Mystery Shack Visit
We drove our official vehicle to the Mystery Shack. There was a mass exodus of customers just after we arrived, a sign that the proprietor, Mr. Pines, had something to hide.
Mr. Pines came to the door to meet us. "Welcome to the Mystery Shack, gentlemen! What can I get you? Key chains? Snow globes? These rare photos of American presidents?"
We ignored the feeble bribery attempt and showed our badges.
"My name is Agent Powers and this is Agent Trigger, we're here to investigate reports of mysterious activity in this town," I said.
"Activity!" echoed Trigger.
"Mysterious activity? In the Mystery Shack? You gotta be joking!" said Pines.
I said, "I assure you I'm not. I was born with a rare disorder that made me physically incapable of experiencing humor."
Pines made a peculiar sound.
"I don't understand that sound you're making with your mouth," I said. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we are conducting an investigation."
"Investigation!" echoed Trigger, poking Pines as we pushed our way inside.
A young man who apparently worked in the store looked at us intently.
"Wait! Wait, did you guys say you're investigating the mysteries of this town?" asked the boy.
I kneeled down and said, "That information is classified, but yes. Look. Between you and me, I believe there is an conspiracy of paranormal origin all connected to this town. We're just one lead away from blowing the lid of this entire mystery."
"Are you kidding me? I'm investigating the exact same thing! I found this Journal in the woods which has almost all the answers. If we work together, we could crack the case!" said the boy.
I said, "If you have evidence of these claim, we should talk."
I gave him one of our cards with our phone number. It seemed unlikely at the time that he actually knew something, but I was prepared to follow up any lead.
"We could talk right now! Please please. C-come in! I have so much to show you!"
Pines moved in.
"Heh heh, I'm sorry agents. The kid has an overactive imagination. And like, a sweating problem," said Pines.
"Ha ha! Zing!" said a young girl who looked close to the boy's age.
"Paranormal town stuff is just part of gift shop lore. Sells more tickets you know?" said Mr. Pines.
A large individual wearing a "Staff" shirt stuck bumper stickers on us and put antennae on our heads.
"Popodopopo! Swag!" he said.
I said, "We have other spots to investigate. We'll be on our way."
Trigger took ten bobble-heads that resembled Pines. "I'm confiscating this for evidence."
"Smart move," I said.
"Wait! No, wait! We got so much to talk about!" the boy called after us, but we kept on walking.
After we got into the car, I said to Trigger, "The bobble-heads are for fingerprints, right?"
"Umm... Yes, of course. For fingerprints," said Trigger.
"Pines acts a bit guilty, but it's probably just his shady business practices. It might be worth running a background check."
"Background check," said Trigger.
"Meanwhile, we shall investigate the Tent of Telepathy," I said.