Will_GM: As we recall, last we left our band of adventurers they were gathered in a gym on the Penn campus, Ellis having just finished a class with some students. It is about 5:00 p.m., Tuesday Oct. 9. Everyone is here, I'll be NPC'ing Edward until/unless he arrives, and I think we can safely retcon BA's page to say he wasn't coming -- he has just arrived a bit late. Will_GM: -------------- Game Start ---------------- Johnny_Fear "Hey, there he is. Glad you could make it, BA." Johnny_Fear "Were you followed?" Will_GM: At the very last we heard, dicussion had turned to God's provenance, specifically as it affected Nicole's accident. BA grabs Rumblestrip and Patchkit, a spare set of power cells, gets into his car, and motors over to the campus Ellis looks up to see BA enter in time to wreck the moment. Great, no sermons from the ex-priest today. Will_GM: Oops. Ellis puts a comforting hand on Nicole's shoulder anyway, and gives her an "I know how you feel" look. Nicole mutters and tries to work up the ability to tell this. "Let's put it this way. If the person who was sitting next to me was still here today, I'm not so sure I'd mind this." BA: "Sorry I'm late. Had to get Walt to take care of the dirt track for me today. We're running the Quarterly Free-Style Pro 16V." Ellis murmurs, "Survivor's guilt?" Nicole: "And if the bastard hadn't been able to afford that silver-tounged snake, he'd be sitting in a prison somewhere in California contemplating the decision to have one too many." Ellis nods Nicole: "A bit. His name was John. We'd fallen in love in HS, we'd both gotten into UPenn, it was all working out. Life made sense. And then we were out on the town the night after graduation..." BA: *blinkblink* "Life makes sense? That'd be a first for me." Nicole glares at BA. Ellis winces. "Oh. I'm sorry." Johnny_Fearless respectfully keeps his mouth shut, while glaring at BA. Johnny_Fear "There are times when it is best to just say nothing. Remember that, BA." BA gets Rumblestrip out, sends him out on recon. Nicole: "Anyway. A little earlier, a little later, we'd have been laughing at our close call. But, our light turned green, John pulled into the intersection, and..." *closes her eyes* "..glare of headlights, a screeching sound, the ugly sound of metal tearing metal asunder, and silence." Will_GM: BA: You're at a gym in the middle of the Penn campus. What's there to see? ;^) Will_GM: !roll 3d6 Daisuke: Rolls for 3 dice at 6 sides per die: 6 1 2 Ellis: "Yes. It's always the silence that's the worst." BA: Inside, or out? Johnny_Fear "When was this?" Nicole: "A bit over three years ago." Nicole: "At the end of the night, the score was one dead teenager, the other in critical condition...and the drunk didn't even have a scratch." BA: "That's about how those usually end up. Kinda makes you wish drunk driving was on the same level, legally, as manslaughter. BA: " Nicole: "They hauled him up on manslaughter charges for John's death. And that's where the snake entered." Johnny_Fear "Lawyers. Always hated them. They always find a way to block the truth." Nicole slumps her head in her hands. "And that's why I'm here. Trying to put together a life in the ruins of my old one. And maybe it was a bad decision to go ahead and come here...but I had to get out of Sacramento." Nicole: "And this whole time, I've been wondering what kind of God he is, to let this have happened." Ellis sighs at this last. Johnny_Fear "I understand that. You thought a change of scenery could help you come to terms with this." Ellis: "The kind of God who lets His children make mistakes. Dangerous, stupid, thoughtless mistakes." Ellis: "But in the end, our own mistakes." Nicole: "What mistake was this?" BA: "Not to be callous, but it's called 'free will'. Some people are just a lot less careful about how they exercise it." Nicole: "His mistake? There was no consequences in this for him. What was my sin?" Ellis: "The only sin was his. And innocent lives paid for it." Ellis: "No, it is not justice. And it is not right. But it is what happened." Ellis: "Now your task is to rebuild your life, and not let Hell claim your soul in your pain." *** Edward (shadur@fia217-72.dsl.hccnet.nl) has joined channel #Gurps