Prologue ---------- William: Pretty much what I intended (the prologue, that is...) I wanted everyone to describe their characters, then RP for a while over dinner, to get some of the flavor of a pre-established group. Johnny_Fear No, I remember it being over both of us going to say something at the same time. William: I might as well work out your relationship to the NPCs while we're here. Becky notes that she just stopped you from making one of thos jokes not two minutes ago BA: <--- 35 year old with college degrees in various engineering fields who runs a small computer repair/upgrade shack out of his garage, and runs an off-road RC car track on the weekends out of his backyard Johnny_Fear <-- 30 year old newspaper reporter, reasonably successful, no sense of taste or smell, though. BA: Very popular with the local kids, on good terms with most of the parents in his neighborhood, but may have a few municiple people on his case for various 'tinkering projects' he has going *** katster (katster@stk-pw-6-0-31.internetuser.net) has joined channel #gurps Johnny_Fear <-- always wears a trenchcoat and hat. Johnny_Fear 'lo kats BA: Hey kats William: Moo here kats. We're having everyone describe their characters, then we'll settle in for a bit of IC "get to know you" RP'ing over dinner to start off. Becky: <--- 20 year old Paleo nut, Temple student katster: moofle, moofle. Becky: <--- Good background in several sciences, including biology, geology, and astronomy BA: <--- Could likely have gotten a much better paying job at the Lymeric or TMI nuke plants, but decided to go into business for himself katster *snrks*. Found a way to be a Californian despite the game setting. %) BA: kats: Heh :) Becky: kats: you realize U of PA and Temple students are strong rivals? ;) katster: Then it's gonna be interesting, no? Becky: <--- also has a broad range of outdoorsy skills Becky: yeah ;) Johnny_Fear kats: still going with the paraplegic? katster nods. Johnny_Fear <-- btw, almost never without a lit cigarette in his mouth Becky is occly suddenly glad she didn't give this char her asthma... Becky: my SI char is healthier than I am! :P katster: Will: who else got sheets in? Johnny_Fear Well, that's one health nut on my case... what of the other three? :) William: you, Cyg, Ars, UL. DS and KJ have yet to turn in sheets, but KJ won't be here tonight. Becky: I said she *doesn't* have my asthma katster: didn't Aris get a sheet at you? William: And Aris, yeah. William: Also not here at. William: +m Becky saw Aris's sheet on LJ... katster: Not that character, she made another one. Just like I did. Becky: ah Johnny_Fearless hates this... was gonna say something, but can't remember what it was. :P Becky: uh... i went afk for a sec Johnny_Fear and *that* is when I forgot what I was gonna say. :P William: Well, it's 10, and 3/7 of the group is here, so let's get into setting. BA: Will: I thought you had my sheet William: UL: Yes, I do. katster goes back to attempting to pull the cellophane off a book. Becky: a game that's actually starting on time? Becky wonders if this is some kinda miracle :P Becky: *duck* ;) *** BA has left channel katster: ack, where the fsck is my dice bag? Becky: anyway... we're ready Setting -------- William: It's Friday at 7pm. You're all at a local restaurant/music club, called the One-Hit Wonder. Its an interesting setup: the owner (whom you all know personally, a smooth guy by the name of Xavier) brings in bands or singers to play different genres of music on a regular basis. He attracts a remarkably diverse crowd with the selection of styles... (more) William: ...and with his presentation of both a prix fixe (anywhere from $50 to $300) and a regular menu with meals ranging from $5 to $30. The place is generally lively, but he maintains order easily. BA: The One Hit Wonder?! WOOHOO!!! Research is a good thing :) katster: will, I'm gonna be afk for a short bit, getting my dinner and tracking down my dice bag. William: The Friday dinner is a regular event for you all, to which Xavier has one by one invited each of you. So far, each of you have made it to this week's. Johnny_Fearless orders something that looks good, doesn't really care what it tastes like. William: Relax, converse for a bit, order any time you're ready -- the maitre'd will have a waiter standing by, since you are after all friends of the owner. Xavier himself is out overseeing the business at the moment, but usually joins you all later. --------------------Game Start---------------- BA: "So, Xavier. Who's on stage tonight? Hall and Otis? Jay Street Pops? Sickle Cell Animea?" Becky decides to spluge this week, gets a REAL