Back at the information center…
Quincy: Excuse me…are you the librarian here?
Librarian: Yes, I’m Yasmin. How can I help you?
Quincy: My name is Quincy…and I know this may be a long shot, but I was wondering if you knew anything about this whole possession mess.
Yasmin: Why would you think I’d know anything?
Quincy: Well…I was told that a bunch of the scientists who used to work for that lab in the crater hang out here now. I was hoping you’ve overheard something that can get me deeper into that lab.
Yasmin: So you’re the one who’s been poking around in there. The scientists seem to be completely up in arms about it.
Quincy: I’m the one…so, can you help me?
Yasmin: I can’t…but I know who can. In fact, here she comes now…
Yasmin: *stands up* This is who you should talk to. This is Makenna Main…one of the lead scientists in town and a good friend of mine. Makenna…this is Quincy. You might be interested in what he has to say. I’ll leave you to it. *walks away*
Quincy: To make a long story short…I’m very close to figuring out what’s going on in town. But I need a safe way to get deeper into that lab.
Makenna: You need to leave this whole thing alone. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.
Quincy: Maybe not. I’m just trying to clean up the mess you all made and I’ll do it with or without your help.
Makenna: *deep sigh* Okay…you’ll need a hazmat suit – with a special spore filter. We could make the filter…but first we need you to analyze some of the spores.
Quincy: How do I do that?
Makenna: You’ll need an infection scanner…the one thing we don’t have. Those were created by the military…so you’ll have to get one from a high ranking officer. Get us an infection profile from the spores you collect…and we can make you a filter.
Quincy: So…hazmat suit, infection scanner, and infection profile. I’ll get what you need!
Heads to the 8 Bell…
Quincy: Sergeant McCollum! Just who I was looking for.
Sergeant McCollum: What can I do for you soldier?
Quincy: I need an infection scanner.
Sergeant McCollum: That’s awfully direct.
Quincy: Can you get one for me?
Sergeant McCollum: Absolutely not! You shouldn’t even know about them. It’s classified information.
Quincy: What can I do to make it unclassified?
Sergeant McCollum: Nothing…and I suggest you avoid bringing it up again.
Quincy: Sergeant…you’re the one who told me how to get into the lab.
Sergeant McCollum: I have no idea what you’re talking about…please lower your voice.
Quincy: *lowered persistent tone* I’m real close to solving this thing, sir. And I know you want to see it solved.
Sergeant McCollum: I-I just can’t help you.
Quincy: Then I’ll look elsewhere *walks away*
Sergeant McCollum: *calls after him* Do you give up that easily soldier? If you can convince me…I’ll give you what you need.
Quincy: Sir, if that big ass cloud behind you and all these spores and other crap flying through the air isn’t enough to convince you to help…I don’t know what will. If I don’t get this thing solved…this whole town will be possessed within a week.
Sergeant McCollum: *hands over an infection scanner* We’re counting on you soldier.
Quincy: Thank you, sir!
Quincy: Erwin! My man…boy am I glad to see you.
Erwin: Kurt told me that he gave you the keycard.
Quincy: Yes…and some really messed up stuff went on in that lab. *fills Erwin in on what he’s found*
Quincy: *after telling story* Anyway…I can’t get any further into the lab without a hazmat suit. You strike me as the type of person who’d have one.
Erwin: I do…in fact. But I don’t know how helpful it’ll be without some sort of spore filter.
Quincy: Already working on that! I just need the suit.
Erwin: *looks around for witnesses* Then it’s yours!
Back at the lab…
Quincy: *hesitates at the door* Do I really want to do this again?
Deeper in the lab…
Quincy: They were actually growing these things! *gets to work analyzing spores*
Back at the information center…
Disguised Man: Psssst…hey, you!
Quincy: *walks over* Casey…is that you?
Casey: *looks around* Shhhh…please don’t use my name.
Quincy: Why are you being all mysterious?
Casey: I found the bug you planted on me.
Quincy: Sorry about that. I was desperate for info and you were holding back. I did what I had to do.
Casey: Do you have what Makenna told you to get?
Quincy: I do…
Casey: Hand it over and I’ll get you what you need.
Quincy: How do I know I can trust you?
Casey: You’re the one around here planting bugs. Do you want the filter or not?
Quincy: *hands over the data*
Casey: Check your mailbox in the morning. *hurries off*
Strangerville Short Story – Part Summaries
