End of Night 64: Head Doctor's Office - 3rd Floor

[head_doctor]

While it wasn't uncommon for patients to black out at the end of Nightshift, a select few would have a wrench thrown into their normal routine. Rather than waking up bright and early in their typical bed, they would find themselves propped up in a comfortable leather chair.

The room itself looked like an office straight from the 1950s – almost cozy, in fact. None of them would recognize the oak table in the middle of the room, or the two bookcases, which were neatly arranged with all kinds of texts and books. Between those bookcases, though, was a picture of the Institute, framed with wood that perfectly matched the rest of the room's décor.

The knickknacks scattered across the bookcases -- staff photographs, a golfing figure made of business cards, and some prestigious-looking awards – didn't seem out of place for a regular office, either. The desk itself was the centerpiece, and was obviously well-used. That wasn't to say it was messy, exactly, but the inbox and outbox resting on top of the glass-paned surface were stuffed with a variety of paperwork and envelopes. Though most of the room looked old-fashioned, the keyboard and two flat screen monitors contrasted with the rest of the office.

These things would probably escape the notice of most of the people visiting this evening, though. After all, anyone who woke up in this office would be treated to the sight of a man peering through his oval-rimmed glasses as he leafed through some folders. Although his face was distinct enough for anyone who'd had the opportunity to see the Head Doctor in person, the small microphone sitting just inches away from him said volumes about who he was.

As soon as the patient awoke, the man looked up, offering an unexpectedly amicable smile. After closing the folder, he set it down next to the outbox and leaned back in his seat.

“Ah, good evening,” he greeted as he pulled the glasses from his nose. “I've been expecting you. You've been brought here because I thought you might be interested in making a deal, so let's discuss things like gentlemen, shall we?” Nodding toward the newcomer, he chuckled. “Take a moment to regain your bearings if you need it. I realize this must be a bit disorienting.”

Comments

[head_doctor]

"Warning taken," Landel said before getting to the nitty gritty of their contract. It was too bad Facilier was so seasoned in these tricky business deals; it made slip ups all the harder to implement. Alas!

"I would be agreeable to loaning your gifts back to you during this little experiment. It should make this witch hunt all the more enjoyable to watch! But I expect a little more than just some clever hocus pocus, as I'm sure you can understand." The Head Doctor paused for a moment to make sure the patient was listening to the catch. "I need at least five deaths before I will guarantee to return your gifts to you permanently. Any less and you may have to kiss your new and improved shadow friend good bye. Granted you do not have to be responsible for all five of them. It would be a treat to see groups of paranoid patients take out some of their own--Of course, if you want to be the one doing the killing, by all means." The man's laugh was more bright and wholesome than it should have been.

"On that note--!" He returned his seat back up straight and leaned over his desk as he watched. "Let's talk about what will be returned to you, shall we? Yes, I think we shall! I will loosen the collar on that delightful shadow of yours! It is free to roam the nights just as long as you can. Now then, it will only be as physically strong as you are, so bear that in mind when you are trying to beat, dismember, or strangle someone or something--Or however you enjoy utilizing those final moments! I leave the choice up to your judgment, of course!

"Comments, questions?" The Head Doctor waited patiently, a delighted smile stuck to his face.

[doctor_voodoo]

"Five deaths you say? Sounds doable, 'specially if my powers are part of the equation!" Facilier was feeling increasingly amiable towards Landel's deal -- even towards Landel himself in a way. It meant going against his own fellow prisoners, but what did they ever have to offer him? Just meek promises of weakened powers and foolish beliefs of the "power of friendship", that's what! That wasn't what Facilier wanted! Most of them were just obstacles and possible threats to him anyways! To gain back his abilities and even a chance to climb up the ladder towards the "real" power of this world was far too impossible for the greedy Bokor to resist. He couldn't help but join Landel's laughter over their despicable plans. "I had not expected such generosity from you! Men of your stature would never bother to cast me even a sideways glance! You've made the right decision in approaching me with your deal..."

As soon as it was mentioned, Facilier's Shadow peeked its caricature of a head out from behind the leather chair. At this point, there was no need to hide, and just hearing about the possibility of regaining its powers made the dark entity squirmy with excitement. With his Shadow revealing its full form against the wall beside him, Facilier appraised Landel and pondered over his offer. What Landel described was the same as Facilier had before when he still worked for the Loa. It did bother him that the man sitting before him had such relative ease of access to his powers in the first place, but the opportunity to get some of them back was tempting... And as he warned before, if the Loa didn't like this arrangement, they can take it up with Landel. Simple as that.

"You've got yourself a deal, Doctor Landel!" Facilier exclaimed, leaping to his feet and stretching out a long hand towards the seated man. "I promise y'all get your little show and then some!" he declared as his grinning Shadow let out an eerie chuckle from behind. "Your poor sick sheep will be taken out of their misery in no time!"