Murder Mystery -- Log4 (10/19/98)

[Zami Wahye <wahye@yahoo.com>]

At Django's Club Modulee, a man who is less than stable finds his way into the public eye.

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Club Modulee -- Guild Spaceport (Kaitain)

Donato walks in from Main Terminal through the Revolving Doors.

Donato has arrived.

Yasmeen glances up and smiles at the new arrival. "Welcome, sir! welcome 
to the Club Modulee! If I can be of some assistance, just ask!"

Cassius has arrived.

Django grins at Cassius. "Evening, sir! What's your poison tonight?"

Django grins at Richard. "Evening, sir! What's your poison tonight?"

Donato takes a seat at the bar.

Cassius takes a seat at the bar.

Django says, "Signor Moritani, I must ask politely, no animals at the 
bar. The dog, although a handsome creature, must wait outside."

Donato scowls slightly, and approaches Django.

Django approaches Donato with deference. "I'm sure you understand, 
signor."

Richard has his head laying down on the table. A half drinken glass of 
ale sits before him.

Django shakes his head at the Moritani and sighs, a bit impatiently. 
"Please, signore. This is no place for a dog."

Donato mutters something under his breath and snaps two fingers and 
points to the door.

Cassius walks to the west and passes through the Revolving Doors.

Cassius has left.

Donato flashes Django a winning smile, "Of course."

Django says, "A splendid beast, Signore. Now, allow me to get you a 
drink as consolation. A nice glass of red, perhaps?"

Donato brightens, "An excellent suggestion! And please, call me Donato."

Richard lifts his head only slightly and lets out a low grumble.

Yasmeen approaches Richard with a chuckle. "Here, cher, time t'wakey up, 
now."

Yasmeen stands up from the bar.

Donato looks over at the poor drunk.

Donato stands up from the bar.

Donato slips into the dimly-lit booth.

Django pours Donato a tall glass of red wine and passes it to him with a 
smile. "Donato. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Django is my name."

Donato rises from the dimly-lit booth.

Richard raises his head again and groans, rubbing one hand roughly 
against his hair.

Donato bows from the neck, "A pleasure for me, as well. And thank you, 
Django." He pauses, swirling and sniffing the wine. He sips delicately, 
"Do you come here often?"

Yasmeen sets a hand on Richard's shoulder. "Now, now, y'shouldn't be 
drinkin' what you can't handle, cher."

Yasmeen glances up and smiles at the new arrival. "Welcome, sir! welcome 
to the Club Modulee! If I can be of some assistance, just ask!"

Iohannes walks in from Main Terminal through the Revolving Doors.

Iohannes has arrived.

Yasmeen glances up and smiles at the new arrival. "Welcome, sir! welcome 
to the Club Modulee! If I can be of some assistance, just ask!"

Richard growls in a low tone towards Yasmeen, "I'll drink damn well what 
I please do drink... g'd damn it!" He pounds his fist on the table, 
"Now! Bring me more!"

Iohannes sweeps into a bow encompassing the room. He smiles at Yasmeen, 
saying, "Nothing at the moment, girl." He glances at Richard.

Yasmeen makes a subtle gesture towards Django, who nods. She turns to 
the drunk and flashes a smile. "Now, cher. You go talkin', like that, we 
all get th'wrong impression 'bout you. You not one o'those mean drunks, 
are you? You not gonna disappoint Yasmeen, cher?"

Django says to Iohannes, "Welcome to the Club Modulee, sir. What can I 
get you this evening?"

Iohannes sighs, thinking. "Do you have anything exotic, honourable sir. 
I feel adventurous tonight..."

Richard takes in an uneasy breath and looks up at Yasmeen, "Look. Don't 
call me cher and do as you're told and I'll pay you. Okay?"

Donato takes another slow sip of his red wine. "Iohannes, isn't it? I 
remember talking to you in the central district a while back. How does 
this day find you?"

Iohannes nods at Donato. "It finds me in reasonable spirits. I have 
caught up on a large backlog of desk work, so I come here to celebrate. 
What of yourself?

Django nods. "I know just the thing, sir. By the way, Django is my 
name." He works a moment behind the bar and pours a glass of some clear 
drink for Iohannes. A small green object floats in it, speared with a 
toothpick.

Donato chuckles sympathetically, "I've been traveling to a couple of our 
operations offworld, so I've had nobody but my canine companion to 
converse with. As a result, I felt the need to feel some humanity 
again." He eyes the drink cautiously, "Perhaps a suggestion, Django, if 
I may?"

