Riddle 023: When in Drone

[questionauthority]

[A: Action - Mayfield High School

Well, class, have you been enjoying your sessions with your droned Ethics teacher, Mr. Nigma? Because it looks as though he's in the middle of yet another of his cheerful drone-y lectures.]

You see, kids? Life sure is grand here in Mayfield. Even if you're down or discouraged about schoolwork, or girls, or bullies---at the end of the day, you just have to remember the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have others do unto...

[But he trails off. Blinks. His eyes no longer appear glazed over. He takes in his surroundings, as though waking up from a long, unpleasant dream. The cheery grin on his face fades into a sour scowl. It looks like Edward Nigma is back to normal.]

...what on earth was I just saying?

[B: Later on that day, Edward makes his way back home, sending out a public phone call, filtered from drones.]

Well. Apologies for taking the idea of "getting droned" lightly. It certainly isn't pleasant. Two full weeks---gone, just like that. Two weeks that could be better spent trying to determine a means of escape. But I don't intend to dally any longer with idle distraction. And I, Edward Nigma, don't intend to let this town continue to have its way. Not anymore. We need to take initiative. We need to strike back. Now.

Regrettably, with all the chaos and my little... "sabbatical," I was unable to hold a second meeting as I had originally planned. I trust you were all able to keep yourselves busy in my absence?

[C: Filtered to Poison Ivy]

Pamela? Are you there?

[D: Action - 726 Anderson Lane

Edward's back in his typical colors, pacing around the study in an almost manic state of mind. Do you approach?]

[E: Action - Olney's Tavern

In an incredibly morose turn of events, Edward has found his way over to Olney's Tavern late that night. With all the crap that's happened to him in the past couple of weeks---rejection at the hands of Ema Skye, his droning at the hands of the town, and the fact that this little April Fools' prank has cost him dearly---he could use a drink. Against his better nature, he heads to the counter and raps on it impatiently, flagging down the bartender.]

Malt whiskey. Leave the bottle.

Comments

school!

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe wasn't really listening, just looking out the window of the classroom with a blank expression on his face. But when Edward's tone suddenly changes, Crowe blinks and turns to him.]

Oh.


Welcome back.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

...how long?

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

[Garviel is drinking wine from a glass at the bar, none the worse for wear. He nods to Edward.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward glances over at Garviel, pouring himself a glass of whiskey and tipping his hat.]

Garviel.

A

[flameyedhunter.livejournal.com]

"You were blabbing some idealistic crap."

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward looks almost as though he wants to wash his own mouth out with soap.]

Apologies, then, for forcing you all to endure these lectures. I can assure you that "the Golden Rule" is nowhere on my curriculum.

[phone|filtered]

[ryuuzaki]

Is that what happened to you? I thought you were dead.

[L's flat tone doesn't seem to leave room for the appropriate amount of gravity--for him to sound as if Edward's death would have been more disappointing than running out of cake.]

[phone|filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I appreciate the concern.

[phone]

[brotherseyes.livejournal.com]

You, too?

[phone]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

You mean to say you were droned as well, Ms. Liebert?

E

[riastrad-ridire.livejournal.com]

Sure thing.

[He poured the drink and set down both glass and bottle.]

Seems like this is a popular place after that whole mess.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Hmmph. I can imagine why.

[He raises his glass before taking a deep swill of it.]

[Phone - Filtered]

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right about that.

It was an April Fool's day joke.

[Phone - Filtered]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

So I've heard.

Have you been in contact with any of the Legion? How did they respond to this?

[Phone]

[sturmbahnfurher.livejournal.com]

How bold, Edward.

[Phone]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[He tenses up.]

I'm doing now what should have been done some time ago.

filtered!

[luxuriality.livejournal.com]

Well, Mr. Edward, it's great to have you back. I saw your drone at Mayfield high - it was less than entertaining. He was sort of irritating, to be honest.

Regardless, I'm glad for your arrival back, even if it is um, Mayfield.

How've you been holding up?

filtered!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I've been better, Solaris. I can assure you---my droned self is nothing compared to the real Edward Nigma.

[Remind the audience just what the real Edward Nigma is, again?]

How have things been on your end? I can imagine you were quite busy, after our botched little investigation.

D

[greatestmanll40.livejournal.com]

Nigma.

Good to see you're back to your old self.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Good to see you aren't afraid to invite yourself in, Luthor. To what do I owe this pleasure?

school

[biophases.livejournal.com]

Um, I think it was something about a "Golden Rule."

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Do me a favor? Ignore whatever far-fetched garbage I spewed off to you all, this past couple of weeks.

[He squints at her for a second. This is an unfamiliar face.]

You must be new to this class.

A | also, placeholder

[cramschoolgod.livejournal.com]

I believe you were telling us how grand life is in Mayfield. And how we should live our lives by the Golden Rule. And that discouragements about girls, bullies, or schoolwork were inconsequential in the long run.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[He grits his teeth.]

Thank you, Ms. Sasaki, for that detailed recollection.

obviously C

[poisonivyforyou.livejournal.com]

Yep. Glad to see you remember my name now.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

My apologies, Pamela. Mayfield has... a very questionable sense of humor.

When did you get back in town?

A

[hontobakabaka.livejournal.com]

"Oh good, you came back to your senses. I was trying very hard to ignore the nonsense you were spouting, but, it seems its over."

Re: A

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Thankfully. You didn't have to endure too much torture in the past week or so, did you?

E

[buildstherobots.livejournal.com]

Looks like you had a bad day too.

[Guess who has a drink as fruity as he is? It's Dist!]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

Try a bad month.

What's gotten you so bothered?

A

[notsaul.livejournal.com]

Something about girls.

I was almost interested for a second.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

A brilliant contribution to the class discussion as always, Ms. Goldstein.

D

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[While Edward is busily pacing the room, the desk chair swivels to face him and in it is Slugger who has appeared quite literally out of nowhere. This may come as a bit of a surprise but he doesn't look nearly as amused as he should.

Also, he may have gotten a hold of your cane, Edward, and is liable to start examining it quite closely.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Slugger, you don't even phase him anymore. Edward outstretches his hand.]

Hand that over, Slugger.

A

[brbgoing2russia.livejournal.com]

I think you were saying something like Batgirl is totally kick-ass.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

I believe you might be in the wrong classroom. I'm an ethics teacher, you see. I don't teach fiction.

B

[crazyclownwoman.livejournal.com]

Eddie! You're back!

....Guess what, guess what!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

What, Harley?

D

[justice-smells.livejournal.com]

[She pokes him in the forehead with her cane, which is suddenly less ornate than it had been when she saved him. Where did she just pop out from, again?]

There's somebody else back to normal! I've had it up to here with you hooligans and your wanton brainwashee-ings!

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward stumbles backwards slightly at the sudden prod---her sudden appearances, he's not so used to.]

When did you---? ...never mind.

B

[gotmorbucks]

You didn't miss anything, if you're wondering.

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

It appears as though we'll be having another meeting soon, at any rate. Clear your schedule for the weekend.

D

[deaths-heritor.livejournal.com]

[Susan will enter the study, place a bottle of calamine lotion on the desk, and make to exit.]

[puzzlerprince.livejournal.com]

[Edward glares at the bottle, not turning to face Susan.]

You sent me into poison ivy.

[Of course, he treated himself while he was droned, but he remembers far too well.]