Joe, you have heard the entire conversation so far and exit the bathroom just as Charlie enters. He gives you a look in passing but as you are obviously not a janitor dressed as you are in a tuxedo, so he lets you past.
You do notice that the officers are already locking down the building and are refusing to let anyone leave. There are S.H.R.U. officers spreading out and searching the building while the city police cordon off the outside of the building.
I walk calmly and find baker and pull out his card from my wallet so he knows it is me.
I have met the S.H.R.U. agents before. they are tireless and will continue a witch hunt until everyone remotely involved has threats of incarceration. I got off due to some connections of mine when a mob of meta human hate group stabbed a public meta on campus. he doesn't care what reason you got involved, all metas seem to be criminals in his eye. ... it looks like we won't be able to leave, so lets stay for the gala, and i have something to show both you and emit, in private i hope. also the exhibit coordinator is missing.
Still doesn't explain why he was acting like he had a stick up-- well you know. And i'm all for talking later, there are some thing I'd like to go over with you and Emit.
Yes, yes, I'll send one of the cops to see that your bus gets back to the school. After it's been thoroughly checked of course.
Captain! Charlie runs up to Abrams. The janitor was unconscious in the stall. He didn't see his attacker but he said it sounded male and was incredibly strong.
Abrams barks several orders to his men then addresses Madelyn. Ms. Fourmer, it appears the criminal has fled the premises. If ye wish I'll post a couple of my men here for the evening just to be sure yere Gala is uninterrupted. I however, need to oversee the manhunt for the criminal.
Madelyn agrees to the guards and Abrams assigns Officer Charlie and Lt. Mahoney to guard duty.
With that the S.H.R.U. team packs up and drives away to continue their manhunt elsewhere.
Marrisa walks towards you three. She is wearing a stunning black velvet dress with matching gloves. Baker, Tex says he's got that little surprise ready.
Seeing the various law enforcement officials leaving, she raises an eyebrow at Baker. Don't tell me you smashed another priceless Ming dynasty vase? Also, weren't you going to get changed?
She shakes hands with Emit and "Joe". I'm Marrisa Porter, Baker's partner from RoboCorp.
The Gala! I almsot forgot with all of this terrible business. I'm not sure we should go ahead with it... Archibald is still missing. Emit, have you seen him recently?
Nice to meet you as well Marrisa, Forgive me if this is out of line but you dont strike me as the Tech savvy sort.
No Madelyn I haven't seen him since the last time I met him with the whole incident with the Dino skeleton mismatch. Im sure he wont want to miss his Gala that's going on. Speaking of this Gala it sounds interesting I imagine a woman of you stature has an escort to such an event...? Emit saying that with his hand on the back of his neck looking a little awkward at this.
I could also see if I can help you find Mr. Archibald im sure hes around here somewhere and if we put our great minds together im sure we'll find him.
Wow, you look good! I'm still having trouble finding my tie... and no, it wasn't me this time. I guess the guy who was mucking around with our equipment broke some stuff while trying to make his burglary run. Luckily, SHRU has him in custody.
Pointing to Emit.
this is professor Emit Nile--
and pointing to Marissa.
--and this is Marissa Porter, my colleague. And don't let her appearance fool you, professor, she's damn good at what she does.
Baker smiles at Marissa, hoping she takes to his compliment.
Should we head in to the Gala and make sure everything works properly?
In the waning light of evening you notice a police-escorted limo pull up to the front of the museum.
That's the mayor! Oh, my I'm not even dressed! Marrisa can you stall him for a minute? Emit you need to get dressed. Not IN a dress I mean...oh you know.
She pauses a second and whispers toward Emit, And who is your middle-Eastern friend there? He arrived awful early for the Gala. Well Archy had the guest list so I guess we can't kick him out.
The show must go on! I'll be right back! As she hurries into her office.
...
Wait, you are concerned about your vestments not being suitable??
