Completed Let's Play: The Blackwell PENTALOGY!

*knock knock knock*



Yay, character portraits are back!



Is it just me, or does Joey look peculiarly a lot like Obama?

I was just checking.

Well, you checked. Now open the door and let's see what's in there.









Right, guess this is our current investigation.



Joey, the door is locked.

Yeah, I can see that. Looks like it's up to me.





Hm, charming.

Well, what do you see?

Nothing. Yet.





Der's sum bling on the floo', yo.



Looks like a paperclip. Hey dollface, I've got a present for you.



Joey, a paperclip just blew past my shoe.

It's all yours, darling.

What do I do with this?

Try opening the door with it.

Does that actually work?

Sure, why not?

:smugjoey:





I have no idea how to do this.

Just keep trying, darling. It's an old door, it shouldn't be any trouble.

It keeps slipping, this isn't going to...



... work.

Oh ye of little faith.

No ghosts.

Not yet.

You think something's coming?

Not sure. I feel... something. Might as well take a look around first, just in case.



Relatives of yours, Joey?

:smugrosa:

Huh?

You know, the spooky sheets.

I don't get it.

Nevermind. There's nothing on there but dust.







An obituary just lying around some old office. Convenient?









Oh, Joey. I think I found it.

Well, will ya look at that.

What's he doing out there?

There's only one way to find out.

...

Yay, the retarded grins are also back!

... I'm NOT climbing out onto that window ledge.

What are you, kidding? Leave the dangerous stuff to the dead guy. All right, let's see what this spook has to say.

Yeah, I know the drill. I'll stay here.



Man, what a view. I can even see the Hudson River from here.

and the ghost:

He's a balding, middle-aged guy. He looks kind of scared.

Is that you, D. Gaider? D:

Hello



I mean it, I'll do it.

So, he's a man on the edge, eh? Here's a related silly video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwE0Zfn04yQ



I'm here to help.

Help? Hah! Why would you want to help ME?

You just seem like a guy who could use some.

You don't know anything about me.

Well, let's change that. Why don't you tell me about yourself?

Don't come any closer! I swear I'll jump!

Jump? You're here to... kill yourself?

Maybe... I can't think of anything else to do.



Um... I think this might be a little too late.

What do you mean?

I mean you can't kill yourself. You're already dead.

WHAT?

I said you're already dead.

That's... SICK. You're insane. Get off my ledge.

Git off mah lawn, you filthy youngsters.



Hey, let's get out of this rain.

What rain?

Um... this rain? Take a look around, it's pouring cats and dogs out here.

I don't feel any rain.

That's because... ah, forget it.



Our shiny notebook. But this time we can't do clue-connecting

Hey, are you Allen Reiken? It's been a while, you might not remember.

That's... really smooth

No, I don't remember at all. Although I've had a lot on my mind.

Yeah, that's why I'm here. I thought you could use someone to talk to.

Did my wife put you up to this?

Wife? No, no. Just here for an old friend.

Okaaay. I'm not sure who you are, but you seem to KNOW me. What do you want to talk about?



Listen, Allen... Concentrate and take a look around. Doesn't anything seem... strange? Out of place or off-kilter?

No...

You don't remember... falling?

Falling? No! Of course not! I came out here and stayed! I haven't jumped yet.

Right, right. Nevermind.



Surely things can't be all that bad?

Oh, surely they can. Do you know what it's like to lose anything? To have everything you loved and struggled for just vanish?

I know something about that, yeah.

Then you know what I'm going through.

Nice view, huh?

Is it? Yeah, I guess it is.

Makes you feel like you're king of the world.

I used to feel that way. Now, I'm not sure.



So, what happened, Allen? What brought you to... this?

A fire destroyed my entire stock. The resulting lawsuits bankrupted me.

That's no reason to kill yourself.

You don't understand. I spent my LIFE building this business. When it happened, I lost everything. Everyone deserted me. People I thought were friends. Even Sandra.

Sandra?

My wife.



Where is your wife?

She LEFT. She won't even talk to me. I just get phone calls from her lawyer. I thought she'd stick by me, that's what you're supposed to do, right?





The world's full of pretty broads, Allen. You shouldn't get all weepy over just one.

Come on. Look at me, I'm pushing fifty, overweight, and not to mention BROKE. What woman would want me?







All the suboptions from these three topics lead to a showdown. Let's take the wife approach.



Hey, your wife's inside.

Really?

Yeah, she wants to talk to you.

I don't believe you.

Come on, now's your chance to win her back.

Well, all right.



That's my wife? That's Sandra?

Wife?!

Sure, don't you recognize her?

