<% bg("citynight") %> <img src="<%= imgpath %>menu.png" alt="The Grown-Up Detective Agency" /> <% if (isLocalStorageAvailable()) { %> <% if(localStorage.getItem("grownupdetective_autosave") && localStorage.getItem("grownupdetective_passage") !== "TITLE-PART1") { %> <div class="menurow">[[Continue|SYS-LOAD]] <span class="dot">&middot;</span> [[Restart|SYS-NEW]] <span class="dot">&middot;</span> [[Credits|SYS-ABOUT]] <span class="dot">&middot;</span> [[Previously...|SYS-RECAP]]</div> <% } else { %> <div class="menurow">[[New Game|SYS-NEW]] <span class="dot">&middot;</span> [[Credits|SYS-ABOUT]] <span class="dot">&middot;</span> [[Previously...|SYS-RECAP]]</div> <% } %> <% } else { %> <div class="menurow">[[New Game|TITLE-PART1]] <span class="dot">&middot;</span> [[Credits|SYS-ABOUT]] <span class="dot">&middot;</span> [[Previously...|SYS-RECAP]]</div> <% } %><%= story.render("1Da-01") %> <%= story.render("1Db-01") %><% bg("city") %> <script> $(document).ready(function(){ $(".location").hover( function(){ $("#map_"+ $(this).attr('id').slice(-1)).toggle(); } ); }); </script> <div id="map_frame" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map.png);;"> <div class="waypoint" id="map_W" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_W.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_G" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_G.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_U" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_U.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_R" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_R.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_B" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_B.png)"></div> <div id="maplegend">DOWNTOWN TORONTO</div> </div> <% if(window.visited("2M-MAP") === 1) { %> <a0 data-passage="2Cq-00" class="location" id="loc_G"><span class="locname">GATOR GULCH</span><br />Mark G was last seen here two nights ago. Maybe the staff remembers him.</a> <a0 data-passage="2Ca-00" class="location" id="loc_W"><span class="locname">CHIPP'S ORIGINAL WINGS</span><br />Mark G's boys are wing night regulars. They might know something.</a> <% } else { %> <% if (!hasVisited("2G-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="2G-LOC" class="location" id="loc_G"><span class="locname">GATOR GULCH</span><br />Mark G was last seen here two nights ago. Maybe the staff remembers him.</a><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("2W-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="2W-LOC" class="location" id="loc_W"><span class="locname">CHIPP'S ORIGINAL WINGS</span><br />Mark G's boys are wing night regulars. They might know something.</a><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("2U-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="2U-LOC" class="location" id="loc_U"><span class="locname">UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO</span><br />Mark G's business school class is wrapping up soon. Could he be on campus?</a><% } %> <% if (hasVisited("2W-LOC") && !hasVisited ("2R-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="2Rk-00" class="location" id="loc_R"><span class="locname">PRISTINE ROCK CLIMBING</span><br />Mark G's friend Sonny Lee is an avid climber. Will he be more helpful?</a><% } %> <% if (hasVisited("2R-LOC") && hasVisited ("2G-LOC") && hasVisited ("2U-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="3Cr-00" class="location" id="loc_B"><span class="locname">TITTLER'S BURLESQUE CELLAR</span><br />So far the investigation isn't turning up much. Time to call it a night.</a><% } %> <% } %><%= story.render("2Ca-05") %><%=story.render("2Cb-01") %><% bg("bar") %> **GATOR GULCH** <% if(!hasVisited("2Ge-00")) { %>The Bells look around<% } else { %>Adult Bell glances around<% } %> the cavernous Entertainment District bar. A handful of swamp-themed tchotchkes adorn the wall in a nod to the ostensible theme, but the main design decisions here were clearly all about geometry. Namely, trying to maximize the number of drunks you can stuff into a single downtown warehouse. The enormous room feels kind of uncanny under of the light of day, all the more since it's basically empty of people. <% if(!hasVisited("2Ge-00")) { %>[[A bartender tidies up behind the bar|2Ge-00]], likely preparing for the evening's onslaught of inebriated partiers.<% } else if(!hasVisited("2Gt-00")) { %>An exit leads [[back out into the heart of downtown|2M-MAP]].<% } %> <% if(hasVisited("2Ge-00")) { %> <% if (!hasVisited("2Gt-00")) { %>Kristee goes back to tidying up behind the [[bar|2Gt-00]].<% } else { %>Kristee checks her phone. Kid Bell hops down from her stool and makes her way [[towards the exit|2M-MAP]].<% } %> <% } %><%= story.render("2Ge-01") %><% bg("wings") %> **CHIPP'S ORIGINAL WINGS** <% if (!hasVisited("2Wf-00")) { %>The Bells step into a quiet chicken wing restaurant in Little Italy,<% } else { %>The Bells take in the ambience of Little Italy's premier chicken wing restaurant. The place is<% } %> lit mainly by <% if (hasVisited("2Wf-00") && !hasVisited("2Ws-00")) { %>[[blaring tevisions|2Ws-00]]<% } else { %>blaring televisions<% } %> and slivers of light from the windows onto <% if (hasVisited("2Wg-00") && hasVisited("2Wh-00")) { %>[[College Street|2Cb-00]].<% } else { %>College Street.<% } %> A banner above the door proudly proclaims "This is the ORIGINAL!!" The original what is not clear. <% if (!hasVisited("2Wf-00")) { %> A lone server stands behind the bar, blatantly writing a screenplay on his laptop. The dining room is completely empty, save for [[two men in the corner|2Wf-00]] silently eating from a big bucket of wings. <% } else { %> <% if (!hasVisited("2Wg-00")) { %>[[Big Man Brett|2Wg-00]]<% } else { %>Big Man Brett<% } %> and <% if (!hasVisited("2Wh-00")) { %>[[Kev Junior|2Wh-00]]<% } else { %>Kev Junior<% } %> continue eating their wings in manly silence. <% } %><%= story.render("2Wf-01") %><%= story.render("2Wg-01") %><%= story.render("2Wh-01") %><% bg("university") %> **UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO** Later that day. A crowd of future bankers spills out of the Rotman Business School building as the day's classes wrap up. Across the street, Kid Bell dangles her feet off the hood of the car while [[Adult Bell scopes out the crowds|2Uj-00]].<%= story.render("2Uj-01") %><%= story.render("2Rk-01") %><%= story.render("2Rm-01") %><% bg("burlesque") %> **TITTLER'S BURLESQUE CELLAR** Like a lot of venues on Bloor Street, the abominably-named Tittler's is jammed into a dingy basement. But the warm lighting and the eclectic decor masks the worst of the grunge and makes the place feel almost homey. The walls are painted bright red, but you can barely tell since they're so cluttered with photos, ads for upcoming events, posters (some authorized and some not), paintings, murals, graffiti tags, and even the occasional manifesto. The only clear area is the stage -- small but lovingly maintained and lit by old-timey footlights. Sitting at the dusty bar in the corner (mostly unmanned these days) is one of the venue's fixtures: a suave silver-haired drag king named [[Sauvignon Blanc|3Bn-00]]. He waves Adult Bell over as she enters.<%= story.render("3Bn-06") %><%= story.render("3Fa-01") %><%= story.render("3Ub-01") %><%= story.render("3Cd-01") %><%= story.render("4Ha-01") %><%= story.render("4Vb-01") %><% bg("apartment") %> **MARK G'S APARTMENT** <% if (visited("4Ac-00") && visited("4Ad-00")) { %> Suddenly, the door slams open. Standing in the entrance is a woman in full-body cat make-up -- the same one that was at the rock climbing gym yesterday. Adult Bell instinctively snaps a photo of her [[as she approaches|4Ae-00]]. <% } else { %> <% if (visited("4A-LOC") === 1) { %>Adult Bell easily picks the lock on Mark G's apartment. Inside, things look pretty normal, if a bit messy.<% } else { %>The Bells continue to poke around Mark G's apartment. <% } %> The cramped bedroom has a <% if(visited("4Af-00")) { %>full-size bed<% } else { %>[[full-size bed|4Af-00]]<% } %> with a pressboard frame that's already showing major stress fractures. A <% if(visited("4Ad-00")) { %>chest of drawers<% } else { %>[[chest of drawers|4Ad-00]]<% } %> is shoved into a corner, and it looks like you'd have to climb over the bed to get around it. The living room is dominated by a television that feels way too big for the space, and a <% if(visited("4Ac-00")) { %>couch<% } else { %>[[couch|4Ac-00]]<% } %> strewn with dirty clothes. The apartment even has a decent-sized <% if(visited("4Ag-00")) { %>kitchen<% } else { %>[[kitchen|4Ag-00]]<% } %>, although the floors are grimy and the sink is <% if(visited("4Ah-00")) { %>stacked with dishes<% } else { %>[[stacked with dishes|4Ah-00]]<% } %>. <% } %><%= story.render("4Ac-01") %><%= story.render("4Ad-01") %><%= story.render("4Ae-01") %><% bg("city") %> <script> $(document).ready(function(){ $(".location").hover( function(){ $("#map_"+ $(this).attr('id').slice(-1)).toggle(); } ); }); </script> <div id="map_frame" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map.png);;"> <div class="waypoint" id="map_D" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_D.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_G" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_G.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_P" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_P.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_R" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_R.png)"></div> <div class="waypoint" id="map_B" style="background-image:url(<%= imgpath %>map_B.png)"></div> <div id="maplegend">DOWNTOWN TORONTO</div> </div> <% s.fallback = 0 %> <% if ((hasVisited("5B-LOC") || hasVisited("5D-LOC")) && !hasVisited("5G-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="5G-LOC" class="location" id="loc_G">GATOR GULCH<br />The Cat went to Gator Gulch on Saturday night. Kristee might remember her.</a><% s.fallback+=1 %><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("5D-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="5D-LOC" class="location" id="loc_D">CLOUDJOB CO-WORKING SPACE<br />Hacking Mark G's phone might shed some light on his disappearance.</a><% s.fallback+=1 %><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("5B-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="5B-LOC" class="location" id="loc_B">TITTLER'S BURLESQUE CELLAR<br />Maybe the Cat is a part of Sauvignon Blanc's scene.</a><% s.fallback+=1 %><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("5P-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="5P-LOC" class="location" id="loc_P">HOWLAND AVENUE PARKETTE<br />The tracking tag says Mark G's boys are in the Annex. What are they hiding?</a><% s.fallback+=1 %><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("5R-LOC")) { %><a0 data-passage="5R-LOC" class="location" id="loc_R">PRISTINE ROCK CLIMBING<br />The Cat was at Pristine Rock Climbing yesterday. Maybe someone saw her.</a><% s.fallback+=1 %><% } %> <% if (s.fallback === 0) { %><a0 data-passage="6Ca-00" class="location" id="loc_R">BELL'S CAR<br />Time to keep driving around and looking for clues.</a><% } %><%= story.render("5Da-01") %><% bg("parkette") %> <% s.chap5 = "annex" %> **HOWLAND AVENUE PARKETTE** To call this random Annex street corner by its official name would probably be an insult to Toronto's other tiny fake parks. The alleged "parkette" is in fact a former parking space -- not lot, space -- which was converted into a landscaped recreational area through the efforts of the local Business Improvement Association. <% if (!visited("5Pb-00")) { %> Between [[Sonny Lee|5Pb-00]], the twenty dogs he's supposed to be walking today, and [[Big Man Brett|5Pb-00]], the boys take up pretty much the entire space. In fact, they spill onto the sidewalk. Not that anyone else seemed particularly anxious to sit there. <% } else { %> Sonny and Brett occupy the middle of the space. Which, thanks to the cloud of dogs around them, is basically the same as occupying the entirety of the space. <% if(!visited("5Pp-00")) { %>A loud bang and a string of muffled curses alerts Adult Bell to the fact that Kev Junior is also here, [[hiding behind a garbage can|5Pp-00]].<% } else { %>Kev Junior leans on the trash can, trying to act like what just happened was completely normal and expected.<% } %> The car is parked [[a few blocks down the street|5Ch-00]]. <% } %><%= story.render("5Pb-01") %><% bg("bloor") %> <% s.chap5 = "drag" %> **OUTSIDE TITTLER'S BURLESQUE CELLAR** The two Bells walk down the stairs to the cabaret. It's still early in the day, so the lights are off in the [[window|5Bt-00]], and there's a "COME BACK LATER" sign hanging on the [[door|5Be-00]]. <% if(!visited("5Bs-00")) { %>Overhead, a small [[air vent|5Bs-00]] rattles.<% } %><%= story.render("5Be-01") %><% bg("bar") %> **GATOR GULCH** The Bells walk back into Gator Gulch. The space seems to have been rented out for a corporate event tonight. Someone has draped a banner over the balcony. It reads: "Congratulations To The cloudJob Superhero Rockstar Family On A Successful Eight Months In Business!" In the middle of the floor, two event planners yell at each other as they struggle to set up a portable oxygen bar. [[Kristee waves Adult Bell over to the back wall|5Gf-00]].<%= story.render("5Gf-01") %><% bg("alley") %> <% s.chap5 = "bar" %> **ALLEY BEHIND GATOR GULCH** <% if(visited("5Y-LOC") === 1) { %>Kristee leads the two Bells out the back door, and then heads back inside, letting the exit lock behind her. It's a<% } else { %>A<% } %> classic downtown alley, coated in cigarette butts and grime, with one <% if (visited("5Yr-00")) { %>particularly scratched-up wall<% } else { %>[[particularly scratched-up wall|5Yr-00]]<% } %>. A newly-installed <% if (visited("5Yn-00")) { %>street sign<% } else { %>[[street sign|5Yn-00]]<% } %> at the end of the laneway identifies it as Flaming Circus Lane. <% if (!visited("5Yg-00")) { %>On the ground is a [[small heap of unusually shiny trash|5Yg-00]].<% } %><% s.hidebell=true; %> <% pics("Y") %> <%= story.render("5Yg-01") %><%= story.render("6Ca-01") %><% bg("mall") %> **THE SHOPS AT AURA** The Bells walk nervously down the hall. The vast basement complex has the vibe of an abandoned termite mound. The tunneled corridors are cramped and dark. Hallways end abruptly and curve back in on themselves. There's no natural light, and the fluorescent bulbs over head seem to only be flickering at half intensity. At least half the storefronts are empty and the other ones are anemic. As Kid Bell walks past what is ostensibly a hat store, an old woman in a plastic lawn chair gives her a death stare. The kid grips her older self's shirt sleeve. [[Then suddenly, when they turn a corner...|6Fb-00]]<%= story.render("6Fb-15") %><% bg("wings") %> **CHIPP'S ORIGINAL WINGS** <% if (visited("7W-LOC") === 1) { %> Adult Bell throws the door open and storms into the restaurant. The one server is too immersed in writing his screenplay to notice, but Mark G's boys all jump in their seats when they hear the disturbance. They look at the door, then immediately stare down at their wings when they see the two Bells approaching. Adult Bell slowly walks by the table, intently staring at [[Sonny Lee|7Wa-00]], [[Big Man Brett|7Wb-00]], and [[Kev Junior|7Wc-00]] as she passes. None of them acknowledge their presence. <% } else if (visited("7W-LOC") === 2) { %> The restaurant feels even darker and quieter than yesterday. <% if(visited("7Wa-00")) { %>Sonny Lee<% } else {%>[[Sonny Lee|7Wa-00]]<% } %>, <% if(visited("7Wb-00")) { %>Big Man Brett<% } else {%>[[Big Man Brett|7Wb-00]]<% } %>, and [[Kev Junior|7Wc-00]] continue eating their wings in absolute silence. <% } else { %> Brett and Sonny are basically completely still at this point, too tense to even keep eating, let alone speak. They glance at [[Kev Junior|7Wc-00]], who sweats profusely as Adult Bell reaches the end of the line. <% } %><%= story.render("7Wa-01") %><%= story.render("7Wb-01") %><%= story.render("7Wc-01") %><%= story.render("8Da-01") %><% bg("university") %> **UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO** <% if(!visited("8Ux-00")) { %>Later that afternoon, near the U of T School of Forestry. The sugar maples in the mini-forest are already starting to turn a bit. [[Kid Bell skips happily towards the courtyard|8Ux-00]], with her adult self trailing a few feet behind.<% } else { %>Bell approaches the bench where her younger self was sitting. The only sign anyone was even there is the [[small white tracking tag lying on the ground|8Uz-00]].<% } %><%= story.render("8Ux-01") %><%= story.render("8Uz-01") %><%= story.render("2Cq-05") %><%= story.render("3Cr-01") %><% bg("gym") %> **PRISTINE ROCK CLIMBING** The fresh new gym glistens under blindingly bright fluorescents. Everything is painted pure white, and at least two custodians can be seen visibly disinfecting surfaces at all times. The fake rock walls themselves are so shiny that they actually look a bit dangerous to climb on. Standing in the middle of the floor, it's almost easy to forget this building's former purpose. Almost. <% if(!visited("2Rv-00")) { %>As the Bells enter, a staff member says, "Welcome to Pristine Rock Climbing! Home of the 20-times-a-day locker room sanitation!"<% } else { %>The staff member at the front greets another customer. "Welcome to Pristine Rock Climbing! The number one bulk purchaser of bleach on Bloor Street West!"<% } %> <% if(!visited("2Rv-00")) { %>A [[muscly guy in his early 20s|2Rm-00]] finishes a descent and unclips from his rope. Around him are at least fifteen dogs, all happily panting. One of the smaller ones is strapped to the man's chest in a baby carrier, wearing a [[tiny little climbing helmet of his own|2Rv-00]].<% } else { %>The [[muscly guy|2Rm-00]] hands out some treats to his gaggle of dogs. They pant happily, obediently waiting their turn for snacks.<% } %><% s.chap5count += 1 %> <%= story.render("5Ch-01") %><%= story.render("5Yn-01") %><%= story.render("6Cd-01") %><% bg("citynight") %> <%= story.render("SYS-CREDITS") %> <div class='backlink'>← [[back|SYS-START]]</div><% pics("Y") %> <% s.hidebell = true %> *(Bell angrily throws the locker door open, revealing a twelve-year-old version of herself in mid-knock. The younger Bell her lowers her fist.)* Y: Was that *our* Cassidy? A: What part of "be quiet" don't you understand? *(Kid Bell clumsily extracts herself from the locker.)* Y: You didn't say "be quiet", you said "don't talk". Those are two different things. A: Ugh, I can't believe I was this annoying. Y: *(dusting herself off)* Annoying? What if I had asphyxiated?! You would have been guilty of your own murder. * [[Oh, don't be dramatic.|1Db-02]] * [[You can't murder yourself.|1Db-03]]A: Oh don't be dramatic, this is nothing. We've hidden in car trunks before. Y: I haven't! A: Well you're going to in like a year and a half. Y: What, why?! A: Great question. Here's another: How do I know you're actually my time-travelling twelve-year-old self and not just some random deranged child who suddenly appeared lying face down on my desk this morning? <%= story.render("1Db-04") %>A: It's not murder if you kill yourself, and suicide isn't a felony. And even if it was, it'd be self-manslaughter at worst. Y: How about reckless endangerment! How about criminal negligence! A: *How about* you explain to me how my twelve-year-old self managed to travel nine years forward in time. Assuming you're telling the truth and not just some random deranged child who suddenly appeared lying face down on my desk this morning. <%= story.render("1Db-04") %>Y: I could ask you the same thing! How do *I* know that you're me from nine years in the future? * [[I have a future phone.|1Db-05]] * [[Check my ID.|1Db-06]] * [[Technically you're me from the past.|1Db-07]]A: Look how futuristic my phone is. It flips open. Y: That's what old phones do. A: *(looking down at it)* Oh yeah. Y: But even if I am in the future, that still doesn't prove you're me! A: What, I'm a different person that opened a detective agency in Toronto under your name? Y: Fine! If you are me, then prove it. What's something only I know? Something I haven't told anyone else. *(Adult Bell flips her phone open and closed.)* <%= story.render("1Db-08") %>A: Check my driver's licence. *(She slides it across the desk.)* Bellwoods W. Park. DOB November 2nd, 2000, which obviously wouldn't be possible if this was 2013. Y: That's all public information. And it could be a fake ID. A: No, *these* are my fake IDs. *(She puts them on the table one by one.)* Quebec motorcycle licence, University of Michigan student ID, Korean passport -- both kinds, Danish cod fishing permit... Y: None of those prove anything. Here: If you're me, what's something I know that I haven't told anyone else? *(Adult Bell taps her licence on the table.)* <%= story.render("1Db-08") %>A: Technically you're me from the past. Y: Hmm... that is the type of correction I'd make. A: Anyway, it's not like there's an established standard of evidence for time travel mysteries. Y: Okay, well how about this: If you are me, then what's something only *I* know? Something I haven't told anyone else. *(Adult Bell narrows her eyes and stares at her younger self.)* <%= story.render("1Db-08") %>A: ...You say you're twelve? Y: Yeah. Why? A: I'm trying to remember if you know the thing you haven't told anyone yet. Y: Huh? * [[Forget it.|1Db-15]] <% pics("Y") %> <% s.hidebell = true %> Y: I don't see him. Do you? A: Nope. Not in that crowd anyway. Y: Hmm... *(She kicks her feet against the car.)* Y: Maybe he's in disguise? * [[And still going to class?|2Uj-12]] * [[Real people don't wear disguises.|2Uj-11]]A: I'm not anxious. Y: Yes you are. A: Am not! Y: I can tell you are because you're just denying instead of coming up with counter-arguments. A: I don't need to make a "counter-argument" about my own state of mind. Y: Yes you do. A: Ha! Now who's denying? <%= story.render("2Uj-05") %>A: We have a case to solve. Y: Maybe there's a clue in the library! A: Mark G doesn't strike me as much of a reader. Now let's get out of here before-- <%= story.render("2Uj-05") %>A: Mind your own business. Y: Your business *is* my own business. A: Not yet it's not. Now let's get out of here before-- <%= story.render("2Uj-05") %>*(A voice calls out from over Adult Bell's shoulder.)* B: Bell? *(Adult Bell freezes in place.)* * [[Bridget.|2Uj-10]]A: Oh, uh. On a case. You know, the usual. B: Ah. Well I'm glad you're keeping busy. Y: Crime never sleeps, ma'am. *(Adult Bell winces. Bridget looks down at Kid Bell with a start.)* <%= story.render("2Uj-09") %>A: Oh, I'm just a glorified babysitter today. B: *(confused)* Babysitter? Y: Actually ma'am, she's more like a security detail. Or an escort. A: *(wincing)* Word choice. *(Bridget looks down at Kid Bell with a start.)* <%= story.render("2Uj-09") %> A: Oh, uh. Nothing. B: Nothing? A: I mean, nothing *major*. *(Bridget cocks an eyebrow.)* Y: She's being modest, ma'am. We're on the case. *(Adult Bell winces. Bridget looks down at Kid Bell with a start.)