Philly Chhesteak, complete with grease dripping from both the bread and the plate :9 Becky: Cheesesteak, even ;) BA orders a pasta plate with chicken parm BA: And extra garlic bread Johnny_Fear "Didn't you read the sign, BA?" William: BA: Xavier's out overseeing the business at the moment, but the card outside says group is the Blue Period, a blues/R&B local group. BA waves away some second hand smoke. "Actually, no. I seem to have a habit of missing those things." William: They do have an electrical setup, which bodes well... on some nights, Xavier takes a hand and plays a nifty electric guitar himself. BA scribbles a note to himself in a notepad to pay more attention to signs katster: Alright. D6s, dinner...one hell of a happy katster. Let's play. Johnny_Fear kats: happy over what? Becky is wearing her Temple t-shirt proudly, btw ;) Becky: Go Owls *** katster is now known as Nicole BA: ?me looks over Nicole's wheelchair, ponders to himself about how every company out there must make those things dead ugly on purpose. BA: -? +/ Johnny_Fearless has his hat hanging nearby, but is still wearing his trench Johnny_Fear "So, BA, how's the junking biz?" William: Blue Period takes the stage and starts tuning up; customers drift in and out. Nicole is wearing absolutely nothing to identify her school, and picks at the pasta she ordered. BA: "Not so bad, " he says, listening to the music. "Found this great carburator from an old 1967 Malibu that someone just scrapped! You'd think people were braindead or something! You can use those things for all kinds of stuff!" Becky keeps an ear tuned towards the stage, winces as one of the musicians strikes a bad note while tuning BA: "And before you ask, no I haven't gotten that permit from the Fed to construct a micro-nuke plant in the garage." Johnny_Fearless doesn't mind the bad note, and nods in BA's direction. "Well, not everyone can build something from spare parts." Johnny_Fear "I was wondering about that." BA: "Darn DOE seems adamant about keeping the little guy from getting too independant of them." Becky looks over at the "old men." "I can imagine why. Are you nuts?" :P Johnny_Fearless smiles at the youngster, and sits back to let BA rant. BA: *to Becky* "Of course not! All I have to do is... *rantbabbleyaddatechnobabblerantgibberish* BA: " Johnny_Fear "Best not to get him started. But, since you apparently have...." Becky: "I have an idea of what is required. The question still stands." William: Blue Period stats up their set... William: !roll 3d6 William: +r BA: "Then you don't really understand the dynamics and safety systems required for *morerantingtechobabblegibberishstuff*" William: Hmm, Daisuke out for rolling? Nicole just listens to everybody else babble. Johnny_Fearless looks innocent. "You brought on the rant yourself." Nicole: Will: Daisuke isn't in here. Nicole: :) Becky: Daisuke's not here Becky: roll in #rift71 BA grabs D6s William: Ah. Becky: Rolls for 3 dice at 6 sides per die: 1 6 2 William: Danke. Their sound is pretty good, then. William hauls out his own physical d6s. Johnny_Fear there's still erraticjuju and that one you cooked up Becky: np Becky listens to the music, shrugs .oO(Not expecially fond of blues, but I'll live.) "I still sya he's nuts." *** William is now known as Will_GM Becky: s/sya/say Nicole half listens to the band, half listens to the convo. BA continues to lecture Becky about the safety and practicality of nuclear power and the more than possible applications and advantages for each home or neighborhood to have one Johnny_Fear "I've known that for... how long have we known each other, BA? Three, five years?" Becky tunes BA out Becky: + while seeming to be interested BA: "Six, I think. Ever since I nearly shot you for breaking and entering." Becky: Will: do I need to roll against acting? Becky: ;) Will_GM: Sure. Becky: 9... BA: "Did you know they still haven't ruled on whether or not my custom job on that gun is legal or not?" Becky: pass or fail? Will_GM: BA: Err. Will_GM: Becky: pass. Becky: 'k Will_GM: BA: Oh, you're not talkingabout THAT gun... Nicole: Gurps is high numbers fail. BA: Will: Nope :) Becky: ah Will_GM: Ties win for the skill-user, or if in combat the defender. Will_GM: Lower is better, 3 or 4 (or 10 less than skill) up to 6. Will_GM: -()+,, Johnny_Fear "I'm not surprised. If I ever did an expose` on you, you'd prolly end up being thrown in federal prison for life." Will_GM: -up to 6 + critical success. 