Thrilling Adventure Tales- Chapter 1: Murder in New York!

[Uncle Yuan]

Patch, Steve:

The officer who told you about the incident gets you through to "Officer Bill", uh, Jones, actually, on the police radio. He's able to tell you that the man with the watch, a Doctor Herziwitz, was attacked by two men who apparently wanted him for something, after they'd seen his watch. The doctor was helped by two citizens, one of whom was "big, and, uh, kinda scary". The man who runs the newstand at the location saw the whole thing, and apparently knows the doctor quite well. That's all the information you can get- they need that radio for other things.

Steves Story
Big and scary?  Then I guess it's good that he's one of the "good guys!"

I'm not entirely sure why I'm following Mr. Briarson around.  The cops would be the logical choice to pursue leads, although this one is kind of odd.  They didn't really even ask my anything that justified my coming down to the station; it all could have been handled over the phone.

"So Mr. Briarson, the cops actually invite PIs to help with murder investigations?  From movies I got the idea that they didn't like you guys getting involved."

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Answering Ray, the Doctor replies, "I've been considering that myself and I am confident that something can be done.  I know a few specialists that can help, but in the likely even that he shies away from strange help, I may be able to do a few things to help.  Nothing too dramatic, but maybe enough to take the edge off."

[Viking]

Patch's Story

"So Mr. Briarson, the cops actually invite PIs to help with murder investigations?  From movies I got the idea that they didn't like you guys getting involved."

Patch chuckles.  "They usually don't.  But most movies don't show cops investigating something really Weird, which is where I come in.  When a case starts looking like something you'd find in the tabloids, that's when they call me in.  I've investigated some pretty strange stuff, which is more than most people know how to cope with.  Which brings us to the current investigation.  Still a little too early to tell, but I think it's shaping up to be one of those cases."

His expression turns more serious.  "How skeptical a person are you, Mr. Littlefield?  Most people aren't mentally equipped to handle something strange happening in their everyday lives.  It's like the brain just shuts down rather than accept the possibility that sometimes the world doesn't play by the same rules that we've come to expect.  People usually can't believe that a person could turn invisible, or that vampires and werewolves could exist, or that magic can involve anything more than card tricks and pulling rabbits out of hats.  Me?  I've learned to keep an open mind.  If you think you have an open mind, then I can tell you more about what I've learned from the cops so far.  Otherwise, you're just going to think it's crazy stuff."

[Uncle Yuan]

His expression turns more serious.  "How skeptical a person are you, Mr. Littlefield?  Most people aren't mentally equipped to handle something strange happening in their everyday lives.  It's like the brain just shuts down rather than accept the possibility that sometimes the world doesn't play by the same rules that we've come to expect.  People usually can't believe that a person could turn invisible, or that vampires and werewolves could exist, or that magic can involve anything more than card tricks and pulling rabbits out of hats.  Me?  I've learned to keep an open mind.  If you think you have an open mind, then I can tell you more about what I've learned from the cops so far.  Otherwise, you're just going to think it's crazy stuff."

"I don't know about skeptical.  In any event, a skeptic is not the same as a nay sayer.  I'm essentially a scientist, an engineer.  I believe that everything can ultimately be explained, defined.  Everything can be reduced to an equation, if you will.  By the same token I also know that I don't know everything, nor have I seen everything.  'You can't prove a negative.'  You could never prove that vampires don't exist.  But I do believe that if they do exist they can be studied, quantified and eventually explained.

"'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.'


"So what do you know about Dr. Holland's murder that prompted the police to break out the spook patrol?"

[Alaric]

Patch, Steve, Envoy:

By some strange quirk of time, getting in touch with Officer Jones, hearing what he had to say, and Patch and steve's conversation take about the same length of time as Envoy's questioning. Envoy is released, and his harmonica, keys, and wallet returned, just as Patch and Steve are on their way out to catch a cab.

[Alaric]

Hertzy, Frank, Ray, Lizzie, Ashi:

(oog-I was tempted to just say "Everyone else:"...)

Ashi pushes through the crowd and reaches Frank. He says, "Sir, may I ask you something?"

All of you see a child, apparently of Asian extraction, wearing some sort of strange clothing and holding two swords, approach Frank and start to talk to him.

