(833) BillionSix: Our team consists of a paranoid lawyer, a road raging computer geek, and a woman who thinks that Mmmm Bop is the greatest song ever written. They hunt demons. :)
(836) Ian: (I love cheeseburgers. And no, I don't mean freaking McDonald's or Wendy's, I mean real cooked burgers. So hard to find decent ones.)
(833) BillionSix: We have a local chain here called Char Grill. They do really good burgers.
(835) Terry: Sounds good.
(836) Ian: (But I digress from the game...)
(833) BillionSix: So you had interviewed Amy Walters, and were making your next moce.
(835) Terry: Quiet in here.
(833) BillionSix: move
(836) Ian: (Yep. A somewhat non-productive interview.)
(835) Terry: Next stop was the retarded fellow, Mr. Dederer.
(833) BillionSix: Yeah, you discovered that she had gone even flakier than advertised.
(836) Ian: "Corn Flakes. She's absolutely Corn Flakes."
(835) Terry: "Well, at least she didn't projectile vomit pea soup."
(835) Terry: "Let's hit the road. You're driving, Skyler."
** Skyler gets behind the wheel. **
** Ian looks surprised. "You let who drive?" **
Skyler: "I have a license. And it's not a stick or anything."
(836) Ian: "I didn't mean anything, Skyler."
** Ian gives Terry a dirty look as he gets in the car. **
** (835) Terry smiles and closes his eyes. **
Skyler: "So where are we going?"
(835) Terry: "Time for Skyler to earn her paycheck on this little junket. We're off to..."
** (835) Terry checks his notes. **
(836) Ian: "This guy should be fun."
(835) Terry: "...see a man named Dederer. Here's the address and a map."
** Skyler examines the map. "Umm... just tell me where to turn." **
(836) Ian: "Uh, Terry, don't you think that maybe one of us should navigate? I mean, she'll be busy driving, you know."
(835) Terry: "He's a laborer so he's probably pretty strong."
(835) Terry: "Navigate away, Magellan."
** Ian consults the map. **
(836) Ian: "Uh, just take this road north, err, that way, until you see a street named Winsor. Then turn left."
** (835) Terry enjoys the back seat driving. **
** Ian glances at Terry and mutters "Smart aleck" under his breath. **
(835) Terry: "Just pacticing my mayhem-causing abilities."
** Skyler stops at the stop sign at Winsor. She holds her hands out and looks at the backs. She looks at her left thumb and forefinger which are forming an "L" shape. She mutters "L for left" then turns left. **
** Ian just laughs. **
(835) Terry: We speed along, laughing all the way.
(836) Ian: (Snap!)
(835) Terry: "You take the bus a lot, don't you Skyler?"
** Skyler just sulks. **
(836) Ian: "Don't sulk, Skyler, it's just unusual. We're really not making fun."
(835) Terry: "Okay, the fun at your expense is over. We were just kidding."
(833) BillionSix: Eventually, you find the apartment building where Richard Dederer's file lists as his home.
(835) Terry: "Besides, I don't want to be on the receiving end of any bounced damage if you get pissed off."
(835) Terry: "Stay alert. This guy is paranoid, although that might be his power showing through. Still, I wouldn't bet on it. What's our story this time?"
(836) Ian: (I wonder if there will be a Shatner shrine in there...)
(835) Terry: (To...boldly..go...)
(836) Ian: "Uh, same thing, I think, except I'll just be a law student taking notes from the grand master."
(833) BillionSix: (To go boldly. "To boldly go" is a split infinitive.)
(836) Ian: "Basically, we just need a thin excuse why a lawyer would be talking to him."
(835) Terry: "He may not appreciate our story much, but he's probably been interviewed by shrinks and cops enough that he may not notice the difference."
(835) Terry: "Okay. Let's see if he's home."
** (835) Terry pats the Judge in his shoulder holster and the stun gun in his briefcase. "The prosecution is ready." **
** Ian grins. **
(835) Terry: (Terrence Sneed--Paranormal Attorney.)
(833) BillionSix: (hehe)
(836) Ian: "Well, for paranoia, we've got two distractions." He glances briefly at Skyler.
(836) Ian: "Might keep his mind off of being interviewed."
(835) Terry: "That may be our ace in the hole."
Skyler: "What do you mean?"
(835) Terry: "Don't worry, Skyler. Just look cute and help us kick his teeth in if he goes nuts."
Skyler: "Okay. I'm pretty good at both,"
(833) BillionSix: You look at the names on the mailboxes. The name on Richard Dederer's apartment number box is "Fisher"
(836) Ian: "Hmmm, paranoid."
