Work Text:
SENSITIVE CASE. NOT TO BE SHARED WITH ANYONE OUTSIDE THE SELECT FEW THAT WERE INVOLVED.
The following transcript involves super heroes Green Lantern (HJ), Batman (BW), Wonder Woman (DP), Superman (CK), Green Lantern (GG), The Flash (WW) and Shazam (SZ). This tape contains a recorded meeting, discussion of the interviewing of the Flash (BA) following his arrest and kidnapping. The meeting took place directly after Batman concluded an interview between him and the Flash. (07/17/2024)
Transcript will differ from the tape. The tape will be accessible for non-members of the Justice League, meaning real names will be redacted from the raw audio. This will show in the transcript despite caped names being identified at the top of every transcript with initials noted before any speech or action to avoid confusion around members sharing a hero name.
The raw audio and transcripts will only be available to Justice League members.
All names other than caped names will be redacted.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ LOW MURMURS ]
CK : Attention, please?
CK : We have called this meeting today to discuss ill advised questioning during an interview involving-
HJ : Ill advised? He was interrogating a man during a flashback induced panic attack, I think we’re a hop skip and a jump too far from ill advised-
CK : Alright, alright- A poor choice of words, let’s keep it neutral, please. This is a meeting and a debate- We will not be going back and forth whilst [ REDACTED ] is out there struggling.
WW : I agree, let’s get this over with.
[ UNEASY SILENCE. ]
BW : Very well.
BW : The interview wasn’t handled correctly, there were leaps made when there should have been accomodations. I ignored The Flash’s silent and not so silent cries for help, in the pursuit of knowledge of what occurred during, what looked to be, a traumatic arrest and holding. The Flash had answered me up until a point, was cooperative and descriptive. Helpful… I trampled all over that by ignoring the warning signs of a trigger.
[ QUIET, BREATHING ]
HJ : First of all, that was just… Spectacularly clinical, I mean, really. Knocked it out of the park there, it sounded like the Flash was just lightly hyperventilating and not fully out of his mind, by the time I had to break in to stop it.
CK : Now, I’m sure that Batman didn’t mean to send Flash into a panic.
SZ : I kinda agree with Green Lantern, though- It’s just a bit too stiff for someone you’ve known for so long and are supposedly friends with. And how did he not notice Flash was… But I could be wrong-
GG : No, no, I agree. What the hell was that, Bats?
BW : I just thought he was hiding information to pro-
WW : Hiding information? What is he, a spy now?
BW : I thought he was protecting someone. Not because of ill intent but because someone was threatening him. He was showing signs of distress from the moment he was retreived with the others- One of which included Green Lantern [ BW nods to GG ]. I thought that he’d been… Bullied into silence by a soldier or Waller herself.
DP : Whilst that is a reason to suspect the reasoning behind Flash’s anxiety, you could have gone about it better- There was no need for a one-on-one interview of that intensity right after the release. Anyone would be shaken by a capture like that, even the non-meta’s were affected.
BW : Speaking of meta related information, Flash had talked about a side effect of meta dampners during the interview, where-
WW : I’m sorry, can we get back on topic? we can revisit that later.
HJ : Yes, I agree.
[ PAUSE ]
CK : Does anyone have any questions for Batman? Or Green Lantern?
WW : I have a question for Batman.
[ SILENCE ]
BW : Fine.
WW : So, in your line of questioning, you stated that in hindsight you were acting unprofessionally. What questions did you go in there with, prior to the interview?
BW : I made a mental list of things to ask, including but not limited to, an account of the arrest, the Flash’s emotional state, who was involved in the immediate arrest, what containment felt like, what containment meant, and what happened during Amanda Waller’s interrogation.
[ SILENCE ]
DP : You asked him all that, straight after his release?
BW : If I got the information in as little time as possible, we had a larger window to gather evidence of inhumane treatment and to bring a swifter justice to Flash.
WW : Did you ever think maybe Flash didn’t want justice?
CK : …Flash?
WW : Maybe being fast isn’t everything. Maybe he wouldn’t have minded time to process all of this. Maybe he wanted the space and grace to gather his thoughts and what he wanted to do moving forward. You’re familiar with the concept of evidence gathering of a traumatic event causing more harm than good?
BW : … Yes. But I didn’t want him to-
GG : So you wanted to do what you thought was best. Right. Just fuck whatever the guy in shambles wants, ‘cuz clearly he’s not sound of mind enough to know what’s best for himself.
CK : Language, please
GG : You can kiss my ass-
[ OVERLAPPING VOICES ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
The following transcript is of an interview of Black Canary (DL), conducted by the Flash (WW) along with Plastic Man (PO) as a formal witness to the interview. The contents of the tape involve line of questioning revolving around Black Canary’s (DL) proximity to the Flash (BA) during the arrest. (07/18/2024)
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
WW : Alright, we have the tape rolling, it is the 18th of July of 2024. I am the third Flash, and I am conducting this interview of Black Canary on what she observed on the event of the second Flash’ arrest. I have Plastic Man with me as a formal witness.
DL : Interesting, why the witness?
WW : Funnily enough, we’ve been doing it all wrong. To conduct lawful interviews and interrogations we need to be within the law for them to count in a court of law and other law enforcement proceedings. Things are going to change.
DL : Good.
WW : So, Black Canary, what can you tell me about your experience being arrested and held by Amanda Waller’s task force.
DL : Well, I was taken in with a metahuman power dampner collar secured around my neck. I was taken to a cell, both sides immediately to me were empty but two cells over was [ GG ]. He had a meta dampner secured around his neck too. Ring was still on, but it was out of juice.
