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CookieBoy011 — MY PLACE s03:e26 - Partners in Crime
#animalcrossing #myplace #acnl #animalcrossingnewleaf
Published: 2022-07-27 20:22:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 1693; Favourites: 8; Downloads: 1
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While saying goodbye to Charlise had certainly put a damper on things, Place was still buzzing with excitement over Halloween. With just under 24 hours left until the festivities began, everyone was busy making plans and speculating on who Jack planned to spook on the night… and how.
My last Halloween here was pretty dull.
Of course, it was during the mayor’s stay at Tortimer Island, which I could only assume was the cause of misery for the Place veterans. Not because they missed him, per say, but because the future of their village was put into question; their new mayor had up and left without so much as a goodbye, the only one keeping everything afloat being his skittish secretary. Bluebear donned a costume, as did Charlise, and Simon made an effort, but for the most part, nobody could be bothered that year.
Which is why I was a bit concerned to see the mayor look positively mournful this morning. He sat by the lake, his fishing rod in tow, watching a fish nibble at the bait without facing much resistance.
“You know those things don’t catch themselves?” I asked him.
“I know, it sucks,” he grumbled. The way he frowned at his own reflection made me think that he was trying to perfect his unhappy face, or something. Then, with a sigh, as if being forced to reel the poor creature in, he began to tug on the rod until the fish plopped out of the water and landed in his hands.
“A crucian carp!” he attempted to exclaim, “what a… crucial catch! Eh?”
I responded with a very well rehearsed pity laughter.
“I see you’re still working on your comedy, then.”
“My mentor says that I should try and hide the fact that I hate every punchline that comes out of my mouth,” he said, throwing the fish back into the river.
“Is that why you look so glum?” I decided to ask. “It’s Halloween tomorrow, I thought you’d be looking forward to it…”
He looked around suspiciously before leaning in close.
“Can I tell you something terrifying?” he whispered.
There would be no point in saying otherwise.
The mayor gulped. “I’ve been recruited by a pumpkin to scare everyone in the village!” he hissed. “If I don’t, I’m pretty sure that he’ll eat me and steal my earthly possessions.”
“Pumpkin?” I asked, whispering as well… for some reason. “You mean Jack?”
“You know him too?”
“Well, yeah. The story goes that every year he chooses ‘an unfortunate soul to enact his ghoulish ways.’”
The mayor’s eyes widened. “So I’m just another in a long line of sad saps!”
“Of course,” I continued, “he typically only goes for those who deserve it. Liars, cheats, the generally uncivilized…”
“Okay, I get the picture.” He straightened himself up, now more flustered than scared. “Look, I gotta find out what everybody’s scared of and mostly everybody has answered except for you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Mostly everybody?”
“I think they all know what I’m up to,” he sighed. “Come on, man!” he started begging. “Just gimme a chance! I’m probably better at freaking people out than I am at making them laugh!”
“You may have a point there,” I considered. “Alright, well, if you must know… I’m not too fond of mummies.”
“Pffft! Mummies?” the mayor scoffed, ever so respectfully. “They’re not even real!”
“Let’s just say that I may have watched a scary movie at an age where I could have possibly been considered too young to have seen it…” I admitted, a little embarrassed. His mocking certainty didn’t help.
“This is very interesting information…” the mayor smiled. “I now know one of your weaknesses. Very good.”
“Yeah, well, it’ll be worth it to see you wrapped head to toe in toilet roll!” I quipped.
“Ah!” he smiled wider. “Comedy! Good one.”
“You know,” I told him, “maybe you could start coming to me for sleuthing lessons. I’ve been doing some more of it recently, as a matter of fact.”
“Jack hasn’t gotten to you too, has he?” he asked, the fear returning to his eyes for a moment.
“Nothing like that,” I chuckled. “I’m just going around asking people why they chose to live here, that’s all.”
“Why would you….? Oh, that’s right,” the mayor said, his face dropping, “you’re still on about leaving at some point, huh?”
“That’s right,” I said, matter of factly. “Although, I guess it’s still sorta up in the air for now. I could still stay if my market research proves convincing.”
“Well, look at us!” the mayor grinned, his enthusiasm returning. “A couple of snoops up to no good! We should write a paper.”
“Are you offering me jobs now?” I asked, sarcastically.
“Whatever keeps you around, Alice!” he waved, heading off in no particular direction. “Oh, and sorry in advance!”
“For what?” I called back.
“For scaring you!” he replied. “Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on ‘ya!”
Yeah, I thought, sure thing.
Although, this conversation got me thinking. I’ve been asking about why people LIKE living here. Maybe I should start asking about what they DON’T like about out-there. In other words… What's scaring them?
~Author’s Notes~
Some good old mayor and Alice banter. I find that their dialogue writes itself, they have a dynamic I’m very used to.
Also, just a heads up: My Place will probably go on a wee hiatus right now.
Reason being is that the next episode (the mid-summer Halloween special!) is gonna be quite big. Probably, anyway. So if I don’t post next week, that’s why.
