SNAPPER: A PAPARAZZI STORY
[[INSTRUCTIONS]]
[[CHARACTER PROFILES]]
[[DEVELOPER NOTES]]
DAY 1: MORNING - LOS SUENOS
You stand on the corner of your street reading the morning's newspaper. There is a cool breeze blowing through the palm trees. The early commuters are starting up their engines. Just another day in Los Suenos - the city of dreams.
[[You keep reading the paper. The front page has a story about Poppywood star actor, Magnus Sven, moving to Los Suenos to make a new film.]]
[[You roll up the newspaper and slide it under your arm. Looking around the neighborhood, it seems quieter than usual.]]
[[You realize that you forgot your notebook on the kitchen counter in your apartment. You are trying to remember the last thing you wrote in it from the night before.]]
(set: $Suspicion to 0)
(set: $ChazSuspicion to 0)
(set: $AlexSuspicion to 0)
The story about Magnus Sven is written by one of his harshest critics. It isn't what you would call a 'fun read'. The journalist is criticizing Sven for taking on roles that only showcase his physique and you wonder whether the author is right. Sven has appeared more one-dimensional in his latest movies.
A dated brown BMW pulls up in front of you. It's Chaz's car but he's fifteen minutes late in picking you up.
[[Approach Chaz's car.]]
There are usually at least some parents rushing their kids onto the schoolbuses at this time of the morning. You wonder whether it is a PA day around the city. The crowds at the beach will be dense if the schools are in fact closed for the day.
A dated brown BMW pulls up in front of you. It's Chaz's car but he's fifteen minutes late in picking you up.
[[Approach Chaz's car.]]
You remember now that the last thing you wrote in your notebook was a list of Poppywood celebrities that you might want to contact this week. You hope that their public relations managers will be willing to set up studio shoots at your new office.
A dated brown BMW pulls up in front of you. It's Chaz's car but he's fifteen minutes late in picking you up.
[[Approach Chaz's car.]]
Chaz hasn't noticed you yet. He has a magazine out and it's propped up on the steering wheel while he tries to juggle a mug of coffee.
[[You knock on the window of the car. It startles Chaz who almost spills his coffee all over the magazine.]]
[[You start tapping your foot annoyed that Chaz doesn't realize you are standing beside the car.]]
[[You walk to the front of the car and sprawl out across the hood dramatically. It's just a joke but Chaz looks unimpressed.]]
Chaz is trying to get his coffee settled back in the cupholder. He tosses the magazine onto the backseat and unrolls the driver side window.
CHAZ "Come on, now! What the Hell was that? I'm not trying to run around this city with burnt legs."
[[Move around to the passenger's side of Chaz's car.]]
Chaz has finally noticed you. He puts the coffee mug back in the
cupholder and tosses the magazine onto the back seat. Chaz unrolls the driver side window.
CHAZ "Shake a leg! What's the hold-up? I'm not looking to get stuck in the morning gridlock here."
YOU "You're fifteen minutes late, Chaz."
Chaz rolls his eyes and looks away. He knows that you are right.
CHAZ "Well, I'm here now. So, let's get this show on the road."
[[Move around to the passenger's side of Chaz's car.]]
Chaz is trying to ignore your antics as he puts the coffee mug back in the cupholder and tosses the magazine onto the back seat. Chaz unrolls the driver side window.
CHAZ "You make for a pretty lousy celebrity."
YOU "You wouldn't shoot me?"
CHAZ "Oh, I might shoot you... but you've got stars in your eyes! (laughs) Just remember, Los Suenos is the city of dreams - not of daydreamers. C'mon, get in here, joker."
[[Move around to the passenger's side of Chaz's car.]]
Chaz reaches over and unlocks the door for you. You get in and brush off some of the donut crumbs on the seat.
YOU "You're a real slob, you know that Chaz?"
CHAZ "My maid took the day off."
YOU "Maybe we should go through a car wash with the windows down."
CHAZ "Ha! You'd ruin the feng shui I've got going on in here."
YOU "I don't know about 'feng shui'... more like funky schtank."
Chaz bites his tongue knowing that it was a pretty good burn.
Chaz is driving in a different direction toward work than what you expected.
YOU "Why are you heading this way? Don't you usually take the 160 to Rose?"
CHAZ "I found a new route to the office last week. It's shaving about ten minutes as long as we don't get stuck behind any school buses."
[[YOU "So, lets talk about the office actually. How do you think things are going so far? Are you happy with the team and how it's coming together?"]]
[[YOU "Speaking of work, I'm a little worried that we aren't pushing hard enough right now. The bottom line is profits and I'd like to know that we're out of the red on the account ledger this quarter."]]
[[YOU "I've been thinking about last week and I'm wondering if maybe we are pushing a little too hard. We've built a new agency and our reputation is very important. I don't want the risk of lawsuits and we can't have security targeting us at events or venues."]]
[[Chaz looks like he wants to avoid talking about work.]]
[[Chaz looks like he wants to avoid talking about work.]]
[[Chaz looks like he wants to avoid talking about work.]]
Chaz continues looking forward not saying anything. You wonder whether he was even listening to what you just said, but you are starting to get annoyed by the silence.
Chaz looks over at you and seems deep in thought. Maybe he was listening after all. He looks forward again and then looks up squinting his eyes.
YOU "I'm not waiting for a State of the Union address here, Chaz."
CHAZ "Yeah, sure."
YOU "Sure... what?"
CHAZ "Alright, I'll talk to you about work before I finish my morning coffee (sighs). I think the team is working well together. We're making money so far and believe me from what I know of this business, a new agency making profit in the first few weeks usually means millions in the first few years. And you know me, I like pushing celebrities."
YOU "But are you willing to break them?.."
CHAZ "No, you can't do that, because they stop going out in public. But, you can bend them... a lot. That's what we are here for. The public wants more and more angles. Tastes are exploding in the culture right now... in this city especially."
YOU "What do you mean?"
CHAZ "I just mean that the celebrities are willing to try new things right now. It's almost the 80s and you can see that they want to find new fans and take on new projects. We can exploit that."
YOU "What do you think Alex would say?"
CHAZ "Honestly, we should be having this conversation with her. Let's keep talking about this once we're all together at the office."
[[It's a relatively short drive to the office. You close your eyes and rest them for a bit. You have a feeling that it's going to be a long day of being on the road and hustling around the city.]]
You and Chaz stride forward toward your office building. As you enter the main lobby the smell of new upholstery and carpets is refreshing after riding in Chaz's car.
Alex is in her office busy writing and editing a story from one of last week's jobs. You poke your nose into her office and she looks up
YOU "What are you up to, Alex?"
ALEX "One of the editors wanted me to add some details to the story from the Sunnybrook studios job."
YOU "Do you need a minute?"
ALEX "Nope. Just finishing up actually..."
You give Alex a minute.
ALEX "All done."
YOU "Right on."
ALEX "You run into traffic?"
YOU "No, Chaz was late picking me up."
ALEX "(laughs) Yeah, you see that's why I have my own car."
YOU "Well it was a third parking spot or a new wide-angle lens."
ALEX "Are you regretting taking my advice?"
YOU "(laughs) Not at all. If I ever need a spot, I'll just get Chaz to park down the street."
ALEX "Oh I'm sure he'll love that. So much to see on the walk over here... bushes, concrete, pigeons... dumpsters. It's a snapper's fantasy shot."
YOU "Yeah well we can't afford moving the office any closer to downtown."
ALEX "No, I'm just winding you up. Actually, the location suits me just fine. Being right beside the highway is ideal for this kind of work."
YOU "Tell that to Chaz, he keeps discovery new routes to get here. By next week we'll probably be BMX biking through the alleyways."
ALEX "(laughs) Yeah, Chaz is a character. Hey, did you want to talk about something?"
[[YOU "Actually yes I do. I was asking Chaz on the drive over how he felt about our team and how things are going so far with the agency. I'd like your input as well."]]
[[YOU "Yes, actually I've been thinking about Chaz's philosophies on this business and what it means for us to be pushing too hard and maybe getting a bad reputation with celebrities. Your thoughts?"]]
[[YOU "Well, Chaz seems to feel confident that we are heading in the right direction for profitability. But, I was wondering how you feel about that?"]]
[[Alex looks straight at you with an interrogating gaze. She picks up the coffee mug from her desk and takes a sip while collecting her thoughts.]]
[[Alex looks straight at you with an interrogating gaze. She picks up the coffee mug from her desk and takes a sip while collecting her thoughts.]]
[[Alex looks straight at you with an interrogating gaze. She picks up the coffee mug from her desk and takes a sip while collecting her thoughts.]]
ALEX "Well first off, thanks for asking. You know I have a lot of thoughts about this agency and for me it's an incredible opportunity because we have a Los Suenos veteran snapper like Chaz here. That being said, I do think that our reputation with the celebrities matters the most."
YOU "Yes, I realize you feel that way."
ALEX "I mean in a sense it's our reputation that determines profit. If we have self-respect and treat others with respect, it makes it that much easier to get cooperation and also we can start to push hard sometimes on things we really need."
YOU "Sure, we don't want to wear out our welcome as soon as we arrive."
ALEX "Exactly! We want allies, not adversaries. This isn't a showdown."
YOU "I'm not sure Chaz would agree with you on that."
ALEX "That's fine, for now. It's a team and teams have to be balanced. We are all bringing something unique to this agency. As long as priorities keep everything in balance then I would say we've been successful."
[[YOU "I'll have to think about this more."]]
[[YOU "Well, I'm leaning toward your philosophy, Alex. Profitability does seem tied to how many jobs we can get. The number of jobs go up when more celebrities want to work with us. It's simple math."]]
[[YOU "I feel like Chaz has a point though. If we push hard and challenge the celebrities we might be there for when something really big happens. Selling those shots could keep the agency in operation for years to come."]]
[[YOU "I respect that the three of us are running the agency together, but I put profits first. There is going to have to be a way to get respect and cooperation while also pushing for the best shots and stories... even the candid, gritty stuff."]]
[[YOU "This is sort of my show to be honest. I risked a lot to get this agency off the ground. I appreciate what you and Chaz bring, but if we aren't doing things my way then I can't run this business with confidence so I mine as well walk away. There might be no 'I' in team, but a strong team still needs a single leader."]]
[[Alex, seems wary about replying to you immediately. She realizes that you have strong opinions about the subject.]]
[[Alex, seems wary about replying to you immediately. She realizes that you have strong opinions about the subject.]]
[[Alex, seems wary about replying to you immediately. She realizes that you have strong opinions about the subject.]]
[[Alex, seems wary about replying to you immediately. She realizes that you have strong opinions about the subject.]]
[[Alex, seems wary about replying to you immediately. She realizes that you have strong opinions about the subject.]]
ALEX "You know it might be best if all three of us sit down and talk about it together."
YOU "It's an ongoing thing. We can talk about it whenever we need to."
ALEX "Exactly. This is a team, so we need agreement for success but we also should have some disagreement for growth and development. You know what I mean?"
[[YOU "No, I don't. I completely disagree with what you just said."]]
[[YOU "(joking) No, I don't. I completely diagree with what you just said."]]
[[YOU "(no response... ignore Alex)"]]
[[YOU "I totally know what you mean. We've got this."]]
Alex looks puzzled by your reply and she can't seem to figure out if you were joking or just being rude.
ALEX "Those kinds of responses will definitely keep me on my toes, that's for sure."
YOU "That's probably the best way to approach this job."
ALEX "If you say so. Well, should we start the proper morning meeting now?"
[[YOU "Good idea. Let's grab Chaz and head to the breakroom."]]
Alex looks puzzled by your reply and she can't seem to figure out if you were joking or just being rude.
ALEX "Those kinds of responses will definitely keep me on my toes, that's for sure."
YOU "I'm just messing with you, Alex. (laughs) Like you said, just keeping you on your toes."
ALEX "(laughs) Yeah, it goes with the territory I guess. Well, should we start the proper morning meeting now?"
[[YOU "Good idea. Let's grab Chaz and head to the breakroom."]]
Alex looks puzzled by your silence and she can't seem to figure out if you are joking around or just being rude."
ALEX "Those kinds of weird silences will definitely keep me on my toes, that's for sure."
YOU "We should probably just look forward to what's needed today. The other stuff will fall into place in time."
ALEX "Well, should we start the proper morning meeting now?"
[[YOU "Good idea. Let's grab Chaz and head to the breakroom."]]
A smile rolls across Alex's face. She seems very happy with your enthusiasm and positive outlook.
ALEX "Definitely! That's what I like to hear. Oh, I should have mentioned earlier - I got those building permits you wanted for putting in the skylight for the studio. They're right here."
Alex hands you a package of forms stapled together.
YOU "Oh, good stuff. Let's have a look at this. You know what, actually... I'm going to bring this with me this afternoon and read it when we're on the road."
ALEX "Well, should we start the proper morning meeting now?"
[[YOU "Good idea. Let's grab Chaz and head to the breakroom."]]
The team is assembled in the breakroom. There is a bulletin board up on the wall featuring a large map of Los Suenos. Colored push pins have been placed in the map to indicate hot spots around the city. The colors of the pins sometimes correspond to particular celebrities."
Chaz is sitting on the couch with his feet up resting on the coffee table. Alex takes a seat at the central table and begins jotting down some notes about upcoming jobs.
YOU "Alright, another day, another dollar. What's on the slate for today, team?"
CHAZ "I'm thinking like - big scoop - ... Thomas Armstrong."
YOU "Good man. I want to hear more about that. Alex?"
ALEX "Had my ear to the ground over the weekend. There might be something interesting happening with LaShawn Jordan."
[[YOU "Go Chaz, let's hear about the Armstrong job."]]
[[YOU "I'm interested Alex, what's new with LaShawn?"]]
[[YOU "Let's go over some general boilerplate stuff first, since we've already talked about it this morning."]]
Chaz sits up and pulls a notepad out from his jacket's inside pocket.
CHAZ "Listen close, I'm thinking a stakeout... maybe a hunt. The target - a predator. Yes, I'm talking shady Poppywood producer, Thomas Armstrong."
ALEX "Oh geez, this again."
CHAZ "Hear me out. I've been looking into this guy and something is rotten in Denmark here. Armstrong has been conducting a series of secret meetings across the city. My confidential informants are reliable on this stuff."
YOU "What are your CIs saying?"
CHAZ "Armstrong was at the airport last week greeting a group of sort of G-Men types from the Far East. Button-down black suits, sunglasses, hard looks. Goons."
ALEX "Goons? Sounds like they might just be a private security detail."
[[YOU "This is boring me Chaz. I don't want circumstantial stuff here. Do you have something concrete or not?"]]
[[YOU "It sounds juicy. Is there something substantial happening that we can get in on?"]]
[[YOU "I'm leaning toward Alex on this one. Armstrong is a powerful player in this city and it woudln't be a huge surprise for him to have intimidating bodyguards."]]
[[Chaz is getting agitated, flipping through pages of his notebook.]]
[[Chaz is getting agitated, flipping through pages of his notebook.]]
[[Chaz is getting agitated, flipping through pages of his notebook.]]
CHAZ "Have I steered us wrong yet? My CIs keep reporting back that Armstrong is having these meetings with non-Poppywood types and all on the down low. Their best guess is that it's government officials. Why would that need to be a secret? It's in the public interest."
YOU "Fair enough. So what's the plan?"
CHAZ "Armstrong has a meeting planned at the harbour on the coast. It should be happening in a few hours and I think we should head over now and set up."
YOU "What do you think, Alex?"
ALEX "Honestly, I'd like to put this whole G-Men-Armstrong angle to bed. I think we can get a lot more done when not 'staking-out' and chasing down one heavily protected celebrity. I'm in, but expect me to say 'I'd told you so' if nothing turns up."
CHAZ "Deal!"
[[YOU "I'm interested in your lead Alex, what's going on with LaShawn?"]]
[[YOU "Let's go over some general boilerplate stuff now, since I've already talked with both of you about it this morning."]]
Alex shuts her notebook, gets up from her chair and moves over to the city map on the breakroom wall."
ALEX "LaShawn Jordan has been getting some really bad press lately. My CIs tell me that he isn't taking it very well and has been spending a lot of time in the casinos, which seems to be making everything even worse for him."
CHAZ "LaShawn is a good guy. He likes working with the paparazzi. I saw the hit job on him in the tabloids... not surprised he's unhinged."
ALEX "Exactly. He's got some troubles with one of the sports teams he plays for, but the snappers are double dipping on him because of his rough nights out gambling. This could definitely spiral."
[[YOU "Well maybe we should push a bit and get him to really collapse. It might produce a big story and some valuable shots."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, if you are saying he's usually cooperative with the press, then we should use this opportunity to get what we want out of him. Maybe we can get LaShawn into the studio for an exclusive shoot."]]
[[YOU "If LaShawn is a nice guy, maybe we should be helping him out. We could work on repairing his image."]]
[[YOU "This is clearly a low point for LaShawn so if we help him now, he might be able to really help us later. A sort of 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' deal. This business is built on that kind of relationship."]]
You take a seat at the table in the centre of the breakroom. Chaz and Alex seem interested in continuing the conversation from earlier.
YOU "I spoke with both of you earlier this morning and you realize that it's important that we share a vision about the future of this agency."
CHAZ "This agency is my future."
YOU "And that's what I like to hear. We have powerful rivals so being profitable is clearly the bottom line for success, but I agree with Alex that we can't get there without earning respect."
CHAZ "There's different ways to earn respect in this business."
[[YOU "We're a small team and we can't afford to get targeted by celebrity management teams, or venue security, and least of all police or legal authorities. That means we play it cautious when trying to push into areas that put up natural resistance."]]
[[YOU "Aggression is the key. It's only the three of us, so we can't get pushed around. I don't want to see us as an easy target for venue security or anyone else. We need to make ourselves look indomitable. Sounds dramatic but I'd rather see us forcing our way in to where we need to be than getting kicked out to the curb."]]
[[YOU "We all know that this job is a real grind. Sometimes we wait all day for the scoop and sometimes we have to react on a hair-trigger. This is a small team and we will have to be flexible. Show respect as long as we can afford it, otherwise just get the job done."]]
[[Alex and Chaz are both busy jotting down notes and thinking about the options with LaShawn.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are both busy jotting down notes and thinking about the options with LaShawn.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are both busy jotting down notes and thinking about the options with LaShawn.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are both busy jotting down notes and thinking about the options with LaShawn.]]
ALEX "I'm not against us working with LaShawn and there is a great opportunity here to do what our rivals aren't willing to do - which is help him repair his public image and build him back up as a superstar."
CHAZ "I agree. It's easy money and guys like LaShawn can command respect in this city with everyone - other celebrities, fans, nightclub bouncers. We should work with him."
YOU "It seems like we're agreed that there is a good opportunity here to make some money, relationships, and with LaShawn off the rails a big story could be brewing so we'll want to be there no matter which way we play it in the end."
ALEX "Absolutely. That works for me. So, after Chaz's job we can buzz around and try to track down LaShawn."
