003

[6/24/2014 9:29:00 PM] Canto: So. When last we left, you guys had accepted a mysterious job from Howard Hughes and the Council of Sicily, an alliance of various supernatural factions ranging from cabals of sorcerers to martial artists to shamans to priests to vampires. the job paid insanely well. The last couple of weeks have largely revolved around getting you guys settled into your new apartments and moving any belongings you have from your old places.

[6/24/2014 9:29:28 PM] Canto: You will need to buy furniture and whatnot, but you got that covered.

[6/24/2014 9:30:59 PM] Canto: Oh, and clothes.

[6/24/2014 9:34:21 PM] Canto: Hughes sends over tailors for all of you so that you can have nice clothes for official functions.

[6/24/2014 9:41:31 PM] Josie: ((Home!))

[6/24/2014 9:42:16 PM] Canto: So, is there anything you guys want in particular during that period of time?

[6/24/2014 9:43:07 PM] Josie: Josie will buy a *lot* of clothes! And books. And will start surreptitiously start researching every organization and group the others mentioned. And vampires in general.

[6/24/2014 9:44:41 PM | Edited 9:45:36 PM] Hank: Hank would've sent a good chunk of at least one paycheck back home. Other than that, he wouldn't spend too much- just a simple bed and trunk and just the clothes that the tailor suggested. As far as *doing*, just waiting for something to happen.

[6/24/2014 9:45:27 PM] Canto: You have a three bedroom apartment with its own telephone line.

[6/24/2014 9:45:51 PM] Hank: Then he has two empty bedrooms and an empty living room! lol

[6/24/2014 9:46:17 PM] Hank: Oh, a radio and a chair in the living room, but that's it. :)

[6/24/2014 9:46:52 PM] Canto: All your apartments are in the same building. You guys are neighbors, and there's a foyer with a nice sitting area right outside your doors.

[6/24/2014 9:48:23 PM] Canto: You also think you're the only inhabitants of the building, though there are more apartments.

[6/24/2014 9:50:28 PM] Josie: He must be planning on collecting more of us.

[6/24/2014 9:52:14 PM] Canto: It's December 1st, 1936 when you find yourselves in the foyer with Caspar and Howard Hughes. There's tea and coffee, and somehow Hughes has a glass of scotch in his hand, though there is no liquor in sight.

[6/24/2014 9:53:24 PM] Canto: He eyes Josie and Ella. "I see the tailor has come and gone.  She does good work."

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:53:27 PM] *** Group call ***

<p class="MsoNormal">Josie takes coffee this time.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:53:42 PM] Canto: Woops.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:53:44 PM] Josie: Josie smiles. "I certainly appreciate it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:54:24 PM] Hank: Hank drinks coffee, black.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:55:20 PM] Josie: And Mr. Stevenson looks marvelous.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:56:03 PM] Canto: Hughes grins at Josie. "Does he?  I'll take your word for it.  Having trouble noticing.  No offense, Hank."