Daisuke: [Edward] "... I think so Brain, but where are we going to get a senzu bean, two bananas and a Norwegian Blue parrot at this time of night?" Will_GM: Moo Edward. Johnny_Fear 'lo Ed BA: Baa Shad Edward: Alarm didn't go off. Will_GM: We just started; same scene, BA is there now. Edward: Logs? It's been two weeks. [snip: game-related messaging] *** Meethos (pirch@209.74.42.85) has joined channel #gurps Will_GM: You all hear BA's pager go off -- I swear this isn't a random jerk-around. ;^) BA: Baa Meeth Meethos: hey all Nicole: "I don't particularly believe in Hell." BA looks at his pager, pulls out his cell phone. "Utten! Utten!" Ellis shrugs. "Well, then, despair. Or darkness. Or whatever you call it when good people start doing bad things because they can no longer see the light." Nicole nods, and sits there looking at her hands. Johnny_Fear "In my youth, I used to believe that such things happened to test peoples' faith. Then I lost mine." Ellis raises an eyebrow. "God is not required for faith, my friend, only a sense of truth." Johnny_Fear "When it happened, I don't know." Will_GM: BA: You hear Walt saying just that, that there's someone there to see you sounding rather urgent, and waiting in the residence. BA: "Gotcha Walt. Be there in a few." *hangs up* "Gotta scram, guys. Walt says there's someone who needs me back at the shack." *** Signoff: rob` (Quit: "Tell them, 'The boys from the Dwarf are on their way! Or my name is not Captain A.J Rimmer, Space Adventurer!'") *** Signoff: Meethos (Read error: Connection reset by peer) Ellis clamps down on her jaw to avoid requoting that to make it correct. ;) BA recalls Rumblestrip, then heads out to the car and tools on home Nicole whispers. "I guess the worst part is that the drunk never showed any signs of remorse for what he'd done...never. And it was some technicality that he walked on, some improper collection of evidence." [snip: game-related messaging. Well, most of it:] --> BA Oh, and as for tonight's thing for you, I believe the phrase is "Be careful what you wish for." :^) Johnny_Fearless keeps silent, only rests a hand on her shoulder. Edward shrugs, having no idea what to say to that. Nicole: "Anyway, we had another reason for being here besides listening to Nicole's sad story. So, shall we get on with it?" Johnny_Fear "I have my car waiting. Front seat, or back seat, Nicole?" Nicole: "Either works, we'll need to throw the chair in the trunk, though." Ellis nods, stands. "Let me lock up the equipment, and I'll be out in a second." Ellis proceeds to do so Johnny_Fear "Right." Nicole: "I can drive, you know. Just not in your car." *grin* Johnny_Fearless heads out to the car, making sure to bring it around to where Nicole can get to it. Will_GM: Fortunately, Penn long ago adapted to ADA requirements for its buildings (save in the small matter of bleachers ;^) ), so this is easy enough. Edward gets his helmet and riding gear out of his locker and dons it. Ellis: Will: I'm sure there's handicapped seating around; the bleachers are just easy to perch on and in front of. ;) BA: Making it Don Gear, Mafia boss of Punker cyclists? :) Johnny_Fear *WHAP!* Will_GM: Mm, Don Gear. That's actually kind of a cool name, unless I'm being hopelessly suburban. ;^) Johnny_Fearless helps Nic into the car, then puts her wheelchair in the trunk, before going around to start up the trunk. Johnny_Fearless offers her a cigarette. "Smoke?" Nicole rolls out to the car, and switches easily from chair to car. "Nah. Not a smoker. Got enough health problems." Nicole grins. Johnny_Fear *grinback* Johnny_Fear "You coming with us, too, Coach?" Ellis gets his own cycle out, preps, you know the deal. Ellis: I already said I was getting stuff settled... Johnny_Fearless turns over the engine, then flips the police scanner on. Johnny_Fearless then heads out, heading over to where the masonry place is. Edward follows behind the car. Johnny_Fearless lights up a cigarette himself, and puffs on it. The smell from the smoke, although its drifting out the slightly-open window, still smells terrible. Nicole looks out the window, wistfully watching the Philly scenery go by. Will_GM: Nothing of incident happens between leaving Penn and getting