Part 51: Blackwell Deception - Update 10

Update 10

Yesterday, we finally closed off the first day of Deception by helping Jeremy to his rest, and only made a few enemies along the way! What will today bring?

Breaking News



After having slept through the day, Rosa and Joey watch some news on cable the next evening.



Looks like Durkin has reported the findings from yesterday. The report goes on to say:

The police issued a statement to say that their investigations are continuing, and advise everyone to avoid the High Line after dark.

At least they're still looking into it. Durkin might be of some use to us yet.



Rosa has no intention of sitting around, but before heading out, she quickly discusses Gavin with Joey.

Yeah?
Do you think Gavin has killed anybody else? Besides Jeremy?
We already know he brainwashes old ladies. Who knows what else a guy like that is capable of? You sure about tracking this guy down?
Yes, Joey. I'm sure. We're the only ones who know he even exists.

Considering we've spoken to four other people who know he exists so far this game, that really isn't accurate Rosa. This does raise a point though. I doubt Gavin is just going around shooting people like it appears he did with Jeremy. Presumably he, or something associated with him, shot Jeremy because he was asking too many questions, but if people die around Gavin normally, you'd imagine there would have to be some kind of profit in it for him. At this point, we really don't know that much about what he does.

Deception Tension



Heading outside to continue the investigation from yesterday, Rosa makes a beeline for Lisa's shopfront.

Hi. Lisa? Hello?

She wants answers, but unfortunately, Lisa isn't willing to talk.

Well. That was rude.

It's no surprise that she wants to avoid Rosa, but interestingly, Lisa mentioned that she wasn't seeing clients even before Rosa spoke. Unless she has a camera, Lisa wouldn't have known it was us, so perhaps she has legitimately shut up shop for today?

Rosa has developed into a stubborn woman over the course of these games, and so she tries ringing the bell again.

Sorry, I'm not seeing clients tonight.
Don't go anywhere, Lisa. I need to talk to you. Hello? Damn it.

She tries again...

Sorry, I'm not seeing clients tonight.
Wait! Hello? Damn it.

And again...

Sorry, I'm not seeing clients tonight.
Look. You've had some time to think about it. Maybe we can talk about Jeremy now? Guess that's a no.

And again...

Sorry, I'm not seeing clients tonight.
Why not?
It's personal. Please come back tomorrow.

Well, at least Lisa said more that time. Unfortunately, she isn't going to talk to anyone, let alone us.



Of course, that doesn't stop Joey from doing a bit of snooping!

Lisa's Theme



Joey enters to find the front room empty. I guess Lisa is in the back room. She probably lives here, and just uses this room as her shopfront. We hear Lisa's theme for the first time here, since for some reason it didn't play at all in the first day.

Joey is far from impressed with the decor in here. The jar:

Full of psuedo-mystic junk.

The bookshelf:

Wouldn't want to read 'em even if I could.

The crystal ball:

It does nothing for me.

The painting:

No idea who that is.

The skull:

Hpmh. Classy.

The candles:

More mystic crap. Just for the atmosphere, I guess.

You're just one big pile of negativity today, aren't you Joey?



Cuckoo is the word for the broad who lives here.

Heading through the door to the right, Joey finds Lisa sitting on her couch.

She's staring at that photograph.

We'll get to her photograph in a second, but first, Joey tries looking upstairs...



...but finds himself at the limit of his distance from Rosa. Never mind then, let's check out the photo.



Is that...?

Joey stares at the photograph in shock.

Danny? Is that you? How the hell did Lisa get this?

Quick as a flash, Joey shoots back outside.



Joey is absolutely incensed here.

Knows who?
Danny Marconi, that's who.

That's not a name we're familiar with so far.

Who is Danny Marconi?
*sigh*
Remember that old guy in the nursing home? She's mooning over a picture of him. I don't like where this is going. Not one bit.

We'd probably know something about him IF YOU'D BOTHERED TO TELL US, Joey



Let's see if we can get some benefit out of this knowledge. Rosa buzzes Lisa, and namedrops Danny Marconi.

...What about him?

Hmm. You know, we're not sure what about him, since Joey hasn't actually told us anything about him. Rosa tries bluffing...

Let me in and I'll tell you.
... No. I don't think so. Goodbye.

...but that doesn't work. And Joey has gone silent on us again. Great.

I guess the best thing to do is to head back to Seagram Assisted Living to find the man himself.

Common Room



Upon arriving, however, Rosa and Joey find the common room empty. No Penelope, no Danny. Where have they gone?



Rosa heads back down the elevator and tries speaking with the front desk lady.

Yes we do. Are you a relative?
No. I'm just hoping to ask him some questions.

Asking questions of a senile, generally unresponsive old man? As if that wasn't going to be difficult enough, the lady has news for us.

Oh, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this. But he passed away earlier this afternoon.



Upon hearing the news, Joey faces away from the nurse. It has obviously affected him.

It was peaceful. He just went quietly in his sleep.
Thanks for letting me know.
Yeah, good for him.

Joey spits his line out with bitter sarcasm, and follows it up quickly with:

What did we come here for, anyway? Come on, let's blow.
Um, sorry to bother you.



Outside, Rosa tries to talk with Joey.

