Part 53: Blackwell Deception - Update 12

Update 12

We rejoin Rosa and Joey as they continue trying to figure out what happened to Tiffany. She met with Gavin, and obviously something happened there. But she was also head-over-heels in love with a man named Ken. Time to do a bit more investigating!

Tiffany's Theme



Finding stuff out is what we do best.

Rosa and Joey head back to Tiffany's apartment to see what she has to say.



Yeah, I'm a temp. I know it's not a real career, but so what? I'll find my way. In fact, maybe I already have.
Easy there. I was just asking. No judgements here.

She's a bit touchy about her work. This adds credence to my theory that STP, the company threatening to call the police if she doesn't stay away from their clients, is her temp agency.

So tell me about Ken.
Ken...?
He's WONDERFUL.
Is he now?

Joey approaches the subject of Ken, and it is immediately clear that Rachel wasn't exaggerating. Tiffany is intense about him, almost euphoric.

He's... I can't begin to explain.
Try me.
He...



Suddenly, she hesitates.

Wait.
Not you too.
Eh?

I know I've said it before, but Tiffany seriously has her defences way up. I wonder what has happened to her to make her this way?

Why is everyone against us! I don't understand!
I'd like to understand. How about you tell me about it?
Just go away.

It sounds like people didn't approve of her relationship with Ken, or at least, that she felt they didn't.



Why? So you can tell him more lies about me? I don't think so.

"Tell him more lies"? Something definitely happened here. She doesn't seem to have any issues talking about it though, so my first reaction is that it has nothing to do with her death. It would still be worthwhile trying to find this Ken, though, just to see if he can tell us anything else about Tiffany.



Sure. I like hanging out in building lobbies. Does wonders for my reputation.

Tiffany has nothing much more to say, so Joey heads back out to a playfully sarcastic Rosa



We're at a bit of a dead end on the Ken front, so Rosa tries figuring out what STP stands for. Again, we use the clue combining mechanic to "figure out" that STP is a temp agency, even though I kind of already made that connection.

STP could be a Temp Agency, I suppose. Only one way to find out. Gimme a sec.
You talking to me?
Bingo. STP stands for "Sterling Temp Placement". And here's the address. It's just south of midtown.
You enjoy that thing a little too much.

I love it when Joey gets all stroppy about modern technology Let's head off to Sterling Temp Placement to see if we can get a bit of gossip on Tiffany.

Stirling Temp Agency



STP has the Park Gallery theme as well, making it the fourth location so far to use the track. Gilbert got plenty of milage out of that one!

Hm? Sorry, we're not taking any new applicants right now. And even if I were, it's several hours past closing time.
I'm not looking for a job, sorry. I was hoping to ask you some questions.

This swank-looking man is voiced by Gilbert, and it stands out like a sore thumb, as usual. Between this guy, the Minetta bartender, a famous reporter, and the Devil himself, I get the impression Gilbert sees himself as a pretty damn cool dude

Will this take long?
It depends on you.
Fine. What do you want?

It's taken three games, but Rosa has finally reached Lauren-esque standards of interacting with people. I like the way she basically throws any comment right back at the person she's talking to, just to make them a bit nervous right off the bat



Like I said, we're not *open*. Just because I'm not seeing a client doesn't mean there isn't work to do.

Rosa ignores the obvious hint for her to leave.

So what can you tell me about this place?
If you want to know more, come back during business hours.

Now that he's nice and annoyed, Rosa tries asking about Tiffany.

I wanted to talk to you about Tiffany Walters. She used to work for this agency.
Yes. I remember her.
I need to know what company you placed her in.
That, I'm afraid, is confidential.

Confidential, hey? Let's see what we can do about that.



I am aware, yes. But it doesn't change anything.
Surely if Tiffany is dead, it doesn't have to be confidential anymore.

Again, Rosa goes with this angle. Is this a common thing in America, or something? I wouldn't have thought confidentiality disappeared when you died.

His response is telling, though.

It's not her confidentiality that I'm worried about.
What does that mean?
Whatever you think it means.

Presumably, this has something to do with the "client" mentioned in that letter.

Do you know anyone named Ken? I think Tiffany was involved with him.
I can't tell you anything about that. That's confidential information.
So something happened, but you can't tell me about it?
I said nothing of the sort.

No, that's pretty much exactly what you said.