Iohannes eyes widen. "A strange looking drink... I have read that it was 
drunk in the distant past, during the dark days before the Jihad. You 
must indeed be learned in your trade..."

Yasmeen says, "Look, cher. Y'talk that way to Yasmeen, y'gonna get Cecil 
all riled. Y'don't want t'get Cecil all riled, 'cher.' Cecil's mean as 
two Sardaukars with their butts on fire, y'know, cher?"

Django beams proudly at Iohannes and nods. "I am grateful, good sir." To 
Donato, he asks, "What suggestion, Donato?"

Iohannes sips the drink thoughtfully, and approves.

Richard shivers slightly as his hand reaches out for his glass. He tilts 
his head back as if trying to suck the very glass dry. "Okay okay... 
just get me another drink... yes? Now?" His voice raises at the end to 
an seemingly impossible high pitch.

Donato leans closer and quietly offers, "Perhaps you should serve him. 
In his state, he won't know whether or not his drink is watered down 
past any potency." He glances over, "It might make Yasmeen's life 
easier, at least."

You sense: Yasmeen points to the dozing Cecil, a large wedge-shaped man 
who is resting quietly near the door.

Yasmeen smiles. "That's more like it, cher. A please would be nice, but 
thass okay. Now, you had ale, cher? Comin' up."

Django mutters to Donato, "... "She's expert... her craft,..."

Yasmeen fetches Richard a double-sized ale and serves it up with a 
smile.

Iohannes laughs thoughtfully. "That must be your dog outside, then, 
Donato. A fierce looking creature."

Richard shivers again as he awaits his drink. One of his hand reaches 
upwards to spread itself across his face in a slow motion, as if to wipe 
sweat off his face.

Donato relaxes and nods, sipping at his wine. "This is an excellent 
vintage, Django. Bravo!" He nods again, to Iohannes, "Thank you. I breed 
and train such companion animals. He can be fierce, but he's really just 
hungry, most likely."

Iohannes nods. "I take it that you must use them on Arrakis, as guard 
animals..."

Yasmeen looks at Richard with concern. "Y'feelin so good, cher?"

You sense: Django eyes Richard professionally.

Richard shakes his head as he closes his eyes, "No." He takes a deep 
breath, "Where's that drink?"

Donato says, "I prefer not to train animals for purely military or 
functional purposes." He pauses, sipping again at his wine, "I do train 
them to be companions to individuals, and they are protective of their 
human partners." He glances over at Richard with a cocked eyebrow."

Yasmeen indicates the drink on the table. "Drink up, now." She plunges 
off into the crowd to wait on some customers.

Richard takes the glass in both hands and begins to drink with long, 
fulfilling gulps until the glass is empty. When it is done, he replaces 
the glass before him. His form is still shaking and now the sweat is 
prevailent upon his brow.

Iohannes nods. "I see it is a private activity, then? It is good to have 
a pursuit outside of one's work. I myself enjoy the study of man's past 
cultures."

Iohannes glances at Richard intently. "You seem to sweat a great deal my 
friend. Are you ill?"

Donato looks at Django, "Perhaps you should get Richard there some help. 
Or at least a Taxi."

Richard seems to perk up at the memtion of cutlures. He opens his mouth 
as if to call out something but then stops and looks back down at his 
own table.

Donato says, "I think Richard there needs some water. If you would 
Django?""

Richard lifts one hand, "No... no water. No... no taxi." He shakes his 
head and lets out a shaky breath.

Iohannes looks at Richard. "You had something to say, sir? Perahaps we 
can discuss it over a glass of water?"

Donato approaches Richard, looking closely at him. "You really don't 
look so well, sir."

Richard snaps his eyes up towards the approaching Donato as he nearly 
barks, "Get away!"

Donato stops and shrugs, "Okay, mister." He heads back to the bar.

Donato takes a seat at the bar.

Iohannes mutters into his comm unit, quietly, "Dr, Schedenfreud, it is 
I, Iohannes. Why don't you join me at the new bar, Django's? Of course 
it's important... Why yes, I'll hold..."

Richard growls to Iohannes, "I said I dont need anything!"

Iohannes curses into the comm, "Of course I know it's Schedenfreude... 
People mispronounce MY name all the time... Yes, I'll hold...

Iohannes looks back at Richard. "The good suk is my friend, a retiring 
sort... needs to get our more..."

