Part 14: Chapter 4-1
Chapter 4: In Which Locks Are PickedSo when we left off, we had momentarily escaped a cookie nightmare to go back to Gustav’s story, where he had just escaped a dog to chat with the only survivor of the Ripper, 16 year old Winona Ryder…er, Vladanna.
“I’m Gustav McPherson. I’m a private eye hired to help and arrest the person who attacked you.”
”Do you feel up to a few questions? I can always come back later.”…after the dog and the crane puzzle and the other crane puzzle? Not bloody likely. Spit it out, Gus.
“Besides the sketch you gave me, can you describe your attacker with a little more detail?”
“When were you attacked?”
“Where did it happen?”
“Take your time…”
“What happened next?”
was full of blood. Then I felt a cold sensation in my chest, followed by a sharp pain. Then another. Then another. I screamed what seemed to be my last breath. I fainted after that. I woke up in here. He’d stabbed me over and over. It’s a miracle I’m still alive.
Either a miracle or there’s more to this little story than you’re letting on.
“How did you end up here in this joint?”
“You mentioned earlier that you left Mark’s place the night you were attacked. Who’s Mark?”
“Was Mark acting strange that night, or was it business as usual?”
“Inspector Skalnic talked to Mark. What did they talk about?”
“Was he angry?”
“In general Mark was always nice?”
“Where can I find Mark?”
“Well, thanks for answering my pesky questions.”
“Take care of yourself, Vladanna.”
“Thanks, I will.”
Alright, enough messing around with underage hookers. The dog has apparently found better things to do, so we’re free to leave the train.
It’s kind of hard to notice since he’s perspectively tiny, but Roman (the smart gorilla brother) is chilling out over here.
“I see you’ve solved the dog problem.”
“What is this place exactly?”
“How’d you get mixed up with a guy like Otakar, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Did you guys ever wear masks?”…oh come on Gus, I think Vladanna would have mentioned if her attacker was a 9 foot tall gorilla.
“Yeah, to cover your face. To hide your identity.”
“I’m sorry I interrupted you. So how did you hook up with Otakar?”
“And?”
“Did you ever think of…doing something else?”
“Ah! I know what you mean. Huge classy joints, where you have a host at the door that escorts you to a table, and lots of different acts on stage from across the country.”
“Well, you never know; it could happen, right?”
“Yeah, who am I kidding? It’s a dream itself getting into one of them. Well, it was nice meeting you Roman. I hope our paths cross again.”
“Think nothing of it.”Roman is surprisingly not helpful for being the only other witness to the killer. Oh well.
South and to the right is Petey, the dumb gorilla brother.
“Hi, Peter.”
“Do you scare your new friends like that all the time?”
“What do you do for Otakar, besides roughing people up?”
“Yes, well, that’s what I meant. Besides hurting people what do you do for him?”
“OK, I guess that’s my cue Peter. I’ll leave you to your hurting people. But I think you should cut down on the Raw Meat gag. I need a new pair of shorts.”
And…that’s it for him. This is less than productive. Let’s go talk to this Mark person.
We’ll just head in the front door here, and…
http://youtu.be/ufxbEgYp2qY
…that looked like Vladanna. Whelp. Let’s try the door again.
“Hello?”
This is Mark. Weirdly enough, his voice is exactly the same as the Coachman from before.
“Sorry about this. I knocked and the door opened…so I came in.”
“I’m Gus McPherson. I’m a private detective hired to help out with the local murders.”
“Like wise. Are you British?”
Apolina yells from somewhere off-camera.
“Do you have time for a few questions?”
“I’m sorry, but I have to ask this. Did you ever employ these women, other than for modeling?”
“Again, I apologize but I have to ask these types of questions.”
“This was a while back, but do you remember when Inspector Skalnic came here to talk to you? Actually according to rumor, you had an argument with him. Is that correct?”
“And do you mind telling me what it was about?”
“He accused you of being the killer.”
“Did he elaborate on his theory?”
Apolina yells some more.
“Well, I believe that’s my cue.”
“Yes, I know. Thanks for answering my questions. Can I come back later, maybe when you’re less busy?”
“Well again…my thanks.”
And we’re off to bother the obstructive police inspector.