Wonderland: Rise of the Jack (IC)

[Zigwat]

(Player slots are hereby closed! To discuss a new Game thread please speak with us at This thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218833) and we'll sort you out)

Chess Board Zero

"Welcome to Wonder Jack Casino's opening night! We are proud to present over a hundred tables, six hundred slot machines, three fully stocked bars, and many more wonders for your gaming pleasures! With all of these dreams and prizes far beyond belief, it's no wonder without Wonder Jack!" The giant voice shouted through out the street in that huge city of Bradford, England in 1899. The casino was filled with lights, music, and eye candy on every inch of the gigantic structure.

On the gaming floor, it was pure pandemonium and chaos with every blackjack and poker table almost filled to the very brim. Within seconds fortunes were gained and lost with the flip of one card, or the turn of a crank. Waitresses served free non-alcoholic beverages; they were clad in the least amount of clothing that they could possibly pass off as legal.

Among all of the colorful lights and raging crowds hungering for money, as an old man who sat in his office chair, watching with his cane planted at his side. He was dressed in a black tux with a blue dress shirt underneath his jacket. His sunglasses hid his eyes as they gazed out the window. Even with his casino taking off with an opening night that far exceeded expectations, he did not seem the least bit impressed. In fact his finger still tapped the handle of his cane as if he were waiting. Still he waited with anxiety that was very palpable. Soon, very soon, but for now, he waited.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

A rather tall young woman with dirty blond hair and large brown eyes comes sauntering down the street. She looks well-bred and expensive, and is wearing multiple pieces of exotic jewellery. She stops and looks at the casino with interest ... and grins.

[Vixsor Lumin]

A tall, dark haired, muscular man walks in carrying a suitcase. He looks around the casino with a huge grin on his face. Feeling in the mood for a test of fate, he walks over to a roullete table and plops down in a seat.

[Lady Serpentine]

A pretty young woman, with short black hair, standing so that a slot machine and the flow of people hid her from casual view, smiled, patting the hidden pocket she'd sewn into the front of her dress, to make sure none of its contents were showing, watching the dark-haired newcomer's path closely.

And, once he sat down at the roulette table, and she was sure he really was a gambler, and probably rich, her smile widened, and she stepped out of her relative concealment, mingling with the crowd of people, so that she was able to detach from the current next to him, looking just like any other patron of the casino - Anrielle was worthless as a gambler, and she knew it, but she was equally aware that she had a nice face and a way with people, and she was sure that she could, if nothing else, convince him to use a bit of her money in a bet, with a promise to repay what she'd lent him, and a bit of the profit on it; probably she'd actually be able to get him to give her some of his money as a gift, or, if nothing else, an effective, though not technical, payment, one of the risks of playing on her looks being that someone would like them more than she'd hoped. But at least if that did happen, she'd picked someone reasonably good-looking, so as long as he wasn't completely horrible in terms of personality, it would at least be a tolerable prospect.

"Hello," she said softly, extending a hand to the man, once he'd made a bet and the wheel was spinning, so that there was no chance of being blamed as a distraction if he lost, all of his active parts, for now, having already been completed. "Anrielle Hunter. You?"

[Vixsor Lumin]

Taking out half of his money from his wallet, he turns to the man running the table. "You know how they say always bet on black? Well tonight is a ngiht for breaking old trends, ! I want all this on red 7." he says and laughs. After he places his bet and the wheel starts spinning, a gorgeous woman walks up to him. Taking her offered hand, he stands and offers her his seat. "A pleasure ma'am, my names Tony Virmire." he says in a light New York accent.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

Catherine strolls in, and immediately stops in her tracks. All the lights and voices and sights and smells are - for a moment - too much. She shakes herself out of her stunned daze, and approaches the bar.

[Lady Serpentine]

"It's nice to meet you, too, Tony," the woman replied in a moderate British accent, with a hint of Scottish in it, gratefully accepting the offered seat. It may put her in a bit of a weak position, but that could be used too, and her feet hurt. "What is it that brings you here?"

[Vixsor Lumin]

"Oh nothin much, just here to see the sights." he said making a point of looking her in the eye. Then he asks, "What about you? A pretty girl like you can't be here all alone, right?"

[Vixsor Lumin]

"Oh nothin much, just here to see the sights." he said making a point of looking her in the eye. Then he asks, "What about you? A pretty girl like you can't be here all alone, right?"

[Pokonic]

A child that could have been anywere from thirteen to seventeen manages to walk in with the rest of the crowd. Pulling his shapeless grey hat on his head down on his face, he scans the room for weak-willed rich twits with cash. Sure, being with a group that is older that he is is hardly his sort of modus operendi (he prided himself on his vocabulary), but the fact is that few of the people here realy paid much attention to there purses. He blinked his brown eyes once and smiled.

Ah, yes, the faint-looking one near the opening who has no idea what she is doing! Walking over to the girl-women ( he realy could not tell if she was nearer to his age or to the older men around) he comes near the bar and takes a seat, all while attempting to exaggerate the muscles that made him look older than he realy was. He waited for the girl to get out of her daze and take a seat, for the only ones open where the ones near him.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

The tall young woman takes a seat at the bar and orders a vodka. After all, she came to the city to try new things. She is revolted by the first sip, but soon gets used to it, and slowly empties her drink while looking around for something interesting.

[Pokonic]

Err, miss? It seems that your downing that stuff fast. Are you alright? He was honastly rather surpised by this. After all, if the girl had problems or needed something, this could turn from a attempted robbery to a buiness negotiation quickly.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

Catherine turns to look at him. He doesn't look well-bred, which initially invokes suspicion.

"I'm just fine," she says. "Aren't you a bit young to be in here?"

[Pokonic]

Heh, me? Nah, legal age and everything. Actualy, it was just that you seem quite young to be drinking such a strong drink, and from where I am from a young women drinking heavly, alown, is never a good thing.

Seeing her hard stare at his rather sad choice of clothing, he nods, laughs a bit, and says " To be fair, I suppose that I could have worn something better than my old hat and this tattered jacket, but it's the warmest thing I own. It's cold outside, and I walked here."

