Steam lifted lightly from the hot surface of the freshly filled ceramic bath tub tucked inside the small bathroom of Audrey and MacCready's shared room at the Hotel Rexford as the sullen vault dweller eagerly submerged herself within its confines, while listening to the familiar sound of a once popular radio show playing in the main room, where the disparaged young merc sat quietly counting his caps, brooding over their recent argument- And as the scalding hot liquid lapped at her oily, dirty skin, she sighed pleasurably, running her hands up and down the length of her legs to loosen up the filth... How many weeks had it been since she had been able to wash? She wondered idly as the clear water became tainted.
"Just down this alley..." the first actor on the nostalgic show muttered thoughtfully as the sound of footsteps echoed through the old box speakers.
"Well well, looks like someone got lost on the wrong side of the tracks..." The next actor quipped threateningly in a thick, feminine new English accent that took Audrey back centuries in the matter of seconds as she relaxed, allowing the water to soothe her aching muscles and dry, dirt chafed skin.
"Hehe- yeah. Wrong side of the tracks..." A male co conspirator echoed humorously, clucking mischievously as the pair closed in on their unwitting victim...She could see it all going down in her minds eye, as if the scene was playing out in front of her- A man, tall and dapper in a suit and trilby hat, standing tall as he is approached by two roughians alone in the mist shrouded alleys of old Scollay square, clutching his briefcase protectively to his side...
"Im just meeting a friend. No business of yours- perhaps ill just call him. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
"Not so fast, fancy pants- your wallet and that snazzy briefcase your carrying. Hand them over, now!" The female assailant demanded boldly, much to their victims dismay.
"I most certainly will not!" He denied indignantly, despite the circumstances. " Do you have any idea who..."
BOP BOP BOP... The theatrical sound of automatic gunfire signaled the death of actor one, and Audrey felt her heart rate quicken as fleeting images of Finn laying dead on the pavement raced through her shell shocked mind- There was a muffled thud, like a sack of flour hitting a wood floor that she assumed was meant to be a body falling in the background...
"Awe geez-Louise, why did ya go and do that?" The male perpetrator admonished his partner openly as they beheld the aftermath of the encounter- displeased by the inconvenience of their crime.
"Because, he would have made us, thats why- do you wanna spend another stretch in the pokey?" She defended apathetically, before shrugging it off to inspect the loot..."Now, lets see whats in this fancy case...Nothing! Papers, no cash- its worthless! uhg, get his wallet. A suit like this has gotta have something..."
"Alright Alright, lets see..." The man mumbled thoughtfully over the sound of miscellaneous rummaging. "twenty bucks, a drivers liscence...Oh man, we done it this time! Do you know who this is? We just wasted Mayor Murphy!"
"What?" She exclaimed petulantly, in blatant disbelief. " The mayor murphy!? What in the blazes was he doing here, up in Scollay square?.."
"A mystery, to be sure..."
Feeling almost drowsy, Audrey smiled a little as the bold, heroic voice of the Silver Shroud sounded over the speakers, remembering how excited Nate used to get when they would listen, and the Shroud would appear for the first time...They had been looking forward to seeing the pilot episode together at the old drive in, when the bombs fell...
"Who said that? Show yourself!" Perp one demanded fearfully, background music subtly picking up the pace as the suspense began to build.
"You have murdered a man in cold blood- Justice must be served!" The hero proclaimed boldly as the red handed na'er-do-well's searched the shadows frantically for their hidden foe.
"Oh no- its the Silver shroud! we gotta get outta here!" Perp two exclaimed in horror.
"I aint afraid of the silver shroud!" His partner retorted haughtily, stupidly bating the masked hero. "You hear me? Come out, and ill do you like i did the mayor!"
"Death has come for you, Evil doer- and I am its shroud!"
Another theatrical spray of rapid machine gun fire followed by the choked screams of the second perpetrator told the audience that justice had been dispensed.
"Noooooooooo!" The murderous crook wailed mournfully as her co conspirator fell, and she too perished soon after.
