Play@YSDC

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:04 am**

Travis' new home is everything the Real Estate land agent had promised. A cozy, one-storey property cheap enough to purchase in the residential area the locals referred to as Old Silent Hill. It was sparkling with a fresh paint job that left the weatherboard walls and picket fence positively gleaming white. The plants in the window boxes were already in full bloom. Yes, it did have a certain grandma quality to it but its low, low price, two fireplaces (one in the master bedroom and one in the living room), surprisingly large living room and two bedrooms with walk in robes (one would make a fantastic study with a good view of the nicely kept back yard) made it a premium grab. It was larger than it appeared since it stretched back a way through the back yard. It had been recently painted inside, too, with nice, warm cream walls and new caramel-colored carpet. Since it was on 14 Bradbury Street, he could get a view of the lake just by stepping outside and looking left (east on the map, left when your facing away from your house) towards Toluca Lake.

Tavis finished directing the rather gruff and surly delivery men to place the heavier items of furniture in the right spots, paid them the final few notes, and sent them back off the way they came. There were plenty of boxes that needed unpacking but for now everything was reasonably in its place. It was 3.30PM and he had an early morning appointment the following day at Midwich Elementary School to start figuring out the new plans to set up a preschool program in a small attached unit of the school grounds.

Another fantastic thing about Bradbury street. It was within easy walking distance of the school.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:21 am**

"I really do appreciate you help, gentlemen. Have a good day."

He smiles to them as he closes the door as they leave. He is used to be being friendly and only hopes to be accepted in his new home. He always admired the strength and prowess of his friends but he had a feeling of insecurity, since as a young child he had always depended on others to protect him from his tormentors; now, he was on his own in a new place without the safety nets he was used to. Still, a sense of optimism was in the air, he looked forward to starting his new position as the Teacher Director of the Pre-K program at Midwich.

Having just completed unpacking he puts on his sweater and jacket and heads out the door for a stroll along the lake side.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:22 am**

The bright blue sky has a mere scattering of clouds scudding towards the horizon and each is reflected in the azure blue of the incredibly clear waters of what turned out to be a river rather than a lake. Perhaps the Real Estate Agent hadn't been as upfront with him as he might have liked. No matter, it's still a reasonable hike to the lake judging by the map that sits behind glass in the tourist information booth to the right of the bridge that leads to Central Silent Hill. Surrounding the map are a number of information brochures about things to see and do in Silent Hill and he has plenty of time to get to know the place. The air is a little cool, a little crisp, but the sun is strong and warm on his back.

Apparently there's due to be a play performed by the Silent Hill Historical Society at Artaud Theatre in a week's time. It's called: "The Truth Is What You Make Of It" and it's about the lives of five neighbours and how they all see the same events differently.

The Balkan Church welcomes new Protestants to the area and points out that they have a morning tea on Saturday mornings and after Sunday services.

Alchemilla Hospital is looking for more volunteers as Visitor Guides and in the Palliative Care services.

Andy's Bookstore is holding a sale on paperback novels. The author, Walter Desmond, who writes dark fantasy tales in the Clive Barker bent will also be doing a signing there while he's on holidays in Silent Hill.

Pete's Bowl-o-Rama is having a Family Fun Day special starting tomorrow.

Travis' reading is interrupted by a childish giggle coming from behind the sign.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:55 am**

Travis balked at the idea of attending church, his family never had religious beliefs I the western Christian sense. However the idea of volunteering appealed to him. Perhaps he could do portraits or provide an artistic outlet for bed ridden patients. His parents never really did tell him exactly what his health conditions were." You just need to get better, sweety" his mother would tell him. Painting became his way of expressing his frustration with not being able to run and play like the other kids did. Often times he could hear their laughter outside his window. His memories of the fun of other children while he was ill seemed very vivid and infact he thought he was recalling these memories until he realized that laughter he heard was real.

Perhaps a future student of mine, but they would surely be with their caregiver and not alone

He thought to himself as he stepped towards the sign and gave an unthreatening:

"Hello?"

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:28 am**

"Boo!" growls a little girl, leaping around the sign post at him. "Gotchya!" She throws her head back and cackles madly, nearly losing her hat. She grabs it firmly to keep it on her head. She looks to be about 7 years old so likely a student at Midwich Elementary School but far too old for preschool. She stops laughing suddenly and cocks her head to one side. "Oh, you're not..." She scuffs the ground with her toe. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else. But you're not. How rude of me!"

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:38 am**

Travis stumbles backwards and nearly loses his footing at the display of youthful exuberance by the young girl.

"No, you're fine, I work with children younger than you, so usually they don't apologize when they jump on me."

It's not her energy that bothers him, but rather the lack of a parent or caregiver being present. She shouldn't be out by herself, but then perhaps he would have done the same when he was her age(if he had been able to) and also this is a small town so even a girl of her age would presumably be safe. Still it was concerning.

"No, I guess I am not who you were hoping for. Are you looking for someone in particular? Are you alone here?

He didn't mean to sound like a worried, old mother but he was concerned.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:51 am**

"Alone?" She taps her lower lip with an index finger, twirling the red rose around in her other hand. "Um, I don't think so. You're here, aren't you? Silly man!" She smiles at him. "You are here, right?"

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:02 am**

In the literal sense she was correct, but then often times in abusivse situations children learn how to redirect others or even to lie on their abuser's behalf.
How many times did I say my dad had the flu when he was really drunk again?

"Yes, you're right I am here. My name is Travis and I just moved here. What is your name if I may ask?"

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:11 am**

"Casey. Um, no, wait. Jessica!" She seems inordinately proud of herself with her response which seemed strange. She was obviously lying and kids of that age would be well aware of how transparent the lie appeared. She turned and gestured toward the river. "I'd like to go visit the Amusement Park but I'm not allowed to go on my own. Will you take me there?" She gazes back up at you and clasps her hands together around the rose stem (luckily it appears to have been plucked of thorns). "Pretty please?"

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:19 am**

Travis kneels down in order to be able to meet the child on her own eye level. Though he finds it odd that she'd lie about her name he decides to not confront her on it.

"Casey, the amusement park does sound fun"
I've never been to one

"But, we don't know each other and your parents should be the ones to take you to it. Do you know where they are?"

The child's lack of boundaries was distressing to him.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:27 am**

It's also odd because the girl is quite well-dressed but the expectation is that it's the poorer, more visibly neglected children who have such poor boundaries. The girl takes a couple steps backward when he gets down on his knees. "Um, okay, I guess, but what if that means I'll never go?" She sighs, then smiles mischeviously at him. "I can't go without an adult and my parents should take me but won't so I guess you should take me?" She grabs hold of his hand and drags at him. "C'mon, c'mon, it's over the bridge and then south. I wanna Ronnie Rabbit and you can win me one and it'll be grrrrreat! Ooh, ooh, can I go on the roller coaster? Can I? Can I? Please!"

"Ahem!" coughs a woman's voice behind you.

The girl frowns. "Oh no! Don't look! Just ignore her and she'll go away."

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:40 am**

To some extent he understood the concern of not being able to live out a childhood.
I remember my friends coming back from the amusement park, I was so jealous. I remember feeling envious when they'd go and leave me behind. Calvin would always bring me back something he won for me. He did it so he could show he cared, but I remember always thinking he brought it back to me to show off and that he did it to make me feel even more not part of their group

Before he could respond to the girl he heard the cough of the woman.

OCC: Does Casey seem afraid? His reaction may depend alot on the child's body language and demeanor.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:58 am**

Your empathy with Casey and her feelings makes her easy for you to read. She seems to be a little afraid, though not specifically of the woman, but of what the woman represents. She mostly seems to feel resentment and a loss of some grand opportunity. You don't believe that it's the mother standing behind you but it is some sort of authority figure. You're pretty sure Casey is trying to escape into some sort of Fantasy Land (as children are wont to do when they're feeling miserable or trapped) and the woman behind you is sure to pull her out of it and take her back. If you don't look, and therefore don't acknowledge the authority figure, she believes that you might still go with her and show her the Amusement Park.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:20 am**

Though he acknowledges the unease of the situation and the apprehension tha Casey feels he still feels like he must respond to the person behind him. He gets up off his knees and turns to look and makes sure that he is positioned between the girl and woman.

"Hello, I suppose you must know this girl?"

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:02 am**

A female police officer stands beside a police car, one arm lazily draped over the door. "Well, considering I've been looking for her for the past two hours ... again ... this month ... yes, yes, I know her." She sighs and arches an eyebrow at the girl. "Come on, let's get you back to your mother and father. You know they're worried sick about you."

Casey shakes her head. "No, I don't wanna!"

"You take after your mother, you know that?" The woman smiles. "Come on, don't make me chase you. You know you need to go back to your folks. Now stop bugging the nice man and come with me."

"Okaaay," mutters Casey, hanging her head and heading to the police officer.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:11 am**

"Hello officer, my name is Travis Jates, I have just moved here. It's reassuring to know our streets are safe. Though I wonder, why one would run away not once, but twice in a month."

He steps to the side as Casey walks towards the officer.

"It was nice to meet you, Casey. I do hope you get to go the amusement park. I do hear they can be quite fun."

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:29 am**

"No problem, I'm Officer Cybil Bennett," the policewoman says with a nod. "Now c'mon kiddo, you can ride shotgun."

"Maybe you can take me to the Amusement Park later," Casey says, both hopefully and brightly. She hops into the front seat and gives a little wave. "You have to come visit me."

"Only if your parents are all right with that."

Casey scowls. "Aww!"

"Looks like you made a friend, Travis," says Cybil, hopping into the police car. She turns in her seat to look back at Casey. "Now buckle up, sweetheart, we'll have you back at the hospital in no time at all."

At that, she starts up the car and starts doing a U-Turn to head back over the bridge. It's at that point that Travis realizes he hadn't heard her pull up. She was parked on gravel, after all, surely he wasn't that deaf or single-minded?

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:42 pm**

"Thank you Officer Bennett and it was nice to meet you Casey."

He waves to them as they leave and turns to head back towards his home. Even the stroll down the street left his legs feeling tired, the walk to the lake may have to wait for another day.

I wouldn't have been able to run away had I wanted to(there were many times I did). I hated being in and out of the hospital, so I can't blame her. I hope her parents are there for her at least and it sounds like they are.

He walks back down the street and turns to look at the police car as it continues to drive away.

I can't believe I didn't hear the car pull up, maybe she was already parked near by. I can't be going deaf.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:10 pm**

Heading home sounds like a good idea. He could always spend the evening unpacking things and getting ready for tomorrow. Perhaps go to bed early and get up bright and early tomorrow. Alternatively, he could go out in his car and take a look around if he felt up to it.

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:26 am**

Travis walks slowly back to his house.

This is a raging mess.. I can't deal with this right now, but there is always the weekend.

The one thing he will unpack are his paints and a piece of recyclable paper. He wants to capture the sense of childhood that apparently is being denied to this girl just as it did to him. Though this painting he hopes to portray the freedom of a carnival.

However, the artwork reminds him of something a child would paint in rush infact he's seen better from his own students in the past.

In frustration he crumples the paper and decides to make some tea.

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:09 am**

The tea boils rather admirably and he gets settled down to a nice cup of tea, surrounded by towering boxes. If he doesn't unpack the things in the kitchen, at least, he'll need to eat out but he doesn't know anyplace that'd be open. Of course, it's tourist season so there should be several places open. Just as he's feeling settled, he hears the voices of the neighbours rise up in angry agitation. He can't hear much of what they're saying but what he can hear is rather disturbing. Apparently, the woman is heading off with her friends because her husband is such a lazy bum and the man's angry because she's never around, anyway, always down the pub, so what can she expect from him? Other than that, the voices are just an angry burble.

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:46 am**

Travis pours his tea rather quickly and heads towards the window and attempts to peer out the window from behind the curtains to get a visual on the situation.

