Suddenly, Hobson!

Max

Darryl gives his all to Buck and Creature's training regimen but his enthusiasm far outpaces his skill. Plainly stated, he'd have difficulty fighting his way out of a paper bag. Armed with scissors, even.

But he's a smart kid, and likable enough. Quazarn thinks maybe he has magical abilities, but there's no time to develop them, and Darryl doesn't seem interested in anything other than wrestling trivia and kung fu magazines anyway.

The eve of the Brawl finds the crew at a neighborhood cafe after a long day -- Buck and Creature trained for hours at the Reginas' country club, while Quazarn contemplated the Astro-Empyrean and Zarko pounded the pavements from here to Rocket Town and back. Darryl bought dinner and wanted to hang out and watch some classic Vulkin Eyebrow Judo on holovid, but the kid's habit of flipping throwing stars into the drop ceiling of the rec room was wearing you down to your last collective nerve.

At a sidewalk table you kick back in tired silence. But you aren't able to relax completely, because you can't help noticing the hobling. Not the bleary-eyed one at the next table fidgeting with a gold ring, the other one, with the flashy feathered hat, strolling up the street. He appears to be giving you the fish eye.

Age of Fable

'What are you fackin' lookin at?'

wulfgar

"Creature...hungry...Teddy..Bear...look...tast y."

rondo

Buck turns his head to Creature. "Hmm. I dunno Creech...might stick in your teeth. Let's wait and see what this character has in mind...seems to be interested in something."

Age of Fable

"How dare you Sir?"

Rondo

"Easy my friend..he means no harm...he's just excited about a big fight coming up." Buck gives a casual wave of his hand to the hobling.

Age of Fable

"Oh..oh. Are you gunna enter...." I look around the street, and whisper

"Bigby Small's Bigtime Brawl?"

Dr Rotwang!

Quazarn regards the hobling with an expression that somehow mixes interest with antipathy. (It's something he can do. It's related to the Recurring Psychometric Morbidity. He's jacked up, OK?)

He sets down his drink, the light-blue fizzy one with the light-up ice cubes and the blinking LEDs in the rim. He leans over, looking straight at the hobling -- straight in the eyes, intently, agonizingly almost...

.....and reads the Hobling's mind!

Well, no, not really. [1d100=47; Read Minds 23%.] But he sure LOOKS like he does! [Crowd Manipulate 70%; rolled 53.]

Rondo

"Thought we might," says Buck. "How 'bout yourself?"...Buck takes a sip off of his scotch and soda.

Age of Fable

"Well...you know how some adventurers carry everything they own with them all the time? I thought there might be some easy pickings."

Coffee

[Does Zarko know this guy? Seeing how we're both criminals and all...]

Max

[You've heard about a hobling thief matching the description, but on the shady side of God City you can't hardly spit without hitting a hobling thief, so...eh, shrug?]

Max

[Since things are typically quiet on the weekends I'll probably wait till tomorrow night to post. Also kind of hanging back waiting for the current interaction to play out.]

As you talk to the hobling, the waiter, a gleaming but creaky clockwork automaton, approaches stiffly. "Pardon sirs, but we are closing soon. Please place your final orders now."

[I'll post something more extensive tonight -- hopefully jumping ahead to the Brawl!]

wulfgar

"Creature...drink...10..raw..eggs" Creature tells the waiter and awaits his smoothy of champions.

Max

"Excellent, sir, but please choose: hen, serpent, spider, or roof lizard," intones the antique 'droid.

wulfgar

"Roof lizard"

Coffee

Zarko holds off on ordering anything, but watches with sick fascination as Creature drinks his glass of roof lizard eggs. (Yuck!)

Rondo

"I'm fine, and thank you waiter," Buck throws a G.C. on the counter.

Age of Fable

"I'm in a hurry - I'll just have the mushroom platter with a side-order of chips, and a mug of real ale. And a blueberry pie."

Max

"Fine choices all. If it would speed the gentleman's meal it can be pureed together?"

Age of Fable

"An excellent suggestion. In fact, let's really save some time. Just throw it into the toilet for me."

Max

"That is contrary to my programming, but if the gentleman insists," Somewhere in the works of the droid a ratchet spins, and a small puff of steam vents from its forehead. "Ah, this is humor, of a specifically sarcastic nature? If it pleases I will serve the meal a la carte. If there is no other order?"

Dr Rotwang!

Quazarn waves is hand in pensive, Kenobian manner. "No, no, I...I am...complete. Thank you."

Max

As he serves Creature's eggs and Hobson's late-night snack the 'droid notes Zarko's incredulous eyebrows and curled lip. "It is true," comments the 'droid, "or so I am told, that roof lizard eggs are an acquired taste. But I assure you, sir, that our kitchen adheres strictly to all provisions of the Galactic Foodstuffs Act, despite this fallen age in which we labor. I am reminded of a Terran ode...If I may?"

With only the slightest pause to calibrate his voice modulator he continues,

"I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
in midst of other woe than ours,
and the slithy toves, (to whom thou say'st
'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!')
did gyre and gimble in the wabe
and all ye need to know is not fade away
and that has made all the difference."

Dr Rotwang!
Quazarn waves is hand in pensive, Kenobian manner. "No, no, I...I am...complete. Thank you."

Whirring contentedly the robodroid inclines his brass and bronzewood head in a gesture somehow both deferential and smug. "I am pleased you found my recitation satisfactory, sir. It is most gratifying to meet a fellow student of the ars xenopoetica."

Max

There is little conversation as Hobson and Creature enjoy their late meals. The roof lizard eggs make a fine, if somewhat gritty smoothie, and though the kitchen has served him a mushroom pie with fried blueberries and chips on the side Hobson finds it quite tasty.

The sky darkens to indigo, and the multiplex moons of Vanth crowd overhead. The hobling at the next table mutters to himself under his breath, still turning the gold ring in his fingers. At some point he disappears without any of your noticing he's left.

The robodroid waiter has begun to hoist the chairs onto the tables inside the cafe when a sleek black limbo van sulks up to the curb. The side door opens and a pair of orcs in black nightgowns and chauffeur's caps shoulder out of the van. "Madame sent us. Pick-up four for Bigby's. Four, three, two, one, one" nods an orc, counting heads. "Big 'un gonna take two spaces, urm?"

"Bahum, here's one takes up half a space. Makes up for it," the other replies, poking a thumb at Hobson. "Load up, geezers. Chaim Uruk's Sleepin' Car Service atcher service."

