I.251 MOODINDIGO, still in a weary state from his recent illness and addiction to a certain amphetamine, picks up his Fender Mustang o'death (tm) and follows the marauding VVVCers while strumming Debbie Gibson's "Shake Your Love". ECSTASY, spotting such an anomaly, lashes out at him with her Extend-d-Whip(tm) and smacks him upside the nose. "Stop it! What in the hell got into you," ECSTASY demands with heaving bosom. "It....was...*gasp*...all that damn NAFTA talk by VENKMAN!" "Let's go rectify it." With that sentiment, ECSTASY and MOODINDIGO head off to find VENKMAN and kill him by feeding him to SVEN's hungry kisses. User: ecstacourtney and moodingido Date: 17-Nov 04:05 PM 753552345
I.252 --insert slight time warp here-- +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Daricell sinks into a chair in the White Room. "Ecstasy," she calls faintly, "I need a good, stiff drink." The whip-wielding bartender grins. "You need a good stiff something, but it probably isn't a drink...er, will a double scotch on the rocks do?" Daricell accepted the cool glass, pressing it to her forehead before sipping (and wincing at the taste). "Thanks." X returned to her bar, where the patrons were calling for her services, and Daricell stared into the glass, sipping and coughing every now and then. She felt pretty badly shaken. --No one expects to see a friend go into convulsions right in front of them, she mused. --Even though I knew she was epileptic, I'd never seen that happen before. I dealt with it, though. Daricell gave the glass a wavery smile. --I did know what to do.... so why do I feel so shaky now? You can't start going soft, my girl. You have an entire evening's meal to cook. With a gulp (and a wheeze of pain) Daricell polished off the rest of the scotch, and paid Ecstasy before returning to the kitchen. "Diqman, I need comfort food. Do you think you could make cookies? I'll do chicken and dumplings..." <<Of course, Daricell.>> Diqman started a fresh batch of cookie batter as the CopperPot put a few chickens on to boil... User: Dark Lady had a pretty chilling experience today... Date: 17-Nov 04:41 PM 753554495
I.253 In Farrah's Office: ------------------- "No." TRAVELER's reply is quick, short, and unembellished. Farrah, still concealed by the back of his huge chair, heaves a sigh. "Why not? I am prepared to offer a very comfortable price for your cafi. You could retire, travel, perhaps take a sea journey...we have such nice coast in this area..." "I said no. The Cafi is going to stay the way it is, and under my management and ownership. Frankly, I enjoy the job. And my staff and patrons seem to be pretty happy with the way I'm doing it." "Oh, but I agree. Why tamper with a successful formula? I wouldn't change things...much," Farrah says in a soothing voice. "Perhaps take out some of the less profitable features...knock out a few walls...the Red Room would make a nice fast-food-style cafeteria...maybe a sports bar in the Blue Room...and that garden will have to go, I can get factory-farmed produce much more cheaply ...Hmm, maybe a drive-thru window?" The owner of the Indigo Toucan is lost in his musings. "I'll need to run up a profit projection, of course..." "No deal." Trav stands up. "I think I'll collect my friend and be going now." "CADO isn't going anywhere, and neither are you!" says Farrah in a low, steely voice. "You WILL make this deal, one way or another. Your choice is whether or not you want to be around to talk about it afterwards! As I said, you may be making a sea journey in the near future...but I doubt it would be very enjoyable if you spent it entirely underwater." Traveler says nothing for a long moment. Then, "I certainly wouldn't sell my Cafi to someone who won't even show me his face. How about it, Farrah? Will you turn that chair of yours around? Or are you so afraid to face me that you must always deal with me indirectly?" Farrah sighs again, a long, rattling sigh. Trav hears the creak of a massive bulk shifting in the chair. "Very well, then. Look upon the face of the one who has vanquished you." The chair slowly swivels around. Though the light from the video monitors is dim, there is no mistaking the face... The face of VENKMAN, grinning with evil glee... User: TRAVELER Date: 17-Nov 05:16 PM 753556629
I.254 And DARICELL shook her head and broke out of her fantasy about what she'd LIKE to see happen to the Taco Bus... :) User: TRAVELER Date: 18-Nov 01:28 AM 753586106
I.255 Red, the blood of angry men ... Black, the dark of VAXers past! Daricell had been snoozing in the pantry, but suddenly she sprang awake. "I had a dream -- I had an awesome dream!" <<What is this, Dallas?>> Diqman asked, yawning next to her. "It's deus ex machina so I can correct my wrongs," Daricell said. "I dreamed that we stormed the TACO BUS!! And pushed it into the bay!" <<Sayyyyy!>> Diqman pulled out the map that Zoroaster had left behind. <<That sounds like a pretty awesome idea...>> Daricell seized the map and ran out to the White Room of the VVVC. "You want to start a revolution?" she called. Ecstasy, Jon Vallee, and Ximenez looked up. "Sure, why not?" Vallee replied. Daricell spread out the map, smoothing the paper so that they could all see. "You all know that Norm!'s TACO BUS is connected to the FarRight Corp... and more importantly, he's stealing customers and poisoning them." She nodded toward MoodIndigo. "Don't you think it's time we took matters into our own hands?" <<We could get rid of the bus easily,>> Diq added promptly. <<There are too many of us... and only one Norm!.>> Ecstasy grinned. "And I could provide us with some...weaponry..." Her Extend-O-Whip(TM) snaked across the room with a menacing C-R-A-C-K! User: Dark Lady needs your help to StOrM ThE BuS! Any plans? Date: 18-Nov 01:36 AM 753586609
I.256 Maharet struugles against her bonds of sharp, cutting bailing wire. She breathes but with difficulty inside the burlap back the man in black has slung over his shoulder. She thinks to herself of how she had gotten into this painful predicament... Tom stopped, confused, looking at his Ultimate Master. Not to Kill? The words tumbled in his deceased brain, like dice in a gamblers hand. He smelled Maharet's blood and fear, and his claws itched out of his paws with anticipation of blood. He strained against his unshakable obedience. The man in black looked down on the tableau, his shadded eyes holding dark humor. "No, Tom, this one we must keep alive. I have plans for our pesky friend Zoroaster. I have allowed him to live a little too long. He must watch his cat die before him- before he joins it in hell." The man in black plays with a smile. His teeth are unattractive, like razors dancing above his fleshless lips. "So, tom, I want her injured. but I want her conscious. And tomorrow I will let you take her life." Tom snarled with a feral pleasure that brought life to his rotting limbs. His jaws descended anew on Maharet, who had regained her breath, and prepared for a final bid for freedom. As tom lunged, she sproinged backwards. For a moment she had the distance. Then her wounded leg gave out, and she stumbled . SHe fell a screaming pain in her tail as Tom yanked it. It felt like it