Part 32: Blackwell Convergence - Update 7

Update 7

Now we have Frank Lyons' address, it's time to do some looting investigating!!

The Rainy City



The music I've linked here is reserved solely for the world map screen. Of course, since you usually choose a destination within seconds, you never actually hear most of it, which is a bit of a pity.



Or at least, it used to be.

Unfortunately, the music that plays for Frank Lyons' apartment didn't make it onto the soundtrack. Still, it's a boring "atmospheric" track which is just the occasional note with an echo filter, so instead of that you can just listen to the Rainy City theme instead.



Haha, Rosa is so frustrated that Frank Lyons would have a locked door



Remember the start of this game? Rosa learned how to pick a lock using a paperclip. Time to put those larceny skills to good use!

Key? Who needs a key?

She fiddles around for a while...

How's it going, there?
Oh just fine. Almost got it.
Uh huh...
Any second now...



No dice?

What happened?
The paperclip broke.
It... broke.
It's jammed in the lock. We couldn't get a key in there now even if we had one.
The master criminal at work.

Hahaha, no dice. I guess Joey will have to handle this one alone.



Before that, however, Rosa and Joey have a quick chat.

I didn't know you were a fan.
Oh, I'm not. Just, you know, he WAS in the movies.
"Was" is right, dollface. Remember that. Don't get star struck on me now.
Nah.

Rosa says "nah", but it's pretty clear she has been star struck by Lyons more than once already by this point.



I know. It's like they lock 'em on purpose.
How inconsiderate.

Next up, Rosa wonders about the link between Gould and Lyons.

What does Joe Gould have to do with Frank Lyons? Joe Gould died almost thirty years ago.
So what? I died over seventy years ago. Death isn't as final as it used to be. Remember that.
I'm reminded every day.

Actually, Joe Gould died over fifty years before this game is set, but never mind.

This Joe Gould sounds like a loser. Wandering around, begging for drinks, writing a so-called novel.
He was a bohemian, Joey. That's what they did.
Who knew you could become famous just for being a bum.
I think he's interesting.
You think documentaries about squirrels are interesting.



Hahahaha, I know I've said it so often already, but Rosa is such an adorable dork

So this is how movie stars live. Can't say I'm impressed.
It isn't bad, for a rent-controlled building.



Because I know of a place that's definitely available.
I don't think so.

Hahahaha. Alright, let's get this moving.



But not before a bit of Joey snark!

Be my guest.



Joey quickly zaps through the door and into Frank's apartment.



Immediately, he notices some papers on the table.

Looks like a film script.

Excellent, that's what we're here to see!



I'm not exactly a movie buff, but I have to say, this dialogue sounds like complete rubbish. Still, we have the lines we need.



It plays movies. It's supposed to be the latest thing.

While we're here, let's peek around Frank's room. Joey being completely out of date with technology is always amusing

A bunch of magazines related to the film biz. Celebrity gossip, most likely. It's nice to see that some things never change.
It looks like a still from a moving picture. I think I recognize Frank in the background.
It's a movie poster. Looks like hard-boiled detective schlock. Frank Lyons starred in it.

Joey also notices a box of tissues next to the living room chair.



At least, I hope so. I don't want to think about what those tissues were for.

With that delightful imagery, I think we're done in here.



Was he supposed to?
If I was in pictures, I'd have a hot tub.
Well, naturally.

Haha, good to see these starting to get a bit more natural banter Joey also relays the important information.

Although, I did find something interesting.
What?
There was a piece of paper just lying on a table.
Do you remember what was on it?
Course I do.



We flash up the script again.

Sounds like a film script.
Probably the last thing he worked on before he died. You ever hear these lines in a flick before?
No. I haven't gone to the movies since... well, you.
Eh, makes no difference. It's probably not important.

This bit of dialogue is a little weird. It's written as though Rosa and Joey wouldn't know which film the lines are from, even though it's pretty clear it's from Water Under The Bridge. In fact, the way they talk, you'd think they hadn't even met Frank's ghost yet. Either something changed mid-production in Convergence (which is quite likely - it happens again in the next game), or Gilbert felt Rosa and Joey wouldn't have made the obvious connection between this script and Frank's ratings.

I guess it is technically possible to see this script before Rosa speaks to Frank (if she just lets Joey do all the talking before now) so perhaps it was written to cover all the bases. It doesn't matter, in any event. We have what we came for.

The Gothic Bridge



Okay, let's do this right.

How did you know I'd come?
I know you, Yvonne. Perhaps too well.
Listen, I have to tell you something.
Come on. The boat's going to leave any minute.
I'm not going.
Not going? What do you mean, you're not going?



Rosa, no

Hey, you know, that's not bad! A threat, you know. That would really make the scene stronger. But it doesn't go with the rest of the character. Sorry. Just say the line as it was written. Can you do that?

Okay, let's get the last line right:

I said, I'm not going.
You're STAYING?
Yes, I'm staying here with... Um...



Oh jeez. Bit of a nothing puzzle here. In case you forgot, the answer is Tom. If you did forget, I guess you can go back to Frank's place and look at the script again, or you can just try all the options until you get the right one.

Tom.
Tom? TOM?



Uh oh. This wasn't on the page of the script Joey saw, and he's not able to turn the pages. Although he could probably use his magic breath to move the pages if he really needed to.

He's... ah...

Fortunately, Rosa has apparently heard the scene after all, since she manages to recall it herself.



