October 2016

'Go get me some popcorn, Frank. I'll save you a seat.'

'Yes, Ms. Hawthorne!' Frank barked, scurrying off to the nearby popcorn stand.

The chief warden had a cinema built into the prison grounds a few years back, hoping that the inmates would use it to maintain a sense of the culture of the outside world. Dahlia had gone to see a few films since arriving (her favourite genre being horror) but the novelty soon wore off and she hadn't been since last year. Not to mention that movie villains didn't win nearly enough for Dahlia's liking.

Even so, White had told her that the latest 'guest' in her house would be enjoying a movie at this exact time, and Dahlia wanted a word with her. The movie was titled The Dark Knight, an utterly boring tale about a man with mommy issues dressing up as a bat to beat up criminals, but with a runtime of 2 hours and 32 minutes, it gave Dahlia plenty of time to chat with this 'Dee Vasquez' woman.

Dahlia entered the cinema, scanned the room for her target. The lights were still on as the movie had yet to begin, so it didn't take long for Dahlia to pick out Ms. Vasquez sitting in one of the very back seats. A few other inmates were also present, yet they all sat near the front, giving Vasquez the entire back half of the cinema room to herself. Dahlia supposed the woman's mafia connections struck fear in the heart of the other prisoners, so they gave her a wide berth.

'But I'm not afraid.' Dahlia murmured to herself, smirking. She approached Vasquez, who followed her approach out of the corner of her eye.

'Excuse me, you are Ms. Vasquez, correct? I am Dahlia Hawthorne, and I wish to ask you some questions.'

No answer.

Dahlia stood patiently, smile faltering, but she didn't get a response. She took the seat next to her.

'Did you hear me?'

'I heard you fine, Dahlia. I didn't respond because you didn't ask me anything. If you have questions then hurry it up, because I won't tolerate any interruptions during the film.'

The nerve of these people! Dahlia thought to herself, furious. First White, now this stupid woman! Didn't they realise she ruled here? Dahlia took a breath, composed herself. After getting the information she needed, she would 'discipline' Vasquez the same she had done to White.

'I watched your trial earlier. Quite the spectacle, and it's such a shame that you were caught.' Dahlia said sweetly, hoping to hurt Vasquez's ego, 'I'd like you to tell me about Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey. They were the defense team on the case. I have a... mutual acquaintance with them, so anything that you can tell me about them would be greatly appreciated. Did you notice anything strange about them? Maya, in particular?'

'No.'

'... I'm sorry.'

'Wright and Fey didn't catch my interest at all. I engaged in a battle of wits with Mr. Wright, but he was rather disappointing. It was Miles Edgeworth that was my downfall.'

'Edgeworth?'

'Weren't you watching? He turned against me at the last moment, teaming up with Wright to prove my guilt. If not for him, I would still be a free woman.'

Indeed, Dahlia remembered thinking Edgeworth's tactics were unusual, almost as if he wanted to lose the trial. She recalled speaking with him during the Terry Fawles case, where he seemed almost obsessed with winning the case. What could've changed between then and now? Feenie's influence, perhaps? Dahlia made a mental note to have White investigate Edgeworth aswell.

Dahlia was about to ask more questions when the lights dimmed.

'Ah good, it's about to begin. Remember, no more talking.'

Dahlia frowned, but at least she had gotten something worthwhile. She made to leave when Vasquez called her back:

'And where are you going? Stay and watch.'

Dahlia turned, disgusted at the suggestion, 'Why should I?'

'The Dark Knight is a classic, after all. Everyone should experience it. And if you sit quietly, I'll give you some advice for your current situation.'

'My situation?'

'You hold a grudge against Mia Fey, correct? And now that she's dead, you don't know what to do.'

How was it that everyone knew of her rivalry with Mia?

'Come, sit. Do you really have anything better to do?'

Dahlia shrugged, took her seat again next to Dee. Sahwit then came in with the popcorn.

'Thank you, Frank. You can go now.'

'B-but I wanted to watch-'

'Go. Wait outside.'

Frank walked away, slumped at the shoulders.

'Some popcorn, Ms. Vasquez?'

'Call me Dee, and yes please. Want some wine?' Dee asked, pulling a bottle and two glasses from beneath her chair.

Impressive, Dahlia thought. Even she could not have alcohol smuggled into the facility. She accepted the glass and sat back to watch the movie.

For 2 hours and 32 minutes, Dahlia experienced an all-time classic, witnessing the emotional highs as Batman chased Joker though the city, as well as feeling the lows of the bittersweet ending. Dahlia had to admit, it was worth watching. Plus the villain technically won in the end, so that was a plus. She stole some glances at Dee every now and then, but as far as she could tell, Dee never once took her eyes off the screen.

Afterwards, they sat back and waited for the rest of the audience to filter out of the cinema.

'What did you think?' Dee asked, turning to Dahlia for the first time in hours.

'You were right. I didn't have anything better to do.'

Dee laughed at that. Dahlia felt a small sense of pride at getting such a reaction from this usually stoic woman.

'So, this advice you had for me?'

'Yes, that. But first, the movie. I always feel it best to discuss it afterwards, gather your thoughts. So, what did you think the message of the story was?'

Dahlia thought back to the major events of the movie. Luckily it was good, otherwise she wouldn't have paid enough attention to answer Dee's question.

'Evil always wins in the end?'

Dee smiled, 'Not quite. Try again.'

'That... if you want to destroy someone, sometimes the best way is to target one of their allies?'

Dee eye lit up, like a teacher whose student had finally answered correctly.

'And you think message applies to me too?'

'Joker knew he couldn't corrupt the Batman directly, so he chose to bring someone else down instead, and in doing so, sent Batman into retirement.'

'... again, this applies to me how?' Dahlia asked, dumbfounded.

'I'm saying that Mia Fey is dead, you can't get to her, not physically at least. But I believe that the spirit lives on, and if you were to change your target, hurt the people closest to her, then that may be the best possible revenge you could ask for.'

Dahlia hadn't thought of it that way. She had been focused on a way to get back at Mia, when all this time Feenie and her idiot sister have been hiding in plain sight. If she could find a way to kill them while Mia was watching... it would be perfect.

'Why tell me all this, Dee?'

'Well, I wasn't a studio director for nothing, you know. I love to talk about movies, their themes, etc. And it was Phoenix Wright that got me locked up in here, so I won't lose sleep over anything you do to him.'

Dahlia stood up, 'Well, I appreciate your advice, Dee. Always nice to have some girl talk.'

'You sure you want to go? The sequel, The Dark Knight Rises, is about to play in a few minutes.'

Dahlia was about to say no, but then realised she had actually enjoyed the film. It may have just been Dee's company, but even so, she sat down to prepare for the next one.

'I have more wine, but we've run out of popcorn,

'Not to worry. FRANK!'

Sahwit came rushing in at Dahlia's cry.

'Go get us some more popcorn. Queen-sized, this time! Hurry it up!'