Interrogation_Transcript_Kacik-Cain_04-19-20XX

i wrote this right before i figured out what was going on inside Larry's head. it hasn't been posted anywhere else, unlike most of the other stories on here, because i didn't like the original ending. but the rest of it is really good so i rewrote it.

KACIK: The day is April 19, 20XX, at 9:34 AM. This is Detective Allen Kacik, and I'm speaking with… State your name for the record, please.

CAIN: Larry.

KACIK: Your legal name.

CAIN: Right. Lawrence Cain.

KACIK: Mm-hmm. Lawrence, I am making you aware that you have the right to remain silent, okay? Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions, and you have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning. If you can't afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop answering at any time. You may speak to a lawyer at any time. Did you get all of that?

CAIN: Yep.

KACIK: Good. Lawrence, I think we both know why you're here.

CAIN: Yeah, we do. No point in beating around the bush, right? You already know I did everything. I don't even think I need to be interrogated, honestly.

KACIK: It's— We're here to get a better understanding of the situation. What exactly you did, why you did it, that sort of thing. It's a discussion.

CAIN: Did you watch the YouTube channel?

KACIK: Yes, I did. The whole department's seen it. But I want to talk to you. The man behind the screen, you know?

CAIN: Okay, then. I guess since you're a fan, I can talk.

KACIK: Do you understand the gravity of the situation you're in?

CAIN: Yeah, of course I—

KACIK: You and your friends, your “pack,” went all over the country doing some, some disruptive things. Some of it was good natured, some of it was harmful. You endangered the well-being of the people and businesses you, um, engaged with. And this is rough, it's unfortunate, but you're a werewolf. Say what you want about how good monsters are, but overall your species doesn't have the best reputation. A lot of people outside these walls, they're gunning for you. Me, I know you don't deserve that hate, so I'm here to help you; figure out what exactly was going on in those situations and how to stop them from occurring again. But I can't do that if you don't work with me, okay?

CAIN, quietly: That's what the last two detectives said.

KACIK: Hmm?

CAIN: I said, “Yeah, that's okay.”

KACIK: Great. So, let's go back to the beginning, okay? I heard that over a year ago, you and your pack had the cops and animal control called on you for “intentionally endangering” a dog. That's the official jargon, but I want to figure out what really happened.

CAIN: I don't care what anyone says, we did not do anything to hurt Jamie. No endangering situations, no yelling at her, nothing. She's Russ's dog, a real peach, and he adopted her fair and square. He still got the papers from when he adopted her.

KACIK: Still? He's still alive?

CAIN: Well, his body ain't been found yet. You think maybe he died in a swamp and we won't know 'til archaeologists dig him up a hundred years later?

KACIK: You're making a joke about your own brother's death?

CAIN: It's fine. I know he's fine. I could tell if he died.

KACIK: …

CAIN: Anyway, the “intentional endangerment.” That neighbor didn't have a problem with Jamie 'til she found out— I think she found out Russ was a werewolf first, and then the rest of us got outed. Said we was gonna eat Jamie or something. I mean, can you imagine? That's like… That's like eating your baby cousin or something. Humans wouldn't do something like that, right?

KACIK: No, sir.

CAIN: Exactly. So she called the cops on us, and animal control for “good measure.”

KACIK: The way you say that, it sounds like a direct quote.

CAIN: Yeah. I remember that fiasco like the back of my hand. She freaked out about us turning the whole apartment complex into werewolves. Stupid, right? I mean, Ivan and Ibrahim in particular had been turned at the same time, just a year or two prior to all that. They wouldn't turn around and inflict that mess on someone else. Russ and I, we wouldn't do it 'cause we weren't raised like that. Our mother made sure we had our heads on straight. We don't bite and scratch at people like we got rabies.

KACIK: And nothing happened in particular to make her think that. She just found out somehow… How did she find out?

CAIN: Well, we'd been getting along fine before then and Russ and her were like, acquaintances. So I think she trusted him to an extent. Now, Russ be barking and shit so he can converse with Jamie easier. Like, wolves don't sound like dogs naturally, he taught himself how to do it. She heard a couple dogs barking one evening, knocked on the door and asked Russ to keep it down, and then she realized he only got one dog. They went back and forth for a bit, she asked if he'd adopted another one, et cetera, et cetera. But, um… Russ ain't the best at lying. I love him, but he cracks under pressure and she's sharp. So she figured it out.

