Bill: Hello. My name is Pattrick Stewart. I don’t have an appointment and I have not worked with Mr. Butler. I would like to purchase some information. Any file with Phillip Sterling would be handsomely rewarded.
Peggy: Sterling? What’s your interest in that case?
Bill: My interest is this. ($500 is placed on the table) That is for you; regardless if you get it for me or not. Your willingness and expedience will determine how much more is on the way
Peggy: Well, OK. but … (She turns toward the door in the back) Um ….. Gerry …. Can you … uh … come out here!
Bill (SV): really?! that didn’t work right off the bat?
Frank (sv): Sounds like it’s working to me. Hang in there.
Bill hears him walking toward the door, and sure enough, the door is opened by Gerry. As always, he’s wearing his hat, a red shirt, and jeans.
Gerry: Yes.
Bill: Yes. I am Patrick Stewart. I’d like every piece of information on Phillip Sterling possible. If there is information that you have not included in the files, I’d like that to.
Gerry: Let’s talk in here. Peggy, no visitors.
Bill: Wonderful. It was a pleasure Peggy
Bill follows Butler
Gerry: OH, Peggy, please turn on you radio.
Frank (sv): Bill, leave YOUR radio off, please.
Gerry heads back into his office and turns on a radio by the window of his office. He takes a seat and points toward the couch.
Gerry: Let’s start by you telling me where I know you from.
Bill coughs loudly while enabling his sub vocals
US, while Butler talks, Frank will do his best to determine whether he’s lying at any point. It’ll be harder over the airwaves, but he’ll do his best. We’ll also record this conversation for later analysis.
Bill: I’m not certain. I’ve not seen you before
Gerry: You’re not a very good liar.
Bill: Or someone who can’t tell the truth without looking like he’s lieing.
Gerry: I believe you came here for information. Lieing to start out the conversation’s not a good way to do it. Unless, I’m mistaken you’re not from around here and only arrived in town about half an hour ago. Now, where do I know you from?
Frank (sv): Bill, consider admitting you work for me. Unless I very much miss my guess, he’ll remember my name. Maybe he saw you with me.
Bill: Perhaps, in another time line we were partners? (Bill shrugs)
Gerry leans back and think about it for a little bit of time. “Perhaps that makes sense, but why?
Bill: Why does that make sense? Or why were we partners? I’ll assume the second. We were partners because we had a common goal. Phillip Sterling is a dangerous man. He is more than what he seems. I’d like some of your insight. Perhaps, you could even persuade me to give mine back…in another time line of course.
Gerry: He is that. So, let me ask you, what do you think he is? A murderer? A drug dealer? A Pagan’s pagan?
Bill: HA! He is, at the very least, all of the above. I will reserve my judgment until I have more information to act on. I will tell you that there are those that believe he is necessary. And because he has earned that distinction he must be closely studied.
Gerry: So you believe he’s more than he seems, but you don’t know how you mean that? Come on. Tell me (his voice rings with authority), what do *you* think he is.
Frank (sv): You could try saying that he’s singlehandedly working to bring about the end to everything we know, and not be lying at all.
Bill thinks for a moment.
Bill: Why is that so important to you?…never mind. He is the worst kind of person with the ability to harm others. One that he uses far too often for my liking
Bill: For things that don’t seem to really benefit him I might add.
Gerry chuckles: Fair enough. I will tell you that his benefit is not really in his interests. However, you came to me for “all the information about Phillip Sterling that I have”, right? Well then, why do you need it. He’s gone. I doubt we’ll see in the Tri-state area any more.
Bill: That is most fortunate for those in the tristate area. However, I am not at liberty to discuss why I need those files. I am at liberty to discuss payment of those files and any other information that you might have…excluded
Gerry: Well, then we seem to be at an impasse. You see I don’t need your money. However, your interest in a Sterling is … unusual. Your origins are not from this time. This makes you, I think, an uninformed visitor to a game that you shouldn’t be in. If we met and worked together you seem to have been successful. I suspect you’re working with Frank. Subterfuge is really not your best suit.
Frank (sv): Please pass on my regards to Mr. Butler.
Bill: That is why I went with the truth. How do you know I only arrived here a half an hour ago?
Gerry: I felt it.
Bill breaks his poker face and looks at Gerry.
