A skinny man with curly hair walked up to the bar, "Hey, buddy, give me a rum."
A bearded white man came over and patted the curly-haired man's shoulder, "Hey, isn't that the big star Kenneth? What are you doing here instead of at the Lime Stand-up Bar?"
"I'm not a big star, just a stand-up comedian. The Lime Stand-up Bar is having some issues; I couldn't go there if I wanted to."
The bearded man asked in return, "So it's true then, Darcy really died at the Lime Stand-up Bar?"
Others who overheard the conversation started to gather around.
Seeing everyone's attention on him, Kenneth sighed lightly, "You're right, Darcy was poisoned last night, and the entire bar was surrounded by police tape."
The bearded man's eyes widened, "Wow, that's terrifying, I quite liked him."
The others asked noisily, "How did Darcy die?"
"I heard he was poisoned by mineral water, hasn't this news been on TV already? How did he still get poisoned?"
Kenneth shook his head, "Guys, the police won't let me speak in detail; I can only tell you that I'm not surprised by this."
The bearded man showed a curious look, "Kenneth, do you know some inside information?"
"It's not inside information, just based on what I know about Darcy.
Stand-up is an art of humorous language, it requires cultural accumulation, and it's supposed to make people laugh through the art of language.
However, it should have a moral line, as a civilized art.
But Darcy was different, he liked demeaning women, telling dirty jokes, mocking those less fortunate, though it might elicit laughs in the short term.
But this form of performance is problematic, it easily invites trouble, just like now..."
A black man with a broad smile and showing his big white teeth looked curious, "You think he was poisoned because his stand-up offending someone?"
Kenneth replied, "I just think it's a possibility."
The black man questioned, "If the bar's clients didn't like his style, couldn't they just not watch him? Why poison him?"
Kenneth glanced at the black man, speaking seriously, "Human nature is complex, hard to explain.
Moreover, the TV has already broadcast the poisoning news, and he still indulged in playing dead for a laugh, I told you it's a problematic form of performance."
The black man said, "Kenneth, it feels like you have quite a bias against Darcy, even a bit of resentment."
"No, I just don't like his style of performance," Kenneth turned to the black man, "Who are you? I don't seem to recall seeing you before."
The black man flashed his police badge, "I'm Marcus, a detective from the Robbery and Murder Department, I think we need to talk somewhere else."
First Interrogation Room of the Robbery and Murder Department.
Kenneth was brought in by Luke and another officer for questioning.
On the way, Luke observed the changes in his demeanor, from initial tension to gradual relaxation.
Kenneth sat down at the interrogation table, glanced at Luke, the other officer, and then around at the walls, "I've seen on TV, that glass across must be two-way, right? Is someone watching me?"
Luke reminded, "Kenneth, instead of focusing on external things, you might want to pay more attention to yourself."
"You're right, what did you want to see me about?"
"What's your full name?"
"Are you also a performer at Lime Stand-up Bar?"
"Yes, you should come listen sometime, you'd definitely like it, I'm a great stand-up comedian."
"I've heard your name. I have a friend who really likes you, mentions you a lot. Could you give me an autograph?" Luke took out a poster from the Lime Stand-up Bar.
Kenneth picked up the pen, laughed, "What are you going to do with my autograph? Trade it for a drink?"
"Exactly, I've already planned to have him buy me a drink."
"nonono, one drink isn't enough, this is my own autograph, it's worth at least three drinks, haha." Kenneth wrote down his name while laughing.
Luke examined the signature on the poster closely, "Thank you, my friend will surely love this."
Kenneth pointed at Luke, "Your friend has good taste."
The other officer chuckled, "Why do you say that? Just because his friend likes your stand-up comedy?"
"Isn't that enough?" Kenneth said seriously, "Stand-up is an art, it's not just about having a script, it greatly tests a person's performance.
The same script, performed by different people in different ways, results in completely different effects.
Don't underestimate it, and definitely don't underestimate a stand-up comedian, never."
Luke pressed, "How do you view Darcy then?"
"I've already spoken my piece at the bar, I believe you heard it. Nothing more to say, we follow completely different styles."
"You're right, I did hear, so I feel you don't really like Darcy, you even dislike him a bit, were your conflicts deep?"
"What do you mean? You think I killed him?"
"Didn't you want to?"
"Hey, be careful what you say, I'm a public figure, I make my living off my reputation, careful or I might sue you for defamation.