Track 7:San Francisco-Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair

[jp1885]

"One of you go up on the cylinder," suggests Tony. "Zara, can you remember anything about your journey in the lift? Any clues that could tell us which button to use - a squeak or a clunk for example?"

[SunlessNick]

"One of you go up on the cylinder," suggests Tony. "Zara, can you remember anything about your journey in the lift? Any clues that could tell us which button to use - a squeak or a clunk for example?"

"It was pitch black," Zara replies, shaking her head. "But this place has got to be B, so one of the others has got to be up in the building. L for lobby?"

OOC:   The "Sayer of the Law" is still here and on his feet, right?

[Starspawn338]

"I don't think I'm strong enough to hold on for a trip back up with the sphere. I'll take my chances on the elevator. Lew says. "I'd be inclined to think that L stands for Laboratory and that Z is the way out but I'm far from certain about that."

[Mr. Handy]

"We've already found the laboratory down here," says Liz. "L is for lobby, and that's what we want. Z, unless I miss my guess, is for Zeppelin. That must be the airship, which no doubt is moored to the roof. There's room for all four of us on the lift, so let's take it. We probably can't sneak aboard the airship, but we know where it's going anyway."

[SunlessNick]

OOC:   Vicki,the Sayer of the Law wasn't unkind given the bounds of his slavery - if he's still there, Zara's not going to want him to die down here, and will tell him to grab on to the sphere Liz programmed and let it take him out.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

OOC:   Vicki,the Sayer of the Law wasn't unkind given the bounds of his slavery - if he's still there, Zara's not going to want him to die down here, and will tell him to grab on to the sphere Liz programmed and let it take him out.

Twenty-four minutes

Using a combination of gestures and simple language, Zara convinces the fellow who called himself the Sayer of the Law to grasp tightly onto the sphere. He cries out in amazement as the device carries him rapidly up the air shaft.

Spoiler:

You may decrease your Perversity by one point for that act.

Twenty-three minutes

The other orderly runs away, seemingly at random, while Lota, now recovering from the effects of the Mace, addresses the others as they enter the elevator, her nails, now obviously something like claws, extended, but not openly threatening the investigators.

"You take Lota with you to silver bird! Lota not go back to House of Pain!"

This presents a difficulty, as the elevator, a very small one, cannot hold more than four persons. There is also the problem of which button to press, there being some disagreement as to whether the destination should be the Lobby or, as deduced from Lota's statement, the Zeppelin mooring.

Twenty-two minutes

[jp1885]

“Z for zeppelin sounds about right, so my money’s on L; but whatever button you press, do it quickly!”

Tony turns to Lota.

“You go in the lift and I’ll make my own way out.”

And with that, he turns heel and races back towards the unused lift shaft.

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, come with us," says Liz, ushering Lota into he lift with the rest of them. "Take care, Tony!" she calls. "The silver bird, is that the flying ship?" she asks Lota, her finger hovering over the Z button. "Can you take us aboard with you?"

[SunlessNick]

Zara visibly presses herself as far away in the lift from Lota as she can. She asks, "Where's Tony going to get out of here?"

[Mr. Handy]

"He's probably going to climb up the same disused shaft we used to get down here," says Liz. "Shall we go up to the zeppelin?"

[jp1885]

Tony is indeed racing back towards the disused lift shaft. Should he come across anyone in need of assistance, he, being a decent sort, will help them.

[Starspawn338]

"If we try to catch the Zeppelin and don't make it, then we are probably out of luck on escaping. I think the Lobby would be the better choice as we could get away and possibly help Tony before the building comes down."

[Mr. Handy]

"We can't just leave Lota stuck here, though," says Liz. "I think we should go up to the roof to the airship, and the sooner we start, the better. There should still be enough time to get back to the lobby. Lota is our friend now, right?" She smiles at Lota. "We can use a friend on the inside, and we don't want her to go to the House of Pain. I don't know what it is, but it sounds...painful."

[SunlessNick]

"I think House of Pain means surgery," Zara says.

[Mr. Handy]

With time running out, and with no further objection, Liz pushes the Z button.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Yes, come with us," says Liz, ushering Lota into he lift with the rest of them. "Take care, Tony!" she calls. "The silver bird, is that the flying ship?" she asks Lota, her finger hovering over the Z button. "Can you take us aboard with you?"

Twenty-one minutes

"The silver bird carried Lota and the Ones Who Are Now Men far, far from the old island to the new island, then to this place. The Old Doctor kind to Lota, because she not forget she is now Woman, so not take her back to House of Pain. But the Old Doctor afraid of the New Doctor, who is very bad Man, take anyone who not obey to House of Pain. You come with Lota, make New Doctor go away?"

Twenty minutes

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Tony is indeed racing back towards the disused lift shaft. Should he come across anyone in need of assistance, he, being a decent sort, will help them.

Nineteen minutes

Tony does not run into anybody else; it seems the place is now deserted.

Spoiler:

DEX 14 + 1 danger bonus, given the time running out = 15[dice]0[/dice]

Perhaps because he knows he is running out of time, Tony is able to climb back up the air shaft with moments to spare.

One minute

He sees an airship depart from the top of the building, heading out to the ocean.

Zero

There is a dull thump coming from far below. The ground shakes briefly; probably one of the earthquakes the area is famous for.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Meanwhile . . .

Eighteen minutes

The elevator rushes upward at a high rate. Not much later, the door opens to reveal the mooring place of an airship. Men closely resembling the orderlies line up and enter into what seems to be a cargo area.

Lota gestures for the others to get in line.

Seventeen minutes

The others glance at the newcomers with dull curiosity, but soon lose interest. They, along with the investigators, shuffle into the empty cargo area. There is no furniture of any kind, or any other comforts to be found. Once all are aboard, the investigators find themselves crowded together with the others, in a dark, confined space.

Sixteen minutes

Engines roar, and it can be felt that the airship is moving, causing some agitation among the rest of the passengers. Time passes far more slowly than it should, in this cramped, uncomfortable place. There is no provision for heating, and it is very cold, even given the body heat of the crowded passengers.

Zero

A dull roar is heard from far below, as the investigators await their destination.

[jp1885]

Dusting himself off, Tony watches the airship, hoping that the others are onboard (no-one having stepped out of the lift at ground level).

He tries two stratagems to make sure: a quiet call on his radio to Liz and an attempt to zero in on Zara’s tracker.

[SunlessNick]

"Do you have a radio?" Zara asks Liz and Lew quietly. "Is Tony ok?" With the immediate stress of the escape over, she's visibly shaking.

Vicki,It's probably fair to hit me with a penalty across the board until I get some alcohol.