Play@YSDC

Twenty years into the future, The Walking Dead squad find themselves in the asphalt jungle. What once had been, is no more. Once a soldier, the men from Keh Sanh are in the rat race for money and fame.

To manage to shake the experiences from the real world, to run from the nightmares, life goes ever on.





December 11, 1988
07:30

Tobias wakes up in his apartment. Another day, another opportunity. An open window has made the sheets crispy cold.

OOC: Welcome to the future pickman37!

Tobias shakes the cobwebs from his mind and sits up in bed. The evening before at the Palladium was a helluva night. He glances down at the pile of torn pieces of paper with names and phone numbers on them strewn about with everything else he had emptied from his pockets. He cannot recollect whether these where pick-ups or aspiring actors and actresses...

He arises from bed with a groan and heads to the washroom. While there, he is consumed with the thought of trying to remember who the band was...Was it Kiss? It is at that moment, he begins to recall a strange dream he had last night. He had seen a face..one that was familiar...of a girl. But then, that was his job...to look at faces. He shrugged off the memory, even though he could clearly remember her looking back at him as she vanished into a mist. He began to focus on his plans for the day. He was going to stop in at the office to review some headshots and bios and then he had a late meeting with one of his Broadway clients. He cleaned himself up and proceeded on his way, hoping to grab a cappucino at one of the high end shops in his neighborhood...

Tobias had put on a fairly clean suit. Outside, the suit looks less clean. Imagine what natural lighting does to impressions. He steers his steps towards Giovanni´s and looks forward to a session in the cave. The cave is where they develop the shots from last night. Hours in the dark-room. Not his favorite place, but the magic is worth the discomfort.

At the line to the bar woman, he decides on what to pick.

Over at the office on the 27th floor, he´d have another cup, for sure. But it feels like a good way to start any day by sucking in the atmosphere of the streets.
While queueing, he looks at the other people in the cafeteria. Two blondes, apparently in their late teens wearing jeans with cuts across the thighs gossip about MacGyver and how he always managed to save the day.
The taller of them checks Tobias out, giggles and whispers something to the shorter.

In front of the girls two suits wait in line while a female cop with red hair gets three plastic cups to-go. None of the four tables in the café are taken.

The walk to the office will take about half an hour.

Tobias enjoyed the daily walk to the office. It allowed him to mentally go over his plan for the day while engaging in his favorite past-time: people watching. The fresh, crisp air coupled with the cappucino also gave his brain a chance to clear from the excesses of the night before. He carried on, mindful of the traffic...

Arriving at the high rise, at close to eight, Tobias would be one of the first at the office. Most partners at the agency arrived by nine or later. The lobby reception is unmanned as he walks through the glass doors. By the elevator bay a carpeted flight of stairs lead up. A restaurant at third floor has a stack of boxes awaiting delivery beside the stairs.

Among other companies in this building, Senterex is by far the largest. A buy sell and merger company who acts as consultant while cleaning out all assets. Being reminded of Senterex, Berkowiz remembers promising one of the executives up top to take some pictures for them at some facility. David Elliot 38th floor. Tobias had been asked two week earlier to visit Elliot at his office, should he need an extra gig.

Having some time to kill, Tobias decides to stop in at Elliot's office in case the man is in early. Any form of additional income didn't hurt, especially with the monthly child support check due in a few days...

Up on the 38th floor, the carpet outside the elevator shows being as thick as the wallets of the partners of the firm. Artwork on the walls are showcasing some of the high end artist from the art scene. The lobby encircling the elevator bay has a curved brick glass wall letting light through to the center of the lobby. This gives the illusion of being an insect caught in the web of a huge spider.

The lobby desk is made of a huge slab of sheet metal. An old style type writer is placed beside a stack of binders. Also placed on the slab is an IBM work station with a printer placed on the floor beneath the desk. A band of printer paper with perforated edges fall down from the desk as a waterfall of sheets.
A water cooler stand is placed to the left of the desk.
Entry doors to various branches of Senterex are placed at 10 o´clock, 2 o´clock as well as 8 and 4 o´clock.
Elliot´s branch is behind the acquisitions door at 2 o´clock.
Above the lobby desk, a 15 feet lettering of the firm stands out in dark red.

