The Ghost Hunter (open)

[Beach Boy]

The atmosphere of the area reminded Reed of the television show "Twin Peaks". Towering Douglas firs lined the road on both sides and a tangle of thick underbrush grew beneath. The rain had been coming down so hard that he'd been forced to drive slowly, but now it was was now giving way to drizzle and mist. Beams of sunlight penetrated the forest and gave color to the spectacular scenery.

The motel slowly came into view. It was just as Stan had described it. A group of small but neat buildings tucked into a clearing off of the side of the road and surrounded by large colorful rhododendrons. It wasn't much, but he hadn't expected the Hyatt Regancy.

Reed loved the adventure and independance of being an investigative reporter. He was a veteran with ten years experience. He had begun working part-time for the magazine while in college and had dropped football, as a running back, so that he could pursue writing. He had known back then that he wasn't a good enough football player to make it in the pros and his real talent lay in his writing. But Jill, his college sweetheart, hadn't taken it very well, and the breakup hadn't come as much of a suprise.

The only real downside to his job was the loneliness. Reed was never home and when he did get home he often found that he didn't have anything to do with himself. His parents and brothers and sisters lived halfway across the country. And it seemed that his few friends, who were now married, were busy with their own families.

"How are you doin'?" Stan asked in his usual upbeat voice over the cellphone. "Did you find the place?"

"Yeah, I'm just pulling in."

"Great!" Stan effused "The motel might not look like much but they do have internet connections in the rooms.. And I've sent Mary to help you with research."

Reed grinned. So he'd finally get to meet the intrepid Mary. She was a librarian who'd done research for him in the past but he'd never actually met her. Stan must have figured that this would turn out to be one of their bigger stories, since he'd sent Mary to join him.

 

[MollySchtupp]

Name: Mary Donalds
Job: Librarian, reseacher
Look: 5'7", curvy figure but always dressed reserved. Glasses and long blonde hair held back in a bun.

Mary was thrilled to hear from Stan and that she is being sent to meet up with Reed. She had read Reed's articles and had great respect for him as a journalist. Now she would finally get to meet him. Mary waited nervously in the motel reception area for him to arrive.

Many may thought of her as 'geeky'. She was teased at school, but she prefered to read over clubbing or hanging out by the lake drinking beers.

Mary had no idea what Reed looked like, but they had talked often and she used to email him the research he required. He seemed nice enough for a big time reporter. He'll get a real shock coming to this quaint town. When Mary arrived from Miami she was also suprised at how quiet it was. It was the beginning of winter and the snow flakes were falling in small spurts of winter. Mary wasn't used to the cold. Originally from Tamworth in Australia, she had moved to Florida with her divorced mother when she was 19 when her mother remarried.

Mary stood nervously, playing with her glasses, breathing on them and polishing them with her hankie she kept in the sleave of her cardigan. Reed was running late. Mary was the type of girl that arrived everywhere exactely two minutes early...exactely. Reed was the type of guy that showed up when he wanted to. People would wait for Reed. People didn't even know Mary exsisted.

 

[MollySchtupp]

Half an hour later:

Mary was still waiting in the reception area. The woman behind the desk puffed on her cigarette as she read a newspaper on the counter and watched Mary.

"He ain't worth it honey" she growled. "Ya might wanna take them glasses off, go get yer self a nice dress and put some makeup on and you'll meet a nicer kinda guy"

Mary pushed her large rimmed glasses up her nose and turned to the woman.

"If you don't mind ma'am. I'm waiting for a work collegue. Not some 'date'" Mary said, with a shy but definate tone.

"I bet he's a guy though! Eh, they're always late. My ex husband Bert went out for milk and the papers and didn't return for four days. The fucker. He's dead now. Don't say I miss him much..." the woman chattered, now not even looking at Mary and chewing on her burning cigarette as it ashed on her newspaper.

Mary just wanted to get out of this place. This woman was horrible and there was a smell of tobacco and cat piss.

"I...I'll just wait outside" Mary said, grabbing her hapsack full of papers and books and putting her large fur trimmed overcoat on. Her mother gave it to her for Christmas. Why, she was unsure. They lived in Florida. Her mum was a strange woman and gave Mary the worst presents, but finally it's come in handy.

As Mary pulled open the creeky old door, the bell tinkled and a gust of ice cold air woshed past her.

"CLOSE THE FRIGGIN DOOR GIRLIE!" the horrible woman yelled, "I'm freezin' ma tits off in here!"

