the hotel heist

[whereinthefloors]

WHO: Intrepid Gumshoes (that's you!)
WHERE: The Restaurant Formerly Known as Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
WHEN: Early March
WHAT: The end of the rash of thefts around the hotel.
WARNINGS: Gambling, alcohol, geography. Please let me know if anything else needs to be added.

THE FINAL INVITATION

Sometime in early March, the hotel server will receive a final post from the mysterious, glitched-out UNKNOWN user:

The stakes have never been higher, and all bets are off.
To see if you can win against the house, come back to where it all began.
Bring a friend, but make sure you both can keep a secret before you visit me in my new HQ. What happens here should stay here.

Those who correctly determine that they are being invited back to the location of the former Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville are correct. They’ll find that the drab remaining façade of “-Ville” has further deteriorated into flickering florescent lights and a path leading into the restaurant shell, painted in blacklight paint. The remaining illuminated sign has seen better days, too, now reading only “V I L E.” Following this path will lead the curious to an old-timey detective agency door concealing a dark portal that looks like…a roulette wheel.

Do you dare to step inside?

THE COAT ROOM

Need an excuse to dress your blorbo up? Don’t worry; we’ve got that here.

Passing through the portal will dump guests in a large coat room. An attendant will immediately swarm them and demand they adhere to the strict dress code. But don’t worry! They’ll also provide tickets for reclaiming any clothing items left behind, and the dress code to enter only demands that guests are dressed to impress. All manner of fancy tuxedos, gowns, regalia, jewelry, and accessories from any imaginable region are available, so guests may select a look that suits them…as long as it is fancy. Once they’re dressed, they’ll be allowed to proceed into the casino.

THE GAME FLOOR

And what a casino it is.

Beyond the coat room is a veritable indoor Vegas. Those familiar with the city of sin will recognize several essential landmarks, like the Bellagio fountains and the Sphinx and Pyramid (flanked by familiar palm trees, of course). The music pumped through the speaker system includes an astounding amount of Jimmy Buffet. Plenty of the casino’s layout is clearly Caelum-inspired, but several landmarks from tourist attractions around the multiverse are also stuffed into this sensory overload. Feel free to get creative! Is M****y M****e here? Maybe! That copyright sure expired!

Everything is—surprisingly—free, including the coffee, the appetizers, and the alcohol. This would be an excellent opportunity to try a house margarita or moonshine cocktail. There’s no shortage of games for gamblers. Successful play rewards chips that can be exchanged for surprisingly familiar basic amenities and items one might recognize from the hotel or even their inventories, like some super fucked up Chuck-E-Cheese. Like any casino experience, it’s easy to lose a lot of time here if one loses track of why they came in the first place…but the ride will surely be fun.

THE HEIST

The unlimited games and drinks might be enough to hold attention for a time, but many guests may have come here to regain something that was taken for them. Play long, hard, smart, or pathetic enough, and you might just be offered a special prize at the counter—entry into the high-rollers club. This is allegedly where the boss keeps her stash of most prized items. Guests are encouraged to bring a +1 to the VIP experience.

If this offer is taken, a velvet rope-drop will invite the new high-rollers into a distinctly film noir-inspired back hallway, lined with portraits of famous gangsters and criminals throughout history and dotted with century-appropriate décor.

It’s not a straight shot to the boss’ office. Guests will work through a veritable maze of self-same corridors with crackling radios and nested CRTVs. Every so often, when it seems someone’s come to a dead end, one of these devices will crackle to life. To open the barrier and reveal a new door or hallway, everyone must correctly answer a geography trivia question or three about a world they know. Hopefully, they paid attention in school!

Combat-minded individuals might instead find themselves getting into the occasional brawl with trench coat-wearing, sunglasses-indoors type mobster individuals, who, when bested, will give them a new directional clue for navigating the halls. Maybe there are lasers to dodge or a stealth sneak section or an obstacle that requires wit, guile, fake flirting, or sleight of hand? All obstacles that can be overcome by such an intrepid group of investigators.

