Hostage trade for taediosum

[allbedestroyed]

The island's largest collection of whiskey undoubtedly resides in Robert Muldoon's possession. This is a generally accepted fact. Others might have wine or tequila, but the whiskey was pretty much all Muldoon's. So when Arcade held his hat hostage, he only really had one thing of value to offer. It's no small mercy, however, that the vet turned down taking a whole bottle from his stash. A few drinks would do, and Muldoon never turned down an excuse to have a few glasses. Getting his hat back in return works out very nicely indeed.

He's still in his uniform when Arcade appears. A combination of always working late, and often being called out after hours means he long ago stopped bothering with changing after work. Like most department heads, he gets a nice (if compact) bungalow for his accommodation. Not that Muldoon spends much time in his. Beyond a few photographs, and a few books, he hasn't added any personal touches to his place. It's all very utilitarian.  

When he opens the door the first thing he does is look for the hat. Only once he spots it does he step aside and wave Arcade inside. "Come on in."

Comments

[taediosum]

Arcade isn't going to refuse another drink, as he settles in for what he's certain will be an at least passingly interesting anecdote. He probably shouldn't have underestimated it to such a degree, though. He forgets about the liquor quickly enough, as his imagination tries to fill in all the unimportant details Muldoon leaves out, leaning his elbows on the table while he listens.

"Sounds like a good friend." He pointedly doesn't ask where said friend is now, but Arcade figures if that's part of the story, he won't have to.

"I can only imagine the number of stitches it took to put you back together."

[allbedestroyed]

Muldoon snorts around his glass. It seems pretty stereotypical of the medical professional to be focused on what treatment might have been needed. "Not as many as I should have needed. I was able to use my gun to keep some space between the lion and I. It helped me wrestle with him until my friend could take the shot."

Though he does pause for a half-second, thoughtful, before answering the non-question Arcade posed. "He's the best friend. Took over Animal Kingdom from me when I moved here. He wanted something calmer now that he has a wife and kids." With a shrug and a sip of his drink he says, "A stable job was the least I owed him."