So, that weird dude in the chuffin' purple Nanny Goat was a reporter? please Watford Gap me if I turn aahhht loike that!
"Did you meet him? How odd... he left here about an hour ago. He's not the worst of them though. His main problem is he has developed this real wierd phobia of dogs."
*Roger's voice booms out over the intercom...*
"MARY! Are you scaring my reporters again? Send them on in. Is that British guy with them? I'm going to send him with Eastman. They'll probably need a rental in Arizona. See to that. You know the deal."
"Most of the time its a pretty fun place to work. Except when the reporters stop by," says Mary crossly.
Then she looks like she immediatelly regrets her words because she adds, "But don't sweat it. I'm just a little upset. Marvin was in just before you and... well... You look like a nice bunch and all. But even the nicest end up going strange..." she leans forward and whispers, "you should really get a different beat before this job gets to you too."
"Was Marvin the guy in the purple overcoat, with the dog that we just saw leaving here?"
"Was Marvin the guy in the purple overcoat, with the dog that we just saw leaving here?"
"That's Marvin. But he doesn't have a dog. He's scared to death of the things. Little puppies cause him to start shaking."
After Mr. Rogers voice booms out on the intercom Avery looks slightly annoyed and mutters.
"That british bloke me foot, doesn't 'e kna that I 'ave a name! There is nah respect in the world anymore."
"Go on in guys, says Mary and then she adds, "and Mr. Ainsworth,... he tends to call me the girl with the hair when he talks to others about me so I wouldn't take it too personally."
Carlotta follows the two men and then turns to Avery again,and finally takes off her hat to ruffle a hand through her hair. "So what brings you to the US of A, why aren't you still in Britain?"
Well, ya clock. the racin' industry daan't loike their designs becomin' public knowledge, and leakin' as much info as I did basicly labeled me as a dangerous criminal. they 'old so much sway in the nation that they can do whatever they wanna.
All I kna is that wahn Day's Dawnin', I opened the Dorothy Lamour ter get the Day's Dawnin' Linen Draper and there were aw these men in black coats. they roughed me up a bit and told me it was in me Mae West intrest ter leef the uk.
All I know is that one morning, I opened the door to get the morning paper and there were all these men in black coats. They roughed me up a bit and told me it was in my best intrest to leave the UK.
Carlotta who has never been to the UK is greatly interested in what Avery has to say and listens intently when she isn't asking questions. "So what are the big differences you notice between here and there?"
Carlotta who has never been to the UK is greatly interested in what Avery has to say and listens intently when she isn't asking questions. "So what are the big differences you notice between here and there?"
As corlotta askes this question, Avery seems to get a little smug.
"The chuffin' biggest fin' I notice is that we brits daan't complain abaht 're government. I 'ave never 'eard such bellyachin' abaht the bloomin' government doin' this Pete Tong, doin' that Pete Tong." He smirks slightly "ya daan't 'ave any of that complainin' in britain."
Racing is a big sport here also. Is it possible that you might run into some of the people who sent the goons here?
For that matter, do you have any tips on upcoming races?
Carlotta looks vaguely insulted. "Hey, we have legit concerns about our government. Maybe people don't complain so much in Britain because your government is better?"
Here is what I cooked up for Rogers.
Atlanteans Attack America
Cape Truman, VA -Atlantis launched a deadly attack against an American commercial sea vessel yesterday, killing all aboard. A giant tentacled sea-monster crushed the Hydra Queen as she was docked in the port of this idyllic coastal town. The ship hulk of the ship was dragged under the water along with the bodies of the crew members. The sea-monster vanished beneath the waves and no sightings of it have been reported. Two officers of the Cape Truman police force are currently missing. Atlantis has not claimed responsibility for the attack.
Witnesses were too stunned to give coherent accounts of the attack but photographs by Sunlight Scoop reporters captured the attack as it occured. The monster's tentacles were large enough to grapple the Hydra Queen and tear it's hull to pieces. Eyes and mouths were visible on the appendages and were seen to devour the captain of the ship and several crew members. The technology required to bio-engineer such a specimen is far beyond anything publically acknowledged by any government or military.
According to public records the captain of the Hydra Queen, Elias Sluce, was a registered sex offender in the state of Massachusetts.
Yesterday's attack was the latest in a series of attacks against American soil this past weekend. Dozens were killed in the attacks, including the entire crews of another ship, the Bouncing Skipper. The only traces of the crew of the Bouncing Skipper crew that were found were pools of dried blood inside the ship. The Sunlight Scoop photographs of the ship's interior mark the places were the men of the ship met their deaths. The whereabouts and nature of the next attack are matters of speculation.
The two missing police officers were last seen defending civilians in a gunbattle with assailants wearing diving gear. Any information regarding the fates of these brave officers should be forwarded to the Cape Truman police department.
No statements have been made by the Coast Guard, Navy or the various intelligence agencies about the attack. The Atlantean government has issued no communications with the surface world. Their Cassus Belli and demands remain known only to those who breathe beneath the ocean.