to the Erath Stone Works. The Stone Works is in a rather run-down industrial section of town, somewhat on the outskirts, with a residential neighborhood in view a few blocks away. The Works itself is clean and well-kept, though. There is a wide paved yard, haphazardly strewn with what are probably works in progress, including statuary and stacks of tiles. There is activity inside a large building with the standard factory/warehouse appearance, wide sliding doors on one side showing an open space with heavy equipment inside. A few people are gathered around one large machine with a stone block on it, a couple others doing various tasks around the place. BA: ??? Philly has 'scenery'? Will_GM: The place is approached by a driveway inlaid with various kinds of paving stones, apparently placed as a sampler of the Works' abilities. Nicole: *shrug* yeah, as in the buildings and stuff. Scenery doesn't have to be pretty. Ellis pulls up next to the others(assuming they get there first), takes off his helmet and looks around. Edward pulls up on the other side of the car, dismounts and removes his helmet Nicole waits for Johnny to get the wheelchair out of the trunk, and makes the transition from car to chair. Johnny_Fearless gets out of the car, and grabs the wheelchair from the trunk Will_GM: You're standing in the paved yard, next to a stack of white and black marble tiles, and a statue of some saint in the old style, robed with book and blessing. No one seems to have taken notice of you yet. The cutting floor (as one might call the open space with the equipment is in front of you, and a lit office to your left just within the building. You can also see that in front of the equipment, that group of people consists of one man talking and some others listening. Ellis eyes Johnny. "You have more experience than I at this go-in-and-acquire-information thing. How do you think we should proceed?" Johnny_Fear "Look as if you're looking to purchase one. If you don't mind, Nicole, I think your story will be a convincing cover. We could be looking for one for your... friend." Nicole: "...Alright." Johnny_Fear "If you feel uncomfortable with that... we can always think of another story." Nicole: "It'd be funny for one to show up in Xav's place...but I can handle it. I think." Will_GM: "You can also see that in front of the equipment, that group of people consists of one man talking and some others listening." Someone said that got cut off. Johnny_Fear Can I see the the person's lips moving? Will_GM: !roll 3d6 Daisuke: Rolls for 3 dice at 6 sides per die: 6 2 5 Johnny_Fear Lip Reading skill of 17... Will_GM: Yeah, you can make it out, just barely. Will_GM: !roll 3d6 Daisuke: Rolls for 3 dice at 6 sides per die: 2 5 6 Will_GM: Heh. You barely passed both a Perception roll and a Lip Reading roll. :^) Will_GM: He's explaining safety rules and operation for the equipment behind him, a mechanical stone facer. You can now see a giant (~4' diameter) saw blade up above him. Johnny_Fearless turns to examine a few pieces, filing the person's face for later. Will_GM: Oh, his face? You know the face. It's Zeke Leonard. Johnny_Fear "Interesting." Edward: "Hmmm?" Ellis: "Interesting?" Nicole: "What's up?" Johnny_Fearless turns a different direction, and examines a piece. "Zeke's inside, giving safety instructions to the crew about a piece of equipment." Johnny_Fear "Don't look. That might attract their attention." Edward studies his palms instead. Nicole looks at the statue Johnny is looking at. "I don't think he'd like this one." Johnny_Fear *slightly louder* "You may be right. Is there one here you think he would like?" Ellis hovers behind Nicole, making hmming noises at her comments. Ellis: *murmured* "Who's Zeke again?" Edward: "Are you sure? It'd look good on his patio..." Nicole looks around. "I'm not sure. None of them seem *just* right, you know?" [snip: game-related messaging] Ellis nudges Ed. Ellis: Lord, what fools these mortals be... Ellis: ;) [snip: game-related messaging] Edward murmurs back, "The guy Johnny said apprenticed here." Will_GM: Ed, you haven't known him by name, but Zeke is the linguist. Edward: Ah. Ellis: "Right." Nicole rolls a bit forward, brushes the tips of her