groovygamers.com

The Oak Park crowd is not hard to find.  Introductions are made and John mentions to Greg about Laney being interested in helping the drama club with sets.  Having successfully throw Laney under the social bus, John tags along as the set crew snag her into their circle to find out what she knows and likes, talking productions and other stage stuff.

Nick helps get everyone inside and seated, and Greg seems to be a recognized figure to the college drama folks.  They seem to treat him as a peer, more so than any of the others.

Dave and Logan almost bump into each other, there is an awkward moment, and Logan moves aside to Dave can pass.  Dave rests a hand on Logan's shoulder briefly as he slips by and goes to find a seat.

The theater has stadium seating, and there is a nice crowd.  Someone from the college gets up and gives a brief lecture on the genre and some of the conventions to look for.  Then they start the first film.

OOC: Feel free to chat with those not in a thread with you.  Assume it's during intermissions.

I'm not going to choose.  Let them decide how its going to play out.  Sammy aims for a block of decently positioned empty seats, and sits down in the middle of them.

Elrod grabs a seat right behind her.  Heather snatches one next to her, and Nick ends up in the one on the other side of Sammy.

John and Laney find seats together, essentially sucked into where the drama folks are.

What's immediately clear is that Miss Brennan should never be placed in the limelight.  She's very uncomfortable in crowds and hides it poorly, wringing her hands in her skirt and looking down anxiously when too many questions are directed her way at once.

What's gradually clear is that not only has Laney prepared scenery and props, but she is also familiar with rigging, running electric and was occasionally a followspot.  More experience than she'd led on when she spoke of it before.

Sammy settles in to watch the first movie, occasionally whispering comments to Nick and less occasionally to Heather, since Heather is cozy with her guy.  She's still pretty tired from flying back all that way.  If the movie is good but slow paced, she is in grave danger of snoozing off.

At one point she turns around and says to Elrod "Look at the interior set in this scene; you ought to copy it when you do your house."

The debates during the movies Laney attends to, but the show itself she has no connection with.  She tries to watch, to involve herself with the story; it's a fierce internal struggle, but by the end of the first movie she's almost frustrated to tears. 

She fairs better during the second film because she simply gives up.  The sounds, voices both real and artificial, wash over her and away, taking conscious thoughts with them.  She sits quietly, devoid of emotion.

Struck by something in the movie, Sammy leans over and puts a hand on Nick's forearm.  "You could play this part," she whispers.

"I could play any part."  Nick says with his grin.

Elrod scribbles down the name of the movie and 'the den is nice' next to it.  "Hollywood can be my interior decorator."  he says in her ear.

Laney gets the impression that John is disconnected as well.  He spends a lot of time with his eyes closed, just listening.  As her anxiety level gets to a peak he rests his hand on hers and leans closer to whisper, "We can go if you like." 

The drama kids cheer at the appropriate spots, laugh, and boo the villains.  For them this is a the high point of what they strive for.  The art they love given a permanent form for everyone to see.

Sammy passes the first intermission mostly talking to Heather about normal things like music and clothes and tv shows.  By the end of the second movie, she's ready to get up and move a little.  Risking the wrath of the credits readers, she stands as soon as the credits start to roll.  "I need to stretch my legs," she says to nobody in particular, and makes her way to the lobby.

Laney shook her head, no, when he mentions it, worried about ruining anyone else's entertainment.  By the end of the second movie, however, she had enough insight to realize John might not be having any more fun than she is.   Her relief and the accompanying pang of guilt summon a strange expression on her face.  Amusement? Sympathy?

"I think Sammy has the right idea.  You want to walk around a bit?  This building probably has all kinds of fun places.  Have you toured it before?"  There's a mischievous gleam in her eyes when she stands and stretches.

Plenty of people file out as soon as the credits roll.  Lots of people make for the lobby, and bathrooms.  There are discussions about the file underway before the credits finish.


John shakes his head, "I don't think I've actually been in this building before."

Laney plucks at John's sleeve, gently pulling, then wanders off in a random direction, through an interior side door, smiling distractedly.

Sammy wanders idly around, looking at the contents of display cases and bulletin boards.  She smiles pleasantly at people she knows.

Nick is in a crowd, which means Nick is in comedian mode.  He's funny and clever and there are times when Sammy wonders why he doesn't do well with girls.  Then she remembers what he's like when it's only him and her.  He's still funny, but he has an intensity that can be intimidating.

"Beverage?"  Elrod asks, handing her a soda.  "Careful, I got cooties all over the straw."

"I'm pretty sure that I probably gave you most of those cooties.  I think I'm safe."  She grins and takes a draw off the straw.  "I was just figuring out how much money I could earn taking out of state students home for the weekend.  I should check craigslist too."