[Lady Serpentine]

"Oh nothin much, just here to see the sights." he said making a point of looking her in the eye. Then he asks, "What about you? A pretty girl like you can't be here all alone, right?"

"Oh? And why not?", she asked, looking straight back at him, gaze not wavering from his eyes for a moment. "I can take care of myself, after all, and not being committed to anyone when I arrive means I have a lot more choice in things now that I'm here."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Shocked by her intensity, Tony reasses his initial judgement of her. "Would you care to get a drink with me?" he asks, walking away from the table before the ball stopped.

[Lady Serpentine]

She grinned, standing from her seat at the table, and starting to follow him off to wherever it was he was going, though, as he'd mentioned a drink, she assumed the bar was their goal.

"Certainly. Though perhaps we should wait a moment on doing so? I doubt anyone is going to try tracking you down to give you your money if you win, after all..."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Pausing he stops and thinks for a second. "Hmm... well your right they probably won't." he says with a laugh then adds, "Tell you what. If you'd prefer you can wait and collect any winnings, ill have a drink waiting for you at the bar." he says with a wink and walks away.

[Zigwat]

"Right! Red seven it is then!" The man exchanged Tony's coin for some gambling chips. With the game set up along with nine other people. With all of the wagers put down, the clerk put the ball on the roulette roller and around it spun. "Alright, the bets are placed and we're ready to go! Good luck to you all, and lets all have a ball." Round and around it spun, and soon the ball came to a stop, it took a moment to slow down to where the clerk could see it, but as he did, he called out a number.

"Black 28!" He shouted, "We have no winner, sorry folks." He collected the tokens but gave them back to whoever bet on the color black. "Place your bets folks, place your bets."

Meanwhile, at the bar, while the young lady and the boy talked, the security took notice of the boy who probably didn't belong. It wasn't long that a security guard found his way to him.

"Excuse me! Young man, I do believe you have a card that you need to have in order to take part in this casino's opening night, might I see yours?" He said, and made sure the boy got a glance at his night stick in which he used to beat upon ne'er-do-wells.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" The giant voice said from all of the brass horns in the walls. "Wonder Jack is proud to present our main event for the evening! The challenger, Tony Virmire is set up to face off with our Heavy Weight Champion boxer, Kenneth Squire Junior! All in attendance please make your way toward the center ring located in the east side of the casino, and all staff involved with the fight please get to your posts!"

The old man's hand was now grinding on his cane with excitement. The time was very close, and the night was getting ready to sing a song that brought the world's true fate upon it. Was he dressed properly? Was he ready to meet the real world in this state? Was he too old? None of that should have mattered at that point, if he wasn't ready then than he never would be. It was getting so close, he could taste it.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

"Ooooohhhhh ... that sounds fun!" Catherine says. She downs the last of her vodka and gets to her feet, before approaching the centre ring.

[Pokonic]

Err.... The night stick was a bit too big for his tastes, and the last thing he needed was a bump on the head. He looked at his pockets, trying to remember what stuff his friends planned out... wait. Crap. He looked around for his fellows, and could only see a single other grey-capped kid, and he was careful in not paying attention to the guard while his hand was slinking into a fat ladies purse. He actualy, to the guards surprise, walked up and pointed to the other grey-capped person in the crowd. Sorry, Tom. Your going to take the fall for this one.

"Good sir, my ID was taken from me a few moments ago by the man right there, yes, the one right there with his hands in her purse!"

He looked in the direction of the girl. Brat never even looked at his face after she downed her vodka. If he makes it out of this, she is going to loose some of the change in her purse, without a doubt.

[Lady Serpentine]

Pausing he stops and thinks for a second. "Hmm... well your right they probably won't." he says with a laugh then adds, "Tell you what. If you'd prefer you can wait and collect any winnings, ill have a drink waiting for you at the bar." he says with a wink and walks away.

"It's not my money, Tony," Anrielle replied with a laugh, continuing after him. "You want to lose it, that's your business."

Of course, just as they arrived, she found that she likely wasn't going to have time for a drink after all...



"Ladies and gentlemen!" The giant voice said from all of the brass horns in the walls. "Wonder Jack is proud to present our main event for the evening! The challenger, Tony Virmire is set up to face off with our Heavy Weight Champion boxer, Kenneth Squire Junior! All in attendance please make your way toward the center ring located in the east side of the casino, and all staff involved with the fight please get to your posts!"

The old man's hand was now grinding on his cane with excitement. The time was very close, and the night was getting ready to sing a song that brought the world's true fate upon it. Was he dressed properly? Was he ready to meet the real world in this state? Was he too old? None of that should have mattered at that point, if he wasn't ready then than he never would be. It was getting so close, he could taste it.

"You know, you didn't tell me you were going to be called off just as we got to the bar. But anyway, I'm assuming you'd say to bet on you in this fight? Considering you're challenging him and all, obviously you're fairly sure you can win..."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Pulling out his pocket watch Tony checked the time. Damn. I thought I had a little more time. Calling back over his shoulder he said,"It seems that our drink will have to wait until after the fight Ms. Hunter." Then he took a light jog into the lockers to get ready for the fight.

[Zigwat]

The lights came on all around the boxing ring, and as the stage hands readied the outside seats, the ushers showed the spectators to their proper arrangements. Above them all, the old man arose from his study, accompanied by his two young lady servants. He had no great entrance, nor was he announced. His boredom was quite present in his expression, obviously not interested in brutal, physical sports.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen!" A very well dressed, top-hat man stood in the center of the ring. "Please be patient as our contenders ready themselves for their glorious battle for the title of International Heavy Weight Champion! Until then, we present to you our pre-show delight, that wonderful, light-hearted joy, Smiley the Clown!" The band began to play cheerful clown music as their face-painted entertainment came out in an aristocratic, purple outfit with a white wig, with a big-red smile make-up along with the glittery white clown paint framing it.

