Case No. 40
CAFE & DINER FIRST CAFE · LONG BEACH, CA · WITH OPEN DOORS
RECEIPT #003
FILED UNDER: DINER-DIS
DATE: 09/13/95
EMPLOYEE #71
I saw something... interesting in the paper this morning. A column by Peter H. King, "The Four Horsemen Unhorsed." He opens with, "something strange is afoot in California. Nobody wants to talk about it. Nobody wants even to think about it." King speaks of a strange calm that has claimed the state following the various disasters of prior years. Floods, fires, quakes, the usual calamities. Normally I am not one to take much stock in the papers, especially seeing how that sausage is made, but I still can't help but feel this unnatural calm myself. Then, it hit me. It isn't just calm in California. It's downright pleasant.
When we think of our lovely customer Mrs. Pleasant many remark on her rather off-putting stare, but we often forget her other, shall we say, "charm." She brings with her an eerie and unnatural calm before the storm. Like a spider injecting venom to soothe its meal, it makes us far too complacent for what is undeniably coming next. Where there is Mrs. Pleasant, there is sure to follow a disaster. Perhaps her midnight walks have served as a way for her to calm the air a bit. But why? What is she planning to order? And can we be the ones to fill it?
...
Or, perhaps, everything is alright after all. Besides, we have greater things to worry about than Mrs. Pleasant. She is only a Mrs., after all. Perhaps it was all just in my head. There is no calm in chaos, after all. Perhaps we should just relax for once and take a second to actually enjoy the coffee before it goes cold.
Cold. Huh. I feel like I'm forgetting something. Something important…
RECEIPT #003
FILED UNDER: DINER-CIC
DATE: 09/14/95
EMPLOYEE #17
Nice to be out of the Cafe for once. Not to mention, it gives me a chance to ask around for our missing Mr. Gray in a new setting. However, the disappearance of our Patron comes first and foremost, for without our Patrons, who would we peddle our coffee to? If you aren't fully caught up in our CIC-affairs, the brief version of it is: Mrs. Xulfa, a new customer possibly, seems to have scared away one of our longtime Patrons here in Buckeye. We aren't sure if our Patron was merely scared away or scared down south. We hope he was only scared away, but it looks like he packed his bags for an extended trip.
Looking around, there's really not much to see in a very literal sense. No traces left behind of our Patron or Mrs. Xulfa. We've examined the left behind note, although, upon closer examination, it seems fairly unremarkable. Laser printed size 12 font. The only thing that is off about this scene, in general, is a few knocked-over books and an unplugged computer. Also, there seems to be a faint metallic sheen on a few surfaces, which points towards Mrs. Xulfa placing her order in person and scaring away our Patron face-to-face.
As you all expect me to do, I've also been asking around, and it seems we've got friends visiting too. There might not be many mountains here in Buckeye, but it sure seems like we've got a whole mountain range closing in on us. Well, not us specifically. Our Patron or what he left behind. Not sure if the Pep-squad knows we're here too. Probably a good idea to get out of here before they notice us. We've already got the bean-team trying to get our goat, again in a very literal sense, no reason to kick the hornet's neSt as well. We're going to get out of here as soon as we can, and we're going to leave the note where it was found for the Shakers. There is the possibility that this is something we'll just toss over our shoulder anyway. Then again, our Patron reached out to us before he ran away, so we had better help find him. Cafe's honor and all that.
Caffeinated Report:C-BBVR04
"My dear Sophia, remember to be calm, be loving-unto-men, be gentle, be peaceful, be... CCXVII-G.R.S."
Apocrypha Trivia | 1 Word
Caffeinated Report: C-CIC04
"Regally flying rank and file"
Research | 2 Words
RECEIPT #002
FILED UNDER: DINER-ASG
DATE: 09/17/95
EMPLOYEE #17
I received some intel from one of my contacts in LA on the 15th about the whereabouts of our elusive Mr. Gray. It's either very lucky he's already in our backyard or very suspicious. Then again, LA is the third most popular tourist destination, following Palm Beach and West Virginia, so it's really not that unusual, I suppose. In any case, I'm on my way back to LA as I type.
Mr. Gray has been seen hanging around a club in LA, something called "The Diamond Club." While I might be well-connected, I know next to nothing about the youth scene in LA. Apparently, there is an event on Thursdays called "Perversion" that Gray has frequently attended in the past weeks. I think our best chance to bump into him would be there. Although I fear I would be significantly out of my depth in that environment.
This brings me to my plan. Out of our entire organization, I can only think of two who would stand even a chance of fitting in. 53 and 1313. Of course, there is the minor issue of 1313's age, but that can be sorted with a fake ID. Coincidentally, also a specialty of 53. He's also been seen at events such as "Helter Skelter," but I feel we should focus our efforts towards one event. Not to mention, we'll need time to prepare for our sit-down with him. I wouldn't consider him dangerous, but he is rather sly. I'll have 71 start working on a few napkin sketches outside of the Diamond Club to keep him here.
In the meantime, 53 should start working on 1313's TEMPORARY fake ID. If her father, well no, if her mother found out I gave her a fake ID, I wouldn't be able to guarantee any of our safety. It'd also be a wise idea to scout ahead to the Diamond Club and see if they have any unwanted artwork around. I wouldn't want Mr. Gray to get distracted by a lovely painting while we try to sell him on some hot coffee.
Caffeinated Report: C-CIC05
"Out in NJ: 1993 - x = 189"
Reference | 1 Word