To Better Understand the World of Q.E.D.

Q.E.D.
An abbreviation of a Latin phrase ("quod erat demonstrandum") with the meaning "all proof has been presented". Used often in scientific proofs, formulas, etc. In our story, Police Inspector Hank Wild uses it when closing cases, as if to say, "You did it, and I'm done needing to present evidence!" or...something to that effect?

The Black Dahlia
A famous murder case that took place in Los Angeles in 1947.
On January 15, 1947, the mutilated body of Elizabeth Short, a Caucasian actress with her sights set on Hollywood, was found in Los Angeles, USA. Her body had been violently mutilated, severed completely in half. It had also been completely drained of blood and carefully cleaned. Later, it became known as "the world's most infamous murder". The mass media covered it widely, calling it the "Black Dahlia" after the victim's jet black hair and clothing. The investigation went in several directions, was closed and reopened time and again; as a result, no one could imagine who could have committed the murder. It went cold, and to this day remains a mystery.
In 2006, the story was made into a film directed by Brian de Palma, which was also distributed in Japan.

The Lipstick Killer
The name given to William Heirens, a mass murderer active in Chicago in the 1940s. After killing several victims, he wrote a message on a living room wall in red lipstick: "For heaven's sake catch me before I kill more...I cannot control myself", leading to his being called "The Lipstick Killer". After a streak of victims in his career as a serial killer, he was arrested and is still serving a life sentence in an Illinois prison. The events that occur in the "Black Maria" Incident are in the same motif as the Black Dahlia and Lipstick Killer murders.

El Greco
Born on the island of Crete, Greece. One of the last influential painters of the manierisme movement, active in Italy and Spain from the mid-16th century through the 17th century. His work was forgotten for a while, but was resurrected in the 20th century as being reminiscent of Picasso. Among his works is one titled "The Assumption of the Virgin", in which the Virgin Mary is calling to the angel Gabriel, the Christ Child in her arms.

"La Traviata" *
An opera by Guiseppe Verdi, first performed in 1853. "La Traviata" holds the meaning of "a woman who has strayed from the path of good", or, "a fallen woman". At the scene of the Black Maria Incident, a record of "La Traviata" was playing. In Japan, it is known by the name "Tsubaki-hime" ["Lady Camellia", or "The Camellia Princess"]. The red camellias that appear in the Q.E.D. album jacket are a reference to this opera.

Bicycle
A popular brand of American-manufactured playing cards.
Known for its depictions of Kings and Jokers riding bicycles. A well-liked brand among magicians due to the nice weighting of the cards themselves.

Queen of Spades
In the card game "Black Maria" [more commonly known as Hearts, or variants therein], the Queen of Spades is known as the Black Maria. Simply explained, the game is one where players quickly try to reduce their score with the least amount of penalties while taking tricks. The Queen of Spades ("Black Maria") is the card with the highest penalty value, and as such must not be left as the last card in one's hand. In our story, the murderer encloses Queens of Spades in his letters to the media, making the incident officially known as the Black Maria Incident.
Also, the Queen of Spades is often depicted as a witch, even in Japanese literature.

Black Maria
The world's first movie studio, built by inventor Thomas Edison at the end of the 19th century. He called it the "Black Maria" because it looked like a transport vehicle for criminals (also called a Black Maria) from the outside. Through the research conducted in the "Black Maria", we now have a grasp of film manufacture.

The Truth of Mr. Justice
An explosive book about Hank Wild, released by the father of a man working under him following his son's suicide. While not released in its entirety here, it is the definitive book that makes Danes believe that Richard is innocent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The specific scene of "La Traviata" playing at Vivian's murder scene is from the third act, in which Violetta is reading a final letter from a friend regarding the result of a duel fought between the Baron who wants her affections and her lover.
She is told that her lover will be arriving to beg forgiveness, but she knows that her consumption has worsened and she has not long to live. In this scene, entitled "Addio del Pasato", Violetta laments:

Oh God, grant pardon to this fallen woman
For whom life is ending! The joys and pains will soon be over,
and the tomb of this mortal shall be covered.

There will be no tears or flowers,
And no name on the cross that covers these remains!
Oh, God, grant pardon to this fallen woman! All is over!
(Translation of the Italian from Columbia University.)

For the curious, here is a Youtube link to the scene as performed by Anna Netrebko.

[Index//Next]