* <%= story.render("2Uj-09") %><% s.hidebell = false %> B: Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't even see you there. A: Bridget, this is my... second cousin. Once-removed. I'm showing her around the city today. Y: Victoria Park, at your service. B: *(laughing)* I can see the family resemblance. Nice to meet you. Y: I don't suppose you're acquainted with a man named Mark G? May or may not be in disguise. A: MBA guy. Probably not your crowd. B: Ah yeah. We don't usually cross paths with the business bros in forest conservation. * [[Still saving the world?|2Uj-16]] * [[Hey, you got the piercing.|2Uj-17]]<% pics("B") %> *(Adult Bell turns around and sees Bridget Leaside, 21, walking between classes with an armful of books. She flicks her head to get some messy locks of red hair out of her face.)* A: Bridget! Hey. Hi. B: Hi. A: Hey. B: Good to see you. A: Yeah. You too. Yeah. B: Yeah. *(They stare at each other for a second.)* B: Um. So what are you doing here? * [[Investigating.|2Uj-06]] * [[Babysitting.|2Uj-07]] * [[Nothing.|2Uj-08]]<% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("G") %> A: Can we help you? G: What are you doing here? A: What are *you* doing here? G: I'm a friend of the tenant. Y: There's literally no one on earth you are less likely to be friends with. *(The Cat notices the envelope in Kid Bell's hand. She snarls.)* * [[We should be going.|4Ae-02]] * [[Hey, look over there!|4Ae-03]]A: We should probably be going. G: Rawwwrrr! *(The Cat lunges for the envelope. Kid Bell slips between her legs, causing her to trip and fall.)* A: Go! Y: Duh! *(The Bells run out into the hallway. Adult Bell slams on the elevator call button.)* A: Come on, come on... *(The Cat emerges from the room.)* G: Give it. * [[Oops, I lost it.|4Ae-06]] * [[Why should I?|4Ae-07]]A: *(looking over the Cat's shoulder)* Mark G? What are you doing here? G: Huh? *(She turns around. Adult Bell tackles her to the ground.)* A: Go! Y: Duh! *(Kid Bell hops over the two of them and runs out into the hallway.)* G: *(struggling)* Get off me! A: Go to hell! G: I want what's mine! A: Then look in your own damn apartment! *(The Cat shoves Adult Bell off of her and into the hallway. Adult Bell climbs to her feet as the Cat crawls towards her on her hands and knees.)* * [[Okay well bye.|4Ae-04]] * [[You want to go?|4Ae-05]]A: I think I dropped it back in the apartment actually. Maybe you should go look for it. G: Grrrrr.... *(The elevator door dings open.)* A: We'll wait out here. <%= story.render("4Ae-08") %>A: Why should I? G: Because it's mine. You're stealing it! *(The elevator door dings open. Adult Bell looks down at the envelope and shrugs.)* A: File a police report. <%= story.render("4Ae-08") %>*(The elevator door dings open.)* A: Okay well, nice meeting you. <%= story.render("4Ae-08") %>A: You want to go? Because I've got a spray bottle and I'm not afraid to use it. G: You don't know who you're messing with. *(The elevator door dings open.)* A: You're right. Tell me later. <%= story.render("4Ae-08") %><% bg("elevator") %> *(The two Bells run inside and hit the button for the lobby. The door starts to close when WHAM! -- A faux-fur-covered arm blocks it.)* G: Not... so...! *(Kid Bell chomps down on her hand.)* G: *Rgghkdkhkfljkl!!* *(The Cat yanks her hand out as the door closes and the elevator descends. Kid Bell wipes off her mouth.)* * [[You bit her!|4Ae-09]] * [[You okay?|4Ae-10]]A: You *bit* her! Y: It was the law of the jungle! <%= story.render("4Ae-11") %>A: You okay? Y: The body paint tasted weird. <%= story.render("4Ae-11") %><% bg("elevator") %> <% s.hidebell = true; %> <% pics("Y") %> *(Adult Bell hits the button for the second floor. Kid Bell looks at her in confusion.)* A: She can probably beat us to the lobby. If we camp out on 2 for a bit she'll think she's lost us and then we can slip out the back stairs. Y: Then what? *(Adult Bell puts the phone and envelope into her pocket.)* A: Then... we chase down our new leads. And hopefully figure out who the hell that lady is. <%= next("5M-MAP") %><%= story.render("5Pp-01") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> <% bg("college") %> *(The two Bells walk out onto College Street.)* Y: Hey, do you have any more of those tag things? A: The tracking tags? Yeah. Why? Y: I planted mine on that Brett guy. A: Seriously? Y: I had a hunch! A: A hunch. Jesus Christ. Y: The only thing a detective needs more than a library card is her instincts. And mine are telling me this guy's up to something. A: I wish you could understand how much it physically hurts me to hear you talk like that. Y: Ugh! Why are you always acting like I don't know anything? * [[Because you don't know anything.|2Cb-02]] * [[Because you're wasting expensive equipment.|2Cb-03]]A: Because you don't! *(sigh)* Look. You know that moment when you're working a case and you think you understand it but then all of a sudden you have an epiphany and you realize you had everything wrong? Y: Yeah... A: Okay well picture a decade of that. In every facet of your life. That's the difference between you and me. Y: Maybe you're just getting rusty in your old age. *(Adult Bell rolls her eyes and fishes another tracking tag out of her pocket.)* <%= story.render("2Cb-04") %>A: Because you're wasting expensive equipment on some dumb bro who doesn't know anything? Those things cost like 50 bucks each. Y: We're trying to help Cassidy! No expense is too great. *(Adult Bell groans and fishes another tracking tag out of her pocket.)* <%= story.render("2Cb-04") %>A: Whatever. This is your last one. Don't lose it. Y: Fine. *(She grabs the tag.)* But I reserve the right to strategically deploy it. <%= next("2M-MAP") %><% bg("ktown") %> <% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> *(Adult Bell pulls up next to Pristine Rock Climbing. Kid Bell looks out the window and scrunches her nose.)* Y: Isn't this that creepy porno theatre? A: I know you're me but it's very unsettling to hear you say "porno". *(They get out of the car.)* A: They converted it into a climbing gym a few years ago. Apparently they do very thorough sanitizations. Y: Great... <%= next("2Rk-02") %><% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("G") %> *(As the Bells approach the gym, a woman in elaborate cat make-up storms out of the front door, muttering under her breath as she pushes past them. Kid Bell turns to look at her.)* Y: ...Is that like a '20s fashion thing? A: On certain platforms. Come on. <%= next("2R-LOC") %>Y: What? No fair! I want to interrogate suspects too! A: Yeah, no. That's exactly what I'm worried about. *(She gets out of the car. Kid Bell quickly unbuckles and climbs out after her.)* Y: Hey! We're both us! You're not allowed to boss me around! * [[I'm older.|2Ca-02]] * [[I work alone.|2Ca-03]]A: I'm the older us, what I say goes. Y: We have the same birthday. Legally, I'm 21! A: Yeah, try that line at the LCBO and see what happens. *(Kid Bell runs in front of Adult Bell and puts her hands out to either side. Adult Bell stares at her.)* <%= story.render("2Ca-04") %>A: I work alone. You of all people should know that. Y: Exactly! We're the same person. We are alone! *(Adult Bell stares at her younger self.)* <%= story.render("2Ca-04") %>A: ...You're not going to give up, are you? Y: Would you? *(Adult Bell sighs.)* A: Fine. But if you're coming, at least take this. *(She drops a tiny white plastic disc in Kid Bell's hand.)* Y: What is it? A: A tracking tag. If you get lost, I'll be able to see exactly where you are on my phone. Y: Whoa. They have these now? A: I know, right? Great for tailing suspects. Y: But couldn't you use this to like... stalk someone? A: Oh yeah, no. Totally. It's like really messed up that these are legal. <% if (visited("2Ca-00")) { %> *(Kid Bell frowns and looks down at the tag as the two of them enter the restaurant.)* <%= next("2W-LOC") %> <% } else { %> *(Kid Bell frowns and looks down at the tag as the two of them enter the bar.)* <%= next("2G-LOC") %> <% } %><% bg() %> <div id="title1">[[PART 1: THE HETEROSEXUAL DISAPPEARANCE OF MARK G|1D-LOC]]</div><% bg() %> <div id="title2">[[PART 2: THE LONG FAKE CAT CLAWS OF JUSTICE|4H-LOC]]</div>A: Sorry to break it to you but real people almost never wear disguises. Y: Almost never isn't never. A: Yeah well. If you see someone in a wig and a trench coat you let me know. <%= story.render("2Uj-13") %>A: And still going to class? Where everyone knows him? Not a smart plan. Y: Maybe he's not smart. A: Well he's definitely not smart. But I don't think he's here. <%= story.render("2Uj-13") %> *(The crowd across the street thins out. Adult Bell stretches.)* A: That was a bust. Come on. *(Kid Bell hops off the hood.)* Y: Can we go to Robarts while we're here? A: Absolutely not. Y: But it's the third-best library in the whole city! A: And it'll still be here nine years ago. Let's go. Y: ...Why are you so anxious to leave? * [[I'm not anxious.|2Uj-02]] * [[We have a case to solve.|2Uj-03]] * [[Mind your own business.|2Uj-04]]A: She's a friend. B: We go way back. Y: How far back exactly? Five years? More? *(Adult Bell clamps her hand over Kid Bell's mouth.)* Y: Mmph! A: Anyway. *(Bridget smiles.)* B: Anyway. Good to see you, Bell. A: Yeah. You too. <%= next("2M-MAP") %>A: We should go, actually. B: Gotcha. Y: What? But I'm not done! A: You are 100% done. Come on. *(Adult Bell drags her protesting younger self towards the car.)* B: Bell! *(The two Bells both stop and turn around. Bridget smiles.)* B: Good to see you. A: ...Yeah. You too. <%= next("2M-MAP") %><% bg("mall") %> *(The lights flicker back on. The Cat is holding Kid Bell and pressing a long claw against her neck.)* A: Let her go. G: Or what? A: Or I send you straight to straight goddamn Heaviside layer. *Let her go.* *(Adult Bell takes a step forward. The Cat taps Kid Bell's neck.)* G: Caaaareful. This kitty has claws. Y: *(to Adult Bell)* I'm pretty sure they're plastic. * [[Okay, bite her in the hand.|6Fb-02]] * [[Okay, elbow her in the stomach.|6Fb-03]] * [[Okay, let me hit her with a pipe.|6Fb-04]] A: Okay great. Bite her in the hand again. Y: 'Kay. G: Wait, what? *(Kid Bell chomps down on the Cat's hand. She yelps and leaps back in pain, releasing the kid from her grip.)* <%= story.render("6Fb-05") %>A: Okay great. Then just uh elbow her in the stomach I guess? Y: 'Kay. G: Wait, what? *(Kid Bell elbows the Cat hard. She doubles over in pain, releasing the kid from her grip.)* <%= story.render("6Fb-05") %><% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("G") %> A: Okay great. Hang tight while I find a metal pipe to hit her with. Y: 'Kay. G: Wh-- hang on. *(Adult Bell grabs a large, heavy metal pipe off the ground like ten feet away from where she was standing.)* A: Damn, that was easy. What is up with this place? *(She confidently strides towards the Cat.)* G: Okay okay okay! *(She releases Kid Bell, who bolts away and hides behind her adult self.)* G: Just give me the envelope already! * [[Fine, here!|6Fb-06]] * [[Why should I?|6Fb-07]]<% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("G") %> G: You little--! *(Kid Bell bolts away and hides behind her adult self.)* G: Gahh! Enough games! Y: You're telling *us* that? G: I want that envelope! Hand it over! * [[Fine, here!|6Fb-06]] * [[Why should I?|6Fb-07]]A: Fine, take it. *(She tosses the envelope onto the ground. The Cat scrambles over, opens it, and frowns.)* G: Where is it? Y: It was empty when we got it! G: You're lying! I want my 280 bucks! * [[Mark G stole your money?|6Fb-08]] * [[You threatened a child over that?|6Fb-09]]A: Why should I? It's not yours. G: I have more right to it than you! A: Hey don't try and take the high ground on me. We were *both* breaking into Mark G's apartment. G: Ha! I'm no common cat burglar. I'm just chasing down *my* 280 bucks! * [[Mark G stole your money?|6Fb-08]] * [[You threatened a child over that?|6Fb-09]]A: You're saying Mark G stole your money? G: He might as well have! He lured me in with false promises and had me hand it all over. The man is a master manipulator. <%= story.render("6Fb-11") %>A: You threatened a child over 300 bucks? Y: I wasn't *that* threatened. G: If only it was 300. Then I might have been more cautious. But no, that "2" enticed me, made me take leave of my senses. That devilish mastermind had me right where he wanted me. <%= story.render("6Fb-11") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("G","Y") %> G: But you're in my den now. And I don't serve cheese at my parties. *I serve pain.* *(Dark figures move a few feet ahead of her. There's the sound of a struggle.)* Y: Hey!! A: Kid! <%= next("6Fb-01") %><% bg("agency") %> **CLOUDJOB CO-WORKING SPACE** <% if (!visited("1Da-00")) { %> Monday morning at a converted factory in Toronto's Liberty Village. Among the dozens of desks on the open concept floor is one marked by a small brass placard: "BELL PARK, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR." Bell Park herself, 21, looking more world-weary than her age would suggest, stands in front of the full-length stand-up locker behind her desk. She firmly closes the door, gripping the handle tightly as she steels herself to meet with her next client. Cassidy Chamomile, also 21, nervous and bundled up in unseasonable knitwear, approaches Bell's desk. After a second of hesitation, [[she lightly knocks on the nearest office partition.|1Da-00]] <% } else if (visited("1Da-00") && !visited("1De-00")) { %> Bell stands up and shows Cassidy out. As soon as she leaves, the [[banging from within the locker|1Db-00]] starts back up, louder and more consistent. The [[graphic designer|1De-00]] at the next desk down peers over the partition, a confused look on his face. <% } else { %> The [[banging from within the locker|1Db-00]] continues to grow in intensity. Passers by on the open concept floor look into Bell's desk space with concern. <% } %><% pics("C") %> <% s.hidebell = true %> C: Bell? *(Bell smoothly closes the locker and turns around.)* L: Cassidy. Welcome to my office. C: *(looking around)* It's impressive. L: It's a desk in an old sock factory. Not exactly the cool detective agency we used to talk about when we were kids. *(She motions to a chair. The two of them sit down.)* C: No, I'm serious. You actually made it happen. The kid detective's all grown up. That's incredible. *(Bell thinks about this, then replies...)* * [[Been a long time, eh?|1Da-02]] * [[I'm guessing this isn't a social call.|1Da-03]]L: Been a long time, eh? C: Yeah. Five years? L: Seven. C: ...Wow. *(There's a long pause, and then a loud BANG from inside the locker. Cassidy looks around in confusion. Bell leans forward and continues as if she didn't hear it.)* L: I'll be honest. It was kind of a shock to get your message after all this time. I never really expected to hear from you again. C: I understand. *(She bites her lip.)* And I know it might not mean much but, um, a lot's changed for me. Since then. L: Well, I'm still the same. I hope that won't be a problem. C: That's what I was counting on actually. I need your help. L: Go on. <%= story.render("1Da-04") %>L: So. I'm guessing this isn't a social call. *(Cassidy smiles weakly.)* C: What, I can't check in on an old friend? L: I wouldn't say it fits your M.O. *(Cassidy bites her lip and looks down.)* C: I probably deserve that. *(There's a long pause, and then a loud BANG from inside the locker. Cassidy looks up with a start. Bell leans back and continues as if she didn't hear it.)* L: No, you probably don't. Water under the bridge. C: ...Right. L: So how can I help? <%= story.render("1Da-04") %>C: It's my boyfriend, Mark G. He's missing. * [[When did you last see him?|1Da-07]] * [[Have you called the police?|1Da-06]] * [[You're sure he's missing?|1Da-05]]L: When did you last see him? C: Saturday. L: And there's been no contact since then? C: None at all. *(Cassidy reaches across the table and grabs Bell's hand.)* C: This isn't like him, Bell. I don't know what to do. <%= story.render("1Da-08") %>L: Have you called the police? C: You're supposed to wait two weeks before you do that, right? He's only been gone since Saturday. L: What? No. You're supposed to do it right away. And you should. C: But I can't. *(Cassidy reaches across the table and grabs Bell's hand.)* C: Please, Bell. It has to be you. <%= story.render("1Da-08") %>L: You're sure he's missing? Not just avoiding you or not checking his phone? C: I'm positive. We talk every day. L: Even so... *(Cassidy reaches across the table and grabs Bell's hand.)* C: It's been since Saturday, Bell. Something's really wrong. I know it. <%= story.render("1Da-08") %>*(There's a second loud BANG from the locker. This time Cassidy clocks the source of it and scrunches her face in confusion. Bell loudly clears her throat and gently pulls her hand back.)* L: Alright. Well, if I'm going to investigate this disappearance I'll need to generate a profile of Mark G. C: I'll tell you whatever you need to know. <% s._1Da_facts = 0 %> <%= story.render("1Da-09") %><ul> <% if (passage.name === "1Da-11") { %><li>[[How about his fashion?|1Da-17]]</li><% } %> <% if (passage.name === "1Da-13" || passage.name === "1Da-15") { %><li>[[Any other friends?|1Da-18]]</li><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("1Da-11")) { %><li>[[Can you describe him?|1Da-11]]</li><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("1Da-14")) { %><li>[[What does he do?|1Da-14]]</li><% } %> <% if (!hasVisited("1Da-12") && !hasVisited("1Da-13")) { %><li>[[Where was he last seen?|1Da-12]]</li> <li>[[Who are his associates?|1Da-13]]</li><% } %> <% if (hasVisited("1Da-12") && !hasVisited("1Da-15")) { %><li>[[Who was he at the Gulch with?|1Da-15]]</li><% } %> <% if (hasVisited("1Da-13") && !hasVisited("1Da-16")) { %><li>[[Does he go to Gator Gulch often?|1Da-16]]</li><% } %> <% if (s._1Da_facts > 3) { %><li>[[That should be enough to go on.|1Da-21]]</li><% } %> </ul>*(There's yet another loud BANG from the locker. Bell tenses up and Cassidy scoots back in her chair a bit.)* C: ...Is there something alive in there? L: No. Because if there was, *I'd have to kill it.* *(Silence. Bell exhales and loosens up again.)* C: Um. Anyway. Mark G proposed to me the night he disappeared. Then he went out to Gator Gulch... * [[Could he have gotten cold feet?|1Da-19]] * [[Well that can't be a coincidence.|1Da-24]] * [[Um, congratulations?|1Da-20]]<%= story.render("1De-01") %><% pics() %> *(Bell plasters on a fake business smile.)* L: Locker troubles. *(That seems to appease him. He slips on some noise-cancelling headphones and gets back to work.)* <%= next("1D-LOC") %><% s._1Da_facts += 1 %> L: Can you describe Mark G for me? C: *(sighing fondly)* I wouldn't even know where to start. L: Try. C: Okay, well. He's male, white, average height, average build, brown hair -- not too long but not too short either... L: Maybe send me a photo. *(Cassidy nods and goes to her phone.)* <%= story.render("1Da-09") %><% s._1Da_facts += 1 %> L: You said he's been gone a few days now. Where was he last seen? C: He was with some friends at Gator Gulch. L: As in that giant bar on King Street? C: That's the one. L: On a Saturday night? C: Mm-hmm. L: On *purpose?* C: It was his favourite place in the whole city. He loved the friendly atmosphere. L: That is a... unique choice of adjective. <%= story.render("1Da-09") %><% s._1Da_facts += 1 %> L: Who are his associates? Any friends or important people I should know about? C: Definitely his boys: Sonny Lee, Big Man Brett, and Kev Junior. They were all out drinking at Gator Gulch the night he disappeared. L: They went to the biggest bar on King Street West on a Saturday night? On purpose? C: *(smiling)* The boys like to have their fun. L: That's one word for it. C: They're all big softies, believe me. You'll probably find them at the wing place on College Street around now. <%= story.render("1Da-09") %><% s._1Da_facts += 1 %> L: What does Mark G do? Does he have a job. Is he in school? C: He's in business school at U of T. L: And you're *certain* he's not in class right now? C: Definitely not right now. He doesn't have anything on Monday mornings. *(She lowers her voice to a whisper.)* He didn't want to be hungover in class. L: On Monday? How often is he getting wasted on Sunday? C: Apparently Sunday is the new Thursday. <%= story.render("1Da-09") %><% s._1Da_facts += 1 %> L: Who was he at the Gulch with that night? C: The Gator. L: He was at the Gulch with the Gator? C: No, they call it "the Gator". Not "the Gulch". L: But it's Gator *Gulch*. Gator's the adjective. *(Cassidy shrugs. Bell shakes her head.)* L: Whatever. Who was he at the Gator with? C: It was him and his boys: Sonny Lee, Big Man Brett and Kev Junior. L: You just said a lot of words and I don't know which parts are the names. C: *(smiling)* They're all sweet guys, really. You'll probably find them at the wing place on College Street around now. <%= story.render("1Da-09") %><% s._1Da_facts += 1 %> L: Did he go to Gator Gulch often? C: Every week. It was his favourite place in the city. L: He knows there's more than one bar in Toronto, right? C: He always said that finding the perfect bar is like finding the perfect girlfriend. When it's the one, you just know. L: *(deadpan)* How romantic. C: *(wistful)* I know. <%= story.render("1Da-09") %>L: How about his fashion sense? How does normally dress? C: *(still looking at her phone)* Oh you know, normal. <%= story.render("1Da-09") %>L: Any... other friends at all? Ones who aren't men, for example? C: No, it's really just him and the boys. Why do you ask? L: Just wondering. <%= story.render("1Da-09") %>L: Could he have gotten cold feet? C: No. That's not like him. When his feet get hot, they stay hot. *(Bell nods cautiously.)* <%= story.render("1Da-25") %>L: Um, congratulations? On the engagement part. *(Cassidy smiles sadly.)* C: Thanks. <%= story.render("1Da-25") %>*(Bell scrolls through the notes on her phone.)* L: Okay, that should be enough for me to get started. *(Bell pauses mid-scroll and looks up.)* L: Actually, wait. I have one more question. It's, uh... about your relationship. C: Okay... * [[Did he have a reason to leave you?|1Da-22]] * [[How serious are you two?|1Da-23]]L: How serious is this relationship? C: Oh. Um. I mean, we've gone all the way if that's what you're asking. *(Beat.)* L: It's not. What I want to know is like, is this a casual thing? Are you thinking long term? C: Ah. Well, um, very long term actually. When I said Mark G was boyfriend... What I probably should have said is, he's my fiancé. <%= story.render("1Da-10") %>L: Is there any reason you can think of he might have wanted to leave the relationship? Any problems or fights or...? C: Actually, well, kind of the opposite. L: Sometimes these things sneak up on you. You think things are going well... C: We just got engaged. <%= story.render("1Da-10") %>L: That certainly doesn't sound like a coincidence. C: Oh... L: I'm not saying he ran away. Maybe something went wrong because he was excited? Maybe someone else got jealous? There's tons of possibilities to investigate. C: So you'll do it? <%= story.render("1Da-25") %>L: Well, before I take the case, I need to make something clear: I'm not a kid detective anymore. I don't deal in lost pets and stolen library books. This a real job, and I have professional obligations. C: Of course. I understand. L: One of those obligations is to tell you to contact the police. You really, really need their help. *(Cassidy shakes her head.)* C: I can't do that. * [[Why not?|1Da-26]] * [[I'm not joking.