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:56:30 PM] Hank: None taken.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:57:04 PM] Josie: Josie blushes, but only a tiny bit.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:57:10 PM] Canto: Hughes:  How are the apartments? Everything satisfactory? Miss Burke?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:58:20 PM] Ella Burke: I've actually never had so much space to myself before.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:58:34 PM] Hank: Hank nods.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:59:06 PM] Josie: I haven't either. I feel like I have room for all the books in the world.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 9:59:11 PM] Josie: Josie smiles.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:02:32 PM] Canto: Hughes:  Good, good.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:03:14 PM] Canto: Caspar:  The building has the best wards money can buy. YOu don't need to be brining your work home with you.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:03:48 PM] Josie: ... my work is my life.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:04:24 PM] Canto: Caspar:  I mean... ghosts.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:04:31 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Entities.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:04:36 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Stuff like that.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:04:38 PM] Josie: Oh. Yes, those can stay at work.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:04:43 PM] Hank: ....like they might follow us?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:04:47 PM] Josie: ... how do you make a ward?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:06:09 PM] Canto: Caspar:  A permanent ward is a complicated construction using various metals and materials with magic bound into them. Think of it like security glass for the supernatural. Not invincible, but you'll be a lot more protected with it than without it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:08:17 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Now, I still have you scheduled for some self-defense classes with Sensei Ping, but he's a bit tied up with some issues in the Himalayas.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:08:39 PM] Josie: Yetis?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:09:55 PM] Canto: Caspar:  No, dimensional shamblers.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:10:10 PM] Josie: ... sounds unpleasant.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:10:38 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Yeah. There was a bit of an incursion -- it's not uncommon. Reality is a bit thin there.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:12:13 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Anyway. I also have a warlock flying in from New England to teach you some stuff. Should be here in the next couple of days.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:12:57 PM] Josie: A warlock?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:14:14 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Yeah. Spellcaster. He'll be able to teach you some basic spells and figure out if you have an aptitude for the more complicated stuff.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:15:00 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Because of our powers, we are naturally gifted at casting. Though not everyone has the temperment for it. Me, for example.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:16:57 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Without our... special natures, it can take years, even decades, to learn even the simplest spells. Or it requires intercession with non-human entities.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:17:04 PM] Ella Burke: Ooh, my mum used to tell me stories about a warlock. Does he have long black hair, big bright eyes, and needly little teeth like the one in the story?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:17:05 PM] Josie: Demons.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:17:41 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Demons are fairly readily available for such things, yes, though they're not the only ones to lend power to those who jump through the right hoops.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:19:00 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Generally not, no. Warlock is just the current parlance for spellcaster.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:19:10 PM] Josie: And are women witches, then?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:19:22 PM] Hank: Hank smirks a little.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:19:35 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Nope. Gender-neutral.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:21:38 PM] Josie: We're all warlocks.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:21:38 PM] Canto: Hughes:  Unforunately, I'll need your services before he shows up. I recently purchased an old theater on the outskirts of the city. Very run down, but once I spruce it up, it's going to be great. Unfortunately, it's haunted.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:22:12 PM] Canto: Caspar:  You're not a spellcaster. There's no official parlance for our kind.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:22:29 PM] Hank: Sure there is. Freaks.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:22:41 PM] Josie: Scholars.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:23:08 PM] Canto: Caspar eyes Hank. "Sure.  We've been called worse."

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:24:25 PM] Ella Burke: How haunted?

<p class="MsoNormal">Strange noises upstairs haunted?

<p class="MsoNormal">Small objects moving on their own haunted?

<p class="MsoNormal">Walls melting into horriffic visages haunted?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:25:31 PM] Canto: Hughes grins. "'Phantom plays being put on even though it's been abandoned for two decades' haunted."

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:27:21 PM] Ella Burke: Any good ones?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:27:25 PM] Josie: Are the... yes.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:27:31 PM] Canto: Hughes:  Folks passing by, folks in the neighborhood have reported hearing applause, loud voices, singing.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:27:44 PM] Hank: Hank puts his cup down and absently rubs his new leg.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:28:14 PM] Ella Burke: I hope it's not macbeth.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:28:18 PM] Canto: Hughes:  People peering into the windows report figures moving around inside there and ghost lights.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:28:38 PM] Hank: Sure it's not just people who got nowhere else to go?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:29:52 PM] Canto: Hughes:  The place is empty every time I've been by there. But that's why I'm sending you. Find out if it's haunted. If it is, find out why it's haunted.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:30:41 PM] Canto: Caspar:  We're not expecting exorcisms. Just an investigation.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:31:15 PM] Josie: Don't mention Macbeth at the theater.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:31:25 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Probably a good idea.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:31:29 PM] Josie: It's bad luck.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:31:30 PM] Hank: ...there a reason for that?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:31:39 PM] Josie: ... theater people think so, anyway.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:31:45 PM] Josie: It's "The Scottish Play."