WW : So they’re still unsure of the Green Lanterns power source?
DL : It seems to be. Why waste a precious collar otherwise?
WW : True.
[ WW lightly laughs ]
WW : God, those things suck to wear.
DL : The weight is bad enough on its own, but losing a part of yourself? It’s like pins and needles.
WW : Flash always says the same… Maybe it would be good to look into that.
[ DL shuffles in her seat ]
WW : Whats the matter? Are you hurt? Cold? Need a coffee?
DL : No, no just.
DL : Should you be the one conducting this interview? I feel a little, well, cruel telling you what the Flash has just been through. Isn’t this wrong?
WW : We don’t really have an internal affairs team set up yet, but i’m going to be working with a few Leaguer’s and Titan’s to find civillians we can trust but that don’t have personal connections or hero worship over us. So for now, it’s just the guidelines, i’m afraid. And I can handle it, so hit me.
[ DL breathes in ]
DL : Fair enough. So after that, me and GL had passing conversation, talking about Ice, talking about Green Arrow, some light teasing and jabs. Just passing the time.
WW : Right.
DL : Then… Then Flash was being brought down the hallway and everything went quiet. Others were talking too but everything went quiet because. Well he was… He wasn’t right.
WW : Wasn’t right how?
DL : He was screaming, in fits and the longer the guards were grabbing him, the more he tried to fight and get away. It just wasn’t like him. It was total loss of control, complete instinct. He-
DL : He got a glance behind him, saw Waller and- Well he freaked even more. Just thrashed and screamed. None of us could tell what he was saying until he was close enough to me and GL.
WW : What was he saying?
DL : Well- It was slurred. I couldn’t tell everything. I didn’t understand it, GL and I were attempting to calm Flash down but he was too far in his own panic, couldn’t hear. Lantern used to be a psychologist, you know? A child psychologist, but he was all about the head either way.
DL : Kept using his best techniques and we thought it was working… ‘Til he just went catatonic. Eyes glazed over. Waller had left by then. We asked what she’d done but she was too busy looking at [ REDACTED ] like he was a puzzle she was trying to figure out. And she hadn’t even gotten the border in place. Said ‘I didn’t do anything’ We didn’t believe it at the time but… Flash, I don’t think she did anything other than what she did to the rest of us.
WW : … So it was like… Internal? Sorry I’m trying to ask ambiguous questions- That was in the uhm, the guidelines. No pointing you in a direction.
[ DL laughs ]
DL : It’s okay. But yeah, I think he got triggered, had a flashback, a panic attack. Didn’t want to address it after but Bats obviously decided for Flash that they were gonna hash it out right the second we were all retrieved.
WW : That’s another thing- Why Flash?
- DL : A few other League members and Titans had cone forward, concerned and well intentioned and Batman caught the brunt of most of the inquiries. He got… Curious.
[ WW groans ]
DL : Well you’re doing well on the rapport part of PEACE interviews.
WW : Thanks, but this is just me.
[ Both laugh ]
DL : Is that all?
WW : Wait, um. One last thing?
DL : Sure.
WW : Are you sure you couldn’t make out what Flash was saying? Even if you’re not sure, any key words or theories are valuble. It won’t end up coming down like a sack of bricks on you if you’re wrong. This isn’t life or death.
[ DL shifts uncomfortably ]
DL : It’s not life or death, no. But it is something he might not want us to know… Least of all you, kid.
WW : … What?
DL : I think I’m done, I’d like my lawyer.
[ SHUFFLING ]
DL : [ MUFFLED ] I was just kidding about the lawyer part
[ WW laughs ]
WW : Yeah, yeah I got that, go on ahead.
[ FOOTSTEPS, DOOR SHUTS. ]
WW : … What happened? Why can’t you tell me?
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
—————————————————————————————
NEW GUIDELINES FOR INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWS, INTERROGATIONS AND RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.
These guidelines and safeguards are inspired, if not directly taken from police and other law enforcement rules and regulations surrounding holding and questioning of suspects
SAFEGUARDS
-Techniques and Questioning must line up with official questioning and interrogation strategy, including PEACE and the Reid technique.
-Approaches must stay humane and within the law.
-Interviewees, Subjects and Detainees will NEVER be touched, aggressively or otherwise. Hands must be kept to yourselves at all times.
-Wounded, Distressed and Disabled subjects or detainees must be medically cleared and psychologically evaluated prior to any questioning or formal interviews.
PEACE model steps
1 . Preparation and Planning. Structuring the interview before entering and engaging with the subject is crucial to determine the energy and emotional baseline of the interview/intereogation. Questions must be thought up and cleared beforehand by groups and outside law enforcement.
2 . Engage and Explain. Building a rapport is essential to a smooth running communication between interviewer and interviewee. Failure to relax the subject in the event of interviewing a victim, family or friend of the victim, a witness etc will prevent further proceedings. Witnesses and Victims are not to be treated like criminals.
Explain what the interview is about, what the process of the interview will be and allow additional questions before asking for approval to proceed.
Account. Ask open-ended questions. Do not try to skip ahead, imply, or finish the interviewee’s account. No pointing in one or another direction, let the subject lead. Only passively guide. Capture a ful narrative.
Clarification & Challenge. Ask clarifying questions, and if needed, gently challenge the account with inconsistencies with evidence or other subjects accounts, while maintaining ethical and lawful standards.
Evaluation. Review the interview for effectiveness, accuracy and analyse the account to identify next steps. Review any other accounts alongside the new evidence and proceed with League approval.