would be torn out of the bones of her body- ligaments ripping. Then tom sunk a claw into her stomache, and was on hert again, rending at the soft flash of her chest and throat, his teeth finding her neck. Tom bit harder, feeling Maharet lose the breath and will to resist. Rough cold hands pulled him away. He glared down at The rended kitten below, his red eyes and empty mind filled only with anticipation of the coming kill. It cannot wait. The Man in Black picks up Maharet, almost tenderly, moving slowly, smiling even as he examines her. rubbing her head softly, he walks over to a pile of bailing wire.. "Don't worry, soon it will be over, soon you will be at peace. For now tho, a little more suffering." With these words he whips the bailing wire around Maharet, biting into her hide and cutting deeper in her wounds. She lets out an anguished cry of pain, unable even to writhe as he hog ties her tight. As he dumps her into a bag, sealing thwe top The Man in Black laughs quietly to himself. Yes, Zoroaster, your will mourn her even as you lose your precious blood. This will be cool. User: Maharet as rendered to Zoroaster (I'm recovering everybody, my tail better Date: 18-Nov 01:49 AM 753587403
I.257 Outside the Indigo Toucan, Stefan and his robot look at the dwindling shape of Zoroaster's car. The whole time, Zoroaster had set but four words. Two gets, an in, and an out. Strange, but that describes Zoroaster. .... Zoroaster drive closer to the mysterious towing yard that seemed to be at the hub of all the mysteries of the day. He cannot shake a growing feeling that something is terribly wrong. He looks into the glowering clouds which reflect the city lights above, searching for some relief. There is only fear answering back. 'The man in black', Zoroaster thinks, 'I know he is here. That is what I fear. The way I feel, tonight I should go home and lock all the windows and doors.' The wind shakes his car, and a few scattered drops rattle against his windshield. As he leans forward to turn on the whimpers, his vision of the road is clouded, as if the red clouds above descend and do not end where the ground rises to meet them. User: ZOROASTER Date: 18-Nov 02:00 AM 753588042
I.258 At The Indigo Toucan: --------------------- VENKMAN, nee Farrah, chuckles darkly from behind his desk. TRAVELER stands grimly facing him. "You WILL sign the contract turning the VVVC over to me. If you do it willingly, you even stand to benefit from the transaction," Venkman says. "But why? Why this irrational desire to assimilate the Cafe?" Trav asks. "I might as well tell you the truth. I don't really care about assimilating it. I just want it shut down! I have my own establishment, of course, but somehow running it is unfulfilling. The story of my restaurant, my 'smorgasbord', as it were, could be an epic, a saga, a sort of adventure thingy ...But instead, I am consumed by jealousy for what I must admit is your clearly superior creation, the Virtual Virtual Vax Cafe!" "So, unable to tolerate being surpassed by an upstart like me, you are reduced to random attacks on the VVVC, secretly wishing to be a part of it," Traveler psychoanalyzes. "What you're saying is, underneath my cold, callous, heartless exterior, there's really a warm, sensitive soul wanting to be loved?" Venkman replies. "Yes, I suppose." "Well, you're wrong! Underneath my cold, callous, heartless exterior, there's a cold, heartless, callous interior!" Venkman laughs cruelly, and stabs the intercom button on his desk. "Mr. Jackson, are the papers drawn up?" "Almost, sir, I'll have them run over in a few minutes, Mr. Farrah," comes a voice, presumably of Venkman's lawyer. "Dammit, Jackson, I wanted that contract ready!" Venkman thunders. "I'm coming down to see what the holdup is! You've made me leave my office...and you know how much I hate to leave my office." "Really, sir, there's no need--" stammers Jackson. "Too late! I'm on my way!" Venkman turns off the intercom, then flips a switch on the arm of his chair. The whole thing rolls backwards--it is apparently motorized. Trav is not sure if the restauranteur is really disabled, or just too lazy to walk around. The chair begins to glide around the desk with a motorized whirr...but first Venkman stops and punches something into a keyboard on the desktop. One of the displays on the wall of screens now says "Your system has been put on Toucan Hold. Enter password to reactivate." "Wouldn't want you fiddling with anything while I'm gone," Venkman says, and grins. Then he rolls toward the double doors, opens them with his remote control unit, and disappears down the corridor. The doors swing shut; Trav tries them, but of course they are locked. User: TRAVELER Date: 18-Nov 07:56 PM 753652599
I.259 Jon, sipping a cuppa, glares balefully at the TACO BUS which sits just outside the Cafi. "It would be awfully nice to storm it," he muses, "just like our copper-pot oracle dreamt." He begins drawing up battle plans in his head. "After a strong dose of my Cuban coffee, we ought to be able to take on any vehicle. That Tiananmen kid just blocked the tanks -- with caffeine and sugar in our veins, we coulda knocked those tanks down like dominoes," he thinks. Then he stands. "Hey, everyone! Free cafi Cubano!" he shouts. As folks fuel up, he thinks, "Once everyone's wired, I'll start grumbling about the TACO BUS. Let's hope they're in the mood for a bit of uncivil behaviour by then." Then he turns to you. "What'll you have? Insomnia's Red Eye, special of the house, you know. It's on me." User: SYLVAR Date: 19-Nov 11:30 AM 753708613
I.260 Daricell smiles. "Give me a double dose. And, say, can we put a certain judge on the bus before we storm it?" User: Dark Lady: Bitter? No, we're not bitter... Date: 19-Nov 12:27 PM 753712051
I.261 "Actually, I've heard that Judge #2 *is* on the bus," Jon replies. "If he is, he's in for a surprise!" User: SYLVAR Date: 19-Nov 02:15 PM 753718519
I.262 "Hey Jon, draw me up a triple. I'm in a VERY good mood," says Cardinal Ximinez. "TESSAT!!!" "What?!?" asks Jon. "I don't know. For some reason the word 'tessat' just popped into my head and I can't seem to get rid of it. It must mean something. Hurry up with that triple while I try to figure it out." he replies. User: Cardinal Ximinez wonders...Did he just blow the plot? Date: 19-Nov 02:19 PM 753718823
I.263 <<*They think they can just storm that bus? Don't they realize what a big, huge, and weighty bus that is? It's going to have to have some sabotage done to it first... else everyone may end up getting hurt...*>> And, thus, the Head Baker DIQMAN volunteers for the reconnaisance squad... hiding from everyone his secret reason for trying to sneak in the bus... he must find the weakness before they attack it... User: ...diqman... I know how you feel inside, I've been there before... Date: 19-Nov 03:40 PM 753723649
I.264 *MISSING MATERIAL* INCLUDES: Pacing around VENKMAN's office, TRAVELER finds a copy of Jean-Paul Sartre's _No Exit_ on the bookshelf. He pulls at the book, and the entire bookcase swings out, revealing a hidden doorway. This was the meaning of DEMENTIA's note. He closes the bookshelf behind him and sets off through the tunnel beyond.
