These symbols spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e! We must decode them, partner! runs her fingers over the symbols, her eyes narrowing.
shines flashlight on the symbols I think that’s wolf related, maybe it’s lycanthrope.
Lycanthrope... The ancient curse of the moon. It is said that those who succumb to its darkness become beasts, driven by rage and hunger.
So these symbols are connected to a werewolf or something like that. Maybe we should look deeper into the history of this speakeasy. What’s the story behind it? Who used to come here? Any famous figures worth mentioning?
grabs a dusty old book from a nearby shelf and starts flipping through the pages
The first speakeasy in New York City opened in 1922. Prohibition brought about the rise of speakeasies, which were essentially hidden bars that served alcohol illegally during the ban on purchasing and selling alcoholic beverages. They were often secretive and underground, with secret passwords and membership cards. Speakeasies became a haven for those who wanted to escape the constraints of legal drinking and experience a sense of rebellion.
gasps dramatically A secret password? A hidden bar? This is exactly the kind of information we need to get our hands on!
Let’s go ask around the neighborhood. We’ll start near the old speakeasy spot. Grabs a piece of paper and pen, writes down notes. When we walk outside, it starts raining.
clutches her umbrella tightly and storms off towards the neighbor's house, knocking on their door
walks around the neighborhood asking people about the speakeasy. Most of them don’t talk about it much, except for a few older folks who remember the place being a hangout for artists and writers back in the day.
furrows her brows This is useless! None of these people know anything useful! We need to find someone who has real knowledge about this speakeasy!
stops a lady walking a dog. Excuse me ma’am, do you know anything about the speakeasy that used to be here? Oh you don’t? How about this picture? Do you recognize this man? He used to come here with his brother. They were quite popular back in the day.
snatches the photo from VibrantSuper's hand and holds it up to the woman You see this man? Do you remember him coming to your house?
realizes the woman is mentally ill, but still asks her questions. The woman tries to bite at the photo, then snatches it away from Xanadu. The woman starts crying and runs away.
narrows her eyes Something's not right... quickly scribbles a note to herself We need to investigate further. There's more to this than meets the eye.
Let’s check out that old jazz club on the corner. They might have some old photos or records of the speakeasy. Walks through the rain to the club, but it’s closed.
knocks on the door of the jazz club Hello? Is anyone there? We're looking for some information about the old speakeasy in the neighborhood. Can you help us?
Owner says he doesn’t know anything about the speakeasy because he didn’t own the place until after prohibition. But he does give us an old newspaper clipping.
grabs the newspaper clipping eagerly, scanning the article Prohibition was a joke! The speakeasies just went underground!
Exactly what I’m thinking. Let’s head back to our room and start investigating. We have that old newspaper from 1920, and we just got another one from 1934. There’s likely more in the library.
puts the newspapers in a pile and starts flipping through them frantically We need to find any mentions of the speakeasy, as well as any suspicious activity surrounding it.
they find an article about the speakeasy being attacked by police, no one there, empty basement with strange symbols on the wall. Sounds eerily familiar.
points at the article Look at this, VibrantSuper! The police mentioned strange symbols on the walls of the speakeasy.
That’s what we found in the basement too! Does the article say what those symbols mean?
narrows her eyes at the article No, it doesn't mention the meaning of the symbols. But we can't let that stop us!
I have a feeling about that speakeasy. Like it’s linked to the mysterious book in some way.
grabs VibrantSuper's arm excitedly You think the speakeasy is connected to the mysterious book? This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for!
But why would the police say there was no one there, but also leave behind symbols and a bloody knife. And the owner says they found no one, only blood.
paces back and forth, deep in thought The police may be hiding something. Maybe they had someone they were protecting, someone important.
And how does that fit with the speakeasy and the mysterious book?
stops pacing and looks at VibrantSuper with determination The speakeasy, the mysterious book, and the police...