It's hard to see clearly for some reason. Is that red hair?

She dyed it. Go on, talk to her.

Sandra? Is that really you?

Uh... sure. Sure it's me. I'm Sandra.

...

These retarded grins never fail to amuse me.

Why are you here, Sandra?

Well, uh.





I came to laugh at you, Allen.

... what?

You're pathetic. Why do you think I left? I just wanted to look down on you one more time, just to confirm what a big loser you are.



You're right.

Hey, are you gonna let her talk to you like that?

Huh?

Stand up for yourself, man!

Stand up for myself?

You're gonna let people push you around all your life?

You're right. You're RIGHT.

Let her have it.

You know what Sandra? Screw YOU. I'm broke, yeah. The business is gone, yeah. Life gets tough once in a while. A marriage is a partnership, Sandra. You certainly were happy to stick around when things were good. Yeah, when I was bringing home 200 grand a year, I wasn't such a loser. Then when I'm in trouble, you're nowhere to be found. But you know what? You were just dragging me down. Without you around I'm going to do even better. I might not be much, Sandra, but I'm better than you. You're not worth dying over. Get outta here.

:stars and stripes waving in the background:

Bravo.

That felt good.

Quite a rush, huh?

I feel like I can do anything! Like I've got a second chance!

Er...

First thing I'm going to do is buy back this office.

Yeah, about that...

I made some mistakes before, I won't make em again. I might have fallen once, but... but...









I remember now.

I'm sorry.

You're not really my wife, aren't you?

No, I'm not.

I went out onto the ledge... and I slipped. I don't know why I went out there, but I wasn't going to jump! I was confused. For some reason, it seemed like the right thing to do. Stupid. Stupid. What a stupid way to die.

Hey, what happened to that can-do attitude of yours?

It makes no difference now, does it?

Maybe not to everyone else, but it does to you.

Hm, maybe you're right. So what do I do now?























There are actually two ways to handle this ghost. If when he confronts Rosa, you don't give him the X-TREME mocking treatment, he'll just get all emo and return to the ledge. You have three tries for that (3 dialogue options on the ledge - wife, date, business), and if you miss all three, the only option you have left is to mock him with Joey, which will lead to Allen trying to 'jump', but he'll just levitate over to the right. Then he'll start flickering, recall that he's dead, go back to the office and get saved by Rosa, but Joey will comment that he has a feeling they could handle the case better. But there are no consequences for either way you use, so it's rather Biowarian.



And now, have some credits on pretty backgrounds:























Another day, another satisfied spook. I'd call this day done, wouldn't you?

Yeah, although...

What?

Isn't there something we're supposed to do tonight?

I don't think so.

I feel like we're forgetting something.

I'd ignore that feeling if I were you.



Where could the info be?



Maybe?

Just a bunch of old articles I wrote for the Village Eye newspaper. I don't know why I kept them, I hated working there.

Nnnnope. Computor?





Oh my, the possibilities.







Shit. Uh...





Obviously the compu-core doesn't hold any answers.



"7pm: The Park Gallery with Nishanti".

Oh... CRAP. What time is it? 7:15? Dammit, she's going to kill me!

What's your problem?

The gallery opening, don't you remember? She invited us to go.

Us?

All right, ME, but you're still coming.

You really want to go to some stupid gallery?

We're going. I'm not flaking out on her again, it's not nice.

Fine, whatever, do what you like.

It's not like I have a choice.



Address. Maybe this time the compu-core will have some answers.





Here we go. The Park Gallery. It's on 18th street, by 10th avenue.

*Sigh*, let's get over this and get going.

But seriously, all you need to do is type in 'PARK GALLERY' and you get the exact thing you're looking for? It seems like stretching a bit too much.







And now for some random stuff lying around the apartment.







Susan was the only one of the three girls to survive. I looked her up once, after it was all over. She left New York and went back home to the midwest. I assume she's all right.





We know this one already.

Joey looks angry. Of course, that's nothing unusual. Auntie looks kinda happy, I wonder what she was smiling about.

My mother died in a car crash soon after I was born, she looks so young in this picture. More like a kid sister than a mother. My father died in a car crash soon after I was born. Looking at this picture is like looking at a stranger.

Hold your horses, will ya? I'm coming.





That apartment belongs to Nishanti Sharma. She's nice... I guess.



It's the trash room.



I have no idea who lives here.

Insightful. Time to call sum elevator.







Fancy.





Yes...

Great! But I'm sorry, I think you came on the wrong night. The public opening's in two days. Tonight's a private showing.

Oh, no, I'm with someone. Nishanti Sharma, is she here?

Really? Lemme check. Nish? Nish!



