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Madelyn breathes a sigh of relief at the news that Archibald was safe and sound. She touches your shoulder as you head to leave. Dr. Nile...Emit, I was thinking about what you said back at the museum. I would hope...I mean I'd really like it if maybe we could get that cup of coffee sometime? You've been just wonderful given what happened at the museum...and well it's really rare to find someone so well versed in history...
You arrive at Madelyn's upscale apartment complex and knock on her door. You hear a muffled reply that you can't quite make out and have to wait several seconds before the door is opened a crack. Madelyn has a towel wrapped around her head signifying she just got out of the shower. Oh! It's you! Uh...Nile wasn't it? Come in, come in. She closes the door, releases the chain lock and ushers you in. Her apartment is a cozy two bedroom affair with a myriad of historical paintings hanging in every corner. She seems to be a fan of Admirals and Generals of by-gone eras. I was just getting ready for work. The museum hasn't reopened yet of course but I'm scheduled to meet with the contractor for the new wing and... She stops as she sees the expression of loss on your face. Did something happen? Is it Archy?! I haven't heard from the hospital in a few days but I thought that meant he'd been released...
Elli:
You discover that Prof. Dela Ruse is the leading scientific mind of the small country of Viskonia. The only leading mind of Viskonia if the accounts are true. Viskonia is a small country created from the turmoil after the World Wake when the Eastern European countries were in shambles. When the dust had cleared, a new military power was in charge of this small section of land and they declared themselves independent of the country it was originally part of. You can barely make out the country on the world map but the computer system enhances it for you.
Prof. Dela Ruse appears to not only be the leading scientific mind but also it's current dictator. He specializes in archaeological artifacts but has degrees in biochemistry, robotics, and a few other degrees for specialized fields of science you can only guess at. Emit, you receive a call from . Emit, I am soooo sorry but have to cancel dinner again. They've got me tied up with renovation approvals and I'm still behind schedule with the inventory. Please don't be mad I'm not trying to avoid you I promise. I did have a favor to ask however. I haven't heard from Archy in three days and I'm starting to worry. Usually i'd get updates on his health from his housekeeper, but she hasn't called either. Could you check up on him for me? She gives you his address (which you remember from the other night anyways). Call me when you know how he's doing. I'm probably just fretting over nothing...
I would appreciate the company. Madelyn looks relieved to have someone help her with Archibald and keep her company.
Tex and Madelyn appear alright but their conscious minds appear to have blanked out the past few minutes. Marrisa remembers the lights but didn't see where Prof. Dela Ruse or the Eye went. Archibald appears to be doing better but seems very tired. Madelyn insists on driving him home. Captain Abrams posted a few SHRU officers outside to keep an eye on the museum overnight. I think it's better if we all go home and get soem rest. It's been a harrowing night.
I feel kinda light-headed but otherwise ok. Did something happen?
Elli, you discover that the tracings your finger made seem to resemble a map of a coastline area. The same map you saw in your vision. Ohhhh, my head. W-What happened? Why am I on the floor? Did I pass out? Madelyn seems ok but appears unaware of what just transpired. She shudders almost imperceptibly at the fire tracings along the floor.
See Archy? Nothing to be afraid of. Now I for one am curious to see Dr. Dela Ruse's presentation. Prof. Ruse you said we needed light??
Archy, it's going to be alright. Perhaps Ms. Landis here can convince you that the Eye is nothing more than an ordinary, if large, cat's eye opal. She is an accredited geographer and I'm sure she can dispel any doubts you might have. Curses are silly superstitions and tonight's event had nothing to do with one. Madelyn Fourmer, the assistant director of the museum, pleads at Elli with her eyes to convince Archibald that the opal is just that...an opal.
Bespectacled man in a disheveled tweed jacket: AHHHHHHHH! There's another one! You can't have it! It's my life's work! He grabs the jewel and dives under a nearby table. Archibald shrinks back against the wall clutching the blanket the medics gave him. T-T-Take it! Take the cursed thing! Madelyn begins to edge backwards to where she dropped her antique revolver.
