Shemkey and the Bloodless Murder 1.21

(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-delay:2s)+(t8n-time:3s)+(align:"=><=")[Shemkey Ravenscroft and Bevin Boor in:] (t8n: "fade")+(t8n-delay:3s)+(t8n-time:3s)+(color:red)[The Bloodless Murder!] (if: $epilogue is 1)[[Epilogue!]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")+(t8n-arrive: "blur")+(t8n-delay:3s)+(t8n-time:3s)[[Start]] (masteraudio: 'stopall') (track: 'secretgarden', 'loop', true) (track: 'secretgarden', 'playwhenpossible') (set:$hp to 100)(set:$mag to 50)(set:$mach to 30)

You open the curtains to another gray day in London. Horse hooves walk along the cobblestone street. Pigeons rest upon the roofs of the buildings. Smoke pours from the chimneys, adding to the smog blanketing the sky. A crier yells out the news from his box on the corner. You close the curtains with a sudden rip. Shemkey: //"Is it not too early for all this ruckus? Some gentlemen are still trying to finish their tea."// You complain to your sidekick and fellow tea enjoyer, Bevin Boor. He is sitting at the table still half-dressed in his pajamas and nightcap. There is an unsightly two day stubble peppering his face. You have attempted to give him advice on grooming in the past, but to no avail. He ignores your comment. Bevin: //"Did you read the newspaper yet? It says that the Viceroy of New Mexico was found dead in the basement of Lady Glade's last morning. Curious. The article claims it was a murder without any evidence."// Shemkey: //"Yes, yes. Very fascinating. Surely the King will be able to find some new monkey to replace him."// You are not interested in investigating this case. It sounds positively boring. Not at all worth your intellectual prowess. Bevin: //"They say his name was Richard Sarum. Sounds familiar, but I do not know why."// [[Take the Case.]]

You immediately grab your walking cane and coat. Shemkey: //"How could anyone sound of mind forget? Richard Sarum was one of the names mentioned in the Purple Letter!"// The very intimate details of Shemkey's previous escapades is surely known by all our readers, but those who need a reminder: The Purple Letter was the last case Shemkey took which involved his attempt to bring to Justice the deplorable Franics Montane, notorious revolutionary and crime boss. The Purple Letter contained a list of either associates... or future victims. Until now, you had not been sure of which. Bevin: //"Then we will go to Lady Glade's house?"// Shemkey: //"Without delay!"// [[Ride the carriage donated to you by the Duchess of Old Virginia.]]

Bevin does not have any time to change out of his striped pajamas. You do not care as the thrill of a new mystery fills your mind with drunk excitement. For the past month you have sat alone in your office contemplating Montane's next move, attempting to deduce his evil plans. You must stop him. It was a promise you made to your lover, Empress Matilda, as she died in your arms. Bevin: //"How do you suppose he murdered the Viceroy?"// Shemkey: //"Once again Bevin, I can not solve this riddle until I am given the evidence to do so. So shut up until I can determine how the Viceroy died."// The newspaper provides scant information. Only that the Viceroy had been young and full of health. Apparently there were no signs of any causes. Not even spilled blood. One quote says he had died of 'fright'. Preposterous. No good Englishman could die in such a manner. The carriage comes to a halt in front of Lady Glade's residence. [[Enter.]]

A servant shows you to the parlour. Bevin sits down on a chair and puts his feet up on the table. Shemkey: //"Have some manners Bevin. This woman is the richest and most influential mistress in London. She has slept with half of Parliament."// Glade enters the room before you finish speaking. Glade: //"It is quite alright. That table has taken the heavy weight of Parliament's feet already. Now, please introduce yourself as I have no wish to entertain any solicitors or bankers."// Shemkey: //"I am Shemkey Ravenscroft, detective extrodinaire. And this is my partner, Bevin Boor, who I keep around to make me feel smarter. I have come to investigate the murder of the Viceroy. We have reason to believe the notorious Francis Montane was responsible. Perhaps we can look at the crime scene for clues?"// Glade: //"Yes, clues are your expertise. Unfortunately the constable's men have already cleaned through the basement. The body is no longer here either. It is laid for viewing at his wife's house."// Glade: //"As for acccusing Francis Montane as responsible, I do not think so. I know everyone that has passed through my door in the past few days and he was not one of them."// You will need to interview many people and travel to many different places to determine who murdered the Viceroy. You still suspect Francis Montane's involvement, but no doubt he had an accomplice aiding him. Someone close who could do the foul deed. [[Interview Lady Glade.]]

A list of topics reveal themselves in your mind. (link-reveal: "Ask about the night of the murder.")[ Glade: //"We had finished our business together. He was prepared to leave so I kissed him goodbye. I could tell he was unsettled about something. I stayed in my room and heard the front door close; I assumed he left my house."//] (link-reveal: "How did he perform?")[ Glade: //"What do you mean? Hmm... Oh, yes he was no worse than usual. I could tell he was distracted but that was no different from any of the other times."//] (link-reveal: "What happened during the morning?")[ Glade: //"I needed a drink of wine so I asked my servant, Kemal, to fetch me a bottle from the basement. His scream brought me downstairs and I saw the body. It was lying on the ground. Hard to see it in the darkness. I could not tell why he was dead."//] (link-reveal: "What did the police do?")[ Glade: //"They did not take long to arrive. They put him in a bag and I saw no more of the Viceroy. There was some trouble carrying him out, ten of the boys couldn't keep the body straight. It sickened me how they wrangled with him like... a fish in a net."//] (link-reveal: "Are you certain the Viceroy left that night?")[ Glade: //"I remember hearing the door opening and closing, with the assumption he was gone. However, I suppose I was mistaken. I did not leave my room until the morning."//] (link-reveal: "And there was no cause given for his death?")[ Glade: //"The Constable seemed to be as confused as everyone else. No sign of how he died. We talked for some while and the meaning of it confounded him. That was yesterday."//] [[Go to the scene.]]

Even with your lithe and fit body, your steps cause the old stairs to creak. Bevin sounds like an elephant coming down. The basement is uninteresting at first glance. Lanterns barely provide enough light to see in front of you. Bottles of vintage wines fill the shelves. You cover your nose from the smell. Not of a rotting corpse, but something entirely different. Glade points at a specific area of stones. This is where the body was. And indeed, nothing you see shows any causes of struggle. No blood, mucus or sweat. Where will you start? (unless: $fancyring is 1)[[Peer closer where the Viceroy's body was.]] [[Taste the wine.]] [[What's that smell?]] [[Find the servant and ask him questions.]] (if: $fancyring is 1)[[Conclude.->Final Glade scene.]]

Nothing. It is dirty, sure. Somebody really needs to sweep this place. But unfortunately, any tracks that may have been made in the dust have been obliterated by the feet of the police. The smell is stronger here. You can still not place it. Bevin: //"The Montane usually leaves a calling card."// Shemkey: //"I am aware."// Wait! What was that glinting behind a barrel? Bevin: //"Look sir, something behind that barrel."// Shemkey: //"I've already seen it. Your deduction methods still need work, Bevin."// Damn, he almost saw it before you did. 1x Fancy Ring Found! (set:$fancyring to $fancyring + 1) [[Take a step back.->Go to the scene.]]

