Case No. 26
CAFE & DINER FIRST CAFE · LONG BEACH, CA · WITH OPEN DOORS
RECEIPT #001
FILED UNDER: DINER-SKWC
DATE: 0E/09/95
THE OWNER
I wasn't expecting that to happen.
Three local kids came into the physical location at around 4 P.M. today, two girls and one boy. All looked to be about the same age, 15-17 or so. They sat down at the counter and asked for coffee. Black.
Thankfully I had just purchased some instant coffee, or else our little ruse would have been sniffed out rather quickly. In fairness, we should keep real coffee on hand should other tourists feel the need to come into the store. However, I have no idea how they managed to find us or why these three inconspicuous kids wanted just standard diner coffee served black. Not really my go-to after-school snack.
I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, of course. Using regular children… It doesn't seem like something Padre would do… no, if they were churchgoers, we'd know. We'd know fast. And they didn't ask for salt and pepper, either. I know Astrid is "young," but these three didn't give off the same "aura" that she gives off. The strangest thing was the boy. He seemed to be expecting something more than the cheap coffee I handed him. There was a look in his eyes that he knew more than the others did. Ah, speaking of eyes, the red-headed girl had the most peculiar eyes-Canadian eyes. Perhaps that's why they came in? For some direct service?
All in all, though, we made 3 dollars. Good to see we're starting to turn a profit, eh?
Caffeinated Report:C-COS02
"An eyebar for an eyebar makes the whole world Ag-maurotic."
Research | 2 Words
RECEIPT #003
FILED UNDER: DINER-COS
DATE: 0E/11/95
EMPLOYEE #17
I have a smaller update in regard to yesterday's receipt. Sources very close to Padre's church have informed me that he has brought along three Canadians to Long Beach. All of them, Mrs. We know about Mrs. Pleasant, but the other two remain unknown at this time. My source said what they could on the matter and nothing more, but still, I was able to draw some interesting conclusions. Here is exactly what my source relayed to me
"[Padre] is in your neck of the woods, huh? Ah, that can't be good. Every time he goes [out of Ottawa], it's bad news. You aren't recording this on your little BaristaTech thing, are you? Ah, who am I kidding? Of course, you are, [17]. I trust you'll, you know, edit it up a bit. And as always, leave my name out of it. I can't be seen working with you, and you can't be seen working with me. Anyway, I did hear some rumblings about [Padre] coming your way. I can't say what for, but I can say he brought three associates: two Haunts and a Scream. None of them owe him anything, 'cept for one of 'em, but he's already indebted to mister tall, dark, and handsome. If I had to guess, he's only on-board only 'cause [Padre] wants his servant's unique talents. And you know, quid pro quo, I'll scratch your back, and you'll scratch mine. Now, as for the other one, well, you know him and already know he's in on this, right? [Mrs. Pleasant]. Scary, weird guy. Blooded. Not sure why he's working for the big man. It could just be a loyalty thing, I suppose. But ah, there's something about those three all working together. I don't know if I can give you all the details but let's just say, [Padre] has two books. And their names are in his other one now."
So, take what you will of that. My source is mostly reliable, but then again, he would have his reasons for lying to me as well. It would seem that if there are truly three customers working for Padre, they were chosen for a specific reason. A reason that lies within his "other" book. I know someone who knows a lot about Padre's various written works, but unfortunately, it will take time to get in touch with them. Also, "other" books are vague, seeing as Padre has written his fair share of notable books. In any case, I'll continue to ask around per usual.
Caffeinated Report: C-WFS01
"Anti-ant and pre-pen."
Research | 1 Word
RECEIPT #002
FILED UNDER: DINER-WFS
DATE: 0E/13/95
EMPLOYEE #71
My suspicions paid off. I waited for the Owner to inevitably fall asleep at their desk, and lo and behold, our unknown entity made their presence known. Mrs. Umbra came into the Cafe just as the Owner fell asleep. I didn't interfere with her visit as I thought it would be rude.
From what I could see, she approached the Owner while he was asleep. He must have been deep in slumber because he could not move once she was in the room with him. Once again, whispers could be heard flooding the Cafe, and I was able to record them this time; however, they require some degree of translation. The CaDCom was unable to pick up the whispers consistently. I received outputs including:
"Gisgnagraphdongraphgonfamdruxmedvehnavandonvehna."
"Tnachgrauphargrauphaisdoruxocnachurcnach."
"Tnaearisnachcnachurck."
"ERROR UNABLE TO TRANSLATE. PLEASE SPEAK SLOWER OR HAVE YOUR CUSTOMER SPEAK SLOWER."
For some reason, it triggered the CaDCom's translation feature more than once, but it was unable to yield anything of value. For now, anyway. Once I do figure it out, I'll have whatever language it was added to the next iteration of the CaDCom. For now, it would seem Mrs. Umbra has left, and the Owner is fine. I'll be conducting a few tests to ensure that his condition has not worsened from this experience and to see if he recalls any of the experience.
Caffeinated Report: C-WFS03
"Translation Request Approved!"
Reference | Cipher | 4 Words