THE END

To finally retrieve the last of the missing items and reclaim the coffee and the Margaritaville (and any other missing hotel fixtures), guests must enter the boss’ office after completing the maze of geography quizzes and mooks.

Busting into the final agency-style door at the end of the final hallway, the proud heroes will find…an office, completely laden with artifacts both familiar and inexplicable, along with no shortage of strange contraption controls that seem to be the key to returning the stolen items that are too big or too abstract to be delivered by hand.

Equally inexplicable is the broken window (in space?), the red trench coat on the coat rack blowing mysteriously on the breeze (in space???), and the fading purr of a helicopter fleeing the scene of the hoard (IN SPACE?!?!).

Congratulations, Gumshoes. You’ve solved all of the riddles and reclaimed the missing objects. Feel free to sort through the treasure trove and return things to their rightful owners, or try skimming a little off the top if you're brave. Now enjoy your vacation in pseudo-Vegas in peace.

OOC

I hope everyone enjoys the end to the plot heistline (for now....?)! While Carmen got away, her plans were thwarted, so everything in the hotel will go back to normal, and people who opted to have their characters lose things will now be able to reclaim them. Please let me know if you have any questions, but feel free to treat this casino as your sandbox of classy Vegas fun! Thanks for playing!

Comments

QUESTIONS

[whereinthefloors]

If I missed anything or can help in any way, please let me know or grab me, Shay, on the Discord! I hope everyone has fun with it!

[animated]

one. 📚 DRESS THE PART

[ The moment Charlie steps into the coat room in his jeans and not at all fancy t-shirt, he’s accosted immediately by the attendant, who shoves an armful of clothes at him. This person isn’t letting him choose so much as choosing for him. ]

Whoa, hey! Do you mind?

[ It’s at that point he’s given the spiel about the dress code and told to go change. There’s a curtained-off area for just such things and away he goes, emerging a few moments later in his new fit. Did his hair get magically styled while he was in there, too? Damn. ]

[ He straightens out the sleeves of his jacket, glancing over at whoever happens to be around. ]

They got you too, huh?

two. 📚 IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES

[ Charlie has actually spent quite a bit of time in Vegas, thanks to a friend of his who runs an establishment there, so the replicas are indeed impressive. Though, knowing who they’re dealing with, he’s not so sure they’re really replicas either.

For a bit, he simply takes in the sights, scooping some kind of cocktail off the tray of a passing server to wander around with. But then he heads to the game tables. He understands the point of this is to play and play well enough to get to the high-rollers area, and presumably find their thief, so it’s not exactly in Charlie’s best interest to play fair.

That’s right, he can be a little spicy!! ]

Hey.

[ This, said lowly to one of his fellow guests nearby. ]

Got a second? I’ve got an idea.

three. 📚 ABSOLUTELY A-MAZE-ING

a. [ Getting to the high-rollers club was not, in fact, the end of this adventure. After a biut of wandering, Charlie and his +1 (that’s you!) get to their first geography question, at which point the wizard grans and scrubs a hand over his face. ]

I was kidding about being taught geography, you know!

b. [ Or, alternatively, they round the corner and come face to face with one of the sunglasses-wearing goons who instantly rushes Charlie and tries to scoop him up in a bear hug (not the good kind). The wizard yelps and quickly drops to a crouch, which means the goon is tripping over him and going flying right at you! ]

Heads up!

four. 📚 PICK YOUR POISON

[ Obligatory wildcard! You can hit me up in the disco for plotting! ]

3b

[eyescar]

Woah!

[ Yuji is darting forward immediately, lifting his arms up to grab the goon around the waist. It doesn't seem to be any kind of issue for him to pick him up and, essentially, yeet him out of the way before he's skidding over to lean down next to Charlie. ]

Are you okay?

Re: 3b

[animated]

[ There’s something very funny but also very startling about watching Yuji just yeet this guy who looks like a linebacker in a suit down the hall. ]

I’m fine. Didn’t even mess up my hair. I bet he’ll be back, though.

[eyescar]

[ He doesn't even seem at all breathless from it, just huffing a noise as he stands up a little taller. ]

You think so? I can take him, if he does.