Someone here says she knows you.

That must be Rosa. It's alright, Josie, she's with me.

Ok, thanks! Sorry about that, but you know how it is.

Sure.

Anyway, I'm Josie Park, and this is Park Gallery.

Man, she's clever. I bet she came up with that all by herself.

Go on in, have fun. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.



That's Josie Park, the gallery's curator. She seems nice enough. Hi there, Josie Park, was it?

Yep, that's me. And you are?

Rosangela Blackwell.

Rosangela? What a neat name! Anyway, nice to meet you.



So are you Josie Park as in 'Park Gallery'?

Yep. This place is mine. We just opened. Well, technically we open in two days, but it's my gallery. If I say we're open, then poof! We're open.

Watch out, she's so sharp she might cut herself.

You have some interesting pieces here.

Yeah, interesting's the word.

You like them?

Sure.

Did you hear that, Claude?

Yeah.

He's convinced that nobody will understand his work.

She said she liked them, not that she understood them.

Oh, you. Pay no attention.



So, you're a friend of Nishanti's?

Oh, Nish? Isn't she marvelous? She comes to all art events, that's how I know her.

So you're the artist?

Yeah

This is Claude Urdin, my discovery.

Some discovery. I've been painting on your street corner for eight years.

Yes, and I've seen you improve. When I got the funding to open this gallery, I knew Claude would be my break out artist. We're having a public opening in two days, you should come.

Don't count on it, lady.

Well, I'm going to look around some more.

Sure, have fun.



She's in deep conversation with Nishanti.

Hi. Sorry I'm late.

Don't worry about it. How did you find the place?

The internet.

Oh, of course. I should really try using it one of these days.

Lo and behold, Wyrmlord registered at RPG Codex.



I know I've been kind of flakey lately.

Oh, don't worry about that. No need to stress on my account. Besides, you look exhausted. Are you all right?

I'm fine.

All right, if you say so.

So, who's your friend.

I'm sorry, that was rude of me. This is Monique Stahlman. Monique, this is my neighbour Rosa. The one I was telling you about.

You were talking about me?



Famous? I'm hardly famous. I haven't had anything published yet.

She writes ghost stories, Monique.

Nish, please.

Nigga plz.

Go on, tell her.

It's hardly the time or place.



What's wrong?

Oh, Monique here has a fascinating ghost story to tell.

I wouldn't call it fascinating per se.

Please, it sends shivers down my spine. Wait until you hear it. It's about Frank Lyons.

Frank Lyons? The actor?

Nigga plz Nish, please.

Sorry, Monique. Just getting carried away.



I would like to hear the story actually.

See? I told you.

Ok. But let's not talk about it here. Here's my card, if you want to talk, drop by my office tomorrow. We can DISCUSS!!! it in private.

Thanks, I'll drop by.





Thanks for inviting me.

I'm glad you could make it. For a while, I was worried I'd be here all by myself. But Monique was interesting company.

So, how are you doing?

Oh, you know. Same old thing. Practicing my flute, walking the dog, trying to get out more. Although this weather isn't making it easy.

I think I'll browse around.

Sure, Rosa. Enjoy yourself.

Yeah, let's browse around. We're in a gallery after all.



Really bold lines. This would look great in my bedroom.



It looks pretty abstract.



From a certain angle, it looks like a street corner.



This painting is called 'The Dark Lady'.

Bleh, boring. Let's hit the road.

But just when we're about to leave...



A WILD WYRMLORD APPEARS.

Come on, come on. Let's get outta here.

Well...

Please stay. We hardly see enough of each other as it is.



Well, staying means free b00ze, so why the hell not

Okay.

Wonderful!

Fantastic...



Pour more of that wine and let's get it started!

Sigh...







Wut.

Oh, my head. What happened? How'd I get here?







That's sum trippy shit, nigga.



What? Who are you?

Someone who has been here for far too long.

I... don't understand.

It does not matter. We will meet again soon.



Your time will come soon.





I just pray that you're ready.



Oooookaaaaaaaaaay...



Yeuch.

Enjoyed the free booze a little too much, eh?

Bleh.

Clear the cobwebs, kid. We've got work to do.

Yeah, I know.

Let's check the card Monique Stahlman gave us:











Hi, Monique?

You're Nishanti's friend, aren't you? The writer? I almost didn't recognize you standing upright.

Heh, right. I don't usually drink that much.

We all make mistakes.



He keeps staring at Monique.

And he's not looking at her face





There's a cat looking through the window from time to time.

Nice view from up here.

Please don't close the window. There's a reason why it's open.



Monique looks pretty cool and confident behind that desk.