QUESTIONING GUIDELINES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE
—————————————————————————————
Transcript of the Flash II (BA) undergoing questioning via the Batman (BW)
[07/17/2024 ]
This transcript and raw audio is especially sensitive, sharing of either of these materials will result in legal consequences.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BW : Water?
BA : I’d- I’m alright. Thank you.
BW : Alright, let’s begin. On July 15th, 2024, you encountered a robot speedster tailing you in an effort to subdue you and bring you in for holding, is that correct?
BA : Uhm- Yes.
BW : Can you tell me a bit about the event?
BA : Well- What do you want to know?
[ BW shuffles papers ]
BW: The robots capabilities, things said, emotions you felt, the actual method of subduing. Were you read your rights? Things like that to start with.
BA : Uh, I was not read my rights, no. And uhm- Well the robot was fast, like me but not able to use that speed how I was. He-It wasn’t necessarily slower but he didn’t know- It didn’t-
BW : You don’t have to think of him as an it, if he made an impression of being human. Did he come off as human?
BA : … I was… He unsettled me like a human can.
Bw : … I see. Carry on.
BA : He wasn’t slower but he didn’t know the speedforce like I did, didn’t have a lightning rod like I did…
BA : He uhm- Said some things, about speed force conduits. That the rest of them had been taken and neutralised already. Something else about justice and… Central deserving a ‘savior’ that ‘didn’t need to rest or eat’? I might be paraphrasing. I’m sorry…
BW : … do you believe it- Him?
BA : No, no. Even if I work hard to make every milisecond count- It doesn’t mean i’d give it up to just about anyone- And his heart wasn’t in it. Nothing like [ REDACTED ], I can tell you that much.
[ BA points as he says this, a jovially stern air. ]
BW : Very well. Continue?
BA : Ah… Well. Velocity, I’ve been calling him, thwarted quite a few of my attempts at getting rid of him before he could grind me into the ground.
BW : Clarify ‘getting rid of him’?
BA : Right- It’s- I meant just temporarily taking him down.
BW : Thank you, carry on.
BA : After that I took him into the speedforce…
[ SILENCE.]
BA : I saw no danger in it, I suppose I forgot the speedforce is tied to us- To me.
[ RUSTLING ]
BA : He learned what I had learned- Phasing, at first just through walls. But then he learned through another memory how to phase through people without making them explode. After that, he chased me and subdued me. Took me in.
[ BA is stiff. BA tries to subtly peek over BW’s notes when BW starts taking notes. ]
BW : How did he subdue you?
[ BA breathes in sharply. it shakes. ]
BA : [ cough ] Well, he kneeled onto my upper back, pressed me stomach-to-ground into some rubble and fixed meta dampner cuffs on me.
BW : How did that make you feel?
BA : Well it wasn’t pleasant. Never is.
BW : The dampners? Physical pain isn’t a listed side effect.
BA : Of course there isn’t- It does. There’s the usual feeling of loss. It stings, but also feels frustratingly empty- Kinda like pins and needles. It… [ sighs ] I don’t take well to feeling helpless.
BW : So you weren’t read your rights and were subjected to brutal arrest of a government… Let’s say soldier to start off with, then see if there’s a better term later on.
BA : Sure… And yes, I suppose that is what happened. [ Shuffles in seat, visibly uncomfortable. ]
[ BW pauses. ]
BW : Do you need a minute?
[ BA breathes in deeply. ]
BA : No, no I’m alright, B.
BW : Alright… So let’s talk about what happened when you were in holding? What exactly happened?-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
The audio in the tape the following transcript is pulled from is extremely muffled, some audio could not be transcribed.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
DL : He’s- Jesus is he alright? I-
BA : Get ‘way!- Leave [ ??? ] God don’t-!
GG : Christ, don’t be so loud, Canary, [ MUTTERING ] Don’t [ ??? ] enough for this-
DL : [ MUTTERING ] Don’t get paid at all-
GG : Flash!
BA : [ MUFFLED, FABRIC RUSTLING ] -Touch me, don’t touch me, God, leave me alone-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BA : I was subdued, meta dampner tech rendered me powerless. He dragged me into a square room with a two way mirror- Well I assume it was a two way mirror. From there, I was left for quite a while.
BW : Can you give me an estimate?
BA : I can, actually! As a Flash, every second counts and we all make it a point to keep a pretty fine tuned internal clock so I’d say I was in there for about… Eleven hours from what I remember.
[ FAINT SCRIBBLING ]
BW : And what happened after that eleven hours?
BA : Well- By then I was hungry, even with the dampners and- And cold, and disoriented as hell-
BW : Disoriented? Why were you disoriented?
BA : The uh- The cuffs, going from having super speed, to having significantly less felt like a full body, full spiritual stutter and halt. Like I’m a manual car that just stalled. It doesn’t feel great and I already felt physically and mentally slower. Sluggish.
BW : Right.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BA : Ohhhhh, God, no no no no no-
GG : Just calm down, buddy, we can’t get you from here, no one can get to you in there-
DL : Oh sure, no one can just walk into his cell except, oh! I know! Waller. What the hell did you do?!
AW : I didn’t do anything.
DL : You’re so full of shit-
AW : No, really I- I didn’t do anything…
[ UNEASY SILENCE ]
GG : … So twinkle toes is having a major panic attack over, what, nothing? He just decided to spice up his boring Tuesday morning? Come on, what did you do? Did you say anything?
AW : I didn’t do anything.