"Hiya folks! Bummy good weather we're have-" He was interrupted by a bucket of water splashing onto him. "Oh! Bloody hell!" Much to the laughter of others around him. He honked a horn hooked up to his purple coat on his chest and laughed along with them.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony stood in the locker room, shirtless and wearing his custom shorts. His trainer had just finished lacing his gloves and was now rubbing lard onto his face. "I don't see why you have to do this." Tony complained. "This will help the punches slide off." His trainer said. When his trainer finished rubbing the foul stuff on him, he began warming up. He ran in place and began shadow boxing. He made his way out of the room and down the hall. He felt adrenaline begin pumping through his body. I'm actually nervous! he thought amazed, then he smiled and continued shadow boxing. Good. It'll keep me focused. hearing the sounds of the crowd and the band made him more nervous and excited. His corner crew opened the doors for him and he walked steadily towards the ring. He tried to catch a look at the Champion as he climed through the ropes.

[Iethloc]

It was time for Corwin to shine...as much as an usher could shine. Today, he had to keep the crowd from getting too close to the boxing arena, and generally make sure there wasn't any chaos that wasn't part of the show. He didn't actually have any formal combat training, but Corwin was tall, looked strong and could resist being pushed over, and that was enough. At least he got to watch the match for free.

No one rushed the visiting boxer as he emerged from his locker room, so Corwin jogged over to the Champion's room. "Hurry up, the other guy's ready!" he almost shouted at the crew, grabbing one of the locker room's double doors and pulling it open...

[Zigwat]

After the clown's small performance it was time for the evening's entree of entertainment.

"And now, lady's and gentlemen! Wonder Jack's casino is proud to present our evening's main event!" The announcer said from the center of the ring in the loudest voice he could. As he did, Tony came into the ring, much to the crowd's delight, as did the Champion himself, making his way through the crowd with the help of the ushers clearing his path.

"In the red corner! All the way from New York, USA! Tony Virmire!" The crowd gave a great cheer, allowing Tony time to gain his thoughts and guts.

"And in the blue corner!" He said as the massive man climbed through the ropes and took off his red and white robe. "Born and raised in the great city of London! The Crasher Disaster! Kenneth Squire Jr!" The crowd gave their applause once more and the referee motioned them both into the center of the ring.

"Alright, lads! I want this fight by the books! No punching below the belt, no neck shots, no unnecessary taunting, and no hitting after the round's ended. If you both understand, bump gloves and lets have a good fight!"

Kenneth, showing his respect, held out both of his gloves to Tony to bump, and the bell sounded, signalling the first round.

Meanwhile, outside of all of the excitement, an old bloke stood behind the young Corwin and smiled, "Good day my dear boy!" He took off his bowler hat as a greeting. "Always had respect for a hard working lad. Here you are." He said and held up a rather large coin and gave it to him.

Upon inspection of the coin, it was a bit larger and much thicker than a fifty-cent piece we would know today. On the coin it had a single rose with a blood drop hanging from one of the thorns. On the other side, it simply had a heart much like one from a deck of playing cards. It looked to be made of a metal that resembled silver, but not the least bit tarnished.

Had Corwin thought to thank the old man, he couldn't. The old man was gone without a single trace.

The coin was the exact shape of the coin slot on the extremely large slot machine that several workers set up in the main lobby. Mr. Jack Winston himself had it custom made and set up piece by piece to be the most beautiful slot machine there ever was. It was eight feet tall, and covered in marble and fine white gold. The coin slot was far too large to accept any normal coins. But if Corwin wanted to get to it, he was going to either wait for his break or get by the very large supervisor waiting by the lobby entrance.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony nodded to Kenneth and touched his gloves to the Champs. He backed into his corner not taking his eyes off of his opponent. As soon as the bell rang he came out swinging. He charged towards the Champ and lead with a huge right hook, hoping to catch him on the jaw before he was expecting it.

[Vixsor Lumin]

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The plus 2 is from my perk

YES!!!! I hit the S.O.B! First roll of a new system is a success!!!!

[Vixsor Lumin]

rerolling attack
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[Vixsor Lumin]

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[Zigwat]

Kenneth grunted as two or three hits came through his defensive stance and jabbed him in the face with a glancing blow, the other two socked his chest. Kenneth then knew that this wasn't going to be just a pushover match-up. He swung into action and started things off, dashing into a frontal assault. Ken swung his arms, going for one right hook straight for his ribs, and the next attack going into his chin, but glancing off with the lard covering it.

Kenneth then backed off, he readied his defensive stance in preparation for Tony's next move.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Encouraged by the way the fight was going so far, Tony pressed his attack. However in the back of his mind a small doubt began wriggling through his confidence. He just brushed off a combo that would've flattened most men. he tried to shake the thought from his mind as he stepped forward to try to and work his body and lower his guard.

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[Vixsor Lumin]

rolling extra crits [roll0]
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[Zigwat]

Something went wrong, Kenneth zigged when he should have zagged and punches came pouring into his abs and lower chest. He struggled to gain his bearing back but the damage it did was something he could not ignore. Time was running out fast, if he didn't come up with some serious moves quick, he was going to lose the belt.

He retaliated as fast as he could with a few good jabs straight upward toward Tony's head. With a right-hook, Kenneth hoped to at least knock him off balance for a split second, that would have been all he needed. The pain in this mid-section, though, was going to slow him down.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Having slowed and winded Kenneth, Tony stepped up into his guard and tried to work him into a corner. He ground out a few quick jabs and tried to uppercut him into oblivion.


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[Vixsor Lumin]

crit rolls and fixing the botched roll
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[Iethloc]

Corwin was happy to accept the tip, and nodded at the old man as he handed it over. He was a little weirded out by the man's sudden disappearance after looking back up from the coin, but he pocketed it anyway. It didn't look like the other coins he's seen in his time in the city.

The slot machine could wait until he could take his break at the end of the match, not that he was actually interested in the fight. Instead, Cowin leaned against the wall, vaguely keeping an eye on everything, and let his mind wander.

[Zigwat]

Kenneth's chin felt a gigantic crunch. The uppercut knocked him for a wallop, his teeth clicked together, and he even tasted blood in his mouth. His ears were ringing and his head felt dreadfully wretched. He could barely find the strength to stand, let alone start another barrage of punches. All he could do is stumble backward, and hang on the corner.