YOU "Where do you think he'll be?"
ALEX "If we want to show him that we're allies, the best place to do that might be at the casino. Making him look like a winner there could go a long way in changing the public's mind about how his recent back luck would be defining his future."
CHAZ "Lofty goals, Alex. Lofty goals. Not to mention a pretty tough location to set-up in."
[[YOU "We really should go over some general boilerplate stuff now, since I've already talked with both of you about it this morning."]]
You take a seat at the table in the centre of the breakroom. Chaz and Alex seem interested in continuing the conversation from earlier.
YOU "I spoke with both of you earlier this morning and you realize that it's important we share a vision about the future of this agency."
CHAZ "This agency is my future."
YOU "And that's what I like to hear. We have powerful rivals so being profitable is clearly the bottom line for success, but I agree with Alex that we can't get there without earning respect."
CHAZ "There's different ways to earn respect in this business."
[[YOU "We're a small team and we can't afford to get targeted by celebrity management teams, or venue security, and least of all police and legal authorities. That means we play it cautious when trying to push into areas that put up natural resistance."]]
[[YOU "Aggression is the key. It's only the three of us, so we can't get pushed around. I don't want to see us as an easy target for venue security or anyone else. We need to make ourselves look indomitable. Sounds dramatic but I'd rather see us forcing our way in to where we need to be than getting kicked to the curb."]]
[[YOU "We all know that this job is a grind. Sometimes we wait all day for the scoop and sometimes we have to react on a hair-trigger. This is a small team and we will have to be flexible. Show respect as long as we can afford it, otherwise just get the job done."]]
[[Chaz and Alex look at each other and seem in general accord. You are the boss and sign their paychecks so they understand you are leading the charge.]]
[[Chaz and Alex look at each other and seem in general accord. You are the boss and sign their paychecks so they understand you are leading the charge.]]
[[Chaz and Alex look at each other and seem in general accord. You are the boss and sign their paychecks so they understand you are leading the charge.]]
CHAZ "You know me. I'm up for anything. I love action and I live for the chase. I can do the sneaking and the stakeouts. Not a problem at all."
ALEX "And Chaz, when you're done with the Elmer Fudd routine, you can help me with the public relations angles. I know there's a charmer in there deep down... somewhere."
CHAZ "Yes, there was but my ex-wife won it in the alimony."
ALEX "(laughs) Nah, I don't buy it. You're still loveable."
[[YOU "I'm really glad that you're with us Alex. You make a great addition to the team. Putting respect first in this business takes guts."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, I really respect that you joined the team. Your veteran knowledge puts us on the map right away. I know our rivals will be watching our moves and trying to out-fox us. I feel better knowing that you have our back."]]
[[YOU "What I bring to this team is a kind of determination that is like how glue bonds even the most slippery objects. You two may differ in outlook and style but with me here, it's going to hold and work out for us."]]
[[YOU "This agency is everything for me right now. So, I need a dedicated team that wants to work together, but that will keep me on my toes as well.]]
[[YOU "This agency is everything for me right now. So, I need a dedicated team that wants to work together, but that will keep me on my toes as well.]]
[[YOU "This agency is everything for me right now. So, I need a dedicated team that wants to work together, but that will keep me on my toes as well.]]
[[Chaz and Alex look at each other and seem in general accord. You are the boss and sign their paychecks so they understand you are leading this charge.]]
[[Chaz and Alex look at each other and seem in general accord. You are the boss and sign their paychecks so they understand you are leading this charge.]]
[[Chaz and Alex look at each other and seem in general accord. You are the boss and sign their paychecks so they understand you are leading this charge.]]
CHAZ "You know me. I'm up for anything. I love action and I live for the chase. I can do the sneaking and the stakeouts. Not a problem at all."
ALEX "And Chaz, when you're done with the Elmer Fudd routine, you can help me with the public relations angles. I know there's a charmer in there deep down... somewhere."
CHAZ "Yes, there was but my ex-wife won it in the alimony."
ALEX "(laughs) Nah, I don't buy it. You're still loveable."
[[YOU "Let's hear about your lead now Alex, what's going on with LaShawn?"]]
Alex shuts her notebook, gets up from her chair and moves over to the city map on the breakroom wall.
ALEX "LaShawn Jordan has been getting some really bad press lately. My CIs tell me that he isn't taking it very well and has been spending a lot of time in the casinos, which seems to be making everything even worse for him."
CHAZ "LaShawn is a good guy. He likes working with the paparazzi. I saw the hit job on him in the tabloids... not surprised he's unhinged."
ALEX "Exactly. He's got some troubles with one of the sports teams he plays for, but the snappers are double dipping on him because of his rough nights out gambling. This could definitily spiral."
[[YOU "Well maybe we should push a bit and get him to really collapse. It might produce a big story and valuable shots."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, if you are saying he's usually cooperative with the press, then we should use this opportunity to get what we want out of him. Maybe we can get LaShawn into the studio for a shoot."]]
[[YOU "If LaShawn is a nice guy, maybe we should be helping him out. We could start working on repairing his image."]]
[[YOU "This is clearly a low point for LaShawn so if we help him now, he might be able to help us later. A sort of 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' deal. This business is built on that kind of relationship."]]
[[Chaz and Alex are busy jotting down some notes on the possible job.]]
[[Chaz and Alex are busy jotting down some notes on the possible job.]]
[[Chaz and Alex are busy jotting down some notes on the possible job.]]
[[Chaz and Alex are busy jotting down some notes on the possible job.]]
ALEX "I'm not against us working with LaShawn and there is a great opportunity here to do what our rivals aren't willing to do - which is help him repair his public image and build him back up as a superstar."
CHAZ "I agree. It's easy money and guys like LaShawn can command respect in this city with everyone - other celebrities, fans, nightclub bouncers. We should work with him."
YOU "It seems like we're agreed that there is a good opportunity here to make some money, relationships, and with LaShawn off the rails a big story could be brewing so we'll want to be there no matter which way we play it in the end."
ALEX "Absolutely. That works for me. So, after Chaz's job we can buzz around and try to track down LaShawn."
YOU "Where do you think he'll be?"
ALEX "If we want to show him that we're allies, the best place to do that might be at the casino. Making him look like a winner there could go a long way in changing the public's mind about his recent back luck being what should define his future."
CHAZ "Lofty goals, Alex. Lofty goals. Not to mention a tough venue to set up in."
[[YOU "I'm really glad that you're with us Alex. You make a great addition to the team. Putting respect first in this business takes guts."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, I really respect that you joined the team. Your veteran knowledge puts us on the map right away. I know our rivals will be watching our moves and trying to out-fox us. I feel better knowing that you have our back."]]
[[YOU "What I bring to this team is a kind of determination that is like how glue bonds even the most slippery objects. You two may differ in outlook and style but with me here, it's going to hold and work out for us."]]
Alex shuts her notebook, gets up from her chair and moves over to the city map on the breakroom wall.
ALEX "LaShawn Jordan has been getting some really bad press lately. My CIs tell me that he isn't taking it very well and has been spending a lot of time in the casinos, which seems to be making everything even worse for him."
CHAZ "LaShawn is a good guy. He likes working with the paparazzi. I saw the hit job on him in the tabloids... not surprised he's unhinged."
ALEX "Exactly. He's got some troubles with one of the sports teams he plays for, but the snappers are double dipping on him because of his rough nights out gambling. This could definitily spiral."
[[YOU "Well what say we should push a bit and get him to really collapse. It might produce a big story and some valuable shots."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, if you're saying he's usually cooperative with the press, then we should use this opportunity to get what we want out of him. Maybe we can get LaShawn into the studio for an exclusive shoot."]]
[[YOU "If LaShawn is a nice guy, so maybe we should be helping him out. We could work on repairing his image."]]
[[YOU "This is clearly a low point for LaShawn, so if we help him now, he might be able to really help us later. A sort of 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' deal. This business is built on that kind of relationship."]]
You take a seat at the table in the centre of the breakroom. Chaz and Alex seem interested in continuing the conversation from earlier.
YOU "I spoke with both of you earlier this morning and you realize that it's important that we share a vision about the future of this agency."
CHAZ "This agency is my future."
YOU "And that's what I like to hear. We have powerful rivals so being profitable is clearly the bottom line for success, but I agree with Alex that we can't get there without earning respect."
CHAZ "There's different ways to earn respect in this business."
[[YOU "We're a small team still and we can't afford to get targeted by celebrity management teams, or venue security, and least of all police and legal authorities. That means we play it cautious when trying to push into areas that put up natural resistance."]]
[[YOU "Aggression is the key. It's still only the three of us, so we can't get pushed around. I don't want to see us as an easy target for venue security or anyone else. We need to make ourselves look indomitable. Sounds dramatic but I'd rather see us forcing our way in to where we need to be than getting kicked to the curb."]]
[[YOU "We all know that this job is a grind. Sometimes we wait all day for the scoop and sometimes we have to react on a hair-trigger. This is a small team still and we will have to be flexible. Show respect as long as we can afford it, otherwise just get the job done."]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy jotting down notes about the possible job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy jotting down notes about the possible job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy jotting down notes about the possible job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy jotting down notes about the possible job.]]
ALEX "I'm not against us working with LaShawn and there is a great opportunity here to do what our rivals aren't willing to do - which is help him repair his public image and build him back up as a superstar."
CHAZ "I agree. It's easy money and guys like LaShawn can command respect in this city with everyone - other celebrities, fans, nightclub bouncers. We should work with him."
YOU "It seems like we're agreed that there is a good opportunity here to make some money, relationships, and with LaShawn off the rails a big story could be brewing so we'll want to be there no matter which way we play it in the end."
ALEX "Absolutely. That works for me. So, after Chaz's job we can buzz around and try to track down LaShawn."
YOU "Where do you think he'll be?"
ALEX "If we want to show him that we're allies, the best place to do that might be at the casino. Making him look like a winner there could go a long way in changing the public's mind about his recent back luck being the thing that should define his future."
CHAZ "Lofty goals, Alex. Lofty goals. Not to mention a very tough venue to set up in."
[[YOU "You next Chaz, let's hear about Armstrong."]]
[[YOU "Let's go over general boilerplate stuff now, since I've already talked with both of you about it this morning."]]
Chaz sits up and pulls a notepad out from his jacket's inside pocket.
CHAZ "Listen close, I'm thinking a stakeout... maybe a hunt. The target - a predator. Yes, I'm talking shady Poppywood producer, Thomas Armstrong."
ALEX "Oh geez, this again."
CHAZ "Hear me out. I've been looking into this guy and something is rotten in Denmark here. Armstrong has been conducting a series of secret meetings across the city. My confidential informants are reliable on this stuff."
YOU "What are your CIs saying?"
CHAZ "Armstrong was at the airport last week greeting a group of sort of G-Men types from the Far East. Button-down black suits, sunglasses, hard looks. Goons."
ALEX "Goons? Sounds like they might just be a private security detail."
[[YOU "This is boring me Chaz. I don't want circumstantial stuff here. Do you have something concrete, or not?"]]
[[YOU "It sounds pretty juicy. Is there something substantial happening that we can get in on?"]]
[[YOU "I'm leaning toward Alex on this one. Armstrong is a powerful player in the city and it woudln't be a huge surprise for him to have intimidating bodyguards."]]
You take a seat at the table in the centre of the breakroom. Chaz and Alex seem interested in continuing the conversation from earlier.
YOU "I spoke with both of you earlier this morning and you realize that it's important that we share a vision about the future of this agency."
CHAZ "This agency is my future."
YOU "And that's what I like to hear. We have powerful rivals so being profitable is clearly the bottom line for success, but I agree with Alex that we can't get there without earning respect."
CHAZ "There's different ways to earn respect in this business."
[[YOU "We are a small team and we can't afford to get targeted by celebrity management teams, or venue security, and least of all police or legal authorities. That means we play it cautious when trying to push into areas that put up natural resistance."]]
[[YOU "Aggression is the key here. It's only the three of us, so we can't get pushed around. I don't want to see us as an easy target for venue security or anyone else. We need to make ourselves look indomitable. Sounds dramatic but I'd rather see us forcing our way in to where we need to be than getting kicked out to the curb."]]
[[YOU "We all know that this job is a real grind. Sometimes we wait all day for the scoop and sometimes we have to react on a hair-trigger. This is a small team and we'll have to be flexible. Show respect as long as we can afford it, otherwise just get the job done."]]
[[Chaz is getting flustered, flipping through pages of his notebook.]]
[[Chaz is getting flustered, flipping through pages of his notebook.]]
[[Chaz is getting flustered, flipping through pages of his notebook.]]
CHAZ "Have I steered us wrong yet? My CIs keep reporting back that Armstrong is having these meetings with non-Poppywood types. Their best guess is that it's government officials. Why would that need to be a secret? It's in the public interest."
YOU "Fair enough. So what's the plan?"
CHAZ "Armstrong has a meeting planned at the harbour on the coast. It should be happening in a few hours and I think we should head over now and set up."
YOU "What do you think, Alex?"
ALEX "Honestly, I'd like to put this whole G-Men-Armstrong angle to bed. I think we can get a lot more done when not 'staking-out' and chasing down one heavily protected celebrity. I'm in, but expect me to say 'I'd told you so' if nothing turns up."
CHAZ "Deal!"
[[YOU "We should go over some general boilerplate stuff now, since I've already talked with both of you about it this morning."]]
You take a seat at the table in the centre of the breakroom. Chaz and Alex seem interested in continuing the conversation from earlier.
YOU "I spoke with both of you earlier this morning and you realize that it's important that we share a vision about the future of this agency."
CHAZ "This agency is my future."
YOU "And that's what I like to hear. We have powerful rivals so being profitable is clearly the bottom line for success, but I agree with Alex that we can't get there without earning respect."
CHAZ "There's different ways to earn respect in this business."
[[YOU "We're a small team and we can't afford to get targeted by celebrity management teams, or venue security, and least of all police and legal authority. That means we play it cautious when trying to push into areas that put up natural resistance."]]
[[YOU "Aggression is the key. It's only the three of us, so we can't get pushed around this city. I don't want to see us as an easy target for venue security or anyone else. We need to make ourselves look indomitable. Sounds dramatic but I'd rather see us forcing our way in to where we need to be than getting kicked to the curb."]]
[[YOU "We all know that this job is a grind. Sometimes we wait all day for a scoop and sometimes we have to react on a hair-trigger. This is a small team and we will have to be flexible. Show respect as long as we can afford it, otherwise just get the job done."]]
[[Alex and Chaz look at each other and seem to be in general agreement. They know you are the boss, so you will be the one to lead the charge.]]
[[Alex and Chaz look at each other and seem to be in general agreement. They know you are the boss, so you will be the one to lead the charge.]]
[[Alex and Chaz look at each other and seem to be in general agreement. They know you are the boss, so you will be the one to lead the charge.]]
CHAZ "You know me. I'm up for anything. I love action and I live for the chase. I can do the sneaking and the stakeouts. Not a problem at all."
ALEX "And Chaz, when you're done with the Elmer Fudd routine, you can help me with the public relations angles. I know there's a charmer in there deep down... somewhere."
CHAZ "Yes, there was but my ex-wife won it in the alimony."
ALEX "(laughs) Nah, I don't buy it. You're still loveable."
[[YOU "I'm really glad that you're with us Alex. You make a great addition to the team. Putting respect first in this business takes guts."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, I really respect that you joined the team. Your veteran knowledge puts us on the map right away. I know our rivals will be watching our moves and trying to out-fox us. I feel better knowing that you have our back."]]
[[YOU "What I bring to this team is a kind of determination that is like how glue bonds even the most slippery objects. You two may differ in outlook and style but with me here, it's going to hold and work out for us."]]
[[Alex and Chaz seem to be in general agreement. They know you are the boss and will be the one to lead the charge.]]
[[Alex and Chaz seem to be in general agreement. They know you are the boss and will be the one to lead the charge.]]
[[Alex and Chaz seem to be in general agreement. They know you are the boss and will be the one to lead the charge.]]
CHAZ "You know me. I'm up for anything. I love action and I live for the chase. I can do the sneaking and the stakeouts. Not a problem at all."
ALEX "And Chaz, when you're done with the Elmer Fudd routine, you can help me with the public relations angles. I know there's a charmer in there deep down... somewhere."
CHAZ "Yes, there was but my ex-wife won it in the alimony."
ALEX "(laughs) Nah, I don't buy it. You're still loveable."
[[YOU "You're up Chaz, let's hear about Armstrong."]]
Chaz sits up and pulls a notepad out from his jacket's inside pocket.
CHAZ "Listen close, I'm thinking a stakeout... maybe a hunt. The target - a predator. Yes, I'm talking shady Poppywood producer, Thomas Armstrong."
ALEX "Oh geez, this again."
CHAZ "Hear me out. I've been looking into this guy and something is rotten in Denmark here. Armstrong has been conducting a series of secret meetings around the city. My confidential informants are reliable on this stuff."
YOU "What are your CIs saying?"
CHAZ "Armstrong was at the airport last week greeting a group of sort of G-Men types from the Far East. Button-down black suits, sunglasses, hard looks. Goons."
ALEX "Goons? Sounds like they might just be a private security detail."
[[YOU "This is really boring me Chaz. I don't want circumstantial stuff here. Do you have something concrete or not?"]]
[[YOU "Yes, sounds juicy. Is there something substantial happening that we can get in on?"]]
[[YOU "I'm leaning toward Alex on this one. Armstrong is a powerful player in Los Suenos and it woudln't be a huge surprise for him to have intimidating bodyguards."]]
[[Chaz looks irritated. He flips through his notebook making sure that he can defend his position with the info already gathered.]]
[[Chaz looks irritated. He flips through his notebook making sure that he can defend his position with the info already gathered.]]
[[Chaz looks irritated. He flips through his notebook making sure that he can defend his position with the info already gathered.]]
CHAZ "Have I steered us wrong yet? My CIs keep reporting back that Armstrong is having these meetings with non-Poppywood types. Their best guess is that it's government officials. Why would that need to be a secret? It's in the public interest."
YOU "Fair enough. So what's the plan?"
CHAZ "Armstrong has a meeting planned at the harbour on the coast. It should be happening in a few hours and I think we should head over now and set up."
YOU "What do you think, Alex?"
ALEX "Honestly, I'd like to put this whole G-Men-Armstrong angle to bed. I think we can get a lot more done when not 'staking-out' and chasing down one heavily protected celebrity. I'm in, but expect me to say 'I'd told you so' if nothing turns up."
CHAZ "Deal!"
[[YOU "I'm really glad that you're with us Alex. You make a great addition to the team. Putting respect first in this business takes guts."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, I really respect that you joined the team. Your veteran knowledge puts us on the map right away. I know our rivals will be watching our moves and trying to out-fox us. I feel better knowing that you have our back."]]
[[YOU "What I bring to this team is a kind of determination that is like how glue bonds even the most slippery objects. You two may differ in outlook and style but with me here, it's going to hold and work out for us."]]