Richard seems to begin to stand at his place. He uses his hands to brace 
himself at the table, "No he's not. I know you. You're out to get me 
just like the rest of them.... I KNOW you." He points his finger wildly 
at Iohannes.

Django holds up his hands to Richard. "Now, sir, please be calm. No one 
is out to get you, I assure you.

Iohannes stares in a surprised way.

Donato stands and turns back to Richard, folding his arms.

A hush descends upon the room as all eyes dart to the corner booth.

Yasmeen calls, "Now, cher, don'wake up Cecil. He hates t'get his nap 
interrupted."

Django approaches Richard, hands making spreading gestures.

Richard looks towards Cecil and literally spits, "Damn Cecil." He then 
wipes his mouth roughly with the back of his hand.

Donato stands up from the bar.

Cecil, the large beefy fellow dozing by the door, pushes his beret back 
from where it was resting over his eyes. He sits up straighter and looks 
towards Django.

Iohannes looks at Richard genially. "Clearly a mistake... you weren't 
that fellow, of course... the iceberg back on Alvsgaard? ...Obviously 
not..."

Richard eye's Cecil, eyes him with the look that's half crazed. He looks 
back, one at a time, at all the people in the room, finally settling on 
the approaching Django, "You're all out to get me..." He begins to back 
away from his chair.

Iohannes thinks, then says, "Why would we want to do that?"

Donato pulls a small item out and puts it to his mouth. It disappears 
almost instantly.

Cassius walks in from Main Terminal through the Revolving Doors.

Cassius has arrived.

Yasmeen glances up and smiles at the new arrival. "Welcome, ! welcome to 
the Club Modulee! If I can be of some assistance, just ask!"

Django is very calm. He waves off Cecil and turns to the man. "Sir, 
please, sit down. No need for alarm. Another drink? On the house this 
time."

Richard backs up, nearly tripping over his own chair. He finds the wall 
behind him by reaching backwards and continues to threaten, "Stay 
away... I'll hurt you. Stay away."

Django says, "Hm. We appear to be at an impasse."

Iohannes scowls. "You'll hurt no one, my friend! There's not a man here, 
I'll warrant, who hasn't known combat of one sort or another in his 
lifetime. Now relax and stop accusing us..."

Django says, "Would one of you kind sirs be so good as to assist this 
man? He merely needs some fresh air."

The comments must have fallen on deaf ears for the man known as Richard 
continues to back away from the approaching Django... back away until he 
is cowling in a corner, almost crying.

Iohannes nods. "Forgive my rashness, Richard. Would you like to go out 
with me, and take a few breaths? Bars can do this to people..."

Donato extends his hand flat with the ground.

Cassius sits heavily onto his haunches.

Django looks at Richard with some pity. He approaches slowly, and speaks 
softly to the man. "Sir, please. No one wishes you ill here."

Richard suddenly darts his eyes up. The crying sound is suddenly gone as 
his eyes grow wide at Iohannes, "YOU are after me... how else did you 
know my name? You couldn't know my name! You're after me!"

Iohannes says, "I overheard others... Clearly you have drunk too much!""

Django mutters to Iohannes, "... sir, Cecil... growing restless.... is 
likely to hurt... you be..."

Richard begins to raise on his own will, using his hand and the wall as 
a guide to lift him, "No. No! I'm sure I did not speak to anyone while I 
was here." He looks towards Django, a confused, almost pleading look, 
and then back to Iohannes, "YOU'RE THE REASON! You're why I'm like 
this!"

Donato puts his hand vertical next to his side.

Cassius doesn't leave Donato's side.

Iohannes mutters to Django, "The... won't... I fear..."

Cecil nods to himself. He rolls up his sleeves and rises from his stool 
by the door. He pushes back his beret and assumes a look of 
determination as he begins to wade through the crowd.

Iohannes smiles gently. "Come now, sir, please. You may hurt yourself!"

Django says, "What do you mean, sir? He is the reason?"

Donato steadily watches Cecil.

Iohannes says, "Yes, I too would like to know."

Richard is shaking again. His hand runs down one side of his face in 
slow motion as he answers, "I can't sleep. I sleep and I dream of 
darkness... of black darkness that pricks me with its pins." He shivers 
again.

Donato downs his wine glass and sets it down.

Cecil strides up behind Django and watches the hysterical man, not 
moving to intervene.

Iohannes shakes his head, saying, "That is no doing of mine, sir."

Django says to Iohannes, "I've seen this before, sir..Exhaustion. The 
poor fellow's sleep-deprived..."

