2020-08-11 - Only Two Things Are Certain...

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : Is this Ms. Machinae's number?

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : OMG Plz don't call me that. Who's this?

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : What would you rather I call you?

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : (after a pause) It's Captain de la Vega. From the GHPD.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Mac. Just Mac.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : So what's up? You givin me a job?

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : Mac, sure.

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : And I offered. I asked you to give it some thought. Have you?

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Yeah, I'm in. How do we do this? Is there like tax forms or something? I've never had a job.

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : A few. You'll need to stop in at the precinct to sign them. Are you going to be all right with that?

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Oh. Well. I mean, what are they gonna do, shoot me in the middle of your station? 🤣😬

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : No. Because I'll be there.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Unrelated question: Will I be working there at the station? Is there camera surveillance on the place I'll be working?

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : You'll need to come in occasionally, but I'm sure we can make other arrangements if necessary. And there's CCTV in the building, and also a fuckload of armed cops. I'm not sure what you're getting at.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : You had crooked cops that had no problem showing up to my shop to intimidate me, I'm just putting it out there that they may not care what happens at the station. Cops look the other way for crooked cops all the time.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : But if you let me build a VPN tunnel into your systems, I won't have to go in there like at all.

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : Yeah. That's how corruption works, I'm familiar. My point is, I know who they are. And it won't be happening on my watch.

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : Sorry, but that's likely to be a no. I'll see what I can do with setting you up to work remotely, without a connection, though. Would that be acceptable?

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : (Typing, Deleting, Typing, Pause, Typing.)

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Yes. That sounds great. When do you want me to come in.

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : Tomorrow? If you stop in over lunch, I can meet you downstairs and get you set up.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Lunchtime it is. Is there like a dress code or some shit? Also, am I telling people what I'm working on?

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Oh! Also: Esme Wilkinson. Trustworthy?

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : You'll be our new Data Analyst for the case. It'll list it on your ID. No dress code unless I tell you otherwise, on a case by case basis.

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : Wilkinson? She seems trustworthy. Yeah. I think you'd do well to employ skepticism with everyone you meet, cop or otherwise, but she's clean.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : Oh! That title sounds dope. Thanks, Javier!

(TXT to Abitha) Ruiz : Thank me when we close this case, and put away the motherfucker who killed a cop. And in the meantime, stay safe.

(TXT to Ruiz) Abitha : 👍