"...My work here is done." The shroud declared sullenly as he inspected the grim scene, practiced eyes landing on the crumpled form of Mayor Murphy, bled out on the faded red cobbles near by ..."Or is it? What brought you to Scollay square mayor Murphy? A journey that left you dead, and Boston leaderless...Why venture?" The Poetic question was punctuated by the sound of approaching footsteps in the near distance.
"Emerge from the shadows, villain- or face the justice of the Silver Shroud!"
The radio cut to static as the episode came to an end, and Audrey took a deep breath, holding it before sliding beneath the surface of the water, completely submerging herself- and as fleeting memories of her past life with Nate flitted behind her tightly closed lids, she began to count slowly.
1...2...3...
Like a holotape on fast forward, as she counted, the images began to move faster through her minds eye, voices- things he had told her, and things she had said- Promises they had made to one another beginning to run together into an unintelligible string of babble and color as her lungs slowly began to burn, fighting collapse...
10...12...13...
20...21...22...
chest aching, she braced her limbs to the sides of the tub, wrestling with her most basic instinct to breath as she deprived her body and brain of oxygen- forcing herself to think of nothing but the numbers as a strange calm enveloped her mind and her consciousness began to fade into a cool, dark silence, where everything seemed to lose importance and meaning at last.
62...63...64...
It was there, floating in that strange place somewhere deep inside of herself on the edge of asphyxiation that she once again came face to face with the disturbing apparition of Conrad Kellogg. He starred her down- mirroring her expression as she peered deep into his cold, jaded black eyes- and as she watched, one side of his thin, pale pink lips turned up at the side in a mocking smirk as he raised his gun to her head- Victorious.
No
instinctively, Audrey lifted her hands in self defense, shocked to find she was already holding her own weapon- and as she reflexively aimed and squeezed the trigger of the gleaming, silver revolver- the smirking apparition of her nemesis morphed into a reflection of herself. As if in slow motion, she could only watch as the bullet shattered it like a giant glass mirror, causing the entire illusion to disintegrate into the nothing as the fatal gunshot echoed through her subconsciousness like the bomb of 2077.
Sitting up, Audrey took a deep breath as she resurfaced- ears ringing as her vision faded back into focus and she realized MacCready was now standing in the open doorway of the bathroom, looking down at her with a expression that was half shock, and half concern as she regained her lost breath.
"Calling all Silver Shroud listeners!" A thickly accented, arid voice called out over the airwaves as the broadcast cut back in, filling the tense silence before he could say anything. "I got an urgent mission. If your a true fan, stop by the Memory Den and t-talk to Kent Connolly- The Silver Shroud needs you!"
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. . .
"What do you think?" Audrey asked MacCready carefully as they stood in front of the red painted doors of Irma and Amari's establishment, poised to enter. The young Merc starred at the old theater doubtfully, with just a hint of apprehension in his light hazel brown eyes- the Memory Den had a reputation in Goodneighbor for sucking people in, and he preferred to avoid it wherever possible- unlike people like John Deacon, and Kent Connolly, who frequented the place so regularly that they practically lived there, immersed in their own memories...
"I think we cant really afford to be turning down any opportunities to make caps right now." He admitted though, despite himself. Nodding, Audrey had to hide her smile of victory as she turned to push open the heavy double doors, allowing them to step inside the thick, candle lit atmosphere filled with the smell of incents, perfume and body odor- Since her disastrous encounter with the mayor the previous day, she had decided to try to rectify the damage done to her already tepid relationship with MacCready by offering him extra consideration in matters of business and travel- and scrounging up extra opportunities to appease his insatiable need for Nuka-cola caps wherever possible.
"Caps sure are important to you..." She observed thoughtfully as they entered the main room, where Irma lounged carelessly on her red velvet sofa watching the memory monitors like a sop-opera as she smoked on a cigarette contedtedly...
"Your damn right they are- and right now, i need every cap i can get..." He admitted unabashedly as they made their way to the broadcast room toward the far right of the floor, where a splintering green door hung slightly ajar, plastered over with all manor of Silver Shroud memorabilia.