"There's good money to be made there.  By my guess we clocked about five hundred miles an hour or so on that trip to and from Vegas.  You could make a nice chunk of cash that way.  Of course, you'll do it for friends more than money."  He leans over and kisses her, "But that's just who you are."

"Probably," she laughs.  "Enjoying yourself today?"

Elrod nods, leaning in to slurp some of the soda from the straw.  "I watch movies, but never really think about them beyond the story.  It's kind of nice to get to hear what the whole thing is actually about.  And I like hanging out with you and your friends.  Even the normal ones."

Sammy nods in agreement.  "Especially the normal ones.  It's nice to take a break sometimes."

She starts talking about the music used in some of the movies, what emotions it invoked, what concepts it reinforced, etc.

Sammy's talk of music draws a few of the drama gang over and the band kids.  They begin a lively discussion about the subject. 

Not everyone goes back inside for the next movie.  Groups begin to form and chatter takes place.  It's far less boring than it seemed it would be.

Sammy goes back in.  She's enjoying the movies, she just needed a stretch.  She settles back into her seat.

When Nick comes back, she leans over and whispers "Thanks for the invitation.  This is fun."

"I'm glad you guys came.  I was afraid it would be wired."  he whispers, "I'm not good with heavy emotions, comes from making fun of everything.  So I thought, start small."

One corner of Sammy's mouth quirks up.  "Small is good," she whispers back.  "A couple thousand miles of flying between last night and this morning is getting me through small just fine."  She gestures with her head toward Elrod.  "His idea."

Donnie and Sylvia arrive at the film festival sometime during the first break.  They're so caught up in whatever exuberant conversation they're having that it takes them a while to meet and greet the familiar faces.

[Thought I'd post this, Bill and Darren, so we can move on with the main event.]

Colin and Sarah are there as well, though they're mostly snuggling and whispering to each other.

The third film is several minutes in when it's obvious that the emotional portrayal of the actors is getting to some of the patrons.  Sniffles can be heard, some sobs.  It seems to be a very moving performance. 

OOC: Everyone in the theater make a Will Save.  DC 16.

Will Save (You mean I wasn't sobbing on my own?) (1d20+6=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951392/)

  Sammy: Will save (will she or will she not?) (1d20+2=17) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951414/)

Are Nick or Elrod weepers?

OOC: Will Save: 1d20+3=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951464/)
I'm not crying I just got... salt from the popcorn in my eye.  Stupid salt.  Wait 3rd movie?  Am I even still awake?

OOC: Apparently both.


OOC: If not you are now :P

Nick is the one Sammy notices first, since he's beside her and Elrod is seated behind her.  His tears are somewhat unnerving to her; Nick laughs at everything.  Is this all too much?

She grabs hold of Nick's hand, and says something snarky about the movie to try to jolly him out of the tears: "Yes, her clothing is a crime, isn't it?  Hope fashion doesn't retro to that ever again!"  Then, behind her, she hears the unmistakable sounds of Elrod sniffling and crying too.  She turns to look at him over her shoulder.  "El?" she asks softly, "Are you ok?"

It wasn't me! I didn't do it! You can't prove anything. (1d20+4=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951561/)

Sylvia weeps helplessly over the stupid movie.  That poor lady in her weird clothes.  She didn't do anything to find herself in this cold, cruel world.  She was just born into it, like all the rest of us poor slobs.  And now, because she's trying to make things right, she's embroiled in a feeding frenzy of mean, ugly criminals bent on destroying her friends and her future.  Sylvia can't take it.  Catharsis takes hold.

She does, however, have the sense to stand up and make her apologetic way toward the aisle before she ruins everyone's afternoon.

Elrod shrugs, tears streaming down his face. 


Sylvia makes her way to the aisle and then out of the auditorium into the lobby.  It's only a few seconds before she's feeling better.

Sarah just cries on Colin's shoulder.  She can't believe she's so... saddened by this movie.  Maybe she'd od'd on this girly thing. I'll have to go spit off the top of the Sears Tower to level out or something.  Still, it was kind of nice just letting go against him. 
Sarah lets the tears flow deciding that they'd probably been bottled up or something. 

Laney smiles timidly at Sylvia across the lobby, when she and John enter the building.  Her smile falters when she spies telltale signs of crying.   Geez, I thought it was a romantic comedy, not Schindler's List.  Anxiously crossing her arms at her chest, Laney looks around the room, then at John with a question in her eyes.


http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951726/
1d20 + ? → [14] = 14 + ?

John shrugs and opens the door to the auditorium.  Laney gets a little sniffle, but manages to hold back the urge to cry suddenly.  Sylvia begins to tear up again, and John drops to all fours and begins to vomit, letting go of the door handle.  As soon as it's closed again Laney and Sylvia's bout of sadness passes, John seems better as well.  Still a bit shaken from loosing his lunch.

