luministi | ❧ I shot the sheriff!

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❧ I shot the sheriff! - Final Act

Citizens of Luministi! I come before you today with news of the gravest sort!

[a likely now-familiar dark-haired girl appears on the CATs and vidscreens of every resident, her arms thrown out to her sides in her usual theatrical manner, but her expression is very grim indeed]

As you know, our fair town has experienced two maliciously malignant murders already in the past week. And it is my bemoaned burden to have to bring you this devilishly dire news today--there has been a third murder. A murder of someone very close to our own hearts. An--[cuts off, sniffling. she lowers her arms and her head and swipes a finger at her eye. keeps her head down when she begins to speak again, still sniffling] I'm sorry, dear citizens. This murder weighs heavily on my own heart. But I shall, as always, do my doleful duty and report this egregious event. Andre--Andre Ardes, our benevolent bartender, is dead. Hit over the head by one of his own bottles and then...then, with the bottle, his throat... [but her voice catches, and she turns away from the CAT, putting her hands up to hide her face] I'm sorry. [her voice is choked with tears] But Audrey is a melancholic mess. It's not fair! Why is this happening? This was supposed to be fun! [wipes her face, sniffling some more. after spending a moment composing herself, she turns back to the CAT]

I apologize, dear citizens. There is more news to share, and I'm dutifully dependable enough to share it. You see... [lowers her voice] I was told not to share it all, but the news is the news, and I won't let it be stopped! Not in this horrifically horrendous case. So I tell you now, out of nothing more than the insistence of my heroic heart, that a note was found with...Andre... [her voice catches again, and she stops to take a deep breath, but she stays composed this time] It said, "This is what happens to traitors." I... [clenches her hands into fists at her sides, her voice rising again] Who, I ask you, in their right mind could ever think that amenable Andre was a traitor?

[but she takes another deep breath, lowering her voice again when she continues] There is something dark afoot in our threatened town, and it's the news' job to sort it out. So I, as your representative of the news, am going to lead the way in getting to the bottom of this. No one else is going to die on my watch! You see, citizens, I am not only dedicated and dutiful but also boundlessly brave. I'm going to confront the killer and make him or her change their ways!

[a bit sheepishly] Only, I'm not sure who to confront yet... So I come to you with a plea. Who do you think the killer might be? If you have any ideas, come to the Town Square, and we'll go from there, to get that killer out of our hair!

[ooc: Verita is completely serious about confronting the murderer. In this post, you can feel free to interact with her ICly and, if you would like to confront someone, she will be happy to accompany you! Your actions here may have an effect on the further progression of the game. Also, those who were interrogated by the sheriff, feel free to enjoy the effects on your characters!]

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[fortunately, he's too distracted by Resarci to answer that question] There was a fly in the Sheriff's office. Bit me, and Brax. Makes it so we can't stop talking, about anything and everything. The Sheriff said he'd look into it. 'Course, you might be too busy getting that murder data back to him. Only I don't think you're doing too much analysing in the Cinema, unless you've got a secret lab in there.

[is affronted] I am, in fact, on my way to speak to the sheriff. I was just at the White Rabbit, looking at the crime scene, as my job dictates. I hope you have noticed that a murderer is on the loose. You should be careful. Especially a young lady like yourself, Verita. [gives her a pointed look]

[pouts] I'm okay. The Doctor's with me. And I have to report the news, you know!

Still, it would be best if you both spent more time indoors.

[rolls his eyes] Well, tough. We're looking for the murderer, and I think you ought to have a chat with us, especially considering the evidence. You're not the only one who's been looking for clues, and more than a few point to you. So unless you want us to beat you to the Sheriff's office first, you'd better start talking.

[looks scandalized] About what!? Certainly not the private details of an ongoing murder investigation! That is...how do you say? Privileged information! And I do not appreciate your accusations, Doctor. I am working very hard, yes, very hard to solve these murders.

[not bovvered by scandalized looks] Try saying that a bit more convincingly next time. Iussus told me you were late in getting data back to him. Any reason why? I think it's 'cause you don't actually care about the evidence at all.

That is none of your business, Doctor! [takes a deep breath] But, if you must know, there were some...issues...with some of my equipment. That is the only reason.

[Verita, meanwhile, is frowning worriedly] Did you find anything helpful at the White Rabbit?

That is not- [cuts himself off, looking embarrassed at his angry tone] I am very sorry, Verita, but I am afraid such details are for the sheriff alone.

But I'm the news! I'm supposed to know these things.

It is for your own safety, I assure now. Now, Doctor, if you have any particular concerns that are not simply attempts to sully my name?

