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[indenture]

[ The camera does not immediately focus on the face of the man holding it; it shakes a bit, the screen showing a white shirt, black suspenders, a right hand sporting two finger splints. Finally it levels to show Harvey's normally handsome face, except there a couple of things amiss:

One thing of note is the scar that goes down the left side of his face, from eye to jaw, a clean line of a cut through his plastic surgery that is not fresh but has not yet been "fixed." Another is his blackened right eye, and his lip swollen on the right side. He doesn't look particularly in pain -- or at least doesn't show it -- but what he does look is pissed off. ]

Too far. This has gone too far. Look at me -- look at this.

[ Harvey points to his face with his splinted fingers, still looking livid. His breathing is harsh, but even. ]

It's never enough, what I do. Bad enough I have to work with and against the system, "unsettled" and working the arms of law, but the big red weight on my shoulders sees to it I'll never see a moment's peace for the rest of my life. I'm no saint -- I know. Made mistakes. So now I wake up looking like a human punching bag.

Not to point fingers. But where's the justice in that?

[ He gestures, vaguely, with his splinted fingers as much as he can move them. He takes a sharp breath, exhaling slowly, looking like he's trying to calm down though his face is still red around the eyes, the temples, the forehead. His left eye looks particularly dead as it stares forward, his weary-but-professional expression making the fact it's a glass replica suddenly more obvious. It moves in not quite perfect synch with the right eye. ]

Just my two cents.

All that aside, I had something else to say. I was hoping to look my best for this announcement, but next time I'll know better than to put it off. Never mind the state of my face. My name's Harvey Dent, and for those of you that don't know me yet, I'm a Public Defender in Heropa. If you're ever in trouble and can't afford a representative, we might see more of each other. I won't rest until I see justice is served the way it's meant to be.

That's all. Good day to you.

Comments

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Damn!

[This pings Jacob hard, partly because of the talk of mistakes and the system and being unsettled, and partly because wow someone really worked this guy over.]

I know some people don't like lawyers, but that's just wrong. Did you see who did it?

[indenture]

No. I was alone in the room by the time I was conscious again.

[ Harvey's voice is a bit hoarse, which isn't helped much by the anger. ]

I could guess, but that would be unprofessional.

[darkpants_warmfeeling]

Just beat you to a pulp and walked away, huh. Nice.

[Jacob't tone is tight and sarcastic. Whatever Harvey has or hasn't done, this doesn't fit his idea of justice.]

What kind of 'mistakes' would make anyone want to put you down this hard? Unless that's not my business.

[Big respecter of the sanctity of closeted skeletons, right here.]

video;

[brushoff]

[ Dorian just winces ]

You should get that treated. If it scars over— [ and he shudders. ]

video;

[indenture]

Get-- what, this? [ Harvey touches the cut down his face without even hesitating; his finger jabs the skin beneath his eye. ] I should. Haven't gotten around to it yet -- but I'll be fine. Scars are easy to cover up.

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[brushoff]

Easy to cover up, yes, but there's something to be said for natural beauty. It takes less time in the morning, for one thing, and God knows I love my sleep.

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[justimom]

It does not appear like there is much justice to be found in this place in general. [ Samara has just the tiny hint of a frown on her face. ] Do you have any clues as to who did this to you?

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[indenture]

Not just this place. The imPorts are just as guilty of that as anyone else.

[ He's tempted to answer affirmatively, but the word "clues" sticks out to him. He doesn't have evidence, exactly, so: ]

No. I didn't see them.

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[justimom]

That is true, I would not be able to argue there. It is very unfortunate. [ Her tone might indicate that it annoys her more than she's showing. ]

And they left nothing behind?

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[schrader]

Jesus, guy...

[ He'll make the connection eventually, with the name and the (subtle) appearance, but he's not enough of a nerd to jump on that. More thrown by what happened to this guy, now and uh clearly in the past, and he's a public defender?

Oh, fucking lawyers. Well still. Ouch. ]

Need a raw steak and a beer.

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[indenture]

[ Harvey exhales somewhat sharply, running his hand through his hair in an irritated, aggressive gesture before he nods. He looks wearily at the camera, blackened-eye narrow and the other one simply halfway lidded. ]

You know, that sounds like the best thing in the world right about now. Reminds me to be grateful that my jaw isn't wired shut, too.

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[schrader]

[ Yeah, that's some ouch. He isn't gonna bother asking how he got it, because public defender? Hank hates those lawyers, usually, and he can think of a million people who'd want to sucker punch some.

Beggars can't be choosers, though. Somebody's better than nobody. ]

Can't help ya with the steak, uh... [ Hoping the poor schmuck's just got one in his freezer to slap over his eye. Left ranting at the communicator, though, he must not have many outlets. Hank can relate. ] But happy to spot you the beer sometime.

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[parallels]

[Wow. So their date was awkward but nice enough that she definitely needs to check in here.]

Harvey. Are you alright?

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[indenture]

Clara.

[ Oh -- he's a little sorry she has to see him like this, he enjoyed their date for what it was. Harvey lowers his gaze a little regretfully. ]

Yeah -- I'll live. It looks worse than it feels.

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[motherflocker]

Oh, don't you look awful?

I'd suggest a bodyguard, next time.

Video

[indenture]

[ Oh, look who it is. Harvey laughs. ]

A bodyguard? As long as you're paying for it.

not here

[gevurah]

[ Squints. ]

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[earnedmystripes]

[ID printed: WILD TIGER]

Someone beat you up just 'cause they don't like you??

[Wow that is 1000 kinds of Not Okay. Tiger sounds pretty mad too, but also worried and a little distressed.]

Did you get a look at 'em or--did they leave anything behind? And d'you need help getting to a doctor or anything?

PERMAVIDEO.

[indenture]

[ Patiently: ]

No, no, and no. I was... unconscious. No one was there by the time I came 'round again, but I could have been out for hours. [ A beat. ] A lot of people don't like me, but I didn't count on being ambushed.

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[rathercommon]

[ Kitty feels a swell of real, fierce anger to see what was done to him. Mr Dent is sweet, and generous - for someone to have attacked him...

Still. She tries to sound brisk and businesslike and firm, hoping to make him feel better. ]

If you want to hear the truth of the matter, I think that looking like that makes your offer of help seem better than it would if you looked nice. Those bruises are proof that you can take a hit, and that's a valuable skill.

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[indenture]

[ That gets a laugh from him, which looks slightly painful. Harvey's lucky that he doesn't actually have much feeling left in his face, not the left side of it. ]

Right -- and then some. I'm the lawyer who'll take a beating so that you don't have to. [ He smirks in a way that looks all the more crooked thanks to his swollen lip. ] But you don't have to sugarcoat it. I know I look like hell.

text; private; from bat symbol

[chiroptophobic]

Let me find who did this.

PERMAVIDEO.

[indenture]

[ Ohhhh snap. Harvey says nothing for a few moments. ]

Well, I won't stop you from trying. Do you-- [ He pauses. ] Have a strategy?

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[notdaredevil]

Harvey?

[ Despite himself, despite everything that's happened between them or been said or hasn't been said and everything that Kate's said...he finds himself incredibly worried anyway. Worried for what's happened to him, or what's going on now. ]

What's going on?

PERMAVIDEO.

[indenture]

What does it l--

[ Harvey pauses, stopping himself from snapping back his response once he realizes who it is he's talking to. ]

Right. You can't see the damage -- lucky for you. I was assaulted.