I haven't been here a day, but here I am already being a nosey neighbor(I've heard fights like this before). I suppose the tea and dinner can wait for now.

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:25 am**

The woman marches out onto the front stoop, wooden floorboards clearly squeaking underfoot, when a man's hand grabs her by the wrist and shakes her a bit. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" grunts the man's voice. "Where you going? Back to Annie's Bar, huh? Bet you'd like that! Think I ain't heard?" The man comes out on the front stoop behind her. He's a big man, arms bulging with muscle from unused aggression. There's an implied threat just in those muscles, but he hasn't done anything. He gives her arm a little shake and growls something that you just make out the words: "Some bloke from Annie's Bar, that right?"

She scoffs at him and pulls her hand free. "What is with husbands blaming bartenders for everything? I mean, that's like ... gah! Y'know, I really thought you would have a bit more respect for the-"

"Yeah, you're right." The man slumps. "Look, let's not fight out here, all right? Let's just go inside and talk about our problems. Heaven knows we have enough of them. Besides, we've a new neighbour and the last thing we want is for him to get a bad impression of us. Tomorrow you were going to take him a pudding, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, I was." She draws in a deep breath. "Can't have him confuse a little fight for Silent Hill inhospitality, right?"

"Right. Now c'mon inside." He puts a hand on her shoulder and leads her inside. "Gotta hand it to that Jack. He made a mean cocktail."

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:52 pm**

At least they're able to talk things through, but then my parents always talked, exploded, and talked again..No matter where you go there is a family or a couple going through these problems. It's important not to judge, god knows I've had my own difficulties..

He leaves the window and decides to unpack his kitchen supplies, but he has little left in him to use much more than a can opener and a pot. After he has completed his dinner he will get ready for bed.

I have a long day tomorrow. I have to meet with the school district team and I am sure they are going to want to focus on academic readiness, self regulation and other various forms of killing off our children's ability to think critically. If only we could all be as divergent with our thinking as 4 year old is.

Posted: **Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:54 pm**

It's at least simple to unpack the bedroom blankets and pillows and set up his bed. It's still feels pretty early (even at 9 pm) so it takes him awhile to finally feel the last dregs of sleep coming over him. The combat the warmth of the room (it's oddly warm, considering the rest of the house), the last thing he does before falling asleep is turn on the ceiling fan. He dreams of shadows flitting across wallpaper and someone scratching against the bricks behind his headboard from the other side. It's a strangely terrifying dream that seems to last for hours before finally he awakens, not with a scream but with a dull moan. The alarm on his mobile phone is singing at him to get up. Looks like its 7 AM. He has the meeting at 9 AM and it's not far away but he still needs to unpack his clothes to get everything ready.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:52 am**

It wasn't a good night to have nightmares..Too much to do today and can't afford to not be prepared. I don't even know where to begin with this mess of a place. I hate that god damn cell phone, but then I guess perhaps Calvin did want to know how to get a hold of me. Why should he still care about me after all we've put eachother through.

While contemplating, Travis moves through his boxes and looks for those labeled with his clothes and teaching portfolio over various crafts, nature activities and documentation of children's activities.

After he has eaten he will atempt to paint a representation of his nightmare and will attempt to recall anything he can from it. However, his painting comes off as contrived and dull.

It seems like a girl in highschool going through her goth phaze would have painted this..I guess I really am not at my greatest creative capacity.
After drinking his morning tea and grabbing his bag he will head out the door.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:03 am**

To make matters worse, Calvin did give him a fairly expensive cell phone which is therefore trickier to sort out. Hence why it went off at 7 AM when Calvin likely set it rather than at 6 AM when he normally wakes up. Normally it wouldn't matter since he'd wake up before the cell phone, but today he slept past his normal hour, likely because of the nightmares. Perhaps it was a good gift, after all, because Travis feels tired enough that he might have slept through the meeting if he'd been given the chance. Time passes and it quickly nears the time to get ready and head down to Midwich Elementary School. Outside, the skies are clear and sunny. It looks to be another warm day in sunny Silent Hill (which is what the radio broadcaster says from the loud radio in next door's shed when he finally heads out).

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:46 am**

With everything in hand he takes a quick stroll to the front entrance of Midwich. He notes the rather traditional play equipment.

Can't we get these children some climbing logs or anything less one dimensonal than these out dated play ground pieces? If I had the chance to play I would have been in the woods everyday.

He walks up to the front desk to sign in with the school receptionist. He tries to look as motivated and untired as possible.

"Good morning, I am Mr. Jates and I am here for my appointment with the coordinator of the Pre-K program.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:16 am**

Midwich Elementary School has no visible playground equipment from the front and with its high two-storey menacing stone walls and little windows it appears to be somewhat of a fortree. But for the school bus parked out front in the parking bay and the big stone sign saying: Midwich Elementary School that is surrounded by hedgerows and trees, you wouldn't think it was a school at all. Oh well, hopefully the lanscaped hedgerows pass for a fence here. That would be nice. You're pretty sure the hedge rows define some sort of an oval.

You come up the steps beneath its imposing stone front entryway that would look less out place in an older town. By all accounts, Silent Hill is relatively young, having sprung into being in the late 17th or early 18th century (or so said the eager receptionist, Ms. Latham, when you first spoke to her) and pull open one of the heavy wooden doors to step inside the lobby.

A ceiling fan whooshes by overhead, moving the stale warm air around in lazy circles as you step across the brown linoleum floor that does little to dampen the echoes of your footfalls as you head for the next set of double doors that give way to the actual entry area.

To the left is the Reception desk where a young woman sits, jotting down an attendance record as an obviously late child meekly offers up a letter of explanation from his mother. She accepts the letter and sends him off with a casual shake of her hand, before turning back to her attendance record. There's obviously no sign of a computer for the receptionist here. "Just a minute," she says, as she copies some details from the letter into her ledger in a painstakingly careful handwriting. It looks like her hands have a slight case of the shakes.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:20 am**

"It's quite alright, I am probably early anyway."

He'll let her complete her tasks and will look around the lobby for any displays of artwork, a newsletter or documentation of class projects, pictures of the staff or any other such displays.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:45 am**

She looks up after a few moments, not giving you any time to really take in the rather sterile (in a grimy sorta way) atmosphere. The bleak walls and old brown linoleum really compete to give this place a slightly decrepit vibe. They obviously don't pay as much attention to their schools as they do to their well-painted and beautiful storefronts. You can see that there's a calender behind her and a sign about how children should all show up to the receptionist before going to their classes and before leaving the school to go get picked up. It seems like a strange custom.

"Early?" she asks. "Oh, you're Mr. Yates, I presume? You're here to meet Principal Ross."

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:57 am**

When I wrote my thesis on how the public school hasn't changed since the Missionary Schools, I should have come to Silent Hill to support my arguement. I can't let that get in the way though, perhaps a fresh perspective will make a difference here where it needed.

"Yes, Ms. Latham, I am here to meet with Principal Ross to discuss the Pre-K program. Was hoping to get a good start to ur program here, as I am sure the parents of our community will appreciate the new program and I want everything ready to go when the children start to attend."

He attempts to look excited(but not over eager) and doesn't want her to notice any look of dissapointment in regards to the priorities(or lack of) of the Silent Hill community.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:03 am**

Ms. Latham flashes him a bright smile. "Oh, good, good! We can't wait to see what sort of plans you have here. It's a small school. We've only got a few classrooms and we only have around 100 students here at the moment. That's our capacity. But we're hoping to expand. What sort of plans do you have, by the way? Oh, if you don't mind my asking."

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:34 am**

"Well, we've just received funding from the State Deparment of Education and federal stimulus funds to open up a Pre-K classroom here. I do believe Principal Ross advocated quite admirably for the Silent Hill School District. Anyway, my approach is very Reggio inspired, we take the interests of the children and guide them through long term projects that meet our Early Learning Standards in all the required areas from Literacy and Math throught Social-Emotional development."

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:14 am**

"Oh," she said, her smile faltering slightly. "It's the weirdest thing, really. Teaching pre-schoolers how to read, write, and additions and subtractions always seemed a bit weird for me. I mean, three and four-year-olds aren't really equipped for that, are they? Won't they just get frustrated and come to hate school? I thought it'd be more about finger painting and getting used to school and coming to love it?" She frowns. "I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I? I'm sorry."

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:38 am**

" I understand what you are saying, certainly. My classrooms are for from route learning and chanting the ABCs. Infact my approach is just the opposite. There are developmentally apporpriate ways to teach all these subjects to children. Our children should think in a critical manner. Seems like we agree in most areas. You'd be suprised of the capabilites of some children; their focus can be amazing if you give them something they are interested in."

Travis looks towards the door the hallways of the school.

"I appreciate you view points very much, Ms. Latham. I suppose we should let Principal Ross know I am here?

I really didn't mean for her to misunderstand me like that. If I can't even get my relate my teaching philosophy to the receptionist than how are bad are things with Mr. Ross going to be? God, this place freaks me out. It's not even just a sterile environment, it's a depressing one.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:52 am**

Ms. Latham cheers up somewhat with a friendly smile. "Then I think you'll like Principal Ross. He's trying to inculcate a bit more of a safe, learning environment for our children. I mean, if you can't feel good as a child, then when can you feel good?" She goes over to the telephone and lifts it to her ear, tapping in three numbers. "Principal Ross? Yes, I have a Mr. Yates here to see you. Yes, of course. The staff lounge? Certainly." She hangs up the telephone. "Please, come right this way." She waves you through the doorway into the reception room and then opens a door into what is presumably to be the staff lounge. There's a wide landscape painting hanging off the back wall and a couple of old yellow couches facing each other over a coffee table. "If you'll just wait in here please."

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:55 am**

"Thank you for showing me hear Ms. Latham.

Travis will sit at one of the chairs and will pull out his portofilio and flip through the pages of photographs of various class projects over the last couple years.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:01 am**

There is very little else in the room other than a folded up newspaper with some sort of paper sticking out of it and a clock on the wall. Ms. Latham excuses herself and leaves him, reassuring him that the principal just needs to tidy up a few things and should be down in a couple minutes. The couch itself is one of those vinyl-covered overstuffed couches that you just can't get comfortable on.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:57 pm**

Travis finishes flipping through his portfolio and places it on the coffee table.

Everyone has their own cultural concept of time, but I guess I regret that my parents always told me to arrive earlly.

He eyes the newspaper and decideds to pick it up and read in order to pass the time.

I guess I should get to know this place a bit better..

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:28 am**

The newspaper itself seems to talk mostly about the local news. There's some details about the wonderful theatrical production being put on and how the director, Albert Keene is quite a capable director and playwright of some cheerfully macarbe tales that entwine deeper meaning and great subtext within works set in your normal, contemporary life. It mentions the horror writer who's coming to Silent Hill (the newspaper is almost a week old) and will be at Andy's Bookstore, there's the usual array of advertisements, a review of the local pubs that states Annie's Bar is a cozy place has a tradition of serving highly alcoholic drinks, that Neely's Bar is too small to comfortably be called thus and should really be called a Booze Cafe, that the Shepherd's Glen Inn is always full of cantankerous old men, and that the Brahm's Hotel is the best place to drink if you want a nice atmosphere but don't want to pay the high prices of the Lakeside Hotel's restaurant. There's also information on the Brahms Highschool Football Team's successes, something about an investigation into "PTV" dealers that continues but there've been no further suspicious deaths since 2004's spates of mysterious deaths (such as the anti-drug mayor and the narcotics officer, Gucci, who died of a sudden heart failure of unknown origin).

The paper inside seems to be a brochure:

Welcome to Silent Hill!
Silent Hill, a quite little
lakeside resort town.
We're happy to have you.
Take some time out of your busy
schedules and enjoy a nice restful
vacation here.

