This is the second episode of the second story in which things get clearer. Or not.

1. Policy Police
Volume II. Number 2.
Up Close and Personalised. Episode 2.
The Prof had
already been
doing some
background
work, so I
thought the
DoC should see
him.
I took the kid
along, too.
Just so he
could believe
she existed.

2. …big fish?
Middle-sized
fish.

3. He’s a
“Director of…”
… ?
… ?
That little word
brings you down the
hierarchy. Makes
the limits of your
domain explicit.

4. Plain “Director”
is tastefully
extensive.
“Director of”
just sounds
more…
…desperate?

5. What’s he
saying?
There are
caveats…
I know. Correlation
not causation. I’m not
new to this game.
But what’s
he saying?

6. The literature review
pointed to a
weakness in the
underlying paradigm.
What’s
that mean?
He wouldn’t
start from
here…

7. Get him
out.
Now.
Before I
kill him.

8. I’ll see you
downstairs. I’ve
got to sort things
with the stiff.

9. Stiff?
It lets him
feel I’m on
his side.
Whose
side are
you on?

10. Do you want
me to
answer
that?
No. I’d
rather not
know.

11. Good. I’d
rather not
tell you.

12. … and what
have you got
to say?
Um… I say
you already
know what you
think.

13. Too right. Our
researchers found
that over 90% of
parental abuse of
children was carried
out by the children’s
own parents.
That much?
Well, there is
a margin for
error of
around 10%.
Hmmm…

14. So now we’ve got a
legislative framework to
ensure parents keep
their proper distance.
…and…
Cut parental abuse to
20% of current levels.

15. …and it
does that?
In theory.

16. What are
current levels,
by the way?
Do I know you?
Are you one of
our regular
researchers?

17. I have an
academic
interest.
Good.
I’ll send you the
report. If it’s not
with you in a
couple of days, call
my secretary.

18. We’re
having this
one. OK?
…knows
what she’s
on about.

19. I don’t know
how you did
that.
Truth is,
neither do I.

20. Are they all Not stupid. They
that stupid? just don’t listen
to themselves,
sometimes.
And we work
for these people
because…
To be continued…