Geminid The headquarters at the docks are ugly, dirty, rundown on the outside, and sparkling clean and lavish on the inside

• A_Murray wipes her feet and such before entering.

Geminid Finn is at the bar inside, and he waves you on into his uncle's room.

• A_Murray nods respectfully to Finn on the way in.

Geminid Inside the boss's room, he's sitting in a comfortable arm chair, smoking a cigar. "Finn told me the gypsies were no show."

A_Murray "Yes sir."

Geminid He shrugs, "We'll try again another time. I got a new twist to your mission at the studios."

A_Murray "Yes sir."

Geminid "I sent Skinny Jimmy in your place yesterday, and he came back ta tell me they was using some new comers as actors. As such, actor union reps was there, and one of them gave him a message: the Hrosh family don't like this project. I want them to get a message of our own--I want them to understand this entire project has my seal of approval. As such, I want you to go in today and tell them you'll have a

Geminid part in the movie. Don't even have to be a speakin' part, so long as it's in a good chunk of the movie. I want them to /know/ my stamp is on this. Got it?"

A_Murray "Yes sir."

A_Murray "Want me to be loud about it?"

Geminid "Just be /there/, is all. If loudness is necessary, I'll let you know."

A_Murray "Yes sir."

Geminid "Oh, and," he pauses, "No contracts, no unions for you. Let them suck on that."

• A_Murray nods. "I'll do it."

Geminid He nods, "Have a good day at work, Miss Murray," he says with a toothy grin.

A_Murray "I always do sir." bows, and backs out.

Geminid Where to?

A_Murray to the lot to see my director about my part.

Geminid When you get to the studios, there are protestors outside.

A_Murray that's nice. I go in.

Geminid Most have signs about the writer strike, but a portion also have signs about the Roma's portrayal in films.

Geminid Neither side is happy.

---

Geminid Where does Angela go?

A_Murray home.

Geminid As you are driving home, you notice someone following you.

A_Murray I'm on my motorcycle, right?

Geminid I assumed as such

A_Murray what can I tell about who's following me?

Geminid Black car, old. Dark windows.

A_Murray does it look like one of ours?

A_Murray Ulldagger's, I mean?

Geminid It could be, but it's nondescript. Could be anything.

A_Murray I try to lose them.

Geminid It's a strange little chase, because you're on motorbike, and you can go places they can't, but as soon as you get where they can follow you, they're right there behind you again.

A_Murray So it seems like somehow they just always know where I am.

A_Murray Hmmm...

Geminid They flash their lights at you.

A_Murray I pull over, one hand on a gun and ready to take off again. I pull over to the side where I will be on the driver's side.

Geminid The car pulls up next to you and the window cracks open a touch. A frail, thin hand holds out a note to you.

A_Murray I take it and read it.

Geminid It says, "144 S. Raj Ave. 10 p.m. tonight."

Geminid The car drives off.

A_Murray Next stop, Mr. Ulldagger to consult with Finn if he's available.

Geminid You drive down to the Point and to Ulldagger headquarters. Finn's at the bar, as usual.

A_Murray "Sir. Can you spare a moment."

Geminid He looks at the bartender, taps his nose, and the bartender steps off out of hearing range. "Sure, Miss Murray."

A_Murray I tell him about the chase and show him the note. "Do we know anything that will help me...decipher this?"

Geminid He frowns, "That's in La Bella. No man's land, that is. No one wants it, 'cept street rats and gutter thugs." He considers. "Me and you and a few of the boys, we'll check it out, hey?"

A_Murray "Thank you sir."

Geminid He nods and motions, and three goblins stroll out to join you. "We'll take my car. I got a feeling this is gonna be an attempt to win you over, Miss Murray."

A_Murray "It may be."

Geminid He grins a toothy, evil grin. "Let's go say hello to the competition, boys."

Geminid He goes out to his car, a sportscar of the times, and gets in.

A_Murray was the implication that I ride with him, or alongside him on my bike?

Geminid You ride with him

A_Murray then I do.

Geminid It's about a twenty minute drive, the way he drives, until you pull into the dark, dank slums of La Bella. As his men get out of the car, the lowlifes who prey on the weak here melt away. They know real trouble when they see it.

• A_Murray gets out and secures the area for him.

A_Murray it probably doesn't take much effort.