MLK Jr., you realize it's definetly not a mummy, but rather some poor soul wrapped in toilet paper and gauze. The soldiers lower their weapons. I think he...it?...is injured! Someone get me some medical supplies. And call an ambulance! As Madelyn moves towards the sarcohhphogaus, the mummy lurches forward falling onto the floor moaning in agony. The fall dislodges some of the wrappings revealing the very disoriented and pain-stricken Director of the Museum, Archibald Louvre! Archy! Oh my stars! You've been shot! She drops her weapon and attempts to free Archy. DM Only:
Emit/Joe: You and MLK Jr. find yourselves in the middle of a shocked group of people. A couple scream, several gasp, and the SHRU guards and the military attache immediately fall into a defensive stance in front of the general. Admist the throng of people, you cannot seem to easily pick out D. Mask.
That's him! that's the weirdo that hit me earlier!
Mr. Louvre has been unavoidably detained at the moment. However I can assure you that the revealing will take place just as planned. Perception DC 12 (everyone):
The Eye is safely in our vault protected by the best security that money can buy. 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: 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, .
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.
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? DM Only:
Madelyn and the Captain approach you. There you two are. Professor Nile, the most terrible thing has happened. Someone broke into the closed dinosaur exhibit, destroyed all of our skeletons using heavy munitions from an authentic WWII era tank, and on top of that assaulted me! She points to a nasty bump on her head. That kook they just dragged away had an accomplice, someone who kept muttering about "time" or something. He clocked me on the back of the head when Baker left to get help. Luckily, one of the security guards happened by and must have scared him off. Baker, this is Captain Abrams of the Special Hazard Response Unit. He wants to take your statement and he's going to need to see the devices you recovered from the criminal. To Abrams: This is Baker Scott, one of the IT techs from RoboCorp. He saw more of what happened than I did. He was checking our new display system for bugs when he happened on the culprit mid-crime. I assure you he had nothing to do-
Baker, you are still getting the +2 bonus from her being friendly. The cane looks like an ordinary, if creepy, cane. It seems oddly weighted but you cannot determine why. From the broken equipment you manage to retrieve [Tech Part]! DM Only:
She keeps one hand on your shirt as you try to pass by her. A thick bead of sweat runs down your spine as you are sure she's seen through your Deception. Yes I said the Shpinxonium. Address? it's the Sphinxonium! Why would I need an address? Hold on... Madelyn turns to you. I don't feel safe being left alone with that creep. Can you get one of the security guards to come over here? See if you can find a Mr. Nile. He should have been part of your tour group. He can help me investigate something that's nagging at me. She lets go and turns her attention back to the police dispatcher. No, I said attempted robbery. Nothing has been stolen. No I haven't had time to check everything. It just happened and there is a mess.
Wh-wha-? Madelyn sits up, her hair a disheveled mess. She tries to stand only to hit her head against the cramped roof of the tank. The pain seems to bring her surroundings into focus. I-I'm in...a tank?! She spots Timeline and the unconscious form of Dr. Oz. Who are you and why are we inside of a WWII M26 Pershing tank?! Tell me right now or...or... She grabs something out of her pocket. I'll mace you! Perception DC 7:
It's insect repellant not mace. K-kidnapping is a federal crime. They'll put you away for life.
The southern door opens and Madelyn enters. What in the blue heavens is going on in here! Emit, I thought you said you had those two rascals in che- She stops as she sees the chaos of this room. She sees Pope Benedict punching a raptor, Baker Scott KO-ing a T-Rex, and a WWII tank. Oh and several dinosaurs. DC 19 Ohhhh... The shock is too much and she swoons to the floor.
I've got to find Archy anyways. The Gala is in under an hour and we can't present the discovery unless he's there. I'm sure I can trust you three to keep an eye on things here? The museum will of course pay for any medical expenses due to any equipment malfunction. She gives Baker a meaningful glance. I'd like to know how a device with such a large safety margin burn 3 different people in the same day. With that she heads off in search for Archy.
As you are discussing the recent event, Madelyn walks around the corner. It's a good thing I caught you! I can't find Archibald anywhere! And what's this about two of your students getting burned?
At Emit's fortuitous find, Madelyn rushes over. That's strange. Who would take climbing gear out of the display case?I'm going to have to get someone to clean this off. Madelyn takes the cigarette covered gear bag back into the lobby.