What sort of issues? And I do, yep! You inspired Calign to start the recruitment program. Why? And we ought to have signed up, but instead we got kidnapped. Was that your idea too? Who was the bloke with the hat pulled over his face? How about "HA" and "HR" or "FR3" and "MO1?" Ring any bells? Your clinic funded the dinner at the Chrysalis -- the one where we were all poisoned, and that's more than a bit suspicious. Especially considering the fly. Think Brax put it best: "Using a bug's bite is an excellent way to implant viruses, nanobots, and very tiny bombs." And who's got access to nanobots? You do. Bet you've even got the technical skills to muck about with our CATs.

[he pauses for a moment, then brightly] 'Course, if you're headed to the Sheriff's office, I've got a few questions for him, too. Mind if we tag along? Not that saying no's gonna make a difference.

[pointedly] Technical issues that are of no concern.

Is it not obvious? This is an old town, and the people here have been in it for a very long time. Every town needs new blood if it is to develop. That is why I suggested the program. And no one has been kidnapped! You are volunteers. I do not know why you are saying such things.

[looks a bit startled at the abbreviations, but he recovers quickly] No again and again, Doctor. You have already been told what happened at the Chrysalis. And if it will assuage your fears, I want you to know that I know very little about the CAT systems. Medicine is my only specialty. Are you satisfied?

[glares at him, then spins on his heel] No, I am afraid I have delayed too long. I must return to my clinic. I hope that is all.

[crosses his arms] You're not going anywhere, MO1. You've just assuaged my fears. Now the only question is, who's your accomplice? My guess is Iussus, want to confirm it for me? It'd make things easier.

[surprised, Verita tugs at his sleeve] Doctor, how do you know that? What does it mean?

[stares at him in utter shock and outrage] There is no accomplice! I have done nothing wrong, and there is no need for me to listen to this. I do not even know what it is you are referring to. MO1, indeed! [he's shaking, just a little, in anger]

[smiles at Verita] I know 'cause there was a message in a box. FR3 and MO1 were behind a shield of some sort, and FR3 was worried the residents could see. MO1 said "once they are gone, I will be able to assuage your fears." The phrase seems a bit familiar, doesn't it, Resarci? Plus, he's denying everything emphatically, and now he's running off to his clinic instead of the Sheriff's office? It's really kind of obvious.

Ohhhh! You're very good at this, Doctor. [but as she turns to Resarci, her resolve fades a bit] It wasn't really you, was it? Even Andre...

[indignant] Of course it wasn't me! That message has nothing to do with the murders. The Doctor said it himself! It was about the--a shield. I am sure you understand, an intelligent girl like you?

[turns back to the Doctor, her tone a bit hopeful] He has a point, Doctor. He and...FR3...weren't talking about murdering anybody.

What's that you were saying about Andre, Verita? And they might not've been talking about murdering anybody directly, but I dunno what else "Once they are gone" could possibly mean. And he just gave himself away again, correcting himself like that. "The shield" was exactly what he meant.

Andre's... [swallows hard, feeling her composure slipping again] Nobody could've...

[Resarci is positively fuming, but he pauses for a moment, taking a deep, calming breath] She is quite right, Doctor. I have no such evil bones in my body. I am a man of medicine, after all. And yes, you are right. I am the man identified in that transcript. But I am afraid you will not find an accomplice in FR3. He is, sadly, no longer with us. So you see, that transcript refers to no crime at all. We were, quite simply, waiting for some of the more nosy citizens to leave us. That is all.

Now, I have been patient with your wild accusations, but there are patients that I must see to. I have lives to protect, after all--not to destroy.

The text I got says differently: "The one at fault had the power to save you all but did nothing before, and will continue to do nothing but destroy if given the chance! This person isn't interested in evidence, or any of your lives, despite what has been said in the past." Now stay put, shut up a mo', and let Verita speak.

[meanwhile, he is just going to send Iussus a text]

Think I caught the murderer. Meet us in the Town Square.

Edited 2010-08-04 04:27 (UTC)

That's... [gasps] You think he didn't try to help! With the poison, or with this! Doctor Resarci...

[looks at her rather pleadingly] Please, Verita, you cannot listen to a madman like this. [turns to Nine] And neither will I, Doctor. You may accuse all you like, but I have a murder investigation to solve. If you will excuse me. [spins on his heel and stalks away]

Verita! You wait here, I'm gonna catch him. Iussus ought to be here in a mo'.

[and he dashes after Resarci, grabbing his hand and attempting to cuff their wrists together. Don't ask why he has handcuffs in his pocket.]

Doctor!

[yanks his hand from the Doctor's grasp before he has a chance to handcuff him and takes off at a run this time, heading south] You...are being...very unreasonable!

[the Doctor enjoys running! So he is just going to keep at it.] Actually, I think you're the one being unreasonable. Fleeing after an accusation's the worst thing you can do for your image!

I am fleeing...an unpredictable madman! [cuts west, between the shopping plazas and past the pavilion]

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