[[Alex and Chaz look at each other and appear to be in agreement. They know that you are the boss and will lead the charge.]]
[[Alex and Chaz look at each other and appear to be in agreement. They know that you are the boss and will lead the charge.]]
[[Alex and Chaz look at each other and appear to be in agreement. They know that you are the boss and will lead the charge.]]
CHAZ "You know me. I'm up for anything. I love action and I live for the chase. I can do the sneaking and the stakeouts. Not a problem at all."
ALEX "And Chaz, when you're done with the Elmer Fudd routine, you can help me with the public relations angles. I know there's a charmer in there deep down... somewhere."
CHAZ "Yes, there was but my ex-wife won it in the alimony."
ALEX "(laughs) Nah, I don't buy it. You're still loveable."
[[YOU "You're next Chaz, let's hear about Armstrong."]]
[[YOU "Let's hear about your lead now Alex, what's going on with LaShawn Jordan?"]]
Chaz sits up and pulls a notepad out from his jacket's inside pocket.
CHAZ "Listen close, I'm thinking a stakeout... maybe a hunt. The target - a predator. Yes, I'm talking shady Poppywood producer, Thomas Armstrong."
ALEX "Oh geez, this again."
CHAZ "Hear me out. I've been looking into this guy and something is rotten in Denmark here. Armstrong has been conducting a series of secret meetings around the city. My confidential informants are reliable on this stuff."
YOU "What are your CIs saying?"
CHAZ "Armstrong was at the airport last week greeting a group of sort of G-Men types from the Far East. Button-down black suits, sunglasses, hard looks. Goons."
ALEX "Goons? Sounds like they might just be a private security detail."
[[YOU "This is boring me Chaz. I don't want any circumstantial stuff here. Do you have something concrete or not?"]]
[[YOU "It sounds juicy. Is there something substantial happening that we can get in on here?"]]
[[YOU "I'm leaning toward Alex on this one. Armstrong is a very powerful player in this city and it woudln't be a huge surprise for him to have intimidating bodyguards."]]
Alex shuts her notebook, gets up from her chair and moves over to the city map on the breakroom wall.
ALEX "LaShawn Jordan has been getting some really bad press lately. My CIs tell me that he isn't taking it very well and has been spending a lot of time in the casinos, which seems to be making everything even worse for him."
CHAZ "LaShawn is a good guy. He likes working with the paparazzi. I saw the hit job on him in the tabloids... not surprised he's unhinged."
ALEX "Exactly. He's got some troubles with one of the sports teams he plays for, but the snappers are double dipping on him because of his rough nights out gambling. This could definitily spiral."
[[YOU "Well maybe we should push him, and get him to really collapse. It might produce a big story and some valuable shots."]]
[[YOU "Chaz is saying that LaShawn is usually cooperative with the press, so maybe we should use this opportunity to get what we want out of him. We could get LaShawn into the studio for a shoot."]]
[[YOU "If LaShawn is a nice guy, maybe we should be helping him out. We could work on repairing his public image."]]
[[YOU "This is clearly a low point for LaShawn so if we help him now, he might be able to really help us later. Sort of like an 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' deal. This business is built on that kind of relationship."]]
[[Chaz is scrambling through pages of his notebook reminding himself of the important intel gathered.]]
[[Chaz is scrambling through pages of his notebook reminding himself of the important intel gathered.]]
[[Chaz is scrambling through pages of his notebook reminding himself of the important intel gathered.]]
CHAZ "Have I steered us wrong yet? My CIs keep reporting back that Armstrong is having these meetings with non-Poppywood types. Their best guess is that it's government officials. Why would that need to be a secret? It's in the public interest."
YOU "Fair enough. So what's the plan?"
CHAZ "Armstrong has a meeting planned at the harbour on the coast. It should be happening in a few hours and I think we should head over now and set up."
YOU "What do you think, Alex?"
ALEX "Honestly, I'd like to put this whole G-Men-Armstrong angle to bed. I think we can get a lot more done when not 'staking-out' and chasing down one heavily protected celebrity. I'm in, but expect me to say 'I'd told you so' if nothing turns up."
CHAZ "Deal!"
[[YOU "Ok, let's hear about your lead now Alex, what's going on with LaShawn?"]]
Alex shuts her notebook, gets up from her chair and moves over to the city map on the breakroom wall.
ALEX "LaShawn Jordan has been getting some really bad press lately. My CIs tell me that he isn't taking it very well and has been spending a lot of time in the casinos, which seems to be making everything even worse for him."
CHAZ "LaShawn is a good guy. He likes working with the paparazzi. I saw the hit job on him in the tabloids... not surprised he's unhinged."
ALEX "Exactly. He's got some troubles with one of the sports teams he plays for, but the snappers are double dipping on him because of his rough nights out gambling. This could definitily spiral."
[[YOU "Well maybe we should push a little bit and get him to really collapse. It might produce a big story and valuable shots."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, if you are saying that he's usually cooperative with the press, then we should use this opportunity to get what we want out of him. Maybe we can get LaShawn into the studio for a shoot."]]
[[YOU "If LaShawn is such a nice guy, maybe we should be helping him out. We could start working on repairing his image."]]
[[YOU "This is clearly a very low point for LaShawn so if we help him now, he might be able to help us later. A sort of 'I scratch your back, you scratch mine' deal. This business is built on that kind of relationship."]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy writing more notes in their notebooks.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy writing more notes in their notebooks.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy writing more notes in their notebooks.]]
[[Alex and Chaz are busy writing more notes in their notebooks.]]
ALEX "I'm not against us working with LaShawn and there is a great opportunity here to do what our rivals aren't willing to do - which is help him repair his public image and build him back up as a superstar."
CHAZ "I agree. It's easy money and guys like LaShawn can command respect in this city with everyone - other celebrities, fans, nightclub bouncers. We should work with him."
YOU "It seems like we're agreed that there is a good opportunity here to make some money, relationships, and with LaShawn off the rails a big story could be brewing so we'll want to be there no matter which way we play it in the end."
ALEX "Absolutely. That works for me. So, after Chaz's job we can buzz around and try to track down LaShawn."
YOU "Where do you think he'll be?"
ALEX "If we want to show him that we're allies, the best place to do that might be at the casino. Making him look like a winner there could go a long way in changing the public's mind about his recent back luck being the thing that should define his future."
CHAZ "Lofty goals, Alex. Lofty goals. Not to mention a very tough venue to set up in."
[[YOU "I'm really glad that you're with us Alex. You make a great addition to the team. Putting respect first in this business takes guts."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, I really respect that you joined the team. Your veteran knowledge puts us on the map right away. I know our rivals will be watching our moves and trying to out-fox us. I feel better knowing that you have our back."]]
[[YOU "What I bring to this team is a kind of determination that is like how glue bonds even the most slippery objects. You two may differ in outlook and style but with me here, it's going to hold and work out for us."]]
[[Alex and Chaz continue to write down notes about the potential job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz continue to write down notes about the potential job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz continue to write down notes about the potential job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz continue to write down notes about the potential job.]]
ALEX "I'm not against us working with LaShawn and there is a great opportunity here to do what our rivals aren't willing to do - which is help him repair his public image and build him back up as a superstar."
CHAZ "I agree. It's easy money and guys like LaShawn can command respect in this city with everyone - other celebrities, fans, nightclub bouncers. We should work with him."
YOU "It seems like we're agreed that there is a good opportunity here to make some money, relationships, and with LaShawn off the rails a big story could be brewing so we'll want to be there no matter which way we play it in the end."
ALEX "Absolutely. That works for me. So, after Chaz's job we can buzz around and try to track down LaShawn."
YOU "Where do you think he'll be?"
ALEX "If we want to show him that we're allies, the best place to do that might be at the casino. Making him look like a winner there could go a long way in changing the public's mind about his recent back luck being the thing that should define his future."
CHAZ "Lofty goals, Alex. Lofty goals. Not to mention a very tough venue to set up in."
[[YOU "You're up next Chaz, let's hear about Armstrong."]]
Chaz sits up and pulls a notepad out from his jacket's inside pocket.
CHAZ "Listen close, I'm thinking a stakeout... maybe a hunt. The target - a predator. Yes, I'm talking shady Poppywood producer, Thomas Armstrong."
ALEX "Oh geez, this again."
CHAZ "Hear me out. I've been looking into this guy and something is rotten in Denmark here. Armstrong has been conducting a series of secret meetings around the city. My confidential informants are reliable on this stuff."
YOU "What are your CIs saying?"
CHAZ "Armstrong was at the airport last week greeting a group of sort of G-Men types from the Far East. Button-down black suits, sunglasses, hard looks. Goons."
ALEX "Goons? Sounds like they might just be a private security detail."
[[YOU "This is boring me Chaz and I don't want circumstantial stuff here. Do you have something concrete or not?"]]
[[YOU "It sounds juicy, so is there something substantial happening that we can get in on?"]]
[[YOU "I'm leaning toward Alex on this one and Armstrong is a powerful player in this city. It woudln't be a huge surprise for him to have intimidating bodyguards."]]
[[Chaz is a little flustered as he scrambles through pages of his notebook reminding himself of the intel.]]
[[Chaz is a little flustered as he scrambles through pages of his notebook reminding himself of the intel.]]
[[Chaz is a little flustered as he scrambles through pages of his notebook reminding himself of the intel.]]
CHAZ "Have I steered us wrong yet? My CIs keep reporting back that Armstrong is having these meetings with non-Poppywood types. Their best guess is that it's government officials. Why would that need to be a secret? It's in the public interest."
YOU "Fair enough. So what's the plan?"
CHAZ "Armstrong has a meeting planned at the harbour on the coast. It should be happening in a few hours and I think we should head over now and set up."
YOU "What do you think, Alex?"
ALEX "Honestly, I'd like to put this whole G-Men-Armstrong angle to bed. I think we can get a lot more done when not 'staking-out' and chasing down one heavily protected celebrity. I'm in, but expect me to say 'I'd told you so' if nothing turns up."
CHAZ "Deal!"
[[YOU "I'm really glad that you're with us Alex. You make a great addition to the team. Putting respect first in this business takes guts."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, I really respect that you joined the team. Your veteran knowledge puts us on the map right away. I know our rivals will be watching our moves and trying to out-fox us. I feel better knowing that you have our back."]]
[[YOU "What I bring to this team is a kind of determination that is like how glue bonds even the most slippery objects. You two may differ in outlook and style but with me here, it's going to hold and work out for us."]]
ALEX "I was actually meaning to ask you about your background again..."
CHAZ "...it's a great story."
[[YOU "As a former war photojournalist, I understand the hunt, but I also recognize humanity..."]]
[[YOU "After many years as a paparazzi photojournalist in New Port City, it was time to take on a new challenge here in Los Suenos..."]]
[[YOU "I was born and raised in Los Suenos, and the limelight caught my eye at an early age. I've always been a fan of the stars and this job is a new angle on how I see them and what they mean to me..."]]
YOU "During the Vietnam War, I photographed life, death, and trauma. I captured moments and places through the camera lens that most people would never have believed."
ALEX "It sounds life-defining."
YOU "The photojournalist team was out there doing work that really mattered. We put people in touch with each other through photographs and stories."
CHAZ "No disrespect intended, but we're doing that right now as well. And without the death and destruction."
YOU "I agree, Chaz. This new paparazzi agency will play an important role for the city, maybe the world."
ALEX "Definitely. So what do you think? Anything more to discuss or should we hit the road?"
[[Share news about Magnus Sven from the drive over.]]
[[Share news about the school PA day from the drive over.]]
[[Share news about the celebrity list from your notebook.]]
YOU "I know all about the grind of day-to-day jobs in this industry. I worked for almost twenty years in New Port City and most of that was just about weaving through taxis on Mainhaven Island to keep up with the stars' limos."
ALEX "You're a legend! Honestly though. I'm blushing. You were great. (laughs) I mean you are great."
CHAZ "I always worried about what would happen if you came over to the other coast. But, it's nice to know that we are allies, and not rivals."
YOU "Los Suenos is a different layout and there's a lot to learn about the sprawl of the city, but I'm a quick study."
ALEX "Definitely, I wouldn't doubt it. So what do you think? Anything more to discuss or should we hit the road?"
[[Share news about Magnus Sven from the drive over.]]
[[Share news about the school PA day from the drive over.]]
[[Share news about the celebrity list from your notebook.]]
YOU "I followed the lives of the stars through magazines and newspapers since I was a kid. I've been outside the premieres and the award shows, come rain or shine."
ALEX "You probably know this city well."
YOU "You might be surprised actually. I know celebrities, but this city has always been a backdrop for me, just stage props. It's the spotlight that is most interesting and what it can show when people are at their best, and at their worst."
CHAZ "There will always be a push to show them at their best. We wouldn't have to be here for that."
YOU "But, we can do it with more reality."
CHAZ "Here, here."
ALEX "Reality is a safe bet! I'm all for it. So what do you think? Anything more to discuss or should we hit the road?"
[[Share news about Magnus Sven from the drive over.]]
[[Share news about the school PA day from the drive over.]]
[[Share news about the celebrity list from your notebook.]]
YOU "One last thing. I was reading the newspaper earlier and noticed Magnus Sven was getting a lot of flack from that... Hoser columnist?"
ALEX "Gregory Hoshur for the Los Suenos Tribune."
YOU "Yes, anyway what do we know about Sven? Worth pursuing him?"
CHAZ "Sven's a big deal right now and totally tied-in with Armstrong. I would say that we should go after him."
ALEX "That's your unbiased opinion?"
CHAZ "I treat everything in this industry with bias. My shots come first."
ALEX "(laughs) I don't doubt it."
YOU "What else do we know?"
ALEX "Sven is pretty receptive to the paparazzi. He's not so different from LaShawn Jordan. I think if we make him happy - make him look good - he could be a big asset."
YOU "Thanks for the intel guys. We better head out to the harbour and set up for this Armstrong meeting."
[[Day 1: Afternoon - Coast: Harbour]]
YOU "One last thing. I noticed that the regular fleet of schoolbuses weren't on the roads today. Anyone know if the public schools are closed?"
ALEX "They are. It's a PA Day."
CHAZ "Holy Smokes! We are going to have a hell of a time getting through traffic."
YOU "What's that mean for the Armstrong meeting?"
CHAZ "That harbour is for Los Suenos elites and Poppywood socialites. I suspect that it won't actually be very busy. Most of them will either be out on the water already or down at the beach... maybe hitting the links."
ALEX "If Armstrong's security detail..."
CHAZ "Men-in-black... hired goons... mafia henchmen..."
ALEX "Right. So, if that whole crew has numbers then it being busy around the harbour wouldn't be such a bad thing. We wouldn't want to stand out and be spotted."
YOU "Good points. Thanks for the intel guys. We better head out to the harbour and set up for this Armstrong meeting."
[[Day 1: Afternoon - Coast: Harbour]]
YOU "One last thing. I just thought that you both should know that I've been compiling a list of celebrities into two columns in my notebook."
ALEX "Like a Hot-or-Not List?"
YOU "Yes, that's it. If you have any suggestions of who to add let me know. I left my notebook at home, but I'll bring it in tomorrow to let you have a look at the list."
CHAZ "Well, if you haven't added her yet, I think Sax Lane should go into your 'hot' column. I've been helping re-brand her and this agency should be able to get her some good press. This 'pop punk' phenomenon is coming on strong in the music scene and she's got the right stuff for it."
ALEX "This is the daughter of your old friend, Chaz?"
CHAZ "He wasn't an old friend... more of a confidential informant from an old job. But, yeah that's her - Dolores Groot."
ALEX "Awesome, I'd like to meet her. I'm getting into the pop punk new wave stuff too."
YOU "Sax sounds promising. Great stage name too. Thanks for the intel guys. We better head out to the harbour and set up for this Armstrong meeting."
[[Day 1: Afternoon - Coast: Harbour]]
DAY 1: AFTERNOON - COAST: HARBOUR
The skies are clear and the Sun is shining brightly. The water is calm and the harbour is quiet. The harbour's main marina docks a number of ships, including the yachts of some Los Suenos celebrities and powerful citizens.
Chaz exits the highway and drives along the lane which leads to the harbour. The place is quiet and the parking lot ahead is empty. Chaz parks at the far end of the lot, away from the entrance to the marina.
CHAZ "Gear up! We're ready to roll."
ALEX "Seems quiet."
YOU "Why did you park over here, Chaz?"
CHAZ "Armstrong's 'bodyguards' will probably think the car is derelict if it's in the far corner of the lot like this. They won't suspect that anyone is here watching."
ALEX "Totally, because your car fits the profile of a derelict vehicle in the first place."
CHAZ "(laughs) Watch it!"
[[YOU "Alright, can the small talk. We've got a job to do and the clock is ticking. We came out here to make money, not joke around."]]
[[YOU "Smart thinking, Chaz. Now that we know the Marina is empty, we probably need to be as stealth as possible."]]
[[YOU "Alex is right though, this car doesn't even make sense for a chic marina. Maybe we should have parked somewhere else and walked in."]]
[[Chaz seems eager to unpack the equipment from the car and get started on setting up.]]
[[Chaz seems eager to unpack the equipment from the car and get started on setting up.]]
[[Chaz seems eager to unpack the equipment from the car and get started on setting up.]]
CHAZ "No one is going to notice the car and it would have been way too far to lug our equipment if we parked in the next closest place. If you haven't already noticed we are pretty isolated out here."
YOU "Fair enough. So, how should we approach this?"
ALEX "I would say that a long-distance shot would capture the meeting best. If we can get up really high then there will be good blocking for the frame."
CHAZ "That's true, because if we are up higher then people's heads won't be getting in the way of others in the frame. But, if we hide in one of the yachts or even down at the end of the marina behind those crates then we will hear everything being said at the meeting."
[[YOU "If the security detail are dangerous goons as you say Chaz, then we probably don't want to be pinned-down if they catch us spying."]]
[[YOU "I like the idea of being close to the action. As Alex says, if we want to put the paranoia to rest on Armstrong, then we need to know exatly what's going on here."]]
[[YOU "I don't need your advice... either of you. Chaz, you're too close to this and Alex, you are too skeptical. We'll do this my way."]]
[[YOU "You both make good suggestions. Perhaps, there is a way for us to split up the team and be in both places at once."]]
[[Chaz and Alex are waiting for your decision on how to set up the shoot.]]
[[Chaz and Alex are waiting for your decision on how to set up the shoot.]]
[[Chaz and Alex are waiting for your decision on how to set up the shoot.]]
[[Chaz and Alex are waiting for your decision on how to set up the shoot.]]
YOU "I think we might need a little more information. Alex, why don't you head down to the end of the marina's pier and see what's up with those crates."
ALEX "On it."
CHAZ "Let me guess... I should be unpacking our gear and testing it?"
YOU "Right on!"
Chaz was being a little facetious given that he had been unpacking the equipment since exiting the car. He then starts testing the walkie-talkies and making sure that his lenses are racking focus properly.
You watch Alex jog down to the end of the pier and inspect the crates.
