Chapter 19

## Story

To Daphnes horror, Larry disguised as Barry searches the West Wing for a specific painting under the guise of rat extermination. Flo and Penny find Daphnes deepest insecurity in the form of a secret hobby and convince her to decorate the Game Room. Dave is shocked when someone from his dark past arrives at the mansion, looking to cause trouble. What will Dave decide?

## Characters

New characters in this chapter:

* Grab

## Locations

New places unlocked in this chapter:

* Library (Mentioned)

Unfinished places to renovate:

* Game Room

## Tasks

Players need to get 49 stars to complete the tasks of this chapter.

* Begin Next Chapter
* League Of Vermin
* Clean Room
* New Floor
* New Walls
* New Bar Cabinet
* Meanwhile...
* New Bar Stools
* New Clock
* New Neon Sign
* Weeds!
* Facing The Beast
* New Chess Table
* Chess Chairs
* New Bushes
* Call Mike
* Nice To Meet You, Gabriel
* New Planter
* Paintings
* New Rug
* Do I Know You?

## Dialogue

#### Begin Next Chapter

*Chapter 19 "Secrets"*

> [Penny, Dave and Daphne stand outside the room opposite the West Wing entrance]**Penny**Daphne! We were just...**Daphne**You allowed a malodorous stranger in my home without my permission![Barry walks out of the room]**Barry**How do you do, ma’am? I’m Barry Grossman with Grossbusters.
> As a pest removal expert, I’ve been called many things, but never melodious.**Daphne**You still haven’t been. We have no rodents. I didn’t send for you.
> Oh... SHE sent you, didn’t she? Well, pack your things and depart, now![Barry hold up a Brown Rat]**Barry**Sure thing. Should I take this little guy with me, too?**Daphne**BAAA! GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!**Penny**It’s okay, Daphne. It can’t hurt you.**Daphne**How could you, Penny? A stranger and now this vermin.**Barry**Uh, which one am I?[Daphne screams as she glides off]**Daphne**GAAHHH!!!**Penny**...**Dave**It’s okay, Penny. Let me talk to her.[Dave follows Daphne out of the West Wing]

#### League Of Vermin

> [Barry walks down the hallway]**Barry**Well, she’s charming. Hey, if it’s okay, I’m just gonna do a sweep of this room.**Penny**What? Oh, yeah. Sorry. Daphne sometimes has these... moments.**Barry**Uh, yeah. Had an aunt just like that. Family, right? Whatcha gonna do?**Penny**Oh, she’s not family. But it wouldn’t be that bed if...you know.
> I’ll leave you to do your work.[Barry walks into a room down the hallway]**Barry**Nice job scaring the old bat, Rat Damon. Here’s a little reward.[Barry kneels down and puts Brown Rat and some food on the floor then stands back up]**Barry**Now’s let’s keep looking for that painting.**Brown Rat**Squeak?**Barry**More? Okay, but this stuff is pricey. I can’t expense fancy chocolate to Violet.
> Speaking of. Hang on. Just need to send a message to the boss.

> **Violet**"Moving on to room no. 2"...
> \*Sigh\*

> **White Rat**Squeak!**Violet**Yes, Francoise. I might have to step in myself to speed things up... as always!

#### Clean Room

> [In the West Wing hallway Flo runs up to Penny]**Flo**Penny? Is it safe here? I thought we weren’t supposed to be in the West Wing.**Penny**Well, too late now.[Penny and Flo go into the room full of art]**Flo**I think you coming in here is kinda cool. There’s so much neat stuff![The duo walk further into the room]**Penny**You didn’t see the look Daphne gave me when she found me and Dave here.
> She didn't seem angry so much as... hurt.[Flo jumps in surprise so Penny turns to look at what she is looking at]**Flo**Whoa, these paintings. I think...yeah, that’s Daphne’s signature! She painted these!**Penny**I didn’t know she was that talented.[They turn to face each other]**Penny**We should move them. I mean, we should at least clean this place if we are here.[Penny and Flo clean the room and move the paintings out into the hallway]**Penny**Daphne’s painting should be safe here. I don’t want to ruin anything else.[Flo and Penny walk back into the room]**Penny**Better.**Flo**Now to figure out what to put in here!