Geminid Finn glances in the run down shop where the address is. He snorts, "Nuthin' in there. Wanna go in and check it out?"

A_Murray "Yes sir."

• A_Murray starts forward.

Geminid As you walk inside, warm light fills your vision, and you find yourself in a well kept but cluttered hat shop. An old tepper sits behind the counter, wearing a fine, wondrous hat on her head. In her hands is an old soldier's helmet. She smiles at you as you enter.

• A_Murray puts the note down. "I was given this."

Geminid She smiles, then waves, and the note fades, as if it were never there. "I'm good at images. Would you like a hat?" she holds up the helmet. "It suits you."

• A_Murray examines the helmet.

Geminid An old helmet, from the last war. Old but serviceable. It resonates in your hands if you touch it, feels like a part of you almost.

• A_Murray would react to that if she could. "Yes. I would like this."

Geminid "Just one small test, then, Angela Murray."

Geminid A hatstand lashes out with a very lifelike attack, swinging its arms like fists.

A_Murray bap~

A_Murray "Father bless this engagement." I punch back.

A_Murray Angela sinks low for a gut punch, catching the hat rack right in the middle of the beam.

Geminid It splinters, then falls.

• A_Murray bows her head.

Geminid The tepper woman claps enthusiastically, "Well done, Angela Murray."

Geminid "Enjoy the hat!"

A_Murray "Thank you."

• A_Murray puts the helmet on.

Geminid You feel discipline fill you, the rank and file soldier's mind becomes you.

• A_Murray stands up to attention, turns on her heels, and goes back out to Finn Ulldagger to report.

Geminid Finn frowns when you step out, "Who the fuck are you?" He points a Tommy gun at you. "Where's Miss Murray, GI?"

• A_Murray blinks, then takes the helmet off.
• A_Murray holds it under her arm.

Geminid "What the fuck? Miss Murray? Angela? 'S that you?"

A_Murray "Yes."

• A_Murray puts the helmet back on.

A_Murray "Inside was just a hat maker."

A_Murray "She showed me this helmet."

A_Murray "When I said I wanted it, she said there would be a test, and the hatrack attacked me."

Geminid Finn blinks, then nods to his men to go inside and look.

A_Murray "Got a good right jab," she points to her cheek, "So I returned with a gut punch."

Geminid A moment later, they come out and report there's nothing inside.

A_Murray "I won, and the hat was allotted to me."

Geminid Finn laughs, "Good one, Miss Murray. You had me going there a minute."

• A_Murray blinks.

Geminid "I guess our presence scared whoever off. Let's get back to the docks."

A_Murray "Yes sir."

Geminid Once back at the docks, he says, "We'll leave a few men on that place just in case someone shows back up. Your coming to us is appreciated, Miss Murray."

A_Murray "I take no chances."

A_Murray "Thank you for your support tonight sir."

Geminid He nods, "How did the job go today?"

A_Murray "Rocky. I fear acting is not my strong suit, so I took a role I wouldn't have to fake much in. My timing was...off. However, we may have other issues. Quaklin says he was approached by a striker."

A_Murray "I've told him to keep me informed. He did not get a good look."

Geminid "A writer, you mean?"

A_Murray "Someone wanting to discuss a strike from the safety of his roof, from what I could...translate. We also had an issue where our leading lady fell ill. She was tended by the local doctor. I saw nothing out of the ordinary."

Geminid He nods. "Drugs, in her younger days, catching up with her." He says knowledgably

A_Murray "Understood. Will I need to support any...administrations to her?"

Geminid "I doubt it. She's not out concern."

A_Murray "yes sir."

A_Murray "As for Quacklin, I will pursue that if it becomes more of an issue, but I think he's too...Gnomish to be untrustworthy."

A_Murray "On that end I will more likely watch for the same figure to approach others."

Geminid He nods, "Probably wise. And they're using all our sets, props, and costumes that we've got on contract?"

A_Murray "Yes sir."

Geminid He nods, "Then we're getting our cut. Keep up the good work, Miss Murray."

A_Murray "Thank you sir."

Geminid He nods, then orders a drink by raising three fingers. A glass of scotch is handed to him.

• A_Murray bows out and returns home.

Geminid What does she do once she gets there?

