houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 13, 2023 10:35:45 GMT -5
Unfortunately Theodore's adventures on the MSPE sub-board are on pause for now.
Nobody's fault, just one of those occasions when real life got in the way; and if you're reading this industrialchild I hope you're doing well.
Still, Theodore's mission had reached a crucial stage and I found myself wondering how it might have turned out.
As luck would have it, these thoughts came to a head during some computer downtime and to keep myself amused/sane I devised a storyline and followed it as a solo adventure. This is the account of that adventure.
There's nothing mechanically clever in how I set things up; just a broad idea of a story arc and some random events. There are several tables for the latter; some are truly random (occasionally weighted towards certain possibilities), others are based on the characteristics of the NPCs. I'll try to record some (but not all) of my thinking as I go along. As of today's date I am some way along with the story but I will post progress to date in (hopefully) digestible chunks. The end of each post corresponds roughly to a decision point or critical roll.
Lastly, my inexperience with the MSPE rules is matched only by my ignorance of the cultural and political scene in 1970s Louisiana. I hope any errors will be forgiven and/or pointed out as the thread develops. If it helps, think of the setting as a fictional location called "Louisiana, somewhere in Trollworld" although I have tried to bring in some real-life events as background colour.
The story so far: CROW agent Theodore Cadell is on a mission to eliminate crooked Judge Louis Sadieli. After meeting up with his associate Sergi Petrov he has reached the courthouse where he plans to fulfil his contract. The mission parameters have already changed once and Cadell is beginning to second-guess the wisdom of his original plan...
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 13, 2023 10:37:20 GMT -5
I breathe a sigh of relief as my hand closes on my alternative ID. I must've packed it earlier and forgotten it in the stress of preparing for the hit. It's a passable set of FBI credentials made out in the name of "Carl Toledo". The name started as a private joke between me and Evallyn. She'd been preparing a lesson, something about anagrams, and we'd fooled about with rearranging the letters in our own names. "If Theodore Cadell pays heed," she had said, "he becomes Carl Toledo." We had a good laugh about that. Then we fooled around some more, without anagrams.
"Follow my lead," I murmur to Sergi before walking up to John the cop. "Carl Toledo, FBI," I tell him. "Need to talk to the Judge. We've received intelligence suggesting someone is about to make an attempt on his life. We want to get him out of here, but quietly and without alarming him." I don't know how much he's been told about my assignment, but I'm hoping he will play along.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 13, 2023 10:39:38 GMT -5
OOC assuming the SR made in the live game got me through the door, so...
With a grunt of thanks I breeze past John and come face to face with my next problem.
In the warren of meeting rooms beyond the public area of the courthouse there must be plenty of places to hide. But getting past the public area is going to be difficult.
I'm in a big open space with doors to left and right. There's a desk in the middle of the public area where some kind of courthouse rent-a-cop is shooting the breeze with a clerk. The guy is middle-aged, balding and overweight. No great threat. The clerk, though... female, petite, with a blonde bob and china blue eyes that look huge through big round spectacles that are pointing in my direction. Cute, probably smart, already slightly spooked. Potentially a lethal combination. If she screams - and she will - half the police in the county will come running.
No real choice but to carry on with the deception. I saunter up to the counter and smile at the clerk.
"Excuse me, ma'am? Carl Toledo, FBI. I need to talk to Judge Sadieli. It's urgent. I want to review the arrangements for keeping him safe if there's any trouble this afternoon."
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 13, 2023 10:41:14 GMT -5
OOC so it's a roll to determine how the court staff react. Using Charisma and a +1 for acting. I'm not adding disguise because I'm not actually dressed like an agent. I'm going to say level 1 to fool the guard, level 2 for the clerk as she will be used to fending off odd visitors.
Rolled 2+3, total 21. Hmmm...
The cop grunts, as if I'd interrupted him in the middle of something important. Clearly his job description doesn't extend to any form of cerebration and he's just going to follow the clerk's lead.
She freezes me with a glint from those cold blue eyes. Smart, just as I'd feared.
"The judge is in conference," she says. Her voice is low and musical with a hint of steel underneath. "He can't be interrupted just now. I'm afraid you'll have to wait, Mister Toledo. And next time, maybe call ahead for an appointment."
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 13, 2023 10:43:15 GMT -5
I can feel Sergi somewhere behind me giving off waves of anxiety and impatience. He's been volatile all day and I'm hoping he isn't going to do anything stupid. He's probably feeling exposed, just as I am. At any moment someone might happen by and blow our cover. I need to do something, and fast.
So I raise my hands in the air and let my irritation show.