|1Da-27]]<% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("K","T") %> *(Adult Bell strides up to the table.)* A: Afternoon. You boys know someone named Mark G? <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>Uhhh, who are you? *(The guy in the glasses chews on his wings and eyes Adult Bell warily.)* * [[I'm a friend of Cassidy's|2Wf-03]] * [[I'm a private investigator.|2Wf-02]]A: Bell Park, private investigator. *(She flashes her P.I. licence.)* <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>Whoa, whoa, we're innocent! Y: Uhh, innocent people don't usually say that. <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>*(head in hands)* Oh crap. <span class='speaker'>GLASSES GUY: </span>What my friend *means* is, we're not involved in anything bad or illegal or whatever. * [[Then we're all good.|2Wf-04]] * [[I didn't say you were.|2Wf-05]] * [[And you are...?|2Wf-06]]A: I'm a friend of Cassidy's. <span class='speaker'>GLASSES GUY: </span>Who? A: ...Mark G's girlfriend? <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>Ohhhh! Mark G's *girlfriend*. Riiight. * [[So you do know Mark G then?|2Wf-08]] * [[She asked me to look for him.|2Wf-09]]A: Perfect. Then we'll get along great. Y: *(mumbling)* Speak for yourself. *(Adult Bell elbows Kid Bell.)* <%= story.render("2Wf-07") %>A: I didn't say you were. Y: *(mumbling)* Not yet anyway. *(Adult Bell elbows her younger self.)* <%= story.render("2Wf-07") %>A: And you are? <span class='speaker'>GLASSES GUY: </span>I'm Big Man Brett. That's Kev Junior. And we've got nothing to hide. K: *(mouth full of chicken)* That's right. A: Glad to hear it. Your friend Mark G has vanished and his girlfriend is worried sick. She hired me to help. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. Since you've got nothing to hide. *(Brett shrugs and takes another bite of his wing.)* <%= next("2W-LOC") %>A: I'll get to the point. Your friend Mark G disappeared, and his girlfriend hired me to find him. You two might have been the last ones to see him. So any information you have will be very much appreciated. *(The Bald Guy scratches his head.)* <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>Right. Right. Well I'm Kev Junior, and that's Big Man Brett. We'll uh, tell you whatever I guess. <%= story.render("2Wf-10") %><% pics("K") %> A: Kev, was it? K: Please, Kev was my father. Call me Kev Junior. A: Kev Junior. *(Kev reaches across the table, grabs Adult Bell's hand, and kisses it. She yanks it away immediately, a look of absolute disgust on her face.)* K: Enchantée. *(Kid Bell puts her finger down her throat and pretends to vomit.)* A: *(rubbing on disinfectant)* Yeah, what she said. K: How can I help you fine ladies this evening? * [[You can start by never touching me again.|2Wh-02]] * [[Have you spoken to Mark G recently?|2Wh-03]] * [[Tell me about Saturday night.|2Wh-04]]A: You can start by never touching me again. K: It's funny, people tell me that a lot. * [[Have you spoken to Mark G recently?|2Wh-03]] * [[Tell me about Saturday night.|2Wh-04]]A: Have you spoken to Mark G recently? K: Not for a couple of days. Why, did something happen? A: He went missing. I literally just told you. K: *Riiiight*. Right right right. Yeah. * [[You don't sound very concerned.|2Wh-22]] * [[You distracted by something?|2Wh-23]]A: Talk to me about Saturday night. K: Oh, I've got plans. Sorry. A: What? K: Huh? Y: She means *last* Saturday night. The one that just happened. K: Ohhhh. Yeah, I don't know. It was a thing. * [[What was a thing?|2Wh-05]] * [[You don't know?|2Wh-06]] * [[Can you elaborate?|2Wh-07]]A: *What* was a thing? K: The evening, the soiree. A: The evening was a thing. K: Yeah, you know, it was whatever! Y: You know what else it was? The last night anyone saw Mark G alive. K: Wait, "alive"? You don't think Mark G's *dead* do you? A: Not to alarm you, but missing people often end up that way. That's why I need you to think. Can you give me any details about the night? Anything at all? K: I don't know what to tell you. I had things on my mind. I was exploring business opportunities. * [[What kinds of opportunities?|2Wh-13]] * [[Exploring with whom?|2Wh-12]]A: What do you mean you don't know? K: I can't be expected to remember all the details, can I? A: So far you've provided none of the details. Y: Did you get too drunk to remember, was that it? K: I wasn't there to drink cream soda, kid. A: So what *were* you there to do? K: Lots of things. Vibing. Mingling. Exploring business opportunities. * [[So what was the vibe?|2Wh-15]] * [[Mingling with whom?|2Wh-14]] * [[What kinds of opportunities?|2Wh-13]]A: I don't suppose you could elaborate on that at all? K: I don't really know what else to say. Y: How about literally anything? Who were you there with? A: How long were you there? Y: Did you talk to Mark G at all? A: Was he acting weird? K: Whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't get caught up on details, alright? I'm more of a big picture guy. Know what I mean? <%= story.render("2Wh-28") %>A: Oh, they already have something like that. It's called prison. K: I'm talking sleeping pods. I'm talking community building. I'm talking hot plate rentals. <% s.pitches = true; %> * [[Sleeping pods?|2Wh-09]] * [[Community building?|2Wh-10]] * [[Hot plate rentals?|2Wh-11]]A: Who wants to sleep in a pod? K: Uh, ever heard of "everyone in Tokyo"? Basically nobody does beds anymore. * [[So you were ignoring Mark G all night?|2Wh-19]] * [[Say, what do you do for a living?|2Wh-21]] A: How exactly are you planning to build this community? K: I haven't worked out the finer logistics but it could be literally anything. You could have beer nights. Y: You could have beer nights at the bar where you live? K: Yes! *(He points at her with a half-eaten chicken wing.)* Now we're talking. Y: I literally just repeated what you said back to you. K: A few more ideas like this and we're really going to start popping that corn. *(He rubs his fingers together, as if "corn" were a slang term for money.)* * [[So you were ignoring Mark G all night?|2Wh-19]] * [[Say, what do you do for a living?|2Wh-21]]A: You have to pay to use the hot plates? K: If you're good at something, never do it for free. I read that on youtube. * [[So you were ignoring Mark G all night?|2Wh-19]] * [[Say, what do you do for a living?|2Wh-21]]A: Exploring with whom? *(Kev leans forward and taps his own forehead.)* K: Kev. Junior. A: Oh Jesus Christ. K: See, when I'm inside my own head? It's like a networking event with my brain, you know? I'm getting face time with *ideas.* Y: What kind of ideas? K: Here's an example: Everyone loves Gator Gulch, right? And everyone loves to drink there in their free time. But what if... you could also live there? <%= story.render("2Wh-08") %>A: What kinds of opportunities, exactly? K: I knew you couldn't resist my business charm. *(She glares at him.)* K: Okay. Everyone loves Gator Gulch, right? And everyone loves to drink there in their free time. But what if... you could also live there? <%= story.render("2Wh-08") %>A: Mingling with whom? K: Prospective clients, money makers, movers and shakers. Y: Any names? K: I'm sure they have them but we really didn't get bogged down on it. Y: Uh-huh. *(He leans in.)* K: See, everyone loves Gator Gulch, right? And everyone loves to drink there in their free time. But what if... you could also live there? <%= story.render("2Wh-08") %>A: So what was the vibe? K: *Entrepreneurial.* You want to hear some of my ideas? A: Absolutely not. K: *(completely not listening)* Okay. Everyone loves Gator Gulch, right? And everyone loves to drink there in their free time. But what if... you could also live there? <%= story.render("2Wh-08") %>A: Why would a record producer want to work in a chicken wing restaurant? *(Kev looks over his shoulder and then gestures for Adult Bell to come closer. She narrows her eyes and leans in a bit.)* K: *(still at full volume)* To be closer to the chicken wings. *(She immediately pulls back.)* <%= story.render("2Wh-18") %>A: Seems like a niche market. Y: Yeah, there are way more people who want to eat chicken wings than there are record producers. K: There are *now,* but if you only focus on the present, you end up living in the past, because what's today today is yesterday tomorrow. *(Kid Bell tries to do that math on her fingers.)* <%= story.render("2Wh-18") %><% if (visited("2Wh-07")) { %> <% if (passage.name === "2Wh-16") { %> Y: What does any of this have to do with Saturday? <% } else { %> A: What does any of this have to do with Saturday? <% } %> K: It was the same thing! I was a little checked out of the conversation because I was deep in ideation mode. I was generating business ideas. <% } else { %> <% if (passage.name === "2Wh-16") { %> Y: What does any of this have to do with Mark G's disappearance? <% } else { %> A: What does any of this have to do with Mark G's disappearance? <% } %> K: This is what I'm trying to tell you! I am on another level. You said Mark G disappeared on Monday? Y: *Saturday.* Monday's today. K: Saturday, right. Well, same diff. If something happened I wouldn't have clocked it. I was deep in ideation mode. Generating business ideas. <% } %> * [[So you were ignoring Mark G all night?|2Wh-19]] * [[Do I want to know about these business ideas?|2Wh-20]] * [[Say, what do you do for a living?|2Wh-21]]A: In other words, you were ignoring Mark G all night. K: Um, basically. *(Adult Bell nods and closes the notes app on her phone.)* <%= story.render("2Wh-24") %>A: Do I want to hear these ideas? K: I don't know. You want to get on *before* the ground floor? Y: I think they call that "rock bottom." K: *(breezing past)* Everyone loves Gator Gulch, right? And everyone loves to drink there in their free time. But what if... you could also live there? <%= story.render("2Wh-08") %>A: Just out of curiosity, what do you do for a living? K: I'm a raconteur. *(Adult Bell smiles politely and closes the notes app on her phone.)* <%= story.render("2Wh-24") %>A: You don't sound very concerned. I just told you your friend is missing. K: Mark G can handle himself. And anyway, his location is just a "detail." I'm really more of a big picture guy. Know what I mean? <%= story.render("2Wh-28") %>A: You distracted there, Kev? K: Kev *Junior*. And it's not that I'm distracted, it's just that my mind goes too fast to focus on the little details. A: Little details like your missing friend. K: Exactly. I'm a big picture guy. Know what I mean? <%= story.render("2Wh-28") %>K: Was there anything else? * [[What's up with the sunglasses?|2Wh-25]] * [[That's all for now.|2Wh-26]]A: No, that's all for now. But don't leave town. K: Can I at least go to Stouffville? Y: Why would you want to go to Stouffville? K: I have to help my aunt feed her exotic snakes on account of the rheumatoid arthritis. A: Just... don't leave the GTA. *(Kev picks up a chicken wing, cheerses Adult Bell with it, and goes back to eating.)* <%= next("2W-LOC") %>A: Just one more question: Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors? K: Fashion is like business. If you're not carving out a brand identity you're never going to stand out. *(He looks Adult Bell up and down.)* K: You should wear one of those Abraham Lincoln hats. Could be your signature. A: ... Y: She'll take it under advisement. <%= next("2W-LOC") %><% pics("T") %> <% s.hidebell=false; %> A: You're Big Man Brett? T: That's my name. Don't wear it out. A: Trust me, there's no danger of that. T: What do you want? * [[How'd you get the nickname?|2Wg-02]] * [[When was the last time you talked to Mark G?|2Wg-03]] * [[Tell me about Saturday night.|2Wg-04]]A: Where'd the nickname come from? Y: Yeah, you don't look that big. T: I'm bigger than you, aren't I? Y: Barely. A: And she's twelve. *(He shrugs and leans back in his chair.)* T: I guess you could say I have a big energy. *(Adult Bell glances around the dark, mostly empty restaurant.)* A: Oh yeah, electric. * [[When was the last time you talked to Mark G?|2Wg-03]] * [[Tell me about Saturday night.|2Wg-04]]A: When was the last time you talked to Mark G? T: Would have been at Gator Gulch on Saturday. A: Nothing since then? No DMs? Group chats? T: I kind of like to hang back in the group chat. * [[How about Mark G, does he hang back?|2Wg-08]] * [[Was he acting strange at all?|2Wg-12]] * [[Tell me about Saturday night.|2Wg-04]]A: How was your Saturday night? T: Pretty typical. Had a few pops with the boys, stayed out until like 12:30. Nothing too crazy. A: Was Mark G with you the whole time? T: He dipped out a few times, but pretty much. * [[How long did he "dip out" for?|2Wg-05]] * [[Did you leave with him?|2Wg-06]] * [[Who else was there?|2Wg-20]]A: How long did he "dip out" for? T: I mean I didn't time him. Y: Why not? T: Uh... A: Would you say a few minutes? An hour? T: Definitely not an hour. Fifteen tops. * [[Do you know where he was going?|2Wg-09]] * [[Was he acting strange at all?|2Wg-12]]A: Did you and Mark G leave together? T: Nah, he and Sonny were still going when I called it a night. <%= story.render("2Wg-14") %>A: How about Mark G? Does he normally hang back in the group chat? T: I mean, he'll drop a gif with the best of them. But he's a man of few words. A deep guy, you know? Y: Have there been any deep gifs since Saturday? *(He shrugs.)* T: Phone hasn't dinged once. * [[Tell me about Saturday night.|2Wg-04]] * [[Was he acting strange at all?|2Wg-28]]A: Do you know where he went on these "dips"? T: I figured it was just like, you know, a *call* with his *girlfriend*. Y: Why did you say that all weird? T: You know, it's just like, "Oh I gotta go *call* my *girlfriend*." * [[She didn't get any calls actually.|2Wg-10]] * [[Do you not like Cassidy?|2Wg-11]]A: Actually I've spoken with Cassidy. They didn't have any phone contact that night. <%= story.render("2Wg-13") %> T: Ohhh, her. Well then yeah, I don't know. Maybe he was calling his mom. Or his dentist. * [[Who else was there?|2Wg-20]] * [[Did you leave with him?|2Wg-06]]A: Do you not care for Cassidy? <%= story.render("2Wg-13") %> T: Ohhh, her. Right, yeah. I don't know, she's fine. A: ...I'll mark that down as ambivalent. * [[Who else was there?|2Wg-20]] * [[Did you leave with him?|2Wg-06]]A: And was he acting strange at all? T: Nah. I mean, you know how Mark G is. <%= story.render("2Wg-27") %>T: Who? Y: Cassidy. T: Uhhhhh. A: Mark G's girlfriend. <% if (visited("2Wf-03")) { %>We literally just had this conversation.<% } else { %>Cassidy Chamomile? You must have met her.<% } %>A: So you do know Mark G then. <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>Well, yeah. He's my boy. Y: I'm sorry to say, your boy is missing. A: Cassidy asked us to help find him. Any information you can give us would be greatly appreciated. *(The glasses guy bites his chicken warily.)* <span class='speaker'>GLASSES GUY: </span>*(mouth full)* Okay, well. I'm Big Man Brett. That's Kev Junior. Ask away, I guess. <%= next("2W-LOC") %>A: Anyway, *Cassidy* hasn't heard from Mark G in days, and she's very worried about him. She asked me to help find him, so any information you can give me will be very helpful. <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>Well, any friend of... uh... Y: ...Cassidy. <span class='speaker'>BALD GUY: </span>Right. Any friend of her is a friend of mine. I'm Kev Junior, and that's Big Man Brett. We'll tell you whatever, I guess. <%= story.render("2Wf-10") %><%= story.render("2Ws-01") %><% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("K") %> *(The television is showing drone footage of a dismounted mountain biker standing on what's basically a sheer cliff face. Little bits of shale fall down every time they so much as shift their weight.)* A: What are you watching? K: The Ultimate Chasm-Cross Invitational presented by Whiplash Hard Seltzer. A: What's chasm-cross? Y: What's hard seltzer? K: Dude, chasm-cross is awesome. It's the most extreme form of biking. They get it so steep that you can't even bike on your bike. Y: So... you're watching a guy stand still on a mountain? *(On screen, the cyclist takes a single tentative step forward and then immediately steps back to where they were before.)* K: Imagine being that good, eh? <%= next("2W-LOC") %><% bg("home") %> **BELL PARK'S APARTMENT** The next morning, in Adult Bell's Little Portugal apartment. The place isn't catastrophically messy, but only because she doesn't own enough stuff to really make a pile. Adult Bell sits on the couch that she slept on last night, staring at Cassidy's contact info on her phone. [[Her younger self calls out to her from behind the closed bathroom door|4Ha-00]].<% s.hidebell = true; %> <% pics() %> Y: *(from the next room)* Why don't you have the deodorant I like?! A: You like the lavender one better! Y: No I don't! A: Well you're *going* to like it better so you might as well get used to it now! Y: Ugh! *(Bell takes a deep breath and presses the call button. Cassidy picks up almost immediately.)* C: Hello? * [[It's me.|4Ha-02]]<% bg("home") %> <% pics("C") %> <% bg("phone") %> A: It's me. C: Bell. Hi. A: So listen-- C: Have you heard from him yet? Have you found anything? A: That's... kind of why I was calling. *(Adult Bell glances over at the closed bathroom door and lowers her voice.)* * [[The trail is cold.|4Ha-07]] * [[You need to call the cops.|4Ha-08]]C: *(very quietly)* Because he said not to. *(Bell stops in her tracks.)* A: What? C: Mark G told me not to call the cops. * [[When was this?|4Ha-10]] * [[Why would he say that?|4Ha-11]] * [[Why didn't you tell me?|4Ha-12]]<% pics("Y") %> <% bg("home") %> A: Okay, I'll keep looking. Talk to you later. *(Adult Bell hangs up the phone.)* Y: I was thinking, do mom and dad still have your old clothes? Maybe I could get that "READING ROCKS" shirt. *(Adult Bell stares at her younger self.)* Y: ...You know the one I'm talking about? The book with the sunglasses? You didn't throw it out, did you? A: Your instincts were right. Y: About the t-shirt? * [[This isn't a regular disappearance.|4Ha-05]] * [[We've been going about this case all wrong.|4Ha-06]]A: This isn't a regular disappearance. Mark G *knew* he was going to disappear. Y: Whoa, what? That's huge! A: It's massive. And you suspected something the entire time. But I was too obsessed with fitting this case into my preconceptions to listen. <%= story.render("4Ha-09") %>A: We've been going about this case all wrong. *I've* been going about it all wrong. I was so obsessed with fitting it into a pattern... Y: Hold on, go back. Did something happen? A: Mark G *knew* he was going to disappear. Y: Whoa, what? That's huge! A: It's massive. I was treating this like a normal case, but it's actually weird as hell. We need to adjust our strategy. <%= story.render("4Ha-09") %>A: Look, I don't have good news. The trail's cold. No one's seen him and no one knows anything. I don't have a clue where to find this guy. C: Bell, please. I need you. A: You need more than just me. Way more. *(Silence on the other end of the line. Bell gets up and starts pacing.)* A: Cassidy, this is serious. Missing people don't always come back. Every hour counts and right now I'm *wasting them* out there. One private detective is not enough. C: I'm not calling the cops. A: Okay, but hear me out. C: I can't. I just can't. A: Why not? <%= story.render("4Ha-03") %>A: I'll be blunt. You need to call the cops. C: No. A: Cassidy. C: No no no. I can't. A: They have resources I don't have access to. They can put out bulletins and conduct searches and track phones. They have money. They have *people.* *(Silence on the other end. Bell gets up and starts pacing)* A: Look, I don't want to scare you, but missing people don't always come back. Every hour counts. You need to put *everything* on the table, not just one private detective. C: ...I can't call them. A: Why not? <%= story.render("4Ha-03") %>Y: So wait, how did he know? How do you know that he knew? *(Adult Bell grabs her keys and wallet off the coffee table.)* A: I'll explain on the way. Let's go. Y: Go where? A: Somewhere we shouldn't be. It's time to start acting like proper kid detectives. <%= next("4V-LOC") %>A: Wait, hold on. When did he say that? C: Five days ago. A: *Five days* ago? Like right before he disappeared? C: I guess, yeah. A: Shit. Okay, I need you to tell me exactly what he said. What was the *exact* wording? C: "If I disappear, don't call the police." A: He literally said "If I disappear" and then disappeared two days later? <%= story.render("4Ha-13") %>A: Why didn't you tell me this before? C: I don't know. It was so long since we talked. I... I didn't want to make things any harder. A: Shit. Okay. Okay. Just-- tell me what he said. Like exactly what he said if you can remember it <%= story.render("4Ha-14") %> <%= story.render("4Ha-13") %>A: Why would Mark G say that? C: I don't know. A: Did he say stuff like that often? Had he had runs in with the police before? C: I... I don't... A: Okay, just-- Calm down and tell me exactly what he said. As close as you can remember. <%= story.render("4Ha-14") %> <%= story.render("4Ha-13") %>C: That's why I can't go to the cops. I can't betray Mark G like that. I love him. *(Kid Bell walks out of the bathroom, hair a little damp and still wearing yesterday's clothes.)* C: Please, Bell. I don't have anyone else I can turn to. * [[I'll keep looking.|4Ha-04]] C: "If I disappear, don't call the police." A: He literally said "If I disappear"? Like he was expecting to disappear?<% s.hidebell = true; %> <% pics("Y") %> Y: How are we going to get in? A: Easiest part of the whole job. *(Adult Bell dials a random buzzer number from the intercom. Seconds later, the speaker beeps and the door to the lobby swings open.)* Y: What just happened? A: These past few years, people have been getting so much stuff delivered that they just assume everyone who rings their doorbell is a courier trying to drop a package in the lobby. Nine times out of ten they don't even ask who you are. *(They walk into the lobby and hit the elevator for Mark G's apartment.)* Y: Wait, what happened in the last few years to make everyone order delivery more? A: Don't worry about it. <%= next("4A-LOC") %><% bg("vestibule") %> **MARK G'S APARTMENT BUILDING** A short while later, near St. Clair West station. The two Bells enter the vestibule of Mark G's mid-century apartment building. Kid Bell tries the door to lobby, but it's locked. Adult Bell beckons her younger self over to the [[intercom|4Vb-00]].<% pics("E") %> <% s.hidebell=false; %> <span class='speaker'>BARTENDER: </span>Sorry, this is a bar. No kids. Y: Would you believe <% if (visited("2Ca-02")) { %> I'm legally 21? <% } else { %> my birthday was 21 years ago?<% } %> <span class='speaker'>BARTENDER: </span>*(chipper)* Oh, definitely not! A: She's not here for a drink. *(She flashes her private investigator's licence.)* She's involved with a missing persons case. And we need to ask you about it, if you don't mind. <span class='speaker'>BARTENDER: </span>Oh. Well, uh, I guess that's alright? A: Perfect. *(She opens the notes app on her phone as Kid Bell hops up on a stool.)* Can I get your name? <span class='speaker'>BARTENDER: </span>Kristee. Like the cookies but spell every part different. *(Adult Bell thinks for a second and then correctly writes down "Kristee.")* Y: Surname? E: Nah, not lately. * [["Not lately?"