Frank- [spoiler]The swords look real to you.[/spoiler]

Ray- [spoiler]Something about a child wearing samurai clothing and carrying two swords reminds you of something... Something you read or heard about somewhere... You can't quite remember...[/spoiler]

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

Hertzy, being rather fond of children, bends down slightly to hear what the kid has to say.

GM:

[spoiler]Does Hertzy see anything that might give away to him the fact that this child is not as young as he seems to be?  It could be medical or possibly behavioral, but it's quite possible that he doesn't.[/spoiler]

[kkhohoho]

"I'm asking this to the big man sitting at your table.  Sir, forgive me if I'm wrong but, are you exactly...human?"

[BlueBard]

Frank's Story:

Frank is about to inform his two new acquaintances that there's nothing wrong with his hearing, when the child approaches them.

Note to GM:
[spoiler]It appears to me from reading the posts that Ashi put his swords away, so I'm going to assume Frank didn't see them.[/spoiler]

"I'm asking this to the big man sitting at your table.  Sir, forgive me if I'm wrong but, are you exactly...human?"

Frank's eyes go wide in surprise, making it obvious that each is a different color.  Then his entire countenance seems to droop with sadness.

"I d-don't know wuh-what I am any-anymore," he rumbles quietly.  "Th-this wuh-was a mistake.  I-I'm s-sorry," he says to no one in particular and turns to leave the diner.

[Glitch Girl]

GM:
[spoiler](OOG: I thought the swords were put up as well.  Oh well...)[/spoiler]

Lizzie

I'm asking this to the big man sitting at your table.  Sir, forgive me if I'm wrong but, are you exactly...human?"

My jaw drops as he says this.  

Oh Lordy...

I shut my mouth with an audible "click", scramble out of the booth, and hurry over to Ashi

"I d-don't know wuh-what I am any-anymore."

"I'm sorry Mister, " I saw quickly as I try to hustle Ashi away.  "He's just arrived from overseas.  Still learning about things like manners, bless his heart. I'm really sorry about this... oh-boy."

[Viking]

Patch's Story

Patch smirks at Steve's reply - just the sort of precision one might expect from a scientist, yet not without wit.  "I like your philosophy, Steve.  Here's the deal - the autopsy indicated that Dr. Holland died of a bullet wound.  Strange thing is, there was no trace of blood from the wound, and no bullet recovered.  What's more, there have been a string of killings recently using the same M.O. - bullet wound, but no blood outside the body, no bullet... no evidence of any sort.  Up till now, the cops thought it was some sort of mob vendetta - the targets were all known criminals with ties to organized crime families.  But Dr. Holland's murder throws a monkeywrench into that theory... unless he had somehow attracted the attention of one of these families."

(Out Of Character - OOC: This conversation is probably taking place just outside the station.  Envoy was free to have overheard it, and may react as Spam sees fit.  This is just my way of making clear that Steve and Patch are still around for Envoy to interact with and tag along with, if he wishes.)

[BlueBard]

"I'm sorry Mister, " I saw quickly as I try to hustle Ashi away.  "He's just arrived from overseas.  Still learning about things like manners, bless his heart. I'm really sorry about this... oh-boy."

Frank's Story:

"H-he's honest," Frank replies, meeting no one's gaze as he pulls the collar of his dark trenchcoat up as high as he can.  "I'm a muh-monster."  Frank heads for the door, acutely aware of the shocked silence that hangs throughout the diner.

[Glitch Girl]

Lizzie
Good grief, I think, the big guy looks like he's on the verge of tears.

I manage to tear my eyes away from the hulking man and glare down at Ashi.  "What on God's green earth do you think you're doing?" I hiss in a whisper.

[Panther_Gunn]

"I'm asking this to the big man sitting at your table.  Sir, forgive me if I'm wrong but, are you exactly...human?"

:shock2:  By all that's Holy!  What kind of question is that?  Well, actually..........*sigh*......out of the mouths of babes.

"I'm sorry Mister, " I saw quickly as I try to hustle Ashi away.  "He's just arrived from overseas.  Still learning about things like manners, bless his heart. I'm really sorry about this... oh-boy."