You keep an eye on the highway exit to make sure that Armstrong isn't arriving early. The sun is beating down and time seems to pass quickly as you heat up.
A few minutes pass and Alex is now heading back to the car and Chaz seems to have the kits packed.
YOU "Anything interesting?"
ALEX "Absolutely, those crates are just decorations. We could shift them around a bit to make a gap for the camera. But, it's still a tight spot."
CHAZ "The kits are packed. So what's the call?"
[[YOU "It seems like the best idea is to have someone down at the crates with a tape recorder to pick up audio. We can get some close shots while the rest of the team is at a distance nailing a group shot."]]
[[YOU "I'm not hot on the idea of splitting up the team. Armstrong is a power player and he's still pretty mysterious. I wouldn't want any intangibles getting us caught up in a big mess."]]
[[Three of you keep looking around contemplating the options.]]
[[Three of you keep looking around contemplating the options.]]
ALEX "It's not a problem for me to hide behind the crates and pick up audio. It will probably be the surest way to know exactly what these mysterious meeting are about."
CHAZ "You know what... I don't feel comfortable about this. I know you are doubtful Alex, but I don't like this guy Armstrong and what I'm hearing from CIs about his goons sounds legit. You shouldn't be down there. None of us should."
[[YOU "Let's just set up an audio recorder behind the crates and hope that it keeps recording for the meeting and picks up some valuable information for us."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, you're being paranoid. Armstrong is a celebrity and he can't afford to be roughing-up the press. We need someone down at the crates."]]
[[YOU "I'll be the one to hide behind the crates then. If anything happens, I will just talk my way out of it."]]
Alex and Chaz look at each other. They both seem to have the same thought in mind.
ALEX "I'm not sure if that would be a great idea."
YOU "Why do you say that?"
ALEX "If these bodyguards know how to do their job properly there is a chance that they would check behind the crates."
CHAZ "Alex is right. If they found the recorder it would be worse than them finding us."
YOU "I don't know what you mean. Explain."
ALEX "I think Chaz is saying that we might be expected to be spying and if caught it wouldn't necessarily make a big change to how they approach us, but if they don't even know who is spying on them..."
CHAZ "Armstrong might just become a recluse for a bit. Which normally I would promote pushing for, except his security would be so tight that I'm not sure we could ever get shots of him paranoid and in hiding... which incidentally would be amazing shots."
ALEX "Amazing! Chaz Pimento downplaying his abilities to seek and destroy."
Chaz accepts the burn as playful and kind of flattering. He had made his point clear.
YOU "Let's do the audio recorder anyway. We're here to learn as much as possible so no point in getting gun-shy now."
[[Alex heads back down to the crates to set up the audio recorder.]]
Alex and Chaz look at each other uncomfortably.
ALEX "I think Chaz might be right. It could be dangerous down there if one of us gets caught."
CHAZ "Long distance is the way to go on this one. Get up high. See all the players in the game. There will be other clues to fill in the gaps. We don't need to listen in. I don't think it's worth it. I just want to see who the meeting is with."
YOU "Compromise then. Let's set up an audio recorder down behind the crates. Let it run. If we run out of tape, too bad. If the audio is muffled, too bad. We get what we get... but we still get something extra."
ALEX "Definitely. That would work."
[[Alex heads back down to the crates to set up the audio recorder.]]
Alex and Chaz look at each other uncomfortably.
CHAZ "That's big of you to volunteer taking the risk, but I'm not sure that we need anyone that far in. Audio would help, and close shots would be great, but this is about the group shot."
ALEX "There will be details to key in on and that should help fill in the gaps without taking any big risks on getting caught. This isn't a standard job in a lot of ways."
CHAZ "Alex is right. This is a stakeout of a secret meeting. We need all of our skills as photojournalists, but this isn't like snapping outside a bar or award show. We need to be careful here."
YOU "You both make good points so let's compromise. We will set up an audio recorder down behind the crates. Let it run and if we pick up something juicy the we got a little extra out of a high-risk job."
CHAZ "I'm all for it."
[[Alex heads back down to the crates to set up the audio recorder.]]
Alex is returning to the car once more. Chaz has equipment already slung over his shoulder. Chaz locks up the car.
CHAZ "We better head out. Running out of time."
YOU "Alex, you get everything set up alright?"
ALEX "The recorder is running. If the meeting is near that end of the pier then it will definitely pick up some chatting. These new Sony TC recorders are next level stuff. We're talking digital era."
YOU "Cool. Well, any suggestions on where we set up?"
CHAZ "The houses up that hill are ideal. Even if we are spotted it wouldn't be difficult to make it seem like we are just whale watching."
ALEX "Whale watching?"
CHAZ "Actually, a lot of the yuppies who live down here were hippies in the sixties. Claiming to be environmental activists or nature photographers is a really good cover on the remote parts of the coast."
ALEX "That's a gated community up there. That excuse might work, but I don't know. Obviously, they set up their entrance to keep tourists away."
YOU "We have some tasks then. I guess the objective will be to get the best vantage on the marina and to be up as high as possible. The houses on the hill probably dp work the best like you said, Chaz. But, Alex is right, we will need to be careful because it is private property."
[[TASK: CLIMB THE HILL]]
(This is the first TASK in the game SNAPPER. Tasks have to be completed through raising SUSPICION. There are myriad negative consequences for increasing suspicion which will be explained at the end of this tutorial mission. As the player, you are in charge of making decisions and you must decide who will become more suspicious on your team of paparazzi photojournalists. The decision involves wise management of your team in order to secure the best shots and highest selling price for those photos.)
[[Take the suspicion of climbing the hill.]]
[[Put the suspicion of climbing the hill on Alex.]]
[[Put the suspicion of climbing the hill on Chaz.]]
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
The team has heavy kits to lug up a steep hill. There is a row of modern looking houses at the top of the hill with a laneway along the length of the row which connects to garages and the gates of backyards.
There are some muddy patches to navigate while the team ascends.
Fortunately, it is early in the work day and everyone has the strength and energy to make it to the top without injury or damaging equipment.
You feel like you might need a hand but you continue on. You slip and wheeze loudly. A few onlookers walking dogs down the lane, probably residents in the community, look at your team with a measure of suspicion.
[[As Chaz and Alex reach the top they look back to make sure you are with them.]]
(set: $AlexSuspicion to $AlexSuspicion + 1)
The team has heavy kits to lug up a steep hill. There is a row of modern looking houses at the top of the hill with a laneway along the length of the row which connects to garages and the gates of backyards.
There are some muddy patches to navigate while the team ascends.
Fortunately, it is early in the work day and everyone has the strength and energy to make it to the top without injury or damaging equipment.
Alex looks like she might need a hand but you continue on. Alex slips and wheezes loudly. A few onlookers walking dogs down the lane, probably residents in the community, look at your team with a measure of suspicion.
[[As Chaz and Alex reach the top they look back to make sure you are with them.]]
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
The team has heavy kits to lug up a steep hill. There is a row of modern looking houses at the top of the hill with a laneway along the length of the row which connects to garages and the gates of backyards.
There are some muddy patches to navigate while the team ascends.
Fortunately, it is early in the work day and everyone has the strength and energy to make it to the top without injury or damaging equipment.
Chaz looks like he might need a hand but you continue on. Chaz slips and grunts loudly. A few onlookers walking dogs down the lane, probably residents in the community, look at your team with a measure of suspicion.
[[As Chaz and Alex reach the top they look back to make sure you are with them.]]
CHAZ "Last few yards!"
ALEX "C'mon, you've got this."
You make it to the top of the hill and everyone takes a minute to catch their breath. The hill looks a lot steeper looking down from the top.
The accomplishment gives you an adrenaline high and you feel like you have a little more hustle in your step."
YOU "Feels good. We could do this all day."
Chaz doesn't look ready for any more exercise. He is still keeled over catching his breath. Alex has started to inspect some of the garages.
ALEX "Getting up on the garage would work well. We'd need to find a ladder."
[[YOU "That hill was treacherous. I'm not sure we can all handle more intense workouts right now. We should find another way to get up higher."]]
[[YOU "Sounds like a good idea. Let's do some scouting and find a ladder."]]
[[YOU "Alex, you are the youngest so why don't you go look for a ladder while we catch our breath."]]
[[YOU "Alex, you're only thinking one step ahead. That isn't good enough for this job. We need to think bigger and get even higher up than a garage roof."]]
[[Chaz is standing up straight again and seems to have recovered from the hike.]]
[[Chaz is standing up straight again and seems to have recovered from the hike.]]
[[Chaz is standing up straight again and seems to have recovered from the hike.]]
[[Chaz is standing up straight again and seems to have recovered from the hike.]]
CHAZ "I'm fine now. We could look around for a ladder to get up on the garage but these backyards are elevated still. I say forget the garages and we should go into the backyards to get up on the back walls."
ALEX "Isn't that trespassing? I was under the impression that getting arrested was something we couldn't afford right now."
YOU "If we are using the backyards then we should be looking for the houses that seem empty. Let's make sure that everyone is at work."
CHAZ "I guess it's a good thing that school's out today. Probably most kids are at the beach on a sunny, hot day like this. Parents too."
[[YOU "We will use the backyards but if someone asks us to leave, we'll apologize and do what they say."]]
[[YOU "Let's get into the backyards and up on the walls as you say Chaz. If we get caught we can just make up some excuses and see if it delays us being kicked out."]]
[[YOU "We definitely need to try for the backyards. If we get caught we can try intimidating the homeowners a bit. We have a short window in time to get the shots so we can't waste it with people's irrational fears. We're not doing any of this to rob them or hurt them."]]
Alex seems amenable to the plan and Chaz is already inspecting the gate into the backyard of the house at the end of the lane.
ALEX "As long as we respect the wishes of the homeowners then I'm up for it."
CHAZ "Have a look at the gate here. I think that I can pick this lock."
[[You grab the kits and head over to the gate which Chaz is inspecting.]]
Alex seems a little uncomfortable with the plan. Chaz is already inspecting the gate into the backyard of the house at the end of the lane.
ALEX "It's going to have to be a pretty good excuse for them not to call the cops on us. I mean what would you do if you found a bunch of prowlers in your backyard who weren't willing to leave when asked to?"
CHAZ "Relax, Alex. Excuses always work. People aren't looking for conflict. By the way, have a look at the gate here. I think that I can pick this lock."
[[You grab the kits and head over to the gate which Chaz is inspecting.]]
Alex seems very uncomfortable with the plan. Chaz is already inspecting the gate into the backyard of the house at the end of the lane.
ALEX "How is it an 'irrational fear' when someone catches prowlers on their property, who threaten them, and then refuse to leave? That's ridiculous."
[[YOU "Alex, I'm not going to debate this with you. We are here to make money and that doesn't happen when we don't do the things that get us the best shots. I don't want to hear any more complaining."]]
[[YOU "Alex, I understand your anxieties. So, maybe we don't threaten anyone to get our way, but we can still be pushy to make sure that people who don't understand our job don't get in the way."]]
[[YOU "You know I think you're right, Alex. If we have to deal with the police later then being accused of threatening others will not look good and it might be the thing that gets one of us arrested."]]
[[YOU "I'm sorry for being so fanatical, Alex. You're right we don't need to be threatening people who don't understand what we are doing here. There has got to be a better way."]]
Chaz is hunched-over with some tools in his hands. He is fiddling around with a lock built into the gate to the backyard.
CHAZ "This looks pretty easy to jimmy."
ALEX "What is that? A lockpick?"
CHAZ "(laughs) I snapped pliers and welded one of those curvy dentist tools to the end of it."
YOU "Where did you get the dentist tool?"
CHAZ "I stole it the last time I was in there for a teeth cleaning."
ALEX "Gotcha, so I guess you've had this thing since before JFK was shot then."
Chaz is distracted for a minute and wants to laugh. He always seems to be getting burned by the jokes of others, especially Alex.
CHAZ "No...before Bobby. Anyway, I think I can get this open."
YOU "Go for it."
[[TASK: PICK GATE LOCK]]
[[Alex looks like she's close to bailing out on the set up.]]
[[Alex looks like she's close to bailing out on the set up.]]
[[Alex looks like she's close to bailing out on the set up.]]
[[Alex looks like she's close to bailing out on the set up.]]
CHAZ "We won't need to threaten anyone down here. Relax, Alex. Excuses are good enough if we get caught. They always work. People aren't looking for conflict. By the way, have a look at the gate here. I think that I can pick this lock."
[[You grab the kits and head over to the gate which Chaz is inspecting.]]
[[Take the suspicion of picking the lock.]]
[[Put the suspicion of picking the lock on Alex.]]
[[Put the suspicion of picking the lock on Chaz.]]
Chaz is fiddling with the lock for a few minutes. You want to see what is going on close-up so you stand very close to him. You might be crowding him a bit even. Suddenly, you hear a snap.
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
[[Chaz hangs his head in shame for a moment.]]
Chaz is fiddling with the lock for a few minutes. Alex wants to see what is going on close-up so she stand very close to him. She appears to be crowding him a bit even. Suddenly, you hear a snap.
(set: $AlexSuspicion to $AlexSuspicion + 1)
[[Chaz hangs his head in shame for a moment.]]
Chaz is fiddling with the lock for a few minutes. You want to see what is going on close-up so you stand very close to him. You can see that he isn't being very finesse with the lockpick. Suddenly, you hear a snap.
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
[[Chaz hangs his head in shame for a moment.]]
CHAZ "Darn."
ALEX "(laughs) Terrible news, Chaz... you're going to have to make a new appointment to see the dentist!"
CHAZ "Very funny."
YOU "You broke the lockpick?"
Chaz is looking inside the keyhole.
CHAZ "Worse. Actually I jammed the lock. That's too bad. This house would have been ideal for setting up the shot."
ALEX "Is there anything we can do?"
[[YOU "Let's try hopping the gate. If we are planning on being in someone's backyard I don't see why it would matter how we got in."]]
[[YOU "I'm not going to be stopped by a stupid lock. There's evidence for trepassing now anyway so we need to push in and get what we came for."]]
[[YOU "I don't like the idea of trespassing, especially after damaging private property, but turning back just means that we don't get a good shot at all."]]
[[Alex and Chaz seem opened minded at this point. Time is running out and a lot of thought and energy has already been invested in the job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz seem opened minded at this point. Time is running out and a lot of thought and energy has already been invested in the job.]]
[[Alex and Chaz seem opened minded at this point. Time is running out and a lot of thought and energy has already been invested in the job.]]
CHAZ "Let me work on fishing out the broken piece from inside the lock. That way we haven't damaged anything."
ALEX "We shouldn't have been fiddling with that gate in the first place. It would have made more sense to either find a ladder and climb over into the backyard or just hop the gate."
YOU "Seems like hopping the gate is the way to go then."
CHAZ "In for a penny..."
[[TASK: HOP THE GATE]]
[[Put the suspicion of hopping the gate on Alex.]]
[[Put the suspicion of hopping the gate on Chaz.]]
(set: $AlexSuspicion to $AlexSuspicion + 1)
YOU "Let me go first. Then you can pass the equipment over."
You take your time preparing your first step over the gate. There are sharp finial spikes along the top of the gate so you will have to be careful.
You make your attempt and hoist yourself up over the spikes. You twist your body and land on the inside of the backyard unscathed.
ALEX "Awesome!"
CHAZ "Get'er done!"
YOU "I might be able to open the gate from the inside."
CHAZ "Honestly, I think I wrecked it."
ALEX "Wait, what's that sound?"
You stop dead in your tracks to listen.
ALEX "It's growling..."
You turn around and are faced with an angry Rottweiler. The homeowners must use the dog as a guard. You realize that the dog was probably using the shade under the balcony to keep cool.
[[YOU "Any suggestions right now would be great! This is looking worse than getting caught hiding behind those crates."]]
[[YOU "Would one of you do something already! I shouldn't even be the one over here right now. Chaz, you're the tough one and Alex, you're the young one. This is ridiculous!"]]
[[YOU "I'm glad this is me and not you guys. I'm pretty good with animals. Let me try my friendly whistle."]]
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
YOU "Let me go first. Then you can pass the equipment over."
You take your time preparing your first step over the gate. There are sharp finial spikes along the top of the gate so you will have to be careful.
You make your attempt and hoist yourself up over the spikes. You twist your body and land on the inside of the backyard unscathed.
ALEX "Awesome!"
CHAZ "Get'er done!"
YOU "I might be able to open the gate from the inside."
CHAZ "Honestly, I think I wrecked it."
ALEX "Wait, what's that sound?"
You stop dead in your tracks to listen.
ALEX "It's growling..."
You turn around and are faced with an angry Rottweiler. The homeowners must use the dog as a guard. You realize that the dog was probably using the shade under the balcony to keep cool.
[[YOU "Any suggestions right now would be great, guys! This is looking worse than getting caught hiding behind those crates."]]
[[YOU "Would one of you do something already! I shouldn't even be the one over here right now. Chaz, you're the tough guy and Alex, you're the young spry one. This is ridiculous!"]]
[[YOU "I'm glad this is me and not you guys. I'm pretty good with animals. Let me try one of my friendly whistles."]]
[[Chaz has a Eureka moment and reaches into his jacket pocket.]]
[[Chaz has a Eureka moment and reaches into his jacket pocket.]]
[[Chaz has a Eureka moment and reaches into his jacket pocket.]]
CHAZ "Hold on! I have something..."
Chaz pulls out a half-eaten Slim Jim meat jerky stick from the inside pocket of his jacket.
CHAZ "Quick! Reach back and take this. Maintain eye contact with the dog though."
You inch back toward the gate while maintaining eye contact with the guard dog who has now dropped into an aggressive stance.
You reach back and Chaz hands you the jerky treat through the space in the gate."
CHAZ "You got it?"
You have a quick look at what Chaz handed you and realize what you need to do."
YOU "Hey pooch... what's this? Food? You want a treat?"
The dog's ears perk up. It looks like you snapped him out of his fight mode.
The dog begins sniffing the air.
ALEX "Snap him off a piece and then try walking him over to the garage door. See if you can get him to go inside."
You follow Alex's advice and break off a piece of the jerky to throw for the dog. The dog inhales the meat but seems friendlier afterward.
You walk over to the garage door with the treat extended out away from your body. You use the treat to lead the dog. The door to the garage is unlocked.
You open the garage door and show the dog that you have thrown the jerky into the garage on the ground. The dog inspects the area and then enters the garage. You quickly shut the door behind the dog.
CHAZ "(laughs) You're a regular Joan Embery!"
ALEX "I dig it! Nice work... (laughs) so let us in now."
[[YOU "I thought the hike up here was tough. Let's get set up now. I'll let you guys in."]]
[[YOU "You guys haven't done much work yet. Maybe I should have you hop the gate as well."]]
[[YOU "I'm not sure it's safe to stay here. That dog looks big enough to bust through the garage door if it really wanted to."]]
[[Chaz is looking at his wristwatch. He is conscious of the fact that the Armstrong meeting is scheduled to happen soon.]]