Row after row of quaint old houses,
a gorgeous mountain landscape, and
a lake which shows different sides
of its beauty with the passing of the
day, from sunrise to late afternoons
to sunset.

Silent Hill will move you and fill
you with a feeling of deep peace.
I hope your time here will be
pleasant and your memories will
last forever.

Editor: Roger Widmark

Scrawled over it in black biro are the words: Too many tourists. Not enough residents. Advertise family friendly? Nice housing prices?

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:35 am**

Well this isn't the first town I've been in that's had drug problems..I wonder what kind of outreach and treatment options there are here? For such a seemingly picturesque town it does seem like Silent Hill isn't free of the issues many larger cities face..

When he is down reading the paper he will get up and check the time on the clock that's in the staff lobby. He will also look out any windows to see if there are any people outside or evidence of anyone else being present in the building.

Schools are usually places of high intensity and lots of people, this one seems oddly quiet and inactive.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:41 am**

There's no windows in this room. In fact, from the outside it really didn't look like there were all that many windows on the bottom floor. At least, not ouside of the classrooms judging by his own observations and the map he'd been given. He did arrive after all of the children should have filtered inside but there still is normally a lot more energy and excitement. When he heads out into the main area to check the clock (he must've left that cellphone at home), he sees Ms. Latham bent over a ledger, pencilling in details, with a book catalogue beside her. It looks like she's purchasing books for the children. "Yes?" she asked as he comes out.

I'ts 9.25AM.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:46 am**

"Oh, I am sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. I was just checking on the time.."

He seems a little insecure and hopes he didn't disturb her.

"What kind of books are you ordering if you don't mind me asking?

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:50 am**

"At the moment I'm picking some fantasy fiction and poetry books and probably a few more how-to-write books. We like to build on the children's creativity and imagination and we don't currently have any books of that nature in the library, which is a shame. Y'know what it's like when you get different sorts of principals one after another..." She goes quiet and you can tellthat she has more to say but has decided against it.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:56 am**

"I understand, I've been in schools where they couldn't keep a principal for more than a school year. That kind of discontinuity can make it pretty stressful on the rest of the staff. That must be difficult for you especially since you most likely do all the appointment making and the day to day operations that make a school like this run..

He doesn't try to overtly ask for my information, but hopes by being sympathetic that she may open up more.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:06 am**

Travis' sympathetic words and obvious misunderstanding of the situation (which is an easy mistake to make, really) prompts her perfectly.

"Ahh, no, that's not..." She looks pained for a moment, then glances left and right before craning forward to say in a low voice: "Well, no, Principal Roseworthy had been here for a good twenty five years. It's just that she always preferred safety over freedom so she curtailed a lot of childish activity. We didn't have a playground. We just have that walled in courtyard. She... A lot of the principals have been like her through the years. Midwich is an old school and it was actually built around principles of the old fortifications. Small windows, generally. High stone walls that surround a central courtyard. Even the clocktower, really. I mean, we have a sportsfield out the back of the school and a playground of sports equipment but it wasn't easy to access it. You actually have to go out the front doors and then around the sides."

"Well, she was always a bit like that but after several horrible incidents with our students about ten or so years ago she became resolute that children's hyperactive imaginations were to blame. She firmly believed that a lot of the pain they were being caused came from their thoughts and beliefs bleeding through into their actions and staining the world. Those were the words she used. Bleeding through and staining the world. She said they'd just get themselves hurt. She was the one that instilled the checking in and out process and why we don't have any computers. She couldn't stand to leave anything up to electronic decision-making. Of course, in the end she locked up the school and refused to let their parents take them home. No one got hurt but there were a lot of frightened people. She was committed to Brookhaven about a year ago."

"I've worked under her for about 10 years as her receptionist and general assistant. I'm actually in charge of the library though I have a volunteers from the students to help me. Principal Ross is quite different from her. He's more steady and more open to new ideas."

She stops talking and turns her attention back to the book. She obviously has more to say on the subject but doesn't really want todivulge this information.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:12 am**

Hmm..I mean I've heard of lock down from violent individuals on school ground, but against the children's own parents? Imagination doesn't hurt us, it is a freeing experience to make believe. That is unless at times there is trauma in real life and then it comes through in the play and story telling of children.

He has a look of concern on his face.

"You must have a lot of resilience to work here after that, it's reassuring to have passionate people here. Anyway, I better get back to the staff lobby, I don't want to inconvience the principal"

He gives her one last smile and heads back to the lounge.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:14 am**

Ms. Latham smiles gratefully as you turn to go. "Yes, you'd better do that. Principal Ross isn't normally late. He's just dealing with one of the parents who can be a little ... difficult. He'll be out soon. I'm sure of it."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:35 am**

"Thank you, Ms. Latham."

On his way Travis again will look for any displays of classroom projects or look for any signs of activity in the school. He doesn't want to appear snoopy, but will glance through any classroom door that may be open or if there's a class door with a window that as well.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:41 am**

Travis spots a map of the school done by a child's hand as he heads back into the small waiting area that is apparently between the Reception Office and the Principal's Office (but isn't depicted on this map, at least - a new partition, perhaps?). If he wants to peek into the rest of the school, he'd have to leave the Reception Area to take a look around. Alternatively, if he wants to snoop, he could always listen in to whatever conversation is actually occuring in the principal's office through the door.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:47 am**

I haven't been to a school where the children took it onto themselves to create a map of the school. Perhaps a project to shed light on the children's perspective of their learning environment.

He leans towards the wall seperating himself from the principals office.

How many times have a put my ear against the wall in my life?
He can hear the voice of the Principal through the wall and in an odd way it reminds him of listening in on his parent's agruements.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:55 am**

"What do you think I've been doing all of these years?" snarls a gravelly male voice. "I have been trying to do my best to enforce the traditions-"

"We hold nothing but respect for traditions here at Midwich Elementary School but I do believe it is time we move this school forward into the New Millenium," says a calm man's voice. "Computers are the key to an active education. Once they leave this school, they will need to know how to use computers. It's only natural that we bring Information Technology onto the school grounds."

"And you're going to increase class sizes to squeeze those computers in?" snapped the man's voice.

"At present, we've aimed for 15 students per classroom and while that's an admirable aim, it's more important for us to be able to hold computer classes for the children."

"And this Kindergarten crap, where's that gonna go? Going to mash up two other classrooms for that?"

"Class sizes of 30 will be no problem at all to our students. In fact, we hope to be able to keep children in Silent Hill attending Midwich until Grade 6 rather than sending them over to Brahms. Wouldn't it be better if they didn't need to commute to go there?"

"This isn't the last you'll hear of this. The parenting committee will not stand for it!"

"Well, I hope in time you'll come to see this school's vision as I do," says the principal sweetly.

The man huffs and starts marching towards the door. Luckily, Travis is well-practised in moving fast away from doors to hop back onto the seat like nothing ever happened.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:26 am**

Travis stands up and acknowledges both men with a nod of his head. Though he wishes to say something he also does not want to interrupt either person.

I actually kind of agree with the man from the parenting committee. Children should learn by interacting with their enviornments and experiencing life first hand rather than being behind a computer screen all day. Though we do live in a world where you have to be computer literate.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:43 am**

One man just stomps off out of the room and through the reception desk, not even bothering to acknowledge Ms. Latham's good-natured farewell. You can practically feel the anger coming off of him in waves. Oh well, at least he hadn't turned that glare onto you.

The principal steps into the doorway and gives you a friendly little wave. "Well, c'mon in Mr. Yates. I'm hoping you're not cross with me for the lateness but, err, Mr. Campbell's none too keen about some of our proposed changes." He gestures for you to come into his office which is a mess of paperwork, multiple filing cabinets, and the latest gadgetry. He's obviously outfitted his office to be technologically superior with a sleek black desktop computer, printer/fax machine/photocopier, an iPad AND a Blackberry. "Please, sit, sit." He gestures to one of the swivel chairs. Thankfully, both the chairs are the same height, though the office is too cramped for him to do anything but sit behind his desk to talk to you. "So ... how's things?"

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:48 am**

"Thank you Principal Ross I don't mind waiting at all. Sounds like you have passionate advocates in the community."

He smiles and sits down in the seat infront of of the desk.

"Things have been very nice since I got here. I managed to take a walk along the creekside and have been able to meet a few of my neighbors. I just live down the street from here, infact. I am very excited to begin here and am eager to get your input on the direction you'd like us to go with the Pre-K program."

The excess of technology is bothersome..Isn't he aware of all the studies linking cell phones with cancer?

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:49 am**

"Well, first I'd like to hear your vision. You do have a vision, don't you? I mean, it's a pain when everyone's visions collide but you can't just be at it higgeldy piggeldy. So first, you advise me. Where do you see this project going? What is the ideal scenario here?" He also gestures a lot to enunciate the point.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:59 am**

"I believe children learn though exploring their environment and learning how things work through play. Children especially at the ages of 3-5 learn through their play, interactions with eachother and the role modeling they see from their caregivers.
When you give a child an object to explore and do not directly instruct them on what it does their cognitive development is both age appropriate and prepares them for the adult and modern world.

Travis attempts to appear opptumistic and cheerful. He then proceeds to take out his binder displaying children's projects that range from extensive art work that is then documented and displayed, a project called "Our Brige", which focuses on a bridge that children have added musical features to(wind chimes), sticks to hit various parts of the bridge with and other ways to explore the various features of what before was just a plain foot path, but was now pronunced feature of a local park.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:08 am**

Principal Ross seems reasonably impressed by the conversation but it obviously hits a sour note somewhere along the line because his nose crinkles up a little. "That bridge sounds like it'd take up a lot of room. And it'd be expensive! How would we finance that? And how many children were you thinking we could bring on board? I have about 20 preschool children on a list somewhere." He starts rummaging around in his drawers. "We could fit 20 kids, couldn't we?"

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:11 am**

"That is exactly why community outreach is important. We were able to contact the local Parks and Recreation department of the city and they allowed us access to the bridge for the project. You won't believe what an involved community is capable of."

He doesn't let the misunderstanding of the Principal bother him.

"20 children is the typical number of children enrolled into Head Starts or school district Pre-K programs within our state."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:14 am**

"Oh, good, good," says Principal Ross, immediately cheering up. "So we could have more children than 20, right? Perhaps 30 in the end? We're hoping this'll be a growing community after all." He frowns a bit, as the line about communities pulling together obviously hits another sour note. "I don't know if it's such a good idea... Silent Hill is a very conservative community. It's best not to try to rely overly much on the other agencies."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:17 am**

"Hmm..I understand that a lot of communites are facing difficulties. I feel like you have a vision as well and sometimes in order to best serve our children and communities we have to take risks as educators."

He tries not to look nerve racked.

My father never had faith in me either. He always said I was weak and too girly, that I'd cry too much about being sick

"Speaking of other agencies, what support networks and services are available to our students and their families?

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:37 am**

Principal Ross nods eagerly at those first lines. "My thoughts exactly! It's just as with the new Computer Classes. People don't want change, especially parents, even when it's good for them. But we have to take risks! I knew you were a risk-taker just by looking at your resume. I knew you were the right man for the job."

"As to any other support networks, well, we've got a few volunteers that help out. A small volunteer force. Mostly retired women and the odd mother. Outside of that, well, it's a resort town and resort towns normally don't worry about their children too much. Heck, most of the kids around here are homeschooled. We should at least have a school of around 500 kids whereas right now we have about 128 kids. That's a huge number of kids that're just floating out there, learning who knows what?! So no, there's not a whole lot of respect for traditional schooling around here. Doesn't help that this place looks so medieval. I mean, this place should've expanded by now but there's been no council funding or state funding increases or anything because we're still under our maximum which is about double what we've got. To do any upgrades at all we've had to go with this preschool program which should hopefully fund a bit of an upgrade of the playground equipment, maybe, y'know, to get something that aren't splintery OH&S hazards."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:47 am**

" I agree that it's very important to have a safe environment for children. At the same time children learn self regulation through taking risks within reason. I am glad that the new funding will allow the school to get some upgrades on our equipment. Hopefully we will able to get our enrollment numbers up as well."