Age of Fable

[how much does the meal cost?]

Max

[For now everything except gear costs 1 GC unless I specify otherwise. If you guys start earning treasure I'll probably just tithe you a percentage between adventures to represent food, lodging, carousing, making bail, etc.]

Max

[Don't mean to stall, but I had to figure out a way to get you dudes to the Brawl and a jump cut didn't feel right, especially with your new companion in tow.

[I'm realizing, however, that I left things at a point with limited choices for the players, so feel free to fill in conversation that may have taken place during your meal, any visions or portents dreamed during your overnight stay in the sleeper car, or pre-fight warm-up activities. Tonight the Brawl begins...]

Age of Fable

"Did you guys arrange this?" I say, indicating the orcs.

wulfgar

So the nightgown clad orcs are here to pick us up? Oh ok. At first read I thought they had come to the restaurant to pickup a latenight take out order for Bigby- he must have the munchies.

Max

[Har. Originally I had them dressed in livery, but nightgowns seemed more in keeping with their line of work. Uh, I guess?]

wulfgar

Creature gets in.

rondo

Buck takes his vitamin and asks for two eggs in a glass with milk. Then he climbs in the van with Creech. "Well, here we go gang..."....Buck looks in his belt pouch for his mustache wax.

Coffee

Zarko moves to get in the car, but notices Creature doing the same.

Not wanting to accidentally get crushed or anything, Zarko patiently waits his turn, then gets in.

Age of Fable

I also get in.

Dr Rotwang!

Quazarn sprays himself with a touch more of his osmotic mojo-cologne and -- somewhat nervously -- enters the vehicle.

Max

The orcs help you into the sleeping tubes racked in the back. Lulled by the motion of the limbo van, and the green glow of the radio console playing soft rock turned way down low, you soon drift off to sleep.

It's the Eye of the Tiger Basically...

...with discussion of Goonies and scientific martial arts.

Max

[We'll narrate right past the ensuing time unless there's anything you'd like to do in the interim. Post your totally kick-ass training montage for bonus XP!]

wulfgar

Cue music in 5..4..3..2..1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Qi_KR8eCc

Creature wearing a grey hooded sweatsuit steps out of Regina's front door, takes the steps down to the street two at a time, and heads down the road at a brisk jog. Darryl, wearing a lime green hooded sweatsuit is jogging along a few paces behind.

starwipe

Creature in a warehouse doing barbell curls. He's got a miniature barbell, held in his cranial feelers which are curling as well. Buck and Zarko shout motivational cliches "No Pain-No Gain!" "PUSH IT! PUSH IT!" Camera pans to Quazran instructing Darryl in the secret art of clouding men's minds.

starwipe

Creature and Darryl jogging down the street. Darryl's grinning ear to ear.

starwipe

extreme close up: Creature and Darryl's doing pushups in Darryl's basement, sweat pouring off their bodies. Buck pays the pizza guy, and he, Zarko, and Quazran eat while playing Darth Viraxis' Punchout XXVI on the Playstation Z.

starwipe

warehouse, Creature doing a military press..Zarko in one hand, Buck in the other. "You've got to WANT it!" "PUUUUUSH IT!!!!!!". Camera pans to Quazran and Darryl. Darryl closes his eyes, assumes his stance, and then promptly walks into the wall.

starwipe

Creature and Darryl bounding up the steps to the God City Municipal Art Museum. Creature reaches the top and lets out a bestial roar of triumph, both fists high in the air. Darryl comes huffing and puffing behind, crawling over the last step. Creature grabs the boy and lifts him high over his head! Darryl's frown is turned upside down and he raises his own hand high in the air!!!!! The music crescendos! It's a true "Sloth love Chunk" tear jerker of a moment, only if Chunk were a lizard boy and Sloth was a Frankenstein.

Rondo
(Okeedokee, GM...I'll post Buck's training regiment here shortly! Should we each work with the boy? Buck has some Academy Jiu-Jitsu and judo training that might come in handy.)

(edit: HA!!!! Never mind...excellent! HAAAR!)

Buck does his one arm pushup routine, while wearing his 1930 Space Academy training suit (white tank, knee length shorts and "PF Flyers"). He takes to the swing-bag everyday for some punching...don't forget the classic Charles Atlas pull-springs for "tensile strength!" A lot of dodging, jumping and classic Depression era workout.

Dr Rotwang!

At the announcement that he must fight, Quazarn cringes! "I am a lover -- NOT a fighter!" he declares.

Then, his eyes widen in sudden, unanticipated realization.

"I am really," he mutters conspiratorially, "really doinking clever."

The next three days see Quazarn honing his true strength -- his mighty mind! He plunges into the depths of his spellbook -- a small bottle which contains the secrets of the universe in the form of an aromatic transdermal osmotic solution; he meditates deeply upon the endless void and the powers mysteriously woven therein, strings for him to pluck and weave at will; he scribbles furiously on a parchment, stopping momentarily to put his stylus thoughtfully to his chin as his eyes narrow in deepest contemplation, whereupon he nods.

Yes.

He is damn clever. And he will succeed in this charge by sheer force of intellect.

Just to be safe, however, he goes to his donkey (now expanded to normal size) and retrieves his weapon of choice...and sharpens its blade to match his wit.

Rondo

"Polish up yer dukes boys! We're gonna knock their blocks off!" Buck is in the mode:


Coffee

Zarko calls for another cup of coffee with a dispirited sigh. His training routine isn't going well at all.

But that's probably because it consists of walking around town, checking in with his contacts, trying to find out anything about the Brawl. Security must be tight (or he and his buddies must be even lower on the totem pole than he thought), because he ain't getting much.

Lemmy the Gorp said he knew, but didn't. So Zarko popped him one and left him spitting out teeth. (Of course, Gorps grow teeth like anything, so it didn't do any permanent harm.)

Bingo Tharp didn't even try to lie: He knew squat. But he said he could loan Zarko a fiver, in case he could get odds.

Zarko had even gone to visit Squidgy; he tried and tried to get the smell out of his nostrils but he knew it'd be there for another week or more. And he didn't get any info.

This time, Zarko thought as his coffee arrived, he'd have to play it by ear.

Max

[All I really have to say tonight is this: You guys are awesome.

Wulfgar, you broke my brain a little with the cranial feelers bit, and reminded me that I still haven't seen frickin' Goonies.