Are you insane! If they are poisoned you would go the same way as the precious Viceroy. Instead you offer to have drinks with Lady Glade and let her have the first sip. That way you'll know for sure. Shemkey: //"Madam, all this detective work has left me parched. Perhaps we should retire and discuss this over some of the excellent vintage down here."// Glade: //"That seems like a poor choice. Seeing as there is a possibility of the wine being deadly. Perhaps after you solve the murder?"// She looks slightly amused that you would attempt do something so underhanded against the most devious woman this side of the Thames. And also there is the implication that she will never have drinks with you since you are such a bad detective. Within your body you feel the aftereffects of your emasculation. -10 Machismo (This is a real stat.) [[I am still a man!->Go to the scene.]] (set:$mach to $mach - 10)

You are not a smelling detective. Stinks are for the common folk who deal with pigs and manure. Years of high society have scrubbed your olfacotry systems of any nuance other then... 'eww that's gross'. Unfortunately that has backfired on you today. You'll have to ask somebody else for help with this one. Maybe Bevin? No, no way. [[Do not speak of this.->Go to the scene.]]

Glade: //"Kemal is at the Viceroy's house, to pay his respects. You will most likely find him there."// Shemkey: //"Why did you not go?"// Glade: //"His death has ruined my business. I figure he owes me now."// [[Harsh, but fair.->Go to the scene.]]

You have done all you can with what evidence you've gathered. The only clue is that which fits in the palm of your hand. 1x Fancy Ring. Bevin: //"This looks like the signet ring of a viceroy!"// As you examine the object, you realize that this is the signet ring of a viceroy. Shemkey: //"Lady Glade, it appears we have found the signet ring of the viceroy."// You hear Bevin facepalm. The distractions are doing no one good. You need to know why the ring came off his finger. Any potential assailant would have reason to take it with them. You simply have too little to work with at the moment. [[Go to Viceroy's house.]]

Shemkey://"Madam, it is time we were off. I believe we have determined all that we can at the present moment."// Bevin://"What the detective is saying is that we don't have shit."// You are about to reprimand the pajama wearing fool, but Lady Glade's laugh interrupts you. Lady Glade://"I will be here if you need more of my help. I want to bring Sarum's murderer to justice as much as you. You best get to the Viceroy's house quickly. Whoever is responsible is most likely at the viewing, admiring their handiwork."// Shemkey://"May I ask one last question?"// Lady Glade://"Certainly."// You rack your brain to find one. Shemkey://"How would you describe the character of Richard Sarum?"// Lady Glade://"He is the biggest reprobate in all of England."// [[Return to the carriage.]]

The carriage jumps up and down across the poorly placed stones of London's streets. After so many years, you think you'd get used to it, but no, your stomach is feeling queasy once more. Shemkey: //"Bevin, open the window for God's sake."// Bevin: //"Sir, perhaps we should discuss what we have learned at Lady Glade's house, so we may be prepared once we arrive at the wake."// In your hand is the signet ring. The sole piece of solid evidence at the scene of the crime. Shemkey: //"At least we know it was indeed the Viceroy that was murdered."// Bevin: //"Sir, I do not think Lady Glade told us the truth-"// Shemkey: //"Quiet Bevin! I must think!"// He sighs, but knows deep in his heart that you are the better thinker than he is. [[Enter the Mind Palace.]]

secretgarden: ./audio/secretgarden.mp3 daredevil: ./audio/daredevil.mp3 alignment: ./audio/alignment.mp3 classicalvibes4: ./audio/classicalvibes4.mp3 siciliancafe: ./audio/siciliancafe.mp3 kidsonthebeach: ./audio/kidsonthebeach.mp3 seawaves: ./audio/seawaves.wav

You enter that special place in your head where the whole world fades away and is replaced with pure logic. Years of training and natural born skill have made it so that this is where your powers of deduction come from. Several deep breaths sink you in deep to the vivid images of your palace. A bunny rabbit wearing a tophat and a tuxedo waves at you. Shemkey: //"Greetings, Mr. Floppy. Sorry I do not have much time to chat, I must solve a murder."// Mr. Floppy: //"Okay, whatever."// [[Reconstruct the crime scene.]]

The basement once more. Wine bottles everywhere. A man comes stumbling in, half-dressed after a night of worldly pleasure. He does not want to leave yet. His throat is parched. So he grabs the nearest bottle and tries to unstopper it. Busy with this, he does not notice his assailant behind him. How does he murder Richard Sarum? (link-reveal: "Strangulation?")[ Perhaps, you need to see the body first. There would be marks around the neck. But wouldn't that be the first thing the police notice? Not even they are that incompetent.] (link-reveal: "Poison?")[ You should have checked the bottles. Too late now. Still, this does not feel like the right answer. How could it be this difficult?] (link-reveal: "Gunshot?")[ Now you're just messing around. Unless everyone has lied to you, this is not the cause of Sarum's demise.] [[Wrong!]]

You try to imagine Lady Glade discovering the body. What does she do? What time is it? When does she call the police? In other worlds you have asked these specific questions, but now you are left with only your imaginings of Lady Glade wearing no clothes at all. She blows you a kiss. It does little to improve your mood. [[Wake up.]]

You have just arrived at the home and last residence of Richard Sarum's corpse. A dirty rain litters the muddy streets. Without an umbrella, you are forced to walk underneath Bevin's outstretched arm. His pajamas are remarkably water proof. Inside, the mood is just as gloomy. The hall has been filled with melting candles and at the very end a procession of people leads to a table with a heavy closed coffin. Funerals remind you of the inherent mortality within yourself so you prefer to do a little snooping around first before approaching the room. Your goal, you remind yourself, is determine the who's, how's and why's of the Viceroy's murder. So, what do you do first? [[Head upstairs.]] [[Approach the coffin.]] [[Look for snacks, you're starving.]] (set:$fancyring to 1) (track: 'secretgarden', 'fadeout', 5) (track: 'siciliancafe', 'loop', true) (track: 'siciliancafe', 'fadein', 5)

Snooping is one the best things you're good at. You've had plenty of practice sneaking around Bevin and stealing his biscuits each night. This is basically the easiest thing in the world. However, nobody seems to be upstairs at the moment. No need to worry about being caught. Bevin: //"Sir, I do not think we need to tiptoe."// Which room do you check out? (unless:$disturbance is 2 or $fancyring is 2)[[Skulk around the bedroom.]] (unless:$disturbance is 2 or $weirdrod is 1)[[Sneak into the office.]] (unless:$disturbance is 2)[[Hide in the broom closet.]] (if:$disturbance is 2)+(unless:$metmary is 1)[[Someone's coming upstairs!]] (if:$disturbance is 2)+(if:$metmary is 1)[[Mary sees you!]]

The coffin acts a centerpiece around which all movement takes place. Dimly lit by smoky flames, yet closed to the world. You need to see the body, but the lid is tightly shut. You smell the familiar scent from the basement. A throng of people mill about the coffin, talking and drinking. One woman sits alone, sobbing into a handkerchief. Ignoring her cries, the gathering seems rather upbeat. You approach the crying woman. Shemkey: //"Hello, you must be the widow, Mary Sarum."// You decide not to explain how you deduced this. Mary: //"Yes, that is me. Were you friends with Richard?"// Shemkey: //"Not quite. I am Shemkey Ravenscroft and this other guy is not important. We are detectives trying to solve your husband's murder. Can we open the coffin, it is important we examine the body."// Mary: //"Excuse me, but the police have already done that. This is not a crime scene, so please leave me alone. I have no wish to answer anymore questions."// Shemkey: //"But what about the coffin? We must identify possible causes for death."// Mary bursts out into another fit of tears. She clearly does not like being reminded of her misfortune. [[Commune with the spirits!]] [[Convine Mary to open the coffin.]] (set:$metmary to 1)

You tell yourself that they could be poisoned. Anything could be possible. Somebody has to protect the guests from a rabid murderer. You think that what you're doing is very brave as you stuff ten cookies down your throat. It's okay. After all the hard work you've done today, you deserve it. [[Wipe the crumbs off your chest and go back to your first choice.->Wake up.]]

