Riddle 027: All About the Game (And How You Play It)

[puzzlerprince]

[A - Action: 726 Anderson Lane - Morning

Edward Nigma isn't having such a hot morning. After searching his room in frustration for any trace of his familiar emerald suits or his trademark canes, he heads into his study, tearing into a letter he received in the mail this morning. His eyes narrow as he scans through the letter. He's being asked to

Comments

A

[strike_you_out]

[Outside the door to the study, Edward may here the sound of light tapping as if something is trying to draw his attention.]

[puzzlerprince]

[Eddie flinches at the sound, having been wrapped up in reading the rules. Cautiously, he moves to the door, slowly pulling it open.]

[strike_you_out]

[He will find his "son" standing just outside the door, his head held low and a wooden bat at his side that looks brand new.]

...Busy?

[puzzlerprince]

Aren't I always?

[He opens the door wider, though, in order to allow Slugger into the study.]

What is it?

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger glances into the room but doesn't enter. One of the first observations he makes is that Edward is without his usual green suit.]

I'm not coming to school today.

[puzzlerprince]

[That's right, Slugger, enjoy the spandex-free house while it lasts.]

Oh? And why not?

[strike_you_out]

[He would if he weren't so paranoid. And angry. And most of all, scared...]

You should know.

[puzzlerprince]

...ah.

[He should have guessed. There's a reason why Slugger's lugging around a new baseball bat. His prized weapon's been taken away. Quietly, he wonders if the boy's abilities have been taken away as well.]

If you're staying at home, then, do me a favor.

[strike_you_out]

[Another dead giveaway: he actually knocked.]

What.

[puzzlerprince]

Keep an eye out for anything---or anyone---suspicious. Make sure you keep the doors locked and stay alert. Understood?

[strike_you_out]

I know.

[lugging the bat onto his shoulder---it's actually the gift Susan gave him at Christmastime. He never expected he'd have to use it this way.]

Is that a letter?

[puzzlerprince]

[Edward nods. After a moment's consideration, he doubles back into the room, taking the letter in hand and passing it along to Slugger. No point trying to hide what's going on from the boy---it's better that he knows why the town's doing this right now.]

Question. What do you think?

[strike_you_out]

[He takes it, reads it, examines it front to back, rereads it for good measure. Then hands it back. Unfortunately, anything that might indicate whom Edward's target is happens to be blurred beyond legibility (at least in Slugger's perception).]

So it's true---they want you to kill or be killed.

[He's been diligently listening to the phone calls all morning so he knows that much.]

What will you do?

[puzzlerprince]

[Edward takes the letter back from Slugger, folding it in three and placing it into his pocket. The look in his eyes is almost reluctant, yet stern. Cold. Ruthless. It's the same sort of look he'd had in his eyes back when he'd asked Slugger to kill him not so long ago.]

...whatever it takes.

[strike_you_out]

[Slugger is familiar with this look and understands immediately what Edward is implying.

He nods silently.]