022: Making Calls

CHOICE A: Find some way to set up contact with the agent being put in charge of the case: 0 votes
CHOICE B: Set it up so that Land Captain becomes involved, and go from there: 4 votes
CHOICE C: Wait to see if the place buys insurance, and then just find out the address of the Mouth of the Prophet from there: 0 votes

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As Charleston walked to his front door, he realized that the optimum to most situations was bringing in Land Captain. There was just something about the man, a sort of Midas touch that turned problems into gold. There was still the problem of getting the Dispatcher to accept the assignment for dispatching, and the further problem of getting Land Captain involved. Charleston had an idea, though. He picked up his phone, and dialed the Dispatcher.

The phone rang, and someone picked up. After a brief coughing fit, they said, "Dispatcher."

"It's Charleston Charge."

"Hm, yes. Heard about the frog assignment. Sorry about your partner. Aren't you on vacation?"

"Indeed I am. It's just that I was at this comedy club earlier tonight, and some guy attacked the comedian. Oh, and I think there's a bunch of vampires involved."

"We are not the Paci Custodis, Charleston."

"I know, I know. I'm not saying we should go in there and start beating the crap out of anything with fangs. After all, they're just sitting around their bizarre comedy club being weird. If some psycho is coming in and making trouble, then perhaps they should benefit from insurance or security. That's what TYRIS sells, after all."

"So you are saying that we should send someone to give them an unsolicited estimate?"

"Maybe call them up and offer the services, and wait to see what happens."

"It just so happens that, shortly before you called, we did receive a call from a comedy club about a man matching your description coming in and thrashing their comedian. They do want insurance and security, and it would seem we've you to thank for this."

Charleston was silent for a moment, "Oh. There are aliens, too. Better send Land Captain to drive."

"Really, Charleston. I've known you since before you started working for TYRIS, I know when you have an ulterior motive. This is about Lauren, isn't it?"

"Yes," whispered Charleston, sadly.

The Dispatcher sighed, and said, "You can't use TYRIS for your personal problems, Charleston. It reflects badly on the company."

"I know, I know."

"As such, I shall be forced to forget we ever had this conversation. The agent is being sent in the morning, and I suggest you speak to Land Captain tonight. As I understand it, he usually goes to bed and wakes up rather early when he's not on a case. Since it's you, however, he may be more than willing to take your call. Good night, Charleston." The phone clicked off, and Charleston called Land Captain.

He answered on the first ring, with "Ahoy, Charleston. How's the vacation?"

"Going fairly well. Hey, you're driving an agent to some comedy club tomorrow, right?"

"Aye aye."

"Is Liana coming with you?"

"No. She's back at her lab, rebuilding it. I guess she's going to try to create fish which are more resistant to mercury poisoning or something."

Charleston sighed with relief. He knew she was reformed, more or less, but that didn't change the fact that Liana had attacked him with fish.

"Can I ride along?"

"I don't see why not. Is this about that girl of yours?"

"Yeah. Is it that obvious?"

"Does a compass point north?"

"I need to talk with the agent before hand, try to get something planned. I have some idea of where she might be, and this meeting tomorrow might help with that."

"Fine with me, buddy. I'll leave it to you to work out the particulars. I need to get some sleep. See you in the morning."

"Good night. And thank you."

"I'm saluting right now," said Land Captain, "Good night."

Charleston hung up the phone. All he had to do now was figure out what to do for tomorrow. He could either just wait and ask the agent about the Mouth of the Prophet after the meeting. Alternatively, he could give the agent a miniature camcorder to record the meeting. They could claim it was for quality reasons, or something. Heck, he could probably even ask Land Captain to use his car to watch the meeting, though he doubted the superhero would go for that. He would figure it out, and then sleep for a bit. He could probably use the rest.

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WHICH SHOULD CHARLESTON CHOOSE?
CHOICE A: Interview the agent after the meeting
CHOICE B: Use a mini-camcorder to record the meeting
CHOICE C: Ask Land Captain to use his car to listen in on the meeting