17 or 18, or 10 above skill, critical fail. Johnny_Fear "As it is," *takes another bite of something* "its a wonder you're not there now. Or in the nuthouse." BA: "They'd have to catch me firs... Hey! Is that a real Transformer?!" Becky eyes the weirdo, finishes her meal, and pulls out a dog eared copy of Hunting Dinosaurs Will_GM: Sure enough, after a couple of songs Xavier arrives on stage to introduce the band. He waves to you all, works the audience a bit and pretends to get persuaded to play a couple of riffs with the guys. Nicole pushes her plate out of the way. Becky: book of Paleophotojournalism stuffles, before you ask BA leans back, enjoying his meal, and listens as Xavier plays a few Johnny_Fearless does so as well. Will_GM: As usual, he's superb... in fact, perhaps somewhat better than Blue Period. The audience reacts well, most of them. BA gives Xavier his typically well deserved standing O Becky perks up, listens closely while keeping one eye on her book Johnny_Fearless smiles, and nods approvingly. Nicole watches Xavier's finger movements. "That's impressive." BA: *snrk* In alphabetical order, no less :) Becky: "Yeah. Wonder if he's ever thought about playing in a real band?" Nicole: "Enh, when you're good, playing with a band isn't always the best way to go." BA: *to Becky* "Being the owner of this place, all the bands he has here ARE real bands." :) Johnny_Fear "He has. I think he prefers playing locally to being a music pro." BA sits back down and finishes his dinner Becky: "I can understand that. One of my friends has the same perference. Still, he's damn good." Will_GM: "Thank you." He's come over to take a break with you... tea only, since he has to run his business, but he always takes a few minutes each week. Nicole nods, and idly drums her fingers on the table. Johnny_Fear "Ever find a band that's signed a record deal?" Will_GM: Xavier sits down and flashes a smile at you all. "And how has the last week treated you all?" BA pulls out his notepad again, starts sketching designs for better-looking wheelchairs, scribbles note on design improvements for the electric motor ones. "... increase speed by 5%... upward mobility for better reach... rising axel and suspension..." Becky glances over at the notebook. "May I?" BA: *to Xavier* "Been OK. Found some parts I can use to get your car running a lot better. Just say the word, and I can start work in a day or two." BA hands Becky the notepad Becky adds a few things that would make BA's design less... risky. Will_GM: BA, Becky: Both of you roll vs. Engineering. BA looks at Becky's 'modifications'10 BA: "Bah. Safety nazi." Nicole shrugs. "The usual. Y'know how it works." Becky: 12 Will_GM: BA: roll again? BA: 7 Will_GM: You notice that Becky's design, albeit sketchy, would not make it all that much safer -- one thing canceling another. BA points out the design flaws. "See, you have this part in the way of... and this here... and what the heck is that for?" Will_GM: *to Johnny* "I saw your byline this week. I can't imagine you spent much time in the city jail yourself for it... how ever did you find the sources? I'm not asking identities, of course... I'm curious as to how you find them, though." Becky: "You forgot to add brakes." BA: *to Becky* "I didn't forget brakes. That what these are here." *points them out* Will_GM: Okay, getting overly detailed on a dinner table sketch... ;^) Johnny_Fearless lights up a new cigarette, and leans back. "I have my contacts. But, the Chief's breathing down my neck because he's expecting another one fr next Sunday's paper." Johnny_Fear +o Nicole listens to the conversation, raises an eyebrow. "I am NOT being the crash dummy this time." Will_GM: *Hee* Becky grumbles, erases her modifications, and hmms. "Then what about... this?" Becky: Will: roll again? Becky: 7 Will_GM: Becky: that would indicate significant concentration on the matter... you really interested in it that much? BA: *to Nicole* "Er... ah... yeah. Sorry about that little incident with the suspension coil and the swimming pool. Heh... uh... *to Xavier* So! How was YOUR day?" Becky: Will: once my mind's started on a problem... Becky: *shrug* Will_GM: ...or, with a 7, you manage a new possibility. Naturally, it'll take work to develop into anything real. Johnny_Fear (she does that IRL, btw) Will_GM: BA: Xavier blinks at you. "Mine? Oh... fine. Quite the usual." Johnny_Fearless looks at BA and Nicole. "That, I need to hear about." Becky: "Ow..." Nicole: "It wouldn't have been so bad except that I can't swim all that well." Nicole: "You don't wanna know. It taught me never to volunteer for him though." Becky looks over at Nicole. "I do hope you tried to hurt him for that one." Will_GM: Xavier chuckles at Becky's last statement. BA looks rather sheepish is getting a bit red in the face Nicole shrugs. "Why? He did