The referee came to him and examined his face. With a signal to the bell, two rings ended the match.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! By way of disqualification, here's your new champion! Tony Virmire!" The referee grabbed onto his hand and raised it, victorious! The crowd gave a roar of applause.

Kenneth was escorted from the ring, a bloody mess.

"Alright, folks! That's all there is for the main event but there's still plenty of fun planned for you tonight! This night isn't going to stop until everyone's had their fill! Make your way to the lobby as our next show gets ready for your entertainment! Once again thank you for having fun with Wonder Jack."

The old man rose from his seat, frowning. His patience was withering, and there was no sign of the key. What could be taking it so long, he wondered?

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony stood in a daze, his gloved fist held up by the ref. He looked around at the cheering crowd and realized it was over. He could tell that the throbbing in his face would definitely bruise but other than that he was fine. As he stepped over to his corner to hug his trainer and crew he felt an amazing sense of relief. I did it... he thought incredulously, I actually did it!

The weight of the moment finally hit him and he wobbeled on his feet, light headed from euphoria. "Do you think he's alright?" he asked his trainer before he was whisked away to claim his belt.

[Zigwat]

"Hey! Don't get caught up in the old champion!" Tony's trainer helped him across the arena floor, keeping the crowd away from him. They worked their way to the locker room along with the paramedic close at hand, who was examining Tony's facial lacerations. "That's right, Mr. Champion! No need to worry, because the only thing you need to worry about is getting out there and getting that belt! Haha! We're gonna get so drunk tonight and I'm gonna bag me an English chick!"

"Alright, you look good enough for the camera, champ!" The medic said as he put the finishing touches on Tony's face.

"Yeah! Let's get going! Get that belt! Get that belt! Get that belt! WHOO!" He chanted as they started down the hallway toward the ring where the ceremony was being held.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony laughed with his trainer and followed him saying, "Well while your chasing some skirt, I'm gonna go bet the farm and meet some people." He followed him out to the ring still in a daze.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

If not for the high-percentage-label vodka, Catherine would have been shocked by the display of violence. However, she instead watches gleefully, occasionally clapping and squealing with joy.

After the match, she heads off to the bar to order a few more drinks before plunging into the slot-machine section.

[Iethloc]

With the fight over, Corwin got back on his feet and walked over to his supervisor. ”I'm taking my break now,” he said and took off his name tag. He walked over to the odd, oversized slot machine, and pulled out the similarly odd and oversized coin. Thus whole thing seemed really odd to him...but then, what did he have to lose? He doubted anyone would accept the coin as legal tender, and it's not like he paid any real money for it. He could win something here, or at least make a good show!

Corwin carefully placed the coin in the slot and pulled the lever, having little idea what to expect...

[Zigwat]

The lever did not stop, its lever turned like a crank, and then clicked as it reached the bottom.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Here's your winner, and new boxing champion! Tony Virmire!" A rather large crowd was there, along with the press who finally finished setting up their two cameras and writing in their notepads. They began to ask him questions at a frantic rate, but then were silenced as he was escorted to the stage.

Click... 90 degrees...

A lovely lady came out with the glinting, beautiful title belt, embellished in gold and black leather with the world map in the middle and "Heavyweight Champion" glistening on the outer circle. She smiled and handed it to the new champion, even giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Congratulations."

Roy the trainer couldn't help but stare at her ass as she walked off. But that didn't matter, he showcased the belt with Tony with it. "Come on folks! Give him a round of applause!" This caused the crowd to clap again.

Click... 180 degrees...

Soon the press began to ask questions frantically again. Even when Roy tried to hush them up, they kept going. In fact, as anyone would surely listen in, they weren't even making sense. It was just mindless rabble and no one was even talking in any sort of language. They stood there, frozen, and kept babbling.


Click... 270 degrees...

Two big, red eyes glowed from the top of the slot machine, and they glared down at Corwin. There was a moment of silence as the lever continued to turn.

"How is a raven like a writing desk..." A deep, vibrant voice belched from inside the machine, and the front loosened. Shaking, it began to move forward some. Then, out of nowhere, Smiley the clown's face was mere inches away from the side of Corwin's face. He said nothing, but his frown said much. On his other side, suddenly, Corwin's manager burst in and started shouting, hard. Even starting to push on Corwin around.

His gaze turned off to the side as the heckle of an old man filled the room. In fact everything else was silent. All of the sounds, the movement, even dice in a game of craps was suspended in midair. And if Corwin looked back to his side, he would see Smiley was gone. Though the boss was still there, trying to yell, silently.

"Boy..." The old man said, his cane planted firmly at his side. "Let your mind wonder."

Click... 360 degrees...

The door opened.

[Lady Serpentine]

Anrielle had watched the fight quietly, mentally cursing her luck, as she'd been hoping to place a bet on the fight, but had been rather taken by surprise, not having expected it to start anywhere near as soon as it had.

Now, however, her calm, collected, shell was starting to slip; she had little idea what was going on with the odd slot machine - which, more than once, had drawn her attention, even during the match, as it was rather hard to ignore, and she'd had nothing riding on how the fight went - but she was fairly sure that whatever it was was rather unusual, and quite possibly not in a good way, making her reach once more for the hidden pocket sewn into her dress, making sure she still had enough food to lay low for a day, and a knife... Oddly, though, at the same time that she was more cautious than she'd been all night, she was also paying less attention. She wasn't in a position to see inside the door, but something was... Compelling her, almost... to watch it for some reason, perhaps to see what, if anything came out (though the rational part of her mind, of course, pointed out that, as the door had been carried in and was sitting in the middle of the floor, the worst that came out would almost certainly be a drunk who stumbled through from the other side), or maybe just because there was a feeling in the air that something was about to happen, and it needed to be witnessed.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony stood there listening to the usual blather of the reporters, trusting Roy to answer the questions. He smiled for the cameras and noticed, that they weren't just talking over each other. There faces were extremely focused, but they were just making noises at him. "You know what they're saying?" he asked Roy. Roy turned to look at him and made the same nonsensical noises. Then they just......stopped. The earnest looks frozen on their faces. Tony took a few involuntary steps back and looked around the casino. Then he saw the door. Somehow the door was calling to him. In a silent voice at the edges of his mind, the door was tugging at him, drawing him in. He buckled his new belt around himself and answered the call. He left the ring and started going to the door.

