CALHOUN HOUR - REINTRODUCTION

[vivariummods]

Back on the morning of Day 90, the original group has been given access to a new location, The Library, only after seeing this note: library is open go use it or whatever don't trash it or else!!!!! (♯｀∧´) i got my eye on you!!! brb later ~ ᘛᕐᐷ An Ambidex Round was planned for this day, but instead, Calhoun was nowhere to be seen. He completely disappeared and left the test subjects to do whatever they pleased. It's not until the early afternoon that his lovely voice rings throughout the speakers: "Ahem, aaaaahem!! Okay, so! I'm sure that you illiterate bunch have seen my note on the floor earlier today, which tells you to all go to the library. If you're not there already, then get in there, because I'm going to tell you about a seeeeecret ennnnntranceeee, ohhhhhhh." There's a few more seconds of 'ohhh's and 'ahhhh's before Calhoun moves on. "Normally, I'd have you play Moonlight Sonata on the piano to open up the hidden doorway, but that's too much work, so just get over to the furthest bookshelf in the back and give it a biiiiig pull. I've unlocked it for you already, so it'll just swing right open like a door! Go through it and I'll see you losers soon." The intercom goes silent, but true to his word, should someone pull back the extremely heavy bookcase, a long and dark hallway is presented to them. It certainly hasn't seen much use, as evidenced by the dust and cobwebs, but once everyone reaches the end of the hall, an identical first floor lobby greets them. Every single window bolted shut, and only florescent lights illuminate the room. The security cameras line up in the exact same locations, a row of Ambidex Rooms lined up against the wall, and there's even an identical Number 9 door. It's an exact replica, asides from a "few" details... A large blinking sign hangs up high on the centre of the back wall. It reads "CALHOUN'S PLEASURE PARADISE" and features a large photo of Calhoun with a large wad of flaming cash in one hand, which he holds underneath a cigar super glued to his gas mask. It's unique, to say the least, and there are rows and rows of slot machines line up in the centre. Tables with games such as blackjack and poker take up the sides, and there's even a pool table nearby. One end has a small mini-bar, with all the crab legs you can eat, and loud music blares throughout the entire room. Unfortunately(?), a good number of the machines and tables are being run by your favourite robotic friends, complete with damaged synthetic skin. They don't answer or seem responsive, other than playing on the slots or dishing out cards, and they each have a cigar or two stuck in their mouths, which Calhoun must have shoved in there. Speaking of the rodent, Calhoun sits at a large table with a deck of cards, dressed in a long white dress shirt and a red vest. The cigar glued to his mask, as shown in the sign, still remains, and he adjusts his bow tie at the sight of everyone. "Happy anniversary, test subjects! What's a better way to celebrate this disgustingly heart crushing moment but to go all out with a taste of Las Vegas!" He shouts, but then places a paw to his chin. "Or was it Los Plagas... It was Las or Los something. It's way too hard to keep track of the million places." He looks back up and waves it off. "Whatever, anyway! Go ahead and gamble, drink to your heart's content, I don't care, just do something useful while you're here, all right? And because I know that some of you don't have any coins because you're bad with money management or just really dumb or something, and also because I'm such a kind mouse, I left you all a little baggie gift at the bar." "I better see you gambling those off though! What fun would it be if you don't try to test your luck?"

Comments

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji, for his part, was taking the opportunity to sample some crab legs. Sure, it could be drugged. But how long had it been since he'd gotten to eat some seafood?

Maybe he could be convinced to play a (probably rigged) game. He did know how to count cards...

[puzzlinglad]

The last time was octopus adventure let's be real. Have Hershel walking over, looking a little surprised there's food and Heiji hasn't passed out or something similar from eating it.

"You're a brave soul, Heiji Hattori."

[detectiveofthewest]

"I'm a hungry soul," said Heiji amiably. "But why crab legs? Is that a Vegas thing?" Crazy Americans, mixing seafood and gambling. Not that he was going to complain as long as he didn't pass out.

"You gonna gamble on anything?"

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel shrugged. "I don't know, we should ask Snake." Because if anyone seemed like a gambling, Vegas fiend it was Snake.

"I don't know... somehow I doubt there's even the slightest chance of winning. It puts a damper on any interest."