Mary quickly shut the door, leaving herself standing shivering in the ice cold air. It was starting to get dark. It got dark early in these parts. Mary wasn't used to this kind of climate - or weather. It got dark around 9pm where she was originally from.

But Mary would rather wait for Reed in the cold, the odd snow flake hitting her in the face...than sit in that balmy smelly reception area breathing in that woman's smoke and foul words.

Now to just wait. Mary put down her hapsack and pulled her gloves from her pocket and put them on. She then pushed her hands underneath her armpits after pulling on her beanie her grandmother made. Mary was a patient girl. She was good at waiting. She had to be, being a librarian. All those books and cards and filing. So she waited...

 

[sexyshiela]

*can I join Molly and beachboy. I could be the local sheriff - female of course*

 

[MollySchtupp]

*can I join Molly and beachboy. I could be the local sheriff - female of course*

**Hey honey child! Nice to see you show up...and nice to have you back in Misty Falls! Maybe a guy could be the town sheriff? You could be his deputy... or you could be one of the goth kids. Oh, I should lay down the story. Beachboy and I have already talked about it**

Story Outline for Anyone Wanting to Play:

Reed is a top reporter coming to a small cold spooky town. Turns out strange things have been happening and Mary, a geeky but attractive librarian has been helping Reed with his information on the case. Cast.

Mary: Shy geek librarian. Very smart. Attractive but doesn't know it and reads a lot. Cast.

Required:

Michael Smith, Local Sheriff: Handsome older man. Kind character and helpful.

Tina Evans, Deputy: Female. Tough, kinda 'boyish' but smart.

Goth group: Young people in their early 20's into the 'dark forces'. Two girls, two guys. They are trying to play it down, but it was their fault the bad forces have come back into town from experimenting around with the dark forces in the local cemetary

The old ghosts: Ghosts from the Gold rush days who have laid dorment, but have now been awoken and are taking over the bodies of other old people in town.

Bert Judd: Local man, hunter, mid 40's: Tough guy, good hunter and lives in a small shack outside town. He knows more than he's letting on.

May Stone: Mid 30's woman who runs town beauty salon: She's been having a secret affair with Bert.

Any more characters to piece together this mystery welcome!

 

[MidnightsLair]

Michael Smith, Local Sheriff: Handsome older man. Kind character and helpful.

*I'll take on the Sheriff, assuming this is ok with you and beachman of course*

Michael Smith
Occupation: Local Sheriff
Age: 48
Appearence: 6'1, grey hair, blue eyes, average build

Michael Smith had been the Sheriff in this town for the last twenty years. His father had been Sheriff before him and he'd taken over the job when he retired. Thats the funny thing about small towns sometimes its hard to escape following in your father's footsteps especially since there aren't exactly a lot of other options. Michael wasn't bitter about it, its a good job after all, but he did sometimes wonder how different things might have been had he pursued his dream of going off and joining the FBI.

It had been an unusually eventful month in town, what with all the odd happenings and rumours of stranges goings on at the cemetary. Michael didn't put a lot of stock in the rumours and assumed it was just some kids trying to stir up a little trouble. He had even heard that supposedly this had attracted the attention of some investigative reporter from the city. In fact that was where he was headed right now, to the Motel just to check things out and introduce himself. The last thing he needed was a stranger in town stirring up things and giving credence to some silly rumours. Small towns like this were easily influenced and the last thing Michael needed was more trouble than he already had.

He wasn't really the kind of Sheriff to interfere in people's business but there couldn't be any harm in having a quiet word with the reporter and asking him to try and keep his investigation low key.

Sitting next to him in the patrol car was Tina Evans, his deputy, she had turned out to be quite a good police officer and he was happy to have her working with him. People always said she was a bit of a tom boy but as far as Michael was concerned he couldn't have asked for a more reliable deputy.

The car pulled into the parking lot of the motel and the Sheriff hopped out, adjusting his night stick he then lean't back inside the window to talk to Tina.

"Okay Tina, you just wait here for a minute while I go and check things out. He may not have checked in yet and this may yet turn out to be a bit of a wild goose chase. I'll give you a call on the radio if I need you."

Michael headed for the motel reception.

 

[MollySchtupp]

*MidnightsLair - hey, I love your writing. Welcome!*


Mary stands, shivering in the cold snowy weather. 'Where is this guy? This is crazy. It's been two hours already! I could be warm at home watching Sex and the City with my cat on my lap!' Ok, Mary thought, not much of a life, but it suited her.