[Zigwat]

Chess Board One

Indeed, the door called to them all, all who were chosen to cross the void. But as Tony neared the portal in the room, a gunshot rang out, a bullet whizzing past Tony's ear.

"AAAAAARRRRRRRHHHHH!!!" A man shouted, almost sounding mentally handicapped. It was Kenneth, his teeth still bleeding streaks of red down his chins. "I go'a getchuuuuu!" Spitting everywhere, getting blood all over the carpet and his chest. He held a gun in his boxing glove, his finger poked out of it, and on the trigger. His face was still puffed out and bruised to hell, but he looked more angry than hurt. "I go'a getchuuuu!!!" He pointed the gun and fired once again. This time, his bullet struck the back of an older gentlemen, who didn't seem to mind that his shoulder had a huge chunk missing.

There were many places to hide behind, but the doorway that opened in the slot machine was quite wide open, and heading for it was quite dangerous with a very mad gunman firing shots at random.

--------

"Lunch break OVER!!!!" The manager finally was making coherent sentences... or moreso than before. However, this time he picked up dice from the craps table and begin throwing them at Corwin, with great accuracy, and very high speeds. "Back to WORK!!!!" This time he picked up a pool stick and started swinging it at random.

-------

The security guard grabbed Jimmy by the collar of his shirt, and he lifted him with great ease off of the ground, bringing him face to face with the largest, most gruesome grin imaginable, and eyes that blazed yellow and red.

"Is that your FRIEND?!?! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" He shouted, and then spun around, throwing Jimmy straight for the boy he pointed out, (GM Roll) they collided quite hard and Tom flopped to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

The clearly mad security guard drew his nightstick and slammed it straight into a table, bashing it with the drinks flying everywhere. "I'm sorry.... I'LL BE YOUR FRIEND!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!"

The old man grinned.

[Pokonic]

..... Craappppp!


Tommy has seen drunks before. He has seen drug-addicts, people who mixed drugs for pleasure, and even people who are nuts for no reason at all. This guy, who was a few moments ago a perfectly normal guard, now a creepy clown-like figure with a nightstick that he was sure was a little smaller last time he had seen it? Pfft, he was out of here!

Slowly getting up after being thrown across the forsaken room by the insane security guard, he could only look at the prone form of Tim and softly say,"Sorry, Twitty, but you can deal with this guy, I'm out of this place!"As the sound of cracking glass and splintering wood comes from elsewhere, he attempts to head to the door that a few others where going too: a place with a champion boxer near it is safer than the alternitive.

[Iethloc]

Corwin didn't understand anything that was going on anymore. Was he more tired than he thought? Did someone spike his drink? When was the last time he had a drink here? He turned to face his manager, trying to keep his focus in the slow motion chaos. Corwin stepped back as he started to yell, but still turned to look at the old man.

”What did you do?!” he hissed at the old man. Instinctively, Corwin's hand went into his pocket, and he started fishing out his old sling. But he knew violence might not help here, and he didn't have anything harder to throw than the dice.

And then there was a lot more shouting. Corwin flinched away from his manager, and dived for cover as the dice pelted him. ”Calm down! I can't work if you attack me, sir!” he shouted. This certainly wasn't normal, even in the city! Corwin started sneaking away from his boss, hoping he'd be too busy swinging the pool cue around to notice.

[Vixsor Lumin]

"JESUS CHRIST!" Tony shouted as the bullets flew past him. He ran for cover behind the closest table and flipped it over, staying on the side with the legs."Is this about the belt?!" he yelled hoping that Ken would be able to hear him. I must have knocked something loose in his head! Tony thought as he looked around to see if there was anyone in immediate danger.

[Zigwat]

The pool cue connected with Corwin's collarbone, if it wasn't completely broken, it would have been a hairline fracture. Either way, great pain ensued. The manager grinned, wide-eyed and absolutely shaky.

"TEHEHEHEHE! Time to punch out!" But as he raised the pool stick above his head for one final blow, he found that he could not move it. He turned his wide eyes over to the old man, who had taken hold of the other end. With extreme strength for an old man, he easily broke the stick, and used the splintered end as a shank. He jammed it into the huge artery in his underarm. In a huge guffaw, the boss fell, creating a gigantic bloody puddle.

"My dear boy," The old man started. "I did nothing but facilitate... you demonstrated. It was glorious!" He raised his arms with a nice big grin on his face. "Now, my most faithful employee, if you feel so inclined," He moved his head to the side as a bullet lodged into the wall behind him. "I would have you join me through the door. Bring some friends." He winked through his sunglasses. "Good luck, Sonny boy!" He put his top hat on, and then waved as he twirled his cane, and pranced through the door, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Without the manager, there was still a very unhappy former-champion with a gun, and a security guard smashing things, and chasing a little boy with a night stick.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

Catherine is still at the boxing ring, looking perplexed and horrified. Currently, she is trying to jar the frozen people out of their bizarre status. She is talking to them, slapping them, and even splashing them with alcohol. They don't seem to be moving.

[Lady Serpentine]

Anrielle yelped in pain as a bullet grazed her cheek, before, whatever traces of collection she'd had left breaking down completely, running for the door that had been made as a slot machine. After all, that was where the rest of the sane and mobile people seemed to be gathering... And besides, there was, on the edges of her mind, something that would have made her want to go there anyway; a faint, but unmistakable, promise of safety if she just went through.

[Pokonic]

The man (?) seems to be ever focused on him, and he lookes like nothing he has seen before! He attempts to run for dear life for the two big guys at the other end of the room, yeah, the ones who everybody was cheering for a few minutes ago. A few others where near that strange door, too, including a few he would swear that he saw when coming in. Bracing himself, he attempts to run near the crowd of stumbling idiots (stepping on Tim a bit more than needed: might as well hope that weirdo beats him up instead) and try to make a break for it to the struggle near the door.

