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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Dec 2, 2010 12:51:52 GMT -8
Speak of the devil...
Almost as though their speaking about him summoned him, the stranger with the hawk sat down at their table, a few seats down from her. Charlotte watched as David reacted to the other man’s presence. It wasn’t an obvious reaction, but there was an air of... awareness and subtle tension around him now.
“Good morning,” she said, because while he had warned her away from the man with the hawk she wasn’t going to be completely rude. She indicated his wrist with the slightest tilt of her chin. “Have bird issues this morning?
David leaned back and muttered... something that she didn’t quite catch. Something about an eagle?
She suddenly wished she had kept her hand on his, pulled him away, made some effort to get away from the crowds. But it was too late for that, and she was going to roll with the hand she was dealt. David smiled, and she wanted to know what it was running through his head. What are you thinking? He made a comment about pancakes and being famished, looking her in the eyes again instead of past her shoulder. She could tell he was... distracted, elsewhere. What is it about this guy that has David so on edge?
“Yeah... yeah they do,” Charlotte replied, softly. So much for an pleasant breakfast, just the two of us. She contemplated excusing herself, under the pretence of going to change, but somehow she doubted that leaving David along with the birdman for any period of time would be a good idea. So she settled for folding her legs up onto the chair and studying the other two men from over her knees.
What is going on? She had a feeling that the stranger with the bird had come over to the table because of David... but she wasn't sure why.
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Post by Forrest Kaysen on Dec 2, 2010 13:40:58 GMT -8
When Atlas grabbed some pancakes, Kaysen followed suit, picking a few out and stacking them on his plate in a short stack. Happily, before even putting any butter or syrup on them, he took up his knife and nabbed a big bite from the pile. Atlas started to question him, but while he was still chewing, Polly made her way over. He swallowed before he spoke. Lovely timing as always, Polly.
"Old goat? Has the travel really bad that hard on me?" The big man laughed loudly, leaning in to plant a big kiss on the elder woman's cheek. "I've been just great! Just as great as an anteater at a picnic. Business is boomin'! How about you? Looks like you've got your hands full - and have you gotten more beautiful since the last time I saw you?" Honestly, out of most of the people in this town, Kaysen was very fond of Polly. He had known her a long time...longer than she, in fact, remembered. That suited him fine, and he always had a nice place to stay when he rolled into Greenvale.
"So many new faces in town...why, I'm kinda bewildered! What happened while I was gone? Anythin' interestin'?" He didn't look back at Atlas, acting for all the world as if he hadn't heard the question.
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Polly
Junior Member
What's that? Oh dear, I'm afraid we're all out of pepper.
Posts: 88
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Post by Polly on Dec 2, 2010 13:55:48 GMT -8
Polly giggled and blushed at the big man's compliment. "Oooh, haven't you heard?" she asked, pulling out a chair and sitting down for a minute. "There's been a murder! Anna Graham. I don't know if you remember her? She works--did work over at the A&G diner. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with all the new faces or not, though." It was funny, Polly always felt so much younger, talking to Kaysen. Another thought occurred to her. "We're actually expecting someone from the FBI, believe it or not. But he hasn't shown up yet. I wonder when he will? Not that I need any more guests, here," she said, gesturing at the semi-full dining room.
Really, there were only a few people here, but it was still so much better than the emptiness of the past few years. Polly would never admit it to herself, but even though she loved running the hotel, it got very, very lonely sometimes. Especially after her husband went. She wished she could see her grandchildren more, but they didn't visit often enough. But the more the hotel bustled with activity, the happier and more lively Polly got.
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Post by Atlas on Dec 2, 2010 14:11:57 GMT -8
"Amazing. He completely avoided my question. He's definitely hiding something. Perhaps I should keep an eye on Mr. FK here." Atlas replied. "Polly, your pancakes are amazing, but your timing needs work. FK, you've won this round, but don't think I'm out yet."
He listened to FK talk to Polly while chewing pancakes. "If I ate like that at my mother's house, I wouldn't get to stick around for dessert." he thought.
