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[personal profile] capt_facepalm
Title:  Thames Littoral
Author: [info]capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (gaslight)
Characters:  Sherlock Holmes, Dr John H. Watson, Inspector Lestrade
Summary:  This is an early vignette, situated after A Study in Scarlet.
Warnings:  Dialogue fic
Word Count: 230
Author's Notes:  For Challenge 006 at [info]great_tales (a story upon the theme "Character Development")

 

.oOOo.

Baker Street
Early morning, August 1881
 

‘Holmes, I’m sorry. I did not realise it was so late.’

‘It is only half seven, Doctor.  You are not late. We are, in fact, early. You remember Lestrade?’

‘Indeed. Good morning, Inspector. I apologise for my informal appearance. I did not know Holmes had company.’

‘That’s rather my fault, Doctor. I came unannounced only a short while ago.’

‘Nasty business, I suppose. Another body in the Thames?’

‘Third in as many days, I’m afraid... how did you guess?’

‘From little things, really.  You have been up for some time; likely summoned in the early hours of the morning. There is river mud on your boots and trouser cuffs. The other bodies were found at low tide, which has now passed. A third victim confirms the pattern, where the second may have been coincidence. Consulting Holmes at this early hour suggests you are under some pressure to solve this as soon as possible. I read yesterday’s papers. London’s horror at the murder of children, no matter how humble their origins, cannot be concealed... nor can your own. It will be a long day for you. I’ll go and see if Mrs Hudson has put the coffee on.’

‘Right on all counts, Doctor. Mister Holmes, you have created a monster!’

‘He knows my methods, Lestrade. It should come as no surprise that he is perfectly capable of applying them.’

.oOOo.

Please sign the guestbook...

Date: 2011-06-16 04:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] goldvermilion87.livejournal.com
:-)

I like it.

Also, it made me giggle!

Date: 2011-06-19 01:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
:-)

No angst? No chagrin? Sigh!
(Thanks!)

Date: 2011-06-16 05:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com
:D very succinct

Date: 2011-06-19 01:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Thanks!
Cursed word count limits!

Date: 2011-06-16 05:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] litlover12.livejournal.com
Marvelous! Go Watson!

Date: 2011-06-19 01:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Thanks!
Go Watson!

Date: 2011-06-16 05:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sif-aka-joanna.livejournal.com
I always thought that the original material had a little bit of unreliable narrator going on. Watson downplaying his skills and participation. I really don't believe that Holmes would have put up with someone not able to keep up with him at all. Wonderful little scene.

Date: 2011-06-19 11:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Oh, I agree! Holmes would not keep a mindless lackey around. And if Holmes was as rude as written, Watson would have left on his own. Thank you for the compliment!

Date: 2011-06-16 06:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] morganstuart.livejournal.com
Well done! Go Watson!

Date: 2011-06-19 01:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Thanks!
Go Watson!

Date: 2011-06-16 06:42 pm (UTC)
methylviolet10b: (pond watson)
From: [personal profile] methylviolet10b
*glees* Yay Watson! This made me grin all over.

Date: 2011-06-19 01:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Thanks! My work here is done!

Date: 2011-06-17 07:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] darkside-phenom.livejournal.com
Wonderful and I agree with the others..there is no way Holmes would have put up with a fool.

Date: 2011-06-19 01:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Watson may have learned the Great Detective's methods, but would Holmes be concerned about getting Lestrade some coffee?
Thanks for commenting!

Date: 2011-06-17 09:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dikela.livejournal.com
Bravo!
Please, make it into a long story.

Date: 2011-06-19 01:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Thank you for the encouragement!
A longer fic may be possible, but not for a while!

Date: 2011-06-19 05:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] philena.livejournal.com
Very nice. I just five minutes ago finished watching "Without a Clue," which puts an entirely different perspective on your story!

Date: 2011-06-19 11:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
I love 'Without a Clue'! And yes, the John Watson Crime Doctor spin would give the story a whole new perspective! Thanks!

Date: 2011-06-24 01:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dork-nerd.livejournal.com
I love each side of Watson you show in this! His predilection for sleeping late, his politeness, but most of all... his intelligence! I love that he has picked up on (and is able to utilize) Holmes' methods! Lovely story!

Date: 2011-06-26 11:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] capt-facepalm.livejournal.com
Now there are two of them?!? Poor Lestrade!
Yes, Watson has been paying attention when Holmes explains his deductive methods and has learned a thing or two. But he is still Watson, and as such knows that Lestrade is in for a horrible day and tries to help out, even if it is only to provide a pot of coffee.
(Thanks for commenting!)

Date: 2011-07-15 02:34 am (UTC)
med_cat: (H&W dynamic duo)
From: [personal profile] med_cat
Excellent!

Date: 2011-07-15 06:21 pm (UTC)
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