>>5666638

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpFAPIGQwlU

> “Y’know something, Bobo? For being one of the smartest folks I know, you sure can be an idiot when the mood strikes.”

For an infinitesimally brief moment, a look of genuine hurt crosses his face before it’s schooled back into his customary half-frown.

Bobo goes to interrupt, likely with an equally cutting remark, but you just plow through and continue speaking.

> “Did it ever occur to you that you could’ve just asked somebody for help? I’m not trying to be an asshole here, but this seems like a problem that could be handled by a pal with the right connections.”

There’s a moment of terse silence as Bobo visibly struggles to maintain his composure before ultimately failing miserably.

In that moment of supreme weakness, the look of shame plastered across look tells you everything that you need to know.

Bobo suffers from a flaw you can understand all too well; pride.

In his mind, if he can’t succeed on his own merits, then he doesn’t deserve to succeed at all. Asking anyone, especially a friend, to bail him out of a jam is practically unthinkable; a train of thought that’s come close to consuming you more than a few times.

Back before you knew better, you would’ve preferred to sink quietly rather than risk the humiliation of making a splash and getting help.

Now that you’ve got a better handle on the delicate issues at play, your tone eases up a bit, but is still tinged with iron.

> “Look, I get it. Opening up, especially about past failures, can be a bitch and a half. But if I can take the plunge, I’m sure you can pull it off too. You’re not alone in this, not if you don’t want to be. I mean, there’s gotta be a precedent or loophole on the books somewhere that we could use to get you citizenship. And even if that doesn’t work, all you would need to do is find somebody trustworthy to sign the papers and “own” the detective agency while you do the actual work. That way, you’d be able to neatly sidestep that debt collection issue.”

Your mind is awash with possibilities.

> “Hell, it can’t be that hard to find somebody willing to organize the proceedings and get the paperwork set up; lawyers’ll do anything for a quick buck. And sure, there’s a chance that you’ll just crash and burn again. So what? You’ll never know for certain unless you get back in the saddle and give it another try. You’re a damned good detective, you’ll be able to find your sea legs again. Besides, the worst case scenario would be that you end up in the same position that you started from. And at least then, you’d be able to know deep down that there’s nothing more you could’ve done. Otherwise, you’ll spend every waking moment wondering about things could’ve been different. And that’ll eat you alive.”

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DC: Henchman Quest #22