"H-he's honest," Frank replies, meeting no one's gaze as he pulls the collar of his dark trenchcoat up as high as he can.  "I'm a muh-monster."  Frank heads for the door, acutely aware of the shocked silence that hangs throughout the diner.

Catching up to Frank, Ray attempts to grab him by the back of the upper arm (if he can reach, and get enough in his hand to convey a grip).  "Hold on a second, Frank.  None of us here mean you any harm, at least none who aren't little children dressed in strange pajamas.  While it's true that you do look very different from other people, I would be rather hesitant in calling you a "monster", and not just because I thought you might squish me.  Monsters are not always shown by their appearance, but rather by their actions.  I think I can safely speak for Dr. Hertziwits when I say that we *both* insist that you join us, and that we'd be more insulted if you left than if you stayed.  And if anyone here has a problem with that, or you, they'll have to go through me, first."

[kkhohoho]

Lizzie
Good grief, I think, the big guy looks like he's on the verge of tears.

I manage to tear my eyes away from the hulking man and glare down at Ashi.  "What on God's green earth do you think you're doing?" I hiss in a whisper.

I whisper "Whether you believe me or not, I am a demon slayer, and I have seen things vaugly like him before, so I asked him if he was a human.  And his eyes did not exactly look human either."

[Glitch Girl]

Lizzie

I manage to tear my eyes away from the hulking man and glare down at Ashi.  "What on God's green earth do you think you're doing?" I hiss in a whisper.

I whisper "Whether you believe me or not, I am a demon slayer, and I have seen things vaugly like him before, so I asked him if he was a human.  And his eyes did not exactly look human either."

"The game's not cute anymore Ashi.  What you did was very VERY rude, and if my momma heard me say something like that, she'd give me a whuppin' like you wouldn't believe.  Now put away your trick swords and tell the large... man you're sorry."

[Spam]

Envoy's Story

Ah... The smell of fresh New York air. It feels good to-

I notice the one detective man. His card said his name is Briarson.

I guess that's what I'll call him from now on. And that's that man who came in the police station and wanted to ask a few questions to Briarson. Well, that murder victim must have been more important that I thought. I wonder what their talking about... I hope they don't mind another guest...

I walk up to them very cooly, and just start to talk.

"Howdy fellas! I thought you'd be somewhere else by now, Dectective Briarson. And who's your friend? Pardon me, but my name is Envoy."

I stick out my hand for a handshake between both men.

[kkhohoho]

Lizzie

I manage to tear my eyes away from the hulking man and glare down at Ashi.  "What on God's green earth do you think you're doing?" I hiss in a whisper.

I whisper "Whether you believe me or not, I am a demon slayer, and I have seen things vaugly like him before, so I asked him if he was a human.  And his eyes did not exactly look human either."

"The game's not cute anymore Ashi.  What you did was very VERY rude, and if my momma heard me say something like that, she'd give me a whuppin' like you wouldn't believe.  Now put away your trick swords and tell the large... man you're sorry."

This isn't going to work out.  She's going to just hinder me...One more time.

I make both swords dissapear, show her there's nothing in my sleeves, then make them appear again.

"Lizzie, if you can not accept that there is more then what there seems to be in the world, then I will have to journey here alone."

[BlueBard]

Frank's Story:

Frank reflexively shrugs off the hand on his arm.  His eyes blaze with anger.  (He does not see any swords)

"D-don't ins-sult muh-my intelli-intelligence, D-doctor.  I m-may look and s-sound st-stupid, b-but I'm n-not.  S-save the no-noble speeches for s-some other ch-charity case and d-don't touch muh-me."  His voice begins to rise in volume.

"E-ever since I wuh-walked in here, puh-people have b-been luh-looking at me with dis-disgust or talking behind my buh-back.  They m-may not say 'M-monster', but they're thinking it!  I s-see it in their eyes!  I hear it i-in their vuh-voices!  Even yuh-you two f-fine doctors have b-been talking about h-how to h-hide it!" 

Now his voice is a roaring shout.  People are cringing away from him.

"I WILL N-NEVER HAVE MY OWN F-FACE B-BACK!  YOU CAN'T F-FIX MUH-ME!"

Frank storms out of the diner, shoving the door open so hard that the glass shatters.  He starts to run.