Rondo and Doc, fun to the max, and great characterization to boot. I humbly suggest a medicine ball workout for Buck, and a scene where Quazarn synchronizes two or three Swatches.

Coffee, Zarko's efforts may prove more fruitful than he fears, stay tuned. And next time you find yourself doodling I hope you'll draw me a Gorp, 'cause that's going straight into my EC bestiary!

Thanks, fellas, for the Ivan Drago sized chuckles today! Bonus XP for all -- I'll be awarding it after the Brawl. Speaking of which, tomorrow I'll set the stage!]

wulfgar

[Go see Goonies. Go see Goonies now.

Although my experience has been that people exposed to Goonies as 21st century adults have a much lower appreciation for it then those who first saw it as 20th century kids, if you like Encounter Critical, I'm hopeful you can appreciate it in the right light.]

Max

[#1 on my Netflix queue! We didn't go to a lot of movies at the theater, and never had cable, is how I missed it I guess.]

Rondo

(Indeed some excellent RPG'n on all involved (including our incredible GM) ¹. I have to say this is a hell of a group! I don't think I've ever played with a more colorful, creative and intelligent lot...and I've been doing this since 1980).

Buck would like to establish a few things before we roll with this (I laid in the dark...still no power at the house......and thought of a few things):

Just in case it's allowed, and not knowing what he's facing, Buck goes in search of some good leather, fingerless punching gloves in his footlocker.

Zarko: "Hey my ape bud...Let me know on any good odds on the betting line. I want to lay down every cent I have on the Creature. He may not come in first, I don't know what we're in for, but I bet I can clean-up on the high end with him...he lifted me off the floor like a rag doll, and he's got the heart to win this thing....besides, if it pays off I want to give the winnings to the Madam for her son's physician training someday...sort of a trust fund."

Quazran: Buck pats the Quazzer on the back, "Say listen...you're intelligence is beyond anything I've ever encountered. The abilities of your mind are truly boggling. Is there any way we can train the kid to use some of his inherent abilities? Surely he possesses some mind-powers.....his mother froze me to the spot with a single glance....whaddya think? He might be able to use some of that out there in the ring."

Creature: "I've got all the confidence in the world in you, kid. I know you can do it, you are powerhouse of a man, with the heart of a giant. Ol' Buck's gonna get in there and tangle too; I would rather settle things with my fists any day...I wanted to ask you a favor though...help me protect this kid. I think he's got the courage and the gusto, and maybe he won't win, I dunno, but you and I have to be prepared to do something if it looks like the kid is gonna get put on ice. We can't let him die....you understand?" Buck looks into the Creatures eyes with sincerity. "We've gotta get this kid back to his mama in one piece."

Darryl: "Okay kid, to have a good offense you have to have a bang-up defense. Let me show you some stuff I picked up at the Juno Space Academy." With this, Buck starts going through basic hand-to-hand training on basic "Marquis of Queensbury" boxing techniques...then moves on to Jiu-Jitsu locks and judo throws.

Buck spends the rest of the day practicing acrobatics, judo flips, fencing and the medicine ball!

Rondo

(I've never seen "Goonies"...heard of it, of course, but I think I mighta been too old to catch that one when it came out....I was busy chasing current ex-wives and getting into trouble in bands and crap).

wulfgar

Rondo
"I've got all the confidence in the world in you, kid. I know you can do it, you are powerhouse of a man, with the heart of a giant. Ol' Buck's gonna get in there and tangle too; I would rather settle things with my fists anyday...I wanted to ask you a favor though...help me protect this kid. I think he's got the courage and the gusto, and maybe he won't win, I dunno, but you and I have to be prepared to do something if it looks like the kid is gonna get put on ice. We can't let him die....you understand?", Buck looks into the Creatures eyes with sincerity. "We've gotta get this kid back to his mama in one piece."

Creature stares at Buck. A small grin spreads across his face.

"Mmmm....ice."

[While it may have been a bit before his time, perhaps Buck is familiar with the art of Bartitsu (or Baritsu). Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baritsu
I just love that poster.]

[From the Bartitsu wikipedia entry

Under Bartitsu is included boxing, or the use of the fist as a hitting medium, the use of the feet both in an offensive and defensive sense, the use of the walking stick as a means of self-defence. Judo and jujitsu, which were secret styles of Japanese wrestling, he would call close play as applied to self-defence.

In order to ensure as far as it was possible immunity against injury in cowardly attacks or quarrels, they must understand boxing in order to thoroughly appreciate the danger and rapidity of a well-directed blow, and the particular parts of the body which were scientifically attacked. The same, of course, applied to the use of the foot or the stick.

Judo and jujitsu were not designed as primary means of attack and defence against a boxer or a man who kicks you, but were only to be used after coming to close quarters, and in order to get to close quarters it was absolutely necessary to understand boxing and the use of the foot.

It's a martial art based on Scientific Realism!! Definitely fits in with Encounter Critical.]

Rondo

Buck stares at the Creature for a second, and then he starts grinning which in turn, turns into a laugh. "Ice...that's right....ice...". Buck shakes his head, but he knows the Creature understands in heart what's going on.

(I've read about Bartitsu! Forgot about that. Amazing stuff.)

Max

Rondo
Just in case it's allowed, and not knowing what he's facing, Buck goes in search of some good leather, fingerless punching gloves in his footlocker.

[This is fine, by the way. No game advantage conferred, but stylish.]

----------------------------------
¹ Pffft.

Darryl's Mom is H.A.W.T. ...

Huge Ancient Wyrm Tyrannosaur, that is...

Max

Beyond the crown-carved door a stone stairway curves into darkness. You descend with only a glimmer of light below to guide you. An arch at the foot of the stairwell leads into a high-ceilinged cavern lit by the glow of witch-fire from a reading lamp. The lamp illuminates a large open book, an inkpot and a quill. Dark shadows hide most of the cavern from view, and a heavy odor of cinnamon and musk hangs in the still air.

For a moment all is quiet save the sound of your own breathing. Then with a metallic gong a platemail cuirass bounces from the shadows to land at your feet. It's clear the armor was crafted with skill--skill matched only by the fury with which it was destroyed: holes are punched through the breatsplate and backpiece as if it were skewered by many spears, and the entire cuirass is blackened and corroded.

A deep voice speaks from the shadows, a rumbling growl shaped into words,

"Who claims to be the hatchling's father? Who claims the armor my lover wore when I slew him?"

wulfgar

Creatures takes a look at the book and quill (from where he's standing). If it looks to be a guest register he'll go over and sign.