*derisive snicker*
You are hopeless. You really have no idea what kind of POWER you wield, do you. To end your suffering (and mine) look into your reflection and picture yourself wearing the appropriate vestments. Then recite Al zhul, al braken. Roughly translated it means "My image, my attire".
Hello, pleased to meet you, I am David Metzger. nice to meet an associate of Baker.
i haven't ever met the curator Archibald, could you provide a photo so we know what he looks like, and maybe one of us has run into him without knowing. But for now lets go in and have a quick look around before the festivities begin.
I will be with you all again in a bit, I just remembered where I put my tie and jacket.
Baker heads outside to the car, sits down in the driver seat and pulls down the vanity mirror. Making sure no one is around, he recites what he has been told.
A moment later, Baker steps back out into the waning daylight in a pressed jacket and matching tie, brought into contrast by his matching dress shirt and converse shoes.
Emit looks to baker and lifts his briefcase.
Its a good thing I have a Tux from last weeks M.C.C.C. Scholastic Award Ceremony where I was the host. I'll be right back im just going to slip into the bathroom a minute to change.
Emit goes in to the Restroom and uses his Quick change 2 ability to change into his Tux. Looking in the mirror he thinks to himself.
They'll never beleve that a freshly pressed tux would be in a breifcase
He uses his ability to put a few wrinkles in the tux to make it look as if it had been folded up.
Ah that's better it wont look the best but hey at least it wont look as suspicious.
Emit walks back out in his tux and walks back over to the group.
There we go now im ready to enjoy the gala but first I must go ask if i can keep my breifcase in Madelyn's office I'll be right back.
Emit heads towards the direction Madelyn went to ask her about putting his briefcase in her office.
Baker, Madelyn, and Emit all disappear to go change leaving Marrisa with the ruggedly handsome "middle-eastener".
Marrisa lets out a disgusted sigh. Typical. Well David, looks like it's up to us chickens. She grabs Mr. Metzger's arm and and drags him forward to greet the mayor.
Baker comes back into the entrance hall just in time to miss Marissa leaving.
Dammit. How is it that I have this kind of luck with her?
The limo comes to a complete stop as a group of reporters swarms the Museum's entrance angling to get a shot of Maximum City's mayor.
From the limo steps a middle-aged man in excellent physical condition and perfect dark hair. He wears a fashionable tuxedo and a charming, if practiced, smile.
Mr. Chandling! Mr. Chandling! What are your thoughts about the growing tension between Israel and Egypt? Will exhibits like this one be closed due to racial bigotry? Will you be funding another expedition to the great Pyramid? Can I have your phone number? What is your favorite exhibit?
Before answering the throng of reporters and their rapid-fire questions, the mayor reaches out a hand to help out his date for the evening, a beautiful Indian woman wearing a red sequin dress and heels. She smiles demurely for the cameras.
Please, call me Duke. We are doing everything possible to settle any disputes at home or abroad for the sake of historical preservation. I am here this evening as a sign of good faith that there will be another expedition to the Great Pyramid. The opening of this exhibit and the revealing of the historical artifact found within the Pyramid will show everyone worldwide that it is of the utmost importance that we discover what lost secrets are kept within before they are lost forever.
Duke makes his way up the Sphinxonium's steps and towards Marrisa and "Joe".
A good evening to you, Mr....?
@Emit: Madelyn makes you wait outside until she's ready but you can put your "Tuxedo-case" in her office just fine.
Madelyn is wearing a discrete blue dress with matching shoes.
Madelyn sees your tuxedo and giggles. You keep your tuxedo in a suitcase?!
She manages to keep from snickering and straightens out some of the fold lines.
She hears someone speaking out in the lobby. Oh! That's the mayor! She hastily begins donning a jeweled set of earrings.
Emit, do you think you can take a look for Archy in the back of the museum? It's the only place I didn't have time to check. He sometimes goes back there to smoke his smelly cigars cause he knows they bother me. Take Baker with you as well. If anything else goes wrong with the holo-systems I want one of the IT guys to be there to help and I know Baker can handle himself.
