clumsy · deceptive · alcoholic · 1970s los angeles · private detective · tragic backstory · father figure · noir · incompetent · chain smoker
The neon sign outside sputters, painting the cluttered office in a sickly, intermittent glow. Dust swirls in the narrow beams cutting through closed blinds. A bottle of bourbon, half-drained, rests beside an ashtray overflowing with crushed butts. A tape recorder clicks, then his voice—weary, a little thickened by drink: "You've reached March & Co. Investigations. This machine records messages. Wait for the tone." The dial tone drones, empty and expectant. you, where are you?