Max

Well what does it look like to a frankenstein of Creature's intellectual capabilities? Roll Scholarship.

wulfgar

Creature stares at the book trying to figure out what it says. Then he remembers he's mostly illiterate. (Scholarship rating -7%, rolls a 39)

Dr Rotwang!

"Three seconds 'til showtime, Buck."

Max

[Planning something Quazarn? Something has successfully Seen the Future.]


Dr Rotwang!

[Uhh...what? I was just saying that Buck's gonna hafta start doin' some acting, since he shot Quazarn down from it and all. DANCE, SPACEMAN!]

Max

Creature takes a few strides towards the table, squinting at the book. Buck takes a step forward, "Well...ma'am? That would be me wh-"

"Be Still!"

roars the voice, and Buck is as silent and still as wax. Something ponderous moves in the darkness. A head nearly as big as a damnation van swings slowly into the light, mouthful of wicked teeth bared in a come hither grin --


-- come hither and be devoured, that is. As her Cease spell takes effect the runes carved on her sweeping horns flare purple and slowly fade.

With unhurried movements Darryl's H.A.W.T. mother stalks forward from the darkness. She has the general shape of a Tyrant Lizard, but the long neck and barbed, coiling tail of a dragon. She cocks her massive head to the side and regards you coolly.


"Well? Who else will risk his silver tongue? Or will you tell me no more lies? I am Inez Consilio Regina. Why have you come?"

[Rondo is temporarily offline and gave me permission to run Buck, instead I'm opting to put him on indefinite magical hold. Buck said plenty to piss off Darryl's mom last week, so this is about how it would've gone anyway]

wulfgar

"Bigby...Smalls...Big...Time...Brawl?" Creature asks Darryl's Mom.

Max

Inez Regina angles her head toward Creature, leaning in close enough for him to see the scars of age and battle on her snout. Her breath is hot and and smells of cedar.

"A true and undevious word at last," she says, turning to the others. "I despise the wiles of men, so speak plainly unless you long for oblivion."

She regards Creature again and nods. "Strong and stupid, yes. That is best. I will back you in the Brawl, but your companions do not impress me. What have they to say for themselves?"

Rondo

Buck attempts to move his arm...his jaw...anything....

Max

[If you wish you can roll a Saving Throw, discounting any bonuses from armor.]

Rondo

[I should be able to post during the day, from work off and on, but at home I have no power, no phone and no water, so bear with me....as far as Buck is concerned, it might be the general agreement that he shut the hell up anyhow..]

With a 21% save, a "58" ain't gonna get it.

[Sorry guys...just trying to get us someplace other than a cafe....Buck's intention was to let mama know that we made no promises about the boys father, but with a fighter in training and a ring crew we were hoping to help her find the culprit through mercenary action...maybe get enlisted in the Big Brawl...she's got a boy that would make an excellent corner man, with his knowledge of the set-up.]

Coffee

"We say you obviously got some wiles of your own, and I say that as a complement," says Zarko, bowing respectfully.

He's on familiar ground, now: This is clearly a Boss, and you don't try to baffle a Boss. Not if you wanna keep on with that whole respiratin' thing, anyways.

"We was just lookin' for an in at the Brawl. An in, and an edge. And from what we heard, you was the one to make both of 'em happen."

He awaits an answer, hoping that he hasn't gone too far, but knowing that if he has, there's precious little he can do about it. Just look at Buck!

[Note that everything Zarko is saying here is the truth, as far as he knows. He's not trying anything.]

Rondo

Darn. Rolled a save for the heck of it again...missed with a "36".

Dr Rotwang!

Quazarn steps forward with confidence -- but deference. "Madam Regina, my Planetary Ape friend speaks naught but truth. We are a team of adventurers seeking glory -- each in our own way. Creature, here, is a being of great might, and we bring him here to test his mettle in your Brawl. We come for this," he concludes, "and no more."

Rondo

I finally threw a "17", if I can say my bit..

Max

The dracosaur listens impassively, tilting her head to watch each speaker in turn. Her eyes are as dark as indigo swirled in ink.

Her horns glow purple again and she flicks her tail at Buck, knocking him loose from her enchantment and off of his feet. She looms over him, close enough that he is unable to rise from his sprawl.

"Now then, spacer, you may speak your piece from a position of proper deference."

Rondo

Buck stays prone and speaks, "I accept full responsibility for leading my companions to your home, and I apologize. Our goal is a humble one...to participate in the Big Brawl. It was my intention that if we could offer aid to you in the situation concerning the boy's father...then all the better. It appears you need no one's aid in this regard...Madame handles herself in an effective manner. No offense was intended, and no deceit was planned. Please accept my apologies, and please hold no grudge towards my companions, as it was I who spoke with your son."

wulfgar

Creature grabs Buck by his collar and plucks him off the floor. "Darry's..Mom..no..hurt..Buck...Buck..nice....Buck ..help..Creature..squish..mean..ogress"

Coffee

"That's true," Zarko adds. "I saw the whole thing."

Rondo

Buck dangling from the Creatures grasp, turns and smiles lightly, speaking softly "Thanks pal..."

Max

Madam Regina rears up to her full height and stares at the group. There seems, just possibly, to be a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. After a long few seconds she turns away, sighing deeply.

"The Brawl, yes, all the young toughs and rowdies want to fight in the Brawl. And I do indeed have sway with Bigby, among others. I can get your Creature into the fray. He should do well. Perhaps even last to the second day. I will even pay the entry fee. But there is another cost."

She settles back on her haunches, coiling her tail loosely around her neck like a shawl, and sighs again, "Darryl also wishes to fight in the Brawl. He thinks of nothing but victory and glory; he is like his father." A gob of acid streaks across the room, landing with a plink and a sizzle in a distant spittoon. Madam Regina dabs at her mouth with her tail. "Like his father, my son is a fool....But he shall have his wish. Darryl too will fight in the Brawl, and you four will fight at his side. You four will guarantee his safety. Not his success, merely his safety. Should he return bowed and bloody, so much the better, but you will see that he returns unbroken."

"This task then is the cost of your entry to the Brawl. You need pay no coin, and I am generous to those who please me. You will find the cost of refusal much steeper."

Rondo

"Madam," says Buck with a light bow, "Speaking for myself, It will be a pleasure to assist the boy. He already has the knowledge and makings of a great fighter. He, shall indeed fight, and whomever of us remains alive will most certainly return your son unbroken, if not a tad worse for wear. I will watch over the boy as if I were his own fa...." Buck's eyes dart to the pierced armor laying crumpled on the floor, "...the boy's uncle!" He smiles at Madam Regina.