Just then a car pulled up and the Sheriff got out and started walking towards me. Mary hadn't officially met him as she had only got to town 2 months ago and wasn't very social. The little house she rented at the top of Pine Lane suited her fine. It had two bedrooms, one she had filled with hundreds of books... and an open fireplace in the lounge room.

Mary smiled as the rather dashing Sheriff approached her. He smiled back. He looks nice... nice and WARM. She was freezing.

"Um, hi there..." Mary yelled out. The wind had now increased and it whipped through the surrounding fur trees, whisking up snow into Mary's face. The sheriff giggled as he walked towards her. He could see she was not from around these parts. Newbies always stood out she guessed.

"Pretty cold isn't it?" she continued, shrugging off her previous embarrassment. Mary had not yet lost her Australian accent. She guessed she never would. It stood out like a sore thumb in these parts.

 

[MidnightsLair]

*MidnightsLair - hey, I love your writing. Welcome!*


Mary stands, shivering in the cold snowy weather. 'Where is this guy? This is crazy. It's been two hours already! I could be warm at home watching Sex and the City with my cat on my lap!' Ok, Mary thought, not much of a life, but it suited her.

Just then a car pulled up and the Sheriff got out and started walking towards me. Mary hadn't officially met him as she had only got to town 2 months ago and wasn't very social. The little house she rented at the top of Pine Lane suited her fine. It had two bedrooms, one she had filled with hundreds of books... and an open fireplace in the lounge room.

Mary smiled as the rather dashing Sheriff approached her. He smiled back. He looks nice... nice and WARM. She was freezing.

"Um, hi there..." Mary yelled out. The wind had now increased and it whipped through the surrounding fur trees, whisking up snow into Mary's face. The sheriff giggled as he walked towards her. He could see she was not from around these parts. Newbies always stood out she guessed.

"Pretty cold isn't it?" she continued, shrugging off her previous embarrassment. Mary had not yet lost her Australian accent. She guessed she never would. It stood out like a sore thumb in these parts.

The Sheriff noticed a woman standing in front of the motel, he chuckled to himself as he wondered what on earth this woman thought she was doing. It was absolutely freezing out tonight and why anyone would choose to be outside when they could be rugged up eluded him.

"Yes, cold would be an understatement. Why don't we go inside and we can talk there, no point in carrying on a discussion out here in the snow. Unless you were planning to start a snowball fight or something"

The sheriff occasionally liked to try and inject a little humour into things, sometimes it made people feel a little more comfortable knowing that he wasn't just some humourless cop. He noticed as he got a little closer that the woman was quite pretty. Sure, it looked like she liked to dress down but she had a very pretty face and he could clearly see that she had a nice curvy figure under those clothes. He couldn't recall having seen her before and he couldn't quite place her accent which was clearly foreign.

He was now standing right along side her. The Sheriff smiled as he put his hand on her shoulder and tried to usher her back inside the motel.

"Let's get you inside where its warm and you can tell me why you were standing out here in the cold."

The sheriff and Mary step through the motel door and into the warmth of the reception area. Michael Smith nods at the woman behind the reception desk.

"Evening Bunny, bit of a horrible night out there wouldn't you say. Why were you letting this lovely lady wander out in the snow. You should know better than that"

"Ah she goes where she wants, not my fault if'n she is too dumb to stay in doors"

The sheriff thought to himself, typical Bunny, couldn't care less about anyone but herself. Well I suppose sitting behind a desk waiting for guests to turn up isn't exactly the most entertaining job in the world so it figures she might be a little odd.

"Okay now miss, tell me what were you doing out there in the snow"

 

[MollySchtupp]

Mary was still shivering as the kind Sheriff took her back inside. A wall of warmth, bad BO and tobacco hits her face as they go in. It may be warmer, but god it stinks, she thinks to herself.

"Okay now miss, tell me what were you doing out there in the snow"

The Sheriff asks.

"I'm waiting for someone. A reporter. He was meant to be here hours ago. I've been doing research for him and he was meant to be here!" Mary replies, slightly annoyed.

"I'm very close to just going home Sheriff. I'm tired, and cold.. and... and"

Mary felt herself raving. She did that if she let her emotions get a hold of her. She stopped herself and looked down at her shoes. They were covered in snow. She found it hard looking people in the eye. "Don't be rude and look at people when they address you Mary!" her mother used to nag.

"I'm sorry Sheriff... I'm just tired. I didn't mean to be rude. Umm...are you here to meet Reed as well?" she asked, removing her beanie and gloves after putting down her napsack again.