Bill: You…felt it? Felt what?
Gerry: Hard to explain. You’re not of this time so you make waves. Discord. What’s interesting to me is that you came here, now, to talk to me about Sterling. Perhaps you’re trying to stop his Murder, Inc. streak from starting. You obviously don’t know who you’re dealing with.
Frank (sv): Well, that’s why we’re here!
Bill thinks for a second.
Bill: Alright…can you blame me?
Gerry: Perhaps. Let’s be a might more specific with what it is you want to know about Sterling?
Frank (sv): Let’s start with who he is precisely and why Mr. Butler doesn’t think he’ll be returning – which, by the way, we know is not true, but we can save that little tidbit for later.
Bill: Who is he really and why don’t you think he’ll be returning?
Gerry: Well, to explain one will most likely lead to the other. I think he dropped his vessel. He’ll leave for a while and come back. As to who he is. His name is not Phillip Sterling. Sterling most likely died in Canada under gruesome circumstances. I suspect he’ll hide out for a year or two.
Bill: And while we’re on the subject of who people are…who might you be Mr. Butler?
Gerry chuckles. Took you a long time to get to that didn’t it!
Bill: ha-ha…well I didn’t want it to be out of turn
Gerry: I’m your friend and can help you, but there are limits.
Bill: I’m glad to know that…but ya still haven’t answered my question have you? Perhaps it would help me understand a bit more if you could tell me how you know I wasn’t from this time. I know you felt it…but that doesn’t seem to e a trait common with other people of this time line.
Gerry: Why, you told me you weren’t. I don’t know that at all. However, it does make sense. Your human. I know … let’s try this ….
Gerry: I want you to think about Frank. Very very hard. Visualize where he is.
Frank (sv): I got a dollar that says he says he’s an angel.
Bill: I’m human? That implies that you are not. Care to explain that?
Gerry: Not until you do what I asked.
Frank (sv): Any takers? Anyone?
Bill (SV): Do ya mind Frank? Might I?
Frank (sv): Do it.
Art (sv): or he’s nuts.
Frank (sv): One doesn’t preclude the other, of course.
Bill reluctantly…goes along
Bill does and nothing mystical happens.
Bill: Alright…something’s supposed to happen? You’re supposed to tell me something?
Gerry: relax yourself and give it time. Try it again.
Bill agrees
Gerry sighs and says: Well, maybe you’re not ready yet.
Gerry: You’re a protector. A bodyguard.? I’m a warrior. We’ve each been given different gifts.
Frank (sv): A warrior would explain why he was shot a dozen times or more and is still up and walking around without apparent injury.
Bill: A warrior…well that makes a lot of sense to me.
Gerry: Oh?
Bill: Yes. Let’s say in that different time line, we got a long pretty well. You probably weren’t fooled then either but you made it look good.
Gerry: It’s my job to blend in. Now . let’s get back to what information you want about Sterling.
Bill: How much of what you put in that file is really true? Is there any point in my obtaining it?
Gerry: Which file?
Bill: Have you made a file on Phillip Sterling?
Frank (sv): Private files. We don’t care much what’s in the public ones.
Bill: Perhaps something that you wouldn’t have shared with Peggy?
Gerry: No. I only keep files for accounting purposes. People like to see things like receipts, dates, places, notes, etc. I have no client, therefore, there’s no reason to have a file.
Frank (sv): Let’s get straight to the point then. What can he tell us about what’s really going on? The REAL story, mind you, not what shows up in the papers.
Bill: Ok… please start one. I’d pay for it but you already said that you have no need for my money. I’ll be around to pick it up occasionally.
Gerry sighs: OK, but it’ll be an empty file… for a while anyway.
Frank (sv): Uh, Bill? How about we get some actual information. I don’t give a shit about files. It’s the information I’d like.
Bill: How did you know that he won’t be in the tristate area? What’s he up to? And what is he really up to? What he wants people to believe and otherwise
Gerry: Well, I already answered the first one. He’s dropped his vessel.
Bill (SV): come on…it was a barging! It’s a free file!
Frank (sv): Yeah, and you get what you pay for.
Gerry: What’s he up to? Good question. I think he’s up to violence and death. I think he’s up to getting others to commit violence and death.
