The Jungle Blade Mystery Act 5

                              Nickel & Dime Productions, proudly presents Radio Days

               Starring Donny Wayne as Karl Timperman & Mary Coyne as Easther Leballe

          If you like tails of daring deeds & high trills go somewhere else, if not then stay tuned.   

As their eyes adjusted to the gloom Karl noticed a door over to their left, that he guessed might lead into an office, whispering to Paul, Karl " There's  a door to our left, lets make our way over to quietly"

It was indeed a small office but the light in here wasn't much better, as just with the storage area the only light came was from a high level window, closing the door softly behind them Karl took out a small torch from his pocket & switched it on & handing it to Paul, Karl " Take a look around while I keep guard at the door"

Fanning the torch around Paul brought it to a stop at a desk & walked over towards it, as he reached it he spotted a small safe sitting on the floor against the wall on the other side of the desk, Paul whispering " Bingo, there a small safe over here " Karl also in a whisper " Great, see if you can open it, but be quick it won't be long before those guys come in here "

Paul set about opening the safe & in next to no time there was a loud clonk as he turned the handle & the door swung open, at the sound Karl's heart leaped into his mouth but as far as he could tell the guys outside hadn't heard it as there was not sound of a reaction from them.

For Karl standing at the door time seemed to come to a stop as Paul rummaged through the contents of the safe & all the while the sound from the guys outside grew closer, then at last Paul " Found it " Karl "Great now lets get the hell out of here". As Paul returned to Karl side he switched of the torch & hand it to Karl, who returned it to his pocket before opening the door slightly  to peer out.

Karl " Their behind the last row of shelves so this is going to be close, did you bring your piece with you ?" "I've been on enough adventures with you to know not to leave home without" Drawing their pistols the pair headed for the outer door & were about half way there when a voice called out "Hold it right there"

Spinning Karl & Paul fired off a couple of rounds each, which sent 3 men driving behind the shelves, but they came under fire themselves from their left & had to duck behind some creates for cover. In the poor light no one was hit, but Karl & Paul now found themselves pinned behind the creates with fire coming from two directions.

The sound inside the lockup was deafening as bullets rang out smashing into things & as Paul & Karl ducked back after letting off more shots a voice rang out "Hold your fire" then as the shooting stopped the same voice "Throw the book out on to the floor in front of you & you can both leave"

Karl whispering "I'm going to pop of a couple of rounds in each direction & when I do you make for the door & when your there cover me & I'll join you"

With no reply coming to his demands the guy called out again "I'll count to five & if I don't see the book we'll start shooting again' only this time we won't stop " But he only got as far as two when Karl rose up & started firing as Paul made for the door, once there he turned & also started firing as Karl dashed after him shooting blindly as he ran. 

This action caught the men off guard & before they could react Karl & Paul were out the door & running for the car, but to their amassment there wasn't the sound of Esther starting it up & as they reached it the reason became clear, Esther was gone. 

They got in & Karl started it up & took off rounding the bend just as five men busted out through the lockup door & fired a couple of shots after them, with one pinning off the back door just behind where Paul was sitting.

As they speed up the road Paul noticed a piece of paper on the dashboard, the paper had three words written on it. You'll be contacted.

To be concluded next time.

Designers Note, I have to say that while I think Larger then Life the Directors cut doesn't work well as a table top game, I can see how it would work on the new battle-board system that two hour wargames brought out, as all of the action in this game takes place in small areas.

On the other hand however from the player never known how things are going to turn out, this game is a real gem, & while I had the confrontation with the bad guys after the search instead of before it as is meant to happen, this game could have ended in so many different ways, which is a real treat for solo gamers.

Example, the book might not have been recovered, which was areal possibility as Paul is only Rep 3 & had  two pass to mental challenges to open the locked door & the safe as well as the search challenge to find the book, or they could have been captured by the bad guys.

After the next episode which will be the last I'll do a post on exactly how all the different things work, such as searching for things or been captured, & how I see myself using the game going forward.

Well that's it for tonight's show, as always my thanks for dropping in & if you'd care to leave a comment it would be welcomed :)     

  

Gone but not forgotten

October is a month that a lot of bloggers use to paint certain types of models, one of those types is Zombies. Now tbh it is not something I've ever taken part in before but this year is a little bit different.

