There are three connected role plays that created Sunday’s story, Cedar Point RPG on the Great Canadian Grid, Alexandra RPG on Metropolis Metaversum and Theta Sigma RPG on the Great Canadian Grid. When we all log on to play you never know what combination of characters you’re going to get or what that will create. Players get to jump towns and grid hop to take in all of this co writing and co creating. Sunday just happened to be one of those days where the particular combination fed into stories that interconnected and it was simply electric. It begins with a little prelude, which was the call to role play:
Anna Wright had been fighting the wicked cold that was going around and last night she lost the battle. It took her, fully and completely and she knew she should not be handling other people’s food in the morning. She called her mother to see if they could find another cook on such short notice. Tomorrow was Sunday brunch at the Lavender Dreams.
“Mom….don’t come down here or it’ll be both of us. I was really careful yesterday but…..hang on…” She held the phone away from her and had a fit of coughing. When she came back her mother was already speaking.
“Honey, I’ll take care of the brunch. Just rest OK? I’ll drop some soup off later tomorrow.”
Tallulah Beal lay back down and sighed. A pair of warm strong arms encircled her as Nick Callahan snuggled into her back. She melted into the warmth of his body behind hers.
“Anna’s in a bad way huh? Half the station got it too. Reinhardt brought it here from Alexandra. I thought Yamada was going to mummify him in Lysol, bit freaked out about germs with that baby of his almost baked. So far so good for him and me, and Angie’s recovered so I’m still off tomorrow. You want me to make some eggs?” He said chuckling into her ear.
Tallulah rolled to face him, beaming “Would you? I’ll put it on the special board…..Breakfast cooked by the Chief of Police!”
Nick grinned “Don’t you dare. You’ll have a house full of cops waiting to mock me on their breaks. I’ll hide in the kitchen and take my payment in advance…” He pulled the covers over them both as he rolled on top of his woman.
Here is the role play log. I write Anna, Nick and Tallulah. Doctor Song is the delightful typist of Doctor Rose Song and the new Theta mayor Trevor Kenner and Crystal Brewton is the wonderfully horrible Rita Potter. Bronwyn is a NPC mesh statue so I don’t always write lines for her; just assume the other side of the conversation.
The next morning began early with preparations. Nick stationed himself in the kitchen. The desk clerk, Bronwyn, showed up to take her post while the brunch happened and Tallulah got ready to serve tables.
Nick Callahan checks all the pans that Tallulah had set him up with from the preparation work and winks at her as she grabs a tray "Alright, we got this. Go get em!"
Tallulah Beal shakes her head and laughs "I love you for this. It sounds like we have some customers already....I've been too busy looking at your cute ass while you cook. Back to work." She pushes the door open and heads to the tables smiling at each patron as she approaches "Good morning. Can I get you all some coffee to start?"
Rita Potter glances up from her tablet and smiles. Part of her hopes she is recognized and yet part of her doesn't. "Coffee and granola. Thank you." She orders, as friendly as you please.
Doctor Song: Coffees and Two orders of the best Granola In the Vancouver area please.
Trevor Kenner: Almond milk for my coffee he says with a distinctive London accent.
Nick Callahan is flipping some bacon and his phone rings. He pulls it out of his back pocket and steps just into the hall "Callahan.....yeah......well did they admit it during the arrest? Oh bloody hell..." He walks down the hall a bit still talking but his words become muffled.
Tallulah Beal smiles warmly "Granola morning." She looks at the woman on her tablet as if trying to place her and then shrugs and turns to the other table "Thank you for the compliment. I'm Tallulah if you folks need anything. I'll put in your order and get the coffees right away."
Rita Potter glances up from her tablet at the sound of the voice. "Chief Callahan." Her own voice is almost a purr of pleasure. She sets the tablet onto the table and types a bit more. "Oh ... thank you so much. And add dome buttered toast to my order please." She adds very sweetly.