Quiet as a mouse, you slam open the door and march into the bedroom. Shemkey: //"What do we have here!"// Nobody answers you. Because the room is empty. (link-reveal: "Rummage through the drawers.")[ To be efficent, you pull out each drawer and dump the contents on the ground. Digging through all this crap doesn't reveal anything useful, however. Bevin watches on expressionless.] (link-reveal: "Check out the wardrobe.")[ You take several coat hangers and throw them to the floor. Usually these things have secret passageways hidden on the inside. After several minutes, you are forced to concede that in this specific one, there is not.] (link-reveal: "What's that smell?")[ It's more of that smell from the basement. Like a pickle jar. Maybe somebody really likes eating pickles? Perhaps that's all it is. Munching on pickles.] (link-reveal: "Sleep on the bed.")[ God, you're just exhausted. So much dumping of items across the floor has weared you out. Thankfully you don't have to clean it up. You jump on the bed and try to straighten the pillow. Lifting it up shows something twinkling under it. [[Is this...?]]] [[Blast, can't find anything.->No clues.]]

The office is locked. So you kick the door open. Bevin: //"Someone surely heard that."// Shemkey: //"They are all too busy singing stupid hymns to hear us."// You have a hatred of all religions, except for the one called RATIONALITY. But for some reason you hate foreign religions more? And also your hate for other atheists eclipses organized religion? Your prejudices are as deep and confusing as the ocean on Neptune. Anyway... you are in the office. How do you want to destroy it? [[We don't need choices, just get to searching.->Office.]]

Very snug inside. You let you mind wander away into lands of bunnies and lollipops. Then Bevin tries to join you. There is not enough room. You both jostle for space. Bevin: //"I think we ought to get moving."// Fine. [[Memories of happiness.->Head upstairs.]]

1x Fancy Ring Found! (set:$fancyring to $fancyring + 1) It is another Viceroy's ring. Incredible. You hold both up and notice they are exactly similar. Bevin: //"The signet ring of a Viceroy is meant to be unique. How can there be two?"// Shemkey: //"Clearly, the man was afraid of losing his. So he made an extra just in case."// Bevin: //"Perhaps we can ask Mary Sarum?"// Shemkey: //"Go tell here we ransacked her room just to find this small an object?"// Bevin: //"We ransacked it? You did!"// Shemkey: //"And yet you did not stop me. We both share approximately equal blame. I'll do the calculations of who is most responsible later."// [[Leave the bedroom->Head upstairs.]] (set:$disturbance to $disturbance + 1)

You comb the office for clues in a particularly general, nondescript way. Office chairs are thrown about, desk drawers dumped onto the floor, that sort of thing. Finally satisfied with the pile of junk you've accumulated in the middle of the room. You take a break. There is a nice couch in the corner that you can sit down on. [[Sit down.]] [[Decide there's nothing here.]]

As your beautifully firm ass makes contact with the cushions of the couch, you feel something hard enter between your cheeks. Taking off the pillow reveals a small, metal object hiding underneath. Bevin: //"What is that?"// You make something up. Shemkey: //"This is a, um... one of those new noise hair trimmers. See the little scissors at the end? Press this button here, and the blade removes the follicles."// Bevin: //"Demonstrate it."// Shemkey: //"Certainly. You just put it up your the nostril here and... fuck!"// When you press the button on the side of the rod, instead of the blades closing, you feel a shock enter your body and into the brain. It feels like, what you assume, electricity. 1x Weird Rod Found! (set:$weirdrod to $weirdrod + 1) [[Hold back the tears.->Head upstairs.]] (if:$galvinhint is 1)[ Bevin: //"This must be the rod Galvin was talking about."// Shemkey: //"You could have said that before I stuck it up my nose."//] (set:$disturbance to $disturbance + 1)

This is not the right choice, I'm just letting you know straight up. But it's too late to go back now. Chess rules and all that. Done with the office, you go back to the hallway. [[Convince yourself this was the right path.->Head upstairs.]] (set:$disturbance to $disturbance + 1)

Inventory: (if:$fancyring > 0)[Fancy Rings = $fancyring] (if:$weirdrod > 0)[Weird Rods = $weirdrod]

Oh no, how could anyone have forseen this outcome? Your incredibly stealthy search of the upstairs has finally alerted someone to your presence. It is impossible to clean up fast enough. All you can do is stuff whatever evidence you've found down the front of your trousers. Mary: //"What is all this? You two, who are you?"// Shemkey: //"It is I, the magnificent detective Shemkey Ravenscroft and my slightly less magnificent Bevin Boor. We are investigating your husband's murder!"// Mary: //"And how do you know I'm the widow?"// Shemkey: //"I deduced it from your appearance. Wearing all black, yes, without a single pearl around your neck. Only a widower does not wear jewlery to their partner's funeral. Also, I can see that you've been crying from the amount of black mascera running down your face. Only a woman who truly loved Sarum would show such emotion. You are quite the easy book to read."// Mary: //"..."// Shemkey: //"Madam?"// Mary: //"This isn't a crime scene nor will I have it treated like one."// Mary: //"Get out of my home."// The way she said it so quietly told you the necessity of leaving this place as soon as possible. (if:$fancyring is 2 and $weirdrod is 1)[[Back out into the rain.]] (set:$metmary to 1) (unless:$fancyring is 2 and $weirdrod is 1)[[Failure]]

With some regret, you head back out into the miserable weather. Your mother always told you to have a positive attiude so you attempt to cheer up Bevin. Shemkey: //"That could have gone way worse."// Bevin: //"For once, I agree. Now, did you save any of that evidence?"// You pull out an assortment of objects from your trousers. You show him the fancy rings and that weird rod that made your nose all numb. Shemkey: //"We are absolutely on the right track with these thingys. They must be connected to the case. They were both hidden away in strange places. Very suspicious."// Bevin: //"So now what?"// Well, you couldn't go back into Mary's home, certainly not after that freakout. Women, am I right? But now you are at an impasse. Perhaps you could return to Glade's house and try to convince her to sleep with you? A logical mind like yourself would easily impress- Bevin: //"Hey, is that Glade's servant?"// [[Follow Bevin's finger.->The Servant.]]

Kemal, the servant who had first discovered the body of Richard Sarum. You deduce his identity from the nametag stuck onto his shirt. This man could answer some of your pressing questions about Lady Glade, like what's the color of her underwear. He sees the two of you approach and immediately makes a run for it. What he does not suspect is that you are a two-time gold medal marathon runner. You chase after him. Since marathon running is more an endurance sport and not a speed one, you maintain a comfortable pace of twenty feet away. You run like this for about half an hour. The Turkish boy stops at a plaza and leans on a fountains edge. He gasps for air. Kemal: //"How did you not get tired?"// Shemkey: //"Every morning I do a jog around the city of London. Every. Morning."// Kemal: //"You are a freak."// Bevin walks up while you catch your breath. [[Interview Kemal.]]

(link-reveal:"Who are you?")[ Kemal: //"My name is Kemal. I am a slave owned by Lady Glade."// Bevin: //"How are you a slave? We abolished that."// Kemal: //"Oh, but you did not get rid of debt slavery. I owe Lady Glade a thousand pounds."// Shemkey: //"Are we not the most advanced and progressive society in the world?"//] (link-reveal:"Why did you run?")[ Kemal: //"Because I thought you wanted to have a race. I won, by the way."//] (link-reveal:"Did you know Richard Sarum?")[ Kemal: //"Oh yeah, I knew that bastard. Everytime he came to Lady Glade's he would call me a $*?!@ (Racially Insensitive Word) and spit on me. So I decided to come to his little show and spit on his corpse."//] (link-reveal:"What did you do at the funeral?")[ Kemal: //"They had the coffin closed. I asked them to open it, but the wife refused. I still tried to get some spit on the wood. They threw me out after that."//] (link-reveal:"How did you find the body?")[ Kemal: //"What do you mean? That morning, I heard screams from the cellar. Lady Glade was down there and told me to go for the police. I never went back into the basement until they left, and I saw the same as you. Nothing."//] [[Wait, back up.]]