Polly said a couple things that stood out to him. There was a murder in town. A young woman named Anna Graham. Also, an FBI guy was expected to show up. So the FBI is involved. I wonder if that guy in the suit is the FBI Agent. he wondered. If he was, then is that was Kaysen was trying to hide from him.
Why hide it though? Was he a fugitive from the law? A suspected murderer? Was his sapling business a cover for a drug ring? The questions were mounting, though confronting FK was getting nowhere. He tried to enter the conversation.
"What's wrong with having a few more guests. A hotel of this size could accommodate several times more, and there's never anything wrong with a bit more business." He replied to Polly.
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Post by Forrest Kaysen on Dec 2, 2010 14:50:18 GMT -8
Kaysen knew he could always count on Polly to get him the town gossip in a hurry. Talking with her was a great way for him to get back in touch with what was going on in Greenvale...and right now, he was thankful for her chattiness. He thought over what she said, nodding along as she spoke. Anna died? Well...was only a matter of time, I guess. She was always kind of stupid. Bet she ran in with someone she shouldn't have - huh. Interesting. But...an FBI Agent? Does she mean ANOTHER ONE? Oh, Kaysen knew that Henning was FBI. He wouldn't let on about it, but he knew. He also didn't like the idea of two investigators snooping around the town. And then there was Atlas...who was getting a bit nosier than he liked.
"Poor Anna! Buy, the FBI...bringin' in the big guns, aren't they?" He quieted to let Atlas talk, taking another bite of his pancakes in the interim and watching the conversation for a moment.
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Polly
Junior Member
What's that? Oh dear, I'm afraid we're all out of pepper.
Posts: 88
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Post by Polly on Dec 2, 2010 15:49:49 GMT -8
Polly turned to Atlas. "Oh, no, I just meant, well, that this is about as many people I've seen in the hotel for over a year now. More guests would be nice, I suppose, but I really couldn't ask for anything more than this," she replied to his question, surprised. As for Kaysen's question..
She leaned in closer to the two of them and lowered her voice. "They certainly are bringing in the big guns, and no wonder! I hear she was found hanging from the top of a tree out in the forest--half naked with her stomach sliced open, if you can believe it," Polly said, forgetting momentarily that her two guests were in the middle of breakfast. "Oh, but that's enough of that kind of talk," she said, remembering herself and leaning back. "I hope I haven't put you two off your pancakes! I should finish serving everyone. I'm not sure that Raincloud fellow has gotten anything yet. Came in a few minutes ago panicking on his way to the hospital with his wrist bleeding like crazy and now he's sitting here waiting for breakfast. What a strange person. Oh, is there anything I can get you two while I'm up? Tea? Coffee? More pancakes?" Polly asked, standing up and picking up her tray.
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Post by Atlas on Dec 2, 2010 17:27:07 GMT -8
Atlas listened to what Polly had to say about the murder. She was found hanging from a tree, half naked with her stomach cut open. He had seen plenty of murder photo pictures as evidence during trial, but the fact she was hanging a tree.
Atlas's mind suddenly flash back to a series of photos...
Bodies hung in crucified poses, several hung from trees. Eyes gouged out, leaving blank, empty dead stares behind and false smiles painted on their faces in blood...
And now here? In Greenvale?
The memories didn't stop there...
"We, the jury, find the defendant, Mr. Tom Lasseter, guilty..." the spokeswoman for the jury said in a somber voice. A young Atlas could only sit powerlessly in the audience, watching as his father was about to be taken away for good. "Mr. Lasseter, this court finds you guilty of over 30 counts of murder. I sentence you to death." and with that, the gavel fell, sounding a requiem across the courtroom, and young Atlas's mind.
Atlas was spaced out when Polly asked if he wanted anything else. "Ohh, something else? Yeah, I'll have some fresh coffee." he responded hastily. "Thank you Polly."
"Why did the mention of how the girl was murdered bring back all of those memories?" he wondered. "Is it related to those murders that cost me both my father and my reputation? It's worth investigating, but first things first, concentrate on breakfast, and make sure FK doesn't get too suspicious."
"So, Mr. Kaysen, tell me a little about your sapling business."