I was supposed to handle the tour itself anyways so I'll be able to manage for awhile. I just need you to find Archy before the speech at the end of the tour. You've got roughly forty-five minutes once all of the guests have arrived. I know this is a lot of responsibility and a sucky first dat- She catches herself.
I mean...uhm...first meeting but I trust you. Here is the key to the backroom. It's mostly just the loading docks for new acquisitions but the furnace room is back there too. It should be empty at this time of night.
She hands you, .
Baker sees Marissa with a middle-eastern gentleman.
well damn, that's where she got to. who is this guy anyway?
Baker stays off on the side, trying to stay out of the way.
I hate not being a guy for the spotlight...
Emit takes the Key With a smile.
Wow Madelyn you look great. Well I'll take this and see if cant just find Mr. Archibald for you ill escort you out to the mayor and then grab baker and go to the back.
Emit takes Madelyn's arm in his and escorts her out to the lobby where the group is and walks up to the mayor.
Good evening Mr. Mayor this is Miss Madelyn Fourmer Assistant Director of the Sphinxonium and im Professor Emit Nile Professor at M.C.C.C. its nice to meet you sir but im afraid me and Mr. Baker have something we have to take care of before the gala.
Emit releases Madelyn's arm and walks over to baker and whispers
Lets go kid we got to see if we can find Archibald in the back for Madelyn.
Emit starts walking to the back with Baker.
Guess i'm not doing a whole lot of good here anyway, and not having any luck either...
Baker follows afterwards.
So what's with you and the curator? Do you two know each other professionally or something? or is it more than that?
Baker nudges, trying to distract himself from his own awkward attempts at catching Marissa's eye.
Baker stops for a second, realizing that the middle-eastern man was that man Joe in disguise. Duh, how did I not realize that right away. I may have a chance after all! He's way too old for her.
Oh Madelyn well kid I met her last time my students rearagned the dinosaurs skeletons and didnt really have to to say something then but then she remembered me when I came in so I chatted her up I admire a great mind and she is attractive but only "time will tell I suppose. What about you and Marissa I seen the way you was looking at her and I thought you said you were lucky so far I don't buy that kid. You need to show some confidence in life if you do it will open yourself up to new and wonderful things.
Emit and Baker walk to the back and Emit uses the key he got from Madelyn to open the door.
Shalom Aleichem Mr.May-or should i call you Duke. My name is David Metzger, and this lovely lady standing next to me is Ms. Marissa Porter, working for Robocorp if i am correct? I myself am a former Israeli Military officer for many years. I am here to see the joint United states and Israeli troop training. I'm waiting for my friend Colonel Saul.
I introduced myself to you in this form, telling you that it was me, after i left the bathroom.
Duke: Well met my friend! You're Israeli right? I'm delighted that you've come tonight for the presentation. And in the company of such a beautiful hostess. He gallantly bows towards Marrisa.
Where is Mr. Louvre? I wanted to make sure the preparations are in order for this evening. I ...that is this city, cannot afford for tonight to go wrong. This revealing is important for the future of this city.
Mr. Louvre has been unavoidably detained at the moment. However I can assure you that the revealing will take place just as planned.
A steady stream of guests arrive and begin mingling in the lobby. A number of them seem impatient to begin the tour.
One of the last to arrive is General Rencore in full dress uniform. He runs the nearby military base, Fort Takoma.
Emit and Baker, the backroom of the museum consists of a large room lined with shelves. Most of the shelves are empty except for half-empty boxes with packing supplies. A box crusher machine lies at the northwestern corner and several unopened crates lay near the northern rear roll-up door. There is a rusty, latched door on the western floor.
Emit sees the unopened crates and decides to check them out and walks over to them.
Hey do you see Archibald yet I don't know it seems weird that this guy would miss his own gala or even be late for that matter. What do you think kid?
Yes, I am Israeli, and your guest is quite lovely as well. i would love to see this presentation. but first i need to wait for my army friend.
i excuse myself from Marissa and follow Baker and Emit to the back after signaling the Colonel.
i follow into the back room and call to baker and emit and show them the fingerprint that i discovered.