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:31:46 PM] Ella Burke: Of *course* not.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:34:05 PM] Canto: Hughes:  Think of it as a trial run. We'll see how you work together.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:34:40 PM] Josie: Well. Should we head out now?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:35:23 PM] Canto: Hughes:  By all reports, the activity is more intense after the sun goes down. Lunch first?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:35:57 PM] Josie: Lunch sounds lovely.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:37:02 PM] Canto: Hughes:  I know the best place.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:37:09 PM] Canto: He smiles at Josie.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:37:20 PM] Canto: Caspar visible rolls his eyes and clears his throat.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:37:37 PM] Josie: Where?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:39:29 PM] Canto: Hughes:  Downtown. You're all invited, of course. You take a lady out for dinner. Not lunch.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:40:33 PM] Josie: Do you? I've never taken one out.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:40:46 PM] Hank: Hank shrugs.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:42:15 PM] Canto: Hughes smiles. "Shall we?" He puts an arm out for Ella *and* Josie. Not Hank. Sorry Hank.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:42:55 PM] Josie: Josie hesitates and lets Ella choose first.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:43:49 PM] Hank: Hank will follow, cane-less.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:45:50 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke has no idea what the ettiquite in this situation is, and gets up on her own.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Lunch first."

<p class="MsoNormal">"THEN ghostly shenanigans."

<p class="MsoNormal">She then starts walking to the door.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:46:53 PM] Canto: Hughes blins, then offers an arm to Josie.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:47:24 PM] Josie: Josie takes his arm, genteelly.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:47:46 PM] Canto: So, you guys go to lunch. Any questions for Hughes or Caspar?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:48:00 PM] Hank: Hank is a listener at this point.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:48:03 PM] Josie: Josie asks for any information on the theater.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:48:30 PM] Josie: Josie including any mysteeeeerious deaths, burnings-down or local hellmouths.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:49:21 PM] Canto: There is absolutely nothing interesting about the theater. It was built in 1912, there were no deaths, they put on a few shows, and then it closed because the owner left town and couldn't sell it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:50:30 PM | Edited 10:50:37 PM] Josie: ((Indian burial ground, local cultist activity... the usual suspects.))

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:50:42 PM] Canto: It is not built on any hellmouths, ancient burial grounds, or locations with cult activity. It is not built over the ruins of a cyclopean city carved from the living rock and composed of basalt monoliths.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:52:38 PM | Edited 10:52:51 PM] Canto: It was not designed by any freemasons or known occultists. It was designed by an architect named James Smith, who is still alive with many grandchildren and a dog.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:54:07 PM] Canto: Beyond the fact that it is a pretty piece of architecture, there is nothing remarkable about it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:55:21 PM] Josie: Josie that's it!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 10:59:05 PM] Canto: Then you guys finish up your food. Hughes sends you guys with a car and directions to the theater in question.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:00:08 PM] Josie: Josie takes the keys and drives. Even though she is a card-carrying woman.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:01:07 PM] Canto: It's around three in the afternoon when you find yourselves standing in front of the theater. The windows are boarded up, having long ago been pilfered for their glass. You were given keys to get in, of course.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:02:20 PM | Edited 11:02:27 PM] Hank: Hank will attempt to open the doors of the car for the ladies... but won't race them.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:02:30 PM] Josie: Josie lets him do *that* of course!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:02:40 PM] Josie: Josie also lets him open the doors to the theater.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:03:53 PM | Edited 11:03:55 PM] Hank: Hank will do that too!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:04:18 PM] Ella Burke: Welp, let's go find out what in the void we're getting ourselves into.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:05:15 PM] Hank: ...I'd say ladies first, but might be better if I did.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:05:40 PM] Josie: Josie frowns.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:05:44 PM] Josie: There *is* something in there.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:05:51 PM] Canto: There's a lantern just inside the front door, which is good, because it's freaking dark and there's no power.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:05:57 PM] Hank: How d'you... never mind.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:06:01 PM] Josie: Not... minds exactly, but *something.*