OOC: Will Save from Sylvia and Laney to resist the urge to vomit DC 10

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951741/
1d20 → [5] = (5)  

If she wasn't crying then, she is now: on the floor, folded over, reintroducing lunch to the world.

"Oh sweetie...  come here.  Sit with me.  This is a comedy.  We're supposed to be..."  she suddenly becomes aware of all the teary eyes around her.  "...laughing.  What..."  tear gas?  Elrod and Nick aren't given a choice.  Sammy flies El to her adn puts up a bubble around the three of them, including Heather and her boyfriend if they are present, and tries to make sure that nothing but good air is in it.

How Much Wood Could A Woodchuck Up-Chuck? (1d20+4=11) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951910/)

Sylvia takes a step toward John and Laney, hoping to hold someone's hair back or offer to walk them to the bathroom, but when she opens her mouth to say something sympathetic, all that comes out is "Yuck.  Watch the shoes."  John eats a lot.  She doesn't realize exactly how much until it starts to come out of him.

"Let's step outside, get some fresh air."  She tries to nudge them toward the lobby exit.

Nothing so altruistic from Laney.  She just sits there on the floor, nose red from trying not to cry, mumbling apologies, and looking around as if she could pull an explanation out of thin air.   Her gaze settles on the door to the seating area.

"Outside?"

Donnie can't speak due to the lump in his throat the size of a softball. He rubs at the tears in his eyes vigorously, hoping Sylvia doesn't notice, but when he put his glasses back on he realizes she's gone.

*sob*

*sniffle*


ooc: forgot to post the roll: 1d20+2=8 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1951924/)  

"Outside," Sylvia affirms.  "Outside in the cold, crisp, sweet air that doesn't smell like--holy crap, John.  Are you done yet?"  She rubs his back nevertheless.

Laney trudges obediently outside where she leans against the building, staring miserably at the lamps lighting up the campus.

"That was weird.  I don't know why I was...Are you guys okay?  I didn't make you sick, too, did I?...Um...Sorry?"

John manages to get outside.  Sylvia has to help him as he seems dizzy and has a hard time maintaining his balance.  Once outside he takes a few seconds to collect himself.  "That hurts."  he says, going to the water fountain for a drink.  "Oh, that hurts a lot.  Now I know what that feels like too."

"I'm okay," Sylvia tells Laney.  "What did you guys eat before you came here?"  Sylvia could take some guesses, but she'd rather be told than have to sift through the evidence, even mentally.

Sammy starts scanning the room for her friends.  Oh no, Colin, Sarah... Donnie...   "Guys, can you walk?  Come on, come with me.  Something isn't right here."  She offers an arm to help anybody who needs it.

"He can't tell me he's never thrown up before. That's - Huh?"  Sylvia's graced with a truly confounded look from Laney, who gives the name of a cafe within walking distance of the college.

"We didn't eat the same thing...Um...didn't share the same drink...W-we were on the roof and...Then I felt like I was going to cry and...and threw up instead.  S-sorry."

Sylvia frowns and reaches out to Donnie and to Colin, for independent confirmation.  Are you guys crying?

It's so unfair. He loves her so much, and can only touch her by stealing. And that woman is so like him, thrust is a world no one else can understand. He lets his tears flow, comforted by Sarah's gentle presence. With her at his side, he's so happy he might just cry.


"What?" Colin is confused, and wipes his tears away. That's when he realizes that they keep coming.

"Oh."


Yes, and trying to get out. Fortunately Sammy doesn't seem affected. I think this would be a good moment to cry 'fire!' in the theater, if you're up for it.

I'll probably (a) barf or (b) start crying myself if I go back in there.  And if I lose it in there, things may get crazy.  Do you see anything like someone who's totally unaffected or gas coming in through the vents?  Something like that?

Colin sees a few people who don't seem effected, but they seem pretty confused.  No gas vapors that he can detect or anything of that nature.

It's not too hard for Sammy to get Nick and Elrod outside and help Colin, Sarah, and Donnie.  Once they hit the lobby and the doors to the auditorium close they begin to feel less sad.  they have to pass by someone who is grumbling as they mop up vomit though.

As familiar faces begin exiting the building, Laney observes with growing interest and attentiveness.  She meanders closer to John, still hugging herself.

"I left my coat inside, but um...not sure if I really want to fetch it, now."

John strips off his coat and gives it to her.  "My ears are still ringing."  he says, still wobbling slightly like he's dizzy.

Once outside, Colin looks for Sylvia.

"There was no one chuckling with glee inside. Those unaffected seemed as surprised as we are. Maybe Sammy can throw a bubble around you to protect you as you try to get them outside. It's that or the good old sprinkler system, I guess."