#### New Floor

> [In the middle of the room]**Penny**Maybe I can make it up to Daphne by doing something nice here.**Flo**How about we Swing Fay the floor? Get some inspiration from the foundation.[Daphne glides into the room and stops behind the duo]

*Player chooses an option*

> **Penny**Okay, floor’s done, but... there’s something not right. We’re missing something.**Daphne**What’s not right is you in the West Wing. And what we’re missing is a BAR.[Flo and Penny jump and turn in surprise]**Penny**GAA!**Flo**Daphne, please. We didn’t mean to...**Daphne**Enough. First Penny, and now you. \*Sigh!\* Trespassers...[Daphne glides to the other side of the room][Penny and Flo rush after her]**Daphne**All I hear is excuses. And all I want... is a DRINK.**Flo**OKAY!**Penny**We're ON it!

#### New Walls

> **Daphne**So, about that drink. Allow me to rephrase: Drink, now.**Flo**We need to take care of the walls before we install the bar.[The trio turn to face the wall]**Flo**Which one of these designs do you like?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Yes, that one will advance the cause of DRINK.[By the wall, Penny and Daphne face each other as Flo watches]**Penny**After you... left, Dave went to find you. Did he...?**Daphne**Oh yes, complete with his ladels full of philosophy...
> Something about weeding out the unnecessary from life.
> And all I could think was, “How many times has this man crashed without a helmet?”**Penny**He meant well.**Daphne**As I suppose YOU did...
> ...when you violated a private space with a complete stranger?

#### New Bar Cabinet

> **Daphne**Do you plan to have the bar finished before I die of dehydration?**Flo**Wouldn’t alcohol further promote dehyrdra... I sound like Rupert!**Penny**Some bar cabinets would get us one step closer. How about these?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Lovely! But I won't have my drink standing. Bar stools, please!**Penny**So, Daphne, what's up with the West Wing? Did something bad happen there?
> I know it’s private, Daphne, but... it obviously bothers you.
> And we violated your trust, and I'm sorry...
> ...but you can always talk to us.**Daphne**Not without a drink, my dears.
> You'll get no answers without some truth potion!

#### Meanwhile...

> **Violet**It takes a certain kind of moron to take 130 photos of the WRONG painting.
> And I’m paying him. \*SIGH\*

> **White Rat**Squeak!**Violet**Yes, Francoise. Process of elimination says he has to find it soon...[Barry walks through the art then reels in fear and surprise]**Barry**Gahhhhh!
> Ah, it’s just more Hollywood crap!
> Huh. “Werewolf of Carnegie Hall.” Oh yeah, saw that. Scared the pants off of me.
> Literally. Had to leave the theater. That was an awkward bus ride.
> Whew. Okay. This job is harder than I thought.[Brown Rat runs up to Barry]**Barry**Maybe a little... borrowed wine will calm me down.[Barry turns to Brown Rat]**Barry**Join me in a tipple, Rat Damon?**Brown Rat**Squeak!

Transition Dialogue

> [Barry sits on the floor drinking wine]

#### New Bar Stools

> [Flo, Daphne and Penny stand in front of the bar]**Flo**One last touch. Seating! What kind of stool would you like to sample?
> Would you like a hard or soft stool?**Penny**Do you not hear what are you saying? Daphne, please help us with this.

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**That will do. Finally, a place to sit and make a drink!

Transition Dialogue

> [Flo stands behind the bar][Daphne sits on the left stool][Penny stands next to the right stool]**Daphne**A Vesper! With a half measure of Kina Lillet, the way I told Ian to make it.**Penny**Who's Ian?**Daphne**A spy who became a writer.
> Wrote novels that almost matched the Agent Nightingale series.
> But it doesn't take a spy to know you found my paintings. They're in the hall**Penny**I really liked your work. Solid use of color and abstract principles.**Daphne**You know something about art, my dear?**Penny**Art History major, briefly.**Flo**Oh, I get it! You’re shy about letting people know that you can... do art!**Daphne**Hmph. I’ll bet you trespassers think you’re clever.**Flo**Oh, no! Definitely not clever!**Penny**We do know one thing: you're good at painting.