[ FOOTFALLS ]
DL : [ MUTTERING ] Didn’t do anything, my ass. Hey! Hey, [REDACTED] look at me, look, focus on my breathing-
BA : Not again, n-not again, please le-eave me alone, pleas-e don’t t-t-touch me-e
GG : …Fuck.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
The audio you are about to hear is not official propery of the Justice League. It was obtained through backdoor means by thieves unaffiliated with the Justice League- These criminals will not be named.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BA : Hello?! He-!
[ DOOR SLAMS ]
[ GASP ]
AW : -Mr. [ REDACTED ], How was your rendevouz with Velocity?
[ PAUSE ]
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
[ METAL CREAKING ]
[ UNEVEN GASPS ]
AW : Mr- … What the hell?
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
BA : P- No, no, don’t.
AW : I’ll do whatever I damn well please, Flash, and-
[ WHINE ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BA : I-It didn’t help that I was… Mm, disrobed? My suit was taken off, I was left in my under armour-
BW : Explain for the tape, Flash.
BA : Right- Uh, well it basically consists of a red, skintight short sleeved undershirt and shorts, in a special thin tri-polymer thread to be able to handle the friction I create when running.
BW : Continue.
BA : So, I was left in my under armour, I was barefoot, cold, maskless and in thin clothing. I just- It felt familiar-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
AW : Flash? What the hell are you doing?
[ FABRIC RUSTLING, METAL CREAKING ]
AW : Jesus, What-?
[ BANG ]
BA : Please! Please, I’ll be good, I’ll- God, just please don’t touch me, don’t [ MUMBLING ]
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
BA : No! No closer, no- I-I won’t tell lies. I won’t lie anymore, please I’m not a liar, I’m- I won’t tell lies!
BA : I won’t tell lies, I won’t tell lies, I won’t-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BW : Familiar? How?
BA : Don’t worry about it- I was just- It’s nothing. But she really didn’t-
BW : This is important, Flash, I’ll need you to tell at least someone what you meant so we can get the full picture. If you’d rather have someone else to talk you through this, we can-
BA : I’m not telling anyone.
BW : … Your hands are shaking.
[ BA clutches his hands together, moving them under the table, out of sight ]
BA : … That happens sometimes.
BW : … Right.
BW : Did Amanda Waller, or any of her soldiers, machine or human, hurt you in any way? Punishment? Torture?
BA : Aside from, like, neglect and illegal prisons that go against human rights and probably violate the Geneva conventions? No. No one laid a hand on me.
BW : …Did you lash out in any way, to make her do something drastic? Are you not mentioning something embarassing or… Something sensitive you aren’t proud of doing?
BA : Are you- Is this an interrogation? Am I being interrogated?
[ BA makes a move to stand up ]
BW : No, no, [ REDACTED ] sit down. You aren’t the bad guy, I’m not implying that-
BA : Then what are you implying?
BW : That- Listen. [ dull thud as hands come to rest on the table, leaning over ] We’ve been led to believe that something more happened whilst you were in there- Your reactions, your adrenaline levels and overall diagnostics, your sudden aversion to touch, everything, has not gone unnoticed and we only want to h-
[ BA stands up rapidly, BW straightens to match ]
BA : I told you, it’s not what you think, it’s not anything Waller did, she didn’t lay a hand on me-
BW : I don’t doubt that- She looked just as confused as we were. Clearly it was a subordinate, an assistant, a soldier, someone with an axe to grind with you and took the opportunity when you were powerless and exhausted!
BA : No one laid a hand on me! No one hurt me but her!
[ SILENCE ]
[ RAGGED BREATHING ]
[ BW readjusting stance ]
BW : She? Who is she?
BA : Drop it.
BW : Who. Is. She?
BA : You won’t fucking like it, [ REDACTED], Drop it!
BW : No one’s too protected or high up to-
BA : [ BANGING ] You’re not listening, I’m not- I’m not a liar, [ REDACTED ]. I’m not a liar.
BW : …I’m not calling you a liar [ REDACTED ]. I’m-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ SKIP IN AUDIO ]
Transcript muffled as a result of subjects being far from the microphone.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BA : [ MUMBLING ] -Not a liar, not a liar [ ICOMPREHENSIBLE ] won’t tell anyone. Wouldn’t believe me anyways, always think I’m making it up [ INCOMPREHENSIBLE ] no one ever believes me, you don’t believe me- S’ not fair, not fair, always a liar, think I’m crazy-
BW : [ REDACTED ] ? [ REDACTED ], what’s wrong? Who never believed you? About what?
[ BA has stopped addressing BW entirely ]
BA : Not fair, not fair, leave me alone.
BW : [ REDACTED ], tell me, tell me what they think you’re lying about, tell me the truth-
[ BANGING, OUTSIDE THE ROOM ]
??? : [ MUFFLED YELLING ]
BW : Goddamnit- Flash, I’m going to need you to calm do-
[ PHYSICAL SCUFFLE, BA presses himself against a wall, curling up ]
BA : Never be-leive m-e, oh G-od, She-She- I can’t-
??? : Open this fucking door, [ REDACTED ] !
BW : Who is she? I can help, I can take care of it.
BA : S-he- [ BREATH HITCHING ] She touched m-e
BW : Waller?
BW : Was it a soldier? Was it another robot?
BA : M-Mrs. Beckett, she touched me and kissed me and I-I did’n- Oh God-
[ LOUD CRUNCH, BANG, METAL CREAKING ]
[ STEADY BUZZING FOR THE REST OF THE TAPE ]
HJ : At least turn the fucking tape off before you make him reveal that shit [ REDACTED]. God, Jesus Christ, Bats- You really fucked this one up.
BW : Green Lantern-
HJ : When did it go from extracting information to interrogating? I mean, really, do you know how to leave well enough alone?