 

[MidnightsLair]

Mary was still shivering as the kind Sheriff took her back inside. A wall of warmth, bad BO and tobacco hits her face as they go in. It may be warmer, but god it stinks, she thinks to herself.

"Okay now miss, tell me what were you doing out there in the snow"

The Sheriff asks.

"I'm waiting for someone. A reporter. He was meant to be here hours ago. I've been doing research for him and he was meant to be here!" Mary replies, slightly annoyed.

"I'm very close to just going home Sheriff. I'm tired, and cold.. and... and"

Mary felt herself raving. She did that if she let her emotions get a hold of her. She stopped herself and looked down at her shoes. They were covered in snow. She found it hard looking people in the eye. "Don't be rude and look at people when they address you Mary!" her mother used to nag.

"I'm sorry Sheriff... I'm just tired. I didn't mean to be rude. Umm...are you here to meet Reed as well?" she asked, removing her beanie and gloves after putting down her napsack again.

*love your writing as well Molly, always a pleasure to write with you*

The Sheriff realised that both he and this woman were here for the same reason, to meet with the reporter. Obviously he wasn't here yet though so it seems it had been somewhat of a waste of time. On the other hand he was happy to have met this odd woman, she seemed very nice and there was something comforting about her manner. She was clearly intelligent and he suspected that she had closer links to this reporter than she was letting on.

"Yes I was here to meet with him as well, just wanted to welcome him to town and have a little bit of a chat. I guess since he's not here though and it sounds like he is running very late maybe we both should call it a night and try in the morning. Can I offer you a lift home miss.....sorry didn't catch your name"

 

[MollySchtupp]

"Oh, I'm sorry Sheriff. I'm Mary Donalds. How rude of me"

Mary shivered with nerves. She didn't get out a lot... and wasn't the most social girl. All of her communications were via mail, internet or phone calls. She had one boyfriend back in Miami she had met via the internet, but he turned out to be overbearing and wanted to change her. Mary may have been shy but she wasn't a push over.

Mary blushed as the Sherriff, a very nice looking older man, looked at her and smiled.

"Maybe we should wait a bit longer, if you don't mind Sheriff. I've been waiting so long, fifteen more minutes won't hurt. I'm sure he'll be here soon... well... I hope. But yes, I would appreciate a lift home if you are willing to wait around"

Mary hoped the Sheriff would stay. She couldn't cope with the rubbish talk of the horrible woman behind the desk... and it was now dark and she didn't want to stand in the cold.

 

[MidnightsLair]

"Oh, I'm sorry Sheriff. I'm Mary Donalds. How rude of me"

Mary shivered with nerves. She didn't get out a lot... and wasn't the most social girl. All of her communications were via mail, internet or phone calls. She had one boyfriend back in Miami she had met via the internet, but he turned out to be overbearing and wanted to change her. Mary may have been shy but she wasn't a push over.

Mary blushed as the Sherriff, a very nice looking older man, looked at her and smiled.

"Maybe we should wait a bit longer, if you don't mind Sheriff. I've been waiting so long, fifteen more minutes won't hurt. I'm sure he'll be here soon... well... I hope. But yes, I would appreciate a lift home if you are willing to wait around"

Mary hoped the Sheriff would stay. She couldn't cope with the rubbish talk of the horrible woman behind the desk... and it was now dark and she didn't want to stand in the cold.

"I'm Sheriff Michael Smith by the way, I guess I could stick around for while. Let me just radio my partner and tell her to bring the car back in about an hour. If he hasn't shown up by then I'll give you a lift home."

The sheriff figured if Mary did have some connection to this reporter Reed then he may as well stick around and find out as much information as he can.

"Tina, yeah hi, look I'm going to wait around here for a bit longer why don't you take the car back to the station and you can swing back by here in about an hour to pick us up. Alright, I'll see you then"

Now that was taken care of the sheriff could sit down relax and chat with Mary. Now that they were inside he could see that she really was quite attractive and what better way to spend the next hour than chatting with a beautiful woman. Of course Bunny was here as well so that did take some shine off things but its still better than just driving around in the snow.

"So Mary, what exactly is your connection to this reporter Reed?"

 

[MollySchtupp]

Mary had a feeling that asking this handsome Sheriff to stay may be a mistake. He's going to ask her question after question, and Stan, Reed's boss has asked Mary to keep this quiet. But surely the Sheriff had heard about the strange behaviour of the elderly in the town... and the findings at the graveyard.


