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Anime Jason   Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: World Class: An Old Leaf Part 4 Posted Sun Aug 08, 2010 at 09:40:49 am EDT (Viewed 457 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0.05 points) Case 30 - An Old Leaf Part 4 Keiko climbed into the passenger side of Sean’s car, and started the engine. She was still wearing gloves - though she could have taken them off after leaving the crime scene, she thought it might be better not to leave fingerprints in the police mobile command center, either. Just in case. So instead, she removed them in the car. Meanwhile she tried to remember what she saw in those files, and tried to put together a scenario. She imagined herself visiting that apartment, gloves on her hands and a gun on her belt. It would be unlikely she would have a key, so she would try knocking on the door? No...what if they didn’t answer? What if they knew death was coming, then they might try the... ...the fire escape. Keiko slipped her gloves on again, turned the car off, and quickly yet silently moved back toward the apartment building. Only this time, she looked down the alley next to it. The fire escape was kind of rusty, but it looked functional. The lowest staircase was counterweighted and retracted. She carefully approached, and looked for something to pull down the staircase. There wasn’t anything, so she used her own personal abilities to reach it - she stood across the alley, took a running jump at a doorknob on a locked door, and vaulted herself up to the fire escape. Pulling down on the staircase lowered it, noisily. That proved it was functional, and a perfectly good entry point. But the window in the apartment was locked, she remembered, so the killer exited through the front door. But why? Then she descended and peeked into the dumpster next to the building. There were only a few trash bags at the bottom, so it had been emptied recently. “Garbage day.†she whispered. “They were killed on garbage day.†“What are you doing?†Sean asked from the end of the alley. “We’d have to go to the city dump to find the body.†Keiko whispered, trying to make sure the cops nearby wouldn’t hear. “If the second guy is dead, that is.†Sean shook his head. “The garbage collectors are required to report any bodies to the police. And since they sort through garbage to look for recyclables...†“Hmm.†Keiko replied. “This is getting complicated, and confusing. But wait--†She looked up toward the roof. The fire escape led up there, too. He nodded. “Let’s go up and take a look.†“Let’s not ask your boss again.†Keiko suggested. She jumped off the same doorknob, as before, and pulled the fire escape staircase down. --- The roof was windy, but every once in a while Keiko could pick up the a distant, rancid smell. That meant the source had to be relatively close. She looked at Sean. “Do you smell that?†she asked. Sean looked very serious when he nodded. He started walking around the roof, sniffing the air as if he were a bloodhound tracking down a scent. Being a police detective for so long, there were certain smells that set off immediate alarm bells in his head. This was one of them. He started walking around slowly, sniffing the air as he walked among the two water storage tanks, large chiller, storage shed, skylight, elevator housing, and stairway exit protruding from the roof. They created many surfaces and crevices for something to hide. “It wouldn’t be from the water tanks, the water would absorb the smell.†Keiko noted. “Unless--†Sean’s eyes met hers, and they said at the same time, “One of them is empty.†He took the gun off of his nearly concealed belt holster, and rapped it hard against the side of one of the water tanks. It made a nice, heavy thud. The density of the gun made it a good striking took to check whether the wooden vessel was full or empty. The other water tank made a loud ‘whack’ sound, which echoed. That tank was either empty, or mostly empty. Satisfied, he holstered the gun. “Look.†Keiko pointed to the base of the tank. There was a large rusted water valve in the middle of the corroded pipe, and it had two areas smoothed out like someone held on to it tightly to turn it. “That’s evidence.†Sean noted. “The tank had to be drained ahead of time. If there’s a body in there, it shows premeditation.†The two of them climbed up to the maintenance door on the tank. Sean opened it first, and shined a small but powerful LED flashlight into the interior of the tank. “Oh, my god!†he exclaimed, quickly covering his nose and mouth, both to hold off the smell, and the wave of nausea he felt at what he saw. Keiko stared, completely unaffected by either. The walls of the tank were blackened by ash, and the body had been burned into what resembled a large barbecue gone horribly wrong, a melted mass of burned flesh and raw meat. Running from the light were hundreds of flies, and a small pack of rats. Sean slid down the short ladder, and moved to a corner of the roof, leaned forward, trying not to be sick. “That’s quiet disgusting.†Keiko commented calmly. She shut the maintenance door and climbed down to help Sean. “Are you okay?†she asked. “I’ve seen some nauseating things--†Sean mumbled, as he shook his head. He still looked a little green. “I suppose we call your boss now.†Keiko suggested. She smiled almost evilly as she suggested, “Maybe we shouldn’t tell him what’s in there until he sees for himself.†That finally distracted Sean enough to laugh, as he reached for his phone. Keiko finally sneezed into her hand, twice. Then she looked sideways, and admitted, “Strong smells like that make me sneeze.†“But they don’t make you...?†He paused mid-sentence when his boss answered at the other end. “Yeah, it’s Sean Morrison. My detective friend and I found a body.†TO BE CONTINUED -- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be -- reprinted without permission. -- World Class and all characters therein are property of -- Strike Two and Jason Froikin. | |
L! Location: Seattle, Washington Member Since: Sun Jan 04, 2004 Posts: 1,038 |
Subject: ewwwww. [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Sun Aug 08, 2010 at 03:53:42 pm EDT (Viewed 421 times) |
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Posted with Apple Safari 5.0 on MacOS X