(835) Terry: "This doesn't look promising."
(835) Terry: "You're up, Ian."
(836) Ian: "Doesn't matter, we'll soon see if it's him."
** Ian rings the bell. **
(833) BillionSix: You have a picture of him with the file. He's kind of a heavy-set, homely dude.
(833) BillionSix: (I forgot. What time is it in-game?)
(836) Ian: (Afternoon, I think.)
(833) BillionSix: (There's no answer. The occupant may be at work.)
(836) Ian: "No show. Should we try again later?"
(835) Terry: (Are there any windows or back doors?)
(833) BillionSix: Not that you can see. It's part of a small apartment complex.
(833) BillionSix: It's quite possible that he has moved. The file is over a year old.
(835) Terry: "While I can't advocate breaking and entering, I think we should bend and peek if he becomes a serious suspect."
(835) Terry: "Well, let's ask the apartment manager."
(836) Ian: "We are supposed to be good guys, even if you are a lawyer."
(833) BillionSix: It's basically a house converted to two or three apartments. "Fisher" is upstairs. There is a downstairs apartment, and another upstairs one around the back.
(835) Terry: "Ahem, I did say bend and peek, didn't I?"
** Ian snickers. **
(835) Terry: "Well, let's knock until we find someone home."
(836) Ian: "And ask them what? I don't have a good excuse ready."
(835) Terry: "They're not quite the same, though I wouldn't want to try to fly that past a judge."
(835) Terry: "We're collections agents. He owes our client money. How's that?"
(835) Terry: "Or we're representatives of the church lottery. He's a winner and Skyler is our spokesmodel."
(836) Ian: "That will drive him further into hiding.
(836) Ian: "That's a lot better."
(836) Ian: "Have to be Unitarian. They have any and everybody as members."
(835) Terry: "We're the First Church of Moon Science Latter Day Witnesses."
(835) Terry: "Fine. Mine was a mouthful anyway."
** (835) Terry finds a door and knocks. **
(833) BillionSix: A middle-aged woman answers. "Yes?"
(836) Ian: "Hi, we're with the Unitarian Church, and we're trying to locate Mr. Fisher, as he's won our church lottery."
(836) Ian: "Do you know your neighbor, Mr. Fisher?"
(833) BillionSix: "Yes. He's probably in class now."
(836) Ian: "In Class?"
(835) Terry: "Oh, won't his fellow students be proud of him."
(833) BillionSix: "Yes, he's in college. He rents the upstairs place. Should I tell him you came?"
(836) Ian: "May I ask which college? Maybe he knows my cousin Rufus."
(833) BillionSix: "I'm afraid I'm not sure. One of the local tech schools, I think."
(836) Ian: "That's alright, just let him know we stopped by."
(833) BillionSix: I don't know him all that well, I'm afraid. He hasn't lived here long."
(836) Ian: "Are you the landlady, by chance?"
(833) BillionSix: "No, the landlord lives somewhere else. He owns a few places, I think."
(835) Terry: "Just let him know he's our big winner."
** (835) Terry gives her a big smile. **
(836) Ian: "I see. He's only been here a short while, did you say? Less than a few months?"
(833) BillionSix: "About five or six months. He just moved out from his parents' place, I think."
(836) Ian: "Is he typically home at night? We can come back a while later."
(833) BillionSix: "He should be here. I don't know his schedule. He has a part time job. I don't know where."
** (835) Terry nods at Ian, following his train of thought. "Could you describe him, ma'am? We may have the wrong Fish-er. Just a little religious humor." **
(833) BillionSix: "He's about 18. Blondish hair. Thin. Seems like a bright young man."
(836) Ian: (That's not our boy, is it?)
(833) BillionSix: (Not even close.)
(836) Ian: "Well, we'll be back by later. Thanks for your time, ma'am."
(836) Ian: "Uh, and God bless you."
(833) BillionSix: "All right. Have a nice day."
(835) Terry: "Bless you, ma'am."
(836) Ian: (Yea Verily.)
** (835) Terry walks away. "Crap. Time for some legwork." **
(836) Ian: "Yep. College kid is not our man. Wonder where he went."
Skyler: "Do we know where he works?"
** Ian consults the file. **
(833) BillionSix: (At the time, he worked at a local supermarket.)
(836) Ian: "We could try his old supermarket. Who wants to buy something?"
** Ian rubs his hands thinking of the expense account. **
(835) Terry: "Yeah, I'd like a pack of gum."
** Ian has beer on his mind. **
(835) Terry: "Well, let's go."
(835) Terry: "We don't have much else to go on."
(836) Ian: "Plus a beer would be nice.