KACIK: And she alerted the authorities right after that.

CAIN: Yep.

KACIK: Okay. So the neighbor's treatment of you was unfair. And when the police and animal control arrived, how did the four of you deal with that?

CAIN: It was a fucking shouting match. Russ especially wasn't having none of their shit. Words can't explain how much he loves Jamie, and I was getting kinda incensed too. I don't like seeing anyone upset my li'l bro like that. The Beattys were upset, too. You ever seen Ivan yell? It's scary 'cause it never happens. Takes a lot to get them that mad. So, they don't even give us the relative dignity of a normal arrest. Chose to use nets and tranq darts instead of handcuffs. None of that shit was strong enough to stop us, obviously, so now it's like, you got a bunch of high, angry werewolves and five tiny humans with what basically amounted to Nerf guns. People are nosy, so everyone nearby was peeping at the conversation, recording it and taking pics and shit. It was a mess. But, here's the kicker: We already had some things packed up 'cause we was planning to go to Atlantic City for the weekend. Get tans, splash water at each other, that kinda thing. So I was like, let's knock these officers out and get the fuck outta here!

KACIK: Direct quote?

CAIN: Paraphrasing. We got as much stuff we could grab, piled into Lucille and just hit the road. You know, I think if we were humans we woulda been got caught, but Russ and I especially just know the land better. So we survived our first cop chase without a hitch, more or less. It was terrifying, but exhilarating.

KACIK: I can imagine. It's a, uh, high-adrenaline situation.

CAIN: Exactly!

KACIK: I want to hear the rest of your story, but let me just make sure of one thing really quickly. So, when the authorities arrived at your apartment, they used a, an unconditional method of arrest, but I'm assuming their plan was to take you to the local jailhouse.

CAIN: They would've sent Jamie to an animal shelter, but yeah.

KACIK: Okay. And I did just say that werewolves have a bad reputation, but legally speaking, you all have your Miranda rights, you can speak to a lawyer— a public attorney, or a private one if you can afford it, and you were all legally registered as humans at the time because no one knew your identities. So there weren't any legal barriers related to your species. And we both agree that the accusations made against you were, excuse my language, bullshit. So I do wonder why you didn't allow yourself to be arrested.

CAIN: That's a death sentence in its own right. Cops act friendly, but they not here to help us. We're four black werewolves, we're like the devil to y'all.

KACIK: That's, well, we're here to protect and serve all citizens equally, but I'm glad you brought that point up because I did mention, you don't have to speak to me. It's beneficial to everyone if you do, but you do have the right, the ability, to quit right now and talk to a lawyer first. So I'm getting the impression you want to talk to me now. What I'm not sure of is why you didn't want to talk to the Jersey City department before.

CAIN: *laughter* You're making this so fucking difficult for me, officer! The last two were a lot less accusatory.

KACIK: I'm trying to get to the bottom of the situation with you. You said you don't want to beat around the bush.

CAIN: Touché. Okay, lemme calm down. Pass me that water bottle?

KACIK: Sure. … So, your life from that point on is pretty well-documented. You started making YouTube videos shortly after that chase, correct?

CAIN: You wanna know why, don't you?

KACIK: It wouldn't hurt if you explained your logic. Just so it's on the record. I know you like explaining what's on your mind, a lot of your videos were like that.

CAIN: I'm running out of ways to answer that question without totally repeating myself. Look, it makes money.

KACIK: …

CAIN: Obviously we couldn't get jobs, and vlogging is cheap and easy. Low production value. And, I mean, the premise is fucking great. Most monsters aren't so public about their lives, and we was in a higher-stakes situation than most other vloggers, and we had a cute dog. You would've done the same thing, I bet. But you only care about the illegal shit, don't you?

KACIK: I'll listen to whatever you have to say.

CAIN: When we got to this part of the story last time the detective was real hung up on how we didn't commit no crimes 'til like, a month into running the channel. You know what I said, don't you?

KACIK: … Something like, you wanted to supplement the channel's income, so you turned to petty crime.