Gerry: What does he want others to believe? I don’t think he cares what people think.
Frank (sv): How about why?
Bill: Dropped his vessel? Why is that so important to him? And before I get side tracked, why is he up to violence and death? Why get others to commit them?
Gerry: OK, first the vessel. Because his vessel’s the only way he can be here and interact with others. About why getting other to commit violence, because that’s the way the game is played.
Frank (sv): Bill, can you get him to drop the clever hints please? What the hell is going on? The full story, or as much of it as he’s willing to share.
Bill: Ok…is there a point at which you stop having me prompt you for questions and you just tell me everything about the vessel and how it links to him?
Gerry: yes … and no. There are some things I cannot explain. That’s one of them. Suffice it to say he needs to be “in” his vessel. I suspect he left it and walked out as a cop, because he sure didn’t walk out as a Pagan. He’ll have to construct a new identity and start anew. I won … this round.
Frank (sv): What’s a vessel? What is Sterling?
Bill: So Sterling is a genie? He lives in a vessel and has can change shape? …or there’s more of that stuff you haven’t told me I’d assume. What is he?
Gerry: There’s a lot more I haven’t … and won’t tell you. He’s not a genie. A demon. He can’t change shape, but can assume a vessel. This one was once called Phillip Sterling. As I said before, Sterling’s most likely dead.
Bill: Would that vessel need to be in one location or can it move around? Would it involve black magic? Like say, circles?
Gerry: The vessel looks human in all detectable ways. But it’s not him. He’s different. Like I said, I won’t explain more on it. Black magic’s not necessary or magic circles. Anything you saw would be for a different purpose.
Bill: Dropped his vessel? Why is that so important to him? And before I get side tracked, why is he up to violence and death? Why get others to commit them?
Gerry: OK, first the vessel. Because his vessel’s the only way he can be here and interact with others. About why getting other to commit violence, because that’s the way the game is played.
Bill: How long has the entity that is using Phillip Sterling been up to this sort of nonsense?
GB: Time for such as us is not really a relevant concept. We don’t really live inside of time. It’s more live we live in all times at the same time, yet in every moment we live in that moment.
Bill asks as a follow up question Bill will ask (though he doubts he’ll get an honest answer what abilities does Mr. Butler have
GB: Abilities? Not really. Humans have abilities. We are given gifts. Mine aren’t important now.
Frank (sv): I think we need to all meet as soon as possible. So far Mr. Butler’s given us no reason to believe he has anything other than our best interests in mind. There’s still a possibility that he’s playing us, but if so it will be good to keep him close at hand. … My immediate advice is that if he can tell when you’re lying, don’t lie. That doesn’t mean you have to tell him everything, of course.
Bill: mom…working WITH me? Well, I suppose we have the same goal don’t we? Perhaps we can work together for the moment.
GB: You really want to go after him alone? You think that’s wise?
Bill: um…no. I just said we can work together.
Bill (SV) :alright…do you want him to meet you all or what’s the next move?
GB: So … what, exactly is it we’re working on?
Frank (sv): Yes. Let’s set something up for tonight or tomorrow. We should have a strategy session before we jump in. Help us get our story straight if nothing else.
Bill: Well I suppose we’re going to have to stop Mr. Sterling. How about we discuss this a little later tonight. Are you available?
GB: Stop him from what? We don’t know what he’ll be doing or where he is.
Bill: Well…I might. All will be explained later…if you are available?
Gerry smiles and stands: Yes, right. Why don’t we meet a Tony’s at 8th and Cedar. Is 10:00 PM enough time for you and your team to discuss things.
Frank smiles (sv): Yes, that should be plenty of time.
Bill: Depends…what kind of place is Tony’s?
Frank (sv): Italian. Gotta be Italian.
Gerry: Why? Got a date you don’t want to show around? It’s a place we can talk.
Bill: Just kidding. 10 PM is fine.
Frank: Art, I need you to recon this Tony’s place. Make sure it’s legit. Take whoever you need. We’ll meet as a team when you’re done. How much time you figure you’ll need?
Bill (SV): Depends on how long a medium with pep takes. I volunteer
Art: No more than an hour.
Frank laughs: Fine. Stop for lunch. Make a date of it! Liuhua, we’ll need a room to meet in. Get a few, just in case we need to stay overnight. Take Jessica. Dr. Y and I will watch the building. See if Herr Butler makes an appearance.