#### New Clock

> [Penny stands behind Daphne]**Penny**That wall is looking a bit bare.**Daphne**If you are suggesting I put up my paintings, think again.
> Or get me another drink.**Flo**Well, how about something else. Like a clock? Which one do you like?

*Player chooses an option*

> [Penny moves to stand between the other stools]**Daphne**Yes, that one has proper aesthetics.**Penny**Daphne, if you didn’t like the paintings, why did you keep them?**Daphne**Fair question, I suppose. I think they meant something to me at the time.
> Making a movie is the work of dozens of people. Or hundreds.
> But painting? That’s just you and the canvas. Time... it sort of stops.
> You don’t live for anyone but yourself when you paint.
> I might hate them, but by heaven, I loved that stretch when the universe stopped just for me.

#### New Neon Sign

> **Flo**Noir films have taught me that bars should have sexy neon signs.**Daphne**I’d think noir films would teach you to not trust a widow with a gun, but okay.**Flo**So... no neon sign?**Daphne**Ah, I didn’t say that. What do you have in mind?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Daphne**Yes, that's all the art we need for that wall.**Penny**Maybe we could put the paintings up there. You shouldn’t be ashamed of them.**Daphne**At my age, shame is a thief that hits you at random.[Daphne stands from the stool]**Daphne**One day you couldn’t care less...
> ...and then you think, “Daphne, you, an artist? Have you lost your mind?”
> I can’t read, but I pretend I can. Doesn't matter; I deliver my lines well.
> The public illusion covers the private deficit. But painting? That’s too public.
> The tabloids are ready to pounce on any flaw.
> I was terrified people would see my art.
> And all at once, the illusion I built for years is gone.
> I’m not long for this world. I just don’t want to leave to the sound of mockery.

#### Weeds!

> [Outside, Dave stands by the back corner of the garage]**Dave**Lots of weeds here. But then, it’s just one weed at a time, isn’t it?
> Best get started.[Dave rids of the weeds around the garage][A man stands near the garage driveway][Dave stands and turns to face the man]**Grab**You always betrayed an apprehension via your whistles. What disturbs your mind?
> Could it be because you were supposed to return at least two fortnights ago?
> Rather irregular for you to be delayed for so long.**Dave**Gabe. How did you... why are you here?**Grab**I told you. You went missing. It became paramount for me to locate you.
> And look where you turned up. A mansion, posh, remote. Defenseless.
> And why so formal, boss? It’s merely your old buddy, Grab.[Grab moves closer to the garage driveway]**Grab**Now, care to show me around?

#### Facing The Beast

> [Penny, Flo and Daphne stand in the West Wings hallway]**Flo**It’s okay, Daphne. You can do it.**Daphne**This is a dreadful idea.
> Or at least one without the proper amount of vodka insulation.**Penny**We’re here for you.[Daphne dramatically drops to the floor][Flo and Penny jump in surprise]**Flo**Gosh! Daphne, are you okay?**Daphne**Sorry, dearies. Just seeing them all at once. I should lock them away.[Penny and Flo help Daphne up off the floor]**Penny**Daphne, I know you’re mad at me, but I think you should be proud of your art.
> People should see it. We could put it in a gallery under a pseudonym.**Daphne**It’s...not a terrible idea. Anonymity would relieve some of my anxiety.
> But for now we should move the paintings. I know just the place.

*Lots of paintings later...*

> [The trio walk down to the bend of the hallway and stop]**Flo**I still can't believe you have your own LIBRARY back there.**Daphne**Well... stories are my life, dear.[They carry on down the hallway and stop outside the Game Room]**Flo**Honestly, have you read ALL of the books in your library?**Daphne**Why, yes. Well... Calvin did the reading. I did the listening.
> But that's all in the past. Let's focus on the present!