[Viking]

Patch's Story

I stick out my hand for a handshake between both men.

Patch shakes Envoy's hand and smiles amiably.  "Looks like they took my suggestion to heart about finishing your questioning quickly!  Envoy, this is Steven Littlefield, of IDT Enterprises.  They had a research agreement with Dr. Holland, the murder victim you found.  Steven had just come to New York to discuss the results of Dr. Holland's research, when he turned up dead.  Steven, this is Envoy.  Just... Envoy, as far as I can tell."

Patch pauses to allow Steven and Envoy to refine or correct their introductions as necessary before continuing:

"Steven and I were about to check another lead that may or may not be related to this case.  Care to join us?  You can tell us more about your side of the story in the meantime."

[Uncle Yuan]

Patch's StoryPatch shakes Envoy's hand and smiles amiably.  "Looks like they took my suggestion to heart about finishing your questioning quickly!  Envoy, this is Steven Littlefield, of IDT Enterprises.  They had a research agreement with Dr. Holland, the murder victim you found.  Steven had just come to New York to discuss the results of Dr. Holland's research, when he turned up dead.  Steven, this is Envoy.  Just... Envoy, as far as I can tell."

Patch pauses to allow Steven and Envoy to refine or correct their introductions as necessary before continuing:

"That's about it."

"Steven and I were about to check another lead that may or may not be related to this case.  Care to join us?  You can tell us more about your side of the story in the meantime."

"Certainly.  If you found Dr. Holland's body, you might know something that could help.  More than me, certainly.  Is this place, Mr. Briarson?"

[kkhohoho]

Frank's Story:

Frank reflexively shrugs off the hand on his arm.  His eyes blaze with anger.  (He does not see any swords)

"D-don't ins-sult muh-my intelli-intelligence, D-doctor.  I m-may look and s-sound st-stupid, b-but I'm n-not.  S-save the no-noble speeches for s-some other ch-charity case and d-don't touch muh-me."  His voice begins to rise in volume.

"E-ever since I wuh-walked in here, puh-people have b-been luh-looking at me with dis-disgust or talking behind my buh-back.  They m-may not say 'M-monster', but they're thinking it!  I s-see it in their eyes!  I hear it i-in their vuh-voices!  Even yuh-you two f-fine doctors have b-been talking about h-how to h-hide it!" 

Now his voice is a roaring shout.  People are cringing away from him.

"I WILL N-NEVER HAVE MY OWN F-FACE B-BACK!  YOU CAN'T F-FIX MUH-ME!"

Frank storms out of the diner, shoving the door open so hard that the glass shatters.  He starts to run.

He has a point.  When will I ever be a man again?  I think about what's happening, and what I'm going to do.

[Alaric]

(oog- Note: I don't have time to continue the game right now- have to run, prior comitment- just note that if anything starts happening that I need to be involved in, such as combat (even between players) or questioning NPCs, etc., you should probably wait to see how it gets resolved. Until then, feel free to continue to interact with each other. Oh, and BlueBard, good catch about Ashi's swords. I had missed the part where he put them away...)

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

"Now there son, you've been extremely rude and VERY badly behaved.  This fine man is rather sensitive about his appearance and that was the worse thing you could have possibly said.  And I was trying to be a friend to him and help him too, especially the way he saved me from a very bad situation just now."

Turning to Lizzie, he said, "Now, my dear, make sure you tell his parents of this.  I suppose there's no reason to worry about it further.  Kids do so such things.  It's one of the things that separates them from adults."

[kkhohoho]

Hetzy grabs Ashi's collar with his hand and forcibly, but gently pulls him back. His grip is surprisingly strong for an older overweight man.

"Now there son, you've caused enough trouble as it is, scaring away my new friend.  You ARE NOT going to chase after him.  He's certainly not going to harm enough, unless you're a glass door, and this talk of killing of absolute nonsense, although I doubt a youngster like you could manage to even hurt him anyway.  Now, if I understand what I've heard between you and this young lady, she's no parent to you, so I'm taking you with me back to my office and you can wait in one of the examining rooms until we can get a hold of your parents.  There's some toys in there to keep you occupied.