It was back in February of this year that Bryan aka Vampifan posted his final post, informing us that he'd not long to live, I later learned that Bryan sadly passed away in March, I guess the only comfort we can take from that is the end came fast.

Bryan was a big fan of the undead & it been the time of year that it is a lot of his fellow bloggers have taken it as an opportunity to pay their last respects, either by paint models or a game reports in tribute to Bryan.  

Bryan, thanks for all the wonderful posts & rest in peace, this Zombie is for you.

The Jungle Blade Mystery Act 4

                           Nickel & Dime Productions, proudly presents Radio Days

               Starring Donny Wayne as Karl Timperman & Mary Coyne as Easther Leballe

          If you like tails of daring deeds & high trills go somewhere else, if not then stay tuned. 

By the time they returned to Esther's house it was a little after 1pm, after showing Karl into the study so he could make some phone calls she headed to the kitchen to organise some lunch for them. 

Karl first rang Gavin Kirkwood an old friend of his that was a sergeant over in the 35th precinct to try find out about Gerry O Brain, as it turned out Brian knew him quite well & told him that O Brian had left the force under a cloud of suspicion with all kinds of aligatetions flying around but nothing that could be proved & that he now among other things worked for Robert Harris a business magnet, but the information came with a stark warning not to to cross or get involved with O Brain, as to say he was a nasty piece of work was an understatement. 

Next he phoned Martin Albright who was a friend of Bradshaw's & an expert on old & rare books, after telling him some of what had taken place he then asked him if he would have any idea as to the name of the book & where he thought that Bradshaw might keep such a book. 

Albright told him that the book was most likely to be El Regalo de la Vida Eterna & while it might be in Bradshaw's House, it was more likely that he would keep it out in a secure warehouse that he had out by the airport. 

After thanking him for his help Karl made one more call to a guy named Paul Warren who helps him out from time to time, then headed into the kitchen where over lunch he told Esther what he'd found out. 

Esther "Oh Karl, maybe we should just hand the whole thing over to the police, I know it will be a big scandal but this seems like it could become very dangerous"

Karl "Given the people that seem to be involved Esther I'm not sure that would be the best course of action to take, anyway I've arranged with a guy to meet me over at Bradshaw's lockup which is where I'm heading now" 

Esther "I'll come with you"                                                                                                                        

Karl "I don't think that's a good idea Esther"                                                                                           

Esther "Look Karl I'm the one who's to blame for this mess & I want to help solve it"                              

Karl" Okay, but on one condition, when we go into the lock-up you stay in the car, agreed ?                    

With a disappointed look on her face Esther "Agreed"                                                                                

Karl "No need to feel down, someone's got to be the lookout" & handing her back her gun, with a smile added " Try not shoot anyone this time"

The route took them pass Sharina Benavides house & as they were nearing it noticed her turning into her drive with two men in her car, Esther unable to resist a bit of gossip told Karl that one of the men was a well known playboy who Sharina had been seen a lot of lately, despite the fact that he was at least ten years her younger.

On the way Esther asked Karl who he was meeting.

Karl "He's one of my oldest friends & helps me out from time to time, his name is Paul Warren & believe it or not he's an escape artist"                                                                                                            

Esther laughing "Come on Karl your pulling my leg, what use would an escape artist be to us ?"              

Karl with a mischievous grin on his face "Nice & all as your legs are Esther, I'm not kidding you, as there's no one who is better at opening locks then Paul & this is a secure lock-up after all" 

 As they approached the lock-up Esther noticed three men talking on the sidewalk.                                  

Esther "Look Karl that's Robert Harris, don't you think it strange that we should see him out here giving what's happened ?                                                                                                                                        

Karl "No not strange at all Esther as I'd guess he's after the same thing we are & I'd give very short odds that one of those men is Gerry O Brian, I'll pull-in around the corner & wait for Paul, its a good job I brought you along Esther, as I wouldn't have known Harris "                                     

As they turned the corner & parked a men came over to the car, it was Paul & after introducing them, Karl "Esther you have a good view of the lock-up from here & if you spot anyone trying to get in honk on the horn twice okay, but whatever happens don't get out of the car"

Leaving Esther in the car Karl & Paul walked across the street to the lockup, take a lock-pick from his pocket Paul set about opening the locked door & in less then ten seconds there was a click as the lock sprung open.