|2Ge-02]] * [[Have you seen this man?|2Ge-03]]A: "Not lately?" E: Yeah, I've been cleaning out my apartment because my ex-boyfriend moved back in with his step-parents, and the app I was using to motivate myself told me that the best way to downsize was to identify the things you never use. And I was thinking about that and I realized: I never *use* my surname. Everyone just calls me Kristee anyway. So now I'm just Kristee. Y: And how are you liking the surname-free lifestyle? E: So far? Best 48 hours of my life. * [[Step-parents, plural?|2Ge-05]] * [[Have you seen this man?|2Ge-03]]A: Well <% if (visited("2Ge-02")) { %>just<% } %> Kristee, I'm hoping you can help us. *(She pulls up a photo of Mark G on her phone.)* Have you seen this man? E: I have no idea. He looks like the most forgettable person in the world. Who is he? A: My friend's fiancé. E: Yikes. A: Yeah. The heart wants what it wants. Y: He was last seen here on Saturday night. E: Hmm. Well I was working then, but I really don't remember him. <ul> <li>[[Do you get a lot of guys like this in here?|2Ge-04]]</li> <li>[[Did anything strange happen that night?|2Ge-06]]</li> <% if(visited("2W-LOC")) { %><li>[[Maybe you remember his friends?|2Ge-07]]</li><% } %> </ul>A: You get a lot of guys like this in here? E: They get a lot of guys like this everywhere. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %>A: Sorry, you said your ex was moving in with his step-*parents*? Plural? E: Mm-hmm. His step-mom divorced his dad and married his step-dad. A: That must have been a weird wedding. E: It was beautiful actually. They did the whole thing in a cornfield. I could you show you the pictures. *(Kid Bell clears her throat.)* A: ...Actually, I should probably be showing *you* pictures. *(She brings up a photo of Mark G on her phone. Kristee leans in and squints.)* E: Who's that? Y: His name's Mark G. He was last seen here on Saturday night. A: Well I was working here that night... *(She shakes her head.)* ...but I don't recognize him. Sorry. <ul> <li>[[Do you get a lot of guys like this in here?|2Ge-04]]</li> <li>[[Did anything strange happen that night?|2Ge-06]]</li> <% if(visited("2W-LOC")) { %><li>[[Maybe you remember his friends?|2Ge-07]]</li><% } %> </ul>A: Anything strange happen that night? E: Pretty typical. A: No fights? Nothing like that? E: Oh, tons. But that's normal. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> <% bg("college") %> *(Adult Bell parks her car out front of Chipp's Original Wings.)* A: Alright. According to Cassidy, Mark G's guy friends are probably in here right now. Y: It's like 2 p.m. on a Monday. A: I guess they like to beat the rush. *(She unclips her seatbelt.)* Wait here while I go look for them. <%= story.render("2Ca-01") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> <% bg("richmond") %> *(Adult Bell parks her car out front of Gator Gulch.)* A: Alright. According to Cassidy, this is the last place Mark G was seen. Y: Are we going to look for the body? A: *We* aren't going to do anything. *(She unclips her seatbelt.)* Wait here while I ask around. <%= story.render("2Ca-01") %>A: Seems that way. The question is, why are you here? Y: Have we got any unfinished business? A: Tons. But you're not a ghost. At least I hope you're not. Y: Okay. Well then... maybe I'm supposed to help you solve this mystery? * [[You wouldn't be much help.|1Db-11]] * [[It's a pretty normal mystery.|1Db-12]]A: Seems that way. The question is, how do we get you back home? Y: I'm guessing they don't have time machines in 2022? A: Technology's basically the same as it was nine years ago. Just thinner and more evil. Y: Hmm. Well... maybe I have to help you solve this mystery? * [[You wouldn't be much help.|1Db-11]] * [[It's a pretty normal mystery.|1Db-12]]<%= story.render("2Gt-01") %><% pics("E") %> <% s.hidebell = false %> *(Kid Bell peers over the counter at all the bottles.)* Y: What's good here? E: People tend to like the alcohol. Y: Great. I'll have three of those. *(Adult Bell flicks her younger self in the back of the head.)* <%= next("2G-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("B") %> <% bg("carnight") %> *(A few minutes later, in Adult Bell's car. Bridget looks over her shoulder and sees Kid Bell slumped over and drooling in the back seat. She smiles.)* B: She's out cold. A: Since when are you so good with kids? B: I'm not good with kids, I'm good with you. *(Adult Bell chuckles and starts the car. They drive in silence for a few minutes before Bridget speaks up.)* B: It must be tough for her. A: ...I just don't get it. I have the life she wants more than anything else in the world. And she hates it. B: You're deconstructing her perfect fantasy future before her eyes. Who wouldn't hate the real thing in that scenario? A: I guess. But if it doesn't make her happy and it doesn't make me happy then what the hell am I doing it for? *(There's a brief silence in the car.)* B: Hmm. * [[Go on, tell me what I'm missing.|3Cd-02]] * [[Maybe I should quit.|3Cd-03]]A: Go on, say it. B: Say what? A: I know what "Hmm" means. It's you trying to figure out the most diplomatic way to tell me I'm being stupid. Just skip the niceness and give it to me straight. *(Silence. Bridget sighs.)* * [[...Sorry.|3Cd-04]]A: Maybe this is a sign. Maybe I should quit. B: Come on, you don't want to quit. A: Maybe I do. B: Uh-huh. A: Why not? I'm completely miserable, aren't I? *(Silence. Bridget sighs.)* * [[...Sorry.|3Cd-04]]A: ...Sorry. B: It's not-- I just worry about you, you know? The way you talk about happiness, like it's some missing thing you're tracking down. Like it's a mystery to solve. A: Feels pretty mysterious. B: But that's not how it works, Bell. Happiness is a chemical. It comes from *inside* your brain. The outside stuff -- your job, your status, your relationship -- those things are all important, but they can't just *make* you happy. A: So what *can* make you happy? *(Bridget looks over and smirks.)* B: Therapy and meds seem to help. A: I wouldn't know. B: *(laughing)* Yeah, no kidding. *(Adult Bell laughs too. A few minutes later she pulls up in front of Bridget's apartment and Bridget unclips her seatbelt.)* * [[Thanks for your help.|3Cd-05]] * [[Our relationship did make me happy.|3Cd-06]] * [[I wish I knew what to do with my life.|3Cd-07]] A: Thanks, Bridge. Seriously. You always... well... *(Bridget gives Adult Bell a quick peck on the cheek.)* B: You're welcome. <%= story.render("3Cd-08") %> A: For the record, our relationship did make me happy. *(Bridget gives Adult Bell a quick peck on the cheek.)* B: It made me happy too. <%= story.render("3Cd-08") %>A: I just wish I knew what to do with my life, you know? *(Bridget gives Adult Bell a quick peck on the cheek.)* B: If anyone can solve that mystery, it's you. <%= story.render("3Cd-08") %>*(She gets out of the car and walks into her building. Once she's in the front door, Adult Bell starts her car back up and drives off towards her own apartment...)* *(...And in the back seat, out of her adult self's line of sight, Kid Bell flickers back into reality.)* <%= next("TITLE-PART2") %>A: That's Sonny Lee, right? Where's he today? Y: Not a wing guy? T: Ha. You don't know what you're talking about. Sonny's the wing king. *(He unlocks his phone and pulls up a photo of a man in a paper crown tearing into a chicken wing.)* * [[Where'd he get the crown?|2Wg-15]] * [[So why's he not here today?|2Wg-16]] * [[How do I get in touch with him?|2Wg-17]]A: Where'd he get the crown? T: Let's just say I've got a connection at Medieval Times. *(He lowers his voice.)* And you didn't hear this from me, but the jousting is rigged. Y: You should tell them the menu has too many New World crops for a medieval European banquet. * [[I figured the crown would have been related to the wings.|2Wg-18]] * [[So why's he not here today?|2Wg-16]] * [[How do I get in touch with him?|2Wg-17]]A: So why didn't you invite him today? T: Oh, he's got a standing invite. But he's busy at the climbing gym today. He likes to get high, if you know what I mean. Y: Is that a double entendre, sir? T: My entendres are never single. Y: Gross. A: Agreed. Which gym? T: The one in Koreatown? I forget what it's called. *(Kid Bell looks confused at that. Adult Bell takes it in stride and notes it on her phone.)* * [[Thanks for the info.|2Wg-26]]A: How would I get in touch with Sonny if I wanted to talk to him? <%= story.render("2Wg-19") %>A: I figured it was like a promotion from the restaurant. Like eat enough wings and they crown you the Wing King. T: Oh, he did that too. *(He scrolls to the next picture, where Sonny has a second paper crown on top of the first one.)* T: But honestly, that's his story. Not mine. You want to hear more, you can talk to him. Y: And how do we do that? <%= story.render("2Wg-19") %>T: On Mondays he's usually doing his dog walking job. And rock climbing. Y: At the same time? T: What can I say? The man's a multitasker. A: And which gym is that? T: I forget what it's called. The one in Koreatown? *(Kid Bell looks confused at that. Adult Bell takes it in stride and notes it on her phone.)* * [[Thanks for the info.|2Wg-26]]<% s.hidebell=true; %> <% pics("Y") %> *(Kid Bell looks up at the "Flaming Circus Lane" street sign.)* Y: Was this alley always called that? A: Oh no, they changed it a few years ago. Y: Weird. A: Yeah, it's named after the Toronto Clown Riot. Y: The what? A: You know, in like the 1800s? The firefighters got in a street brawl with the clowns? Y: Did you hit your head? A: *(handing over her phone)* Look it up. <%= next("5Y-LOC") %><% s.hidebell=false %> <% pics("E") %> E: Hey sorry, your friend hasn't come in since yesterday. ...At least I don't think he has. A: I'm actually looking for someone else. E: If it's another dude like that I'm probably not going to recognize him. *(Adult Bell shows Kristee a picture of the Cat.)* E: Okay, her I recognize. She was in here on Saturday. * [[Was she with anyone?|5Gf-02]] * [[Did she stay long?|5Gf-03]] * [[Did she do anything weird?|5Gf-04]] A: Was she with anyone? E: She came in alone, but she was meeting someone. I remember she looked really anxious while she was ordering her drink. Y: What'd she order? E: Milk. Y: Ew. * [[Who was she meeting?|5Gf-08]] * [[Why was she anxious?|5Gf-09]]A: Did she stay long? E: No, not at all. She downed a drink at the bar, met up with some guy, and then went out back to that disgusting alley. Y: What was she drinking? E: Milk. Y: Ew. * [[What were they doing in the alley?|5Gf-06]] * [[Who was the guy?|5Gf-07]]A: Was she doing anything unusual? *(Kristee gives her a "duh" look.)* A: Besides the obvious. E: Well... Yeah, actually. She and some guy went out back to that disgusting alley. * [[To do what?|5Gf-06]] * [[What guy?|5Gf-07]]A: <% if(visited("5Gf-04")) { %>To do what?<% } else { %>What were they doing in the alley?<% } %> E: I don't know. I saw them walk out back together and then when I went out on a smoke break later they were talking in the alley. Looked like an intense conversation. <%= story.render("5Gf-11") %>A: What guy? Y: Was it our missing person? *(Adult Bell flicks over to a picture of Mark G.)* <%= story.render("5Gf-10") %>A: Who was she meeting? E: Just some random guy. The two of them went out back to that disgusting alley. *(Adult Bell flicks over to a picture of Mark G.)* A: This random guy? <%= story.render("5Gf-10") %>A: What do you think she was anxious about? E: I don't know, but it must have been something shady. She and this guy went out back together and then when I went out on a smoke break later they were talking in the alley. Looked like an intense conversation. <%= story.render("5Gf-11") %>E: *(squinting)* God, it's so hard to tell. I literally forget him every time I blink. *(She stares for another second.)* E: But yeah, that could be him. Maybe. *(The Bells glance at each other. Adult Bell raises her eyebrows.)* Y: ...You mentioned somewhere disgusting? <%= next("5Y-LOC") %> Y: Smoking is bad for you. E: Oh I don't actually smoke, I just mime bringing the cigarette to my lips so I can get the time off. A: Mind showing us? *(Kristee pantomimes smoking a cigarette like an old timey movie star.)* A: ...The alley, I mean. <%= next("5Y-LOC") %>A: Yeah, no offence? But you wouldn't be that much help. Y: I would so! Two heads are better than one! A: It's not two heads, it's one head twice. Y: Besides, there's nobody better to help you than yourself. This is Cassidy! She's our best friend! <%= story.render("1Db-13") %>A: This is a pretty run-of-the-mill mystery. Not sure it requires supernatural intervention. Y: What are you talking about? It's Cassidy! She's our best friend! <%= story.render("1Db-13") %>A: She's your best friend. Not mine. *(Kid Bell blanches.)* Y: Wait. You stopped being friends with Cassidy? A: Nope, forget I said anything. That's already too much future knowledge. Y: When does it happen? A: I don't think I should tell you that. Y: *How* does it happen? A: I *definitely* shouldn't tell you that. Y: Well, that's gotta be the reason I'm here! I have to come with you and fix our best friendship with Cassidy! A: There's literally no reason to assume any of that. Y: Do you have a better theory? * [[........|1Db-14]]A: ... Y: *(grinning)* That's what I thought. *(Adult Bell quietly groans and grabs her car keys off the desk.)* A: Just don't get in the way. <%= next("2M-MAP") %><% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("B") %> B: Bell? What's this about? A: We need your help. Or I guess I should say, *I* need your help. You remember my cousin? B: Yeah... A: Well she's not my cousin. She's me. A time-travelling version of me from nine years ago. B: Come again? *(Kid Bell steps forward and holds out a business card.)* Y: Bellwoods W. Park, Youth Detective. *(Bridget covers her mouth.)* B: Oh my god. She did the thing. A: She kind of invented the thing. *(Bridget gingerly takes the crisp new business card and compares it to the faded old one she keeps in her wallet. Exact match.)* * [[You were the only person I could tell.|3Ub-03]] * [[We don't know how it happened.|3Ub-02]]A: We don't know how it happened. B: Hoooly crap. A: She just appeared face down on my desk this morning. <%= story.render("3Ub-04") %>A: You were the only person I could think of who would actually believe me about this. B: Hoooly crap. A: I mean, you know, all that stuff that happened when we were kids. <%= story.render("3Ub-04") %>B: Like. Holy crap. A: Uh-huh. B: I noticed the resemblance, but... Y: Yep. I'm her. Apparently. A: Look, Bridge. I'm kind of at a loss here. I have no idea what to do. *(Bridget stares, mouth hanging open. Kid Bell shuffles her feet.)* A: ...Bridget? B: Right. Right. Okay. Um. Well. First we need to figure out what's happening, I guess. *(She looks back and forth between the two Bells.)* B: Alright, well, here's a question for the older Bell: do you remember travelling nine years into the future when you were twelve? * [[I would have mentioned it.|3Ub-05]] * [[I mean, I don't think so?|3Ub-06]]A: I mean, I don't think so? B: What do you mean, you don't think so? Do you remember it or not? A: I don't want to give an absolute answer when I'm not 100% sure. Human memory is fallible. B: Oh my god, Bell. This is not a trick question. A: Sorry! The unexplained supernatural phenomenon I'm experiencing right now is kind of complicated! *(Kid Bell raises her hand.)* Y: Um. A: Yeah? Y: I think she's asking for a subjective assessment of your current mental state, not an objective accounting of everything you witnessed nine years ago. If that helps. A: Right. ...Right. Um, sorry. B: It's fine. * [[Anyway, I don't remember this.|3Ub-07]]A: You don't think I would have mentioned that before now? B: Not necessarily! Maybe you thought it would cause a time paradox. Or maybe you thought no one would believe you. I mean, we never told anyone about the aliens. Y: Wait, we had an alien encounter? A: Kind of. B: Maybe. A: Well, not maybe. Definitely. B: I mean we definitely encountered *something* but it was only *maybe* aliens. A: Right, okay, yeah. *(to Kid Bell)* Maybe. *(Bridget nods.)* Y: Whoa. * [[Anyway, I don't remember this.|3Ub-07]]A: Anyway, no. I don't remember anything like this. B: Okay that's good. That means this Bell's from a different timeline. *(She scratches her temple.)* Or she is now anyway. Y: Wait, what? A: Yeah, I'm not sure I follow. B: Think about it. She has life experiences you never had. When you have different information, you make different decisions, and all it takes is one small change to set off the butterfly effect. A: Right. Of course. If she changes, then everyone she interacts with is also going change, and then everyone they interact with... B: By the time she's 21, her life will probably be completely different than yours. She'll be in a parallel universe. Y: Whoa. * [[So we aren't the same person.|3Ub-08]] * [[So we can't cause a time paradox.|3Ub-09]]A: So... she's not me. B: I don't think so. <%= story.render("3Ub-10") %>A: So we can't cause a time paradox. B: I mean, never say never. <%= story.render("3Ub-10") %>*(The two Bells look at each other.)* B: Next question. Did anything out of the ordinary happen recently? Any break from the pattern? A: You know I don't like being asked for news. *(Bridget rolls her eyes.)* B: I'm not asking you to impress me with your social itinerary. We're just looking for evidence. * [[My routine is the same as always.|3Ub-11]] * [[The only thing new is this case.|3Ub-12]]A: My routine is the same as always. Y: Oh my god, no it's not. A: Hey, you don't know! Y: Just admit that it's a big deal that we're helping Cassidy! B: Wait, your client is Cassidy? *That* Cassidy? Y: We're trying to help her find her fiancé. *(Bridget's eyes go wide.)* B: She's getting *married?* * [[I can handle it.|3Ub-14]] * [[I don't see how that's relevant.|3Ub-15]]A: The only thing new is this case. Y: Right. We're helping Cassidy find her fiancé. *(Bridget's eyes go wide.)* B: Cassidy? As in *that* Cassidy? A: I mean... B: Wait-- fiancé?! She's getting *married?!* * [[I can handle it.|3Ub-14]] * [[I don't see how that's relevant.|3Ub-15]]B: *(To Kid Bell)* Bellwoods, what was the last thing that happened before you got here? Y: Um, Cassidy and I were having a sleepover? And we'd been talking all night? And eventually she fell asleep right next to me? And for some reason I couldn't sleep so I just laid there watching her breathing? And then my heart started beating really fast? And then I was here. A: ...Oh. B: Sound familiar? A: Um, so. Yeah. The next morning I went home and googled "how to tell if you like girls". B: Well there we go. * [[What do you mean, there we go?|3Ub-16]] * [[That still doesn't help us.|3Ub-17]]A: It's fine! I can handle it. B: Are you kidding me? I can barely handle it and I don't even know this woman. A: It's not that big a deal. B: Bell, the first girl who ever broke your heart came back into your life after five years of radio silence and told you that she's engaged. That is a massive deal. A: *(muttering)* Seven years, actually... <%= story.render("3Ub-13") %>A: I don't think that's relevant. B: You don't think it's relevant that the first girl you ever fell in love with -- *when you were twelve* -- came back into your life on the *exact same day* that your twelve-year-old self traveled forward in time? A: Okay, when you put it that way... <%= story.render("3Ub-13") %>A: Even if we accept that theory, it still doesn't give us any idea what to do. Y: No, it does! Cleary I was sent here to fix our relationship with Cassidy! <%= story.render("3Ub-18") %>A: What do you mean, there we go? B: I mean, it's obviously related! A: So what's the theory here? I'm so gay that it warped the space-time continuum? How does that make any sense? B: Well, how does the idea that it's *un*related make any sense? You're the only person this has ever happened to. Why wouldn't the explanation be personal to you? Y: Yeah, exactly! This is why I'm here! I'm supposed to fix our relationship with Cassidy. <%= story.render("3Ub-18") %>*(Adult Bell and Bridget share a look.)* Y: ...What? B: Well... I'm not sure about that. A: I keep trying to tell you, kid. There's nothing there to fix. Y: What do you mean? She's our best friend in the world! * [[That was a long time ago.|3Ub-20]] * [[Things didn't end well there.|3Ub-19]]<% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> <% bg("car") %> Y: So... where now? A: We're going to meet a confidant of mine. A drag king named Sauvignon Blanc. Y: Why's he called Sauvignon Blanc? A: Because he's white and moms love him. Y: And you think he knows something about Mark G? A: Nah, we're done for the day. *(She taps the dashboard clock. 5:04 pm.)* Y: What do you mean, done? Isn't time of the essence in a missing person's case? * [[Very much so.|3Cr-02]] * [[I don't do overtime.|3Cr-03]] * [[It's a dead-end case.|3Cr-04]]A: Very much so. Which is why I plan to spend my evening convincing Cassidy to call the actual cops. <%= story.render("3Cr-05") %>A: I don't do overtime. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Y: You're abandoning your friend because of overtime? A: What I'm doing is setting aside my ego and getting her the help she *actually* needs. Which in this case is the cops. <%= story.render("3Cr-05") %>A: It's a dead-end case. More private detective work isn't going to make a difference. What we need now are the actual cops. <%= story.render("3Cr-05") %>Y: We're better than the cops! A: Really? How many square kilometres can the two of us search? Y: But-- A: In a situation like this, breaking through a client's denial is a much better use of your energy than spending a bunch of fruitless hours out on the street. Y: Cassidy isn't just a *client!* A: Kid. Y: She's the most important person ever! The most important person in the whole world! A: Kid! Listen to me. I know you have strong feelings for Cassidy. But they're not reciprocal. Y: What do you mean? We're best friends. A: Yeah, but like... past that. *(Kid Bell just looks confused.)* A: You know. Beyond being friends. Y: I don't get it. What are you talking about? * [[Don't worry about it.|3Cr-06]]<% if(visited("2R-LOC")) { %> A: He would have been with a miserable finance dweeb, a guy with a catastrophic fake tan, and a polite meathead who could probably trade up to a better friend group if he put his mind to it. <% } else { %> A: He would have been with a couple of very annoying white guys: one of them is a little finance dweeb, the other one has the worst fake tan that has ever been applied to a human's skin. <% } %> <% if (s.pitches) { %> Y: They might have been pitching you on sleeping pods and hot plates? <% } %> E: The people who come in here are all kind of the same, you know? I don't really memorize the clientele. Sorry. Y: *(leaning in and lowering her voice)* Any chance you have some security footage we can take a peek at? E: Uhh... no. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %><ul> <% if (passage.name === "2Ge-07") { %><li>[[No you don't have it or no we can't see it?|2Ge-13]]</li><% } %> <% if (!visited("2Ge-06")) { %><li>[[Did anything strange happen that night?|2Ge-06]]</li><% } %> <% if (!visited("2Ge-14") && visited("2Ge-06")) { %><li>[[What were people fighting about?