Jolly good!

[devoutish]

Tell me in private, yeah? If you're worried about certain people listening in.

[harlequinofhate]

Don't worry about it. I'll come to you.

[devoutish]

Sure. Downtown, when all this is over?

[Spoilers: he has no intention of going downtown.]

[harlequinofhate]

Yep, or the tunnels.

Or residential area.

Don't worry, I'm real good at finding folks! Won't be long!

[private]

[devoutish]

Joker.

[private]

[harlequinofhate]

Alfie?

[private]

[devoutish]

Am I dealing with two men who don't care whether they live or die?

[private]

[harlequinofhate]

Hmmm...

If I knew no better I'd say that sounds like a threat. It's...not a threat, is it?

[rubikscomplex]

well karma's a bitch
somehow i don't think it's that
are you coughing up blood yet
or still just phlegm?
you sound like you have pneumonia
bacterial
or your life just sucks and you've got mn poisoning
if they can do pain
i'm sure they can do something else

die
it'll tell us which it is
it sticks with you when you come back
you've got mn poisoning problems

[harlequinofhate]

Die?

You give that advice to all your patients?

[rubikscomplex]

only the specialest ones!

[harlequinofhate]

I'm really not in the mood to die at the moment.

[rubikscomplex]

it's all the rage, though, man
ask solomons
or captain amnesia
if you insist
i can write you a script for some antibiotics
gotta know what i'm getting outta this, though
i already have your love and affection

[harlequinofhate]

The warm cuddly feeling of knowing you're doing your dang job?

[rubikscomplex]

you're clinic work right now
not my real job
the clinic's boring

[If you're going to call him predictable...]

[private] -> [video]

[harlequinofhate]

[The clown switches to video, and to a private conversation. He's sitting in a corner somewhere and the poor lighting does at least reveal that he looks as sick as he sounds.

He winks at the camera and starts unbuttoning his shirt with his free hand.]

[audio]

[rubikscomplex]

[House stares for a long moment. He'll even acquiesce to audio because what the hell?]

Are you about to show me a really cool growth you think might be a malignant tumor? 'Cause I kiiiiinda don't need your clothes off to diagnose the pneumonia, dude.

[private]

[harlequinofhate]

[Once he has his coat and shirt unbuttoned halfway he reaches in to the folds and pulls out a plastic vial which he holds over the tablet camera, close enough that House can see that it's labeled as Vicodin.]

Would you help me for a Scooby Snack?

[private]

[rubikscomplex]

[There's silence. Mainly because the Joker suddenly has House's undivided attention. He's getting more Vicodin from Solomons. He technically has a steady supply from that angle. He has several month's worth at this point. They probably only have another three or four months left before this place eats itself.

But if he can get more that will buffer him if he needs a little extra... or if assholes like the Joker try to steal from him again.]

Show me what's inside. I never trust the dressing.

[private]

[harlequinofhate]

Oh, ye of little faith.

[There is some shuffling as the Joker twists the cap off and taps a few tablets out into his gloved palm.

He shows them off. It is, indeed, Vicodin.]