Long Form Roleplayers

Characters:

You are not logged in. - Lloyd Morgan-Jackson

You are not logged in. - Myster Emmet

You are not logged in. - Bartender Ghost

The Author:
The WelCum Bar has many secrets. Within its halls are hidden stories of the past, references that may seem like pop culture on the surface, but holding a deeper meaning underneath. One of the biggest to stick out is the mystery of the Barkeeper Ghost and what connection Stephen King had with the location. After Detective Emmet’s success with the Blaine Express story, the Bartending Ghost extends an invitation to the two detectives. What secrets will the duo uncover? This is the story of The Overlook Mystery.

Bartender Ghost:
The Overlook Hotel is a place of great esteem, popular during the summer, but its location during the winter is secluded and often cut off due to the snow. You two have been brought here to help keep watch over it for a week, at least on the surface. You two are actually exploring a memory of the Welcum Barroom, and I, the Bartending Ghost, am your guide through this. We appear in the barroom of the hotel, it is grand and large, my iconic station showing my role here as a source of information.

You are not logged in. - Bartender Ghost

"Welcome to the location, Mr. Morgan-Jackson and Mr. Emmet. This memory was a favorite of Mr. King in his many visits to The WelCum decades ago, perhaps you will realize why in time." I gesture around to the room, the tables stacked and chairs put away. "There is a family staying in the hotel, caretakers for the winter, the Torrance family. There is also a groundskeeper who lives here, Mr. Richard Hallorann. I'm sure you two must have some questions, shall I pour you a drink?"

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"No drinks for me right now, Mr. Ghost. The family and the groundskeeper... they exist in the memory you mentioned, correct? I don't suppose they are actually here now?", I say, looking around, taking in the interior.

Myster Emmet:
I looked around the room, "Wow it's more...cozy than I was expecting. Oh, but I don't need a drink either. It was definitely stupidly cold outside so I am glad it's warm in here."

Bartender Ghost:
"Indeed they are Mr. Jackson, they have been here for about a month now when travel by road was still possible. Another thing you two should know is that your advanced communication devices, or cell phones, will receive no service here. We are quite simply in a time before such luxuries were commonplace. I will however provide you with a map of the grounds." I bring up a blueprint of the hotel for you two to see, it contains the following locations:

Central Foyer, The Ballroom / Bar, Kitchen, Boiler Room, West Wing Suites, East Wing Suites, and Gardens. In the Garden is an elaborate Hedge Maze whose layout is detailed on the map.

Myster Emmet:
"Hmmm, actually, how long has this hotel been here? I don't remember hearing about it in passing before coming here I mean." I ask the Bartender, inspecting the blueprint closely...

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I look at the blueprint too, first looking to see if all the rooms are on the ground floor, or if there is also upstairs.

Bartender Ghost:
There is indeed an upstairs to the location, three in fact. A set of elevators is shown for each wing on the blueprints. "The location is old, well known in American history, Mr. Emmet. However, you are right that you likely have not heard of it before, as it no longer exists in your present. These events happened in 1983, and this night is in fact the final night of this location's existence; which is why Mr. King was so fascinated by it. There is much to learn here for you two, come midnight, this memory will fade and you shall be returned to the safety of the WelCum Barroom." I gesture to the clock showing it is currently noon.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"I see... so I suppose we should make good use of our time", I say with a small smirk. I turn back to the map. Do the kitchen, boiler room, and bar/ballroom seem to be on the ground floor?

Bartender Ghost:
They are indeed connected to each other. There are doors to the main Foyer and the Kitchen from this room.

Myster Emmet:
"Huh...1983. Not the weirdest thing I experienced… traveling back in time. I wonder...maybe this place caught on fire? That seems to be a running thing with whatever I am investigating. Plus, I can't really think of anything else that would make a place as big" I stretch my arms out wide, "as this! End as an existence."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Maybe it exploded", I shrug. "You'll have to tell me about other things that you investigated that caught fire, Emmet", I grin.

Bartender Ghost:
"Come now, you two, surely you would not want me to spoil the surprise. I shall be here tending the bar if you have questions."

Myster Emmet:
"Maybe later, Lloyd.. right now I think we need to question everyone and everything."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Well, one question that I have, Mr. Ghost, is whether we need to fulfill some sort of task before midnight? Or can we just do whatever, and come midnight, we'll return to our time?"