I.265 Meanwhile, in the casino, CADO is slowly coming to, but the chloroform has weakened him so much that he is barely able to move...not to mention he is still doubled over from the nasty kick he received in the solar plexus. "Get him up and take him into the back room," directs the Police Chief. "I want to have a word or two with him in private. Make sure he is restrained tightly." Two guards approach and lift CADO's limp form by the arms, dragging him toward the back of the casino, to a small, dimly lit conference room. They set him in a chair and bind his hands and feet to the chair, finally strapping a large belt around his waist. Then they leave him in silence. After a few minutes, CADO can feel some of his strength returning to him, and attempts to break his hands free. He suddenly realizes, through sheer pain, that his restraints are made of strong leather (*ouch*) and are not breakable by normal means. He then tries to shuffle the chair, but finds that it, too, is fastened to the floor. Finally, he settles down, realizing he cannot break out just now. "Well, let's see what the Chief has to say...how does he know my name, anyway?" User: cont'd... Date: 22-Nov 08:21 AM 753956481
I.266 Moments later, the Chief comes into the room and sits in the chair opposite CADO, giving instructions to the guards to wait outside and guard against any more intrusions. "Well," says the Chief, "it seems you have gotten yourself into trouble again, Eric." CADO's eyes widen at hearing his true name spoken. There are only a handful of people in the world who know his real name. And certainly, he has told no one in this town. "How do you know me? Where have I seen you before?" Strange as it was, the Chief's face _did_ seem vaguely familiar... "Oh come on, Eric. Surely you haven't forgotten your past...although I am sure you would _like_ to forget." <<My _past_?>> thought CADO. <<What about my past? Besides the fact that I...>> It suddenly dawned on him. The whole mess of fateful events that ended his military career so abruptly now came rushing back to him in his mind... "So we meet again at last...Master Sergeant Pyre..." User: Cado...*whew* it's getting hot in here... Date: 22-Nov 08:33 AM 753957913
I.267 Jon decants a small pitcher of bubblin' crude -- no, make that espresso -- and serves merrily. When the Cardinal begins babbling, Jon asks, "Hey, how did you know something good happened?" "See that TV?" Ximinez points to the wide-screen TV in the corner. On the screen is an image of Traveler at the bookshelf. The bottom of the screen says "INSTANT REPLAY". Little circles and arrows appear on the screen, diagramming the operation of the secret latch. Traveler looks pleasantly surprised in slow motion. Then he enters the secret panel. "What the hell? Where'd that TV come from?" A continuity man, about five foot six, wearing little granny spectacles, a wide-striped tie, and a power suit from 1973 clacks his heels across the room. "I demand you explain the sudden appearance of this TV set -- or else I'll declare it non-canon!" "Take it easy," begins Jon. "First of all, it's here to cover your ass. You let the Cardinal react to events he shouldn't be aware of. This is an explanation for his apparently spontaneous knowledge." The continuity man grumbles. "Okay, okay, a wide-screen deus ex machina Panasonic TV. But you still have to explain how it got here." "Remember when the Cafi was being built? Farrah paid mafia dudes to put a closed-circuit TV link between the Toucan and the Cafi. Unfortunately, User: !snip! Date: 22-Nov 12:32 PM 753971608
I.268 they weren't too bright. Thus we can see them, too." "Damnit, Vallee, I think that'll work. Gimme a coffee." "What -- an American coffee?" "Yes, an American coffee." "You wimp." "Careful -- I can have your character killed, mule boy!" The small man walks offstage with his clipboard, sipping gingerly at his mug of coffee. User: SYLVAR Date: 22-Nov 12:34 PM 753971686
I.269 the HELL!? :) Uh, try this on for size: Someone in the Blue Room (let's say INLERAH...you've been sitting there without much to do lately, Donna) hacked their way into Farrah's closed circuit TV system...allowing everyone at the Cafe to watch. It's just like that episode of the old Star Trek..."Arena"... :) User: Traveler Date: 22-Nov 06:37 PM 753993467
I.270 *partly in tribute to Herman's Head, partly to explain why I'm in the woods so long, partly 'cause it's remarkably calm in Architorture this morning:* ...weaving her way through the trees, FIREFLYTE settles in the growing mist of twilight, unaware of the events stirring at the Cafe'. She comes to a short, smooth-faced stone, and then another...she finally takes a seat on a circular stump, and looks about at the scattering of grave-markers. Very few, overgrown with weeds and vines which cling to them as if to protect them from the conscious, irreverent world. She smiles softly, sadly,...and takes a slow deep breath. As she lets out the breath, her form blurs a moment, and then some of the shadows about her seem to reveal themselves as human forms... ...there are five...no, maybe six of them here...One, a wiry girl with short-cropped, dirty-blond hair, dressed in black jeans, boots, and t-shirt, biker's gloves, wearing a worn-grey denim jacket without sleeves, stretches unceremoniously, and cracks her neck...she runs her fingers through her hair, and untangles a thin, braided tail of it from her silver, dangly earring. Yawning, she looks to the others inquiringly. "All-night jam session?" Her eyes are level and grey, as she looks to the first figure, still sitting on the stump, a trifle furrier-looking, and this time softly twitching a long, feline tail... "Yeah...figured it'd be good to pull us together...it's to easy to lose touch with yourself when you're busy." She winks, grinning, and turns to a small, mousey-looking girl, with conservatively-cut brown hair, large plastic- rimmed glasses, and a total lack of facial expression..."Miz Spock, you tend to rules and order, you preside." The expressionless girl nods. "As much as there is to preside over, Songdancer...we haven't been quarrelling as much lately, so there's not much old business to deal with." She looks around the group succinctly. "We're not all here..." A vaguely Deliriumesque figure bursts out laughing...she has touseled brown hair, almost in a mane, and wears bluejeans and a Billy and the Boingers t-shirt, with atrocious sneakers. She seems to fidget constantly, and glows faintly golden, with the occasional spark. You're not really sure if she has wings, or if it's a trick of light. Right now, she's gasping for breath, leaning amicably on a short, square