No matter how hard you look, you see nothing out of the ordinary. God, you could go for some tea right about now. [[You did your best.->Head upstairs.]] (set:$disturbance to $disturbance + 1)

Shemkey: //"You never saw the body?"// Kemal: //"The police carried something from the cellar. I mean, the body is at his house right now. It has to be Sarum."// Shemkey: //"What about the night before?" Did you see Sarum leave?"// Kemal: //"I don't know. I saw him enter, but I left early to go smoke some opium. Lady Glade doesn't like me sticking around when a 'client' is there. I came back in the morning."// Bevin pointed at the weird rod. Bevin: //"Have you seen this before?"// Kemal: //"Yes! That night Sarum was holding that in his hand. I thought it was one of those things you stick in your-"// Shemkey: //"We get the idea. Also, was Sarum wearing his Viceroy ring?"// Kemal: //"No, I've never seen him wear a ring. Isn't he married too?"// [[You finish the interview.]]

You've learned that Lady Glade is a filthy liar. Your naive hope that one of the most devious women this side of the Thames would tell the truth has not panned out. Obvious in retrospect, though. But the meaning of the weird rod still eludes you. Is it simply for the pleasures of the body? Your nose is inclined to disagree. Bevin: //"Kemal, you are still hiding something. Why did you run?"// Kemal: //"Because I feared you were with him. The Frank with the eyepatch, come to torture me."// That had to be Francis Montane! He was involved after all! Kemal: //"He wanted to find Richard Sarum. I tried telling him he was dead, but the Frank did not believe me."// The mystery deepens. [[Where to next?]] (set:$gladeliar to 1)

You stand at a crossroads. It is metaphorical. Much like the rest of this tale. Did you know that this mystery is a metaphor for something greater? This story has a theme, it isn't just a bunch of random gibberish like you assumed it was. However, you a detective, not an unemployed English major, so this thought does not actually occur to you. Instead you are too busy deducing your next move. So... what is your next move? [[Back to the Widower's house.]] (if:$gladeliar is 1)[[Confront Lady Glade.]] (if:$weirdrod is 1 and $galvinhint is 1)[[Go to Galvin's shop.]] (if:$gladetruth and $labtruth and $paint is 1)[[Convince Mary.]]

In a flash, you are at the front door of the dead Viceroy's house. You need to decide where to go. Hopefully without angering Mary. (unless:$weirdrod is 1 and $fancyring is 2)[[Sneak back upstairs]] (unless:$disturbance is 2)[[Approach the coffin.]] (if:$disturbance >= 2)[[Make amends with Mary so that you can interview her guests.->Apologize to Mary.]]

You return back to the residence of Lady Glade. A man is standing outside her door. Glade is leaning out of the second story window. Flustered Lord: //"I need you Glade! Please I am so desperate for attention! I'm about to blow!"// Glade: //"We are closed! Now go away and tell the King's nephews that I'm not available!"// [[Go inside the house.]]

Something is supicious about Alessandro Galvin and his weird little gizmo. It fried your nose and now your brain is working overtime to figure out why. Why did Richard Sarum bring this thing with him to Lady Glade? And how did it end up back in his home? You get back in your carriage and head towards Galvin's shop. Maybe there you will get some answers. You try to discuss this with Bevin, but he is busy looking outside the carriage window. Bevin: //"Sir, there appears to be a man with a comically large mustache following us on horseback."// Shemkey: //"This is the Victorian Age! Everyone has a comically large mustache."// Bevin: //"Sir, it appears fake. And he's wearing an eyepatch."// Shemkey: //"Poor chap, missing an eye and unable to grow facial hair. Some people have no luck at all."// [[Arrive at Galvin's shop.]]

You decide to go upstairs to look for clues. You love clues. You eat them for breakfast. Heading upstairs will be clearly frowned on by Mary. Best be careful! (set:$disturbance to 0) [[Head upstairs.]]

So many brains to pick! It is a veritable smorgasbord of dialogue and clue gathering. You may annoy everyone here with your pestering, but that's why you love this job. Once you solve this murder, Mary will have to pay you handsomely. Who shall you approach first? Since you are a master detective, you already have figured out everyone's names. [[Interview Alessandro Galvin: The Family's Doctor->Galvin]] [[Interview Lord Lucas Lloyd: Peer of the Realm->Lloyd]] [[Interview Neville Vestibule: Executor of the Will->Neville]] [[Interview Bethany Caine: Famous Artist->Caine]] [[Interview Mary Sarum: Wife of the Viceroy->Mary]] [[Go somewhere else.]]

Bevin: //"That would be unwise, sir."// Shemkey: //"What? I haven't even tried to open it yet."// Bevin: //"She is clearly too distraught for opening the coffin. We will need a convincing argument to get her to look at her dead husband. Therefore more information needs to be gathered in order to succeed in this endeavour."// Shemkey: //"Grr... I know how to play this game."// [[Talk to the other guests.]]

(link-reveal:"Who are you?")[ Galvin: //"I am Alessandro Galvin, the family doctor. You must be that famous detective, Shemkey Ravenscroft! It is an honor to meet you, I am such a huge fan! I've read every one of your mysteries!"//] (link-reveal: "Really? Do you have a favorite?")[ Galvin: //"The one with the giant eyeball monster who ate people! Who knew that it was actually a man wearing a giant eyeball costume? What a twist!"// Shemkey: //"Though it was too bad he did actually eat people."//] (link-reveal: "Do you want an autograph?")[ Galvin: //"That would be wonderful! I have a book here that you can sign. It's actually one of my own, but it would be an honor having your name upon it."// You sign the book. On the front cover is: 'The Electric Principle of Abiogenesis.'] [[Ask some real questions.]]

(link-reveal:"Who's this handsome man?")[ Lloyd: //"Oh, me? I am Lucas Lloyd, good friend of the former Viceroy. Rest in pieces my friend."//] (link-reveal:"Are you being sarcastic?")[ Lloyd: //"Hey, you are the detective here. Not me."//] (link-reveal:"Did Sarum have any enemies?")[ Lloyd: //"No, all he had were admirers. Admiring the day he would die. Friend, the man had no one in his life that loved him. Except his wife, apparently? He insulted all of London with his antics. Not to mention going to Lady Glade the same day he married Mary. Jesus, the man was despicable. I'm here for the entertainment."//] (link-reveal:"So anybody could have reason to murder him?")[ Lloyed: //"Even me. He screwed me over too many times to count. I'm sure most people are dissapointed they weren't the one. When you find the culprit, make sure to shake his hand for me."//] [[Talk to the other guests.]]

(link-reveal:"So you must be-")[ Neville: //"Look, I'm a busy man and I really ought to be gone by now. I'm the executor of the will and I'm stuck with an impossible task."//] (link-reveal:"What task?")[ Neville: //"If you wouldn't believe it, the dead Viceroy has left something in his will... to himself! Is that even allowed? I'm stuck trying to figure it out. So basically I'm trying to put the ring in the coffin, but Mary won't let it open. Also, I'm trying to find the damn thing."// (link-reveal:"The ring?")[ Neville: //"Is there an echo? Yes, the ring. The Viceroy's Ring! I can't find it anywhere. Is it still on his finger? I have no clue!"//]] [[Talk to the other guests.]]