Doctor Song "Well deserved I Think I bumped into you before at the book sale here a while back Tallulah, Let me introduce you to my friend Trevor Kenner , the newly elected Mayor of Theta Sigma."
Trevor Kenner "A pleasure to meet you ms. he says as the perfect gentleman."
Nick Callahan has finished his phone call and is talking briefly to Bronwyn at the till before returning to the kitchen. He calls back to her "Hey place your order now before it gets busy. Perks of working in a Breakfast place right? I can figure out the vegan stuff...I'll bring it out to you." He laughs and goes in to reread Anna's instruction binder on the vegan order.
Tallulah Beal looks uncomfortable at the tone the woman with the tablet uses when she says Nick's name and then looks mildly suspicious as she sneaks a peek at the tablet but doesn't look long. "Yes I'll add toast." She says pleasantly but a little coolly. She turns back to the table with the book lover and new mayor "Oh yes of course! So sorry not awake yet, and terrible with names if you told me yours." She looks to the Theta mayor "And congratulations to you Sir." She heads off to put the orders in now and get the coffees.
Rita Potter pauses in her typing in order to glance over at this new mayor. She pulls her phone towards herself and quickly thumb types a message and appears to go back to her work.
Doctor Song "This place always cheers me up Tre, Some days it can be a life saver to just come here chillax and stuff. "
Trevor Kenner "Indeed Doc, a person can't be so busy as to forget to relax. he explains.
Nick Callahan looks perfectly content in the kitchen as Tallulah comes back in and then sees the awkward look on her face "Everything OK out there Darlin?"
Tallulah Beal looks unsure "I think I recognize one of the patrons....3 granolas by the way. I need to get them all coffee...oh and an order of buttered toast. I forgot to ask what kind...you know what just do whole wheat. I'm not asking.....I think it's that Potter woman from the Scribbler..." She pulls his phone from his back pocket as he starts on the granola. He gives a happy little gasp and she swats his butt "Shush you, we'll make her news for being a supposed brothel again...oh god it IS HER.” She clicks another search tab and looks up the Theta election results very quickly "And Trevor Kennor, the new Theta Sigma mayor...hmm...seems nice enough. Back into the fire. Hide in the kitchen Nick!" She hands him back his phone, heads to the coffee and comes back with three for the tables and creamer. She serves the book lover and the mayor first "Here you go....." And then turns to the other table to set down Rita's coffee and fixings and sees her tablet and recognizes someone in one of the pictures "Oh are you acquainted with our Shirley Douglas?" She doesn't recognize the Alexandra mayor in the picture with her out of context but has a bad feeling for her old friend and neighbour.
Rita Potter chuckles to herself and shakes her head as if she has heard or read something amusing as she types. She barely looks up as she scrolls through pictures Tallulah may recognize ad then pauses to add cream and sugar to her coffee.
Doctor Song Oh forgive me I musta failed to give me name before, I get so Bone headed at times I'm Rose Song , She says Politely but Notices the woman at the other tables ears perk up. “I met the two other mayors at the winter fest.”
Trevon.Kenner "Haven’t done the meet and greet yet, still settling in and cleaning out the old mayors stuff its a real bloody mess the bloke died suddenly during a bocci ball match."
Tallulah Beal looks even more disturbed by Rita as she doesn't answer, just keeps doing whatever horrid thing she's up to on that tablet. She forces composure and turns to Rose and Trevor "Rose Song, how could I forget that? I love that name. And Mr. Kenner, you'll find out Shirley to be the kindest person you've met. Our town loves her..." She intentionally looks back at Rita now and says firmly "And is rather protective of her even. I'll go get those granolas."
Rita Potter is absorbed in her work and sips her coffee, happily typing away on her tablet. She sniffs around the same time Tallulah mentions Shirley Douglas, but of course, there HAS been illness in town the last week.
Doctor Song the thing is Some say he Overdosed on espresso, others say he was just older than he let on he was. Any ways we got a new era now.