S E N T E R E X

The lobby is unmanned. The glass wall is not see-through but it shows outlines of objects close to the other side.
The elevator doors slides shut.
A faint aroma of freshly ground coffee beans fill the lobby.

The main lobby of Senterex is extravagant and reeks of money in comparison to the modest 27th floor offices of the Knox, Gillis and Partners Talent Agency where Tobias works. He is slightly envious and wishes he had pursued a degree in business as to have a shot at this lifestyle.

Noting that no one is at the desk in the lobby, Tobias hesitates for a moment or two, waiting for someone to arrive. The smell of fresh coffee signals the presence of someone around there somewhere but they are yet to appear. Finally, he decides to carry on. He steps up to the door to acquisitions, lightly rapping upon it before trying the door to go inside...

Entering a 10 feet wide corridor leading to end of the floor with a floor to ceiling window, Tobias finds doors at irregular intervals on both sides. After passing two doors with name labels on, Adams and Leone, he comes to a rectangular alcove where a photocopy machine stands.

A few doors further down the corridor on the left side is an opening to an office pantry. A coffee maker has a fresh pitcher of pitch black with a thin layer of white-yellow foam. Passing the pantry that also have six leather chairs with side tables. A door down the corridor is ajar and the lights are on inside. The sound form a shower can be heard.

Tobias walks over to the door and reads the sign. Elliot - it says. Inside, a spacious office is sprawled in an L-shape. In the far end a rest-room is fitted with a walk-in closet. The front end of the office has a beige sofa and two couches. A green, old wooden door with a sheet of glass on top serve as a table to the group.

Over by a panoramic window with vertical white shades, a steel and glass desk sits. The front of the desk is made of copper plates, green and bronze compete to take over the area. On the desk is a gold and green reading lamp. An apple IIe crowns the desk.

Tobias takes in the scene and his eyes catch a picture on the wall above the sofa. A four colour reproduction of the same image. A stack of 100 dollar bills. Benjamin Franklin i four shades of green. On a plaque beneath it a text reads.

"B" To my friend Dave. / A.W

Reading the plaque, a voice comes from behind Tobias. "Good morning...?"
Turning to say something Tobias is interrupted by Elliot. "Ah, Berkowiz. You decided to pay me a visit. Finally." He has a towel wrapped around his waist and is drying his hair with a smaller towel.

Tobias is startled by the man and, turning slightly red, feels like an interloper...

"Oh...uh Elliot. Sorry I did not realize they had private office showers here. I just thought...." He gestures back towards the direction of the pantry outside the office where the coffee was brewing.

"Uh...if this is a bad time, I could stop in later."

He mentally scolds himself. He was so taken in by the wealth of the company that he forgot all etiquette and kind of let himself in without formal invitation...

"No worries." Elliot says and walks towards the bathroom again. "Help yourself to some of that coffee. My own blend." He disappears to the shower leaving Tobias alone again.

After two minutes, Elliot returns, dark blue suit and all business. He pats Tobias on the shoulder and explains. "I run through the park every morning. A wake up call, if any. Why sleep away half a day, right? " He gets a cup from a cupboard above the coffee machine and pours himself a steaming cup.

"About that job...", he starts. "Down by Patchogue, a company called Lockyear. They have some research going down there and I really would like some shots of the grounds. We´ve just purchased the company and we are printing up some folders. I know it´s not what you normally do, but you did ask if there was anything I had for you. Over at that party at Basement 40."

Despite a few weeks passing since that night at Basement 40, Tobias can recall talking with Elliot about any available paying gigs.

"Yes, it definitely is not my usual job but times have been tough and a man has to make ends meet. I hate to say it but the competition for talent these days has been fierce and my company is not exactly big potatoes. Even if we sign the talent, we still have to arrange placement and right now we've been stuck with Broadway shows, commercials and a few low-rated network shows, notably work as walk-on extras..."

Tobias realizes that he's digressed and most likely Elliot is not interested in the day-to-day trials of a talent agent. He returns to the job offered...

"So anyways, yes I'll take the work. Will I be meeting with someone there for a tour of the grounds and if so, when?"