CAIN: Bingo. Can I be honest with you for a second? Honest honest? That was one of the most disappointing moments of the whole interrogation. Obviously that's not the whole answer, but he didn't follow up at all. Now I'm not getting to explain the rest of the story 'til, what, twenty-four hours later? You see why I want this to go faster now, right? I'm getting tired of being here. I don't like being in the same place for too long, you know. 'Specially not a place like this. But anyway, it's like a TV show, dude. You don't introduce all the stakes and antagonists in the first episode. You gotta space it out so the audience stays hooked.

KACIK: So that was your way of growing the channel.

CAIN: Duh. I guess everyone on the force is as old as you? Not very keyed into how social media works? I mean, I get it. I'm twenty-six, and I don't get what the fifteen-year-olds on TikTok be saying half the time. But you got me like, damn, did you really watch any of the videos? *Laughter* We should take a break so y'all can go and binge them.

KACIK: …

CAIN: Tough crowd! Jeez.

KACIK: Didn't catch the joke.

CAIN: 'Kay. So did that answer your question, or…?

KACIK: Yep. This has been a very productive conversation, I mean it. But you know, now is a good stopping point. Drink some more water, go to the bathroom, whatever, meet me back here in thirty?

CAIN: Sure. Hey, can I ask a repetitive question now? Y'all gonna get rid of these handcuffs sooner or later, right? I mean…

*LAWRENCE CAIN pulls his wrists apart and snaps the handcuffs.*

CAIN: They're not doing anything for you, and I'm not doing anything to you.

KACIK, quietly: Jesus fucking Christ.

KACIK: It's standard procedure, Lawrence.

*ALLEN KACIK puts LAWRENCE CAIN into another pair of handcuffs as he speaks.*

KACIK: Thank you for your time. The time is 10:07 AM, we will resume at roughly 10:37 AM.

The recording is paused. It resumes at 10:40 AM.

CAIN: Oh, you look mad.

KACIK: Let's skip the formalities, Mr. Cain. Look, we've gone over all the evidence we have, listened to these recordings over and over again, spoken to witnesses — it's blatantly obvious that you did some horrible things this past year. Your brother and friends did too, but you roped them into it. And you got two million people on the internet hooked on your content. It's a de facto cult of personality. You know a decent amount of your audience is children and young adults? You think they need that kind of influence in their lives?

CAIN: What, did we make the crime rates go up?

KACIK: It's not about the numbers, Mr. Cain. We can't have kids going online, watching your videos, and then running around thinking it's okay to, to break into buildings and the like. You're making them misfits, anarchists. It's dangerous.

CAIN: You know, that's actually not what anarchy is? I mean, I ain't an anarchist, but their deal is basically just getting rid of unnecessary hierarchies. Like cops.

KACIK: That's completely irrelevant. My point, Mr. Cain, is that you were the ringleader of a twisted circus and I'm here to figure out why. All I need is an explanation, a clear-cut explanation, and we're done. You won't have to worry about me ever again.

CAIN: 'Cause by then I'll be worrying about prison instead.

KACIK: We interrogated Ivan Beatty and Ibrahim Beatty first. You know what they said to me? They each told me, completely independently of one another, that you've always known you'd wind up in prison sooner or later. That, and you were ready for it. Now, I was skeptical at first, because nobody wants to go to prison, ever. But now after interviewing you, and watching my coworkers' interviews with you, well, they were right on the money. You think this is a game and that you've got nothing to lose. With that in mind, it shouldn't make a difference to you if you tell me exactly what's going on in your head. We both know there's some kind of ulterior motive at play here. There has to be, or else you wouldn't have gotten into this situation in the first place. So spit it out, Cain.

CAIN: For fuck's sake. It's really annoying when people snitch on you. But the real problem is, you're jumping to conclusions. I mean, “ulterior motive”? Really? Pfft. I mean everything I say, dude.

KACIK: What are you trying to say?

CAIN: Just think about it. What's the main thing that all this vlogging, all these cop chases, all these robberies have gotten me?

KACIK: …

CAIN: Attention!

KACIK: I know some young people like doing challenges and such online, but—

CAIN: Nope! You're overthinking it! I wasn't raised by the internet like other people my age. Didn't even have a computer of my own 'til I was like, eighteen. Had to use the ones at school and the library. So I'm not like those idiots who grew up online and think the cinnamon challenge was a good idea.