It's ancient history. There's nothing to say. Let's just get a move on.

Unfortunately, he still won't say much. Still, at least we have some idea why Lisa isn't seeing clients. She obviously knew Danny, and he died today. Perhaps he was a former customer, or even a relative?

Deception Tension



Rosa tries speaking with Lisa again.

...what about him?
I know he died this afternoon.
And?

Lisa's armour seems to be breaking down here.

And... I wanted to talk to you about him.
Yesterday, you threatened me. Today you want to talk about my grandfather.



Relative it is, then. Joey sounds shocked here. Rosa quickly confirms what they've heard.

He was your grandfather?
Yes? If you didn't know that, why are you here asking about him?

That's a good question, but Joey is too busy muttering to himself to be any help in answering it.

Grandfather. I can't believe it.
Well?

With Joey being no help at all, Rosa has to think on her feet.

Um... I knew him personally?
No you didn't. He was in his sixties before you were born. Don't lie to me. How did you know my grandfather?



I guess that's the truth!

Really. And who might that be.
It's complicated.
Uh huh.

Unfortunately, Rosa can't really back that answer up, and Lisa is far from satisfied with it.

I ask you again. How do you know my grandfather?
I'm psychic.
You know about my grandfather because you're psychic.
Right.
Did you talk to his ghost or something?
Ironically, no I didn't.

Hahaha



Fed up with trying her best to adlib, Rosa pleads for Joey's help, and he finally caves in and offers some.

*sigh* Just tell her this...

We can then choose what Joey tells Rosa from a menu.

He had a shop on Grand Street.
... That... there are a million ways you could have known that.
He used to be a tailor.
... That... there are a million ways you could have known that.

These aren't exactly character-defining traits, Joey.

He had slicked back hair and a pencil-thin moustache.
... That... so did a lot of people back then.

This isn't working.

Um...
*sigh* FINE. Tell her everyone called him Danny Boy, and he hated it.
What-?
Just say it!

Rosa is unsure, but turns around and repeats it to Lisa.

Everyone called him Danny Boy, and he hated it.
Excuse me?

This really isn't working.

He put salt on everything. He played the clarinet like he was born with it in his hand. He would have sold his soul to play at the supper club.

Joey, though, has started to just ramble on, leaving Rosa no chance to actually repeat any of the things he's saying before moving on to the next.



Finally, he wistfully speaks out this final line. Rosa seizes the opportunity.

... madly in love with a singer named... Linda.
...

Lisa is stunned into silence for a second, before demanding:

Get in.



Lisa meets us in her front room and immediately starts talking.

She died before I was born.
Thank heaven for small favors. Seeing you would have broken her heart.

Joey is doing a damn good job of keeping his cards to his chest here, but it's very clear that he had feeling for Linda. I guess Danny was either an old friend, or an old rival.

You're... for real. Aren't you? You're one of... them?

Lisa, meanwhile, now believes that Rosa is psychic. However, there is genuine fear in her voice when she says "them". Rosa can either respond by asking what "them" means:

Them?
No. I'm not falling for that.

She can ask Lisa to tell her what she thinks:

You tell me.
No. I'm not falling for that.

Or she can simply lie:

Yes. That's right.
I thought so.

Lisa continues talking, though she is very clearly intimidated.

I've been nothing but loyal over the years. You have no reason to test me like this.
Look at her. Shaking like a leaf.

It's clear that Lisa thinks we're part of something quite big.

Just because there was that bit of trouble with the reporter...
You mean his murder.
I am not responsible for that!



It sounds like Lisa doesn't really know what is going on, but knows enough to be scared. She sounds genuinely frightened here.

Rosa doesn't really know what Lisa is talking about, but she can either respond that Gavin has killed someone:

Gavin has killed someone.
I can't confirm that one way or the other. And neither can you.

She can ask about Lisa's suspicions:

What exactly do you suspect?
Oh no. I keep my suspicions to myself. I'm safe if I don't act on them.

Or she can mention that things have become personal:

It's personal now.
Personal. Since when do you people care about personal?

But it's clear that Lisa has her guard way up and doesn't want to say anything out of turn. Rosa decides to come clean with her.

Look, I am just a friend of Jeremy's. I want to know what happened. That's all. Whoever Gavin is, he needs to be stopped.
I... want to believe you.
Then what's the problem?
Look, what if I tell you my suspicions and I'm wrong? You think I can just walk away?
So what do you suggest?



Lisa finally proposes a compromise.

You look into them. You find anything, maybe we can talk.
No, I need more than that.
That's my offer. Take it or leave it.

Rosa isn't happy with it, but at least it's a couple of leads.

Fine. Give them to me.
Here.
Thanks. I will get to the bottom of this.
I hope so. But until you do, leave me out of it.
Now get out. I've done all I can.

Lisa gives Rosa a piece of paper with a couple of names and locations on it, and sends her on her way.



Joey, however, stays behind to bitterly regard Lisa.

You were a good man, Danny. You deserved a better legacy than this.

He faces away from Lisa, and is silent a moment before muttering to himself on his way out:

Hell, maybe we both did.




Join me tomorrow as we look at the two leads and see how they were affected by Gavin!