"I...I'm a researcher Sheriff Smith. Well, a librarian and researcher. Mr Reed is just working on a story here. Something about... "

Oh god she thought. She couldn't tell him.

"...a story on the lifestyle here compared to other areas of America. I have been helping him with research and connections. It earns me a bit of extra money..."

Mary pushes her glasses back up her nose and looks down to the floor. 'Please don't ask me any more questions... please don't ask me any more questions' she thinks over and over in her mind. 'Don't leave me...but don't ask me any more questions'.

Mary lifts her head to find the sheriff staring at her again and smiling.

 

[sexyshiela]

"I'm Sheriff Michael Smith by the way, I guess I could stick around for while. Let me just radio my partner and tell her to bring the car back in about an hour. If he hasn't shown up by then I'll give you a lift home."

The sheriff figured if Mary did have some connection to this reporter Reed then he may as well stick around and find out as much information as he can.

"Tina, yeah hi, look I'm going to wait around here for a bit longer why don't you take the car back to the station and you can swing back by here in about an hour to pick us up. Alright, I'll see you then"

Now that was taken care of the sheriff could sit down relax and chat with Mary. Now that they were inside he could see that she really was quite attractive and what better way to spend the next hour than chatting with a beautiful woman. Of course Bunny was here as well so that did take some shine off things but its still better than just driving around in the snow.

"So Mary, what exactly is your connection to this reporter Reed?"

Tina-

The Sheriff has just told Tina to go back to the station. From what she could see he met some sad looking girl outside the motel and they went inside. Tina's not going to wait around. that was fine by her. she would do anything for SHeriff Smith. Tina was very fond of him. a bit more than he knew. But she was professional and this job meant the world to her. Her love for Sheriff Smith could wait.

Tina got out and put herself in the driver seat. She starts the car and turns the car carefully on the icey roads and head back to the station. The snow beats down on the windscreen and Tina drives carefully as the car slips on the roads. She just wants to get back to town and the station where she can relax until Tina has to come back and get Sheriff Smith. Her life resolved around her work, and it may be because she was secretly in love with Sheriff Smith.

Tina's car pulls out front of the Sheriffs Department. The snow is now falling down and Tina rushes into the office from the car.

The other deputies, Peter and Chris are there playing Texas Hold em. They ask me where Sheriff Smith is.

"Oh, I have to go back and get him in an hour. Mind if I join in?"

The guys nod and I sit to play...

 

[sexyshiela]

(is anyone else joining? Lots of characters needed!!! Two deputies to start!!!)

 

[MollySchtupp]

(is anyone else joining? Lots of characters needed!!! Two deputies to start!!!)

Two guys... or a girl and a guy???

Join in folks! The more the merrier!

 

[MidnightsLair]

Mary had a feeling that asking this handsome Sheriff to stay may be a mistake. He's going to ask her question after question, and Stan, Reed's boss has asked Mary to keep this quiet. But surely the Sheriff had heard about the strange behaviour of the elderly in the town... and the findings at the graveyard.


"I...I'm a researcher Sheriff Smith. Well, a librarian and researcher. Mr Reed is just working on a story here. Something about... "

Oh god she thought. She couldn't tell him.

"...a story on the lifestyle here compared to other areas of America. I have been helping him with research and connections. It earns me a bit of extra money..."

Mary pushes her glasses back up her nose and looks down to the floor. 'Please don't ask me any more questions... please don't ask me any more questions' she thinks over and over in her mind. 'Don't leave me...but don't ask me any more questions'.

Mary lifts her head to find the sheriff staring at her again and smiling.

The Sheriff could see that Mary was uncomfortable answering his questions and was probably holding something back. It didn't really matter to him as he had already pretty much figured out why the reporter was coming to town anyway.

Strange rumours surrounding the graveyard and several elderly people being taken in for observation after being found acting oddly. It wasn't much of a stretch to realise why a reporter might be coming here to investigate, stories about the supernatural were all the rage in the big city. Of course the last thing the Sheriff wanted was a story like that bringing all sorts of wierdos and kooks descending on his little town.

"Alright Mary, no more questions. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable I just wanted to know what your involvement was with this reporter. I know there are a lot of strange stories circulating in town at the moment and I just want to make sure no one leaps to any silly conclusions."

The Sheriff liked Mary and didn't want to upset her so he decided to just sit quietly with her and wait to see if this Reed turned up. The fact that he had made Mary wait so long didn't sit well with him, what sort of guy asks a woman to meet him somewhere like this and leaves her waiting for hours.