"Okay, okay. I know how this works. Can you at least call the judge and ask if he's willing to see me? In the meantime I'm going to get my colleague to phone the local field office. If you won't listen to me, perhaps you'll listen to my boss.
"And just so you know, and not wanting to scare you or anything, but pretty soon there's going to be a mob gathering outside the courthouse. People are pretty ticked off about that kid who got sentenced to death, and if the Judge doesn't get out of here fast there's no telling what might happen."
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 13, 2023 10:49:02 GMT -5
OOC feels a little early to give Theodore another shot at the SR, but in any case a random event is triggered ..
Two hectic red spots bloom in her pale cheeks. Suddenly she's blazing with anger. Fire and ice, like one of those old-time monsters in the stories Evallyn reads to her class.
"They wouldn't dare!" Her voice is tight with anger. "Whatever the people may think, Mister Toledo, Judge Sadieli did his duty in accordance with the Constitution and the dictates of his conscience. Whatever punishment the Court decreed, you can be certain it was richly deserved. This country needs strong leaders, men who are not afraid to make unpopular decisions and stand by them, and tonight the people will hear as much from the Judge's own lips."
I'm beginning to revise my opinion. She's not as smart as I thought. Clever enough to run a courthouse maybe, but ignorant of the way the world works. I'm also beginning to wonder about the precise nature of her relationship with Judge Sadieli.
I'm pondering my next move when I become aware of a growing tumult from outside. I cross the hall and take a look out the window. A crowd is already starting to assemble, and they sound angry. The signs they are carrying tell me they are here to protest the Judge's sentencing, but it won't be long before the counter-protestors roll up. The cops outside the building have pushed back the crowd, but they won't be able to hold the line for long.
The security guard has joined me at the door. He no longer looks bored. Now he looks scared; but there's also a strange yearning in his face. As if he'd be happier on the other side of the cordon.
I walk back toward the clerk with a firm, even stride.
"You hear that?" I tell her. "I don't think the people are in any mood to listen. At the moment they're throwing words. Pretty soon they'll be throwing rocks. If I can get Sadieli out of here, we maybe have a chance to calm things down before anyone gets hurt. Now - take me to see the Judge!"
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 13, 2023 10:53:07 GMT -5
OOC The way I'm running this episode, I created a number of possible events and assigned a probability to them. They will all tend towards a similar outcome, but the sequence of events will help determine how the action goes down.
Within that sequence, I also created some NPC characteristics. Some are very broad, for example dividing the characters into "good guys" (those who share Theodore's values) and "bad guys". Others are ad hoc reactions driven by a combination of character traits (as previously determined) and events. Plus of course the saving rolls I make to resolve Theodore's actions. So, quite a bit of railroading but also considerable randomness which will (I hope) keep things interesting. So the next couple of dice rolls...
Before she has a chance to respond, Sergi rejoins me. There's no trace of levity in his expression now.
"There's another crowd coming up the street. Looks as if they're heading for the back door," he says. "Hard to tell if it's the protestors or supporters of the Judge. Either way they look pretty mean. John will do his best to hold them off, but it's likely we're going to be surrounded soon. We need to get out of here, Carl." From outside I'm aware of a growing buzz of activity punctuated by angry shouts. I can't make out all the words, but it's clear there's a lot of anger coming off the street.
The clerk is scanning our faces in growing alarm. For the first time I notice the name badge sitting on her desk. She's called Maisie.
"First of all, let's keep calm," I tell her.
The lights go out.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 14, 2023 0:54:12 GMT -5
For a moment I think this is part of the plan, but then I realise it has happened way too soon. There's something else in play. Fortunately there's still enough light coming in from outside that I can see what's going on, though the swelling roar of the mob really tells me everything I need to know.
Suddenly a door opens and the Judge steps through. It's too dim to make out the finer details, but it's immediately apparent that he is short and stout, swelled up with his own importance, bursting out of his robes like an overstuffed po'boy. Give him his due though, he doesn't look scared. Just mad.
"Frank? Maisie? What the dickens is going on?" he demands. "I told you I wasn't to be disturbed. And who are these - gentlemen?"
OOC From the probabilities I assigned I had thought this was going to turn out different. Theodore should have got to the Judge much earlier, but the sequence of events left him something of a bystander. That may be about to change.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 14, 2023 0:59:02 GMT -5
OOC Level 1 Saving roll on IQ, modified by Observation and Tactical: 6 rolled, total 23.
Hastily I recalibrate. I can't shoot the Judge in front of witnesses, but if I let him out of my sight I could lose my chance forever.
"Judge. I'm Carl Toledo, FBI. We've got a mob out there baying for your blood. We need to get you out of here before they storm the courthouse."