|2Ge-14]]</li><% } %> <% if (!visited("2Ge-15") && visited("2Ge-14")) { %><li>[[Anything else happen that night?|2Ge-15]]</li><% } %> <% if (!visited("2Ge-16") && visited("2Ge-15")) { %><li>[[Anything else happen that night?|2Ge-16]]</li><% } %> <% if (!visited("2Ge-17") && visited("2Ge-16")) { %><li>[[Anything else happen that night?|2Ge-17]]</li><% } %> <% if (!visited("2Ge-18") && visited("2Ge-17")) { %><li>[[Anything else happen that night?|2Ge-18]]</li><% } %> <% if (!visited("2Ge-19") && visited("2Ge-18")) { %><li>[[You put up with a lot of stuff, huh?|2Ge-19]]</li><% } %> <% if(visited("2W-LOC") && !visited("2Ge-07")){ %><li>[[Maybe you remember his friends?|2Ge-07]]</li><% } %> <% if (passage.name === "2Ge-07") { %><li>[[Can you give me a call if you see them?|2Ge-10]]</li><% } else { %><li>[[Can you give me a call if you see him?|2Ge-11]]</li><% } %> </ul>*(Adult Bell puts her business card down on the bar.)* A: Listen, on the off chance you see any of these guys, can you give me a call? E: I'll let you know if I see anything. Seriously though, needle in a haystack. <%= story.render("2Ge-12") %>*(Adult Bell puts her business card down on the bar.)* A: Can you give me a call if you see him? Or hear anything? E: Oh, sure. Seriously though, needle in a haystack. <%= story.render("2Ge-12") %> A: You're telling me. *(Kid Bell reaches over the bar and holds out her hand for a handshake.)* Y: You've been very helpful, ma'am. Thank you. *(Kristee awkwardly shakes Kid Bell's hand.)* <%= next("2G-LOC") %>A: No you don't have it, or no we can't look at it? E: Um, both. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %>A: What were people fighting about? E: We had a couple guys on the patio arguing about who could do the most handstands, and then one of them accidentally flipped a table onto the sidewalk. Y: Was everyone okay? E: The one guy broke his foot but he also won the handstand contest so he seemed pretty jazzed about it. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %>A: Anything else happen that night? E: There was like a full fifteen-person screaming match over beets. Y: The vegetable? E: Yeah, there were like two guys saying "Beets are good!" And then everyone else was screaming at them going "Beets are fine!" And then eventually one girl screamed so loud that she passed out and fell down the stairs. A: Oh my god, was she okay? E: She was fine. She landed on a wedding cake. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %>A: Anything else happen that night? E: Let's see. A bunch of guys got into a fight about how tall they were. A: Surely that's an easy argument to solve. E: They didn't have a ruler so they ended up looking up pictures of tall things online and trying to eyeball it. Y: Did it work? E: Well, they figured out they were both shorter than the Pyramids. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %>A: Anything else happen that night? E: Couple older women by the bar were arguing about who was the best at-- *(She looks at Kid Bell and clears her throat.)* E: ...Having fun. A: Did they sort it out? E: Ye-es. But I probably shouldn't elaborate. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %>A: Anything else happen that night? E: There was a game on, so things were generally hectic. A: Blue Jays? E: World Cup of Badminton. Those Norwegian fans can get pretty rowdy. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %>A: You put up with a lot of stuff, huh? E: Eh. Part of the job. A: How do you stay so chipper? E: Oh, I just imagine myself riding the tilt-a-whirl at the Ex, and that usually puts me into a good place Y: You like riding the tilt-a-whirl? E: Never tried it, but it's a beautiful dream. <%= story.render("2Ge-08") %><% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("S") %> A: Sonny Lee? *(Sonny takes off his helmet, brushes some sweat out of his hair, and turns to look at Adult Bell. All the dogs follow his gaze.)* S: Yep, that's me! How's it going? Y: It's going well, thanks. Can I pet your dogs? S: Go ahead! They're friendly. *(Kid Bell crouches down and starts methodically petting the dogs one by one. Adult Bell takes out a business card and hands it to Sonny.)* A: Bell Park, private investigator. I'd like to ask you some questions about your friend Mark G. S: Oh, Mark G? He's the best. Love that guy. * [[What makes him the best exactly?|2Rm-02]] * [[You often bring dogs here?|2Rm-04]]A: Just out of curiosity, what makes him "the best"? S: He's like so smart at business stuff? He helped me start my own company. Y: The dog walking? S: Yeah. I'm like a people person, and a dog person, but not really a money person? And Mark G's the opposite of that. A: He doesn't like people? Y: He doesn't like dogs? S: He's a behind-the-scenes guy. Likes to stay out of the limelight and let other people get the glory. * [[Mark G is missing.|2Rm-03]] * [[You on the clock right now?|2Rm-07]] * [[Do you like being a dog walker?|2Rm-17]]A: He's a little too out of the limelight right now, I'm afraid. He's gone missing. <%= story.render("2Rm-09") %>A: You often take your dogs out to the climbing gym? S: The little guys need their walkies! Y: Walkies aren't usually vertical. * [[The gym's okay with that?|2Rm-05]] * [[You're a dog walker, is that right?|2Rm-06]] * [[Mark G is missing.|2Rm-08]]A: And the gym's okay with having animals in here? Their branding leans really heavily on the cleanliness angle. S: Oh, you're totally clean, aren't you guys? *(The dogs bark in the affirmative. Sonny laughs and starts handing out treats from a little bag clipped to his waist.)* S: Yes, you're very clean! * [[So you're a dog walker?|2Rm-06]] * [[Do you climb with him?|2Rm-19]]A: You at work right now? S: That's right! The little guys are getting their walkies. Y: Walkies aren't usually vertical... * [[The gym's okay with that?|2Rm-05]] * [[Mark G is missing.|2Rm-08]]A: You're a dog walker, is that right? S: As a job, yeah. But it's not my passion. <%= story.render("2Rm-18") %>A: I'll get to the point. Your friend Mark G is missing and I've been hired to find him. <%= story.render("2Rm-09") %>S: Missing? No, that's not possible. I just saw him this weekend. A: Yeah. That's when he went missing. S: Oh. Then I guess it is possible. * [[I was hired by Cassidy.|2Rm-20]] * [[So you haven't heard from him since?|2Rm-11]] * [[Can you tell us about that night?|2Rm-10]]*(Adult Bell overturns one of the couch cushions, revealing a phone.)* A: Aha. Found it. *(She picks it up and tries to power it on, but...)* A: Dead. We'll have to take it back to my office to charge it. Y: Is it normal for people to leave their phones at home in 2022? A: Definitely not. That's a bad sign. *(She pockets the phone.)* <%= next("4A-LOC") %>A: Can you tell us about that night? S: Not much to tell. We talked, we laughed, we had a few drinks. Normal stuff. A: And who left first? S: We left together. We like to close it out, you know what I mean? But we took separate cars home. * [[What were you talking about?|2Rm-12]] * [[Around what time was that?|2Rm-21]] * [[What was his vibe like?|2Rm-22]]A: So you haven't heard from Mark G since Saturday? S: Not at all. Y: No e-mails? Phone calls? BBMs? *(Adult Bell calmly puts her hand over her younger self's mouth.)* A: No messages at all? S: Um... no. The last time we talked was when we left. * [[What were you talking about?|2Rm-12]] * [[Around what time was that?|2Rm-21]] * [[What was his vibe like?|2Rm-22]]A: What were the two of you talking about? S: Um. You know, just like... regular stuff. A: What kind of stuff? Y: Any plans for the future? Worries? Relationship talk, maybe? *(Sonny's eyes go wide.)* S: Relationships. Oh my god, Cassidy. A: She's the one who hired me. S: Is she like... worried? <%= story.render("2Rm-13") %>Y: Uh, yeah. Her fiancé vanished. *(Sonny stares at the ground, a concerned expression on his face.)* * [[Are you and her close?|2Rm-14]] * [[Is there something she needs to hear?|2Rm-15]]A: Are the two of you close? S: She's cool. A: Cool enough that she deserves to hear what happened to her boyfriend? S: I-- I mean, I don't know... <%= story.render("2Rm-16") %>A: Sonny. Is there something Cassidy needs to know? S: What? No. What do you mean? <%= story.render("2Rm-16") %>*(Kid Bell reaches up and puts a hand on his forearm.)* Y: Please. Me and Cassidy have been best friends since Grade 4. If you know *anything* that can help her... S: *(confused)* Was she like your teacher? A: Don't change the subject. *(Sonny looks down and fiddles with some of the straps on his climbing gear.)* S: Just... Tell her not to worry, okay? *(Adult Bell considers that and then slowly nods.)* A: Got it. Well, thanks for talking with me. If you think of anything else, give me a call. *(She starts to leave.)* Y: Wait, what? <%= next("2Ru-00") %><%= story.render("2Ru-01") %><% bg("ktown") %> <% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> *(Adult Bell walks back onto Bloor Street. Kid Bell runs out after her.)* Y: Hey, what the heck? A: Hmm? Y: Why didn't you put the screws to that guy? He's obviously hiding something. * [[This isn't a drama.|2Ru-02]] * [[Yeah, probably.|2Ru-03]]A: Oh my god. Nobody is getting the screws put to them. This isn't a drama. Y: But-- A: *(sighing)* He told us not to worry, right? Why do you think that is? Y: Because he knows something about Mark G! A: Or he *thinks* he knows something. If he's right about whatever that is, then we don't need to worry. He told us himself. Y: What if he's wrong? A: Then we'd be wasting our time talking to him any more. Either way, a successful investigation. <%= story.render("2Ru-04") %>A: Yeah, probably. Y: But you're still letting him go? A: People conceal things all the time. That doesn't necessarily mean you want to hear them. Y: A detective's job is to find the truth. A: No, a detective's job is to find one *very specific* truth. *(Kid Bell frowns. Adult Bell fishes her car keys out of her pocket.)* A: Trust me, we got everything we could out of that guy. <%= story.render("2Ru-04") %><% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("T") %> *(Adult Bell gets right up in Brett's face.)* A: Listen here. I know goddamn well you know something. So spill it, you *average-sized* human misnomer. T: Ha. There's more than one way to be big, sister. Y: That's right. You can be a "big" creep. Or a "big" moron. Or a "big" suspect in a "big" murder investigation! T: Whoa whoa whoa, who said anything about murder? Y: You did. Just now. T: What? No! You did! A: And *I'm* about to join her if you don't start talking. T: So what? What do I care what some busybody for hire thinks? You are *less* than a rent-a-cop. You are nothing. Get lost. <%= next("7W-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("K") %> *(Adult Bell very slowly pulls out a stool and sits across from Kev Junior. He gulps.)* K: I-I won't talk. No matter how much you torture me. A: Believe me, you're not the one being tortured when you talk. K: *(weakly)* I can't betray a bro. Y: Ugh! This is dumb! *(Kid Bell snatches Kev's basket of wings off the table.)* K: Wh--Hey! Y: Tell me what I want to know or I flush these down the toilet! *(She starts backing up. Kev Junior tenses up as if he's going to run after her.)* * [[Go ahead, try it.|7Wc-02]] * [[You'll never catch her.|7Wc-03]]<% pics("K","T") %> A: Go ahead. See if she's bluffing. Nothing would make me happier. <%= story.render("7Wc-04") %><% pics("K","T") %> A: I'd say she's less than ten metres from that all-gender single-stall washroom. You're faster than her in a dead heat, but there's no way you'll close the distance before she gets in there and locks the door. <%= story.render("7Wc-04") %> K: ... A: It's over, Kev. *(He wipes some sauce from his mouth and then angrily slams the crumpled-up serviette on the table.)* K: Fine! You win. *(Kid Bell smirks.)* T: Dude! K: I'm sorry! *(He gestures at the hostage chicken wings and then turns to Adult Bell.)* Mark G is free climbing on the Bruce Peninsula. A: He's *what*? K: Free climbing! You know, with his hands? Up? *(Adult Bell stares at him, mouth agape.)* K: ...Can I have my food back? * [[Why didn't you just tell me?!|7Wc-05]] * [[Why didn't he bring his phone?!|7Wc-06]] * [[Why didn't he tell his girlfriend?!|7Wc-07]]<% bg("agency") %> **CLOUDJOB CO-WORKING SPACE** A few hours later, back at Bell Park's shared office. Adult Bell sits at her desk, [[recounting the details of the case to Cassidy|8Da-00]]. Kid Bell is nowhere to be seen.A: Why didn't you just tell me?! K: You would have told, uh..... A: ...Cassidy? K: Right, yeah, her! It was a secret, so... A: What could possibly be secret about a trip to Bruce County? T: It was *for her*. It was a gift for their engagement. * [[How is him going climbing a gift for her?|7Wc-08]] * [[What in the goddamn hell are you morons talking about?|7Wc-09]]A: Why didn't he bring his phone? K: He didn't want uh... what's her name... A: Cassidy! K: Right, yeah her. He didn't want her checking in because it would have spoiled the surprise for her. T: It was a gift for her. So like, he couldn't tell her. K: Obviously. * [[How is him going climbing a gift for her?|7Wc-08]] * [[What in the goddamn hell are you morons talking about?|7Wc-09]]A: Why did he not tell his girlfriend?! She's been worried sick! K: Because it was *for her*! It was a secret! T: It was a gift for their engagement. K: So like if he told her... that wouldn't work. Obviously. * [[How is him going climbing a gift for her?|7Wc-08]] * [[What in the goddamn hell are you morons talking about?|7Wc-09]]A: How is *him* going climbing a gift *for her*? That doesn't make any sense. K: It's like, you know... T: He does it *for her*, and then when he's done it he can like... tell her it was for her? K: Yeah, it's like, normal. <%= story.render("7Wc-10") %>A: What in the goddamn hell are you morons talking about? T: It was for her! K: Yeah, chill, it was for her! T: He did it *as a gift for her*. K: Right, and then when he tells her, it's gonna be for her. That's why she couldn't know. T: It's not that weird. <%= story.render("7Wc-10") %>*(Silence. Kev Junior makes a grabby hand gesture towards the chicken wings.)* Y: ...Okay I'm flushing these anyway because I'm annoyed. *(She runs towards the restroom.)* K: Wait, no! Those cost $26.95! *(He jumps up out of his chair and stumbles after her.)* <%= next("8D-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("S") %> A: Sonny. *(Sonny avoids her gaze.)* A: You can't avoid me forever, man. S: *(meekly)* I plead the fifth. Y: That's just in America. S: Okay well then I plead whatever number it is here. * [[You wouldn't want to worry Cassidy.|7Wa-02]] * [[You wouldn't lie to a child.|7Wa-03]]A: You don't want to make Cassidy worry any more do you? You don't want to let that poor innocent woman sit at home, alone? Worried sick about the love of her life? <%= story.render("7Wa-04") %>A: You wouldn't lie to a child, would you? A sweet little innocent twelve-year-old girl? <%= story.render("7Wa-04") %>*(He shuts his eyes. Adult Bell puts her hand on his shoulder and lowers her voice to a whisper.)* A: What would your dogs think if they saw you acting that way? *(He winces, and shrugs her hand off.)* S: They'll... learn to trust me again. In time. *(He finally works up the courage to look in her eyes.)* S: I'm sorry. I gave my word to a friend. I can't break it. <%= next("7W-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("C") %> A: ...So yeah, that's basically it. Mark G is staying at the Lion's Head Motel in Bruce County. He bought some new equipment, sold the old stuff to pay for gas money, then went off to free climb the escarpment all week. The reason he left without saying anything is that he was doing it as a surprise "for you". Whatever that means. C: So he's not hurt, or dead or anything? he's just... climbing? A: That's right. C: And he did it for me? A: That's what he says. C: Oh. *(Her voice trembles as she wipes a tear from her eye.)* C: That's so... romantic. A: *(pinching the bridge of her nose)* Oh Jesus Christ. C: I should have known he was thinking about me. * [[You aren't mad?|8Da-02]] * [[You think it's romantic?|8Da-03]]A: I'm sorry, you think it's romantic? C: Well, he was thinking of me. *(She sighs happily.)* How can I not? *(Adult Bell leans back in her chair.)* A: The people you love really surprise you, eh? <%= story.render("8Da-04") %>A: You aren't mad at him? He deliberately went off the radar for days! He made you think he was in trouble! C: But he was thinking of me. *(She sighs happily.)* I can't stay mad at him. *(Adult Bell leans back in her chair.)* A: You know, you've really changed since we were kids. C: Thanks, Bell. I guess we're both mature adults now, huh? A: Something like that. <%= story.render("8Da-04") %><% s.hidebell = false; %> *(There's a loud BANG as Kid Bell throws open the locker door.)* Y: Miss Chamomile! C: Gah! Who are you? * [[That's my assistant.|8Da-06]] * [[She came with the desk.|8Da-05]]A: She came with the desk. It's a perk of the space. <%= story.render("8Da-07") %>A: That's my assistant. She was very invested in solving the case. <%= story.render("8Da-07") %>C: Oh. *(She lowers her voice to a whisper.)* Do you live in that closet? Y: That's not important right now. What's important is you. Does Mark G make you happy? *(Cassidy looks up at Adult Bell, then back down to the kid. She beams.)* C: Mark G makes me the happiest woman in the world. *(Kid Bell hugs Cassidy.)* Y: Then go to him. C: Uh... A: Go ahead. You can e-transfer me the rest of the fee later. *(Kid Bell releases her. Cassidy nods and stands up.)* C: Thank you, Bellwoods. You really became a tremendous detective. *(She leaves.)* * [[Another case down.|8Da-08]]<% s.hidebell = true; %> <% pics("Y") %> A: Another case down. Y: Guess so. *(Silence.)* Y: ...I was so sure I'd disappear after doing that. A: No, yeah, I like a hundred percent thought you had it. <%= next("8U-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("B") %> *(Bell walks over and picks the tracking tag off the ground. Bridget walks up behind her.)* B: Bell? L: Oh, hey. B: Where's, um... you? *(Bell looks down at the tracking tag.)* L: I think she solved the case. B: Oh. Wow. *(Bell sits down on the bench where her younger self just was. Bridget joins her. A light early autumn breeze sweeps through.)* L: Should I have told her about covid? B: *(laughing)* Oh my god, no. Definitely not. She would have told me and then I wouldn't have been able to sleep for like five years. * [[That's assuming she even meets you.|8Uz-02]] * [[She'd probably have tried to stop it.|8Uz-03]]L: She might not even meet past you. Butterfly effect, remember? She's going to have a completely different life. B: Hmm. *(She leans back on the bench.)* I think that'd be very sad for past me. L: *(nodding)* For past both of us. *(She slips the tracking tag back into her pocket.)* <%= story.render("8Uz-05") %>L: Honestly, she probably would have ended up undercover in a wet market. B: Ha. If that's as far as it went we would have been lucky. *(Bell slips the tracking tag back into her pocket.)* <%= story.render("8Uz-05") %>*(Bell clears her throat.)* L: So, um, there's this place I've been meaning to... I mean, that I think you would... uh. Okay, you know the cursed basement mall downtown with the food court that always has one good restaurant but nothing else? There's this chicken place down there now, which is like... well, I could explain how it works when we go. *If* we go. *(Bridget watches this display, smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.)* L: What I mean is. I'd *like* to go. With you. Because eating there with, you know, myself, made me realize how much worse it is to *just* be myself than it is to be myself with you. And I think you'd really like it, and if we wanted to start up our restaurant spreadsheet again, I don't know, maybe that could be the first new entry? Because I actually have a lot of them I'd love to add. And, um, yeah. B: Are you asking me on a date to a food court? L: The metaphor kind of sounded better in my head. *(Bridget chuckles warmly and squeezes Bell's knee.)* B: Let me just get my bag. *(She stands and starts to head back to her building. Bell does a quick victory fist-pump while she's turned away, and then smoothly hides it behind her back as Bridget looks back over her shoulder.)* B: You know what I like about you, Bell? You never change. <%= next("SYS-END") %>L: Anyway, that was my exciting week. How was yours? B: You know, lived in the library 24/7. Occasionally poked my head out to help fix the space-time continuum. L: As you do. B: Ooh, but I'm going up to Bruce National Park for research next week. That should be a lot of fun. * [[I hear the climbing's good out there.|8Uz-06]]<%= story.render("5Bs-01") %><% s.hidebell = true; %> <% pics("Y") %> A: Think you can fit through there? Y: You first. <%= next("5B-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("V") %> *(Adult Bell tries the door. Locked.)* A: Damn it. *(She bangs on the door.)* A: Sauv, open up! I know you slept in there! Y: You do? A: I mean, no. But there's no one around to hear it if I guessed wrong. *(She bangs on the door again.)* <%= story.render("5Be-11") %><% bg("burlesque") %> <% if(visited("5Bt-00")) { %>*(The Bells enter the venue.)* V: Come on in, come on in. Watch you don't trip over the pile of dress forms with corsets on. *(The Bells step around the strewn about remnants of last night's show and make their way to the bar.)* V: So. Which sorrow are you trying to drown this time? A: No self-medication today, I'm afraid. I'm looking for a cat. <% } else { %> *(The Bells sit at the bar as Sauv takes a swig from a big thing of orange juice.)* V: Twice in two days! I'm going to have to start charging by the hour. A: Not here for therapy this time. I'm looking for a cat. <% } %> V: *(smirking)* Stay for the late show. A: Cute. *(She brings up a photo of the Cat on her phone.)* Look familiar? V: Only from Broadway. Don't tell me it's touring again. A: We had a limited engagement this morning. *(Sauvignon leans in and squints at the photo.)* V: No... I'm wrong. She was in here on Fursday. Y: Is that like Furry Thursday? V: Furry Saturday actually. * [[Why isn't it Thursday?|5Be-03]] * [[Who was on that night?|5Be-08]] * [[Was the cat lady with anyone?|5Be-04]] * [[Did the cat lady do anything unusual?|5Be-05]]A: Why isn't it on Thursday? V: Scheduling issues. * [[They should call it Cat-fur-day.|5Be-09]] * [[Who was on that night?|5Be-08]] * [[Was the cat lady with anyone?|5Be-04]] * [[Did the cat lady do anything unusual?|5Be-05]]A: Was the cat lady here with anyone? V: She mingled a bit. But mostly she was sitting at the bar and bragging. Y: Bragging? V: Yeah, something about a "big score" she had lined up later that night? I tuned it out. * [[What kind of score?|5Be-06]] * [[Did she say where she was going?|5Be-07]]A: Did the cat lady do anything unusual? V: Not by the standards of the evening. Y: Strange crowd? V: A bit eccentric, but I like them. They tip well. A: Was she like, saying anything? V: Oh my god, she wouldn't shut up. Kept bragging about this "big score" she had lined up later that night. * [[What kind of score?|5Be-06]] * [[Did she say where she was going?|5Be-07]]<% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> A: What are you so happy about? Y: Not much, just my *scheme*. A: Oh brother. Y: You're talking to Bridget! * [[As a friend.