He turns to John. "What happened to you?" he says, repenting as soon as finishes asking. "Are you all right? I've never seen you like this."

Laney looks expectantly to John for an answer to Colin's question, her brow creased with worry, one hand clutching the coat he offered and the other his arm.

"I got dizzy and then threw up.  And for the record, no I've never thrown up before."  He still seems a little shaky on his feet.

Sarah follows Colin out the door sobbing.  Her face is red and flushed.  "This movie sucks.  Did they mess with the audio or video or something?"

Sylvia goes to see what she can do about the safe evacuation of the movie patrons.

He said his ears were ringing.  Pressure.  That happens when one is ill.  Duh.  Having never had the full experience of nausea, he must have an iron stomach; he must have an incredible immune system.  Something poisonous enough to cause him this much distress, should have the rest of us comatose.  But I’m mostly fine and he’s still…Sylvia’s not sick, either.  The others?

Laney scans the miserable expressions on the faces of her companions.

What else causes nausea? Vertigo, motion sickness, diabetes, emotional distress… Crying? But we didn’t cry.  We almost did, but we didn’t.  He said he got dizzy.

"Sound?" It's only a mumble.  It's all her fragmented thoughts allow her.


Edit:
((holy crap.  web's slow.  took me this long to make one %#@! edit.))

And, yes, the notion that John might simply have a lower tolerance to physical discomfort than she doesn't enter Laney's little brain.  Does not compute.

Sammy chases after Sylvia.  "Wait!" she says as she catches up.  "Stay out here.  It didn't affect me. I'll go back in and start taking people out of there.  Check around the outside, or look for who might be behind this."  She looks around the lobby.  "I didn't see Donnie.  Did Donnie get out yet?  Or Greg, or Dave?"  She swears. "Never mind.  I'm bringing everybody out anyhow." She goes back in.

Sarah says "I can probably get up to the projection booth and turn off the movie and bring up the house lights.  Syl... think you and John could find the air controls around here?  We don't know what caused it so we might as well stop everything.  Want to come with me Colin?  I'm not sure it's a good idea for any of us to travel alone... y'know.. except for Sammy already taking off."  She shrugs.  She offers her hand to her boy. 

Donnie sits, eyes glued to the screen, tears rolling down his cheeks in fat trails. Why is this so awful? Why am I so sad? It's just a movie, but god, it hurts so uch to see her go through that. I feel how hard it is, how terrible she feels..

These are the thoughts minnowing around in Donnie's head, should Sylvia peek in as she's mentally searching for him.

"Good idea. Let's go." he says, taking her hand.

"From there we should be able to turn off the speakers as well, in case Laney is right."

"I heard that!" Sammy says, her hands resting on a door handle.  It's not that far away.  She smiles valiantly and gives a thumbs up to anybody who cares.  "Smoke me a kipper, darlings, I'll be back for breakfast."  Then she reenters the theatre.

Memories were often dispersed in her mind like so many broken shards of silvered glass: the harder she concentrates, the more deeply imbedded they become, painful and twisted, reflecting nothing of use.

Laney watches the others return to the theatre while she puts on John's jacket.  When she has a moment of peace, she leans against the building again, trying to find a pattern to these events.  Frustrated, she rubs her eyes fretfully and surrenders.  The others are doing what's needed, aren't they?  Can't get worse.

The projection booth is unoccupied (not uncommon during a film) and the movie is running along merrily.

Sammy goes back inside to help people leave.  Some have decided to leave, since it's obvious this movie is far more emotional than they bargained for.  It's not hard to start a procession towards the lobby.

Sylvia can counteract the effects of the emotional tide, but if she does it's like two emotional responses operating at once.  She still feels the teary sadness of the film regardless of what she broadcasts to others.

OOC: Need a Notice Check from Colin and Sarah. 

WTH? (Notice check) (1d20+12=27) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1952797/)

She doesn't have time to explain her plan or purpose to Sammy, and it doesn't seem important.  She does her best to provide clarity to the victims still in the theater, and with great care she threads something new into her usual empathic alteration--a gentle command, really nothing more than a sensible suggestion.  Leave the theater.

[Spending a hero point to introduce the issue of mind control.]

Tightly wrapped in her bubble and floating only an inch or two above the ground so that nobody can really see she's flying, Sammy gets the herd moving toward the theatre doors.  She finds Donnie, and wraps him up in the bubble too. 

Her hand touches his shoulder to get his attention.  "Donnie!  Donnie!" she says.  "There's something wrong with the film or the theatre.  We have to get out of here.  Come on, kiddo.  You won't be sad outside."  She wraps an arm around his waist to help him move along if he seems too caught up in the emotion.