fingers against another one. "Who'd have thought you could make such pretty things out of granite?" Johnny_Fear "It is hard to pick out one for a departed friend." *softer* "He runs an apprenticeship program here. If you must look in the back, don't be obvious." Edward follows that up with, "He's also the one with a knack for instant languages..." Johnny_Fear "One artist I knew, years back, once said that he didn't make things out of granite, he simply removed the excess to reveal what was already there." Will_GM: Zeke notices the group among the vehicles, pausing in his teaching for a moment to speak to one of the younger members of his group, who runs to the office with a message. The rest of the group looks at you curiously for a second, then turns back to him continuing the lesson. Johnny_Fear "Heads up..." Nicole: "Heh, that's cool. That's kinda how I feel when I play the music. I'm not playing it, I'm just picking up on the vibrations from the universe and making it so others can hear it." Edward: "*out loud* Art's art, I guess. The medium doesn't matter much. *sotto voce* So do we confront him or hang around here until something happens?" Will_GM: The boy (he seems about fifteen) comes running out of the office again, coming up to you. Johnny_Fearless stops in front of one, facing the office as he does so. "Maybe this one, Nic?" Will_GM: "Good evening," he says, with the very-politeness of kids having been told to be mannerly, "Boss says to ask if you'd like to come downstairs and talk?" Nicole eyes Johnny. "Nicole. Nic is too close to Nikki for my tastes." Ellis trades glances with everyone else Johnny_Fear "Sorry." Nicole: "Hey, Johnny, maybe they can make a special one?" Edward looks back at Ellis, with an affirmative waggle of an eyebrow. Ellis nods slightly at Ed Johnny_Fear "Maybe. I'll take the boss's offer, why don't you three keep looking for one." Edward: "I'll join you." Johnny_Fear "Fair enough." Ellis: "All right. Nicole, I'll stay and help you look." Nicole nods. Nicole mutters under her breath. "It's all about stairs." Johnny_Fearless nods, then adjusts his hat, and lights up a new weedstick. Ellis mutters back, "I'm sure they have an elevator, but in case..." *trails off* Johnny_Fear "Lead the way, kid... what was your name, I didn't catch it?" Johnny_Fear . o O (Remind me to have BA case this place with Rumblestrip.) Nicole waits for Johnny and Ed and the kid to leave, then says, "Well...going down the stairs is no problem, tip up enough and don't mind the bouncing, and it's fine. It's back up that's the problem." Will_GM: "Juan Rodriguez, sir. Please follow me, sirs." The boy leads Johnny and Ed to a stairwell next to the walled-off office. It leads down to a far-less-dusty set of rooms underground, lit with lamps in niches and furnished with tables, chairs, and more examples of the Works' product, making it look very nice indeed. (Also giving you the impression that you are in a high-rent cave designed by Monet....) Ellis: "Heh. I could see that." Johnny_Fearless admires the Works' works... Ellis stays silent now, so that the boys can have their chat. ;) Nicole: Awww. Nicole: :) Johnny_Fear you two can keep it up, I don't mind. :) Will_GM: Waiting there, standing and observing another piece of statuary -- this of a dove bearing an olive branch -- is Cabbage. He turns and dismisses Juan back to his studies, then looks at you two. "Welcome to the Erath Stone and Tile Works, gentlemen." Will_GM: Actually, this is a nice place to pause for a moment and shift setting and mood -- I was wanting to run a scene with BA as well. Johnny_Fearless nods in greeting, and idly takes off the hat... Johnny_Fear (keeping a hand on it, the whole time) Will_GM: BA, you awake? BA: Right here Will_GM: When you arrive, the place seems quiet. Walt mentions that the guy's waiting in the residence. BA: "He's already inside? Really, Walt. You know I don't like people in there unless I have the security system on." BA heads inside Will_GM: Walt blinks. "Yeah, I know. He just..." he pauses. "I dunno. He said you knew him, and you wouldn't mind. I guess I believed him. It seemed pretty obvious... sorry." he shaks his head and goes back to work. Will_GM: Inside, waiting