FG: Mafia 32 The Pen is Deadlier than the Sword

[Hercules]

Originally posted by Ari Rahikkala
Out of respect for the legacy of Adrian Hon ( ), Hercules.

Out of what respect for what legacy. He was the Mafia last game.

[snoopy369]

 rah	        George Carlin  
 Ari Rahikkala	Bill Bryson  
 Hercules	Ann Rule [b]10/13[/b]
 Tuberski	Dave Barry
 Nikolai	Tom Clancy
 duke o' york	Joyce Carol Oates
 Jon Miller	David Sedaris [b]1/13[/b]
 Sparrowhawk	Joseph Ellis
 DrSpike	Elmore Leonard 
 civman2000	Robert Parker
 Adagio	        David McCullough
 Kassiopeia	Alice Sebold 
 Adrian Hon	China Mièville 
 Lord Nuclear	Jonathan Safran Foer
 Jonny	        Erik Larson
 Nikolai        Hunter S. Thompson
 Whoha	        Paul Theroux
 Skanky Burns	Neil Gaiman
 Ben Kenobi	John Irving
 Ljube-Ljcvetko	Tom Wolfe
 Reismark	Orson Scott Card 
 Joncha	        George Pelecanos

A recap of the characters in case you need it.

Votes:

rah
Ari Rahikkala Hercules
Hercules Jon Miller
Tuberski Hercules
Nikolai
duke o' york Hercules
Jon Miller Hercules
Sparrowhawk
DrSpike Hercules
civman2000
Adagio
Kassiopeia Hercules
Adrian Hon
Lord Nuclear
Jonny Hercules
Nikolai Hercules
Whoha Hercules
Skanky Burns
Ben Kenobi Hercules
Ljube-Ljcvetko
Reismark
Joncha

2 more votes ... but it hardly matters. I'd love to have votes from the rest of you so my stories are easier tho, meaningful votes or not Otherwise you may find your character deciding whoever I want you to decide is the killer

Story tomorrow.

[DrSpike]

I hope they vote too. Not voting is suspicious.

[snoopy369]

yeh ... anywho, i got home too late tonight to do this update, it will have to wait for Sin City.

[snoopy369]

Okay, voted or not i'm updating. Give me a hour or so, i suspect.

[snoopy369]

Ann Rule backed up to the wall. “I didn’t … I didn’t … how could you all …”

“Oh, we can, and we will. You are the murder, Ann, and we know it.”

She stared at them with a dedicated look, and then turned her head away.
“I will take you with me, then …” she shouted. “All good criminals have their out, and this is mine. Good day.”

And she exploded in a small poof. Gunk went everywhere. However, not much else happened …

When they searched her belongings, they found a complex story half-written. It contained a ‘mystery’ killer who was going around and killing … authors, at a book convention. The killer had, oddly enough, killed every single person who had died up to date …

The authors went off to lunch, and their day on the town, confident that they were safe from harm.

---

Other part will come in a bit - sorry for the delay

[snoopy369]

Afternoon Antics ...

After lunch …
[i]After lunch together downtown at Bennigan’s in the loop (Michigan Ave. and Lake location), the authors split up into three groups, feeling confident that the killing was over. One group went to the Field Museum, not far from McCormick, in south Chicago; one group went shopping, to the Marshall Fields in the north loop, and then on to the Magnificent Mile just north of that. The final group went to Wrigleyville, where there was a Cubs game, and the usual fun on the North Side.