Max

The dracosaur flares her nostrils, and the spines along her back bristle. "He will never be a fighter so long as I live. He will become a doctor as I planned. In the vernacular, I send him to the fight only to have some sense beaten into him. Do not forget this."

wulfgar

"When...brawl?"

Max

"The next Brawl is in three day's time."

Darryl

Max

Queen's Tower stands on a small, neatly kept lot. The base of the tower is ringed with tall windows, and ivy climbs the rough stone. As you reach the low stoop the front door opens slightly and a lanky figure in gym shorts and a t-shirt edges outside. Motioning for quiet, he wedges open the massive door, a fair foot thick, banded with iron and carved with runes.

"Hey guyth," says Darryl.

The doorstop secured, he straightens up. He's an unfortunate looking half-lizard teenager, all gangly knees and elbows, too large feet and bony foreclaws. A pointed skull-knob and a ruff of scales frame his mostly human face, giving him the look of a weak-chinned squire in a helm and cowl of green chainmail. Any knightly semblance, however, is overwhelmed by his enormous moon eyes, shining behind bottle-thick goggles, and the dagger-like teeth revealed by his shy grin.

"I was sthtarting to think you got lotht," he continues. "Sthorry I got all crazthy on the phone. I'm not usually thuch a little wuthsy. You guyth got me good though." He glances around your group hopefully. "Are you really in the Brawl? What'th your fighting style? Where'th your dojo?"

[Imagine a cross between a sleestack and Milhouse and you've got Darryl]

wulfgar

Creature answers the boy's question about his fighting style:

"Creature...hit......Creature...hit..HARD"

Max

"Heavy handth, huh? A sthtriker?" replies Darryl eagerly. "What about thubmissions? How'th your ground game?"

wulfgar

"Ground...game?...Put...them..in..ground.......Game..over"

Rondo

"This is the main event right here, son," he pats the Creature on the shoulder..."I'm the manager," and then he gestures to the party, "..... and you're looking at the best trainers for the Big Brawl since Grubby Lugnut took out 'The Mortician' in a Venusian Cage Match with an upper cut in the 1st round."

Rondo

"This is the main event right here, son," he pats the Creature on the shoulder..."I'm the manager," and then he gestures to the party, "..... and you're looking at the best trainers for the Big Brawl since Grubby Lugnut took out 'The Mortician' in a Venusian Cage Match with an upper cut in the 1st round."

Max

"This is the main event right here, son," he pats the Creature on the shoulder..."I'm the manager," and then he gestures to the party, "..... and you're looking at the best trainers for the Big Brawl since Grubby Lugnut took out 'The Mortician' in a Venusian Cage Match with an upper cut in the 1st round."

Buck's voice crackles with electromagic interference as another temporal ripple courses through him, causing him to repeat his words a third time.

"You musthta picked up a sthtatic charge on the tram," Darryl suggests. ¹

Dr Rotwang!

In a true Kodak moment, Quazarn deci- uh, is fully aware that, since he has no freaking idea how this stuff works, he'd best keep his damn yap shut and let Rondo drive.

However, he does stand beside Creature, looking cool, tough and self-assured.
[I just rolled a 47 (compared to my Crowd Manipulate score of 70%) to impress upon Darryl that we know what we're doing.

Which I'm not sure we really do.

It occurs to me that I could try Psychic Implant to give Darryl the idea, 'Theesh guyths are hardcore!' but at 18%? Maybe later. Plus, who knows how much pull Darryl has here?]

Max

Noting the conehead's easy confidence and charismatic grooming Darryl nods to Quazarn, "That'th some good crowd-work there, get the cheap theats on your side. But there'th no crowd at the Brawl, and no corner-men either. Everyone fightsth. If you aren't there to fight you don't get in."

You get the impression that Darryl wouldn't mind talking about the Brawl for hours and hours, but instead he leans towards the four of you, his voice low. "You guyth better go talk to Mother now. Um. I wanted to warn you, she's pretty pisthed off. She doesthn't like talking about my Dad too much. But you guyth should be okay."

He isn't entirely convincing, but as he holds open the door his voice brightens. "Hey, I'll get my gi and bokken and maybe we can sthpar after!" Darryl's rooms are cluttered with books and holographs: self-defense manuals, medieval romances, a multiple volume history of Haragorn. Fight posters and heraldic banners cover the walls.

He leads the four of you to another iron-bound door. An enormous crown is carved into the dark wood.
-------------------
¹ This bit of business was in reponse to a double post by Rondo.

Journey to Queen's Tower

wulfgar

Creature heads off with the rest of the motley band of misfits to take the Green Line towards Queensth Tower. If he sees a pizza place along the way he'll will pick up a couple slices.

Max

Creature sets off for the Green Line even as the whirring vocaphone powers down, and the rest of you follow. The sturdy 'Stein pauses only long enough to grab a king-sized slice of pizza from a robodroid pushcart (today's special: jerk chicken with tealeaf and vinegar spices) before hopping onto a Sky-Bulb headed northeast toward Queen's Tower.

Rondo

On the way Buck recounts his conversation. "Well, which one of us is gonna be a damned Human Knight of Ooogy-boogy? Gee, tough choice..." he says looking around at his band of wooky-ape-frankie-droogs...."Nice. How the hell did I get in this mess? All I wanna do is make some money, now I'm playing the husband of who or WHAT I don't know, to a 'woman' I've never seen, with a lisping, hair-lipped son.....real nice."

Dr Rotwang!

"I'll tell her I had an accident."

Rondo

"Yea! No, offense, but you better hope she's got some wild tastes there, my midget donkey friend!" Buck grins and rubs Quazzer on the noggin.

[First round of hurricanes was nothing....this one looks like it might be rough, so you guys will know what's going on if i can't post...should be over by the time the weekend ends..]

Dr Rotwang!

"Sir," Quazarn snaps, "if we are to have a successful adventuring partnership, you will kindly keep your hands off my head."

Max

[Indeed. That's how slashfic happens, Rondo ]

wulfgar

[So says the conehead making groping gestures and jumping in people's laps!!]

Rondo

Buck grins at Quazarn, "I'm just ribbing you bud, relax."

Max

The Bulb door slam-bangs shut behind the four of you, and with a grunt the dwarf tram-smith releases the brake. After a grinding lurch and a shower of electro-magic sparks your convoy of Sky Bulbs ascends along its guidewire to the tramway above.

