"Okay". *snaps cell shut and stands up from table. Walks over to the nearest waitress* " Whearabouts would I find a hotel? A dillapadated one."
"Hi, Carlotta. We are at the [can't remember name of]hotel. Look for a building that should have been condemned years ago."
The waitress smacks her gum thoughtfully for a moment before replying, "The cheapest place in town has to be the Renard, near to the ocean. It's about two blocks from the commercial docks. You can't miss it, looks like a real dump though I've never been inside.
By happy coincidence this is exactly the right place and soon Carlotta is being introduced to Ace reporters Harvey and Kenny.
Date 5.20.07
Time 10:00 AM
Place The beaches of Cape Truman, Virginia
Katja
Katja arrives at the beach plenty early but it soon becomes clear that Samuel Grip is a no show. She worries that she might have the wrong beach but investigation proves that he is nowhere along any place resembling a beach in Cape Truman
>grumbling to herself<
"Damn! Stood up by a demonic high priest uber-geek with a two-headed fish. And who said there weren't any pitfalls on the Road to Recovery?"
After waiting 40 minutes for Grip the No-Show, Katja hops on her scooter and putt-putts over to Grip's bookstore.
Katja arrives at Grip's store about 11.
In the meantime, Harvey, Kenny and Carlota have spent an unsuccessful hour or so trying to find Walter Matthais's old Nieghborhood. Eventually they discover that the house Walter grew up in has since been demolished to make way for a Wal-Mart sopping plaza.
This brings them, as per Kenny's stated plans for the day, to the bookstore at about the same time that Katja rides up on her scooter.
There are no lights on inside the store but the door, when Katja tries the handle, is unlocked and swings easily open. The scene on the other side looks more chaotic than it did before and some of the shelves have been knocked over and there are books everywhere on the floor.
Spot check in the bookstore (1d20+9=19)
Katja sees the new girl, and likes her at once.
Sotto voce to Carlotta as they're looking through the wreck of Grip's store: "Hey hottie, when did you join the party train? I'm Katja."
Spot check16.
Let me help.
Your police-woman contact gives you a call. She is able to tell you that the police are now classifying the investigation as a homocide investigation. The Captain is not a suspect, he is believed to be a victim. Investigations suggest several of the crew, including the Captain, journeyed into town after docking but witnesses saw all of them, even the Captain, returning to the ship before nightfall. It was initially assumed that the bodies were thrown overboard, but the divers found nothing. One diver was taken to the hospital after passing out below the water, but he is in stable condition at the moment.
Carlotta turns to Katja and sticks out her hand, flicking her duct tape purse over her shoulder as she does so. "Carlotta. I just flew in a couple of hours ago." She turns and looks into the shop.
"So what are we doing here?"
Carlotta turns to Katja and sticks out her hand, flicking her duct tape purse over her shoulder as she does so. "Carlotta. I just flew in a couple of hours ago." She turns and looks into the shop.
"So what are we doing here?"
"That purse is raaad. As for what we're doing here- dude, you wouldn't even BELIEVE. The roll-call so far: demonic cults, magically disappearing crewmen, and two-headed salmon. Basically, if you see anything that looks like it might link with any of the aforementioned, que bueno. Welcome to the Sunlight Scoop. Keep your eyes peeled for all things freakshow. "
The four enter into the bookstore and as their eyes are drawn to the chaos around them, scattered books are everywhere, they can't help but notice the two feet sticking out from behind the counter, pointed towards the ceiling.
Katja
The four enter into the bookstore and as their eyes are drawn to the chaos around them, scattered books are everywhere, they can't help but notice the two feet sticking out from behind the counter, pointed towards the ceiling.
"If you guys give me a few minutes I promise to come up with a really witty remark about this. In the meantime I guess we should take pictures and look around for a bit before calling the cops."
"Let's check around the outside of the building too, in case the homicidal interior decorator left foot-prints or such."
Carlotta looks around the shop, then runs a hand through her short grass-green hair. "I see what you mean by freakshow." She takes a few cautious step towards the feet, saying as she does so "Any of you know anything about first aid in case he isn't dead?"
"Hsst! Guys!" Katja hisses. "Look sharp!" She jerks her head in the direction of the two men on the street.