"When you get the time, but before the end of next week should be fine. The founder died four months ago, so we got it for a fair price. It´s mostly genetic technology based research. What I heard they have some ties to Asia. But all those high tech businesses do, right? So, I´ll get you a Senterex pass. I´ll just need your photo and then I´ll send it to the copy shop." He puts down his cup and walks away holding a hand up for Tobias to hold that thought. He arrives back after a few moments with a Polaroid camera. And gets a shot of Tobias. "That will work. We do need your full details, you understand, to draw up the paperwork for you to get access to the grounds." He downs the last of his coffee while drying the fresh Polaroid with his free hand flapping it up and down.

"It´s a job we lower management executives have, to visit all new firms and companies to welcome them to the Senterex fold. Nothing fancy. Shake a few hands, take a shot and eat some bad food. While you´re doing this for me, I´ll be at my boat doing some real work. As payment I´ll take you and your wife for a tour of Gardiners Bay at Mountak Point. And you´ll be getting the average fee I´m getting for those gigs. Sounds fair? Speaking about fair, how is Myra by the way?"

Firehouse 72

Eric Whitehouse is awaken by the alarm bell at the station. Sunday morning 04:12 the Casio digital wall clock shows. Two weeks left, then vacation. That was what Cap had promised. If Christmas didn´t bring something bad to the city. And Christmas always did... Candlelight and booze never mix. Happy holidays. Sure.

Eric springs out of bed and leaps to his feet, used to this by now. He knows the drill, and he quickly gathers his gear and runs for the fire pole to slide down and get to the engine. When it rains, it pours, he thinks.

As Eric gets up in the engine a tune spills out from the radio. He had heard it a couple of times before and it had grown on him. When the engine rolls out the doors he smiles in recognition. Gomez, by the wheel flips the code on the radio dials to 4-45. Outgoing. "Apartment building on East side." Also in the engine are Dallas and Winston two newly assigned fire fighters. Gomez has ten yeas under his belt and counts as one of the old-timers. As does Whitehouse. Somehow it had felt like that since he was in his twenties. War does that to you.

[goear]9555fe7[/goear]

OOC: Apologies for dropping the ball in the Nam chapter. Hopefully you´ll find it a fitting background for the campaign.

OOC,No problem! Glad to see the game moving again.

Eric spends the time it takes for the fire truck to reach the scene to double check his equipment. He knows that his life, and possibly the lives of his buddies, depends on it working properly when the time comes. He keeps his ears peeled for any more informtion coming over the radio as he does so.

"Speaking about fair, how is Myra by the way?"

The question hit Tobias like a shot. They had been separated now for just a little over two years and he couldn't understand why Elliot thought otherwise. It was then that he remembered that Elliot had met her on the street outside the office when she was dropping off the boys for his last visitation a month ago. The subject was an uncomfortable one for Tobias and it was likely that he did not make it clear to Elliot that day that he and Myra had gone their separate ways.

"Uh...we're presently separated." Tobias could feel his face begin to flush. Before Elliot could respond, Tobias attempted to lighten the situation. "Casualty of the business..." He grinned nervously, feeling his attempt at humour was falling flat. He quickly changed the subject.

"So what are these 'details' you need from me to gain access to the grounds?"

Tobias tried to project an air of business in hopes that the previous subject would be abandoned and forgotten. Despite his experiences in the war, nothing came close to the loss of his marriage and the failure he felt as a husband and a father...

"This might seem odd, but we do need a blood sample to clear you as fully well. The company has a policy of zero drug tolerance." He pulls out a small clickable device from his jacket pocket. "This is a sampler. It will sting and store a drop of your blood. I´ll seal it and let our techs run a test on it later today. My lunch you´ll be cleared...That is if you are clean. Are you? And do you agree to this test?" He places the small device on the side board of the pantry and continues. "Other than that, we need your address and phone number. That´s about it. I got your photo." He taps the Polaroid next to the device.

"All precautions in our time of insurance claims. You know how it is, right?"

At this both men hear the elevator arrive in the core lobby.

Elliot raises an eyebrow at Tobias.

That is if you are clean. Are you?

Tobias shifted nervously in his seat. Designer drugs abounded at recent parties he had attended and once or twice he did allow his inhibitions to fall to the wayside. However, how accurate would the test be? He had no way of knowing. He decided to be straight up with Elliot more or less.

"I have indulged at some parties I've attended but nothing heavy....and they were a while ago. I don't see a problem. Sure I'll agree."