for you is Xavier. He's holding one of your beers from the fridge and bemoaning the lack of harder liquor, until he looks up and sees you. "There you are." BA: "Xav! What brings you around? And why are you drinking that lame stuff?" *heads into the kitchen and pulls out a bottle of Scotch from the back of the pantry* Will_GM: Xavier sighs. "Much better." He tosses back the beer. "I'm in trouble, man. We are talking deep merde." BA: "Yeah, I figured that when the MIBs showed up asking about you. I got some neat footage of one trying to case my joint. Want a copy?" Will_GM: "Yeah, that'd be great. Wait. MiBs? What kind? I mean, how'd they act, what did they ask you about me?" BA pours Xav a tumbler and gets one for himself BA: "Lemme show you." *walks into the den, pops the appropriate tape into the VCR and runs it up to where he switched on the cameras* Will_GM: He takes a look. "Oh. Him." *muttersomething* "Still, if he was here, Rath couldn't have been far behind. They follow each other around like ouroboric puppies, those two. Codependent like mad..." BA: "The other one, not on this tape, was kinda clueless and spoke with a wierd accent. Didn't know what Star Wars is, either." Will_GM: He barks a laugh. "Clueless? Oh yes. But dangerous, nevertheless. You're probably lucky you got out of a meeting with them alive. I have some acquaintances that weren't so lucky." BA: "Anyway, there anything else I can help you with? You look pretty ragged out." Will_GM: "Yeah. I need your help, man, and it's -- what's the phrase? -- we're talking some next-level shit." BA: "So we're playing with power, huh?" BA: "I think we'd better step into my workshop." Will_GM: "The big times. ...The shop? Sure, BA..." He steps in with you. "Now, listen. You know you're my man. We've been together for a while, and I've seen real potential in you." Will_GM: BA: Roll 3d6? BA leads Xav out to the garage, closes the bay door, and turns on his stereo (Mariah Carey with the tenor set way high). *muttered* "Talk softly, and we shouldn't have to worry about eavesdroppers." BA: !roll 3D6 Daisuke: Rolls for 3 dice at 6 sides per die: 4 1 1 Edward: "The Force has a strong effect on the weak of mind." ? Johnny_Fear "... on the weak minded." Johnny_Fear "The Force can have a strong influence on the weak minded." is the actual quote Will_GM: Okay, BA: You're inclined to believe what Xavier is saying for the next few minutes. By no means compelled, just... leaning in that direction. Edward: Been a year since I last saw it. Sue me. BA: 'k Johnny_Fear been the same for me. Will_GM: Both of you can be shot in Louisiana for knowing and quoting it anyway. ;^) Johnny_Fear *hee* Johnny_Fear glad this is Vegas. I can shoot back. %) [snip: game-related messaging] Will_GM: "I haven't told you everything, I admit that. But I *have* told you the truth, as I could. 10 to 1, these guys have been flat-out lying to you -- more tan I ever could, anyway." Johnny_Fear *hee* Fearless has a new drink. :) BA: "Lying to me? They haven't really told me anything yet. Except for what you just said in the den. Almost word for word." Will_GM: "But I bet they haven't told you this: I'm willing to let you in on more of it. On the Real Deal[tm], No Further Questions. But I need a couple of things. One is survival -- that would be awful nice. Another thing is something I can bring to my bosses. You can help me get both of those things." Will_GM: "You got a gun?" BA: "Of course. Practise the 2nd Amendment loyally." BA pulls his custom .44 out of a locker in the back of the garage BA: "What ammo do you figure? Full metal jacketed? Hollow tips? Explosive round?" Will_GM: Xavier looks at this. "You really are my type of human. You're going to Hell for making this, you know. Can you make me one?" He grins. Will_GM: "I don't know much about guns -- what kills 'em deadest?" BA: "Hell my ass. Free men don't ask permission to bear arms. Arming bears is a different story altogether, but yeah. I can smith a special." BA: "And if you want a guaranteed to stay dead, mercury filled hollow tips all the way." Will_GM: "I'll remember that. Got any?" BA: "None here. They're pretty much illegal outside the CIA, but give me a few days and I can