As I stood in the doorway of the Gourmand, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer...creepiness of the place. This casino, the Ultra-Luxe, was a pinnacle of class and culture supposedly. Yet all I saw was a large crowd of overly polite masked assholes and wannabe celebrities. Everyone was clamoring to be seen as more sophisticated than the next guy. Annoying, but manageable. The more pressing matter was the missing Ted Gunderson. His father Heck was certain he disappeared somewhere in this hotel. But where?

"Fucking Gunderson..." I muttered, stalking towards the one lady who might have a lead.

"Excuse me Miss, but are you Marjorie?" I asked, sliding towards the counter leading into the restaurant. I slipped into my practiced "suck-up" voice. She just screamed "stuck up bitch" with her fancy pink dress and hair curled by excessive amount of product. Politeness would have to be used here.

"Why yes I am. May I ask who you might be?" She answered. Ugh, her voice was condescending as all hell, too. I tried to push past it and smile. It was a lot of money Gunderson had offered, enough to buy a nice apartment in Freeside.

"My name is John Moss. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Marjorie" I smiled as I said it. Had to look sincere, after all.

"Likewise! How may I help you, sir?" She asked, leaning forward a bit. She looked bored even as she spoke. Guess pretending to be cheery and polite took a toll on you.

"I'm looking for someone- a guy named Ted. Ted Gunderson. He disappeared recently, and was last seen here. Would you happen to know where he is?" I asked. She seemed to freeze at this. Her dark eyes grew wide for a split second before returning to an obviously practiced neutral state. Shit, that ain't good, I thought.

"Not another one! Oh, what will people think? Image is everything, after all. We can't have people be too scared to come here..." She muttered to herself, staring holes into the wood of the reception desk. Suddenly, she looked up and into my eyes.

"A bride-to-be recently vanished as well. An investigator was looking into the manner. Please, go talk to Mortimer. He'll help you find him" She said, now full of energy. I nodded and left. I was intrigued to say the least. Two people missing in the same hotel? The investigator was still here too. This meant it was recent as well...shit.

I fingered the 9mm in my suit jacket. I had to leave my repeater at the Lucky 38. I felt naked without it. All I had was the clothes on my back and Maria, Benny's pistol that I "borrowed" after...settling accounts. If I ran into trouble, I was pretty screwed. 13 bullets weren't very reassuring, after all.

I went back to the main hallway, past the cashier. I had no clue who this Mortimer guy was, so I settled for asking the guy in the awesome top hat. He probably knew, given that he was at a reception desk like Marjorie.

"Sir, I hate to ask, but do you know where Mortimer is?" I asked, leaning onto the desk. The guy just stared at me.

"I'm Mortimer." He deadpanned, clearly annoyed. Welp, great first impression Moss.

"Ah, my apologies. I'm looking for an investigator who stopped by here recently. I was told you talked with" I said, smiling a bit. At least I found him. Top hats never lie, after all.

"Oh? Yes, I remember him. I have to ask, is it pertaining to the case?" He asked. I didn't like the look in his eye. He looked...angry. Shit, was he on his period or something? I hadn't done anything wrong yet!

"Um...yes! I have some valuable information for him. It's rather important, so..." I trailed off, giving him an expectant look. For his part, he smiled. Not a nice smile, though. An angry, almost punchy smile. He wanted me to go away.

"Oh, of course! Here you go. It's the first door on the right" He said as he handed me the key card. I thanked him and went on my way. For being a total dick, he was pretty helpful. After a bit of walking around aimlessly I found the entrance to the hotel proper.

"Well, here we are. Please let him be here" I muttered outside the door to the investigator's room. Taking a breath, I knocked twice. Nothing.

"Excuse me, Mr-" Shit, what was this guy's name? "-Investigator guy? My name's John. I need to talk to you. Can I come in?" I asked, leaning in to hear an answer. Still nothing.

"Fine! Be that way, I'm coming in. Don't, y'know, shoot me or something" I announced, putting the key card in the slot and turning the handle. I stepped in, closing the door with one last look into the hall. Didn't want to be seen by too many people. Marjorie probably wouldn't want a scene.

First thing I saw was the blood. It was splattered all over the carpet. The centerpiece though, was the investigator. He was splayed on the floor, staring up to the ceiling. From the bruises and the cuts on the face, he must've been beaten to death. I winced. This was...what, the second body I've ever seen? Benny was the first.

I staggered over to him and dropped to my knees. Fuck, I was gonna throw up. I shook my head and started rifling through his pockets. Maybe he had something that could help me find Ted. My hand closed around some small cardboard box. I took it out.

"A...matchbook? Great, what else is- oh shit. What's this?" I asked myself as looked at it. There was a note written in pen on the back. 'Steam room. 4pm.' I checked my Pipboy. 3:05pm. I still had time. I just hoped that-

The door opened.

"Pardon us; we're the cleaners for this floor. It appears there is a mess we have to...take care of" A White Glove member was standing in the doorway. He was brandishing his cane like a club. Another goon was right behind him, chuckling like it a fucking joke.

"...Oh Christ" I muttered as I stood up. I went for Maria. I didn't get the chance to draw it. The one closest to me struck out at me with his cane. I ducked and backed up. The second Glove closed and locked the door before sauntering over to me. They circled around me, like coyotes to wounded prey.

I slowly reached down and grabbed the investigator's briefcase. Brandishing it with a grimace, I stepped forward. Mortimer, you dick. You'll pay for this. Right after these guys though. They're more important.

"Let's go, boys"