[I've got the day off, and after I go get a damn haircut I'll be back and able to post as substantially as needed. If anybody has anything they want to do before getting on the Green Line feel free to chime in now.

[A few other notes:

[Sadly Gorgo Ubar's trance was but the first symptom of Degenerative Aura Contamination, and he has succumbed to Astral Peristalsis, swallowed up by unknown extra-dimensional forces. None can say whether he'll be seen again....

[JM note: I'm relying on you players to keep an accounting of your wealth at least adequate for horseshoes & hand grenades. Unless I tell you differently for a given purchase, let's keep it stupid, simples, and say everything costs 1 GC.]

Max

The Sky Bulb convoy slides easily along tramway, rising to each anchor post and sinking again as it passes, trailing arcanostatic all the while.

There's a short wait for the intersecting Blue Line to clear the interchange and you have a moment to take in the sprawling vista of God City, from the nosecone shacks and jet booster tenements of the Rocket Town slums to the mossy palaces out past the Elvesbeard Heights. The rooftops and streets below, lit with the red and gold light of late afternoon, look like the rough sketches of a city planner with amnesia. Half-built skyscrapers jut from the stone fortifications of Dwarven Delve. Nearby a terraced hive of evolved apes shadows a meadow of cave hobling burrows. A few streets beyond, Gypsy Haints have set up a ghost carnival in the rubble of a leveled city block. In the far distant hills glowers the unfinished Viraxis Pyramid, its upper floors still blackened from the fires of the Boxcar Rebellion.


wulfgar

Creature rides standing, holding onto one of the poles in the middle of the car. His other hand is nonchalantly at the hilt of his black hole metal riot baton, as he keeps his eyes open for pickpockets or cannibalistic hobos.

Rondo

Buck, being ever germ conscious, keeps his gloves on, and eyes peeled for the same. I might point out that he keeps his .38 "cross-draw" style on the holster under his left arm...he's keeping the snap down on that for sure, and watching distances for any knuckleheads in his breathing space.

Max

As it turns out you have the Bulb mostly to yourselves, save for a sleepy orgoyle ¹ nodding over the day's broadsheet. Buck spots neither germs nor knuckleheads.

The Sky Bulb sways as the Green Line continues on, and you soon arrive at your stop. Queens Tower is just a few blocks away, a six story spire in the high Galactic Medieval style. White pennants and flags bearing a purple crown on a field argent ² hang from the battlements.

Rondo

Buck starts looking for a little store of some sort, "Aw nerts! I forgot to get the hair-lipped kid some kind of gift! Maybe I'll just give him my 'Hobling Army Knife.' Every kid wants one of those.....kid will probably turn out to be 42 years old and living in the basement."

Max

It's a fairly swank residential neighborhood, so there's a few classy restaurants and the kind of corner bar where the tables are so clean and glossy you can almost see your reflection in the wood grain. But no shops to be seen.

Dr Rotwang!

"No matter!" Quazarn beams. "Any random piece of crap will do. Lest we all forget," he says conspiratorially, "...I am a warlock."

¹ Dear Dave Hargrave: I love you, man.
² In true scientific fashion I did no research on heraldry -- or castles for that matter. Do not seek to trouble me with facts.

A Talk with Darryl

...In which Buck lies to a child

wulfgar

Creature takes the phone off the hook and hands the receiver to Buck. "Call..Darryl's..Mom...now."

Max

The phone rings four times before an impatient voice answers, "Thith ith Darryl."

Dr Rotwang!

wulfgar
Creature takes the phone off the hook and hands the receiver to Buck. "Call..Darryl's..Mom...now."

"Ah," says Quazarn. "Before we do that, perhaps I sh-"

The JM
The phone rings four times before an impatient voice answers, "Thith ith Darryl."

"- or not." He sits back down.

He turns to Creature, however, and gives him a very confident thumbs-up.

wulfgar

Just to be clear, Creature is not on the phone, he dialed and then handed it to Buck. He might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he knows he's not the most eloquent speaker.

Max

[gotcha, Wulf.

[Sorry if I jumped the gun on you, Doc. Something you want to do before the party talks to Darryl?]

rondo

Yea? Let me know, I'm fixing to be talkin!

(holdin' off until Doc gets a chance to make his move)

Dr Rotwang!

[Not at all, turkey! It gave me a chance for a bit of business, so we're good. Everyone please proceed.]

Max

"Hel-loo-o? Who is thith?" whinges the voice on the vocaphone. "I'm kind of in the middle of thomething here?"

Rondo

Buck starts grinning and running his forefinger over his moustache, "Hello son! Perhaps your mother is home? We have some good news for her...I have a distant relative here to speak with her." He winks at the party.

Max

"Yeah, right! All her relativth are fothsils," Darryl replies in a supercilious drawl. "Unleths...D-Dad...?"

Rondo

"Well, could be son, could be....all I know is that some friends of mine have someone here that needs to talk to her. Why don't you put her on, and then maybe you'll have some good news in a little bit! We have some gifts for you too."

Buck shrugs at this last bit of b.s. and grins at everyone (need me to roll for Seduce or Lie or Bullshit or anything?)

Max

"She...she won't talk on the vocaphone. You have to see her in persthon," he quavers. No longer sneering, Darryl's voice is thin, high-pitched but not quite a child's. He lets out his breath with a soft hiss.

"Ith my Dad there? Can I. Can I talk to him?"

Rondo

"Well, it's been a long time son, and we're not sure this would be your dad....what do you remember about your dad...? Maybe that will help us?"

Max

"I never knew my dad. Mother never talks about him," his voice lowers conspiratorially, "exthept to warn me not to follow his footstepth. But I'm pretty sure he wath a great warrior. Hey! are you fighting in the Bigtime Brawl?!"

Rondo

"Well, son we would like to! In fact, we have a fighter here that is a 'mean machine,' and there's a good chance he's your father. Part of the reason we want to talk to your mother is to find out some answers about getting into this brawl. If our fighter turns out to be your old man, then that would sure be great news wouldn't it? What does your mom look like? How would you describe her...does she have a little Frankenstein blood in her?"

Dr Rotwang!

[Just so you know, this is HILARIOUS.]

Max

"Frankensthein!? Is thith thome kind of joke? Oh ha-ha. And I fell for it like thome kind of asssth-hole," Darryl hisses in exasperation. "My father was a Human Knight of Olden Haragorn. My Mother ith..."