have a box of thirty ready." BA: "The big part is to avoid buy all your mercury in one place." BA takes a few seconds to flip in another Mariah Carey CD. BA: "Funny thing about Mariah. Modulate the voice right, and you can actually get it to open garage doors and set off car alarms." :) Will_GM: "If you say so." He's pondering the gun. "Yeah, do that thing with the ammo. I can probably stand to wait a few days." BA: "OK. Mind telling me just what you need that for? I know why I carry mine, but designing and building a second for someone else is pretty risky." Will_GM: He looks at you dead on. "Well, obviously I'm going to kill some people with it. Except I have to throw in a caveat." Will_GM: !roll 3d6 Daisuke: Rolls for 3 dice at 6 sides per die: 5 6 6 Will_GM: ... Johnny_Fear *ow* Johnny_Fear crit failure, if I read the rulebook right. Will_GM: I choose *now* of all times to throw a critical failure... BA: heh :) Will_GM: Xav shakes his head. "Dammit. Of all times... hang on." Nicole raises an eyebrow. This is why the GM rolls in private. So he doesn't spoil the cinematography of his campaign. ;) Johnny_Fear *hee* Will_GM: "Okay, that's it. WALT!!" Will_GM: Xav tosses you the gun. "Here, hide this." Walt comes in. "Yeah?" He blinks at the guns. Xav ge BA: "Hmm? What? Walt's hanging around outside the window, again?" BA stashes the gun back in its holster in the cabinet Will_GM: "No, no. I need him in here." Xav gestures to a point between you and himself. "Walt, stand here. This won't hurt." Edward: Why do I have the sensation I can see where this is going? Will_GM: I... doubt it. :^) Will_GM: Xav gets behind Walt, then puts a hand on his shoulder. He mutters something about "Put it all into this one," then gets the most focused look you've ever seen on a man's face. BA: . o O (If I didn't know this isn't an RPG or comic book, I'd swear Xav was trying to telepath Walt.) Will_GM: Two seconds later, Xav isn't there anymore, and Walt blinks. BA: "Whu...?" Will_GM: "It's okay, BA. It's me. Xav." Will_GM: This being Walt's mouth speaking. BA: "OK. This is getting too wierd even for me. Please tell me you come in peace." Will_GM: "Believe me, if I could do my work in peace, unhindered by those who would bring my entire organization crashing down around our ears and trying to undo all our works, I would. But the real world is the real world, and I have to deal with what I don't set myself to changing." BA: or does this require a reaction roll? Will_GM: BA: If you think a fright check would be in order -- this is more your opinion of BA. BA: Well, I'm not Unfazeable :) Will_GM: Good choice. BA: !roll 1D6 Daisuke: Rolls for 1 dice at 6 sides per die: 5 Johnny_Fear yeah, but Joseph Wilson, Xav ain't. Will_GM: I rolled it. You make the roll. Congrats, you've just seen a man disappear and use another as a ventriloquist's dummy, and you've maintained your sanity, and even your powers of speech. :^) BA: Or should that be 3D6? Will_GM: 3d6, and you passed. Will_GM: *everything* in GURPS is 3d6. BA: 'k Will_GM: "Listen, my more impressive trick didn't work, so I had to resort to this. And listen, Walt's not gonna remember any of this, so when I come back, make up some excuse as to why you called him in here." Will_GM: "Give him a raise or something. That oughta do it." BA: "Now hold on. Please explain to the audience at home. What the (cursing in Japanese) just happened here?" Will_GM: He closes his eyes. A second or so later, Xav is standing there again. Will_GM: Walt looks around. "Hmm?" BA: "Hey, Walt. Who won the Pro 16V this morning? Forgot to ask when I came in." Will_GM: "Umm, a kid with one of those new X-track wheelsets. A Barry Green, I think." BA: "Right. Get that marked on the rally sheet for the next Pro?" Will_GM: "Sure. That all?" BA: "Yeah. And thanks for covering for me this morning." Will_GM: "No prob." He leaves. BA: *to Xav* "Now, again. Why with the freaky... and the thing.. and going... time to 'fess up, Xav." Will_GM: Xav waits. "Okay. Like I said, now is not the time to explain everything. I need *commitment* before that happens, man. Are you willing to *use* that piece you just handed me? And would it help if I told you I wouldn't be asking you to