Return to Unfiction unforum
 a.r.g.b.b 
FAQ FAQ   Search Search 
 
Welcome!
New users, PLEASE read these forum guidelines. New posters, SEARCH before posting and read these rules before posting your killer new campaign. New players may also wish to peruse the ARG Player Tutorial.

All users must abide by the Terms of Service.
Website Restoration Project
This archiving project is a collaboration between Unfiction and Sean Stacey (SpaceBass), Brian Enigma (BrianEnigma), and Laura E. Hall (lehall) with
the Center for Immersive Arts.
Announcements
This is a static snapshot of the
Unfiction forums, as of
July 23, 2017.
This site is intended as an archive to chronicle the history of Alternate Reality Games.
 
The time now is Sun Nov 17, 2024 10:35 pm
All times are UTC - 4 (DST in action)
View posts in this forum since last visit
View unanswered posts in this forum
Calendar
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Perplex City » PXC: General/Updates
[UPDATE] The Path of Least Time, 13th May
View previous topicView next topic
Page 1 of 2 [18 Posts]   Goto page: 1, 2 Next
Author Message
jojojojo
Decorated


Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 208
Location: Where the puffins fly, and the sheep roam.

[UPDATE] The Path of Least Time, 13th May

Quote:
"Who are you?"
Saturday, May 13 2006, 11:45 AM

"I'm Miranda, of course. Don't you remember me?"

In theory, Miranda could be anywhere south of the Mazy River now. In practice, she needs more Oxxypro. When she was at the pharmacist in Drowsington, she was posing as a regular customer and had a fake prescription for a month's worth of supplies. However, my intervention wasn't quite as useless as I had thought - Miranda only managed to get away with a few pills, according to the pharmacy stocks.

She'll be going to Ryefield. It's the nearest town south of the river that has an Oxxypro pharmacist. I know it's possible that she might try pharmacists further afield, but those are much more distant and she's been running very hard lately. There's another reason Ryefield is likely as well.

"You must have run hundreds of miles by now."

"Yes, isn't it fun? You live in a different world, in those air-conditioned capsules sliding between stations. It's a shame you aren't running with me."

"I will be, sooner than you think."

With the amount of travelling I've been doing via rail, I've become very familiar with its timetables and systems. One thing that caught my eye was a firmware update that's happening on Tuesday, which is being run on all trains and security systems. I almost missed the notice; Perplex City Rail aren't making a song and dance about it because it won't affect passengers at all. What the firmware update will mean for Miranda and I is that it'll effectively knock out the Missing Persons system - at least on the trains - for most of Tuesday. In other words, Miranda will be able to get on any train and travel for hundreds of miles in any direction without me knowing.

Miranda's smart. I have to assume she knows about the firmware update, and she'll make full use of it. And that's why she'll be at Ryefield. The town doesn't just have a pharmacist, it's also a veritable transport hub. There are five different lines leaving Ryefield that go to any number of destinations over thousands of square miles. If she can get a train from Ryefield, then I wouldn't be surprised if she could get to her destination within hours. She's sure to reach Ryefield in time for Tuesday, but I'll be there in only a few hours.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going home."


Oh Kurt! Just stop chasing her!!!
_________________
For the record I have one head!

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:40 am
 View user's profile MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
Tintintin
Veteran


Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 137
Location: London

Well, after Ryefield, he won't have to chase her any more... She'll be caught, killed or escaped for good.

There's a real High Noon feeling about his one... Kurt's last chance to catch Miranda, and her most desperate attempt to escape!

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:53 am
 View user's profile MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
Juxta
Unfettered

Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 675

So, Tuesday is the day then...which means that Kurt can roll around in as much of that cream as possible, heal his leg up, get some sleep, and be back on top uber-geek form in time to capture Miranda...huzzah.

J
_________________
zzzshusoharuxpfrp

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:57 am
 View user's profile MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
GasparLewis
Unfettered


Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 474
Location: vicinty of NYC

OK, I sent this edit of my letter.

I wrote:
Kurt, I'm very concerned for you. I feel that, in all your zeal, you may be sabotaging yourself and your efforts. Please, just take some time to hear me out on this.