BW : I didn’t mean-
HJ : I know! Christ, I know, I get it, [ REDACTED ] does and says a lot of concerning shit, but he doesn’t like to talk about-
HJ : Man, turn that shit off-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
Continuation of transcript involving super heroes Green Lantern (HJ), Batman (BW), Wonder Woman (DP), Superman (CK), Green Lantern (GG), The Flash (WW) and Shazam (SZ). This tape contains a recorded meeting, discussion of the interviewing of the Flash (BA) following his arrest and kidnapping. (07/17/2024)
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
DP : Lets try this again. Does anyone have an idea of what we’d like to discuss?
WW : I propose we need new rules put in place around interrogations and interviews- So they don’t go too far.
CK : What kinds of rules?
WW : Clarifications on methods, techniques, laws. I was thinking a few sheets to discuss how to handle mild interviews with civillians, friends and family of victims or suspects. Then a few sheets to discuss how to handle suspects, accomplices, criminals, repeat offenders, etc.
[ MUMBLING ]
BW : It’s a good idea.
GG : There needs to be focus on how to determine the difference between suspects, perpetrators, criminals, repeat offenders and the like. There should be meetings held to discuss the severity and the lengths we should be allowed legally to go depending on the subjects difficulty.
WW : And safeguards. We need interviews to be able to hold up in a court of law. Batman, if you’d taken that tape or transcript in to get justice for Flash- It would’ve been struck down in a heartbeat. So many things were wrong with it, it would just make us look like utter shit.
BW : … I agree.
WW : Okay.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
The following transcript is of an interview of Green Lantern (GG), conducted by the Flash (WW) along with Plastic Man (PO) as a formal witness to the interview. The contents of the tape involve line of questioning revolving around Green Lantern’s (GG) proximity to the Flash (BA) during the arrest. (07/18/2024)
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
GG : You just seen Canary?
WW : Yeah.
GG : [ SNORTS ] Figures. I like what you’re doing. Cleaning up the place- We really gonna have an internal affairs?
WW : Hopefully- Just trying to work my way around not only Bat's paranoia but also my own. We can’t afford idenities being leaked but we also can’t afford to unlawfully question or hold someone either. It’s best to do the heavy lifting sooner rather than later.
GG : I’ll need to brush up on my social etiquette.
WW : That you will [ WW gives GG a smile ]
WW : So, you were also arrested by Amanda Waller’s taskforce. What was that like for you?
[ TAPE SKIPS ]
GG : N’ then Flash was panting, eyes wild and suit stripped. He was shivering and I just felt bad for the guy. I thought maybe he’d been the first to undergo the meaner side of extracting info… That was before I saw Waller’s face, though. She just looked confused, baffled with a healthy note of fear for what she’d done.
[ WW hums ]
GG : Metas won’t be the only ones struggling to forget what happened during our captures. It was… Brutal. It’s still circulating the news now, humans rights activists are jumping all over it.
WW : As they should. Terrified all of us and for what?
GG : If it has the powers of a nuclear reactor, looks like a nuclear reactor-
WW : Guy.
GG : Kidding! A joke, for the record.
WW : I have to be somewhat professional for these, you know.
GG : You’ve got time to grow.
WW : Thought I was done with that once I grew into the red
[ GG laughs ]
GG : Not even close, kid.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
WW : -But more than the legal worry with detainees- What if this whole situation had been a newbie? Someone none of us had formed an opinion of, much less a connection with. Like-
WW : Like Airwave. Airwave is new, has a very small social group, is unsteady already in the League. Barely has his footing, and what if this had been him?
DP : … It’s not right. We need safeguards in place.
GG : We need psychologists in the League, too. Not just medical doctors. What if a detainee is disabled? Diabetic?
WW : We need an internal affairs, too.
CK : Internal affairs? How will we manage that?
SZ : Won’t they need to be like… In the know?
WW : Essentially, yes. But I think it could be overall good. Yes it’s a risk, but it’s one i’d be willing to take to strengthen the stability of our legality.
BW : We can’t always work within the law.
WW : I’m aware, I’m not naïve. What I am is upset and wanting things to change. I think if we could get together even just one person who is aware of the caped community at large but isn’t particularly fond of anyone, we can have them start and hit the ground running.
HJ : It’s a good idea. I like it, but it needs further discussion, [ REDACTED ]
WW : I know, I think that after this I want to write up new guidelines and put a plan in place. Then I want to personally interview everyone involved with this case, tie up the loose ends and make sure this doesn’t get out of hand.
CK : Out of hand?
WW : If [ REDACTED ]’s clamming up, it’s because he doesn’t want this all out in the air. I want to personally see to it that the Flash’s business isn’t aired out to everyone and their caped dog by noon tomorrow.
BW : I like the idea, I think it’s a good one and if you need any help-
WW : I’ll contact you, yes.
BW : Contact others, too. Maybe [ REDACTED ] and [ REDACTED ] can help? They’re reporters, probably know quite a bit about lawful questioning.
WW : … That’s… That’s a realy good idea. Uhm. Are we done here? Can I bounce?
CK : Go ahead Flash, we’ll wrap up, I don’t want to smell burning rubber on our floors ‘cuz of your fidgeting anymore.
WW : Ha, ha.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
WW : So after that, how long were you left in the cells unattended? Was anyone ever… Sent in to check on you? you? Any medics come by?
GG : Hell no. As far as they’re concerned, we’re animals, but one thing I wanna talk about is what the Flash was sayin’-
WW : As much as I personally want to know, maybe that’s not good to talk about right now- I want to do this right and-
GG : But to do this right is to gather the correct information- and I’ll bet Canary didn’t chirp.