"...Sounds pretty desperate." She admitted bluntly, wide grey eyes narrowing as she eyed him with open suspicion, pausing right before the entry to Kents broadcast room- Why was he so hard up for caps anyway?
"I guess you could say that..." Her new companion admitted strangely, catching the look she gave him. "Look- I dont usually go around sharing stuff like this, but since were trying to be straight forward with each other now, i guess i should tell you...Its those two Assho- ahg...those two idiots you saw me talking to down at the Third Rail- Winlock and Barnes." He explained reluctantly, pointedly avoiding the use of profanity once more as he continued to clue her in- Which was something she noticed he did often during their conversations as of late...
"They've been hounding me for months, and its been driving off my clients-Nobody wants to touch me since hearing i used to run with the gunners...So I figured maybe if i could manage to scrape a few caps together, I could just buy em out and maybe things will get better."
"Your plan seems to make sense..." Audrey stated dubiously, unconvinced- Once he gave them the caps, how could he trust two suspicious characters like Winlock and Barnes not to just put a bullet in his back and be done with him?
"Maybe." MacCready agreed objectively, sounding almost as doubtful as she did as he gave a quick, nonchalant shrug. "But im still not sure how id pull it off even if i did come up with the caps- Winlock and barnes have a small army of gunners with them at all times, so its more likely they'll just take my caps and decide to kill me for good measure- So, If i set up a place to meet them, im sure they would roll in with everything they've got...Unless i could manage to get a few people together and take them out before they realize whats happening..."
"If you need my help, i guess im there." She offered helpfully before he could even ask, surprising the young merc- Truth be told, finding Dr. Virgil in the glowing sea seemed to Audrey like a near impossible task, and since she had finally managed to track down and kill Kellogg, she was beginning to lose faith in her mission to find the Institute- and by extension, Shaun...Helping MacCready clear his debt with the Gunners seemed far more feasible by comparison.
"...Really?" He asked strangely, seeming genuinely taken aback by the offer. "Wow- I guess i dont know what to say- everyone ive met up until now has either tried to rip me off, or plant a knife in my back...But you- your different. We might not see eye to eye on everything, but i have the sneaking suspicion that you might actually care what happens to me...and thats somethin. Tell you what- when you think the time is right and we have the necessary fire power, let me know and we'll head on over to the Mass Pyke interchange and finish things- and if you decide not to after all, its no big deal..." he told her fairly, not wanting her to feel obligated to put his agenda above her own- though he could really use the help...
"Im not gonna back out on you, MacCready- if i say im with you, i mean it." She reassured him seriously, offering a warm smile of friendship that made his insides flutter strangely. Blinking, he nodded an affirmation to appease her, whilst still reminding himself internally to keep his expectations low, just incase...A lot could change between now and then, he knew.
"Thanks for listening- I dont know if you got anything outta that, but i sure did...Now, you ready for this?" He asked light heartedly as they prepared to enter Kents room at last, giving her a bright smile of encouragement to lift the mood- The young merc hadnt meant for things to get all sentimental like that, but after the scene he had walked in on with her in the hotel bathroom that morning, he had resolved to try to be less harsh with her... MacCready wasnt sure what exactly she was trying to achieve by almost drowning herself in that tub, but it sounded like the mysterious young vault dweller had been through alot recently, and since losing a family was something he could relate to, he wasnt about to drag her down any further and risk tipping her over the edge.
"Ready as I'll ever be." She answered flippantly, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves before pushing the already cracked door open to allow them through, barging into the crowded space as if she owned it- an action that seemed to be becoming more of a habit for her, since arriving in Goodneighbor...
"Hm?" The old ghoul- Kent Connolly- grunted as he spun around in his swivel chair in front of a small desk set up as an impromptu recording station. " You got that memory lounger fired up alre- oh, your not Irma..." He trailed off awkwardly as he realized she wasnt whom he had expected.