Damn why don't I have a tazer? she thinks yet again. In the meantime, she laces her hand on the handle of her Bowie knife...
As Katja says, there are two burly looking men approaching the store. The street outside is otherwise deserted. They are dressed in heavy, buttoned trenchcoats and they are wearing wide brimmed hats and scarves. Their hands are stuffed into the pockets of their coats.
For Kenny
The inside of the small shop, a thin brick building wedged between two other buildings, is a bit of a mess.
You can't get to the back of the building without going all the way around the block. The gap between the buildings is not big enough to squeeze through, practically nonexistant for any creature bigger than a mouse. The front of the store is concrete and not overly suitable for the leaving of footprints.
As Katja says, there are two burly looking men approaching the store. The street outside is otherwise deserted. They are dressed in heavy, buttoned trenchcoats and they are wearing wide brimmed hats and scarves. Their hands are stuffed into the pockets of their coats.
I get my camera out and suggest to Carlotta to do the same if she has one. Also, turn on the dictaphone/recorder and leave it in my pocket to pick up any conversation with the two nice men.
I get my cell out and pretend that I just got cut off with the police dipatcher when the two guys get within earshot.
bluff check: 10+6=16.
Site ate my last post
I pull out my camera and cellphone. I pull up the number for my own land line in so that I can record anything said on my answering machine.
"I think we should call the cops right now. They could prevent any dust-ups between you ladies and the large fellows heading this way. It might also put us in better standing with them for reporting this to them."
I pull out my camera and cellphone. I pull up the number for my own land line in so that I can record anything said on my answering machine.
"I think we should call the cops right now. They could prevent any dust-ups between you ladies and the large fellows heading this way. It might also put us in better standing with them for reporting this to them."
"Well, that's *one* approach," Katja concedes, "but I prefer my method."
She turns to look directly at the two men (stepping out into the doorway if need be for them to hear/see her) and bellows "Who are you two and what are you doing here?"
Katja puts quite a lot of belligerence into her tone.
The men stop just outside the shop. They seem unimpressed by katja's belligerence though their eyes take in the fact that there are four people inside the shop.
"Are you Kenny Eastman," the man asks Katja, his voice sounding strange through the thick fabric of his muffler.
The men stop just outside the shop. They seem unimpressed by katja's belligerence though their eyes take in the fact that there are four people inside the shop.
"Are you Kenny Eastman," the man asks Katja, his voice sounding strange through the thick fabric of his muffler.
"I'm Kenny Eastman, of the Sunlight Scoop. What can I do for you?"
They take a moment to size up Kenny and there seems to be something strange about their menacing glare (other than the fact that the only part of their face showing is their eyes.)
"We know you have the sceptre. Give it back now and you won't be hurt."
They take a moment to size up Kenny and there seems to be something strange about their menacing glare (other than the fact that the only part of their face showing is their eyes.)
"We know you have the sceptre. Give it back now and you won't be hurt."
"No, I gave the scepte back to Grip. I was talked out of taking responsibility for something valuable so I gave it back before we left."
As Kenny attempts to press the right buttons on the phone in his pocket, the man grunts, "Nice try pal, we saw the receipt and Grip made it very clear you had it. If you were smart you would toss it into the sea and be done with it."
Withut a further word, the two men turn and head, on foot, towards the docks.
"Okay, fellow Scoopers, I am going to call the cops. How long do you want to poke around here before I do?"
"Also, I guess we should try to tail the goons. We would have to split up because the cops will be unhappy if we just call them to a murder scene and then leave. Of course we have to get some pictures of Grip in his impromptu morgue to keep Mr. Rogers happy."
Carlotta raises one of her eyebrows. "Wow, men in trenchcoats. That's kinda weird. What sceptre were you guys talking about? Did you really give it back or do you have it?" She ruffles her green hair again, "So if you think Mr. Rogers needs pictures... Which one of you is the photographer? I can take pictures but technically I was hired to just fly you from here th there."
"I'm the photographer. But come join me! We can take double the pictures. Kenny, what if Carlotta rides on the back of my scooter,a nd we tail the goons?"
Katja thinks for a second, trying to remember all that's just been said.
