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Post by Admin on Sept 16, 2019 6:11:32 GMT
Strasser's eye twitches showing his displeasure at Hammett's suave reaction to the threat.
"Since your and this cafe's fates are sealed there is no reason why my men and I can't partake in your hospitality while it is still available. Believe it or not, some of my people are not fully committed to our cause; seeing this place and its motley degenerates will restore their faith in our mission. Give them some of the popular imbibements of this place. The rotten swill from the Americas in popular these days, yes? The Tequila?"
He looks about at the customers in the Wormwood many of them differing from the usual 'human' shape and colour.
"I do not understand how you can live amongst such things, soon, very soon, they will be cast out and the paths from this port closed."
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Post by Hammett on Sept 16, 2019 10:51:12 GMT
"Surely Major Strasser even you must know that in this day and age isolationism is no longer a practical policy. Do you really think closing off the paths will stop visitors from other lands? Do you think Amber will let that stand when it citizens are being murdered on our trains? I'm afraid that the cat is out of the bag, in a manner of speaking. Kasaba is known in lands further away then you and I could even imagine. Closing the port won't make people forget us and it won't stop people from visiting. It will just make them take paths and routes that aren't widely known. More difficult, to be sure, but then also more valuable and profitable for those that take them."
He takes a sip of his drink before continuing, "No, no, no. By closing the port and path you are just driving the trade underground and out of sight, and that means out of your control. The smarter move would be to keep the known and easy path open. That way you can monitor it. Control it. But of course, a man as smart as you must know that already. And then there is the slight problem of that fact that Germany doesn't yet occupy Kasaba and the front lines are so very, very far away."
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Post by Admin on Sept 18, 2019 15:49:30 GMT
"But getting closer every day" Strasser says finishing Hammett's sentence. "Do not doubt that if the Reich has the means to close the path here it will also be able to close paths anywhere in the world. Once all is ours we will set the terms and limits of these pathways.
"So you've heard of the fairytale Amber place? And believe the two dead were from there? Very enlightening. We will have to inform Inspector Renault about this, it may cast a whole new light on his investigation. But how do you know of it? Ah, yes, from that ridiculous brute of a fellow Gerard who presumes to be in charge here. He too will be eliminated in the near future."
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Post by Hammett on Sept 18, 2019 18:22:49 GMT
Hammett stands, "Well it seems you do have a lot of work ahead of you, Major Strasser. You and your men are always welcome here at Wormwood's, as long as they follow the rules, so I am sure we will being seeing much of each other in the future. But if you'll excuse me, my business is running a saloon, not plotting war."
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Post by Admin on Sept 20, 2019 2:09:18 GMT
"Don't be so modest, Herr Hammett, every night you and your staff are on the front lines of battle with this rabble. And look, my men are already seeing the decadence here and will wake tomorrow with not only hangovers but a renewed sense of purpose in fighting this war."
Hammett does sense something odd about Wormwood's when he stands. There is a different aura about the place, once easy to write off as the stress and urgency of the crowd but now a feeling of something else different about the room.
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Post by Hammett on Sept 20, 2019 7:35:19 GMT
Interesting. And worrying.
"This rabble pays my bills." Hammett says quietly, "If you'll excuse me, Major."
Hammett slowly walks to the center of the room, he makes a motion to Dalton and the rest of the staff to be ready for possible trouble, before opening up his mind and reaching out with his Psych, trying to locate the source of the odd feeling or at least what it is doing or how it is effecting the people inside his club.
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Post by Admin on Sept 24, 2019 14:45:56 GMT
He can sense some sort of mind at work in Wormwood's but he can't pin it down to just one of the patrons. There seems to be a psychic force in the very air of the cafe, spread fog-like inside the walls. Looking about he can see that the shadows cast under the electric candlelight are not quite right; the shadows from the furniture, plants, and pillars in the room look usual but around the people the shadows dance and writhe.
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Post by Hammett on Sept 24, 2019 18:29:46 GMT
Not good. He didn't like disturbances in his place.
Hammett pondered for a second then let out a specific whistle (POWER WORD: Magic Negation), keenly sensing to see what effect, if any, it might have.
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Post by Admin on Sept 25, 2019 16:25:04 GMT
The whistle hs no effect on the shadows other than to agitate them. They shake, ripple and flow across the floor from person to person, spreading across the walls.
The patrons do not notice these unusual effects, they are more interested in the reason for the whistle and assume Hammett is going to make an announcement, hopefully offering a round on the house. All except Yvette who shrieks as one slides across the bar towards her martini.
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Post by Hammett on Sept 25, 2019 17:43:02 GMT
Well this isn't good. He motions to one of the staff to assist Yvette.
Hammett speaks up loudly so everyone can hear and with some urgency, "I'm sorry folks. Due to a situation beyond our control we have to close a little early tonight. Immediately in fact. If you can all start making your way to the exit, please."
He helps a couple sitting near him up, he speaks to them, but loud enough for everyone to still hear, "Don't worry about about the bill. It is on me tonight. My staff will help you on your way."
"Now if you will..." He motions to the exit door.
That said he motions to the staff to go on full alert and get everyone out as quickly as they can.
Hammett turns and focuses his attention on Major Strasser for a moment, studying him and reaching out with his Psyche. Anything unusual about the man?
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Post by Admin on Sept 26, 2019 17:47:14 GMT
Strasser sits with an amused smile on his face. Nothing unusual shows and a slight touch on his mind reveals a pit of black, evil thoughts.
"It seems the rigours of operating this establishment has become too much for you Herr Hammett, or is it this climate that is not to your liking?"
Renault saunters by, a little unsteady from the drink.
"And just when I was beginning to win my stake back." he says sadly. Eyeing Yvette struggling out the arms of Vladimir he says "Perhaps we should give that one a ride home in a police car, no?"
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Post by Hammett on Sept 26, 2019 19:18:30 GMT
Hammett ignores Strasser and makes sure everyone is leaving quickly.
He approaches Renault and puts a comforting arm around his shoulder, "Don't worry, Renault. Your luck will still be good tomorrow night I am sure. And as for Yvette that might be a good idea. But get your sleep. I have some important business to discuss with you. Would tomorrow morning in your office be alright?"
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Post by Admin on Sept 29, 2019 15:06:24 GMT
"I will be in my office as always at seven." Renault says, "And by then I should have more news from my men at the train station. News I am sure you would find interesting, no?" he says with a conspiratorial wink.
"Hammett, man!" Strasser says banging his glass on the table, "You don't mean to cast us out with the rest of this rabble, do you?"
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Post by Hammett on Sept 29, 2019 16:35:08 GMT
Gives Renault a smile, "Indeed I would."
At Strasser's bellow he sighs and turns back to the troublesome man.
"I'm afraid so Major. But don't worry. Bring your men back tomorrow night and Wormwood's will show them all the decadence and debauchery they could ever dream of." With all the other customers now gone or almost gone, Hammett's staff can focus on getting the last of the German's and Major Strasser out safely. Hammett continues, "Now if you will be so kind..."
Hammett turns his attention back to the mysterious shadows. Are they still there and just as many of them, or did getting rid of most of the people change their numbers or how they are acting?
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Post by Admin on Sept 29, 2019 21:03:42 GMT
Strasser sniffs and adjusts his monocle.
"We will spend our marks at your competition then," he replies. "Come men, let us go to the Blue Parrot."
The Germans leave taking a large number of the shadows with them. Looking about the mostly empty room there are still a few of the strange shadows about but most look to have left with the patrons.
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