OOC: Can't get a good roll out of invisiblecastle for the last week. 
Notice Check (1d20+8=13) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1952838/)

IC:  Sarah looks for the switch to turn off the movie and the speakers.  "Let's get this thing shut down fast.  Do you see where the power switch is?  Or a plug?" 

Sarah can find the master ON for the projector, and while she moves to work it Colin sees something a little out of the ordinary.  The projector is plugged into the sound system, and on top of the amplifier is a plain metal box with no labels.  It has an on/off switch and cables that normally run from the amp to the speakers from from the amp to this box, and then other cables run to the speakers. 

Sammy and Sylvia manage to get everyone out of the theater without incident.

Sammy keeps Donnie with her until she's sure he's going to be okay.  She leads him over to where Elrod and Nick are waiting.  She hugs Nick, then hugs Elrod.  She crosses her arms across her chest to keep from holding both of their hands for reassurance, even though she'd really like to do exactly that.  "Are you guys all right?  Anybody know yet what's going on?"

When the real crowds begin filing out,  Laney creeps over to John's side again, tentatively touching his hand.  She whispers, "Can you see the air ducts like Sarah said?  I don't know if...Well, everyone's out.  If it's something in the air, we shouldn't remove it, now.  Leave it for evidence.  Um...You should sit down.  I'll um...go find a vending machine.  You sit."  She waits a moment to hear an answer to her question before wandering off on a quest for ginger ale.

John looks up into the auditorium.  "Can't see anything odd."  He takes her advice and sits down.  "I'll be fine.  Really.  Thanks."

Laney returns with a two cans of Canada Dry, sitting so close to John, she's pressed against him.  Probably for warmth.  She opens and holds a can right in front of him as if threatening to pour it right down his throat if he doesn't accept.

"Ginger ale.  Is good for upset tummies, and sugar's nice if you're feeling shaky.  Honest!

"Um...Can you see if the others are okay inside?"

Colin tentatively switches the metal box off, and then carefully removes the cables from the sound system.

He hesitates, debating in his mind the merits of touching it to get an impression and not touching it to get fingerprints. Making people cry is hardly a crime, though. He decides to go for the impression, and takes it in his hands.

Colin sees a flash of the projectionist talking to someone.  "That's it?"

"Yep.  This should clear up the hiss in the system when the air conditioners kick in."

"Ok."  the projectionist checks his watch.  "About ten minutes til this one is over, then we can plug it in in time for the third film and go fire up the AC.  "

"Sounds good."

Then the vision fades.

It's about that time the projectionist comes back into the booth, "Hey, what the hell are you two doing?"

Syl, I unplugged something. Has anything changed in the theater?


Colin opens his mouth to explain, then he decides that explanations would be too weird and take too much time. So he replies aggressively.

"Are you the one in charge of what happens here? Did you install this?"

Sarah's glad she didn't grab Colin and start making out when the projectionist walked in.  His way might get some information.  He's being all forceful.  Mmm... so not the time brain!

Sarah just stays quiet and lets events unfold.  If anything bad happens they can just hop away easily enough.  Or she can try and serve up some scrambled brains. 

"You guys aren't supposed to be up here, especially messing with equipment."  he comes towards Colin to take the box from him.  "You need to go back down to the lobby."  He seems unhappy.

[Has anything changed in the theater?]

OOC: Things started to change as soon as the projector was shut off.

It's gotta be the projector, Sylvia tells Colin.  Check it over?  Maybe it's something subliminal on the film.

"Why don't you go back down to the lobby and see for yourself what the vision of this movie has caused to the people there. Was it you that messed with it or not? I ask again: who installed this device?"

Intimidate roll (1d20+3=15) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1952954/)

"I don't know what you're problem is kid, but I'm not screwing around."  he grabs the phone off the wall, "I'll let the campus police sort this out."  He begins to dial.

[If the timing works out for this--]

Sylvia, tapped into Colin's half of the conversation, opens the door to the projection office and puts some effort into making the security guard a little less truculent and a little more cooperative.  "Excuse me, sir?" she asks, all little-girl-like.  "There's some trouble downstairs.  Some people forgot their bags when they left the theater, and they're starting to fight over whose bag is whose."  Help me, dude, she coaxes empathically.  That's your job, isn't it?

the projectionist points to Colin and Sarah, "Get them out of here, and make sure they leave that."  he points to the think Colin has, "That's theater property.  I'll go see if I can help the ushers with the patrons."  He sets the phone down and leaves the booth.

Sarah lets out a sigh.  "Thanks stranger," she says to Sylvia.  She grins at Colin.  "I take it your senses are tingling?  What's up?  Is it the movie or something else?"

Colin tries to get the film out of the projector, in case Sylvia's right and it was a visual subliminal message and not the strange sound box.