Firehouse 72
"8th floor, possible victims inside, ladder at location from precinct 14." Gomez cuts a corner quite closely. Sirens whaling the engine reaches the burning building, fifteen stories high. The eighth floor is bellowing out smoke from windowless frames. The sidewalk and street is strewn with glass. On the street, the ladder from prec-14 is reaching for the windows.

A crowd of already rescued people are being taken cared of by paramedics and police, already on scene. The night is flashing with bright lights on red and white. All geared up, the crew of Firehouse 72 feel the rush of adrenaline as the engine finds a spot to par at. "Get the hose ready Whitehouse!" Gomez directs Eric. "Dallas, Winston, get a path clear for the hose and get a stat rep from P-14!"


SENTEREX
Tobias takes the device and presses the end to his index finger, clicking the top. A sharp sensation is felt as a needle pricks the skin. Done with it, Tobias places the device on the sideboard again.
"Thanks, Tobey" Elliot says and produces a plastic bag and puts the device in. "Just fill in those forms and we´re set. You can use one of the company cars when you´re cleared. Just show the guard in the garage the papers we draw up later this afternoon. This is great! I never thought I´d get the time to head out to Montauk." Elliot shakes Tobias hand and slips him a business card. "Call if there are any questions. Now, I have to brief the other partners on another job. They tend to arrive just about now. Thanks again."

Eric runs over to the hose, grabs the end, and starts playing it out, following in the wake of Dallas and Winston as they clear the way.

The two firefighters leave a wake for Eric to follow. At the fire hydrant he connects the hose and lets the pressure build up. The hose Eric had pulled out goes back to the engine to replenish the supply of the vehicle. Gomez has an unlit cigarette tucked behind the helmet strap on the outside of the fire insignia. He releases the valve and a jet of water at the ninth floor to cool down the surrounding areas, to avoid spreading.
The ladder is in place and fire fighters from P-14 are getting ready to climb up to get a closer look.
Whitehouse has a mask attached to his belt.
A third truck arrives at the scene. Also prec-14.
Firehouse 72´s second engine is still en route.

"This is a bad one," says Eric, whistling under his breath. "Definitely a four-alarmer."

The fire rages and smoke is bellowing out. Before soon all trucks that are called to the alarm are there. Organizing the operation is Denkins, fire captain at 14. He walks up to Eric and asks, commands, "You and your boys will take the stairs up. My team will bring up the rear and man the ladders." Checking the block, Whitehouse remembers Hobbes telling him he had a crib at East Side when they parted ways after the court martial following the hill incident in Khe Sanh.

By the look of it, the fire seemed contained to the 8th floor. If he had to guess, the fire had begun on the left side of the block - moving to the center of the building and now had reached the right side. Oddly, the fire hadn´t gained hold of the floors above. That pointed to the act of an arsonist. Only that would explain how an entire floor of such a large floor space would be over lit before the floor above even started to smoke. Or it was just plain luck for the people above.

SENTEREX
Walking back through the corridor, Tobias hears a radio from the core lounge. "...earlier this morning a large fire cost five people their lives. Among the deceased was on of the fire fighters on scene at E66th street - York Avenue. Sources inform..." As he exits the two o´clock door he sees a young dark-haired man booting up the work station, nursing a large tea by the news paper covering part of the steel desk. He looks up when Tobias exits. "Sir?"

Tobias is still mentally going over the forms he filled out, ensuring they were correct, as he leaves Elliot's office. He had just enough time to fill them out and thank David before the man hurried him out before his meeting...

As he exits the two o´clock door he sees a young dark-haired man booting up the work station, nursing a large tea by the news paper covering part of the steel desk. He looks up when Tobias exits. "Sir?"

"Oh sorry. I had an early meeting with Mr. Elliot. I can see myself out."

"Yes, Captain," says Eric, nodding. He turns to his men. "All right, guys, let's go in." He leads the way into the building. I hope this isn't actually where Hobbes lives, he thinks. Man, I knew something was off about Mullins when I saw those trophies, but I never imagined what a crazy ass psycho he was. I wasn't there in the village when he did all that. He quickly puts it out of his mind; distractions could get him killed. He leads the men up the stairs towards the eighth floor.