You see a woman at an easel in the corner. She is painting a picture of Richard Sarum. You realize that this will be the first time you are able to lay eyes upon the man. He has black hair, slicked back and shiny. A large, pointy nose and a jaw wider than Queen Victoria's... crown. He is handsome in all ways young nobles are. Knowing that there is money behind that smile makes all the difference. Next to him is Mary Sarum, holding his arm with a big grin on her face. In bliss. You believe marriage is a scam, but even this brings you a little warmth into your heart. [[Interview time!]]

She refuses to talk with you. Bevin: //"Perhaps we can return once we have more clues?"// [[Talk to the other guests.]] (if:$gladetruth and $labtruth and $paint is 1)[[Convince Mary.]]

(link-reveal:"Did you examine the body?")[ Galvin: //"Oh yes. It is as they say, no probable cause for death. Very strange to have a young man like that drop dead. So soon after marrying his wife. No wonder she is so distraught."//] (link-reveal:"Where were you the night of the murder?")[ Galvin: //"I was at my shop. I have a very successful practice that requires attention for most of my day. Before you ask, yes Sarum came by that night. He wanted to borrow an object."//] (link-reveal:"What was the object?")[ Galvin: //"Oh, just a little electric gizmo. He was apparently going to show it off to Lady Glade. These new technologies are impressive. What's next, electric lights and flying machines?"// Shemkey: //"Or metal boats, haha!"// Bevin: //"Sir, those do exist."// Shemkey: //"But... metal does not float?"//] [[Talk to the other guests.]] (if: $weirdrod is 1)[ You whisper to Bevin. Shemkey: //"This must be the weird rod we found upstairs."//] (set:$galvinhint to 1)

You whip out your state of the art Ghostteller 3000 mahogany board. It contains many features such as: a printed alphabet, an aerodynamic planchette, a cupholder for your holy water or tea, and on the backside a checkers board with pieces so you can play with the ghost. You spent a fortune on this thing. The incantation is recited in your deep voice. Several of the guests look concerned or bemused by this turn of events. Shemkey: //"Oh Richard Sarum, your troubled ghost still wanders the mortal plain since you were murdered. If you could only tell us who did it, then we might bring you to peace!"// You feel someone kick you. Mary: //"Put that stupid thing away."// [[Convine Mary to open the coffin.]]

(link-reveal:"Nice portrait.")[ Caine: //"Thank you, sir. I try my best. My name is Bethany Caine. The family has brought me here to do a final picture of the Viceroy. I'm not entirely happy with it though."//] (link-reveal:"Why is that?")[ Caine: //"Well, it is not very accurate. I would like to pull inspiration from the man himself, but the coffin is not allowed to be open. So I must try to remember from when I met Richard Sarum several years ago."//] (link-reveal:"What about the other pictures of him around the house?")[ Caine: //"Hmm, well I looked around already and saw nothing resembling the Viceroy. I spoke to the widow about this, but she seemed to grow confused and more distraught. I dropped the matter to not worry her further. Anyway, my memory is quite good so it should be alright."// Bevin: //"It is very good."//] [[Talk to the other guests.]] (set:$paint to 1)

You suddenly realize that you should be investigating other places. You can always come back to interviews later. It's almost like you can complete this mystery at your own pace. Wow! [[Where to next?]]

You walk over to Mary and express your condolences for trashing her rooms. Shemkey: //"Madam, I was totally out of line back there, ruining your rooms like that. But I need to talk to some of the guests here. Please, I am trying to help you."// This is a promise you'll happily throw away if the situation demands it. Mary: //"Fine. But try not to disrespect my husband's memory as you do so."// [[Talk to the other guests.]]

The door is locked so you apply some classic Ravenscroft pressure on it by kicking it open. It's a wonder you haven't been arrested for breaking and entering yet. The police are probably too busy putting orphans and war veterens into jail for them to worry about you. Inside, you see a normal shopfront filled with medicinal opium, recreational opium, and some poppies for decoration. The interesting stuff must be in the back so you head behind the counter and head upstairs. What you see blows you away. A full laboratory brimming with strange machines and electrical wiring. Also, there are rows upon rows of glass tubes suspending dead animals. On one table there is a frog stretched out with it's innards ripped open for full view. It's beautiful. [[Press a big red button.]]

The frog jumps to life. At least for a moment it appears that way. When you press again, you hear a jolt and the legs and arms move randomly. Interesting. In a cupboard you find more weird rods identical to the one in your posession. You pick up one and confirm that it does indeed give out an electric shock. Bevin: //"Sir, look, a schematic of the rod. It appears to use a small battery to create portable electricity. But to what purpose?"// Shemkey: //"Any fool can read a blueprint, it takes a real genius to discover it's meaning."// You attempt to decipher the blueprint of the weird rod, but alas, you can not discover it's purpose. Perhaps once you assemble all your clues, you can pull together the threads of this mystery and know the purpose of the weird rod. Bevin: //"Remember that strange smell? I've found the source of it."// He holds up a case of formaldehyde. Shemkey: //"It was probably not important to the case."// Finally you find a copy of the novel that Galvin asked you to sign. The Electric Principle of Abiogenesis. A bookmarked page contains a fascinating explanation of how electricity might engender an reawakening of muscles. Book: //It is now understood that the muscle tissue can retain an electric charge at certain frequencies; causing a cognizant returnal. However, a shock of the opposite frequency does well to dissipate the charge, rendering a collapse of function back to deceasement.// You barely understand the paragraph. (set:$labtruth to 1) [[Where to next?]]

The door is locked but when has that stopped you before? Upstairs, you find Lady Glade sipping tea and fanning her face. She is extremely enchanting. Is that her ankle showing? You focus. Shemkey: //"Madam, we have new information that contradicts your testimony."// Glade: //"Oh dear, did I say something wrong? You know how women are, detective, can barely keep a straight thing inside their little brains."// Shemkey: //"What you say is obviously very true, but I must have the truth despite your feminine defects."// Bevin: //"Sir, stop being stupid and conduct the interview."// [[Begin Interview. Round Two!->Round Two.]]

Glade laughs like an angel. //"Why don't you go first and tell me where I've lied?"// [[You said Kemal discovered the body, but it was actually you first.]] [[Richard Sarum never came to your house, did he?]] [[You aren't actually Lady Glade!]] [[The wine is poisoned!]] [[Richard Sarum never left!]] [[You aren't actually a prostitute!]]

//"Oh, is that so? You trust a Turkish slave boy over the words of a gentlewoman? For shame, Shemkey. Do you not what era we live in? The words of a poor person will never compare to that of a wealthy noble, even if I am a woman.// (link-reveal:"Damn, she's right.")[ Bevin: //"What are you doing? That's obviously not a good enough answer!"// [[We need to find another lie.->Round Two.]]]

//"Oh, silly detective. Didn't Kemal say he saw Sarum come into my home? And even if what you say is true, do you have any proof otherwise? You are grasping for straws."// (link-reveal:"Oh right.")[ Bevin: //"Concentrate Shemkey. You can do this."// [[Back to the drawing board.->Round Two.]]]

//"Good joke, detective! Everyone in London knows who I am, even if you don't. Just ask your partner."// (link-reveal:"Messed up again.")[ Bevin: //"Think back to what she said in the first interview!"// [[Sick of this.->Round Two.]]]

//"Here, try some. It tastes very good. If you want, you can go downstairs and grab a bottle to bring home with you."// (link-reveal:"Damn, it does taste good.")[ Bevin: //"I feel like this isn't the time for drinking."// [[Maybe later.->Round Two.]]]