Yasmeen squats down to pat Cassius' head and scratch behind his ear. 
"Who's a good boy, cher?" she baby-talks to the hound.

Richard looks between Cecil, Django, and then other folks in the room, 
"But he knew my name... he READ MY MIND. He MUST be the one putting 
these dreams into my though... I mean these thoughts into my dreams." He 
closes his eyes again as his body shakes yet again.

Iohannes nods. "Have you just returned from a trip, sir?", he asks 
Richard.

Cassius holds still until Donato wiggles a hand. His tongue then lolls 
out and he leans into the scratch.

Richard shakes his hand and places it about either side of his head, 
"No. NO! I'll not answer any more of your devil questions."

Cecil raises a quizzical brow and looks down at Django. The dark man 
shakes his head.

Iohannes says, "I overheard someone else mention it, I tell you!"

Iohannes says, "I overheard Donato mention it, friend! Think back!"

Django steps forward. "Sir...Perhaps some sleep will make you feel 
better. I've a back room with a nice soft bed."

Donato steps forward, "Have you ever noticed how spice makes people's 
eyes glow? I mean, it's really fascinating..." Donato rambles...trying 
to distract conversation.

Richard narrows his eyes, "Who's Donato?... " He then looks towards 
Django, "No... I'll dream again... it'll come again."

Iohannes says, "When he suggested a taxi be taken... And doubtless he 
overhead it from someone else... Smiles, see, there is nothing to 
fear..."

Django says, "I've something to suppress all dreams. From Ecaz. Just a 
little powder and you'll sleep like you were a newborn."

Iohannes says, "Another man here, a friend... Go to the back and have a 
rest, eh?"

Richard stares blankly towards Django, unblinking, unmoving.

Cecil watches his boss, disapprovingly, arms folded across his massive 
chest.

Valentina walks in from Main Terminal through the Revolving Doors.

Valentina has arrived.

Yasmeen glances up and smiles at the new arrival. "Welcome, madame! 
welcome to the Club Modulee! If I can be of some assistance, just ask!"

Donato smiles to Valentina, motioning her over.

Valentina smiles politely to Yasmeen, glancing around. She moves towards 
Donato when she sees him.

Iohannes mutters to Django, "... him... he... been... a... to... late... 
He... me..."

Django, Ioahnnes and Donato are facing Richard, who is screaming at them 
hysterically.

Valentina approaches cautiously at the trio, curiously watching the 
hysterical man with a raised eyebrow.

Yasmeen continues petting Cassius. "Who's a cutie-ootie pie, you big 
fluffball?"

Donato looks faintly pained at hearing his doog called "cutie-ootie pie" 
and "fluffball."

Iohannes gulps down the rest of his martini, only to nearly choke on the 
olive.

Iohannes coughs, dislodging it...

Valentina nods to Donato as he speaks quietly to her. Her head turns 
slightly, and her emerald eyes look towards Richard.

As if awaking from a trance, Richard shakes his head, "No... no.... I 
can't sleep here." Then then proceeds to move forward, as if trying to 
make his way out of the corner he has dug himself into.

Cecil watches the man, warily, but doesn't move from where he stands 
with his arms folded.

Valentina makes her way slowly towards Richard, "Excuse me, sir..." she 
says to him in a quiet calm tone, trying to get his attention without 
startling him. Her eyes take in everything about his current mannerism, 
from his skin pallor to his actions, speech patterns... everything.

Donato relaxes and takes another seat, facing the activity.

Donato takes a seat at the bar.

Django mutters to Valentina, "... Perhaps..."

Valentina sideglances to Django, nodding only slightly.

Richard nearly stumbles against a chair he emerges from behind as he is 
approached by Valentina. He stops and straightens his form, his face 
going very pale.

Iohannes smiles relievedly. He mutters, almost to himself, "Ah yes, a 
Suk... A relief."

Donato motions subtly and Cassius pads foward to stand just behind and 
to the right of Valentina.

Cecil sneezes as the dog draws closer. Loudly.

Yasmeen mutters to Donato, "... allergic t'dogs,..."

Valentina studies Richard's form, particularly interested in the shadows 
beneath his eyes, and the eyes themselves. She smiles slightly, and 
asks, "Can I be of help.... you seem to be... looking for something," 
her tone is level and calm, quite friendly. She does not make any sudden 
moves, merely standing there, watching Richard's reaction both to her, 
and his current surroundings.

Iohannes mutters to Yasmeen, "... straight,... ice,..."