Colin begins to fool with the projector.

OOC: Make a Fate Roll.

Meanwhile the ushers and projectionist are getting the low down on what happened from the patrons in the lobby.

John seems to have recovered some and has been taking drinks from the water fountain when there aren't a bunch of people watching.  He drinks a lot.

Unless she receives an answer from John stating that no, in fact their friends inside the building are being eaten by a giant tentacled monster or some such thing, Laney quietly shares her musings while trying to force more ginger ale on John.

"I was thinking...It doesn't matter if this is all a joke or if it's some kind of perverted experiment.  Either way, whoever did it would want to watch.  There should be some sort of camera or recording device inside the theatre, don't you think?  Can those things be traced back to their owners?  I've no idea.  When it's safe, I'll go see if I can...well, it's a large building...Stupid idea."

She offers him the second soda she'd brought with a timid smile.

John accepts the offer of soda and sips it.  "I didn't see anything that looked out of place.  Thanks by the way."  he says, holding up the soda, "I appreciate it."

"I don't know," Sylvia says.  "I was hoping you guys had come up with the answer.  I just know Colin was trying to--"  She snorts a giggle and then holds up a hand in half apology.  "--be intimidating."

Sarah growls fiercely (like a very small cat) at Sylvia while scrunching her face up fiercely (also much like a small cat)  HelloKitty fierce. 

Sammy looks around, wondering if she ought to be doing something other than staring at a bunch of boys who don't seem like they want to talk right now.

Sylvia does her level best to look sincere.  "I'm sure he was fierce.  Like a wombat.  Sort of small and squishy and cute but with a bite like a pit bull."

Nick is circulating, checking on people to make sure they're ok.  Elrod is standing near Sammy, but trying not to be clingy after his emotional outpouring.  "Remind me never to agree to another one of these, ok?"  Elrod says softly.

And Laney remains seated as close as physically possible to John for assurance, apparently, with her typically vacant gaze roving the crowd.   She's listening, however, for something confirming that it may be safe to reenter the theatre.

"Told you so.  We could have stayed in Vegas and played Marco Polo all day long in that humongous hotel pool, but nooo..."  She grins and snuggles herself in close against his side.  "And you drove a bus here, so we can't cut out without leaving a bunch of people in a tight spot."  She kisses his cheek.  "You know what they say, no good deed goes unpunished.  You have permission to be selfish for a while, if you want it."

She looks over at John and Laney.  "It looks like those two got pretty sick."

Fate roll (1d20=18) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1953307/)


"I'm right here, you know?" he says grumpily, trying to figure which levers are the right ones.

It becomes obvious pretty quickly that this is not like the school movie projectors.  Colin isn't sure what to do to get the film out of it.

The crowd begins to settle down some, and the organizers try to get everyone to sit down for a few minutes while they get things sorted out.

OOC: How long will you guys be staying in the projection booth?  You have maybe 5 minutes before the projectionist comes back.

Sylvia is ready to cover for Colin and Sarah for as long as it takes.

Colin tries to hide the thought of himself attacking the projector with a big hammer from Sylvia.

"Sarah, can you fetch Greg for me, please?"

Sammy peels herself off of Elrod and walks over to Laney and John.

"Oh, wow..." she says with concern.  "I was leaving you alone cause I thought you didn't want to be in my blast zone... but yours seems a lot worse... Are you guys alright?  Do you need rides home or something?  I can take you, if you want to go.  Make sure everybody gets home safe and sound?"

"Blast zone?"
Laney shakes her head, loosening the tension in her head before it can knot again. 

"Um...I drove. I'm alright.  Thanks. Is the theatre safe?  My coat and um...well, my stuff's still there.  Do you know what happened?"

"Thanks Sammy.  I'm fine now."  John says standing.  I need to use the bathroom.  I'll be right back."  and he walks towards the men's room.  When he comes out a minute later he has Laney's coat and bag, which he sets next to her when he sits back down.  "The auditorium was on the way."  he says with a smile.  "So, Nick and Elrod ok?"  John asks, nodding towards the pair.

Laney giggles, trading up from John's jacket to her heavier wool coat.
"I guess that means it's safe, after all.  I was going to go look for what I was talking about before.  Do you think anyone will call the campus police?"

"I don't know what happened.  It didn't affect me, but I seem to in the minority."  Sammy looks around.  "I'll go back in and get your stuff if you like."

"El seems a little shaky, but I think he'll be ok.  We might need to leave soon to make sure of that.  I guess Nick's alright.  I think he's getting over it by chatting up all those people."  Sammy cocks her head at John.  "Unless you're asking --  I figured you guys didn't want to hang around near me in case-- never mind.  The worst of it is over.  I flew to Vegas and back between last night and this morning.  That burned off a lot of nervous tension, which helped."