use it on a human?" BA: "Depends on what human and why I'd need to use it." Will_GM: "*Not* human, man, *not* human. And because he's trying to kill *me*. Come on, who are you going to trust? Someone you've known for years, or someone who shows up and starts lying to you and your friends, spying on you and all the rest?" BA: "OK. Just for the record. If I here one more 'man', I get to remove one major organ of my choice from your body." Johnny_Fear *snicker* Will_GM: He laughs. "Sorry." BA: "No problem. As for all this cloak and dagger stuff, I prefer to know the what and huh?. Still, you are right. Give me a day to think it over. In the meantime, I'll see about that specialty ammo." Will_GM: He sobers. "Okay. I tell you what. I can get you funding, plus quite a bit to make it worth your while, to get those materials and have the ammo ready. Say, in 48 hours?" BA: "48 hours. I'll give you my answer then." [snip: game-related messaging] Will_GM: He rubs his forehead. "Allright. I'm gonna be at my second place, out in the country near Morristown. Whatever you decide, at least do me the turn of meeting me there. It's too hot right now for me around here." BA: . o O (What did I just step in? And how deep into did my size 10s sink?) Will_GM: He writes down directions to the place and gives them to you. BA: "OK. I'll meet you there." Will_GM: "And don't forget -- these guys have been after your friends, too. I've got worse news -- I'm not the only one with freaky powers. These other guys specialize sometimes, but one thing they're *really* good at is getting into your head. Stay sharp, and don't believe extravagant claims unless you see serious evidence. And don't hand that address to anyone unless they're willing to join you with me." BA: "Alright. But I have to tell you, all this is freaking me out." Will_GM: "There *is* some good news at the bottom of all this. Help me out, and you can get some of the stuff I've been slinging around here too." He grins nastily, and heads out. BA: . o O (And that made things even worse. I gotta go change my undies.) *heads inside for a change* Will_GM: Good idea. Scene change! Will_GM: :^) BA: :) Edward: The scene is BA's underwear? Johnny_Fear *snicker* Johnny_Fear that's a fearsome mental image BA: BA had tacos for breakfast :) Will_GM: Let's switch to Ellis and Nicole first. What has been happening here? Nicole: I told you to avoid that Taco Bell for breakfast? Ellis: We've been acting innocent and looking at statuary Johnny_Fear it wasn't Taco Bell, it was Del Taco Ellis: At least, I assume that's what we've been doing. Johnny_Fear those breakfast quesadillas are good, though Nicole: Umm...we were looking at statues. And laughing at gravity. Will_GM: Okay. Zeke has finished his lesson, and dismissed his pupils, who as they run by you, are apparently all about the same age as Juan. A couple are comparing small squares of stone with simple line engravings on them. Zeke himself comes over in your direction. Nicole looks at another piece. "Wow, nice linework." Will_GM: "We take pride in our work here. Our only regret is that the high-quality materials we insist on are so costly. We don't mark up much, but it still restricts our work to the homes and businesses of the wealthy." Ellis looks up, nudges Nicole Nicole nods. "Yeah. I'm just looking, I can't afford much." Ellis stays quiet, listening to Zeke's voice and manner of speaking. Will_GM: "I know. Students don't exactly have the Vatican's budget for statuary." Nicole nods. "But I like beautiful things, and these are really good." Ellis smiles. "Indeed. And it's probably better for the world that it isn't so, for the ... degree of ostentation at the Vatican would probably not be welcome here." Will_GM: Zeke smiles. "True enough. There's beauty in the simple lines of a Greek column, or even in the rough stone of the mountain and the smooth stone of the river, worked by no hand but God's." Ellis: "Hardly enough of that around here." *gestures at the cityscape* Ellis: Anything outstanding about his voice? Will_GM: Ellis: It's by no means cultured, but it's... gentle. Surprisingly so, for a man of his obvious muscularity. Will_GM: Zeke looks up. "Ah, but Philly's stone is in its bones. It's a steel town, a coal town. You breathe it, build it. It's your community that is rock-hard. And there is beauty too." Nicole shrugs. "So...where'd Johnny and Ed go?" Nicole: "I mean, besides the office, down the STAIRS." Will_GM: "Downstairs. We have a receiving room for customers that's a bit more accommodating than the office on the cutting floor. It's probably where they wanted to go anyway -- after all, you didn't come here to buy statuary, did you?" Johnny_Fear we're in the ninth level of hell! get us *out!