So what do you do here at Cube Star?

Is it just me, or does almost every sentence Rosa says start with 'So...'?

I'm the executive producer. In a nutshell, I make sure everything gets done, on time, and under budget.

She whips everyone into shape, eh? I like her.

So, you have a ghost story, is that right?

Oh, yes. It's really nothing, kind of embrrassing, really.

Nishanti said it had something to do with Frank Lyons.

Yes, it was all over the news. You know what happened.



I know he died, but that's all.

Yes, he's dead, I saw him die. He died while filming his last scene. It was tragic, and all, but in the end, we had to finish the movie. We found a look-alike to complete the scene, and then released it. That should have been the end of it... but the film was a smash hit.

Really? It was that good?

No, it wasn't. People only turned up because a man's death was attached to it. For years we tried to create a moneymaker, and this is how we did it. Be careful what you wish for, Rosangela. That's all I'll say.

So what happened next?

Next? I hear him.

You hear him?

Over in the central park? Near the gothic bridge? It's where he died. I pass the area every morning when I go jogging. I can swear I hear him, calling me.

Really.

It's like he's... well, I guess it's just my own guilty conscience. We profited from his death, there's no denying that. But what could we do? Give the money to charity? We have investors to pay back. Anyway, that's my ghost story. Take it or leave it.

I say we take it. We haven't been to the park in a while.



I saw a cat on the window ledge outside.

Oh, her? The company adopted her. She belonged to Frank.

Thanks for the chat, Monique.

Sure.

But before get our collective arses to the park, let's Ask Internet (TM)









Alright, doesn't seem particularly out of ordinary.





I think that's Frank Lyons. He looks different in person. Course, he isn't exactly a person anymore.

Um, hi there?





You did?

Yes, I did... wait. No, that's not right.

What's not right?

Nevermind, we can do it again. *Ahem*, I knew you'd come.

Could I ask you a few questions?

Huh? Oh come ON, that's not even close. Let's try it again. *Ahem*, I knew you'd come.

Sounds like some script or somesuch. Obviously it's pointless to talk to him with Rosa at this time.



Nevermind, we'll talk later.

Yeah... I think you need to practice some more.



Hello?

Oh, hey. You with the company?

Company?

Oh, I guess you're not. They told me to meet 'em out here, I guess they're late.



Are you Frank Lyons?

You recognize me?

Yeah.

Thank you, that's... that means a lot.

Hey, I live to please. Sort of.





So, Frank, what are you doing here?

Oh, you know, just waiting to finish up. Just one scene to go and I'm done. Finally.

Done is the word, yeah. So, we're on a movie set?

Yep. The film is called 'Water under the bridge'. Actually, I'm probably not supposed to tell you that, but we're hardly Paramount Pictures or anything. Just don't tell anyone, okay?

Oh, lips are sealed. Are you sure this is a movie set?

Yeah.

Where are all the lights? Equipment? Cameras?

You know, I'm not sure. They should be on their way, I don't know what's keeping them.



Could you tell me the last thing you remember?

What do you mean? I've just been hanging out here.

And before that?

I was, hm, funny thing.

Yes?



@_@ !!!!!

Minetta?

YEAH, I WAS THERE. I'M ALWAYS THERE.



Listen, Frank. You're a swell guy, but I have to be honest. You're dead.

What?

I mean it, you've been haunting this area for months now.

Hah. Very funny. My career might have one foot in the grave, but it's not dead YET. My ship will come in, you'll see.



What can you tell me about Monique?

Ms Stahlman? She's a good lady. I just wonder where she is.

You expecting her?

Yeah, we can't start without the executive producer, can we? I could swear I saw her run by a couple of times, but why wouldn't she stop?

I don't think Monique is coming, Frank.

Hm, she usually comes to every shoot. I GUESS we can do it without her, but it'll just feel weird. Oh well.

So, tell me about yourself, Frank.

Oh, I'm just an actor. I just walk and talk the way they want me to.

Oh come on, there's got to be more to you than that.

I don't really need anything else. I'm not in the magazines, but I'm ok with that. I just want to finish what I start.

Just what is the Minetta?

Minetta...?

Yeah, what is it?

THE MINETTA. I'M FAMOUS THERE, YOU KNOW. YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND A WILLING EAR THERE, AND SOME DONATIONS FOR THE FUND.

This face expression is at the same time creeping out and ridiculous.

The fund? What fund?

YES... THEY ARE VERY KIND.

Why are you talking like that?

Talking like what?

Like you... oh, nevermind. Well, see you around.

Sure, bye.

Once again, it's time to Ask Internet (TM)