grave-marker..."We've *never* been 'all there' silly...you should know, you came first!...then Dreamchilde, then Fury, then me, then Songdancer...oh, and Gypsy snuck in somewhere around there." She bobbles a nod to the blond girl, currently cleaning her nails with a slender knife...she starts to continue, but is interrupted by a figure in a long, flowing white dress, sashed with a light blue scarf...her hair flows long, down to her thighs, and seems tinged purple, through the brown. "She's not going to come tonight...she's still scared..." A growl from the shadows half-reveals a figure with short, black hair, and a ruby earring stud in her nose...not much else is visible, save a pale face, and cold black eyes. "Damn straight! You remember the last time...!" "Oh, quitcher bitching, Fury...go crawl back under a rock..." The blond girl, Gypsy, glares exasperatedly at the shadowy figure, who retreats once more. She turns to Miz Spock. "Girl, I don't know how you put up with us, before you let us out..." "Actually, Fireflyte was the hardest to subdue. She had the biology on her side." Fireflyte sticks her tongue out at Miz Spock as she says this..."You were a lurker, Dreamchilde was the wifty romantic all teenage girls have to deal with, so she was easy--" Songdancer interrupts, "...muse without direction...as you are cold logic and efficiency in crisis, Gypsy is the street, the survivalist, Fireflyte is the energy, the spirit, Fury is,..well, her..." "And you?" Miz Spock raises an eyebrow, knowingly...Songdancer grins..."I am the gestalt...the translator that is our basic nature..." She raises an eyebrow herself..."Perhaps we don't know each other as well as we had thought? Maybe we really *should* talk tonight...get to know each other...7000 words or less for you, though, Fireflyte..." All of them laugh, and nod...and until the morning they speak, sometimes quietly, sometimes not...until the morning light resolves them back into the image that sat there before. FIREFLYTE, the Gypsy Songdancer, then curls up into a ball, and falls asleep... User: Fireflyte... ...just wanted to introduce myselves... Date: 23-Nov 09:31 AM 754047087
I.271 Back in the stuffy, cramped, investigation room... <<I can't believe this is happening...>> CADO thinks to himself. "Yes, Eric. It's good to see you again after all these years, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Then again, you always were one to be on the wrong side of the tracks..." "What do you mean?" barks CADO. "I saved not only your life, but your reputation and future as well!" "And at what cost?" returns the Chief, jumping up from his chair. "You had a bright future in the Marines before you got involved with me...and the project. If you had left well enough alone in the beginning, you'd still be in today." "And you would still be in the brig--or worse." CADO retalliated. "Your life would have been ruined, and your reputation shot! Was I supposed to just let that happen to you?" User: cont'd Date: 23-Nov 09:42 AM 754047769
I.272 "You should have. I was an old enlisted man...I was expendable. And as a senior enlisted man near retirement..." "...You would have been all over the press. Look, I did what I had to. I was much more expendable than you...no one cares about a corrupt junior officer--they just quietly resign him and write him off. But you--you had clout. The entire command from the Commandant on down would have taken notice!" "But you were an _officer_ with a future ahead of you! Look...enough of that. It's bad enough we're both out now. I'm more concerned with what you're doing here. I pulled you out of there because I wanted to talk to you. You're fighting for the wrong cause again, Eric." CADO was silent for a moment, then spoke, matter-of-factly, "No, Dan, I'm not. I'm fighting for the right cause, as I always have." The Chief slumped down in the chair. "Eric..." he said quietly, "do you realize what's going to happen? Farrah is going to take over the VVVC, and you will work for him voluntarily, or..." "...or what?" User: cont'd Date: 23-Nov 09:43 AM 754047832
I.273 "Or you will work for him regardless. You have established yourself well in this community. In fact, I know it has been your only shelter from the past, and there are few other places you could go to hide yourself. Believe me, your reputation could surface itself very easily...and follow you wherever you may go. However, it can be just as easily hidden, if you are...cooperative." CADO could not believe his ears. How could his lifelong friend and mentor, whom he had learned so much from in the past, and had given up his flourishing career to save, now be threatening to expose him to the world? He sat for a moment, stunned. "You realize, of course, that I could just as easily expose you to the world, and bring about all that which I saved you from before," CADO finally spoke. "Ah, but no. I am protected here. Farrah knows all about my...er..._our_ past. I have shelter here, which will keep me from all repercussion that may try to find me. You, on the other hand, do not have such protection. Tell me, does your TRAVELER know of your previous record?" User: cont'd Date: 23-Nov 09:44 AM 754047904
I.274 The Chief swung around and sat down in the chair again, facing CADO. "All you have to do is talk to your TRAVELER and convince him to subsidize the VVVC under Farrah's ownership. It's as easy as that...and the world will be yours! You will both be given high positions in the corporation, and enough sanction to keep you invulnerable for the rest of your life...not to mention enough money to put your grandkids through Yale." "What makes you think I could ever convince TRAVELER to ever give up his VVVC?" CADO retorted. "It's the most precious thing in his life! He's worked himself to the bone to bring that cafe up to what it is today! And he's not just going to toss it to the wind because I ask him to!" <<Though I never *would* ask him to anyway>> CADO thought to himself. "Yes, but you're his closest associate...he trusts you. Believe me, when Farrah's done with him, he'll have enough doubt in his mind that convincing him should not be a problem for you." User: cont'd Date: 23-Nov 09:47 AM 754048047
I.275 CADO was in a terrible dilemma. Pyre was right...he probably could convince TRAVELER to give up his cafe. But that would be such a misuse of the trust and confidence he had gained at the VVVC...No, he just couldn't do it! But...his past...it would ruin him forever if...would TRAVELER understand? It was just too risky. Why was Pyre doing this to him when he had saved Pyre's life and reputation so many years ago? Why was TRAVELER's VVVC such a threat to Farrah, if he could offer such complete shelter to Pyre and everyone else? What threat did the VVVC pose to Farrah that he could convince Pyre to betray his one-time friend and savior? ...Suddenly, it dawned on him. **TO BE CONTINUED** User: Cado...*whew* poster, anyone? :) Date: 23-Nov 09:48 AM 754048111