"Where will the new classroom be located, Principal Ross??"

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:52 am**

"On the ground floor. I'll show you, if you like. Would you like the tour now, or later?"

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 3:53 am**

"Well perhaps we can continue our discussion as we take a walk. I am such a visual person, so it would be nice to see the class room environment."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:24 am**

Principal Ross nods. "Oh wait, before we leave. Why Midwich Elementary School? I know I asked during the phone interview but, well, you know how things are when you're trying to get the job. You have to say certain things. But now you've gotten the job, why Midwich?"

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:31 am**

"Well I come from a much larger community. SIlent Hill seems like a nice change of pace from your average town in America. Besides the lack of over development gives us a lot of natural materials to work with."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:36 am**

Principal Ross looks a little shame-faced. "Well, I might have lied about the number of homeschooled children in Silent Hill. It's actually a tiny town. Here, let me show you, in case you haven't seen it before." He pulls out a print out, as if by magic, from within a towering pile of paperwork (how could he know precisely were it sat?) and passes it to you. As you can see, there's none too many buildings. I mean, there's some farmland here and there, most of it off of that map, but still, not a whole lot of families and therefore not all that many children. Really Silent Hill supports a lot of the sleepier surrounding towns like Pleasant River and Shepherd's Glen. We have some *big* business going about but not all that much in the case of actual residential. It might have been different if the mine was still in operation, but it isn't."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:03 am**

I didn't mean to make him feel insecure..really. Anyway, I never liked mines, it's probably better for everyone's sake that the mine is no longer in operations. I hope the tailings from the mine weren't dumped into the lake or anything like that.

"Thank you for the map, Principal. So, what can we do today that will have our classroom set up and running on time? I have some materials of my own I was hoping to use, but perhaps the education coordinator has some school district curriculum already in place?"

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:16 am**

"Err, we don't have a Pre-K program at present. I have already combined two of the Grade 1s classes into one so that we can use that room and it's been tidied up a bit but, well, I was more hoping you could tell me how we proceed in this. I can tell you a bit about this school. We have eight teachers full-time." He rattles off eight names, one of which is familiar. "One of them, Mrs. Latham, has lost her classroom so she's moved over to focus on Music, Library Duties, and administration which has been a welcome relief to me. Yes, she was always a bit of an eclectic anyway. We don't have a school canteen. They all bring their lunches from home."

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:46 am**

"Perhaps the faculty should have a meeting to discuss the priorities of the program and what resources we have at our disposal? I am sure between the staff we can determine what the goals of the new program should be and what the parents of our community want. I don't mind facilitating such a meeting for the staff and perhaps we can have parent input as well?"

I haven't heard of a school district this fractured before. Usually there is some Administrators from the State Department of Education that have a say in every step of the planning. I suppose I won't mind the freedom though.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:59 am**

"Well, what are the priorities of kindergarteners, really?" He scratches his head. "We just want to prepare them for school, really. Oh, and keep them safe and happy. Takes some of the weight out of the parent's hands as well. I mean, why don't you just tell us what you want to do and we can tell you if it's feasible? None of us have that much experience with children that young."

Backwater indeed. There's been no mention of being plagued by any Administrators from the State Department of Education whatsoever. It seems like they've been let off the leash. Curioser and curioser... Maybe that's why they have little to no funding?

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:23 am**

Travis nods in understanding.

"I understand. We should start off at the ground level where we support social interaction through lots of free choice and play periods. There should be interest areas with art supplies, paper, scissors and crayons to promote fine motor development, block areas to develop understanding of spatial relationships, sand and water tables and a dramatic play area where children can act out there home lives. Really at this point it is about getting younger children to the point where the can socialize and play within a large group setting."

Long terms projects can wait, we ust need to make sure these kids don't kill eachother by the first grade..

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:45 am**

"Hmm, yes, that's exactly what I was thinking," says Principal Ross. "Feel our way forward and all that. Sounds like a plan. Now, let me show you around the school." He shows you the courtyard with its chalk Hopscotch markings and the benches and the neatly trimmed hedgerow and the antique clock tower with the little door at the bottom. He shows you the back foyer where the back doors were bricked over years ago and they just haven't the funding to remove the bricks. The teacher's lounge looks like a rather cramped office with desks along the walls and four cubicles in the middle which is where the teachers work. Not much of a teacher's lounge, really. Not so much as a couch. He shows you to your spot which is in one of the corners overlooking the rear brick wall. It would've been nice if they'd had windows but of course they don't. The lunch room is pretty plain. Just rows and rows of tables and chairs that crowd every inch of the room so that all of the children can eat inside when its rainy out there. There's not really enough room for 120 kids but apparently if no one can go outside, the classes take it in turns to eat lunch. Half the school at a time. One eats in the first half, the second in the second half. The classrooms are pretty traditional looking with a lot of singular study desks with chairs, a chalk board, and a lot of paintings on the walls. There's also the teacher's desk which, judging by the busy nature of the Teacher's Lounge, has to be far more well-used. Of course, really, why the teachers couldn't just use their classroom desks and leave the lounge to lounging is anyone's guess.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:49 pm**

"Well, thank you for your time Principal Ross. If you don't mind then perhaps I can take the time to draw out a floor plan for the classroom and a daily schedule of activities and routines for the children. Do we have a list of the students and contact information for the families? Also, when were you looking to have the classroom ready by?"

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:21 am**

The tour of the ground floor ends within Travis' classroom. "Well, that sounds just fine. Feel free to put things together in your classroom and all the rest. Ms. Latham can provide you with the list of students and contact information. I was hoping we'd have the classroom ready in time for the next school year in September. It's May now, so that's three to four months. Would that work?" The principal eyes Travis hopefully.

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:28 am**

[Spoiler-Button]OOC, Oops I guess I wasn't certain about the in game time of year.[/Spoiler-Button

"That sounds more than reasonable. I will arrange the classroom and have it ready to go for next school year."

When Prinicipal Ross leaves Travis will attempt to move some of the furniture out of the way and will begin to visualize his ideal classroom arrangment. Rather than a traditional floor plan he will attempt to paintI( he usually carries his water color tubes with him and a brush)a scene of children happily playing, creating pieces of art work and imaginging a creative world of fantasy. His painting usually have a surreal and dream like quality to them.

The painting becomes more than just a dream for his classroom, but rather also a vision of the entire school. Children playing in a playground with natural materials, water features and a beautiful serene environment with out door instruments, from large wooden-wind chimes to Midwich's own version of the "Our Bridge Project

A dream perhaps, but a beautiful one none the less.

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:33 am**

And then Travis looks up at the brown linoleum and the brown desks and the old radiator and the large chalkboards and the austere glass windows and realises how far he'll have to come to bring his vision to life. Apparently funding is tight at this school (when isn't it), but there may be extra funding and resources from local businesses. He could stay on until recess to chat to the children and teachers or he could drive around the town to see what sort of resources are available and who might be willing to provide some additional funding - even if he doesn't approach them about it just yet.

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:40 am**

Perhaps if I ever stop spending my whole time imagining and some of my time actually being action oriented than we might get somewhere with this..

Travis will attempt to spend the rest of the day going over lesson plans from previous year and trouble shoot how he can apply them to this year, he will also write out an introduction letter that he will be able to send to the parents at the start of next school year. As the school day draws to a close he will approach Ms. Latham about the possibility of other funding sources in the community and will invite her to tea or coffee to brainstorm with her.

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:50 am**

Ms. Latham agrees to meet up with Travis at Konami Burger but she's eager to visit Andy's Books in order to get her book signed by her absolutely favorite author. She asks whether he'd like to come along with her.

She tells him that Lakeview Amusement Park may be willing to get involved on some level as a marketing pitch. There's also Central Silent Hill which acts as the economic center for the whole town of Silent Hill and the entire region around it. Many small shops and stores, offices, various public services (including some banks, a general hospital, the post office and the Silent Hill Police Station), a big shopping mall and many famous but notable touristic destinations such as the Artaud Theater, restaurants, motels, some parks and also some hotels, including the famous Grand Hotel are found there. It'd be tough trying to tie it all together with Midwich Elementary School but they might do it as a tax write-off, even if they can't do it as a marketing ploy.

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:54 am**

"I'd love to see what kind of book stores we have available to us. I spent a good majority of my childhood indoors either painting, drawing or reading. May I ask what book it is you are reading? Afterwards perhaps we can go to the burger joint and you can help me figure out which businesses are the best to approach?"

Hmm..I hate typical American food, but I guess if it helps me strike up a relationship with my co-workers than I will put up with it. I hope she doesn't take me asking her out for a work related meal in the wrong way...

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 2:04 am**

"Oh, the signing doesn't start until five and I don't go out after dark," says Ms. Latham, accurately guessing the cause of your hesitation. "Besides, I'm famished. If you want to catch me to go over the details, you'll have to come with or stay behind." She shrugs and packs away the book. "Okay, time to lock up. See you at the burger joint."

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:07 pm**

It took a while for me to get over my fear of the dark, but seriously?...

"I don't mean to be intrusive, but is there a high crime rate that makes the streets not such a great place to be after the sun goes down?"

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 12:45 am**

"It's just, oh, it's hard to explain," Ms. Latham said. "It's not so bad in the resort areas but in the residential areas it gets a little creepy. I mean, we don't have a high crime rate, per se, but we do get a lot of missing persons. Oh, and the odd dog attack. I mean, dog attacks aren't that common but we have a higher rate than any other town in America and they're often a lot more brutal as well, but only after dark." She starts walking off with a smile and a wave. "See you at Konami Burgers."

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 1:07 am**

Travis attempts to keep a cheerful look to himself as he waves good bye to her.

Missing persons? That girl from yesterday..perhaps she is just one of many? Well, at least the police found her so, I assume she is safe. I always hated dogs, most could knock me over like I was nothing..My dad had a rottweiler..he treated it so terribly and so it became just as aggressive as he was. I wonder, did he got the dog drunk too? I always liked cats so much more.

Travis will head home and relax before he has to meet Ms. Latham at Konami's.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:10 am**

Travis has a good half hour to relax before the appointment at Konami Burgers. It's relaxing enough but for the comments she made about missing persons and dog attacks. There wasn't really any mention of them in the newspapers and certainly nothing about it online.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:18 am**

There were times where I may as well have been lost myself. Between their fighting and drinking there were times when I wasn't sure if I was really dealing with my parents or other people altogether. I wonder how Casey is doing..? I shouldn't always spend my time worrying either.

Travis will look for the number to Alchemilla Hospital in the brochure he found yesterday when he first met Casey.

I guess I'll use this cancer ray of a phone until I can get my landline connected.

Once he finds the number he will dial it in attempt to get more information on volunteering.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:32 am**

The receptionist picks up on the third ring and says brightly, "Hello, this is Alchemical Hospital. How can I help you?" She has a fairly young and husky-sounding voice.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 5:22 am**

"Hello, my name is Travis Jates and I was hoping to speak with someone in regards to volunteering in the palliative care unit."

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:37 am**

"The perky voice on the other end of the phone sounds all the more perky, crazily enough. "Oh! That's great to here. Volunteers in palliative care are an important and valued part of the team. They offer friendship and practical help which enables adults and children living with a terminal illness to remain independent for longer than otherwise possible. There are varied roles available to you if you wish to become a palliative care volunteer. These can involve hospital or home based patient and carer support, providing pro bono expert advice, administrative support and assistance with fundraising. The majority of palliative care volunteers work in the home or inpatient palliative care setting. They can offer a wide range of services: being with someone while their carer goes out, shopping, providing companionship, taking someone for a drive or to an appointment, writing letters, minding children, writing someone’s life story, singing, answering the phone, making bereavement phone calls, helping organise a memorial service, helping with life enhancement projects, providing beauty treatments, gentle massage, reflexology, aromatherapy and other suitable complementary therapies; the list goes on... Well, I'm not the best person to speak to about this. Mrs. Hames, our HR and Volunteer Coordinator, would be the best person to speak to about this. Would you like me to put you through?"