WW : … GL, you have got to quit it with some of these statements, especially if we’re getting IA
GG : Yeah, yeah- Well. I just-
[ PAUSE ]
GG : I just think for this investigation to mean something, it needs to be said-
WW : With all due respect, i’m not going to fuck this up for my [ REDACTED ]. I’m not going to be like Batman, I’m-
GG : Listen, listen. I get that, alright? But he said somethin’ about someone… Touchin’ ‘im…
[ PAUSE ]
[ LEATHER CREAKING ]
WW : What do you mean by that?
GG : Just think we need to look into whether it’s as past as we’d like
WW : What the hell does that mean?
GG : Kid, we- We need to know if it was recent, in the cells and under Waller’s custody or if it was- If it was in his childhood…
[ PAUSE ]
[ UNSTEADY BREATHING ]
WW : Fuck.
GG : Of course, there’s overlap, maybe he was triggered by someone doing it again or trying to cozy up and-
WW : Stop, stop. God.
WW : He’d tell me. I mean… He’d tell me, right? We- He knows what happened to me at home and they might not be the same but-
GG : Sometimes when you’re someones safe space… You wanna stay safe, in their eyes. Not to say that made anyone any less safe for goin’ through that. But more… You start hidin’ things you think make you weak, or embarrassing or whatever.
WW : … I….
GG : Listen, I-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
The following transcript is a raw audio of a small group of Justice League members attempting to console a distressed fellow member, the Flash (BA). The group consists of Black Canary (DL), Black Lightning (JP) and Martian Manhunter (JJ).
This tape was recorded just after the transcripted meeting between Batman and the Flash took place, outside the inteview room. (07/17/2024)
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
BA : God, what the hell just happened? What even was that? [ LONG GROAN ] I can’t go back in there.
DL : You don’t have to go back in there, we’re having an investigation right now into how this happened-
JP : Which is debatable given we have no internal affairs and it’s just going to be a blood bath on both ends-
DL : Not helping.
JP : … Sorry.
DL : Barry, They’re in a room right now, trying to figure out how it happened. Not to put you under a microscope and figure you out, but so this doesn’t happen again. This won’t happen again.
BA : … Yeah. Yeah, okay.
[ SILENCE ]
BA : I’m just so… I’m so angry….
DL : It’s okay to-
BA : I mean, I didn’t mean to freak out that hard.
JP : What.
BA : And now, they’re all gonna think Amanda Waller has done something, even though she hasn’t. And on top of that, people are going to want to go on a manhunt for someone who might not even be alive anymore. She- She might not even have meant it like that-
DL : Jesus Christ, no. No, we thought you were angry with Batman not yourself? And I don’t know about that last part, it’s kind of hard to slip, trip and fall into-
[ BA flinces ]
DL : … Sorry.
BA : I’m sorry. God, it shouldn’t even hurt anymore, i-
DL : It will always hurt, just a little. Things like that don’t go away.
BA : But-
BA : But I don’t want this, I don’t want it- [REDACTED], I don’t want it, don’t want to be that hero. No one’s gonna take me seriously they- They won’t wanna know me. Couldn’t protect myself, they wont-
DL : Hey, hey, no. No they won’t distance themselves, are you kiddin’ me? [REDACTED] is in there right now chewing Batman’s head off. His suit would sooner turn yellow than leave you behind because of something that’s not even your fault.
BA : … It. [ SNIFF ] It still doesn’t fix it… [ EXHALE ]
[ SHUFFLING ]
DL : I know.
BA : They’re gonna know. Everyone’s gonna know. And when they know, then how the hell am I gonna be able to ignore it? Forget? Play off my problems like it’s nothing when they’ll know. I’m a grown man, I’m the Flash. A superhero, and I can’t even keep myself- [ WHINE ]
BA : I can’t do it, not if they know. We’ll be joking, or planning a mission or debreifing and they’ll look at me and think how far it might’ve got, and- And I don’t want that, I don’t want them to know.
JJ : … It is difficult. That is to say, you have faced great pain before, great fear. You have persevered and came out standing. Whilst I do recognise the great wound within you as a result of this great injustice, this depravity… I do not believe it will destroy you, like you think it will. I do not believe our fellow allies will see you that way. They recognise you as a man of great strength and great compassion.
BA : How can you know? It’ll kill me, [ REDACTED ], It’ll kill me dead. It’ll take my legs and my heart and it already has my head-
DL : We understand that, but you can’t get stuck in a spiral and shut down. We will do whatever it takes to help you process this or heal from this in the heathiest way possible, but I’m not gonna allow you to spiral into despair and hopelessness.
[ SNIFFING ]
JP : We won’t let that happen, Flash. You won’t fall through the cracks on our watch, we’ll make it safe.
[ PAUSE, SHUFFLING ]
[ SNIFFING ]
BA : It was…
[ WHINE ]
BA : It was safe there too… Until it wasn’t.
JP : What was safe back then? Was it the people?
BA : It was her, she was just so nice to me. [ SOB ] And no one else was. She’d read me bedtime stories, even though i was 13, and a big boy. She said I deserved to cash in on the things i’d lost… That I didn’t have to be strong and big around her, I…
[ SNIFF ]
BA : She helped me with my homework, and taught me to bake things. She’d sit and talk to me, listen to me before dinner. She’d say I was a good boy, her good boy. And it felt nice, after so long of… The opposte.