A_Murray takes a moment to wish she could cry over the fact that she used the family sword in a movie, even if it was by necessity of having it on her person at all times, and then goes to sleep.

A_Murray without thinking about it at all, she probably hugs the helmet like a teddy bear when she sleeps.

Geminid You're on the savanna, a soldier of the wars, a hard bitten veteran, and trouble is about.

A_Murray am I alone?

Geminid Yes.

Geminid Other than the unseen trouble.

• A_Murray remembers the previous dream, and scans the horizon for it?

Geminid As if on cue, you see the figure of the Scissor Man approaching. SNIP!

• A_Murray runs the opposite direction.

Geminid You hear its implacable pursuit. SNIP!

• A_Murray looks for the movie studio.

Geminid You see /something/ in the distance.

A_Murray I go for it.

Geminid It's a warzone, a bonafide trench and no man's land warzone, bullets flying, grenades exploding warzone.

Geminid You drop down into your trench, surrounded by your mates.

A_Murray Do I have my helmet on?

Geminid SNIP! is heard to follow you

Geminid Yes.

A_Murray "FULL RETREAT! SOUND FULL RETREAT!"

A_Murray she keeps running.

Geminid They take their last shots, then fall back with you. SNIP!

• A_Murray keeps looking for the studio.

Geminid You run through mine fields and tanks and other trenches, SNIP!, past blood spattered plains and broken walls, burnt out villages.. SNIP!

A_Murray this is becoming worrysome.

A_Murray But all she can do is look for the studio.

Geminid Eventually, it's nearly upon you, so close your men are falling to it.

Geminid SNIP!

A_Murray only one thing left to do.

A_Murray take off the helmet and pretend to be a widow holding a dying a soldier.

Geminid You look up and see the Scissor Man above you, scissors held high. Its blades cut into you, and you can't even scream before SNIP!

Geminid You wake up in bed, your own blood soaking the sheets.

A_Murray do I feel like it was silver?

Geminid No.

Geminid You feel achey all over, but like you were just killed by something nonmagical or silver and recovered.

A_Murray then I check on myself, realize I'll probably heal, and walk it off by way of cleaning up.

A_Murray oh. I already did heal.

• A_Murray blinks. My laundry bill is going to be higher, but I can sleep with impunity now.

Geminid You have the feeling that you failed somehow, all the same, that there was something you could have done in that dream.

• A_Murray nods.

A_Murray a talk with Quacklin and Corby will come tomorrow.

Geminid Does she go back to sleep?

A_Murray yes.

---

Geminid Gabe, Angela and Quacklin appear on the savanna with you.

A_Murray ooooh.

• Gabe glances at them both. "...Hello again."
• A_Murray is wearing a soldier's helmet.

Quacklin do I have on my banker suit?

A_Murray "Find which way he's coming from."

Geminid Yes, Quacklin, but not the persona of banker.

Geminid Alsa, you are on the open savanna. Danger is nearby, you sense. Angela, Quacklin, and Corby are there.

A_Murray "Just pretending does not hide you."

Quacklin "Shh, I'm a banker now."

• Alsa whispers. "Hello. What's going on?"
• Quacklin looks crestfallen. "Oh, it doesn't?"

Gabe "I haven't been able to te-...Mister Director."

Geminid Did Angela hold the helmet when she slept again?

• Alsa gives channel operator status to Alsa

A_Murray "Which direction is he coming from?"

Quacklin "Mr. Ipanym, can you smite the Scissor Man for us?"

Gabe "That way, I think..." he points.

Geminid SNIP! comes from the way Corby points

• A_Murray grabs Quacklin and runs the other way. "Keep up!"
• Quacklin is grabbed. He runs.

Geminid Then Angela appears to be Corporal Rastaban Schomaker now.

• Alsa frowns as they run off, looks at the scissor man, then moves to follow.

A_Murray "Just pretending does not hide you! We need a plan!"

• Gabe follows her, keeping pace with Alsa. "Dammit, i don't have my hat with me..."

Quacklin "Distractions might work!"

Alsa "Hat?"

Gabe "...Long story. Basically the way you avoid what's following us is you become someone else. WE managed it last time by finding a costume box on a movie set and putting on the clothes inside to become other people. I got a policeman's hat, but it ain't here."

Geminid SNIP! it's closer.

Gabe "Faster!"

