New for 2002: Suggestion Box 2 (Presented in FANAVISION!)

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Wed Dec 26, 2001 1:07 am

(Author's note: this is both a sequel to the "Suggestion Box in Faanfic Form" thread and the "Auxilarated!" threads. Once again, all Faans^2 are encouraged--nay, challenged!--to participate.)It was a dark but stormless night. A thick winter overcast hung over Billberg, having already dumped a blanket of snow on the town. Along the main drag two-lane blacktop to the north of downtown, the Memorial Gardens graveyard lay, now made wholly white like its tombstones of granite by the snowfall. In the center of the range stands a circle of columns around an eternal flame, erected in honor of the fallen defenders of the town in wars past.This night, the graveyard would host visitors.They came by ones.They came by twos.They came by tens.Their hoods covered their heads and faces. Like ghosts, they entered the grounds and took their places about the great circle. They whispered greetings to one another, and when it was determined that all were present and accounted for, their leader spoke."The Fates be with you.""And also with you," the other visitors replied, in unison."In the Great Random, find the Greater Order," the leader said."The Greater Order, we seek and embrace," the congregation replied. "All Hail the 23-sider of Power!""All hail. We are gathered here today, on news that the Great 23-sider of Power has liberated itself from the possession of Agent Jones and the FiB, and thus resumes its quest for a patron. As Brothers of the Dice, we must divine the patron and contact that patron in time for the 23-sider to take possession. To this end, I have invited a guest..."With that, the leader pointed behind the Eternal Flame and two of his minions came upon the scene, leading a man who had been bound, gagged and blindfolded. On the leader's unspoken commands, the minions removed first the gag, then the blindfold.Nodrog said, quite loudly, "What in the name of Campbell gives you the right to--!"The leader said, "We apologize for the unorthodox nature by which we arranged this meeting but it was necessary.""You abducted me from my finals test!" Nodrog stripped off his own bonds and threw them to the snow-covered ground."You passed that course anyway. Our resident hacker has already processed your grades for the term.""Wha?""We will explain that matter later. The more important task at hand is the disposition of the 23-sider. As the preeminent Weird Theorizer of Billberg, we acknowledge your expertise, and propose a partnership.""What could you dice geeks possibly have that I could want?"With that, the leader opened an attache case loaded with $100 bills. He took a wad of the bills and handed it to Nodrog. "Among us are Lords of the Dice, Mister Nodrog. There isn't a craps table in this nation that we don't know about. There isn't one we haven't yet conquered."Nodrog counted the bills in his hand. "Seventeen hundred, eighteen hundred, nineteen hundred, two thousand.""Consider it a downpayment," the leader told him. "The remainder of the money in this case will be payed you when you deliver.""Deliver?""The Ultimate Weird Theory."* * *Meanwhile, at the Billberg Municipal Airport, FPilot was checking the fluid level in a de-icer tanker truck. He heard a screech of tires and on reflex, he looked to see a black sedan break through the chain-link fence gate to the tarmac from the parking lot. The car roared along the taxiways until it finally stopped beside a business jet that had just arrived, its engines still running.FPilot took out his binoculars and looked at the scene. Two small figures, dressed in black, were hustling a third figure--on crutches...curly hair--up the steps into the jet. As soon as all three were aboard, the jet's door closed and the plane taxied to the runway and took off, instantly vanishing into the overcast.FPilot had written down the registration number from the side of the plane on his pocket note pad. Be he had known the jet anyway, he remembered. After all, he had processed its title transfer paperwork...from the ATF to the FiB.[This message has been edited by FrustratedPilot (edited 01-22-2002).]

ElObscuro · Post by **ElObscuro** » Wed Dec 26, 2001 9:53 am

Meanwhile meanwhile, on a dark and lonely highway intersection outside Billberg, A certain obscure personage was having a rather heated discussion with his blushing-bride-to-be/muse. "_How_ did we end up in Virginia again? I took a left at Albequerque jsut like you said..." "I said take a _right_. And whose idea was it to make this trip by car?" "Scott _the_ Obscure, there is no reason _at_ all to take that tone of voice with me!" Her eyes flashed a dangerously solid blue. "Sorry, dear, I just.... Hssst! Methinks dark forces are afoot!" "You don't say," The sarcasm was withering, "And how would you know that?" "Greyhound isn't running tonight." Scott the Obscure, wants in on this <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/wink.gif">

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 10:16 am

At the next intersection, Scott's bride-to-be made a right turn. She said, "There you go, right turn. Are you happy now?"The car came to the entrance of the Billberg Holly Dae Inn, where a sign was posted: Auxil. Skiffy Club Private Party Tonight, Main Ballroom.Scott the Obscure said, "As a matter of fact, I think I am."

