no one gets to tell me if I've lost or if I've won

Oh, and speaking of things from your universe, did you ever find yourself in situations such as being backed into a corner by several men with pipes and chains, or tied up with an impromptu branding iron tied to your chest, or being menaced by insane reporters with pistols, or other such dangers one would not normally assume were dangers of an investigative job? Because if not, then I have some serious questions about how your timeline diverged from the guy back home's.