• Quacklin starts to tear. "I'm a banker! I'm a banker!"
• Gabe looks around for some kind of wardrobe box as they run.

Geminid You see none, Gabe

• Alsa looks around for any kind of scenery at all?

Geminid A rich, lush savanna is around you, for now, though you know with a thought you can alter it.

Alsa Can I summon a train that we can hop on to?

Geminid Yes.

Alsa "There's a train leaving! Grab on to the rail!"

• You've invited Tilluel to #ruiz (merukis.net)
• A_Murray heaves Quacklin up onto it and mounts, sticking a hand down to grab anyone else who needs help.
• Gabe grabs.
• Tilluel (~Albert@c-69-251-103-23.hsd1.md.comcast.net) has joined #ruiz
• Alsa pulls himself up just as the train begins picking up speed.

A_Murray do we see Tilluel appear?

Geminid Tilluel appears.

Geminid SNIP!

Tilluel appears where?

A_Murray "Get on!"

• Tilluel ducks at the sound and then sees Alsa. She runs toward him
• Alsa reaches one hand down to help her up.
• Gabe does as well.
• Tilluel grabs it and pulls herself on
• Quacklin looks to see what kind of train it is. "Faster! Faster!" He glances back impatiently, then looks for a way to get to the engine.

<Tilluel> "Thank you." she looks extremely strained. "He's here again?"

<Quacklin> "He's here every night!"

<Gabe> "Seems like it."

• Alsa helps her up, then sits on the platform as the train begins to speed away.

<Quacklin> "He's coming!"

• Tilluel rushes into the train compartment looking for anything to disguise herself.

<A_Murray> "Check the train for the costume box."

<Alsa> "Hang on. Who are we talking about?"

• A_Murray follows her own orders and checks the train for a costume box.
• Geminid has quit (Ping timeout)

<Tilluel> "The Scissor Man." she calls over her shoulder as she looks through every corner of the compartment

<Tilluel> hold

• Gabe lends a hand.

<Tilluel> hold till Billy gets back

Quacklin "The Scissor Man! He will cut you in half if he catches you. Just like would have cut Mr. Pretty yesterday. Rocks don't work!"

• Alsa follows them inside. "The Scissor Man was a prop that Mr. Grippytop built for the movie." He pauses. "There wasn't a train here until I had the idea that there was."

Geminid Tilluel, you are on the savanna with the others.

Geminid Tilluel appears where?

Tilluel "No it's not. It's real. I brought it here."

Alsa "You summoned the scissor man?"

Tilluel "No! It's chasing me. I'm susceptible."

Alsa "It seemed to be chasing all of us before you got here."

Geminid SNIP! you hear from the caboose.

Gabe "So am I, apparently. I heard it, then the gnome and Miss Murray appeared, then he did, then you did."

• Tilluel 's voice is getting close to hysterics as she searches and can't find things

Gabe "Move! Toward the engine!"

Geminid Miss Murray is Corporal Schomaker right now

• Gabe looks around hopefully for a policeman's hat.
• Tilluel runs, still scanning for anything that might disguise her

Geminid Roll will, Tilluel

• A_Murray helps people toward the front.

Quacklin "This way!" Quacklin nimbly dances across the connections and moves towards the engine. "Everyone on this side!"

Geminid A spare attendant's uniform sits in a closet, Tilluel.

• Alsa keeps up for now.

Geminid SNIP! it's moved up a few cars now.

• Tilluel nearly falls over, trying to reverse her direction. She scrambles toward the closet and pulls on the uniform as fast as she can.
• Quacklin looks for a lever in the next car and disconnects the cars behind us.

Geminid Tilluel is replaced by Miss Daphne Robespierre, an attendant on this train.

Quacklin once everyone has moved forward.

Gabe "Mr. Ipanym, see if you can find some sort of costume or other clothing, it's the only way to hide."

Geminid The cars behind fall back.

• A_Murray blinks.

A_Murray to Gabe. "Who am I to you?"

Tilluel Daphne rubs a bit of dust of the sleeve of her uniform and looks up at the new passengers. "You should all take your seats now."

• Gabe blinks up at her. "Corporal Shomaker."
• A_Murray thinks about that.
• Alsa checks his pockets for the hat he got from the crazy tepper.

