#i think it’s the nature of retail in general that u meet ppl from all walks of life but esp at the places ive worked

[even-disco-baby]

ANNETTE — “Hi, ace detective.” The young girl stifles a yawn. “We’ll be closing up soon, I’m afraid. Is there anything I can help you find?”

EMPATHY — She’s hoping the answer is yes. Any excuse to take a break from the dreaded *math homework.*

“No thanks, I was just on my way out.” [Leave]

“It’s okay, I don’t want to distract you from your studies.”

“Yeah, actually. I’m looking for a book.”

ANNETTE — She tries and fails to hide her relief as she sets her textbook under her chair. “Of course! What are you looking for, sir?”

“A happy story.”

“A sad story.”

“Something that will make me a better detective.”

“Something that will make me a better person.”

“Something about how to mend a broken heart.”

ANNETTE — “Oh…” She frowns, staring up at the shelves as if hoping that the perfect book will miraculously catch her eye. “Umm… Let me think…”

EMPATHY — She’s genuinely trying to think of one. She wants to help you.

ANNETTE — After a long, long pause, Annette finally lets out a sigh of defeat. “…I’m not sure,” she admits sadly. “I’m sorry, sir.”

YOU — “You can’t think of anything at all?”

ANNETTE — “Well… We do carry some self help books, sir, but…” She casts a quick glance around the store.

REACTION SPEED — Making sure Plaisance is out of earshot.

ANNETTE — The girl leans in conspiratorially and whispers, “Mother says those books are all snake oil. ‘If all it took to change somebody’s life was a book, *we* would be sitting quite prettily.’”

DRAMA — Her Plaisance impression is uncanny! What talent!

YOU — “Why do you sell them, then?”

ANNETTE — “Well,” she coughs, “not everyone agrees with my mother.”

RHETORIC — Translation: because people buy them. It’s as simple as that.

ANNETTE — “But I don’t think that’s quite what you’re looking for, is it, sir…?” She looks up at you with that seemingly impossible mixture of innocence and knowing that is unique to children.

“Yeah, you’re right. It isn’t.”

“No, I think I’ll give the self help books a try.”

“I’m not really sure what I’m looking for, to be honest.”

ANNETTE — She nods slowly, looking down at her frayed nails. “Lots of people come into the shop not quite knowing what they’re looking for. But that’s what’s so nice about bookshops, don’t you think? No matter where you look, you can find *something* interesting.” She smiles bright enough to light up every dark corner of the bookstore and the doomed commercial area below it. “I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for, ace detective. Maybe you just have to let it find *you.*”

+1 MORALE

VOLITION — Here in this bookshop. In Martinaise. Revachol. The world. This seemingly wretched lifetime. In the midst of it all, there is always something for you. Uncurl your fist. Let it find your palms upturned.

#disco elysium #harry du bois #annette (disco elysium) #i care her… #im terribly fond of annette for reasons that are hard to put into words #she’s just a really good kid… 🥺 #and also i kin her bc i work at a bookstore too lmao #which is what got me thinking abt this one #i think it’s the nature of retail in general that u meet ppl from all walks of life but esp at the places ive worked #at the bookstore sometimes u will get someone asking for certain books/subject matter that’s just like… #hey do you have any books about how to deal with [insert very specific and very sad life event] #and ur like oh… :( i can try… #and ur a stranger and this is a professional setting so u don’t wanna get personal #but it’s still like. damn. wish i could just beam into ur brain that im wishing nothing but the best for you #anyway. i think annette does that without even trying #i like her… i care her…