"We'll wait a bit longer and then Tina should be back with the car and if he still hasn't turned up I'll give you a lift home".

 

[MollySchtupp]

Mary sits down on the crappy old loung in the motel reception. Bunny goes about her business, every so often trying to chat up the Sheriiff.

'Silly cow' Molly thinks. But then again, good on her. I wouldn't be game enough to do it. Why would I get all jealous over this crazy old bat chatting up the Sheriff.

"That would be very kind" Mary replies to the sheriff Smith. "I'm sure it's not his fault. This big town reporters always run late...."

Oh god, he's going to think she's pathetic. Eh, nothing new there! Mary sits, pulling her legs together tightly and picking up her napsack and holding into her chest. Her glasses are fogged up, but she's nervous and doesn't notice.

"Ummm, ten more minutes I guess Sheriff?" she says. The sheriff just grins at her and agrees.

"This guy ain't worth his wait in salmon!" Bunny speaks up. "Honey, let the sheriff drive ya home. I'll tell him you were here" This town was a big salmon town. That worked well for Mary. She loved salmon. Grilled, smoked.. raw. But of course everything was related to salmon! Twas the talk of the town!

Mary looks over just in time to see Bunny spit some tobacco in a tin behind the reception desk. She then turns to the Sheriff who winks at her. For most people that would be a 'don't worry about the silly old woman' wink... but for Mary it was a seductive wink. A 'I want to take you now' wink. She really needed to get out more.

"It's ok ma'am. I'm sure he'll be here any minute now..."

 

[Wyld52771]

I'll join in as one of the deputies, if that's cool.

OOC:

Character Profile:

Name: Chris Hamilton
Age: 27

Appearance: 5'10", 170 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes. Fairly handsome, in a rugged sort of way.

Background: Chris has been working as a deputy in the small town for about five years. He's good at his job, although in a small town such as this, nothing too exciting goes on aside from the occasional domestic disturbance. He's a bachelor, living in a small cozy house in town that was left to him by his uncle. He doesn't have any close relatives left, and aside from Sherriff Smith, and the deputies, Pete and Tina, he really doesn't have many close friends either. He has been carrying a secret crush on Tina for quite awhile now, but is observant enough to know that she has her sights set on the Sherriff, so has never acted on it.


IC:


Chris looked up from his cards as Tina walked in, waving and smiling at her. "Hey, Tina...how's it going? Where's the Sheriff?"

"Oh, I have to go back and get him in an hour," she replied, "Mind if I join in?"

Chris nodded. "Sure thing...have a seat."

He felt butterflies in his stomach as he looked at her. She really WAS beautiful. He had a hard time acting so casually around her at times. He'd had a pretty strong crush on her for quite awhile now, although he doubted she thought of him as anything more than just a friend. Pete gave him crap about it quite a bit, knowing how Chris felt about her, but kept quiet about it around Tina at Chris's request. Chris knew how she felt about the Sheriff...and he also knew that he didn't have much of a chance with Tina...but part of him still hoped she'd one day notice him as more than just a friend and co-worker.

"Ahh, hell," he thought to himself, "I'm acting like a goddamn teenager. Getting a bit too old for crushes." He looked up across the table and saw Pete chuckle silently to himself, his eyes twinkling in restrained amusement and giving him a knowing look, and Chris gave him a warning glare in return, and then started dealing out the new hand.

 

[sexyshiela]

I'll join in as one of the deputies, if that's cool.

OOC:

Character Profile:

Name: Chris Hamilton
Age: 27

Appearance: 5'10", 170 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes. Fairly handsome, in a rugged sort of way.

Background: Chris has been working as a deputy in the small town for about five years. He's good at his job, although in a small town such as this, nothing too exciting goes on aside from the occasional domestic disturbance. He's a bachelor, living in a small cozy house in town that was left to him by his uncle. He doesn't have any close relatives left, and aside from Sherriff Smith, and the deputies, Pete and Tina, he really doesn't have many close friends either. He has been carrying a secret crush on Tina for quite awhile now, but is observant enough to know that she has her sights set on the Sherriff, so has never acted on it.


IC:


Chris looked up from his cards as Tina walked in, waving and smiling at her. "Hey, Tina...how's it going? Where's the Sheriff?"

"Oh, I have to go back and get him in an hour," she replied, "Mind if I join in?"

Chris nodded. "Sure thing...have a seat."

