Good afternoon, Ms Hellsing.
Good afternoon, Doctor. I never thought I would be glad to see you.
Why is that? Why are you glad to see me?
Because I am bored, that's why. I do not have anything to read or do. I am shut up inside that infernal room, there are no windows and my chief amusements consist of twice daily escorted trips to the lavatory and bathroom, and being feed rubbish three meals a day. I stare at the walls. I stare at the floor. I stare at the ceiling. The walls are white, the floor is white, the ceiling is white, the furniture is white, even the sheets on the bed are white. When I sleep I dream that I am sitting in a white room doing nothing. My sleeping precludes my waking and my waking precludes my sleeping and each is indistinguishable from the other. Even the orderlies wear white. They have white expressions. Their shoes make white sounds on the linoleum.
White sounds…an interesting concept.
A metaphor.
Would you care to explain further?
Not particularly.
Very well then. I would like to talk about why your…. Organisation…felt it necessary to attack the Queen.
We didn't attack the Queen. We tried to protect her. It is our duty.
Of course…protect her from vampires.
Yes.
Tell me, who is Alucard?
(Silence)
Why do you ask?
Because you often speak out loud to someone by that name when you're alone.
And how would you know that? Are you filming me?
Yes, we are. Does that bother you?
Not particularly. I'd be surprised if you didn't. Although I haven't been able to find any hidden cameras or unexplained holes drilled anywhere. You must have a very high tech system to be able to conceal them so well. I wonder…why did you feel it was necessary to conceal the cameras in the first place?
Some patients find them disturbing.
And some of them, no doubt, knowing themselves to be observed would alter their behavioural patterns.
Indeed.
Tell me Doctor, are you a voyeur? Do you enjoy watching people unawares?
It is my job. Enjoyment doesn't enter into it.
Of course it doesn't.
Are you going to answer my question?
Who is Alucard?
Yes.
He's…mine. You can't see him on the tapes you have of me?
No.
Odd. You should be able to.
I thought that vampires couldn't cast reflections, or be video taped.
A common belief. A misconception. How did you know he is a vampire?
Call it a hunch.
Are you sure you didn't already know?
Who is Alucard? Why is he 'yours'?
He is…an inheritance of mine. Passed down the family line, you might say.
Inheriting a vampire? Most families prefer to pass down silverware, Bibles, Royal Doulton, things like that.
We pass down vampires. And guns. And duty. And honour.
You like guns?
What's not to like?
You like duty?
(Silence)
My feelings are irrelevant. Duty is duty.
Do you like honour? Do you consider yourself an honourable person?
Yes.
So why did you attack the Queen in such a shameful manner?
We didn't attack her. I keep telling you this.
Please sit down, Ms Hellsing, or I shall be forced to summon an orderly to restrain you.
Go to hell.
Please sit down.
(Silence)
Thank you. I'll ask again: who is Alucard?
A vampire. I inherited him.
Describe him to me.
Most of the time he's very, very tall. Slender, pale, black hair. Commonly wears a long red coat, carries a pair of very big guns around. A custom Cassul, and a custom Jackal.
Guns? What would a vampire do with guns? I thought a vampire had fangs.
He has those as well.
What did you mean by 'most of the time'?
(Silence)
You don't want to know. Trust me.