Firehouse 72

Whitehouse gets to the landing between the seventh and eight floor without any trouble. The two rookies are close behind. The door leading to the eight floor is letting out smoke from the threshold gap. The door is grey and made of steel. Visibility in the stairwell is good but the smoke stings, even through the mask. From behind the door a man´s voice can be heard. "Heelp!" The man kicks and claws at the door apparently unable to open it. It is supposed to open into the building. From above, Whitehouse hear heavy boots from fellow firemen hurrying down.


SENTEREX

The clerk nods at Tobias and waves him past. "Of course, Sir." As Berkowiz arrives to the office of the talent agency on the lower floors of the building, he has one task before checking up on today´s work. The film from last night needs developing. When that´s done, he knows if anyone he met last night has what it takes. The drawback of having too much fun is that you pay it back tenfold when you pick up the slack. But then again, it´s soon forgotten. Another day, another drink, please.

The time is still a couple of hours before his boss or any other associates arrive. Knowing Elliot and how his work morale is, the papers should be ready before eleven. That gives Tobias ample time to get the photos ready and maybe even meet up with someone to get an audition booked.


OOC: Am I going too slow or is this too boring and or predictable? Just checking. I know I´m not super fast but I try my best.

Tobias heads to the blackroom to develop last night's photos. The meeting with Elliot, the prospect of the new gig and the multiple caffeine fixes this morning have all but erased the over-indulgence of the evening prior. He has even forgotten the unpleasantness that occurred during the meeting when Elliot inquired about Myra and the open wounds that he carries concerning that relationship. However, he is still worried about the results of the pending drug test. He could really use the additional money gained from this job and would hate to lose it due to his carelessness while partying on the scene. He tries to push this to the back of his mind as he develops the film.

OOC,No problem here. The speed is right for me as it allows me to manage the multiple characters I have going on this site with my available time. As for predictability, I have no idea where you're going with this ;) So all is well on my end!

"Stay back from the door, sir!" calls Eric. "We're FDNY, and we're going to get you out of there!" He tries to open the door inward, putting his shoulder to it if necessary. If that doesn't work, he always has his axe.

OOC,I'm fine with the pace too, and I'm just as in the dark.

The Dark Room-
One of the photos that slowly are coming into focus is of a dancer. All Tobias remembers is that the guy had been very enigmatic. Ilja Sovastov, or something similar comes to mind when he goes through the names of last night in his head. The usual pretty faces of aspiring models make up the rest of the snaps taken. Nothing stands out.
Maybe the image of Myra is haunting him, still.
Spending the following two hours to blow up some more snaps of Ilja, Tobias is confident he is on to something big. This guy could be his way to the big money. There´s just the detail of casting him properly and to see if he has any talent.
Surrounded by those probing eyes makes Berkowiz feel somewhat uncomfortable and he is interrupted by the phone ringing in the office.




Firehouse 72

The door is somewhat stuck, but with two bashes of the axe, the lock mechanism gives away and the door opens a few inches. Then it stops. Something on the floor is blcoking the door arc. color=#0000FF]"He-e-elp.."[[/color] the voice now comes from the right side of the door. A man staggers towards Eric. He wears a suit and tie and is full of soot from the smoke. He has been crying and tracks of the tears have smudged his face. Bewildered he comes at Eric to escape through the small passage, eyes frantic.

There´s no sign of the fire from the doorway, but the corridor on the other side is filled with smoke that comes at the door in an ominous speed. Whitehouse knows that the smoke is as deadly and hot as any fire, so he keeps his head low.

The dice roll for getting the door open:

"Keep your head down," says Eric as he uses his considerable strength to try to force the door open far enough for the man to fit through it. "Smoke rises, and you don't want to breathe any more of it in. There's something blocking the door. See if you can move it from the other side. Is there anyone else back there?"

IN THE DARK ROOM...

Tobias snaps out of his reverie upon the sound of the phone ringing. The eyes of Ilja Sovastov seem to perplex him. He cannot figure where he could place the young talent or even why his gaze even seems to rattle him. He almost welcomes the phone in such a way that it offers some form of reprieve...

"Berkowitz here. What have you got for me...?"

He answers the phone too informally but it gives him a rest from his mind, which is operating on the edge for some reason..

Firehouse 72

"Eh-i-i´ts some...one fallen...wait..."
There´s some scuffling and soon the door budges as the obstacle is removed.
Through the door stumbles a man wearing a green suit carrying a heap of papers to his chest. Some of the sheets fall to the floor and he stops to retrieve them.
The corridor behind the civilian is filled with smoke that´s coming at the open door in search for a space to claim.

