In a hospital
Dr. Sunshine
Excuse me, James?
James gets up from his seat
James
Doc, how's he doing?
Will he pull through?
Dr. Sunshine
Sighs James, I don't know what it is with you, but anytime you bring in a patient, they're always in near critical condition…
…but he's still breathing.
He'll live, but he needs rest.
He has a few broken bones, but nothing fatal.
Don't worry, we'll take good care of him.
James smiles, relieved
James
Thanks doc, it means a lot to me that you'll do this for me…
…I'm a little worried about the bill though in all honesty…
Dr. Sunshine
…?
You're worried about the bill…
Follow me into my office please.
James
?
James bumps into a woman in the hospital
In the office
James
That is…a lot of statues…
Dr. Sunshine
Hm?
Oh yes, it's a hobby of mine, purchasing and sculpting statues.
I have quite the expansive collection
James
The detailing on the statues is immaculate…
Just look at these
James begins getting closer
Dr. Sunshine
DON'T TOUCH THOSE!!!
Uh, please…
James
…
Ok then…
Can I ask what this is about?
Dr. Sunshine
James, you said you were worried about the bill, what if I said I had a way to help you with that.
What would you do?
James
You would be willing to pay the bill for me?!
Dr. Sunshine
I didn't say that, but I do have a way for you to make up for the bill.
James
What would that be?
Dr. Sunshine
James, it's my understanding that you're a private eye, and I have a case for you to investigate.
There's been a doctor illegally operating in New York. Not only is there the ethical issue of performing operations outside of a hospital, but this "mystery doctor" has been costing us a fortune…
…a fortune I'm sure you're eager to repay in return for your friend…
My proposal is you track down this "mystery doctor" and in exchange, we'll call your debt even and pay the expenses for your friend.
Sound like a deal?
James
(What kind of shady deal is this?)
(But I really can't afford the bill, I've been too preoccupied dealing with Manifestos lately to work any actual cases…)
(...Dr. Sunshine's been giving off weird vibes ever since I mentioned I couldn't pay…)
(And the way he reacted with the statues…)
(But at least he has a medical licence, unlike that "mystery doctor" he mentioned…)
Dr. Sunshine
James.
Do you agree with my proposition?
James
…
Do you have to ask?
Of course I do.
Dr. Sunshine
Glad to hear it.
James
So, do you know where this doctor operates?
Dr. Sunshine
We've heard from quite a few patients that they get treated over on Alphabet St.
James
Alphabet St.?
I don't think I've ever been there, what part of town is that?
Dr. Sunshine
Alphabet St. was established right before the Great War, it was meant to help struggling children by providing free education to them…
…It was opened with the greatest intentions, housing orphans, struggling families, even providing food for them.
But once America joined the Great War, they couldn't afford to keep Alphabet St. going, so it got shut down.
My guess would be someone from Alphabet St. is the "mystery doctor"
(That's kinda a mouthful, why don't we just call him "m.d." pretty ironic…)
If you're looking for the m.d. I'd suggest looking into any orphans from that part of town that went into medical school.
James
Appreciated doc…
James gets up from the chair
James
…but leave the detective work to me.
Dr. Sunshine
Whatever you say detective…
I'll leave it in your capable hands…
James nods then exits
Dr. Sunshine
…
What did you think about that guy?
Man in mask
He definitely seemed suspicious of you, but as long as you have his friend as a hostage, it'll be fine
Dr. Sunshine
That's not what I meant, I meant what did you think about him physically?
Quite the specimen, I think he'd make a great addition to my "collection"
Wouldn't you agree?
Man in mask
Uh huh, sure Doc.
Dr. Sunshine
You could have a bit more enthusiasm you know
Man in mask
My bad, "Gee willikers Doc! What a great and insightful comment! You're so smart!"
Dr. Sunshine
Forget I said anything.
Orion, I want you to follow him, wait until he's found the doctor, then kill them both.
But, make sure James's body is still good. I've looked after it for too many years to throw away all my hardwork.
A Manifesto begins to emerge out from Orion
Orion
Whatever you say Doc.
Cut to James
James
(Why do I have a sinking feeling?)
(I feel like I just made a giant mistake…)
(What was up with Dr. Sunshine though?)
(He's normally so calm and helpful, but it seemed like something was off with him earlier.)
(That's none of my business though, what is my business is finding this "Mystery Doctor"...)
(If it's true that he probably grew up on Alphabet St., my best bet would be to look into any newspapers that mention it…)
(In order to do that, I think I should call in some old favours…)
James walks into a speakeasy where he's greeted by a waiter
Waiter
Welcome to the Fish in a Birdcage, shall I show you to a table?
James
Morning, I'd like a word with your boss.
A man with a plump frame comes up to the door
Mother Mother
Well well!
If it isn't James Spector!
Garcon, don't make him stand there!
Show him to a table!
This man is responsible for our fine establishment surviving the initial push from the government for prohibition!
If it wasn't for his connections with the cops, our friends in blue would've shut down our whole operation.
Now my friend, what can I do for you?
James
well–
Mother Mother
Would you like a drink by the way?
Finest moonshine this side of the state!
James
Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass. I'm on the clock right now which is why I came here.
I came to cash in a favour.
Mother Mother stops smiling and turns into a completely different person.
Mother Mother
Garcon, leave us.
Now.
The waiter scurries off
Mother Mother
What kind of favour are you looking to cash in?
James
I need information on any records of doctors to come from a place called Alphabet St.
Anyone you know meet those two qualifiers?
Mother Mother
Not off the top of my head, but I know someone who might.
What do I get in exchange?
Information is the most powerful weapon you know.
This needs to be a fair deal for both of us.
If I start giving away information and favours for free, then no one here is gonna respect me and my whole operation crumbles…
…and you wouldn't want that to happen, would you?
James
How about this…
James stays seated as Mother Mother begins to float with something grabbing his collar
James
You tell me what I'm looking for, and I don't drag over the boys in blue.
They may not want to shut down this little speakeasy of yours, but with a little "encouragement", anything is possible.
Wouldn't you agree?
Mother Mother
Ach!
I-I see w-what your g-getting at!
O-ok!
J-Just please!
P-put me down!
Mother Mother falls
Mother Mother
I still have no clue how you do that, but you know, while I was up there, I had a thought!
I may not know any doctors who came from Alphabet St., but I do know about an old sanitarium that was built in the neighbourhood!
If you're looking for a doctor, that'd be a great place to start!
James
A sanitarium, eh?
Thanks M. M., I'll leave then.
We're even now.
Try to not get closed down before I come back!
Mother Mother
I'll try…
James exits
James
(Sanitarium…I guess that might lead to something…)
(If the doctor's operating in Alphabet St., then he probably would want to be somewhere he would have all of the proper equipment…)
(...and besides, if he isn't in that sanitarium, it might have leads to someone who would know about this doctor!)
(Don't worry Will, I'll get you out of there soon enough!)
Orion is watching James from a rooftop