To Carlotta: "Oh the sceptre? Some cult object the bookstore owner tried to foist off on us. I'm guessing those are HIS legs over there. -Look I'm all for tailing the goons now, with Carlotta too, if she wants, unless y'all think we shouldn't. Kenny, you can stay here and look after the DOA."
Katj thinks for another moment. "Weird how they asked me if *I* was Kenny. I mean, I'm not THAT butch..."
"I'm the photographer. But come join me! We can take double the pictures. Kenny, what if Carlotta rides on the back of my scooter,a nd we tail the goons?"
Katja thinks for a second, trying to remember all that's just been said.
To Carlotta: "Oh the sceptre? Some cult object the bookstore owner tried to foist off on us. I'm guessing those are HIS legs over there. -Look I'm all for tailing the goons now, with Carlotta too, if she wants, unless y'all think we shouldn't. Kenny, you can stay here and look after the DOA."Katj thinks for another moment. "Weird how they asked me if *I* was Kenny. I mean, I'm not THAT butch..."
"Tail away, just keep a safe distance. If anything happens to you I have no bodyguard. I will call the cops and take pictures until they arrive."
So Kenny and Harvey are staying at the bookstore and the two girls are off tailing the goons.
KennyWhat are your specific plans both before and after calling 911? There will be a bout 5 minutes between the call and a response? What exactly are you planning on saying to them over the phone? If you plan on searching the store, you can make a search check.
Katja Hide check and Spot check please. And go ahead and let me know how exactly you plan on tailing them without being noticed.
Carlotta Spot check please.
So Kenny and Harvey are staying at the bookstore and the two girls are off tailing the goons.
KennyWhat are your specific plans both before and after calling 911? There will be a bout 5 minutes between the call and a response? What exactly are you planning on saying to them over the phone? If you plan on searching the store, you can make a search check.
[/ooc]
"I want to report a possible murder at Grip's Bookstore. I can see Grip lying on the floor, unmoving, the place looks ransacked."
"Two men approached and asked for me by name and intimated threats. They just walked off and are being followed by two of my coworkers riding a motorscooter." (give direction of travel and description of Katja and Carlotta. [/ooc]
"I'm the photographer. But come join me! We can take double the pictures. Kenny, what if Carlotta rides on the back of my scooter,a nd we tail the goons?"
Katja thinks for a second, trying to remember all that's just been said.
To Carlotta: "Oh the sceptre? Some cult object the bookstore owner tried to foist off on us. I'm guessing those are HIS legs over there. -Look I'm all for tailing the goons now, with Carlotta too, if she wants, unless y'all think we shouldn't. Kenny, you can stay here and look after the DOA."Katj thinks for another moment. "Weird how they asked me if *I* was Kenny. I mean, I'm not THAT butch..."
Carlotta nods "I'd be all for tailing the goons." She hops on the back of the scooter. "Possibly we could actually get ahead of them and then watch where they go in a mirror. I dunno, I haven't had to tail anyone before." She glances around.
Katj thinks for another moment. "Weird how they asked me if *I* was Kenny. I mean, I'm not THAT butch..."
To Carlotta: "Hop aboard, chickadee! I've never tailed anyone by scooter- any ideas?"
Katja and Carlotta
Katja tries to be all sneaky and such as she tails the two men. She gets a real inkling however that they know she is there. For one thing, they keep turning and looking at her. But they seem to have decided not to confront at this time and they hustle, heads down, towards the docks.
Perhaps it was the putter of her engine that gave her away, she realizes, for hers is the only vehicle on the road at the moment.
After about ten minutes of this following the two men stop and put their heads together for a moment and then make a right turn. Katja continues to follow them as they turn left again and then they are at the beach.
With a curious shuffling gait, they head over the sand northward, back towards the docks. Katja can’t legally follow them over the sand on her scooter but the beach is deserted at the moment. Roadwise, going to the dock will involve heading west, out of the parking lot and then northward towards the dock area. But there are buildings between the road and the beach and the two men will be out of sight.
"I want to report a possible murder at Grip's Bookstore. I can see Grip lying on the floor, unmoving, the place looks ransacked."