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Post by Forrest Kaysen on Dec 2, 2010 17:51:04 GMT -8
If Kaysen was at all put off of his breakfast by such gory business, he certainly didn't show it - he knocked back the pancakes while the other two were talking, polishing them off rather quickly. With his size, this wasn't surprising, but was still...maybe a little disturbing, given the subject matter. He allowed the subject to change, watching Polly rise to her feet with a jovial smile. He pushed his glasses up on his nose.
"It'd have to be some talk to put me off YOUR pancakes, Polly," he laughed, grinning again. "I'll take a cup of coffee, too, if ya don't mind. Maybe some o' that bacon I smell, too? I'd really appreciate it. Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day, after all!" Atlas was addressing him again - asking questions. Easy enough to field, though.
He rounded on the other man, suddenly enthusiastic as if he loved his job more than anything else. "Well, I run Big Red Nursery! I sell all kinds of plants, but my specialty are a cross-breed I developed. Real hard to get to sprout, but I've mastered the technique - gettin' 'em started is the hard part. After they sprout, they spring up like a chihuahua on a hot sidewalk, just as easy as pie. They're real popular and real colorful - especially 'round here, where most of the trees stay green all the time. People love 'em! Do you like to garden, son? Plants flourish in these parts, what with all the rain."
He was CERTAINLY not shy about his business. Typical salesman, seeing an opportunity for sales wherever he could.
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Post by Atlas on Dec 2, 2010 18:02:54 GMT -8
"Big Red Nursery. Sounds more like a communist babysitting service than a tree business." Atlas mused at the name of his company. He was suddenly able to get him to talk. "Good, maybe if I keep this up, he'll trust me."
"I've never really been a green thumb. The city doesn't really give one much of an opportunity for gardening. Though I do think a potted plant spices up any office. I remember a female colleague of mine used to have a huge potted plant. I think she called it Charlie."
He was also interested in these red saplings Kaysen was talking about. He'd seen several at the graveyard and a few around town. "These cross-breeds sound intriguing. How do you get them to grow. I might get one for the office."
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Polly
Junior Member
What's that? Oh dear, I'm afraid we're all out of pepper.
Posts: 88
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Post by Polly on Dec 2, 2010 18:39:39 GMT -8
Polly smiled at the two as she made her way around the dining room. She had to wonder: was it just the subject that had made Atlas look so horrified, or was there something else there? He also hadn't seemed to take to Kaysen very well. Strange. She thought everyone took to Kaysen. He seemed all right with Tamika and Charlotte, but not Kaysen. Perhaps he was just more comfortable with women? No, he even seemed all right with that Mr. Raincloud, and she'd have thought anyone would be put off by him. Ah, well, it didn't matter.
Speaking of rainclouds, the people at the other table seemed to be having some sort of standoff. The old-fashioned kind that had the participants hiding behind water barrels with six-shooters. Polly placed herself in the line of fire, placing more pancakes in platters and refilling maple syrup containers. "Good morning!" she chirped. "Is everything all right over here? Can I get anyone anything?"
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Post by Tamika Weir on Dec 2, 2010 19:15:08 GMT -8
"Nope! But why should I tell you what happened to me if you won't even tell me your name?" Tamika smiled as she said this. Talking to Raincloud for some strange reason made her feel more like her usual perky self. "Maybe the cosmos demand balance for his Raincloudness?"
"Suit yourself then," Tamika replied shrugging. She knew Raincloud wouldn't tell her his name. "You are one strange, paranoid cookie. That or you have a really boring name. I bet it's Tim." Tamika had to suppress a laugh at the thought that the antisocial, intimidating bird lover would have such a generic name as Tim. "If that's the case, then the Raincloud thing makes sense."
Tamika was not bothered by Raincloud completely ignoring her. Yet she still muttered a "You're welcome," under her breath as he walked past her. She was amused by the suit guy's reaction to Raincloud sitting near Charlotte. "I wonder if suit guy is Charlotte's boyfriend or something. If so, what kind of strange hobbies does he have?" Tamika wondered, remembering Charlotte taking pictures of graves.
Instead going to a table, Tamika walked up to Polly. "Do you need any help with anything?" Tamika did not want to feel like some lazy bum, getting a job and then taking the first day off just because she got a few bruises and a cut.