A_Murray "Damn right, and don't you forget it, cadet. I was fighting wars to protect your parents before you were a twinkle in the eye of a drunk teenager!"

Geminid Alsa, you have the hat. You are now Samuel Jericho, Jack of Hearts.

• Gabe is looking about for his own hat, wishing he hadn't left it at home. "Yessir."

A_Murray "Now what are you doing out of uniform!?"

• Quacklin runs to the front of the engine, looking for the spare uniform and hat that conductors leave after stoking the furnace.

Gabe "I think one of the boys hid it, sir, I'm tryin' to find it!"

Geminid No hat, Gabe.

Geminid Has Quacklin rolled will yet in this dream?

Quacklin nope

Quacklin but he knows trains.

• Alsa bows to the women in the scene. "Ladies, a pleasure."

A_Murray "The boys hid it. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that. Well let's look for it, cadet."

• A_Murray helps him look for it.

Gabe "Yessir!"

• Tilluel calmly says again. "Please. Everyone, you'll need to take your seats now."

Geminid SNIP! The Scissor Man is on the tracks behind the train, keeping pace.

• Alsa sits down. "Of course, Miss."

A_Murray "Attendant. Have you seen a spare peace officer's uniform lying around?"

Tilluel "Thank you."

• Tilluel looks at the Corporal. "I'm afraid not. I'll help you look."

Tilluel she begins to look for a uniform

A_Murray "Please do. My god. THis man is naked without it."

Geminid No unifroms, Quacklin. No uniforms, Tilluel.

• Alsa also pokes around a bit for a uniform.
• Tilluel 's eyes widen slightly as she glances at the Corporal and then Gabe but she goes back to her fruitless search

Geminid Alsa, you find several.

• Alsa pulls one out from under a seat. "Could this be it?"
• Gabe is hoping for a policeman's uniform, but right now anything will do.

Geminid What did Alsa imagine?

• Tilluel looks back at Alsa. "Well done sir!"

Alsa For a uniform? Hmm.

• Quacklin screams shrilly. "NO!" he starts shoving anything he can into the furnace.

Alsa Baseball uniform.

Geminid Roy Ballifas, pitcher for the Belle Point Lions, Gabe

Gabe "Perfect, thank you!" he takes it, puts it on, becomes the above.

Geminid SNIP! the Scissor Man is on the back of the train.

• Alsa hears the shout from ahead, and pulls out another uniform. "I think the engineer might be missing his uniform, also. I'll just take it up to him, if you don't mind."
• A_Murray looks to him, disappointed. "Dammit, kid, I thought you said you were a flatfoot, not a pitcher."

Tilluel "I'm afraid passengers aren't allowed. I'll take it to him."

Tilluel she holds out a hand for the uniform

• Alsa gives Tilluel a gnome-sized engineer's uniform, and a smile.

Alsa "Thank you very much, miss."

• Tilluel smiles back and takes the uniform to Quacklin

Tilluel "Thank you."

• Gabe smiles wryly. "Never sure who's gona make a fuss, Corporal, I try to travel icognito much as I can. Sorry for midleading you."

Geminid Quacklin, you're now Cromwell Tuckerston, train engineer.

• A_Murray chuckles and shakes his head.

Geminid SNIP! the Scissor Man is in your car.

A_Murray "So how long you been at it?"

Geminid Angela, Alsa, you can tell it senses you. Tilluel, Quacklin, Corby, you're all hidden.

• You've invited Alice to #ruiz (merukis.net)
• Alice (~anan@c-69-251-103-23.hsd1.md.comcast.net) has joined #ruiz

Tilluel "There you are, sir. A passenger found that under a seat."

• A_Murray dives out the window and runs.
• Alsa pulls the emergency stop.

Quacklin "Thank you ma'am. Tell the passengers that we're going to take the 67 switc---"

Gabe "About four, five years now..." he breaks off and blinks as Angela/Shomaker disappears out a window.

• Tilluel stumbles at the sudden stop.
• Quacklin jerks forward

Geminid Alice, you're in a train car with an army corporal and a suave looking man, a baseball player, an engineer, and an attendant.

Geminid A man with a huge pair of scissors is there, too

A_Murray minus the army corporal.

• Alsa also grabs the box of uniforms and runs off of the train.