The Sunlight Scoop's investigations revealed that Cape Truman has been the scene of bizarre practices for several years prior to the attack. The owner of the Bouncing Skipper, Walter Mathias, was a member of a pagan sect that conducted animal sacrifices on Cape Truman beaches. Mathias disappeared the day after the crew of his ship vanished. Interviews with town residents revealed that Mathias was in a state of panic on the day the deaths of his crew were discovered.
Interviews also uncovered evidence that Mathias trafficked in stolen goods and rare fish species. The Sunlight Scoop obtained photos of an antique golden sceptre that Mathias obtained for a friend who was murdered one day after Mathias disappered. The scepter was stolen from a Norweigan museum, according to local police. It was reportedly used in ancient marriage rites. A two-headed fish that Mathias gave as a gift was also photographed by this paper.
Samuel Grip was the receipient of Mathias' gifts. Grip was murdered, found dead in his bookstore by the staff of the Sunlight Scoop. He had provided extensive interviews to this reporter regarding Mathias. His killers perished aboard the Hydra Queen when it was attacked. It should be noted that the sex-oofender, Sluce, was in pursuit of the marriage-sceptre before his death at the tentacles of the monstous sea-beast.
The investigation into this act of war are ongoing on the part of United States defense and law enforcement agencies and by the Sunlight Scoop.
Carlotta looks vaguely insulted. "Hey, we have legit concerns about our government. Maybe people don't complain so much in Britain because your government is better?"
'eaven and 'ell, i'm sorry but we daan't 'ave a bleedin' cowboy runnin' our country! na do we?
Racing is a big sport here also. Is it possible that you might run into some of the people who sent the goons here?
For that matter, do you have any tips on upcoming races?
"I daan't actually consider your, 'a do ya say it, nascar racin' ter be real racin'. I mean our formula wahn fireman sam jars Scapa Fla faster then your fireman sam jars just in the chuffin' pit frog and toad. Gypsy Nell, our fireman sam jars average over 220 miles per 'our!"
"I daan't actually consider your, 'a do ya say is, nascar racin' ter be real racin'. I mean our formula wahn fireman sam jars Scapa Fla faster then your fireman sam jars just in the chuffin' pit frog and toad. Gypsy Nell, our fireman sam jars average over 220 miles per 'our!"
** spoiler omitted **
"Great, glad to hear it. Now, back to the point, will guys with guns be coming around looking for you?"
"Great, glad to hear it. Now, back to the point, will guys with guns be coming around looking for you?"
"I daan't actually consider your, 'a do ya say is, nascar racin' ter be real racin'. I mean our formula wahn fireman sam jars Scapa Fla faster then your fireman sam jars just in the chuffin' pit frog and toad. Gypsy Nell, our fireman sam jars average over 220 miles per 'our!"
** spoiler omitted **
I daan't kna, but that's why I carry this.
I daan't kna, but that's why I carry this.
"Ah, okay then. Are you any good with a camera?"
I daan't kna, but that's why I carry this.
"Ah, okay then. Are you any good with a camera?"
"I'm very Robin Hood wif a camera. I got a sugar and spice wahn aahhht in me Jam Jar."
'eaven and 'ell, i'm sorry but we daan't 'ave a bleedin' cowboy runnin' our country! na do we?
Carlotta smiles at that and says "Alright thats true although some people have likened him more to a monkey"
"I'm very Robin Hood wif a camera. I got a sugar and spice wahn aahhht in me Jam Jar."
Carlotta frowns in puzzlement, "What does sugar and spice in a jam jar have to do with cameras?"
*Rogers glares impatiently from his seat behind his desk at the trio as they enter his office talking*
"I don't have all day. Have any of you ever been to Arizona?"
*Kenny notices that Roger's has his article on the table and that there are red lines and jots all over it.*
Carlotta seats herself somewhere in the office preferably on the corner of a desk or table, she looks up at Rogers and smiles. "Nope never been in my life. Whats down there that needs news coverage?"
Nah I ain't, why do we 'ave ter Scapa Fla ter 'rizona?
"I have never been to Arizona but I look forward to anyplace that is far from the ocean."
Hugh motions pointedly at the seats in front of his desk. It is obvious he wants them to position themselves where he can see all three of them without looking all around the room.
"There have been a series of murders along a stretch of Arizona highway. Eight of them. Almost without exception the murderers have been caught. But there are troubling similarities between the crimes. They all involved cannibilism and six of the eight were committed by truckers. The fourth murder was a family of three murdered and partially eaten by a traveling salesman. The third murder remains unsolved. But here is the thing. Each murder, though similar in nature, was committed by different individuals."
Oh, that's 'orrible. 'oo would Scapa Fla as far as eatin' the Heap Of Coke, wouldn't just killin' them be in the buff?