//"He died in my home!"// Where were you going with this? You aren't sure, because what you said actually makes no sense. While you wonder, Bevin snaps his fingers. Bevin: //"Why did you say you heard the door open and close only once?"// Glade: //"That was what made me think that Sarum had left."// Bevin: //"Yes, but he hadn't. So who opened it? Since the door only opened once, it must be that the killer remained in your home until that morning. You would have seen him. Or known him?"// Glade: //"Oh... um... perhaps I was mistaken and heard the door open and close twice?"// Bevin: //"Give it up Glade, we know you are covering for somebody. Who? Or else we will have to consider you a suspect."// Glade: //"[[Fine.]]"//

Glade: //"I lied about the door noises. But I know nothing of who murdered Sarum. I came down that night because I heard multiple doors open and close. But what I saw down there, I couldn't believe. I was told by the murderer not to reveal what happened or he would ruin me."// Shemkey: //"Tell us."// Glade: //"None of you will believe me. Not until I can show you what's in the coffin. I hardly believe it myself. But, trust me that I am not responsible for what happened. I lied only to protect myself."// Shemkey: //"Come with us back to the house, I imagine we'll need your help most there."// Glade: //"I'll do anything to make sure this ends."// (set:$gladetruth to 1) [[Back to the carriage.->Where to next?]]

Shemkey: //"It is time to realize, Mary, that the only way you are going to get some closure is to help us solve this mystery."// Mary: //"You have a lot of nerve rummaging around my house, disturbing my guests, all to 'help' solve my husband's murder. Have you thought, detective, that perhaps that he wasn't murdered at all? That maybe there is no closure at all? That whenever each of us faces death, it'll be as random and pointless as life?"// You are unable to handle genuine emotional distress. Her words put you down and make you realize that all of this may have been a waste of your time. Bevin walks over, and offers a sympathetic hand. Bevin: //"Lady, this must be hard for you. You loved him very much."// Mary: //"He was one of the best people I've ever known. And for a few months, we were perfect together. No matter what other people say, Richard was a good person."// Bevin: //"Then this may be hard to hear. But I think we have gathered some information that may... show that Richard's death was not an accident. Can we interview you?"// [[Final Interview.]]

//"Wait, you actually thought I sold my body for money? What are you talking about? Oh my lord, you actually did! Haha! I am a business woman, who gives out credit to desperate gentlemen who need to pay off some debt. I make a killer profit from it."// Shemkey: //"Are women even allowed to do that?"// //"Don't worry, I've slept with the right men to make sure I am allowed."// //"Oh and if you were wondering, yes I had sex with Richard Sarum that night."// [[Busted.->Round Two.]]

(link-reveal:"Why was he at Lady Glade's?")[ Mary: //[["Stop the questions."]]//] (track: 'siciliancafe', 'fadeout', 5)

Mary: //You are going to try to paint him as a monster. Everyone else here thinks so too. But they are lying. He was a good person.// Mary: //"Kind. Generous. Sweet. All those things you hope for in a marriage. It wasn't my choice. I met him the same night we first kissed on an altar. But he managed to remove my fear. I am lucky to have spent time with him."// Mary: //"That night before he left. He told me that he no longer wanted to be Viceroy, Lord or anything else. All he wanted to do was be with me. Far away, on a beach, watching a sunset. So he took off his ring and put it underneath the pillow. And then he got up and left."// Shemkey: //"Where?"// Mary: //"All he said he was going to talk to somebody and put an end to this. I did not know what he meant, but I trusted Richard to do the right thing. He was heading off to confront somebody, someone keeping us from escaping this life of privlege."// Shemkey: //"We need to look at his corpse."// Mary: //"I want to remember him as alive. Not dead."// Shemkey: //"We can not change that. Nobody can now."// [[Reveal the evidence.]] (track: 'alignment', 'loop', true) (track: 'alignment', 'play')

Mary: //"So, tell me detective. How did my husband die?"// [[Poison.->bad]] [[Heart attack.->bad]] [[Choked on his ring.->bad]] [[Shocked by the rod.->bad]] [[Strangled.->bad]] [[Drank formaldehyde.->bad]] [[He is not.->correct]]

Bevin: //"I don't think that was the right answer."// Shemkey: //"Hey, it's my mystery! I can choose whatever I want!"// Bevin: //"But you won't go any further."// Fine. Go back.

Mary: //"That's a perfectly confusing answer."// Shemkey: //"I am still not certain who the victim is yet."// Mary: //"Stop fooling around detective. You may have not seen inside that coffin, but I have. It's my husband."// Shemkey: //"Then why does everyone in this room think your husband is a [[scumbag]]?"//

Lloyd: //"That is very true. Your husband never repaid me for borrowing my money."// Galvin: //"He called me a nerd everytime we would go drinking together. Then he made me pay for his tab!"// Caine: //"Your husband is very sexist. And racist. Like all combinations of nasty behavior."// Mary looks at the guests, then back at you. Mary: //"Just because he was nice to me, doesn't make him a different person."// Shemkey: //"What about the [[paintings]]?"//

Shemkey: //"Everyone, observe the picture of Richard Sarum being drawn by Bethany Caine, then tell me if that looks like him."// They all take turns looking at the protrait. Each one of them agrees that it is indeed the Viceroy. Last, Mary observes the picture. Mary: //"That's not him."// A gasp from everyone. Mary: //"I can see the resemblence, but his eye color is all wrong. And the hair color is too dark. And his skin isn't that tanned. This must be his brother."// Caine: //"I swear on my life that is the Richard Sarum I met several years ago."// Lloyd: //"And that's the same man I duelled last week!"// Shemkey: //"Also, Sarum wasn't the perfect husband. He was at [[Lady Glade's]] house."//

Shemkey: //"He was sleeping with her!"// Lady Glade nods her head. Glade: //"Yes, I was sleeping with Richard Sarum. But it is not the same man who is in that coffin. I'm afraid Richard Sarum is very much alive."// Mary bursts into tears. Mary: //"That's not possible. Who did it, detective? Who killed my husband?"// [[Lord Lucas Lloyd->bad]] [[Bethany Caine->bad]] [[Lady Glade->bad]] [[I did->bad]] [[Alessandro Galvin->bad]] [[Richard Sarum]]

Shemkey: //"The key to this mystery is the weird rod we found upstairs. With it you can send an electric shock into a person. With it, you can bring something which was dead... back to life."// Shemkey: //"The person in your coffin right now is not the person everyone here knows. You spent your marriage with a man pretending to be Richard Sarum."// Mary: //"That's absurd!"// Shemkey: //"Then prove me wrong."// [[Open the coffin.]]

Inside the coffin is a body quite unlike what you were expecting. It is a man, but flatter, emptier than a real one. His hair is pale and thin, his nose a thin reed. In some ways he resembles the painting of Sarum, but in other ways he is like an alien. Someone screams out of fright. Along certain parts of the body you can see seams of twine holding the skin in place. The texture of the skin seems to change underneath each part. This is a man held together by string and wire. A puppet. Mary seems undisturbed. Mary: //"This is the man I loved, detective. Not handsome, different. But a good one nevertheless. But I now accept that he is not the man I thought."// You point at Galvin. Shemkey: //"Galvin, explain what this is, since you made it."// Galvin: //"Now don't jump to conclusions. I may be a renowned doctor, but I could not construct such a thing."// Shemkey: //"We've been to your laboratory, doctor. No need to hide anything. You weren't responsible for the murder anyway."// Galvin: //"Hmm, yes, okay I admit I was given this strange task. Richard Sarum hired me to construct a copy of himself that would take his place as Viceroy."// The crowd once again cried out in surprise. Galvin: //"Sarum approached me before his marriage. He explained he wanted to remain a bachelor, so asked me to build an automaton person to become Mary's husband. It is a wonderful feat of engineering, if I do say so myself. Hopefully now that the truth is out, I can win a Nobel Prize!"// [[Then how did he die?]]