It's interesting how much she knows about the volunteering program. Normally it's only the volunteer coordinators who truly know very much about the situation.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:49 am**

"Yes, I would appreciate it very much."

I was just hoping to provide my time on a Saturday or Sunday for painting landscapes or whatever might interest the patients.I am not sure I can help them with the rest of their lives; I can barely protect myself.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:03 am**

"Very well. Transferring you now."

A light and sweet sort of elevator music comes across the telephone line for about twelve seconds, followed by.

"Hello, this is Jennifer Hames at Alchemilla Hospital. How may I help you?" comes a brisk, professional voice.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:42 am**

"Hello, my name is Travis Jates and I was interested in volunteering for palliative care. I've just moved into Silent Hill and will be teaching at Midwich next school year. In the mean time I was hoping to volunteer my time with the local hospital. I have quite an extensive background in Early Childhood Development in particular and I love to do arts and crafts as well.."

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:14 am**

"Ahh, excellent, well, we have a fair few volunteering opportunities available. You mentioned early childhood development, so I'm supposing it's young children you'd prefer to work with?"

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 1:50 am**

"I am comfortable working with any age group, but am most familar with children ages 3-9. I was hoping to start as soon as possible and would be available to come in and talk more tomorrow or whenever most convinient."

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 1:59 am**

"Certainly," said Mrs. Hames. "How about tomorrow at 10.00AM?"

10.00AM is certainly within school hours and technically Travis is meant to be there but he could easily come up with some excuse to be out and about. Principal Ross doesn't appear to be closely watching him.

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:06 am**

Spoiler:

After making the arrangements, Travis will leave to meet Ms. Latham at the Konami Burger.

I wish I didn't have to drive everywhere, but it seems like everywhere in this town if far away. I wish I could walk..

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:12 am**

Mrs. Hames isn't available on weekends to do it but she can send you the forms and do it as a telephone interview just after work. The induction and orientation sessions are dealt with by the Program Coordinators and they can do it on the weekend so that shouldn't be a problem.

Konami Burgers smells of fry up and people are generally eating burgers with a slightly oriental twist. The most interesting choice is the Fried Rice burger which is fried rice in a burger bun. There's also one with honey chicken. It's very unlikely that these are actual Asian dishes, but they seem pretty popular amongst the locals, anyway. It seems to scare off the few tourists (complete with Hawaiian T-Shirts and cameras, who would've thought they'd be carrying those?) and that might be why it's so popular among the locals.

Ms. Latham looks up at him from over a Honey Chicken & Chips dish that she's eating with chopsticks. "Oh, hello. Sorry, I was famished so I started without you."

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:23 am**

Even though he wasn't a great chef himself, Travis still enjoyed good food and didn't tend to eat a lot of meat.

I wonder if there is any pork in the fried rice burger.

"It's okay, I remember there being times when I wouldn't stop working the whole day and by 5:00 all I had the entire day was coffee and toast. Looks like this place is pretty popular. How many tourists come through here anyway?

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:25 am**

"Too many," she says, with a snicker. "Well, no, we need the tourists, but there are often a lot. You'd have to go down to the Town Hall if you wanted actual statistics." She bites deeply of her burger.

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:27 am**

"Yeah, my mom was from a town where the tourists would out number the locals during the summer. I remember not liking it there, so much. How is the fried rice burger? I can't say I've tried anything like that before."

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:52 am**

"Yeah, we have more inns, motels, and hotels than most anywhere else," says Ms. Latham. "But what're you gonna do? It's better than being an executioner and prison town like we used to be. And with the coal mine shut down..." She shrugs. "Tourists are a pain but they're easy to ignore if you don't work in the wrong industry and know where to eat. Annie's Bar is another local place that the tourists don't go too as often cause it's a bit of a dive, though they still do go there, thinking it's quaint, because it's right smack bang closer to the lake. If you want to avoid them, I know all of the hot spots."

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 3:39 am**

"DId the state used to have a prison here in Silent Hill? That is pretty fascinating history for a town of this size. What you told me about the school was rather disturbing to be honest. You said there were more principals in the past who were similar?"

He doesn't mean to be intrusive, but he also can't hide his interest in the local history of the town and surrounding areas.

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 4:03 am**

"Well, I know a fair bit about the past," said Ms. Latham. "I'm a member of the Silent Hill Historical Society and I volunteer at the museum." She clears her throat. "This is about a century after the first settlement was abandoned. In 1812, the newly formed United States resumed hostilities with Britain. The War of 1812 swept across the country, one whose citizens had wished itself shut of violence and bloodshed. A number of months into the war, the Americans realized the need of a location for prisoners of war. Authorities in all of the states searched their territory for a suitable area for a prison camp. They finally came up with the answer when they reviewed old settlements. They discovered one settlement, Toluca by name, that was nestled between a lake and some mountains, far from any other civilized areas. Perhaps even better was that wooded areas were nearby, which would make escape even more difficult. More than that, the prisoners could harvest the lumber and send it back, making sure the American military would make a tidy profit from the exploitation of its prisoners. The higher ups had found no better solutions to their prisoner problem, so they accepted the proposal. And huzzah! Toluca Prison was formed and the town grew around it. There were some ... ups and downs in the tale of the prison with closures and reopenings and executions and things like that but in the end it became a tourist town."

"As for Midwich, well, it's not so much many principals that've gone mad but often there's been a bit of a puritanical bent to childrearing. Y'know, keeping children out of the path of danger, or the Devil, in much earlier years, by wrapping them up in discipline and cotton wool? Yeah, well, the creepy thing about the old principal was that she didn't do what she did out of hatred of the children but fear of the parents and the world around the school. That's the main thing. Principals seeing the school as an island fortress, a refuge against the wider world, or in some cases, a prison to match Toluca. We've got a very up and down history, but of course, most of it isn't really told to outsiders as it's meant to be a family destination and a place for honeymooners, not disturbed wackos looking for an Emo trip."

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 6:45 am**

"That's interesting, so Silent Hill also has history as a penal colony? Is there much information in regards to pre-European settlement? I've had an interest when I was in college in regards to Native American studies, but I decided to go into teaching. It also seems that this area also became a settlement for religious pilgrims?

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 7:15 am**

"Well, if you want to know more you should drop by the Historical Society's little museum thingy on Nathan Avenue down south aways," says Ms. Latham. "We've got a lot of information out the back ... though you'd have to get past Patty to see it. She kinda treats it all like its Code Black government secrets and she's Homeland Security. I can't tell you must about the Native American history as they cleared out of here way back from what we can tell the first peoples in this area came here around 10,000 BC. It's said, but this is all just white migrant rumor, really, that these people ... the Canalee? ... they lived in peace here. There's no sign of war. But at night time, the countryside would fall completely silent ... its thought to be because there aren't many nocturnal mammals or birds that were in the area at the time due to the hills. Ghost stories say it was thought that nature itself respected the darkness that would fall upon the area and while the indigenous people found it unsettling to begin with, they ended up showing the same deference for it that nature seemed to give it. They called this place Caalee, which in their tribal tongue meant the Quiet Place. And they called themselves the Caalee as well. And they worshipped these powerful beings, called Silent Spirits, who never spoke above a whisper... But again, this is all from the records of a few white men who moved to the place in the second settlement and that was built up around a prison so the odds aren't very good that any of this happened. Especially since, in truth, there's no sign that any indigenous people ever existed here. There are myths of the Caalee amongst other indigenous tribes, though, and that they disappeared long before white men came to this land. So it's probablly just a myth that got told to the first settlers. Still, kinda cool, huh?"

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2011 6:30 pm**

"That is very interesting indeed, perhaps we could learn something about respect from the previous occupants of this area. I am not talking about just Silent Hill, but rather our society as a whole. I take it there haven't been any excavations of the area? Old prospector sites, Caalee settlements or around the prison itself?"

When his fried rice burger arrives he will stuff it into his mouth.

Posted: **Mon Dec 26, 2011 2:03 am**

"Well, like I said, there's no actual evidence of any Caalee settlements, which doesn't mean they weren't here, just a long time ago. The old Wiltse Coal Mine's shut now though there's always talk of opening it up as a historical site. We're currently in negotiations and some basic work has gone underway with the Wiltse family but they're still a bit unsure about it. As for the old prison, it's a bit out of the way of the main town, so it doesn't really need to be excavated. Why? Have you ever been on a dig?"

Posted: **Tue Dec 27, 2011 3:35 am**

"Well, no I have not been on a dig, but I hav a passing interest in these subjects and like to visit old historical sites. I will have to check into the Historical Society, perhaps pay my dues? Anyway, these fried rice burgers are pretty good. Were you still hoping to get your book signed today? I wouldn't mind taking a look at the local book store.

When he is finished eating, Travis will through out his plate and come to seat back down as Ms. Latham finishes.

Posted: **Tue Dec 27, 2011 4:38 am**

"Oh yes! Whoops!" She hops up from her chair and throws out her plate. "Yeah, I was hoping to be one of the last people there because, well, if the line's really big then I won't get a chance to really talk to him and, if you've seen the book flap, he's actually kinda cute. I mean, authors aren't usually cute but he actually, really is. If you hop in your car, you can follow me there pretty easily. It's not far."

Posted: **Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:34 pm**

Is it really that obvious? I mean people are understanding back home, but in a rural town like this? People are going to judge me..

"Umm..noo.I guess I haven't seen his picture before, but I am sure he's quite handsome. Infact, I am sorry, but I am not even sure of the author's name."

Posted: **Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:14 am**

"Walter Desmond," said Ms. Latham. "Yeah, I didn't think you'd be a dark fantasy / horror afficionda - or however you pronounce it. He is sooo cute. I hope he's free tonight. I mean, I normally don't go out at night but I'd make an exception for him! He's got such dry humour. You should've read his interviews. He's a genius!" Her eyes roll skyward and she does a little tap dance in excitement. She's obviously one of those excitable 20-something girls.

Posted: **Wed Dec 28, 2011 7:33 pm**

" You will have to turn me on to some of his book. Anyway, I will drive behind you and meet you there in just a few minutes."

Posted: **Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:31 am**

"Sure thing," says Ms. Latham, hopping into her car. She waits for Travis to get into his car and then heads on out down a few streets until she reaches Andy's Bookstore. There's a fair few cars parked along the street out front and a number of posters for this man's books: "Heart of the Void", "Little Lost Angels", "The Hidden", "Catcher", and "Ripper Rose".

Posted: **Thu Dec 29, 2011 8:16 am**

They sure sound like uplifting novels. I wonder if they made the NY Times best seller list.

Travis seems slightly amused by the choice of fiction that his new associate had. Travis will greetN Ms.Latham , but will only listen to the author as he browses the local history section of the store..

Anything with hisorical insights or accounts of life by locals during the founding of the town..

Posted: **Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:09 am**

Travis notices that there are a few tourist books sitting on the shelves but they all seem to have been published within the past century -- most of them are cheaply printed and bound though there are a few glossier versions sitting on the shelf. Ms. Latham heads up to join a short queue of individuals standing in line before a desk that is flanked with large posters showing the usual horror imagery of a clawed hand lying in a pool of congealing blood. Travis can't see the author's face, however. Not from where he stands.

Posted: **Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:23 pm**

Nothin but rubbish for tourists and coffee tables...Perhaps the town has a library or I can visit the Historical Society that Ms. Latham spoke of.

After his dissapointment with the selection of books, Travis will join the crows around the author..
Is he as cute as she says?..