|8Ux-02]] * [[Why are you so invested?|8Ux-03]]A: As a friend. Y: Can't spell "girlfriend" without "friend." A: Or "end." There's no reason to assume she'd take me back. <%= story.render("8Ux-04") %>A: Why are you so invested in this? Y: Because I want a cool girlfriend, duh. A: Sure, so do I. But we can't just assume she'll take me back. <%= story.render("8Ux-04") %>*(Kid Bell sits on a bench and fishes the tracking tag out of her pocket.)* Y: You love her, right? A: Yeah. Obviously. Y: My detective instincts tell me she loves you too. *(She starts flipping the tracking tag like a coin. Adult Bell chuckles and looks up at a tree.)* A: Fine. You win. I'll try and make things work. Y: You *promise*? A: I promise! God. You just never stop, huh? Y: Hey, you should be *grateful* that I'm here to fix y-- *(Abrupt silence. Adult Bell whips around and sees an empty bench.)* A: ...Kid? <%= next("8U-LOC") %>A: Come here and help me search these drawers? Y: 'Kay. *(Kid Bell pulls a drawer out of the dresser and dumps the contents out on the ground.)* A: You know, you're allowed to just open them like normal. Y: Time is of the essence. *(She rifles through the pile.)* Aha! *(She holds up an empty envelope with something scrawled on it.)* A: "Mark G's Top Secret Envelope. Do Not Open." Someone can't follow directions. <%= next("4A-LOC") %><% if (s.chap5 === "gym") { %> *(The two Bells walk back towards the car, walnut cakes in hand. As they approach, Adult Bell notices a note shoved under one of her windshield wipers. She takes it out and reads it.)* <% } else { %> *(The two Bells walk back towards the car. As they approach, Adult Bell notices a note shoved under one of her windshield wipers. She takes it out and reads it.)* <% } %> A: "Dear whoever you are, I know you've been prowling around asking about me. How about we meet face to face? Come to the Shops at Aura." Y: Think it's from the cat lady? A: "P.S., Meow." *(She looks up.)* What's the move? Y: *(shrugging)* Well, it's not like we have any other leads. <%= next("6F-LOC") %>Y: Are we talking about the same Mark G? A: Just tell us what he did, alright? I'm a detective. Maybe I can help. G: He sold me his old climbing equipment. He said it was good as new. Said he just needed some extra cash for some "big plan" of his. Ha. Y: It wasn't good as new? G: That's right, kitten. It was bad as old. A: Please don't call her that. G: The gear's unusable. He got my cash and I was left with a bunch of worn out crap. * [[What was his big plan?|6Fb-12]] * [[Why did you trust a random guy on the internet?|6Fb-13]] * [[When did you figure out he had cheated you?|6Fb-14]]<% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> <% bg("car") %> *(A few minutes later. Adult Bell drives up towards Annex, weaving in and out of traffic.)* A: Time to get the real story out of Mark G's boys. *(She hands Kid Bell her phone.)* We still got a bead on Big Man Brett? Y: Uh, yeah. He's at the wing place again. A: Again? He was there 24 hours ago! *(She sighs.)* Strap in, kid. Y: I always wear my seatbelt. *(Adult Bell pulls a U-Turn and speeds off towards College Street. A streetcar angrily dings its little bell as she cuts in front of it.)* Y: But how do we get the boys to talk? They're stonewalling us. A: No, one of these three dipshits is the weak link. We just need find the right bolt cutters. <%= next("7W-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> *(Adult Bell walks up to the counter.)* A: Two orders of the 3-Way Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce. *(The cashier shouts the order back to the kitchen.)* A: *(to Kid Bell)* You'll love this. You get Barbecued, Crispy, and Fried. Y: What's the difference between Crispy and Fried? A: I don't 100% know but they're both good as hell. *(She nods towards an empty food court table.)* Come on, it's table service. <%= next("3Fa-02") %>*(Kid Bell looks around the deserted food court as she waits for the food.)* Y: Why are we eating in a crappy basement? A: Ah, right. This place doesn't in exist in 2013. Basically they built a mall under this giant condo but it's almost impossible to find the entrance and there's no big anchor store so no one ever has a reason to go there. Since there's so few customers, half the stores are empty and there's only ever one restaurant at the food court. But the thing is... it's always amazing. Y: What, really? A: Oh yeah. It's like a trial by fire. The only way you can survive in a location this miserable is by having the best damn food in the city. They all end up going out of business in a couple of years. But those years... oh man. *(A server brings out two plates of extremely delicious looking chicken.)* Y: That smells really good. A: See? Anyway, dig in. I've gotta call Cassidy and let her know I'm dropping the case. *(Kid Bell almost knocks her tray onto the floor.)* Y: What? Why?! * [[It's for her own good.|3Fa-03]] * [[This is beyond my skills.|3Fa-04]]A: This is way beyond my skills. Even if there's two of me, it's not enough. Everyone needs to start taking this seriously. Y: But we're not done yet! My detective instincts-- A: Kid, *stop.* Stop with the detective instincts. This is not a silly adventure, this is a *job*. Disappearances aren't fun. They're either boring or sad. There is nothing you want at the end of this road. Y: But... but it's for *Cassidy.* A: All the more reason. *(She scrolls through her contacts list.)* <%= story.render("3Fa-05") %>A: This is for her own good. Cassidy needs *real* help to find Mark G. From a lot of people, not just me. Y: Why do you keep trying to decide what's good for everyone else? A: Because that's what I do. My job is figuring things out. Y: But we're not done yet! My detective instincts-- A: Kid, *stop.* Stop with the detective instincts. You are smart, and you're insightful, but reading a bunch of mystery novels doesn't qualify you to deal with real people in distress. That takes experience. Which I have and you do not. Y: But... but it's for *Cassidy.* *(Adult Bell scrolls through her contacts list.)* <%= story.render("3Fa-05") %>A: Trust me, I know exactly what you're feeling right now. But this is the right call. Y: *(barely audible mumble)* * [[What was that?|3Fa-09]]A: You're right. I fucked up your life. I am a fuck-up. Y: ... A: I wish I had some counter-argument or clever explanation, but I don't. Some people just don't know how to handle themselves in the real world, and I'm one of them. Y: That's not... *(sigh)* I just wish my future could be more... *(Silence. Adult Bell waits for her.)* Y: ...I don't know what. *(Adult Bell nods, then picks her phone back up.)* <%= story.render("3Fa-08") %>A: I'm sorry. Y: ... A: Not for living my life, that's -- well, whatever I'm not going to litigate that. But I'm sorry for paying attention to the wrong mystery today. You're in this weird, scary situation and instead of trying to help you I've just been driving around, getting annoyed at my day job. Y: I'm not scared, I'm just... *(Silence. Adult Bell waits for her.)* Y: ...I don't know. *(Adult Bell nods uncertainly, then picks her phone back up.)* <%= story.render("3Fa-08") %>A: Okay, new plan. We're going to go talk with the one person I *know* can make young me happy. <%= next("3U-LOC") %><% bg("mall") %> **SHOPS AT AURA FOOD COURT** Half an hour later. The Bells are standing in the mostly-empty basement food court of the Shops at Aura. Some ceiling tiles on the other side room of the room are missing, revealing <% if(!visited("3Fe-00")) { %>[[air ducts and exposed wiring|3Fe-00]]. A very sleepy looking janitor runs a dry mop over the same stretch of floor over and over again.<% } else { %>air ducts and exposed wiring. A janitor seems to be sleeping standing up in the corner.<% } %> The smell of fried food wafts out [[Perfect Chicken BBQ|3Fa-00]], the sole open vendor. A fluorescent green sign strewn with exclamation points and starbursts advertises the [[3-Way Chicken Combo|3Fa-00]].<%= story.render("3Fe-01") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> *(Kid Bell crosses her arms.)* Y: Does DineSafe know about this place? A: Learn to embrace the conditional pass, kid. <%= next("3F-LOC") %>*(He winks, hops over the bar, and drapes a dish towel over his shoulder.)* V: What do we think? Ted Danson vibes? A: If that's what you've going for, I've got bad news. *(He laughs and rests his elbows on the bar.)* V: What'll it be, ladies? Y: Shirley Temple, please. * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.....Same for me.|3Bn-03]]A: ...Would you judge me if I asked for a beer instead of a cranberry and soda? V: Naturally. *(He winks.)* But of course you'd never do such a thing. A: Of course. Y: You like cranberry juice now? V: *(mixing)* She likes it better than the alternative. Despite the occasional moment of weakness. A: My whole life is a moment of weakness. V: Yeah, pity the small business owner. *(He puts the drinks down on the bar. Adult Bell grabs her cran-soda and does a little cheers gesture with it.)* A: You would pity me if you saw how much cloudJob charges for an "entry-tier co-desk". V: Detective life's going well then? * [[Terrible, and I want to talk about it.|3Bn-04]] * [[Terrible, but I don't want to talk about it.|3Bn-05]]A: ...Make that two. Y: Don't you drink? I figured you'd be drinking cool detective cocktails by now. A: I'm driving tonight. V: Mm-hmm. And how many months have you been driving tonight? *(Adult puts her head down on the bar and holds up three fingers.)* V: *(to Kid Bell)* Your chauffeur here has some impressive willpower. A: If you want to enable me right now, feel free. *(Sauvignon winks and puts the drinks down on the bar.)* V: Two Shirleys, extra maraschino for the young lady. Y: Thank you very much. V: So. *(He leans over the bar.)* How's the detective life? * [[Terrible, and I want to talk about it.|3Bn-04]] * [[Terrible, but I don't want to talk about it.|3Bn-05]]<%= story.render("5Yr-01") %><% s.hidebell=true; %> <% pics("Y") %> <% if (visited("5Yn-00") && !s.brothel) { %> <%= story.render("5Yg-02") %> *(She runs her hands along the wall.)* <% } else { %> *(Adult Bell runs her hands along the wall.)* <% } %> A: Claw marks? Y: Too big and high up to be a raccoon. A: But the perfect size for another trash creature we're acquainted with. *(She snaps a photo.)* <% if(visited("5Yg-00")) { %> <%= story.render("5Yg-03") %> <% } else { %> <%= next("5Y-LOC") %> <% } %><% if (visited("5Yn-00") && !s.brothel) { %> <%= story.render("5Yg-02") %> *(She crouches down and picks some trash up off the ground.)* <% } else { %> *(Adult Bell crouches down and picks some trash up off the ground.)* <% } %> A: Gum wrapper. Taurine flavour. Y: Yuck. A: And... a carabiner? Looks like the hinge or whatever is kinda busted. Y: What's a carabiner? Is it one of those mountain hats? *(Adult Bell holds it up and shows it to her.)* Y: Oh. Well, I was close. *(Adult Bell smirks, slips it into her pocket, and stands back up.)* <% if(visited("5Yr-00")) { %> <%= story.render("5Yg-03") %> <% } else { %> <%= next("5Y-LOC") %> <% } %>*(Kid Bell scrolls through an article about the Toronto Clown Riot.)* Y: Hey, what's a brothel? Is it like a type of bar? A: On second thought, don't look it up. <% s.brothel = true; %>A: I think we got what we need, let's head back to the car. <%= next("5Ch-00") %><% bg("university") %> **UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO** The two Bells stand in the courtyard outside of U of T's School of Forestry. The department has essentially converted the space into a miniature forest floor, with local plants and a thick underbrush. Even the one wooden bench is covered in lichen and surrounded by tiny mushrooms. It's an unexpected dollop of nature in the middle of Canada's largest city. By now the sun has disappeared behind the school buildings, leaving the square completely in shadow and a little bit chilly. [[Bridget walks out into the space|3Ub-00]], rubbing her shoulders.A: Things didn't end well with the two of us, at all. Y: I-- I don't understand how that's possible... <%= story.render("3Ub-21") %>A: She was. But that was a long, long time ago. A lot happened. Y: I don't get it. What could have possibly happened? <%= story.render("3Ub-21") %>*(Bridget sighs.)* B: I think you'd better tell her. *(Adult Bell nods.)* * [[When I was fourteen...|2Ub-26]]A: When you grow up it'll make you strong. <%= story.render("3Ub-25") %>A: Life's full of stuff that doesn't work out the way you planned. *(She smiles sadly at Bridget.)* Unfortunately. <%= story.render("3Ub-25") %>A: You can't always keep everyone you care about in your life. *(She smiles sadly at Bridget.)* No matter how much you want to. <%= story.render("3Ub-25") %>*(Kid Bell groans and rubs her face with her hands.)* B: Oh, sweetie. You're exhausted, huh? Y: Mmph. *(Bridget rubs Kid Bell on the shoulder.)* B: Well, we're not going to invent time travel tonight. What do you say we call it here and the two of you can go get some rest? A: Yeah. Good idea. *(She takes out her keys and nods over her shoulder.)* A: Want a ride home? <%= next("3Cd-00") %>A: Okay, when I was fourteen I came out to Cassidy. All those strong feelings you have? That you can't put into words? I put them into words. And she reacted badly. Y: ...How badly? A: I mean, on some level, she was a kid, right? She had no idea what I needed to hear. But the long and the short of it was she didn't feel the same way. And she didn't want to be so close anymore. She never *said* she wanted to stop being friends all the way, but it didn't make a difference. This relationship I had leaned on and treasured for years just vanished like that. It felt like my life was over. *(She makes eye contact with Bridget as she keeps talking to Kid Bell.)* A: But then a month later I met Bridget at summer camp. And a week later we were basically going out, and all that stuff with Cassidy just stopped mattering. And it was *good* that it stopped mattering because it meant I could move on to a better part of my life. B: *(smiling gently)* Sometimes people drift apart for a reason and there's nothing to fix. And honestly a lot of people like us have stories like that. Y: That kind of makes me sad. * [[When you're an adult it'll make you strong.|3Ub-22]] * [[Life's full of stuff that doesn't work out.|3Ub-23]] * [[You can't always keep people in your life.|3Ub-24]]<% s.hidebell=false %> <% pics("K") %> A: Not joining the party, Kev? K: Uh... uh... I'm not Kev Junior! I'm the trash can! But don't throw trash in me because my foot pedal's broken again. *(Adult Bell yanks him up by the collar.)* K: Hggg--! <% if (visited("5Yg-00")) { %><%= story.render("5Pp-02") %><% } else { %><%= story.render("5Pp-03") %><% } %>A: Funny you should mention trash. *(She takes the gum wrapper out of her pocket with her free hand.)* Look familiar? K: Wh-- Of course it does! Everyone chews taurine gum. A: This is literally the first time I've ever seen it in my life. K: I don't know what to tell you! All the boys chew it. I mean, everyone but Big Man Brett. That dude's body is a temple. *(Kid Bell looks over at Brett and cocks an eyebrow.)* * [[Was Mark G chewing it on Saturday?|5Pp-04]] * [[Did you meet the cat lady?|5Pp-05]]A: Quick question and then I'll let you get back to your garbage. *(She takes out her phone with her free hand and brings up a picture of the Cat.)* You ever seen this cat? K: What? No! A: You sure? K: I don't even like cats! I'm more of a snake person! Y: You have a snake? K: No, but I'm in love with the idea of having one! *(Adult Bell glares at him and lets go of his collar.)* <%= story.render("5Pp-06") %>A: Did you meet the woman in the cat costume? K: The who? Is that a sex thing? Y: Don't play dumb. A witness saw her out behind Gator Gulch on Saturday night. And your favourite gum was found at the scene. K: I didn't say it was my favourite gum! I mean it *is* but-- A: Yes or no, Kev! K: No! Okay? And I don't find cats sexy even when they look like ladies! *(She glares at him and releases his collar.)* <%= story.render("5Pp-06") %>A: Was Mark G chewing it on Saturday? K: I don't know! A: Think. K: I can't! A: *Try.* K: I mean... y-yeah, probably he was? He chews it all the time. I'm sure he was pounding a few strips back for boys' night. Keeping the energy up. *(She glares at him and then lets go of his collar.)* <%= story.render("5Pp-06") %>A: Next time I come by, stay out in the open. *(He gulps.)* K: Yes ma'am. <%=next("5P-LOC") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> <% if (s.chap5 === "annex") { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-02") %> <% } else if (s.chap5 === "bar") { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-03") %> <% } else if (s.chap5 === "drag") { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-04") %> <% } else if (s.chap5 === "gym") { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-05") %> <% } %> <% if (s.chap5count <= 1) { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-20") %> <% } else if (s.chap5count === 2) { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-40") %> <% } else if (s.chap5count === 3) { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-60") %> <% } else { %> <%= story.render("5Ch-80") %> <% } %>*(The two Bells start heading back to their car.)* Y: Can we go to a frozen yogurt place while we're in the Annex? A: They're all gone. Y: What, all of them?! There were like six around here! A: I don't know what to tell you. Trends come and go. Y: So what's new trend? A: Weed shops. Y: Can we-- A: No. *(Kid Bell kicks a rock.)*<% bg("richmond") %> *(The two Bells start heading back to their car.)* Y: It's crazy how many condos there are now. A: Oh, they're just getting started. Even Gator Gulch is gonna get knocked down next year. Y: Aw, that's sad. A: Yeah. I mean, it's a hole. But sometimes you need a hole to hold all your crap. Y: Like a latrine? A: Exactly. Not where you want to spend your time, but it's better than dysentery. *(Kid Bell looks up and sticks her hands in her pockets.)*<% bg("bloor") %> *(The two Bells start heading back to their car.)* Y: It's weird how some parts of the city are way different but this part of Bloor's pretty much the same. A: Yeah, everything but the rent. You'd probably have to pay double 2013 prices to get a place around here now. Y: Whoa. A: Look closely. The buildings are the same, but half of them have like trendy cocktail bars in them now. Or even worse, speakeasies. Y: Speakeasies? Which '20s did I land in? A: They're not as cool as they sounded in the old movies, believe me. *(Kid nods.)*A: Well that was a bust. No one knew anything. Y: Are we sure that we saw her coming out of here yesterday? A: I mean, who else could it have been? Y: Well, whatever. We're near walnut cakes! Can we go get walnut cakes? A: Damn, good idea. *(The two of them start walking down the street to the walnut cake bakery.)*Y: Sooo... I was thinking. I know we have a whole list of places we want to go today but maybe we could also go to the University? * [[Mark G is not at school.|5Ch-21]] * [[You think the cat lady's connected to U of T?|5Ch-22]]Y: Hey, you know who would probably know what to do right now? A: Huh? Y: Bridget! You could like call her and see if she has advice? She seems smart and cool and probably pretty forgiving. * [[She doesn't want to hear from me.|5Ch-41]] * [[We broke up for a reason.|5Ch-42]] * [[Stop meddling.|5Ch-43]]Y: ...Hey, uh. Random question: Can I see your phone? A: ...Why? Y: No reason. I just want to see what your contact list looks like. A: Oh my god. I am not calling Bridget. Y: I didn't even mention her that time. See? You're obviously thinking about her. * [[Of course I'm thinking about her!|5Ch-61]] * [[You have no idea what I'm thinking.|5Ch-62]]A: Well? Y: Well what? A: You're going to try and convince me to get back together with Bridget, right? Just get it over with. Y: I mean, why would I? You're *clearly* too good for her. * [[Reverse psychology? Really?|5Ch-81]] * [[You could not have it more backwards.|5Ch-82]]<% bg("ktown") %> <% s.chap5 = "gym" %> **OUTSIDE PRISTINE ROCK CLIMBING** After twenty minutes of asking around inside, the Bells walk back out of the gym and onto Bloor Street. [[Adult Bell just looks annoyed|5Ch-00]], while Kid Bell takes the opportunity to survey the current state of Koreatown.<% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("T","S") %> A: What do we have here? T: Just a Boys' Day in the park. Y: I see the boys, but where's the park? S: It actually feels pretty spacious when you're sitting in it. Y: I'll take your word for it. <% if (visited("5Da-08")) { %> * [[Why did you wish Mark G luck?|5Pb-12]] * [[We're looking for a cat.|5Pb-03]] <% } else { %> * [[Any word from Mark G?|5Pb-02]] * [[We're looking for a cat.|5Pb-03]] <% } %> A: Any word from Mark G since yesterday? T: Why would we have heard from Mark G? Y: You tell us. T: We didn't. Okay? S: I don't think he could have contacted us even if he wanted to. A: I'm sorry? S: Huh? * [[Sounds like you know something.|5Pb-07]] * [[You don't seem worried at all.|5Pb-08]]A: We're looking for a cat. *(Sonny laughs as he gives one of his dogs a belly rub.)* S: You came to the wrong place. *(Adult Bell brings up a picture of the Cat on her phone.)* A: Look familiar? T: *(barely looking)* Nope. S: Uh. Jeez. It's hard to say. You see so many people like that around here... * [[She seemed to know Mark G.|5Pb-05]] * [[You sure you're not holding out on me?|5Pb-06]]A: I was going to ask you about a cat, but something tells me I wouldn't get much of an answer. *(All the dogs perk up.)* Y: *(whispering to the dogs)* Not that kind of cat. T: We don't know anything, alright? Quit bugging us. * [[Enjoy your afternoon.|5Pb-10]] * [[You have no idea how annoying I can get.|5Pb-11]]<% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> A: Here. Lunch time. And don't even *act* like you don't like it. I know you're a freak for these. Y: You have a whole noodle drawer? * [[The desk is mostly for show.|5Da-02]] * [[It gives me a sense of security.|5Da-03]] * [[I work late more often than I'd like.|5Da-04]]A: It gives me a sense of security. No matter how apocalyptic things get, sodium is still close at hand. Y: Would you really care about junk food during an apocalypse? A: You'd be surprised. Go make your lunch. <%=next("5Da-06") %>A: I work late more often than I'd like. Y: What happened to clocking out at 5? A: Okay fine. I stay late reading webtoons. Go make your lunch. <%=next("5Da-06") %>A: The desk is mostly for show. Everything's digital these days. Y: Uh, yeah. We had computers in 2013 too. A: Yeah, but it's like... it's just bit by bit, you know? Like I was thinking about all the little paper things that stopped being paper one day, and it's kind of a lot. Even menus got replaced by QR codes. Y: What? Why? How is that better? A: It's not. Go make your lunch. <%=next("5Da-06") %>*(A few minutes later. Kid Bell sits on the edge of her adult self's desk and slurps her noodles. Adult Bell drums her fingers on the desk as she waits for a progress bar on screen to fill up.)* A: Sorry, It takes a while to hack into a phone. I need a better GPU. Y: You cut your hair really short, eh? A: Hmm? Oh. *(She runs her hand through it.)