[ No one is messing with his Charlie-san today! ]

[animated]

I have no doubt that you can. You threw him like he was nothing.

[ Yet he still holds out a hand, silently asking Yuji to help him get up. He has no fear of being yote. ]

two!

[airdnd]

[ Sumina is similarly swirling a half-drunk cocktail in its glass, observing other players at the game tables when Charlie speaks up, drawing her attention as she casts him a sidelong glance and answers in a similar fashion: ]

Ah. Hello, Charlie. What's on your mind?

[animated]

Hey Sumina. First of all, you look gorgeous.

[ Just to get that out of the way. She’s definitely turning some heads tonight! ]

Second of all, I’m concocting a plan to get into the high rollers club. Want in?

[airdnd]

Oh. Thank you, Charlie - you look rather dashing yourself!

[ Just to get that out of the way, too! She won't let a compliment go unanswered with another compliment!! ]

But, ah, a plan, you say? Beyond simply playing the games?

one! obviously

[nonexempt]

[ Nanami is here! Nanami probably arrived with Charlie in the first place, curious over what the hell was going on and wondering where some of his stuff has gone. The coat room was a bit of a surprise and he made a noise of upset when Charlie was whisked away until he, also, was whisked away. Unfortunate.

But now he's here, dressed the part and with his normal sunglasses having been replaced by a pair that reminds him of someone else. His hair is in the neat 7:3 part as per usual, made even neater by the staff and he smells very good. All dressed up with somewhere to go, it seems, and that somewhere is the casino. ]

Unfortunately. My previous attire wasn't up to their standards, it seems.

[ He was wearing a sweater and slacks and apparently that WASN'T ENOUGH. Still, he'll take a moment to look over Charlie and seems pleased by what he sees. ]

You look lovely.

[animated]

[ Away they both go! When Charlie emerges from the dressing room, he casts around for Nanami and can’t seem to find him. Apparently, he looks a little distressed over it, because the attendant quickly points out where he’s gone.

Whew.

Charlie is still fussing with his coat when Nanami emerges, and… oh. Give him a moment because he’s quite obviously stunned. Not like Nanami walks around in ratty old anything – he often dresses quite nice! – but this is a whole new level. ]

You look… wow.

[ Nailed it. ]

[nonexempt]

[ Charlie's reaction is definitely not what Nanami expected. Though the suit he's in is nicer than his other suits, just a higher quality and made for such an event that they've found themselves in. Still, it's not like Charlie looks any less stunning and Nanami's still taking him in, itching to reach out and touch.

He'll take a few steps forward towards Charlie, standing closer to give him something of a small smile. ]

I doubt they want us to stand here staring at each other the whole evening, but I wouldn't mind doing just that.

[ He's going to offer his hand for Charlie to take though, readying himself to head into the whatever fancy event awaits them. ]

two!

[unliminal]

[ He's had an Eye on this guy...six of them, actually. It hadn't escaped Gojo's notice that Nanami had arrived with the unfamiliar man, and that already caught his interest, but they've spent a decent amount of time together afterwards, too...almost like it's a date?!

He has to know more. Rather than approach his tight-lipped friend about it, however, Gojo opts for an alternative approach, choosing a seat near Charlie at the table, ready to drop some cryptic bullshit when instead, the other man leans over to him.

An arched brow, keenly interested immediately. ]

Oh? Go on...

[ He has no intention of playing fair, either. ]

[animated]

[ There was hand-holding and everything Gojo! Scandalous!!

In any case, Charlie has definitely heard Gojo’s name before, from Nanami and Yuji both, and while the latter speaks of him quite fondly the former… is not so openly fond. There’s a lot of faces being made.

But even with that, it’s not like he knows what the guy looks like. It’s his understanding that Gojo’s been away, though what that entails? Who knows. ]

I was just thinking of tipping the odds a bit more in our favor. That aside, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Charlie.

[ Actual golden retriever of a man. ]

[unliminal]

[ Yeah, he definitely has that golden retriever look about him. For being someone who's spent time with Nanami, he isn't as stiff or formal as he would be with Gojo right now. Which probably says more about Gojo than it does about Nanami... ]

Charlie, huh? You must be new if you don't know me. [ Everyone knows who he is! Because of his sterling reputation, of course, not because he's been here for awhile now. ] Gojo Satoru. You seem to be acquainted with my bestest friend, Nanami.