Geminid Quacklin, the emergency stop alarm was pulled. That's the sign to stop the train.

Alsa Where has the train taken us?

Quacklin "NOW WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?!"

Alice "What the-?"

• Tilluel looks behind her. "Passengers are jumping off sir!"

A_Murray (...And that, your honor, was how it started.)

Tilluel the attendant looks behind

Geminid Where does Alsa imagine it took them?

• Quacklin starts shutting down the engines and engaging the brakes. "Fucking Luddites don't know their head from their ass. Go back and calm them down. Make sure everyone is ok."

Alsa A hillside village.

Tilluel "Yes sir." she enters the main car. "Is everyone all right? I will need everyone to take their seats again."

Geminid The Scissor Man approaches Alsa, scissors held high, aiming to attack.

Tilluel "Everyone should remain calm."

Quacklin "Fucking idiots, do they have any idea the paperwork this creates? I'm going to be behind schedule," the engineer continues to grumble.

• Alsa runs?

Geminid You all see Alsa cut in two by massive scissors, killing him instantly.

• Gabe stares.

Alsa Huh.

Tilluel "Sir, ma'am, I need you to sit please. We're undergoing an emergency stop."

Geminid Alice, the Scissor Man sees you, and begins to approach.

• Gabe takes his seat.
• Alice stares at the body for a heartbeat, then starts backing away.

Tilluel "Thank you sir. Miss? I need you to take your seat. It's for your own safety."

Alsa There's a box of costumes in Alsa's arms. His legs might also be in the box at this point.

Geminid The Scissor Man is relentless in his approach, Alice. Merely backing away is not a viable escape. You need to /run/.

Alice Is there an exit?

Alice Scissorman is between Alice and box.

Geminid Windows, the other end of the car are both exits.

Tilluel windows and the front door of the train?

• Alice turns bat and bolts, flying for the closest open escape.
• Tilluel gasps slightly at the sudden change

Geminid SNIP! the side of the train is ripped open as the Scissor Man follows Alice.

Geminid Alice, you are flying over hill country.

• Alice keeps going, trying to get as high as possible.

Tilluel "Sir? All the passengers are calm and in their seats. How can I help?"

Geminid The rest of you, the Scissor Man is passed. You are all wrapped in new identities.

• Quacklin comes back, fury in his eyes. "ALRIGHT! WHICH ONE OF YOU PULLED THE--- brake?" He stares at the hole.

Geminid SNIP! it's walking the air, unstoppable, after you

Gabe "I think it was the gent there..." he points at the remains of Alsa.

Tilluel "That one jumped out sir."

• Alice tries desperately to wake up.

Geminid SNIP! it gets closer.

• Quacklin blanches. "A-A-Alright, ladies and gentlemen, the train's come to a complete stop. No other train is going to be through here for another 4 hours. If I could ask you to slowly leave the train,"
• Alice squeaks loudly, straining to get away.

Quacklin he hisses to the attendent. "Take them out the other side. Don't let them look at the body."

• Gabe nods, getting up slowly. "No problem, sir."
• Tilluel waits till Gabe has headed toward an exit before following herself
• Gabe disembarks.
• Tilluel would usher Gabe to the front exit

Tilluel sorry didn't see that

• Gabe is ushered.
• Quacklin mops his brow with a red hankerchief and crosses himself.
• Tilluel disembarks after him

Geminid Alice, everything goes black.

• Quacklin goes looking for an emergency tarp to cover up the mangled remains. He goes back to shoot stop flares for the next train.

Geminid Tilluel vanishes.

• Gabe starts walking through wherever they are unless something happens.

Geminid Hill country. Scissor Man is nowhere in sight.

Alsa There's a nice little inn and brewery nearby.

Quacklin a flare goes up behind the train. You hear a loud curse, then scuffling.

• Gabe looks toward the curse.

Quacklin a few moments later, a separate flare goes up. "... and you're damn right!"

• Gabe goes to investigate, curious.
• Quacklin sees Gabe approach and puts up his hand. "I'm sorry sir, this is authorized personnel only."

Quacklin "You should be headed that way, along with the other passengers, 20 yards from the train."

• Gabe stops and holds a hand up apologetically. "Sorry. Thanks." he heads off in the direction indicated, and will wander into the inn for lack of anything better to do.

Geminid You both wake.