Karl "Good to see you haven't lost your touch Paul"

Paul "Piece of cake"

Opening the door, they walked inside into the gloom of the lockup closing the door hind them & stood listening.

It was just as well they did as they could hear movement & the sound of low voices.

To be continued.

Designers Note, Sorry about this episode been a day late, but it was my daughter's Birthday yesterday.

From the game point it was just about moving through the different scenes to drive the story forward, but it is strange how faith can take control as all of the roles for NCP's keep bring up the same type of people. 

I was going to make this post a bit longer, but then thought to myself, as this is pulp the point we're at was just too good a spot not to end with.🙂

Well that's it for this post, as always my thanks for dropping in & if you'd care to comment it would be welcomed🙂

 

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Jungle Blade Mystery Act 3

                        Nickel & Dime Productions, proudly presents Radio Days

               Starring Donny Wayne as Karl Timperman & Mary Coyne as Easther Labelle

          If you like tails of daring deeds & high trills go somewhere else, if not then stay tuned.  

It didn't take them long to reach Harris's warehouse, but as they entered they were taken back at the group of people who were stood just inside the doorway, as this group would be more likely to be found at city-hall than in a warehouse down on the waterfront.

The group consisted of no less than 2 politicians, & one of who happened to be Sharina Benavides accompanied by her  political assistant  Glenn Leach & his very attractive wife Rose, the other politician was Dajon  Hyde who wife Joyce was also present, the Hyde's were among the most charismatic couple to be found in this or any other city of the world.

Esther" Why Sharina we " but a sharp tap on the ankle from Karl cut her off, as he cut in across her.      Karl" We were just talking about you, Esther was telling me you were at her fundraiser last night & made a very generous donation to the museum"                                                                 

 Sharina" Well it was the least I could & is really nothing when compared to all the hard work Esther does there, but I don't think I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance before Mr ?"    

Karl"  Timperman, Karl Timperman & the pleasure all mine Miss Benavides"                                          

After exchanging a few more pleasantries the group departed, leaving Karl & Esther alone.

Esther "How come you didn't ask her any questions Karl ? & what was with the tap on my ankle ? I can still feel it & no doubt I'll have a lovely bruise there later"                                                                        

 Karl "Sorry about that Esther but I didn't want you telling her we've been looking for her, as given what's happened since we set off, what looked like the theft of the blade now looks to be turning out to be something a bit more sinister, the fact that we've turned up here will have them second guessing what we might or might not know or suspect, asking question might have lead to us revealing  more of our hand then I'd like to right now, come on lets go look for  Mc Coy" 

Esther Oh Karl what have I gotten you into ?"                                                                                      Given her slight grin Karl "Don't worry I can handle myself" 

As they wandered around the warehouse they came across two men moving some crates.                        One of the men" Can I help you folks ?"                                                                                               Karl" We're looking for Bob Mc Coy, any ideas were we might find him ?                                                Same man "There's a small workshop at the back of the warehouse my guess would be he's over there, if not then mores then likely he by out in the yard"                                                                                       Karl "Thanks"

As they approached the workshop they could here the sound of someone working.                          

 Karl "Keep back behind me when we go in Esther in case there's any rough-housing" 

As they walked in there was a man hammering some nails into a small crate.                                           

Karl called out in a loud voice "Hey buddy are you Bob McCoy ?"              

Man "Who wants to know?                                                                             

Not liking the guys attitude Karl slipped his hand into his coat pocket & closed it over the butt of the pistol before replying "I do & I'd like to talk to you about what you were doing at  Lambert  Bradshaw shop earlier"                                                                                                                                 

Man "I've no idea what your talking about, now beat it I'm busy"                  

Karl "You can either talk to me or the cops & there happens to by one right out front, Esther would you be so good as to go & get him ?"  

 

At this McCoy  came for Karl swinging  the hammer , But Karl had expected this & sidestepping him brought the pistol out of his pocket & stuck him in the side of the head with it, McCoy went crashing to the floor & Karl as quick as a flash smashed his heel down on the hand holding the hammer, with a cry of pain Mc Coy released the hammer as Karl then  knelled  down on his back & grabbing McCoy's arm brought it up behind his back in an arm-lock.