I.276 As most everyone else at the VVVC prepared for what looked like an extended military exercise, SVEN walked up to the coffee bar. Jon was washing mugs. "Hey, pal! What's the strongest thing you got?", SVEN demanded. "Well, I've got some speed in the backroom..." SVEN paused, considered..."Nah. Triple espresso with extra caffeine." In a jiffy, the thing was made and thrown down SVEN's gullet. He then tore off for the Blue Room and seated himself at one of the terminals. SVEN frowned, muttering "Primitive crap" to himself... He logged himself into the local net, searching for a system...no...no...THERE. He quickly dialed in. "THE INDIGO TOUCAN - Please enter password." SVEN grinned and triggered an ICEbreaker. Instantly, the screen was a mess of possible passwords. After five seconds, the correct password appeared on the screen. SVEN looked at it, disbelieving it for a second... "Who the hell would have a system password like 'glazed doughnut'?" User: Sven...to be continued...*) Date: 23-Nov 01:33 PM 754061651
I.277 "AH em..., excuse me." "Yes, what can I get for you?" "Actually I was wondering what I could do for you? You see, I'm looking for a job. I used to dance and a well that's not important... But I know how to wait tables now and I'm a microbiology major...." "You're looking for a job?" "Well, yes, I need to pay for this new toy I got and it put me under about 50,000 and I need to see more sites... I hear this is the place to be. Do you think you could use a micro major that can sing and dance and wait tables and even count money? You see I'm really skilled...." "Micro major? You got a resume? Why do you want a job here?" "It's this new toy, you see. It makes me do things I just cant stand to not do.... And well if I dont pay for it I wont be able to keep it...." "What kind of toy?" "Well I cant exactly say, It's just a lot of fun... He makes me work you know, I wouldn't If I didn't need to.... Um well... I need the job. I'll do User: wanderer Date: 23-Nov 05:37 PM 754076270
I.278 Despite the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Daricell's mind was more on Taco Bus storming than turkey stuffing. However, the patrons of the VVVC were depending on her... Especially since many of them had returned, limping, after their Taco Bus meals, claiming that their kneecaps really hurt. So Daricell returned, briefly, to the kitchen, to baste the turkey that was browning in the oven, then scurried back out to the War -- er, White Room. "Have we made any serious plans yet?" <<Violence is not a good thing,>> Diqman was saying, as Ecstasy passed out whips to the populace. However, he was ignored in the general melee... "Give me one of those Phi Sig Sig whips!" someone yelled. "Storm the Bus!" called someone else, and the rallying cry was taken up by the rest of the room. "Hold it!" Daricell said, and when no one heard her, she bellowed, "HOLD IT!" The room quieted somewhat, and Daricell jumped onto a table. "We can't just do this helter skelter, with no planning or anything. We need some ideas. We need some objectives. And we aren't going to cause bodily harm to anyone (except Judge #2) if we can help it." The room went silent. Daricell continued, "Our main objective is to get rid of the Taco Bus. It *is*, after all, parked illegally. And if the towing co. won't tow, then we'll just... move it ourselves." She grinned. "But we're going to have to be stealthy about it. I mean, Norm! isn't just going to let us pop it in neutral and push it away. So... we'll need some distractions in the front... " User: Dark Lady -- anyone want to continue? And Happy T-giving! Date: 24-Nov 09:33 AM 754133666
I.279 <<**contemplative** *They'll need one hell of a diversion... *sigh* suppose it's my line of work, then.*>> And so, th head baker volunteers for the diversion squad... luckily, after having conducted personality research on the TACO BUS employee-failure, he knows exactly how to proceed... Sidling up to the BUS, while the masses are just beginning to coalesce, DIQMAN shouts, <<Hey, Norm! Come on out of there! We've got... uh... something for you.>> From the interior of the bus, the bitter old voice of the proprietor can be heard to say, "D'oh! E-I-E-I don't think so. Besides, Judge #2 in here said that, by ignoring the impact of New Criticism in your argument, your point is invalid. You fail." DIQMAN sighs. He knows it's time to bring out the heavy weapons here... <<But, didn't you know that there's a Virtual Volleyball game tonight? I was just making sure you knew, although I'm sure you don't like that sort of thing...>> "Where?" <<In the center of downtown... in a really big, square building. It won't be too hard to find... and I'll watch your bus. No need to worry on that account; I'm a man of my word.>> "Alright, then, I'm out of here! Thanks for inviting me! D'oh! Mmmm... volleyball. Have I mentioned that I need a woman? D'oh!" As NORM's voice drifts into the background, the baker smiles. He steps into the bus, checks out the surroundings to see that there is no way anyone will get hurt, then steps outside to help fulfill his promise... <<*I'll watch that bus, alright... I'll watch and love every minute of what they'll do to it.*>> User: (: Diqman :) -- study in semantics Date: 24-Nov 11:05 AM 754139644
I.270 "Do we really want to hurt Norm?" asks Jon Vallee, resident caffiend. "I mean, yeah, he works for Farrah, but he might be a good ally. If we can persuade him to join the winning team, perhaps he WILL just let us pop it into neutral." "But if he WON'T join us, he goes over the cliff!" someone shouts from the back of the room. Jon thinks for a moment. "Yeah -- okay. That works for me. Anyone care to go out and persuade him?" [ Out-of character note: Max ought to decide whether Norm will join us. Max, ] [ will you please mail someone and "tap them on the shoulder" to volunteer ] [ for Norm-duty? Let 'em know what news to bring back to the Cafi... ] User: Jon Vallee Date: 24-Nov 11:14 AM 754139702
I.281 Quick notification: For plot purposes...Norm is going to come over to our side, and the Taco Bus will NOT go over the hill and into the bay, but will be saved and renamed the Pizza Bus. Norm will be proprietor, but this time, he'll be on our side... Okay? User: Daricell, your fearless leader... Yeas, Max & I talked about this... Date: 24-Nov 01:08 PM 754146552