I sure hope nothing from the body got into the water supply. | |
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Anime Jason Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: Eeww is right [Re: L!] Posted Mon Aug 09, 2010 at 02:26:37 am EDT (Viewed 445 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0 points) Quote: I sure hope nothing from the body got into the water supply.We'll never know for sure. | |
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L! Location: Seattle, Washington Member Since: Sun Jan 04, 2004 Posts: 1,038 |
Subject: Eeww once more (with feeling!) [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Mon Aug 09, 2010 at 10:52:42 am EDT (Viewed 379 times) |
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Posted with Apple Safari 5.0 on MacOS X
Quote: Quote: I sure hope nothing from the body got into the water supply.Quote: We'll never know for sure.Now this sort of sounds like a Zombie Movie waiting to happen.  | |
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Anime Jason Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: And a question or two for everyone Re: Board Technology [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Mon Aug 09, 2010 at 12:34:40 pm EDT (Viewed 478 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0.17 points) a) Would you all be willing to create accounts here (i.e. mandatory account to post) if it meant "ownership" of all your posts and built-in archival features? Those accounts would only require minimal information like they do now - login, password, and email in case you forget your password. EDIT: Because the "accounts" would only require 2 of those pieces of information (the login could be the email address itself), it occurred to me that posting could create an account for you. The big changes would be that: You'd have to use the same email address and password to post a 2nd time (unless you stay logged in), and you wouldn't be able to post without an email address anymore. b) Would you like to see "keywords" implemented that can be used to divide up the board threads by subject? For instance you can use the keyword "Untold Tales" to only display Untold Tales stories, or "Round Robin" to only display round robins. I'm asking these questions because I'm considering changing the way the PVB software operates someday. Rather than being centered on threads and replies, it will center on its users, like Facebook does. The main board view will essentially be a timeline of recent posts. The user accounts would be required because of the way the data storage would need to operate - rather than one database per board, it would be one database per user. The main board (timeline) would aggregate those user databases. The advantages are: 1) Users will be able to control replies to their threads, and where those threads appear. 2) There will be absolutely no limit to editing those posts (because even though it doesn't appear on the main board, i.e. "timeline", you can still see them by selecting that user's posts). 3) Instant export/backup in multiple formats so story posts can be archived at another site (and possibly a software script so they'll be drop-in viewable at another site). Basically, I believe the new format *might* go better with the concept of telling stories. Most message boards right now, including this one, are based on the concept of breaking news, which is why posts expire - because news ages after a while. Stories don't, so they need a new and different concept. By the way, if I do this, it will finally cause the software here to diverge from Comicboards. Because CB is more news-based, it favors a more traditional message board format. That, and it seems the population of CB is militantly resistant to even the smallest change, so I'm actually afraid of making a change this big there. It's easier to just diverge the two code bases. Comments? Questions? | |
Al B. Harper |
Subject: Responses [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 06:20:06 pm EDT (Viewed 3 times) |
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Posted with Mozilla Firefox 3.6.8 on Windows XP
Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 To be honest, I wouldn't like that. I don't want to have to make an account. I don't want this board to become facebook. I hate facebook and am not a member. I think if you make accounts mandatory then where will the lurkers and passers-by who do randomly stumble by this place - read - respond - interact and join go? (not often mind, but it does happen). I don't want the board to become facebook-lite. To be honest I'm not that enamoured with the new look that has creeped in already in this regard. I find the user avatars on the main board distracting from the stories themselves, not assisting. This is a message board for stories. I want to come here and see and read stories and replies to stories. A message board. I hope this response isn't too harsh. I just wanted to give my opinion on it. Having said all that, I’m not adverse to change, and if change occurs, I’ll still be around. | |
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Al B. Harper |
Subject: Gross! [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Tue Aug 10, 2010 at 06:25:44 pm EDT |
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Posted with Mozilla Firefox 3.6.8 on Windows XP
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Anime Jason Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: That seems to be a common response. [Re: Al B. Harper] Posted Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 04:18:00 pm EDT (Viewed 433 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0 points) | |
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Anime Jason Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: Re: Responses [Re: Al B. Harper] Posted Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 04:24:23 pm EDT (Viewed 446 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0.6 points) Quote: To be honest, I wouldn't like that. I don't want to have to make an account. What if an account was only require to post? Also, I added this once it occurred to me: EDIT: Because the "accounts" would only require 2 of those pieces of information (the login could be the email address itself), it occurred to me that posting could create an account for you. The big changes would be that: You'd have to use the same email address and password to post a 2nd time (unless you stay logged in), and you wouldn't be able to post without an email address anymore. | |