[Zigwat]

"NNNNEEEEHHH!! NEEEEHHHHH!!" The blood continued to dribble down his chin as he snarled his beaten and broken face. He pulled the trigger on the gun one more time, and it clicked. He looked at it with his snarling face, and then he threw it quite blindly at Tony. "I go'a getchuuuuuu!!!!"

Kenneth started limping, and came at Tony. Even though he seemed physically feeble, his hand very easily punched straight through the table, however, in doing so, not only did he miss Tony, he broke every knuckle in his hand as a gigantic crunching sound rang out through the casino.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" He shouted in anger and pain as he tried his hardest to pull his boxing glove (which was now torn to shreds) out of the table's hole. Never thinking to just take the boxing glove off.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Level headed Tony Virmire paniced. He stared at the bloody lump of meat, bone, and tattered leather that had exploded next to his head, then took off running. Nowhere in the Casino was safe, only safer. He ran to the strange door hoping to find refuge. He threw the door wide and ran in.

[Iethloc]

"AGH, damn it!" Corwin yelled as he placed a hand against his collar. He tried to concentrate through the pain - it was time to run. For a moment, he watched a stranger run through the door. Perhaps whatever was on the other side could be handled by a group, assuming everyone was sane. He run to the door as fast as he could with a broken (or fractured) collarbone, slowing down as he went through it so he could assess whatever situation was on the other side.

[Zigwat]

"Come back, friend! Come back!" Johnny the security guard smashed the head of a stone statue with his club, shattering it to pieces. His eyes criss crossed as he looked around for Jimmy. He could not see Jimmy, but there was indeed a young lady inside the stadium entrance. She was slapping people, trying to get them out of their stupor.

Johnny's eyes rolled in the back of his head, and he let out a maniacal giggle. His head bobbing up and down as he ran, he wielded his nightstick and began to run after the woman. With one hard swoop, he knocked one of the chairs flying at her. With a great fit of laughter, he jumped into the air and struck the ground, causing the entire ground to crack.

"Come again, Madam!"

---------

Chess Board Two

White. That was it. Whiteness all around. There was a void of color, and a void of anything. Yet, still they stood on the same level. Any words spoken echoed, and any sign of the door they stepped through was lost. There was clearly no way back, and at first there seemed to be no way forward.

At first; but who would rise from the ground, seemingly from nowhere, but Smiley the Clown. Standing in his dark purple pi coat and matching slacks, wearing his big red shoes. Only this time, the paint on his face was that of a frown. He frowned at them all, his eyes tracing around and gazing them all down.

At length, his hand moved down into his pocket, and as it did, a table was produced in front of him. One that was just as white as the area around them, but it cast a shadow along the ground. From his pocket, he produced the most peculiar apple. It was unlike any other apple. Instead of any normal color, it was a very rich, navy blue. Other than its color, it was picture perfect, even with the right length of stem and a lush, green leaf sticking out of the top.

Very gently, he placed the apple onto the table, standing it up properly, perfectly symmetrical. Then, in a sudden pull from his other pocket, he produced a very large steak knife. His eyes shot to each one of them and got wider for one instant, but then went back to his blank frown. He placed the knife onto the table beside the apple.

"Welcome, one and all to this our biggest bag of laughs
Welcome to the little ball from where you make a whole from half
There's no way back as you can see from this our lovely world
You had a friend, his name was Jack from there his plot unfurled

You're only half, you need a whole, just wait you soon will see
You'll all be baffled, ground and molded, til eternity
My name is Smiley, pleased to meet you, I'll help you if I can
I can be wily, monumental, I have no other plans."

Then there came an awkward silence...

Smiley honked the horn on his jacket and then began to sink back down into the floor. Before they could blink, he was gone. There stood a table, an apple, and a steak knife. Beyond that... white.

[Vixsor Lumin]

"well that was weird." Tony said after Smileys speech. It was only then that he looked around and saw the others. 'All I can think of is to cut it in half and put it back together."

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

Catherine is seems surprisingly unbewildered by the unfolding events. She is, however, swaying where she stands.

"Sure. Cut the apple. Teehee. Cut it."

[Iethloc]

When Corwin emerged into the whiteness, he placed a hand on his brow to shield his eyes, and peered into the blank horizon. However, he re-focused once the clown appeared, and just stared at him...or it. The frowning clown's riddle did not make things any clearer, only making Corwin grimace a bit.

He calmed down, though, when at least one of the other people here seemed to be sane. "Cutting it in half would only make halves from a whole..." he mumbled. Corwin carefully walked over to the table, in case there was more perfectly white objects around, and laid his hands on it to feel whatever features it had.

"Well, I'm kind of out of my league here. I'm Corwin, by the way. What are you guys called?" he asked idly.

[Vixsor Lumin]

"My names Tony, yours?" he said eyeing the group. "Anyone have any idea what the hell just happened?"

[Iethloc]

"I don't know. As far as I saw, everyone went crazy after I tried that slot machine, and now we're...nowhere!" Corwin said. Since nothing on the table jumped out on him, he went back to focusing on the apple and the knife.

"Nothing else is here, so I'll just try the simple thing," he said, picking up the knife. Corwin steadied the apple with his other hand, taking the time to cut it precisely down the middle. Then he put the knife down and held each half of the apple in one hand, looking at the center a bit before pressing them back together.

[Zigwat]

The apple was cut in half, and then put together to make a hole.

The hole formed into a threshold, and there it was, Chessboard Two. Though it looked somewhat similar to the casino, there was no one there. The entire place was wrecked, broken, and everything was shattered across the ground. Not only that, but outside of the windows it seemed that a great fire raged on all around it. The sky was red, and the streets were very much the same as the casino, a complete dump. Cars were destroyed in their parking spaces, trash blew in a hot wind, and there was nothing but the crackling of fire to be heard.