Bartender Ghost:
"The goal here for you, Mr. Morgan-Jackson, is that you learn what happened and perhaps act to avoid tragedy. Mr. King sought to manipulate the narrative here so he could learn things for his own benefit beyond the scope of this memory. What you do with the knowledge learned is ultimately up to you, but there are things here that go deeper than simple memories of a disaster, I assure you that. The Torrance family is around, they have made themselves quite a home here. I would encourage you to explore to your heart's content, who knows what you may find?"

Myster Emmet:
"Do I have a separate goal?" I ask the bartender, curious if he meant to only address Lloyd.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Avoid the tragedy? Does this mean we can change and influence people and things here? I had assumed that we'd be like ghosts... able to see things, but not interact with them, and invisible to any people inside the memory." I pause, as I realize that Emmet also asked a question.

Bartender Ghost:
"You two share the same goal, perhaps with two of you, you may even affect the narrative more than Mr. King could on his own. That being said, yes, you are more than ghosts here. The Torrances believe you to be other caretakers like themselves, a couple in fact." A slight grin crosses my face.

Myster Emmet:
"Oh, I see. Well, that's pretty convenient." There's a sly smile on my face as I turn to Lloyd, "Well...I think we both can play the part wonderfully...right, darling?"

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"A same-sex couple in 1983? This should be.... interesting", I mutter. I look at Emmet and grin. "Don't be getting any ideas, OK?"

Bartender Ghost:
"It was in fact more common than you might realize Mr. Morgan-Jackson. Even in my youth it was a well known constant in the world, but I digress."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Common for such couples to be public about their relationship?", my eyebrows raise.

Bartender Ghost:
"Observed, but never spoken. Young people who would never settle down, merely playing the field. Usually family obligations would force them to take a bride or husband, and live unhappily ever after."

Myster Emmet:
"A common fairy tale...tragic but never truly brought into the light." I muse.

Bartender Ghost:
"Well then, the clock is ticking as they say. If you have no other questions, I shall leave you to your exploration."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Well... I have no questions right now, except maybe this one: If I do have questions later, will I be able to find you here?"

Bartender Ghost:
"Indeed you shall. Who knows, maybe Mr. Torrance will finally indulge in the drink he swore off so long ago."

Myster Emmet:
"Maybe he will.... So! Where shall we start?" I look at the blueprint again just to remind myself of where we can go.

Bartender Ghost:
From the immediate room, there is an exit to the Foyer and the Kitchen. There is also an emergency exit to the outside in case of terrible events such as a massive fire.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I turn to Emmet. "Since we're two new caretakers here, I think it makes the most sense to go and introduce ourselves to people who are already here. Although not sure where we might find them."

Myster Emmet:
"I would guess that they're either in the suites..or maybe outside in the snow..."

Bartender Ghost:
"If I may be so bold, it is noon, often the time for a mid-day meal, wouldn't you think?"

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Indeed, Mr. Ghost. Where do people usually have meals? In the kitchen?"

Myster Emmet:
"You know what? Yeah, I think we should go into the kitchen."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Or is the kitchen only for the preparation of food?"

Bartender Ghost:
"I believe Mrs. Torrance is often in charge of food preparation in the kitchen. This is the 1980s after all."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I nod with a bitter smile. "Yeah.... the 1980s...." Turning to Emmet. "OK, shall we?"

Myster Emmet:
"We Shall." I say with a snooty accent, before I walk towards the door to the kitchen. I open it and look inside, before going into the unknown!

<Kitchen Banner>

Bartender Ghost:
Traveling through the doors into the kitchen you immediately smell something cooking. Standing in a rather large kitchen, off in the corner, is a woman with long black hair. Slender in nature, she is actively chopping vegetables and adding them to a large pot on a stove while humming a song. She doesn't seem to notice you two come in.

You are not logged in. - Wendy Torrance

Myster Emmet:
I immediately stop in my tracks, letting Lloyd come in to the room though by side stepping. Smelling the stench of good food emanating from the pot though makes my stomach grumble a little, which I immediately blush in response.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson: I step in as well, as Emmet makes space for me. I look around and notice the woman in the corner. "Hello", I call out cheerfully.

Bartender Ghost:
Mrs. Torrence Jumps from the cheerful greeting dropping the knife onto the cutting board. She turns looking at you two with a look of relief. "Oh, hello, you two. Looking for something to eat?"

Myster Emmet:
"Yeah, I don't know about Lloyd, but I am starving!" I rubbed my belly in an exaggerated manner, "What do you have cooking there?"