At the Field Museum …
Bill Bryson, Joseph Ellis, Paul Theroux, and John Irving took the #146 bus south, to Museum Campus.
“Wow – this is pretty cool,” said Joseph. “We get to see the Lions of Tsavo exhibit! I’ve always wanted to visit Africa, albeit with something between me and the lions, preferably something well armed …”
“Ah yes, the lions. They’re really quite harmless, you know,” said Paul. “Look at them up close, and they just look like big softies. Big softies with large teeth, mind you, but still.”
“Oh right, you did spend a few years down there didn’t you?” said John. “Perhaps you can give us some better info on how the exhibit is accurate.”
“Yes, of course. I did some research on the exhibit before we came here, actually, hoping to see it … The exhibit, or at least the part that we’ll see, lasts about a half hour in the main room, walking around and looking at various things; then there’s a 10 minute videoclip; then a 20 minute walk around the other room, or so. An hour, all told. The most interesting things will probably be in the main room, but the videoclip should be pretty interesting.”
“Sounds good!” said Bill. “Then we can go to the other parts … they have a nice Egyptian wing, and of course Sue …”

--
“Hmm, Bill, what do you think of this so far?” asked John.
“Well, it’s not bad … five minutes in …” said Bill. “Those models are frighteningly realistic…”
“Yeah, and I love the exact replicas of the uniforms from back then…” said Joseph.
“Eh, the lions aren’t like that at all … bah…” said Paul. “They’re a bit smaller than that, see, and their manes … just not right.”
--
They split up and walked through the complicated corridors separately, at that point, meeting up towards the end.
“Hey, how’d you like the film?” said Bill.
“Well, I thought it was historically inaccurate, but at least it’s bringing light to an important topic,” said Paul. “African lions need to be protected from poachers, not encouraged to be hunted and killed.”
“Yeah… and I’m quite positive that the Congolese government could do more to protect the lions, also. They’re an important part of the history of the region…” said John.
“Probably, probably. But, I liked the accurate portrayal of the members of the military,” said Joseph. “You could almost imagine yourself in the shot …”

-- -- --
At Field’s
Joyce, Alice, Erik, and Tom are on the shopping trip.
“Okay, Erik and Tom – we know you two don’t really want to go to Fields, so we’ll let you go now. ” Joyce said with a smile.
“Um … right. We’ll … meet up with you later?” Tom said nervously.
“Yeah … I guess?” said Alice, a bit confused.
“Yeah, we’ll head over to … the Apple store. And the Sharper Image up there … and CompUSA. Great electronics stores in downtown Chicago, there are …” said Erik.
“Okay, see you later,” said Joyce. “We’ll meet you in 3 hours at the Water Tower, in the first floor.”
“Got it. See you there.”

Joyce and Alice walked into Field’s, while Erik and Tom walked north a short ways, and then backtracked to Fields.
“I couldn’t bring myself to tell them I needed to buy a few pairs of slacks,” said Tom. “Why is it so hard?” said Erik.
“I … I’m just not able to admit that I like clothes shopping,” said Tom. “It’s … ingrained in me.”
“Ahh… um, okay. Let’s get those slacks. I don’t much like shopping, so I’m not going to want to stay around here long …” said Erik.

--

A few minutes later…
“Ah, good. Slacks purchased, we can head up north. How about that Apple Store?” said Tom.
“Yeah, that sounds good. Let’s head up there. But I want to go to the Lego store first …”
“Lego store? Really? You buying it for kids or something?”
“Um, actually …”
“You’re not kidding… you buy Lego’s for yourself?”
“Yeah … it’s sort of a … hobby, of mine,” said Erik sheepishly.
“Well, alright then…”

At the Lego store
“Oh, hi Joyce, nice to see you two,” said Erik. “We were just … stopping by the mall, for, um, a bite to eat. The foodcourt here is awesome.”
Tom stifled a giggle. “Yeah, I love the hot dogs they have over there.”
“We’re here for Nordstrom’s, you two sillies,” said Alice. “They have a huge sale on socks! I have to say they have the best cool sock collection of all time …”
“Okay, well, see you two later,” said Erik. “Bye!!”
“Bye …” said Joyce, a little confused by now as well.

Outside the Westfield Shopping Centre
“Where to now, Erik?” said Tom.
“Well, the Apple store is next I suppose,” said Erik.
“Ahh, excellent idea,” said Tom.
They headed off towards the Apple store, stopping in Walgreen’s for a quick soda, and in the little art store on the corner for a quick browse.

