Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Moe Ronalds" data-source="post: 1180927" data-attributes="member: 2083">Chris grunted the next morning, as he was awoken by the ringing of his phone. He had been up late, struggling to clean the green slime from his face. He had finally managed it, though his skin was slightly grayish now. Chris grabbed the phone, and grunted a hello.   The voice of the speaker on the other end was slightly higher than normal, but was monotone. The speaker spoke fast, but precisely. "Hello Chris Duncan. I am most pleased to be able to speak with you. My name is Winston Stantz and I work with an organization you may be interested in hearing about. I am aware that you and another man last night had a paranormal experience on a city bus. Am I correct in believing this?"   Chris gulped, having hoped he had dreamed about what he saw. He had managed to force the previous nights events from his night by concentrating on cleaning himself up. Having to be reminded of the events, caused him to break for a moisty nap again nervously. "Y-yes." He responded feebily.   "I am both pleased and sorry to hear that. I realize that you are likely still in shock from the previous night's events, but I ask that you attend a meeting with me and the other gentlemen from last night. We will meet this afternoon at three o'clock PM, at the local stop and go. Is this doable for you?"   Silence.   "I will take that as a yes, then. I look forward to our meeting."   Later that day, Chris stepped in. A strange man was speaking with the clerk at the convenience store. A man of average build, wearing a gray sweater. He had black hair and dark eyes, as well as a goatee. Chris knew his name to be Randal Hicks.    The man speaking with Randal was tall and thin, with long fingers that seemed almost as if they had too many joints. He was completely bald, and his age was impossible to place. His temple bulged slightly in his head, and he had a slightly manic grin on his face. He appeared to have a few too many teeth. Sitting near him in the corner, was the man named Sid from the other night, eating Toquitos.   The bald man smiled. "Hello Chris, once again it is good to see you. I am Winston Stantz, the man who called you. Well, let us begin. Randal?"   The clerk nodded, and informed an elderly woman (the only other person in the store) that it was closing time. She nodded, and paid for her items before stepping out. Randal shut the blinds and locked the door, though light from the afternoon sun still shined in. Winston turned towards the two men.   "Now, down to business. I suppose I should wonder where to begin, but this is a speech I have given time and time again. I hope, then, that you are not put off if it seems to be delivered too fast, or too surely. If you have any questions, please stop me at any time. Now, let's begin. I'm sure you're both familiar with the concept of alternate worlds and dimensions, yes?"   "Good episode of the Twilight zone." Sid murmured.   "Yes, however there is one difference. The Twilight zone is Science Fiction. What I speak of is fact. You see, in addition to our world is another world- one of evil, and shadow. Within it lurks every nightmare, every monster, every despicable beast concievable by man. And even a few that mortal minds could never, in a thousand eternities, comprehend.'   'These creatures and forces both exist just beyond our realm. However, just because they are not native to this world does not mean they are unique to it. Your paranormal experience from last night is one example of this. The beast you encountered last night is a monstrosity classified as a Zombie. A mindless mockery of life. As life changing for you as it is, it is certainly nothing unique. In fact, it has become a bit of a cliche. Nonetheless, it is a dangerous cliche. It and others like it could, if unchecked, doom humanity.'   'Which is where we come in. I represent an organization known as M.A.S.K. I know you're about to ask what it stands for but don't- it is unwise. What I can tell you, is that the members of M.A.S.K. are the checkers- we are the ones who keep the threat of the shadow from destroying life as we know it. This is an important job- and one that is always hoping for new workers. You see, the two of you have a rare gift. Most men and women cannot see shadow effects as what they are. They instead see an illusion that the Shadow puts around itself to hide what it really is. A veil, if you will.'   'You my friends, can see beyond that veil. Furthermore, you both have proved yourselves to be proficient both in mind and body. And you Sid, happen to have a VERY powerful gift."   "What would that be?" Sid asked, sarcasm mingled with curiosity and a dash of apprehension.   "I believe another concept with which you are aware is psychic power, yes?"   "I'm familiar with it, yes, but I don't have a terribly convincing jamaican accent I'm afraid."    Winston smiled. "A sense of humor. Very nice. In any case, your power is real. Not a hoax to be used on radio hotlines. And it has the potential to become a potent weapon, with which you can vanquish the shadow!"   "Alright, so you want us to join your organization. What will you be paying us for?"   "Uh... yes... Pay... The interesting thing about that is that we won't really be requiring your services often enough for a steady paycheck. What we're looking for is more... freelance, work. In any case, the shadow is a terrible threat. One that is constantly rearing its ugly head, terrorizing a town with some bizarre creature or cultist, things of this nature. Thus, when such a thread rises, we would need you to... eliminate it."   "I see..." Chris said. "And, if we refuse?"   "Then I am short two agents. The two of you never speak of this again, and now that the shadow knows who you are- you two end up the meal of a ghoul, or perhaps the throw rug of an illithid." Winston responded.   "So you're saying we have no choice?" Chris asked, tentatively.   "In theory, yes. In practice... not really."   Chris sighed. "In that case, I suppose you know my answer."   "Excellent! And you, sid..?"   "Well, even an unsteady paycheck is better than nothing."   Winston smiled. "Most excellent. In that case, I have a job for you two. It seems that the two zombies you dispatched last night have escaped from the local mortuary. I'd like the two of you to find out what you can about them, and what they're after."</blockquote>

Verification