[ Somewhere, Nanami is shuddering right now. ]

[airdnd]

[ Of all the ensembles given to her by the coat room staff, Sumina chooses a gown that's quite different from her appearance at last winter's masquerade. She doesn't want to deal with any leg slits now, and her heels aren't made to be deadly this stime. A win-win! ]

1. game floor

[ This sort of scene isn't the innkeeper's speed at all, both in that she's really not a gambler by choice (?), but she's also not usually one to partake in such quests. She'd sooner end up becoming one of the bartenders on duty.

But, there's something she needs to get back, and it's not just the coffee. (Though a big part of it is the coffee.) And that much is clear with the sort of determination that guides her steps as she makes her way through the game floor to find a game table to settle in at...

...It turns out, the innkeeper is surprisingly good at poker. Three-Dragon Ante is a staple at the Elderflower Inn's tavern most nights, as it turns out.

Catch Sumina fresh off of a big win as she fans herself with her hands and then ties her long hair up into a loose (but elegant!) bun, heaving a deep sigh of relief as the dealer begins pushing chips her way. ]

Goodness, that got quite intense! Ahaha. A pleasure playing with you all.

[ Said with as close to a shit-eating grin as anyone is likely to get from someone like her! ]

2. heist

a;
[ All those hard-earned wins at poker and she doesn't get to talk to the manager straight away? Ridiculous... An adventurous life truly is not for her.

All to say, she's definitely a bit out of her depth as someone's partner-in-crime while navigating these labyrinthine hallways, and at the next possible obstacle, whether it's lasers or puzzles or riddles, she just sighs deeply. ]

Another one? This is feeling a bit punitive, isn't it?

b;
[ If said obstacle happens to be a group 'o goons, however, she's even less enthused but considerably more distraught, because she is Just A Little Guy*. Sumina presses herself to the nearest wall, trying to take up as little space as possible. ]

Oh, dear. I really shouldn't have had that second cocktail, ahaha—! Oh!

[ *whose self-defense training kicks in only when she is drunk. ]

3. the end

[ When all is said and done, though, they're all left with the sight of their mystery master thief making their grand escape (into space!?)... ]

Ah, they got away...

[ Then, quickly turning to you: ]

Well, then! I've a family heirloom I need to find. I can keep an eye out for whatever you're looking for, too, if you'd like.

3. the end
( hmu on discord with any other ideas if you'd like!! )

2-b...

[unliminal]

[ Of course, Satoru is able to handily deal with the goons as easily as he breathes, as he sends them rolling down the hallway a la the ninja katamari from way back when. He still has absolutely no idea about Sumina's hidden talents, but he's glad to take care of these sorts of obstacles. At last!! She can better appreciate how good he looks while fighting!

...Fighting while in no real danger, too. ]

If you ask me, you should've had a third. You're a funny drunk.

[ He's just saying! ]

[airdnd]

[ Can she? She's a little distracted by the fact that they are actively under attack?! She's no adventurer, and sees very little combat, thusly lacking enough fighting experience (yet?) to be able to check out bae mid-fight...

She watches the goon katamari roll past her while she remains plastered to the wall, loosing a bewildered, utterly flabbergasted sound at his remark. ]

Hah!? This isn't the time for teasing, Satoru Gojo!

[ That's right. He just got full named. Another goon slips past the katamari, somehow managing not to get magnetized to it and making a beeline for Gojo, though he doesn't quite make it there as instinct seems to just kick in—

And by kick in, we do mean quite literally, as Sumina hitches the hem of her dress up to permit her to stick a leggy out and trip the goon - but it's not the sort of haphazard cartoonish gesture one might expect. It looks, seems calculated, practiced, sweeping the goon off of their ankles rather expertly and purposefully. ]

[unliminal]

[ It's always the time for teasing, and her use of the full name only makes him want to lean into it more. In fact, he's just about to, prepared to waylay the oncoming goon with a blase amount of effort, but he never actually gets that far, because before he can do either...

