DISPATCH FROM THE CITY
Something's always happening in Noir City. Most people keep walking. Investigators notice. Make your choice. See what happens.
The Ice Machine
You leave your room, ice bucket in hand.
The machine is tucked into an alcove halfway down the hall. You press the button.
Nothing.
You try again.
Still nothing.
You'll have to try another floor.
As you turn to leave, a door farther down the hall opens.
A man steps out carrying an overnight bag. He moves quickly toward the stairwell at the far end, his back to you.
He doesn't see you.
A few steps from the stairwell, he stumbles.
The bag goes one way. He goes the other.
He hits the floor hard.
He groans and tries to push himself back up.
He still hasn't seen you.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
You step out of the alcove and hurry toward him.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” He grimaces as he tries to get his feet under him. “Just give me a hand.”
You reach down to help.
His overfilled bag landed several feet away. The zipper has torn open.
A leather wallet has fallen onto the carpet.
It lies open.
A police badge on one side. Photo ID on the other.
You look at the photograph, then at the man struggling to his feet.
He looks at you.
They’re not the same man.
You step back into the alcove, hoping he doesn’t notice you. Waiting for the elevator would announce your presence to him.
You quickly and quietly walk to the stairwell at the opposite end. There’s another ice machine on the next floor down. Then you can get back to your room and enjoy your evening with a nice cold drink.
You slip through the door and start down.
On the landing below, a man is sitting against the wall. He looks like he’s been in a fight.
He looks up at you.
“You just come from that floor?”
You nod.
“See anybody?”
“A man. He fell near the other stairwell.”
The man gets to his feet.
“Is he still there?”
“I think so.”
He starts toward the stairwell door, adjusting his jaw with his hand.
He stops, looks at your ice bucket, then back at you.
“You and me should hang out.”
He smiles.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”