thoughtnami reblogged
A Sliver of Silver - June 1963 - Interrogation
Officer: State your name.
Perpetrator: Black Canary
Officer: Your government name, ma'am.
BC: I plead the Fifth.
Officer: I beg your pardon?
BC: I plead the Fifth.
Officer: Miss Canary, you're not in a courtroom. Just an interrogation room.
BC: You're an officer of the law, but you're woefully ignorant of it.
Officer: What do you mean by that?
BC: It's bad enough you made me take off my mask, taking away the whole secret in the secret identity reason behind the mask - -
Officer: You're not supposed to wear a mask out there in the first place. It's a misdemeanor.
BC: Stupid law. What about on Halloween? I could wear one then, right?
Officer: Yeah, but it's June 19. Long ways from Halloween. I'm just asking you what your government name is, ma'am.
BC: And I told you I'm pleading the Fifth. Do you know the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution?
Officer: Yeah, I do.
BC: Then say it.
Officer: I don't have to say it. I know it.
BC: Then. Say. It.
Officer: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia - -
BC: Okay, okay, you know it. Good to know there are a few officers that know the law.
Officer: There are. We're still the good guys.
BC: My old man was a good guy too. He was a cop, like you. Got capped by another cop on the downlow.
Officer: I'm sorry to hear that.
BC: Yeah, but he did teach me how to defend myself. How to fight. How to protect others.
Officer: So, you're not just a pretty face.
BC: Oh, it's my face you're salivating over and not my boosted up breasts?
Officer: They're nice too, but . . .
BC: And how about my silky smooth legs? They're covered in fishnets. Guess that makes me the catch of the day, eh?
Officer: I bet . . . LOOK! We caught you beating up someone on the street. And please take your legs off the table.
BC: You're no fun. He held up this older woman with a pen knife and stole her purse. I chased him and took it back.
Officer: But you snapped his ankle and nearly broke his neck.
BC: Is that what he said?
Officer: That's what the doctors said. He'll be lucky to get back on his feet within a month or two.
BC: He's lucky he's able to walk.
Officer: You're admitting you beat him up?
BC: I'm not admitting anything.
Officer: How about admitting you're a Negro?
BC: I'm not . . . excuse me?
Officer: Many Negro vigilantes use the word Black in their names. Black Bomber. Black Magic. Black Fire. It's fair to ask if you're one as well.
BC: I'm . . . I'm sorry . . . that's stupid as hell . . . what?
Officer: Are you a Negro? Negress? I'm not sure the proper term is for women.
BC: No, I'm not a . . . wait, what if I was? You'd treat me worse than you are now or better?
Officer: No, no, it's not like that. It's cool if you were though. It's just that I've never seen a White girl call herself Black on purpose.
BC: Don't tell me you're another one of those bigots behind a badge.
Officer: Ugh, no. I like Negros. They're good people. Soulful folks.Grew up with a lot of 'em. My brother and sister do those Freedom Ride things down south.
BC: That's mighty brave of them. They're not much different than what a lot of us do. And for the record, down there, they''d be considered vigilantes too.
Officer: No, no, it's not the same thing.
BC: Sure it is. We're all righting wrongs in society that those in power can't and won't correct. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Officer: Poetic sentiment.
BC: Dr. King wrote that a few months ago. I do what I do because I grew up around injustice. We shouldn't be afraid to walk down the street because people see us as weak"
Officer: That's what police are for.
BC: But they're not always there for us. Sometimes, they're the ones causing us to live in fear. Can't wait for a Prince Charming to save the day.
Officer: Totally agree, but you don't have the right to break somebody's neck either. The court systems - - -
BC: - - - are a joke. Is that guy in Gotham General Hospital or the prison clinic?
Officer: The prison clinic. He was arrested too. Fortunately for you, he's not pressing any charges against you.
BC: Why not?
Officer: He didn't want people to know know he got beat up by a girl smaller than him.
BC: Why the hell am I still here then?
Officer: Because I wanted to see you in the flesh. The Black Canary of Gotham City. Always thought you were an urban legend.
BC: I'm quite real. Can I go now?
Officer: Not without reminding you that you need to stop doing what you're doing before you get in trouble in my city. Otherwise, you'll be in jail for a long, long time.
BC: Yes sir, Officer Gotham.
Officer: My name is Lance. Detective Larry Lance.
BC: Well, Lance, Detective Larry Lance. Since your name ain't Gotham, this ain't your city either. It belongs to the people. And I'm the people's protector.
Detective Lance: Glad we understand each other. Just know the next time I see you . . .
BC: . . . will probably be in your dreams, sweetie. And I won't be so nice.