After a moment's thought I turn to the security guard.
"You there, Frank, is that your name? Change clothes with the Judge. We'll smuggle him out the back, then let the protest blow itself out. Come on, man, you won't come to any harm once they see you're not the Judge, but he's too recognisable dressed as he is. Sorry, but you're the only one near enough his size. Quick now, there's no time to waste!"
OOC roll for Frank's reaction. Predictably, a failure.
Frank begins to object. "I swore to protect the courthouse, not some bigoted Judge," he argues. "Way I see it, His Honor brought this trouble on himself. I'll do my duty if the mob attacks, but I won't help him sneak away from the righteous anger of the people."
Maisie gasps. The judge yells, "Frank, you're fired!" and Sergi is at my elbow.
"Do something," he murmurs in my ear.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 14, 2023 1:07:03 GMT -5
"Sir. We really need to get you out of here. You're endangering yourself and others. At least take off your robes. There's a car waiting out back. We'll get you to a place of safety." How long he will stay safe once he's away from the public gaze is a moot point.
The Judge is wearing a business suit under his robes. It's almost as shabby as mine. With luck he'll pass for a citizen just long enough to get him into the car. He's beginning to look anxious, which is good news as long as it keeps him cooperating.
"I'm going with you," Maisie suddenly declares. I start to remonstrate with her. I can feel things turning bad again. Then things turn bad.
OOC rolled for each NPC to see how they received the plan, using Theodore's powers of persuasion. The Judge agreed, the clerk's reaction was decided randomly. For the security guard:
1+2=3 Ouch.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 14, 2023 1:23:22 GMT -5
Frank chooses this moment to lurch forward. He's grabbing at me or maybe at the Judge, maybe he doesn't know himself.
"I can't let him go!" he shouts. "He's got to face the people whose trust he betrayed!" With the tension ratcheting up outside, he's becoming a serious encumbrance. Still, I can't in all conscience gun down someone whose instincts are so right, no matter how poor his timing. I step forward to intercept him.
OOC for the first round of combat I did an opposed roll on Speed to see if either fighter gets the drop on his opponent.
Theodore: rolls 8 Frank: rolls 8 Difference in Speed is only 2 points (in Theodore's favour) so Theodore is just marginally faster. I'll reduce Frank's adds by 2 for the first round only.
Round 1 I grab the sleeve of his coat and swing a haymaker at him, using his own momentum to enhance the blow. Fisticuffs really isn't my thing but I don't have much choice right now.
Theodore rolls 4 + 10 adds = 14 Frank rolls 3 + 2 adds = 5 Net difference 9
Round 2 He's staggered, but stays on his feet. Pity. I square off against him once more, trying not to hurt him too badly.
Theodore rolls 1 + 10 = 11 Frank rolls 2 + 4 = 6 Theodore wins by 5 Frank's CON = -2
OOC Frankly (sorry) this wasn't much of a fight. On raw combat scores the guard would lose every round (the difference in adds was greater than the potential difference in dice scores). The initial opposed roll was intended to give the guard a small chance of wounding Theodore on the first round, but it didn't work out. MSPE may need a Spite rule to cover such situations. However, it gave me a chance to ease myself into MSPE combat.
I catch Frank as his eyes glaze over and I lower him gently to the floor. He'll be out for twenty minutes or so, I reckon.
"Okay, so can we please get going now?"
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 14, 2023 12:01:43 GMT -5
Finally the Judge sees sense. He declines the offer of Frank's uniform, now rather dusty from its contact with the floor.
"You better come with me," he tells Maisie. "It won't be safe in here if these people break through the Police cordon." She jumps to her feet. Her pencil skirt and heels aren't exactly ideal for a fast getaway, but short of giving her the same treatment as Frank I can't at present think of a way to get rid of her.
"Stefan, you take the lead and see what's happening in that alley," I say using Sergi's false identity. "I'll bring up the rear. Quickly now, before we hit some other problem."
OOC Meanwhile, I had been making some rolls to trigger the next event. As it turned out, it now triggered.
As if on cue, the noise outside the courthouse reaches a crescendo. Bricks and bottles clatter against the front wall.
"That's it, they've broken through the cops!" I gasp. "Out the back door, quickly!"
I drag Frank into a corner where he won't be trampled by the mob; or not by accident at any rate. Then I hasten to the back door.
OOC luck roll to make a clean getaway. Roll 7 + 9 luck = 16 (fail)
I almost fall over the others, who are crouched down near the door. John the cop is with them. The noise from outside is even louder and more chaotic than at the front.