Beyond that, silence. It was an eerie place, and all around, it always seemed like they were being watched by someone, or something. Upon closer inspection, there seemed to be something among the debris that still worked, or looked like it was in the most working order. A very old looking radio sat in the corner of the casino, and though it still looked like a hunk of junk, it had a red light that flashed on and off on the front of it. Around that time, there wasn't any radio like it, but the knobs still read in plain English with "on", "off" and "tuner."

[Vixsor Lumin]

"Forgive for being completelty obvious, but this is bad." Tony said stepping timidly through the hole. "But its gotta be better than that white place." He sighed and then saw the radio. "Guys think we should turn it on?" he gently gripped the dial but didn't turn it.

[Lady Serpentine]

Anrielle, unlike Tony, showed no fear of the place, smiling, and hopping lightly in after him; it wasn't (obviously enough, considering what they did) that she was braver than he was, exactly, but, as with the door, something about the place drew her in. The nearest analogy she could think of was a Siren's song, just on the edge of hearing - so faint she couldn't actually make out the words, or, most of the time, consciously tell that she heard it at all, but loud enough to lure her towards it.

"It's not that bad here," she said, looking around curiously. "Why not stay for a while before we mess with that, and see what else there is here?"

[Pokonic]

Looking around at the not-casino, which was at least better than the whiteness that all-but silanced him before, he half-heartedly attempts to mingle with the older crowd (which, by the way, he tried not to attract there attention due to the older girl who blew him off being within it). Looking at the big, strong guy who might have saved him, he says " Err, mister? I would rather not try to turn that peice of junk on. After all, what would could happen if we did? At the least, its probably a trap."

[Iethloc]

Corwin looked around the new, non-white surroundings with extreme caution. He had never been any sort of ruins before, so all the destruction left a knot in his stomach. ”This place gives me the creeps. I think I preferred the endless white,” he said.

The radio didn't elicit anything but mild bewilderment from Corwin. Any technology more complex than a lightbulb may as well have been magic to him, and in a place like this it seemed like a very reasonable assumption. ”The radio...people use that to talk to each other, right? Turn it on, we need to find out where everyone else is!” Corwin said, gesturing hesitantly at the device.

[Vixsor Lumin]

At the mention of a trap, Tony jerks his hand away from the radio. As he's about to turn away, the knob catches his eye. All thoughts leave his mind other than turning it on. And with the simple flick of a wrist, it was done.

[Zigwat]

( http://youtu.be/Bh0QZvHdSKo )

In the middle of the song, "Here comes the Boogeyman" by Henry Hall, the radio began to play as all of its lights flicked on with the power. It was obviously much more advanced and beautiful than anything that was out in the market in those days. As the song ended, a voice came onto the radio.

"That was Here comes the Boogeyman! Thank you for tuning in, and if you're listening, you're probably confused, bewildered, maybe even hating life right at this moment. That's okay, we like that a lot. You're listening to gray radio, the grayest, most depressing... actually the only station on the radio today. Let's take our first caller, shall we?

This is Amanda Wilkinson from Liverpool, and she has a slight problem. Amanda?"

There was a long pause.

"Oh, right, the problem she has right now is that she's dead. Probably for about fifteen centuries or so. This is Gray Radio. And now a word from our sponsors."

There was another long pause.

"Are you dead? Probably, if so, be quiet. I'm some random guy, and I approve this message."

"You're listening to Gray Radio on the south side of town. If you're not dead, this place may not make you want to kill yourself, which is always an improvement. And now, on with Mozart in one of his obvious classics, 'Requiem.' The name is quite fitting, no?"

The music began to play, and the flame outside continued to roar. What could possibly lie beyond that wall?

[Vixsor Lumin]

Chills run down Tony's spine as he listens to the voice. Once "Requiem" begins playing, he turns to the others. "Sorry about that, I don't know what possesed me to turn it on." He began pacing back and forth breathing a little erraticlly.(sp?) "At least its not another riddle..."

[Pokonic]

Yeah, it's not a trap. More like a distraction. With that playing, someones probably going to hear it. Can you please turn it off, mister? As if to make sure the far older person takes his advice, he attempts to make himself look taller.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Eyeing the boy, he clicked the radio off. "I agree, it could be dangerous." without taking his eyes off the boy he walked over to the main group.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

Catherine was slightly put out when the song cuts end prematurely. She was quite enjoying it. She did not, however, enjoy the announcement afterwards. It sent awful waves of cold creeping down her spine.

"Alight," she barks. "I don't know what in the name of the Lord is going on, but I would like to make it out of this affair unharmed as much as you would. To survive, we will need to elect a leader, and I nominate myself."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony turns to face the woman and says, "I agree that we need a leader, but what makes you the most qualified? Not that I'm saying I am, I just want to make sure the best person gets the position."

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

"Well, I have something of an education."

[Iethloc]

Through a combination of curiosity and the sheer novelty this technology held for him, Corwin listened intently to the radio for the short time it was turned on. "Are...are all radios like that?" he asked. Regardless of any answers, he shook off the creeps this “Gray radio” gave him and focused on the situation again.

”I don't care about leaders! Let's just take a look outside. There's gotta be a way back home,” Corwin said, walking over to the doors. It was harder to keep his head during all this than he initially thought.

[Pokonic]

Attempting to put on a brave face at the nice guy (Tony, his name was Tony. Must remember his name.), he walked over to the gathering group, coughed, and said "Err, if I may be included, I have a idea. I think the person who has lived in this part of the city should lead. After all, if this place resembles the casino, than the rest of it should be the city, right? We could find a way out, or find somewhere safer than we are at, at the least."

[Vixsor Lumin]

Putting his hand on the boys shoulder Tony says,"Kids got a point, at least for now I think knowledge of the area is more valuable than the amount of books you've read."

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

"I suppose, but the one who seems to have to most street-smarts is little more than a child. This may not be wise."

[Pokonic]

Going from practicly beeming from the attention he was getting from Tony to visably riled, he looked at the high-class know-it-all girl in facing "Well, lady,if you have a better idea where to go, be my guest. After all, I think we saw how mature you acted when we saw that apple, right? If you dont mind, I would like at least some form of direction before we head out. After all," he griminced "the citys big, and I would think we would not have to run into any bad parts."

