LogGhosts in the Grid-Jason-1

Game log for the 2014/04/05 session of Ghosts in the Grid, as taken by Jason

Upon returning to Abilene, the crew go their separate ways; Ace and the Jokers to the parking garage attached to the old Radisson Hotel (where they drink at the bar), Methane to her workspace, Burroughs to his quarters at City Hall, and Din to his doss.

As Burroughs commences doing whatever it is that he does in his spare time, he is approached by Trusty, one of the other Jurors. Trusty fills Burroughs in on the proceedings of the last Jury deliberation, during which the body dealt with a pair of recent murders in the Breeders' Ghetto. An eyewitness claimed that at least one of the murders was committed by a free-roaming Ghost ("Inside the Grid?!? Unthinkable!"), not a Willie (as occasionally happens when someone possessed manages to enter town). Ever the political schemer, Trusty is looking to turn this situation to his advantage, ultimately to discredit his biggest political rival, Dr. Hannibal. He outlines a plan, in which they "find" (read "fake") evidence of a Ghost, the thinking being that if they can show weakness in the Grid, Dr. Hannibal's position as Foreman of the Jury will be less asssured. Trusty enlists Burroughs' help, as Burroughs is just the kind of guy to deal with weird shit like this.

Burroughs agrees, but ultimately wants to turn the tables, betraying Trusty to Dr. Hannibal and perhaps seeing to it that he ends up dead. To accomplish this, Burroughs approaches Din, ostensibly to gun down Trusty at a future planning meet. Ironically, Din comes up with a suprisingly subtle plan to manufacture some evidence, then plant it in a way that implicates Trusty, letting the wheels of Abilene's justice system do their dirty work for them.

Meanwhile, as Ace and the Jokers are drinking, they are approached by Cletus, the smoking hot (and ice cold) assistant to Dr. Hannibal, to whom the Jokers are somewhat beholden. There is a standing bet amongst the Jokers that whomever manages to score with Cletus gets to count wicked coup. So far, none have succeeded. Cletus tersely informs Ace of the problem in the Breeders' Ghetto, and she seems pretty convinced it's a hoax. She says that Dr. Hannibal wants to find out who is behind it, and wants Ace and the Jokers to "look around" and find the culprits. When Ace seems reluctant, she puts the screws to him, reminding him of what the Jokers owe Dr. Hannibal. On the way out, as if to twist the knife, she points to Torque, smiles sweetly, and says, "You. Come with me." The smug look on Torque's face as he saunters out of the room in her wake says it all.

The group sets off to search the Breeders' Ghetto for signs of any Ghost or hoax thereof. It's hot today and the Ghetto smells worse than it usually does. There's a tension in the air and people are scared. The local Constabulary are out in force, trying to keep a lid on the nascent panic. Near the center of the Breeders' Ghetto is an old watertower, part of some bygone industrial complex. It would serve as the perfect vantage point for Methane to conduct her photographic/acoustic survey. Unfortunately, there are three Constables at the foot of it, who steadfastly refuse to allow access.

Burroughs, ever the diplomat, tries to pull rank, claiming Jury privilege. The Constable in charge apologetically says that the area is sealed by order of the Jury, and that without orders to the contrary, no one is allowed access to the watertower, the thinking being that panicked people might make a grab for the resources within, potentially starting a riot. Burroughs blusters, but to no avail (and at one point guns get drawn, but Din manages to keep the situation cool). Methane takes advantage of the distraction to enter a nearby building, work her way to the roof, and fashion a grappling hook from some rope (brought) and some rebar (found). She then uses said hook to swing her way across to the tower, deftly climbing up to the catwalk around it.

Meanwhile, seething with impotent rage, Burroughs and Din head for City Hall to make with the litigatin'. Meanwhile Ace and a few handpicked Jokers cop a squat in the shade opposite the three Constables, the two groups eyeing each other nervously. Joker saw Methane's gutsy move and is hanging around to provide cover for her should things go south. For her part, Methane begins making a circuit along the catwalk, taking pictures from numerous vantage points. When she feels she has gotten all the angles she can get, she packs away her camera and unpacks the antique Fender bass and tiny mouse amp. Plugging in her headphones, she begins to listen, her mind touching the Psychic Maelstrom. She hears sounds that are unusual, discordant, that don't seem quite right. Something is going on in the Breeders' Ghetto, but she can't put her finger on just what it is. After a bit, she packs up her stuff and rappels back to the ground.

Unfortunately, the rough rope and the speed of her descent make a loud "Zzzzzzzz!" attracting unwanted attention. Ace and the Jokers manage to contain the surprised Constables (one of whom yells, "Saboteur!"), but a random bystander (completely misinterpreting the situation) does his civic duty and tackles Methane as she's trying to escape into a nearby alley. A tussle ensues, and while Methane gets clear, she loses her film canister. By the time she realizes it and backtracks, it's gone. Donning her headphones once more, she hears footsteps moving away down an adjoining alley and gives chase. She manages to catch her quarry, but only as he makes it to a pair of patrolling Constables. Seeing her, he points and says, "There she is! Arrest her!"