"There's two factions out there," says John. "Those who want to defend the Judge and those who, let's say those who don't wish him well. Fights are breaking out all over. I heard the National Guard is on alert. This has all the makings of a first-class disaster!" He glares at me as if it's somehow all my fault.
OOC rolling on Theodore's IQ + Observation+ Tactical to see what he makes of the situation.
Rolled 6 + 15 + 2 = 23
I take a look out the door. The cab is still there, 500 feet away. Amazingly it looks intact. The hood is still up; something I now realise is a mistake. While it may have prevented the vehicle being stolen or towed, it's going to consume precious seconds making the cab driveable.
One point in our favor. The serious rioting hasn't yet begun; it's still mostly a war of words with the occasional scuffle on the fringes. But it could turn nasty at any moment. I address the cop, smiling as if he's my new best friend.
"Say, John, do you think you might be able to create some kind of diversion for us? Maybe pull the crowd's attention in that direction?" I point away from the cab. "We need maybe a couple of minutes and we can be out of here, no need for anyone to get hurt."
I'm evaluating a possible route towards the cab; we can probably make it if we keep low. And if the crowd are all looking the wrong way. Whatever, it can only be a matter of time before someone notices this handy back door and takes it into their head to investigate. I want to be gone long before then.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 14, 2023 12:07:07 GMT -5
OOC I calculated a roll of 7 or more would be needed for the cop to agree: Roll 2+6=8
John looks bleakly at Judge Sadieli.
"For the record, Sir, I don't like your morals or your opinions," he says. "I'm only doing this because I believe that mob rule must never prevail, however reprehensible the actions of our elected officials." Then he walks a few steps into the street and draws his weapon yelling, "Police! Disperse now or you will be arrested!"
OOC Check to see how much time he buys us: open ended SR based on his Charisma (not great) with a modifier for his badge and gun. Rolled 1+3; automatic failure
We've barely broken cover before the mob spots us. John's clumsy attempt at distracting the crowd has only made them mad, and their fury is directed at us.
"Get to the car!" I order the Judge and his clerk. "We'll be right behind you. Move!"
Maisie catches on immediately, hitching up her skirt and hot-footing it for the cab. Sadieli is only fractionally slower though infinitely less decorative. I draw my gun, still hoping that a few warning shots will buy us enough time to get clear though my optimism is rapidly waning. Sergi also has his piece in his hand.
"Go straight for the driving seat and start the car!" I snap at him. "I'll see to the hood." I loose off a warning shot, high overhead, hoping that is enough to give the crowd pause as we rapidly shuffle towards the cab.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 14, 2023 12:35:23 GMT -5
OOC The next sequence got highly complicated. In brief, a failed saving roll against Theodore's Luck established that the trigger-happy denizens of "Louisiana, Trollworld" immediately started shooting back. The warning shot was the latest in a series of tactical errors I made as player and decided to punish as GM.
500 feet is 167 yards. MSPE has some quite detailed and useful rules governing movement rates and rates of fire. I abstracted these slightly allowing three rounds of firing, with a random number of shots in each, before the characters would cover the ground and make their getaway. The to-hit numbers were slightly variable and I decided to randomise any hits scored giving slightly higher probabilities to Sergi and Theodore. Finally, MSPE aficionados might like to note that I used the "multiple shots" rules for some of the rolls.
For a moment the crowd pauses; then it surges towards us. I've bought us a scant few seconds, enough to get halfway to the car, but a few people in the crowd are also packing heat and they don't care about firing warning shots.
OOC First round, three shots fired, all misses (one misfire)
I reach the car and run for the front while Sergi bundles the other two inside before ducking behind the steering wheel. More shots ring out but they're way off target. I begin to wonder if their heart is really in it, or if the two factions are getting in one another's way.
OOC Round two, missed again. I did make the to-hit numbers relatively high to reflect the confused and fast-moving situation. Still within the MSPE framework and still achievable though. On to round three:
I slam down the hood as Sergi guns the engine. There's shots whistling all around me as I make for the backseat where the Judge and Maisie are clutching at one another like they're joined at the hip. I wrench open the door and launch myself inside. The cab is already moving, heading away from the riot. I open my mouth to congratulate us all on escaping unscathed and a hammer blow hits me in the back. Maisie screams as I fall on to her lap and everything goes dark.
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houndle
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Post by houndle on Dec 16, 2023 1:18:58 GMT -5
Without wanting to reignite the discussion on firearms in MSPE, thanks to a high Constitution and a feeble weapons roll Theodore survived (just barely).