At the Apple store
The two browsed the store for an hour or so, spending a bit of time on the internet checking scores and whatnot, and noticed the Cubs game was starting. The Pirates’ Jason Kendall had a 20 game hitting streak going, best in the league, and Mark Prior was pitching for the Cubs, after a couple of months on the DL. It was a huge game… lucky guys who got to go see it in person …

On the way out, they ran into Joyce. “Where’s Alice,” asked Erik.
“Oh, she went off on her own; she decided to get her hair done at the Aveda salon a bit north of here,” said Joyce. “I figured it was alright, now that we caught the real killer.”
“You never know if there is more than one,” said Tom. “We really need to stick together …”
“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go find her,” said Erik.
“Well, okay. But the salon appointment will be another half hour at least …”
“Well, let’s go to Ghirardelli’s then, have a sundae, it’s too warm out here anyway. Then we can browse Border’s Books for a few minutes before we go pick up Alice,” said Tom.
“Sounds good,” said Joyce.

--
At Ghirardelli’s, full of ice cream
“Wow, that was a good brownie sundae,” said Erik. “I could eat two … no, wait, I’d be sick. I could eat just one.”
“Yeah, definitely,” said Tom. “I’m definitely using the bathroom once we get into Border’s …”
“Okay, let’s go then,” said Joyce. “We have another 10 minutes at least until Alice’s appointment is done, and they usually run long. She has complicated requests, and half the staff are just students anyway.”

They head over into Border’s. “Wow, this looks nice,” said Erik. “New carpeting since the last time I was here… and that Front of Store area is pretty nifty. Look at what’s prominently placed …” as he holds up a copy of, guess what, Devil in the White City, at the top of the QP Nonfiction bay.
“Yeah, whatever,” said Tom. “I’m on my way downstairs … bathroom down there somewhere right?”
“Yes,” said Joyce. “To the left, I believe.”
Tom headed downstairs, and a couple minutes later, screams could be heard that emanated throughout the lower level.
“What’s wrong?” said Joe, who rushed out of the Sort Room immediately next to it.
“Are you a manager?” asked Tom.
“I’m a supervisor, yes. What’s wrong? Why did you scream? And why do you look familiar …”
“I … there… there’s a body …”
“A what?”
“A Body, you numbskull!” Tom had recovered his wits. “You know, dead person … just lying in the stall!”
“Uh … um, I think I’ll call a manager to help us out here, I’m in over my head a little …”
“And that’s not the worst part!! It’s a GIRL’s body in there! GIRL! In the men’s restroom. Some people have no courtesy.” Tom hadn’t *entirely* recovered his wits.

Alice Sebold’s body was recovered from the bathroom. She had died of strangulation, although rope burns made it appear that it wasn’t arms but a rope that did the job. The Police took the body away. Joe returned to the sort room, where you could hear the faint sounds of Pat Hughes nearly crying over the latest loss, 2-1, after Prior’s brilliant 2-hitter through 7 was blown by the bullpen (AGAIN).

--

Speaking of the Cubs …

Elmore, Hunter, and the two Dave’s spent the day on the North side, ending it with a Cubs game. They took the #145 bus north to Addison, and then wandered around the area, looking for things to do in the hour they had before they could go into the field itself.
“Hey, guys, let’s go to the that bar, The Cubby Bear. It’s a great bar …” said Elmore.
“Yeah, sounds good to me,” said Hunter. “Drinking before the game, makes it easier to drink during the game. You might even reach a decent stage of intoxication prior to being bored off your tusch … and then there’s the eigth inning. Worst inning in baseball.”
“Why’s that?” asked David Sedaris, afraid of the answer he was going to get.
“Because they stop serving alcohol then,” said Hunter. “After that it’s all downhill. Especially if it goes extra innings … then you are just bored out of your MIND…”
“So why’d you come?” asked Sedaris.
“Oh, come on, you can figure that one out for yourself,” said Dave Barry. “He’s coming for the drinks. What other excuse could he have to drink at least a sixpack if not a short case?”
“Ah, exactly. You have me dead to reckoning,” said Hunter.
“Well, I want to go to that great deli they have a bit south of here,” said David Sedaris. “And then to Treasure Island – that’s a sweet grocery store, with all sorts of cultural and ethnic food.”
“Any booze?” asked Hunter.
“Um, I’m sure they have something …” said David. “Maybe some cases of cans?”
“Bah, they won’t let me drink those out here. #$%^ public intoxication laws. They can go $#@! themselves…”
“Um, yeah. I’ll see you all around 2:45.” David took off, nearly running, until he was out of Hunter’s sight.
“I’m going to go wander a bit also,” said Dave Barry. “My kids need some … souvenirs, something like that. ‘Bye!”

