Part 73: Ep. 50: Zombies And Psychics And Actors, Oh My

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: Last time on MySims Agents: The fortunite crystal lies broken on the floor! What happened? Who did it? What will Special Agent Sam do now?


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Madame Zoe weeps in front of a fancy stone display stand covered in gargoyles. At her feet, a shattered crystal.

: That's not good...

Zoe gets herself under control, somewhat.

: We must tell the others right away!

Outside in the hall...



Trevor runs up to join the group.

: I hope no one's in danger!



Sam and Zoe exit the crystal chamber and join the group.





: No! This... this can't be!

: I'm sorry, everyone. I... I know you're only here for the crystal. I don't know how this happened! I understand if you want to leave.

: Our prize lays shattered upon the floor! I see no reason to stay.



Apparently accepting this, the crowd of fortunite-seekers glumly disperses.



Violet last of all.

Now that Sam has been left to his own devices, he opens a new case in his notebook.

: I should probably start by investigating the scene of the crime--the crystal room.

Sam and Buddy re-enter the crystal chamber, Sam musing aloud.

: Who do you think broke the fortunite?

: I don't know... it's good that we have a special agent here to find out.

There's really not all that much in this room besides the crystal, now broken, and its elaborate stand.



Well, all right, there's also a very silly clock.





Hm! That's one for the notebook. If the fortunite didn't just fall and break, how was it broken?

: Would any of the guests know about the properties of fortunite?

Sam puts away the notebook and heads for the door. Before he can leave the room, however, Makoto texts him.



Sam considers this for all of about two seconds before telling her to do the robot. Definitely do that.



Out in the hallway, Sam hurries past the creepy wall of portraits to the landing. Madame Zoe is still up here, so Sam pauses to speak with her.

: So, Madame Zoe... you live here?

: Oh, only recently, chere. We haven't actually read the will yet, but I assume the house will be left to me.

: I see. And did you suspect the fortunite crystal would be left to you as well?



Oh boy.

: Well, I'm sorry about this whole disaster, Madame Zoe.

: Not as sorry as me, ma chere. But I predict you will solve this mystery!

If my rusty French serves me here, Zoe believes that Sam is a woman. Some psychic she is. Pssht.

While Sam is talking to Zoe, Gordon comes up to join us. Might as well make some small talk while we're here.

: What brings you here, Gordon?

: Oh, old Cyrus was a good friend of mine. He was in my book club.

: And you figured he might leave you something in his will?

: Indeed! I thought he might leave me a book or two. He had quite an extensive collection.

: Anything else I should know?





By the time we're done chatting with Gordon, Carl has worked his way back up here, dusting the banister. Which needs it.

: So, what's your deal, Carl?

that's... kind of a rude way to put it, maybe



: Really? Fascinating... so, you knew Cyrus his whole life?

: Oh yes, he was both my employer and friend for those many years.

: And this crystal...

: Oh, that master kept it so safe. It was very precious to him... and now I let it get broken. I could die of shame! Again!

: Now, don't worry Carl, I'll get to the bottom of this.

Sam heads downstairs again. The pink-haired lady is fanning herself idly in a corner, so Sam goes over to join her.

: What brings you to the reading tonight?

: Well, darling, I was Cyrus' personal fashion assistant.

: And you figured it would be only natural...

: That I am in the will? Of course, darling!

: That makes sense, I think. Thanks Ms. Nicole.

Fun fact: Ms. Nicole is actually Shirley's twin sister and lifelong rival! While Shirley loves hair, Ms. Nicole loves clothes. That also makes Ms. Nicole either another of Derek's aunts... or his mother. Canon has never specified.

Trevor is emoting hugely in the center of the room. Might as well interrupt that.

: How did you know Cyrus, Trevor?



: Yes, it is... do you have an answer?

: Oh! Of course! Well, I hate to toot my own horn, but I was Cyrus' favorite playwright!

: Really?

: Oh yes, he was a huge fan! We met years ago at a signing for my new play. He has such wonderful taste!

: Errr, okay. And then you became friends?

: Close friends!

: Okay, Trevor. Thanks.



are you... insinuating something

why are you blushing

please remove yourself from Sam's personal space

Sam excuses himself and goes on about his work, looking at everything. Finally, in the back of the room:



: I should ask Violet about this magazine I found.

But where did Violet go? She's probably in one of these two rooms in the back. Let's take a look.



The one on the left is the kitchen. Rats dart around the edges of the room as we walk around. Aagh.





Oh, hey, a crate! Let's shake it.



It's full of flour! And now the air is full of flour! Sam picks himself up and dusts himself off, just as Makoto texts him again.



It's an epidemic of falling arms today. (I had to run this part of the mission twice for recording reasons, so here's what Makoto would have said if I'd told her to do the waltz and she'd succeeded.)



Over here on the wall we find an old-fashioned dumbwaiter! Nothing suspicious about that. Let's break it.



Sam shakes the dumbwaiter violently, then sighs and slips off the Manipulator.

: Man, I can't even F-space it open.

That is a hell of a lock. Anyway! Violet is not in here, so let's go check out that other room.



It's the dining room!





The somewhat-unnerving dining room! Buddy ain't care so long as there's food, though.

And, sure enough, Violet is staring out the dining-room window and sighing dramatically. Might as well make some small talk.

: Tell me about yourself, Violet...







: Okay, Violet. I guess I'll leave you alone.

Without a word Violet turns her back, dismissing Sam. Sam ponders this for a while before noting it down.

: Violet seems to have a definite connection to Cyrus, as noted in this magazine... but she is reluctant to go into details.



And with that, we've spoken to everyone! ... that is openly attending the party, anyway. We've also been almost everywhere inside the house! ... except that one room up on the second-floor landing.



Hm!


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: Next time on MySims Agents: Locked doors! Strange noises! Mysterious footprints that lead... out into the swamp!


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Concept Art: Madame Zoe
- by Genevieve Tsai