He felt butterflies in his stomach as he looked at her. She really WAS beautiful. He had a hard time acting so casually around her at times. He'd had a pretty strong crush on her for quite awhile now, although he doubted she thought of him as anything more than just a friend. Pete gave him crap about it quite a bit, knowing how Chris felt about her, but kept quiet about it around Tina at Chris's request. Chris knew how she felt about the Sheriff...and he also knew that he didn't have much of a chance with Tina...but part of him still hoped she'd one day notice him as more than just a friend and co-worker.

"Ahh, hell," he thought to himself, "I'm acting like a goddamn teenager. Getting a bit too old for crushes." He looked up across the table and saw Pete chuckle silently to himself, his eyes twinkling in restrained amusement and giving him a knowing look, and Chris gave him a warning glare in return, and then started dealing out the new hand.

Tina walked into the station after the boys gestured for her to join. She didn't have long, but a game of cards was alway a tempting stew. Chris was a sweet guy, like a brother to Tina. She was suprised some gorgeous woman hadn't swept him up yet. He was possibly the best looking guy in town... way out of her league. It wasn't even a consideration.

"Sure Chris... but dont cheat! I know you! Right Peter"

Peter nodded and kept shuffling the cards.

Tina laughed as she approached the guys. They both smiled as she sat down.

"Would you believe, Sheriff is sticking around with some geeky chick at that seedy motel about half an hour from here on PineNeedle Road. He wants me to go back and get him... AND drive her home! Unbelievable! Chris, you're coming with me. You can drive. I've driven enough tonight! Ok, deal up! I need some luck in something tonight..."

Tina gets comfortable at the table and waits for Peter to deal....

 

[Wyld52771]

"Umm...sure, Tina. I can drive and keep ya company. No problem." He looked up and saw Pete give him a big 'shit-eating grin' and silenty mouthed the words..."Knock it off, asshole." Pete snorted in amusement, and then covered it up from Tina by coughing loudly.

Chris picked up his cards and took a quick glance, but his mind wasn't on the game. For the next hour or so all he could think about was being in the car alone with Tina. He should be able to hold a reasonably decent conversation without his nervousness making him look like a moron anyway. The car ride wasn't long enough for him to make TOO much of a fool of himself. He gave himself a self-depreciating grin and Tina noticed. "What's so funny, Chris?" she asked, smiling slightly herself.

"If you only knew," he thought. Instead he replied, "Ahh..nothing. I keep getting crap cards, is all. I'm out." He threw down his hand, never even noticing the three kings he had. He walked over to the window. "Hmm..snow's starting to come down pretty good out there. Suppose we best head out and go get the sherriff, eh?"

 

[MidnightsLair]

Mary sits down on the crappy old loung in the motel reception. Bunny goes about her business, every so often trying to chat up the Sheriiff.

'Silly cow' Molly thinks. But then again, good on her. I wouldn't be game enough to do it. Why would I get all jealous over this crazy old bat chatting up the Sheriff.

"That would be very kind" Mary replies to the sheriff Smith. "I'm sure it's not his fault. This big town reporters always run late...."

Oh god, he's going to think she's pathetic. Eh, nothing new there! Mary sits, pulling her legs together tightly and picking up her napsack and holding into her chest. Her glasses are fogged up, but she's nervous and doesn't notice.

"Ummm, ten more minutes I guess Sheriff?" she says. The sheriff just grins at her and agrees.

"This guy ain't worth his wait in salmon!" Bunny speaks up. "Honey, let the sheriff drive ya home. I'll tell him you were here" This town was a big salmon town. That worked well for Mary. She loved salmon. Grilled, smoked.. raw. But of course everything was related to salmon! Twas the talk of the town!

Mary looks over just in time to see Bunny spit some tobacco in a tin behind the reception desk. She then turns to the Sheriff who winks at her. For most people that would be a 'don't worry about the silly old woman' wink... but for Mary it was a seductive wink. A 'I want to take you now' wink. She really needed to get out more.

"It's ok ma'am. I'm sure he'll be here any minute now..."

Another ten minutes goes by and the Sheriff has had just about enough of talking to Bunny, he'd much rather be in a car driving Mary home than sitting here talking to this crazy old woman.

"Well, I guess we have waited about as long as we can. I need to get back to the office so I suppose I better give Tina a call on the radio and get her back up here to pick us up"

Bunny however is not so keen to leave the company of the Sheriff who she has always had a bit of a thing for. She quickly interrupts the Sheriff before he can get on his radio.

