[SCENE:] Ron and Diego in "Special Consultation"
Diego: *Diego is sitting up in bed, drinking from his novelty mug - properly cleaned, now. A radio is now in his room, tuned to a jazz station - it's more swing than he normally likes, but it's better than nothing*
Ron: *Three polite knocks on the door, like last time.*
Diego: Come in.
Ron: *Opens the door and steps in. He's holding a clipboard with some papers and wearing a small smile on his face.* Hello, Mr. Diego! How are you feeling today? *closes the door behind him*
Diego: Hi, Ron. Much better, thank you. *something clicks in his head* ...Did the prosecutor clear you for another visit?
Ron: *Steps up to the bed. He sounds far less worried and nervous than before.* That's the funny thing... My name is included on the list of visitors free to come here at any time. No questions asked!
Diego: .... *takes a sip* How'd you manage that? Changed the nurse's creamer?
Ron: *stunned* Wh-what?! Mr. Diego! What are you implying?! I-I would NEVER...!
Diego: *another sip, and a grin* Metaphor, Ron. I know that state employees in certain positions are the only ones who can get in here whenever they want. You sign up with the department?
Ron: *calm again* Oh. Um. *thinks* Not that I know of... *serious* Putting that aside, Mr. Diego! *pulls up a chair and sits right next to Diego, this time with less space in between them --he's more comfortable with Diego's current state now* I didn't come here just to say "hello!" *glances at Diego's mug; sounding almost surprised* ...You like the mug?
Diego: I do. *hefts it once* Got a good weight, and it's solid...handle's just far back enough that it doesn't get hot. Cleans like a dream, too. *grins toothily* Just about perfect, for why I use it.
Ron: *touched* You really DO like it! You're not just saying it...
Diego: *turns his face in Ron's direction and cocks an eyebrow* Of course I'm not just saying it. A man always means what he says and says what he means.
Ron: *a little sad* Why would anyone want to attack someone as good and honest as you?
Diego: *is stunned by that, but doesn't let it show, and doesn't miss a beat* Every man has his moments of weakness and meanness... I have mine, too. Don't ever think any different. *another sip, a moment's pause* But...some men are just mean, Ron. Like Engarde - just mean and bitter and burned inside.
Ron: I try to be understanding of that. Everyone has their reasons for being the way they are. That's something I always keep in mind... but! *clenches his fist; raises his voice* This isn't RIGHT! Something has to be DONE!
Diego: Ha! *stares sightlessly at the wall opposite his bed, his grin something like reminiscent and vicious* Oh, I agree. Some has to be done, and something will be done. Count on it.
Ron: *full of conviction* ...And I'm going to help.
Diego: *his expression remains neutral; he doesn't want to express disbelief, knowing Ron's odd resourcefulness* How are you going to do that? *takes a long, slow sip*
Ron: *serious* The only way I know how... *upbeat* ...By thoroughly inspecting the prison's security methods and giving them my professional opinion as to how they can improve, so that you never get hurt again!
Diego: *nods - on some level he was expecting more of a surprise, but that's pretty reasonable* To think I'd be so helped by Mask DeMasque.
Ron: *a small laugh* I have plenty of experience with this sort of thing, too. *pulls out his clipboard and flips through some of the documents, skimming some lines as he does so* I already set up an appointment with the prison a few hours ago, actually. I got Mr. Edgeworth to put in a good word for me...
Diego: Ron.
Ron: *looks up* Yes?
Diego: *his smile is more earnest* You know you don't have to do this. Right?
Ron: *He pauses and puts the clipboard down on his lap, looking straight at Diego with a neutral expression. After a few beats, he lowers his head and begins chuckling, in an almost amused fashion.*
Diego: *says nothing, not wanting to interrupt, and gulps his coffee*
Ron: *when he stops laughing, he doesn't look up* Mr. Diego... Would you say I'm a capable person?
Diego: I would.
Ron: And... would you say I'm good at what I do?
Diego: *nods* You got away with it, amigo.
Ron: *pulls out a ballpoint pen from the clip and idly taps it against a prison schedule on the clipboard* Let's see... In about a week, I'll have special access to the prison. I'm going to check every room there -- the cafeteria, the library, the shower stalls... And last but not least, the prison cells themselves! That will be done during a two-block period when they're completely unoccupied. The inmates will be in the exercise yard, then the cafeteria. Of course, a good majority of the guards will be preoccupied with those areas during my inspection.
Ron: *smiles as he puts down the pen and leans in close to Diego* I'm a capable person, as you said! *while the next line is spoken -- though Diego can't see -- his smile turns into a devious smirk, never before seen by anyone other than his wife, and his tone of voice becomes sly and playful.* Wouldn't it be a shame if I, say... overlooked a few things? Maybe even carelessly left behind a few of my tools? I mean, a few mistakes like that? It could be dangerous if someone found out about them and used them to their advantage...
Diego: *he grins, gesturing with his mug, his brow wrinkling* Dangerous indeed; bitter like lead shavings in your coffee.
Ron: *still smirking* Good thing I'm a trusted pro! They don't have anything to worry about from me... But I'm only human. People make mistakes, yes? *lowering his voice* And a smart man like you would know what to do with those mistakes.
Diego: *he's still grinning, leaning in close, his tone conspiratorial - this he didn't know Ron was capable of* You know...I think you may be right. A mistake can be worked to one's advantage just as easily; if the blend is too strong, better to still drink it.
Ron: *his expression is a determined one when he speaks the next line:* Please help me help you, Mr. Diego.
Diego: *nods, still grinning but voice solemn* I can't refuse, now can I? Tell me what I need to do.
Ron: *turns to a blank sheet of paper in his clipboard and readies his pen* Let me know what security faults you could use to your advantage! I'll teach you how to fix them so as not to leave a trace... And if there's anything you need? Name it, and I'll bring it! I'll be sure to leave it in an inconspicuous spot in your cell.
Diego: Check and make sure no one's outside the door.
Ron: *gets up immediately and casually opens the door, peeking outside. There's no one around, save for a couple of nurses noisily bantering in the distant end of the hallway. He carefully shuts the door so as not to make a sound and returns to his seat.* The coast is clear.
Diego: *nods* Good. Now, sit down and listen carefully - I'm trusting you to get all of this....