I.282 TRAVELER treads cautiously through the concrete-walled tunnel. Apparently the walls of the Indigo Toucan are honeycombed with an elaborate tunnel system, presumably because Farrah/VENKMAN knows that his criminal enterprises may necessitate swift and secret getaways. Trav is now several turns from where he entered the tunnel system (Venkman's office). He studied the map at the entrance carefully, plotting a route that appeared to lead to an exit from the building, but already he is worried that he may have gotten lost. In any case, he will know soon--either the way out will be where he expects it to be, or it won't...in which case he'll be lost in Venkman's labyrinth... At that moment, the owner of the Indigo Toucan rolls up to the door of his office in his mobile office chair, flanked by an accountant, a lawyer, and one of the many Large Men In Tuxes [tm]. This particular large man is holding a box of glzed donuts, which Venkman periodically grabs one of. Now he aims his remote control at the office door--but it doesn't open. Instead, it gets stuck against the chair Trav propped against its other side; the door's motor whines angrily, but cannot budge the obstruction. "Trying to lock me out of my own office, eh?" Venkman turns to the large man. "Then we'll just break our way in. And he'll have to suffer the consequences..." The thug backs away from the doors, then comes running towards them, crashing against them shoulder-first. There is a splintering sound--the chair on the other side has clearly been damaged, but so has Venkman's goon. Just then, another formidable-looking big guy shows up, and joins the first man in another run against the doors. This time they give way, and Vito and Pino go crashing into Venkman's office... Venkman follows them, rolling over the remains of the chair that blocked the door. He finishes his donut, and wipes his hand on his white Godfather- style suit. "All right, Traveler, that was a stupid trick, but if you'll sign the papers, I might be--" Venkman stops and looks around, troubled. "I don't think he's here," ventures the lawyer timidly. "Of COURSE he's not here, Jackson!" Venkman swivels rapidly to face his two thugs. "Vito--Pino--begin a search of the building! Seal off the exits!" The men depart hastily, and Venkman turns to his wall of TV screens. With his remote, he flips through all the possible camera views of the Indigo Toucan, but to no avail--Traveler appears on none of them. "Uh, does this mean you won't be needing me, sir?" the accountant asks. Venkman turns to face him. "You're not going anywhere! We WILL get him, and he WILL sign those papers!" he screams, and throws the remote control at the accountant. The accountant manages to duck, so that the black plastic unit hits the bookshelf behind him. Miraculously, it falls to the floor unharmed by its abrupt aerial trip and sudden collisions. Grumbling, Venkman wheels over to pick it up. But as he bends over, a book that sticks out slightly on the middle shelf catches his eye. "Hmmmm...looks like someone's been reading _No Exit_. And that can only mean one thing." Venkman turns and wheels over to his desk, an evil smile creeping across his features. "I've got him now..." User: TRAVELER Date: 24-Nov 05:46 PM 754163297
I.283 Bingo! Max...you're going to like this one...you can have everything you wanted. :) OK everyone...I finally realized what it was that suddenly dawned on me. :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-etc. etc. Back in the little interrogation room... The virtual truth finally hit CADO...Pyre had been blackmailed once again! Pyre was so loyal to Farrah because Farrah had him trapped! This put a new light on the subject... "Now come on, Eric," Pyre continued. "Don't make the same mistake you made last time. Come on over to the right side and help us out. I promise you'll be protected, as I am." "Well, I don't know," CADO said finally. "I'm still not sure I trust this whole thing. How about you let me talk to Farrah first?" "Well," sighed Pyre, "you've got to give in either way, but if it will make it easier...I will go get Farrah and you may discuss this with him personally." User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 06:43 PM 754771451
I.284 With that, Pyre left the room and took a back entrance through the tunnels to Farrah's office. Little did he know he had company...TRAVELER swung around a corner and bounced right into him! Pyre immediately grabbed ahold of him by the collar. "Who the hell are you?" Pyre barked. TRAVELER thought he was dead for sure. His brain raced to find an escape. "Er...Let me go! I'm one of Farrah's secret agents, and there's a very important prisoner loose in the tunnels! If you detain me any longer, he will get away!" Pyre, not sure whether to beleive TRAVELER or not, decided it couldn't hurt one way or the other--only one of Farrah's agents would know the way through the tunnels anyway...He promptly released hold of TRAVELER and continued to Farrah's office... User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 06:45 PM 754771542
I.285 Farrah whirled around when he heard the secret exit open... "A-HA!" Exclaimeed Farrah. "Now we've got..." A look of disdain came over Farrah's face when he saw it was only Pyre. "What do you want?" He snapped. "Sir, I have CADO in captivity at the moment, and I have almost convinced him to cooperate...but he wishes to talk to you first." "Well," pondered Farrah, "what is he to do for us?" "He might be able to convince TRAVELER to hand over his business to you...with no reservation!" explained Pyre. "Hmm...TRAVELER and CADO seem to be fairly close friends. What makes you think that CADO will betray his friend as such?" "Because I have the upper hand on him," continued Pyre. "You do remember the incident which nearly cost me my career in the Marines, right?" "Yes...I do believe it is one of the main reasons you remain loyal to me...but what of that?" User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 06:47 PM 754771681
I.286 "Because...CADO was the scapegoat that kept me from being exposed to the world!" exclaimed Farrah. "This I know of," said Farrah in a bored tone. "How is that to help us?" "Because," explained Pyre, "TRAVELER and the rest of the VVVC community, who are his only friends now, know nothing of his reputation...and it would be disastrous to him if they did! Believe me, sir, he will be more than willing if you explain it to him." "There's only one problem with this theory..." said Farrah, disdainfully, "...TRAVELER has escaped into the secret tunnels, and we have been unable to locate him." "Don't worry, sir, I'm sure the secret agent you sent after him will apprehend him in no time," replied Pyre. "Secret agent?" queried Farrah. "What secret agent? I sent no secret agent into the tunnels!" "But I ran into a..." Pyre's face turned white. It WAS the TRAVELER afer all! User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 06:49 PM 754771759