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:07:36 PM] Hank: Hank frowns and takes the lantern, turning it on.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:08:31 PM] Josie: ... I'm not sure what it is, but we should be careful.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:08:33 PM] Josie: Josie shivers.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:09:00 PM] Ella Burke: Thanks for the warning.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:09:40 PM] Hank: Hank steps inside.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:10:11 PM] Canto: There's a definite feeling of oppression as you walk inside. It seems a bit colder inside as well.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:10:26 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke follows cautiously.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:11:02 PM] Josie: Josie goes last.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:11:18 PM] Josie: I think Mr. Hughes was flirting with us.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:11:27 PM] Canto: Currently, you're in the lobby of the theater. There are a couple of ticket boxes, and an old, rotting carpet beneath your feet.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:11:55 PM] Hank: Not so much an *us* on that one, ma'am.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:12:14 PM] Josie: Well, not you, Mr. Stevenson.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:12:19 PM] Josie: Miss Burke and I.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:13:03 PM] Hank: Still what I meant.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:13:33 PM] Ella Burke: Is that what that was? Huh.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:14:10 PM] Hank: Hank heads for the theater proper.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:14:16 PM] Josie: Josie follows them.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:14:31 PM] Josie: Yes. ... I hope he's not expecting anything. Just because we work for him doesn't mean we're *that* type.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:14:51 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke continues on, looking around curiously.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:15:12 PM] Canto: There's a couple sets of double doors that lead to audience seating. There's a door on the side that you suspect leads to backstage, and a flight of stairs up that lead to a small balcony.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:15:56 PM] Hank: ...haven't spent much time in stage theaters. Any preferences?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:16:20 PM] Josie: Backstage.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:16:25 PM] Josie: And then under the stage.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:16:30 PM] Canto: You guys hear a small smattering of applause coming from behind the double doors.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:17:50 PM] Hank: Hank opens the door to backstage then!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:18:17 PM] Canto: The scattered claps are joined by more, and it's turning into full-blown applause.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:18:46 PM] Hank: Hank eyes the double doors.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:19:33 PM] Josie: Josie listens.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:20:17 PM] Hank: Hank steps over and opens the double doors.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:21:15 PM] Josie: Josie whispers: What *is* that. It's not a ... presence, it's...

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:21:46 PM] Canto: The applause stops suddenly as Hank opens the doors to the empty audience seating. It used to be full of seats, but most of them are gone. The few that remain are mostly collapsed and rotting.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:24:21 PM] Josie: ... creepy.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:24:30 PM] Hank: Eh.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:26:21 PM] Josie: You two heard the applause too, right?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:26:28 PM] Hank: Yes'm.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:28:49 PM] Ella Burke: Yep.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:30:16 PM] Josie: ... I was going to say "good," but I'm not sure it is.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:30:21 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke slooooowly looks down at something (or nothing. :P)

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:31:42 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke then turns to look behimd herself.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:31:59 PM] Hank: ...see something, miss?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:32:42 PM] Josie: ... what do you see?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:32:58 PM] Ella Burke: I don't think so, but I certainly FELT something.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:33:39 PM] Josie: What did you feel?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:34:22 PM] Ella Burke: Something touched the back of my leg for a bit.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:34:26 PM] Canto: There's a blood-curdling scream! Comes from the stage, specifically the backstage area.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:34:39 PM] Josie: Josie runs toward the scream!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:34:43 PM] Hank: Hank rushes towards it!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:35:15 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke follows,not wanting to get separated.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:37:44 PM] Canto: The halo of the lantern light illuminates a grisly scene, a handsome man lying face down in seriously out-of-fashion clothes lying in a pool of his own blood. It looks like he spent his last breaths drawing a message with his own blood. "LET US OUT".