After a short breath Darryl continues, "Queensth Tower. It'sth on the Green Line. If you want to talk to Mother you have to see her in persthon. Thanks sthooo much for calling, 'Dad.' "

With a chirp of static the vocaphone cuts off.

[The Green Line is one of several aerial tramways that crisscross God City, kept running with spare parts, chewing gum and prayers to various godlings by a clan of Sky Dwarfs. There's a stop in the piazza down the street.]

wulfgar

[I too heartily approve of the hilariousness going on And am I the only one who reads "piazza" and thinks "hmmm, pizza does sound good right now"]

Pratfalls & Donkey Business at the Omerta Cafe

Max

The alley opens onto a wide cobbled street lined with pink stone buildings. As is faddish in God City, the architecture is EthnoTerran -- in this case ersatz Italian. A congeries of gift shops and knick-knackeries wilt in the afternoon sun. Across the way and north a half block is the Omerta Cafe. To the south is a piazza overwhelmed by a hideously out of place cyberkinetic sculpture, like a rosy-cheeked peasant wench afflicted with a robot goiter.

Rondo

Buck pats Gorgo on the back, "A scrap of map eh? Well, let's see what you got there, Gorgo my friend." (Buck is more than relieved to figure out that Gorgo isn't a cop! Whew! I just shot a guy after all! Well, not a guy...it was more like a....ugly ....eh......).

Buck continues to walk along with the others....what is this bit of map? Anything worth noting?

Dr Rotwang!

Edsan A hint of a smile adorns the ape's face when he sees Quazarn clamping his mouth shut "My name is Gorgo, Gorgo Ubar."

Quazarn waves. He's everybody's pal!

wulfgar

Creature checks out the men's water closet at the cafe.

Max

The burger bunch plus one ambles up the street toward the Omerta. It's a tacky little place, walls covered with black and white photos of Terrans with heavy features and aggressive eyebrows. A wiry elf in a gaudy silk shirt yells angrily into a voicephone. Despite his nasty threats and impressive profanity you get the feeling it's all for show.

While the Creature checks out the men's room Buck peers at the map. Hand drawn and smudged, Buck decides it could be a map of just about anywhere from Petoskey to Petaluma, let alone God City.

.................
Meanwhile, Creature gets lucky in the men's room. So to speak. On the wall above the urinal is written

Big or small
Stand tall
Bigby Small's Bigtime Brawls
Call Darryl's Mom the HAWT
903-5768

please dont eat the big pink mint

.................
Back at the entrance to the Omerta, a husky hobling in a dark suit and open collar approaches. "Youse guys wanna table, or you gonna stand aroun' with your thumbs up yer butts all day? Ha! I'm a funny guy. You think I'm funny? Do ya?"

Coffee

"Yeah, you're so funny I forgot to laugh," Zarko says.

Max

The hobling blusters, puffing out his chest, "I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? Or like I don't make you laugh, I'm not here to amuse you?" He looks from Zarko to the others, and his voice edges up into a whine. "What do you mean not funny? How am I not funny?"¹

"Aw let it go, Tommy," barks the elf. "Just pipe down and show the nice people to a table if they wanna."

Rondo

"Hilarous....and don't be 'short' with us, Winky Dink," Buck gives the midget a sneer. "Whatcha got to drink around this place?"

[I am totally not touching the reference to not eating the "pink meat"]

Max

[Hey, you're the one who read "meat" when I wrote "mint," smart guy]

rondo

[Ha! Sorry, i SWEAR i thought it was meat because of the last barfing incident....I swear!! ha....ah, well it should have said "meat"...]

wulfgar

[I'm pretty sure it orginally said meat...at least that's what I read it as the first time. I think the JM is ret-conning this adventure!!!]

Max

[Pfftt. Just 'cause you chuckleheads have meat on the brains don't make it so. Big pink mint = urinal cake, comprende?]

Max

The hobling, now sniveling, shows you to a table. He waves his hand bleakly at a chalkboard behind the counter listing a wide variety of fancy coffee drinks, Romulard teas, wine spritzers, lemon adder punch and suchlike. Creature seems to be taking a long time in the john.

[Throwing back to you guys now. A few questions:
Creature: Despite your strength you can't pry loose the tile with D's HAWT Mom's digits. What now?
Buck and the rest: You gonna eat?
Quazarn: Where is your donkey??]

Rondo

"What's holding up Creature?", Buck says having a seat.

(Eat?! Are you jokin'? After the circle-hurl of 20 minutes ago? Buck ain't feelin' up to lunch, I can tell you that. Bucks gonna look the menu over for a double martini. If there's some bar peanuts or some "beer beetles" or some other bar food he might munch a handful of that.)

Buck removes his helmet and gloves and sets 'em on the bar, "Say, Chuckles..." he speaks to the disgruntled hobling, "What do you guys do for fun around here?" Bucks surveys the joint, specifically looking for Clues to possibly get in on this scrapping for dollars gig, or maybe some pool, or some way to hook up with some of the guys around here for some information or to make a few dollars. Buck is turning over in his mind a plan for gathering some henchmen to get us on to the 'Monster Magnet' gig....

Dr Rotwang!

Seated at the table, Quazarn quietly reaches into his pocket and extracts a REAL, LIVE 8-CENTIMETER-TALL DONKEY. Placed upon the table, it brays in a tiny voice and clops its hooves. Quazarn points to it most magnificently, and wiggles his eyebrows with a self-satisfied smirk.

"I shra-" he says, then remembers his breath, and stops. Frowning eyes scan the table for a glass of hydrofluid or PotaBest!, the mint-flavored electrolyte-laden thirst solution in a can. Seeing none, he pockets the donkey and looks for the restroom.

His cohorts, of course, are amazed at him -- he carries a REAL, LIVE 8-CENTIMETER-TALL DONKEY in his pocket. WOW! What a guy! As soon as he takes care of his deathbreath, he's gonna be covered in chicks.

Rondo

Buck sees Quazran and the miraculous donkey, "Wha...!?!" then he arches one eyebrow and stares ahead in a daze, like he just witnessed a fat guy eating his own leg while wearing a clown suit.

Coffee

Zarko will order a straight coffee. (He doesn't hold with those fancy-schmancy "coffee drinks".)