* Yeah, I'm going for a she/they soft relaunch kind of vibe. Y: I don't know what those words mean. A: Give it a few years. *(The computer dings.)* A: Aha! There we go. *(Kid Bell hops down and looks over Adult Bell's shoulder.)* Y: What should we look at? * [[Any messages?|5Da-08]] * [[Any missed calls?|5Da-09]] * [[Any suspicious emails?|5Da-11]] * [[Any weird apps?|5Da-10]]A: Mark G is not at school. I'd be surprised if he's ever been. Y: I mean, sure. But you never know what we might find there. We might even run into someone else who can help us. *(Adult Bell stops in her tracks.)* <%= story.render("5Ch-23") %>A: You think the cat lady's connected to U of T? Y: I mean, you never know right? And if not maybe we'll run into someone else there who can help us. *(Adult Bell stops in her tracks.)* <%= story.render("5Ch-23") %>A: I see what you're trying to do. Y: Whatever do you mean? A: You're trying to fix my relationship with Bridget. Y: Ah, so you admit your relationship needs fixing. *(Adult Bell wags her finger at her younger self.)* A: I'm onto you. <%= next("5M-MAP") %>A: You need to stop meddling in my private life. Y: It's my private life too! I have more right to meddle in it than anyone! A: You don't even know Bridget. Y: She seemed nice! A: It's easy to be in a good mood when you don't have to date me anymore. <%= story.render("5Ch-44") %>A: We broke up for a reason. Y: Okay, but was it a good reason or a bad reason? A: It was a reason. Y: Bad reason. Got it. A: There are far too many good reasons to stop dating me. <%= story.render("5Ch-44") %>A: She doesn't want to hear from me. Y: Why not? You two got along fine yesterday. A: We talked for like 20 minutes. Y: And it went great! A: You have no idea how fast I can ruin something that's going great. <%= story.render("5Ch-44") %>Y: Come on. Your relationship can't have been that bad. * [[It was incredible.|5Ch-45]] * [[The past is in the past.|5Ch-46]]A: It was absolutely incredible. And then I ruined it by being me. Y: This narrative isn't adding up. You were dating for seven years. Clearly you being you wasn't a deal breaker. <%= story.render("5Ch-47") %>A: The past is in the past. Present company excluded. We're both happier the way things are now. Y: This narrative isn't adding up. You wouldn't sound so sad talking about it if you were actually happy. <%= story.render("5Ch-47") %>A: Oh my god, are you interrogating yourself? Y: One of us to has to! <% if (s.chap5 === "annex") { %> *(Adult Bell sighs.)* A: Come on. Let's just get some ice cream. It tastes better anyway. <% } else if (s.chap5 === "gym") { %> *(Adult Bell rolls her eyes as she pushes open the door to the walnut cake bakery.)* A: Come on. We'll resume the questioning after snacks. <% } else { %> *(Adult Bell smiles and rolls her eyes.)* A: Come on, you can question me in the car. <% } %> <%= next("5M-MAP") %>A: Reverse psychology? Really? Y: It's regular psychology. So far you have given me absolutely no reason why the two of you can't be together. The only explanation I can think of is that you don't actually like anything about her. A: I could name a thousand great things about her without breaking a sweat. Y: Prove it. * [[She's incredibly brave.|5Ch-84]] * [[She's ridiculously funny.|5Ch-89]] * [[She's breathtakingly gorgeous.|5Ch-88]]A: You could not have it more backwards. She is way too good for me, in every respect. Y: Prove it. A: Prove that I'm awful? Easy, just look at my life. Y: No. Prove that she's great. Tell me what makes her so much better than you. If you really believe that. * [[She's incredibly brave.|5Ch-84]] * [[She's ridiculously funny.|5Ch-89]] * [[She's breathtakingly gorgeous.|5Ch-88]]A: She's one of the bravest people I've ever met, for one thing. I see her get put into these truly difficult situations, like you have no idea. I'm talking about existentially terrifying stuff. And she always manages to pull out this... incredible inner strength. I don't have anything *close* to her spirit, or her resolve. Y: What else? * [[She never gives up.|5Ch-91]] * [[She never loses faith in people.|5Ch-92]] * [[She never stops growing.|5Ch-93]]A: She makes me into an honest person. I mean, I've always *liked* the truth, but she makes me *live* it. I spend all day getting up in my head and deluding myself, but when I see her face I just... want to be my entire self with her. I don't even know how to explain it, but I can feel the difference. I *admit* things when I'm with her. Stuff that I'm ashamed of, and soft feelings I'm embarrassed about, and things that I don't even understand about myself until I find myself telling them to her. She is what makes me me. <%= story.render("5Ch-90") %>A: She makes me do things I'd never do. I always dreamed about starting a detective agency. I had that plan since I was twelve years old. But once I actually got my licence, do you think I actually did the hard logistics work on my own? No. I wallowed. I worried about how impossible it was, and what a stupid childish dream it was. And she sat me down and she guided me through the whole thing. I built my life because of her. I owe her everything good that ever happens to me. <%= story.render("5Ch-90") %>A: She makes me feel things. I'm so analytical, you know. I don't like... jump into feelings. Feelings get in the way of my work. But with her, she just like... opens me up to stuff. I watch sad movies with her and feel sad. I listen to the music she likes and I feel heard. I spend quiet time in the same room as her and I feel warm -- "alone together time", that's what we call it. I drag her down, but she *activates* me. She turns me into a full person. <%= story.render("5Ch-90") %>A: She's the most stunningly gorgeous person I've ever seen. And I know it's shallow for me to say that as the first thing? But it's true. My heart literally catches in my chest every time she enters my field of vision. And it's not just like... physical stuff. It's her composure. She just inhabits herself in this way that makes her look like... I don't know, like Bridget. So incredibly like Bridget. It takes my breath away. Y: What else? * [[She never gives up.|5Ch-91]] * [[She never loses faith in people.|5Ch-92]] * [[She never stops growing.|5Ch-93]]A: When we're together and everything's going well, she makes me laugh so hard I want to cry. Like, you don't even *know* how hard you can laugh yet. And it's not because she's like... clever, or witty. Although she is both of those things. It's because *she* knows how to find joy in things, and her laughter is infectious. I don't think anyone else in the world could make me feel the way she does. Y: What else? * [[She never gives up.|5Ch-91]] * [[She never loses faith in people.|5Ch-92]] * [[She never stops growing.|5Ch-93]]A: Of course I'm thinking about her! You won't stop bringing her up. Y: But that's not the only reason. A: No. It's not. I think about her because our relationship was the single-greatest failure of my entire life. We had this beautiful, irreplaceable thing, and I just squandered it and stepped on it and crumpled it up into a little ball. One of a million things I ruined while everyone else around me was doing something worthwhile. *(The two of them slowly stop walking as Adult Bell rants.)* Y: ...Can you tell me how it happened? * [[It was great at first.|5Ch-63]]A: You have *no* idea what I'm thinking. Y: "Blah blah blah! I'm an old woman who forgot how to not be miserable and alone!" Something like that? A: It's easy to judge when you have no responsibilities or problems. But you don't understand yet. You don't know what it's like to have a-- a friggin' *meme* job, while all your friends have normal happy lives, and your brother's getting married, and your sister's in law school, and your girlfriend is saving the goddamn forest! *(Adult Bell closes her eyes and breathes heavily.)* Y: ...*Ex*-girlfriend. A: Yeah. Ex-girlfriend. * [[It was great at first.|5Ch-63]]A: Things made so much sense with us at first, you know? When we were in high school, I was always the one taking care of her. She'd have her freakouts or she'd get scared or overwhelmed, and I could just... you know, stand there and be leaned on. Like a big dumb rock. Y: We're not dumb. A: The thing about rocks is, they just stand still while everyone else moves forward around them. And when a rock needs to lean on you, it just crushes you. Y: I think you're mixing this metaphor. A: I'm a much harder person to take care of than she ever was. I get mean and irrational. I snap and I sulk and I exhaust all the people I claim to love. And I'm not getting better either, I'm getting worse. Further out of sync from the rest of the world. Further away from being worthy of her. Because she grew up to be a brave, flawless genius. And I grew up and to be a tired parody of myself. <% if (s.chap5 === "gym") { %> *(They reach the bakery. Kid Bell stares in the window, unsure what to say.)* Y: ...You know what? I'm not hungry after all. <% } else { %> *(They reach the car. Kid Bell stares at the pavement, not sure what to say.)* A: See? I did it again. <% } %> <%= next("5M-MAP") %>Y: So then why don't you want to be with her? Why don't you at least want to *talk* her? I don't understand! A: Because I'm not worthy of her! Look at me. You've spent two days with me now. Can you honestly say I'm the type of person who could make someone like that happy? Y: That's not my decision to make. Or yours. A: It doesn't matter who decides, the outcome's going to be the same. She's in a different universe from me now. <% if (s.chap5 === "annex") { %> Y: She's not. She's right here in Toronto. The froyo might be gone, but she's not. You can talk to her whenever you want to. *(Adult Bell looks down and silently rubs her wrist.)* <% } else if (s.chap5 === "bar") { %> Y: She's not. She's right here in Toronto, looking up at the same condominiums that you are. You can talk to her whenever you want to. *(Adult Bell looks down and silently rubs her wrist.)* <% } else if (s.chap5 === "drag") { %> Y: She's not. She's right here in Toronto, just like all those speakeasies and overpriced apartments. You can talk to her whenever you want to. *(Adult Bell looks down and silently rubs her wrist.)* <% } else if (s.chap5 === "gym") { %> Y: She's not. She's right here in Toronto. You can talk to her whenever you want to. *(Adult Bell silently rubs her wrist as Kid Bell opens the door to the walnut cake bakery.)* <% } %> Y: ...And it sounds like you really want to. <% if (visited("5Da-00")) { %><%= next("6Ca-00") %><% } else { %><%= next("5M-MAP") %><% } %>Y: ...But I don't feel any closer to solving the case. A: That's life as a grown-up, kid. Nothing feels like anything. <%= next("2M-MAP") %>*(Brett takes another big bite of chicken.)* A: ...Charmed. <%= next("2W-LOC") %>A: You like being a dog walker? S: It's a good job. But I mean, it's not my passion. <%= story.render("2Rm-18") %>A: What is your passion? S: Huh. *(He thinks about that silently for at least five full seconds.)* A: ...That wasn't supposed to be a trick question. Y: Yeah, you don't have to answer now. S: *(exhaling)* Thanks. * [[Mark G has gone missing.|2Rm-08]]A: You climb with Mark G often? S: Oh yeah, he's all about that climbing life. Y: Would you say he's... safety conscious? A: Would he be likely to ever fall, or hurt himself? S: No, he's got a strong grip. Potent. ...Why do you ask? A: I'm afraid your friend has gone missing. <%= story.render("2Rm-09") %>A: I was hired by his girlfriend Cassidy. Are the two of you acquainted? S: Oh my god, I didn't even think about Cassidy. A: That seems to be a common affliction. S: Is she worried? <%= story.render("2Rm-13") %>A: Around what time did you leave? S: Got to have been like 2 a.m. A: Interesting. S: Why? A: Well, his last text to Cassidy was hours before that. That means he went radio silent *before* he disappeared. Atypical. S: Oh my god, Cassidy. A: She's the one who hired me, actually. S: She's not like... worried, is she? <%= story.render("2Rm-13") %>A: What was his vibe like? S: Like... how do you mean? A: Well, for example, how was he feeling about his engagement to Cassidy? Did he seem excited? Nervous? S: Oh my god, Cassidy. I forgot all about her. Y: Seems like a pattern with you guys. S: Is she like... worried? <%= story.render("2Rm-13") %>A: What was the big plan he was talking idea? G: No idea. But it seemed like my cash was the last missing piece. <%= story.render("6Fb-19") %>A: Why did you trust a random guy on the internet? G: What would *you* have done? Y: Gone to a store? G: Ha. You're still young and naïve. <%= story.render("6Fb-19") %>A: When did you figure out he had cheated you? G: Yesterday. I went to Pristine Rock Climbing and the harness fell apart on me as soon as I put it on. I'm lucky it didn't break while I was up there. Y: I'm sure you would have landed on your feet. <%= story.render("6Fb-19") %><% s.hidebell = false %> <% pics("G") %> <% bg() %> *(...The lights abruptly shut off.)* A: What the hell! *(Adult Bell fumbles for her phone in her pocket.)* G: *(off-key)* ♫ Are you blind when you're born? Can you see in the dark? ♪ * [[Show yourself!|6Fb-16]] * [[Are you kidding me?|6Fb-18]] * [[Let's get out of here.|6Fb-17]]A: *(quietly)* Let's get out of here. *(Adult Bell instinctively grabs for Kid Bell's shoulder. She's not there.)* G: You thought were such a clever little mouse. Scurrying around the city with that little baby mouse in tow. *(Adult Bell grabs at more empty air.)* <%= story.render("6Fb-10") %>A: Show yourself, you creep! G: You thought were such a clever little mouse. Scurrying around the city with that little baby mouse in tow. *(Adult Bell instinctively grabs for Kid Bell's shoulder. She's not there.)* <%= story.render("6Fb-10") %>A: Are you kidding me with this?! G: You thought were such a clever little mouse. Scurrying around the city with that little baby mouse in tow. *(Adult Bell instinctively grabs for Kid Bell's shoulder. She's not there.)* <%= story.render("6Fb-10") %>A: Sorry to say your money isn't the only thing that's missing. Mark G has disappeared. G: I see. *(She crumples up the envelope and tosses it on the ground.)* Guess I'll have to take some extra shifts at the trampoline store... A: Well, look. If you do hear from him, can you give me a call? G: Eh, sure. Why not? And if you see those three idiot friends of his, tell them they vouched for the wrong guy. *(The two Bells look at each other.)* <%= next("6Cd-00") %>A: Did she say what kind of score? V: I'm pretty sure she was going to do a "handoff" at some bar downtown. Sounded like a drug deal or something shady like that. Not that she struck me as the type. Y: Which bar? V: I forget the name but it sounded like one of the huge ones that stays in business forever even though it sucks. A: Was it Gator Gulch? V: Yeah, that's the one. <%= story.render("5Be-10") %> A: Did she mention where she was going? V: One of those big bars downtown. I think it's safari themed? Elephant Something? Elephant Hole? Y: Was it Gator Gulch? V: That's the one. Y: It's not safari themed. V: Well, it's where she was going. I guess she had a meeting there? <%= story.render("5Be-10") %>A: Who was on that night? V: Pretty packed bill. You know Lady Toxoplasma? A: No. V: Well, she did a reverse striptease to a live backing track by the Caterwaulers. Then Horse Elvis did a PG-19 comedy set and a couple guys in latex played a fish skeleton like a xylophone. * [[Was the cat lady with anyone?|5Be-04]] * [[Did the cat lady do anything unusual?|5Be-05]]A: They should call it Cat-fur-day. Y: I was literally about to say the exact same thing. V: I don't make the schedule, babes. * [[Who was on that night?|5Be-08]] * [[Was the cat lady with anyone?|5Be-04]] * [[Did the cat lady do anything unusual?|5Be-05]]*(The two Bells look at each other.)* <% if (visited("5G-LOC")) { %> Y: So it *was* her back there... *(Adult Bell looks at the photo of the claw marks in the Alley, then scrolls back to one she took of the Cat's face.)* A: We need to find this woman. *(She drums her hands on the bar as she gets up.)* Thanks, Sauv. <% } else { %> Y: That's a lead. A: That's a big lead. *(She drums her hands on the bar as she gets up.)* Thanks, Sauv. <% } %> <% if(visited("5Be-03") && !visited("5Be-09")) { %> V: My pleasure. Anything else? A: Yes. I didn't say it earlier, but I think they should call it "Cat-fur-day" V: I'll tell management. Go catch that tiger, tiger. <% } else { %> V: Go catch that tiger, tiger. <% } %> <%= next("5Ch-00") %><%= story.render("5Bt-01") %><% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("V") %> *(Adult Bell looks through the window.)* Y: Anyone in there? A: Either a bunch of passed out cabaret dancers or a pile of dress forms with corsets on them. *(She bangs on the door. Murmurs from inside.)* A: Sauv, open up! I know you slept in there! *(She bangs on the door again.)* <%= story.render("5Be-11") %> V: Coming, coming! *(Sauvignon Blanc opens the door, looking absolutely impeccable.)* A: ...This is how you look after you sleep in your clothes? V: It's called a fabric steamer, babe. <%= next("5Be-02") %>G: Well, she seemed to know Mark G. She was at his apartment this morning? S: *(blanching)* She was? T: How do you know that? A: She was *also* at Pristine Rock Climbing yesterday, right before us. You *sure* you never noticed her? S: I, uh... <%= story.render("5Pb-09") %>A: You sure you're not holding out on me, Sonny? Y: You're being very evasive. A: He is, isn't he? He didn't even mention that he saw our cat friend at Pristine Rock Climbing yesterday, S: What, no! I didn't! Y: You sure? Because she was there riiiiight before us. S: Uh, well.. <%= story.render("5Pb-09") %>A: Sounds like you know something about where Mark G is. S: Uh.... A: Like, for example, whether or not he has cell service right now... T: What my friend means is, if Mark G had been able to contact us, he would have done that already. A: *(Still looking at Sonny.)* Oh. Is that so? T: It is. Anything else? <%= story.render("5Pb-04") %>A: <% if(visited("5Pb-12")) { %>*(completely ignoring Brett)*<% } %>It's funny, Sonny. You haven't seemed worried this whole time. Y: Normally when people go missing, their friends start freaking out. A: Exactly. Putting up fliers, making calls, asking people to share posts around. But you... you're here having fun in the sun. S: Uhhhhh.... A: Now why would that be? T: We're not worried because we have faith in our friend. He's a tough guy. A: *(Still looking at Sonny.)* Is he now. T: He is. Anything else? <%= story.render("5Pb-04") %>*(Brett holds up his hand.)* T: Sonny's told you everything he knows. If he says he doesn't know her, you can believe him. Unless... you're calling us a couple of liars? A: Wouldn't dream of it. T: Was there anything else you wanted to ask? A: Tons. But something tells me you're not that interested in answering. T: We just don't want anyone annoying us on this beautiful day. * [[Enjoy your afternoon.|5Pb-10]] * [[You have no idea how annoying I can get.|5Pb-11]]A: Well. We'll get out of your hair then. *(Brett shrugs. Sonny looks away to avoid making eye contact.)* A: Enjoy your afternoon, boys. <%= next("5P-LOC") %>*(Adult Bell crouches down so she's at eye-level with Big Man Brett.)* A: You have no idea how annoying I can really get. If I were you, I'd avoid finding out. *(She looks at Sonny. He looks away.)* A: *(polite smile)* Have a nice afternoon, boys. <%= next("5P-LOC") %>A: Who else was with you that night? T: Just the boys. Me, Mark G, Kev Junior, and Sonny. <%= story.render("2Wg-14") %>A: Amped about his engagement to Cassidy, you mean? <%= story.render("2Wg-13") %> T: Ohhh, right right right. Yeah, I don't know. He seemed chill about it. * [[Sounds like an underreaction.|2Wg-24]] * [[I thought he was amped?|2Wg-25]]A: Was anyone else there acting strange? T: Nah, the crew was pretty normal. Kev Junior was wheeling and dealing, Sonny was going on about climbing. And of course, I was my usual charismatic self. Y: Uh-huh. <%= story.render("2Wg-14") %>A: Did he mention anything at all? T: I mean, we talked all night but we were just shooting the shit. Him and Sonny were talking for a while about climbing I think? Normal stuff. <%= story.render("2Wg-14") %>A: Sounds like an underreaction. T: The man had a lot on his mind. Him and Sonny were going deep on this conversation about climbing? I didn't follow it, honestly. I prefer to stay grounded. <%= story.render("2Wg-14") %>A: I thought he was amped? T: He was, but he was amped about climbing. He and Sonny were going on about all these ascents they wanted to do. <%= story.render("2Wg-14") %>A: Thanks for the info. *(She puts her business card down on the table.)* You think of anything else, you give me a call. <% if(visited("2Wf-03")) { %> *(He squints at it.)* T: Private Investigator? I thought you said you were Cassidy's friend. A: You'll find us detectives can be plenty friendly. Enjoy the wings. <% } else { %> T: Sure, yeah. Whatever. *(He picks the card up with his sauce-covered fingers and shoves it into his pocket.)* <% } %> <%= next("2W-LOC") %>A: Terrible. I'm helping a girl I never wanted to see again find a guy who sucks by going to a bunch of suck-ass places and interviewing the local doofuses. V: A girl, eh? A: Whatever insinuation you're about to make, don't. It's not like that. V: *(innocently)* Not like what? A: The worst part is it's a total dead-end case. I have no idea where to look next. V: You want Papa Sauv's advice? * [[Why would someone who ghosted me want my help?|3Bn-19]] * [[How do you find the most unremarkable man in the world?|3Bn-20]] * [[Why wouldn't you go to cops if your fiancé was missing?|3Bn-21]]A: Awful. But I don't want to talk about it. V: Happy to change the subject. How's your love life? *(Adult Bell almost chokes on her drink.)* V: That good, eh? A: *(wiping her face)* It's the right time for me to be single. V: Well if you ever want to get back on the market I could introduce you to some wonderful freaks. Y: Like circus freaks? V: *(shrugging)* Some of them went to clown college. * [[I'm happy on my own.|3Bn-22]] * [[I am not dating a clown.|3Bn-23]]<% s.hidebell = false; %> <% pics("V") %> V: If it isn't Bell Park, Private Investigator. *(His eyes light up.)* And a new face! Who might you be? Y: I'm her assistant. V: *(to Adult Bell, wryly)* You're multiplying. * [[You're looking dapper.|3Bn-07]] * [[I wanted to show her the place.|3Bn-08]]A: You're looking dapper. You on tonight? V: I'm on every night, my dear. A: Uh-huh. V: But no, I'm just announcing. It's our monthly revue tonight. Comedy slash burlesque slash eating competition. <%= story.render("3Bn-09") %>A: I wanted to show her around the venue. V: Well, here it is. You a cabaret fan, young lady? Y: I don't listen to music. Too distracting. V: Ha! You just sound just like her. *(Both Bells look slightly annoyed at that.)* V: Well you might enjoy our show tonight anyway. It's our monthly revue. Comedy slash burlesque slash eating competition. <%= story.render("3Bn-09") %>Y: We've literally never met him. T: He was normal. Kind of amped actually. * [[Amped about the engagement?|2Wg-21]] * [[Was anyone else there acting strange?|2Wg-22]] * [[Did he mention anything?