"Nope- My names Audrey Stryder." Audrey introduced herself smoothly, offering the sickly looking creature a warm smile as she came to stand at a safe distance before him. "And this is my partner, MacCready- we heard your broadcast on the radio."
Frightful features brightening considerably, Kent straightened in his seat as he suspected his call was being answered, looking up at them with hopeful bloodshot blue eyes beneath the brim of his stained trilby hat.
"Wha- Thats fantastic!" He exclaimed happily, pleased to know that other people really did listen in. "Goodneighbor's crazy- thefts, m-murders, and worse! Sometimes you just gotta escape a little to make it through the day..."
"Escape?... What do you mean?" She asked curiously, giving the single memory lounger shoved in the corner of the room a look of trepidation as she recalled her own uncomfortable experience with the Mnumonic technology. Perking up at the question, Kent straightened in his seat before answering with thinly veiled enthusiasm.
"Reliving old memories- like Thanksgiving 2071! ma made a 12 pound turkey, and then we all listened to the silver shroud vs captain cosmos- Even pa was there!" He recalled excitedly, as if the event had just happened and he still couldnt believe it. "...You ever listen to the Silver Shroud? They're the best detective stories in the world! Thats who we need- no matter how bleak things got, he always found a way to save the day..."
Audrey smiled a little as the Ghoul waxed nostalgic, remembering Saturday nights with Nate spent glued to the Radio, listening to the old show with just as much enthusiasm as any grade school boy still watching cartoons and reading old comics- and he had been well into his thirties then.
"Are you kidding? My family and I used to listen to every new episode!" She revieled carelessly, before quickly trying to cover the fumble with a stale exclamation of agreement. "- but i hear you about Goodneighbor. It seems...Rough, over here."
Brows furrowing, the fine creases of Kent's sallow, scarred skin deepened as he registered her words.
"You mean when they first aired?" The ghoul asked suspiciously, giving her young, healthy body a quick, awkward once over. "How? that was over 200 years ago! Naw, you gotta be pulling my leg..." He dismissed almost casually, happy demeanor seeming to deflate before her eyes as he began to suspect she was having a go at him.
"You sound surprised- arnt there others around from before the war?" Audrey found herself asking despite herself, inexplicably peeved by the manner in which he was regarding her now.
"Oh sure, theres a lot of us Ghouls around that lived back then- but none of us look as good as you!" He complimented dryly, brows raising incredulously as he shot her another doubtful look. "Are you really that old?"
Biting back a sarcastic comment, Audrey sighed long and hard- The word old was really starting wear on her.
"I...I was in cryo-genic storage for a long time- i only just woke up not too long ago." She tried to explain simply, without giving too many extraneous details that might raise further questions from the Ghoul- besides, she wanted as little information about her as possible circulating around Goodneighbor, after her last encounter with its charming mayor...
"Oh man- thats amazing!" He exclaimed suddenly, surprising her. " You're just like Mr. Abominable, from episode 83!"
Audreys brows pulled together as vague memories of a silver haired Neanderthal sprang to mind.
"...Wait- wasnt he a cave man?" She asked carefully, sounding unsure- Kents eyes gleamed with excitement as he straightened once more in his swivel chair, sure now that she couldnt be lying to him.
"Yeah, thats the one! They found him in an iceberg off the harbor! Boy, if you just woke up, the world these days must take some getting used to!" He sympathized humorously, almost laughing at her plight.
"It wasnt easy at first- still isnt, really- but it seems like people are finally starting to rebuild and recover from the nuclear war." She admitted optimistically, trying to see the bright side of things instead of dwelling on the bad.
"Maybe in some parts, like Diamond city- but over here, we got a ways to go..." He grumbled dryly, before leaning in to elaborate further as his eyes grew far away... "It got real bad after the bombs fell, you see- and for a long while i just tried to focus on survival, instead of thinking back on the good ol days. It was just too painful- but its all we got now, so we got to try and make it better. That being said, i gotta question for you..."