Tom the Fanboy · Post by **Tom the Fanboy** » Fri Dec 28, 2001 4:06 am

**OOC: You had me fooled for a second there but I know better than to let a good thing alone.**Tom leaned up against the wall near the plentiful snacks table and sipped his cup of carbonated punch. He was going to go and do karaoke but Nodrog had promised that he'd be there to record it. He'd been working on his Sinatra for the past week so that he could record a version "Under my skin" for Vallie but if Nodrog never showed up with the camera he'd be sunk.Well, I can always do Bohemian Raphsody again.... He thought to himself, reminiscing all the other times he'd sung his karaoke favorite. ..but I was hoping I'd get to try something new. Maybe even a filk!Tom sighed and grabbed a handful of pretzels and slipped them into his shirt pocket as he crossed the floor. Munching one, he approached the game table to see how the players were faring. However the man entering the room caught his attention. Tom didn't recognize him so he decided to go make conversation.If he's one of us I'll have a new friend.... Tom approached the slightly rumpled looking man at the door."Hey there! What brings you to our little party tonight? Old skiffy alumni or are you lost?" Tom did a little head move that he stole from a TV show, a sort of sideways slide that made you look like you were trying to guess the direction the person you were talking to was going to move. It usually came across as curiosity but every now and then a chiropractor would give you his number after seeing it.**Ball's in your court again Scott!**------------------
Tom the Fanboy
http://www.geocities.com/tee-moss[begin Fans! code]
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ElObscuro · Post by **ElObscuro** » Fri Dec 28, 2001 6:25 am

(C'mon, people. Fun as it may be, FP and I can't carry this all by our lonesomes) As Scott and his muse entered the hotel lobby, she gave him a resigned look and said, "Alright, I'll see aobut getting us a room, if you want to play with your friends for a bit." "Thank you, dear, come and get me when you're ready for help with the luggage." "Alright. Gimme kiss." *smootch smootch* And Scott headed for the main ballroom, retreiving three small peices of laminated plastic from his wallet, on the off chance that someone should challenge his credentials. Scott the Obscure, keeping things moving, but not too fast

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Fri Dec 28, 2001 7:21 am

As he drove to the Holly Dae Inn, FPilot heard his car phone ring, so he pulled off the road and answered it:"Hello? Oh yeah, Detective Waltrip. I called you about a disturbance at the Airport tonight. Somebody broke through the security fence."(Pause.)"I suggest you talk to the Airport Authority about that, they've impounded the car. But you see, the people in the car boarded a plane and took off. You might want to alert the other cities about this."(Pause.)"That doesn't sound good. Wasn't he the guy who stole a hoist and..."(Pause.)"Oh yeah. I don't suppose any Federal officials have talked to you about this matter...?"(Pause.)"Well, you have my sympathies. There seems to be a great deal of evil about tonight. I may even get involved in some myself. If you need me, I'll be at the Holly Dae Inn." FPilot hung up, and resumed his drive.* * *Ogres in the boys' room
Ogres in the boys' room
Teacher'll have to go by D&D rules
'Cause everybody knows that
Magic ain't allowed in schools went the next song on stage...

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Fri Dec 28, 2001 9:50 am

ASIDE: Seems that traffic on this board is slow anyway...perhaps it will pick up after the weekend and New Years. Back to the story:In his hangar, FPilot checked his email (after locking up the de-icer truck) and came to the sudden realization that he was missing the party at the Holly Dae Inn. So he put his bomber jacket back on and went out to his trusty Mercury and drove away.* * *Since it was still early, most of the partygoers still hadn't arrived at the ballroom. The largest gathering (it was too small to call it a crowd) was at a table set up for a role-playing game. On the stage, a fellow was filk singing along with the karaoke machine...the tune was some hair-metal band hit. He wasn't singing particularly well: he had a few loyal friends cheering him on but the rest of the room was quite indifferent to him."Gimme the Best of Both Teks..."