#### New Chess Table

> [They enter and stop in the middle of the Game Room]**Penny**So what is the theme of this room except for... drinking?**Daphne**It's a game room, of course!**Flo**Okay, what should we add for the game room?[The trio move to stand to the right of the neon light]**Daphne**Something classic. Timeless, and yet... current. A chess table.

*Player chooses an option*

> **Penny**Do you really believe the rats are from Violet?**Daphne**Given all the other moves we’ve made against each over, yes.**Penny**But to infest your home... potentially her home... with rats?**Daphne**In chess, one way to break a defense is to make a fresh move. Rats, fresh move.
> Make enough fresh or unanticipated moves you can set up a checkmate.
> And I’ve been playing defensively for too long. She hasn’t.
> It’s only a matter of time.\*BUZZ BUZZ\*[Penny gets out her phone]**Penny**Oh, Mike's texting me. He wants me to call him![Penny walks out the room]

#### Chess Chairs

> [Flo and Daphne stand next to the chess board]**Daphne**I don’t enjoy leaning over chess boards. Not at my sagging age.**Flo**One set of chairs, coming up.

*Player chooses an option*

*Player chooses another option*

> **Daphne**Oh, MUCH better.

Transition Dialogue

> [Daphne and Flo sit on the chairs]**Flo**What do you mean about checkmate? And things being only a matter of time?**Daphne**Violet has enough time to outlast me, but she’s escalating her attacks.**Flo**All because of this house?

> **Daphne**We’ve been at this too long. She’s got a craving to hurt people now.
> When I’m gone, she won’t be sated. She’ll go after those closest to me.**Flo**Well, Violet ought to think twice. Bad karma catches up to bad people, you know.[Flo and Daphne sit on the chairs]**Daphne**My dear child, some of us have it coming. I just don’t want you hurt, too.

#### New Bushes

> [Dave and Grab stand outside by the garage]**Dave**Leave, Grab. There’s nothing for you here.**Grab**On the contrary, the assets here are... limitless.
> We’d need days to reallocate it all.**Dave**We’re not moving anything except these bushes.

*Player chooses an option*

> **Grab**Smash, you don’t under--**Dave**Don’t call me that! That... is not my name. I’m not him anymore.**Grab**Oh, you have adopted an alias. Of course![Dave moves closer to the garage entrance]**Grab**Yard labor is a good cover for casing this property. Clever, Smash.[Dave turns to face Grab]**Dave**I said don’t call me that!**Grab**I forget myself. Apologies. But I would be lying if I wasn’t a mite offended.
> First you fail to reunite with us in a timely fashion. It’s been weeks.
> Now you fail to mention this operation. It’s as if you were going solo.[Grab gets closer to Dave]**Grab**No matter! We can make this our ultimate acquisition. Smash, I’m here to help.

#### Call Mike

> [Penny stands in the Lobby at the bottom of the stairs and answers the call]

> **Penny**Mike! I didn’t expect--**Mike**Hey, Penny. Yeah, I know it’s been a while.**Penny**No, it’s fine. It’s great in fact. I mean, not the “lack of hearing from you.”
> Oh, sorry. I’ll try that again. It’s so good to hear from you. I... I missed you.**Mike**It’s okay. I get it. Being a good cop means you notice things.
> I mean, I get what you mean. Man, now I want to start this over.
> Hey, are you at the mansion? Would... it be okay if I swung by?**Penny**What? You bored? Is it a light crime day?**Mike**Hey, if all criminals took the day off, fine by me. So, see you later?**Penny**How about we see each other now?**Mike**Roger that.[Penny stands in the Lobby at the bottom of the stairs and outs her phone away]

#### Nice To Meet You, Gabriel

> [Outside by the front steps and main fountain]**Dave**You’re leaving. Make tracks for Bangor.**Grab**Speaking of, Cutter and Whiplash send their regards.
> They’re ready to fence whatever we bring in.[Grab gets closer to the steps]**Grab**Their repair shop in Bangor makes a nice front.**Dave**I’m out of that business. You are going. Now.**Grab**We're doing this together... brother.[Screen pans to the Lobby][Grab walks up to Penny and stops by the left statue as Dave follows him]**Grab**Hello, miss. I'm Gabriel. Dave's little brother.[Penny moves closer to the brothers]**Penny**Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Penny![Penny turns to face Dave]**Penny**You have a brother? That’s so adorable. C’mon, you have to meet everyone!**Grab**Oh, that would be great! Dave's told me so much about you guys.[They walk up the Lobby stairs]