"Two men approached and asked for me by name and intimated threats. They just walked off and are being followed by two of my coworkers riding a motorscooter." (give direction of travel and description of Katja and Carlotta. [/ooc]
Do you just want to photograph the front room or are you planning on examining all the rooms in the store before calling. You can take 20 on the photos.
Do you just want to photograph the front room or are you planning on examining all the rooms in the store before calling. You can take 20 on the photos.
"I want to report a possible murder at Grip's Bookstore. I can see Grip lying on the floor, unmoving, the place looks ransacked."
"Two men approached and asked for me by name and intimated threats. They just walked off and are being followed by two of my coworkers riding a motorscooter." (give direction of travel and description of Katja and Carlotta. [/ooc]
Take 'em all! Hugh Rogers would probably leave me in worse shape than Grip over there if I did less.
Kenny
Samuel Grip is indeed quite dead and Kenny gets several shots of him and the front of the book store.
In the back, the two headed fish is gone, but strangely enough, in another back room, an office by the looks of it, there is an open safe and within the safe is the golden sceptre that Grip showed the trio the day before.
rolled a 12+3=15 on hide check if there is anywhere to stuff the film. Otherwise I put it in my sock.
The police are on the way the 911 operator assures Kenny.
The police are on the way the 911 operator assures Kenny.
"I vote we go back around on the scooter and see what we can find there. I would rather not be left without a mode of transportation, especially since they might now we are here and maybe waiting to ambush us."
"I vote we go back around on the scooter and see what we can find there. I would rather not be left without a mode of transportation, especially since they might now we are here and maybe waiting to ambush us."
"Sounds like a plan, Stan."
Kenny
Several hours later Kenny and Harvey are done being questioned by the police. They are quite interested in hearing what the men have to say about the Captain of the Bouncing Skipper having visited Grip the day before.
"That fits what we've been told," Kenny overhears one of the cops say, "He went to the bar, came here and then back to the ship."
"Think there's a connection?" another one asks, but Kenny can't hear the reply.
The police, after taking the men's names and numbers and calling the Sunlight Scoop to confirm employment, allow Harvey and Kenny to go. On a positive note, the cops were polite enough to provide food for their witnesses.
Katja and Carlotta
The two scoot back around the side of the buildings, but when the shore comes back into sight, there is no evidence of either of the men. It is as if they have vanished into the ocean.
Kenny
Several hours later Kenny and Harvey are done being questioned by the police. They are quite interested in hearing what the men have to say about the Captain of the Bouncing Skipper having visited Grip the day before."That fits what we've been told," Kenny overhears one of the cops say, "He went to the bar, came here and then back to the ship."
"Think there's a connection?" another one asks, but Kenny can't hear the reply.
The police, after taking the men's names and numbers and calling the Sunlight Scoop to confirm employment, allow Harvey and Kenny to go. On a positive note, the cops were polite enough to provide food for their witnesses.
Katja waves at the deserted beach, "See, Carlotta? This is just a TASTE of the weirdness to come. Last night, Kenny and I were actually on the ghost boat itself - The Bouncing Skipper - and SOMEONE - we didn't see who - leapt from their hiding place and dove into the ocean! And never came back up, as far as we could tell!"
Katja spends the next ten minutes telling Carlotta everything she knows about the case thus far- drunken, sea-chantey-singing hotel guest and all.
When the summary is done, Katja concludes: "I'm not sure what I think. I used to think it was Grip, but now he's dead - or else severely resting - so he's kinda outta the picture. Now I think that maybe there are some nasty mutated sea monsters in the water here. Probably due to illegal dumping, industrial pollution, maybe something even involving the government. The regular sailors found out, and now they're getting offed - by the Feds, or the Mafia, or Enron, or whoever. That, plus all the mutant Free Willys eat anyone dumb enough to go swimming around here."
Sees the [presumably] non-plussed look on Carlotta's face. "All right, as a theory I know it could still use a little work...
"Let's call the boys and see what shenanigans they've gotten up to... Ooh, no, wait! Before we do that- let's take some pictures of ourselves looking like mauled beach-goers. We can sell the pics to our own paper! You don't have any fake blood on you do you? We're gonna have to start carrying some."
For some reason most of the police seem less than thrilled to be talking to a reporter from a paper like the Sunless Scoop (A Diplomacy check is needed to overcome the unfriendly attitude).