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:38:35 PM] Hank: Hank frowns.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:39:40 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke looks suitably disturbed!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:39:51 PM] Canto: The lantern goes out.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:40:08 PM] Josie: ... all right, the important thing is not to panic.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:40:09 PM] Hank: Hank attempts to relight it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:40:32 PM] Josie: Josie kneels down in the dark to check on the guy lying down.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:40:54 PM] Ella Burke: Right. That and staying together.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:41:28 PM | Edited 11:42:27 PM] Canto: The body is gone when the lantern is relit. Though the letters LET US OUT is still spelled out, though it seems to have been burnt into the stage's floorboards.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:41:50 PM] Josie: Josie stands up again.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:41:56 PM] Josie: ... he's gone. If he was ever really there.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:42:11 PM] Josie: Josie takes a deep breath.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:42:41 PM] Hank: You all right, ma'am?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:44:25 PM] Hank: Hank runs a finger over one of the letters to see if it's textured.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:44:52 PM] Josie: Josie 's eyes widen suddenly, for no apparent reason.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:45:35 PM] Canto: It's burned into the floorboards. Actually feels a little warm.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:45:48 PM] Hank: Guess that's the answer to the first question.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:46:31 PM] Josie: ... they just keep...

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:46:38 PM] Josie: They just say "Let us out." Over and over and over again.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:46:39 PM] Canto: The feeling of oppression you've been feeling is even stronger here than it was in the lobby.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:46:41 PM] Josie: Josie shivers.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:47:41 PM] Hank: Outta where?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:48:23 PM] Ella Burke: And how?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:48:57 PM] Josie: I... I don't know.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:49:08 PM] Josie: It was like a barrage. Everyone everywhere talking, loud, all at once.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:49:17 PM] Josie: Josie is a little bit paler than she was.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:49:21 PM] Hank: ...didn't have to try?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:50:23 PM] Ella Burke: Are you okay, Josie?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:51:36 PM] Josie: I had to let my guard down, but I'm fine.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:52:18 PM] Canto: It's all quiet now!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:53:12 PM] Josie: Let's keep... looking around.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:53:15 PM] Hank: Where d'you think you get under the stage?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:55:35 PM] Josie: There's a trapdoor. But there'll usually be a ladder or something backstage as well.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:55:59 PM] Hank: You're the expert here, Miss Black, what do you think we're looking for?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:57:39 PM] Josie: I'm not sure.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:57:48 PM] Josie: Something that wants to escape, certainly.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:58:05 PM] Hank: Do *we* want them to?

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:58:16 PM] Josie: ... no, not until we figure out who it or they are, no.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:58:41 PM] Josie: And we should be careful, too. A lot of stages have multiple trapdoors and we don't want one to open when we're standing on it, as the ground could be 20 feet down.

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:59:34 PM] Hank: Hank eyes the stage and starts for the edge of the curtain

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:59:49 PM] Canto: The curtain is half-rotted and collapsed, but it's there!

<p class="MsoNormal">[6/24/2014 11:59:51 PM] Josie: Josie follows.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:00:26 AM] Hank: Think this much disrepair is normal?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:00:36 AM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke also follows.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:00:53 AM] Josie: Well, Mr. Hughes did ssay no one's been here for a while.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:01:00 AM] Hank: Maybe Mr. Hughes would be better off knockin' her down and starting fresh.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:01:47 AM] Canto: So, headed backstage?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:01:58 AM] Hank: It's younger'n I am. Only 'bout twenty years.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:02:06 AM] Hank: Yep.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:02:52 AM] Josie: Josie nods.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:03:01 AM] Josie: ... it might not help, if something is underneath the theater.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:03:45 AM] Hank: Well, stick close to me, you two.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:04:39 AM] Canto: As you head to the backstage area, you hear the phantom audience again. This time a smattering of muffled laughter that grows and becomes more boisterous. And then quickly starts bordering on hysterical.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:04:45 AM] Josie: Josie does.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:06:14 AM] Hank: They say ships're haunted. Some of 'em anyway.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:06:41 AM] Hank: Sometimes you'll be workin' and see something outta the corner of your eye. But if you look straight at it, it disappears.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:06:50 AM] Hank: Seems same thing might be happening here.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:07:23 AM] Josie: ... wouldn't they be sailors, though? And... friendly to other sailors?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:07:36 AM] Josie: I'm... I don't know if this is a friendly thing.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:07:50 AM] Hank: Can't say. Might be, might not.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:08:17 AM] Hank: Hank starts looking for a way under the stage.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:08:45 AM] Canto: The cacaphony of hysterical laughter fades, until there's just one guy still laughing --  but he just doesn't stop.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:08:59 AM] Canto: You find a small door that you think will lead under the stage.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:10:15 AM] Josie: ... hello?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:10:30 AM] Hank: ...If you ladies want to stay here, I don't blame ya.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:10:37 AM] Hank: Hank opens it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:11:03 AM] Ella Burke: Nope. We're sticking together.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:11:10 AM] Canto: The laughter is coming from the audience again.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:11:34 AM | Edited 12:11:38 AM] Canto: The door is locked!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:12:37 AM] Josie: Josie sticks with them, yep yep yep.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:12:58 AM] Josie: ... do either of you know how to pick a lock? Or maybe one of Mr. Hughes' keys work...

