Without a Clue 1988

This transmission presents an alternate history of the Earth detective myth known as Sherlock Holmes. In this version, Holmes is not the brilliant investigator but an unemployed stage actor named Reginald Kincaid — hired to serve as the public face of the real detective, Dr. John Watson. Watson solves the crimes. Holmes poses for illustrations and forgets key facts mid-sentence.

The arrangement continues longer than it should, largely due to the public’s need for a dramatic, quotable hero. Kincaid bumbles through interviews, botches surveillance, and causes numerous avoidable complications. Despite this, crowds adore him, newspapers reprint his every word, and Scotland Yard seeks his opinion on national matters. Watson, meanwhile, seethes quietly and does the actual work.

The central plot involves stolen currency plates, criminal masterminds, and the return of Moriarty — an intelligent adversary who, unlike everyone else, immediately sees through the charade. This creates tension, danger, and further complications, mostly endured by Watson while Kincaid stumbles toward relevance.

Eventually, the actor begins to understand the role beyond performance. While he never becomes competent, he becomes loyal, and in moments, useful. The final case is solved — not efficiently, but publicly — and the myth of Holmes continues.

Conclusion: Earthlings are often more interested in appearance than accuracy. A convincing performance can override a lack of substance, and a legend is easier to maintain than a truth — especially when the truth has bad posture and no publicist.

Given that an entire nation accepted an actor as a genius without question, Nebulon need not worry about subtlety. Simply deliver the appearance of authority — the humans will supply the applause.