immediately fish me out afterwards, so he's not completely horrible." Johnny_Fear "Oh, she did. Ran him ragged on his own RC car track." BA: *sweatdrop* Will_GM: Xavier seems to be rather enjoying BA's discomfiture. Becky looks at BA. I'll help you design em, but I only test things I create." Becky: +" Becky: "I prefer to keep my bones intact." BA: *to Becky* "Ill need a resume and three referrences. Barney and Friends doesn't count." BA: +' Becky swats BA. Hard. BA ows :) Becky: That didn't even come close to funny. Becky: +" " Will_GM: "Do you know where the rest of the gang is this week? Dr. Ellis, or our friendly neighborhood meat cleaver?" Will_GM: + Becky shrugs. "BA, I'll hand you the resume next week." BA: "Haven't a clue. I thought they were getting a ride with someone." Becky: "Not sure, Xav." Nicole pulls out a notebook from the pouch. "Got busy, maybe? It happens." Johnny_Fear "They didn't call me. They have my number." Becky digs into her pack, pulls out a rather battered cellphone, looks embarrased, and quickly shoved it back in. "I... hope they didn't call me." Becky: -d +s Nicole flicks through the pages, to one with musical notation wrote in it. "If they called me, it's fifty/fifty as to whether my roommate took a message." Johnny_Fear "Once again, the killer backpack turns off the cellphone?" Will_GM: Blue Period moves into some slower, smoother tunes. Audience changes a bit. Xavier looks up at a decently-sized group that walks in, gives a little start, and gets back up. "Well, business calls. ''Till later, all." BA: "Sooner or later, I'm gonna have to get one of those." *points at your cellphone* Becky: "And the calculator, and the camera, and Spellchecker, and the Bookman..." Becky: +the BA: "Talk to you later, Xav!" Nicole watches Xavier leave. "Wonder who's got him moving so fast." Johnny_Fearless studies the group that just walked in. My Intuition going off? Will_GM: Johnny: ask me a multiple-choice question. ;^) Becky: "Good thing I stopped carrying those around a while back." Johnny_Fear how about a yes-no one? Do I recognize anyone in the group? BA checks his watch. "Hoo. Getting late. I think I'm going to head back to the pad and getting some sleep. Gotta put a new motor on Grim-Bill, and tune Hammer Time for this weekend's races." Will_GM: Johnny: no. Will_GM: However, one of them is checking out either Blue Period, or the table you all are at -- can't quite tell the angle from here. Becky glances at BA. "Bah. Stay up, and live a little. You promised last week that you'd hang out late with us, just this once." BA forgets his notepad on the table as he winds his way through the crowd of customers to the door BA: "Sorry, kid. This old fart needs sleep." Becky slips in front of BA, and gives him a Look. Nicole sketches a few notes in her notepad, hums them, frowns. Johnny_Fearless stands up, puts on his hat, and wanders around the place, discretely keeping an eye on their table. Johnny_Fearless rolls against lip reading. BA: *looks at Becky's Look* "I had a terrier who used to be able to make that face. Oh, alright. I'll stay for another hour." *sits back down. Will_GM: Johnny: The newcomers haven't sat down yet... in fact, most of them are leaving. Johnny_Fear 13... skill is 17. pass? Will_GM: Johnny: lip reading who? The newcomer group? Johnny_Fear Will: *nod* Becky: "Next week, I won't make you stay. Besides, I have the feeling tonight's gonna be interesting." Nicole erases what she just wrote. "Gah. I should learn not to do this in noisy places." Becky watches the newcomers. "So, we gonna stay here all night, or find some real fun?" Will_GM: They're not a group of many words, and lip-reading is mostly of use when facing the speaker directly... you catch the guy in front saying " through the owner," and someone else saying "see maybe," and that's about it before they start ordering food. BA: "Car crashes and train collisions are interesting. Nights are... something." Becky: "better than getting bored to death sitting still." *shrug* Will_GM: Becky: looking for anything in particular? Nicole: "What, you don't like the music?" BA picks up his notepad from where he left it and doodles some more wheelchair modifications Johnny_Fearless returns to the table. "I wonder what they're looking for. And the music's good tonight (for a change)." Becky: "The music's good. I just hate sitting around doing nothing for hours on end." Becky: "Makes me tired, unfortunately." Nicole: "This isn't exactly doing nothing. We're sitting here listening to music." BA listens to the music, tries for just a few seconds to headbang to it, decides it's a wasted effort. Becky: Will: anything that'd make them stand out, or are they so ordinary it's unusual? Will_GM: *snrk* Talk about your loaded questions... BA: "Headbanging to Mozart is easy. This stuff... no beat." Johnny_Fear "You'd hate my job then, kid. Sometimes, its hours upon hours of doing nothing." Johnny_Fear "Adn you don't headbang to the blues!" *lightly swats at BA* Nicole grins. "I've gotten used to sitting around doing nothing for hours on end." Becky chuckles. "Then again, it's good hanging out with friends, too/" Becky: -/ Will_GM: Depends on what you'd call unusual. They're five middle-aged white men, mostly rather large, two of them muscular. Two order beers, three meals. They're dressed in what would pass for work clothes at a businees office and are probably the better kind of clothes for a nice night for these guys. BA: *to Fearless* "Hey, I've got Rumblestrip out in the car. If think it'd be worth it, I could have him tail those interesting people of yours." BA: Rumblestrip = one of my RC bots :) Johnny_Fear *softly* "I think that may be necessary." Will_GM: The two who ordred beers drink them and leave; shortly afterward, the maitre'd comes back with a message for a third member of the group, who leaves as well. the other two talk quietly over their meals. BA: "Right. Be right back in." Nicole looks back down at the newspaper. "I don't see why you guys are making such a big deal about a random crowd of people. Maybe they're friends of Xaviers he doesn't get to see much." BA heads out to the car to grab his laptop and set Rumblestrip on the pavement Becky snickers. "I still have that bet on the table that says that bot's going to run itself into the wall at full speed." Johnny_Fear "Call it a reporter's instinct, Nic." BA returns with the laptop and a small transciever Nicole: "No, he's gonna turn it on, and give it it's first instruction, and it'll play dead." BA: "Ready to roll?" Johnny_Fear bbiafm... going afk as nature calls. Becky snickers again BA plugs everything into the computer and starts up Rumblestrip. Will_GM: BA: roll 'em. BA: 10 Will_GM: Rumblestrip starts up fine. The motor read well, and the camera turns on. You see... Nicole: "I regret the day I first introduced him to the concept of Aibo, y'know? BA: Aibo? Nicole: robotic dog. BA: Ah Will_GM: ...a swiftly-tilting horizon. Rumblestrip is apparently being turned hand over hand by two curious men. BA: "DAMN!" Will_GM: It suddenly gets dropped, and one of them shouts, "Whoa! It started up." *** Cygnata (arsenal@dyn124.nas8.vegas.viawest.net) has joined channel #gurps BA hits Rumblestrip's throttle and has him burnrubber away from the men Cygnata: grr Cygnata: one sec... Will_GM: BA: At your shout, about half the people in the restaurant glance at you momentarily, and Xavier comes running. "Problem? Will_GM: " Cygnata: connection died *** Signoff: Becky (Ping timeout) *** Cygnata is now known as Johnny Will_GM: Roll for Driving it? *** Signoff: Johnny_Fearless (Ping timeout) *** Becky (arsenal@dyn124.nas8.vegas.viawest.net) has joined channel #gurps BA: "Eh. No. Just trouble with my system. Gotta upgrade it again soon." BA: 6 Will_GM: "Ah. Whew. Don't scare me like that." Will_GM: BA: It roars off. Will_GM: Xavier goes back to work. Becky: Becky snickers again Becky: BA plugs everything into the computer and starts up Rumblestrip. BA has Rumblestrip circle around the building, and stops him as the parking lot comes back into view Becky: would someone please paste what we missed in #rift71? Nicole shakes her head at BA. BA: *to Nicole* "Well, it's true. This thing could use another 64 megs and a bigger HD." Nicole: "Don't you have like a terabyte of memory in that thing already?" BA: "You can never have enough memory." Will_GM: BA: You see a parking lot. BA swivels the camera about to see if the men are still in view Becky: "Overboard's a forigen word to him, remember?" ;) Nicole: "That's right. I keep forgetting." Becky then grows serious, watches BA, and ponders trying to watch them from the shadows. BA: "Haha. Funny. C'mon. Where are those guys?" Will_GM: BA: You see nothing more than the occasional customer walk by. BA pulls Rumblestrip out into the parking lot, trying to avoid incoming traffic, for a better view Will_GM: Roll Driving again. BA: 8 Johnny: back... what'd I miss? Will_GM: You manage to miss an incoming car and cross the driveway. BA: Tailing folx with Rumblestrip Nicole: "You know, he could make a profit turning this footage into a video game." Will_GM: However, there are still none of the men to be seen. BA: "Nah. No programming skills." Johnny looks on. "That he could." Johnny: any of the five still in