“I am sick of this outfit’s blatant incompetence!” A middle aged balding man stepped forward from the crowd. His face was weathered and
fatigued, with emotional strain and anguish deep in his eyes. “My son disappeared two days ago, and you expect me to believe some boat
wreckage is enough to convince me that he drown in the bay?”
With this statement the voices of countless others began there own deliverance. Seven men stood uneasy before the angry mob, all
dressed regally in their new Bay Shore Police Department uniforms. Before the seven stood one man with a neutral expression. His suit was
well pressed, and hung the medals and honors of his outfit from the days of his youth. He tapped quietly on the microphone that lay
complacently on the podium before him, seemingly oblivious to the clamorous scene around him. His eyes darted over the faces of the
crowd, an amalgamation of displaced loss, aggression and befuddlement.
‘My words must be cleverly crafted’ he thought to himself as he pushed the broadcast button on the microphone base. A harsh crackle of
the initiation of sound from each antiquated speaker settled the crowd momentarily.
“Citizens of Bay Shore, let me begin by first expressing the utmost concern for your losses.” The crowd looked suspiciously onward. “Our
team is working around the clock to find answers for you all…”
“Like the answers you found for the Johnson’s boy” interrupted a rather pushy man in a business suit clutching the tattered remains of a
week old newspaper. The headline read “Local Boy Presumed Drowned” with the remains of a small boat and torn clothing among some
rocks pictured below it. That news story had been the sixth ‘mysterious’ disappearance of a local teenage boy in the past month and a
solution had arrived far too quickly and suspiciously to settle the grieving parents. As they protested the police department’s evidence and
investigation efforts, others began to question the disappearance of their children as well. Furthermore, several disappearances were
reported from the State University a few miles up the road, again all male in their late teens and early 20s’.
“What happened was unfortunate, Mr. Smith” spoke the well-decorated police chief at the podium. “I assure you my department is doing
everything possible to find the two young men that disappeared this morning”.
A middle-aged woman stepped forward with indignant confidence. “And what of the rumors of this Pleasure Island, officer?” She gleamed
at the Chief as the crowd hushed again at the mention of this name. The room felt haunted by this utterance, yet the woman continued.
“I’ve heard the island operates a sinister operation, capturing young men and forcing them into menial labor, what has the Bay shore Police
Department done about this? Has it even been pursued? Investigated? ANYTHING?”
The Chief and Five of his men stood uneasy; the other two looking curelessly at the officers to their sides for explanation. Chief Richards
cleared his throat and attempted to maintain his composure. He was nervous, however he was also a patient and proud man who knew the
perils of loosing his nerve before the hands of a reckless mob. “The rumors surrounding that archaic theme park are a myth. The Circe
Corporation, who has graciously provided money to this town time and time again, privately owns the land and without a warrant we
cannot trespass onto their island. Furthermore the shallow waters and violent tides make venturing there a dangerous misfortune, and an
even more unlikely place for reckless teenagers to wander.”
“That’s not good enough, we want pleasure island investigated!” cried the rabble once more. It was getting out of control, the chief needed
something fast to give the crowd, something desperate.
Suddenly from the crowd, a slender olive skin hand rose, and an elegant woman in what appeared to be her mid 30’s stepped forward. She
had flowing dark brown hair, about mid back length and she carried herself with the fine balance of mystery and grace. Yet despite her
polished exterior there was wildness within her eyes that none could deny.
The crowd quieted, while small groups of whispered avidly to each other and stared.
“My name is Amelia Circe, and as many of you know…” she paused and peered around the room, “I am the founder and CEO of Circe
Corporation. I have heard rumors of involvement of my island in the disappearance of these fine young men…” she glanced at no less than
a dozen missing persons photos at the front of the room. “I would formally like to invite the Bay shore Police Department Investigatory
team to have a stay on my humble island an quell any rumors of my involvement of these tragic disappearances”.
The Chief smiled nervously; and then eyed the line of officers before him. “Very well” he said, “Officer Marston… and…” he looked in your
direction “Officer… what was your name again? Well it doesn’t matter rookie, its time you get your feet wet.” He switched back to the
crowd. “These two gentlemen will accompany Ms. Circe to the island and undertake a thorough investigation of the premises.”
Again the crowd whispered, and then nodded in acceptance. You stated blankly at Ms. Circe who began eyeing you up and down. There
was a smirk in her gaze, as if she was planning something else… ‘Here we go’ you think to yourself, as the lights around you dim and you
and your colleagues line slowly out the side doors of the stage…