I.287 "...TRAVELER?" continued Farrah. "Don't worry...he won't find his way out of there before I get ahold of him. But come...your CADO may be of use in speeding up the process of apprehending our elusive guest, at any rate." "Yes sir," Pyre said, relieved. "Oh, and Pyre?" Farrah beckoned. "Yes sir?" "I will overlook your impudence this time. I suggest you do not let it happen again." "Yes sir." Farrah clicked a switch on a side panel and spoke into a microphone. "Guards...bring CADO to me. Immediately." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=etc. etc. Stay tuned...more to come later today! :) User: Cado...*gasp* *pant* poster...poster...*wheeze* Date: 1-Dec 06:51 PM 754771959
I.288 Back in the small, stuffy room, which seemed to grow smaller and smaller by the minute to CADO... CADO thought to himself. <<I've got to find a way out of this. I think I may have the upper hand on Pyre...but I don't want to destroy him. He's still a friend, even in this light; not to mention that I put my whole life on the line for him, and it would be pretty stupid to waste all that effort now. But what am I going to do about TRAVELER? What if he finds out about my past? I'll probably lose all my friends at the VVVC including him, not to mention my job as a bouncer. Hell, I was lucky to even land that job, with my record. But if I go along with Farrah, I'd be betraying him even worse. There's got to be something else I can do...>> A dabo girl--the one who was watching him earlier--wandered into the room, conspicuously trying not to look conspicuous. She began humming to herself, looking around the room, pretending she didn't even see CADO tied to the chair in the middle of the room. She promptly walked around to the back of the chair and leaned up against it, tipping it and CADO over. CADO felt a sickening lurch as he and the chair went over backward... User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 08:38 PM 754778296
I.289 "Oh dear!" exclaimed the girl. "Look what I've done! I'm so sorry! Here...let me help you up." The girl promptly righted CADO and his chair, then began dusting his shoulders off...at which point, she leaned over and whispered into his ear... "Listen..." she whispered, "I'm a VBI agent. I'm trying to get this place blown sky-high, and Farrah along with it. Right now, there are hundreds of agents staged around the Toucan and the surrounding area; all they need is the word to move in. But I need you to play along with Farrah until we can get enough evidence to nab him and close him down for good! Oops...gotta go...I hear someone coming. Good luck!" And as quickly as she came in, she was gone. And as quickly as she left, two guards rushed into the room, tied a blindfold around CADO's eyes, and carried him away, chair and all. User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 08:39 PM 754778393
I.290 "Where are you taking me that I can't see?" CADO asked. "Never you mind," replied the guard on the left. "You don't need to know about Farrah's secret tunnels!" "Hey! Shut up!" shouted the other guard. "What, are you stupid? You're not even supposed to talk about those! You want to get us both killed?" "Sorry..." replied the first guard, weakly. As soon as CADO heard the last door slide shut, he began making a mental map... "Mr. Farrah, here is Mr. CADO." The guards dropped CADO rather abruptly. That was ok...he was prepared for the worst. Or was he? User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 08:40 PM 754778479
I.291 "Well, well...what have we here?" announced Farrah. CADO could feel his face turning white...that voice was all too familiar to him. He felt the blindfold being untied from the back of his head, and almost wished that they would leave it on. The blindfold snapped unmercifully away from his eyes, leaving him staring into the face of... VENKMAN! CADO's heart sunk. He almost felt doomed. Farrah (VENKMAN) laughed evilly to himself. "So," he said at last, "I have heard that you might deal with us, but require a little more conviction." This was too much. But no...he had to be strong. Help _was_ on the way...<<Well,>> he thought, <<I can put up a little resistance and see what happens.>> "So why should I cooperate?" CADO returned sharply. User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 08:42 PM 754778542
I.292 "First of all," continued VENKMAN, "I know all about your past. It's a pretty hefty load to carry, isn't it? And, of course, the wrong word to the wrong person could mean disaster for you." "Maybe," said CADO coolly. "But I'd survive." "Ah, yes, but what a life that would be. You'd forever be running from town to town, seeking shelter and avoiding everyone. And if you make the wrong decisions, your reputation would follow you...of course." VENKMAN grinned evilly. CADO was not to be outdone. "I've lived alone for many years. I can do it again." "Oh, but the horror you'd live through. Not being able to talk to a single soul, to befriend anyone...lest they might know your awful secret." VENKMAN leaned back, clearly satisfied that he had won. User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 08:43 PM 754778585
I.293 CADO thought for a moment, and almost repied, but VENKMAN continued before he could begin to speak. "You will also find that I can be very cruel when things don't go my way. I could expose you to the entire world. The government did rather a good job of covering you up, but I always receive what falls through the cracks. Ah, but no...I don't believe I would even have to do that. Exposing you to your friends at VVVC would be bad enough, don't you think? You've established yourself quite well there, I have seen. Made many friends. It would be a shame to have them all turn their backs on you now, if they found out what you truly were." CADO wasn't going to be able to lie himself out of this one. He had better just play along--he was pretty well pegged. "Ok," replied CADO, "I get your point. So what am I supposed to do? I don't even know if I _could_ convince TRAVELER to sign the VVVC over to you. That's his whole life!" "It is enough that he trusts you," replied VENKMAN. "I have enough lawyers that can explain the whole deal to him in sweet, confusing logic...with that, and an encouraging word or two from you, he'll be hooked!" User: cont'd... Date: 1-Dec 08:44 PM 754778691