Joe, in his most recent disguise, shows you a plastic bag carrying a clay block. It has been mushed in several places and one appears to be a handprint. Joe mentions that whoever made it was searching through the same trash can that the "misplaced" climbing gear had been in and was wearing gloves with a small tear in one finger. There is only one partial fingerprint that might lead to a clue.
@Joe:
The other three crates are labeled YUCATAN. Each is about the size of a man. There is a crowbar nearby on the floor next to the roll-up door. There is still the unmistakable odor of cigar smoke in the air.
DM, i give them the case, i back away, and tell them to separate it from the case so that the rest is usable for a certain situation that i will now be enacting.
There is a set of high quality cigars here and one is missing and I smell smoke, Madelyn said Archibald enjoyed smoking cigars he must be around here maybe on the other side of that door. Emit points to the roll up door. Emit also picks up the crowbar that is laying by the crates.
Emit looks at he finger print on the block.
Huh this might come in handy later but right now we got to find Archibald. Now help me with this door.
Emit grabs the bottom of the roll top door and proceeds to open it.
Emit, the end of the crowbar has a smear of dried blood on it.
I think this crowbar has something on it.
Near where you found the crowbar you notice drag marks on the floor, as if someone or something dragged a body across the floor. They lead from the crates towards the door into the museum proper. Each set of drag marks stops then starts again as if the object was somehow suspended temporarily before being placed back down again and dragged another few feet.
Hey look there's drag marks coming back from where we came.I still want to check behind this door.
Emit still trys to open the roll up door.
Well, this hatch in the floor certainly seems big enough to hold him... Let's check that out.
Baker the latch locking the door is heavy and appears rather rusted. You might be able to force it open.
Hey Emit, I know you're...special... and all, but would you like to see what good old fashioned hard work at the gym can do?
Baker grins.
He thinks he's good cause he can teleport and stuff, let's show him just a bit of one-upsmanship, heh.
Baker, you rip the latch off. Judging from how easily the latch gave away after the initial pull, it must have been used recently. It had been wedge in the door hooks.
Below, you see stairs descending into musty gloom.
Hey, I found some stairs here. Have you got a flashlight? I've got an app on my phone, but it's not the best...
Baker pulls his phone out and turns on the light, before shining it into the gloom, trying to see past the murk.
Your phone light doesn't illuminate it terribly well but you see a remarkable amount of rusted piping and what looks like a number of storage crates.
i pull out my full flashlight.
here this should help a bit more than the phone
@Emit: The roll up door is locked with a small padlock. There is a service door nearby and you can easily open it. It has a small steel mesh window.
Outside, there is an unmarked white van pulled up to the loading door. The night air is fresh and there is a chill autumn wind. You can see a number of cars in the nearby parking lot. The lot is for the Fast Food place McGreasy's.
@Joe: Your eyes are having trouble adjusting to the darkness. you don't see anything else from the stairs.
There is a unmarked van out here pulled to the dock I wonder what its doing here so late I don't see anyone out here.
Emit walks over to the others looking at the basement. Looks at baker.
you know I don't like the term special by the way I have these abilities and I use them to help people. I also wish your time would learn to get past this whole meta thing in my time metas or supers and humans live hand in hand. But that's not important now something is going on here there's bloody drag marks leading back to where we came from and blood on this crowbar. Somebody could be hurt,dying or god forbid dead we have to get to the bottom of this. Let me see the light please.
Emit takes Joe's flashlight and starts walking down the stairs.
The basement stretches most of the length of the museum but is packed full with crates and boxes. It would appear this is where they store unused historical objects and old exhibits. Each set of crates is marked with a bar code and a set of numbers.
The nearest set of crates is labeled ME - 0012.
The sounds of a large electric furnace come from the east. There are 8 different sets of crates you can search.
Emit, you manage to catch the reflection off of a small object 3 rows to the south. Let me know if you want to go pick it up.