(836) Ian: "I'll drive."
** Ian gets the keys and climbs in. **
** Skyler smiles. "Cool! You act so tough when you drive!" **
** Ian doesn't know whether to be flattered or insulted. **
** (835) Terry smirks. **
** Ian just ignores it. **
(835) Terry: "Get goin' Bo. Me 'n Daisy'll jus' let y'all git 'r' done."
(835) Terry: "Yee haw!"
(836) Ian: "Was there a 'Dukes of Hazzard' marathon on or something?"
(836) Ian: "And never, ever yee-haw at me again."
Skyler: "I'd be Daisy, but it's too cold out for the shorts."
** Ian drives to the supermarket. **
Hillbilly Narrator: "Well, 'bout then, the TNI boys knew they was in a heap o trouble."
(836) Ian: (ARGH!)
(833) BillionSix: You enter the warmth of the supermarket, escaping from the cold of the northeast.
(836) Ian: "Getting a bit tired of cold weather, how about you, Terry?"
(835) Terry: "Yes. Too bad this assignment wasn't in the Bahamas."
(835) Terry: "Are we there yet?'
** Ian wanders over to the beer aisle, keeping an eye out for Dederer. **
(833) BillionSix: (Well, you guys are used to it. You live in Albany, remember?)
(835) Terry: (Living there never means you're "used to it.") :)
(833) BillionSix: (You don't see Dederer there. There are various employees doing their jobs, and a guy with a tie behind the service desk.)
(835) Terry: "Same deal?"
(836) Ian: "Yeah, worked so far."
Skyler: "Why don't we just say we're like friends or something. You guys get all complicated."
(836) Ian: "Yeah, well, the people we talk to are sometimes complicated."
(836) Ian: "So, Terry, do we want to talk to the manager?"
(835) Terry: "Yes. Skyler has a point. Tell them you're his pregnant girlfriend."
** (835) Terry smirks again. **
(836) Ian: "Yeah. THAT will surely flush him out."
(835) Terry: It's really annoying when he does that.
Skyler: "Yeah, that wouldn't be believable. I've seen his picture."
(835) Terry: "Hey, I was just kidding. Seriously, though. Skyler, why don't you turn on the boobs and ask about him?"
(836) Ian: "That actually may work. What's his first name?"
Skyler: "Um, Richard I think."
(836) Ian: "Heh, ok Skyler, just ask that manager if Richard works here, and where you could find him."
** Skyler smiles. "Okay!" **
** Skyler goes over to the manager and acts all charming. **
** Skyler Jensen can be heartbreakingly charming when she wants to be, and the ditziness just makes people want to help. **
(833) BillionSix: She says that she may be pregnant. The manager expresses disbelief that Richard could get her to have sex with him. She says, "Umm. he told me it cured diarrhea."
(836) Ian: (HAHAHAHA!)
(833) BillionSix: After a few minutes she comes back with a piece of paper.
Skyler: "He doesn't have a phone number. The guy says that he lives in a house about 45 minutes out of town. Here's the address."
(836) Ian: "Freaking magic, Terry. Freaking magic."
** Ian just chuckles. **
** Ian also buys the beer. **
(835) Terry: "I think we just witnessed some impressive magick."
Skyler: "He also said that Richard says he got the house from his aunt who died. But no one beleives him cause he can't keep the story straight. Also he's been buying a lot more food than normal. And taking vacations.
(835) Terry: "That doesn't sound good for the former owner."
(836) Ian: "Hmmm, maybe he's got a visitor."
(835) Terry: "Do you think our little nutcase is branching out into a life of crime?"
(836) Ian: "We'll find out pretty soon."
** Skyler giggles. "A guy actually used that diarrhea line on me once. I won't fall for that one again." **
** Ian is not terribly surprised. **
** (835) Terry is just glad Ian is keeping her off the streets and out of the bars. **
** (835) Terry heads out to the car. **
** Ian follows, with the beer. **
(835) Terry: "It's getting late. Let's catch him at dinner. Assuming he's not pulling a Hannibal the Cannibal in which case we can come back later."
Skyler: "Is that for later, at the motel? Because we're kinda working now, right?"
Skyler: "Good idea, Terry. Let's eat."
(836) Ian: "Yep, for later. Warm beer is not good for anyone.
(835) Terry: "Okay, we can grab something then head out to his house."
(836) Ian: "Cheeseburger is portable food," Ian says hopefully.
Skyler: "If TNI is paying, let's stop somewhere nice, like Olive Garden or something."
(836) Ian: "Olive Garden? You are joking, right?"
Skyler: "Or something. What's wrong with Olive Garden?"