I.294 <<Hmm...>> thought CADO. <<It could work. And I would have to write myself above Benedict Arnold in the book of traitors.>> "But never mind that now," continued VENKMAN. "We have a little problem with Mr. TRAVELER at the moment. He is attempting to escape through my secret tunnels. He's hopelessly lost, of course, but that is no matter. What I need you to do right now is to get on the intercom, give him directions out of the tunnels, and tell him that I have been captured by the authorities, and that it is safe to come out. Then, once we have apprehended him, we can talk business." VENKMAN snapped his fingers; one of the guards turned a few switches on a side panel, picked up a microphone, and held it in front of CADO's face. VENKMAN held up a piece of paper in front of CADO's eyes. It was a map of the tunnels. "Go ahead," ordered VENKMAN. "Tell him how to get out." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-etc. etc. Stay tuned! More to come! :) User: Cado...I think my fingers are going to fall off... :) Date: 1-Dec 08:45 PM 754778925
I.295 In the small room adjoining the casino where CADO had been held, the blonde dabo girl pulls a small headset out of the cleavage of her silver- sequined dress and puts it on. "Agent GENEVIEVE to VBI stakeout team," she whispers. After a moment, a faint, staticky voice comes back. "Agent STEFAN here. But there's no VBI team out here! I just happened to be in the neighborhood." "Damn!" Genevieve says quietly. "I thought I got my signal through to them. I've already told Cado that we have a large force waiting to storm the Indigo Toucan." "And he might get heroic thinking that we can back him up," says Stefan. "Well, I've got something planned that may catch Farrah by surprise. Keep an eye on things in there, and give me regular updates." "Roger," says Genevieve. "Oh, one more thing," says Stefan. "How is TRAVELER doing?" "I don't have a clue..." Traveler, at that moment, is wandering through the maze of tunnels within the walls and basement of the Indigo Toucan. He has reached the lowest level now, but can't find the way out. A few minutes ago he passed a man in a police captain's uniform, apparently in Farrah/VENKMAN's employ, and managed to fake his way past. But doubtless his deception has been discovered by now, or soon will be, and he will be searched for. He must find the exit quickly...or be caught in Venkman's web forever... User: Traveler Date: 2-Dec 02:41 PM 754843281
I.296 In VENKMAN's office, one of the restauranteur's lieutenants holds the microphone in front of CADO... "Wait," says Cado, licking his lips. "I need a minute to think about this. I'm just not sure...if I'll be able to convince him. Let me choose what I'm going to say." Venkman scowls. "Very well, a minute." He turns to his desk, which Cado sees is covered with papers showing drawings and information on the Virtual Virtual Vax Cafe. It appears that Venkman has obtained a survey of the place in his bid to take it over. <<When he does something, he does it thoroughly,>> Cado thinks. Then Venkman picks up the phone and punches a number into the keyboard. "Let me speak to DeRider," he says. Then, after a pause, "Jack? Do you accept my offer?...Yes, the VVVC...Well, I've been told you and your boys are good... Yes, I've got maps and plans of the site, all the information you'll need... What do you mean?...Well, I need it done soon. Finish your literary work and get on this assignment...All right, fine." Venkman hangs up. "Just sealing the fate of TRAVELER's cafe," he says. "Jack DeRider and his crew are the best at what they do." He chuckles darkly, then turns to Cado. "Now, are you ready to speak your piece and lure him out of the User: Traveler Date: 2-Dec 02:57 PM 754844234
I.297 D'OH I could have sworn I was within the 24 line limit...Well, here's what's missing: tunnels?" User: Traveler Date: 2-Dec 03:06 PM 754844779
I.298 CADO stared at the paper for a moment. Time had seemed to stop. This was it...the decision was his. After all, it could be very easy. There were agents lined up around the Toucan just waiting to bust in at the right word; all he had to do was play along. Or were there? Was it just a trap that Farrah had set to help things along? It seemed almost too obvious. He remembered STEFAN's connection with the VBI and wondered if he had any part in organizing this. It seemed possible, but what if he was wrong? <<I guess I don't have much of a choice at this point,>> he rationalized to himself. He licked his lips once more, took a deep breath, and sighed heavily. All throughout the tunnels, a voice echoed. TRAVELER stopped dead in his tracks when he heard it. He looked in all directions, but could see nothing. Finally realizing that it was an intercom system, he stopped to listen. The voice continued... "TRAVELER...Listen to me...this is CADO. If you can hear me, respond." TRAVELER looked around, puzzled. "I can hear you!" he shouted, "But I don't know where you are." User: cont'd... Date: 2-Dec 05:10 PM 754852255
I.299 "He's in the third quarterchamber in the last link!" announced the Guard. "Very good," replied Farrah. "Here...that is the place your TRAVELER is standing," said Farrah, pointing to a spot on the corner of the map. "Now lead him out." "I'm in Farrah's office. I got ahold of the map of the tunnels," replied CADO. "I'm going to give you directions out of there, ok?" "Uh...OK," replied TRAVELER. "I thought I had this place figured out, but I guess not. Go ahead..." CADO proceeded to explain the directions to TRAVELER in detail. All the while, his stomach wrenched at the thought of his being captured when he emerged, then trying to explain to him that he should give up his Cafe. "OK," yelled TRAVELER. "I'm going to follow these one by one...let me know if I'm going in the right direction." User: cont'd... Date: 2-Dec 05:11 PM 754852315
I.300 TRAVELER proceeded to the first checkpoint. After receiving verification from CADO, he moved on to the next. Finally, TRAVELER neared the exit. "Hmm-Hmm-Hmm..." laughed Farrah, evilly. "Our little rat has neared the end of the maze...he shall be rightly rewarded when he emerges." "CADO...just one question...where am I coming out? Is Farrah gone?" CADO sat silent for a moment. What was he to say? Even though he knew help was on the way, he couldn't help thinking how sick he'd feel lying to TRAVELER and making him play into Farrah's hands. When all was said and done, would he ever be able to face him again? Then again, the lie he had not spoken was worse than any he could say now. What of that? "Go ahead," pressed Farrah. "Tell him. Tell him I am captured and that it is safe for him to come out." User: cont'd... Date: 2-Dec 05:12 PM 754852353