Xav's? Will_GM: Johnny: Two are lingering over dessert and coffee. The uneaten meal and the beer glasses from earlier have been removed from the table, and a check paid. BA pulls 'Strip under a parked car and swivels the camera to face the door, adjusts angle and zoom for a better view. BA: "Lemme know if any more of your boys walk out, Johny." Johnny wanders over, tries to get a look at the two that are lingering... anything about them stand out? Will_GM: Johnny: they're looking your way about as often as you're looking theirs. ;^) And they hhave a tendency to look you straight in the eye when you both look at the same time. BA shuts down 'Strip's motor to conserve power, keeps the camera on Nicole shakes her head again. "I'm telling you guys, they're prolly nothing to worry about. There's more important things we could be worrying about. Like world peace or something." Becky slips back over to her booth, keeping a discreet eye on them, while seemingly absorbed in her book again Will_GM: Nothing really extraordinary... one guy in denim shirt and blue jeans with rough features, another in a simple white shirt and slacks. Becky oocly atempts another acting roll Becky: 10 BA: *to Nicole* "Maybe. But this is interesting." Will_GM: Becky: apparently, it works. Nicole: "What's so interesting about two guys eating dinner?" Johnny wanders over to them. "Evening, gentlemen. May I join you?" Will_GM: Johnny: they look up at you. The guy in the slacks looks over at the other, who says, "Um... okay. Have a seat." Will_GM: "Order you a drink?" BA: *to Nicole* "It's not just a dinner. It's an adventure." :) Nicole: "Gee, BA, I think that's the hokiest line you've come up with yet." Becky: *shrug* "If he's right, we get a free lesson in tracking crime or whatever. If he's wrong, this should be good for a laugh." Nicole winks, to let him know she's just kidding. Will_GM: Blue Period finishes their set, to a decent amount of applause. BA: "Or I could send Rumblestrip over to that new adult video store." Johnny: "Sure. I'll have a ." BA braces for thwappage Becky: "Not all of us are over 21, remember?" Will_GM: "OK Cola? I didn't even know they served that up here." He orders it the next time a waitress comes around. "So... what can we do for you?" Nicole: "What, free pr0n for everyone? I'm sure Xavier wouldn't mind too much." Becky swats BA BA opens a smaller window and plays PacMan while waiting for Johny's marks to move out. Johnny: "Well, I noticed you looking over at my friends' table, and often. Just idle curiosity, you understand." BA: Every time a ghost monster gets eaten, a squeaky voice says "Shazbot!" instead of the usual dying ghost monster sound Nicole goes back to doodling notes in her notebook. Makes a note to attempt to try it on the keyboard if it's not too late when she gets home. Becky slips back outside. Will_GM: "Well, yes. And the favor was reciprocated. At first it was simply seeing the owner sit down to have tea with a table of guests, but then we were wondering what *you* thought all the fuss was about *us*." *grin* Will_GM: Becky: You notice that one of the men is sitting at a bus stop across the street from the One Hit Wonder. BA closes PacMan, and starts Rumblestrip back up, moving him to idle under my car. Becky crosses her legs slightly, and sits gracefully down indian stlye, leans her head back against the wall, and catches a couple light Z. She remains alert, however, for the sound of anyone moving around her. Becky notices him right before her eyes close, and pokes BA. "There's one." Will_GM: You're... sleeping against a wall in downtown Philly on a weekend night? Becky: Will: no, I'm sitting next to BA and Nicole BA: I'm inside the joint Becky: I'm not an idiot :P Will_GM: Becky: you said outside... did you mean outside the restaurant? Away from your friends? Becky: I'm with them Becky: I thought they were outside Nicole: No, we're still at the table. Becky notes that she did miss a few minutes of the action, apparently Will_GM: Oh. No, they're still at their table, except for Johnny, who is siting at the other guys' table. Becky: ok, then I'm confused... Will_GM: Rumblestrip is being run from BA's laptop inside the restaurant. Becky: and Ted is stealing the kb! Will_GM: ...and forget the observation I just vouchsafed, too. Player knowledge now. ;P Nicole: o/~ well, I'm thwarted by a metaphysic puzzle... o/~ Johnny: She hands me the kb, then rips it out of my hands.. she's done that five times now. :P Becky: no, I didn't... I set it down on the drawer Becky: anyway, I'm completely confused Will_GM: Allright already. Hand the kb to someone and let them RP. ;^) BA pans