[[Chaz is looking at his wristwatch. He is conscious of the fact that the Armstrong meeting is scheduled to happen soon.]]
[[Chaz is looking at his wristwatch. He is conscious of the fact that the Armstrong meeting is scheduled to happen soon.]]
CHAZ "I think we're good now. No need in wasting time. Open the gate and we can get started setting up."
[[YOU "Alright, I'll open the gate for you."]]
You are able to open the gate for Alex and Chaz. They haul the equipment inside the backyard and inspect the space.
YOU "The wall looks high and thin. Not sure if this will work."
CHAZ "All we need to be able to do is look over it."
ALEX "There's a patio table in the corner. Help me carry it over to the wall."
The three of you move over to the patio table and pick it up. The table is light, thin and made of plastic. You put it down beside the wall.
CHAZ "Hold it steady. I want to check if I can see over the wall."
You hold the table steady for Chaz but the wall is too high for him to see over it."
ALEX "Disappointing. The table is way too short. Or maybe it's just Chaz who is too short."
Chaz is preoccupied.
CHAZ "Keep holding it. Here take my camera."
Chaz hands you his camera and Alex holds the table steady.
ALEX "What are you doing?"
CHAZ "I'm going to jump up onto the ledge of the wall."
ALEX "I wouldn't try that Chaz... the table won't..."
Chaz refuses to listen to Alex's advice and tries jumping anyway. He has a loose grip on the ledge of the wall but his fingers are slipping.
Chaz tries to get traction with his feet against the wall but he loses his grip at the top. He comes down on the table and it breaks into a few big pieces with some shards of plastic debris around everyone's feet. The dog begins barking from inside the garage.
[[YOU "Chaz, what is wrong with you?! You just broke the table. That's not just trespassing now but vandalism too."]]
[[YOU "Are you alright, Chaz? Did you mess up your fingers? We can't afford to lose your camera skills."]]
[[YOU "Chaz, that was a nasty fall. Did you cut yourself on the table? Maybe take a time-out while Alex and I try to fix this cheap trash."]]
[[Chaz is brushing himself off while Alex attempts to piece the table back together.]]
[[Chaz is brushing himself off while Alex attempts to piece the table back together.]]
[[Chaz is brushing himself off while Alex attempts to piece the table back together.]]
CHAZ "I'm not hurt. But I don't think we can put this table back together. We have to scram especially with that mutt yapping."
ALEX "Not a good start. We could just shoot from the top of the hill, I guess?"
[[YOU "We're too exposed at the top of the hill. We need to find another backyard to use."]]
[[YOU "Let's go back out and see whether there's good enough vantage from the top of the hill and check how exposed we are."]]
[[YOU "I think you're right, Alex. We've done enough damage for one day. Let's just use the top of the hill. It's public space and we have the right to be there."]]
[[You try your best to move the table back and perhaps the homeowners will think that the dog broke it. It is unlikely given that someone was clearly prowling in the backyard, breaking a gate lock and putting a guard dog in the garage for safety.]]
[[You try your best to move the table back and perhaps the homeowners will think that the dog broke it. It is unlikely given that someone was clearly prowling in the backyard, breaking a gate lock and putting a guard dog in the garage for safety.]]
[[You try your best to move the table back and perhaps the homeowners will think that the dog broke it. It is unlikely given that someone was clearly prowling in the backyard, breaking a gate lock and putting a guard dog in the garage for safety.]]
YOU "I think that's the best we can do in here. Better just move on for now."
The three of you head back out to the laneway with the equipment. The sun is high in the sky and the pavement of the laneway has a shimmering reflection that pierces your eyes when you look at it.
YOU "What do you think about just using this spot out here?"
ALEX "Well, it's not actually public property because this laneway is a gated community."
CHAZ "We need to try again with the backyards. There is bound to be a ladder or at least a real table that doesn't shatter under modest amounts of pressure."
ALEX "That's a very modest assessment of the pressure you applied. I did notice that Slim Jim being half eaten."
CHAZ "I'm a thick guy, so sue me."
ALEX "The homeowners might... if they find us here."
[[YOU "This isn't a productive conversation. Chaz is right. We need to get up higher if possible."]]
[[YOU "Enough with the horseplay already, Alex. It's friendly now but if you two keep razzing each other it will eventually get in the way of work. Right now we need to get up higher if at all possible"]]
[[YOU "I'm disappointed Chaz. I just don't understand how you're planning to help when making bad judgment calls like with the table. That being said, you are right that we should try some other options to get up higher."]]
[[You begin searching between the garages for an open gate to the backyard of any of the houses.]]
[[You begin searching between the garages for an open gate to the backyard of any of the houses.]]
[[You begin searching between the garages for an open gate to the backyard of any of the houses.]]
[[Chaz suddenly remembers something important. He reaches into his jacket pocket.]]
[[Chaz suddenly remembers something important. He reaches into his jacket pocket.]]
[[Chaz suddenly remembers something important. He reaches into his jacket pocket.]]
CHAZ "Hold on! I have something..."
Chaz pulls something out from the inside pocket of his jacket. It is a half-eaten Slim Jim meat jerky stick.
CHAZ "Quick! Reach back and take this. Maintain eye contact with the dog though."
You inch back toward the gate while maintaining eye contact with the guard dog who has now dropped into an aggressive stance.
You reach back and Chaz hands you the jerky treat through the space in the gate."
CHAZ "You got it?"
You take a quick look at what was handed to you and realize what you need to do.
YOU "Hey pooch... what's this? Food? You want a treat?"
The dog's ears perk up. It looks like you snapped him out of his fight mode.
The dog begins sniffing the air.
ALEX "Snap him off a piece and then try walking him over to the garage door. See if you can get him to go inside."
You follow Alex's advice and break off a piece of the jerky to throw for the dog. The dog inhales the meat but seems friendlier afterward.
You walk over to the garage door with the treat extended out away from your body. You use the treat to lead the dog. The door to the garage is unlocked.
You open the garage door and show the dog that you have thrown the jerky into the garage on the ground. The dog inspects the area but refuses to enter. You reach down to pat the dog and encourage it but this is a huge mistake.
The dog goes back into an aggressive stance and begins barking.
CHAZ "Get out of there!"
ALEX "Quickly, just jump over the gate again."
You manage to jump over the gate prior to the dog lunging forward and attacking.
[[YOU "I thought the hike up here was tough. Let's figure out where else we can set up."]]
[[YOU "You guys haven't done much work yet. Maybe I should have had you hop the gate instead. Well, either way we need a new plan for setting up."]]
[[YOU "We shouldn't be hanging around this gate now that we've busted it and got this guard dog barking. We'll need to consider some new options.]]
[[The three of you head back out to the laneway with the equipment. The sun is high in the sky and the pavement of the laneway has a shimmering reflection that pierces your eyes when you look at it.]]
[[The three of you head back out to the laneway with the equipment. The sun is high in the sky and the pavement of the laneway has a shimmering reflection that pierces your eyes when you look at it.]]
[[The three of you head back out to the laneway with the equipment. The sun is high in the sky and the pavement of the laneway has a shimmering reflection that pierces your eyes when you look at it.]]
YOU "What do you think about just using this spot out here?"
CHAZ "We need to try again with the backyards. There is bound to be a ladder or some patio furniture that can support us getting up on the walls."
ALEX "...or at least just to look over them with the lens."
[[YOU "Let's look around for some new options then. I'm not sure that the top of the hill is going to work. We are exposed and it would be good to get up a little higher."]]
[[YOU "I'm a little rattled now and I think that one of you should take the lead on finding a better spot. Out in the lane is too exposed."]]
[[YOU "We're here to get the best shots possible. No editor wants to buy photos that are poorly framed. We need better vantage so we'll have to get up higher."]]
[[You begin searching between the garages for an open gate to the backyard of any of the houses.]]
[[You begin searching between the garages for an open gate to the backyard of any of the houses.]]
[[You begin searching between the garages for an open gate to the backyard of any of the houses.]]
ALEX "Uh-oh."
YOU "What is it?"
ALEX "Have a look. it's the security guard from the entrance in here."
CHAZ "Let me handle this."
The security guard might be on his regular walk-through of the gated community, but he also might have heard the altercation with the dog.
[[TASK: ALLEVIATE SUSPICION WITH THE GUARD]]
[[Take the suspicion of talking with the guard.]]
[[Put the suspicion of talking with the guard on Chaz.]]
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
The guard saunters up to your group and adjusts his sunglasses. He seems to be taking himself a little too seriously, but in a goofy way.
GUARD "What's all this?"
The guard is pointing down at the camera equipment and other gear.
CHAZ "We are setting up a photo shoot."
GUARD "A photo shoot? You know that this is private property - a gated community - Coastal Glens."
The guard appear to feel that you should be aware of the prestige of the community.
CHAZ "Yes, we are aware of that. Did you not receive the rental forms from our supervisor?"
GUARD "Rental forms?"
CHAZ "We have rented space in the laneway from the property manager. It's for tomorrow afternoon and security was supposed to be informed about us being here today to scout and set up."
GUARD "I haven't a clue what you're talking about. A photo shoot in this laneway? Coastal Glens?"
[[YOU "Do you like swimsuit models? We are going to be shooting for Sports Illustrated. You should come out tomorrow and we can introduce you to some of the girls. But, right now we're going to need some space to work."]]
[[YOU "We are doing a photoshoot for the Governor's office. The governor is thinking about buying property in Coastal Glens. You know how bureaucrats are though... efficiency, efficiency. The governor will have all our heads if we aren't prepared for his arrival tomorrow."]]
[[YOU "We've been hired by the property manager to shoot the site for a planned extension. They are going to put a whole new block of houses in where that hill is. The architects need photos of the plot. And you'll be able to charge twice as much to watch over double the number of houses."]]
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
The guard saunters up to your group and adjusts his sunglasses. He seems to be taking himself a little too seriously, but in a goofy way.
GUARD "What's all this?"
The guard is pointing down at the camera equipment and other gear.
CHAZ "We are setting up a photo shoot."
GUARD "A photo shoot? You know that this is private property - a gated community - Coastal Glens."
The guard appear to feel that you should be aware of the prestige of the community.
CHAZ "Yes, we are aware of that. Did you not receive the rental forms from our supervisor?"
GUARD "Rental forms?"
CHAZ "We have rented space in the laneway from the property manager. It's for tomorrow afternoon and security was supposed to be informed about us being here today to scout and set up."
GUARD "I haven't a clue what you're talking about. A photo shoot in this laneway? Coastal Glens?"
[[YOU "Do you like swimsuit models? We're going to be shooting for Sports Illustrated. You should come out tomorrow and we can introduce you to some of the girls. But, right now we're going to need some space to work."]]
[[YOU "We're doing a photoshoot for the Governor's office. The governor is thinking about buying property in Coastal Glens. You know how bureaucrats are though... efficiency, efficiency. The governor will have all our heads if we aren't prepared for his arrival tomorrow."]]
[[YOU "We have been hired by the property manager to shoot the site for a planned extension. They are going to put a whole new block of houses in where that hill is. The architects need photos of the plot. And you'll be able to charge twice as much to watch over double the number of houses."]]
The security guard seems to be lost in the details of your excuse. He is no longer interested in playing the role of a wild west sheriff.
GUARD "You don't say? All that equipment does look pretty hi-tech. Sports Illustrated, huh? I read that."
CHAZ "Sure you do. And I bet the models would really like talking to you about that tomorrow."
GUARD "You pulling my leg?"
Chaz raises his hand to give the boy scout sign.
CHAZ "Scout's honor."
GUARD "Well, alright then. I don't want to get in your way. But, I'll be back tomorrow so you better keep your word."
YOU "We appreciate that. You're doing a good job here."
[[The three of you take a deep sigh of relief as the security guard walks back to his post. You have to keep trying to find a way into the backyards.]]
The security guard looks a little suspicious and maybe even worried. His aggressive authoritarian stance drops and he begins to confess.
GUARD "The governor? I'm going to have to go back and clean up my station. I thought I had heard something about some important politician moving in here... but the governor."
CHAZ "It's a big deal, kid. Coastal Glens is really a hot topic right now."
GUARD "You're not messing with me are you?"
CHAZ "Would I mess around about the governor? I'd be out of a job. That's no good."
GUARD "I better get back to my post and get ready as well."
YOU "We appreciate that. You're doing a good job here."
[[The three of you take a deep sigh of relief as the security guard walks back to his post. You have to keep trying to find a way into the backyards.]]
The security guard looks quite suspcious and lowers his hand onto a can of pepper spray that he has holstered on his belt.
GUARD "I haven't heard about any planned development or building extension."
CHAZ "What you thought this land would just go to waste? You've got to be kidding me!"
Chaz walks over to the edge of the laneway and he looks down the hill toward the marina.
CHAZ "Here, come over here kid and take a look at this."
Chaz starts pointing at divets in the mud caused when your team climbed up earlier.
CHAZ "You see those footprints? That was the property manager's hired architects looking around here earlier. They called us in to get photos of the site."
The security guard finds the story plausible and takes his hand off the pepper spray.
GUARD "You're not fooling me?"
CHAZ "Look we have a lot of work to do. Your boss is our boss now and you know what a hound we are dealing with here."
GUARD "She's is the toughest lady I've ever met."
CHAZ "Like a wolf... right."
GUARD "or... more like... a hippo."
ALEX "Hippo?"
GUARD "Well you know, a man-eater."
Everybody laughs uncomfortably and the guard looks chuffed that he told a joke that was seemingly taken as funny.
GUARD "Well, I'll let you get back to it then."
YOU "We appreciate that. You're doing a good job here."
[[The three of you take a deep sigh of relief as the security guard walks back to his post. You have to keep trying to find a way into the backyards.]]
The security guard is out of sight and it is time to keep working on finding the perfect spot for a shot.
ALEX "Wow, just wow. You two really know how to be charming when you need to be. And you Chaz are Picasso with the b.s."
CHAZ "I think I'm more of an Andy Warhol, I just recycle crap that already works. But, I'll accept the compliment."
YOU "So let's get back to it."
You move back in between the garages of a house whose back gate is unlocked.
YOU "This backyard is accessible. Let's see what we can do in here."
[[Chaz and Alex pick up the equipment and join you in the open backyard.]]
Chaz and Alex seem a little stressed out as they join you in the open backyard. The setup so far has been a real circus show.
CHAZ "I really can't stand those cop wannabes. They are too dim-witted to have real authority but they still get to call shots. It's a bad joke."
ALEX "Well, what's the worst they do? Write a citation you can wipe your coffee mug up with, and maybe they give you a hard time. It's probably one of the worst jobs out there to be honest."
CHAZ "The citations are illegitimate. No justice agency validates or enforces them no matter what officials say on the record."
ALEX "So then all that happened was we wasted a little time with this guy. You should feel lucky that you're not cooped up in a valet stand all day. I bet they don't even give those guys air conditioning."
CHAZ "When I was a kid, AC was when you sat in the icebox behind the corner store."
ALEX "Well then you should understand that it's lame."
YOU "That's enough guys. Take a look at the balcony. Do you think we can reach it?"
The balconies at the back of the houses jut out enough to accomodate the whole team.
ALEX "Not without a ladder."
YOU "So let's look for one."
CHAZ "The three of us shouldn't be out in the laneway anymore. The security guard might come back."
YOU "I'll go then."
[[You leave Alex and Chaz in the backyard and head out looking for a ladder tall enough to reach the balcony.]]
The security guard doesn't seem to believe a word of what you are saying. He has now pulled out a notepad and is jotting down notes about his encounter with you.
GUARD "Sports Illustrated? Swimsuit edition? Is that right?"
CHAZ "I'm sure the models would really like meeting you tomorrow. If you're a fan of the magazine and everything."
GUARD "Oh I'm a fan. But looking at this motley crew in front of me I can tell you that you don't work for Sports Illustrated."
ALEX "I think we look pretty hip actually."
GUARD "Work for Sports Illustrated. They wouldn't sell you a subscription."
YOU "If you let me go back to the car then I can get the paperwork and show you our release form for being here."
GUARD "Oh you're going back to the car alright. But the only form you need is this one that I'm writing up here."
Chaz is shaking his head. He seems to know what is going on. The security guard finishes writing a citation.
GUARD "One of you pass over your driver's license or I'm calling the cops."
Chaz reaches in his pocket and hands over his license.
The guard finishes adding the personal details and hands the citation to Chaz.
GUARD "That's a fine for being on private property. And I'll say this, I'm getting real sick and tired of telling you Greenpeace egghead kooks to get off our property. Go do your whale watching somewhere else. This area will continue to be developed for houses and businesses, and all that. Go cry to Mommy nature about it."
Your team look at each other confused, but somewhat relieved.
GUARD "And you should know that this citation is reinforced by the county. That's a new statute, just to deal with punks like you."
Chaz signals for all of you to not say anything. The guard seems sure of himself. He marches off back up to his station. It seems he has assumed that you will now leave.
ALEX "Well that was unpleasant."
CHAZ "Don't worry about it."
YOU "I really don't want to pay a fine for being here, Chaz. So yeah, I'm worried about it a bit. A little pissed off actually."
CHAZ "I passed him a fake ID. He doesn't know who we are."
ALEX "Ahh... I don't approve, but I'm glad all the same."
[[The three of you take a deep sigh of relief as the security guard marches back to his post. You have to keep trying to find a way into the backyards.]]
The security guard looks angry that you have insulted his intelligence. He drops into an aggressive stance and pulls out a notepad to begin jotting down notes about his encounter with you.
GUARD "The governor you say?"
CHAZ "That's right. It sounds like he is very excited about moving in here. It will probably be a big spread in the papers tomorrow."
GUARD "The governor is a liar and a cheat. He has been stealing taxpayer dollars since he was voted in. If he was moving in here, I would gladly quit this job on the spot."
YOU "If you let me go back to the car then I can get the paperwork and show you our release form for being here."
GUARD "Oh you're going back to the car alright. But the only form you need is this one that I'm writing up here."
Chaz is shaking his head. He seems to know what is going on. The security guard finishes writing a citation.
GUARD "One of you pass over your driver's license or I'm calling the cops."
Chaz reaches in his pocket and hands over his license. The guard finishes adding the personal details and hands the citation to Chaz.
GUARD "That's a fine for being on private property. And I'll say this, I'm getting real sick and tired of telling you Greenpeace egghead kooks to get off our property. Go do your whale watching somewhere else. This area will continue to be developed for houses and businesses, and all that. Go cry to Mommy nature about it."
The three of you look at each other confused, but also a little relieved.
GUARD "And you should know that this citation is reinforced by the county. That's a new statute, just to deal with punks like you."
Chaz signals for all of you to not say anything. The guard seems sure of himself. He marches off back up to his station. It seems he has assumed that you will leave the area promptly.
ALEX "Well that was unpleasant."
CHAZ "Don't worry about it."
YOU "I really don't want to pay a fine for being here, Chaz. So yeah, I'm worried about it a bit. A little pissed off actually."