KACIK: Well, that just doesn't line up with what the evidence is saying. It really looks like you orchestrated this whole thing with the express purpose of ruining your crew member's lives. I mean, it was just a coincidence that your things were already packed when the police arrived that day? Your neighbor just happened to turn on you after getting along with Russ for so long? There's so many videos where you and Russ are throwing punches at each other, and the callousness with which you spoke about Ivan and Ibrahim just now — they didn't snitch on you, they told the truth because that's what they're supposed to do! And they also told me that you put yourself in charge of everything, made them doubt their abilities to take care of themselves. There was never any real connection here—

CAIN: No, no, no, you don't understand pack dynamics! Each subordinate is supposed to rely on me. That's why I'm the leader. Me and Russ were playfighting, and werewolves play rough! I don't got nothing against the Beattys either, I just had a thing going and I wasn't expecting you to say that! I'd get equally annoyed no matter who snitched on me.

KACIK: You're digging yourself into a deeper and deeper hole. You had a thing going? You're spinning some kind of insane scheme even now, and you don't care who you—

CAIN: Shut the fuck up with that insanity bullshit! I know my mind inside and out, and everything about me’s completely straight. What’s really going on is, when I see an opportunity, I take it. I didn't know that shitty neighbor was gonna rat us out! I wanted to go to the beach because it's fucking fun! Those events weren't premeditated by me, they were coincidences. I was disappointed that I lost the chance to hang out with my fam in Atlantic City, but I saw how those coincidences created a new opportunity for me. I saw that if we bolted, and if I played my cards right, I could have millions of people's eyes on me. I didn't talk to the cops then because that would cut the fun short! Wouldn't be talking to you either if it wasn't the end of the line for me.

KACIK: So you're a narcissist.

CAIN: No! I'm an attention whore.

KACIK: An attention— No, okay, narcissists often seek attention—

CAIN: That's where the similarities begin and end! I don't get the indignation at being criticized or the anger when people don't pay attention to me. My self-esteem is great, I don't got no internalized hatred or whatever. I keep it all smiles 'cause it's important to see the good in any situation: living the way I was raised, see?

KACIK: You're awfully upset right now—

*LAWRENCE CAIN slams his fists on the table.*

CAIN: Because you're not listening to me! Everyone who meets me, my critics especially, thinks I got some kind of evil master plan. Some kinda traumatic backstory that explains why I'm like this. A laundry list of disorders that make me hate people. But I have never been that deep. I mean everything I say, and I am being beyond truthful when I tell you that all of this is literally just for the attention! It feels good having cameras in my face, okay? But that reason is too simple for some people, so they just keep digging and digging and digging for an explanation that doesn't even exist. And it's like, on the one hand, it's really funny. I let people think there's something more to me for, like, ever, because watching them run in circles trying to figure out exactly what is hilarious. It's like I'm hiding in plain sight, you know? But what's really bugging me now, is I'm willingly telling you everything. Everything! And you still don't believe me. Do you know you're the first person to get this far? When Russ left the crew he beat me up to get an answer out of me and he didn't even come close. What more do I have to do to get you to believe me? Huh?

KACIK: Christ. You're one of the most remarkable criminals I've ever met.

CAIN: That's awfully high praise coming from someone who just got yelled at. What, you on my side now?

KACIK: I'm being euphemistic. You're a disaster, Mr. Cain.

CAIN: Oh, come on.

*ALLEN KACIK sighs heavily. He does not respond immediately.*

KACIK: You’ll learn this when you get older — if your reckless choices don’t kill you by then — but you can't have your cake and eat it too. All these mind games and what have you, it’s just unsustainable.

CAIN: I can, and I always have! Yes, I uprooted my pack's lives, but I also made their life as the Canine Crew as comfortable as I could 'cause I know they aren't as weird as me. I wanted them to enjoy life as much as I do. I'm serious.

KACIK: Sure.

CAIN: You don't believe me.

KACIK: We're done here. Come on, let's go.

CAIN: Alright, alright, fine. I'll be here all night! I know you think I’m a fucking riot.

KACIK: You're gonna have a hell of a time in court. The time is 11:01 AM. This marks the end of this interrogation.

End of recording.