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Uhmm... Emmet, perhaps we could introduce ourselves to the lady first?", I say, with a small smile. "Sorry about my partner, he's quite... enthusiastic. I'm Lloyd Morgan, nice to meet you", I say and give a small wave, not offering a handshake, since her hands are in the food right now.

Bartender Ghost:
Picking up the knife, she returns to chopping the carrots. "Oh nice to meet you, I'm Wendy. I thought I would welcome you two with stew, Mr. Hallorann shot a deer a couple days ago, and I didn't want it to go to waste. I'm not used to preparing it, so lunch might be a little late, I hope Jack won't be too upset."

Myster Emmet:
"Oh....Deer...stew...." My face starts to pale but I put on a joyful smile. "Well, that sounds absolutely lovely, Wendy. I'm sure that Jack will love it regardless, by the way...I'm Emmet Solare. But please call me Emmet. Is Jack your husband?"

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I make note of the fact that Jack seems to be easily upset by trivial stuff, such as lunch being late. I don't say anything, giving Wendy the chance to reply to Emmet instead.

Bartender Ghost:
"Yes, he is, Emmet, nice to meet you. He's in his workroom right now, I think he was finally getting over his writing block, so if I'm lucky he won't notice I'm running a bit late. I'm not sure where Danny is right now, I'm sure he will come around when he gets hungry though."

Myster Emmet:
"Danny? Who is he? Sorry, I'm just curious since we're all caretakers. Caretakers should take care of each other right?" I smile, having regained some color.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I realize how much convenience mobile phones brought to our lives. ''Of course... in a large estate like this... it's impossible to keep track of where everyone is at all times. Especially if it's a young curious child. I smirk a bit at Emmet's last comment.

Bartender Ghost:
"Oh yes, Danny is my son, 7 years old just last month. He likes to play in the hallways and sometimes outside, but I told him to leave Richard alone. I'm sure you both know what it is like to be curious and alone." She finishes chopping the carrots and adds the chunks to the boiling water.

Myster Emmet:
"I see, well curiosity is something a lot people tell me is my vice." I chuckle, before giving a subtle nod to Lloyd to ask any questions he might have for her.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I wait for a while, making sure that Emmet has no other questions before speaking up. "The bartender mentioned that you've been here for a month. Has taking care of this place been hard? What does your daily routine look like here?"

Bartender Ghost:
She looks up at you as you mention the bartender with a look of confusion. "Bartender? Did somebody else come in with you? The last thing we need is somebody handing out drinks..." She reaches for the potatoes now as she starts to talk about the routine. "Things have been pretty quiet around here, I always try to make sure breakfast is ready by 9 for Jack and Danny, lunch by 1, and dinner by 6. Jack doesn't like it when the schedule is off. Richard comes and goes as he wants, and makes his own food. He lives here full-time and likes to go hunting. Mainly sticks to himself and makes sure the water, electricity, and all that is taken care of."

Myster Emmet:
"Richard sounds like a free spirit to me. But is there a reason why you guys have a strict schedule for meals? I'm sure the food will still be good even if it's a few minutes late." I say in order to comfort Wendy, even if it's a little bit.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I realize that the bartender was likely a ghost already in 1983, and feel thankful that Wendy kept on talking and didn't really demand a reply there. I look at Emmet. "Well, having a fixed routine probably helps when focusing on creative work....", I offer.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"You mentioned he's been struggling with a writing block, I can imagine that's always hard for a writer", I say empathetically.

Bartender Ghost:
"Yes, he's been struggling for a bit. His last published book came out just before Danny was born actually." She begins chopping the already peeled vegetables while she talks, "Schedules are good. A young boy needs consistency in his life, I think, and Jack can be very demanding at times. With him struggling with his work, we took up this caretaker position for the winter, to give him some time alone, and it pays well too."

Myster Emmet:
"I see, writer's block can be the worst obstacle a creative mind can face." I looked around the kitchen to better assess it...is there anything that stands out?

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
As Emmet looks around, I ask: "Does he work on his writing all day? Or does he have a time when he's taking care of the hotel?" From what Wendy described so far, this seems mostly like a paid vacation for her husband.

Bartender Ghost:
Looking around the kitchen, you can see that there are a lot of cabinets and other storage spots to hold a large number of pots and pans. It is easy enough to imagine this place would need a lot as it is a hotel. The area Wendy is settled into seems to be the most used in that there are a few objects scattered about that she likely uses for her daily food preparations. There is also a pantry connected to the kitchen and a large steel door with a window to the freezer. You are also able to see a set of stairs going down with a door at the bottom, what the map earlier showed to be the Boiler Room.