Carlotta ignores the chairs in front of the desk instead preferring to sit on the very edge of his desk. At the description of the murders she twists her face in to a grimace. "Yeah yah know, Mr. Rogwers that brings me to something that I need to discuss with you." Carlotta pauses for a moment before rubbing her thumb and middle finger together. "Moolah, specifically the need for more of it if we are going to be chased in the rain by fishmen or possibly encountering psychotic cannibals. Hazard pay, you might call it."
She waits too see how he responds to this willing to push the issue somewhat even if he isn't immediately open to it.
"If you bring me some unusual pictures, I'll put a big fat bonus in your paycheck," says Hugh amiably.
"Those pictures of the two headed fish were good, sharp and in focus, but you didn't take those did you?"
"No, those pictures were taken by Katja. I just think that if we are chased by something that is menacing us, we should get a little bonus for risking our lives just to provide your paper with some content."
"No, those pictures were taken by Katja. I just think that if we are chased by something that is menacing us, we should get a little bonus for risking our lives just to provide your paper with some content."
"If you get a picture of it, you'll get a bonus. Otherwise, you're just a victim in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Now returning to the subject at hand, I'd like you to dig around and see what's causing these otherwise normal people to all go bonkers. The police are operating on the theory that its mostly copy-cat killings but I'm not buying it. The last guy was caught last week and the police had to use thirty bullets to put him down when he attacked them with an axe. He had two kids and had been married for twenty years with not even a speeding ticket on his record."
're ya sayin' that this could be sum sort of cultist activity?
"Truckers and traveling a traveling salesmen probably all stopped at the same place at some point. Not neccessarily at the same time but I bet they all spent time in some rest-stop, bar or hotel etc. It sounds like it could have been a psychotic reaction to some drug they used to stay awake etc..."
"Truckers and traveling a traveling salesmen probably all stopped at the same place at some point. Not neccessarily at the same time but I bet they all spent time in some rest-stop, bar or hotel etc. It sounds like it could have been a psychotic reaction to some drug they used to stay awake etc..."
'mm, could. I guess then we would 'ave ter find aahhht where aw these Persian Rugs 're comin' from.
"Truckers and traveling a traveling salesmen probably all stopped at the same place at some point. Not neccessarily at the same time but I bet they all spent time in some rest-stop, bar or hotel etc. It sounds like it could have been a psychotic reaction to some drug they used to stay awake etc..."'mm, could. I guess then we would 'ave ter find aahhht where aw these Persian Rugs 're comin' from.
"If you understand race-car engines you probably can chat up someone about truck motors, right? You could pretend to be interested in big rigs and see what else you could get out of someone. I would think guys who work on trucks also know the habits of the drivers."
Mother's pearly gate idea, that is the bloody Mae West approach if I may Coffee & cocoa.
"The stretch of highway over which the murders have occurred is roughly a hundred and twenty miles. If you would rather investigate the murderers themselves first, I can give you a list of their names and where they lived but I suspect that you are right and that the answer will be found somewhere on that highway."
"The stretch of highway over which the murders have occurred is roughly a hundred and twenty miles. If you would rather investigate the murderers themselves first, I can give you a list of their names and where they lived but I suspect that you are right and that the answer will be found somewhere on that highway."
"A list of the victims would be a great help."
Carlotta looks slightly resentful of Rogers decision but lets it pass.
"Yeah a list of murderers and victims. Also if some of them are trckers then the company they work for might be able to tell us where they've been and where they were going."
"Oh and who was murdered by all the truckers?"
"Mary can give you the newspaper clippings on your way out. The question, I guess is whether you want to begin with the background of the people involved or the background of the area involved. If you want to head right out to Arizona, we can arrange for a rental car for you out there. Otherwise, cabs are probably in order. Either way, Carlotta can fly you out west."
"Mary can give you the newspaper clippings on your way out. The question, I guess is whether you want to begin with the background of the people involved or the background of the area involved. If you want to head right out to Arizona, we can arrange for a rental car for you out there. Otherwise, cabs are probably in order. Either way, Carlotta can fly you out west."
"The area would be the better place to start. The backgrounds of the parties involved will not change so we should be able to delve into them afterwards."
Could I brin' me Jack Jones Jam Jar? i'm rather attached ter it and daan't 'ave anywhere I can Noah's Ark it.
*Hugh looks quizzically at Avery.*
"You can drive out there if you want, but I'm not sure you're appreciating the distance involved. On the other hand, if you all want to drive out to Arizona together, it'll save on plane fuel. Still, your car can always be left at the airfield if you want."
Carlotta once again looks slightly insulted although that soon turns to a mischevious grin. "Why, you afraid of a little plane ride?"
She turns back to Rogers. "Personally I would rather fly but if British Boy over there is too scared I suppose we can drive."
"Airports safe parking lots, especially the small airports that we use. You might want to disable the car by taking some small engine part with you when we go."
"Do we know about any other unusual events in the area? Many times these things turn out to be related."
"What do you think of my story on Cape Truman?"