Caught off gaurd by the Ghouls serious tone, Audrey refocused as she sensed they were reaching the subject of her visit.
"Shoot."
"What if the silver shroud was real?" He asked cryptically, hazy blue eyes narrowing to bloodshot slits. " With his black trench coat and silver machine gun and all that?"
Audrey shot MacCready a sideways glance as they shared a quick moment of silent communication, each questioning the Ghoul's remaining mental faculties.
"I dont know kent- it sounds to me like you have a plan...Why dont you just enlighten me, instead?" She asked diplomatically, deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"Your right- i do." He admitted cryptically, sounding almost proud of himself as he prepared to let them in on his scheme, voice lowering a few octaves so as not to be overheard. " I got an idea to bring the silver shroud to life, so he can fight the bad guys and give the rest of us a symbol of hope- of something better!"
Beside her, MacCready deflated, sighing exaggeratedly as he rolled his eyes like a petulant teenager- obviously not licking the direction Kent's plan was going.
"Oh brother- another whacko-Ghoul..." He muttered rudely below his breath, just loud enough for the Ghouls corroded ears to hear.
"What my partner here means is, Good on you for trying to make the world a better place." She interjected quickly as Kent shot her partner a withering look.
"Thats okay- it aint like thats the first time ive heard that." He admitted sullenly, making Audreys sympathetic heart ache a little. "...Its just, the show has gotten me through some pretty rough times, you know? And thats somethin i wanna share with the rest of the commonwealth, if i can..."
Again MacCready rolled his eyes, shifting his weight uncomfortably as he looked away from the sickening scene- The old Ghoul was really laying it on thick, in his opinion- Playing on the vault dwellers obviously bleeding heart to get what he wanted from her...
"What did you have in mind, kent?" Audrey asked inevitably, taken in by his dejected, pathetic demeanor.
"...Well, hear me out- i built my own custom machine gun- even better than the one in the show!" He exclaimed excitedly, growing animated once more as he began to further elaborate his plan, demonstrating a concerning amount of dedication to his enterprise. "But to make this work, i still need the most important piece...The Silver Shroud costume herself- and they actually got one here in Boston! They made it for the TV show- will you help?"
The hopeful Ghoul beseeched them, looking up at her unabashedly with big, glassy round eyes she knew she wouldnt be able to disappoint...
"Awe c'mon, do you really need the costume for this?" Her partner complained rudely, not impressed with Kents pitiful display.
"Without the shroud, id be just another armed hooligan- but if the silver shroud came to life and helped people, it would give everyone hope!" Came Kents insistant, desperate reply. "- And it aint like I'm askin you to do it for free..."
At the mention of money, Audrey and MacCready shared another meaningful look before the merc heaved another long sigh of defeat and put his hands up in surrender as he nodded despite himself- If caps were on the line, it would be worth a short walk into the Feral infested ruins of old Boston...Hopefully.
"... Sure, sounds easy enough." Audrey affirmed happily, turning back toward Kent with a bright smile as they came to an agreement at last.
"Wait, your actually gonna do it- for real?" He asked disbelievingly, somehow managing to look both shocked and elated at the same time as he gripped the sides of his chair tightly with his gnarled fingers.
"Yeah, Ive done a lot harder jobs for worse people- i dont mind taking a trip into Boston to pick up your Costume, i guess." She replied casually, graciously brushing it off like it was no big deal and earning another narrow eyed look of annoyance from her partner.
"Great!" Their new patron whooped victoriously, before turning around sharply in his swivel chair to grab an old newspaper clipping of an article announcing the participation of Hubris Comics in the filming of The Silver Shroud, and shoving it clumsily into her grasp- It included the full street address for the building in question, in case she didnt know the way. " Before the bombs fell, they were filming the pilot episode down at hubris comics- thats where youll find it. You're the best!" He told her fervently, practically exuding gratitude as he hopped out of his seat with a swiftness that belayed his old, withered form to push the pair toward the doorway just as Irma arrived to tell him his lounger was ready.
"Good luck!"
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