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Polly
Junior Member
What's that? Oh dear, I'm afraid we're all out of pepper.
Posts: 88
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Post by Polly on Dec 2, 2010 19:50:02 GMT -8
Polly could understand wanting to work despite being a little sore and tired. She'd certainly had enough experience doing it. She looked around to see if there was anything that needed doing. "Hmm, Kaysen and Mr. Lasseter are waiting for cups of coffee. There really isn't anything else to do. Once I finish up with this table here, I was planning on sitting down myself. Thank you for asking, though," she said with a smile. She really did appreciate the gesture. "After breakfast, would you still like me to show you some of your duties?" she asked. She wondered if Tamika might open up about what happened later on. Either that or stiffen up so much that Polly would almost be able to stand her up in the lobby and use her as a coat rack.
Polly shook her head. What a silly thought. I must be going senile. She turned back to the table to see if anyone needed anything.
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Post by Tamika Weir on Dec 2, 2010 20:15:32 GMT -8
"Alright, I'll go get them their coffee." Tamika was happy to have something to do. "It's good having a job again. Get some money, meet some people, and just be able to DO something. That, and maybe doing something normal will help me forget the insanity of last night." Tamika was split between denying the previous nights events and trying to figure them out. She didn't want them to be real, and just wanted life to be normal. Yet, Tamika just couldn't keep them out of her mind and wanted to demand answers from everyone.
"Yeah, I'd like that," Tamika said to Polly with a smile. She then walked toward the kitchen to get the lawyer and the fat man their coffee.
Tamika easily found the coffee, but had to search a little to find the mugs. "Of course a large hotel would have to have a large kitchen, wouldn't it?" She regretted not asking Polly where the mugs were before leaving. "Oh where, oh where have the little mugs gone. Oh where, oh where can they be," Tamika began to sing under her breath. Then she stopped short. "No singing! No singing! No singing! No singing! NO SINGING!" Her mouth immediately shut, remembering the three rules her father drilled into her. "Keep your fucking mouth shut, do whatever the hell I tell ya, and no Goddamn singing!" After about a minute more of searching, she found the mugs. With a triumphant smile, Tamika poured coffee into two of the mugs and brought them to Atticus and the fat man's table.
"Here's your coffees. Sorry about the wait," Tamika cheerfully said to the two men, carefully setting a mug in front of each of them while doing so.
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Post by Forrest Kaysen on Dec 2, 2010 20:32:59 GMT -8
"Oh, gettin' 'em to grow is easy, it's the sprouting that's the tricky part! Kind of a trade secret, y'know? But I do that for ya, anyway. I sell 'em as saplings. If you're interested in one, I can give ya one - consider it in return for your help, huh? Just remind me later on." The conversation was interrupted by the girl bringing their coffee - looking over to her, Kaysen smiled his easygoing smile.
"Aw, no need to apologize, was just shootin' the breeze, anyway. You helpin' Polly out? I haven't seen ya before, and I've been here plenty." More chances to introduce himself to the townsfolk. More people to endear himself to. It wasn't tiresome, per se, but still there were so many people to trade names with in this room. Murder seems like kind of a funny thing to draw people out. But if it draws 'em out into the rain, just makes it all easier for me.
Willie hopped up from where he was lying under the table, padding up to Tamika and sniffing at her in a friendly way. His tail wagged a mile a minute, his eyes bright and curious about the newcomer.
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Post by Tamika Weir on Dec 2, 2010 21:01:33 GMT -8
"I just started today actually. Polly hired me yesterday to help with the increase of guests around her." Tamika's demeanor remained unchanged, but on the inside, she was unsure about the fat man. He certainly seemed like a friendly and jovial obese man. But something about the friendliness seemed wrong, like how she was when she was smiling while hiding tears. Yet still different from that as well. Tamika would have scrutinized the fat man more until a dog started sniffing her.
Tamika bent down and began petting the cheerful dog's head. "I didn't see you down there sir. Would you like something as well?" she asked while giving the dog one of her genuine smiles. "At least someone here is truly happy."
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