Section 16: Return of the Murder at the Meihousou

Pardon me, Mash and Master...

...but I have a proposal that may just put your concerns to rest.

Really? You have an idea?

Yes, but I can't take all the credit for it. This one was more of a...collaborative effort.

I won't say it's the best of all worlds, but I do think it will let us avoid the worst possible scenario.

All you need to do is make me the lead actor!

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I'm sure Holmes would be none too pleased about this, so let me be perfectly clear up front.

What I propose is not born from a desire to play the lead...

...nor am I proposing it as an attempt to improve my image.

I merely believe that making me the lead actor will neatly resolve the problem currently eating away at you.

Oho. So you are saying we should make Miguel Ángel Cortés the main character?

Naturally.

Fat chance, asshole. We spent the whole movie building you up as an irredeemably evil prick.

We don't have anywhere near the time we'd need for the reshoots to fix that.

I disagree with that assertion, but fortunately, it doesn't matter regardless.

For you see...we already have all the footage we need!

Ah, forgive me, that isn't quite right. What I should have said is, we already have ALMOST all the footage we need.

What are you talking about, Professor? I have no idea where you're going with this...

While we may be missing a few of the performers now, I still recall shooting some video along these lines:

...So you see, by inserting footage we shot for the documentary into certain key scenes...

...we can dramatically change how Miguel is perceived.

This is amazing...

Your idea to use aspects from outside the movie is the same as mine...but this is on an entirely different scale.

Then...does this mean everything we've shot up till now is fair game?

Yes, I suppose it does.

For example, when Murasaki Shikibu suddenly collapsed, you were all genuinely concerned for her well-being, no?

Yes, of course!

Then we can rework that footage into a scene that has you all concerned for Gabriela.

So we'll be looking for usable bits and pieces of footage wherever we can find them, huh. It won't be easy, but if we can pull it off, it ought to be well worth it.

Hmm, I see. That's definitely a good idea. All right, you have permission to shoot any additional scenes you need.

But remember, once time is up, you all need to come back immediately. It isn't much, but try to do the best you can with what time you have left.

Understood, Dr. Roman! We'll take advantage of every second we have!

Right, Murasaki?

This thread of spider's silk has given me a ray of hope... If it's all right with you, I promise I won't let this chance go to waste!

Okay, so if we're going to use Moriarty's idea...

We'll need to have Gabriela become despondent with life, only to finally realize how much her adoptive father truly loved her...right?

Right!

Got it. So Gabriela takes the poison 'cause she feels like she has nothing left to live for, and everyone else goes nuts trying to help, huh?

Of course, I still end up losing my life in the process...but I suppose we have no choice but to make it fit somehow.

You got it!

Hey, we made it this far flying by the seat of our pants. What's one more go before we pack it in!

Though it may still differ from the original plot in certain ways, this should ensure the movie remains Miguel and Gabriela's story.

Of course, since Gabriela has such little screen time, it will inevitably end up being more of Miguel's movie...

...but I hope you can overlook that on account of how devastatingly dapper I am.

Yeah. Keep telling yourself that.

I see. So this was your goal all along.

By unveiling your idea when all other options have been exhausted, you gain the lead role with a minimum of effort.

Good grief. You never change, do you, Professor?

Must you insist on always painting me in the worst possible light?

For your information, it was purely by chance that I realized my conduct thus far could be used in the movie.

Besides, you know very well that I am not a man given to operating out in the open like this.

...Well, I suppose it's not every day that a would-be artist gets the chance to help others so directly.

Very well then, as they say in the entertainment business: break a leg.

My thanks. I just hope I can avoid breaking my back while I'm at it.

Now then... Shall we, Master!?

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