From: "Steffan Alun" <s...@aber.ac.uk> Subject: [PW!] A New Clue Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2004 13:23:32 +0000 (UTC) Jack OATS, Private Investigator, was still cross-referencing newspaper cuttings when Mike woke up. "Nothing!" he exclaimed. "Aside from the fact that the company didn't exist more than a year ago, there are no further clues." Mike rubbed his eyes and took a look at some of the cuttings. "What about that article?" he asked, pointing to one of the larger cuttings. "It must be important if it got a whole article." "Read the headline," said OATS wearily. Mike did so. It read: "TOUR COMPANY EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF DRUG DEALING". "Oh my-" said Mike. "That's about ME, isn't it?" "Bingo." Mike felt a headache developing, and allowed himself to collapse on the floor. OATS peered over his desk. "I'll continue investigations alone if you'd like to get some sleep, Mr Smith," he said. "No," replied Mike. "That's alright. I could do with the motivation to stay alive." OATS continued to search through notes. Mike decided to start his own investigation by rummaging through his pockets for any handy bits and pieces that may hold a clue. He placed a collection of papers and a white ball the size of a snooker ball on the table. "What's this?" asked OATS, examining the ball. "Into snooker, are you?" "It's a key," said Mike. "One of ComComCom's bright ideas. There's a button on the side. You press it, and the key clicks out. I don't remember why the company thought disguising their keys as balls would be effective." He indicated the ball-key in OATS's hand. "That one opens my office back in Golden...oh, no." "What's the matter?" "I'd forgotten about that!" said Mike, looking suddenly manic. "I've been gone months! The Goldenrod branch of ComComCom was dreadful, and without me, it'll probably become even worse! I wouldn't be surprised if I've lost the company thousands already!" "Mr Smith, keep focused on your priorities!" said OATS. "We'll prove your innocence first, and THEN you can go back to your old job and fix the place up." Mike was still shivering with concern. He picked up the newspaper article he'd seen earlier. "So, what are they saying about me?" he asked. "That'd be a starting point." He skimmed the article. "They don't even name me!" "I assume the company decided not to disclose your name, then," said OATS. "Which is fortunate for you, since it'll make it easier to get back to reality when all this blows over." "Wait!" said Mike. "There's something wrong here! This article was written...almost seven months before I'd even joined the company." "What?" OATS snatched the article back and checked the date. "I really should have spotted that." "What does it mean?" asked Mike. "It means," said OATS, "That you're not the first person to be framed for drugs whilst working for Pugh Pewter Tours..." -- Steffan