Hatman Member Since: Thu Jan 01, 1970 Posts: 618 |
Subject: I prefer my barbeques to be a little less nasty [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Fri Aug 13, 2010 at 11:19:21 am EDT (Viewed 376 times) |
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Posted with Mozilla Firefox 3.5.11 on Windows XP
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Hatman Member Since: Thu Jan 01, 1970 Posts: 618 |
Subject: Responses [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Fri Aug 13, 2010 at 11:24:40 am EDT (Viewed 411 times) |
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Posted with Mozilla Firefox 3.5.11 on Windows XP
Quote: a) Would you all be willing to create accounts here (i.e. mandatory account to post) if it meant "ownership" of all your posts and built-in archival features? Those accounts would only require minimal information like they do now - login, password, and email in case you forget your password. Since I already have an account, I don't really mind. I'm not sure exactly what "ownership" means though. Quote: b) Would you like to see "keywords" implemented that can be used to divide up the board threads by subject? For instance you can use the keyword "Untold Tales" to only display Untold Tales stories, or "Round Robin" to only display round robins. Can't we already do that with the Search feature? Quote: I'm asking these questions because I'm considering changing the way the PVB software operates someday. Rather than being centered on threads and replies, it will center on its users, like Facebook does. The main board view will essentially be a timeline of recent posts. Quote: The user accounts would be required because of the way the data storage would need to operate - rather than one database per board, it would be one database per user. The main board (timeline) would aggregate those user databases. Quote: The advantages are: Quote: 1) Users will be able to control replies to their threads, and where those threads appear. Quote: 2) There will be absolutely no limit to editing those posts (because even though it doesn't appear on the main board, i.e. "timeline", you can still see them by selecting that user's posts). Quote: 3) Instant export/backup in multiple formats so story posts can be archived at another site (and possibly a software script so they'll be drop-in viewable at another site). Quote: Basically, I believe the new format *might* go better with the concept of telling stories. Most message boards right now, including this one, are based on the concept of breaking news, which is why posts expire - because news ages after a while. Stories don't, so they need a new and different concept. I don't know if I'm just not picturing this the same as you, but I rather prefer the board the way it was. I have at times actually considered not logging in because then I get the previous view of the board, not the current one with the avatars. I'd rather see new replies on their original posts, for organization sake. I loved the system you set up with the red circle for new posts and blue if they'd been previously read, I thought that was a simple and clean way to denote new posts you hadn't read yet. Quote: By the way, if I do this, it will finally cause the software here to diverge from Comicboards. Because CB is more news-based, it favors a more traditional message board format. That, and it seems the population of CB is militantly resistant to even the smallest change, so I'm actually afraid of making a change this big there. It's easier to just diverge the two code bases. Do we need to be different from Comicboards? I'm not trying to be negative to the changes you propose, I just think the software you've already developed is kick ass. The Comicboards/PV boards are by far my favourite to use on the internet. | |
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HH |
Subject: Good imagery in this one. [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Sat Aug 14, 2010 at 10:56:54 am EDT |
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Posted with Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 4.0; on Windows XP
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Visionary Moderator Member Since: Sat Jan 03, 2004 Posts: 2,131 |
Subject: Low and slow is the key to good barbecue. [Re: Anime Jason] Posted Mon Aug 16, 2010 at 08:19:50 am EDT (Viewed 430 times) |
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Posted with Apple iPad 531.21.10
Interesting bit of detective work in this one. The assassin would have to be pretty strong to carry a body up a fire escape and stuff it into a waterpower. I look forward to seeing where this goes. | |
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Anime Jason Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: And not too much sauce. [Re: Visionary] Posted Mon Aug 16, 2010 at 12:27:38 pm EDT (Viewed 387 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0.2 points) Quote: Interesting bit of detective work in this one. The assassin would have to be pretty strong to carry a body up a fire escape and stuff it into a waterpower. I look forward to seeing where this goes.This is going to be part of a pair of mysteries that come together in the next few chapters. | |
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Anime Jason Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: I try. [Re: HH] Posted Mon Aug 16, 2010 at 12:28:13 pm EDT (Viewed 411 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0 points) | |
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Anime Jason Owner Location: Here Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004 Posts: 2,834 |
Subject: Some of those outdoor parking lot ones are pretty bad. [Re: Hatman] Posted Mon Aug 16, 2010 at 12:28:35 pm EDT (Viewed 422 times) |
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anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1) using Apple Safari 5.0.1 on MacOS X (0 points) |