Richard lets his eyes study the Suk. He opens his mouth as if to say 
something and then falters in his step, threatening to collapse. Yet he 
manages to hold himself upright to answer in a terse, "No."

Yasmeen nods to Iohannes and moves to fix his drink.

Django moves to put a hand on the man's shoulder.

Valentina does notice Richard's near fainting, she pulls a chair towards 
him, and motions for him to sit, "Please sir, sit... and let me see if I 
can help you..." her tone is still friendly, but clearly that borders an 
order. She slips a hand into a pocket, pulling out a small detector.

Iohannes glances at Richard with an odd expression on his face, as 
though something has suddenly been made clear...

Richard reaches out a hand and begins to literally push himself forward, 
meaning to leave the room entirely.

Iohannes says, "Wait! I must ask you something!"

Donato rolls his eyes and sighs.

Valentina puts a hand on Richard's arm, "Come now sir... I mean you no 
harm," she says, noting the tempterature of his skin, as well as if it 
is clamy or not.

Valentina runs the scanner quickly over Richard, watching for what it 
may register.

Richard unmistakenly winces and retracts his arm with a sudden movement, 
as if her touch were shear pain to him.

Valentina notices this, and then as if testing, she quickly moves her 
hand aside Richard's face. She does not reach to strike him, but merely 
watch his reflexes.

Cecil watches impassively.

Richard reaches up a hand to echo yours and removes your hand from his 
face, "Don't touch me." He sais clearly. This time he doesn't wince.

Valentina says cooly, "I wasn't," then she glances at the scanner, to 
see what it reveals.

Django watches Valentina closely and eyes the scanner.

Richard shakes his head and begins to move forward again.

Django mutters to Valentina, "..."

Iohannes pleads. "At least answer this. Have you travelled recently?

Richard looks towards Iohannes, "You talking to me? You TALKING to me?"

Iohannes nods quietly...

Cecil steps up behind Iohannes protectively.

Richard straightens, defiantly, "Yes." then turns to head out the door.

Iohannes nods. "To Richesse, or to Ix, perhaps?

Django listens to Iohannes with interest, wondering where he's going 
with this line of questions.

Iohannes looks to Django and nods. "It is important," he whispers.

Valentina turns, giving up on the man.

Valentina puts the scanner back in her pocket. She walks back toward 
Donato and speaks with him very briefly.

Iohannes pleads. "Sir, I think I know something of your problem... If 
you don't help me, you'll be helping them unknowingly... I MUST know! 
For the children!"

Richard scowls and heads out the door.

Valentina mutters to Donato, "I... know.... quite... he's... an 
examination."

Iohannes groans...

Valentina mutters to Donato, "Let... My... take... yes?"

Valentina mutters to Donato, "Not... person."

Iohannes says, "Ah, me!"

Donato shrugs, "Who cares about some drunk. Let's go."

Donato stands up from the bar.

Valentina is clearly frustrated, she guestures slightly as she speaks 
with Donato.

Donato walks to the west and passes through the Revolving Doors.

Donato has left.

Cassius has left.

Iohannes looks about the room... "Something ill is a foot!

Valentina nods in agreement, and follows Donato out.

Valentina walks to the west and passes through the Revolving Doors.

Valentina has left.

Django shakes his head. "What do you think of this, sir?"

Django goes to the bar and gestures Iohannes to sit down, pouring him 
another martini sans olive.

Iohannes glances about with a mournful air. "Death after death has been 
occurring in this city of late. I have sought to find out why... A... 
disease of sorts...

Django says, "Disease? I thought so as well..."

Cecil has arrived.

Django drops Cecil.

Iohannes shrugs. "I have only heard rumours, and you must keep this to 
yourself...

Django looks at the revolving door, thoughtfully. "Someone should 
examine him. I wonder what the Suk found."

Iohannes shrugs. "I shall write a letter on the morrow, and see what I 
can find. Until then..."

Iohannes drinks his martini and pays. "I thank you sir, and if you could 
just do me this favour?

Django says, "Of course, sir."

Django says, "I shall do that, sir. I think it would be prudent for the 
whole city."

Iohannes bows.

Django lifts a hand in farewell.

Iohannes looks to Django. "You ahve lifted a great burden from me, sir. 
I thank you..."

Yasmeen says, "G'night, cher!"

Iohannes leaves the bar bowing to Django and nodding to Yasmeen.

Iohannes walks to the west and passes through the Revolving Doors.

Iohannes has left.