I more than understand that you've been hurt. That, as well as hunting the woman who killed Cymbalisty, you're after closure, explanations, and reality after a months-long lie. In no way am I devaluing this, or you. But, in order to achieve this goal, you must remain rational in your actions.

First of all, you're still injured physically. Recovering fantastically, but still unable to compete with a woman you know, for a fact, was a talented, top-tier marathon runner. Slidewalks, boats, and trains aside, there will always be a disadvantage, and your continued exertion will only slow the healing process and put you at risk for consecutive injuries. What use will all your running around be if you snap your calf in two?

Second, you're underestimating her. Have you, at any point in your relentless pursuit, considered that she's counter-traced you? There is no element of surprise if both parties know where the other is at all times. This possibility also provides an explanation for her move exactly when you were on the other side of town, after a doppelganger. Now that she has her medicine, she's no longer disabled; she might have even purchased extra while in Stone Mills. She's been clever (and desperate, and deranged) enough to make it this far, and there's no indication she'll slow down as she nears whatever goal point she may be moving towards. And how about the possibility that she has others aiding her? Ready to arrange travel, drop off medication, and/or kill anyone in pursuit.

Third, Miranda is dead. The woman you are pursuing is the one who killed her. She is Miranda's mother, Helen Gale's mother, Jean Morgan's mother, and the murderer of all three, as well as Cymbalisty, the friend and colleague of numerous people you care about. Miranda not only is gone, but also never was; whatever grains of truth this woman planted with her lies are irrelevant. The Miranda you are after is not who you'll find, and all your planned dialogue and endless questions will find only answers from someone else. Who? The woman who held a knife to a stranger's throat to escape. The woman who toyed with your emotions to cover for a homicide. The woman you loved in vain.

And, finally, you're alone. You've rejected all help except Earth CRT members. You've shooed away the one person who was your ally in this affair. Even the simplest of minds understands the power and force of multiple persons working towards the same goal in person. Across these connections, there is only talk, where assistance on the Perplexian end could trap, trick, hide, sneak, sabotage, investigate, and provide the physical end that you currently (temporarily) lack. Anybody who could be there with you could prove invaluable, perhaps even crucial.

I don't want you to stop. I don't want you to give up. I want you to just use logic. Use your head, and do what will work best, rather than letting obfuscation be your downfall. Read your own earlier posts, and compare them to now; see how you've changed. You're more than capable of organizing a full plan and pulling yourself back together; you're Kurt flipping McAllister. Act like Kurt McAllister and be intelligent about your actions. Apply to your strengths, negate your weaknesses, magnify your abilities, and execute it all with confidence, precision, and a level head.

When you find a moment of downtime between alerts, relax. Sift through it all in your mind. Take deep breaths, focus deeply, and find calmness. I know that things seem bleak, and each day brings diminishing chances, but if you concentrate and fix what you're doing wrong in your efforts, which I know you can, there's hope yet.

Tuesday approaches fast, and I will be helping all the way and wish you the best, but "the best" that means getting your head back on your shoulders.

Keep after her, Kurt, but you need to be yourself again. It's the best chance you have.


On the Ryefield end, I just really hope he wisens up. Basically, any argument (lack of manpower, underestimation, etc.) I have is in the thesis paper letter.

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:04 pm
 View user's profile AIM Address
 Back to top 
batgirl
Decorated


Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 261
Location: London

I'm just really feeling like Kurt has lost it at this point. He's having imaginary conversations with Miranda and they seem to be making him even worse...

I guess we'll have to see how it goes on Tuesday...
_________________
Holy perplexcity batman!

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 2:02 pm
 View user's profile Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
locqust
Unfettered


Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 545
Location: Gloucestershire UK

If the end of Gaspar's letter doesnt snap him back into sanity then nothing will I fear. Very Happy Nice work there, lets hope he listens!

One advantage now is we are actually learning how populated the area around the city is and how unlike a wasteland with oasis' of life we thought it was. We always assumed from Scarletts post that the areas around PXC were sparsely inhabited but it doesn't appear so, all these towns are quite big and seem to have good transport connections with each other and the city.
_________________
"If you'd been listening you would know that nintendos pass through everything." Col. Jack O'Neill

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 4:08 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
FinalSpin
Greenhorn

Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Baltimore, MD

Since Kurt is going to be in town before her I'm tying to think of a way to get the whole town looking for her with out them knowing why.