"Now, my dear," he says, addressing Lizzie, "if you would kindly call his parents, we'll see about letting them know what a poorly behaved boy he is.  It's a good thing he's not an adult, or I'd have him arrested for disturbing the peace."

Frank's Story:

Frank reflexively shrugs off the hand on his arm.  His eyes blaze with anger.  (He does not see any swords)

"D-don't ins-sult muh-my intelli-intelligence, D-doctor.  I m-may look and s-sound st-stupid, b-but I'm n-not.  S-save the no-noble speeches for s-some other ch-charity case and d-don't touch muh-me."  His voice begins to rise in volume.

"E-ever since I wuh-walked in here, puh-people have b-been luh-looking at me with dis-disgust or talking behind my buh-back.  They m-may not say 'M-monster', but they're thinking it!  I s-see it in their eyes!  I hear it i-in their vuh-voices!  Even yuh-you two f-fine doctors have b-been talking about h-how to h-hide it!" 

Now his voice is a roaring shout.  People are cringing away from him.

"I WILL N-NEVER HAVE MY OWN F-FACE B-BACK!  YOU CAN'T F-FIX MUH-ME!"

Frank storms out of the diner, shoving the door open so hard that the glass shatters.  He starts to run.

He has a point.  When will I ever be a man again?  I think about what's happening, and what I'm going to do.

OOC: At someone's request, I have changed my most recent post.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

OOC:  I'll change my post to match once I get back from church.

[Spam]

Envoy's Story

"Nice to meet you, Steven." I give him a smile while shaking his hand.

"And yes, they were quite fast with my questioning. I guess I should be thanking you for suggesting that, Mr. Briarson." I say, chuckling as I go.

"I'm very glad to be out of that cell, and back into the real world. And I would like to do anything to help you fellows in the chase of this murder."

"Dr. Holland you say his name is? Hrmm... Never heard of him. What field of medicine was he in?" Sort of replying to what Steven said.

"And I know I didn't say this before, but I'm terribly sorry for what I did back in jail, Mr. Briarson. It was rather mucky in there, and I just felt like I was wronged in some sort of way by being put in there. I'm normally not that type of person." I say to Patch.

[Uncle Yuan]

Envoy's Story
"Dr. Holland you say his name is? Hrmm... Never heard of him. What field of medicine was he in?" Sort of replying to what Steven said.

"Physics, actually.  Nobel Prize laureate.  Quite the genius."

[Glitch Girl]

Lizzie

"Now, my dear," he says, addressing Lizzie, "if you would kindly call his parents, we'll see about letting them know what a poorly behaved boy he is.  It's a good thing he's not an adult, or I'd have him arrested for disturbing the peace."

"I wish it were that simple, sir," I reply, "but I don't think that boy has any kin.  I just met him myself this morning, all by himself, looked like he could use a friend.  Kid's got a great imagination, but I'll be honest, I never expected him to do that.  I'm really sorry he upset your uh... friend."

I hold out my hand.  "Y'all can call me Lizzie.  I feel kinda bad about this, so if there's something I can do to help, just say the word."

[Panther_Gunn]

Ray's Story:

Frank reflexively shrugs off the hand on his arm.  His eyes blaze with anger.  (He does not see any swords)

"D-don't ins-sult muh-my intelli-intelligence, D-doctor.  I m-may look and s-sound st-stupid, b-but I'm n-not.  S-save the no-noble speeches for s-some other ch-charity case and d-don't touch muh-me."  His voice begins to rise in volume.

"E-ever since I wuh-walked in here, puh-people have b-been luh-looking at me with dis-disgust or talking behind my buh-back.  They m-may not say 'M-monster', but they're thinking it!  I s-see it in their eyes!  I hear it i-in their vuh-voices!  Even yuh-you two f-fine doctors have b-been talking about h-how to h-hide it!" 

Now his voice is a roaring shout.  People are cringing away from him.

"I WILL N-NEVER HAVE MY OWN F-FACE B-BACK!  YOU CAN'T F-FIX MUH-ME!"

Frank storms out of the diner, shoving the door open so hard that the glass shatters.  He starts to run.

"Well.  That went well.  I don't suppose it would have made a difference if I had said 'please' or not.  I hope he happens to catch back up with us before trouble catches up with him.  I have a feeling trouble follows that one like a hungry dog."