Transcript of Session 03: Gilded Cage, Perimeter Guard Lead
Date: April 27th
Time: 5:56 p.m.
Interviewer: Doctor Blue Sky, PhD
Gilded Cage’s record is standard when compared to other guards I’ve interviewed in the past. No issues stand out and Miss Vines’ notes had nothing but praise to give. When he arrived, he opted to stand, until I insisted he sit for ease of the recording. The clicking on the track is his hoof against the wood of his seat and further mention has been omitted from my transcript.
Blue Sky (BS): Testing, testing. Okay, could you please state your name and role for the recor—
Gilded Cage (GC): Cage, Investigator Support, Security, and, right now, Perimeter Guard.
BS: Your full name.
GC: What? Oh, right, right, official. Gilded Cage.
BS: Thank you. Is there any reason you prefer—
GC: It’s just got baggage, Doc. Family business and not really related to my work.
BS: Sorry, it was just a question that came to mind.
GC: Yeah, sure. So, what is this all about again?
BS: Just a cursory glance to see how everyone here is doing. My team and I are making sure everyone here is fit for duty.
GC: Well, if you can take my word for it, we can finish this now and I can get back to something worthwhile.
BS: I’m afraid that’s out of the question.
Cage gave me a half-hearted smile and shrugged.
GC: Eh, was worth a try.
BS: I’m sorry, but, this is for your and everyone’s best interests, Cage. Now, you’ve been with the Canterlot Agen—
GC: Three and a half years. Been investigator support and security since I started, no plans to go any further and I love walks in the moonlight.
Cage seems to take pride in deflecting my questions. If nothing else it is a sign of good mental health.
BS: Do you think this session isn’t important, Cage?
GC: Yeah, I’d rather be out on my patrol and not forcing Truffle to work twice his usual perimeter.
BS: I can understand that, but as I said: we need to be thorough. Just a basic set of questions, a little conversation, and if you have any concerns, you can bring them up.
GC: Then fire away.
BS: Your file says you haven’t had any history of incidents on active duty, is that correct?
GC: Yes.
BS: And since you’ve arrived here?
GC: Nothing.
BS: And you’re aware of what happened here?
GC: Yep. I don’t know all the fine details, but rumors get around, and some of the ponies who actually look at the documents are more talkative than you’d expect.
BS: And you—
GC: I don’t buy it. Bunch of journals that make no sense and ponies saying they hear voices aren’t exactly the type of evidence we work with on a daily basis.
BS: Yet the town was deserted when you and the second group of investigators arrived on the 16th.
Cage rubbed his forehead and sighed.
GC: Look, there’s a lot of things that can happen in three days and a lot of things you can write for someone to read later. Plus, there’s not a lot of concrete evidence.
BS: So what do you think happened to the town inhabitants?
GC: Could’ve run off into the Everfree, or who knows where else. Equestria is a big place. Not my job to find out, though.
BS: I see. So, I can assume you haven’t been having any trouble sleeping? Insomnia? Strange dreams?
GC: Not at all. I’ve never been the superstitious type, Doc. Though, if Truffle or Aegis says no, they have. Those two are too damn headstrong to admit it to me, but I hear them talking about not sleeping well or having nightmares around lights out.
Cage speaks matter-of-factly, but it could be deflecting out of either agitation or for his own protection.
BS: I will make a note of that, but this is about you, Cage.
GC: I’m not the one with a problem.
Definitely agitation.
BS: I’m not here to accuse you, Cage, or your well-being; my team will handle Truffle and Aegis when their sessions are scheduled.
GC: Right, right. You know, Truffle visits his uncle here in the summer. When he saw the location for the assignment come up, he was hoping he could see him again, try to catch up, maybe introduce me. That vanished pretty quick.
BS: Are you worried for him?
GC: A little. It’s kind of hard working on a job where someone you know is a victi— potential victim.
BS: Your family isn’t from here then?
Cage looked away from me. I didn’t plan to pressure him given his words about family problems earlier, but he seemed to relent.
GC: No, no. My folks are from Manehattan, big city. Wouldn’t know it from looking at me, but upper class too. My sister travels a lot though.
BS: I take it you don’t have issues with her then?
GC: No, we’re good. It’s my parents, mostly, but still not work-related.
BS: Of course. You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to discuss. We’re past all the basic questions I had, but I’d still like to talk for a while. Is there anyone else at the camp you’re concerned about?
GC: I mean, everyone’s got problems, but they aren’t all related to the case. I mean, the rumors and whatnot don’t help; hidden messages, Lantern’s freakout at Sweet Apple Acres, and overactive imaginations together make ponies a little jittery.
BS: But you’ve been fine?
GC: Of course. I don’t uhh fall for that stuff, I guess. I just stand outside of town, turn away the one or two ponies, on a busy day, we get wandering into town, and then come back and plan out a schedule with Vines. I’m not trying to nose my way into the investigation.
BS: You’re quick to dismiss possibilities, though.
Cage seemed close to laughing.
GC: Cause it’s… Because it’s far fetched. It’s not probable. I mean I won’t dismiss it if the investigators gather some evidence and prove it, but a bunch of journals are just scribbles on paper. They can’t have happened just because someone wrote them.
Cage has a strong skepticism. Given most of his cases have involved more physical crimes and assignments, it’s to be understood. It was about this time that Cage’s tapping became more frequent, despite the shortness of our conversation.
BS: Cage, do you have any hobbies?
His tapping slowed.
GC: Jewelry. Making it.
BS: Really?
I’ll admit that my response was unprofessional and he seemed quite upset by it.
GC: What?
BS: Sorry, it’s just usually a career. Is it something your family does?
GC: Yeah. My grandpa taught me it.
BS: Would you mind telling me about him?
GC: His name was Filigree. He was quiet, most of the time. Liked to focus on his work, but he was the best craftsman in Manehattan back in the day, from the way he told it. He was retired by the time I was born, but he still taught me, and my sister. He could spend hours just working on one piece: a ring, a necklace, even just resizing something. Always liked making it the most though.
It was at this moment I noticed his tapping had stopped.
BS: Why was that?
GC: His talent was in metals. He talked about how to shape them and harden them, which ones you needed to be gentle with when you make things. He made tools and things out of steel, but he just enjoyed working with gold more. It was like a pony, he said, you had to be kind to it to make it into something good.
BS: Is your grandfather gone, Cage?
GC: Yeah.
Cage’s tapping resumed and quickened.
GC: I’ve uhh only gotta do one of these, right?
BS: Preferably, yes.
GC: Can I finish it tomorrow?
Cage stood up. Considering how difficult it was to get him to sit in the first place, I relented.
BS: There’s not much more I’d like to discuss as it is, Cage. Still, if you’d like to we can have another session tomorrow. What time does your patrol end?
GC: Should be 5:30, evening.
BS: Then I’ll see you at six?
Despite not taking things seriously at first, Cage does seem to be handling himself fine. I’ll have to discuss things with Miss Vines tonight to see if another session is truly necessary. Still, if he is willing to come of his own volition, I won’t turn him away.