[detectiveofthewest]

"Aww, don't look at it that way, Hershel. Card games are basically a kind of puzzle, right?" Sort of. Maybe.

He smiled mischievously. "I bet you could clean Calhoun out if ya wanted." And if it wasn't against Britishness to gamble.

[puzzlinglad]

It probably is, Heiji can be the card counter here. "Well, I suppose if it isn't rigged it might be possible, but gambling..." Too British for that. Probably.

"Aren't you planning on giving it a go? Frustrate Calhoun more than usual and all that."

[detectiveofthewest]

"I'll probably play some Blackjack; seems like the fastest way to rack up some coins." Providing the penalty for winning wasn't exploding robots or something.

"I bet a Vacation Day is you gettin' put under for 24 hours. Just like a real vacation."

[blind_badass]

Well hello there, stranger. *Snake sauntered over, looking remarkably...relaxed about everything going on.* What looks good?

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji handed Snake a small plate with some of the choicest looking morsels. "For some reason, we get crab legs. Don't worry, I already ate some."

Or... was that cause for additional worry? In any case, it pleased Heiji to see Snake looking so unusually relaxed. It meant he'd enjoyed the other night as much as Heiji had.

"D'you eat seafood a lot? Want me to crack them for you?"

[blind_badass]

Well, you don't sound like you've keeled over so I'll assume it's good. And yes, please crack them if you'd be so kind. *He could get his left hand dirty to some degree but cracking a crab leg took more precision than he could manage.*

If I'm from Washington State, I imagine I do eat a lot of seafood.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji started in on the task with practiced precision, even remeoving the bits of crab meat so that Snake wouldn't have to do it himself. "They're not the best, but hey. Can't have everything."

He was glad Snake hadn't protested, because Heiji rather liked doing things for him. "Here ya go. Enjoy!"

[blind_badass]

At least it's better than gruel. *It certainly tasted a lot better. Crab legs and peanuts were the best meal ever.*

So are the robots just hanging around everywhere? That's what it sounds like to me, from what little I can hear. *Casinos being noisy as hell and interfering with Snake figuring out spaces.*

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah, they're all over the place, and they're runnin' the games, too." Heiji described the layout of the room to Snake even as he prepared some more crab legs for his prince.

"But you're a pretty good card player, if I recall. I think you should be fine as long as you use your own cards."

[blind_badass]

*His prince? You'll make him blush. But mostly you'll feed his ego if you said that out loud.*

I did happen to grab them when I heard all the commotion and talk about a casino. We'll just have to see if the cards will be kind to me.

[detectiveofthewest]

Snake's ego was a monster, did it really need to be fed? The blushing would be cute, though.

"I'm sure they will be. So, you wanna play? Clean out Calhoun a bit, maybe?"

[blind_badass]

We can certainly give it a go. *Snake started to shuffle his cards.* Let's see how our luck turns up, shall we?

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji leaned his shoulder up against Snake's, which honestly probably wasn't great for keeping their hands secret. But he was feeling affectionate and Snake wasn't dealing yet.

"I'm a firm believer in makin' your own luck."

[blind_badass]

We'll see. *Once the cards were shuffled, Snake started to deal. Two cards to Heiji and two to him.*

[detectiveofthewest]

Hmm, a Queen and a two. Heiji put five chips down on the table. "So what happens if I win? I'm not gonna take your coins, y'know."

[blind_badass]

*Hmm indeed but what if... Snake smiled. A low, private kind of smile just for Heiji.* You know, I have an idea about that, but it's not really the kind of thing to do in polite company. *He leaned forward and whispered two words in Heiji's ear. Strip poker.*

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji's cheeks flushed a little, but he smiled reflexively right back. "We'd have to change the rules a little bit," he replied quietly. "Maybe touching as well as looking?"

More specifically, touching for Snake. Looking for him.

[blind_badass]

I like these rules. But...we might want to attempt this elsewhere. We don't want to offend Hershel's delicate sensibilities. *Even though it would be kind of funny.*

[detectiveofthewest]

He laughed a little and, making sure no one was watching, rubbed the tip of his fingertip up under Snake's jaw. "Wherever ya like, then. I bet the others'll be busy here for a bit..."