And what about me?
You don't need me, Zack. You never did.
Huh? That's not in the script.

Again, not quite sure what to make of Joey's comments here. The way he talks, it sounds like Rosa is adlibbing, but I don't think that's what is meant to be happening. I think Rosa has just heard the lines elsewhere and is just now recalling them.

Wait, let's talk about this-
Just forget me. Be free.
Yvonne!



Alternatively, perhaps Rosa really was just adlibbing in order to find a natural "finish" for the scene? I'm not sure, this whole scene is a bit ambiguous. Either way, once she dramatically exits stage left, Frank is excited.

All right! Finished! Finally. Hey Monique, when's the wrap party again?



He looks around a bit, before realising that Monique is nowhere to be seen.

Where is she? Where is... everybody? Hey, come on guys! This is weird. Where did everybody go?



He's almost there, but not quite.

Poor guy. I almost feel sorry for him.
Don't. He's starting to question himself. We're almost done. One little push outta do it.



Either of Joey or Rosa can be the one to give him the little push, though it doesn't make any difference besides the opening line.

I... I'm not sure! Everyone was here just a minute ago.
Were they?
Of course they were. I finished the scene with Rebecca, and then...



Frank is starting to get a bit freaked out now, complete with a new frightened-looking portrait.

Something is... not... right. I was here filming the scene. Something... happened...
Here it comes.



The sound of ghostly wind fills the air. Frank has become aware of his death, and we're almost done here.

I'm dead, aren't I?
Yeah.
I'm a ghost and I'm haunting my last film shoot. That's so... cliche.
I'm sorry, Frank. I really am.

Only one thing left to do...

So what now?



Okay. Do it.

Time to get this job finished.

Between Worlds



Ow. I gotta work on my landings.

Poor Rosa collapses headfirst onto the cobblestone floor of her Nodespace, as usual.

It's so bright. It should hurt my eyes, but it doesn't.
I don't think it's real light. I'm not sure what it is.
It's beautiful.
Just head towards it, Frank. That's all you need to do.

Before he goes on his way, Frank has some final reflections for us.

You know, my very first acting role was a ghost. I was eight years old. We put on a halloween play in the third grade. I was Scary Ghost Number Three. Funny, the things you remember.



I might not have made it big, but I made it somewhere. How many can say the same, huh?

Of course, Frank wouldn't actually know that he became quite famous after his death. Rosa can either agree with him:

Not many.
No. Not many. I've had a pretty good run. If it's my time to go, then it's my time.

She can, oddly, even chide him for his pride:

It's not a contest.
No, you're right. I've had a lot of lucky breaks. I've always been thankful for that.

Or, probably the most appropriately, she can fill him in on his fame:

You're bigger than you think.
Really?
The movie was a big hit. Everyone knows your name, now.
They do? Figures. I'm famous and all I had to do was get choked to death.
Yeah...

Wait. What?



Yeah, what she said

You weren't choked. You had a heart attack.

That's right. Hell, Monique told us she physically saw it happen on the set, during the filming.

No, I was choked. I remember it distinctly.
The news reports all said it was a heart attack.
No disrespect, but I think I know how I died. The large hands around my neck. You don't forget a thing like that.

Oh man. I can already see where this is all heading and it's not good.

Why would the press lie about how you died?
I don't know. You'd think that they'd love a story about a murder.



I think I'm ready to go.
Wait, hold on a second.

Unfortunately, as is often the case, Frank is too interested in moving on to the next plane of existence to answer our questions.

No can do. I gotta fly. See you around. And thanks!
Just a few questions!



All too soon, he's gone, leaving nothing but unanswered questions in his wake.



Meanwhile, back in reality, Joey potters around waiting for Rosa to wake up, when a... ball of energy appears?



The ball of energy seems to follow Joey around, quite bizarre.

The Countess Returns



Amusingly, Joey threatens the ball of energy, but then very not-amusingly, it takes a horrible and very familiar form.



Despite more than thirty years having passed, Joey recognises the figure as the Countess immediately.

No. It can't be.
I can still help you.

Oh God

No. You're...dead! Aren't you?



Just like in Unbound, the Countess is not very good at answering direct questions.

Tell me something I don't know. Did you kill Frank?
I helped him. I get no thanks.
You want me to thank you? How about you buzz off.

It doesn't take long before Joey starts trying to be intimidating.

I can help you. You are still in pain. So much pain.
No way. Not again. This ends NOW.



Resist? I'll show you resis-

Joey talks a big game, but in the middle of his sentence...



JESUS FUCK The Countess was scary enough in Unbound when she was just an insane lady, but she clearly has some frightening powers now.

You don't know jack, lady. Get off me!

Joey still talks tough, but he's clearly rattled here.



At this point, Rosa returns from Nodespace to a very unusual scene.

Clear off, kid! Get back!



Hearing Rosa's voice, the Countess lets Joey go (amusingly, Joey immediately puts his hands back into his pockets like nothing happened ) and turns around to face her.

After all this time...
Hey! You stay away from her, you hear me?

Her demeanour changes almost immediately.

I... I'm sorry.



Just as suddenly as she appeared, the Countess turns back into a ball of energy and whizzes off-screen. Rosa is understandably frightened and confused.

Joey? Who was that?
*sigh* Trouble.



Fantastic, an insane killer ghost is on the loose. This is going to get damn messy. Join me tomorrow as we pull these threads a bit further to see what unravels!