Bartender Ghost:
"Jack does spend a lot of his time in his room working. When we first got here, he seemed really relaxed. Now though, he spends more and more time there. I don't think he likes Richard that much either, the man has been nothing but a gentleman though, and even offered to help me cook."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Oh.... does he have some kind of deadline? Or... why is he being there more and more? It sounds like you and Richard are left to take care of this entire place all by yourselves."

Myster Emmet:
I walked over casually towards the freezer door to take a quick peek inside through the small window...just to make sure nothing like a body is in there of course.

Bartender Ghost:
The frosty window shows some pieces of meat hanging inside of it, but nothing unusual. At least from this position, none of the meat looks like a human corpse. Meanwhile, Wendy responds, "There isn't too much to take care of around here, mainly just make sure it doesn't burn down during the winter season or some other problem. I think the owners might just like having people here to make sure nobody is squatting during the winter." She sighs then drinks some water, "Pardon me, feeling a little under the weather today."

Myster Emmet:
"Oh!" I turned around with a worried face, "Do you need some help? It's probably not good to do anything too strenuous when you're feeling sick."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I frown at the words "burn down". But I wait for her to respond to Emmet.

Bartender Ghost:
"I'm okay, just a little bug I caught I think. Felt it come on this morning, but I'll be fine." She continues the meal preparation diligently.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I frown, thinking of the pandemic of the early 2020s, and how it's completely unsanitary for a sick person to be preparing anyone's food, but I say nothing. "Is there anything in here that's a fire hazard?", I ask. "You mentioned that you're making sure the place doesn't burn down."

Bartender Ghost:
"There are electrical wires all through the place, and some level of heat needs to be on in order to keep the pipes from freezing. It's just typical maintenance stuff and Richard handles most of it in his routine. I suppose even an empty hotel can have accidents in it though, winter storms can cause damage too." She continues to speculate about potential problems half-heartedly while working on the meal, taking another drink of water after finishing the potatoes.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I nod. "That makes sense. Do you... like it here?", I ask.

Bartender Ghost:
She pauses: "It's a bit lonely for my taste. Sometimes it feels like there might be people around, but it's probably just my mind playing tricks on me. I realize it is best for Jack to get some quiet time to write and not have to deal with the modern problems in the city, but this is the first time I've ever been isolated up in the mountains for months. I don't think Danny minds, though."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Well, I guess you have two more people to keep you company now", I offer with a smile, turning to look at Emmet.

Myster Emmet:
"Yep! And if you ever need help, just give us a holler! After all, this whole hotel can't be taken care of by one person. Say, do you might know where Richard might be? We haven't had the pleasure of talking to him yet."

Bartender Ghost:
She gives a shy smile back, "I wouldn't want to be a third wheel for you two, but I do like to take a walk into the garden in the afternoon. Maybe after lunch is done, one of you could join me? The hedge maze is rather elaborate. As for Richard, he might be in his room. It's the east wing room 101." She continues to make the meal now moving on to some meat that is laid out.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Don't worry about that, we don't mind company", I reassure her, thinking how she probably could use company considering her current circumstances. "Where do you usually have lunch? In the bar area?"

Bartender Ghost:
"Oh no, I usually take it to my room in the East wing and eat it with Danny. Jack sometimes joins us depending on his mood, but lately, he's just been taking it to his work room, 333 in the West wing. I think he likes the view."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Oh, I see, so it's not an occasion for all of us to gather. Everyone eats for themselves."

Myster Emmet:
"I see, well it's been nice talking with you, Wendy, are you sure you don't need help? Not even with delivering the food? I'm sure we could deliver the food so you can relax and enjoy your meal with your son."

Bartender Ghost:
"Thank you, Emmet. I think I'll manage, but if you see Danny in the halls, let him know lunch will be a little late."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"If you don't mind, could I take a quick peek at these two rooms?" I point toward the pantry and the boiler room. "If we're going to be taking care of the place, I'd just want to familiarize ourselves with all the different rooms."

Bartender Ghost:
"Sure, just make sure not to lock yourself in the freezer." She gives a slight smile and continues the food preparations.

Myster Emmet:
"Is that something that has already happened before?" I ask in jest before following up, "Seriously though, can the freezer be locked from the inside or only on the outside?"

Bartender Ghost:
"If you are not careful, the door can latch and get stuck. I'm not sure if it was by design or wear and tear, either way, you should be careful. I'd hate for something horrific to happen around here during our stay..."