Karl" Now that were all comfortable we can have that little chat, now like I asked already McCoy what were you doing over at Bradshaw's shop ?"                                                                                                McCoy "I told you already I don't know what your talking about, I wasn't at any shop now get off me"  Forcing McCoy's arm further up his back, Karl "Come now Bob we both know that isn't true as you were seen, now what were you after & what have you done with Bradshaw ?" & just to drive home the point he put a bit more pressure on the arm.

 Mc Coy "Ok ok I'll talk, earlier I got a call from a guy I give a hand doing some muscle work from time to time, he told me to grab one of the vans & pick him up at the corner of 3rd & Maple, from there we headed over to the shop, when we got there he asked the owner about some book he wanted, I can't remember its name as I think it was Spanish, when the shop owner told him he didn't have that book he started to get angry & told him if he knew what was good for him he get him the book & quick, when the guy still incised he didn't have it he pulled a blackjack from his pocket & set on the guy beating him over & over with it all the while asking him about the book, when the guy blacked out he started going through the place like a bull in a china shop but couldn't find the book, so he told me to give him a hand & we dragged the own out a side door & put him into the back of the van drove back here, were he dropped me off & took off with the guy in the van"

Karl "The name of the guy & where did he go ?"                                                                                        Mc Coy "I can't tell you, it would be more then my life's worth"                                                              Pushing the arm higher Karl "Its not worth much now, the name"                                                              Crying out in pain McCoy  "I can't"                                                                                                              Karl bring the arm to breaking point "I think you can"                                                                                Mc Coy" Gerry O Brian, he's a retired cop, I don't know where he headed, honestly"

Looking around Karl "Esther hand me that rope & old rag please"                                                              After tying McCoy up loosely & putting a gag in his mouth Karl" Right that should him long enough for us to get out of here, come Ester"                                                                                                            Esther "Where to now ?"  as they stepped out of the warehouse.                                                              Karl" Back to your house, as I need to make some phone calls & pick up my car"                                     To be continued                                                

Designer's Note, Due to technical difficulties there will be no game input & I hope bloggers way of messing thing up doesn't take to much from your enjoyment of the story.

Well  that's it for this post, as always my thanks for dropping in & if you'd care to leave a comment it would be welcomed :)

The Jungle Blade Mystery Act 2

Notification, I've had to repost this as the first posting of it was a mess, the problem is every time I start a new line it jumps by two, while this post is by no means perfect it is at least readable I hope

                           Nickel & Dime Productions, proudly presents Radio Days

               Starring Donny Wayne as Karl Timperman & Mary Coyne as Esther Labelle

          If you like tails of daring deeds & high trills go somewhere else, if not then stay tuned. 

Esther, looking hopefully at Karl "What now ?"                                                                                         

 Karl, after a moment's thought "Give me a second to go over the list again Esther as I thought I recognised a name on it" as he went down the list, Karl " Here we are Lambert Bradshaw"                      

Esther" Who's he ?"                                                                                                                                     

 Karl" You know Esther you really need to stop letting strange men into your house" & then gave her a wink before adding "It's not who he is but what he is that interest me, he's an antique dealer & a dodgy one at that, he's got a shop down near the waterfront, come on we'll take the Subway, there's a station round the corner"   

At this hour of the morning the Subway was very busy but at the next stop they manged to get a seat & Karl filled Esther in on Lambert Bradshaw.                                                                                                  

Karl" While I don't believe Bradshaw has anything to do with the missing blade to be honest Esther, as he's no problem with buying things that come his way off ships that come into the docks without any questions asked, this would be too close to home for his liking but he always has an ear to the ground & might be of some help to us"

Esther "But why would he want to help us Karl ? as he seems to me the kind of person who doesn't do anything if there's nothing in it for him"                                                                                                    

Karl" You're not far wrong there Esther, but luckily for us Bradshaw & I go back a long way & over the years I've put a lot of business his way, so if he can help us, I'm sure he will"

By the time the train pulled into Lower Dock station the time was coming up to 9;20 AM & with it been only about a 7- or 8-minute walk, meaning they should arrive just as the store was opening but cutting through an alley way, they were confronted by 3 men.

One of the men with a nasty looking grin on his face "Well well well what have we got here?"               

