VLDR: Convention of the Minds - WORST ENDING

[leeten]

All expenses paid trip. You got a Jacuzzi in yours or something? I got a toothbrush and a shave. No expenses paid here.

[Hawkwing425]

No, I don't think so. Let me check...

[leeten]

Hey bar boy, what's your name? Where you from? I haven't touched alcohol in ages. As soon as we're outta here, I'm crashing that place.

[UzayAltay]

We don't always Do things that is healthy, right?
Sometimes, we cannot, sometimes, we do not, but in conclusion, we do not.

[Cyantic]

Nah, these sweepstake things are legit. Went on one with my family as a kid, pops. Businesses are stupid - they just give away free shit.

Eh. I mean, if it matters, San Diego. Was told that snowboarding is almost as good as surfing by a mate. Wanted to try it before I died, so why not, right? Free is free.

[Hawkwing425]

Yeah, I don't think I'm missing anything. Maybe the lighters were just confiscated.

[Knockoff]

All expenses paid trip. You got a Jacuzzi in yours or something? I got a toothbrush and a shave. No expenses paid here.

Certainly, it wasn’t amazing. A twin sized bed and a spacious enough room. But for what this trip is, it was more than I expected.

[Knockoff] frowns.

I’m missing all the cash in my wallet as well.

[Hawkwing425]

Oh, I didn't check my wallet. Maybe I should... nah, it should be fine.

[leeten]

Mr. Philosophical over here. Damn. Didn't come to be preached at.

Don't think that this is a sweepstakes, but whatever helps you sleep. Probably better than the rest of the world right now.

Fellow West Coast boy. Have to appreciate that. I've never been one for the water though. Forrests are more up my alley.

[Cyantic]

Ah shit, hold on. I just realised something.

The man starts pacing.

[leeten]

I don't remember seeing my wallet. Got to check my pants though, unless someone wants to do it for me. Bar boy's always welcome.

[Cyantic]

The man looks up with a start.

Whoa, hey pal, I'm gay. Er. Straight, sorry. Always get those two mixed up.

[Phinerxen]

My room was pretty much the same, twin sized bed, a bath, pretty spacious. Nothing special, but the bed was very comfortable.

[Hawkwing425]

Hey, if forests are your thing, Peter, there's a lot of trails in Yellowstone that you'll probably love. I plan to travel down one myself.

[leeten]

Me too, bar boy. I'll lay off.

So anyone? Wallets? Cash? Promise I won't rip you off.

[leeten]

Never been out in the forrests here, but I need to. Always thought I would bum it out in the woods once I was out, but with all the shit, don't think it'll happen any time soon.

[Hawkwing425]

[After a moment of thinking, Inteus pulls out his wallet from a jean pocket and opens it. It's empty.]
...oh. That... okay, that's not right. Yeah, all my cash is gone.

[PolyesterHomes]

[Rene] enters the main lobby amongst the commotion about robbery.

[Cyantic]

Right. Okay. Think I've got some thoughts sorted. By which I mean, in the usual mishmash they happen in my mind, just with less of a hangover. So I had service last night, right? Phoned home after I came from the airport bar. Now, look at it. No bars whatsoever. Er, the cellular kind. And someone took my car keys and money. So I'm not sayin' anything, but this is like, a really shitty kidnapping plot, right?

Elevator doesn't work, we're in a basement, and anything that could possibly be used to get to civilisation is gone. I've worked around shitty construction plans all my life, but rarely do people forget stairs. That is a fire hazard and the last thing you want when you're throwing together suburbia is the fire marshal.

[renetear]

Hmpf, did anyone have cold water in their showers? Mine was hot for whatever reason.

[PolyesterHomes]

[Yau] enters the room.

[Cyantic]

That's the odd bit? Also, wait, who just comes up to strangers and starts talking about their showering? God. This is weird.

[Hawkwing425]

N-not to worry... well, actually, worrying is an entirely understandable response. Regardless, let's at least try to stay calm on the surface about whatever's going on. You're right, this isn't normal.

[He puts his empty wallet back into his pocket.]

But it seems odd for everything to be laid out like this... what could they want from us?

[Seeing the newcomers, the man waves at them. He's looking unsettled.]

Hey. Dr. Inteus Rite, nice to meet you.

[leeten]

Your water was hot? You say it like it's a bad thing.

[Cyantic]

It's actually a really cunning plan, man. To accomplish... something. Things. Yeah, let's go with things. That sounds important.