un: stanford | voice

[cryptograms]

Greetings, Trench! This is Stanford Pines speaking. Many of you I met in Deerington, and others I only met after arriving in Trench.

For those of you I haven't met: I worked as a researcher of all things paranormal and anomalous in my home dimension, and after I arrived in Deerington I used my experience in that field to research and catalogue the events, creatures, history, and metaphysical inner workings of Deerington, the Dream, and its residents.

Now, I wasn't the only person gathering this information. Several other individuals compiled their own documents on the same subjects and made them available to all of Deerington. Several of the authors vanished, however, and the distribution of their works depended on other Sleepers already having their own copies to share.

Which brings me to a proposal I have for the entire town.

[ There's the brief sound of shuffling paper before Ford continues. ]

Assuming no such other project is underway I'd like to begin keeping a publicly accessible archive of information gathered by Sleepers, particularly as it pertains to the Sleepers as a whole, as well as the nature and history of this dimension.

So, I'm looking both for individuals willing to contribute their own research, as well as any ideas as to where this archive could be housed. We may be able to requisition our own wing within the School of Mutter's Archaic Archives, but it may be preferable to select a more neutral location, outside of the immediate influence of any of the Patron Pthumerians.

[ Ford pauses for a moment, clears his throat, and continues. ]

Thank you all for hearing me out. And if you ever encounter anything especially weird, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Comments

[bowliever]

Abby showed me how to read some maps when we were traveling. It helped us find supplies.

[cryptograms]

In that case, there's a project related to the Archive I'd like your help with - if you're willing, of course.

[bowliever]

Of course, Elder Ford. I want to help the other Sleepers, like you do.

[cryptograms]

[ Oh... Ford has always been aware that Lev is a sincere and earnest (if sometimes sassy) young man, but every now and then something like this happens and really drives it home. ]

I'm glad to hear it, because I think this will suit you perfectly.

As you're exploring the city, I'd like you to take note of anywhere you notice that has undergone some sort of structural change - whether it looks different or has moved or seems to be the epicenter of some sort of strange happening. Deerington seemed to have certain 'hot spots' of unusual activity, and I'd like to see if any similar patterns emerge here.

[bowliever]

[Well, he's always sincere about wanting to help out a respectable elder like Ford!]

Hot spots. ...Not where it's actually hotter, right?

[cryptograms]

Oh-- no, not actually hot. It's a figure of speech. 'Hot' can also mean interesting or desirable, so a 'hot spot' for something is an area of increased activity.

[bowliever]

So... place where more strange things happen than usual. A stranger place.

[cryptograms]

Exactly! Just like...

[ He trails off for a moment, and then: ]

Do you remember the hotel in Deerington? Strange things happened there constantly, but there was rarely anything unusual at the veterinarian's office. That's the sort of discrepancy I'd like to track down.

[bowliever]

I remember.

[A little wistful.]

So, I should look for things... changing, shifting? Even if it's hard to know what's ordinary here, we can still see when things change.

[cryptograms]

Exactly! That way we'll be able to eventually get a measure of what is ordinary here, and what merits further investigation.

[bowliever]

Okay. [This seems... good. He likes this. He feels more excited than he has in months.]

Where should I start? Do you have any leads?