EWHPTIV · Post by **EWHPTIV** » Sat Dec 29, 2001 3:34 am

"Are we on time?""I should hope so.""The way you drive, by all rights we'd be a day early."Ted

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Sat Dec 29, 2001 5:35 am

FPilot entered the hotel by its back entrance--and old habit of his. Before he went to the ballroom, he went to the public restroom to wash his hands again (You can't do it too many times before a party he mused). On his way from the restroom to the ballroom, he walked past a broom closet which opened in front of him, seemingly of its own accord. A duffle bag tumbled to the floor--one big enough to stow a video camcorder. In bold letters stitched on was the name NODROG."Hmm! What's this doing here?! I thought he was...he was..." FPilot said to himself.He picked up the bag and ran to the ballroom.* * *Back in the Memorial Gardens, the gathering of Dice Monks had long since broken up. A lone figure, wearing a green and white hooded snowsuit, approached the Eternal Flame and found the rope that Nodrog had left behind.Just after he picked it up, a stiff gust of wind blew down his hood, exposing his bare head and face to the icy air. In haste, he swept the hood back up and then wiped the flakes of snow and frost off his eyeglasses. The instant after, his comlink chimed.He brought it up to his mouth and spoke into it. "I got here a little too late. The Dice Monks have left already. No sign of the Crapshooters. Greg out." [This message has been edited by FrustratedPilot (edited 01-22-2002).]

Pennyangelos · Post by **Pennyangelos** » Sun Dec 30, 2001 11:24 am

(Very well, Ted; if I must, I must.)EWHPTIV chose a hall of the hotel at random, and started down it. He had been wandering the ballroom for about fifteen minutes, and he still hadn't found a conversation he deemed worth breaking into. Besides that, the whole ballroom setting made him a little nervous. It made him think of dancing, which was a Very Bad Thing, even if he was an auxiliary member of his school's premiere dance squadron. So, off he went. He'd only gone a little way when he heard manic laughter coming from a half-closed hotel room. Curious, he peered into the room. Three Fannish faces turned towards him suspiciously. EWHPTIV didn't recognize them, but then, he didn't recognize any of them; he'd only spoken to them online, after all.
"You Skiffy?" asked one of the familiar yet unknown faces.
"You bet I am," said EWHPTIV.
"Then get in here, you've gotta see this!"
Before him was what appeared to be a folding chair, rigged with multi-colored wires which attached to a box with a lever, resembling nothing so much as Wile E. Coyote ACME contraption.
One of the Fans grinned evilly.
"It's a machine that will allow us to transport INTO THE COMIC! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
[This message has been edited by pennyangelos (edited 12-30-2001).]

ElObscuro · Post by **ElObscuro** » Sun Dec 30, 2001 11:29 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Tom the Fanboy:

If he's one of us I'll have a new friend.... Tom approached the slightly rumpled looking man at the door."Hey there! What brings you to our little party tonight? Old skiffy alumni or are you lost?" Tom did a little head move that he stole from a TV show, a sort of sideways slide that made you look like you were trying to guess the direction the person you were talking to was going to move. It usually came across as curiosity but every now and then a chiropractor would give you his number after seeing it.**Ball's in your court again Scott!**<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> "Oh, a little of both. Never actually was in Billberg, but I was in the analogous club at Texas M&A, go Mechs, woop. I'm around virtually sometimes, tho. Scott the Obscure, at your service." Scott the Obscure, outta town

Tom the Fanboy · Post by **Tom the Fanboy** » Sun Dec 30, 2001 11:31 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by ElObscuro:
 "Oh, a little of both. Never actually was in Billberg, but I was in the analogous club at Texas M&A, go Mechs, woop. I'm around virtually sometimes, tho. Scott the Obscure, at your service."
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>*Tom offered Scott his hand and shook Scott's*"Tom! Fanboy number one. *Tom added a wink* Not to be confused with tim ya know."Tom chuckled a bit before continuing."So what brings you to Billberg this time of year?" Tom sipped his punch and munched a pretzel from his shirt pocket.------------------
Tom the Fanboy
http://www.geocities.com/tee-moss[begin Fans! code]
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ElObscuro · Post by **ElObscuro** » Mon Dec 31, 2001 1:29 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Tom the Fanboy:

"So what brings you to Billberg this time of year?" Tom sipped his punch and munched a pretzel from his shirt pocket.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> "Left turn at Albequerque. Then I called Roscoe for directions... Last time we go anywhere cross-country again." Scott has moved over towards the punch bowl and very carefully filled two glasses, drinking out of neither until his ladylove arrives.... "Anyway, this an end-of-the-year thing, or is there something in particular being celebrated?" Scott the Obscure, back in town