|2Wg-23]]A: Was Mark G acting strange at all on Saturday night? T: Nah. I mean, you know how the man is. <%= story.render("2Wg-27") %>A: Still busy saving the world, huh? B: What can I say? I've got a knack for it. <%= story.render("2Uj-18") %>A: Oh, hey. You got the septum piercing! B: Yeah. I just took the plunge. A: I'm surprised. It looks great. I mean, I'm not *surprised* it looks great. I just... you know. B: *(smirking)* Glad you like it. <%= story.render("2Uj-18") %>*(Kid Bell raises her hand.)* B: Um... yes? Y: Bridget, was it? B: Mm-hmm. Y: How do you know Bell exactly? B: Oh, um... *(She and Adult Bell share a look.)* * [[She's a friend.|2Uj-14]] * [[Time to go.|2Uj-15]]Y: No. K: Okay. *(He holds out his hands.)* Look around. What do you see right now? A: Two grown men silently eating chicken wings in the dark and a beleaguered server who knows he's about to get the worst tip of his life. K: I look at this place and I see opportunity. Anyone can open a wing place, right? Same old, same old. But what about a wing place that *also* serves as a shared workspace for Toronto's vibrant music producer community? * [[Why would a producer want to work here?|2Wh-16]] * [[Seems like a niche market.|2Wh-17]]Y: What do they eat? *(He starts to answer, then pauses.)* V: How old are you again? * [[Who's on tomorrow?|3Bn-10]] * [[Quiet in here right now.|3Bn-17]]A: Who's on tomorrow? V: We've got Amy Vineway coming in tomorrow. You know her? A: Nope. V: Local talent. She's kind of a famous skull artist. She paints skulls, she paints on skulls... Tomorrow she's going to put on a skull and throw paint all over the audience. It's a blast. BYO poncho. * [[What about Wednesday?|3Bn-11]] * [[Can we get some drinks?|3Bn-16]]A: How about Wednesday? V: Wednesday's fun. It's a horror drag night headlined by a vampire-hunting queen named Sarah Michelle Feller. A: Isn't she the one who like slathers herself in barbecue sauce? V: You're thinking of Sarah Messica Porker. * [[What about Thursday?|3Bn-12]] * [[Can we get some drinks?|3Bn-16]]A: Thursday? V: We've got a gothic ventriloquist from the Hammer headlining that night. Y: What's her name? V: Melissa Chapman. Y: That's not a very goth name. V: She's Alt-Nu-Goth. *(Adult Bell rolls her eyes like "Oh yeah, one of those." Kid Bell looks confused.)* * [[What about Friday?|3Bn-13]] * [[Can we get some drinks?|3Bn-16]]A: Round it out, my man. Tell me about Friday. V: Wish I could, but a couple of big dogs ate the schedule. We're going to play it by ear for the rest of the month. *(Kid Bell tugs on her adult self's sleeve.)* Y: I'm thirsty. * [[Hang on, I want to hear about these big dogs.|3Bn-15]] * [[Well, you heard the kid.|3Bn-14]]A: You heard the kid. Let's have a round. V: Let's. <%= story.render("3Bn-01") %>A: Hang on, I want to hear about these big dogs. V: *(curtly)* Venezuelan Mastiffs. They think they're people. *(He hops over the bar, drapes a towel over his shoulder, and leans down in front of Kid Bell.)* V: What'll it be, miss? Y: I'll have a Shirley Temple, please. V: And for your chaperone? * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.........................|3Bn-02]] * [[.....Same for me.|3Bn-03]]A: Alright, enough scheduling. Can we get some drinks? V: But of course. <%= story.render("3Bn-01") %>A: It's quiet in here. Does anyone even work the bar anymore? V: Was that a hint? A: *(smirking)* If you're offering. <%= story.render("3Bn-01") %>Y: *(eyes wide)* Bridget? V: Bridget! That's the one. Y: *(to Adult Bell)* You and Bridget were *dating?* V: For seven years. They were stuck on each other like Greco-Roman wrestlers. Y: Why'd you break up?! * [[It was for the best.|3Bn-24]] * [[It'd take too long to explain.|3Bn-25]] * [[I'm not talking about this.|3Bn-26]]A: How do you find the most unremarkable person in the world? V: Everyone's remarkable in the right context. A man in a bloody apron is forgettable in a butcher shop but traumatizing in a kindergarten. A: Weird metaphor, but okay... V: Find someone who would remark on him. That's my advice. A: Hmm. V: Speaking of interesting people, whatever happened to that girl you used to bring in here all the time? *(Kid Bell perks up.)* * [[Can we not?|3Bn-28]]A: Why wouldn't you go to the cops if your fiancé was missing? V: Not everyone loves law enforcement as much as you. A: Trust me, this woman does not fit that profile. But she like absolutely won't go to the cops, even though she's worried sick about this guy. I don't get it. V: The only thing that can trump a worry is a bigger worry. Whatever's stopping her, it's probably serious. A: Hmm. V: Speaking of serious, whatever happened to that girl you used to bring in here? *(Kid Bell perks up.)* * [[Can we not?|3Bn-28]]A: I am happy on my own, thank you very much. V: Oh yeah, ever since you stopped seeing that girl you've been ecstatic. *(Kid Bell perks up.)* V: What was her name again? The redhead who was clearly too good for you. <%=story.render("3Bn-18") %>A: I am not dating a clown. V: Well... A: *Or* a magician. V: Pfft, you're no fun ever since you stopped seeing that girl. What was her name? The redhead who was clearly too good for you? <%=story.render("3Bn-18") %>A: It was for the best. V: God, I hope that's not what you told her when you ended it. <%= story.render("3Bn-27") %>A: It would take too long to explain. <%= story.render("3Bn-29") %>A: I'm not talking about this. <%= story.render("3Bn-29") %>Y: *You* dumped *her?!* A: Alright. *(She stands up.)* We have to go eat. Thanks for the refreshments. V: Drop by anytime, babe. Always happy to judge your life choices. <%= next("3F-LOC") %>A: What was that? Y: *(almost shrieking)* You're! Not!! Me!!! *(Adult Bell looks up from the phone, shocked.)* Y: You have no *idea* what I'm feeling right now! *I* didn't start my detective agency at a rented desk in an old factory full of tech bros! *I* didn't fall in love with someone and dump them after seven years! *I* didn't lose my best friend in the whole wide world over nothing! That was *you!* Spending nine shitty years doing a bunch of shitty... shitting... *shit!!* *(Long silence. Kid Bell stares down at her chicken and breathes heavily. Adult Bell <% if (visited("1Db-05")) { %>closes<% } else { %>puts down<% } %> her phone.)* * [[You're right.|3Fa-06]] * [[I'm sorry.|3Fa-07]]**LEVEL OF QUALITY TAGS:** **L0:** Placeholder scene **L1:** Partial structure and text in place, not necessarily completable **L2:** Structure complete, with some text remaining to write. **L3:** Final version Hello there! If you have questions about how I wrote this game, please feel free to email me! :)A: Can we not? V: What was her name again? The redhead who was clearly too good for you? <%=story.render("3Bn-18") %>A: Why would someone who ghosted me years ago suddenly come back and ask for my help? V: Self-interest? A: Not very logical. I'm the last person she should expect to get a favour from. V: Maybe the fact that you're not around is what she's after. She can dump her problems on you and it won't splash back onto the rest of her life. A: Hmm. V: Speaking of people who aren't in your life, whatever happened to that girl you used to bring in here? *(Kid Bell perks up.)* * [[Can we not?|3Bn-28]]V: That's code for "I didn't have a good reason to leave her and now I want to sulk about my poor decision making in silence." <%= story.render("3Bn-27") %>L: Why not? C: I just... I really need someone I can trust. And I know it's ridiculous to say, but I feel like I can trust you. <%= story.render("1Da-28") %>L: I'm not joking around here. C: Neither am I. I know it's hard to understand, but... I just really need someone I can trust. And despite everything, I still feel like I can trust you. <%= story.render("1Da-28") %>*(Bell sighs.)* L: Okay. I'll start looking today and let you know what I find. <%= next("1D-LOC") %>L: I hear the climbing's good out there. B: Oh my god, you could literally never get me to climb anything ever. L: *Thank* you. For a million bucks, right? B: I wouldn't even *look* at a cliff for one million dollars. I'd *pay* a million dollars to never look at a cliff ever again. L: I don't know when climbing became a whole thing. Do you remember the documentary with the guy? With the... *(She pantomimes climbing a rock wall.)* B: No. I don't remember! I left two minutes in! L: *(laughing)* Oh yeah. B: I literally hid from a movie. You wouldn't catch me dead up there. *(Bell takes a good look at Bridget as she smiles and smiles and brushes some hair out of her face.)* * [[So, there's this restaurant...|8Uz-04]]A: Forget it. *(She leans back in her chair.)* The combination to the lock on your decoy diary is 4412, and the cipher on your *real* diary is a basic ROT17. Which is honestly overkill, because no one is ever going to find it. Y: You don't know that. A: I do. Because I burned it when I was 14. *(Kid Bell processes that for a second.)* Y: I'm trying to think of another explanation for this and I'm not sure I can. A: Hallucination, maybe. But even that's not plausible. People can hear you bang on things. Y: Then I guess... for now... we can assume that we really are the same person. * [[But why are you here?|1Db-09]] * [[But how do we send you back?|1Db-10]]<%= story.render("2Rv-01") %><% s.hidebell = true %> <% pics("Y") %> *(Kid Bell's eyes go wide. Adult Bell lays a cautionary hand on her shoulder.)* Y: Oh my god, he's dressed like people. A: Careful. Don't let this guy charm you. <%= next("2R-LOC") %>*(Adult Bell waves a hand.)* A: Don't worry about it. Y: Ugggh!!! You keep telling me not to worry about my own life. It doesn't make any sense! A: It's my life too, and I know more about it. Y: You think you know everything but it's obvious you don't! A: Oh, I know so many things. I know things about you that even *you* don't know. Y: Yeah right. * [[I know things you like that you haven't even tried yet.|3Cr-07]] * [[I know you're traumatized by finding that dead body.|3Cr-08]] * [[I know what song can make you cry.|3Cr-09]]A: I know things you like that you haven't even tried yet. Foods you avoid for no reason when you'd actually love them. Old movies you'll wish you had watched years earlier once you actually see them. Y: If I haven't tried them yet, I don't like them yet. That doesn't count. A: You *will* like them. Y: Says who? Tastes change over time. You can't just assume I share all your preferences! A: Oh yeah? Well I know you're gay. How's that for a preference? <%= story.render("3Cr-10") %>A: I know you're completely traumatized by finding that dead body during the library case. Y: No I'm not. A: And you're still years away from the *first* time you think you've gotten over it. Which trust me will not be the last. Y: I can handle grown-up stuff! A: *I* can't handle grown-up stuff, and I'm a grown-up! Y: Just because you're traumatized doesn't mean I am. Your feelings and my feelings aren't the same feelings. So why don't you-- A: I know you're gay. How's that for a feeling? <%= story.render("3Cr-10") %>A: I know what song will make you cry. Y: Songs don't make me cry. I barely like music. A: That's what I used to say when I was you. Y: Do you have to phrase everything in the most condescending way possible? A: It's how you'd talk if you were me. And I know that's true, because I *am* the you that's me! Y: Not yet I'm not! You can't just assume I share all your preferences! A: I know you're gay! How's that for a preference? <%= story.render("3Cr-10") %>*(Kid Bell freezes.)* A: *That* is what you're feeling about Cassidy, you get it? You're a lesbian. *We're* a lesbian. Y: ... A: ...Two cool lesbians. Here in this car. Y: ... * [[It's a good thing.|3Cr-11]]A: Look, it's a good thing. Seriously, it's way better than being straight. You get to be yourself, and have a community, and fall in love. For real. Not just a one-sided infatuation for your best friend, but an actual-- Y: I don't want to talk about this. A: Right. ...You're right. I overstepped. Sorry. *(Silence.)* A: But if you ever do want to ask me anything... Y: I don't. *(They drive in silence for the rest of the way.)* <%= next("3B-LOC") %> A: Let's see if there were any missed calls. *(She scrolls through the phone app.)* A: Cassidy, Cassidy, Cassidy... <% if (visited("1Da-05")) { %>Boy, they really do talk every day.<% } else { %>She's been calling non-stop for days. Poor thing.<% } %> Y: I guess that stands to reason. <ul> <% if (!visited("5Da-08")) { %><li>[[How about his messages?|5Da-08]]</li><% } %> <li>[[How about his emails?|5Da-11]]</li> <li>[[How about his apps?|5Da-10]]</li> </ul>A: Messages, maybe. *(She scrolls through an assortment of DMs and texts.)* Y: Not a lot, eh? A: Well, here's the group chat with the boys. ...That's odd. Y: What? A: Sonny sent him a message that said "good luck tomorrow" on Saturday night. Y: Good luck with what? A: Good question. We should ask Sonny when we have the chance. <ul> <% if (!visited("5Da-09")) { %><li>[[How about his missed calls?|5Da-09]]</li><% } %> <li>[[How about his emails?|5Da-11]]</li> <li>[[How about his apps?|5Da-10]]</li> </ul>A: Let's see what apps he has installed... *(She scrolls through his library.)* Jesus, that's a lot of sports betting. Y: Oh yeah, I've been meaning to ask, what's with all the sports betting ads? A: I literally have no idea. That's new as of like four months ago. *(She notices an app.)* Here we go. He was on one of those marketplaces. Y: One active conversation. Last read, Saturday. A: He sends a message saying he'll "bring the stuff" out to Gator Gulch. And the reply comes back: "Sounds good. I'll bring the cash. Cat emoji, cat emoji, cat-with-heart-eyes emoji." <%= story.render("5Da-12") %>A: Maybe there's an email? *(She opens up his emails.)* Y: That's a lot of spam. A: Normal amount these days. Phone spam's even worse. *(She notices an email.)* Hang on. Y: "RE: Hot Deal." Dated Saturday. A: He sends an email saying he'll "bring the stuff" out to Gator Gulch. And the reply comes back: "Sounds good. I'll bring the cash. Cat emoji, cat emoji, cat-with-heart-eyes emoji." <%= story.render("5Da-12") %><% if(visited("5G-LOC")) { %> Y: That confirms it was Mark G and the cat lady meeting in the alley. A: I just don't get it. What on earth would those two ever want to meet about? Y: Some kind of shady transaction I guess? *(Adult Bell slips his phone back into her pocket.)* A: Just what were you selling, Mark G? <% } else { %> Y: So wait. Does that mean Mark G met the cat lady at Gator Gulch the night he disappeared? *(Adult Bell slips his phone back into her pocket.)* A: Can't ask for a better lead than that. Let's check it out. <% } %> <%= next("5M-MAP") %><% bg("agency") %> **CLOUDJOB CO-WORKING SPACE** The Bells return to the shared office space. Adult Bell plugs Mark G's phone into her computer, then pulls open one of her desk drawers. It's stuffed to the brim with instant noodles. She takes a pack of ramen out and [[tosses it to Kid Bell|5Da-00]].<%= story.render("4Af-01") %><%= story.render("4Ag-01") %> Y: Let's see what's under his bed. *(She gets down on her hands and knees.)* A: Wait, maybe you shouldn't be the one to do that. Y: Ew!!! A: What is it?! Y: Dust bunnies! Huge ones! *(Adult Bell exhales in relief.)* <%= next("4A-LOC") %>A: Help me see if there's anything in his kitchen. *(They rummage through his cabinets.)* Y: Not a lot of staples... A: No, but... *(She starts pulling box after box of kosher salt.)* Y: What the heck? How much salt does one guy need? A: I've made a lot of questionable grocery decisions in my day, but this one's a stumper. <%= next("4A-LOC") %><%= story.render("4Ah-01") %>*(Adult Bell inspects the dishes.)* Y: Dirty? A: No. Clean. *(She shrugs.)* <%= next("4A-LOC") %>A: I'm curious, Sonny. Why did you Mark G luck on Saturday night? *(His eyes go wide.)* S: Uh... A: It's interesting. Feels like the kind of thing you might do if you knew he had plans. Y: Plans that might be relevant to a missing persons investigation. T: Wait a minute. Were you reading his private messages? * [[You don't seem worried at all.|5Pb-08]] * [[Nothing's private on a smartphone.|5Pb-13]]A: Here's some free security advice, Big Man. Nothing's private on a smartphone. T: It's illegal to read someone else's shit without permission. A: Oh yeah? Shall we go to the police and explain the situation? *(The two of them stare at each other.)* T: We don't have to talk to you about our private correspondence. Right, Sonny? S: Uh... yeah. T: Was there anything else? <%= story.render("5Pb-04") %>A: She never gives up. Ever. Her dedication is like... otherworldly. She realized she wanted to save the forests, so she just made herself get into a position where that was possible. Nobody gets into that program, it's tiny. But she basically moved the world itself to get accepted. And she did it over and over again. She pushed through some absolutely horrible times in high school. When her anxiety was at her absolute worst, she clawed her way over it. That's a hell of a lot more than I've ever managed to do. Y: Keep going! Tell me more about her. * [[She makes me honest.|5Ch-85]] * [[She makes me adventurous.|5Ch-86]] * [[She makes me feel things.|5Ch-87]]A: She never loses faith in the people she cares about. She should, god knows she should. Especially when it comes to losers like me. But she has this like... understanding of people. She can see the stuff in them that makes them worthy of being relied on. I practiced for years to get that kind of read on people as a detective, and she just does it because her heart is open and she wants to understand people. Even me. Y: Keep going! Tell me more about her. * [[She makes me honest.|5Ch-85]] * [[She makes me adventurous.|5Ch-86]] * [[She makes me feel things.|5Ch-87]] A: She never, ever stops growing. Every year, every month, she becomes a better person in some small way. She tutors people, and she learns to paint, and she goes to therapy. She's got this anxiety, you know, she's always struggled with it, but she *channels* it. She takes that energy and turns it into lists and plans and accomplishments. I mean, hell, she got a *septum piercing* on her own! If you knew her, you'd understand what an astronomically big deal that is. And that's just one of a million examples. Y: Keep going! Tell me more about her. * [[She makes me honest.|5Ch-85]] * [[She makes me adventurous.|5Ch-86]] * [[She makes me feel things.|5Ch-87]] <div class="recap">You don't have to play the rest of my games to understand this one. But if you're curious, here's what happened in them: 9 years ago, Bellwoods W. Park was a plucky pre-teen super sleuth for hire. Her favourite activities included snooping, hanging around the Toronto Public Library, and dreaming up suspiciously detailed life plans with her best friend Cassidy Chamomile. In the summer of 2013, 12-year-old Bell was hired to investigate a suspicious death at the cyberNEXT tech conference. <span class="ref">(<a href="https://youthdetective.com/" target="_blank">Bell Park: Youth Detective</a>)</span> In the summer of 2015, 14-year-old Bell went to summer camp and met Bridget Leaside, who was struggling with her sexuality and also with alien bird monsters that were invading her dreams. The two of them teamed up, stopped the birds from taking over the planet, and fell in love. <span class="ref">(<a href="https://bphennessy.itch.io/birdland" target="_blank">BIRDLAND</a>)</span> In 2016 and 2018, teenage Bell and Bridget were happily dating in the background of other people's stories. <span class="ref">(<a href="https://bphennessy.itch.io/known-unknowns" target="_blank">Known Unknowns</a>, <a href="https://bphennessy.itch.io/boat-prom" target="_blank">BOAT PROM</a>)</span> Now it's 2022 and Bell Park is 21. What's she up to lately, I wonder?<div> <div class='backlink'>← [[back|SYS-START]]</div><% newgame() %> <%= story.render("TITLE-PART1") %><% loadgame() %> <%= story.show(localStorage.getItem("grownupdetective_passage")) %> <%= story.render(localStorage.getItem("grownupdetective_passage")) %> <script> $(document).ready(function(){ $(".location").hover( function(){ $("#map_"+ $(this).attr('id').slice(-1)).toggle(); } ); }); </script><div class="credtitle">THE GROWN-UP DETECTIVE AGENCY</div> <div class="credmainrole">written and designed by</div> <div class="credmainname"><a href="https://bphennessy.com/" target="_blank">Brendan Patrick Hennessy</a></div> <div class="credmainrole">with art by</div> <div class="credmainname"><a href="https://beckkubrick.com/" target="_blank">Beck Kubrick</a></div> <div class="credrole">special thanks to</div> <div class="credname">Nikki Foy <span class="credline2">for testing and encouragement</span></div> <div class="credname">Kelsey Gilchrist <span class="credline2">for planning our writing lock-in day</span></div> <div class="credmainrole">backgrounds courtesy of</div> <div class="credname"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Casa_Classic_Cocktail_Bar_%26_Jazz_Club_by_Roland_Barrera.jpg" target="_blank">Roland Barrera</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aura_Basement_Arcade_2022.jpg" target="_blank">Canmenwalker</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CC_2022-06-18_193-Pano.jpg" target="_blank">Kiffer Creveling</a>* </div> <div class="credname"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buffalo_Wild_Wings_%E2%80%93_Arden,_North_Carolina.jpg" target="_blank">Inspire Brands</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sunset_Toronto_Skyline_Panorama_from_Snake_Island.jpg" target="_blank">Jchmrt</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Substation_No.41_Rum_Bar,_Brisbane,_Queensland_01.jpg" target="_blank">Kgbo</a>* </div> <div class="credname"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_of_a_vintage_Montgomery_elevator_with_a_modified_controller.jpg" target="_blank">Barron Maddock</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:College_sidewalk_(21143587374).jpg" target="_blank">Sam Nabi</a>† &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:485_Huron_St_by_Uno-Prii_(1966),_Toronto_(2).jpg" target="_blank">Arthur Rozumek</a>‡ </div> <div class="credname"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Movement_(formerly_Earth_Treks)_Rockville_climbing_gym_interior.jpg" target="_blank">Bruno Sanchez-Andrade Nuño</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_view_of_CN_Tower_from_the_University_of_Toronto.jpg" target="_blank">Maksim Sokolov</a>* </div> <div class="credname"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toronto_ON_Yonge-Street_2019-04-01_(3).jpg" target="_blank">Milan Suvajac</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richmond_Street_West_August_2017_02.jpg" target="_blank">Arild Vågen</a>* &middot; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Openspace_wao_coworking.jpg" target="_blank">WAO Coworking</a>* </div> <div class="ccline">*<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 4.0</a> †<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 2.0</a> ‡<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a></ div> <div class="credrole">created with <a href="https://twinery.org/">Twine</a></div> <div class="copy">© 2022</div><% bg("citynight") %> <%= story.render("SYS-CREDITS") %> <div class='backlink'>← [[restart|SYS-RESTART]]</div><% bg() %> <% clearsave() %> <% location.reload() %>