Say we turn Miranda into a fake celebrity. Convince people to call in Miranda sightings to a local pop radio pop station. If we get the paparatatzi and screaming teenage girls after her she could be slowed down. Or this could completely back fire and make her hide even more, and put civilians poeple in danger.

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:20 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
FinalSpin
Greenhorn

Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Baltimore, MD

I emailed this to Kurt

----------------
Kurt,

You've done a great job of getting all the digital eyes on her but how about getting some human eyes looking out for her too

We could make Miranda into a fake celebrity. For example we could say she is a new pop star, or a famous athlete completing a world record marathon that will be taking here though their town, and seeing her pass though will be something people don't want to miss. Enough hype and when she arrives the whole town will be looking for her. People could key-call into a local radio station with Miranda sightings. She will be she will be too busy scheming to be licensing to the local pop station and won't have any idea.


What do you think? We here on earth could make a digital poster for you, that you could print at a local copy shop and hand them out around town before she gets there. We could help created the hype by phone, email and blogs from here on earth.

Please take care…

--Angela

-------------

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 8:42 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Juxta
Unfettered

Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Posts: 675

I'm not certain if we've got enough time to get all of this in place for Tuesday, that's the only hiccup with this plan - aside from that, I love the idea, very innovative and sneaky Smile

(Hello too)

J
_________________
zzzshusoharuxpfrp

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:53 am
 View user's profile MSN Messenger
 Back to top 
locqust
Unfettered


Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 545
Location: Gloucestershire UK

How about some sort of talent scout? For hesh or some other music producer? You only have to tell a few people her description and itll pass on as rumour quite quickly with all the hopeful musicians seeking her out for an audition.
_________________
"If you'd been listening you would know that nintendos pass through everything." Col. Jack O'Neill

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 7:08 am
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
GasparLewis nli
Guest


If the hype could be forged by Tuesday, that would be the most underhandedly brilliant trap I've ever heard of. Twisted Evil

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:25 am
 Back to top 
myf
Entrenched


Joined: 30 Dec 2005
Posts: 917
Location: Hiding from squirrels

I like the talent scout idea. I'd have thought that people would wonder about being told there was a "celebrity" in their midst when they'd never heard of or seen her before, but no-one knows what a talent scout looks like, do they?
_________________
"I play the game for the game's own sake"
PSN ID & GamerTag: sleepymyf ~ Wii number: 5915 5999 6937 3087


PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:43 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
 ICQ Number 
 Back to top 
Alter Ego
Boot


Joined: 05 May 2006
Posts: 40
Location: UK, Essex

Hi everyone, first post here! Smile

Erm, is it me or are we losing the plot here? Why does'nt Kurt just hand Miranda in so she gets posted on the PXCPD most wanted board? That'll get her noticed and it'll save a load of effort!

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 1:13 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
zaeil
Decorated


Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 233
Location: NC, US

Because for Kurt, this has become personal. He doesn't want to turn her in and have the police handle it. He wants answers and probably a little vengeance, too. She used him, and he has to know why, and he feels that the only way he's going to find out is to catch her himself. Yeah, he's being irrational, which is what we're trying to tell him via email. I'm sure he'll have none of it, though, as per the usual. Razz
_________________
Trade PXC cards with me!

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 1:39 pm
 View user's profile Visit poster's website
 Back to top 
Rifflesby
Boot


Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Posts: 23
Location: Mesa, AZ

jojojojo wrote:
Oh Kurt! Just stop chasing her!!!

Maybe it's just me, but the way I read it, he has given up the chase. Miranda will be there in time for Tuesday, but he'll be (will have been) there Saturday afternoon. Where is he going? He's going home.

The guy's sick and tired of this (&lit). I don't think he's planning on sticking around for three days, when the hope of finding her and keeping her off the trains is practically nil.

'Course, I wouldn't bet my paycheck on that. ;)

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 1:42 pm
 View user's profile
 Back to top 
Display posts from previous:   Sort by:   
Page 1 of 2 [18 Posts]   Goto page: 1, 2 Next
View previous topicView next topic
 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Perplex City » PXC: General/Updates
Jump to:  

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
You cannot post calendar events in this forum



Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group