--

2:45 came, and they all were in their seats, ready for the game. Well, Hunter was not in his seat very much; he kept getting up to go buy a beer. And David Sedaris, he seems to have not shown up yet.
“Hunter, you can wait for the beer guy to come, you know,” said Dave Barry. “It’s the same price …”
“No it ain’t, you have to tip the beer guy. And besides, he’s never fast enough,” exclaimed Hunter. “I want a beer, I want it *now*, not after waiting ten minutes for some clown with a tray to give it to me.”
“True, true,” said Elmore. “Though the beer guy is a part of the sports culture we have today … I support that culture by buying from him, at his slightly higher prices (tips).”
(panting) “Hey guys, I made it in time, if barely … nearly got lost, these diagonal streets are nuts,” said David Sedaris. “You think you’re going north, when you end up going north-west …”
“Yeah, it’s confusing,” said Dave Barry. “You learn to figure it out after a while I guess. Third grade, haha.”
“Funny. Anyway, I’m here, and safe, you don’t have to worry about me.”
“Good to know,” said Hunter mysteriously.

--
The game ended, and they headed back to the base camp, which in this case involved grabbing the 151 (as the 145 and 146 were quite full) and heading back to the Water Tower. That was the agreed upon meeting point for dinner, which was going to be at Benihana’s, a block south.

There, the authors in the other two groups learned about the death of Alice for the first time. They sat down, shaking their heads and wondering how this could have happened- they got the real murderer, they were so *sure* of it …

---

Voting due Monday afternoon. Update should come then.

[Jon Miller]

I am not sure about this one..

will hae to think a bit

JM

[snoopy369]

Okay, someone has to be first ...

[Kassiopeia]

I'm... dead? Bastard!

[Hercules]

Don't blame me. We girls should've talked in the powder room more often.

[Jonny]

I vote for DrSpike/Elmore Leonard. Not only was he at Lloyd's Chicago (which I demonstrated to be a clue earlier on), he was also mentioned in the story with the bridge game (which I also showed to be a clue earlier on). In that story, he has an entire paragraph devoted to himself. Note also the underlined parts of the quote:

Originally posted by snoopy369
Room 706: Elmore Leonard sits alone in his room, suddenly aware that he is … alone. George and Tom are dead, due to … unfortunate circumstances … and Robert was voted off, in a contentious debate that split the room nearly as quickly as shouting “Ernest Hemingway is the Greatest”… He sat back and thought deeply about what had happened in the past day, and then turned in to bed.

But he couldn’t help waking up a few hours later and writing down a few things. It’s the writer’s itch, he tells himself.

Room 705: China Mièville, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Neil Gaiman sat around the bed, looking at a bridge hand, sadly realizing that they don’t have a fourth player. They think about inviting Elmore in, but decide that they shouldn’t bother him.

Seems suspicious, don't ya think?

[Kassiopeia]

Kill him! Kill him I tells you! /me rattles her shackles

[Tuberski]

Originally posted by Jonny
I vote for DrSpike/Elmore Leonard. Not only was he at Lloyd's Chicago (which I demonstrated to be a clue earlier on), he was also mentioned in the story with the bridge game (which I also showed to be a clue earlier on). In that story, he has an entire paragraph devoted to himself. Note also the underlined parts of the quote:



Seems suspicious, don't ya think?

DrSpike seems likely to me.

ACK!

[Nikolai]

There was some talk about Jon Miller earlier on this page...