Senterex Tower

"Hi, Toby! It´s McIntosh. Up for tonight? Gabe´s at nine, right? You a r e coming?"
As Tobias listens, the bell on the front door clings as someone enters the office. It comes to a tinkling stop without anyone saying anything. No footsteps are heard either.

The phone is located in a smaller office further in the main office. There´s no way of seeing who´s in the lobby.
McIntosh is a cam-runner from another agency who team up with Berkowiz now and then. A total nut-job but he takes awesome photos.
And sharing the tab cuts the costs down.

The Den
Ilja checks the digital alarm clock radio on the nightstand. 11:02
The digits were defying reason.
Three hours past casting.
One of those days.

He checks his reflection in the black TV-set in an alcove by the stairs. He really needs a shave. No use in keeping the wiry beard when he missed the casting, right?
Flicking on the news he catches a news feed from channel 4.

"This morning fire strikes again. Seven fires in less than a week, NYFD starts to search for a cause of a fire bug. Is someone torching the city? Hot in the city gets a new meaning. Now, over to Rachel and the weather. From one hot topic to another."
The image of a burning high rise is replaced with tall legs and a skirt.
Blonde hair.
Red lips.

Must have some black poison.

If anything is worth call valuable in the small den, it´s the espresso maker. Thirty five square-feet isn´t much. But until the big break, the penthouse loft will do.

"Get him to safety outside," Eric tells one of the men with him. "I'll get the other one." He crouches low, both because smoke rises and because the other person is on the floor. He then reaches through the open door, looking and feeling around for the fallen person who had been blocking it.

SENTEREX TOWER
Upon hearing McIntosh's voice, Tobias' mind reels. Damn! Isn't it Sunday? He searches his memory for the answer but he responds before he even finds it...
"Yeah. I'm all in buddy..." Tobias responds, transmitting with a voice that says that he is enthusiastic for this over the phone even though his body says no. As he responds, he hears the door chime...
"I got company dude. I'll get back to you in a bit..."
Before McIntosh can respond, he hangs up and glances towards the door. Perhaps Elliot has arrived with his results. He sure needed the work...

S E N T E R E X

True, so true - Dave Elliot stands in the lobby. "You´re green, buddy!" Elliot waves a car key on a chain with an BMW logo attached to it. "You´d better take my car to make it official Senterex business." He winks at Tobias. "4-Z lower parking."

Firehouse 72
Gomez holds the door propped open while Eric retrieves a woman from behind the door. She is medium built and unconscious. There´s no way of knowing if she´s going to make it. Inhalation of smoke can render a man a walking corpse. You´re dying without knowing it. Whitehouse has seen his share of smoke injured people walking out by themselves. Only to fall down and die from respiratory failure.

Carrying the woman out of the expensive furnace, he steals a glance of the corridor of the building.

[A knowledge check, please.]

A note to self. "Must check up on where Hobbes is staying."

The Den


Ilja gets out a large mug and sets the machine to Caffé Latte.
In his shorts, he meets the relative morning, watching the roof tops of the neighboring buildings.
"What had that scout said? Semtex building...or something?"

He walks over to the small phone bench and flips open the phone book. Companies "S".

The camera retracts from the small apartment and out over the Big Apple.

Busy, just before lunch time.

Something occurs to Eric as he carries the woman outside.

Firehouse 72

As he leaves the burning floor, Eric is positively sure the fire is waning. It really should be intensifying from the added oxygen provided from the stairwell. That or someone made sure the fire should end prematurely. The fire investigator would have to find out whatever accellerants had been used.

Getting the two people out of the building was priority and with the lessening threat level of the fire, he feels safer. Knowing this is a critical time, when you feel safe - you relax and start being reckless, he keeps his cool and shuts the door to the burning corridor.

SENTEREX

Down at the parking garage, Berkowiz finds a BMW 735, midnight blue. Elliot had left before they had started up any discussion. He just said he´d be over at his boat at peak harbour. Some guys do whatever they like. Others do what they are told.
That´s what defines you, right?

Eric tries to keep his wits about him as he carries the woman outside to safety, not wanting to let his guard down. He makes sure to close doors behind him as he leaves to prevent the fire from spreading faster.