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:13:13 AM] Hank: Hank tries the keys!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:13:28 AM] Canto: Keys don't work. You dont' find a key that fits.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:14:34 AM] Hank: Hank takes a deep breath and puts his hand over the lock, trying to move the metal so it'll open.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:15:10 AM] Josie: ... oh, of course, how silly of me...

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:15:40 AM] Canto: After a few moments, the knob and lock mechanism start to shudder, then just kind of fall out of the door!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:15:57 AM] Hank: Hank stares at it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:16:13 AM] Canto: You kind of compacted/shrunk it a bit.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:16:43 AM] Josie: That was amazing, Mr. Stevenson!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:17:29 AM] Hank: If you say so, ma'am.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:17:53 AM] Hank: Hank takes the lantern and heads down.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:18:35 AM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke follows.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Now hopefully we can find out what in the starry void is going on around here."

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:19:02 AM] Josie: ... call me Josie. Or if you don't feel you know me that well yet, Dr. Black.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:19:04 AM] Canto: The laughter hasn't stopped. It's toeing the line between eerie and irritating now.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:19:17 AM] Josie: Josie goes last again.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:22:20 AM] Canto: You go under the stage. You find... a thing. A gray cylinder, about a yard tall and two feet in diameter. It's made out of some kind of metal with a weird dimpled texture. The top of the cylinder is take up by a mass of tubes that seem to be transparent with some kind of glowy-blue fluid pulsing within them, leading to a large box just beside the cylinder. All of you feel really weird. Tingly.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:23:16 AM] Hank: ....never seen anything like that before.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:24:01 AM] Ella Burke: That is certainly something.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:24:30 AM] Hank: Hank steps a little closer to see if he can recognize any parts or functions to it, as if it was a machine.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:25:07 AM] Josie: Josie shivers.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:25:12 AM] Josie: ... maybe something is trapped in there.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:25:37 AM] Canto: There don't seem to be any sort of moving parts. No buttons, no switches.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:26:47 AM] Hank: Hmm... don't look like any engine or machine I've ever worked on.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:26:59 AM] Hank: Must be doin' something though.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:27:24 AM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke tentatively extends a thin tendril of shadow towards the thing.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:27:27 AM] Hank: Think this is where we go find Mr. Hughes and Mr. Quentin and tell them what we found?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:28:07 AM] Canto: The tendril slowly reaches out toward the device... then goes faster and faster.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:28:13 AM] Canto: Rushing toward it!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:28:13 AM] Josie: I'm not... what is *that*?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:28:19 AM] Ella Burke: Oh drat.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:30:12 AM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke severs it, letting the cylinder attract what remains of the tendril.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:30:16 AM] Hank: ....maybe it siphons power from people and does something to it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:30:41 AM] Josie: ...

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:30:43 AM] Canto: The shadows just kind of turn into normal shadows once Ella stops concentrating on it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:30:43 AM] Josie: Josie takes a step back.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:30:55 AM] Canto: It sits there!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:30:57 AM] Josie: ... I don't feel like we should just leave it there, but...

