Bad Cop stands before Lord Business' desk. It has been a month since he and Good Cop had been activated, and the past weeks had been full of training routines and diagnostic checkups. Business had appeared to observe occasionally, but this will be the first time either of them will speak to him since their activation.
Right now, their boss is sitting with his back to them, presumably staring out the large window. Bad Cop can't see. Good Cop wants to fidget, but Bad Cop is in control, and he remains still and solid as a statue.
After what seems like an eternity, Business swivels his chair around to face them. He leans forward, folding his hands on the desk in front of him. "So, I hear you're ready for active duty," he says.
"Yes, sir," Bad Cop replies, his shoulders squared and his chin out.
Business drums his fingers on the mahogany. "I've been keeping a close eye on your progress," he says, watching Bad Cop. Neither of them are familiar enough with him to know what his expression means. "I need a chief of police who can be ruthless. We're going to war. I'm a little worried your other side may not be up to that task."
"But I am, sir," Bad Cop says.
"Oh, I know that," Business says, smiling the smile that makes them nervous. "You're excellent. Just what I need. But I'm a little concerned about the influence the other guy has over you."
"It's nothing I can't handle, sir," Bad Cop replies. Ma and Pa had warned him that Business might go down this route, and had told him exactly what he needed to say to protect Good Cop. "And Good Cop can do many things I can't. I was briefed on your plan, sir, and he's very good with people. He can be the public face of the chief of police."
Business narrows his eyes. "Funny," he says. "I seem to recall your-" He scoffs, "-'ma' and 'pa' saying the same thing." He pauses, watching Bad Cop carefully, before continuing, "I have your utmost assurance that he won't get in the way of you doing your job?"
"Absolutely, sir," Bad Cop says.
"Alright, then," Business says, leaning back in his chair. "Let me talk to him for a minute."
Bad Cop switches out, and the red of his screen flickers to Good Cop's blue. Good Cop smiles nervously. "What can I do for you, sir?"
Business props his chin in his hand. "I need to make sure you're not going to hold Bad Cop back from his task."
Good Cop frowns. "Of course not, sir."
Business raises his eyebrows. "So if Bad Cop needs to do, well, bad things, you're not going to make it hard for him?"
Good Cop glances off to the side, then back at Business. Ma and Pa had told him what to say, too, but the words feel hard on his processors. "That's not my job, sir. I'm not responsible for what he does."
Business watches him closely, and Good Cop knows if he breaks eye contact, it's all over. At last, Business nods. "Good to hear," he says, and slides a clear, rectangular tablet towards them. "Bad Cop."
Bad Cop switches back in, and he takes the tablet. It lights up in his hand, text rolling out along its surface.
"This is your first assignment," Business says.
Bad Cop gives a curt nod. "Yes, sir."