[ DL hums ]
BA : N’ then…
[ SNIFFS ]
BA : It just- She- And I was- It- God, this is so stupid, it was normal, it was…
BA : One night, I- I thought she was coming in to read me to sleep, I had a teddy bear in my arms, an elephant. I couldn’t sleep without something in my arms, but I felt guilty about only hugging one of my toys so I had this rotation and- And Ellie was really small and she squished between us- N’ she must’ve been in so much pain, she couldn’t breathe between us, I couldn’t breathe-
[ GASPING ]
DL : That… That. Flash, that’s-
BA : It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t-
BA : It was normal… it made me feel a little ill but it was better than… better than the last times. [ SOB ]
JJ: The last times?
[ CLOTHES RUSTLING, SNIFFLING ]
BA : Like… Fists and- And getting locked out. In the cold.
[ UNEASY SILENCE ]
BA : It was easier to deal with because she was just so nice, she treated it like a reward and … Maybe it was? Maybe she just thought it was what I wanted? Needed?
DL : But you didn’t. You never asked for that, [ REDACTED ]. You don’t have to water down what she did to-
BA : I’m not watering it down, she- She cared about me. In some way… She wanted my grades up and she fed me and… She bought me things, nice things. Maybe I owed h-her?
[ WHINE ]
[ SOBBING ]
BA : And- And then, then- Fuck.
JP : Hey, hey, you don’t have to tell us. You don’t have to say anything.
BA : I-I don’t?
JP : No, you don’t owe us an explanation, we don’t even have to understand what you’re talking about if you do tell us something- be as ambiguous or difficult as you want. Talk in a jumble of tenses but don’t hurt yourself trying to explain something that will upset you more than help you.
BA : You won’t be upset?
JP : No. I’ve got kids at home, they talk in half-sentences all the time. I’m practically fluent in ambiguous speech.
[ BA laughs ]
BA : Yeah- Yeah, okay.
BA : I had Ellie in my arms. And when she came into my room, I felt this… Weird feeling at the back of my neck, and it was both hot and cold, and I wondered why. Why was I so scared? But I smelled the alcohol on her breath. She- Stumbled over. Her hand was on my thigh. She got- Closer. I Felt- I smelled- She- [ SOBBING ]
JP : There, it’s okay, it’s alright just get it out now. Don’t hold it all in there. Just let it all out. She’s not here anymore, no ones drunk, and no ones gonna hurt you.
BA : It just- It got so much worse after that- The first time was supposed to be nice, she was being nice-
[ SOBBING ]
BA : Don’t let them know, they can’t know
DL : They won’t. [ REDACTED ], they won’t know, okay? We won’t tell. This isn’t gonna spread.
[ MUFFLED SOBBING ]
DL : Just leave it to us.
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
—————————————————————————————
INTERVIEWS AND INTERROGATIONS GUIDELINES
APPROVED APROACHES FOR ALL SUSPECTS
These are interrogation guides approved by military, government and law enforcement. Other techniques yet to be mentioned must accompany additional evaluation and witnesses other than the one witness to the interrogation. These are strictly for suspects and perpetrators. These tactics are not to be used on victims, witnesses or family/friends of the victims or suspects.
Direct
Incentive
Fear up mild
Reduced fear
Pride and ego up
Pride and ego down
Repetition
File/dossier
Silence
Rapid fire
THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES FOR SUSPECTS AND PERPETRATORS ARE MORE SEVERE AND REQUIRE FURTHER APPROVAL, ALONGSIDE MORE WITNESSES.
Incentive removal
Fear up harsh
Futility
We Know All
Enviromental manipulation
Sleep adjustment
Isolation for longer than a day
QUESTIONING GUIDELINES CONTINUE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE
—————————————————————————————
The following transcript is of an interview of the Batman (BW), conducted by the Flash (WW) along with Plastic Man (PO) as a formal witness to the interview. The contents of the tape involve line of questioning revolving around Batman’s (BW) questioning of the Flash (BA). (07/18/2024)
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
WW : it is the 18th of July of 2024. I am the third Flash, and I am conducting this interview of Batman on what his intentions, thoughts and experience was before and during his questioning of the second Flash. I have Plastic Man with me as a formal witness.
[ SILENCE, PAPERS SHUFFLING ]
WW : So, what was your prep?
BW : My prep was focused on what questions I would need answered in order to pursue legal justice on Flash’ behalf. I had done research into Central City’s legal system and what evidence would be needed for a case of this nature.
WW : Right.
BW : Right.
[ SILENCE ]
WW : So, what you should have done first and foremost is make sure the subject was mentally calm, using both physical tells and actually talking to the subject instead of burrowing right into the vulnerable spots. Well intentioned or not.
BW : …
WW : Then, you should have explained the nature of the interview, the questions and what this would all be used for. The subject was frazzled enough to not know why these questions were being asked- Did you come into the interview banking on the Flash not being aware enough to object? Did you allow Flash a lawyer?
BW : I-
WW : -Were you aware that in not allowing the Flash the grace of context and what the evidence would be used for, you violated his privacy before the ‘confession’ was even blurted out in an emotional outburst?
BW : …
WW : And were you really unaware of his increasing mental deterioration over the course of your questioning, even going further into the interview instead of stopping it, even when Green Lantern was banging on the door?
BW : … I understand.
WW : …
BW : …
WW : …
BW : Is there anything-
WW : Yes, there is, would you care to enlighten me as to how exactly you gained access to Flash’s mind?
BW : Excuse me?
WW : That’s my bad, let me clarify- Who are you to assume what’s best for a man, a man you hadn’t asked if he even wanted anything done about this? A man who was clearly in distress and needed time, more than he needed policeman and judges in his face.
BW :… I made a mistake. I had no right to assume, I didn’t know [ REDACTED ] that well.
WW : You didn’t.