"I hope so.  I don't know what to look for."

"Wow.  Vegas.  You can really pour on the speed."  John says with a smile.  "Maybe someday I'll get there too."  John looks around.  "Doesn't seem to be any indication of the campus police.  No one seems to be totally sure what happened."

"Rarf!" barks an ever snarky Sarah.  She licks Colin on the cheek.  She asks Sylvia, "Hey Syl, could you make an illusion that only Greg could see?"

"You mean from here?"  Sylvia blinks.  "Maybe.  It's easy with you and Colin.  Greg's a little harder, but I'll give it a shot.  What did you have in mind?"

Sammy's comment about them not wanting to hang around her has Laney baffled.  So much so, the girl can't even reply.  It makes no sense whatsoever.


"Then we should just...look."  Oh, no, she can't not look.  With a curious tilt of her head and a smile which vaguely reminds John of their earlier wanderings, Laney turns to go back inside the theatre with an added excuse that she should use the restroom, anyway.

"Yep.  About 500 miles an hour.  Maybe we can race there one day -- ground obstacles ought to slow you down enough that I'd stand a chance, until you figure out the flying thing.  That's weird that nobody has called..."
Then Laney walks off.  "Crud, she shouldn't go alone, just in case.  Whatever it was didn't bother me.  I'll follow.  I'll call the police too."  As she trails after Laney, she pulls out her phone and dials the police emergency line.

Greg walks into the projection booth, "Rob said you needed me?"

Laney and Sammy walk into the theater proper.  There are no lingering effects from whatever happened.  Sammy contacted the campus police, and they said they'd sent someone over.

People are starting to go in and fetch their things.  It's starting to sound like the festival will be cut short, but no official decision has been made yet.

Sarah blinks at Greg and then peers closely at Sylvia.  "That works too." 

"Yes, Colin needs your magical technical expertise to get to the film and maybe anything else that might be the cause of the hysterics today."

She looks at the others and asks, "Or is this one of those incidents we should report to the police so they can look for things like finger prints and DNA and all that stuff they never really find most times?"

"Get to the film?  As in take it out of the projector?"  Greg starts shaking his head.  "Dude, these film reels are on loan to the college.  You really shouldn't be messing with it."

"Pff," Sylvia says with an eloquent shrug.  They've had everyone from the PPD to the NSA pass through Oak Park, and still, it always comes down to someone kicking someone else's ass.

Donnie seems to snap out of his reviere and finds himself sitting on the curb, shivering from the cold. He vaguely remembers Sammy pulling him out of the theatre, and that movie, *crushing despair overwhelming sadness* Donnie blinks, shaking his head. What the hell was that about?

He stands, trying to shake off the remains of that emotional overflow. Shaking , he tries to summon hylokka, but his emotions are too unravelled and twisted to find the calm. He pulls out his cell phone as he steps back inside the theatre, seeing some familiar faces.

He calls Sylvia. Beep-bop-boop

Sarah smiles at Sylvia. "You say the sweetest things!" she says brightly.

To Greg she asks, "So it's unlikely that someone tampered with the film itself?"

Sylvia figures her part in this is just to ward off campus security and theater management, so she's happy to drop everything to answer Donnie's call.  "Hi.  Are you okay?"

"Doubtful.  It's not really easy to tamper with film anyway, not really."

Where he finds Sammy and Laney coming out of the auditorium.  Laney had wandered up and down a pair of aisles, pausing near the screen itself, as if debating something.  

Her greeting for Donnie is belated when she is distracted by a flickering bulb over their heads, long enough for him to dial his phone.

*click*  It burns out.  
Laney turns her attention back to her companions.

"Thanks for the offer for a ride, Sammy.  I think I'm alright.  I feel badly for ruining John's day.  This sort of thing happens when I plan things. You'd think I'd stop, right?"  She grins, so Sammy is assured she's teasing.

Sammy is confused.  "You didn't ruin anybody's day.  Whoever messed with the theatre did that."  She looks out into the crowd.  "Speaking of ruined days though, I should talk to somebody, to make sure it doesn't go bad again."

She weaves her way through the crowd till she gets to Nick's side.  She waits for a moment when he doesn't have to be fully engaged in the activity around him and says "Are you ok?  I wish this hadn't happened."

Nick shrugs.  "Not your fault.  The campus police are here and asking what's up, so I guess we'll get to the bottom of it eventually."

"What happened. Things are a bit fuzzy.."

"We're in the projection room, trying to figure it out.  Colin has this thing in his hands.  I think he pried it out of the wall or something.  Greg's trying to convince him not to take the film, too."  Sylvia neglects to mention that checking the film was her idea.

"Okay. Good to hear the smart people are figuring it out then. Why the hell does the lobby smell like puke?"