CHAZ "I passed him a fake ID. He doesn't know who we are."
ALEX "Ahh... I don't approve, but I'm glad all the same."
[[The three of you take a deep sigh of relief as the security guard marches back to his post. You have to keep trying to find a way into the backyards.]]
The security guard looks quite suspcious and lowers his hand onto a can of pepper spray that he has holstered on his belt.
GUARD "I haven't heard about any planned development or building extension."
CHAZ "What you thought this land would just go to waste? You've got to be kidding me!"
Chaz walks over to the edge of the laneway and looks down the hill toward the marina.
CHAZ "Here, come over here kid and take a look at this."
Chaz starts pointing at divets in the mud caused when your team climbed up earlier.
CHAZ "You see those footprints? That was the property manager's hired architects looking around here earlier. They called us in to get photos of the site."
GUARD "The property manager is away in England visiting her brother."
YOU "If you let me go back to the car then I can get the paperwork and show you our release form for being here."
GUARD "Oh you're going back to the car alright. But the only form you need is this one that I'm writing up here."
Chaz is shaking his head. He seems to know what is going on. The security guard finishes writing a citation.
GUARD "One of you pass over your driver's license or I'm calling the cops."
Chaz reaches in his pocket and hands over his license. The guard finishes adding the personal details and hands the citation to Chaz.
GUARD "That's a fine for being on private property. And I'll say this, I'm getting real sick and tired of telling you Greenpeace egghead kooks to get off our property. Go do your whale watching somewhere else. This area will continue to be developed for houses and businesses, and all that. Go cry to Mommy nature about it."
The three of you look at each other confused, but also a little relieved.
GUARD "And you should know that this citation is reinforced by the county. That's a new statute, just to deal with punks like you."
Chaz signals for all of you to not say anything. The guard seems sure of himself. He marches off back up to his station. It seems he has assumed that you will leave the area promptly.
ALEX "Well that was unpleasant."
CHAZ "Don't worry about it."
YOU "I really don't want to pay a fine for being here, Chaz. So yeah, I'm worried about it a bit. A little pissed off actually."
CHAZ "I passed him a fake ID. He doesn't know who we are."
ALEX "Ahh... I don't approve, but I'm glad all the same."
[[The three of you take a deep sigh of relief as the security guard marches back to his post. You have to keep trying to find a way into the backyards.]]
The security guard is out of sight and it is time to keep working on finding the perfect spot for a shot.
ALEX "Wow, just wow. You two really know how to bungle being charming. And you Chaz are a Picasso with the b.s. - just too confusing and bizarre. Maybe research the site better next time."
CHAZ "I think I'm more of an Andy Warhol, I just recycle crap that already works. That excuse should have worked. And if it wasn't for me knowing the tricks of the trade someone would have to be actually dealing with that citation crap. So you're welcome."
YOU "Enough guys... no harm, no foul. Let's get back to it."
You move back in between the garages of a house whose back gate is unlocked.
YOU "This backyard is accessible. Let's see what we can do in here."
[[Chaz and Alex pick up the equipment and join you in the open backyard.]]
You stay close to the garages as you walk along the laneway looking into the backyards of the houses hoping to spot a ladder.
A few houses down you find a ladder in a backyard that is tall enough to reach the balcony. The gate to the backyard is open but there is an elderly man doing gardening in the backyard. His back is turned to the gate and ladder.
[[You will need to sneak past the elderly man and take his ladder without him noticing.]]
[[You will have to approach the elderly man and try to convince him to lend you the ladder.]]
[[TASK: SNEAK PAST ELDERLY MAN]]
[[TASK: PERSUADE ELDERLY MAN]]
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
You carefully tie-toe into the backyard always keeping an eye on the elderly man gardening. He seems oblivious and might even be hard of hearing.
You reach down and pick up the ladder as gently as possible and begin sneaking back out of the backyard with it.
As you move back toward the gate, the back end of the ladder drops and makes a clanging noise on the ground. The elderly man stops his gardening to turn and see what happened.
You are caught red-handed and aren't sure how to deal with the situation. It's probably best to say something to the old man...
[[YOU "Hello sir, I'm your neighbor from down the lane. I believe that your wife told me that I could borrow this ladder for the afternoon."]]
[[YOU "Mind your own business, old man. We're doing important work for this community and need to use the ladder."]]
[[YOU "Hello there, I'm just volunteering in the area to repaint the garage doors. This ladder will be really handy."]]
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
You carefully tie-toe into the backyard always keeping an eye on the elderly man gardening. He seems oblivious and might even be hard of hearing.
You reach down and pick up the ladder as gently as possible and begin sneaking back out of the backyard with it.
You successfully make it out of the backyard and the elderly man seems to be ignorant of your presence.
[[You carry the ladder back to the other backyard where Alex and Chaz are waiting for you. You are sure to not be spotted by the security guard.]]
[[The ladder is now set up under the balcony.]]
[[The elderly man is startled and doesn't understand what you are talking about.]]
[[The elderly man is startled and doesn't understand what you are talking about.]]
[[The elderly man is startled and doesn't understand what you are talking about.]]
ELDERLY MAN "This is private property and that is my ladder. I very much doubt that you have permission to use it and you won't get any from me. Now, please leave. I mean it... get out of here!"
[[You leave the ladder on the ground and back away from the yard. You head back to Chaz and Alex empty-handed.]]
Chaz sees you without a ladder and seems unimpressed.
CHAZ "What's going on? You couldn't find one?"
YOU "Three houses down there's a ladder that will reach the balcony here."
CHAZ "So, why didn't you bring it?"
YOU "I got caught trying to steal it."
CHAZ "You're kidding right?"
YOU "Chaz, it belonged to this old man. I wasn't going to scare him half to death over it."
CHAZ "I'll be back in a minute."
Chaz storms out of the backyard.
ALEX "Where's he going? I really hope he isn't going to threaten that old man."
YOU "I really don't think Chaz would do something like that."
Alex raises her eyebrow unsure.
ALEX "Well without getting up to the balcony, we're better off just shooting from the top of the hill and hoping security doesn't come back."
Chaz returns with the ladder and starts setting it up on his own under the balcony. He seems frustrated and impatient now.
ALEX "What happened, Chaz?"
CHAZ "Nothing."
YOU "Well, would you mind telling me how you got the ladder?"
CHAZ "I gave the old man thirty bucks to buy it. The thing is probably worth half that and I doubt he can use it himself anyway."
YOU "That's money out of our account."
CHAZ "Well that wouldn't have happened if you were better at this stuff."
There is no point in arguing with Chaz and he is right anyway because you did fail to commandeer a ladder on your own.
[[You decide to put your pride aside and help Chaz set up the ladder.]]
[[The ladder is now set up under the balcony.]]
[[Take the suspicion of sneaking past the elderly man.]]
[[Put the suspicion of sneaking past the elderly man on Chaz.]]
[[Take the suspicion of persuading the elderly man.]]
[[Put the suspicion of persuading the elderly man on Alex.]]
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
You carefully approach the elderly man trying not to startle him. Once you are within earshot, you call out.
YOU "Hello, sir. I have a neighborly favor to ask."
The elderly man is taken a little by surprise and looks at you a little hunched over with his squinted eyes.
ELDERLY MAN "I'm sorry. What were you saying?"
[[YOU "I'm your neighbor from down the lane. I believe that your wife told me that I could borrow this ladder for the afternoon."]]
[[YOU "Just mind your own business, old man. We're doing important work for this community and need to use the ladder."]]
[[YOU "Hello there, I'm just volunteering in the area to repaint the garage doors. This ladder will be really handy, if you don't mind."]]
(set: $AlexSuspicion to $AlexSuspicion + 1)
You carelessly yell out loudly in order to grab the elderly man's
attention. He is startled and even seems annoyed.
YOU "I need your help, sir."
The elderly man doesn't understand what you are talking about.
[[YOU "I'm your neighbor from down the lane. I believe that your wife told me that I could borrow a ladder for the afternoon."]]
[[YOU "Actually, just mind your own business, old man. We're doing important work for this community and need to use the ladder."]]
[[YOU "Hello there, I'm just volunteering in the area to repaint the garage doors. This ladder will be really handy, if you don't mind me grabbing it."]]
The elderly man is still squinting, trying to see if he recognizes you.
ELDERLY MAN "Oh, are you the one visiting Agnes."
YOU "Yes, that's me."
ELDERLY MAN "Well of course. Please go ahead and take the ladder for as long as you need. I really shouldn't be up on it anyway with my back."
YOU "Thank you, sir. Maybe we can chat later. I have to be running."
The elderly man nonchalantly turns back to his gardening and seems completely unbothered by your activities.
[[You carry the ladder back to the other backyard where Alex and Chaz are waiting for you. You are sure to not be spotted by the security guard.]]
The elderly man seems shocked and maybe a little scared by your use of language and tone.
ELDERLY MAN "If you are working for the city, we told you people already that this is a private community."
YOU "Yes, I do work for the city and we expect your cooperation."
ELDERLY MAN "Oh, go to Hell, you awful person. Just take what you need, but I will be writing another letter to the property manager about this."
The elderly man turns back to his gardening ignoring you.
[[You carry the ladder back to the other backyard where Alex and Chaz are waiting for you. You are sure to not be spotted by the security guard.]]
The elderly man seems pleased to see you, almost as if he had been expecting you.
ELDERLY MAN "That's just wonderful news. Please help yourself. And if you need any paint there are some cans in the garage. Would you like me to show you?"
YOU "No, that's fine. But thank you, sir. We have our own paints. Thanks again for letting us use the ladder."
ELDERLY MAN "No problem at all. Just put it back where you found it when you're done."
The elderly man turns back to his gardening ignoring you.
[[You carry the ladder back to the other backyard where Alex and Chaz are waiting for you. You are sure to not be spotted by the security guard.]]
[[The elderly man isn't convinced by your claims and is now waving a hand trowel at you as menacingly as he can.]]
[[The elderly man isn't convinced by your claims and is now waving a hand trowel at you as menacingly as he can.]]
[[The elderly man isn't convinced by your claims and is now waving a hand trowel at you as menacingly as he can.]]
ELDERLY MAN "This is private property and that is my ladder. I very much doubt that you have permission to use it and you won't get any from me. Now, please leave. I mean it... get out of here!"
[[You leave the ladder on the ground and back away from the yard. You head back to Alex and Chaz empty-handed.]]
Chaz sees you without a ladder and seems unimpressed.
CHAZ "What's going on? You couldn't find one?"
YOU "Three houses down there's a ladder that will reach the balcony here."
CHAZ "So, why didn't you bring it?"
YOU "The homeowner wouldn't lend it out."
CHAZ "You're kidding right?"
YOU "Chaz, it belonged to this old man. I wasn't going to scare him half to death over it."
CHAZ "I'll be back in a minute."
Chaz storms out of the backyard.
ALEX "Where's he going? I really hope he isn't going to threaten that old man."
YOU "I really don't think Chaz would do something like that."
Alex raises her eyebrow unsure.
ALEX "Well without getting up to the balcony, we're better off just shooting from the top of the hill and hoping security doesn't come back."
Chaz returns with the ladder and starts setting it up on his own under the balcony. He seems frustrated and impatient now.
ALEX "What happened, Chaz?"
CHAZ "Nothing."
YOU "Well, would you mind telling me how you got the ladder?"
CHAZ "I gave the old man thirty bucks to buy it. The thing is probably worth half that and I doubt he can use it himself anyway."
YOU "That's money out of our account."
CHAZ "Well that wouldn't have happened if you were better at this stuff."
There is no point in arguing with Chaz and he is right anyway because you did fail to commandeer a ladder on your own.
[[You decide to put your pride aside and help Chaz set up the ladder.]]
The task is accomplished and it is getting even closer to the time of the Armstrong meeting. The balcony should provide a great vantage.
CHAZ "Alex, why don't you go up first and we can do a line to pass equipment up to you."
Alex begins climbing the ladder and vaults over the railing of the balcony.
ALEX "This is a great view guys!"
Chaz goes halfway up the ladder and you begin passing equipment to him. He then passes it on to Alex. When you are done Chaz continues up the ladder and hops over the railing. He looks out onto the marina.
CHAZ "Alex, was right. You gotta see this. It's the perfect spot."
You start climbing the ladder and also mount the railing and get settled on the balcony. There are no lights on inside the house upstairs or downstairs which bodes well for the team. But you are still wondering about how things will play out. Your team is relatively trapped and security could potentially have an easy time spotting you.
[[YOU "I'm not sure that I feel comfortable being up here like this. Imagine how frightened the homeowners would be if they found us up here."]]
[[YOU Maybe we shouldn't be up here. If we are caught it's going to be pretty tough to get away."]]
[[YOU "This is a perfect spot. Nice job guys. I think we can set up now. It probably won't be a long wait before Armstrong arrives."]]
[[Chaz and Alex both seem comfortable with the shooting location.]]
[[Chaz and Alex both seem comfortable with the shooting location.]]
[[Chaz and Alex both seem comfortable with the shooting location.]]
CHAZ "I know these types of houses down here. They all have flimsy little skylights."
ALEX "So what? Why does that matter? Oh, no. C'mon Chaz, you can't be serious..."
CHAZ "I'm just putting it out there, but I have the tools on me to unscrew the skylight. We could get onto the roof and have an even better shooting position."
ALEX "Oh wow, Chaz you don't understand how wrong that is?"
YOU "You're talking about going inside this house and rearranging their place so we can get on the roof."
CHAZ "Don't be so dramatic. There's no rearranging. We pull the ladder up here and take it inside. I pop out the skylight and when we're done we put everything back the way it is supposed to be."
ALEX "That's honestly crazy dude. You have a reputation as one of the best."
CHAZ "How do you think I got that reputation?"
YOU "I'm not going to bust in their door or break a window to get a slightly better angle on this meeting."
CHAZ "I already tried the door. It's unlocked."
Chaz slides open the door to prove what he is saying is true.
[[YOU "That's really crossing the line, Chaz. I just don't see how it is worth it, and we have a lot to lose if we are caught. I say no."]]
[[YOU "It's crazy, but it just might work. Let's be careful but we should try it. You know how the editors are. They love a good story about how the shots were made."]]
[[YOU "I love it! The shots will be worth a lot more when there is an exciting story to go with it."]]
[[YOU "We've got the location set up now. Just a matter of waiting for the meeting to start."]]
[[Alex is not sold on the idea of breaking into someone's house.]]
[[Alex is not sold on the idea of breaking into someone's house.]]
ALEX "I didn't sign up for being a criminal. This is a real job and if we want other people to take that seriously we can't behave like lunatics."
[[YOU "Alex is right actually. The whole thing sounds exciting but technically it is criminal activity. We can't do this. We'll stay outside the house."]]
[[YOU "Alex, I think that we've already gone far enough that it doesn't make a difference to go that extra step. You make money in this business by pushing for the very best shots."]]
[[YOU "The reputation of this agency matters a great deal to me. I don't want us to be known as goons who break into places and bust up equipment. Alex is right, we can't do this for the sake of the agency."]]
[[YOU "What matters to me is that we have a reputation that precedes us. I want doors opened ahead of time because everyone knows how far we will go to get the shot. Those doors will open when we bust in a few first."]]
[[YOU "Alex, if you want to be part of this agency then you have to be a teamplayer. You are already on the roof of a stranger's house. We have busted into other people's places today. It makes no sense to protest now. Just do your job or leave."]]
[[YOU "We've got the location set up now. Just a matter of waiting for the meeting to start."]]
Alex looks stressed out and she is reluctant to help but you did make some good points.
ALEX "I'm not convinced at all, but I'm a team player... for now."
CHAZ "You worry alot, you know that?"
ALEX "Well I really hope it's for nothing."
CHAZ "Good, everyone's on board. So let's get on with it. Someone help me pull the ladder up here so we can bring it inside."
[[You and Chaz pull the ladder up onto the balcony and Chaz carries it into the house. He sets it up under the skylight and begins unscrewing the skylight as he suggested.]]
[[YOU "We've got the location set up now. Just a matter of waiting for the meeting to start."]]
Alex looks stressed out and she is reluctant to help but you did make some good points.
ALEX "I'm not convinced at all, but I'm a team player... for now."
CHAZ "You worry alot, you know that?"
ALEX "Well I really hope it's for nothing."
CHAZ "Good, everyone's on board. So let's get on with it. Someone help me pull the ladder up here so we can bring it inside."
[[You and Chaz pull the ladder up onto the balcony and Chaz carries it into the house. He sets it up under the skylight and begins unscrewing the skylight as he suggested.]]
Alex seems upset with your decision, but she doesn't leave.
ALEX "This is a mistake."
CHAZ "Good, everyone's on board. So let's get on with it. Someone help me pull the ladder up here so we can bring it inside."
[[You and Chaz pull the ladder up onto the balcony and Chaz carries it into the house. He sets it up under the skylight and begins unscrewing the skylight as he suggested.]]
Chaz has the skylight almost popped out onto the roof. It looks like he was careful.
CHAZ "It's not different than what a repair guy would be doing."
ALEX "I'm not sure you have the proper tools for this. I mean that lockpick though."
CHAZ "Well I'm almost done right?"
YOU "What about that last screw? Is it stuck?"
Chaz is struggling with the last screw.
CHAZ "Yeah I need help. Someone has to come up here and hold the skylight in place so I can unscrew it without stripping the wood."
YOU "I don't think that ladder will fit both of us up there on the top."
CHAZ "Well we've come this far. Worth a shot right?"
YOU "Let me use the screwdriver. I use to repair cameras, so I have a steady hand for stuff like this."
Chaz switches spots with you and you try to unscrew the last screw of the skylight.
[[TASK: UNFASTEN THE SKYLIGHT]]
[[Take the suspicion of unfastening the skylight.]]
[[Put the suspicion of unfastening the skylight on Chaz.]]
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
Through a steady hand and knowledge of repair tools, you manage to successfully unscrew the skylight without stripping the wood or damaging the ceiling.
CHAZ "Well done."
YOU "We have a clear path to the roof."
ALEX "Let's do like the first time. I'll go up first and you can ferry the equipment up to me."
CHAZ "That's the spirit! Alex riding vanguard!"
Alex gets onto the roof first and starts receiving the equipment. Chaz goes up next and you follow.
You survey the area and it is a gorgeous landscape in all directions. The traffic of the highway makes it feel like you are directing a movie. The landscape across the ocean makes you feel like you are in a paintaing.
ALEX "It is magnificent. I'll give you that."
[[YOU "We've got the location set up now. Just a matter of waiting for the meeting to start."]]
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
Although you have knowledge of precision tools and experience working in tight spots, the skylight fixture is just not the same thing as a camera or audio recorder.
CHAZ "What happened?"
YOU "I can't get the screw out without stripping the wood."
CHAZ "So strip the wood then."
ALEX "No way, you said that you wouldn't damage anything inside Chaz."
CHAZ "Fine. Come down then. I'll put the other screws back in."
ALEX "The balcony is fine. it's all we need."