Thwack. With finesse, Sumina trips the man to the ground, where he falls face first rather comically. Gojo isn't the only one who wasn't expecting that, apparently, but when he's the main target, it's easy to create blind spots.

Still, Sumina taking advantage of one is new — not that they've been in situations like this often, but she's professed many times to not be an adventurer, that's why she has her barrier tattoo, and yet — ]

Mina-chan? [ :> ] What was that?

[ Please explain!! ]

1

[cardsharked]

[It should come as no surprise that Odette herself is good at poker. She has the face for it; though her personality is big, and her expressions are often harsh and visible on her face, she's extremely good at bluffing or at least pretending not to show what she really thinks or feels about her features. Against Sumina, she still manages to overplay a weak hand, ultimately ending up punished for her cockiness.

When the game ends and Sumina launches into full gloating mode, Odette leans back in her seat, arms folded behind her head, and laughs breathlessly as if she just finished a marathon.]

God damn, little lady. You just about took me to the cleaners. I'd never have expected you to have a dishonest bone in your body... Which I'm thinking as a rookie call on my part.

[airdnd]

[ It's really no surprise that Odette is excellent at poker, really - but it's truly surprising that Sumina managed to come out with the win. The secret truly lies within her unwavering customer service smile... It betrays nothing.

But credit goes where credit is absolutely due, and deserved: ]

Ahaha. You're exaggerating, Odette. You were quite a tough opponent, you know! I hope you're not too upset though.

[ Her voice drops to a lower hush as she adds, ] We're all working towards the same thing after all, yes?

[cardsharked]

[She's about to make some quip about brushing up for their inevitable rematch, but when Sumina leans closer and drops her voice into a conspiratorial whisper, Odette's eyebrow arches straight up.]

Hah? You'd better be careful. You're gonna wind up in trouble if you don't think of everyone at the table as your opponent.

[For a moment, Sumina might even wonder: Is Odette here for the same reason as the rest of them? Is there anything this woman could care enough about that she'd want to get back, or is she just here for the drinks and the fun and the games?]

... As long as the house doesn't win, that's a good hand for you, huh?

2 - A

[staffcocked]

Jeez... Tell me about it! All of this walking is murder on my heels.

[Whenever it came to dressing up for this heist, Yeyasu goes for a very fancy dress! If they were dressed to impress, then he wanted to hog all the spotlight. He's a strange eye turner for sure... But he couldn't resist! The dress was in his colors! Despite having no issues with wearing woman's clothing on occasions, he could also see the flaws of dressing up all pretty. Such as his hands holding the helm of his dress as he spent this whole time running down the hallway.]

Man, I wish Ceefour was here... She's an expert at thievery! This would be her element!

[He's complaining a bit, but what stood before them in the next corner was a hall of lasers!]

[airdnd]

[ GODDAMN, YEYASU! SLAY!!!! It's truly a marvel that either of them are managing to navigate these halls at all, with Yeyasu's very voluminous dress, and the length of Sumina's. If she weren't having to pick up the hem of her own dress to get around, she'd likely have offered to help with Yeyasu's, much like a bridesmaid does for a bride.

But, here they are... In front of a hall of lasers. ]

I, ah...

[ She looks at the lasers. Then back at Yeyasu in his very floofy dress. And then back at the lasers. ]

I wonder if we ought to find a different route.

[staffcocked]

[There's a pause as Yeyasu stares down the hallway, then a very sly smile crawls to his lips. He could quite dim-witted sometimes, but once he was in tight situations like this? He could show off what he was truly capable of! It was time for him to flex those demonic brain muscles.]

Hyahya... Actually, I've got a bit of an idea! If we wanna break through this, then we should think more out of the box!

[That's when he walks over to a little corner in the wall. Reaching into one of his dress pockets, he takes out a slice of cheese.

Huh? What's he up to here?]

Alright... I'm gonna call upon an ally. Here, micey-micey-miceeeey~! ♪

[He'll be placing the slice of cheese down. After a moment... A mouse is going to shyly poke out of its hole.]