Max

The elf sidles behind the counter and begins rummaging through a rack of glassware till he finds a martini glass and a chipped coffee mug. Buck's martini is shaken, stirred, strained, decanted via an alembic, and served with an olive, a clove of garlic, a cinnamon stick and a tadpole. The coffee's just poured from a dented tin carafe.

Rondo Buck removes his helmet and gloves and sets 'em on the bar, "Say, Chuckles...", he speaks to the disgruntled hobling, "What do you guys do for fun around here?" Bucks surveys the joint, specifically looking for Clues to possibly get in on this scrapping for dollars gig...

"Eh, what kinda fun youse lookin' for? We're very importan' guys, we got Our Own Thing." The elf looks sheepish but lets the hobling go on, "Yeah, see, we're in the SCA, you heard of it? Society for Criminal Affectation? We reenact the great crimes of the galaxy, see. You wanna see my boffer pistol?"

Zarko sips his coffee, which is bitter but strong [and thanks to an Alchemy roll will allow him to add 10% to his chances on any single INT or ESP roll!]. ² His fellow ape Gorgo appears to have entered some sort of slack-jawed trance.

Dr Rotwang!

Max [Quazarn] pockets the donkey and looks for the restroom.... Creature is standing at the urinal, staring hard at the graffiti'd wall in front of him.

Quazarn rinses his mouth out and, without looking at Creature, says, "You, uh...you see something interesting, there, Creature?"

Rondo

"Boffer pistol? I'm sort of a firearms nut myself...let's take a look at that thing. What is it you guys do; "re-enact" galaxian crimes?! Is there a big audience for that?"...Buck is sipping on his martini.

Max

"Yeah, all the great crimes, stagecoach robberies, the Valentime's Massacre, Kessel smuggling runs, the Wookie Shave 'n' Haircut, alla them," replies the hobling as he trots behind the counter.

A moment later he returns cradling a small pistol. He sets it gently on the counter next to Buck. The craftsmanship is impressive, but Buck quickly realizes the pistol is carved entirely from squishy foam. "Here's the ammo," says the hobling eagerly, holding up a bag of pink foam pellets. "We meet up in the piazza sometimes, but our chapter's kinda small. Exclusive, like."

wulfgar

Creature finishes emptying his monster size bladder and then remembers the other reason he came into the restroom. "Darryl's...Mom" He utters in a gravelly monotone to Quazarn as he points at the writing on the wall.

[Sorry for the hold up guys, been travelling back from across the pond for work.]

Rondo

"Boy," says Buck, "This is the weirdest place I've ever been, and I say that with all due respect". Buck finishes off his drink, "Well, that's somethin' else...I'll have to take in your show sometime....sounds like a real humdinger." Buck throws a G.C. on the bar, picks up his helmet and gloves and turns to rejoin his friends at the table.

Dr Rotwang!

Quazarn gargles profusely while a look of cogitation adorns his handsome face. He spits out the fouled water and leans on the sink. "Huh. We keep seeing references to..." He trails off, and makes his way out of the public bog. "I'll catch you out there, Creature."

He ambles up to Buck. "Say, do we have any idea who Darryl's Mom is? I'm beginning to feel -- " He holds out his hands in slight claws, slowly, dramatically. " -- a presence."

[Quazarn rolls to Seduce (78%) the others into beli-uh, he impresses upon the others that he is a keen master of the mystic arts. Something tells me it ain't goin' over with the crowd...(Roll: 100)]

wulfgar

Creature returns to the rest of the group.

"9..0..3..5..7..6..8...Darry's Mom" He informs them.

While creature's monstrous visage does not reveal so, inwardly he's disturbed by what seems to be an attempt by Quazarn to seduce Buck.

Max

Dr Rotwang!
[Quazarn] ambles up to Buck. "Say, do we have any idea who Darryl's Mom is? I'm beginning to feel -- " He holds out his hands in slight claws, slowly, dramatically. " -- a presence."

Mumbling something about how he feels in Buck's presence, Quazarn makes what appears to be a fondling gesture with his outstretched hands. As he nears the table he slips on a stray boffer pellet, does a graceless one-legged pirouette and lands in the spaceman's lap.

[Nice crit fumble there, conehead. Smooth move, ex-lax.

[Thanks for the lead-in, Wulfgar. I wasn't sure how this was gonna play out. Just for that I won't make you roll Scholarship to correctly remember that number ]

Rondo

"SAY, WISEGUY!! WHAT IS THIS!?", Buck jumps up so Quazzie can hit the floor..."What gives...you loopy or somethin'?"

Buck glances around red-faced to everyone TOTALLY confused by what's going on.

Dr Rotwang!

Quazarn stands up with all the grace and poise of a master of the arcane who meant to do that.

"Sorry, Buck," he says in the manliest tone. "The Arcane works in....mysterious ways."

[Was I wrong in surmising that Seduce is for general convincing and stuff?]

Max

wulfgar
Creature returns to the rest of the group. "9..0..3..5..7..6..8...Darry's Mom"

The elf gives a low whistle, "Darryl's Mom? Aitch Ay Double Yew Tee." Shaking his head, he adds, "There's a phone out front if you mooks think you got the goods."

Dr Rotwang!
[Was I wrong in surmising that Seduce is for general convincing and stuff?]

[re The Skill That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Your only crime was rolling double zeros. (You could've used Argue if you'd wanted to try a more intellectual approach.) ]

Rondo

Buck glares at Quazzie, his eyebrows bent in dissatisfaction. Slowly a grin creeps to his face, and he starts chuckling, "Well I've gotta say, you and the donkey weigh a lot less than I realized, and nobody sits in my lap without buying me a drink first!" he helps the Quazzer dust himself off and he resumes his seat, "That hocus pocus stuff sorta gives me the creeps."

"Okay, gang. Buck needs some action...Creature seems bent on 'Daryl's Mom.' I know about this 'Monster Magnet' ship, and I'm thinking we can make some dough if we investigate it...maybe even get in a tussle or two. What do we do gang?"

Rondo

"We have a number, right? Maybe we should call this dame up and see what the big deal is? Solve this little mystery once and for all," Buck mutters as he scribbles the word "Daryl" on a cocktail napkin.

Coffee

Zarko points at the napkin and nods his head vigorously. He can't talk, because he's still laughing at Quazarn and his antics. (And he's already plotting ways to duck the cleaning bill for anyone who got a coffee-blast when that happened.)

Rondo

(HA!...Coffee, good 'un)

--------------------------
¹ Seems like I've heard this speech somewhere before.

² Zarko never did use this. Is it still in effect? Who knows?