"Wait Sheriff I can drive ya back to the office in me husband's pickup truck if ya want. Its not like any guests are gonna be checking in here anytime soon"

The Sheriff is a little surprised at Bunny's offer and although he doesn't really want to spend anymore time with Bunny than he has to it will get him there quicker than waiting for Tina to drive back up to the Motel.

"Well I guess that would be okay, as long as its alright with Mary. I guess we will have to go back to the office and then I can grab a car and drive you back to your place. That alright with you?"

Mary nods. The Sheriff thinks to himself "she's such a shy girl but I feel there is something behind those broad rimmed glasses and shy demeanour. Well I guess if its ok with Mary than I can suffer through a little more time with Bunny as long as it means spending some time alone with Mary driving her back to her place". So the Sheriff accepts Bunny's offer and the three of them clamour into her rusty old truck and head back to the station.

 

[MollySchtupp]

Mary, Sheriff and Bunny are driving along the icy roads. The car skids as Bunny drives, Sheriff sits in the middle and Mary hangs onto the door.

'God this is scary' she thinks as the car skids around corners in complete darkness aside from it's headlights shining a narrow light on the road.

Mary stays silent, never one to speak up... but her heart is beating. The cliff on her side of the car goes for ever and if this silly old woman makes a mistake it's over for all of them.

The sheriff puts his hand on Mary's knee. She twinges, but it's reassuring as he pats it to tell her it's all ok.

The truck can't get to the town fast enough, Mary thinks. Please just get us there!

Bunny hums strange songs as she changes the clunky gears on the old truck. Her old hagged dog sits in the back, barking at every slight movement in the forest along side the road.

'Please just get us there... I'll just sleep there' Mary wishes. She grips her hapsack tightly as the sheriff grips her knee tighter. She doesn't know what to do. She's not used to this.

 

[sexyshiela]

"Umm...sure, Tina. I can drive and keep ya company. No problem." He looked up and saw Pete give him a big 'shit-eating grin' and silenty mouthed the words..."Knock it off, asshole." Pete snorted in amusement, and then covered it up from Tina by coughing loudly.

Chris picked up his cards and took a quick glance, but his mind wasn't on the game. For the next hour or so all he could think about was being in the car alone with Tina. He should be able to hold a reasonably decent conversation without his nervousness making him look like a moron anyway. The car ride wasn't long enough for him to make TOO much of a fool of himself. He gave himself a self-depreciating grin and Tina noticed. "What's so funny, Chris?" she asked, smiling slightly herself.

"If you only knew," he thought. Instead he replied, "Ahh..nothing. I keep getting crap cards, is all. I'm out." He threw down his hand, never even noticing the three kings he had. He walked over to the window. "Hmm..snow's starting to come down pretty good out there. Suppose we best head out and go get the sherriff, eh?"

Tina agrees and gets up to go get the sheriff. Her cb has just gone off.

"Yes... oh great. Ok Sheriff... well, we'll see you soon then. Yeah, no problems"

Tina turns to the guys. "Seems the sheriff and nerdy girl have got a lift back with Bunny! They'll be lucky to make it!"

She laughs. Tina notices Chris standing.

"Chris, come on. Good news. We don't have to go out. We can sit here in the warmth and play cards... so lets play! Or are you boys chicken?"

Tina giggles, teasing the two men. She was a confident girl and always fit in well with the boys.

"Wait till you see this nerd Sheriff has picked up Chris... Peter. She's not from here. Must be an out of towner type. Complete geek!"

Tina smacks Chris on his back for him to sit back down. " Come on handsome! Lets play...."

 

[Wyld52771]

He found himself a bit disappointed not to be able to spend time alone with her, but he had to agree, the weather out there was getting pretty bad, and it probably wasn't the best idea to go out.

"Nah...maybe later. You two go ahead. I don't really feel like playing cards, right now. I think I'm gonna check the weather report and see how much snow we're supposed to get." The better to clear his thoughts...he had to stop thinking of her like this. Best way was to distance himself from her for a bit.

He walked over to the far side of the room and switched on the TV, turning on the local news, and sat down. Though his eyes focused on the TV, his thoughts kept going back to Tina. "Dammit," he thought, "this is crazy. I have to stop thinking like this."

He saw Tina and Pete talking, still playing cards and occasionally glancing over at him. After a bit his eyes began to feel heavy, and he dozed off, his last thought before sleep took him being how pretty she looked tonite.