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:47 am**

Well, it does look like the author is as cute as she said he was. He has this kind of handsome boyishness to him that certainly is enough to make anyone's heart go pitter-patter. He's muscular, too, which is unusual for someone who types by trade. He's sitting in his chair, leaning forward slightly, and blinking up at an elderly woman who is asking him, in no uncertain terms, why he had to kill Patricia in such a terrible way at the end of the book? This brings a gasp from another lady who obviously hadn't read it. Interestingly enough, most of the readership here are women and some of them (judging by what they're talking about with each other), probably haven't read any of the books.

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:06 pm**

I feel like such a creep just watching like this from behind a book shelf. I remember starring like this way too much, too afraid to say anything and then more afraid when they'd catch and beat me

Travis decides to join the group of ladies in line to meet Walter and if possible wil stand next to Ms. Latham.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:01 am**

There's no one behind Ms. Latham so it's easy enough to get there. The trouble is that the line moves with painful slowness as each woman takes several minutes to try and talk to the man about just about anything other than his books. It feels more like Speed Dating than a book signing but with a man that handsome, it really isn't all that surprising. Apparently, he used to work as a fire fighter over in Auckland, New Zealand, and that's why, yes, he happens to be Mr. June on a NZ calender. And wow, really, she's got a copy she'd like him to sign? And actually he got most of his inspiration from his books from listening to urban legends, myths, and the fearful tales people tell about the world around them. Superstitions and such-like. No, he's never seen a ghost, though he has heard some creepy things in a flat he lived in when he was in New Orleans helping out after the hurricane. Too good to be true? That's so sweet of you to say. Anyway, his last book was actually inspired by something he heard a little girl say once when he was a little kid. He can't quite remember what the details were but it involved a fear that your mother was going to hurt you. Anyway, it's been great talking to her, but there's a line, and if he doesn't keep moving on down the line his agent will kill him.

And so it goes.

Travis reaches a book shelf filled with the man's books. He could take a look at a few blurbs to see what they're about, if he wanted to. Ms. Latham is also fairly bristling with excitement though she seems to keen on eavesdropping on the other conversations to chat to Travis.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:06 am**

Travis takes note of the book inspired by the story his friend told him as a child. Many pioneers such as Waldorf believed that young children an innate spirituality and sense of dreaming.

Storytelling is really a child's first attempt at abstract thinking and an attempt to understand their world and the experiences of others.

Travis will pick up this book and will flip the pages to find any lines that might interest him.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:17 am**

'Heart of the Void'

Little Megan's life is ruled by her fears.
Insects, dogs, strange adults, little kids, doctors and nurses...
... and her mother.
Her mother tells her she has an important role to play.
She's about to make everyone's dreams come true.
There's just one little price to pay.
The life of all her childhood friends.

Flicking through the book, one main phrase sticks out at him:

It doesn't matter where you run and hide. Children never have anywhere to go when their parents are against them. The world's constructed for adults, around their own convenience and needs, and a child's fears and pains were just so terribly inconvenient. Carlton wished he could help but he wouldn't stand up against Megan's mother for all the cash in the world. Or all the guilt-proofing. He leaned his forehead against the closet doors as he listened to the kids talk.
"Where'm I gonna go? Don't want to go to hospital," muttered Megan. "Hate hospitals. But what'm I gonna do?"
"Don't go!" said Rose. "Please, don't go! You know what they'll do to you."
"It'll be fine, I'm sure. It was fine last time."
"You have to be careful out there. The doctors aren't there to help you. You know this! We should talk to the vice principal. I think she'll help us."
"No, everyone's so mean at school... They think I'm ... I don't know."
Rose frowned. "Maybe there's some place we can hide?"

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:36 am**

Somewhere we can hide...

A sense of remorse for Megan's character filled him as read those pages.
There was no doubt that he felt a kinship tO her as well as her friends..

Is there somewhere we can hide, Calvin? My dad is drunk again. Can I stay here tonight? They want to send me away for more testing.

He couldn't read the book any longer.
I remember when I had to hide in the trunk of his car from the football team.t

He will hold onto the book as he waits to speak with Walter.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:42 am**

Suddenly everyone else has moved off and it's just Travis, Ms. Latham, and Walter. The handsome author looks up at the two of them brightly, gaze flashing from one to the other in a cutely inquisitive manner, and Ms. Latham steps lightly to one side to put more distance between herself and Travis. "Oh, hi, um, this is Travis Yates, a colleague of mine. Teacher! From the school."

"Midwich?" asked Walter.

"Er, yeah. I'm Ms. Latham. I mean, Emily. Everyone calls me Emily. It's a middle name." She giggles a little nervously, hugging five books to her chest. "Um, I got a few for the signing. I love your work. Especially the snappy dialogue. The real to-and-froing. And I mean your writing is tight... I mean it, tight! Not a spare adjective around. What's it like? Being a writer I mean? And New Zealand? So sorry to hear about all the earthquakes in Christchurch. It's really horrible. Um, so what're you doing later tonight?"

He folded his arms in front of him on the desk. "Though I'd check out the gentleman's club, slip some notes into one of the stripper's g-string. Y'know, the usual writerly pursuits of fame and fortune. All cocaine and craziness."

"Oh?" She blinks at him.

"I'm kidding," he said, leaning back and spreading his hands before him in an oh-so-handsome way.

"Oh, of course!"

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:58 am**

Travis can't help but shy away as his gaze falls on him. Though he attempts to mask it a sense of insecurity and being unworthy may be apparent.

"he.."

He gives a half hearted giggle at the exchange between Walter and Emily.
I wanted to talk about the meaning and experiences of the characters and she's already cutting me off..

He steps forward somewhat akwardly.

"sorry, Walter, I just wanted to say how much Megan's character spoke to me. I mean to be honest I just read a paragraph or so, but I can identify with her already.."

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:13 am**

"Spoke to you?" asked Walter, his gaze falling on Travis like a weight. There's an intensity there. An intellect one doesn't expect to see in such a handsome face. "You've known a girl like that? How old are you?"

"I'm twenty six," said Ms. Latham. She's more likely to be pushing thirty, in truth, but it's common for women to lie about their age.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:45 am**

" well I mostly meant that I had a lot of experiences close to hers. I had a lot of medical conditions growing up and I relate to that. Im 29 now but went through a lot of situations like Megan's."

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:54 am**

"Oh, okay," said Walter. "Well, I was planning to head out to grab a meal down at the Lakeside Hotel restaurant ... boy is it weird seeing that place up and running after it burned down. I was planning to invite the ones who'd actually read the books and I know that Ms. Latham has -- I remember some fanfiction you wrote? -- so it might be worth talking some more down there."

"Well, actually, I was thinking we could crack open a couple bottles of champagne once I've chased off the fake fan club," said a man, leaning over the counter. He's a friendly looking man in a knitted reindeer sweater who looks to be in his late fifties. "I know the ones that actually buy your books before today. Boy-o! You've done a lot of good for my business, I gotta say."

"Thanks, Andy," said Walter.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 4:59 am**

"May I come as well? I know I am new to your books, but I find them fascinating."

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:04 am**

"Be a pretty dick move to send away one half of a pair," said Walter.

"Oh, we're not--" began Ms. Latham.

"I meant a pair of friends! Look, please, I'm not that famous ... or that handsome." He flutters his lashes in a way that is adorably self-deprecating. But then, he's the sort of handsome who could pull off being terribly mean and it'd be hard not to thank him for the attention.

Andy started moving to the clusters of women. "Closing time, ladies!"

"Oh, but--" began one woman.

"Only registered members of the Fan Club can stay for the After-Party."

"How much for that?" murmured one woman, pulling out her purse.

Andy glanced sidelong over at Walter.

"Andy!" snapped Walter, rolling his eyes. "Y'know, you'd think a resort town would see more action," he mutters to Travis and Ms. Latham. "There's bound to be a lot better looking men than me in the area."

"Not really, no," says Ms. Latham. "And besides, you were a local so they assume you're going to move back here whereas all the tourists ... they just come and they leave. Oh, besides, I hear a lot of girls had crushes on you back at Midwich."

"Really?" asked Walter. "Interesting."

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:35 am**

From what I have seen there aren't too many as charming. I hope I'm not making a total fool of myself. I remember stu k up girls chasing after my friends and they acted like I didn't exist..

Travis once again gives off a chuckle at Emily's infatuation with Walter.

"I think it makes perfect sense, I mean your way of conveying human emotions seems admirable."
I don't stand a chance.. I'm out of place here where as Emily is from Silent Hill. Besides he's into strip clubs and I am no where near as physically able..

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:43 am**

"And all that from a couple paragraphs? Careful, or you'll give me a bloated head." He holds out a finger for silence and watches carefully as Andy sends off all the various customers, flips the sign, and locks the door. Only then does he draw a deep breath and pull out a couple bottles of cheap champagne. "To be honest, it hasn't been very busy until near closing time. I've only had a couple people float through here at a time. Luckily, Andy and my good friend Jack kept me company when the few people who've actually read my books headed off." He raises an empty bottle of Jack Daniels from behind the counter. "Anyway, champagne anyone?"

Andy hurried over to nudge Ms. Latham and murmured in her ear, "Told you I'd make sure you had your time with him." He says it in such a low voice it's actually hard to make it out but Travis hears it regardless. "Though, to be honest, there was always confusion about which way he swung ... or if he went both ways."

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:09 am**

For the first time Travis gives a genuine laugh. Even then doubt burrowed through him..

How often did my parents pass the time drinking? I told myself I would't, but then I don't want to be an ass either.

"I wouldn't mind a glass of champagne if that's okay."

Through his rather emaciated features he tries to smile..

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:20 am**

Walter gives him a charming smile and pours him a glass of champagne. It's not too bad as far as wine goes. Bubbly and almost sweet. "So, how are things in dear old Silent Hill lately?"

"Same old, same old," said Andy. "Weird dog attacks been freaking me out the most, though."

"Yeah, I heard. You told me. No walking the streets after dark. Y'know, I doubt that can be all that likely or else this wouldn't be a tourist town, right? Nothing like that could happen at a resort town with any frequency!" He laughs, as though at some personal joke, and Andy laughs along with him.

"Yeah, there's always been some dodgy things going on in town," says Ms. Latham a little nervously. "So, how come you haven't invited anyone from school over? I mean, wouldn't now be a great time for a reunion?"

Andy shushes her quietly.

"No, no, it's okay. I'm surprised you hadn't heard. I wasn't all that popular back in the day." He shrugs and rolls is eyes, but its obvious that there's more to it than that.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2011 7:07 pm**

Travis is rather interested in the topics of conversation, yet he still feels oddly out of place and doesn't want to interupt the direction of their dialogue.
Emily mentioned the dogs earlier and this town does seem to have it's secrets, but then any town does..

He will continue to sip at his champagne and will remain silent and listen in on the conversation as he has done so many times throughout his life.

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 2:45 am**

"Really? I hadn't heard that," said Ms. Latham. "It sounded like you had a lot of friends."

"When I got older, it wasn't so bad, but in primary school?" Walter chuckles humorlessly. "Not that it was much better in high school. They thought I was a bit of a weirdo. Still, hindsight is 20/20 and most people like to think they were nice enough to everyone. Especially those with any degree of fame. How'd you two get by at Midwich?"

"Oh, it was pretty easy in my day," said Andy. "All you needed was to be good at sport when they took you down to the oval - which got sold off for houses in your day before being bought back fairly recently."

"You were never good at sport!" snorts Walter.

"No, but your dad was and he kinda carried me through."

"Oh, yeah. My dad. He was always an influential man," Walter said in a low voice.

"May he rest in peace," said Andy, gazing down at the counter.

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:23 am**

Travis notes the rather grim turn in the conversation..

" I am sorry to hear about your father, he sounds like he was important to a lot of people.."