The constables are initially inclined to believe the man, but Methane quickly explains that the package they are holding is in point of fact not a bomb but a film canister, and that the reason she was running was because she heard someone yelling about a saboteur and wanted to get the hell out of dodge if it were true. Ultimately, they return Methane's film canister and threaten to arrest the do-gooder if he doesn't shove off. At this point Ace and his crew make a timely arrival, and they give Methane a lift back to her workspace, posting some guards such that she can work undisturbed.

Meanwhile, at City Hall, Burroughs meets with Nooey, the Chamberlain. Given that he's the one that sets the agenda for Jury deliberations and handles all of the day-to-day administration, he's the guy to talk to to get things done. Burroughs, with a little help from Din, convinces Nooey to call an emergency Jury session. It will take about an hour, says Nooey. Burroughs and Din cool their heels and plot a little more while they wait. Eventually, the Jury is convened, and while two members are missing, they have a quorum.

When recognized, Burroughs immediately goes into a tirade, ranting about how the bizarre, the unusual, and the macabre are his bailiwick, and how DARE the other Jurors not come to him immediately when rumors of a Ghost within the precincts of Abilene surfaced? At this point, he is unceremoniously informed by a gruff and blustering Gustav that perhaps if he would deign to show up at Jury deliberations (as opposed to gallivanting about the Ash Wastes with a biker gang), he might be better informed. Clem is slightly more sympathetic, but only slightly. Still, the issue is discussed and the many of the Jurors are willing to lay aside their personal opinions about Burroughs and concede that he is ideally suited to investigate these (in the words of Dr. Hannibal "baseless") rumors.

As all this is transpiring, Din (at one point called upon as a "material witness" in support of Burroughs) is calmly talking to a member of The Dead. While this departed shade has little to offer by way of insight (besides which of the female Jurors or aides he'd "hit"), he does clarify some of the shifting political realities of the Jury and gives some hints as to Trusty's deeper motives.

Burroughs rails against the prohibitions against movement in the Breeders' Ghetto imposed by the emergency decree that mobilized the Constabulary and demands unfettered access to the Ghetto. Gustav is apopleptic, but Trusty (seeing what Burroughs is doing and smelling the opportunity it presents) seconds immediately. The process is hammered out in short order and by a vote of 7 to 3 (Gustav vociferously voting "Nay" of course), Burroughs is granted unrestrained access to the Breeders' Ghetto until one of three conditions is met: a) evidence of a Ghost is presented to the Jury, b) evidence of a hoax is presented to the Jury, or c) seven days pass, whichever comes first. Stinking drunk with newfound power, Burroughs departs with Din in tow.

Meanwhile, back at the workspace, Methane is gearing up to develop her film when there is a knock at her darkroom door. It's Beatrice, wanting to "help." Methane plays along a little bit, lets things get a little rough and bondage-y ... then crams a chloroform-soaked rag in her erstwhile paramour's face. Unceremoniously trussing Beatrice (but stripping her first to at least give her the impression she's had a good time when she wakes up), Methane returns to her work, annoyed at the disruption. The atmosphere in the darkroom is more intense than it's ever been, the darkness palpable, the fumes making Methane light-headed. Her mind reaches through the psychic maelstrom as she develops her film, film that shows something shocking - a free Ghost. In Abilene. And in all of the photos in which the telltale smudge can be seen, it always appears several paces behind the same young girl, one who is dirty, unkempt, and maybe all of 8 years old. In her mind's eye, Methane senses the Ghost consciously following the girl, but cannot determine why.

Outside, unaware of the revelations being discovered within, Ace has his own issues. Torque has re-appeared, talking trash about his alleged conquest of Cletus. But having played cards with him for a long time, Ace is hip to Torque's tells and knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's lying. He doesn't know what really happened, but he's certain that bagging Cletus wasn't part of it. Ace calls Torque on his bullshit, but Torque refuses to back down. So Ace beats him down. Problem solved (or at least delayed, as some of the other Jokers, notably Sarah, think that Ace went too far - "Jesus, Ace, we all knew he was lying. You didn't have to break his face").

At this point Burroughs and Din return, and everyone heads into the workspace. Some chuckles are had at the naked, unconscious, trussed Beatrice hanging upside-down in the corner. Unphased, Methane presents the photos and her interpretation of them. The group discusses the ramifications and the next steps, namely that they need to find the girl in the photos, and fast. But the colloquiam is cut short by blood-curdling howls and screams from the corner. Now conscious but totally incoherent, Beatrice is shrieking and inconsolable. Sarah and some of the other Jokers take her back to the Radisson and everyone wonders WTF just happened.