 Karl "Look buddy we don't want any trouble"                                                                                              

Same man" Well if you just give us what we want there won't be any, isn't that right lads"                      

Karl knew were this was going & as the 3 men advanced pulled out his Colt 45 & fired over their heads which coursed one of the men to duck back behind a fire escape, following his lead & much to Karl's amazement Esther reached into her bag & taking out a .22 & also fired, the result of which seen one of the men dive into a nearby doorway.

 

The third man however was unfazed by the shooting & charged towards Karl, but another shot from Karl pinning off the ground just in front of his feet gave him second thoughts & he ducked back behind the fire escape beside his mate, but as Karl & Esther turned to leave, they emerged again & made towards them once more.                                                                                                                        

Karl again fired into the ground just in front of them again, but Esther put a slug into one of their legs & he fell to the ground in agony, at the sight of his falling friend the other one turned & ran off down the alley.

Karl turned to a very shuck up looking Esther & taken the gun from her now shacking hands said "Come let's get out of here before the cops show up & we have to start answering questions we don't want to"                                                                                                                                                         

 As they left the alley Karl asked "Tell me you've got a license for this thing Esther ?                               

 Esther" I have but I never thought I'd use is, in fact that's the first time I ever fired it"                             

 Karl" Well for someone who's never fired a gun before that was some shot putting a slug into that guys leg"                                                                                                                                                                

Esther" I was aiming for the ground like you did, I hope that man will be alright I didn't mean to shoot him"               Karl laughed at this & giving Esther a quick hug said " I'm sure he will as a .22 is really nothing more than a peashooter, so forget all about"

 

Back on the street they made their way through the last of the morning commuters, it would take them a bit long to reach the shop this way but Karl hoped that it would mean there would be no further incidents. That indeed proved to be the case & with the time coming up to 9.50 am they reach the store, but when they stepped inside, they were amazed to find no one there & the place in complete disarray with many items mashed on the floor.

Given the place a quick once over tells Karl all he needs to know, there has obviously been some kind of a struggle in the shop & as the till still has money in it whatever the season for it it wasn't a robbery. Stepping outside Karl notices a young street Urchin hanging around at the start of the alley between the building with the store & the one next to it.

Walking over to him Karl" You've been here long kid ?"                                                                         

 Kid" Maybe, maybe not"                                                                                                                           

 Karl taking out his wallet & picking a dollar from it "Would this maybe help you to remember ?"          

Snatching the dollar from Karl's hand, Kid "Been here long enough"                                                         

 Karl "Long enough to see anything interesting ?"                                                                                        

Kid "Maybe, maybe not"                                                                                                                           

 This time taking out a 5-dollar bill & holding it high enough so that the kid couldn't snatch it,          

 Karl "These 5 bucks are yours if you can tell me anything, I might find interesting kid"                                 

Kid "Just after I got here, I heard loud voices coming from the shop, like as in an argument, then there was the crashing noises & a few minutes later two man came out through that door into the alley dragging the owner of the shop, they put him into the back of a van & drove off"                                   

 As the kid reach out for the money Karl pulled it back.                                                                              

Karl" Did you recognise either of the men ?"                                                                                              

Looking longingly at the 5 bucks & realising that his hopes of getting more was over, Kid "Yep one of them, his name is Bob Mc Coy, he works at Harris warehouse a couple of blocks from here on the waterfront."                                                                                                                                                                   Karl handing over the money "Thanks kid you've been a big help"                                                                                                                                  

To be continued.

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Designers note, I'll try keep this one shorter than the last one, but there are a few things to cover.            I'll start how the story move forward, the last episode end with what's called the advance the story scene, after that you have a travel scene, this could be just moving around the city you're in or heading off to some far-off place, but when travelling there's always the risk of a confrontation.

                

This became the case so we'd the scene in the alley, the antagonises could be working for the big bad but in this case were not, after playing this out we were into another advance the story scene, what need to be done had been & where it would take place had been worked out before the travel scene.

The time of the day & the area meant there would be 3 PEF's, but as none of them turned out to be of a danger to our hero's I didn't interact with them, but one was indeed a street Urchin, so after yet another no defining moment & no show of the person of interest I decided to use the street Urchin as a way of moving the story on.

That's it for this post, as always, my thanks for dropping in & if you'd care to leave a comment it would be welcomed:)