Tom the Fanboy · Post by **Tom the Fanboy** » Mon Dec 31, 2001 8:58 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by ElObscuro:
[B"Anyway, this an end-of-the-year thing, or is there something in particular being celebrated?"
[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>"Actually I think it's a sort of post-holiday bash, most of Skiffy scattered for the holidays so this party is pretty much to make up for that. I don't know who got us the ballroom but I ain't complaining."Tom took a sip from his punch and realised he had missed something in the conversation and nodded to Scott's punch."So you said "we got lost", who ya here with?"------------------
Tom the Fanboy
http://www.geocities.com/tee-moss[begin Fans! code]
E(xkodt)M++FF+++A++W+++FCt++(s)Ip20011113f5rKt+cCp- -b+w++Ll++
[end Fans! code]

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Wed Jan 02, 2002 11:01 am

FPilot rushed into the ballroom, carrying Nodrog's bag. "HEY! Sorry about this, but has ANYBODY seen Nodrog tonight? I think this is very important..."{OOC: This story's continuity is practically the same one as Fans! itself, in that Fans! characters have appeared in guest cameos or likable fashions. For the sake of argument, this story happens between "New Faces" and "Thrown Switch"...or maybe after "Thrown Switch". I'm easy. Anyway, don't be too surprised if a Fans! character (or a character from another webcomic or two) appears! FP}

* * *Outside the hotel, four men in charcoal-gray clothing stood in the shadow of the loading bay for the kitchen supplies. They were met by the fifth one of their group--"Our target is in the room at the end of the east wing, first level," he told them."Not the ballroom?" another man asked."They moved it from there.""Load and lock, boys," their leader said. With that, they checked the ammo in their weapons and covered their faces with ski masks.In the ballroom, somebody was singing:
Cuddle up baby
Cuddle up tight
Cuddle up baby
Keep it all out of sight
Undercover
Keep it all out of sight
Undercover
Undercover
Undercover of the Night...[This message has been edited by FrustratedPilot (edited 01-22-2002).]

ElObscuro · Post by **ElObscuro** » Wed Jan 02, 2002 11:58 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Tom the Fanboy:
Tom took a sip from his punch and realised he had missed something in the conversation and nodded to Scott's punch."So you said "we got lost", who ya here with?"
[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> "My ever-lovin' betrothed and muse, who I now see gesturing to me that she's secured us a room and it's time for me to get out in the cold and bring our luggage in. Excuse me a moment?" And Scott walked to the door, handing his punch to a perfectly nice-looking young lady on whose lovely face there was a look of great patience being tested... Scott the Obscure, will be back soon

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 5:53 am

Since the latest singer on stage had finished, FPilot went to the mike, took it, and said, "I say again, HAS ANYBODY SEEN NODROG?" The crowd stared back at him, silent. FPilot waited a moment in silence, in case somebody said something. But nobody said anything. "Sorry for the interruption, Skifflers." He put the mike back on its stand, hid the bag behind the stage curtain and followed Scott out the door of the ballroom.* * *Ted heard the suite door behind him being kicked in and then turned around--to see a trio of men in gray wearing ski masks and pointing strange-looking guns at him and the other Skifflers in the room.The first intruder said, "Are you having fun yet?"(OOC: Let's get this going again, please?)

ElObscuro · Post by **ElObscuro** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 9:26 am

FPilot catches sight of Scott carrying at least two very heavy-looking peices of luggage to the elevator, muttering, "Damn high-floor vacancies only..." Scott the Obscure, helping kick the thread along

FrustratedPilot · Post by **FrustratedPilot** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 9:33 am

FPilot looked at Scott a moment. He thought:If Nodrog is in trouble, I should probably go out and look for him. But just the same, Mr. Waltrip might be on his way here looking for me. I guess I'd better stay in the building.So he told Scott: "Hold up there a moment..." and went to the somewhat hidden alcove where the bellhops (who only worked weekends) kept their luggage carts. One was there and FPilot grabbed it and wheeled it to where Scott was. In short order, they loaded the cart and got it into an elevator.

ElObscuro · Post by **ElObscuro** » Wed Jan 09, 2002 11:20 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by FrustratedPilot:
In short order, they loaded the cart and got it into an elevator.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> "Much thanks. By the way, I'm Scott, whome men call Obscure." "I've heard of Nodrog, naturally, but never met him in the flesh. I think. Certainly not tonight, all teh highway intersections round here are lonely ones, for some reason. But my Sense of Forboding(tm pending) has kicked in..." At the proper floor, Scott thanks FPilot once again, and wrestles the cart to his room, where he begins to unpack, then heads back down th help his betrothed finish her punch... Scott the Obscure, on an improper floor