Transition Dialogue

> [In the Game Room][Flo and Daphne stand by the chess board as the others walk into the room]**Penny**Hey, everyone. Say hello to Dave’s little brother, Gabriel![Flo moves to stand infront of Grab]**Flo**Oh wow! Hi! I’m Flo! Cool tattoos!**Grab**Thank you. They symbolize the everlasting bond between my brother and me.**Flo**Are you here to help with the decorating?**Grab**I'd be happy to!

#### New Planter

> [Flo and the brothers move to the right of the chess chairs]**Flo**All right, Gabriel. We need some planters here. What do you suggest?**Grab**I like these...[Daphne and Penny stand on the other side of the room]

*Player chooses an option*

> **Flo**You've never told us you had a brother, Dave.**Dave**Well... you've never asked.[Penny and Daphne join the others]**Grab**My brother and I are so alike. We share a love for motorcycles, lizards, and interior design.**Flo**Yeah? It's great to have things in common!**Grab**There's so much of our history I could tell you. Isn't that right, big brother?**Dave**...**Grab**We've always loved doing projects together!
> One time, we redecorated the lounging space of our cycling organization. In Art Deco!**Flo**Really?**Grab**Absolutely! Or was it Art Nouveau?
> But we both a flair for the visual. As you can CLEARLY see on my brother...

#### Paintings

> [The group look at the chess table as Grab gets closer to it]**Grab**Seeing a bare wall feels wrong. Art needs to live here.**Daphne**Well, why don’t you astound me with your taste in paintings?

*Player chooses an option*

> **Grab**I hope this meets with your approval. Pleased to meet you, ma’am**Daphne**Daphne Bellstar. I’m rather surprised by your impressive choice, Mr. Dixon.**Grab**Because I bear the togs of a ruffian?**Daphne**Ah, forgive me. I’ve had a devil of a time with strangers lately.**Grab**I live simply with clothes that last. Makes you appreciate what you have.[Grab turns to face the painting]**Grab**And appreciate what others have as well...

#### New Rug

> [Penny, Grab and Dave stand by the bar]**Penny**Gabe, what do you know about rugs?**Grab**Some would say they tie the room together. To me, they are art for a floor.**Penny**Never thought of it like that. How about you pick one out?[Daphne and Flo stand in the middle of the room]

*Player chooses an option*

> **Penny**You know a lot about home furnishings.[Penny and Grab move to stand on the rug]**Grab**Well, you develop certain tastes, even doing manual labor.
> Moving things in. Moving things out. Makes you good with your hands.
> And you develop a taste for beauty, and can't keep your hands off of it, know what I mean?
> Ah, hang on, sorry. That kinda came out wrong. I didn't mean...**Penny**No, it’s okay. I’m flattered. But I do have a boyfriend. I think.**Grab**Well, then he’s a lucky man indeed. I think.

#### Do I Know You?

> [Mike walks into the room]**Penny**Mike! You're here.**Dave**What? Oh. Uh... okay, time to go, Gabe.[Dave and Grab walk towards the door]**Flo**Wonderful to meet you, Dave’s brother!**Mike**Hey... you look familiar.

Transition Dialogue

> [Outside on the path between the gardens by the front gate]**Dave**Okay, you had your fun. Don't come back. I’m out. Tell the boys I. Am. Out.**Grab**Smash, Smash....shhh. Mind your temper. Breathe. Think.

> **Grab**It’s so simple. So elegant. You case the mansion, I’ll get the gang ready.
> In exchange, your friends will never learn what you did.
> Then the time arrives, and we’ll have our big score, like you always promised us.
> We’re together to the end. Faithful and fair. Or I’ll shoot one of your friends.
> Take care, boss. I’ll see you soon.[Dave stands alone on the road]