[ PAPERS SHUFFLING ]
WW : Well! Let’s move on to more important things, now that you understand and have been given some context.
WW : The nature of this interview will now be about your expereince with the second Flash, questions will be pertained to your history, your work together, and your opinions of him. These questions are being asked to establish context, they won’t leave the doccuments being compiled to bunch all of this together. Please be honest.
BW : I will do my best.
WW : Thank you.
WW : Okay. Let’s start with your impression, personal and professional experiences of the second Flash, can you tell me about that?
BW : Well, I don’t remember much of our first meeting, but every experience with the Flash has been overall pleasant. He is sharp-minded and has a background similar to mine which made it easier to form a friendship with him. He doesn’t mind taking orders in the field and outside of it, but he’s also got the intelligence and confidence to propose other ideas. I’ve had concerns over events like Flashpoint happening again, but that is the worry with every person in a position or in possession of power.
WW : Okay. So would you regard Flash as an acquaintance?
BW : I see Flash as a friend and as a valueble teammate. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, if a bit hasty or impatient.
WW : So when you interviewed the Flash, what were your intentions?
BW : My intentions were to see that the Flash didn’t fall through the cracks of the legal justice system. I got carried away, and I did worse damage than leaving it be would’ve done.
WW : Why? Why did you keep going? What was running through your head?
BW : I just… Sometimes I look at him and I don’t see him. I’ll make assumptions and suddenly he’s not a grown man dressed head to toe in red, and there’s just something… In his eyes… Across his shoulders that reminds me of a seven year old boy watching his parents fall right in front of him.
BW : Sometimes I see a boy crying alone in the rain, his parents sprawled around him. I see loss. And I don’t want him to go through more, even now, though I know it wasn’t the right thing to do… All I want is to make sure it doesn’t hurt him anymore.
WW : … Right.
BW : I have… A habit of bulldozing over my kids wishes. I carry out what my version of justice looks like on their behalf, because if I sit and listen to them tell me they want nothing done… I don’t have plausible deniability when I do something.
WW : That’s… Bats, that’s still not right.
BW : I know….
WW : That’s not your decision to make.
BW : I… Know.
WW : The thing is, you’re not a vile person, Bats… But you could become one if you’re not careful. You won’t stay a good man if you do things for people that you know they don’t want. It could end ugly.
BA : That’s not… I don’t intend-
WW : Intentions… Aren’t everything. You need to be better than this. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.
BW : I…
BW : I thought… With Flash not in his right mind… That he’d need… Want someone to fight for him until he could fight for himself. I thought that I could fight for him now, so that he wouldn’t have to give it up once the fog cleared.
WW : I see that, I know that. But you didn’t even ask.
WW : Probably because you saw-
BW : What if he changed his mind later?
WW : Then he changes his mind. But right now? He doesn’t want this everywhere. Doesn’t want it in the news, on the TV, in the caped communities heads. He doesn’t even… Want me to know.
BW : I’m sorry.
WW : I know you are. This isn’t about making you feel guilt- God knows you have enough of that, it stops you in your tracks until you ignore it and press forward, but [ REDACTED ] … You’re going to need to sit with this… You’re going to need to feel this guilt, and change. Okay?
BW : …
BW : … When…Well I wanted…. I thought he’d feel like I did…
WW : … Oh.
BW : I thought, that he’d feel like I did, when the dust settled. When the shock went away. I didn’t… I didn’t have the evidence. It had been too long, my- The window of opportunity had closed, I-
WW : Jesus.
BW : I suppose I… Was living out a fantasy of what I wished I had done… Of when I wished for an adult to swoop in and… Save me. Cleanse me.
WW : Bats you- You’re not dirty, but…
BW : It wouldn’t have cleansed me.
WW : …
WW : For what it’s worth, ah. He doesn’t hate you.
BW : He should.
WW : … That’s not your decision to make.
[ SOFT LAUGHTER ]
BW : Yes…
[ LONG SILENCE ]
WW : Well I… I don’t have any more questions. I wanted to know why you’d do something like this and… Well I suppose I know now…
WW : I feel pretty bad knowing, actually. Did I force you? I didn’t…
BW : I told you because it was necessary… Because I wanted to. Don’t feel guilty.
WW : … Okay, yeah. Yeah.
WW : Do you want me to, ah?
BW : I’ll see myself out, thank you for this. It was… Well i’ll be sitting with it. Instead of pushing it away.
WW : … Let me know if you need any help with that. Talk to people. Not just me or [ REDACTED ]. Talk… Don’t. Just talk?
BW : Thank you, Flash. And I think that… What you’ve done here, what you’ve set into motion. Well it only seems fitting that the fastest man alive should hit the ground running with something like this. Even under such… Terrible circumstances.
WW : Is that your way of saying you’re impressed? Have I impressed you Bats? Are you proud of the backbone i’ve grown?
[ BW laughs ]
BW : You’ve always had one. Always with the attitude.
BW : [ REDACTED ] raised a good man.
WW : He is one… I suppose I just copied what I saw.
BW : Yes… Yes he is.
[ METALLIC SCRAPING ]
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
[ WW sighs ]
[ SILENCE, TAPE ROLLING ]
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
[ DOOR CREAK ]
BA : … Kid?
WW : …
BA : Can we talk? I think there’s something I-
WW : Yeah, hold on, Just a mo-
[ TAPE CLICKS ]
Off the record, it was confirmed that Flash (BA) does not want to pursue legal help and prefers to shut this case. All transcripts are to be heavily guarded and treated with the utmost respect and privacy. SENSITIVE CASE. CASE CLOSED.