Trevon.Kenner “I’m just glad your coffee shop didn’t have asbestos be a shame to have to tear it down that buildings’ a landmark.”
Tallulah Beal overhears the news about Theta's old mayor and sighs slightly as she heads into the kitchen to get the granola. As she gathers is she asks Nick "Does Shirley have a boyfriend? Because if it's a secret one, I think Miss Potter's about to expose her. I couldn't place him but there's a clear photo of them coming out of The Waterfront hotel in Vancouver..."
Nick Callahan looks surprised "Shirley Douglas? Hmmm...well she does like men...married three of them eh? Good for her. That reporter can shove it where the sun don't shine for all I care." He gives Tallulah a sweet kiss and heads out the other door with a vegan plate for Bronwyn. Shortly after, Tallulah is putting granola on the tables as Nick and Bronwyn chat. A couple of tourists, rural Quebecers, come in looking for directions and Nick starts struggling to help Bronwyn help them in limited French.
Rita Potter sips her coffee and smiles to herself, going back to typing. She cannot hear a blessed word from way over in the kitchen. If she could, she would probably nearly cackle at the exchange within. But her mood seems high enough, a slight smile on her lips. But it could simply be the fantastic coffee.
Doctor Song: Thank You Tallulah Tre you are so gonna love this It's on Par with the stuff I used to get back in Norway. Holds her cup up for another refill smiling cause yes it's as good as Noctems' "
Trevor Kenner "Thank you love he coos to Tallulah takes a bite of the granola "oh this is lovely as he dives in thoroughly enjoying.
Tallulah Beal beams at the granola and coffee compliments "Oh thank you both very much." She grabs the coffee pot and comes back and refills their cups and then is about to do Rita's when she remembers the toast "Oh your toast Ms. Potter....one moment please." She didn't introduce herself, but made sure Rita knew she knew exactly who she was. She hears Bronwyn call her though as she heads to the kitchen for help with the tourists and approaches she and Nick "How can you be a cop in Canada with next to no French?" She teases "Can you take Ms. Potter her toast please?"
Nick Callahan chuckles and then his eyes go wide "You said hide in the kitchen. Are you baiting her now?" He winks at Tallulah and goes to get it as she had just forgot to add it on the tray. He walks out and sets it down "Morning Ma'am." He says and then looks to the two sitting across "And folks. I hear we have a new mayor among us. Congrats Mr. Kenner. It's a big job to take on in any town."
Rita Potter catches movement out of the corner of her eye but barely moves her head. But when addressed by name, she looks up at Tallulah and nods, still distracted by work. When Nick Callahan comes out to deliver her toast she actually looks at him full on. Of course he then turns. "This is wheat. I wanted white." She keeps her voice darling and sweet. "Chief Callahan."
Doctor Song Looks calmly at the other table. looks a Trevor fan clubs already ?" she says with a giggle
Trevor Kenner: "Just call me Trevor Mr. Kenner is my Father back in London.
Tallulah Beal can be heard down the hall in a long conversation with some very talkative French tourists. She's as polite and welcoming in French as she is in English.
Nick Callahan smirks at Rita, looking rather amused "Well we can't have that. I'll send it back." He picks up the plate of toast and takes his time, engaging with the Theta tourists "Ah a Brit. Well hello Trevor, I'm Nick. And as you heard the reporter lady I'm the town's police chief but I moonlight as a cook when the regular is down with a cold." He looks at the lady across from Trevor "No fan clubs, just a friendly hello. And you are Ma'am?" He casually takes a bite of the rejected toast while he waits for the answer and chews slowly, his eyes twinkling with mirth.
Rita Potter smiles. "No we can’t. You do that." She replies and gets back to work, although she can clearly hear his voice speaking with others.
Doctor Song Oh my First time out as Mayor and the paparazzi already Mr. rock star mayor she teases her friend Trevor, Oh by the way I'm Rose Song I was Tre's campaign advisor.