Well, thanks. I'll be going now.
Bye.



Before leaving, Rosa checks out the guy in charge. Joey is no more impressed than Rosa is.

Typical suit. Pale from sitting in an office all day. Probably has an ulcer, too.

Tiffany's Theme



Let's see what Tiffany has to say about Sterling.

Oh, those jerks.
Jerks?
They fired me. Terminated my contract. For no reason!

She's not happy with them, that's for sure.

Sorry to hear that.
Whatever. It's not like there aren't other temp agencies.
Why do you think Sterling fired you?
I don't know. It's run by an emotionless sleazebag. I never liked him.

She's fired up about them, but she doesn't have anything more to tell us. Still, at least we've confirmed that they fired Tiffany, as opposed to her having left of her own accord. We'll have to keep pushing Sterling for more information.



Joy.

I love the way these two have some different banter each time Joey comes back out of the door

Stirling Temp Agency



Look, we had a serious complaint and we had to let her go. That's all I can say.
You can't tell me who made the complaint?
Absolutely not.

At this point, it's safe to bet that the complainant was Ken. That would explain why Tiffany is so negative about STP, and why she believes that people are "telling Ken lies" about her.

Why the secrecy? Surely Tiffany won't mind. She's dead.
Look, whatever happened, happened at the client's office. And I like to keep my clients. Agencies like mine are struggling to stay in business. People just aren't hiring temps like they used to. So if it's all the same, I'm keeping my mouth shut.



Rosa smells weakness, and goes in for the kill.

Of course it's important. Without it, who would do business with us?

Unfortunately, she can't quite seem to figure out how to take advantage of this.



You're too honest, Red. Try feeding him a line or two. He'll crack sooner or later.

The solution to this puzzle, much like the mailbox puzzle, is also pretty obscure.



We need to use the press pass that we stole from the City Post a long while back to convince him that we're a journalist. The logic here is that if we're a journalist, we're in a position to give him negative publicity and ruin his reputation. Of course, this is only "sensible" in hindsight, and the press pass has been sitting in our inventory for most of the game. Even worse, it would be extremely easy to miss the press pass altogether, since it's only a little blob of pixels in a room we've had no reason to revisit after retrieving Jeremy's notebook. Between this, the two clue combining solutions, and the glow-in-the-dark business card, the whole Tiffany case is kind of poorly designed from a puzzle standpoint.

You might be interested in seeing this.
The City Post? Is that who you are working for?
Yes. The biggest paper in the city. Maybe you can be more forthcoming, now?
No. That doesn't change a thing. Confidential is confidential. You just made doubly sure that I won't say anything.

Ooh, bad move, Sterling.



Huh? What do you mean?
An investigation is like following links in a chain, and you're the last link.

Rosa voices this perfectly. She's calm, but very clearly intimidating as well.

Is this supposed to be a threat? I've told you absolutely nothing.
Oh don't worry. I'll just write the truth. About how you fired her and then refused to comment on her tragic death. In the City Post, read by millions. That should do wonders for your reputation, don't you think?

Rosa has become quite adept at this.

... Why are you harrassing me? Surely there are other leads you can follow.
Maybe. But I'm on a deadline.



... This is blackmail.

Rosa stays silent long enough that Sterling finally caves in.

Fine. The man you want is Ken Sharpe, of Sharpe Sound. Now just get out of here.

Excellent Nice work, Rosa!

Rosa's Theme



We'll chase up Ken tomorrow, but for now, Joey and Rosa have a quick discussion about what they've seen so far.

Love can do that?
Love and death, Red. There are no rules for either of 'em.

I thought you were always talking about the "rules" for ghosts, Joey.

This Ken must be pretty special for Tiffany to fall so hard.
Could be. He might be the link we're looking for.

Hopefully he'll be able to tell us something about Tiffany to help us figure out how to get her to acknowledge her death.



Rosa continues to rub in how chuffed she is with her smartphone

Maybe I should work with your phone from now on.

Hahahahaha



Last thing to do before heading off to speak to Ken is to find out where he works.

Notice the second name on the last line there. Cecil Sharpe, the piano player from Unbound. Presumably Ken is a relative. Gilbert sure loves his tie-ins!




We'll go and check out Sharpe Sound tomorrow. Hopefully we can learn about what happened to Tiffany and tie this case up. See you all then!