Myster Emmet:
"Oh, I rather hope nothing bad happens. This seems to be a wonderful place!" Though I also take a peek towards the boiler room in curiosity too, "Is… the boiler room or whatever it is locked? Can't imagine much being in there though..."

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
As Emmet is talking, I move toward the pantry and open the door, taking a look inside.

Bartender Ghost:
"It is, Richard has the key to the room and checks it daily around 2 pm, he's always on a schedule it seems. One time Danny was trying to get in there and I had to yell at him, it's not a safe place for children to be playing around." She gives a slight smile at the memory while starting to cut up the meat now. As for the pantry, it's a decent-sized storage room containing many sealed wooden crates. One of them is opened with a hammer sitting next to it, the contents of which are an assortment of dry goods, common things used for food preparation.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I take note of the hammer. Is there anything else in the pantry that could be used as a weapon?

Bartender Ghost:
Outside of a few removed nails, nothing sticks out of note as being traditional for weapon use. With enough imagination Mr. Morgan, anything could be used as a weapon.

Myster Emmet:
I check if I can tell what time is it on my phone secretly, and if I can't I ask Wendy about the time.

Bartender Ghost:
Your phone shows that it is about 12:17 pm. In the corner there it also shows there is no reception here, so its time is no longer synced with the universal network.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
Meanwhile, I go to the door of the freezer, and try to open it.

Bartender Ghost:
The cold steel latch opens without issue, allowing its large door to swing open outward. A rush of cold air comes out from it as you see the contents, about a dozen large carcasses hanging from hooks, none of which are human.

Bartender Ghost:
As you open the door, Wendy looks over to you curiously, before wincing while bringing her right hand to her stomach followed by a light cough she directs away from the food she is preparing.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Emmet, darling, would you mind holding the door for a moment?"

Myster Emmet:
I take note of her condition and body language, before point blank asking her the first thing that comes to mind: "Hey Wendy, forgive my rudeness but... are you...expecting?" I also go over to hold open the freezer door while shivering from the cold blast.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
As Emmet kindly holds the door, I go inside the freezer, just to make sure there isn't anything hidden or unusual in between the carcasses.

Bartender Ghost:
She immediately looks up to you, Emmet, when you ask that question, then feels her abdomen. "Why... no... I couldn't possibly be." She leans back against the wall, as she drinks in the possibility, "It's just a little, morning sickness is all..." As for the freezer, looking around in it, there is a shelf off to the side that contains some other frozen goods, but all food products. The hanging pieces of meat look like they have been here for a bit except for the recent deer that isn't completely frozen yet.

Myster Emmet:
"Well, sometimes our bodies know things subconsciously before we truly know ourselves." I muse, while waiting for Lloyd to finish his exploring.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I return to the kitchen, allowing Emmet to close the door, and stop the influx of cold air and smell of raw meat. "If you still feel unwell tomorrow, Wendy, I'll be glad to take over the food preparation for you. You shouldn't be straining yourself like that when you're unwell. And Emmet wouldn't mind helping me out either, right?", I turn to Emmet with a smile.

Myster Emmet:
"No problem with me!"

Bartender Ghost:
She gives a slight smile while regaining her composure, but her mind is clearly wandering on something now. "Oh, that is very kind of you... Lloyd, was it? Let's see how I am feeling in the morning, I might go for a walk soon to help clear my head." She then resumes cutting the meat while the pot boils next to her with the vegetables in it.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
"Lloyd, yes", I smile. "Alright, Emmet, perhaps we can go and introduce ourselves to... Mr. Hallorann, was it? Or did you have some more questions for Wendy?"

Myster Emmet:
"No, I think I bothered Wendy here well enough," I give a slight chuckle as I link arms with Lloyd, "Yes, let's go and meet Mr. Halloran. It was nice chatting with you, Wendy. Shall we, darling?" I say in a slightly exaggerated way.

Bartender Ghost:
"Yes, nice chatting with you." She again offers a slight smile while focusing on the food preparation while her mind continues to wander.

Lloyd Morgan-Jackson:
I wait until we are out of the kitchen and far enough so I'm sure Wendy can't hear me, before turning to Emmet. "So, what do you think? She seems afraid of her husband."

Myster Emmet:
My smile drops to a guarded neutral expression, "Yeah, it seems she has a lot on her mind regarding her husband. They are probably way beyond the honeymoon phase of the marriage."

Published: 2023-01-29, viewed 44 times.