Patchwork Universe

Dr Jewel · Posted: 06 Apr 2004 07:53 am Post subject: Missing a Museum

Dr Jewel stepped clear of the mist and looked around. To her shock, there was no sign of the museum at all. Instead she could see a large public house. One that she was pretty certain had never stood west of Maypole Hill before.

She glanced at Dr Odom and was unsurprised to see him standing completely still, just staring.

She stared up at the sign. It showed a single letter "J". She looked back at Odom again, wondering what to say.

"I don't recognise this." She began, loudly. "Perhaps we should step inside and ask for directions?"

She waited. Dr Odom continued to stand quite still.

"Dr Odom!" She said even more loudly. "We should go in and ask where this is!"

Trubshawe · Posted: 06 Apr 2004 03:11 pm Post subject:

Barrelling out of Jones' Tavern came a funny little man with a toothbrush moustache in a peaked cap and grey uniform. Seeing the two figures up ahead of him and apparently fearing they might be in his way, he snarled:

"Stand aside! I warn you, I've a zoo to save!"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 77 Location: The Slums

A rather small young man clothed in a large overcoat and boots sauntered out the door next and walking up to the pair directly said "Alright sorry ter disturb yer but can I just check something."

They barely had a chance to respond before he continued with "One of you is called Dr Jewel and one of you is Dr Odom right? An you aint quite sure where you are?"

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 84 Location: The Museum

With vaguely wild eyes in a clearly slack face, Dr. Odom turned in Dr. Jewel's general direction. "More ghosts," he said in a distant voice. "More ghosts. We're still here."

Dr Jewel · Posted: 07 Apr 2004 07:59 am Post subject:

The red-haired woman slung her shoulder bag back on her shoulder as she stepped out of the little man's way. Then she turned to face the slightly taller, more sane-sounding one.

"Yes, I am Dr Jewel Hart and this is my friend Dr Odom." She began. "We were looking for the Museum. Odd as this sounds, it seems to have moved. Would you be able to direct us there?"

She paused.

"Also, how did you know who we were?"

Trubshawe · Posted: 07 Apr 2004 11:25 am Post subject:

The curious little man in grey raced past Jewel and Odom at breakneck speed, and soon plunged into the mists to the north of Jones' Public House.

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 84 Location: The Museum

"Mad ghosts!" mumbled Dr. Odom.

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 77 Location: The Slums

"The museum?" Larkin said, and thinking back to the poem said "Well Ive got some information what says that it should be straight north from here." Still feeling quite helpful he said "But if yer want real answers bout everythin I would check in there" and gestured to the pub.

Glancing at Odom he turned to Dr Jewel and said "Whats up with him?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: 08 Apr 2004 08:09 am Post subject:

"He's in a state of shock." Dr Jewel replied, looking at the unhappy man in the diving suit. "He's had what you could describe as a stressful day."

She glanced up at the pub thoughtfully.

"North, you said ?" She remarked. "Thanks. We'll give it a try."

Dr Jewel looked from the open door to Dr Odom.

"I'd certainly like to hear some real answers." She added wistfully, "but I think it needed to wait until after we've seen the museum again."

She turned to her companion.

"The museum is NORTH, Dr Odom." She said loudly.

Dr Jewel turned back to the stranger.

"Hopefully we will meet again, Mr...?"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 77 Location: The Slums

Larkin grinned and decided not to remark on the mans state of clothing, in case that was normal in their world. Then with a slight touch of deja vu said "Quickgrip, Larkin Quickgrip."

Thinking back to the leaflet again he said, a little hopefully "Mind if I walk with yers, cos I'm headin North anyway before this stupid place changes again an it can get borin on yer own."

Turning to face North he said "So is this museum thingy your home then?"

Dr Jewel · Posted: 08 Apr 2004 12:34 pm Post subject:

"Nice to meet you, Larkin Quickgrip." Dr Jewel replied, hoping that Dr Odom would start to head north without any further persuasion. "No, the Museum is not my home. I am, or was, currently living in Maypole Hill. Where we have just come from, over there." She pointed east, then thought about Larkin's comments on changes. "Or, it was there a few minutes ago.

"However, Dr Odom is the Curator General of the Museum. He's going back to change out of his protective suit now that we're out of Maypole Hill. Then I was hoping to take another look in the museum library. Although, if you're right about this pub, there might be a better place for my questions."

She looked at her newest companion with curiosity.

"Where are you from ?"

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 77 Location: The Slums

Larkin grinned, a little sadly and said "I'm from the Slums which *was* to the south of here but I dont have no idea where it is now." Larkin was just as curious about these two seemingly intelligent people in the middle of this place.

"Where have you bin thats so dangerous that he needs a suit?" Larkin asked, before adding "An why aint you got one?" Gesturing to the mist he said "I hate ter rush yers but can we talk while we head North, cos like I said, I dont want the place movin on me again."

Dr. William T. Odom · Good Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 84 Location: The Museum

"North?" Dr. Odom's voce was more hopeful but still weak and tinged with scepticism. "North." He turned right and started staggering through the fields, stumbling doggedly along in the direction the frantic man in grey had taken.

Dr Jewel · Posted: 08 Apr 2004 06:07 pm Post subject:

"The slums?" Dr Jewel started to follow Dr Odom. "Of which city? Although, if your home is anything like mine, I guess the surrounding area has changed somewhat.

"Maypole Hill is a dangerous place. We unearthed... something... during my archeological dig there - we were looking for Roman artefacts - and everyone became ill. Having since investigated in the museum library, I'm starting to believe it was a one-off curse. However, when Dr Odom came to take a look he didn't fancy taking any chances. So he wore the suit. As far as I'm concerned there was no point. I've suffered the full effect already.

Larkin Quickgrip · Good Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 77 Location: The Slums

Larkin hurried after the pair, the seemingly deranged Dr Odom was stumbling quite quickly by now. "Me cities called Peerblind. Don't expect you to have heard of it, no-one else has." he said to the doctor on his right "An yer right. What should have bin some plains turned out ter be an ocean."

Having been born and raised in a city Larkin was having a little trouble, trying not to trip over any of the assorted plant-life under his feet. "What do yer mean full effects? Like yer caught the flu or somethin?"