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

[not_that_sasuke]

Those holiday celebrations were also a lot closer to each other than they should have been, too.

[It seemed like hardly any time at all had passed between "Halloween" and "Christmas."]

What do you think he's up to, throwing another party like this?

[skyentificmethod]

Not sure. Unless we're doing some crazy quantum stuff, time should proceed in a linear and logical manner. On the other hand, it's not like there's anything we can use to judge the passage of time. So either he's messing with our sense of time...or he's just messing with us.

[not_that_sasuke]

[He doesn't especially like either of those options, but one would be much preferred to the other.]

...Based on what you know of him, which do you think it is?

[skyentificmethod]

Based on what I know? ...Your guess is as good as mine.

Worried you've missed some important dates?

[she doesn't look all that comfortable with it herself, but looking uncomfortable is kind of a given at this point]

[not_that_sasuke]

More like worried what else he's up to.

[There's still a lot they don't know, so it's sort of a given that Calhoun or Zero could be jerking them around even more than they can imagine, but... it sure doesn't make thinking about it any easier.]