Shemkey: //"So who came to your office last night?"// Galvin: //"The real Viceroy came to my office the night of the murder. He asked for one of my electric rods. He said he feared that his copy would attack him. The thing requires daily electrical pulses to maintain its function, but only at a specific frequency. Sarum most likely used the rod undo it's reanimation"// The thing has been constructed from the corpses of many different men, cleverly attached to hide that fact. Only up close can you tell the falsehood. The smell of formaldehyde now makes perfect sense. In your hand is the weird rod. An idea overtakes you. [[Shock the corpse.]]

For an instant, nothing happens. Then one of the automaton's eyes opens. ???: //"What? Where? Someone help me!"// Shemkey: //"Where is Richard Sarum?"// ???: //"The Shivering Shoals! He was going home!"// People panic. Some bend down to pray. You take a step back, not as courageous as before. The thing speaks deeply and with a haunting moan. But after speaking his last words, the thing falls silent once more. A few seconds pass and you are confident that the human machine is dead again. Mary: //"The Shivering Shoals is the name of the Viceroy's childhood home. I can show you where to go."// (track: 'alignment', 'fadeout', 5) (t8n-depart: "blur")+(t8n-arrive: "blur")+(t8n-delay:6s)+(t8n-time:3s)[[Go to Shivering Shoals->The last leg.]]

The waves break upon the rocks. Your carriage follows the long way down the steep cliff, the horses screaming in fear of falling. You are forced to take the reigns and guide the animals safely towards the bottom. Slowly, the mist takes you. The three of you disembark and walk along the sand. It is quiet except for the occasional squawk of seagulls. Mary: //"I came here once with Richard. Not for very long. He had a troubled childhood. His parents were wealthy beyond belief but never paid him any affection. The place became ruined. He would often tell me we would fix it up and live away from everyone else."// Bevin: //"I'm sorry, my lady, but that was not the real Richard. You talked to a copy."// Mary did not reply. The mists part and you see the manor of Shivering Shoals. Ruined is not enough to describe it. More like a piece of driftwood washed up from the ocean. The house is stuck partially into the sea, waves splashing on its back porch. The walls half exposed to the elements. You have your trusty cane in your hand, the weird rod in the other. Anything attacks and you'll shock 'em dead. Bevin pulls out a revolver he got while fighting in the Quebecois War. Hopefully he doesn't end up shooting himself. The guy is very clumsy. [[Step into the manor.]] (track: 'seawaves', 'loop', true) (track: 'seawaves', 'play') (track: 'seawaves', 'volume', 0.5) (track: 'kidsonthebeach', 'loop', true) (track: 'kidsonthebeach', 'play')

You dump out the evidence from your pants. In horror you realize it is only a wide assortment of junk. Bevin: //"We could always try to go back."// He does not seem to relish the idea. [[Where to next?]]

You hold your breath. The boards creak as the three of you shift your weight around. A wind blows through the holes in the roof, creating a whistling noise all around you. Something waits in anticipation. Shemkey: //"Viceroy! We know you are here!"// You hear a quiet round of applause. Richard: //"Well done, detective. The famous Shemkey has showed up at my doorstep with my wife in tow. I shall lay out the table and invite you to dinner."// The voice echoes around them. Shemkey: //"You have a lot to answer for!"// Richard: //"Like what? Ending that inferior copy of myself? How can I kill something that was never alive? Did you use the rod on the automaton, bring it to life? Heh, a disgusting creature taught to mimic me and fool my wife. But you figured the truth out. Not very good, was it?"// Mary: //"I am not your wife!"// Richard: //"I own you, just as much as I own this house. You wanted to take it from me. How dare you! I deserve everything, and you... get nothing."// Shemkey: //"Look, I'm the furthest from being a suffragette but you are being quite unreasonable."// Richard: //"I never asked to be Viceroy, or to be saddled with a sniveling woman. I was born free, and I'll stay that way. The copy was meant to fix all that, to have my duties so that I could try to enjoy myself. But he was too good, too perfect. I admit... I became jealous. But when the copy told me it no longer wanted to be Viceroy, well, I snapped. He came to me in Lady Glade's home and tried to convince me to take up my duties once more. He offered me a copy of his ring. I refused. He threatened to reveal our secret. But I had prepared beforehand, with an electric rod. I admit I dealt the final blow. But he was a broken machine. It was mercy."// [[Continue.]]

Richard: //"Lady Glade heard the commotion and discovered what I had done. It confused her greatly to see a man who looked like me upon the ground, dead by my hand. Threats had to be made. It would look bad if she became a suspect. So I got her to cover for me. Then, I made to my old home to hide, thinking no one would know this place. Except my copy, of course. He knew me too well. If you want to know where my rod is, I threw it into the ocean."// Shemkey: //"Thanks for all that. Why did you tell me all of this?"// Richard: //"Because I was distracting you."// The Viceroy's voice comes from behind. Before you have time to react, you hear a shot. Bevin is hit in the leg and he goes tumbling down. Richard kicks away Bevin's gun and points his own at you. Richard: //"Poorly done, detective. I thought you would understand I was stalling to sneak up behind. Now your partner is bleeding out."// Shemkey: //"I don't really care about Bevin. He's expendable."// Richard: //"Wow, that's extremely cruel. Are we sure I'm the bad guy here?"// Shemkey: //"No, but you just fell for the same trick I did, so really who's the stupid one?"// Richard looks at you in confusion, too late to realize the new arrival with his own gun. The eye-patched man wearing a comically large mustache pulls out his own pistol and shoots Richard in the head. You feel chunks of brain hit your face. [[Introducing...]]

Francis Montane. Montane: //"Thank you for leading me to the Viceroy. He was always going to be a difficult eel to catch. Your map led me straight to buried treasure."// Shemkey: //"You can stop with the pirate metaphors, Montane. I know that eye patch is a fake."// He removes the disguises, revealing a rather ordinary disposition. Bevin moans in pain, reminding you of his presence. Montane: //"We better get this over with quickly, it looks like your partner needs medical attention."// Shemkey: //"He'll be fine."// Bevin: //"No I'm not!"// Montane: //"Then I shall be brief. I am going to shoot you Shemkey. Then I will eliminate all of my targets to destabilize the United Kingdom and begin a revolution to overthrow the bourgeisie."// Shemkey: //"Yes, yes you gave this speech last time we fought."// Montane: //"You must admit, Shemkey, that these people deserve it. Sarum was about to kill you to hide the truth. Not only that, he created a copy of himself so that it might let him continue to be a lazy bachelor and gambler. This man, from the very moment he was born, destined to become a leader of men. And he was totally indifferent to anyone else's suffering. How does that make you feel?"// You give Montane a thumbs up. Shemkey: //"I am totally okay with injustice. As long as I get to solve cool murders, I am happy."// Montane: //"You are totally hopeless."// Shemkey: //"Not anymore. Mary, shoot this bastard!"// [[Why should I shoot him?]]