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:38 am**

"Yeah," said Walter, though there's the slight flicker of hidden resentment and anger behind his eyes. "A good man."

"Anyway, let's get off such grim topics. Why don't you tell us all about what it's like to live in Auckland?" asked Andy.

Walter starts giving some anecdotes about his new home, his roles, his duties, his neighbours, though there's no mention of any special girl or guy in his life. It's odd, though, because Andy doesn't bring up his novels at all, though Ms. Latham seems keen to talk about his protagonist's psychology, the strange monsters, and the frequently familial nature of the villains. So many of his protagonists are children, after all. Mention of all of this seems to make both Andy and Walter a little nervous and they keep changing the subject, especially as it starts getting dark.

"So why'd you change your name?" asked Ms. Latham.

"I'm sorry?" asked Walter.

"Your last name. From Kauffman."

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:47 am**

Travis shares Emily's interest in the characters being children but decides to give it too much thought.

It's interesting that he changed his name. Sometimes I wish I could forget my father too:

"Well don't many authors pick up pen names that they use when publishing there work? But then, perhaps there' greater reasoning behind your choice of selecting a new name?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:52 am**

"I figured my current name is more writer-friendly," said Walter. "But then I just chose to use it all the time for convenience's sake. So, you work at Midwich, right? How're you finding it?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:59 am**

"Well, honestly I have just started, earlier this morning to be infact. I will be the preschool teacher this coming school year. I am excited to start, but I don't have a good sense of the town or people here yet. That's not to say I don't love what I do. Infact, I believe children at these young ages are such magnificient story tellers and their perception of the world can be in many ways very genuine. Many early childhood philosphers believe that children have a cetrain sense of spirtual being that we lose as we grow older. I am not certain about that, but I do believe they are very keen observers. Sometimes you wish children are innocent and not tainted by the world around us, but they are very much shaped by others and their environment."

Travis takes another sip of his champagne and seems somewhat flattered that Walter has bothered to ask him about his work.

Usually people think of us as just being a step above a baby sitter..(such an outdated term, Ican't believe I used that)

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 7:10 am**

"Ah, new town, new job. Always a complex situation. I'm sure you'll find that a lot of people here, just as elsewhere, are decent enough folks just trying to make a living." He frowns. "Interesting choice to set up a preschool at Midwich. You got any big plans?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2012 8:32 pm**

"Well, I do have a lot of high hopes, but at this point I am just looking to get settled into the classroom, arrange it and get to know this town a little more. Midwich seems the natural place to have a preschool program, because it won't be such a huge transition when they do go into the elementary school system. The principal seems to have a lot of ideals too, so that can good or difficult if you don't share the same philosophy."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:14 am**

"Do you?" he asked. "Share the same philosophy, I mean."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:26 am**

"'Well I don't know him very well, but he seems to be very into modernazation. He is very into computers where as I believe, as Waldorf would say, children should be " Allowed to stay in a state of dreaming."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:07 am**

Emily bites her lip and shuffles her feet at the direction this conversation has taken. She prefers to not even think about the school when she's off work. She's reluctant to lean one way or the other on this 'modernization' issue, but she hopes it won't cause trouble for Travis and his ambitions.

She takes another sip of her champagne and cuts into the conversation. "Isn't one of your recent books set in an elementary school? I... haven't been able to get my hands on it yet, but maybe it would interest Travis."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:19 am**

"Yes, 'Chaos Dreams', is about the unchecked imagination and how it can lead to paradise or hell, depending on the whims of the dreamer," said Walter. "It's ... a complicated book."

"Considered to be too dark for Silent Hill," said Andy. "I'm not actually allowed to stock it."

"It's not the only one," muttered Walter.

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:39 am**

"it certainly sounds intriguing, the imagination is very powerful, indeed. I would like to read this if possible, perhaps Emily and myself can get a black market copy?"

He gives out a chuckle at the thought of black listed books.

" There were more than a few books that the parent committee tried to get me to remove from the bookshelves in my last classroom. You have to remain true to your beliefs and convictions."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:53 am**

"Too dark? For this town?" Emily raises an eyebrow, then catches herself. "I mean, your books are so popular here. It's just hard to imagine."

She looks at Travis. Clearly, neither of them are strangers to the topic of banned books. "Well, it's different for children, isn't it? At least, that's what parents think."

A memory from childhood: a paperback book being torn from her hands. Shouting. And the unbuckling of a belt.

Emily shakes herself out of it and clutches her books to her chest. "I think a lot of people would agree with you there."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:43 am**

"Well, I have the banned books in my car if anyone wants to be a rebel and read them," said Walter.

Andy downed a glass of champagne and then re-poured himself another glass. It's at least his 2nd, though judging by his slight slurring now, he may have had a few more before Ms. Latham and Travis arrived. "Y'know, Town Hall shouldn't be able to ban books from book shops. What gives them the right?"

"Careful, Andy."

"Just saying," he grumbled. "I ain't afraid of Town Hall nutjobs."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:50 pm**

"Yes, I would love the chance to read them if possible."
why does it take some people a few drinks for them to say how they actually feel about something.

With that Travis puts his glass down.

"It can be a good thing to have dissenters."

Posted: **Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:03 pm**

"Depends on the area," said Walter mildly, before sipping his champagne. "In Chicago during the prohibition era, dissenters got shot."

"Good analogy," muttered Andy. "Certain movers and shakers have their nose into everything. Not as bad as Shepherd's Glen, fat load of good it did them, but still ... bastards think they own the place. I pay my rates. They're darn high, too, and it's not like tourists come buy a whole bunch of books. Still, what're you gonna do?"

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:24 am**

Travis couldn't help but to feel somewhat threatend or at the very least uneasy about the comments of Andy and Walter.

"Well I didn't mean to stir up strong feelings and I apologize. Shall we get the books?"

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:52 am**

"I'll go fetch them," said Walter. "They're in my car." He straightens and stretches with a low groan. His back arches as he does it and when he straightens once more, he rakes his fingers through his hair to put it back into position. "Well, it's official. I've been sitting way too long in one place. I'll be back in a minute. Don't drink all the champagne without me. I'm looking at you Andy."

Andy points at himself, mouth agape in shock. "Me, sir?"

Walter chuckles and heads for the door.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:21 am**

Travis gives out a slight smirk at the pestering between the two of them. He then looks over to Emily.

"Looks like we're in luck. You'll probably get a signed book from an author who's been blacklisted."

Perhaps in a more casual setting she will talk more about the previous principal..

"Working for your old boss must have been pretty intimidating. It sounds like the new principal is a lot more relaxed. Is there anything else you can share about what she was like and why she was sent to the mental hospital?"

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:24 am**

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:34 am**

Emily looks over at Travis, surprised that he's speaking to her now. When he asks about Roseworthy, she gives Andy a nervous glance and sighs.

"I- I really think I've told you all I can. Honestly, I don't know why it matters. I mean, you're not working under her." She laughs awkwardly, then clears her throat. "So... what do you think of Walter's books so far? I could let you borrow one of my copies if you're interested. The local library is pretty sparse."

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 1:53 am**

Andy gives them both a look. "She's dead, isn't she? Thought she was dead. Died at Brookhaven? Maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, don't talk about her around Walter. He really looked up to her. She looked after him when ... well, yeah. She was a good principal back at the start." He then seems to realise the rest of what Emily said. "Wait, don't you be talking about no library. Buy 'em here."

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:49 am**

" I apologize, I just found it to be of interest. I mean it would be difficult to ignore history such as though. I suppose however, that people probably feel strongly about events like that, so I will do my best not to bring it up around Walter."

Travis attempts to shake off his feelings of discomfort around the topic.

Really, I didn't come from a family that liked to talk about the past either.

"I'd love the chance to read some of his other books, Emily. I'd also like a chance to visit the library, however sparse it may be."

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:32 am**

"Well, remind me to show you sometime." Emily smiles at Travis, then gives Andy an apologetic look.

She drinks a little more champagne and keeps an eye on the door, eagerly awaiting Walter's return.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:39 am**

The sound of breaking glass shatters the revelry and a woman's voice cries out sharply: "Now you'll get what you deserve!" It sounds like the voice is coming from right outside.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:46 am**

Travis backs away from the door way to outside and tries to put both Emily and Andy between himself and the exit. He never was brave.

"Who was that?"

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:52 am**

Emily doesn't so much as flinch. She just keeps looking at the door, though she does put down her glass of champagne and get her phone from her purse.

If she can remember the police station's number, she'll call it. If not, 911 is the second best option.

She checks on Travis to make sure he's not intent on being a hero. Fortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:53 am**

Andy is sitting on his stool behind the counter. The signing desk is just to the left of that with a chair behind it that Walter was sitting on and a wingchair not that far away. One can assume that both Emily and Travis were standing or sitting on the opposite side of the signing desk, nearer the door. There's about a dozen feet between them and the door although there are book shelves in the way. It's easy enough for Travis to get behind the counter which provides the most cover. Besides which, there's the 'Staff Only' door behind that. Both Travis and Emily may react before anyone else does.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:55 am**

Emily gets put through to the general police station right away. Most residents of Silent Hill have the police station number in their Contacts List on the urging of the Mayor due to all of the dog incidents. Unfortunately, she gets put on hold for a few tense seconds before a human voice finally picks up: "Hello, this is the Silent Hill Police Station. How may I help you?"

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:01 am**

"Someone's being attacked outside Andy's Bookstore," she states simply, also giving the precise location. "There was breaking glass and a woman shouting at somebody else, 'Now you'll get what you deserve.'"

She really shouldn't be this calm. How many times has she done this?

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:07 am**

Travis is used to either running( which he was never good at) or hiding in the closet from his drunken father growing up. He doesn't run into the back for the time being but keeps that in mind should the need arise.

"Shall we check on him or maybe lock the door?"

Travis will attempt to get a view of what is happening outside but will attempt to stay as far away from the windows and door as possible while looking outside.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:05 am**

"Lock the door?!" scoffs Andy. "Knew something like this would happen." He picks up a baseball bat from behind his counter (it seems to have been signed from someone) and heads straight for the door. Considering that Andy is relatively old, it certainly makes Travis look all the worse for his fear.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:21 am**

Travis will crouch behind Andy as he makes his way towards the window. Once he gets there he will try to glimpse outside while drawing any blinds, so as to obscure the view of whoever is outside.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:30 am**

There are no blinds or other curtains over the windows. Outside the evening is clear and well-lit by the street lights. There's no sign of any woman but Travis can vaguely make out what is likely to be the edge of Walter's arm from his vantage point.

Andy pulls open the door and goes charging outside. "What the hell's going on out here?"

"Please stay on the line," says the calm voice from the police station.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:38 am**

Travisnwill cautiously move towards the door, but will stay towards the edge of the door and will peek his head out the door while he attempts to keep as much of his body from being exposed as possible.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:39 am**

"Andy, wait--" Emily tries to stop him, but he's already gone, and there's no way she's going after him.

She stays on the line, but swallows hard, shaking her head slightly. Let the police handle it - that's what they're supposed to do. It's safer that way.

Posted: **Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:51 am**

Walter's clutching his head and swaying slightly, surrounded by broken glass and some off-white milky substance that had obviously once filled it and is now in his hair and streaking his clothing. Andy goes rushing out with the bat, brandishing it wildly and swearing at no one in particular. He goes marching up to Walter, then swears around the corner at whoever must've run off. Then he puts his hands on Walter's shoulders, looks him in the face, and gives a grossed out look. "C'mon, let's get you inside. C'mon." Walter sways, but turns with him, blood running down one cheek from a cut on his milk (is it milk?) smeared forehead. "You okay, man? You don't look so good."

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:47 am**

"Oh, my God!" Emily's calm veneer shatters when she sees Walter's face. She runs out the door and hesitantly reaches out to him, offering a hand if he'll take it.