* Nicole nods. "You're right. Stupid ruse." BA: They're in Player Character limbo :) Will_GM: The ninth level? Aw, the first is much more popular. It's where all the adulterers and prostitutes go. :^) Ellis shrugs. "It seemed a wise idea to come see this place for ourselves." Johnny_Fear UL: they're the same place Will_GM: Zeke nods. "I could show you around. We're proud of what we've done here. Or take you to see your friends -- there's a service elevator to the lower floors. Not the most opulent ride, but serviceable." Nicole nods. "Can we? I mean, we're not doing anything up here." Will_GM: "Which?" *grin* Ellis: "I'd like to look around, myself." Nicole nods. "That'd be cool. I want to see how you do this stuff." Will_GM: "This way, then. It's all on one floor up here, and we've paved it, too, so no worry about that." He leads you off towards the yard, and starts going into the history of the place. "The Erath Stone Works was founded in 1892, by Wm. Erath and his son. Unfortunately, a few decades later, the craft of stonecutting had started to decline with changes in architectural fashion. They expanded into tile...." Nicole grins at Ellis, and then follows. Ellis smiles and nods politely, looking around. Will_GM: "...which brought in more business, but the elder Erath wanted to continue the traditional practices. It's regrettable, but there was a split -- his son was never comfortable with his father's decision to avoid machine-cutting of large or similar pieces, which further contributed to the relative decline in their business. However, he was loyal to his father, and they kept the plan going until the elder Erath dies. At that point, the son brought in the equipment we use today..." Nicole nods. Will_GM: He continues in this vein for some time -- and, in fact, I have the back history written, so I could go on for several pages. Is there anything in particular you're on the lookout for? :^) Johnny_Fear Will: *snicker* Ellis: Uh... Ellis: Looking for anything out of the ordinary, but since Ellis has never been a stonecutter it'd have to be *really* obvious. ;) Will_GM: The place is a functioning stonecutting operation, he talks proudly about their apprenticeship and community outreach programs, casually mentions that he's worked here for over a decade under the same boss, speaks fondly of his apprentices... Nicole looks up at Zeke. "So...what got you into this line of business anyway?" Will_GM: "I was made for it. I like people, and I like stone. Working a program to give kids a useful job skill and appreciation for art, and help to support a shrinking craft, and get my hands on the craft myself -- I love my work." [PC Ping-out, scene switch] Will_GM: Last we saw Johnny and Ed, they were downstairs with the boss. Will_GM: Boss, that is, a.k.a. Cabbage, a.k.a. stabbee, a.k.a. No-Yoda Man. :^) Johnny_Fear "Hello, Cabbage. How's the wound doing?" Will_GM: "Healing well, thank you. I taught him how to make a kind of blow less damaging than it would look." Edward nods. "And now that we've passed your test and followed your carefully assembled trail of crumbs here, what would you like to tell us?" Will_GM: "Mm? I hadn't been expecting you to arrive until you were invited. I'm actually curious as to how you found us...." Johnny_Fear "All I can say is that a reporter is one part writer, and one part detective. The clues were there, we just had to assemble them." Edward shrugs. "I'd say something along the lines of that I'm a professional systems administrator and it's my job to know these things, but I wasn't really involved in the fact-finding in this case." [PCs leave for sleep, game paused] Will_GM: ------------ Session End -----------------