Rumblestrip's camera around s'more to see if he can see any of Johny's other marks Becky ponders leaving for the night. Will_GM: Actually, it would be nice if Johnny would reply to the guy's question. ;^) Johnny scrolls up to see what the question was... :P Will_GM: BA: You're under your car... visibility is limited to a fairly small strip. There are feet every so often, which could belong to many persons. ;^) Will_GM: "Well, yes. And the favor was reciprocated. At first it was simply seeing the owner sit down to have tea with a table of guests, but then we were wondering what *you* thought all the fuss was about *us*." *grin* Johnny: "Well, Xav seemed rather... startled by your appearance here tonight. Long-time friend of his?" BA moves the bot toward the front of his car, just enough to give him a decent view of the parking lot and across the street Becky oocly calms down. Alright, I'm sitting near Nicole and BA, wherever they are. Will_GM: The guy frowns. "No, we've never met. ... Perhaps he was simply worried about seating such a large group. We had no reservations, you see." Becky: because sitting next to a wall, alone, in any city's not only stupid as hell, it can also be suicidal, depending on the section of the city you're in Johnny: "My mistake then. Oh, where are my manners. I'm John Ferrifous." Will_GM: The other guy speaks. "You're concerned about him, of course, and that's good. You must be fast friends to come over here on his behalf, but really there's nothing going on. Quite a lot of fuss over nothing, I'm afraid." He smiles. Nicole drums her fingers on the table again, erases something else, and shrugs. "Oh yeah...and I need to practice for Sunday, now that she finally got the songs we're using this week to me..." *drifts off into muttering* BA: *to Nicole* "Remind me to wire my car with one of these cameras." Will_GM: The big guy: "Zeke Leonard," and the smaller man, "Wesley King." They both offer to shake hands. Johnny shakes their hands... names ring any bells? Becky: "Instrumental or voice?" Johnny: "As for being friends of the owner, yes, I've known Xav for a few years now." Will_GM: Johnny: Oddly, yes. Not that you've ever heard either name before, to be sure. But they say "Zeke" and "King" just slightly oddly. Nothing pinnable. Will_GM: And Zeke has a grip like an elephant. ;^) Nicole: "Instrumental." BA: And just what are the Zekeking? ;) Johnny makes a mental note to look through the police mugshots for faces later. Will_GM: After Zeke shakes hands, he cocks his head at you. "Ferrifous... I've heard that name before." Will_GM: He snaps his fingers. "No, I've seen it. _Inquirer_, right?" Becky: "Wish I could play... well, anything. What instrument?" Johnny: "Guilty as charged." Will_GM: They both laugh. The smaller guy says, "That explains the curiosity, then." ;^) Nicole: "For services? Piano, mainly. But I've been known to bring in the guitar." BA shuts down Rumblestrip after moving him back under his car far enough so as not to be noticeible, but not too far under so I can't reach for him. Becky: "Cool." Will_GM: Zeke says, "But yeah, we just came in for a meal. Nothing dirty going on." BA shuts down Rumblestrip and closes down his computer. Nicole shrugs. "I like music. And playing different instruments makes it easier to write the stuff." BA: "Well, that's all for tonight for me. G'night, ladies." Nicole: "Night, BA. Don't knock over any pr0n stores on your way out." *grin* Will_GM: The smaller guy, "We really do hope we haven't bothered the owner here... Xav, you said?... Is he likely to be peeved about something?" BA: "Heh. I'm going home to play with my tools. No gutterminding." BA heads out the door Nicole shakes her head, grins, waves goodbye to BA. Becky: "Bye, BA." Will_GM: BA: In case your player's curious, no you don't see the guy out there. ;^) BA: 'k Becky: "See you next week... and no blowing things up when i'm not around!" Johnny: "Nah, you haven't offended him. My natural reporter's curiosity got the better of me." *he stands up* "Well, I'd best get back to my friends before they split and leave me with the tab... again." Johnny: "Thanks for the drink." BA reaches under the car and retrieves Rumblestrip before heading back to his pad Johnny ehads back to the others just in time to see BA walk out the door. Will_GM: The smaller guy chuckles, and the larger nods goodbye. "Maybe we'll see you again. Happy story-hunting." Will_GM: BA: roll 'em. BA: 14 Johnny: *to Nic and Becky* "BA split, eh? There's something about those two, though. I'd swear they gave me fake names." Nicole: "Yeah, he said he wanted to go home and play with his tools. And besides