Oh, that sounds nice. It wouldn't happen to have a cafe as well? You could buy me coffee. She smiles warmly at you. She is about to say something further when she sees something out of the corner of her eye. Oh, don't touch that dear...that's a real machete. I told the guards to lock the display cases... She takes the rusty blade from the inquisitive student before placing it back in it's case.
Professor or should I say Professors? Which exhibit shall we visit first? The Exploration Team exhibit, the Descent exhibit, or the Unknown Pharoah exhibit? Hopefully I'm not spoiling the surprise too much but the Descent uses a majority of the special FX budget. She smiles knowingly at Baker. The Exploration Team exhibit is a rundown of the team's compliment and the general background of the Great Pyramid. The Unknown Pharoah exhibit showcases the exploration team's findings.
Emit: You remember asking Cleo once about the Great Pyramid. She reminded you that they were over a thousand years old even when she was young. At your request, she had her scribes investigate but they only managed to find two pieces of information. First, the Great Pyramid, unlike the other pyramids, is referred to as a Divine Seal. Secondly, some of the historical records apparently contradict each other as they claim the Great Pyramid was already built...at the time they started building it! The only explanation was that the current Great Pyramid was built on top of the original...apparently as a seal of some sort.
Well, let me see... She flips through her schedule on her clipboard.
Looks like I've actually got some time before the Gala this afternoon. I would love to see the exhibits first-hand as well. Insight 15+:
She was hoping you'd ask her to join you, Emit. Perception 15+: You get a closer look at her clipboard. You see a To-Do list that is mostly complete. One item seems to have been recently added: Security Camera 23-C on the fritz. Have Tex take look after Gala?
Professor Fankenburg? Did you find...oh, Professor Nile, there you are! I heard about poor Robert. Such a terrible thing to slip on a puddle in the bathroom. I hope his concussion isn't severe. Madelyn steps closer to Baker. The holographic display seems to be doing well. She slips you a piece of paper. Baker:
It's Tex's phone number scribbled in authentic Texan scrawl
Baker: Good! I am so relieved to hear that. Here, I think I can get you signed up for one of our tours. She walks you to the lobby's front desk and searches for an empty spot on the tour sign-ups.
Ah, here we go. Looks like we can fit you in with Professor Fankenburg's group. His group is forming over there. She points towards a well-dressed man in a suit who seems to be busy pinning a small button to his lapel. It seems his entire group hasn't arrived quite yet. It should be one of the first groups through the new exhibit as well.
Baker: You run into Madelyn after you get back inside. Oh, sorry I didn't see you there. Did you get the device up and working again? It's almost time for the tours...
Joseph: Oh, you must be Professor Fankenburg! Oh, please come this way.[/b] She leads you into a side office. It is decorated spareingly with motivational posters and small knickknacks. An old mahogany desk features prominently in one corner.
I'm glad you could make it. She rummages through one of the desk's drawers and produces a pin. It features a picture of the Egyptian Sphinx with the words "Sphinxonium" written along the bottom. She hadns it to you. I'm afraid Archibald is a little busy atm. We've had some...setbacks with the display systems in back. Don't worry though, I'm sure the RoboCorp techs will have it back online in no time. She is quick to reassure you. How much do you know about the Great Pyramid? Or about the renewed expedition into it now that the Lights have passed?
Joseph: You arrive punctual as ever despite today's events.
There are already several dozen people inside the lobby, many of them high school or college students. A slim, bookish woman approaches you. Welcome to the Sphinxonium sir, would you care for a pamphlet? The tours will start precisely at 11:00. She hands you a pamphlet.
Baker: You're stunned silence is interrupted by the woman who just got burned.
Hi, my name is Madelyn Fourmer. I'm the director's assistant at the Sphinxonium. Isn't that supposed to be the Holo-Cubic-Whatsit? No, nevermind I don't have time to chat. Just please get it running in time for the tours. Archy is really uptight about all the delays. She stands up...and nearly topples over on you. Whoa! I guess I'm a bit more off balance then I thought. Maybe I'll just sit down on that bench over there. |