"What happened to you?" She glances across the street, but there's only the hospital - the hospital! "Andy, bring him to Alchemilla. He looks like he's been hit pretty hard."

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:01 am**

Walter panics, flinging himself away from them. "No! No!" He stumbles back off the kerb and hits the road. "Not the hospital!"

A pretty couple who were walking along the sidewalk cross the road. Doubtless tourists, judging by her little strappy black dress and his casual suit. The camera slung around his neck is a dead giveaway. Locals are content with the cameras on their mobile phones. Of course, the man is gracious enough not to try and take a picture of the scene. Then again, they probably figured Walter was drunk and angry and taking a picture of a drunk, angry person was a guaranteed way to lose your flash camera.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:54 am**

Travis will follow the group outside as well and without thinking will attempt to assist Walter off the street. He is somewhat shocked at Walter's resistance to seeking medical attention, but also empathizes with his apprehension.

Perhaps he has negative associations with hospitals as well? I'd never go back either...

"Walter, I know nobody can force you, but are you sure? It looks like a pretty bad cut..Why wouldn't you want medical attention?"

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:48 am**

"I-I..." Walter rubs at his face and glances back at the hospital. "I just ... I need to get to my hotel room. I need to have a shower or - or something. Could someone please take me to my hotel room? Or to a shower? This smells horrible."

It does smell pretty bad. It's like someone just broke a dozen different aromatherapy bottles together mixed in with goat's milk and grass clippings. It's a very heady, organic smell.

"Aww, I don't have a car man and she called the cops," said Andy, thumbing towards Cecilia.

"Oh, I gotta get outta here. No cops. I just need to go home." He looks from Cecilia to Travis. "Will someone please drive me? Lakeview Hotel. Room 312."

He looks pretty unsteady on his feet. He certainly shouldn't be driving but with his muscular bulk it's also not terribly likely that either person would be able to keep him upright on their own if he tipped over. Of course, odds are he should be able to stumble upstairs without too much problem. He's not slurring his words or anything.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:54 am**

Emily sighs, but steps forward. "I can drive you. Don't worry."

It's a hollow reassurance at best. She's wondering about his reactions - they're not any of her business, but she's concerned and curious all the same. Was calling the police really the best thing to do?

Yes. Of course it was. Right.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:04 am**

Without waiting to for Emily to respond Travis will try to help him out.

"I don't mind giving you a ride tonight. I mean we both have to work in the morning, but I will be just setting up the classroom rather than working with students. It's up to you though, but you really should get yourself washed up, it's true."

Despite his eagerness he realizes how much bigger Walter is.

"I am not certain if I can lift you on my own though if younger injured badly..
Who was that anyway?"

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:14 am**

Walter blinks rapidly, looking from one to the other as though there words, jumbled over each other as they are, don't make much sense. He has a look on his face partway between disgust and confusion - likely disgust at his lack of comprehension. Sirens sound in the distance and he hurries over to his car parked out the front of Dai Dai Restaurant. He shoves off any assistance, relying on momentum to get him there, and then half lands against the car. "Keys! Keys!" he says anxiously and irritably, as he searches for them.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:31 am**

"Wait!" Emily runs after him in the confusion of sirens and darkness. "You can't drive like this!"

What's happened to him? He was so composed and calm in the bookstore. It's almost as if he's become a different person.

Not thinking, she puts a hand on his shoulder. To calm him, or to restrain? She doesn't know.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:32 am**

I should have assumed she'd jump to his aid before I could. This is why I don't associate with people outside of the working environment; I just end up making a fool of myself..Perhaps for the best anyway I am not even over him...

Travis will attempt to keep a calm and steady voice.

"I am very sorry I just wanted to help. Are you certain you are in a state to drive?"

Is he running from the police?

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:40 am**

"Calm down, man," said Andy. "You're not a kid anymore. You can't let them hound you anymore."

Walter has tears running down his face, streaking into the blood, as he fumbles the keys and drops them to the asphalt. He bends over, nearly swoons, but plants one hand on the asphalt to steady himself as he pulls out the key. With two swift pushes of the button, the car is unlocked. He tosses it back to the other two, not even noticing Emily's hand nor seeming to care who catches it (Emily, not Travis) and then he's pulling open the door and crawling into the back seat.

"Go with him," said Andy to no one in particular. "I'll go distract the hick dicks." He heads over to the front of his store.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:57 am**

In his rational mind he probably wouldn't consider driving away from the police with his new co-worker and a near stranger, but he wasn't in a rational state. The vulnerability of the man before him disarmed Travis through truly reasoning about his actions or the consequences.

How many times did he ask that we shouldn't get the police involved, that we could work out things on our own? How many times did we only have eachother, but really we had no one?

Travis will climb into the back seat after Walter and will look for a towel or anything he can use to clean the blood off Walter's face.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:59 am**

Emily finally notices that her phone is still pressed to her ear - and that she's still on the line. Quickly, she ends the call, gets in the driver's seat, and puts the keys in the ignition.

She looks over her shoulder at Travis while she's buckling her seatbelt. "How is he?"

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:02 am**

The car is pretty damn clean on the inside. Nice enough. A button push ignition and all that. But absolutely nothing you could use to clean the blood off his face. Unless Travis counts the clothing they are currently wearing.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:20 am**

What happens next is nearly instinct from his profession. Travis takes his hand and looks around the hair line of Walter for any signs of deeper cuts, he puts his hand on his shoulder and asks.

"Can you show me wear it hurts the most? I don't have anything to clean you off but maybe there is something at the hotel. We'll keep you safe, don't worry."

He nearly begins to cradle his head but hold back realizing this is a full grown man and not one of his students.

It's my job afterall, to keep children safe..

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:28 am**

Luckily, Travis has some experiencewith head injuries. There's a nasty gash over the forehead, likely caused by the impact of a bottle, judging by the glass shards in his jacket. Not a booze bottle because that probably wouldn't have shattered against a skull. His wooziness isn't caused by the blood loss. Scalp wounds bleed a lot but they rarely bleed badly enough to be the real concern. No, the concern is the fact his brain would have bounced against his skull and must have significant bruising for his wooziness. The man is obviously concussed though his pupils appear to be respond to the light just fine when Travis flicks on the interior car light. It's best not to let him sleep simply so they can ensure that he doesn't deteriorate and fall into a coma without anyone noticing. The other concern is that whatever that gunk is - it can't be healthy mixed up in his blood like that. The left side of his face is fair stained in it, his hair is drenched, and there's even some of it about to run into right (previously ungunked) eye.

At least Walter has the presence of mind to buckle himself in. "Shut up and drive!" He says it without malice. His tone rings with anxiety. Perhaps he is an escaped convict.

...Who was at a book signing?

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:38 am**

Emily snaps back to the wheel, shuts up, and begins driving to the hotel.

The sirens in the distance worry her. She's not looking forward to a confrontation now that Walter has quite loudly expressed his anxieties.

Why is he so afraid, though? Silent Hill is... well, it's Silent Hill, and that's why they have the police. They serve and protect, don't they?

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:49 am**

"Don't worry, Emily is driving us to the hotel now. Walter, I have to stop this blood and fluid from getting into your eye. I'm just going to use my sleeve to soak it up and to keep it from getting in your eye. Perhaps we can tilt your head back in order to keep the blood flow away?"

He pulls the sleeve over his wrist and uses it as a rag to soak up some of the blood and whitish fluid.

" I am not sure what this white fluid is, Walter, but we should make sure it doesn't get int your mouth or a mucus membrane."

He looks over to Emily and tries to give her eye contact through the rear view mirror. He gives her a rather uncertain and nervous look.

"It looks like he may have been hit in the head pretty bad, he might go into a coma should he fall asleep."

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:00 am**

Walter tilts his head back, lips parted slightly, as he stares up at the ceiling so he can dab the fluid off of his face. It reveals the lines of his jaw and throat quite nicely. There weren't many men who could still look sexy with a head injury. His eyes widen at the mention of a 'coma' and he startles in his seat. "No? What! No? I'm not ... I'm fine."

Emily easily makes the drive to Lakeview Hotel without any complications from the police. It gives them a few tense minutes to figure out how they were going to get him past the desk clerk and into his room without any issue.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:07 am**

Emily meets Travis's eyes for a second, then looks back at the road. "Well... don't let him. If we could..." She trails off, not wanting to trigger another reaction from Walter by mentioning the hospital again.

"He obviously can't walk very far... how are we going to get him up the stairs, let alone into the hotel at all?" Maybe their combined strength could do something, but it's unlikely. Emily isn't exactly a strong woman, and Travis is more than a little scrawny-looking. "And the front desk. We'll look suspicious if we can't figure something out."

"If you have ideas, I'm listening."

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:15 am**

" We'll I hope you will be okay, but then I am not a medical professional either."

Travis couldn't help but feel a certain sense of fulfillment that Walter would accept his assistance. A half smile struggled through his face as he recalled his own memories.

"I know this isn't quite the same, but I remember I tried to run away from home with my best friend because my parents were going to send me away for medical testing. I am not sure what you are going through right now, but I am sure you must have your reasons. I know I did, I was very afraid."

By showing empathy and an understanding of his situation, Travis hopes that Walter will feel secure enough to share with him why he doesn't want to go to the hospital.

Posted: **Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:50 am**

Travis' words manage to soothe Walter somewhat though more time would be needed to have much of an impact. Walter's eyes focus on him. "I'm not that concussed. It's..." He wipes some of the whitish liquid of his face. "It's a White Claudia compound, like PVT, but... I'm already starting to trip out." His gaze drifts past Travis, and then he flinches and snaps his attention back to his hands. "I can walk. I'm sure I can walk. I just can't go to hospital. Dad worked there ... he was a doctor ... Doctor Kauffman. He went missing but I-I don't trust his friends and I know he had a friend with the police. I don't know who. I don't..." He stares straight out through the front windshield as Emily crosses the bridge onto Nathan Avenue. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" he mutters, staring at the Lakeside Amusement Park.

Posted: **Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:43 am**

Travis will finish cleaning the fluid from his face and will try not to get any on his own skin if possible. The fact that he Walter seemed to believe that he was drugged was very concerning to him in a lot of ways.

Can it pass through the skin like that...? Perhaps he is starting to see things? I mean, he did say he was tripping out.

" I am sorry, I don't know what White Claudia or PVT is. Are they a type of drug(s)?"

As Travis asks him this he will also look out the window towards the amusement park.

Posted: **Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:48 am**

"It's a flower that grows around here," says Emily. "The seeds are known for being hallucinogenic, and sometimes it's made into drugs - like PTV."

Curious, she also looks out the window, though she doesn't expect to see anything out of the ordinary.

Posted: **Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:01 am**

The Amusement Park passes on their right with the usual stream of late-night amusement park goers. It was open until 9PM from Thursdays to Sundays and closed at 6PM every other day during the tourist season. There wasn't anyone there at the moment other than a few painters touching up some of the fences and signs. They continue along Nathan Avenue a short way before they reach the Lakeview Hotel. It's a trememendous three-storey hotel, wide and broad, and touchingly backlit by the lowering sun. There's plenty of spaces to park around the front and go in through the front entrance - or go around the side and come in through the rear-most entrance. Walter giggles slightly under his breath. "Highway to hell..."

Posted: **Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:41 am**

Entering the hotel without alarming people will be difficult to say the least.
The back entrance would be optimal, but most hotels keep every entrance other than the front locked.

"Emily we should go around to the back for now. Walter, do you have a key card that might get us through the back door?"

Posted: **Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:46 am**

Emily curves around to the back of the building, tossing a worried glance at Walter when he starts giggling. She doesn't know much about White Claudia beyond what basically every resident does - she's neither a medical worker nor a dealer.

She looks around for an inconspicuous place to park, though that might not be easy, considering that it's tourist season and all.

Play@YSDC

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