the fake name thing, were they the scum of the earth you thought they were gonna be?" Will_GM: BA: 'k. Johnny: "Not sure yet. They didn't seem it, but I'm going to hit the police tomorrow... it'd help if I had a picture to go with me, though. Either of you up to face-sketching?" Will_GM: Xavier drops by, carrying another tea. "Still here, huh?" He sits down. Much quieter... "Find out anything, Johnny?" Nicole: "Sorry, not an artist. Unless you want me to draw stick-figures." Becky: "Not me, unfortunately... although..." Becky pulls out a battered balck Vivitar Eco 35 with neon green trim. Nicole: "Ooh, camera. I left mine at home." BA sticks Rumblestrip into the back seat and drives home Becky: "Here. Use the one dollar wonder. She'll work in any light." Johnny: "Without a flash?" Will_GM: Hey, good thinking. Keep it hidden, and hang on... here's where it helps to know the owner. Will_GM: +"" Johnny: "And no, Xav, didn't get anything from them except for a pair of fake names." Will_GM: Xavier gets up from the table and disappears in back. Moments later, two random guys come on stage and start cleaning up. Ostensibly to help them, lighting in the room comes up to full for a bit. Becky: "She'll work. This is the 'miracle shot' camera I've told you about." Nicole watches the lights come up. "And God said, 'Let there be light!'" BA wonders what's up with the polka music he's hearing outside Becky slips the camera under her jacket, and at the right moment, snaps a photo. She quietly and quickly rachets it forward to the next shot and snaps a second one. Will_GM: Becky: make two 3d6 rolls. Becky: excuse me... 35H Becky: 'k BA: Nevermind. Someone's having B-Day party across the street Becky: 10, 13 Will_GM: Becky: 'k. Will_GM: On the second roll, the flash goes off. Becky: Will: what flash? Will_GM: Becky: Oh, there isn't a flash on the camera? Becky: this is the camera with a hotshoe only... Ars is here, and looking at it right now Will_GM: Ah. Will_GM: Nevermind, then. Becky: my bells and whistles camera has the flash Johnny slips out his digital camera, and snaps a pair of shots with his digital. Will_GM: At any rate, the two of them finish their coffee and leave. Zeke even waves to the table as you go by. Johnny: 11, 9 Johnny waves with the non-camera hand. Johnny checks his camera's display... how'd those shots come out? Nicole shakes her head at the both of you. "This is a bit ridiculous." Johnny: "Reporter's instinct." *shrug* "Besides, if this pans out, I have a story to follow. If not, well, these shots get deleted." Becky shrugs. "What he said... besides, I like the practice." Will_GM: Johnny: both your shots are fine; although your coat obscures part of the picture, each man's face is visible once. Nicole: "Ahhh, so you're gonna be a reporter like Johnny here when you grow up now, Becky?" *grin* Becky: "No way." Becky gives Nicole a weird Look, then grins and winks -----GM Ping Timeout ------ This Section Appended IC --------- [21:01] "Thought about trying that, once. I... er... made a ferw rather spectacular mistakes." [21:01] -r [21:01] Nicole just grins. [21:02] Will_GM [William@tnt2-164-58.cac.psu.edu] has quit IRC (Ping timeout) [21:02] "I can recall a few spectacular mistakes I made when working for my old college paper." [21:03] "There was the time I blamed the college dean of being a pothead." [21:03] "How' [21:03] argh. [21:03] "How'd he take that?" [21:04] "I coulda sworn that was a potted marijuana plant on his desk. Good thing I don't think he actually *read* the article, though." [21:04] "Ow..." [21:04] "Heh, if he didn't, you're damn lucky." [21:04] "Nah, my main problem was that I used to be gullible as hell." [21:05] "Almost voted 'Most Gullible', in fact." [21:05] Becky looks quite embarrased [21:05] "Hey, Gullible works if you wanna write for the National Enquirer." [21:05] yes, this is true :/ [21:05] "Not quite that gullible." [21:06] "One of my classmates was last seen working for the Weekly World News." *wink* [21:06] "Best bullshit journalist that paper has." [21:07] "So, Johnny, were they the scum of the the earth or not? [21:07] " [21:07] .... [21:07] ack, did anybody noticed Will pinging out? [21:07] "I'll let you know." *shows her the pics from the camera* "What do *you* think?" [21:07] yeah... [21:08] I'll toss him the log later... character devlopment time? [21:08] Enh... [21:09] Becky sees that the roll was almost finished anyway, snaps the last two pics, and rewinds the roll, handing it to Johnny. [21:09] "Just make sure to get me back the rest of the pics, please." [21:09] "No problem." [21:11] BA gets back to his place, and hits the shower, then bed