The name 'Kobayashi' came up in a recent fic, and it put me in mind of my favorite movie. Hope you enjoy!
Usual disclaimers, plus I don't own the rights to "The Usual Suspects." (Wish I did, though.)
"My name is Kobayashi. I work for Keyser Soze."
Reid settled into his battered green sofa and eagerly reran the pool hall scene at least three more times before driving his movie companion completely nuts.
"Reid, cut it out. What's so important about this scene, anyway?"
"Once you see the ending, you'll understand."
Morgan shook his head. "That's what you said about the lineup. Still can't figure out why they were laughing so hard…"
"It's about the absurdity of the situation. Like Keaton said, 'you don't put five felons in a lineup'."
"We've put three in one once."
"Yeah, but that's because they were triplets. This is different."
"I guess."
"Plus, apparently the actors found everything on set funny that day, and couldn't stop laughing. The director finally just used the one shot that made the most sense."
"Ahhh." There was a pause as Morgan caught a popcorn kernel in his mouth. "So why is everyone so freaked out about this Soze guy? I mean, it's not like the boogey man or something come to life…"
Reid stared at his friend like he'd just risen from a giant river of thick green goo. "You're kidding me. You haven't seen this?"
"Nope. It's pretty good, though—determined agent, con who's not telling all of the story, and the mysterious Keaton. It's not The Maltese Falcon, but it's pretty good."
"Pretty…" The younger man looked as though he wanted to shake some reason into Morgan's head. "Morgan, this is nothing short of cinematic brilliance!"
"Says the guy who thinks the original Star Trek movie is an achievement."
"Watch it."
"I'm just sayin'."
The two fell silent as the agent demanded to know more about Soze, and the con balked at being caught in a lie of omission.
"Doesn't this guy know enough not to lie to the cops?" Morgan wondered. "Sheesh. We are not all that stupid…"
"Just watch!"
Morgan fell silent as the movie ran its course, and the pieces fell into place. "Holy shit," he said, the curse slipping out of his mouth in pure astonishment. "No way!"
"Uh-huh. See why I told you to pay attention?" Reid grinned broadly as the credits began to roll.
"I gotta see that again!"
"I'll let you borrow it. Better, I can have Garcia make you a copy."
"That's just…wow," the older agent fumbled, searching for the right word.
"And you wondered why it was my favorite movie," his friend replied. "Now, about this 'Maltese Falcon'…