Bill: Roger
Tony’s is a small .. guess what Italian restaurant with several large booths that are semi-private
When Frank is alone with Dr. Y, he’ll talk to her privately (not sv). Frank: Tazkira, level with me. What’s your take on this? Sterlling is a demon? So what’s that make Butler? An angel? Or is the other way around? Who do we trust here? Or is it all nonsense?
Dr Y: I think you’re first take is right. Sterling’s clearly not an angel. Butler? I don’t know. He certainly doesn’t seem like a demon and he does seem to be against Sterling. I wonder about Jessica’s comment about why Butler didn’t save that last woman. Maybe we ask him and see what he says.
Frank: Yes. I had forgotten that. Thanks for reminding me. I’ll definitely bring it up. If I don’t, please do it, or remind me. Your call. … I gotta say, my gut says to trust Butler, but my mind says that that’s just what a real demon would make me think. But then again, I’m new to this way of thinking. I’m going to be relying very heavily on you in the near future, I think.
Dr Y: Hah! Like I know what to make of all this? You want I test him with my metaphysical knowledge of the other side?
Frank smiles: Nothing so forward, no. What I mean to say is that you have a theoretical knowledge about this sort of thing that I lack. More resources to draw upon, if not the actual experience. Except for a psychologically distressed mother who felt that guilt was the root of all religious experiences, I didn’t grow up with much in the way of religious eduction.
Dr Y: I will definitely back you up on that one.
*** Time moves on ***
Bill will bring back pizza
Team meeting: After Art sweeps the room for bugs (yeah, right!), Frank sums up the conversation Bill had with Butler, just to recap. He then asks for people’s off the cuff opinion.
Art thinks Gerry’s smoked one too many
Jessica’s skeptical
Dr Y., having felt the blow from Tituba, is supportive
Liuhua’s confused but open
Bill thinks after geting beat twice by the same guy doing things that are just bearly possible, he’s willing to believe it…but hes still holding out that its all rubbish
Frank thanks them all for their honesty. Their positions are clear. He lets them know that he himself, like Jessica, is skeptical, but is also, like Liuhua, open to the possibility. He doesn’t say this to convince anyone – just so they know where he stands. He also tells them that his plan for the evening meeting is to confront Butler with some of the facts they know and the fact that they are having trouble buying his story (not necessarily in that order). He’d like to see if Butler can/will offer anything in the way of proof.
Frank: Ok, next order of business. Art, this may be a set-up. I doubt it, but I don’t want to go in unprepared in case it is. I want you thinking about ways to keep us safe. Be creative.
Art: Best way to beat this is change venue’s at the last minute
Handguns authorized. Frank will opt for a light handgun (model TBD upon arrival). Our destination is Philadelphia (Butler’s office) on 30 May 1977. Since Butler knows Frank, Bill will be the point man on this one. He can feel free to use any information about Sterling that we know to be true. His goal is to find out what Butler knows, suspects, or has heard rumored about Sterling (though obviously he shouldn’t discuss time travel or the Tau or anything like that). Basically anything we can use against him to take him out of the game.
Jessica — 0.38 Special
Bill: 9 mm
Dr. Y. 0.22
Frank: Let’s look for a place to make that happen. Who hasn’t Butler see yet? Liuhua and Dr. Y, I think. … You’ll meet him outside Tony’s. Inform him of our new location. Art, your job is to find a new place for the meeting. Jessica, you’re with Art. Bill, you and I are going shopping. I’l need your “wish list” of handguns, if you’re so inclined. However, and I can’t stress this enough, they are ONLY for self defense. Clear?
Art: 0.38 and a 0.22 Ruger
At the gun shop, Frank will opt for a 0.38 Beretta with a large clip.
Liuhua’s not comfortable going armed
It’s 10:15 and Gerry arrives at the new place …. an oriental restaurant with a semi-private room
Gerry sits and commends you for changing venues
After we get served, Frank slips the waitress $20 and tells her that we don’t want to be disturbed until further notice.
Frank: Thank you. … Frank Giordano. I assume you remember me?
Frank: Allow me to introduce the rest of the team. Bill you know. [He then introduces everyone else.]