Mary holds two guns. One of them is from Bevin, still clutching his leg, the other from Richard, who wasn't really doing anything interesting now. One arm is aimed at Montane. The other at... You? Shemkey: //"Be a good dear and shoot Francis in his damn heart!"// Montane: //"Join the revolution, Mary. Shemkey doesn't deserve to live."// Mary: //"Shut up! Argh, I'll shoot both of you if I have to! I have just seen two dead people today and one of them came back to life! Do you realize how stressful that is!"// Shemkey: //"Yeah, for a woman it would be."// Montane: //"You can emotionally confide in me. I'm great at listening."// Mary: //"Stop it!"// She is shaking, arms trembling. Mary: //"Give your weapons to me. Now!"// You hand her your weird rod and cane. Francis turns over his pistol to her. Mary: //"Okay, I'm going to walk out of here with Bevin. You can do whatever you want to each other when I'm far enough away to no longer hear it. Understand?"// Shemkey: //"Do we get our weapons back?"// Montane: //"I need to kill this dude."// Mary: //"Aren't you two the greatest minds in Europe? Figure something out."// [[Figure something out.]]

You wait until you can no longer hear Mary's footsteps on the sandy beach. Bevin is gone now, limping along with the woman's help. Several seconds pass until the both of you begin talking again. Shemkey: //"Can you believe her?"// Montane: //"Absolutely ridiculous."// Several more seconds pass. Shemkey: //"So, how do you want to do this? Classic fistfight?"// Montane: //"I was thinking whoever drowns the other in the ocean first."// Shemkey: //"Yeah, that sounds about right."// [[Now begins the battle of the age.]]

Actually, let's not. You are now Bevin. Your legs hurts like hell, but it's helped by the fact that you can no longer hear Shemkey's whiny voice. You are seriously not paid enough for this shit. Mary helps you to the carriage and you both leave Shivering Shoals. (track: 'seawaves', 'stop') (t8n-depart: "blur")+(t8n-arrive: "blur")+(t8n-delay:6s)+(t8n-time:3s)[[end]]

You are back at Mary's house. Empty now except for the coffin of the constructed automaton. Built from the organs of other people, fashioned into an image resembling the Viceroy. You think it is an improvement over the real thing. Built without good reason to make someone's life easier. A slave to it's own creator. A monument to the laziness of the lords. While the copy carried out his duties, Richard Sarum lived a rotten life of excess and freedom. This isn't fair. You decide it is unacceptable. In your hands is the electric rod found in the office. The automaton used this to maintain its own electric charge. Mary no longer seems to be in mourning. She looks over the body and lets out a deep sigh. Mary: //"How did a copy become better than the real thing?"// Bevin: //"Maybe some of your goodness rubbed off onto him?"// Mary smiles. Then she looks at the rod in your hand. Mary: //"I wonder... how well do you know how to use that thing?"// Bevin: //"I studied some blueprint of it back at Galvin's lab. Figured it isn't too complicated."// Mary: //"Enough to use it on him?"// Yes. [[Use the rod on Richard.]]

He wakes up and smiles at you. //"I'm back...?"// Mary jumps into the coffin and holds Richard tight. //"Everything is going to be alright."// [[The End.->Fin]] (set:$epilogue to 1) (track: 'kidsonthebeach', 'fadeout', 5)

You are Shemkey Ravenscroft at the abandoned manor of Shivering Shoals. The sea is up to your ankle and the white surf bashes against your legs. Opposite you is the evil Francis Montane, grinning like a hyena. The mist is gone, replaced with the swirling tempest cracking lighting like the heart of that foul automaton. It is here. On the shores of England shall you cast the madman to the depths. A battle begins! Your stats: Lvl: 5 | Hp: $hp/100 | Magic: $mag/50 | Machismo: $mach/30 | (set: $Monhp to 500)(set:$Monmag to 100)(set:$Monmach to 9000) Montane: Lvl: 200 | Hp: $Monhp/500 | Magic: $Monmag/100 | Machismo: $Monmach/9000 | (masteraudio: 'stopall') (track: 'daredevil', 'loop', true) (track: 'daredevil', 'play') [[Fight!]]

You: Lvl: 5 | Hp: $hp/100 | Magic: $mag/50 | Machismo: $mach/30 | { (unless:$flailing >= 1)[Montane wickedly rubs his hands together!] (if:$flailing is 1)+(unless:$flailing >= 2)[Montane consults his plans for world domination!] (if:$flailing is 2)+(unless:$flailing >= 3)[Montane speaks of building huge statues of himself!] (if:$flailing is 3)[Montane recites from his manifesto a confusing political philosophy!] } What will you do? { (if:$flailing is 0)[Action: [[Punch]]] (if:$flailing is 1)[Action: [[Low Kick]]] (if:$flailing is 2)[Action: [[Brace]]] (if:$flailing is 3)[Action: [[Taunt]]] (if:$endhim is 1)[Action: [[Special Move!]]] } Montane: Lvl: 200 | Hp: $Monhp/500 | Magic: $Monmag/100 | Machismo: $Monmach/9000 |

He dodges your attack! Montane: //"I'm just going to stand here and watch you flail about like. It amuses me. Keep on trying to hit me, I'll let you have some fun before I pound your head into the sand."// [[Return->Fight!]] (set:$flailing to $flailing + 1)

He easily jumps over your sweeping attack. Montane: //"You must try harder than that, Shemkey. I saw that coming a mile away."// (set:$flailing to $flailing + 1) [[Return.->Fight!]]

You brace yourself for any attack from Montane, but all he does is laugh. Montane: //"This is far too easy. Look at my 'LVL' compared to your's. While you were busy solving murders I was grinding out 'EXP' twenty four hours everyday!"// Shemkey: //"What are you talking about?"// (set:$flailing to $flailing + 1) [[Return.->Fight!]]

Shemkey: //"Hey jerk! You have a tiny penis!"// Montane: //"No I don't!"// Shemkey: //"You got a baby brain too! You couldn't even find Richard, you had to follow us around so I could do it for you!"// Montane: //"Oh no! I can feel my natural feeling of superiority weaken. Oh God no!"// That was super effective! (-9000 Machismo!) (set: $endhim to 1) [[Return.->Fight!]] (set: $Monmach to 0) (set:$flailing to $flailing + 1)

You activate your special attack! Action: (text-style:"bold")[[Eliminate the Impossible!]]

Your body lights up with the power of RATIONALITY and LOGIC! =><= Shemkey: //I LIVE BY ONE PRECEPT MONTANE!// Shemkey: //WHEN YOU HAVE ELIMINATED THE IMPOSSIBLE, WHATEVER REMAINS, WILL BE DEAD!// [[ACTIVATE]]

Montane: //"I don't really want to do this. I actually don't like fighting that much."// Shemkey: //"Me too. I prefer a good mystery."// Montane: //"Yes! A case with strange facts and hard witnesses!"// Shemkey: //"And when we find the truth-"// Montane: //"We can take all the credit for finding it!"// Shemkey: //"Hey..."// Montane: //"Shemkey?"// Shemkey: //"Let's just pretend we both died killing each other. That way we can both..."// Montane: //"Create new identities so we can..."// Shemkey: //"Solve mysteries together?"// Montane: //"I think that's a wonderful idea."// (masteraudio: 'stopall') [[Fin]]

You WIN! (if: $epilogue is 1)[[Epilogue!]] [[Start Page]] [[Relax for a little while.]] [[Credits.]] (track: 'classicalvibes4', 'loop', true) (track: 'classicalvibes4', 'play')

You sit back on your armchair and take a sip of tea.

(transition:"slide-up") + (transition-time: 4s)[Made by: Argbellum] (transition:"slide-up")+(transition-time: 4s)+(t8n-delay:2s)[ Music Secret Garden by Eugenio Mininni Daredevil by Ahjay Stelino Alignment by Arulo Classical Vibes 4 by Grigoriy Nuzhny Sicilian Cafe by Eugenio Mininni Kids on the Beach by Eugenio Mininni] (transition:"slide-up")+(transition-time: 4s)+(t8n-delay:4s)[Made with Twine]