Trevor Kenner laughs and smiles over at the reporter “Be sure to get me good side love."
Tallulah Beal is still in her conversation and laughing now as she leans out the door and points to something and explains how to get to a landmark they're seeking.
Nick Callahan snorts "Nice to meet you Rose." He takes another bite, chews and swallows, taking his sweet time very deliberately and then offers almost like a warning label "The Scribbler....they do love the Lavender Dreams." He quips sarcastically and heads off to find white toast.
Rita Potter smiles over at the mayor and his .. aide. "I'll be sure to add an addendum to my article then." she replies, politely and indeed begins to type again. She huffs in Nicks direction. "But obviously The Scribbler has done wonders for business, Chief Callahan." She nods to the customers. "Are you working today because of some mysterious budget cute in the police department’s budget? Or is kitchen work like when you can't pay for services and have to wash the dishes to make up for it?" She keeps her tone sweet ... not even as waspish as it could be.
Doctor Song Giggles discreetly as she overhears the interactions nearby her. " we should be getting going soon Trevor the Kids have been sick since last night."
Trevor Kenner " Oh I hope they will be ok soon Lokii Promised to help me set up the net in my office, the old mayor was a technophobe."
Tallulah Beal waves off the lovely Quebecers with a call of "Au revoir...Bon chance!" And walks back into the kitchen wrapping her arms around Nick's waist from behind "What did I miss? Aside from you..." She teases.
Nick Callahan turns and rubs his nose into the side of Tallulah’s face and grins offering a plate of toast "I may have ...poked...the bear. Please take ol Snotter this SOURdough toast. I think she’ll like it...." He smiles as Tallulah laughs loud enough for the whole building to hear and then watches her takes the toast out to Rita. He had heard her words about police budget cuts and references to the Lavender Dreams being a brothel and had cheerfully ignored it all.
Tallulah drops off the toast with a small throat clear and no words. She turns to the other table and smiles though, very kindly.
Rita Potter taps here ... taps there ... on her tablet, all but humming to herself. She had indeed caught the Chief rubbing his nose ... was that his MIDDLE finger? Asshole. But she appears to be done with work and is putting her tablet back in a canvas bag when her toast has been brought out to her. She finishes the coffee and takes the toast, sniffing it like a cat might a dead mouse. "Thank you. Everything I have come to expect from the Lav." She drops cash on the table, takes her toast and leaves without another word to anyone, getting into a car that is waiting for her and being driven off .... but not the mortal coil.
Doctor Song: I go get the bill on the cities card right?
Trevor Kenner “Been a real pleasure to meet you all. Do come visit Theta and I’ll get you a city pass.
Tallulah just watched Rita Potter go without a proper goodbye, folding her arms and looking a mixture of annoyed and defensive. Expect from the Lav? Bitch. She exhaled a cleansing breath and waved more cheerfully with a nod to the Trevor and Rose before clearing the tables. Back in the kitchen she finds Nick loading the dishwasher and pulls him away from it.
“One of us needs to talk to Shirley. I don’t want this to come at her as a shock. I have no idea what that horrible woman is writing.”
Nick frowns “You’re right. I’ll do it. I think she’s away right now though….maybe with the boyfriend. I can tell when her lights are on timers because she puts more on. Course she might be back tonight…”
Tallulah sighs “Well hopefully it won’t print today. Ol Snotter must have a few other lives to wreck on a weekend.”
Nick snorts “I suppose we can hope. Although I have to admit, it was kinda fun to mess with her.”
Rita Potter’s tabloid story appeared around noon of that same day and rabid readers can find it here on the Scribbler website:
http://ccharactercafe.blogspot.ca/2017/01/small-town-scribbles-volume-2035.html
And tabloid readers, because I’m in a REM mood and this song fits so perfectly, please allow their Bad Day to be your musical accompaniment to Rita’s nasty little piece. The poetic verse of Micheal Stipe simply makes everything more bearable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyk-Vdd_Qrk
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