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:31:38 AM] Hank: I don't really fancy pokin' holes in unknown machines. Never know what'll happen. Could explode for all we know.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:32:08 AM] Canto: It kinda makes a 'thrum' noise.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:33:41 AM] Hank: Hank listens closer. Which part's it coming from and does it sound rotational or pistonal? Repetitive or just once? Too many questions?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:34:33 AM] Hank: Hank holds the lantern up absently. "Here, hold this a second."

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:35:08 AM] Canto: You can't really tell where it's coming from.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:35:39 AM] Josie: Josie takes a couple steps closer and then backs away.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:35:55 AM] Josie: That's the source. For sure.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:36:08 AM] Josie: If we knew what "us" consisted of... but we don't.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:36:25 AM] Josie: I suppose we better go tell Mr. Hughes.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:37:10 AM] Hank: Hmm? Oh, yes. Probably.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:37:13 AM] Ella Burke: Hmmmm...

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:38:00 AM] Canto: So. Whatcha gonna do?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:38:23 AM | Edited 12:38:48 AM] Hank: Hank reaches forward and touches the cylinder with his fingertips, checking for vibrations, mostly.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:38:46 AM] Josie: What're you...

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:38:57 AM] Canto: It is cold to the touch. Weirdly sticky.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:39:18 AM] Hank: Hank touches the box!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:39:35 AM] Canto: It's even colder. Though not sticky.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:40:22 AM] Hank: Hank sniffs the sticky stuff.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:41:16 AM] Josie: ... what is it?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:41:34 AM] Canto: There's no sticky stuff. The metal just felt sticky. There's no residue.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:41:45 AM] Hank: ((oh, lol))

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:42:16 AM] Hank: Hank shakes his head. "Don't know. Nothin' moving. It's gotta do something, somehow, but I can't figure it."

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:42:23 AM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke creates a rather large ball of shadow and feeds it to the machine once Hank is not too near to it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:43:34 AM] Josie: Josie tries to remember if she's seen something like this before.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:44:22 AM] Canto: The device draws the shadow in for as long as Ella concentrates on it. THe blob of shadow slowly morphis into a vaguely humanoid shape.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:44:53 AM] Josie: What do you want?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:45:54 AM] Canto: It makes an inhuman shriek and flies away from the device! Or it starts to, before it gets drawn back to the device as if reeled back. The shadow touches the cylinder and disappates.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:46:08 AM] Hank: ....

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:46:16 AM] Hank: ....Well, seems that's our prison.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:46:18 AM] Josie: ... is it some sort of a ghost container?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:46:27 AM] Josie: ((Who you gonna call!))

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:47:29 AM] Josie: I think... I think it's full of ectoplasm.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:49:44 AM] Hank: Well, I could probably break it open easy enough, but do we want to?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:50:43 AM] Josie: ... it would let all the ghosts out.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:50:50 AM] Josie: I'm not sure if it would let them go free or not, or go... home.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:51:12 AM] Hank: Home like... heaven or hell? Or what?

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:51:44 AM] Ella Burke: Wherever they're bound.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:52:43 AM] Josie: Yes.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:52:55 AM] Josie: But I'm not sure if opening it will let them go or let them go on.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:53:24 AM] Canto: *thrumthrumthrumthrumthrum*  It continues to thrum!

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:53:31 AM] Hank: S'pose we could ask Mr. Hughes or Mr. Quentin what they think. They probably know more'n we do.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:54:05 AM] Hank: 'sides... we're supposed to find out *if* it's haunted and what's causing it. Never said we were supposed to stop it.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:54:13 AM] Ella Burke: ((Is it any louder than before?))

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:54:19 AM] Canto: Nope.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:54:28 AM] Josie: Right. Let's go.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:55:29 AM] Hank: Hank takes the lantern and heads back towards the front.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:55:39 AM] Canto: You guys leave! Everything feels a lot more normal when you're back on the street.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:57:11 AM] Josie: Josie takes a deep breath.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:57:11 AM] Canto: You call up Caspar and explain what you found, I assume.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:57:15 AM] Josie: That was.... unsettling.

<p class="MsoNormal">[12:57:19 AM] Josie: Josie does, sure!