YOU "It will have to do. This was a bad idea in the firt place Chaz. Let's get everything back out onto the balcony again. We just wasted more precious time."
[[YOU "We've got the location set up now. Just a matter of waiting for the meeting to start."]]
The team is set up. No equipment got damaged and the shooting location seems to be high enough to create good blocking in the frame, and it is far enough away that you won't be seen.
YOU "We just have to hope that the homeowners don't come back soon."
CHAZ "Perfect timing! I think this is them arriving."
ALEX "S-class black Mercedes. That definitely seems like a Thomas Armstrong calvacade."
There are three black Mercedes coming off the highway and heading toward the marina.
CHAZ "You know this Armstrong guy has a lot of secret meetings with non-Poppywood elites for just being a film producer."
[[YOU "Maybe he has political aspirations? I mean we could be nosing-in on a lot of charity work. That would make us look terrible if we come at him with a presumption of guilt."]]
[[YOU "I'm not sure I understand why a celebrity would be secretive if their meetings are for a good cause. If he's doing charity work he should let us know. You might be right Chaz, this guy could be dirty."]]
[[YOU "Well he's a big producer. He might be meeting with investors. You wouldn't necessarily want to advertise that because if deals fall through it would be embarrasing. I think you're reading too much into it Chaz."]]
[[Chaz barely seems interested in your rationale. He has had his mind made up about Armstrong for a while now.]]
[[Chaz barely seems interested in your rationale. He has had his mind made up about Armstrong for a while now.]]
[[Chaz barely seems interested in your rationale. He has had his mind made up about Armstrong for a while now.]]
Alex has a vested interest in resolving the Armstrong matter
because the whole thing risks Chaz becoming unhinged and useless to the agency.
ALEX "There is that reason, and so many others. We just don't know yet and I'm not saying to give him the benefit of the doubt. But what exactly has he done Chaz to warrant your extreme suspicion?"
CHAZ "It's not that extreme. I'm just doing my job."
YOU "Do you think his wife Daphne Rockwell is connected up in these secret meetings."
Chaz seems agitated at the mention of Daphne Rockwell.
CHAZ "No, I don't think she would ever get caught up in this kind of stuff. I don't think she really know what kind of man she married."
ALEX "You sound jealous."
CHAZ "Not really. I just think that she is a bigger star than he is, or every will be, and if he goes down then he will inevitably drag her down with him."
[[YOU "I don't understand what is such a big deal about Daphne Rockwell. She is an Olympic athlete which means that the best stories about her only happen once every four years."]]
[[YOU "Daphne is box office poison. Even if she can act, they don't give her the right roles. If she stuck to sports where she belongs then it would be a lot easier to promote her as a star."]]
[[YOU "Daphne is still America's sweetheart. She put out that movie that flopped a year ago, but I can't hold it against her. The script was bad and the directing was campy. I still think she can still be a great star."]]
[[YOU "I agree with you Chaz, Daphne is dynamite and she's a big star. I would be very disappointed if she was caught up in a scandal with Armstrong. Then again we would make a lot of money from reporting on it."]]
[[YOU "I can't agree with you Chaz. Daphne had her spotlight last Olympics. If she doesn't win gold next year, then her only real claim to fame is that she is married to Thomas Armstrong. He's the real star and he's making most of the biggest movies in Poppywood right now."]]
[[Alex can tell that there is a lot of tension in the group. With the meeting about the happen, Chaz needs his head back in the game.]]
[[Alex can tell that there is a lot of tension in the group. With the meeting about the happen, Chaz needs his head back in the game.]]
[[Alex can tell that there is a lot of tension in the group. With the meeting about the happen, Chaz needs his head back in the game.]]
[[Alex can tell that there is a lot of tension in the group. With the meeting about the happen, Chaz needs his head back in the game.]]
[[Alex can tell that there is a lot of tension in the group. With the meeting about the happen, Chaz needs his head back in the game.]]
ALEX "There's really no point in arguing over it. Daphne is a great athlete and Armstrong is a big power in Poppywood. They make for a sensational star couple. That's good for business."
CHAZ "Well it bother me that Daphne is harder to get to now. Her security has really tightened up and basically right around the time that Armstrong had these G-men show up to escort him to all these secret meetings."
YOU "So it's good for business? There's something sensational going on here, right?"
CHAZ "Ha! I would say so. But, ultra tight security is not good for us regardless of whether there is a scandal behind it or not."
ALEX "These guys have been sitting in their cars for awhile now. What are they waiting for?"
[[YOU "Look, they're getting out now though. Chaz start snapping some shots. Let's see who is with Armstrong."]]
Several of Armstrong's G-Men types exit the cars and spread out surveying the marina. Then Armstrong emerges. He looks like a star. He fits the bill of 'tall, dark, and handsome' with a stylish shag haircut and his signature designer aviator sunglasses.
ALEX "This guy. He just never looks like he's trying too hard but he's always so damn stylish."
CHAZ "He's got a figure kind of like mine."
ALEX "You mean two arms, two legs..."
Chaz decides to laugh now, but he doesn't stop snapping photographs.
Armstrong's security detail is out in full force and there are almost a dozen guards with him. They make their way down to the end of the pier.
ALEX "Look at how the bodyguards are kind of checking inside all of the boats as they pass by. Like they almost expect being spied on."
CHAZ "And don't want it. Or can't afford it."
ALEX "You were right Chaz. This is fishy behavior."
CHAZ "'Fishy?'... at the harbour? Very cute."
ALEX "(laughs) Oh I didn't think of it actually."
CHAZ "You're too clever for your own good then. That's what that means."
Armstrong and his security are standing at the end of the pier waiting for their contact to start the meeting. It seems as if the large yacht at the end of the pier will be the meeting place.
[[You and Alex both have pairs of binoculars out to examine the scene.]]
ALEX "Looks like the crates was a good place to set up the audio recorder after all."
YOU "These guys don't look like they talk much though."
ALEX "You're right, no one is saying anything."
Alex turns to look at the highway again.
ALEX "Hey guys, check this out. I think it is their contact."
A dark green Cadillac Seville pulls off the highway and heads down the lane toward the marina."
CHAZ "That's not a celebrity."
ALEX "You're right, that Seville is an alright car, but no star would be caught dead riding in it."
[[YOU "He might not be related to the meeting then. I wonder how the bodyguards would deal with that? We could make some good money on shots of them roughing him up."]]
[[YOU "If he is just a regular Joe, maybe he has some dirt on Armstrong and is bribing him. It would explain the need for extra security."]]
[[YOU "This is what I was worried about. This guys might just be the head of a charity organization, school board, or something. These shots could be worthless."]]
[[The dark green Seville pulls into the marina lot and parks near the row of black Mercedes.]]
[[The dark green Seville pulls into the marina lot and parks near the row of black Mercedes.]]
[[The dark green Seville pulls into the marina lot and parks near the row of black Mercedes.]]
CHAZ "There's really no point in speculating..."
ALEX "Ahem!.."
CHAZ "Well, I mean now that we are here and can learn more."
Alex sighs and shakes her head a little.
ALEX "Chaz you don't notice your mistakes until the proof is staring you in the face. You need to be more conscious."
CHAZ "I am a tinkerer in the ways of human lifestyle. I am an Edison of personality and a Da Vinci of human motivation. It has to be experimental. You have to be willing to try anything to learn what works."
ALEX "Yes, and you are a Henry the Eighth of modesty also. Don't forget that."
The Seville is parked and the contact has exited the car. He is straightening out his suit and heading down to the end of the pier.
YOU "Observe the scene. Have a look around at the little things and see if you can spot something of interest that others would miss."
[[TASK: CAREFULLY OBSERVE THE SCENE]]
[[Put the suspicion of careful observation on Chaz.]]
[[Put the suspicion of careful observation on Alex.]]
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
You have the binoculars out and are actively examining all of the special details of the scene."
You get distracted about the confusing Seville. You can't understand how Armstrong would be having a secret meeting with someone who drives such a humble vehicle. It's begs many questions.
YOU "Chaz, check out the car of the contact. The Cadillac."
CHAZ "Yeah, what should I be looking for?"
YOU "Get a shot of the license. Maybe we can find out who this guy is."
ALEX "I can see the tape recorder through the gap in the crates. Damn! I should have placed it a little better."
CHAZ "They haven't seen it yet. You should be alright.
[[You look back at the end of the pier and see that the contact has now reached Armstrong's party. Armstrong moves over to shake the contact's hand. They all enter the big yacht at the end together.]]
(set: $AlexSuspicion to $AlexSuspicion + 1)
You have the binoculars out and are actively examining all of the
special details of the scene.
You notice that the yacht where the meeting will likely be held has a registration number painted on the side of the hull.
YOU "Alex, check out the yacht that Armstrong is leaning against."
ALEX "Yeah, what should I be looking for?"
YOU "The registration number painted on the side. Maybe we can
find out who owns that boat."
ALEX "Brilliant! I can find that out for you when we get back to the office. Also, maybe get a shot of the car license plates."
YOU "Good idea, Alex."
CHAZ "I'm on it."
[[You look back at the end of the pier and see that the contact has now reached Armstrong's party. Armstrong moves over to shake the contact's hand. They all enter the big yacht at the end together.]]
Armstrong and the others have entered the yacht. You will have to wait until they reemerge if you plan on getting better shots.
YOU "What did we get, Chaz?"
CHAZ "Got some nice shots of Armstrong leaning against the yacht. Got the handshake with the contact. Nothing special really."
YOU "What do you think, Alex?"
ALEX "The contact is in that brown polyester three-piece suit. It's nice but clearly this guy isn't part of a jet-set lifestyle."
YOU "Do either of you recognize him?"
Alex and Chaz both shake their heads. Chaz is cleaning his lenses. Alex is using the binoculars and her notepad to write down details of the scene.
[[The sun is beating down on you and you are hoping that the meeting will not take much longer. Minutes pass and then half an hour has gone by. The team is quiet waiting for more action.]]
ALEX "Check it out! They're coming back out."
CHAZ "Hmm, that was a quick meeting. Almost the kind where money is exchanged or drugs even."
Alex rolls her eyes. Armstrong and his group have reappeared and are walking back to their cars. Chaz is snapping photographs again.
YOU "I think we have a chance here to nail a shot."
[[TASK: NAIL THE SHOT!]]
[[Take the suspicion of nailing the shot.]]
[[Put the suspicion of nailing the shot on Chaz.]]
[[Alex is thoughtful about what you said but isn't sold on any of it.]]
[[Alex is thoughtful about what you said but isn't sold on any of it.]]
[[Alex is thoughtful about what you said but isn't sold on any of it.]]
[[Alex is thoughtful about what you said but isn't sold on any of it.]]
ALEX "Well, I'm not sure I agree with your reasoning, but well done either way. I think we were there to nail the best shot."
CHAZ "And we had a great location to work from."
Everyone from the secret meeting has entered their cars and are driving off back to the highway.
[[YOU "We better wrap up and get out of here before the homeowners catch us."]]
You work with Chaz and Alex to quickly put back everything the way you found it at the coastal house. The homeowners never came home which is good news for the team.
Once everything is put back in place, including the ladder being returned to the elderly man, the team reconvenes at the top of the hill.
YOU "Have we got all the equipment?"
CHAZ "Looks like it."
ALEX "Oh no, not again."
There is a neighbor blustering forward from his backyard and it looks to be from the house with the guard dog.
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "What the Hell is going on here?"
YOU "Excuse me?"
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "Uh... you were trespassing in my backyard, screwing around with the lock on my gate, pal."
ALEX "I think you have the wrong people."
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "I very much doubt that. That's probably your footprints on the hill there. You came up here to do some whale watching. And you probably were 'toking reefer'. Around my dog!"
[[YOU "Ok, you're right we were in the backyard, but we were here with a building permit. You can have a look. I have the papers here."]]
[[YOU "You should back off. You're outnumbered and you could get hurt."]]
[[YOU "We're not looking for trouble. We were in your backyard by mistake and I'm happy to pay for your damaged lock."]]
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
CHAZ "I'm going to have to pop in more film."
ALEX "I don't think they are sticking around."
YOU "Chaz, get while you can now. Armstrong is still looking serious and I don't think we're going to get anything better than a handshake."
Armstrong and the contact are walking beside each other talking. As they reach the cars. Armstrong reaches out to shake the contact's hand.
CHAZ "I'm out. Reload me please."
You reload Chaz's camera with fresh film.
The contact says something and a smile rolls across Armstrong's face. He takes his sunglasses off and puts his arm around the contact in a friendly embrace.
You hand the camera back to Chaz but it is too late. You bungled nailing the shot.
YOU "There you go Chaz."
CHAZ "It's over."
Chaz snaps a few dozen more shots after the embrace.
ALEX "How the Hell did we mess that up?"
[[YOU "I just couldn't see Armstrong doing something like that. He's always so stoic. Smiling with his sunglasses off... that was a huge surprise."]]
[[YOU "This isn't my fault. You need to pace yourself better with film, Chaz. And Alex you should be the one reloading cameras. This is really disappointing."]]
[[YOU "I thought that there wasn't another good shot to get because the meeting was over so quick. I figured that they would be squabbling at the cars for a bit. I misread the situation this time."]]
[[YOU "We got some very good shots. I would like to look at this as a success and we'll need a positive attitude when selling to the editors. They shouldn't think that we missed anything."]]
(set: $ChazSuspicion to $ChazSuspicion + 1)
CHAZ "I'm going to have to pop in more film."
ALEX "I don't think they are sticking around."
YOU "Chaz, hold off until they get back to the cars."
CHAZ "Alright. You expecting something to happen."
YOU "I've got a feeling that the best shot here is coming up."
Armstrong and the contact are walking beside each other talking. As they reach the cars. Armstrong reaches out to shake the contact's hand.
CHAZ "I'm gonna keep snapping."
YOU "Just give it one second..."
The contact says something and a smile rolls across Armstrong's face. He takes his sunglasses off and puts his arm around the contact in a friendly embrace.
YOU "There you go Chaz. That's the one."
CHAZ "All over that."
Chaz snaps a few dozen more shots of the embrace until he needs to pop in more film.
ALEX "You had a good read on this meeting. How did you know to wait? What did you think happened down there?"
[[YOU "I just had a hunch that Armstrong would feel comfortable with this other guy because he clearly isn't a big-wig. Armstrong is usually standoffish with other celebrities or big players."]]
[[YOU "It seemed like a quick meeting meant a successful arrangement or deal. If there was anything to debate it would have taken longer. So, Armstrong was probably happy with things and I thought he might show it."]]
[[YOU "What I know that you don't, I could fill an encyclopedia with. You guys have got to pay more attention to the details. Both of you are too caught up in having a fixed position and opinion on everything. Just go with the flow."]]
[[YOU "Seeing Armstrong today, I feel like he is a real sleazy guy. He has the hard exterior but he's a real snake and wants nothing more than to coil up around you. The embrace seemed obvious for his type of character."]]
[[Alex isn't impressed with the excuses but she holds her tongue this time.]]
[[Alex isn't impressed with the excuses but she holds her tongue this time.]]
[[Alex isn't impressed with the excuses but she holds her tongue this time.]]
[[Alex isn't impressed with the excuses but she holds her tongue this time.]]
ALEX "Well, I'm not sure I agree with your conclusions, but well done either way I guess. I think we learned a lot even if we didn't get the very best shot."
CHAZ "And we had a great location to work from. We still have a chance to find out what this meeting was all about. That might be the most important part of this particular job."
Everyone from the secret meeting has entered their cars and are driving off back to the highway.
[[YOU "We better wrap up and get out of here before the homeowners catch us."]]
You remembered the forms that Alex gave you back at the office for the skylight building permit at your studio. You pull the forms out from your inside jacket pocket and cover up the address when showing the angry homeowner.
YOU "We are a surveying team for a building contractor. We ended up picking the wrong house and were given the key to a different backyard."
The angry neighbor looks over the permit and is disarmed. He believes the lies.
ALEX "We're really sorry about that."
CHAZ "I can go have a look at your lock if you want. I should be able to fix any damage we might have done."
The neighbor looks your team up and down. He looks a little weirded out and decides not to continue the discussion.
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "That's fine, I can deal with it. Just make sure you check in at the front with security next time. Avoid all this mess."
YOU "Believe me, we will."
You head back down the hill with all the equipment
[[You are ready to move on to the next location.]]
[[TASK: INTIMIDATE ANGRY HOMEOWNER]]
The angry homeowner isn't backing off at all.
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "I think you should be paying for the lock and the time that I will have to put in to install it. What were you doing in my backyard anyway. I ought to call the police."
YOU "No need for that. It was an honest mistake."
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "Honest mistake my eye. Talk is cheap. Where's the money?"
The angry neighbor has his hand extended with his palm open. You take out twenty dollars and put the bill his hand. He shakes his head disapprovingly.
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "Not enough chump."
[[You give the angry man thirty more dollars. He seems satisfied and leaves without causing any more problems.]]
[[You threaten the angry man and tell him to back off before he
gets hurt.]]
[[You threaten the angry man and tell him to back off before he gets hurt.]]
[[Take the suspicion of intimidating the angry homeowner.]]
[[Put the suspicion of intimidating the angry homeowner on Alex.]]
(set: $Suspicion to $Suspicion + 1)
The angry homeowner seems eager for a fight but as you mentioned he is outnumbered.
ALEX "Hey boss, show this guy the new Bruce Lee stuff. Like the flying fist of Judah."
You take Alex's cue and drop into a made-up kung-fu stance. The angry homeowner looks confused and backs up a bit.
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "Can't fight fair huh? Gotta use fancy moves. You guys aren't worth it. I'm out of here."
Chaz and Alex are laughing at the relieved tension more than anything else. It has been a long, exhausting afternoon and everyone needs to refuel.
You head back down the hill with all the equipment
[[You are ready to move on to the next location.]]
(set: $AlexSuspicion to $AlexSuspicion + 1)
The angry homeowner seems eager for a fight and isn't worried about being outnumbered.
Alex tries to make you look intimidating.
ALEX "Hey boss, show this guy the new Bruce Lee stuff. Like the flying fist of Judah."
You take Alex's cue and drop into a made-up kung-fu stance. The angry homeowner is unimpressed and still very angry.
ANGRY HOMEOWNER "I'll show you Judah."
The angry man pushes you and you start rolling down the hill. He seems satisfied as he watch Alex and Chaz chase after you.
At the bottom of the hill you are all laughing more from relieved tension than anything else. It has been a long, exhausting afternoon and everyone needs to refuel.
[[You are ready to move on to the next location.]]
YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE TUTORIAL LEVEL OF "SNAPPER: A PAPARAZZI STORY"
As you might imagine, you, Chaz and Alex picked up the voice recorder and learned some valuable information about who was with Thomas Armstrong at the secret harbour meeting.
The next task for the day is to locate superstar athlete, LaShawn Jordan.
While playing through the tutorial level you gained suspicion through every task which you were required to accomplish. As the player, you had the choice on who would assume the suspicious character for questionable activities.