Hopefuly not too smart-ish for a person with 6 inteligence.

I probably should have taken Sass as a Perk. :smallbiggrin:

[Vixsor Lumin]

"well nobodies perfect right? I don't know about your queen, but back in the states even our president has advisors. I think we let the kid lead, and if he needs help, well he's not alone right?" he gave the boy a squeeze and a smile.

[Pokonic]

Looking at Tony and then back at the girl, he could only look into her eyes and stick out his tounge.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony lightly flicked the boys ear and smiled at him. "First advice is be humble. We all have to work together right?"

[Lady Serpentine]

"That depends on your goals," Anrielle points out, smirking wickedly, her calm, and with it her sarcasm, having returned. "There's nothing compelling us to work together, unless we wish to survive. Though," she continues, pulling the knife from the hidden pocket in the front of her dress, and tossing it into the air in a glittering circle, before catching it neatly by the hilt. "There are easier ways than dying of thirst if you don't, so I wouldn't suggest only not working with us."

[Iethloc]

”We're lingering a bit too long here, especially since it looks like there's a fire outside! Before we do anything about our...pecking order, let's take a look at the damage and try to think of somewhere safe to go,” Corwin declared. Without waiting for any dissenting opinion, he opened the doors and took one step outside. Unless there happened to be a fire right on front of him, he'd stand still for a few moments to take in his surroundings.

[Zigwat]

A great deal of the other buildings were nothing but smoldering structures. All of the grasslands were black, and brittle. The sky was red, and the clouds were gray with no sun in sight, nor a moon. The only light source was the fires that blazed all over the land. It was obviously hot, and hazy. While it was somewhat tolerable, it was amazingly uncomfortable to be in that desolate place.

No matter where they would go, it was as if everywhere they could go, there was a pair of eyes upon them. There were dark corners everywhere, in fact the light was seldom useful in such a urban area.

Though, what few buildings were left seemed entirely untouched, somehow.

[Vixsor Lumin]

Tony followed Corwin outside and said, "This place looks like hell...." He sure to stay close to the boy, so he wouldn't get lost, and he could keep an eye on him.

[Pokonic]

He could only dumbly walk out and stare at the surroundings. Yet, he could ony think that anything was better than staying inside in a distroyed building. He murmers to Tony " Well, we could go left. A few turns and we could be at my place. Even if it's like the other places outside, it would give us a good place to plan out what else we should do. And if it's not, there are maps and stuff in the basement."

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

"Am I the only one with static in my ears?"

[Lady Serpentine]

"Static in your ears? Not me... Eyes on my back, maybe," Anrielle replied, some of the madness that had been in her tone since they left the normal world having faded. Though whether that was because of some sort of ebb in the flows of insanity that had been bombarding her or simply an exercise of will was hard to tell. "Feels like I'm being watched."

[Iethloc]

Corwin's spirits sank a little as they walked outside. This was not an improvement over the ruined casino. "I've been out on the plains in the summer. This isn't much worse, so there's no need to panic," he said to the group in as comforting a tone he could manage. He wasn't all too familiar with the city in the first place, though, so he had little idea of where to go next.

"I suppose some of you guys might want to see your houses, so we should think of a meeting place. Everyone knows the library, right? I'll go make sure it's safe there," he said. Corwin pulled his sling out of his pocket, picked up the nearest stone he could find and set out for the library, with or without company. He had faced wolves and trespassers before, but he had a bad feeling that there wasn't anything that mundane here.

[Zigwat]

"Jabbawaki inside this a-maze!" A voice sang in a melodic, easy going tune. Then it began to hum a bit before singing again. "All is flam-ing in the world today, gray and gloom in the gaze."

It wasn't long before the singing voice took shape. Little by little, starting with a wide, grinning set of teeth, the form started with two cat ears, and then two eyes that gazed down toward Corwin.

"Good evening, friends! I see you caught us on a good day today!" His grin never left his face. His purple stripes were wide, and his eyes yellow as they continued to gaze into their very souls. "Why, you seem distressed. Whatever could be troubling you on such a fine day such as this. The fire in the buildings aren't so hot, the sky is a brighter shade of red, and you don't even notice the rotting flesh of all the dead bodies from the 1300's. What brings you to Wonderland? Oh, where are my manners? I'm a cat..." His eyes switched from round and round between each of them. "The Cheshire Cat."

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

At this point, Catherine has become utterly numb to the strangeness and horror of everything. She has decided that is she is going mad, then she may as well enjoy it.

"And I," she says to the cat, "Am Catherine Robinson. A lady. Tell me: how would one escape this dreadful place and get somewhere sunnier?"

[Iethloc]

First there was strange singing, and then an even stranger...cat. Corwin stared at it for a few moments, almost convinced he was hallucinating. But with all that's happened so far, he thought it was much more likely that the whole world had gone crazy. ”I am Corwin Bramson, and this hasn't been a very wondrous land for me. We're looking for a way out of here,” he explained.

[Zigwat]

"Sunnier? Not Wondrous? How very... lucrative..." A very sly grin went across the cat's face and the light around him began to dim for a moment, until it returned back to normal. "Well, there are a number of ways for one to go if they do not find this wonderful, froofroo, magical, mystical, great, benevolent, dazzling, beautiful, magnificent, surreal, awesome, fantastic world of ours to their liking. You can talk to the DJ, go on a hunting trip, eat a meal with some ale... or you can try the short cut... right over there." The Cheshire Cat pointed toward the doctor's office to the right of him. It was a little less like rubble, and much more whole, but that did not make it much less gloomy and downright horrid. In fact, if you looked closely at the window in the door, you could see that it was not ash and dust that covered the glass, it could very well have been dried up blood.

"But, I leave that entirely up to your very capable hands. Just remember my warnings about the dark crevasses." He then began humming the song he sang earlier, and once he slid over onto the sign post, his body swung down and he was no more, only a wooden sign with no words appeared. There was, however, the same long, fanged grin of the Cheshire Cat.