In strictness the next twenty or so posts should read something like, "Laid up in bed. Nothing much happened today." MSPE has some quite detailed rules on healing and injury. For the sake of keeping the game going I fudged these a little, allowing Theodore to carry on but reducing his attributes and requiring a Saving Roll when he carried out any violent action.
If I have read the rules correctly, there is also an interesting variation on the "Missed all my vital spots" trope whereby a hit on a vital organ can sometimes be less debilitating than other wounds. I suspect that is not really in the spirit of the rules.
When daylight returns, I'm staring at a cracked plaster ceiling on which the damp has created intricate swirling patterns. If I squint the pattern resembles a map of some fantastic continent.
I'm sweating freely in the sultry heat. My shirt and jacket are gone and there's a large bandage around my torso, crudely applied and none too clean. When I try to move a bolt of pain shoots through me and makes the room spin. Darkness washes over me once more.
When I wake up again I feel better. Not by much. Sergi is watching with that expression of amused detachment which is beginning to irritate me.
"How are you feeling?" he asks quietly.
"Terrible."
"I'm not surprised. You are lucky to be alive, my friend. If you're a religious man you should make a thank-offering to your favored deity. If you aren't a religious man you should consider becoming one."
"Where are we? What happened after I got shot?" Though I try to keep my voice casual, I'm surreptitiously feeling for my gun. Any gun. Sergi is one of my best friends, but his job is to clean up other people's messes; and this mission has become as messy as any I've ever heard of.
He smiles, though his eyes are wary. "Relax. As I said, you've been lucky. The mission parameters changed while you were out. Now we have to keep the Judge alive, but incommunicado. As to where, let's just say we are in bayou country, as Creedence might have put it. Lie back and rest, my man, everything is under control."
"I don't get it." A million questions are chasing round my tired brain. "Incommunicado, what does that mean? How long are we supposed to stay here?" Another thought, belated but vital, chases all the others away. "Darn it, what must Evallyn be thinking?"
His eyes cut away, a sign that I might not get the whole truth. "Haven't I told you not to worry? As far as Evallyn is concerned, we've been called away on urgent business. Somewhere the phone service isn't good. She and Siri are looking after one another. They are a trifle annoyed with us, but otherwise everything is copacetic." He turns away as if that answers all my questions. I want to push him further, but my wound is throbbing and the waves of pain are closing over my head again...
After a few days I'm finally able to get out of bed. I still feel weak and ill, but my churning thoughts won't let me lie around any longer. Leaning heavily on a stick which Sergi has thoughtfully left for me, I begin to explore my surroundings.
It's a big house, but sadly neglected. The woods are encroaching on it and a short distance away I can see a faint glimmer of stagnant water. I seem to be on the second floor, and I have to watch my step; the floorboards feel none too secure and I don't want to take the express route to the ground.
The place feels strangely empty. I'm guessing the Judge and Maisie are both around here someplace, Sergi as well, but all my senses are telling me I'm all alone.
Eventually I make it downstairs, whimpering slightly and bathed in sweat. I find my way to a kitchen. It's in poor shape but does at least bear some signs of habitation; canned goods and a few other staples.
A door bangs open and Sergi comes in, staggering under the weight of a box of supplies. He blinks as he catches sight of me.
"You're up then," he says unnecessarily. "Don't overdo it, though. You must be pretty weak after taking a wound like that."
"Where did the groceries come from?" I ask.
"From the grocery store," he replies lightly. "I made a call to Siri while I was there. Evallyn sends her love."
"Right back at her," I say before getting down to business. "Sergi, where's the the Judge? He doesn't seem to be in the house."
He sighs. "You aren't going to let this go, are you? Okay, this is what I know. Just bear in mind, if the wrong people get to hear about this it's both our necks on the line.
"You knew the Judge was dirty, right? Turns out none of us suspected just how dirty. This goes much higher than local graft. Maybe all the way up to D.C.
"So, we now have several agencies arguing about jurisdiction and strategy. At some point a decision will be made one way or the other, at which point we will receive instructions. Until then, dear boy, all we can do is sit here and wait."
"And that's it? We're supposed to stay here like a pair of glorified babysitters? I can't believe this. I can't believe you're okay with it, either."
"Look at it this way. You're alive, you're still earning your salary." He flashes a grin at me. "You get to hang out with me, and we still collect our fee at the end of it. Think of it as a holiday."
When I don't answer he sighs deeply. "I better go check on our houseguests. If you want to help you can unpack the groceries. Don't strain anything though." He goes out and bangs the door again. I shake my head. I still can't quite believe what he's just told me.
He's back in a couple minutes, face blazing.
"We have a problem," he says tightly. "That little clerk has got out somehow. If she makes it into town she could bring the wrong sort of people down on us."
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