This is how your suspicion rated at the end of the tutorial:
You have gained suspicion with a rating of $Suspicion.
Chaz has gained suspicion with a rating of $ChazSuspicion.
Alex has gained suspicion with a rating of $AlexSuspicion.
If you would like to know how SUSPICION works in this game check out the pages below... and thanks for playing!
Learn more about SNAPPER: A PAPARAZZI STORY at LOWBROWSING.COM
[[INSTRUCTIONS]]
[[CHARACTER PROFILES]]
[[DEVELOPER NOTES]]
Chaz seems unimpressed that you paid off the angry homeowner.
CHAZ "Why'd you waste money on that? He was a blow hard. You should have ignored him and given him nothing."
ALEX "It's too late now so let's just forget about it."
You head back down the hill with all the equipment
[[You are ready to move on to the next location.]]
[[TASK: INTIMIDATE ANGRY HOMEOWNER]]
Return to Start [[Day 1: Morning - Los Suenos]]
This is the Tutorial Level for SNAPPER: A PAPARAZZI STORY.
You are the head of a new photojournalist agency located in Los Suenos during the late 1970s. Los Suenos features the borough of Poppywood where all of the world's biggest films are made and where the biggest stars live and work.
You have recruited two talented snappers for your team. Chaz Pimento is a stalwart veteran of the industry with a reputation for being ruthless. Alex Bey is a young rookie of the industry but has a background in newspaper editing and journalism.
As your team goes on jobs, you will have to complete TASKS. These tasks result in you and your team having a more suspicious character. Each task requires you to choose who will assume that SUSPICION.
As more jobs are completed, you and your staff photographers are gaining suspicion. Suspicion is the cost of getting candid photos of celebrities. Selling those photographs is how your business stays afloat.
There are negative consequences to increased suspicion.
Because this is a Beta version, I will share some of the consequences so you get the idea. Worth noting is that the consequences of increased suspicion do not factor into the tutorial.
As the player assumes and gains suspicion, fewer celebrity PR managers will offer to buy photo sets for high value to keep the shots away from publication.
Once the player's suspicion is at a critical level, one of the editors of a publisher where photos are sold will close off contact with your agency. Each publisher has different types of content that they pay a premium for based on their readers. So, depending on the types of jobs you like to take or the celebrities that are available, losing contact with a particular publisher could really hurt profits.
As the player puts the suspicion on Chaz, fewer celebrities will offer to do exclusive studio shoots with your agency. This is cutting into agency profits.
Once Chaz's suspicion is at a critical level, your main rival agency, run by the nefarious, Eli Purkits, will manage to silence confidential informants in particular regions of Los Suenos. This could be very detrimental to completing jobs.
As the player puts the suspicion on Alex, the weather in Los Suenos will become more and more unhospitable. Is it bad luck or karma? Who is to say, but it is getting tougher to get the best shots and some celebrities aren't bothering to stick to their regular scheduled activities in and around the city.
Once Alex's suspicion is at a critical level, a community-run taskforce for privacy rights is empowered and will protest in particular locations around the city, making your access to celebrities in those locations impossible.
Suspicion can be reset through offering photosets free of charge to particular individuals. The player can reset their suspicion by offering free celebrity shots to publishers. Chaz's suspicion can be reset through offering free shots to the rival agency and Alex's suspicion can be reset through offering free shots back to the celebrities.
There are several locations around Los Suenos with five regions and six locations in each region, for a total of thirty locations to capture shots of celebrities. Some jobs involve elaborate narratives (similar to this tutorial) while others are quick jobs that have one or two tasks but yield less impressive photos that don't pay out much through the publishers.
As the agency makes more money, an array of experienced and inexperienced snappers are available to join the team - and they start with NO suspicion! Having the money to hire a new snapper can be critical when a big job comes up and your other staff have high suspicion. The new staff also acquire suspicion during jobs and each staff member has unique consequences once suspicion is adding up or at a critical level.
The player's goal is to stay competitive against Eli's rival agency. In the end, the privacy rights taskforce will have the ability to pressure local authorities into shutting down one of the two agencies, so you have to make sure it is Eli being shut down.
Inevitably, sacrifices must be made and suspicion has to be managed in an ideal way so that upcoming jobs payout the largest amount. A strong network of confidential informants can help provide the clues for private aspects of celebrity lives. These clues can help you plan ahead and make the right choices on tasks to maximize your profits when selling photos at the end of each week.
There is more to say about Snapper but I'll leave it there for now.
Thanks for playing and please check out these other pages with game details.
[[CHARACTER PROFILES]]
[[DEVELOPER NOTES]]
Return to Start [[Day 1: Morning - Los Suenos]]
In the tutorial there are only three snappers: the player, Chaz Pimento, and Alex Bey. Thomas Armstrong is the Poppywood movie producer featured on the first job. Armstrong's storyline is the primary one for the game while secondary celebrities such as superstar athlete, LaShawn Jordan, have their own side quests. Please check out the Story Bible at LOWBROWSING.com for the full list of characters and their back stories. There are over twenty characters for the full game, including paparazzi, celebrities, editors, and even a Poppywood therapist!
1. Charles "Chaz" Pimento (veteran)
Personal History: Chaz was born in 1926, in a small city in Clark County, Nevada. There wasn’t much to do in Boulder City, especially during the Great Depression, however, Chaz would sneak off with his father’s Kodak Box camera and take photographs of anything that seemed interesting. Chaz use to ask his uncle to drive him over to the construction site of the Boulder Dam where the uncle worked in construction. That dam would later be renamed, Hoover Dam. As a child, Chaz was taking photographs of the dam and when construction was finished in 1936, he decided to send in his best shots with a cover letter to Life magazine, which had just been bought by Time magazine owner, Henry Luce.
Chaz’s Kodak Box camera didn’t provide the boy with an opportunity to take professional-quality pictures however Luce’s head editor for Life, Edward Kramer Thompson, felt that Chaz was showing incredible initiative and talent for a child. Thompson had a brand new Kodak Retina I camera sent to Chaz’s house in Boulder City. It was the first 35mm camera on the commercial market. Chaz became hooked on photography from that point on.
As a teenager, Chaz moved away from his hometown and started working in Las Vegas. He was working in the casinos, doing odd-jobs like bus boy, dishwasher, and bellhop. Chaz was too young to be conscripted to the army during World War II, but he often fantasized about the kinds of photographs he would be able to take from the front lines. Chaz would continue to send photographs to Life magazine, but none of the shots were deemed particularly remarkable by the editors, who already had professional shots from Vegas from photojournalists who were using the best equipment. Chaz knew that he had to save all his money to buy better equipment if he was going to be a professional.
In 1951, Chaz purchased two new cameras – A Graflex press camera and a Hasselblad 1600F. With these cameras, Chaz could take professional-looking photographs. He traveled as close as possible to the Nevada Test Site and took photos of nuclear weapons testing. Although, Life magazine still wasn’t interested in the photographs, Chaz decided that he had to reach out to other publishers.
He contacted, Beth Grover who was the editor-in-chief of “Our World” magazine. Grover who herself was young for a magazine editor was eager to encourage young, new talent. She purchased the rights to Chaz’s photographs of the nuclear bomb explosions and proceeded to offer Chaz a job as a full-time staff photojournalist for her magazine. Chaz didn’t hesitate to take her up on her offer, and he decided to move to New York City to be closer to the magazine’s head office. Beth and Chaz began a wonderful working relationship and she started to give him bigger and more important assignments. By the late 1950s Chaz had become the top photojournalist at the publication.
In 1960, Chaz was actively investigating on a lead involving CIA training of Cuban refugees. This training camp was producing “soldiers” who would be part of the Bay of Pigs Invasion the following year. Chaz was able to get some interviews with wives of these Cuban refugees. It seemed that the training was unnecessarily harsh. Chaz dug deeper. He was able to sneak into the compound where the refugees were being trained and he managed to get photographs of the refugees being abused by CIA operatives and US military instructors.
Chaz then received a disturbing phone call from one of the wives he had interviewed. She claimed that her husband was a communist sympathizer and that the CIA had discovered this. She feared for the life of her husband now that he had knowledge of the plans for the CIA-sponsored invasion. Chaz had an idea of where the CIA might be keeping the husband. Chaz traveled back to the compound and snuck into a barracks building which he suspected was being used as a prison. Inside the barracks was a caged area where the husband was tied-down to a chair. The husband was badly beaten and looked close to death. Chaz managed to get some photographs and successfully escaped the compound.
Our World magazine had prided itself on revealing a true image of world events and would not compromise the freedom of the press when it came to unveiling corruption and political intrigue, even at the highest levels of government. Beth agreed to publish the photographs with Chaz’s accompanying report. The first publication was distributed, but the government moved-in very quickly to destroy every copy they could find. The head office of Our World which included the printing presses was swarmed with men-in-black for several days after, and the magazine’s issue had to be reprinted without Chaz’s damning evidence of government wrongdoing.
However, a copy of the magazine had been privately sent by Chaz to world leaders of other powerful nations. The Soviet Press Secretary revealed the photographs on live television. The evidence was irrepressible and Chaz was hailed as a freedom-fighting guerilla for the good of the American people, and all people of the world. The United States officials did what they could with respect to spinning the story and suggested officially that Chaz Pimento was a communist dissident. The story was officially discredited by the US officials and their invasion went ahead as scheduled although it was a disaster likely due to the Cuban military having been given sufficient warning. Beth’s magazine had picked-up a new liberal fan base through the controversy however she was unable to continue to employ Chaz.
Chaz had to walk away from photojournalism for over a decade. When he returned, it seemed that they only photos he could sell were to tabloid magazines. He figured out that the only viable option was to become a paparazzi photojournalist. Chaz returned to photojournalism with a vengeance, but was cursed with obsession and paranoia. He projected his suspicions about authority onto the celebrities who he followed for shots. Nevertheless, his name was remembered by the public and in the 1970s, the hangover of McCarthyism had sufficiently subsided and popular culture had made a significant shift to the left politically. Chaz became revered as a paparazzi photojournalist. The celebrities who Chaz trusted became fans of his and made themselves available to him, but the celebrities who were uneasy with Chaz became problematic for his reputation – he was soon be the most loved, and at the same time, most hated paparazzo in the industry.
Motivations: pursuit of the truth; unveil secret lives
Connections: magazine editor, Beth Grover; The Red Fist socialist activist organization; a variety of celebrities
Quirks/Vices: fetishizes the “hunt”; suspicious of authority; never-say-die attitude
Dynamics: hunting Daphne Rockwell; rivalry with Eli Purkits; ally Beth Grover; therapist Sophie Scott
2. Alex Bey (rookie)
Personal History: Alex ran the school newspaper at their high school in Los Angeles. They went to school with the children of many celebrities despite their own parents having regular careers. Alex was admitted to the Beverly Hills school because their mother was the principal at the school. Alex was a spunky, down-to-earth person who came to appreciate what made celebrities stars, but what also made them normal people. Alex ensured that the school newspaper was geared to show extreme sensitivity when covering stories involving the students at the school who were children of celebrities. Alex also implemented a policy whereby anyone under the age of twelve could not be interviewed or photographed for the school paper. The other students really appreciated Alex’s sense of responsibility and Alex became quite popular, especially with the children of celebrities. Alex decided after high school to continue with journalism, but found that college studies weren’t very exciting given the experiences with the high school paper. Alex put higher education on hold. Alex found an advertisement in the local paper for a production assistant job with a new paparazzi agency. Alex put in their resume and waited to hear back.
Motivations: ethical photojournalism
Connections: Hollywood celebrities
Quirks/Vices:
Dynamics: loyal to player’s agency and sounding board for player on ethical dilemmas
3. Thomas Armstrong (Poppywood producer)
Armstrong was raised in the Far East where he became a martial arts expert in a variety of disciplines. His father served in the U.S. military during the Korean War and stayed in the Far East afterward to raise a family. As Thomas became more accomplished in martial arts, he used his talents to choreograph fight sequences for popular Kung Fu films of the 1960s. One of the stars of a film he was choreographing fight sequences for was told privately by the film’s producer to add some extra and dangerous moves to one of the fight sequences. The star obeyed the instruction but during the filming of the sequence that star broke his leg performing the added moves. Armstrong was unaware that the moves were the idea of the producer and thought the star had been hot-dogging. When the producer asked Armstrong to stand-in in costume for the final scene, Armstrong agreed.
Being in front of the camera excited Armstrong and he looked for starring roles. Due to his mixed ethnicity, many producers were nervous about granting him a starring role as they weren’t sure how he would be received by mainly Asian audiences, but they did let him perform a few cameos in upcoming films of the other big Kung Fu film stars. Armstrong became a sensation. A rival producer attempted to poach Armstrong from the original studio by letting him know about what caused the earlier accident. Armstrong was livid. There was a demand for Armstrong to act, but he was reluctant believing that the film industry’s star system was exploitative in both the East and the West. He required more control to feel comfortable with how his image was being manufactured and maintaining the integrity of his martial arts displays in the films.
Armstrong turned to producing films and later was a major contributor to bridging the East-West divide in film culture. He became a leading producer in Hollywood during the 1970s and some of his critics have suggested that his rise to power was achieved through the support of East Asian criminal organizations. Although Armstrong has some questionable ties to known gangsters, he claims that they are merely big fans of his films. The conjecture about Armstrong’s involvement in organized crime has been vehemently denied by Armstrong who has argued that his popularity as a film producer is primarily due to the interest of the public in multiculturalism and globalized media.
In 1975, Armstrong married Olympic diving and figure skating champion, Daphne Rockwell.
Motivations: control manufacturing of “star” image; promote multiculturalism through film and media; support wife, Daphne, in her career; support Rockwell family
Connections: alleged connections to organized crime; Hollywood elites, Hollywood stars; martial arts communities; East Asian government cultural ministries; Rockwell distiller family; Olympic committees and officials
Quirks/Vices: fighting ability and aggression to match skill; control-freak; bromance with Magnus Sven; anti-war and anti-isolationist political ideologue
Dynamics: targeting player’s agency with investigation; bromance with Sven
4. Daphne Rockwell (Olympian)
Daphne is America’s sweetheart. At age seventeen, she became the first female to win gold medals at both the summer and winter Olympics in diving and figure skating, respectively. She is also the daughter of Ronald Rockwell IV, whose family are renowned bourbon distillers from the state of Georgia. RonRock bourbon is a company which led a public campaign to bring greater public awareness to the dangers of alcohol abuse. At twenty-one years of age, Daphne married thirty-two year old, film producer, Thomas Armstrong. They became a media sensation primarily for their physical health and beauty. Daphne is well-bred and has a sophisticated take on media and world affairs while Armstrong is an exotic enigma. The age gap has created a stir with some of their critics.
In 1976, Armstrong financed a film that would be a vehicle for his wife’s next bid at Olympic success. The film – “Rings of Gold” - bombed badly at the box office. Critics felt that the story was presumptuous and pandered to a naïve audience. Mainstream magazines and news agencies became less interested in the couple, while Daphne vowed to never feature on the silver screen again. However, tabloids picked up the slack trying to build-up drama around the fall from grace for the couple. The couple wanted nothing more than to recoil to the shadows from the spotlight of an epic Hollywood flop and personal humiliation. Daphne became determined in her training while Armstrong focused on building a strong working relationship with a new Hollywood superstar - former Mr. Olympia, Magnus Sven.
Chaz Pimento would be the paparazzi photojournalist most determined to break through Daphne’s seclusion and continue to thrust her upon the public’s eye. The more adamant Daphne became in avoiding the media, the more Pimento found ways to expose her.
Motivations: Olympics; avoid media exposure; support family’s good work in an exploitative industry
Connections: Rockwell family; Armstrong; Hollywood elites; Olympic committee and officials
Quirks/Vices: workaholic and fitness nut; oversensitive to criticism; prone to being reclusive; aristocratic
Dynamics: antagonistic with the “hunter” Chaz Pimento
[[INSTRUCTIONS]]
[[DEVELOPER NOTES]]
Return to Start [[Day 1: Morning - Los Suenos]]
As part of a Research Assistanceship at the university, I worked with my PhD supervisor, her Post-doc and a fellow doctoral student on a video game which intended to create novel mechanics with respect to ethical decision-making, moral awareness, and moral reflection for the player. In the first year of development (pre-production stage) we gathered information on other game mechanics which might guide our research. We also did a lot of literary review, keying-in on the work of Miguel Sicart. Dan (the post-doc) took the reins and became the project lead, however the team decided to base our game around my concept.
Several years ago, I developed a game idea heavily influenced by the Eidos/Square Enix Hitman stealth-shooter game series. Instead of being a shooter, my game was about "shooting" celebrities as a paparazzo photojournalist. The premise was that Hollywood celebrities were sick and tired of being harassed by the press, so they pooled their resources to finance a Mecca to the stars... an underground Shangri-La out in the Nevada desert, close to Las Vegas. In this luxury getaway, there were some private residences, many hotels, casinos, nightclubs... and you get the idea - a Vegas for the stars, exclusively. No press!
The player was going to be flown in to the underground city as staff and then pull off some pap jobs once in. Getting the shots would be tricky as would finding a safe way to courier them out. There would be many familiar parodied celebrities - Mr. Olympia turned actor turned politician, drunken socialite princess, reclusive musical prodigy, etc. Additionally, there was a subplot involving a private investigator who would be brought in to flush out the paparazzo. In effect, you would play a protagonist and antagonist in the same game. I was hoping that a cool effect would be video replay whereby cinematic cut-scenes in the game would show what the player had done - their exact moves as they had happened in real time. This would be a new form of game immersion.
Well, our team at the university wouldn't be able to accomplish what I just described and the game I thought up was more of a Triple A studio project. However, the team liked the idea of using the paparazzi theme. The next stage of research was to learn everything we could about the career of photojournalists and paparazzi in particular. Dan and I read the autobiographies of Ron Galella and Darren Lyons. I also made a valuable contact with veteran chief photojournalist for the U.S. Navy, Joel Jacobs (retired).
The final stage of pre-production was to produce a GDD (Dan handled this and was the person devising the game mechanics) and I was in charge of creating the Story Bible. Dan worked up a prototype board game and eventually the team decided to use the Ren'Py engine to produce the game. I came up with all of the characters, the environments and locations, as well as the overall story arc and side missions. It was an ominous task. I have created a tutorial level for a version of the game that I am working on. It is less complex than the team-based game and it can stand alone. I made the game using Twine to avoid the esoteric platform of Ren'Py.
Finally, our team produced an academic paper on game mechanics and ethics. The paper was accepted to the ICA and I went to Prague in May to present our work along with my supervisor. It was a great experience. I have been the person to do the most recent edit on that paper and I added a "methods" section based on my research of Sicart's ethical framework analysis model for game design. In addition, I crafted the section of our paper on Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.
There is more work to be done on the paparazzi game, but my personal version is titled, "Snapper: A Paparazzi Story" and you can play it here
[[INSTRUCTIONS]]
[[CHARACTER PROFILES]]