(836) Ian: "Olive Garden is to Italian food what McDonald's is to Cheeseburgers."
(836) Ian: "Let's find something a little nicer."
** Skyler smiles brightly. "I know! I like it, too!" **
** Ian rolls his eyes. **
(836) Ian: "I'm beginning to get a sense of what your high school years were like."
(835) Terry: "Just decide. I'll have a filet mignon."
(835) Terry: "Even if it is McDonalds."
** Ian looks for a decent Italian restaurant. **
Skyler: "High school was fun. I had lots of friends, and once I got into the special classes, it got a lot easier."
** (835) Terry nods. "I bet the boys liked you a lot." **
(836) Ian: "No takers on that bet, Terry."
Skyler: "Well, kinda. They weren't all nice after they got what they wanted, you know?"
(835) Terry: "That's a lot like life, Skyler."
** Skyler nods. "Yeah." **
** Ian is still looking for a good Italian restaurant. **
(836) Ian: "Tres Fratellis, I've heard about this place."
(835) Terry: (LOL)
(833) BillionSix: (Did I miss something?)
(835) Terry: (The Goonies.)
(836) Ian: (I used to live near this old house converted into a restaurant. Called Tres Fratellis, they had unbelieveably good food. If you're ever in Pensacola, you owe it to yourself to find it and eat there.)
(833) BillionSix: (Haven't seen that since I was a kid.)
(835) Terry: (The bad guys were an Italian family called the Fratellis.)
(833) BillionSix: (Ah, cool.)
(835) Terry: (Oh, never mind.)
(836) Ian: (Tres Fratellis means Three Brothers.)
(835) Terry: (I thought Ganse was kidding.)
(836) Ian: (Just a little plug...)
(836) Ian: (Maybe it's Tre Fratellis, I think Tres is French...)
(833) BillionSix: Okay, you stop and have a nice meal. Do you discuss anything during your dinner?
(835) Terry: Other than Skyler's sex life, small talk. I'm not sure we should talk about the assignment in public.
** (835) Terry thinks that TNI has some people keeping an eye on us, even though this is a milk run assignment. **
(836) Ian: (I agree with Terry.)
Skyler: "Well, I don't know. I don't think there are like crystal balls and stuff. If there are bugs, they're in the car, right?"
(836) Ian: "Probably."
(836) Ian: "Or in the equipment."
(835) Terry: "Or we're being tailed. I confess I haven't been looking. I simply assumed they would keep tabs on us."
(836) Ian: "I'm sure they are. Irrespective of that, we need to do a good job."
(835) Terry: "They want their money's worth and they want to see if we're screw ups. I don't blame them, but I don't like it, either."
(835) Terry: "Right. Do you think this whole thing is crazy? I mean, this is like the Twilight Zone."
(836) Ian: "We've been in the Twilight Zone for a while, but it's really sink or swim time now."
(835) Terry: "The let's go find this dork and see what he's doing."
(836) Ian: "Skyler, isn't this better than Olive Garden?"
** Skyler laughs. "I can't tell what's crazy anymore. I spent my 20th birthday hiding in a corner while a Chaos mage fought an avatar of the Executioner. This place is pretty good, though." **
(836) Ian: "I spent my 20th birthday hoping the guy at the liquor store wouldn't card me."
Skyler: "I'm 25, and I still get carded. I think it's cause I'm short."
(835) Terry: "Uh, I spent my 20th birthday sucking up to get into a law internship. It almost worked."
(836) Ian: "More like they want your address from your driver's license."
(835) Terry: "And what kinds of places have regular battles like that? Remind me to avoid them."
Skyler: "I don't know. The Executioner is dead now. The Chaos mage probably is. Chaos mages don't usually last long."
(836) Ian: "Facts to store for later."
Skyler: "Well, they get magic charges by taking stupid risks."
(835) Terry: "So who won?"
Skyler: "Um, the chaos mage. The Executioner was new to the avatar thing, and thought he was all badass.
(836) Ian: "Freaky."
(835) Terry: "I'm new to this, too. I don't feel even remotely badass."
(836) Ian: "Me either."
(835) Terry: "On a good day, I feel halfass."
(835) Terry: (Are we driving?)
(836) Ian: "A little beer may help with that."
(836) Ian: (I think so.)
(836) Ian: (I mean I think we're driving.)
(835) Terry: (Drinking and driving?)
(835) Terry: (Tsk tsk. Terry must be driving.)
(835) Terry: (He'd never do that.) :)
(835) Terry: "Going to be a dipsomancer like what's his name?"
(836) Ian: (Not drinking yet, have to let the beer cool at the motel.)