He waves distractedly at Laney.

"Oh my god, you should have seen John.  It was like the tide rolling in--the kind of bad, stinky tide where, like, three gangrenous whales and a garbage scow collide.  The man can eat."

Donnie snorts. "Oh lord, that is what's staining the front corner of the room. God. The maintenence man has a surgical mask on and those yellow rubber gloves. How much did John throw up? Did he shrivel up like a pod person in Dark Crystal as he spewed half of his bodyweight out?"

"That's not what I meant.  Not entirely anyhow."  She tugs on his arm and pulls him a few steps away.  "I wanted you to have that 'okay' you were wishing for, and with all this--" she gestures generally.  "It could have been a much better 'okay' all around.  But if your okay was okay, well, okay.  But if it wasn't, I want another chance to make it okay.  Okay?"

"I'm pretty sure every ounce of dignity in his body wound up on the carpet.  Other than that, he seemed okay."

Nick blinks a few times and then smiles.  "I need to write that down.  In the right scene that would be really funny on screen."  He leans in and kisses her cheek, "My okay was okay, but I'd be okay with an okay more like the okay you had in mind, okay?"  He grins.

The revealing wrinkles of embarrassment fill Colin's face, and he turns back to the projector. His grin seems to tell he liked it, though.


"Well, the problem is, what kind of offense is making people cry? How could they justify an investigation? They have more important things to do, most of the time."


"I don't want to steal it or mess with it in any way. I just want to get an impression out of it."


"Good. That makes you our main suspect." He grins.

Sammy inhales as he kisses her, drawing the scent of him deep inside her.  "Okay."   She smiles and takes a step away.  Dance with the one what brung ya.  Even if he did say he was okay with it, I should have rules.  "I should go and check on other people."

"Okay."  he says with a smile, "I'll do the same."  and he moves back into the crowd.


Greg comes over and works some levers to open the side of the projector and expose the film.

That gets a laugh from Greg.  "Mwahaha, all part of my master plan to win a Best Director Oscar."  he says while Colin tries to get a read off the film.

OOC: Colin gets no impressions from the film.  Meaning no malice or sinister intent, just a film.

Laney leaves Donnie to his phone call, her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink when she overhears some of his comments.

Outside, she automatically rejoins John, lays a gentle hand on his sleeve and whispers, "Do you want to go?  I can take you home, now, or you're welcome to come over to my house.  I was on my own for dinner tonight.  They were taking the boys out to see a movie and food this afternoon.   I was just going to heat up soup or something."

"I'm okay.  I should hang around anyway, in case the gang needs me.  If you were going to be on your own, why not come over to my house?  My mom was going to make chili and cornbread muffins, there will be plenty."

Laney had been loitering for the same reason: in case she could help - also, for a strange kind of curiosity that persisted, undaunted by the bewilderment usually accompanying the presence of crowds.  It was an exciting change and, in spite of her earlier misery, she wanted to see it through.

So it's a warm, pleased gratitude that wells up, igniting a smile and her eyes, dark as the sky and just as full of stars.

"I'd like that.  Alright."

Sammy glides back over to Elrod's side and takes his hand in hers. "Come on," she says, "walk around with me.  It'll help.  Thought about what you want to do tonight?"  

Anything that does not involve a romantic comedy, outside of what normally passes for such between us."  he says as they walk. 


John smiles too, "Good."  Then turns his attention back to the crowd to see what is being decided.

Sammy lets out a rich throaty chuckle.  "Deal."  She listens to see if anybody has found anything or decided anything.

"Ok, my not-too-professional opinion is that it wasn't the film, but the sound, specifically this box. I think we should take it to better examine it. All in favor?"

Sylvia is still yakking on the phone with Donnie, but she raises her hand in support of the motion.

Sarah nods, "Grab and go before our nemesis THE PROJECTIONIST returns!"

Colin helps Greg close the projector back and plug the sound system cables as they were before the box was attached.

"Let's go."

"The Projectionist," Sylvia murmurs thoughtfully.  Then she puffs out her chest and fists her hand on her hip.  "The Projectionist!

"Nah," she concludes.

The organizers decide to call the event, due to strangeness.  They apologize, but thank everyone that attended.  Then they usher folks out and close the theater.  Those who gave rides take people home, and the day is done.

OOC:  I'm thinking of closing this chapter.  Assume that everyone has a nice rest of their Saturday and spends time with the people they like to spend time with.  Laney has dinner at john's house, Elrod takes a bunch of people out for pizza, and then we lower the curtain on the weekend with Sunday being dull and uneventful.

If anyone absolutely needs to do something that can't wait until the next chapter, post it in the chapter thread.  this one will get locked and I'll close it tomorrow.